And so this story ends. It was enjoyable to write (though it took far more hours to write than I had thought), and I hope you liked it. Now it's time to bring it home.

Epilogue

Jack rose stiffly from his knees and made the sign of the cross. The years were starting to catch up with him, he finally admitted. When he was first married to Sue, he could spring back up from kneeling in front of the large crucifix where they prayed each day, front and center in their living room, with no trouble at all. Thirty years more years laid more heavily on him than he had anticipated, but he accepted it. He had abused his body when he was younger and was getting the bill for it now. When he turned he saw Sue standing and watching him, a gentle smile on her face.

"Letting go never gets easier, does it?" She said, twining her hands behind his neck in an old comfortable movement. Drawing her near made his day, just like it always did.

"I know it's foolish. It's not like she's vanishing from our lives forever. It's goofy, but it doesn't get easier to trust my daughters to these guys. Or my sons to women. I want to make sure they are amazing, will lead our children to God. To make the same promise you did." Jack said, drawing his wife closer.

Sue smiled brilliantly up at him. She knew what he was talking about. The day before the wedding, she had pulled him aside and given him a small envelope. Inside of it, he found a miraculous medal and a note which read: I want nothing more than to see you in heaven. I choose to devote my life to getting you there.

They had lived it, both devoting their lives to the same cause: getting the other to heaven. All of their suffering (they had their share, suffering two miscarriages and numerous small losses), their sacrifices from lives of self-sacrifice for their family, their joys; everything was aimed to helping the other and their children to holiness. And they had been richly blessed with six children (four sons and two daughters) currently living, two of the boys ordained as priests and the others married. Or getting married the next day, in the case of their youngest daughter Colleen.

"And Nick did, dear. Didn't Collie tell you?" Sue asked.

Jack tilted his head. "Tell me what?"

Sue giggled. "Nick gave her a little book. It started with 'When I met you, I wanted to die'," Jack's eyebrows went up at that, and Sue laughed. "She thought it was a little morbid too, except for the next page, which said 'to myself'. He pointed out his role as husband: to die to self to serve his spouse. Believe me dear, he knows what it is to be a husband."

Jack shrugged, a little self-consciously. "I just want to protect my little girl from the pain that I know she will encounter in her married life."

Sue's eyebrows rose. "Well, I didn't think being married was that bad."

Jack gave her a slightly exasperated look. "You know what I mean, dear. There are times of suffering. I just want to protect her. And I can't. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled that she got the guy she did; he's a good guy. I just..."

Sue kissed him, and he let out a breath. When she pulled back she smiled at him. "It's the same thing that happened when Becky got married." Jack nodded.

"And I assure you, I will cry again. Real men cry when they give away their daughters." Jack said, sticking his nose in the air.

"You're right, dear." Sue said, a teasing mocking tone in her voice. Jack stuck his tongue out at her.

"Real mature, dad." Colleen's voice came from behind him.

When he and Sue turned, all of their children were arrayed, having just walked into the living room. They continued carrying on, he and Sue just standing and watching them goof off; singing, laughing, teasing, quoting, just having a great time. That's when Jack looked down at Sue.

It's everything I've ever wanted in my life. And I got it all, by the grace of God. He signed, gesturing to his children and to Sue herself. Thank you for choosing to be with me, to give me that greatest gift.

Sue grinned at him. The pleasure is mine, dearest husband. She locked eyes on his and his eyes shone with happiness. He caressed her cheek, kissed her gently, then drew back enough as they signed what they signed to each other each night.

I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you, and honor you, all the days of my life.

It's short, but it's sweet and get's the point across. By the way, that last bit is the Catholic wedding vow if you didn't puzzle that out. Thanks for reading! If you liked it, let me know. I may work another "short" story (and by 'may', it's already in the works), but I urge you readers to take up some writing, even if it's just one story. We need more for Sue Thomas. But that wraps up this story. God bless, and happy reading.