A/N: Wow! 36 reviews already! Thank you!


12.

„You look well, Son." said his mother, when along with her husband she was visiting him in D.C.

She was worried about Jack, when he informed them about the divorce. She couldn't believe that Allie, a girl, who she knew for such a long time and whose mother she was such good friends with, could do something like this to him. She was disappointed and angry, but first of all, concerned. Jack might have been a handsome, successful lawyer, who at first glance looked like he could win the word just waving his hand, as if he wasn't afraid of anything, but Mrs. Hudson knew better. Deep in her heart her oldest son was a sensitive man and very vulnerable, and not when it came to physical wounds. He had a soft heart and sometimes lacked self-confidence, especially when it came to the opposite sex. The truth was, that he wasn't dating a lot of girls. During the whole thirty-something years of life he had maybe three girlfriends, and Allie was the one, who he was truly "serious" about. She was a centre of his word since they started high school, and the woman, who he wanted to build a future with, a future full of hope and dreams, which she destroyed so perfidiously. Laura Hudson knew that her ex-daughter-in-law's betrayal really affected her son and hurt him a lot. She could see how her Jack was suffering during his visit in his hometown and how he was trying to hide the true depth of his pain. He couldn't deceive his mother, though. Her astute eye noticed everything, and the maternal heart joined him in his pain. Her professional experience also suggested, that there will be quite a bit of time before he would get over the unpleasant experiences and trust somebody again. She wanted him to experience happiness again, but…

One way or another, she was worried that after all of this her son would throw himself into work, so he wouldn't think about the private "failure" and he'll separate himself from people, only to eventually end up completely alone. It was why she decided to visit him. She wanted to make him feel better and encourage him to socialise again, but when she arrived at his house (apartment – but the name wasn't important) she was completely surprised by what she found, very pleasantly surprised. Instead of a depressed man, who came to Wisconsin, she saw a relaxed and grinning boy, who he used to be a long time ago. There was something inside him, some sort of lightness. It was exactly as if he suddenly spread his wings and started to fly. He flourished, and his eyes regain the old, happy glow, which actually fainted during his marriage with Allie, when Jack was practically forcing himself to fulfil her growing expectations. In her own way Allison stifled him, making everything so he only wouldn't only a lawyer in constant demand, but also an influential man, who would allow her to gain something from it, too. Success, power and influence were her aim, and Jack was a tool, which she could use to reach it faster.

Laura knew it, but she was naïve enough to think that her daughter-in-law loved her oldest child, and the rest was just an addition. How wrong she was. Allie obviously had no idea what was love and her husband was a victim of this woman's cold heart.

Obviously, however, something happened lately, what brought back his joy of life and Laura was very relieved. Jack didn't need her help. He was once again lively, happy and ready to joke. Not to mention that his appetite was fine again, what she eagerly used preparing his favourite dishes, which included of course his beloved cinnamon rolls.

"And I feel wonderful, Mom!" he assured her enthusiastically. "Actually, why not? We have a beautiful day and you are here. Why shouldn't I be happy because of it? It's not like you and Dad live five minutes away from me. Your every visit brings me happiness!" he said warmly, and his father, who walked into the kitchen at the same moment, hugged him manly.

"And vice versa, Son." spoke Samuel, and then looked into the boiling pot. "So, what do we have today, My Dear?" he asked.

„Risotto with boletus, Honey." she answered.

"Mmmm…" sighed Jack. „My favourite!"

Sam also grinned. He loved everything, what was cooked by his wife (since the very beginning he kept saying that she was a very talented woman!) and risotto was also in his favourite menu. Whenever Laura prepared the dish, it was always perfect and both men could feel their appetites growing.

"And for dessert we'll have hazelnut cake baked with Grandma's recipe." she added. "I didn't do it for quite some time, but it's quite good." she added, showing the cake to both men, who immediately tried to take a little bit of. "A,a, a!" she playfully threatened them both with her finger. "Not before dinner! First the main course, then sweets!"

"Awww…" whined Jack. "You're no fun, Mom!"

"You think so, Honey?" Laura's eyebrows raised and Sam gave his son a discreet, warning nudge. Jack didn't catch his father's hint and looked at his mother warmly, but challengingly.

"Uhuh." he confirmed.

"Then you can forget about the cake, Baby. I don't share with someone, who believes me to be boring." she said mischievously and her oldest son immediately changed his attitude.

"But, Mommy! It's not like I said something! Don't you agree, Dad, that I didn't say that Mom is boring?" he addressed his other parent, who just raised his hands.

"Don't look at me, Son!" the brunet heard. "Deal with what you've done! I want to try this cake." he mumbled quietly, making her wife laugh and his son frowned.

"Traitor!" murmured Jack.

"Traitor with the dessert!" Sam smiled at him.

Laura rolled her eyes. In the past she was a witness and participant of such banters quite often. When Jack was living with them in Wisconsin, in their family house, those banters and jokes were a part of an everyday life and made the family very happy. Then Allie took him to New York and those wonderful moments became less frequent. Today it was exactly like during those old times, and Mrs. Hudson could feel her heart grow.

The whole trio joked a little more, and then Laura gently asked them to live the kitchen, so she could finish the meal.

"Go to the living room and do something "manly"!" she giggled.

"Everything we do is manly, Darling!" Samuel said insistently.

"If you say so, Dearest!" she winked happily and patting his still attractive Gluteus Maximus, she made him leave her kingdom. A moment later she heard the man fight for the remote control. Jack wanted to watch a hockey math, but Sam preferred a rerun of the latest episode of "Murdoch Mysteries". After a lively discussion they finally decided to compromise and chose an action movie, judging by all the gunshots and tire screeches.

"Just like it used to be!" Mrs. Hudson said to herself and focused on cooking.

An hour later the family just finished eating, when the phone rang and Jack, excusing his parents, stood up to answer it.

"Hudson." he said into the receiver and his mother saw his face light up.

She was intrigued why and soon she already had some suspicions, when she heard his next words.

"Hi, Sue. To what do I owe the pleasure of hearing your voice today?" he asked quietly, but not quietly enough, because his parents exchanged a knowing look.

"Good afternoon, Jack." greeted him the girl on the other side. He didn't see the way she blushed in response to his words. "I'm calling because I have a huge favour to ask." she added uncertainly.

"What can I do for you?" he immediately asked.

"I would like to take a few days off, starting tomorrow." she spoke.

"Days off? Did something happen?" the brunet was obviously worried.

"You could say so." answered Miss Thomas. "Andy brought chickenpox from the day-care and I have nobody to leave him with. Tara is usually taking care of him in situations like this, but now she's pregnant and we can't risk her catching it, too. Besides, we wouldn't want him to give it to Zoe. Lucy can't, either, so…"

"Oh, poor little guy!" the lawyer spoke with compassion. "Of course you can take those days off, Sue! Don't come back until Andy feels better. I'll somehow manage without you, although I'm going to miss the lunches we eat together, not to mention your help. Don't worry, though, and focus on your son. I'll visit you when I have a moment." he promised in a soft, warm voice, which made Laura curious. Jack didn't use it for a very long time.

"Interesting…" Mrs. Hudson thought, looking at her son.

When he finished the conversation and sighed, looking somewhere into the distance, Laura leaned towards her husband.

She didn't need to say anything. Her eyes were speaking instead and Sam winked knowingly.

Whoever was this mysterious Sue, she must have had a strong influence on their son. She had to be a special woman…

TBC