In another area of the city just a short ten minute drive away Jack Hudson was waking up on Christmas morning wearing the biggest smile on his face knowing that in hours, hopefully every single dream he had during the last five years was going to come true, he was finally, after five years, going to tell the woman he loved that he couldn't be without her anymore and didn't want to be either.
He had planned everything; there was nothing that was going to stop him this time, especially not Myles he was safely away at the Cape with Jack's sister Kiki. Glancing at the clock on the bedside table he knew it would be at least another hour or two before she left for Church and his plan could be executed so he busied himself by showering, getting dressed and eating his breakfast but not before putting his treasured hockey jersey into wash secretly hoping that tonight he would be cuddled up to the person who gave it him.
He quickly looked in his top draw making sure that everything he needed was still there, checked the flowers were all still in the kitchen, even though he knew they were or at least they had been five minutes ago but in Jack's mind a lot could happen to them in five minutes and he wasn't taking any chances, satisfied that the flowers were indeed still in their vases, he glanced towards his coffee table and smiled when once again the brown box was just where he'd left it as was the spare key to Sue and Lucy's apartment, he was just about to sit on his sofa to open his presents when he knew he had to check everything once more just to be on the safe side.
"Jack, calm down everything is going to be fine, she is going to love it, Lucy assured you that she's fine but is missing everyone especially you, so just relax for an hour, open your presents and phone your mom, it will make the time go quicker and make you less paranoid!"
Once he given himself his little pep talk Jack proceeded to his couch and began opening his presents. He had received clothes, aftershave and tickets to a hockey game off his parents, aftershave from Myles and Kiki, the traditional fuzzy pen joke gift from Tara, a bottle of champagne from Lucy with a label attached saying 'For you and Sue to celebrate Christmas night with', the traditional basketball tickets from Bobby with his own little note 'I like basketball too and there are two tickets, how generous mate I'd love to go, meet you outside half an hour before', Jack couldn't help but laugh at the sheer cheek and boldness of his best mate and was determined that this year it would be Sue at his side not Bobby, but at the same time made a note on a pad to get an extra ticket,
He had received the traditional bottle of whiskey from D, Donna and the kids and a few other small gifts from other relatives, after about half an hour of opening there was only one gift left a squared, 3D box long, rectangular, 3D box, Jack picked it up and was instantly hit by a scent, he held the box to his nose and inhaled deeply even though the smell was subtle, he could still smell her, the scent of her perfume had rested on the wrapping paper, probably from spraying it when the box was resting on her bedside table, he was completely hypnotised by the scent and could smell it as clearly as if she was stood right behind him. He was bought back from his fantasy by the ringing of his home phone on the coffee table.
"Hel Um Hello" he answered his voice cracking from the effect of his musing
"Jack, Honey it's your mother! Is everything alright you sound sick, do you want me to send some of my chicken soup, I know how cold DC can be this time of year"
"Mom I'm fine honestly, I was just finishing my breakfast when you called and a piece of my pancake got stuck for a second" He hated lying to his mother but also knew that the truth would open up questions he wasn't willing to answer at this moment in time
"Ok if sure. I'll talk to you later" she replied
"Ah Mom was there a reason you rang to interrupt my breakfast or did you just want to try and choke me?" he asked
"OH, I was just ringing to wish you Merry Christmas and to thank you for the gifts. I spoke to your sister this morning and she sends her wishes too saying that she would see you when she got back and didn't want to ring later encase she was interrupting something. Is there something that as your mother I should now about?" there was a slight concern but also a hit of teasing in her voice which she tried to hide but was failing miserably
Damn it Kiki I'm going to kill for blabbing to Mom wait until I get my hands on you Jack thought knowing full well that his sister had spilled everything to their mother
"No Mom there's nothing, it's probably Kiki that will busy and just used that as an excuse you know how distracted she gets when she's with Myles, everything and everyone seems to blend together for her when he's around."
After a few more minutes of his mother trying to convince him what he would be up too, their said their goodbyes and Jack turned his attention back to the box still in his hand, that he had been playing with since he answered the phone. He looked at the rather large silver bell tag attached, which was nearly as big as the box itself, and read what Sue had written
To Jack
Hope your having a wonderful Christmas back home. I can't believe it has been a year since you introduced me to all those wonderful children. I know I said it back then but I really did have one of my most treasured Christmas's with you all. Levi says Merry Christmas and hurry back to DC because he's going to miss you and the treats you provide him with every day.
Merry Christmas
All our Love
Sue & Levi
As Jack read the note he began to feel guilty that he hadn't officially given her gift but hopefully the gift he was going to give her later would make up for this. He proceeded to open his gift and found inside the silk green tie he had been looking at only last week as he picked it up a card fell out from inside the tie, he picked it up and saw that it was a dressing room entry pass, he gasped in shock as he saw that the pass was for access to the players' lounge of the LA Lakers his all time favourite Basketball team plus tickets for the opening game of the season.
Sue had known that he was going to book the tickets but with the drug ring case and his recent undercover he hadn't gotten the chance, this is why I need no want her in my life always he thought to himself, she always knows what I want and is able to provide me with it, it's one of the many things I love about her and what makes me love her more every day and hopefully this year she will give me the one thing I truly want her! In my life forever.
He jumped again when his Mobile vibrating in his pocket brought him back from his musing, he flipped open his phone and read the text message
Jack its James, Sue has just arrived at our place, we will be leaving in the next fifteen minutes once Wendy has finished getting ready, park in the space we arranged and I'll give the single as we drive past. When you are ready give a quick call or text and I'll fetch her home.
Jack leapt from his sofa like a spring and hurried to the bedroom, he grabbed everything he needed from his draw and carefully picked up the flowers from the kitchen before taking them out to his car, before coming back for the brown box and Sue's apartment key, he got into his car and drove the short distance to Sue's apartment, parked in the space he and James had discussed and waited for his car to go past.
After a few minutes Jack saw James' SUV go by subtly flashing the lights on and off indicating that it was indeed him, as the car went past Jack ducked down so as not to be spotted by Sue, he got up slowly as the car went around the corner and couldn't help by smile at the last thing he saw before the car vanished Sue's golden haired head leaning against the window.
Jack pulled the car into the garage building and made his way to Sue's apartment carrying the brown box and the flowers in his arms.
He opened the door and was instantly hit but the smell of her perfume once again, not wanting to waste what little time he had to get ready he shook his head and made his way to the kitchen for a vase. He put a selection of the flowers in the vase and placed them on the coffee table before scattering the rest around the room; finally with the dropped petals he arranged them around the vase on the table, satisfied with the flowers he opened the brown box and once again began placing the contents strategically around the room not forgetting at least half a dozen on the table by the flowers.
When he had finished setting up his surprise he went back to his apartment and quickly showered again after all he had been running around for the last hour and a half and changed into a dark green shirt, black trousers, black jacket and black shoes, with a quick splash of aftershave and a comb through his hair he headed back to Sue's place. He walked back into her apartment checking everything was perfect before sending a text to James simply reading
"Bring my girl home"
Jack, finished the last part of the surprise and made his way near the window so that he could see when Sue had arrived home, he quickly stepped back when he saw the SUV pull into the garage, with one final check of the room he grabbed one of the flowers off the table and stood with it in his hands at the end of the hall opposite the front door wanting to be the first thing she saw when she walked through it.
He smiled as he listened to her go into James' apartment for a few moments before finally putting her key in the lock; suddenly Jack felt extremely nervous and could feel his heart beating faster and faster willing her to open the door quicker knowing that as soon as he laid eyes on her he would relax; sure enough the minute she walked he instantly relaxed but also couldn't help but smile as she dropped her keys on the floor when she saw him...
