Thanks again to the readers and a special thanks to the reviewers. Enjoy Part 4.
"Only a few more hours until 'we're all going home for the holidays'!" Bobby sang in a fair tenor and skipped back to his desk, drawing laughter from most and a sardonic groan from Myles.
"Heaven help us, the koala sings now..." Myles groaned.
"Oh, stop pretending to be Scrooge, mate. We all know you are happy to be off with your shelia for a few days. She's had quite the effect on you, with you now loving Christmas." Myles attempted to wave it away, but Bobby ignored him. "Don't deny it. Where are you two sweethearts going for Christmas?"
Myles gave a crooked grin. "We are going to try the Leland residence. I wanted her to meet my sister. But if it goes how I fear, we will pack up and go to the Thomas's house. It's quite a pleasant place to be, truth be told, even if it is Ohio."
"Hey!" Sue said, "Ohio is a wonderful state."
"Yeah, the land of corn, soy beans, and wheat, where the highest hill is the overpass on the interstate." Jack said with a teasing grin.
"Just makes it easier to invite the neighbors over the barbecue. Just light a fire and the smoke will show for a 25 mile radius." Tara chimed in with a smirk.
Sue shot a mock scowl at them all. "You should be pitying me, you know. Most people head south during the cold winter months, but Jack's dragging up into the cold, barren hinterlands of Wisconsin in the dead of winter."
"Don't worry shelia, Jack can keep you warm." Bobby said with a wink. "You may enjoy it more than if you had to go south."
Sue blushed, but responded saucily "Maybe I will.", and winked at the now blushing Jack. "And what about you, Tara? Where are you going to have to deal with this oversized bundle of exuberance?"
Tara grinned at Bobby. "My parents place. Most of the festivities are at my maternal grandparent's place, but the off days he gets to know my mom and dad." She added the last with a smirk at an uncomfortably shifting Bobby. "So not too far away, just Virginia. What about you, Luce?"
Lucy grinned. "I get to go visit my mamma. Nothing exciting, but she's having a couple of cousins over for a few days. It should be fun."
Bobby looked at Jack and waited until Sue had looked away to continue talking to Lucy. "You owe me." He said with a grin. Jack nodded, agreeing with his friend wholeheartedly. They needed someone from the team to stay in the area in the case something urgent came up. It was Jack's turn this year, but Bobby volunteered to take it and let Jack head north with Sue. So Sue could meet Jack's family, of course. That's what Bobby told her, anyways.
"What game?" Jack asked, knowing what Bobby wanted as payment.
"Oh, I was thinking the trifecta would work." Bobby said. "How about a Redskins game, a Capitals game, and Nationals game this year? With your illustrious company, of course. Do you think the missus will let you out for the evening?"
Jack smiled. "Done deal. I figure she might let me out after Christmas."
Bobby's eyebrows went up. Jack had just agreed to a couple hundred dollar venture with the games. Jack saw his expression and laughed. "Worth every penny. Really and truly, thank you Bobby."
Bobby laughed. "I'll take it then."
"You'll take what?" Tara said, she, Lucy, and Sue watching their conversation avidly.
Bobby smiled. "Jack's taking me to a Capitals game as my Christmas present."
"Aren't they so sweet when they go out?" D's voice floated through the bullpen, drawing a cackle of laughter as Bobby fluttered his eyebrows at Jack.
"Hands off, he's mine." Sue said with a wink, kissing Jack's cheek.
"Here last time it was Jack running off with Sue, leaving me. Now you are leaving me for Jack? Why am I so undesirable?" Tara said, wiping a fake tear away.
"Alright gang, your attention please, if the office soap opera can be put on hold for my announcement." D said with a smile.
"Oh, please don't tell me we have a case? Can't the criminals take Christmas off?" Bobby complained.
"It's not a case. I came here with good news. This is your warning to get out of here in the next 15 minutes. The powers that be said to go home. To make sure I've got timing right: Jack and Sue, out until after New Years. Tara and Bobby, out until the 28th, back out over New Years, but in town in the case of an emergent situation. Lucy is the same. Myles is out of town until the 28th, but out of the office until after New Years. That about it?"
There was a chorus of 'yes', 'yup', and 'that's right, mate'. D nodded and said with a grin, "Take this soap opera out of here. I'll see you all after the new year."
"Let's go folks, before they change their minds." Bobby said, trotting over to his computer and shutting it down. "Jack, we can iron out details after Christmas. Have a wonderful holiday everyone!" He grabbed Tara's hand and swept out of the bullpen.
"Bless that woman for putting up with him." Myles said dryly with a smile. "I'm off. Lucy, shall I walk you to your car? The roving element may be out." Lucy snorted but smiled.
"Certainly, good sir." As she walked out of earshot of Jack and Sue, she looked at Myles. "Smooth, giving the two of them more time together. Where were you when they weren't dating? I could have used some help."
Myles shrugged. "You could say that Christine has had a bit of an influence on me."
Lucy smirked. "So it seems."
Jack was helping Sue with her coat when he drew her into a slow, passionate kiss. He ended up supporting her as she smiled up at him. "You made my knees wobbly."
Jack laughed and kissed her nose. "Just as well that I'm holding you. So what do you want to do tonight? We have our flight tomorrow at 10, so we have all evening to ourselves."
Sue grinned. "Have you packed?" Jack nodded and Sue stuck her tongue out at him. "I haven't yet. You can always come and help me pack, then we can go out for supper."
"So long as I get to spend time with you. After all, it's a magical time of year, with the day after tomorrow being Christmas Eve. Come on, Levi" They began walking towards the elevator. "Let's go, my love."
Jack stood off to the side of walkway in Central Wisconsin Airport, holding Sue as she shook. It had been a very eventful flight from Reagan to CWA, with an exceptional amount of turbulence. But it wasn't the turbulence that had shaken Sue. The landing had been dicey, to say the least. The winds caused the pilot to have to bring the plane off-angle with the runway, snapping back in line right before touchdown. In addition, gusting winds and a slightly icy runway caused the plane to skid, coming dangerously close to sliding off of the runway. Truth be told, Jack wasn't feeling much better; it had been the roughest flight/landing that he had gone through, but he knew Sue needed him to at least appear to be fine.
You feeling a little better, dearest? Jack asked after she had pulled back a bit. She blew out a deep breath and nodded. Just needed a moment. She signed back. Jack nodded and lead them to the car rental area. The drive was uneventful, at least for a man who had learned to drive in Wisconsin winters. They made their way about 30 minutes outside of Wausau, 'into the hinterlands of Wisconsin' as Sue called it with a smile, until Jack finally set his indicator and pulled into a long lane leading back to an old grey-blue farmhouse. There was a covered wrap-around porch with two swings on the front and three rockers visible, a shoveled stone walk leading out into the parking area set to the house-side of the lane.
Happiness was shining out of Jack's eyes as he looked at Sue after he turned off the car. "Welcome to the place where I grew up." She returned his smile, yet he could see the slight apprehension in her eyes. "Oh, Sue. You remember what I told you about meeting my parents? How I said they would love you, and they did?" He ran his knuckles along her cheek and smiled gently. They've talked to my brothers and sister about how wonderful you are. He signed. You're going into friendly territory.
She gave a more confident smile. Thank you, Jack. She leaned over and kissed him. It was supposed to be a quick kiss, but he held her and deepened the kiss, drawing it out until they were both breathless. Sue opened her eyes and raised her eyebrows. "Keep that up, and things might get interesting. There's a reason we don't spend much time in each other's apartments." She said.
Jack grinned at her. "Don't worry, my family's right here, so we aren't alone. Come along, let's introduce you to my siblings."
Jack got out and grabbed his and Sue's bags before they made their way down the walk. The door opened before they got to it and two men and a young woman poured out of it. "Hey there Jackey!" was the salutation heard. "Hi there guys." Jack set their luggage down and pulled them each into a hug. "Jerry, how are you? Francis. And there's my little sister! Hi Cecilia!" He pulled his sister into a bear hug and ruffled her hair. "Bless you all, it's good to see you again!"
They all laughed. "Good to see you haven't changed." Cecilia said, smoothing her hair back, shaking her head and smiling. "And I presume that this beautiful young lady is the Sue Thomas that we have been hearing about from mom and dad?"
Before either could answer, Jerry leaned against the wall. "It had better be. If she's half as wonderful as mom says, I'll tan your hide if you let her get away." Sue blushed, yet was touched by the fact that each of them had made it a point to face her during the entire proceeding to make sure she could follow the conversation.
Jack raised his eyebrows. "Man would have to be a da- darn fool to let a woman like her go. Sue, the oversized one is Jerry," he referenced to the man with the large frame, over 6'4", "the intelligent looking one is Francis, and my dear little sister is Cecilia. All you know that this is Sue."
They all ignored the outstretched hand and opted to give her a hug. "Welcome to our humble abode." Jerry said. "Jack, give me the bags. I'll set you folks up in your rooms so you can go talk to mom and dad."
"Sue, welcome!" Rose said as she came over and enveloped Sue in a hug. "Thank you for coming to celebrate this feast with us! Jackey!" And she went over to hug her son.
Before she could even say anything Sam had walked over and given her a hug. "So you put up with my son for the flight out. Well done. The poor lad doesn't like flying much, but it's a little long to drive. Welcome."
"It's my pleasure." Sue said, a little bewildered at the speed that everything was occurring.
Sam chuckled. "We're a little loud and fast paced here, but you'll get the hang of it."
Sue giggled. "Don't worry, it's not too loud for me." Sam laughed and looked at Jack.
"We got a message video thing from Dom. We've seen it, but you should go watch it. He had a special message for you." Jack grinned and held out his hand to Sue.
"Let's go see what my little brother has to say. Remember how I told you that he was floating around on the Reagan?" Jack asked. When Sue nodded, he continued. "He sometimes gets to record something and send it to us around the holidays. He's not able to be here, but it's still great to see and hear from him again."
Jack stood next to Sue in front of the TV as his father hit the 'play' button. A young man in naval coveralls was sitting there smiling. He looked so much like Jack that he would have caused confusion if a stranger had seen the two of them together.
"Hey folks! Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy Solemnity of Mary! I miss you all, and wish I could be there. Mom, I love you dearly, and am going to miss the amazing meal that you are going to cook. They normally serve us dried up, cold beef and vegetables from a can, so the ham and potatoes are going to be sorely missed. Daddy, as always, thank you for everything you've done. Enjoy the holiday. My brothers and sister, I miss you more than I probably should, considering what you made life like growing up." He winked. "Jackey, I heard you met an amazing young woman. You had better keep her around if everything I've heard is true. I want to meet her. And if she gets tired of you, tell her I'm free." He shot another wink at the camera, and Sue blushed. This family! She thought.
"I love you all, and hope to see you soon. And, I know you all are going to watch this the whole way through to the end, but Jackey, I have a special message to you. You've been my mentor through growing up and helping me to get to where I am. I wanted to thank you. And I know that you are the last one to get in for the holidays, so, you get the surprise last. Look behind you." And the film cut.
Jack whirled around, causing Sue to look back too. There was the young man, leaning against the wall with a smug smirk on his face. Jack's mouth opened and closed a few times, tears starting in his eyes. With a strangled sob, Jack ran over and wrapped his brother in a tight bear hug. Sue felt a touch on her arm and saw Rose getting her attention with a smile. "Jack hasn't seen him in a little over two years. It was a surprise to us, but he wanted to surprise Jack. Those two are closest to each other of my children." Then to Sue's surprise, Rose began signing what Jack was saying since he was facing away from Sue. How did she learn that much?
"Gosh, it's great to see you again Dom!" Jack said.
He had yet to let go of his brother, who's eyes were misty himself. "I've missed you, Jack. It's great to see you again too." The rest of the family stood there with huge smiles pasted on their faces. They had gone through a fair amount of effort to make sure that Jack wouldn't see him before they had a chance to show him the video.
Jack finally let him go, wiped his eyes, and punched his brother in the shoulder. "That's for not telling me the truth, you little jerk." He laughed. "Holy crap! Now I know why you all were rushing Sue and I around! How long are you here, Dom? And how on earth did a lowly chief manage to wrangle leave over Christmas?!"
Dominic grinned and wiped his own eyes. "Here until January 2nd, then I need to catch a flight back to Norfolk. And how did I manage it? I was smart and did something to prevent a bigger problem in the reactor while at sea. And where are either of our manners?! This lovely young lady would be your Sue?" He asked Jack, looking at Sue with a broad grin.
"Hi Dom." Was what she got out before he gave her a hug and pulled back. "Welcome to our house, with the blend of insanity, bustle, fun and joy."
"Thank you." Sue said.
"You great oafs." Cecilia broke in. "Imagine coming into a place like this with several new people and taken on a deliberately rapid and confusing first several minutes in a new home intended to confuse our brother. And none of you give a thought to how confusing this is for Sue. Shame on you, and especially you, Jackson."
Jack looked properly chastened and gave a rueful smile to Sue. "Sorry dear. I...uh..."
Sue giggled. "I'm fine. I just need to keep track of who's talking. You've all done a wonderful job keeping me in the loop, and I really appreciate it." Thank you. She signed. She was about to explain it when all of them grinned broadly and signed variations of My pleasure. and You're welcome. She looked at all of them with an expression of stunned astonishment.
Cecilia laughed. "We learned some sign. Not enough to be fluent by any stretch, however," we are trying to learn. She finished. Sue looked overwhelmed, her mouth working but no words coming out. Jack put his arm around her waist and pulled her into a hug.
You're worth it for us all. He signed. Sue knew her voice wouldn't be steady, so she signed to them all, thank you very much. The others nodded and grinned. Then, knowing Sue needed a moment, they turned on Dom. "So," Jerry said, throwing an arm around Dom's shoulders and putting him in a headlock, "Tell us a story about being at sea or I'll throw you into the snow." Dom laughed, and with a clever move slid away putting Jerry into a half nelson.
"Boys!" Rose called out. "Stop rough-housing!" They all laughed and let each other go. "Alright," Dom said. "So, there was this one time when I was working with the reactor officer..."
The whole family spent the day together, laughing, playing and goofing around. Supper came and went, and each of them enjoyed an Irish Coffee for the evening. Sue asked Jack to mix hers, as she really didn't want to get drunk in front of Jack's family. She wanted their approval more than she probably should, but they seemed to be a good judge of character.
"I told you they would love you." Jack said as they were on their way up the stairs for bed.
Sue looked at him. "They do?"
Jack let out a bark of laughter. "Cecilia chased off the last girl I brought back here, which was one of the best things she has done for me. She took you under her wing and told us off when we were teasing you too much. She really likes you. As for the rest, if they don't like you, they ignore you. They teased you as much as they teased me. Believe me, my love, they really like you."
Sue smiled. "I'm glad. I really like them too."
"Good." Jack said. He pulled her close and kissed her slowly and gently. I love you, darling. He signed. She nuzzled his neck then pulled back. I love you too. See you tomorrow.