Later that evening, as Sue lay facing Jack in bed, she questioned him about his comment to her mother.
He rubbed his face wearily and wondered how he could be honest with his wife without upsetting her. "Not too long ago, your mother, umm, urged me to, umm, let's see...how did she put it? To get on with my life," he said nonchalantly. "I think she might have been frightened that I'd actually taken her up on her words. Before she knew it was you with me, a look of terror crossed her face. I think she realized at that moment what bad advice she'd given." To his surprise, Sue remained calm.
"It really wasn't bad advice, Jack. You shouldn't have waited around for me. What if I'd never, for lack of a better word, awakened?"
"I'd have waited," he said simply.
"I wouldn't have wanted you to go through life without a special someone," she retorted.
"You are my someone special," he told her without hesitation. "There is no one else for me. Now, want to tell me what she was discussing with you before bedtime?"
Sue's face flushed. She'd hoped he hadn't noticed, but knew how foolish that thought was. He was trained to be observant. "She was simply encouraging me once again to stay and think things through."
"Things like what?" he questioned, already having some idea. When he could tell she was searching for a way to answer him, he helped her out. "Me?" Her widened eyes told him he'd guessed correctly. "What are you supposed to be thinking about?"
"Our marriage," she whispered.
"What about our marriage?" he asked dangerously.
"She wanted to know how things were between us, and if I intended to stay married to you. I told her our marriage was really none of her concern. Of course she didn't agree," she snorted. "Don't be mad," she pleaded. "She really didn't surprise me with her comments and questions and I've learned it really doesn't help to get all bent out of shape."
He nodded in agreement. "You're right. I've learned that about her over the last few years. So," he ventured, "do you?"
She furrowed her brow in confusion. "Do I what?"
"Do you intend to stay married to me?"
