A Prayer for Every Year

December 15th
Jack always knew Sue had a big heart, but he didn't realize how far it stretched. Not until he saw it for himself in the next picture. It was a present, but she had a different idea than exchanging gifts. The church she attended ran a toy drive for children in foster homes and needed people to help wrap. Originally, he was apprehensive, but she explained to him about the children and how a lot of them didn't have anything. Of course, it wasn't that, but the puppy dog eyes that got him.
So here he was, of course beside Sue, wrapping gifts with an elderly couple. That wasn't the part that was nerve-wracking though. The elderly couple kept asking questions since they knew Sue well.
"So how long have you been dating?" Mrs. Frumble asked them. Jack saw Sue blush.
"A while now." In part, it was true. They'd been spending more and more time together since the Callahan and Merced case. The elderly woman nodded with a smile and continued to wrap, taking a piece of tape from her husband.
"Any future plans?" Jack almost rolled his eyes. This grilling was getting ridiculous! He signed his frustration to Sue who smiled and excused them both. They wandered upstairs as Sue gave him the two-cent tour of the church and then did something impulsive. She pulled him into a corner and kissed him, hard. When they finally pulled away for breath he smiled.
"I think I can go face the Frumbles again if that's what I'm going to get for putting up with them," he quipped. She smiled coyly and started to head back.
"We do have more gifts to wrap," she responded over her shoulder.

Which led them to their current position just to the side of the apartment door at midnight on a work night. He had her pushed against the wall, his lips on her demandingly. When they pulled away for air he gasped.
"I'd wanted to take this slow because I don't think either of us know where this is going but you're making it very difficult." She agreed with a simple nod of her head before capturing his lips again. Finally, they tore themselves away, Jack leaning against the opposite wall to keep his distance, something that they'd both agreed on.
"Thanks for coming tonight," she signed. He grinned at her, proud of himself for understanding what she was trying to say.
"Anytime," he responded, breaking their rule of difference to kiss her goodnight, a kiss that got out of control quickly. It took a lot of willpower on both parts to separate and for Sue to go into her apartment and close the door.
"Goodnight, Jack," she whispered, leaning against the wood.