A/N – hey! Thanks for the reviews everyone. I'm really touched at the support you all have given me. I know these chapters are pretty light hearted. Thing's will change a bit as the story progresses but I definitely want this story to be a bit lighter than the last one. Hopefully you don't mind it being a bit happier (at least for now) hehehe
Chapter 6:
Jack and Sue walked into the bullpen the next morning. Even though Sue still lived with Lucy, and she had her own car that Charlie had fixed since the accident, Jack still like to spend the morning alone with her, even if it was just driving to work. Lucy didn't complain, only smirked.
"Sue's just finishing getting ready," Lucy told Jack as he waited to take her to work. "She told me that the appointment went well. How are things going with you guys?" Jack just smiled. He knew Lucy wanted to know all the details from him, although she probably already knew everything.
"Things are going great Luce. You already know how wonderful Sue is, and the baby is doing great so what's not to be happy about?" Lucy just smiled.
"See – I was right all along! I told you, you should've asked her out long ago!" Jack just shook his head at Lucy. The girl never gave up. "So, when are you going to ask her to marry you?" Jack's cheeks went a little red. It was one thing coming from Bobby – but now Lucy too?
"Luce. It hasn't exactly been a long time…" but Lucy interrupted him.
"Let me just say this before Sue comes out. I know her. She wants it - she just thinks you don't. I know that she's worried that one day you'll want out and wish you had never made a commitment to her and the baby. Now I know that's just her pregnancy talking, she doesn't actually think that because I know you, and so does she. But that's why she's not pressing you for any commitment - as much as she wants it. She needs stability. Just think about it. I know you asking would mean a lot to her, especially to have the baby born into a family. It would show her that you do mean forever. I'm just saying this as a friend Jack; I know you're not going to hurt her."
"I would never want to hurt her." He answered, thinking about Lucy had said.
"I know, just think about it. You'll know what to do when the time comes." Lucy said with a smile. "Now, do you want to tell me the due date? Sue won't because she said she wants to tell everyone together but I just gave you information so it's your turn." Jack just laughed.
"Nice try, you'll have to wait too."
"Fine –I'll find out soon enough anyways. She wouldn't even give me the ultrasound photo yet. Said she wasn't finished with it yet." Lucy just rolled her eyes as Sue walked out of her room.
"Hey – when did you get here Jack?" She went over and gave him a quick peck on the lips. Lucy just grinned.
"A few minutes ago, are you ready?" He asked.
"Yup – just let me grab my purse and bag then we're out of here. You coming soon too Luce?" She asked.
"Yup, I'll be leaving in about 15."
"Okay, see you at work." Sue said as her and Jack walked out the door. They headed for Jacks car and we're soon on their way to the bullpen.
"What's in the bag?" Jack asked Sue.
"Well. I took the ultrasound pictures and made cards for everyone out of them. I thought it would be cute." Jack just smiled. It just showed Sue's excitement for the baby. Most of the rest of the trip was in silence. Jack was thinking about what Lucy had said. He had thought of asking Sue to marry him, he just thought with the baby and everything happening that she wouldn't want to. But, now that Lucy had said something it made him wonder.
"What are you thinking about?" Sue asked with a grin. Jack didn't want to lie, but wasn't too sure if she should know exactly what was in his mind.
"Just about you. About us. How happy I am that we're together. Hey – what do you think about going out for a really fancy dinner on next Friday evening. Go buy yourself a nice new dress, wear those new shoes Lucy and Tara got you and we'll celebrate." Sue looked at him curiously.
"We went out last night to celebrate. Jack Hudson, what are you up to?" Jack just grinned.
"Oh nothing, just want to have a wonderful night out with my beautiful girlfriend and my baby. Things are going to get really busy once the baby comes, so why don't we take advantage of our free time while we have it. Once the little one arrives we won't have much time to go out anymore. Plus, there's some things we need to discuss." Sue's curiosity started to spike.
"Discuss? What do we have to discuss?" Jack just grinned, he liked making her curious.
"Oh plenty. Baby stuff, us stuff. You know. So it's set then? Next Friday works for you?"
"Well, I had plans to go out with my other boyfriend that night…" Sue started to laugh. Jack joined in. It was great to have light hearted conversation. Thing's were so comfortable between them. Lucy's right, Jack thought, I can't wait until she's my wife.
"Well, I'm going out this Saturday with Lucy, Tara and Donna anyways, so I guess we'll go dress shopping too! At least it's not in the maternity section yet. We're going out for lunch and to start looking at some baby things." They continued on with their idle chitchat until they got to the office.
An eager Bobby waited for them as Sue and Jack entered the bullpen.
"So – is it a girl or a boy?" Sue laughed.
"Bobby – it's way too early to tell. I have to be at least 4 months along, and Jack and I aren't sure yet whether we're going to find out the sex of the baby. We still have to discuss that." Bobby started to pout, which didn't fool either of them.
"Big baby." Tara said with a smile.
"Isn't there anything else you need to tell us?" D asked. Just then Lucy walked in the door.
"Actually yes, we were waiting for Lucy. I wouldn't tell her last night or show her what I had been working on." They all came over to Sue's desk, by where she was standing with a bag. Jack was interested too on what she had done with the ultrasound photos.
"Firstly, my due date is June 14th."
"Yes!" exclaimed D. Jack and Sue looked at him curiously.
"Wow, a little excited, aren't you D? What's so important about the 14th?" Jack asked him. D tried to backtrack. Lucy shot him a look.
"I just think it's great. It's been awhile since I've had a baby around. Can you blame a guy for being happy?"
"Aww thanks D." Sue said, the tears already coming. Jack looked at him, somehow thinking that he was hiding something but decided just to forget about it. "I also made something for all of you. It's the baby's first ultrasound picture. I made a card with a little frame for all of you with a message from the baby, since you'll all be such an important part in his or her life." She handed them each their card. They all opened it and read their own message. Lucy and Tara's eyes started to water.
"Aww, it's so beautiful" Tara exclaimed. Bobby leaned over and looked at her picture, incidentally the same as his.
"I don't see him." He said. Jack just rolled his eyes. Tara leaned over next to him and pointed out where the baby was. Comprehension started to dawn on Bobby's face with a look that was priceless.
"Your baby looks like a tadpole." He announced. Lucy looked scandalized, while everyone else laughed. Sue couldn't help but smile when she noticed Myles looking completely overwhelmed at his card, staring at the picture of her baby. Sue hadn't been too sure of what to write in his card. Bobby and Lucy were easy, the baby telling them how excited he or she was to meet them, that he or she was so lucky to have an auntie or uncle like them. But Myles was a challenge. Finally Sue settled on what she thought was the perfect message for him, and it had obviously worked at the look on Myles face. He finally looked up to see Sue smiling at him. He discretely signed thank you. Sue couldn't help it as tears of joy escaped her eyes as Myles placed the picture next to his Harvard trophy on his desk, still admiring the picture.
Jack noticed 4 more cards left in the bag. As everyone went back to their desks, cards in hand, he turned to Sue.
"Who are the other ones for?" She gave him a grin.
"Well, Ted, your parents, my parents. And one for you." She reached in and handed him his card. It was different than all the other ones. Instead of balloons or little streamers around the picture on the front, there were little pink and red hearts bordering the picture of his baby. He opened the card.
Dear Daddy. I love you. You are going to be the best daddy in the world. I can't wait to meet you. I don't care who I got my genes from, you're my daddy and always will be. I'm so happy we're going to be a family and you're going to watch me grow up, hopefully to be just like you. I love you with all my heart, your baby.
Jack looked up, tears forming in his eyes. All pretence forgotten he pulled Sue into a hug and then kissed her on the lips.
"Eww – get a room!" Bobby said loudly with a big smile. Sue turned to Jack
"What did he say?"
"Nothing important. Thanks for the card, make sure the baby tells his or her mommy that I love her." Sue nodded with a smile, one hand on her abdomen. She went back to her desk to start working on the unending paperwork that seemed to flood her desk, completely content with the world.