A/N – lol, I hope you guys like this post. It's warm and fuzzy too, kind of. More to come don't worry and
Yes Jesus-Chick. I'm Canadian! Eh? lol I'm a Christian too ;)
Chapter 22:
Sue was released but put on bed rest. She was not happy with this because it meant she had to leave work earlier than anticipated. May was coming to a close, as Sue's due date loomed closer. Jack wanted to spend all day with her at home, but couldn't knowing he still had to be at work. Sometimes Sue would look for Jack's lock pick and see if she couldn't sneak into the baby's room. She knew it was almost finished, but had no idea what it would reveal. Lying on the floor and peeking under the door wouldn't work, because of her enormous stomach, so she had to contend with waiting another few weeks.
Before Sue had left the hospital, her and Jack had found themselves having an interesting conversation. One they hadn't shared with anyone yet.
---
"What do you think about adopting the little girl?" Jack asked, helping Sue pack her things to leave the hospital. She looked at him, now giving him her full attention, dropping what was in her hands.
"Really?" She grinned. The thought had passed her mind, but had thought it was ridiculous owing to the fact she would be having her own baby in a few weeks. A week had gone by, the baby was getting better and the child services woman had talked to them both. There was no next of kin, so they were starting to fill out the papers to put her up for adoption. Sadly though, because of her condition, being in the NICU, the chances of her being adopted soon were slim. Sue's heart broke for the little one, when she sat next to her incubator, knowing that soon she wouldn't be able to visit her anymore.
What surprised Sue even more was Jack's attachment to the girl. Sue would ask him sometimes to check on her, but once or twice she found herself outside the NICU, only to see Jack already sitting beside her. The baby could have easily passed as Jacks. She had her little mop of dark brown hair and beautiful brown eyes, but the thought of raising two infants, she thought Jack would never even consider it.
"I've been thinking about it. She needs a family, and our baby and her will be close enough in age we could raise them as if they were twins. We can buy another crib, put it in the baby's room. She could have a family, and we could love her." Jack said softly. Sue felt overwhelmed. She barely felt ready for one baby, let alone two. "Well, it's at least a thought. I mean we've both become really attached to her, and I would like to give her a name rather than just keep calling her baby girl." Sue smiled. Baby girl was getting a little frustrating.
"I have to admit, the thought did cross my mind about adopting her. Do you think they would let us? I mean, I don't even know what kind of mother I'm going to be to this little one, let alone for two!" Jack came over and took her hands.
"You're going to be an amazing mother. I only want to do this if you want to do this. It's a big decision, but I know that the most important thing we can give her is love. I've always kind of wanted to have twins…" he said thoughtfully. Sue couldn't help but grin. Another baby? It definitely was a bit scary but also really exciting.
"Well, we would need to talk to Ms. Jostler. Why don't we just start asking and see what happens. If it doesn't work out, it's not meant to be. If it does, then we'll be giving this little one a sibling sooner than we thought. I never wanted to have only one kid anyways." Jack pulled his wife into a hug, careful not to squish the baby. He leaned over and kissed her.
"I'll give her a call. Let's not tell anyone for now; we can't get our hopes up. You do realize she'll be released about the same time you're due?" Sue nodded.
"Well, if were going to pretend their twins, then it works. Two babies Jack! I can hardly believe it." He just smiled, and then he leaned over and touched her belly. Sue watched him as he told the little one about maybe giving them a sister. The baby kicked right then, and Jack grinned.
"I think the baby is happy with the decision. I guess we need to plan for more names then." Name picking was one of Sue's favourite parts of being pregnant and expecting. The thought of getting to pick another one just made her day. They left the hospital that day, and Jack called Brenda Jostler, the child services worker that evening informing her that they wanted to file to adopt the baby. She was thrilled, and said she would do all she could to help them get her, especially since they had already all bonded. Things were looking up for the Hudson's.
---
As June approached quickly, Sue became more nervous. The baby was due in 2 weeks; child services had called, confirming that they would get the baby girl when she was released in a week. They were about to go from being kidless, to having two babies at once. Jack had already put in another crib into the room. He returned the stroller they had bought, and got a double one, and bought another car seat among many other essentials.
Sue and Jack's parents were overwhelmed at the news of now getting two grandkids, and resolved to come and help them settle as soon as the baby was born, and the other baby was home. Jack and Sue had also decided on names. The name for the baby girl in the NICU, and the names for the baby, whether it was a girl or boy. The surprise on the faces of the people at work when they found out about the other baby they were being blessed with was priceless.
---
"Sue's really excited to see you all, she's just in the washroom fixing something up but she'll be right in.," announced Jack with a big smile. "Since she might be a few minutes, but she asked me to start telling you what our big announcement is."
They all crowded around Jack's desk, Ted included. They were all anxious to know what this was all about, ever since Jack had mentioned a week earlier that Sue was coming for a visit next week because they had something important to tell them. They figured it must have had something to do with the baby, since by that point she would be almost at her due date. Jack started,
"As you all know, Sue's due date is next week on the 14th. We're both really excited to finally have the baby – it's been an eventful 9 months. We really appreciate all the support and love you all have given us and we're both so excited for you all to be apart of our family. Which brings me to our news. As you know, the Hudson family is getting a bit bigger, but Sue and I recently decided that there's still room for a little more." Jack grinned, getting a peek at his wife standing outside the door, waiting for the right moment. Their friends, having their backs to her didn't notice her presence. He gave her a quick nod, and she entered the bullpen carrying a baby in her arms. Lucy noticed Jack's gaze not focused on them and she turned to see Sue.
"Sue!" she cried, as she went over to her friend and stopped when she noticed the little baby girl in her arms. Everyone else turned and froze in shock, Jack laughing at the looks on their faces, eyes torn between the baby and Sue's still very pregnant belly.
"What's going on?" Bobby finally asked, turning back to Jack who could barely contain his amusement. Sue came up beside Jack; they all faced them, all their eyes begging for an explanation.
"We wanted you to all meet our daughter – Sophia Grace Hudson. Now I know you're all confused. I'm still pregnant, and still expecting in a week. This was the baby we found when Myles and I were taken from the Jefferson. Jack and I knew she had no one, so we decided to adopt her and raise her as our own. She was just released from the hospital today." Comprehension started to dawn on everyone's faces. Soon the baby was passed adoringly to all their friends, as they welcomed the new addition to Jack and Sue's family.
"Two babies?" Bobby whispered to Jack, with a look that questioned his friend's sanity. Jack just smiled and took his daughter in his arms from his wife.
"I wouldn't change it for the world buddy. Want to hold her?" Bobby nodded quickly and smiled, taking the little baby in his arms. Tara's eyes watered as she watched him carefully hold the baby as if she was a china doll.
"Hey Sophia. I'm your Uncle Bobby." Jack and Sue watched with delight as all their friends welcomed their daughter. Bobby looked up from the baby and said, "Now doesn't it just make you want to know whether you're giving her a brother or sister?" Jack grinned.
"That's for me to know, and you to wait for about another week or so." Lucy and Tara looked at him with shock, as Jack started to realize what he had just said. Sue gave him a look, but rolled her eyes knowing that now he was going to have to deal with it.
"I'm staying out of this one honey." She said with a smile, as she patted him on the shoulder, taking the baby again from Bobby so she could feed her.
"You know?" Bobby asked incredulously. Jack smiled sheepishly.
"Yeah – I've known since January. I've been doing the babies room. And no, none of you can know yet because Sue doesn't even know. We decided I would find out and get the babies room ready." They all glared at him, but soon all anger was forgotten as they spent a lovely afternoon together.
---
Sue and Jack had been attending pre-natal classes a few times since she had been released from the hospital. Sue had been surprised when she had recognized someone she knew at her first one.
"Karoline?" She asked the woman, standing in the front. She looked back, slightly shocked at the sight of Sue, but recovered quickly.
"Sue! How are you – well, you must be due any day now. How have you been?" Sue laughed,
"Oh you know, very pregnant. I'm due in about 3 weeks. We're really late starting these classes, but we figured we could squeeze one or two in before the baby comes. What about you, how is your pregnancy going?" Sue looked down at her stomach, noticing she barely looked any more along than she had when she had met her in the hotel a few weeks back. She seemed to have noticed Sue's confusion,
"It's going good. Babies a bit small. I thought I'd be a bit bigger by this stage but my doc isn't too concerned. I'm actually teaching this class part time. You know, make some money before the little one comes, since we're on our own." Sue gave her a knowing look, as Jack walked up beside her.
"Karoline, I would like you to meet my husband – Jack Hudson." She looked at Jack with a frown, who suddenly felt awkward.
"Who was that man you were with at the hotel then?" she asked Sue, Jack looked at his wife, completely confused at who this woman was.
"Oh, that was my friend Myles" Sue responded. Karoline still looked slightly annoyed, as Sue turned to Jack and explained where she had met the woman. Jack was less than civil with her, Karoline the same way to him. Deciding she needed to explain herself a bit better, Sue cut in to break the awkward silence.
"My friend Myles, who you saw, works with me. He was just making sure that I was okay because Jack was busy with something else. We all work together at the FBI. It's where I met Jack." Karoline took the news with wide eyes.
"Oh wow, I had no idea. That's really interesting. Well, Sue - it was great to see you again. Jack, nice to meet you. I should get this class started." She left abruptly without a second glance. Jack turned to his wife, slightly bemused.
"You met her at the Jefferson?" Sue nodded happily.
"She was in the washroom once, she's expecting too. Her boyfriend left her, and basically forced her to sleep with him in the first place. I felt bad for her. I guess she just assumed Myles was with me, like other people did." Something didn't sit right with Jack, he couldn't help but feel weird at how the woman had acted towards them – first learning that Myles wasn't her husband, and secondly at the fact they were FBI. The rest of the class went on better, and the Hudson's left at the end, without another word to Karoline, who was preoccupied with talking another couple.
---
"They were FBI, and the man that they took wasn't her husband, " the woman said into the phone, "we messed up. I know she's due in a few weeks and then it's time to make our move. The name is Sue Hudson, her husband is Jack. You'll have to be extra careful this time. They can't get away." And the phone line went dead.