Title: The Right Touch

Rating: K

Category: Romance

Disclaimers: Not mine but I do enjoy borrowing them on occasion.

Author's Note: Some people have voices you like to listen to and I think Sue/Deanne has a soothing, pretty one. Wouldn't you be smitten if you were Bobby? Thanks for the feedback pryrmtns and Colby! Much appreciated!

A/N2: Italicized words indicate sign language or words on the computer/Blackberry device.

The Right Touch

Chapter 4

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5:10 pm

Friday

"I'm sorry, Bobby, but an emergency came up at the store and I can't go with you to the movies tonight," apologized Darcy. "I'm going to be spending what's left of this afternoon and evening trying to track down that shipment I need next week."

Bobby stared at the phone in dismay. He'd been counting on Darcy to help him watch the two Hudson children. He loved his godchildren but he didn't know if he was up to watching them by himself for a whole evening.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive," she replied firmly. "That benefit gala is next week and I need those things now."

"Well," he said slowly, "if you do manage to find that lost shipment before the evening is over, will you call?"

"Sure," she said quickly. "I gotta go. My assistant is here. I'll make it up to you later," she promised. "Bye." And she hung up.

Slowly, Bobby replaced the phone in its cradle. How could finding a lost shipment of clothes and stuff be a real emergency? He just didn't understand. When he first broached her with his plan, she reluctantly agreed. She wasn't used to kids but she'd try, she said.

Well, he gave his word to Jack and Tara that he'd watch Josh and Megan and that's what he'd do. It shouldn't be too hard. Josh was eight and at six, Megan was pretty independent, too. They wouldn't need constant supervision. He would still take them to that movie and ice cream afterwards. Yeah, he could do this alone he convinced himself.

A knock at the door and this time, Jack stuck his head in. "I gotta tell you, Bobby," began Jack, "Tara is so looking forward to tonight. The single flower was perfect. She thought that was more romantic than sending a whole bouquet. She said her co-workers were impressed I even remembered the tenth anniversary gift was supposed to be aluminum let alone found something that was halfway decent. I think we could be working on Hudson baby number 3 tonight!" smirked Jack.

Bobby hated to dampen his friend's enthusiasm for the evening but he didn't want it to be a surprise when he showed up by himself either. "Uh…Jack?"

"Yeah?" something about Bobby's tone of voice caught his attention.

"Darcy just called. She has an emergency at the store so she won't be able to make it tonight." At Jack's look of disappointment, Bobby hastily added him, "But I'm still planning to take the kids to the movies and ice cream. Don't worry."

Jack looked doubtfully at Bobby. He was great with the kids but a whole evening? "Are you sure?"

"No worries," Bobby said confidently, "we'll be fine. Josh and I are mates and little Megan adores her Uncle Bobby. We'll be fine."

"Okay," nodded Jack. "We'll only be a phone call away if you need us."

"I won't."

"Okay," Jack repeated. "We'll see you tonight at seven then."

"Right."

Jack tossed one more concerned glance in Bobby's direction before he closed the door. Bobby leaned back in his chair. He hoped he'd be able to pull it off.

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Hudson Home

"Uncle Bobby! Uncle Bobby!" welcomed the Hudson children joyfully.

A big grin adorned his face. "Hi, Sport," greeted Bobby as he tousled Josh's hair. He scooped up Megan into his arms and planted a big kiss on her cheek. "Hello, darlin'. You have a kiss for your Uncle Bobby?"

Megan hugged him fiercely around the neck and gave him a loud kiss. "Hello, Uncle Bobby!" she said gleefully.

"Are you guys ready to go to the movies?"

"Yes!"

"Well, give me a few minutes with your Dad here while he leaves me instructions and when we're ready to go, I'll give a shout. How does that sound?"

"Good because the show's almost over," agreed Josh. Megan nodded vigorously. The two scooted back to the family room.

Bobby turned to Jack. "Ready for the big night?"

"Sure am," he grinned. "We should be home by midnight." He handed Bobby a sheet of paper. "If there's any emergency, call. Here's the phone number of the doctor on the off chance my cell isn't working. And you have…. " Jack broke off his instructions when he realized Bobby was no longer paying any attention to him. His focus was on the stairs.

"Woo-hoo!" whistled Bobby as Tara made her entrance down the staircase. The dark blue dress complimented her fair complexion. "I think perhaps I should take you out to dinner tonight and let your husband watch the kids," he said admiringly.

"Compliments are always welcome," quipped Tara with a smile.

"No way I'm going to let another man take my beautiful wife anywhere," declared Jack elbowing Bobby to the side. "You look absolutely gorgeous," he said sincerely as he reached for her hand to kiss it.

"Thank you, gentlemen," said Tara in appreciation. "And thank you, Bobby, for these." She gently touched the dainty corsage she had pinned to her dress.

A quick call to Sue had produced the flowers on her shoulder. "My pleasure," he smiled. "A little gift for putting up with this guy for what must have been ten very long years."

Tara nudged Jack softly. "Oh, he isn't so bad when you get to know him. I've kind of gotten used to having him around."

Jack raised his eyebrows. "That's good to know."

Bobby rubbed his hands together. "Okay, kids, you better go if you're planning on making your reservation time. We need to be going ourselves for that movie." He kissed Tara on the cheek. "Happy Anniversary," he whispered.

"Thanks, you sweetie you." She looked into his eyes. "Jack told me about Darcy not being able to make it."

Bobby shrugged. "We'll be fine."

"But if you need us, call!" ordered Jack as he opened the door. "We're going!" he announced in the direction of the family room.

Running footsteps could be heard.

"Have a great time!" shouted Megan excitedly as she hugged her parents.

"Yeah, have a good time," Josh said more reservedly.

Tara kissed each one. "Be good and listen to Uncle Bobby," she ordered.

"We always do," Josh responded promptly.

"Have a nice time," he waved.

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Theatre

"I enjoyed that movie," said Sue as she and Lucy left the theatre. "The subtitles were a big help."

"I thought you'd like it," smiled Lucy. "It got great reviews."

Sue motioned towards the restrooms. "I'm going to the ladies' room before we head home."

"I'll watch Levi for you," offered Lucy. "We'll be waiting on the side."

Sue relinquished Levi's leash and headed for the women's restroom.

-----

"Uncle Bobby," Megan said urgently, "I have to go!"

Bobby looked around in the theatre lobby and spotted the women's restroom. There was a line. He couldn't take her in himself and he didn't feel comfortable taking her to the men's one.

"I told you you should've gone before we left home," said her brother.

"I didn't have to go before," she pointed out.

"Okay, that's enough, you two," admonished their uncle absent-mindedly while he tried to think of a solution. Maybe he'd ask one of the ladies to take Megan in. After all, he'd be waiting out here for her and there was only one entrance.

A pretty blonde was walking in their direction. He stepped forward to stop her. "Excuse me."

She looked up at him questioningly. "Yes?"

"My little girl has to go to the restroom," he began nodding towards Megan. "Would you mind taking her in with you? I'll be waiting right here."

She looked at his face and down at Megan. She smiled and held out her hand. "Sure."

It took a while before, Megan returned. "Here's your daughter—safe and sound," declared the woman with a smile. "Bye, Megan."

"Thanks. I really appreciate it," said Bobby sincerely. There was something about the woman's voice that sounded vaguely familiar but he couldn't place it.

She nodded and left to join her friend and dog. Three pairs of eyes followed the women out the door.

"She's nice," announced Megan. "She told me she's deaf so I need to make sure she's looking at me when I talk to her so she can read my lips. She has a hearing dog, too."

"What's a hearing dog?" asked Josh.

"He tells her when people are calling her." She looked up at her uncle. "Can we have ice cream now?"

He grinned. "Sure." As they headed towards the car, Bobby asked, "Did she tell you her name?"

"Sue."