Seeing is Believing – Chapter 7
By Victorian Cowgirl
Saturday night finally arrived and Jack was standing in front of Sue's door waiting for a response to his knock. He was nervous, and that in itself told Jack that tonight was no ordinary night. Things were going to change for the better. He wanted to tell Sue how he felt but he didn't know if tonight was the right time. He had written her a letter that explained his feelings and he had planned to give it to her tonight, but when he went to get it from his desk drawer, it wasn't there. He was already running late and didn't have time to look for it and he figured he just put it someplace else.
When Sue answered the door, he was blown away by the beauty standing before him. She was wearing a dark red dress that fit her curves perfectly down to mid-thigh where it flared out and swished when she moved. The bodice had an overlay made of the same soft, flowing material as the skirt. Her hair was down and flowed in soft curls around her face. She was a vision that he wanted to look at for the rest of his life.
As Jack was admiring her attire, Sue was doing the same with him. She took in the gray slacks, white shirt and black sports jacket. He was always dashing in whatever he wore, but tonight, Sue decided, he had never looked more handsome.
Jack was unable to find his voice, so he signed, "You are beautiful."
"Thank you, so are you." She signed in return.
"I'm beautiful?" Jack spoke for the first time since she had opened the door.
His comment broke the tension that surrounded them and Sue laughed. "No, but you are very handsome."
"Thank you." He spoke and signed.
When they arrived at Tara's Uncle's home they were both in awe of the beauty of the old Victorian mansion. Although it was full dark the house was well lit with outdoor lighting and a soft glow came from each of the windows in the house. The shingles were a small scallop design in a light pink with white gingerbread trim over the whole house. The front porch had intricately designed turn posts bracing a small gabled extension. On the left side of the house was a stately Queen-Ann tower with same shingles and gingerbread trim as the rest of the home. On the front was a bay window that had square glass inside an archway with stained-glass filling in around the square. Stained glass also shone from the windows on the lower level of the tower.
"No wonder Tara wanted to hold a Victorian Tea Party here. This place is gorgeous." Sue praised and Jack nodded his agreement.
A sign posted on the front door read, "Come In". Entering the front hall their eyes were first drawn to the grand staircase that led to the second floor. Against on wall was a large, ornate mirror with a small dark wood table beneath it. Next to the table was an old-fashioned coat rack where Jack placed his coat and Sue's wrap.
No one had greeted them at the door and Jack couldn't hear anyone farther back in the house. "It's quiet. I wonder where everyone is. Let's go check things out." He unconsciously took Sue's hand in his and led the way toward the parlor that was left of the main hall.
In the parlor a small fire was burning in the fireplace, but no one was present. Small bouquets of deep red and off-white roses were placed around the room. The scent of the roses was enhanced by a burner of rose scented oil making the whole room warm and inviting. As Sue survey the small room, she noticed an envelope sitting on the mantel. "Jack, look," she said moving to the fireplace and taking the envelope. "It has our names on it."
Jack removed his hand from Sue's and took the envelope. He quickly skimmed the letter. "I think we have been set up."
"What do you mean? What does it say?" Sue watched Jack's lips as he read.
Jack & Sue,
Don't worry that no one was there to greet you. We will be joining you later in the evening.
First, however, we are sending you on a treasure hunt of sorts. We, as your friends, can see
something that you two apparently cannot. We know that you are meant to be together. We
want you to see what we see. So follow the clues and decide for yourselves.
Your next clue is in the children's room (upstairs, first door on the left). Look inside the rabbit
hole and begin your journey of "Seeing is Believing".
Love,
Your Friends
Sue shuffled her feet awkwardly. "Well, that explains why Lucy left with Myles earlier than planned." She mused. "Should we do what they ask?" She felt a little thrill, maybe this was her chance to open up to Jack about her feelings and give him the same opportunity.
Jack's mind was spinning. He was being given an opportunity to be open and honest with Sue about his feelings for her and he was going to grab it with both hands and hang on. He took Sue's hands in both of his. He raised his eyes to meet hers. "I'm game, if you are."
Sue smiled radiantly, "Let's do it."
Still holding Sue's hand, they headed upstairs to the children's bedroom. Along the largest wall of the room a large mural was painted depicting the children's story of "Alice in Wonderland". Sure enough, taped over the opening to the White Rabbit's hole in the mural was a white manila envelope with #2 printed on it. Jack took the envelope off the wall and pulled Sue down to sit beside him on the small bed.
From inside the envelope Jack removed the two photographs from the Children's Bachelor Auction that Tara had chosen, along with a short note. He read the note quickly and then looked at the photos.
The next clue on your journey will be found in the upstairs sitting room on the tower.
Looking at the pictures, Jack remembered how right it felt to hold Sue in his arms on the dance floor that night. It was one of his favorite memories.
Sue took the photo of them dancing from Jack and studied it. "I had so much fun that night. Dancing with you was…"She couldn't think of an appropriate word to describe the experience, "I didn't want it to end." Sue smiled at Jack and then ducked her head when she realized what she admitted.
Jack's finger gently lifted her chin so that she could read him. "I didn't want to stop dancing with you that night, either." He admitted.
He took both pictures and put them in his jacket pocket. "Come on," he pulled Sue to her feet. "The next clue is in the sitting room down the hall."
The tower sitting room had two Queen-Ann chairs and a high backed sofa arranged in a semi-circle following the shape of the room. A small circular coffee table sat in the center of the room. The table was where they found another envelope, this one with #3 on the front. Sue opened the package and dumped the contents on the table. The picture of them in the bullpen fell out along with another short note.
Sue recognized the picture immediately, but Jack was looking puzzled. "Do you know when this picture was taken, Jack?"
"I think so, but I don't remember anyone else in the bullpen that morning that could have taken a picture. Wasn't this during the Zimmer case?"
Sue nodded. "We had visited Helga at the hospital the night before and she told us her story. I couldn't understand how people could be so horrible. You supported me so much on that case, Jack."
They sat side by side on the couch. Jack's thumb rubbed soft circles on the top of Sue's hand. "I could tell that the case was having an effect on you. I saw the pain in your eyes when Helga told us her story. I wanted to take that pain away."
"You were there for me Jack and listened. That helped lessen the pain. You are always there when I need someone."
Jack raised his free hand and tenderly cupped Sue's cheek. "I'll always be there for you, no matter what." He said in a low whisper.
Sue leaned into Jack's touch. "I'm beginning to see what our friends mean. Let's go see what's next." She took the clue from the table.
Your journey continues with Clue #4 in the breakfast room on the first floor of the tower.
The lower room of the tower was furnished as a small dining room. It had a simple table and four wooden chairs; a small side-board was off to the side for serving purposes. Sue could imagine what a rainbow this room would be in the daytime with the sun shining through the stained glassed windows. An envelope matching the previous one, but this one with #4 was sitting on the sideboard.
When opened it revealed the photo from Callahan and Merced and a note with the next clue. After glancing at the clue Jack left it on the sideboard and focused on the picture.
The next clue is shown in the dining room.
That particular moment during their undercover at Callahan and Merced was a recurring memory for both Jack and Sue. "I've always felt like that was a stolen kiss." Jack replied.
Sue lifted one eyebrow. "A stolen kiss?"
"Our first kiss was stolen from us, because it was for an undercover assignment. That's not how I wanted it to happen."
"You've thought about our first kiss?" Sue asked in awe, she thought she was the only one who thought about it.
"I've thought about it, dreamed about it, even planned different scenarios for it. I've wanted to kiss you for so long, but I didn't know if it would be welcomed."
Sue stepped closer to Jack. "Well, there's only one way to find out isn't there." She blushed at her own boldness.
Jack couldn't believe what he was hearing. Sue was actually inviting him to kiss her. He closed the space between them slowly and put an arm around her waist to bring her the last few inches toward him. His free hand lifted to run softly down her cheek. Lowering his head he gently met her lips with his. A warmth settled over them as they lost themselves in each other. Sue's arms went up and locked around Jack's neck as he deepened the kiss.
Jack's imagination couldn't even compare to the real thing. This is what he had been waiting for, what he had been putting off. The woman in his arms, was a part of him and he knew they were truly meant for each other.
Sue's mind shut down the minute Jack's lips made contact with hers. Her heart belonged to this wonderful man whose arms held her with such care. They pulled away about a minute later, and leaned their foreheads together.
"Wow." Jack smiled, "That beat any scenario my mind could come up with."
"Ditto." Sue replied.
Once they both got there breathing under control, they headed for the dining room. This time there was no envelope, but a television with a note taped to the screen.
Watch Me. The final clue is on the balcony off the master bedroom.
Jack pushed play on the VCR and D's image appeared. The closed caption was set so Sue could read D's words.
"Jack, Sue, our mutual friends asked me to make this video for you. I want to help you see that you never want to leave things unsaid. We have dangerous jobs. We may not get another chance to say those important things that need to be said.
"Over the three years that you have worked together, there have been many situations that could have gone badly. I'm going to mention just a few. Try and remember how you felt during those times. Sue, remember when Jack made himself a target for the sniper or when he had his heart attack? Jack, remember the times Sue was taken, first with Dan Malone and then with Jonathan. How would either of you felt if something had gone wrong and you couldn't voice your feelings. I want both of you to remember Simon. What were you're feelings during that entire case.
"Take the advice of someone who has been there. Don't leave things unsaid, until it's too late."
When the screen went black, Sue and Jack turned to each other only find that the other had tears in their eyes. No words were spoken, the just went into each other's arms and held each other for a long time.
When they stepped out onto the balcony the stars were shining in the clear night sky. Taped to the railing were two small envelopes. One addressed to Jack and the other to Sue. They both recognized them immediately as the letters they had written earlier in the week. Jack reached for the one with Sue's name, removed it from the railing and handed it to her. Sue did the same with her letter for Jack.
Sue opened her letter and began to read.
Dear Sue,
I'm not very good with words. Every time I try to tell how I feel I stumble over the words
And end up saying something dumb. I am so grateful for your presence in my life. I am
A better man because of it. You are my best friend, next to Bobby. I can tell you anything.
You are my life, my heart, my soul.
I love you Sue Thomas. I'll love you forever.
Love always,
Jack
Jack likewise was reading his letter.
Dearest Jack,
I can't begin to express what your friendship has meant to me these last three years. You
accepted me as I am. You are kind, generous, caring and my best friend. You are my rock,
my defender, my love. You have my heart and I never want you to give it back to me.
It's this simple, I love you, Jack Hudson.
Love forever,
Sue
They both looked up from their letters at the same moment. Jack stepped forward, wrapped his arms around Sue's waist and pulled her to him.
"I've seen all the evidence and I don't just believe, I know, I love you, Sue Thomas. Forever."
Sue smiled through her tears of joy. "I know I love you too, Jack Hudson.
He captured her lips with his and she responded. This kiss said more than all the words, all the pictures, all the advice that could have been given. They were in love, and together. Nothing could take this moment from them.