This question – along with a lot of others – kept swirling around Jack's head for a few more days before he finally decided to ask someone, who could actually know the answer for it. He was a lawyer himself, but not only was he out of practice when it came to law, he also has never really been interested in civil regulations; he was always more drawn to the criminal branch. But there were few of his friends, and because he didn't feel really comfortable to talk about it with someone, who he didn't know, he decided to pay a visit to the guy, who lived in DC. To say that the man was surprised was a huge understatement and he choked on his coffee the moment Jack walked into his office.
Jack wasn't surprised; in fact, he was getting quite used to getting a reaction like this when visiting someone for the first time after coming back. It was depressing how fast the news about somebody's death was spreading in comparison to how difficult it was to inform everyone that it wasn't true. He didn't even think of calling everyone just to let them know he was alive; the only people he called were his parents and his brother. They were the three people, who next to Sue and Emily, were the most important people in his live and deserved to be informed about everything directly from him. His mother started crying the moment he said "Hi Mom." to the phone, just after she answered it; it made his father come to her immediately and he could hear the man's voice shaking on the line as they were talking. His brother was absolutely speechless for a longer moment, and only when his wife started shouting to him he remembered his voice and talked to him for a moment, unable to believe that his little brother was indeed calling him. None of them had any doubts that it was him, they all recognised him without problems on the line.
He sat in the chair on the opposite side of the desk, and after answering a few questions himself, he got to the reason why he was there. His friend listened to him, getting more and more shocked as Jack was continuing his story. Of course, he didn't see the news that Jack got married coming either, and goggled at him like he was crazy. But, after a moment of listening to Jack's dreamy babbling about the mysterious Sue, he was able to see that the man was indeed hopelessly in love with this woman, and he found it easy to believe it was true.
"Honestly, I don't really know, Jack..." admitted Anthony, looking at his friend. "I've never had a situation like this, I believe not a lot of the lawyers can say that they had... You were assumed dead, so there was no need for her to fill for the divorce, as the marriage was finished with your death and she was legally a widow... It can mean that now, that you are alive, the two of you are still married because your marriage has never been terminated. On the other hand, she could have gotten married over this time you were gone, because she had a legal right to do so, and she could hardly be accused of bigamy after your return, because you were technically dead for the world..."
"Anthony, I am aware that this is a complicated situation, I wouldn't come to you if it wasn't, because I would probably know the answer. I need to know what I'm standing on."
"Of course, I understand. But I can't tell you right now, and I'm afraid that checking the laws is not going to help me this time... I don't think it's actually regulated anywhere... But I promise you that I will find out, and I'll let you know, okay? I have a very important trial coming, and I am quite busy right now, but the moment I can, I'll look this up."
Jack could agree to it, in fact, he was in absolutely no hurry. And even though he really needed to know this little bit of information, because it was important, he was also a little afraid. He really hoped that according to the law, they were still married; he could be called selfish, but one thing he was sure about was that marrying Sue was the best decision in his life, and he knew that they could really be happy with each other. He loved her, he never stopped thinking or dreaming about her, and wasn't sure if he would ever be able to. And the fact that she didn't feel the same anymore pained him with a double power. He wanted to have her back, and no matter what it was going to take, he intended to fight for her.
He didn't talk to her since their infamous walk, and he thought it would be better if he gave her some time to adjust to the idea of him being back. He had no idea that he wasn't the only one thinking about all the consequences it was going to bring, and it was constantly on Sue's mind. But, first of all, she was thinking about the fact that no matter how she felt, she had to think about Emily and it was a fact that the girl deserved to have a father, not only a father figure, in her life. But it meant that he would have to be present in her life as well, because there was no way their daughter would be fine with spending time with him alone, when she practically didn't know him. Later, when Emily would adjust to him, feel comfortable around him, their contacts could be really limited but at the beginning it was impossible, and she was afraid of it.
It was, actually, and understatement. She was horrified by the idea of Jack being present around her again because she knew that he still had his place deep down in her heart, and most probably, he was always going to keep it. Their relationship, all the feelings they shared, has been very strong and she did, after all, marry him, and she would have never even considered it if she hadn't believed that they're meant for each other. The happiness, relief and other positive feelings she felt at the sight of him – even if completely repressed by those negative ones – showed her that no matter how convinced she was that she has moved on, it was hardly true. She didn't really have time to give it much thinking that day, but at night she found herself lying restless in bed and thinking, how could it all look like if the past was different. It hurt horribly, when she was thinking that most probably, they would be a very happy little family, she would feel like the happiest woman in the world and Emily would be their everything. Even if deep in her heart she yearned for it, she knew that it wasn't going to happen. He broke her heart, and she really wasn't eager to give him her complete trust once again. Still, she was afraid that his company around her may wake up all the feelings she put to rest, and she couldn't let it happen. She wouldn't be fair to her promise, but she also wouldn't be fair to Trevor.
She has met the man almost half a year after she made the decision to stop clinging to what could have been, and start living with the presence. He didn't really hide his interest in her, and even though it was scaring her, she decided to follow Lucy's advice and give it a chance, for the sake of moving on. Her hesitation didn't skip his attention, but after he found out the reason behind it, he was very understanding. And, as the time was passing, she found herself enjoying his company more and more, and didn't even know when the bond between them formed. She was more horrified than she was willing to admit, but she decided to try to be in a relationship with him and, as for now, it was great. It would be way better if Emily tried to accept him, but it quickly became obvious that the girl wasn't eager to even consider it. Sue had no idea why, but she just wasn't willing to get to know him better, and made a huge scene every time Sue wanted to take her to spend some time together with her and Trevor. It was the main reason why she was grateful the man wasn't eager to rush into something really serious, as he even admitted to her; but she wasn't willing to do it either. And now, with Jack being back, she knew that there was no way that it wouldn't affect her relations with Trevor.
She has never thought to mention the possibility of Jack's return to him, so she had absolutely no way of knowing how he was going to feel about it. She didn't think he should mind, because she really didn't think about coming back to Jack, and he could hardly be angry at her for allowing him to be in their daughter's life. Yet, the long forgotten words of David Palmer came back to her. She remembered the moment he said them, and couldn't even bring herself to deny them. It was during their last meeting, before he left for Los Angeles, and even though she was willing to give a long-distance relationship a go, he decided to end things between them. 'How can it work with so many miles between us, if it's fated to fail anyway? You are never going to be able to give your whole heart to any man, not only to me, unless it's going to be Jack Hudson. I saw the two of you together and the attraction, the bond you two share is... undeniable. No matter how hard you're going to try and repress all the feelings you have for him, there is always going to be at least a tiny bit of your heart, which would belong to him. I have no way of knowing if I'm right, but I think the two of you have a really huge chance that this is this one, true love everybody is waiting for. And, as someone who deeply cares for you, I hope you're not going to waste it.'.
The solution to her fears came from the person she didn't really expect to give it to her, but she decided that maybe she should have. It was Bobby, who suggested, that at least for the beginning, he can share the Sunday mornings he was spending with Emily, with Jack. Manning seemed to be the person, who stood directly in the middle of them, and understood both sides. He couldn't blame Sue for feeling hurt and angry, and for all her doubts, but he also thought that Jack deserved to be given a chance, if not to get her back, then to at least get to know his own daughter. All the other people besides him seemed to be leaning towards one or the other's side, but not Bobby and both of them could be really grateful for the presence of this man, and for the close relationship he shared with them.
"Thank you." said Jack, almost with tears in his eyes, when Bobby came to his hotel room, the place where he decided to stay until finding a new apartment, to inform him about this.
"You have no reason to thank me, Sparks. It's the right thing to do, especially for Emily but also for you and Sue. Because if I can tell you something - no matter what she says, no matter how much time she spends with this Trevor guy, you are the only guy, who can make her happy. And I'd have to be blind not to see how miserable you are now. Damn, you have your wedding ring still on your finger! It's like shouting to the whole world that she's the one even if she doesn't want you, and nobody else stands a chance."
"Well, that's true... I've never stopped wearing it and I'm not sure if I could bring myself to taking it off..." said Jack, looking at the gold band on his finger and only moved his eyes back up, when he felt his friend's hand on his shoulder.
"You screwed up Jack, and Sue is right to feel the way she does. You're going to have to bend over backwards and even more to fix it, but I believe you are able to do it."
Hudson smiled, the tears finally making their way to his eyes after threatening to do so for a moment. He has never felt more grateful than in that moment to have such a great friend as Bobby Manning.