Chapter 29

Thanks to everyone who took the time to read and review the story. I love hearing from everyone. As always, let me know what you think! Oh, and since I haven't said it in a while… I don't own any part of this except the story line. Boy, I wish I did.

Jack woke to Levi barking. He stumbled to the back door where Levi was pawing at the knob. He peeked through the window to see what was causing him to be so excited. Jack didn't notice anything that would have caught the dog's attention. He decided to check on Sue and go back to bed. He opened the door and looked in on her. He smiled as he looked at her bed until Levi pushed his way through the door and jumped on the bed. Jack lunged for him, but it was too late.

"Levi!" Jack scolded. It was then that Jack noticed Sue wasn't in her bed. Instantly he went into full alert. He checked the bathroom, then the living area and kitchen. It was at that point he realized that was what Levi had been barking about. Sue must have gone outside. He quickly jogged down the stairs, grabbing his sweatshirt off the chair on his way out the door.

"Levi… find Sue!" He commanded. Levi took off running down the beach to the right. Jack ran behind him looking for his love.

Jack stopped short when he saw her. She was wrapped tight in a thick throw still in her "Virginia Is For Lovers" sweatshirt. She stood staring out at the ocean a soft smile playing on her lips. Jack walked up to her and Levi danced happily around her feet.

"Hi." He said as he approached. She smiled fondly at him.

"Hi yourself." She answered.

"What are you doing out here?" He asked.

"Couldn't sleep." Sue said smiling at Jack. Jack walked to her, wrapping his arms around her. Hers around him, engulfing him in the blanket with her. She leaned up and sweetly pressed her lips to his. Jack smiled as their lips touched.

"Everything alright?" He asked as their lips parted.

"Yes. Everything's perfect." She said, but the sadness showed on her face more than happiness.

"Then why are you so sad?" Jack asked lifting her chin to see her eyes.

"I don't want to go home tomorrow. I'm loving this too much, I don't want to give you up yet." Sue said hugging him tight.

"You're not going to give me up. You're stuck with me now. Remember? You agreed to be my wife." He teased.

"I remember." She said softly. Jack instantly tensed. Her response made him nervous.

"Sue? Have you changed your mind? About us getting married?" Jack asked hesitantly.

"No!" She nearly shouted. The relief showed instantly on his face, in his body language.

"Good!" He chuckled. "I thought you were sick of me already." Sue giggled.

"How are we going to continue once we get home? What's going to happen back in DC? We can't tell anyone… how are we even going to get married? I want to tell Lucy and Tara… how can I do that with the no dating rule in place? They're not going to…" The words began to spew from Sue's mouth faster and louder than she's intended, faster than she could control. Jack pulled her into his arms and captured her lips successfully quieting her. Sue snaked her arms around his neck, tightening her grip on his, pulling him closer. Jack licked her lips, pushing through to tangle his with hers. His hands rested on her cheeks, gently rubbing her face with his thumbs. Sue moaned into their kiss, her fingers threading through his thick locks. Jack hesitantly pulled away.

"We'll cross all of those bridges when we get there. Come back in, day break is hours away still. We have all day to enjoy ourselves, let's do that." Jack suggested, holding her hand, leading her back into the house.

XOXOXOX

Daybreak came much too soon for either of them, but both struggled out of bed, meeting in the kitchen.

"Good morning." Jack smiled, kissing her on the cheek.

"Morning." Sue echoed turning to kiss him on the lips.

"I'm going to so love waking up to this every morning." Jack said smiling down at his fiancé. He slowly inched forward kissing her again.

"So, what's on tap for today?" Sue asked as their kiss broke. Jack shrugged his shoulders.

"What are you making me for breakfast?" She teased and pushed past him, headed for the coffee pot.

"Uh… Uh…." He mocked. "Well, fine!" He said unable to hide his smirk. "You know, I am not going to make you anything for breakfast! How's that?!" He teased.

"Fine." Sue said folding her arms, sulking while leaning against the island. Jack's heart went in his throat until Sue glanced up at him through her lashes, unable to hide her guilty smirk.

"You…." Jack said shaking his finger at her. She smiled and started to pick a pan out of the cabinet. Jack took it from her, putting it back.

"Jack?" Sue protested. "I will make us breakfast."

"No, I'm going to take us out. We have to leave by 3 to get back, and I don't want to spend time cleaning up. "Shower, pack and we'll take off…" he started.

"Do you have something specific planned for the day?" Sue asked. Jack shook his head. "Would you object to staying here, on the beach?" She asked shyly.

"Not at all, if that's what you want to do. We can grab some breakfast and come back." He said.

Less than two hours later, they were back on the beach, walking along the edge as the water splashed across the tops of their feet. Jack reached out and took her hand, entwining his fingers around hers. He absently began to stroke her palm with his thumb, sending incredible feelings to the bottom of her belly.

"Do you have any thoughts for a date?" Jack asked catching Sue daydreaming.

Jack smiled when she didn't flinch at his question. He realized she was on another planet with her thoughts. Jack stopped and tugged lightly on her hand catching her attention. She blushed as he laughed.

"Sorry." She said still blushing. "Were you talking to me?"

"Apparently, I was actually holding a conversation with that little plover over there." He teased. She smiled and pulled herself into his arms.

"I'm sorry. What did you want me for?" Sue asked.

"Actually I was wondering if you had a date in mind for our wedding. Something special to you?" Jack asked leaning down to kiss her softly.

"Spring." Sue said as their lips parted. I've always wanted to be married in the spring. Fresh flowers, everything's beginning to turn green and grow again… seems like the right time for a wedding and a marriage. Don't you think?" He asked.

"Sounds good to me." Jack said smiling.

"Why don't you sound convinced?" Sue asked, pulling back from him a bit.

Jack smiled devilishly. "I don't know that I want to wait that long." He winked. Sue's mouth dropped open and color flooded her cheeks. She swatted him lightly on his arm.

"Jack!" Sue gasped in shock.

"What? I'm not going to apologize for wanting you, in every sense of the word. I said I would wait, but I didn't say I would be happy about it." He joked.

"Then what do you suggest?" Sue asked light heartedly.

"Labor Day." Jack said, seriously.

"Labor Day?!" Sue yelped. "Are you crazy?" She shook her head in disbelief.

"Labor Day?" She asked again. "I have so much to do… I won't even be able to pick out a dress by then, let alone a cake, bridesmaids' dresses… no…noooo…" She said again.

The pair walked to the soft white, warm sand close to the house. Sue stopped and looked fondly at the house.

"I don't want to leave here. I've really loved this weekend." She giggled. "Even if my head is spinning!"

"Me too." Jack said wrapping her in his arms. He softly caressed her cheek following a trail to her neck. He nuzzled his nose against her skin into the crook of her neck. He sat on the sand and pulled her down with him.

Jack rubbed his knuckle along her cheek bone up to her hair. He ran his fingers through her hair, feeling the softness in his fingers. He slowly leaned into her and pressed his lips to hers. Very slowly, he grazed her lips. With each pass of his lips their contact lingered longer until he captured her mouth with his own.

Sue's free hand went to Jack's shoulder and down his bicep. She carved a path up his chest to his jaw with her finger. She ran her fingertip along his jaw, feeling the day old stubble and fondling his earlobe. That single act caused a moan from deep in Jack's chest. Sue smiled as she tortured him. Their tongues tangled with each other's pushing their desire and need for one another.

Jack leaned Sue onto the sand and nuzzled his leg between hers holding them together. Their play continued until Jack suddenly pushed himself from Sue's lips. Both were gasping for air, chests heaving and lips swollen, and Sue confused.

"Jack?" She looked at him confused. The palm of her hand rubbing against his cheek. "What's wrong?"

"Christmas?" was the only word he spoke.

"It's nearly 7 months away… what about it?" She asked, still confused.

"Why don't we get married at Christmas time?" He suggested. Sue sat up and smiled at him.

"Christmas? Christmas." She said with a wide smile.