Chapter 39
Thanks once again to all my loyal readers and reviewers. I'm glad you're sticking with this story! Thanks for all the wonderful reviews, I so look forward to hearing from all of you. Also, thanks to my ghost reader, you know who you are! I also have to acknowledge a little help I had with this chapter. My daughter Ashley put her 2 cents in (when I took a bathroom break) and I decided to leave it! Maybe in a few years there will be another writer in the family! Enjoy!
Sue pulled up to the coffee shop where she agreed to meet Angie, spotting her right away sitting at a side table.
The pair exchanged hugs and a kiss on the cheek. Angie was a strong woman who Sue could look up to, and was fast becoming a grandmother like figure in her life. There was much to talk about, to catch up on. Sue wanted to hear all about the newest baby in the family, to see the pictures and to share her recent adventures into public speaking.
The pair had chatted for nearly two hours. They'd talked right through coffee, dinner, dessert and more coffee. Angie had showed Sue all of her pictures of the baby. Everyone was healthy and happy, including Angie. The newest addition to her ever growing family had given her a new zeal for life. Before she was born, Angie believed she was ready to meet her Maker, to go rest with her husband. Now, she realized she had so much more to fight for.
Sue was very animated as she told Angie about her newest adventure in the form of public speaking. She'd never thought of herself as a public figure, but had been immensely delighted with her experience.
"It sounds like you really enjoyed yourself on stage, reaching out to those students. You should see about doing it again. The more you do it, the more students you will reach." Angie suggested.
"I have to admit, it felt really good to be up there. I was scared to death, but it felt good. The emails I'm getting are very encouraging."
Sue spent the next few minutes explaining to Angie about the girl she'd gotten an email from, and had since met her. Sue said she was concerned by this young girl's situation, but inspired by her as well.
"Sounds like you might have a future in this. Something to think about anyway." Angie paused. "And, this would give you and that handsome Jack an opportunity to progress this relationship of yours. You can't stay engaged with no one finding out forever you know." She teased.
"I know. We've actually set a date for Christmas Eve." Sue said shyly.
"Wow, that's pretty quick." Angie noted.
"We didn't want to wait too long." Sue admitted, blushing lightly. Angie chuckled.
"I can certainly understand that." She said with a wink, causing Sue to blush further. "Are you and Jack planning on a family?"
"I hope so." Sue said.
"You don't know?" Angie asked. "You haven't asked Jack if he wants children?"
"We've talked about it, and we've decided to wait a little while. He wants me to himself for a little while, and my doctor doesn't think it's a good idea to get pregnant right away because of the cancer." Sue explained. "And, I hope that God will bless us with them when the time is right." Sue explained.
"I'm sure he will. And, if it doesn't happen right away, don't get discouraged. You get to practice more, just have to try harder." She said with a wink.
"Angie!" Sue gasped, turning red.
Angie simply smiled and shrugged her shoulders.
"What's are they saying now? 'Just sayin'." She laughed.
Both ladies laughed. Angie sipped her coffee again, and took another bite of her cake.
"Where is the wedding going to be?" Angie asked.
"We haven't actually decided that yet." Sue admitted. "It's happened so quickly and with work and now this new adventure I haven't planned anything!"
"Oh, my! You really should get a move on." She paused. "You don't even have your dress?" She asked. Sue shook her head.
"No. I've been looking online at dresses. I've picked out a couple I like. Now, it's as simple as a click of the button. I could even buy my gown like this if I wanted to, and at this point, I just might." She said.
"Oh, Sue, you have to go try them on, get the feel for them, and fall in love with your one true dress. You should take Lucy and your mom, or Jack's." Angie suggested.
"That's a great idea." Sue admitted.
At two Angie's phone rang. "Time to go. My daughter's outside." She said looking at the phone. "I've had such a wonderful afternoon, thank you so much." Sue paid the bill, much to Angie's protest. She hugged Sue as they walked to the car. She hugged Sue tight again as she got to the car.
"Angie? Will you be at the wedding?" Sue asked.
"Wouldn't miss it!" She called out as she got into her daughter's car. She gave a quick wave and they drove into thick weekend city traffic.
Sue quickly texted Lucy to see if she was at home, and Tara to ask her to come over. Sue headed home, stopping long enough to grab some pastries from the local bakery. As Sue walked through the door, she was greeted by Lucy and Tara both sitting around the coffee table, sipping steaming cups of coffee and holding poster board, notebooks and pencils along with an array of colored markers.
"Hi!" Sue said excitedly and surprised when she noticed both ladies. Levi walked to her wagging his tail. He took his leash off the table and nudged her.
"Oh, no you don't Levi!" Lucy scolded. "We just back from an hour long walk in the park. You go sit down for a while. Just because Sue's home doesn't mean you get another stroll in search of your little friend." She laughed, and looked at Sue "And by little I mean gigantic!" I'm pretty sure it's a lady friend, but she is at least twice his size!"
"Oh, you're making new friends again, are you?" Sue teased her loyal friend.
Levi finally gave in to the fact that he was going to have to wait for another trip around the park. He curled up on his blanket and dozed the rest of the afternoon away.
"How was your lunch with Angie?" Lucy asked.
"Great. I like Angie so much, she's such a sweet person." Sue said walking to get her laptop.
"Sue? Do you have anything figured out for the wedding?" Tara asked.
"The date?" Sue said tentatively.
"That's it?" Lucy asked surprised.
"Luce, you're my best friend, don't you think if I had more than that done, you'd know about it?" Sue teased.
"Did you tell me you've had your wedding planned since you were eight?" Lucy argued.
"Yeah, but that's an eight year old's version of a wedding. Not reality." Sue protested. "I have picked a few dresses out, online. I made an appointment for Tuesday night, after work, can you guys make it?" Sue asked.
"Yeah." Lucy answered.
"Sure, I don't have anything planned." Tara piped in.
"Great. Wanna see?" Sue asked. Both ladies nearly jumped toward Sue to get a glimpse at the computer screen.
"Oh, they're beautiful." Both women commented.
"Thanks." Sue said.
"So, let's get to work on everything else." Tara said.
"First, the church." Lucy suggested.
The date was settled, Christmas Eve. The little white church on the edge of town said they could squeeze in a ceremony at 2:00. That would give them enough time to get ready for services at 4:00.
Sue and Jack wanted something small and intimate with their families and closest friends. They knew that Christmas Eve wasn't the best night to actually hold a reception, especially considering Santa would need the little children in bed and asleep before he could make an appearance.
The hours passed, the Danish eaten, and two pots of coffee gone through, but plans were beginning to come together.
"So, guest list, invitations, colors, dresses-for the most part- picked out, church, hall, food all set." Lucy said.
"When we go on Tuesday to check out my dress I want you two to try on the different styles of dress. I'd like to get them figured out so I can send the style and exact colors to my sisters in law so they can look into the dresses out there. I'll talk to Jack about his family. I think my little niece should be big enough to be the flower girl, she's almost four." Sue said.
"What about a ring bearer?" Tara asked.
"Levi." Lucy answered with a straight face.
"I like it!" Sue answered.
"What's left to decide on?" Lucy asked.
"Flowers, centerpieces, favors, cake, music, limo." Tara rattled off.
"Seating chart." Sue said with a grimace. Lucy and Tara both laughed.
"Are you guys busy this week? I would really love to get flowers and maybe cake out of the way." Sue said.
"Shouldn't Jack help with the cake?" Tara asked.
"Probably." Sue laughed.
"OK, how about centerpieces and favors?" Sue asked.
"I don't have much planned. I'm all yours." Tara offered.
"Me too!" Lucy chimed in. "It's not like I actually have a social life!"
They sat talking about flowers and checking out pictures online of possibilities.
"Jack said he has the honeymoon and limo covered. And, he has a college friend who does some DJ'ing that might be interested."
"See… all set." Lucy said.
"Except the seating chart!" Sue complained again.
"We'll help. We have to get the invitations out before we can start doing the seating chart." Lucy offered. "Let's swing by the restaurant and see what they have available for tables."
"I'm going to have to talk to Jack about maybe reserving a block of rooms for family. I think we might stay there on our wedding night too." Sue added.
"Well, you talk to Jack about the details. See what he wants with a cake, maybe we can take care of that too." Lucy said.
"Maybe." Sue said, suddenly tired.
"Don't you have a date with Jack tonight?" Tara asked.
"Oh! I forgot!" Sue squealed, jumping to her feet.
She quickly hugged both her friends, thanking them for all their help and input, and ran down the hall to shower and change for dinner with her fiancé.
XOXOXOX
Autumn had fallen upon the city with leaves of gold and crimson. Brilliant yellows and oranges joined in the scattered green leaves that were still clinging to the tips of branches. The summer breeze had given way to the cold winds from the north. Still, Sue loved it. She appreciated what she had. She was looking forward to what she was going to have. A wedding, a husband, and with God's grace, a family. But first, she had to have a long conversation with her husband to be.
Jack was surprised to see Sue waiting for him outside her apartment building. He rolled down the passenger window and leaned across the seat. "Am I late?" He asked.
Sue sauntered to the car smiling. "Nope." She said as she opened the door and climbed in. Jack stayed leaning in her seat. Sue looked at him as she closed the door. Their lips only centimeters apart. Jack smiled. Sue invaded the remaining space and pressed her mouth to Jack's. He smiled as he captured her lips once more before backing away.
"So, where do you want to have dinner?" Jack asked.
"Maria's?" Sue suggested.
"Pizza it is!" Jack agreed as he put the car in gear and pulled away. Once at the restaurant, they sat, ordered dinner and shared popcorn.
"Jack…" Sue began.
"Sue…" Jack began at the same time. Both laughed and Jack continued. "Sue… Umm, how-how'd you make out at the doctor's office?"
"Fine." Sue said. Jack cocked his head to the left and raised an eye brow, trying to encourage more information.
"Fine?" Jack asked when it didn't come. "What did Dr. Kerswell say about the cancer?"
"The appointment wasn't about the cancer." Sue said.
"Did you tell her about you almost passing out?" He asked.
"Yes. She said it's just a pulled tendon, nothing to worry about." She answered nodding.
"Good." He paused. "So, if this wasn't about the cancer, what was it about?" He asked.
"Birth control." Sue said softly, her face flushing with color.
"Birth control?" He asked. Again, Sue nodded. "And?"
"She gave me some pamphlets and condoms and told me to come back next week." Sue said.
"Condoms?" Jack asked smiling.
"Just in case." Sue said, blushing an even deeper red.
"Oh." Jack took Sue's hands in his. "So does that mean that you're considering… that path for us?"
"Well, we are getting married in a couple of months…" Sue said, shying away.
"Oh." He took a sip of his beer. "Sue? You know how much I want us to be together, but we are getting married in a few short months, we will wait. I promise." He said.
"I know. And I love you for that, for understanding and supporting me in that decision." Sue said. She took a breath and paused for a long moment. "I do want to talk about what you said the other day though. About taking another job."
"Yeah, I think that's best." Jack said. Their food arrived, and both began nibbling on the pizza before them.
"Jack, you can't just make a decision that will affect both of us without discussing it with me, especially if we're getting married shortly." Sue said.
"I know I should have talked to you about it." Jack admitted. "I just see that as the only option."
"There are other options Jack." Sue said. "We'll figure this out. Please don't give your notice yet. Let's think about it together."
"OK." Jack smiled and leaned across the table and chastely kissed her on the lips. "Do you want to go dancing after dinner?" He asked.
"No, thanks." Sue said scrunching her nose at the idea. "I actually wanted to go over wedding plans with you."
"OK. We'll head back to your place after we finish." Jack offered.
"Actually, we can look at them here, if you want. I have them with me." Sue said.
"Oh, is that what's in the briefcase?" he asked.
"Yep. The girls helped me today. We're going this week to check out dresses, and flowers… maybe cake." Sue answered.
"Sounds like you guys got a lot done today." Jack commented. They finished their dinner and talked a bit more about the wedding plans. The couple left and headed back to his apartment.
The pair talked about tuxedos and colors, the menu, and cake flavors. Jack said he would leave the details of what the cake looked like up to her, as well as the bridesmaid's dresses and flower colors. He said he would like to help make the guest list and offered to help with the table seating chart. Sue breathed a sigh of relief when Jack drove her back home. In one day, seemingly all of her plans for their wedding had been hashed out and some put into place. It made her feel good that so much had been accomplished.
Jack walked her to the door and pulled her into his arms, tightly wrapping them around her. He kissed her with the passion he felt deep inside himself for her. When they broke both were breathless.
"I love you Jack." Sue said, desperately trying to catch her breath. Jack smiled shyly, entwining her fingers with his. "But I have to go in…" Jack looked at her curiously, and before he could ask, she answered his unasked question. She ran her hands up his arms to his face, her thumbs caressing his cheeks. "I want you Jack." She said in a very low, sexy, sultry voice. "I want you the way a woman wants a man. The way a wife wants her husband. I want you in every possible definition of the 'Biblical sense'. And kissing you like that, feeling your hands on me, makes it very, very difficult to remember my upbringing." She smiled. It was Jack's turn to blush. For a long moment he was lost for words.
"Well, I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who is profoundly affected by this relationship." He said smiling.
"Goodnight." Sue said. She leaned up and placed an innocent kiss on his lips. Jack scolded himself for even being tempted to kiss her with any more intensity. "I love you." She said as she walked through the door. Jack mouthed "I love you" back to her and watched as the door latched in front of him. He smiled his famous half smile then turned for home and maybe a jog around the neighborhood… and a cold shower.