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Chapter 26:
The Love Note
Jack and Sue
have arrived back at his parent’s house. Jack takes Sue around to the backyard where they sit on the porch swing. He
puts his arm around her shoulders and Sue cuddles and rests her head on his chest.
He pulls an
embroider quilt to cover them and to keep each other warm while they watch the brilliant stars in the sky. Jack leans close
until their lips meet and he brushes his mouth over hers. They stay that way for a few more minutes. He kisses her once more
and says goodnight. Then Jack gets up, their hands linked, they walk inside the house and go upstairs to separate bedrooms.
Early next morning,
Jack wakes up and packs an overnight bag for his camping trip with his buddies. Jack dressed in a gray sweater and denim blue
jeans. He sneaks into Meg’s old room and watches Sue for a moment. She is still asleep and he does not want to wake
her up.
He
tiptoes over to her bed and leans down to give her a light kiss on her forehead. He leaves a note for Sue on the dresser table. Then he walks downstairs into the
kitchen, his mom is already up and making blueberry pancakes for breakfast.
Jack: Morning, Mom. Is
that blueberry pancakes I smell? (megawatt smile)
Jack’s Mom: Yes.
Grab a plate and I’ll stack four pancakes for you. You’re up early, honey? (smile)
Jack: Yes. I’m going
camping up at Bruce’s cabin. Trent, Mark, and Bruce wanted to hangout together just the guys. (megawatt smile)
Jack’s Mom: That
is a great idea. I will keep Sue busy here so she doesn’t miss you too much and give her some pointers on how to cook
your favorite dishes. So as your mom, can I ask if you have plans to propose
to Sue and when might that be? (curious smile)
Jack: Thanks mom. I’m sure Sue will enjoy that. She really
does like to cook and I’m so grateful for that. I have plans to propose to Sue but I am waiting for the right moment
to do so. You’re the first person I will call, Mom but only if Sue agrees to marry me. Please don’t share this
tidbit with my affectionate and yet two completely off-the-wall sisters. (megawatt smile and laughs)
Jack’s Mom:
You have my word. I won’t tell Meg and Abby anything until you give the okay. But I’m going to tell your dad.
Let me give you mom’s advice…when the right person comes along and you know you want to spend the rest of your
life with her. It is not the actual moment that matters; it’s what you say in that moment that makes it all the more
extraordinary. (dazzling smile)
Jack: Is that
what happened when dad proposed to you at Jardin du Luxembourg? (megawatt smile)
Jack’s Mom:
Yes. It was a romantic setting and your father got down on one knee. I knew I wanted to marry him and love him forever, raise
a family and grow old together. Not because your father asked me to marry him right then, but it was the way he looked right
at me, I could see love shining in his eyes, just for me. He spoke from his heart and I knew that he’s the only person
I was meant to be with for all time. (dazzling smile)
Jack: I want Sue
to always remember the exact moment when I propose to her. (megawatt smile)
Jack’s Mom:
Honey, I know however and wherever you choose to propose to Sue. Without a doubt, she is going to cherish that moment forever.
I am looking forward to Sue becoming my new daughter-in-law. Don’t keep your mom in the dark for too long, you hear
me. (dazzling smile)
Jack: You mean;
she’s going to be your only daughter-in-law. When I get married to Sue, it’s going to be for all time. And I promise
not to keep you in limbo for too long. I love you, Mom. (megawatt smile)
Jack’s Mom:
I love you, Jack. Now be a good boy and clean your breakfast plate before you go off with your friends. (smile and laughs)
After breakfast, Jack gets ready
to leave, he says goodbye to his parents while Sue is still asleep upstairs. He looks out the window and Bruce has just pulled
up. After Jack leaves, upstairs in Meg’s old room Levi wakes Sue. She gets
out of bed and walks over to the dresser table and looks at the note and sits down on the bed. She takes a minute to cry happy
tears because she already misses Jack very much. Sue thinking: How lucky can one
girl be?
By
the time you read this, I’ll be on my way to the cabin. I just wanted you to know that I’ll be thinking about
you all day. Every day is so much sweeter because you’re in my life. So I thought it was time to let you know how much
I treasure you. Until I see you tomorrow, this love note will have to do. You hold the key to my heart. I will always love
you. Your soul mate, Jack Hudson.
After showering,
dressed in blue jeans and a turtleneck, Sue walks downstairs to join the family. Everyone is at the table
eating breakfast. Jack’s mom tells Sue that Jack went to the cabin with the guys about forty-five minutes ago. Abby jumps in and says; this is a good time for us to talk
about our big brother behind his back and ask if he has taken the plunge? Then Meg explains what Abby meant, more precisely
what we have all been wondering about. Has Jack pop the question to you? Sue stares at them both with a perplexed expression
on her face.
Sue: What question might that be? Shouldn’t you be asking
him instead of me?
Meg: We would but Jack is keeping mum. Even Matt has tried
to get Jack to tell him but we don’t know anything for sure. So we’re hoping you might tell us. (smile)
Abby: That’s right. Put us out of our misery. We want
to welcome you in the family as our sister-in-law but we can’t do that until Jack pops the question. (smile)
Jack’s Dad: Now girls, you know the rule. You can’t
talk behind Jack unless he is here to defend himself. (smile)
Jack’s Mom: It’s still early in the morning, at
least let Sue have her pancakes before you two bombard her with all your questions. (smile)
Sue: Thanks for coming to my rescue, Mr. & Mrs. Hudson.
The answer is No. Jack did not propose to me nor did he give a hint that he might want to at some point. What Jack and I have
is very special. I like where we are so I’m not ready to “take the plunge” as you both put it. I think Jack
feels the same way I do. We don’t want to rush into marriage at least not right now. (lighthearted smile)
Abby: Do you want me to hit him on the head with a 2x4, to
get him to “take the plunge”? Because I would gladly do it, we ladies have to stick together. (laughs)
Meg: Abby’s right. Anyone who looks at you two right
away knows that you belong together. (smile)
Sue: Thanks for the vote of confidence. I’ll keep you
posted when I find out myself. (lighthearted smile)
Jack’s Dad: I know my son. The smartest decision he ever
made was to fall in love with you. There’s no doubt in my mind, he will propose to you. It’s just a matter of
when. If you haven’t already figured it out, he can be a perfectionist at times. (smile and laughs)
Sue: Thank you for saying that. I believe you are right. The best
decision I ever made was to fall madly in love with your successful, intelligent, kind, and wonderful son. Right now I am
content to just go with the flow and let things happen naturally. (lighthearted smile)
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