Epilogue: A Prelude To Three Priceless Words
2 months later, their 1st anniversary dinner at Jack’s house
Jack is at home getting everything ready for a romantic evening with Sue. Jack is all decked out with his black tuxedo. He bought a single red rose for Sue for their first anniversary together. He bought chocolate truffles. A bottle of Merlot is on ice. The dinner is set out on the patio, with candles lit and soft music playing. He ordered filet mignon for two, house salad and smoke salmon from La Bergerie Restaurant. And for dessert he ordered chocolate mousse for two with raspberry filling. The cartons are in the trash can. Now he is waiting for Sue to get here. Meanwhile, Sue is getting ready at her apartment. She is wearing a midnight blue halter dress with V front neckline, side slit in the long skirt, and high heels. Sue can’t wait to see Jack’s reaction.
Jack: Maybe I should have picked her up. I want tonight to be absolutely perfect for Sue.
Sue: Lucy, how do I look?
Lucy: Wow! Jack is going to be bowled over.
Sue: Thanks. I better go. I don’t want to be late.
Lucy: Have fun tonight. Wake me up when you get home; I don’t care what time it is. I want to hear all about your evening. Don’t leave a single detail out! (smiles)
Sue arrives at Jack’s house. She is about to ring the doorbell when he opens the front door.
Sue: Hi Jack. Can I come in?
Jack: Hi Sue. Yeah. Come on in. Wow! You look sensational in that dress. Am I allowed to say that? He gives Sue the single red rose.
Sue: Signing-Thank you. (With a little bow) I’m glad you like my dress. Thank you for the red rose, Jack. It’s beautiful.
Jack: Signing- Not as beautiful as you are. Blue looks really good on you. (adorable smile)
Sue: Signing- Wow! This makes twice that I have seen you in your tux. And I might add you look dashing. How does a girl like me get so lucky?
Jack: I don’t know. From where I’m standing, I’m the lucky one! I hope you’re hungry. (gives Sue the look)
Sue: You made dinner for me?
Jack: Yes. I did. You should be very proud of me. This way, please. (smiles and wink)
Sue: This I’ve got to see.
Jack leads the way to the French doors and out onto the patio; Sue notices the white linen cloth with candlelight and food on the table. There is a miniature statue of the Eiffel Tower in the center of the table. She looks at Jack and he just smiles back at her. Then Jack pulls the chair out for her; after Sue is seated, he sits down across from her. He takes her right hand and brings it to his lips for a kiss. He does the same with her left hand.
Sue: This is amazing. I am really impressed.
Jack: You like what you see? Déjà vu, remind you of a special place?
Sue: Yes. All the fun we had in Paris. What’s the occasion?
Jack: You mean you don’t know?
Sue: I’m not sure. I don’t want to say the wrong thing.
Jack: Hmmm...This is our first anniversary. It’s been 2 months, 3 days, 7 hours, 35 minutes since we had dinner/dancing together in Paris. Do you remember that night?
Sue: That’s not something I would ever forget. But I had no idea you were keeping track of all the time we spent together during and after Paris. That was by far the best night of my life.
Jack: I’m glad to hear you say that. I enjoy spending time with you in Paris and here too. Since I can’t take you to Paris, I thought the second best thing I could do for you is to bring a little bit of Paris to you.
Sue: Thank You. You have outdone yourself tonight. What did you make?
Jack: You’ll see.
Sue: This is delightful. I didn’t know you know how to cook.
Jack: I have a few talents you don’t know about. (laughing)
Sue: Well. Since you cook dinner, I will clean up and wash the dishes for you.
Jack: No need. I just put these in the dishwasher.
Sue: Is there a reason why you don’t want me to go near the kitchen?
Jack: No. Why would you think that?
Sue: I’m not sure. But I think you’re up to something. What is it, Jack?
Jack thought he hid the cartons from Sue’s view but he forgot about Levi the wonder dog. Levi comes over to Sue, and brings along with him a take out box with the label: La Bergerie Restaurant on it. Now she knows, Jack lied to her. She picks up the carton and shows it to Jack.
Sue: Is there something you want to tell me?
Jack: Ah yes. Let’s go into the living room.
Sue: No. Let’s stay here. You didn’t make this dinner, did you?
Jack: Oh okay. You got me. I ordered dinner from La Bergerie Restaurant. I hope you’re not mad at me. I planned on cooking for you. But I’m really not a very good cook. That’s why I didn’t want you to know about the cartons. Thanks a lot, Levi. (Smile and Laughing)
Sue: I see. You weren’t very careful about hiding the cartons. Levi found it right away. But no I’m not mad at you. If you’re a bad cook, it’s a good thing you ordered dinner. (Smiles)
Jack: So let me just make sure I have this right. You’re not mad at me for lying about making dinner tonight?
Sue: No. I’m not mad. I only get mad at you when you put yourself in the line of fire while you’re working on a case. Please don’t ever do anything that foolish again? And no more getting shot, do you hear me?
Jack: I know that now. I appreciate your concern for my well-being. If I can’t do anything foolish then the same rule applies to you. No more hiding in the back seat and running off without me. Do you read me?
Sue: Loud and clear. I never want anything bad to happen to you. And there’s too much paperwork to go through if I need to get a new partner. Um, Jack, when have I done anything to make you worry about me? (laughs, teasing Jack)
Jack: Gee, thanks. If we’re being honest here, I would have to say I always worry about you. Since the night you and Levi saved my life. You know we make a great team! (smiles)
Sue: Signing-Yes. We make a great team. But Levi saved your life twice. I only made things worse as I recall. (Smile)
Jack: Nope. That’s not how I see it. You are an extraordinary, one-of-a-kind person. And you are driving me crazy.
Sue: Did I read you right? Would you mind repeating that again?
Jack: Oh yeah. You are driving me crazy, Sue! You have been for several weeks now.
Sue: Now you tell me. (Laughs) I thought it was just me.
Jack: Nope. It’s good to know that you and I are in the same boat so to speak. (smiles)
Sue: So what do we do about this?
Jack: I know what I want to do. (gives the look, signature wink)
Sue: What’s that?
Jack: How about I just show you? (gives the look)
Sue: Sounds promising.
He gets up and walks over to Sue. Jack buried his hands in her hair, pulling her towards him. He brought his mouth down to kiss her on the lips. Sue encircled his neck, kissing him back. He covered her mouth with his own and deepens the kiss. Sue stood up on tiptoe to kiss him back. Later, caught up in their embrace, and breathing hard, Jack pulled back slightly. Then, Jack swept her up into his arms and carried her into the living room. He puts Sue down on the loveseat. He goes and lights the candles all around the room. When he comes back, he slowly lowers his mouth to brush a long-lasting kiss on her lips. They cuddle on the loveseat like that for a while without saying anything. Their hands are entwined with each other. Later, he tilts his head to one side and gazes into her eyes. Sue touches his face and smiles up at him. They both lock eyes on each other lost in thought for a moment.
Sue: Why are you looking at me like that? What are you thinking about? (smiles) Sue thinking: Is this what it feels like to be in a real love?
Jack: Like what? What are you thinking about? (smiles, the look of love on his face)
Sue: I asked you first. (smiles)
Jack thinking: Now the moment has come. Signing & speaking words from his heart
Jack: Signing-Sue, I love you. Speaking- I think I have for a long time. I just wasn’t ready to admit it but now I am. You are the woman of my dreams. And I hope you feel the same way about me as I do about you.
Sue: Signing & Speaking- What? Oh my goodness; did you just say you love me?
Jack: Signing & Speaking- Yeah. I love you! Je t’aime Sue. I never said those three little words to anyone before. To be honest, I’ve never, ever felt about anyone the way I feel about you. What we have together, it’s not like anything I’ve ever experience. You’re not like anyone else I’ve ever known. And I know for certain that I wanted to tell you how I feel tonight. I can’t keep hiding my feelings for you any longer.
Sue: Signing & Speaking- I love you too, Jack! I never thought I would hear you say those words to me.
Jack: Signing- I don’t think I’ve ever really been in love before. Speaking- Not like this anyway. I can’t explain it, except with you I feel whole and without you I feel incomplete. This feeling inside of me is deeper than anything I’ve ever known. What I feel for you is so necessary to my existence; I couldn’t stop it even if I tried.
Sue: Signing & Speaking-Wow! I’ve dreamed about this moment for so long. You are the man of my dreams. Oh, this is the best night of my life.
Jack: I thought you said our
Sue: Absolutely! But tonight, hearing you tell me you love me for the very first time. That beats out
Jack: You can ask me anything you want. As long as it ends with I love you! Your wish is my command. (smiles and a wink)
Sue: Oh, how sweet you are. My question is: Am I the love of your life, Jack?
Jack: Yes, Sue. You are the love of my life, my soul mate, just as you are!
Sue: Is that going to be your final answer? (laughs)
Jack: Yes. I’m so in love with you right now. That’s my final answer. (smiles)
Sue: Oh, Jack. I’m so in love with you right now. Without you in my life I feel so alone and lost. I love you so much!
Her eyes filled with tears, Jack wipes them away. He asks, why are you crying? This is supposed to be a happy surprise. Sue said, I’m crying because I am happy. “You’ve made me very happy, Jack. More than you’ll ever know”. He gives her a handkerchief from his pocket for her to keep in case she cries more tears of joy.
Sue: How can I not fall in love with you? You are the love of my life, my destiny, and my hero.
Then he kissed her sweetly on the lips. Jack wrapped his arms around her and pulls her next to him. They embrace for a long time and she loops her arms around his neck, never wanting to let him go. Oh, it feels so good to be in a real love. Jack revere in the power of the bond that they share that had been there from the start. The day Sue walked into his office looking for personnel but instead found him at his desk. He knows that day was no accident. It was God’s plan to join two hearts his and hers as one. Jack has found everything he ever needed and had been searching for with Sue.
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