Happy Anniversary Mrs. Kennedy

Early September '63- White House

The shimmers of fall were beginning to show through the final days of summer in D.C as the leaves were starting to turn magnificent shades of orange, yellow and red. The cool evening breeze coming off the Potomac brought with it a sense of renewal and anticipation of things to come.

Jackie sat on the Truman balcony looking out towards Washington and the White House lawn as the children played on the grounds below, thinking back at the last 10 years.

This time 10 years ago, she was preparing to marry the man she loved not knowing what the future held for them. Would he stay faithful, would they have children, would he actually become President of the United States? These past 10 years certainly brought with them more than any two ordinary people could ever image going through. Jack's back surgeries, not knowing if he would live or die, her pregnancy issues and the loss of their baby girl Arabella, John Jr's prematurity, Patrick almost dying at birth, Jack's various campaigns, the rough waters of their marriage that they seemed to have survived, not to mention the stresses and strains of holding the highest office in the world.

If we've been through this much in the first 10 years, I can't image what the next 10 will bring, she thought to herself.

Fully lost in her thoughts, she was suddenly startled by the warm embrace of familiar arms and a curious whisper, "What are you doing up here all alone, Mrs. Kennedy," Jack whispered as he nuzzled his face unto the side of her neck and kissed her gently.

"Oh Jack, you startled me, " Jackie said half giggling from his breath on her neck and half skeptical from the startle she just received from her husband.

"I'm sorry Kid," Jack said as Jackie turned to face him, their arms wrapped around each other. "I didn't mean to startle you, what are you doing up here being so jumpy?" he asked with a smirk on his face.

"Oh just thinking back over the last 10 years and all we've been through and how lucky I am to have you and the kids and how I can't wait for our anniversary," Jackie said in her breathy voice that drove Jack crazy whenever she stood so close and whispered to him.

Breaking their embrace to walk back into the residence with their arms still wrapped around one an others waist, Jack smiled as he replied, "It's been one hell of a ride kid and I can't wait to see what the next 10 have in store for us. You know, we've been through so much and somehow we've made it, better and stronger and I promised you when Patrick was born that I would be the husband and father that you and children deserve and I meant it. Every day for the rest of my life, I will spend proving to you how much I love you and how much our family means to me."

Jackie looked up smiling at her husband with a slight tear forming in her eyes, "Jack, I love you more today than I did 10 years ago and I never thought I could be so happy. These have truly been our happiest years. Thank you for being the man I always knew you would be."

"You deserve even more my love and I promise many more years even better than these," Jack said as he leaned down and kissed his wife. "Since on the subject, what do you want for this very special anniversary Madam First Lady," Jack asked with a smirk knowing Jackie hated the title First Lady as it sounded like the name of a saddle horse.

"Well Mr. President, all I really want is time alone with my husband. Do you think being as you're the most powerful man in the world, you can arrange such?" Jackie asked mischievously as they made their way to the couch and sat down still arm in arm.

"Hummmm, you know, I think I might be able to arrange that if that's what your heart desires," Jack said with sly smirk as he kissed her cheek. "What's in it for me though, alone time with the President is very valuable, you know," he asked with a devilish look.

"Jack Kennedy, you're incorrigible," Jackie spat back elbowing Jack as they both laughed.

"I know, that's why you love me so," Jack whispered back as he once again kissed his wife, his hand rubbing her thigh."

"Don't get to sure of yourself Mr. President, you might be the most powerful man in the world but I rule this house, "she said with a stern but playful tone.

"Oh yes ma'am, I would never question your power over me, "Jack retorted with a wink. "So, when do we leave for Hammersmith?" Jack inquired.

"I'll be going up on Tuesday so spend some time with mummy and Uncle HughD, Mrs. Lincoln said you would be up on Wednesday evening and your calendar has been cleared until Monday morning," Jackie replied.

"Perfect, that gives me plenty of time, "Jack said with a devilish grin. "Time for what," Jackie inquired. "It's a surprise Mrs. Kennedy and you'll have to wait," Jack smirked as he began to get up from the couch. "And don't even think about trying to weasel it out of Mrs. Lincoln or anyone else for that matter because it won't work. Even she isn't privy to my plans," Jack continued as he walked to the window in the east sitting room.

"Oh, I wouldn't dream of it and don't you go snooping for your present either," Jackie popped off with a sly tone as she joined him at the window, wrapping her arms around him again.