Let It Snow (Sue Thomas FBEye)

Chapter Six

Jack's marvellous dream was suddenly terminated by the alarm clock, only to be replaced by a wonderful reality. Sue was sleeping peacefully in his arms. As he reached out to silence the alarm, she stirred closer to him, purring dreamily, her bare legs rubbing against his, awaking more than just his mind.

Work was definitely overrated. This morning he would be late. He allowed his hands to migrated under the shirt and ran along her spine. Slowly, he roused her from her slumber.

"Jack... sleep..." Her arm reaching across his chest as her head buried deeper into his shoulder. He chuckled before gently rolling her on her back despite her mumblings.

"Cold." She searched blindly for extra blanket, only to feel his body leaning over her, warming her up nicely.

He took her hand, and held it in front of her, he signed W-A-R-M with her fingers. She moaned in response.

"I'm glad to be of service." His murmur was lost the cluster of kisses he trailed along her cheek and down her neck. This could easily become an amazing morning ritual, he thought, as his mouth made a path along her left shoulder. He couldn't imagine a better way to start the day than working on their special little project before—

"Abigail!" Pulling himself up on his elbows, he worriedly searched the bed.

"Jack?" Sue pried her eyes open. "Is it the neighbour again?"

"Where's Abby, Sue?"

Baffled by his behaviour, she forced herself to concentrate on his lips.

"Where's Abigail."

"In her crib. Where else?"

"Are you sure? She was between us." He rubbed his face before running his hand in his hair.

"That was last night, Jack. I put her back in her crib after her four o'clock feeding..." Understanding dawned on her. "You didn't squash her if that's what you were afraid of, but you did sleep through her entire bottle."

"Really?" Despite her vigorous nods, he had trouble believing her. "Did you feed her in bed?"

"No, we sat in the living room. Jack..." She caressed his briskly chin, her voice soft and sensuous. "There is a present under the tree... with my name on it." Glints shone in her eyes. "And since it's Christmas Eve..." Under her touch, his chest trembled and his shoulders shook. "Does that mean I can open it?"

"No! And no peeking while I'm at work." He punctuated the a kiss on top of her nose. "But if you're a good girl, I will give it to you before we leave for church tonight. Deal?"

She signed back D-E-A-L. '"Shouldn't you be gone already?"

They'd agreed last night that she would stay home with Abigail. It wasn't like lots of work awaited her. Besides, she was supposed to be on holiday anyway.

"I guess so." He reluctantly left her arms. "You should sleep while Abigail does."

"For your information, Jack Hudson, I was sleeping. Have a good day at work."

***

Jack sat alone at the kitchen table, sipping his coffee.

If his instructions were followed and the washroom was processed, the results and the tape would be waiting for him. The Bureau closed at two o'clock on Christmas Eve, so it wouldn't be a long day. He'd promised Sue he would bring the tape back home this afternoon, and fill her in on the investigation. There was no point into taking Abigail to the bullpen, it would only attract unwanted attention, and there was no way they would leave her with strangers. On Friday, it seemed so straightforward, but now...