The house they bought got her parents very curious, and kept the conversation light for a while until the dress was mentioned.
Her mother had been somewhat guarded all evening over the wedding arrangements. Though her mother approved, it was obvious to Sue that she wished she had been consulted. Sue had to give her mother some points as she tried to hide her disappointment again when Sue told her that Jack helped her select her wedding gown. Her mom even asked if she could have a look and seeing no harm in it, Sue agreed. Jack brought it back from the car.
"It is beautiful, Sue." Her mother was staring in admiration as her fingers brushed over the white gown. "Since Jack has already seen it, would you try it on for us, please?" Her mother was begging.
Sue was torn. For the first time tonight, her mother was genuinely pleased. Would her mother notice? It wasn't exactly how Sue was planning on telling her about the baby.
Sue sent a distress look in Jack's direction.
"Carla," intervened her dad, unknowingly coming to his daughter's rescue. "Wouldn't you rather be surprised like the rest of us?"
"I guess so. It's just...I cannot wait to see you in it, darling. Jack, you have great taste. The dress is absolutely...absolutely..." Carla just couldn't find the right word as she carefully folded it back in the box.
"Of course, Jack has great taste, Carla," stated Peter, rolling his eyes. "After all, he is marrying our daughter, isn't he?"
Everyone chuckled. Levi even joined the party.
"What is it, Levi? Are you ready for your walk?" When Sue spoke the magic word, Levi's tail began spinning energetically. "Does it still mean yes, Levi?"
He barked loudly.
"That definitely meant yes," Jack translated after tapping on her shoulder to get her attention. "Maybe we could let your parents phone your brothers while you and I take Levi to the park."
It was cloudy and cold but no longer raining. Jack put the dress back into the trunk. Their luggage was still there. They would tell Sue's parents about their baby after the walk and then decide if they were spending the night here or at the hotel. Jack had his arm around her waist as they strolled down with Levi running around them unleashed. Sue enjoyed that peaceful interlude.
Her father was still talking over the phone when they entered the house. He gestured toward them, putting whoever he was talking to, on hold.
"It's Jerry. He wants to talk to the man who swept his little sister off her feet," he said passing the phone to Jack. "Your mother is in the guests' room."
'Good luck,' signed Sue, grinning.
Of her three brothers, Jerry was the middle one, the one who always stood by Sue's side, her favourite brother, and the one with the most unique sense of humour. He would find Jack to be a good match.
She went looking for her mom, leaving the men alone. Carla was almost done making the bed.
"It's pretty late, I assumed Jack and you would be spending the night here," she said, facing her daughter, a pillow in her hand. "Will you be needing two rooms?"
Sue wasn't sure if she should be offended or amused by her mother's question. But there was no point into denying the obvious. Her mother wasn't particularly pleased, but Sue doubted she was very much surprised, either.
"No matter how you look at it, Jack still isn't your lawful husband, Sue," her mother pointed out.
"The love that Jack and I share is beautiful, and pure, and precious. I won't pretend it doesn't exist just to save appearances," Sue said softly. "I cannot be untrue to my heart."
