NORTHERN LIGHTS
CHAPTER ONE
Jennifer elbowed her way through the door her arms loaded with packages.
"Max!" she shouted. "Max, can you help me?"
Max hurried from the kitchen wiping his hands on his apron. He helped unload her arms.
"Help me take these things upstairs and I'll sort through them there."
He followed her upstairs full of questions. "Did you get them, Mrs. H?"
"Yes, Max...I did! Jonathan is going to be so excited...and surprised this time, Max. Do you know in our eight years of marriage that I have NEVER been able to surprise him for his birthday? He always seems to figure me out. But, not this time, Max."
"That's great, Mrs. H. He'll love it. Your secret is safe with me. But, what else did you get here, Mrs. H?"
"Just a few things to wrap up as hints, so to speak. I'm planning to have some fun with this, Max. How are the other plans coming along?"
"Great, Mrs. H. The food is pretty much ready. The cake was just delivered. Plenty of drinks on hand, and I have a bartender lined up for the evening. I arranged for valet parking so none of the guests' cars will be seen from the front of the house...Did you see the 'Happy Birthday' banner when you came in?"
"No, But I'm sure it's wonderful, Max. I don't know what I'd do without you...you're a Godsend."
"No problem...I would do anything for the botha ya. And I sure want Mr.H's 50th to be a happy birthday for him. If you don't need anything else though, I'd better get back to work."
"That's fine. Thank you, Max."
With Max back to work, Jennifer had more work to do herself. She took the packages out of each bag and began the job of wrapping each item. The final present was wrapped in a long, narrow box and tied with a red silk bow. She tied the bow tightly and smiled...THIS time he was going to be surprised and, she hoped, very happy.
It was 7p.m. All the guests were quietly gathered in the living room awaiting the arrival of the guest of honor. Finally the door opened and the room burst into shouts of "SURPRISE!" Jonathan's eyes showed sincere surprise and they searched the room for Jennifer. She approached him quickly, put her arm through his, and greeted him with a kiss. His eyes took in her appearance...she was so beautiful.
The evening was a whirlwind of fun and laughter. Friends and business associates shared tales of Jonathan. Some told funny stories trying to embarrass him, very often succeeding. Others told stories of his kindness and generosity, ways he had helped them over the years. There was food, laughter, and some dancing. All in all, it was a grand evening.
When the door closed behind the last guest, Jonathan gathered Jennifer into his arms. "You are amazing, do you know that?"
She put her arms about his neck and pulled him closer. "So you say, but you can tell me again."
He leaned closer to her. She could feel his sweet breath next to her mouth. "You are amazing...and I love you more than life itself," he whispered. His mouth found hers, kissing her tenderly, sweetly, then with more fervor. She responded to him eagerly.
"Mr. H., do you want...oh, sorry..."
"No, Max...it's ok," Jonathan said, "just paying my thanks here. And, I'm sure I owe you a lot of thanks too, Max."
"You don't plan to pay me the same way, do you Mr. H.?" Max asked, grinning.
They all shared a laugh over the absurdity of that situation. "Have a drink with us Max?"
"No, if it's all the same to you two, I'm gonna clean up the kitchen and go to bed. I'm beat. Besides, I think Mrs. H has another present to give you." He winked at Jennifer.
Jonathan pulled her close and said, "I'm counting on it."
"Goodnight, you two. And Happy Birthday again, Mr. H." Max reached out a hand for a shake and Jonathan pulled him into an embrace.
"Thank you, Max...for more than this party...for everything you have done for me over the years. You have shaped me into what I am today...and I love you for it."
Unshed tears brimmed in Max's eyes. "I love you too, Mr. H. Botha ya."
Jennifer could see that it was an emotional moment for Jonathan as Max retreated into the kitchen. Without saying a word, she put her arm through his and led him upstairs to their room.
The room glowed softly with candlelight, and two glasses graced the bedside table next to a bottle of champagne. Jennifer, in a silky lavender nightgown and robe, waited impatiently for Jonathan to finish his shower. She was giddy with excitement and felt like a child...she wanted so much to surprise him and to please him…
As Jonathan entered in his robe, she went to him eagerly and took him by the hand. "Come, darling...there's more..."
"Mmmm...I hope so," he murmured pulling her close.
"Yes, that too...but first you need to open your presents." She pulled him closer to the pile of presents.
"This is wonderful, darling. But why so many?" he asked when he saw the neatly stacked pile.
"Oh...I was just having fun," she said pulling him down on the rug next to her."Here, open this one first."
Jonathan carefully opened the first package to reveal a new camera. "This is wonderful, darling. Especially since I dropped our last one over the side of Al's boat last summer. We needed this. Thank you."
"Sure," she said quickly. Then looking around, "Now, why don't you open...this one," she said as she handed him the next package. He smiled at her. She was obviously quite pleased with herself for surprising him in this way.
He opened this package to find a new fishing hat. "A fishing hat? We haven't been fishing since..."
"I know, since you dropped the camera over the side..."
"...of Al's fishing boat." he joined her. They laughed together.
"Next." she said handing him a larger and heavier box.
"So...are we going fishing or..." he began.
"No...no questions, darling. Just open the box," she answered.
When he found a pair of hiking boots, he was greatly surprised. He hadn't had a pair of hiking boots since his 20's when he was young and carefree.
"Darling, if you are trying to confuse me, then you have succeeded. People don't wear hiking boots on fishing trips..." he told her teasingly, eyebrows raised.
"Oh stop...look in the boot."
Jonathan put a hand into the right boot and pulled out a rectangular box with a red ribbon. He glanced at Jennifer whose eyes were shining.
"You're up to something," he said tugging off the ribbon without taking his eyes off her.
"I am..." she said in a low but lilting voice.
Jonathan opened the box to reveal an envelope. Inside was a letter of reservation...for an Alaskan cruise, one of Jonathan's dreams! His eyes widened as he looked at her.
"Do you like it?" she asked quietly.
"Do I like it?...Darling, I love it!" He read over the paper again. "Says reservations for two...hmmm...wonder who would like to go with me...do you think Max...?"
"JONATHAN!"
He laughed at her expression and took her in his arms rolling her to the floor beneath him. He kissed her then, slow and lingering.
"Don't you have one more present for me?" he asked nuzzling her neck and running his hands along the sides of her silken hips.
"Mmmm. Greedy tonight, aren't we?" she teased, running her hands under his robe.
"Well, it IS my birthday, darling..." he murmured as he continued placing kisses along her neck and shoulders.
Jennifer sighed. She entwined her fingers in his, then stood and pulled him toward their bed.
Beside the bed, she once again let her hands wander under his robe. Kissing his lips with fire, she ran feather-like finger tips across his chest. His body responded to hers voraciously. He picked her up and laid her on the bed. Then he threw off the robe and quickly undressed. Laying beside her, he began his journey again. He toyed with the straps on her gown."You look so lovely, " he said in a husky voice. "Is this new?"
"Another one of your birthday presents," she whispered between kisses.
"Mmm...I like...so soft..." he whispered to her as his hands explored...over the silk at first, driving her passions crazy. Then under the silk…
She responded quickly and took her place on top of him. He slid his hands under the gown helping her to slip it over her head and off to the floor. With no other hindrances, he pulled her down close to him. His body was aching for her.
He rolled her under him and she rose to meet him. Giving herself to him with complete abandon...The candlelight flickered and the champagne waited until their passions were spent…
Then she lay her head upon his chest and sweet sleep overtook them both...