***Willow Pond***
Jennifer is at home, getting dinner ready. She and Jonathan are going on a trip tomorrow, to New York. She has been packing all day for them so that they can leave as early as possible.
She decided to make them some grilled chicken and grilled veggies.
Everything was ready for him to grill as soon as he got home.
She went upstairs and changed, and then came back downstairs, just as he came in the door.
"Hi gorgeous".
"Hi sailor".
She kissed him.
"Dinner is almost ready, it just needs you to grill it."
"Great. I am going to go change out of these clothes".
"Perfect. I will make you a cocktail while you do".
She had his cocktail all ready and sitting on the bar, waiting for him when he came back down. She was outside, putting the chicken and veggies on the grill.
"Here, let me".
She turned and gave him the tongs, and headed back into the house.
She emerged a minute later, with a platter for him to put everything on.
"Darling, why are you wearing that? I packed it for you this morning".
He looked at her but didn't say anything.
"Oh no. We have canceled this trip 3 times already."
"I'm sorry, babe, it couldn't be helped".
"Jonathan! We have tickets to the opera in New York on Friday. We also have Broadway tickets for Saturday night that were very expensive, and that my editor went to a lot of trouble to get for us".
"I'm sorry, I have a business commitment".
"Commitment. What an interesting choice of words".
"Jennifer, I swear. It couldn't be helped".
She didn't say anything, she just went back in the house.
She was getting the rice out of the oven when he came in and came up and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"I'm sorry-"
"Ow!" She dropped the dish of rice and immediately went and ran her arm under the faucet.
"I'm sorry, are you ok?"
"No, I'm not ok. My arm is burned! Call Susan, see if she can bring some burn ointment, please".
He went to the phone and called her.
"I don't have any at the office, but I have some at home. I will bring it right over. Tell her to keep it under the water till I get there".
He went and got the chicken off the grill, and the veggies, and then came back and started trying to clean up the rice and the broken baking dish.
"Just leave it, I'll get it".
"No, I made you drop it, I will get it".
She didn't argue with him. Instead, she reached down and grabbed a bucket from under the sink, and filled it with water and then plunged her arm into it and took it to the living room.
She pulled the coffee table close, and set it on the table.
Jonathan came and brought her cocktail.
"Can I get you anything?"
She gave him an irritated look.
"I suppose you can get the phone so I can call and cancel our reservations".
"I had Deanne do it this afternoon".
"So, you knew all day and decided to tell your secretary before you told me?"
"I didn't say I knew all day. I told her because she had taken off the next few days and I had to let her know I needed her to work".
Their conversation was interrupted by the intercom buzzing.
It was Susan. Jonathan buzzed her up and then went to let her in.
"Hi, come on in. She's on the couch".
He went and got Jennifer a towel, and brought it to her.
Susan examined it and then put some burn cream on it and wrapped it with gauze.
"This doesn't look too terribly bad. Now, tonight, before you go to bed, you will want to put ice on it. I am going to give you some more of this ointment, if you take a shower, then after your shower, take the dressing off and put some more ointment on. Pat dry, of course. Here are some more ointment packets and some more gauze and tape. Call me if you have any questions".
"Thanks, Susan. I appreciate it".
"When do you guys leave for New York?"
"Ask him. He canceled our trip".
"And I said I would make it up to you".
"And you have said that 3 times before about this same trip".
"And it will happen, I promise".
"And where have I heard that before?"
"And on that note, I'm going home. Call me if you have any questions".
"I'm sorry, Susan. Thank you for coming".
Jennifer saw her out and then headed to the kitchen and cleaned up the bucket.
She was standing in the kitchen barefoot, and took a step towards the other counter.
"Ow! Dammit!"
He heard her yell just as he came into the kitchen.
"What is it?"
"I stepped on something".
She hopped over to a chair and sat down, and started looking at her foot.
"What did you step on?"
He brought her the paper towels, and sat down in the chair next to her.
She pulled out the offending object and looked at it.
"A piece of the baking dish".
He helped her clean her foot and bandage it, and then insisted that she sit there while he got the rest of dinner ready.
He quickly made them some minute rice, and then made their plates.
He got them both some ice water and brought the glasses to the table.
After they had everything they needed, he came and sat with her.
"Darling, I'm sorry we had to cancel the trip. I promise you, I will make it up to you and we will go next time, no matter what. And I didn't mean to make you burn your arm or drop the rice, and I'm sorry you cut your foot, I thought I had cleaned it all up".
She nodded.
"Why did you cancel the trip?"
"I told you, it couldn't be helped".
"What couldn't be helped?"
"The business appointment that I can't miss".
They finished the rest of the meal in silence and then he did the dishes while she went upstairs.
She had unpacked her suitcase and was in the bed, with her back to his side of the bed when he came upstairs.
His suitcase was still on the bed, just as he had left it.
He quickly unpacked it, and then changed for bed, and came and climbed in beside her.
He leaned over and kissed her cheek.
"I love you, and I'm sorry".
He wrapped his arms around her and fell asleep.
***The next morning***
Jennifer got up first, and was downstairs in the kitchen when he came down.
"Morning".
"Morning".
"Want me to take you to breakfast?"
"No need. I made your breakfast already".
She handed him his plate of bacon and eggs, and he kissed her cheek before he took it from her.
She poured him some coffee and took it to him.
She grabbed her plate and her coffee and came and joined him.
"How's your foot?"
"Ok, as long as I don't step on it".
"So, what do you have planned for today?"
She gave him a rather pointed look.
"I have no idea".
He took the hint and didn't ask her anything else.
She finished eating first, and started doing the dishes.
She was about to head upstairs when he caught up with her at the stairs.
"I have to go, but how about a special dinner tonight, just you and me?"
She nodded.
He pulled her into an embrace.
"I love you, see you tonight".
She nodded.
He kissed her and then left.
A few hours later, Marcy called and invited her to lunch.
"Sure. How about the Bistro? I can leave now".
"Great, see you there".
Jennifer grabbed her purse and keys and headed out.
***Bistro***
Jennifer found Marcy and came and sat down.
Marcy already had a martini waiting on her.
"How did you know I needed this?"
"Well, Susan called last night. Said you had injured your arm and that things sounded tense between you and Jonathan".
"Yeah, they were. We're ok now, I think".
She filled her in on the whole thing, and Marcy could tell she was still upset about the New York trip being canceled.
"I was a little hard on him, I should probably apologize. I just wanted to get some alone time with him so bad".
"Anyone would be upset at a trip being canceled last minute three times. You're human. Give yourself a break".
Marcy was right.
"I tell you what, I am *this close* to packing our things, and telling him that he can come with me or he can stay behind, but I am getting in the car and driving somewhere and starting a new life with no interruptions, no hassles".
"We all have dreams like that. But, really, it's not feasible".
"I know. But it's a nice dream".
They erupted into a fit of laughter.
Their food came soon after that, and they had a nice lunch.
Jennifer picked up the check, and they walked to the car.
"Thanks for the girl time, I needed it".
"Well, it doesn't have to end, how about we go get mani/pedi's?"
"I just got one two days ago. How about a massage instead?"
"Yes! I will follow you".
"Great".
Jennifer got in the car and they drove to her favorite spa.
They were able to get a booking in a massage room for two, and were taken back in about 20 minutes.
They were separated by a three-panel screen when they were changing, and then the masseuse removed the screen when the massages started.
They chatted during their massage and by the end of it, Jennifer had decided she was going to go shopping when it was over. A little retail therapy might help her get out of this funky mood she was in.
True to her word, she hit up some stores after her massage was over, and bought some really cute things.
Jonathan was home when she got home. He looked upset.
"I've been looking all over for you. Are you all right?"
"I'm fine. I went shopping".
"I can see that, here let me take these bags".
She handed them to him, gave him a kiss and headed upstairs.
"Did you get anything special?"
"As a matter of fact, I did".
"How's your arm and your foot today?"
"Fine, I guess. A little sore, maybe".
He came and sat on her side of the bed.
"So, do I get a fashion show?"
"You might get to see a few things. But, the really special stuff, like this black lace nightie, you only get to see when we go to New York".
"That's fair. But, it couldn't be helped".
"I understand".
She disappeared into the closet, and began to change clothes.
"Did you make us dinner reservations?"
"Not exactly".
"Are you planning on us making dinner here?"
"Not exactly".
"Are you planning on us winging it at a restaurant?"
"Not exactly".
She was getting annoyed. She stuck her head out of the closet and gave him a look.
"Are you planning on us starving?"
He chuckled, as he walked towards her.
He wrapped his arms around her waist.
"I'm planning on having it delivered and us eating in front of the fire".
"Good idea".
He started kissing her neck.
"Darling, what if I put on the Frank Sinatra album where he sings "New York New York", and you put on the black nightie and we pretend we still went on the trip?"
"Nice try, but no".
"Are you going to forgive me for canceling the trip?"
"Yes".
"When we actually take it?"
"That's right".
She kissed him and resumed hanging her new clothes up.
"Where do you want to order dinner from?"
"Surprise me".
He changed into the sweatpants that she liked. She changed into a nightgown.
He waited till she hung up the last thing she had bought, and then took her hand and took her downstairs.
They got downstairs and he started a fire.
He pulled her into an embrace.
"Starting right now, this night is now Pamper Jennifer night. Whatever you want to do, I am going to do it for you, because I love you".
"Be careful, Mr. H. You might spoil me and make me hard to live with".
"I will take my chances".
He leaned forward and kissed her.
"What are you hungry for?"
"Espana".
"One Jennifer Hart meal, coming up".
He called and placed their order and then put some cushions on the floor.
He went and made her a cocktail, and then sat down on the cushions and helped her sit down with him.
She nestled back into his arms.
"Still mad at me, babe?"
She sat up and looked at him.
"Do you really want to talk about this again?"
"I didn't say anything. Those words never came out of my mouth, swear it".
"No, you brought it up. Let's talk about it".
She sat up and turned to face him.
"Do you understand why I was looking forward to this trip so much?"
"Because you love New York, and you wanted to see the opera".
"Because I love YOU. I wanted to spend time with YOU. You are my favorite person on the planet, that is one of my favorite cities on the planet, and one of my most favorite things to do on the planet no matter what is have alone time with you. It was going to be perfect. And just like the other three times, it didn't happen".
"Babe, it couldn't be helped".
"What couldn't be helped? What was so important that you couldn't fly with me to New York?"
"I had a few business things that couldn't wait".
"So how many months will it be before we get to go back?"
"I am not sure yet".
"Jonathan-"
"Babe, I cannot commit to dates just yet. If I do it too early, we might have to cancel again, and I don't want that."
She sighed.
"I have a compromise".
"What's that?"
"What if we took this weekend, and spent a few nights at the ranch, or the cabin? The cabin has no phone, so we know that I won't be disturbed there."
She hesitated but then agreed.
"Do I get to see the black nightie?"
"No. But you will get to see another one".
"I'll take it."
She turned and kissed him.
"I'm sorry I've been so difficult. I had my heart set on New York and didn't want to let it go".
He kissed her passionately, and tenderly.
"I love you more with every second, you haven't been difficult, you have been disappointed. And I promise, I am going to make it up to you".
He kissed her more passionately, and she melted in his embrace. Their moment of passion was interrupted by the gate.
He jumped up and buzzed them in, and she went and got them plates, silverware and napkins.
He brought their food to the coffee table, and saw that she was refilling his cocktail.
"Darling, it's pamper you night, not pamper me", he told her as he took the glass from her hand.
She got behind him and started scratching his back.
"Play your cards right and I might pick an activity tonight that is beneficial to both of us".
They ate their dinner, and took turns feeding each other bites.
After they were done, he insisted on cleaning up by himself.
He came and put a blindfold on her.
"Darling, what are you doing?"
"It's a surprise. It will only take a few minutes to set up, I promise".
She sat there somewhat patiently and somewhat impatiently while he quickly tried to set everything up.
A few minutes later, he picked her up and had her stand in front of him.
"Darling, can you let me do something?"
"Yes"
He slipped her nightgown off her shoulders, and then picked her up and laid her down on a surface. She could feel a sheet or towel of some sort.
"Turn over".
She turned over and he slipped the blindfold off her.
"Darling, when did you buy a massage table?"
"A few weeks ago. It was going to be one of your Christmas presents".
"Good choice".
He got out the massage oil and gave her a deep tissue back rub, and used some new massage techniques he thought she might like.
He got her good and relaxed, and massaged her for more than an hour. At some point during the massage, she fell fast asleep.
After he was done, he sat her up, and slipped her nightgown on her, and then carried her upstairs to bed.
He managed to place her in the bed and pull the covers over her without waking her up.
He went back downstairs and cleaned up, and locked up, and then headed back upstairs to join her in bed.
She stirred a little when he got in bed, and snuggled up to him.
"Happy Jennifer Hart day".
She managed to get a "Thank you, darling" out before she fell back asleep.
He kissed her and held her as he fell asleep with her.