***Willow Pond***
Jennifer was in the study, working on an article. The phone rang, so she reached over and answered it.
"Jennifer, Hi! It's Marcia. How are you?"
"I am fine, how are you?"
"Great. I was just calling to tell you some wonderful news".
"I am all ears".
"Well, that piece that you did on human trafficking, it made its way to the top, and got noticed by some influential people. And, Jennifer, you are being nominated for the Nelson Award".
"Me? Are you serious?"
"Yes, I am serious. You are more than worthy of it, believe me".
"Wow. I cannot believe it".
"So, the winner will be picked in 2 weeks, and you will need to be in New York on the 18th of next month, for the ceremony."
"I will be there, for sure".
"If you win, and trust me, you have a really good chance, then you will have to prepare a speech".
"Ok. I can do that, maybe".
They chatted a little longer and then hung up. Jennifer was excited. She couldn't wait to tell Jonathan.
She decided to make one of his favorite meals for dinner, and had it ready for when he came home.
He got home around 5, and was happy to see her.
"Darling, we have something to celebrate".
"What's that?"
"Well, that piece I did on human trafficking was nominated for a Nelson award".
"Really? That's wonderful!"
He pulled her onto his lap and hugged her.
"I'm so proud of you".
He enveloped her into a passionate kiss, that he made last as long as he possibly could.
She rested her hands on his shoulders.
"So, darling. They are picking the winner in two weeks. And you and I have to go to New York on the 18th next month for the ceremony".
"We can stay at the Penthouse, we can make a long weekend of it, and we can do whatever you want to do".
He kissed her.
"Darling…I made your favorite for dinner".
"Oh? Which one of my favorite meals did you make me tonight?"
"Caprese stuffed chicken, chopped salad and brown rice".
"You sure know the way to my heart".
"I would think so, after 9 years of marriage".
He kissed her lightly a few times.
"It will be ready in about 20 minutes. We could have a cocktail while we wait…"
"I am all for that".
He went and made them a cocktail, and she went and set the table and got the salad ready and checked on dinner.
He came and joined her with her cocktail, and scratched her back as she was getting everything ready.
They had a nice dinner out on the patio, and he did the dishes while she went and took a bubble bath.
He came and joined her afterwards, and scrubbed her back and massaged it for her.
"Darling, how were your meetings today?"
"Ok I suppose. The board is upset with me over the North Coast deal. They keep threatening to veto my decisions. I might have to go to China and straighten this out with the supplier."
"What is the problem the board is having?"
"The supplier is having money issues, and has assured me that he is on an upswing. However, the board isn't convinced".
She leaned back against him and rested her head on his shoulder.
"Darling…in case I never told you….I always have the upmost faith in you".
He leaned forward and kissed her neck, and held her tight.
"Remind me to thank you properly".
They soaked a little longer, and then he got out and got them towels, and helped her out.
After they were dried off and in their robes, they settled on the bed and she sat behind him and gave him a back rub.
"Darling, can you come by the office tomorrow, say around 11? I want to make a speech to the board, and it will help if you are next to me".
"Sure".
"We can go to lunch afterwards".
"Even better".
She got him all nice and relaxed and then they switched for a bit.
Just as they were about to go to sleep, there was a huge clap of thunder and several flashes of lightning.
"Jennifer, you know what stormy weather does to me…"
"Yes, I think I might remember".
She leaned up and kissed him. "One of our very first trips away together, was to the cabin, in the rain".
"And it was one of the most romantic weekends we ever spent".
"How did it start?"
He rolled on top of her and wrapped her in his arms.
"Just like this".
***2 weeks later***
Jonathan was at the office, and Jennifer was at home, working on an article. She was deep into the research, and had barely looked up in hours.
The phone rang, and she absentmindedly answered it.
"Hello?"
"Jennifer, Hi! It's Marcia".
"Hi Marcia, listen, I am almost finished with my piece on the elementary school in Calabassas. I think you will love it- every single day, the teachers walk their students home, to keep them safe. It really is a very sweet little elementary school".
"That's great. I can't wait to read it. Listen, I am calling about the Nelson award".
"Oh?"
"You are one of the top three finalists. They will announce the winner at the ceremony. And that's the other thing we need to talk about. The ceremony is being held at the Plaza. And they overbooked. So, the ceremony is now next weekend, and not in 3 weeks."
"That's great! I can't wait. Will I see you there?"
"Oh yes. I have reserved a table for our crew. You, Jonathan, me, and the New York based journalists from the office will be there".
"Great! See you then".
Jennifer hung up.
She ran upstairs and showered and changed, and then headed to Jonathan's office.
She called his secretary on the way.
"Kelly, listen-don't tell Jonathan I am heading that way, and don't let him leave for lunch. I am surprising him and bringing lunch with me".
"Yes, Mrs. Hart".
"Thank you".
Jennifer called in a to go order from the Bistro, picked it up curbside, and headed to Hart Industries.
***Hart Industries***
Jennifer pulled into the parking garage and parked, and then went inside.
She got to Jonathan's office, and told Kelly to take an extra long lunch.
She went inside and found Jonathan and 2 other executives hard at work.
"Hi darling, I brought you lunch".
"Hi. Wish you had called me, we just ordered in".
"Oh. Well, that's alright. I will take it home, we can have it later".
He got up and hugged and kissed her.
"We need to talk, darling. Do you have a minute?"
"I really don't have one right now, we are swamped. Can we talk tonight when I get home?"
"Yes, it'll keep".
She kissed him again, and then headed out.
***Later that night***
Jennifer had prepared dinner, and got out their good candlesticks. She put on Jonathan's favorite nightgown and negligee, and had him a cocktail waiting. All she needed was him.
She was so excited about the Nelson award, and even if she didn't win, she was excited just to be going back to New York. She was going to hold him to no interruptions, no distractions while they were there.
She was sitting on the couch, waiting for him to come home when the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hi darling. Listen, we are still crunching numbers, so I called in an executive, Charlie. We are going to be at least another hour, I am sorry. I promise I will make it up to you".
"Alright. I will see you when you get here".
"I love you".
"I love you too".
She hung up the phone and made herself another cocktail.
She headed to the kitchen, and put the pasta shells back in the oven to keep warm.
She made herself a caprese salad to tide her over, and went to sit on the couch again.
She turned on the news to keep her company, and before she knew it, two and a half hours had passed. She finally went and made herself a plate, and ate alone.
She cleaned up the kitchen, and went upstairs, and took a hot bath. As she soaked, their bedroom phone rang.
"I am not answering it", she said out loud, to herself.
She waited for the 5 customary rings to stop, and for the answering machine to pick up.
As soon as it beeped, she heard Jonathan's voice.
"Hi darling. Guess you are asleep already. I am sorry, but we found some errors in the numbers, so I am going to be here all night. I love you, and I promise we will spend time together when I get home. I love you Red".
She heard it click as he hung up.
She let out a long sigh.
This was why they needed this New York trip. This was why she was going to push for no interruptions, no distractions, and really hold him to it. She was going to insist that he not tell anyone at the office where they were going.
She climbed out of the bath, dried off, and got ready for bed.
She climbed into bed all alone, and turned out the light.
***The next day***
Jonathan stumbled to his office at Hart Industries. He had spent the night at Charlie's apartment, and they had shared a few drinks while they were working. The mistake had been minor, but they had to correct the math in all of the numbers columns going forwards, and that was very time-consuming. He could have assigned someone to do it, but he wanted to show the board that he cared enough to do it himself. This morning, he had a horrible hangover from too much scotch, and he was really aching to see Jennifer.
He went into his office and showered and changed into a fresh suit, and sent the old one to the cleaners.
He had Kelly bring him some coffee, and then he ordered in breakfast for him, and Charlie and the other executives.
He called the house, but Jennifer didn't answer.
He figured he would take off early today and go home to her and spend the whole night with her.
He thought back to the previous night. There was a chunk of time that he couldn't account for. He remembered taking his tie off while they worked and rolling up his sleeves. He remembered them sitting on the couch, going over the numbers and having some scotch. And he certainly remembered waking up in Charlie's guest room this morning, but that was all.
Charlie came in then, and shut the door.
"Hello, Mr. Hart".
"Hi, Charlie. I wanted to tell you thank you for your hospitality last night. I appreciate it and how hard you are working on this".
"No thanks necessary, I enjoy working with you so closely, you are an excellent businessman".
Charlie went and sat over on the corner of his desk. She crossed her legs seductively, and stared at him with her piercing green eyes.
"I really admire you, Mr. Hart".
"Oh, why's that?"
"Because you always get what you want. And so do I. Last night was just the beginning".