***Willow Pond***
Jennifer and Jonathan arrived home from the debacle in Italy.
Jennifer was exhausted. She wanted to stay home for days and just recuperate.
Even though it was late in the night, Max was waiting for them when they got home.
He gave Jennifer a hug.
"Gonna take more than a plane crash to take out our girl".
"That's right".
She kissed his cheek and then sat down with Freeway.
"Momma's home, boy. Yes she is…she missed you so much".
After a few minutes of petting Freeway, Jennifer headed upstairs to bed.
Jonathan closed up the house and then went upstairs to join her.
As they climbed into bed, he wrapped his arms around her and stroked her hair.
They had slept some on the plane, but there was nothing like sleeping in your own bed.
They fell asleep easily, and were happy to be back home.
***The next morning***
Max made them a special breakfast, and they lounged around some.
Jonathan had to get to a late meeting, so he finally left at 10. Jennifer was staying home and was going to work on an article if she felt up to it.
She went to the study and booted up their old computer. Her fancy laptop that Jonathan had gotten her had been blown up in the plane crash.
It took her almost an hour to get the old computer to turn on. She finally gave up and just grabbed a notepad and started writing it by hand.
Jonathan called around 1.
"Just checking on you, darling".
"I'm good. Trying to write an article without a computer but I am good. Just missing you".
"I'll be home soon darling, as soon as I can. Are you up for going anywhere tonight or do you just want to stay home?"
"Up to you. I don't mind going somewhere as long as you are with me".
"Well, I will be home as soon as I can, darling, and we will talk about it then and decide. I love you".
"I love you too".
She blew him a kiss and then hung up the phone.
She took a few research books that she used often and the notepad to the couch. She was diligently writing away when she heard Max tell someone to come on up.
It was a delivery man.
Max opened the door.
"Delivery for Mrs. Jennifer Hart?"
"I'll sign for it. You can bring them in and put them on the coffee table".
The delivery man put the packages on the coffee table.
"What's all this, Max?"
"Not sure, Mrs. H. But they are for you".
She looked at the package.
The first one was a big box that was wrapped in pink wrapping paper and had a big 1 on it.
She unwrapped that one, and found an entire new wardrobe.
There was a note at the bottom.
"To replace what you lost-J".
Jonathan was so thoughtful.
She looked through all the clothes. He had done an excellent job, and had picked her some gorgeous tops and dresses.
Box 2 was more of the same, plus shoes and pants this time. He had gone all out this time.
She looked around and saw 5 boxes.
Box 3 was nightgowns and lingerie. There was a note that said "I can't wait to take these off of you.-J".
She put those back in the box and opened box 4.
It was a huge assortment of all of her favorite skin care products, makeup, and perfumes and lotions. He didn't know which products she used the most, since they were lost in the plane crash, so he had bought the entire line of all of them.
She teared up at how romantic the gesture was.
Box 5 was smaller, but heavier. She opened it to find all new luggage. Three pieces- One large suitcase, one smaller suitcase and one large overnight bag.
The pattern was pink, with light purple diamonds accentuated with rhinestones. There was a note.
"I bought the company that makes this luggage and we designed this pattern just for you. It's called "Darling Jennifer". Hope you like it-J".
Her own luggage line? She was speechless.
She got a big garbage bag and threw all the paper away, after cutting off a piece of it for her journal.
She carried the package contents upstairs, while Max took care of the boxes and the garbage bag.
After she had everything put away, she called him at the office.
"You are so thoughtful, darling. Thank you, I love them all".
"Anything for you, darling. By the way, the insurance company that is covering the loss of our plane has requested that you go and have a physical, just to be sure you don't have any lasting injuries that we aren't aware of. Have Max drive you. I made you an appointment today with a doctor in Susan's group".
"I don't think I should go there, darling".
"You aren't seeing her, you are seeing another doctor there".
"Ok. What time is the appointment?"
"3:30".
"Ok, I will get dressed and have him take me".
"Love you, hope it goes well".
"Love you too, darling".
They hung up after she blew him a kiss.
She took a shower and got dressed and then went downstairs.
Max had the car ready and drove her to the Kendall office building.
***Dr. Kendall's office***
Jennifer came in and signed in. She explained that her husband had made her an appointment but she wasn't aware of who with.
"We have your records and we will take care of you, Mrs. Hart".
She sat down in the waiting room and read a magazine.
She was called back by the nurse and after they took her weight and blood pressure, she was put in an exam room.
She sat there for about 15 minutes and then this obnoxiously loud alarm sounded and the lights were going on and off.
After a few minutes, they stopped.
There was a knock at the door and Susan Kendall came in.
"Hi. Have you been waiting long?"
Jennifer shook her head no. "Only about 10 minutes, 15 maybe".
"Well, the alarm was because someone had an emergency, and your doctor is taking care of them. So, if you are fine with it, I can take over for you, and do your physical, unless you would prefer to wait".
"That's fine, you can do it".
Jennifer was trying to not make things awkward, but since Susan had betrayed her, they had never really repaired their friendship.
Susan came in and shut the door and handed Jennifer a gown to put on.
Jennifer stepped behind the screen and changed.
"How have you been?"
"Fine. You?"
"Fine, I suppose".
"Have you had any physical changes that you noticed?"
"No".
"Any trauma?"
"I was kidnapped and tied to a chair, but that was it. I was physically awake for about 44 hours, but I have slept a ton since then".
"You were kidnapped?!"
Jennifer nodded.
"How? By whom?"
"It's a long story. But that's why I am here. The cliff's notes version is that Jonathan and I own a gallery in Milan, and one of our suppliers was using it to traffic drugs. He and his business partner cooked up a scheme to scam us, so they lured Jonathan to a remote village in Mexico, and hijacked my plane that was heading to Boston, and instead we went to Milan, and packed up the gallery and then I was knocked out and kidnapped, and he hired an impostor to take my place. He was going to try and get Jonathan to pay a double ransom for me, but instead his business partner blew the plane up, and they both died. I escaped and then helped the Italian police bring him down. And the insurance company that insured the plane that we lost is wanting me to have a physical to determine if there were any underlying issues or injuries".
"I see".
"And you can go ahead and tell your gossip columnist friend all about what happened. I am not ashamed of anything".
"Jennifer, that's not fair".
"Isn't it? That's what you did last time".
"And I apologized for that, did I not?"
"Yes, you did. And I said I would forgive you, in time."
"Ok. So, how can I get you to trust me again? You and I were really good friends, and I miss our friendship. I really do".
"I miss it too, but you really hurt me. I can't just forget that".
"I understand".
They went ahead with the physical, and Susan found no underlying injuries or anything suspect.
"Do you know if they want x-rays? I can do full body x-rays if you want, or if they need them".
"I was knocked out from the back of the head, but other than that, I don't recall any physical injuries. Once I was awake and untied myself, nobody ever touched me physically like that again."
She examined the back of her head. "Let me know if this is tender, or painful".
She found evidence that there had been a lump, but it had shrunk down. Jennifer didn't say anything was painful.
"Any blurred vision, dizziness, ringing in the ears, sensitivity to light?"
"None".
"Ok, so I am going to put down that you are totally healthy, no injuries to report, and no underlying health issues to be found. This paperwork states that you need a complete blood panel done, and that you need an eye test, and a hearing test. It looks to me like they are just trying to be completely thorough."
"Ok, can I do all of those things here?"
"Yes. We can do the eye test today. However, you have to fast for the bloodwork, so let's make that appointment for a few days from now".
"How long do I have to fast for?"
"Start at midnight, and don't eat before your appointment. You can drink water, but no coffee, tea, or soda, and no solid food".
They made the appointment for the blood work and the eye test for two days from then.
Jennifer stepped behind the screen and changed clothes.
As she was getting her things together to leave, Susan asked her.
"Can we have lunch one day next week?"
Jennifer hesitated.
"Soon…"
"I understand".
"Thanks for taking care of this."
"Anytime. I am always here for you".
Jennifer nodded.
She checked out, and then headed to the car. Max was waiting on her.
When she got home, she went and made herself a cocktail, and then a plate of sliced cheese and grapes. She took it upstairs and had a long bubble bath, and actually fell asleep in the tub.
She woke up to Jonathan scrubbing her back and kissing the side of her face.
"Darling..hi".
"You were sound asleep in the bath… must be some bath you are taking".
"I guess so."
She finished her cocktail and then he helped her out and she dried off.
"How was your appointment?"
"I passed the physical, but it was very awkward because the doctor that I was supposed to see had a medical emergency and Susan had to take over my appointment".
"Oh? Was she polite to you?"
"Very. She feels bad, and we talked about what happened some, but not a lot".
"Did she say anything about what she did?"
"No. She just said that she missed our friendship and didn't know what else she could do to make it right. And I have to go back in two days and do an eye test and a complete bloodwork panel. I have to fast all day before the bloodwork panel. She said she found evidence that I had a lump on the back of my head from Italy, but that it had healed. I don't remember having a lump or a headache".
"Your adrenaline probably took over, darling".
"Yeah, probably".
She put on one of the new outfits he had given her.
"You like?"
"Absolutely".
He kissed her a few times.
"What are we doing tonight?"
"Well, I was going to take you to La Scala, but Max told me he was making a special meal for us, so I think we should move La Scala to another night".
"Ok with me".
She and Jonathan went downstairs and found that Max had made her favorite- oven baked steak with roasted veggies and a chopped salad.
Jonathan made them cocktails, and soon they sat down to eat.
Max joined them, but after he was finished, he went and started to clean up the kitchen to give them some privacy.
"How about a snuggle by the fire, darling?"
"Deal".
She and Jonathan cleared the table.
"Dinner was delicious, Max".
"Thanks, Mrs. H."
They went and snuggled by the fire. She settled on to the couch and leaned up against him.
"Darling, do you think I am being too hard on Susan?"
"How so?"
"Well, I haven't exactly extended the olive branch…"
"Darling, you are entitled to your feelings. If you aren't ready, that's ok".
"I was a little snarky to her today, in the beginning".
"How so?"
"Well, she asked me why I was getting the physical, and I explained the whole story to her about Italy, and then at the end I told her to go ahead and tell her gossip columnist friend all about it, I had nothing to hide".
"Darling…she's lucky you didn't say worse. A lot of people would have".
"I know. But I don't want to be the mean girl….I am not ready to trust her again, but I don't want to be ugly."
"You aren't being ugly. You just still have hurt feelings about it, is all".
She nodded.
He started rubbing her shoulders and helping her loosen up some.
"She asked if I wanted to have lunch with her one day next week, so I know she is trying. But I don't want things to be awkward, and by not wanting them to be awkward, it feels like they are more awkward than ever".
"I understand. You could always invite her over for lunch if you wanted. It might be better. She wouldn't be able to have a gossip columnist friend here with her, and you two could talk privately".
"Not a bad idea. I am sure that when I am ready, we will probably do that. I'm just not ready yet".
"And that's ok, darling".
He kissed her head and held her close.
She turned and snuggled him.
"What would I do without you? You always know exactly what to say and how to make things better".
"Darling, you do the same things for me".
She leaned up and kissed him.
"I love you, Mr. H."
"I love you more, Mrs. H."
***The next morning***
Jonathan and Jennifer had gone to bed and slept all night wrapped up in each other's arms.
Jonathan eased out of her embrace and got up to get a shower. He got dressed and then came back to tell her bye.
She was sleeping so peacefully.
He leaned down and kissed her a few times.
"I love you, Red".
He held her hand for a few minutes and then he started to walk away.
She grabbed him and pulled him back to the bed.
"Not so fast".
He snuggled with her a few minutes and they shared several sweet kisses.
"I love you darling. I have to go. I will see you tonight".
She nodded.
"I love you too".
"Are you staying home today?"
"I am going to be hand writing my article. Other than that, I have no plans".
"I'll call you after my meeting this morning. I love you".
"I love you too, darling".
She kissed him one last time, and then he left.
A few hours later, she had showered, dressed and eaten.
She went downstairs and got settled in the study. Max was around, and let her know that if she needed something, all she had to do was holler.
She went through about 3 legal pads, and was still only about ½ way through with her article.
Jonathan called around 11:45.
"Darling, how's it going?"
"Better, now that I am talking to you".
"I needed to hear your voice too".
"How was your meeting?"
"Productive actually".
"Wonderful".
"How is your article coming?"
"Slow, but I am writing it by hand, so I kind of expected it to be. What time do you think you will be home tonight?"
"Probably around 4. Not soon enough".
"I agree. Love you darling".
"Love you more".
They hung up and she blew him a kiss, and got back to work.
She was concentrating deeply when the phone rang again.
"Hello?"
"Darling…I hate to do this, but there's an emergency at one of the plants. They are asking for me. So, I am flying to San Francisco to handle it. I will be home very late tonight. I'm sorry darling".
"It's ok, darling. Not your fault. I will wait dinner for you".
"No, don't do that- you have your appointments tomorrow. No eating after midnight. Go ahead and eat and I will come find you when I get home. I love you".
"I love you too. Darling, can you bring home some more legal pads?".
"Yes. See you tonight".
She got back to work on her article.
Max had made her lunch, and brought it to her in the study.
Around 4 p.m., there was a delivery, so Max opened the gate.
He opened the door.
"Delivery for Mrs. Hart?"
"Thanks, I'll sign for it".
He took the package into her.
"Mrs. Hart, you got another delivery".
"Thanks Max".
She stopped what she was doing, and went to open the package. There was a card on top.
"Darling-I'm about to go in to this meeting-I will call you when it's over. I hope you are able to use this to finish your article faster and relax some. I love you and I will see you tonight. I will call you when I am on the plane to come home-J".
She opened the box and found a brand-new MacBook with all of the accessories, and stacked right on top, was a box of legal pads.
She busted up laughing, and resolved that she was going to have to find a way to pay him back.
After she got it set up the way she wanted it, she typed what she had and then got back to researching.
Max had made dinner, and then he headed out for a poker game.
She fell asleep on the couch, and woke up around 11:45 when Jonathan called the house.
"Darling, we just took off".
"I am so glad you are coming home. We have something we have to do".
"What's that?"
"Well, I have to thank you properly for my new laptop".
"No thanks necessary, darling. I love you, you know that".
"I love you too. You always know how to make me smile".
"Did you eat dinner, darling?"
"Yes, did you?"
"Yes, I ordered dinner from a local restaurant for all of us in the meeting."
"Did you guys get things resolved?"
"I think so".
He could hear her yawning.
"Darling, go upstairs and get in bed. I will be home before you know it, promise".
"Ok. I love you".
"I love you more".
They hung up and she went upstairs and got in bed. She was asleep within minutes.
He got home around 2 a.m., and came in, set the alarm, locked the door and went straight upstairs.
She was peacefully sleeping and looked so beautiful.
He wanted to wake her up and make love to her, but she was so beautiful. He just wrapped his arms around her and let her sleep.
He whispered in her ear "You will never know how much I love you. Everything I do is for you".