Jonathan and Herschel continued to butt heads on the issue of using Jennifer as bait to catch the guy.
Finally, Jonathan saw him out, promising him they would be in touch. He locked up afterwards, and then he and Jennifer headed upstairs to bed.
They quietly changed for bed, and then Jennifer went to wash her face.
Finally, Jonathan brought it up.
"Baby, all I'm trying to do is protect you".
"I know that. But Herschel will be there, and you can be there too. Pa didn't leave just the gallery and his estate to me, he left it to you and me. So, as long as we put your name on the contract to sell, it wouldn't look abnormal for you to be there".
"That's the only way this is going to happen. And I'm not saying it's going to happen. But it's for damn sure not going to happen without me there. If you're involved, I'm involved. If there's trouble, I want to be close by".
"You're sweet".
She leaned up and kissed him.
She went and climbed into bed, and he climbed in next to her.
"This is all kind of strange. I wasn't even thinking about selling the gallery till tonight".
"What were you going to do with it?"
"Nothing just yet. It's the final piece of my dad that I have left. But I really don't have any reason to keep it, and it's not feasible for me to keep it, and if it will help us catch Stanley's killer, then we need to sell it".
He reached up and turned out the light. He wrapped his arms around her, as she settled on to his chest.
"You know, out of all of the things that I love the most about you, and believe me, the list is pretty damn long, I think the fact that you always put others first is at the top. I love the fact that you are willing to do whatever it takes to catch the person who is responsible for killing Stanley".
"Darling, I was fond of Stanley, you know that. And I know that he was invaluable to you and to the company. But honey, I thought you were dead that day till you walked in the door. And there is no doubt in my mind that whomever this person is saw Stanley's car and thought it was yours. And you would have been dead, if you had been there. That's a fact. I'm not a vigilante, but I have a problem with people trying to kill my husband".
He chuckled.
"Your husband isn't that fond of it, either."
"That's why I agreed to do this, Jonathan. You mean more to me than anyone or anything."
He kissed her, and held her tight.
"I love you".
"I love you too".
They spent the next few hours making love before they fell asleep in each other's arms.
***A week later***
Jennifer and Jonathan had agreed to go to London, and see about selling her dad's house and the gallery.
He had left his house in London to his sister and her husband, but they signed it back over to Jennifer.
She decided to sell the house separately from the gallery.
She and Jonathan had a romantic dinner at La Scala, and then headed to the airport. They were taking the overnight flight to London.
They boarded the plane, and got settled.
She leaned against his shoulder as they took off, and he gave her a few kisses to distract her. As much as they flew, she still got nervous during taking off and landing sometimes.
They reclined their seats and watched a movie, and then headed to bed a little while later.
She changed into a nightgown while he went and told Jack they were heading to bed.
He came and climbed into bed next to her, and she scooted over towards him.
"Darling, are you ok?"
"I'm fine. I was just thinking about all the times we've slept in this bed".
"We've had some memorable moments in here, haven't we?"
"Yes, we have".
She scratched his chest for a moment.
"Darling…how happy are you with our sex life?"
"Very happy, why?"
"Well, I just sometimes think I could make you happier."
"Like how?"
"Like, if I was more adventurous, or more spontaneous".
"Darling, if I wasn't happy with our sex life, you'd know it."
"Is there something you want us to do that we aren't doing?"
"Jennifer, where is this coming from?"
"I don't know. I just don't want us to ever lose our spark for each other…"
"We won't. I promise".
She scratched his neck with her fingernail and then kissed it.
"I know I haven't been myself lately, darling. I promise you, I'm going to change and be better than I was before".
"Jennifer, you don't have to change anything. I love you just the way you are. And you suffered a profound loss, darling. We both did. Two, actually. It's fine, darling. I'm not upset with you for being upset, or for feeling how you feel. I would be beside myself with worry if you didn't show those feelings".
"I'm so thankful I have you in my life. You always know just what to say".
She climbed on top of him as he reached up and turned out the light.
He ran his hands up and down her body, finally settling them on her breasts. He pulled the nightgown up over her head and tossed it to the floor.
She leaned forward, and started kissing him all over, and ran her breasts across his face, to his delight.
He lifted them both, and shrugged out of his boxer briefs in one swift motion.
He lowered them back down to the bed, and then she lowered herself on to him.
Their hip motions became synchronous. Jennifer knew exactly how to move her body to make his feel good.
"Faster, baby".
She did as he instructed, and quickened her strokes.
"Oh….god….Jennifer…."
"Say it….darling…."
He was quiet.
"Say it….come on, darling….say it".
"I love you…more than anyone…else in the world…"
Hearing that was all she needed. They both came to a mutual climax, and rode the waves of ecstasy together.
He rolled them till they were both on their sides, and kissed her passionately as he pulled out of her.
He held her till they were both calmed down, and they fell asleep in each other's arms.
***The next day***
Jennifer and Jonathan had made it to London without any problems.
They arrived at her father's house, and found it to be mostly in order. He only had the bare essentials in the house, furniture wise. Not a lot of personal effects.
"Well, I guess we can pack up what we want, and sell the house furnished or donate the furniture, I suppose".
It only took them about 2 hours to pack the house of the personal effects they wanted, and then Jonathan contacted a realtor and got the process started to get an appraisal and the house put on the market.
By 5 p.m., they were finished at the house and starving.
They headed to their hotel, and changed clothes.
"Darling, we can order room service and have a wonderful dinner here and then crash, or we can go out for a wonderful dinner somewhere".
She walked over to him and kissed him.
"What if we have dinner at Cottingham's, and then dessert at Churchill's?"
"I'd love it".
He kissed her once more and they got ready and headed out.
She laced her fingers through his as they headed to the elevator.
As they walked through the lobby of the Ritz, Jonathan held her hand tighter. By the time they got outside, she had to let go of his hand.
They climbed into a cab.
"Darling, why were you squeezing my hand so tight?"
"I'm sorry. It's just, those guys were looking at you."
"People look at me all the time, Jonathan."
"I know. And I just don't want anyone to think you're available".
"You don't have a thing to worry about, Mr. Hart".
She leaned over and kissed him.
They arrived at Cottingham's, and were taken to a table almost immediately.
"Darling, I've been thinking. What if I pose for a painting, and we offer that painting to a few select galleries? That might help draw out whomever this is as well".
"I think that's a very bad idea."
"Why?"
"We'll talk about it later". He kissed her cheek.
The music started playing, so they placed their orders and headed to the dance floor.
She rested her cheek against his and rubbed his back while they danced, and just tried to enjoy the moment.
They danced, ate, and enjoyed themselves, and then they headed to Churchill's, where they danced and had champagne and dessert before calling it a night.
They came into their room at the Ritz, and then changed clothes for bed.
"So, darling, why don't you want me to sit for a painting?"
"I don't want anyone else to get it. And it wouldn't be fair if we offered it for sale, knowing that I was going to get it in the end".
"But what's so wrong with someone else ending up with a painting of me? It's not like it would be a risqué pose".
"Baby, you're the most beautiful woman in the world".
"Thank you".
"And the thought of a painting of you ending up in someone else's house, while they do the five-finger knuckle shuffle while looking at you-that makes my skin crawl".
"Fine. I won't do it".
He could tell she was disappointed.
They climbed into bed, and he turned on the tv and tried to find the news while she read a while.
After the news was over, he found a movie on tv. She eventually put her book down and snuggled up with him.
He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.
"If you want to pose for the painting, do it. I'll just make sure I'm the highest bidder, no matter what".
She laced her fingers through his and kissed the back of his hand.
She eventually fell asleep with her head on his chest.
***The next morning***
Jennifer and Jonathan got up and got ready and headed to her father's gallery. They were meeting the gallery manager, Marie, there at 9.
They showed up right on time.
"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Hart. I'm Marie."
"Hi, I'm Jennifer. This is my husband Jonathan".
"Welcome to your father's gallery. We did an inventory, and I made you a current price list, based on the price your father assigned each piece".
"Oh, thank you, that's incredibly helpful".
"I take it you are selling the gallery?"
"Yes. I've been thinking. I think I want to bring the paintings home to Los Angeles, and sell them at an art auction, and then announce at the art auction that the gallery is for sale".
"You know, there is an art auction that your father attended every year. It's coming up, and this year, it's in Los Angeles."
"Wonderful!"
Marie found her the flyer and gave it to her.
"It's at the Hunt-Chandler house, in downtown Los Angeles."
"Yes, I know exactly where that is".
"Here is the contact information. They have called about 10 times asking for your father, so I'm sure they will be thrilled to hear from you".
"Wonderful".
They set about and started wrapping and packing the paintings. Jennifer found a few that she wanted to keep for herself. The rest she marked as part of the auction.
Jonathan hired a moving crew to take the paintings to the plane for them.
It took her about an hour to go through his desk. She finally found the deed papers for the gallery.
When they were all through, she put a for sale sign in the window, and then locked the gallery for the last time.
"Thank you so much for your help, Marie. I appreciate it".
"My pleasure, Mrs. Hart".
Jennifer and Jonathan took a cab back to the hotel.
He wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
"You ok?"
"Yeah, I am."
