***Willow Pond***

Jennifer looked at Susan.

"What about the results?"

"There was a mix-up at the lab. You never had cancer. It was the fibroids all along, that caused the pain, and the shadow. Nothing else. You are absolutely fine. And just to be sure, I called a mobile lab to come out after I got that phone call. And I had them run your blood sample today 4 times to be sure. Here are the results".

Jennifer took them from Susan and she and Jonathan looked them over.

"So, I don't have cancer and I never did?"

"That's right".

"Well this is wonderful news!"

"I am so sorry, Jennifer. It's not my standard to misdiagnose people. But I have never gone against the lab either".

"Susan, this isn't your fault. I would be concerned if you didn't go with the lab, but you can't pick and choose. Come on now, you aren't to blame".

"Jennifer's right, Susan."

"Well, the lab is reimbursing everyone for their expenses as a result of the mix-up. So, if you get the receipts for your prescriptions, and your hospital bill, I will make sure that you are reimbursed".

"We appreciate that".

"And to show that I am still a competent physician, as soon as each of my patients are reimbursed, I am ending my ties with that lab company, and have already selected a new one, who has a better reputation".

"Susan, I am not mad or upset with you over this, I promise. I do have a question though".

"Shoot".

"The fibroids-did I really have those?"

"Yes you did."

Jennifer nodded.

"Is there anything else I can do for you?"

"No, not that I can think of. I will get those receipts together and call you tomorrow".

"I appreciate it".

She looked at both of them.

"Thanks for your time, I am sorry to have interrupted your evening".

"It was no bother, we are so glad you came and told us that Jennifer doesn't have cancer".

Jennifer walked Susan out, and when they got to the door, Susan apologized again.

"it's ok, honest".

She hugged her and then shut the door behind her.

She had tears on her face as she walked back to where Jonathan was sitting.

He noticed her tears.

"What is it?"

"I feel like I just got my life back again".

"Again?"

"Yes. The first time was today, when you forgave me".

He kissed the side of her forehead and pulled her close.

"I kind of like this bucket list idea".

"You do? Have you ever made one before?"

"No. But I think I might".

"What are you going to put on it?"

"You'll see".

He kissed her and then headed to the study.

Just then, the gate buzzed, so Jennifer let them in, and called for him.

He came and paid for the pizza, and they decided to eat on the couch.

He was laying against the couch, and she was leaning back against him, in between his legs. They took turns feeding each other bites of their pizza, and then just laid there together.

He leaned down close to her.

"What's on your mind?"

"I am just thinking about how all of this was completely unavoidable, completely unnecessary, and yet, it ended up with a positive result anyways".

"I don't follow".

"Darling, I didn't have cancer. So that means, I didn't have to hide things from you, the doctor didn't have to out me at the hospital, you and I didn't have to fight, I didn't have to move out, none of that was necessary".

"I get that. What was the positive ending? I mean, besides the obvious".

"All the time we have spent together lately, all the fun things we did. I might have made your favorite meals once or twice, and I might have worn your favorite lingerie, and we could have taken a trip, yes. But the chances that we would have done it all at once, aren't very high. I wasn't thinking about doing any of these things except kissing you each day before I watched that movie".

He nodded.

"There's another result too".

"What's that?"

"I fell more in love with you. I realized that I don't ever want to live without you, at all".

He leaned over and kissed her.

"I don't want to live without you, either".

He sat her up, and then got off the couch, and then picked her up.

He carried her upstairs.

As soon as he set her down, she went and put on his favorite nightgown, and lathered up with baby oil.

She came and joined him in bed.

They made love for hours, and then fell asleep together.

***A month later***

Jonathan was standing in the kitchen, behind Jennifer. He had his arms around her, and he was kissing her neck.

"One hint? Please? Just one, teeny tiny little hint".

"Teeny tiny? What is teeny tiny?"

"Ok, I can do this. Things that are teeny tiny. Um…. The freckle on the back of your shoulder. The speck of gray in your eyes. The amount of time it takes for you to turn down my request".

"Jonathan! Be serious".

"You tell me what is teeny tiny".

"The only thing teeny tiny about you is the size of your hint request".

He kissed her.

"So….let's have it".

"Nope. You will just have to wait and see, darling".

"Babe, I have been such a good boy. I have behaved myself. I deserve a reward".

"I agree. But me telling you where we are going isn't the reward".

He finally acquiesced, and kissed her once more before heading to work.

"Remember, we have to be at the airport at 1, so you gotta be home by 12".

"See you then".

He kissed her nose and then headed to the door.

She caught up to him, and touched his shoulder again.

He turned back.

"I love you".

"I love you, too". He kissed her again and then left.

She went upstairs and packed their suitcases and took a bubble bath.

She was so excited to give this trip to them.

She got out everything she thought he would want for London, since they were going to London on the second leg of the trip.

She was almost finished packing when she heard him come inside.

She looked at the clock. It was only 11.

"Darling, what are you doing home so early?"

"My meeting was cancelled, so I came home".

"Good, you can help me pack".

She kissed him, and he followed her into the bedroom.

After they were packed, he loaded the car, and then they locked the house up and headed to the airport.

***LAX***

They pulled up to the airport, and parked.

The baggage handlers began to unload their bags.

Jonathan and Jennifer went over to where Jack, their pilot was standing.

"Now Jack, remember, this is a surprise. Mr. Hart isn't to know about the first location at all-not the location, no details whatsoever".

"Got it".

They boarded the plane.

After takeoff, Jennifer got up and went to the bedroom. They had about 7 hours to fly, so she wasn't worried about being interrupted.

After a few minutes, she poked her head out of the bedroom, and asked Jonathan to come help her with something.

He got up and went right in there.

"What is it, babe?"

"Can you get this nightgown off me?"

"Oh, absolutely".

She was in a sheer white lace nightgown, and had her hair up.

He picked her up and laid her on the bed.

"What brought this on?"

"Well, this morning, you were saying that you had earned a reward. So, this is it".

"You are so clever".

He got undressed and joined her on the bed.

He started out by giving her some long, slow kisses. He moved to her neck, then started to kiss her breasts. She was scratching his back and kissing the top of his head.

She wrapped her legs around him, as he thrust into her.

"I want you, Jonathan Charles".

He kissed her.

"I want you too, Red".

They rocked their hips together as a slight moan escaped her lips.

They exploded into ecstasy at the same time, and laid there, trying to compose themselves.

"It's not much fun, but I'm going to have to behave more often".

She kissed him.

"Misbehaving might get you a better reward".

They snuggled up and took a nap together for a few hours. They woke up about an hour before they were supposed to land.

After they were dressed again, they went out to the main cabin.

They landed perfectly fine, and got off the plane and into the car that Jennifer had arranged.

As they drove through the streets, Jennifer looked over at him.

"Do you know where we are, yet?"

"No, actually. Let's see. It took us 7 hours. So that means we have to be on the East Coast, or at least close to it. This isn't New York, or New Jersey."

She grinned at him.

"What?"

"It's right under your nose".

He looked around, and then looked out the window again. He caught the glimpse of a license plate, and saw the word "Maine" across the top.

"Are you serious? Are we really?"

She nodded.

"How did you?"

"That weekend at the cabin, silly. You said you always wanted to go Lobster Fishing and stay in an Inn in Maine, so we are in Portland, and we are going to Lobster fishing tomorrow, and we are staying in an Inn, here in Maine".

He didn't know what to say.

He leaned over and kissed her several times.

"I love you".

"I love you too".

"When did you plan this?"

"When we got home from the cabin. I almost canceled it when you were mad at me, but I forgot about it."

"This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. Thank you, Jennifer".

"You're welcome".

She kissed him again.

***Inn by the Sea***

They arrived at their Inn 30 minutes later, and got checked in.

"We are having champagne in the lobby in about an hour, so feel free to join us".

"Thank you, we just might".

After they got settled into their room, they went downstairs to join the champagne party.

They drank a few glasses and then headed back upstairs.

"Darling, you surprised me with this trip, so let me surprise you now, ok?"

"Ok".

He went and drew her a bath in the clawfoot tub, and filled it with rose petals and some of the relax bath salts he found under the sink.

He lit some candles that he found in the linen closet, and then called her into the bathroom.

She stood there, taking it all in.

"Darling, I think these candles are storm candles."

"Well, tonight, we can just pretend the lights are out, ok?"

She squeezed his chin and started to undress.

She slipped into the bath, and got comfy. She looked over at him.

"Aren't you going to join me?"

"Not this time. But I am going to sit here with you".

She nodded.

"Be right back".

He went to his suitcase and pulled out a big stack of papers.

"Don't tell me you brought business with you!".

"No. This was a personal project".

"Oh? What is it?"

"Remember when you and I were talking about your bucket list and I told you I was going to make one?"

"Yes".

"Well, I finished it".

"You did! Let me see it".

"Hang on, hang on."

He picked it up.

"It has a lot of items on here."

"Oh it does?"

"Yes. You see, I was trying to think of how many things I wanted to do, and my first thought was that you and I have been married 14 years. So, then I figured out how many days that has been. And the answer is, 5110."

"That many?"

"Yes, that many".

"So that's how many things your list has?"

"Yes."

"You better get busy".

"Oh, I have been. I decided that was too many things, so I narrowed it down. I was going to do a top 3. But there was only one thing I really want to do, and then I decided I could just do that one thing each day, and my list would always be complete".

"Darling, what is this one thing?"

"It's something I love to do, I can't wait to do, something I have always done, and something that I put above everything else I do, in all situations".

She looked straight ahead and tried to figure it out.

"Here's a hint".

"You and your hints". She reached over and kissed him.

"Are you ready?"

"Darling, the water is getting cold. Can you help me out of here?"

"Sure".

He put the papers down, and helped her stand up, and drain the tub. He helped her climb out and handed her a towel.

As she dried off, he went and got her slippers and robe and nightgown from the bed.

"Thank you, darling".

He set about the bathroom, turning the lights on, and blowing the candles out. He went and changed into his pajamas and was waiting for her in bed.

He handed her a glass of champagne.

"Oh, thank you. Now, back to your list".

He grabbed the list and held it up.

"One-Love Jennifer".

"How sweet".

He turned the page, so she could read the second one.

"Love Jennifer. (page is turned). Love Jennifer. (page is turned). Love Jennifer".

"Darling, how many times is Love Jennifer on your list?"

"Five thousand". He kissed her.

"One hundred". Another kiss.

"Ten".

Another kiss.

"And we have been married 14 years, 5 weeks and 2 days. So, that's 37 more days for me to Love Jennifer".

Another kiss.

She had tears in her eyes.

"That was the most romantic thing you have ever done. I don't deserve you".

She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately.

"You make me the happiest woman on the planet, and I hope that never changes".

"Come here, Red". He pulled her onto him, as he set their champagne glasses on the nightstand, and reached up and turned out the light.

"Happy bucket list, Mr. H."

"Happy bucket list, Mrs. H."