***LAX***
Jonathan pulled them up to the plane and parked.
He helped her out of the car and they grabbed their suitcases. The baggage handlers loaded the luggage, while they boarded.
"Jack, this is my fiancée, Jennifer Edwards. Jennifer, this is Jack Hanson, my pilot".
"Nice to meet you".
"Lovely to meet you, and I promise to make the flight as pleasant as possible".
"Thank you".
Jonathan and Jennifer climbed the steps and he stood behind her as she took it all in. His plane was enormous. It had bench seats, table seats, recliners that they could sit in together. It had a bedroom at the back, and a bathroom with a full shower. It even had a fridge and sink.
"Jonathan, this is wonderful".
"Glad you like it. It comes in handy".
"I bet".
They put their bags in the bedroom, and then came out and buckled up. He got her a bottle of water, and sat down next to her.
She rested her head on his shoulder as they took off.
"Are you nervous about meeting my father?"
"No, why should I be?"
"Darling, I love my father, but he isn't the easiest person to talk to".
"Jennifer, I convince people to sell me their companies for a living. I think I can handle your father".
"I hope so".
After they were up in the air, Jack came over the loudspeaker and told them they were able to move about some and that they would be in Washington in 5 hours.
Jennifer got up and went to the bathroom, and came out to find Jonathan lying on the bed.
She came and snuggled with him.
"Darling, I feel I should warn you. My father is somewhat old fashioned. By somewhat, I mean 100% old-fashioned. He will probably demand that we stay in separate bedrooms, and he is not a fan of public displays of affection".
"Well, if we can't be together tonight, we will have to be together while we can".
"I completely agree".
He rolled so that he was on top of her, and tenderly kissed her.
She lifted his shirt, and started scratching his back and rib cage, which drove him crazy.
He reached down and grabbed her arms and held them down above her head.
He was kissing her neck, and she was straining to move against him.
"No, Jennifer. No moving".
"Jonathan.."
"Trust me". He kept her hands pinned down, and started trailing kisses down her neck.
"Darling…what if Jack comes in here?"
"He won't".
He returned to her lips again, and let her hands go. They quickly undressed each other and then he wrapped his arms around her.
"Darling…the door isn't closed."
"It's ok, I promise".
"Jonathan, how can you be so sure?"
He sighed.
"Babe, trust me?"
She looked at him with pleading eyes.
He finally acquiesced and got up and went and shut the door.
"Thank you".
He came back and climbed on top of her again, and she wrapped her arms around his neck.
He kissed and suckled her nipples, and he could feel her excitement building. He started trailing kisses along her taut abdomen, and she ran her fingers through his hair.
"Honey…"
He kissed her and smiled.
They joined their bodies together and rocked their hips in a frenzied motion. He kissed her to cover up the moans of pleasure and to keep them quiet. After they were done, they laid there, cuddling.
"Gonna be a long weekend if we can't do that till we fly back home".
"Jonathan, I didn't say we couldn't do that. I said he probably won't let us stay together. Having said that, we will get alone time, and we will have to figure out a way to be creative".
"I love your creative side".
She kissed him, and then got up and got dressed. He got dressed and sat back down on the bed, and she sat in his lap.
"Darling, you keep saying your dad is tough".
"He is."
"What if it doesn't go well?"
"Darling, I am not a little girl. We aren't exactly asking my father for permission, here, we are only introducing you to him and catching him up to speed. If it doesn't go well, then you and I will get a hotel and eventually, come back to California. And if the day comes where he wants to contact me, he will realize that in order to do so, he is going to have to call me at your house".
"Our house, babe. What's mine is yours".
She kissed him. "Thank you".
"I've been down this road with him before, darling. I can handle it".
"You were engaged before?"
"No, I don't mean that. I mean I have brought home guys he didn't care for. Like Elliott, for example. He hated him, called him a pompous ass. We didn't speak for a couple months after that visit. And I have done things he didn't like. He didn't want to deal with me after my mom died, so he sent me to boarding school. He didn't ask me if I wanted to go, he just had Walter pack my things and take me there. I spent 4 years of holidays with other people's families, while he was off in Europe. I graduated, and went to college, and graduated again. And I came home to tell him I was going back to school for Journalism, and he didn't understand that. My weekend visit home lasted 6 hours, and instead of sleeping in my old bed, I slept in a hotel. We didn't speak for about 45 days, and then he called me to 'check on me'. I was literally sitting on the couch, relaxing and watching a movie, but when he asked me what I was doing, I told him I was working on an article, and I made sure that was my response every time I spoke to him. Finally, when I won a distinguished journalism award, he finally told me he was proud of me, and that he was sorry for pushing me away. It took a lot to get there, but we got there. And now that he knows I won't hesitate to leave, I doubt he's going to push me on this like he used to. Plus, I have no doubt that when he gets to know you, he will love you as much as I do".
She kissed him.
"You amaze me, you know that?"
She rested her head on his shoulder.
"You would be amazed at how quickly one can grow up when they don't have a choice. My roommate at Gresham Hall saved me. I was a sullen, angry, grieving teenager, and I had decided I was going to get through my time there not speaking to anyone, not making friends, just getting through the day. Stacey made sure that she made me smile at least once a day, if not more so, and before the month was out, we were inseparable. If it hadn't been for her, I would have probably moved to France after high school and stayed there permanently".
"I am so glad you didn't". He kissed her softly.
They went back out to the cabin and sat in the recliner. He covered them with a blanket, and she rested her head on his shoulder.
"Just a few more hours and we will be there".
"What all do you want to do this weekend?"
"I want to go riding with you, I want to show you the shops that I grew up going to, and I cannot wait to have some of Walter's home cooking".
"Riding sounds fun, did you ride a lot as a kid?"
"As often as I could. I had the best horse, Sweet Sue. She was a silky gray color, and had the most beautiful white hair ever. She didn't have a nice temperament, but if I was around, she would calm down instantly and she would relax, and let me touch her wherever, which was helpful at times. Often times, my being there was the only way a vet could treat her".
He kissed her forehead. "You can touch me wherever".
"Oh, I can? I just might take you up on that".
Jack came over the loudspeaker and told them they were due to land in about 2 hours.
Jennifer rested her head on his shoulder again, and he held her close.
She fell asleep soon after, and he held her as she slept, and turned the TV on low.
They were both buckled, so he was going to let her sleep as long as possible.
She woke up just before they were going to land, and snuggled him closer.
"Have a nice nap?"
"Yes, I did."
"You are so cute when you are sleeping".
She lightly kissed him, and sat with him till they landed.
Once the plane had stopped, she turned to look at him.
"I'm going to go freshen up for a few minutes, darling".
"Take your time".
She came back a few minutes later, and they got their things together and left the plane.
Jonathan had rented them a car, and it was waiting for them, so they loaded the car and headed to her dad's house.
It was an easy drive, about 45 minutes. As they pulled into the drive that led them to the main house, Jennifer pointed out the different places on the property.
"That's the trail that leads to the stables. There's a pond behind them, and then a huge open pasture that goes on for acres and acres. If you get to the very back, you can see some of the valley in the distance".
They pulled up to the house and parked, and began to unload the car.
Walter came out.
"Miss Jennifer! Such a pleasure to see you".
"Walter! Hi! So good to see you". She gave him a huge hug.
"Walter, this is Jonathan Hart, Jonathan, this is Walter. He keeps the house going".
They shook hands and Walter took their bags inside.
They held hands and followed him.
Jennifer whispered to Walter. "Where is he?"
"In his study".
She and Jonathan headed to the study, where her dad was on the phone.
She stood in the doorway and knocked softly.
He looked up, and his mouth dropped open.
"Yes, well, I can definitely give you a quote-I am going to have to call you back". He hung up the phone and stood up.
"Jennifer, what are you doing here?"
"Hi Pa, I wanted to surprise you".
"Well you certainly did". He came over and gave her a huge hug.
"And who is this?"
"Pa, this is my friend, Jonathan Hart. Jonathan, this is my dad, Stephen Edwards".
They shook hands. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Edwards".
"Please, call me Stephen".
They sat and chatted, and Jennifer told him all about Jonathan.
"How did you two meet?"
"Through Paige".
"Paige? How is Paige? Such a lovely lady".
"I wouldn't know, Pa. We aren't friends any longer".
"Aren't friends?"
"No. It's a long story, but we had a misunderstanding and she blew it out of proportion and ended our friendship. We both went away on business, and when we came home, I tried to make amends, but it didn't happen. I left town again for a couple days, and when I returned, my apartment had been destroyed, and burglarized, and I believe Paige was behind it".
"You think Paige robbed you? Jennifer, that's a pretty strong accusation. The sweet girl I met at Thanksgiving a few years ago, wouldn't have done that".
"I agree. And I would love to know where she went. The Paige that I have been dealing with is far from sweet. I do believe she was involved in whatever took place in my apartment, because I found her earring behind my TV cabinet. And it wasn't there before I left".
"Well, if she's going to rob you, then she wasn't a real friend to begin with".
"I agree".
Jonathan noticed that Jennifer had taken her ring off. He decided not to bring it up.
"You have a wonderful, smart, and incredibly intelligent daughter, Stephen."
"Well, thank you. I wish I could take total credit, but the truth is, she probably got most of that from her mother".
"Half and half, Pa".
"I'll settle for that".
Walter came and told them that dinner would be ready in an hour.
"Well, I guess we better get ready".
"Jennifer, before you do, I just want to remind you that you will be staying in your room, and Jonathan will be across the hall in the guest room".
"Yes, Pa".
She and Jonathan went upstairs to get ready, and he followed her into her room.
"Jennifer, why are we getting ready for dinner?"
"Oh, I forgot to tell you. Pa likes us to be dressed up for dinner".
"I see. I, um…didn't bring a suit".
"Yes, you did. I packed it for you. It's in the garment bag".
He kissed her.
"Why did you take your ring off?"
"I didn't want to surprise him with too much all at once. I was going to ask you about that. If you wanted to get his blessing first, then you could ask me again and I can act surprised, or we can just straight up tell him at dinner. It's up to you".
"I do want to talk to him and get his blessing. I was just making sure that you weren't having second thoughts is all".
"Never".
"You were right about the separate bedrooms thing".
She laughed.
"I might just sneak across the hall tonight, if you play your cards right".
"What if he hears us?"
"His room is downstairs, and on the other end of the house. It's just you and me up here".
He kissed her and held her close.
They got ready for dinner, and he zipped up her gown for her. She got the engagement ring and put it in his pocket, just in case.
They had a lovely dinner, and then as soon as it was over, she volunteered to help Walter in the kitchen. That gave Jonathan a chance to talk to Stephen alone.
"Mr. Edwards, would you care to have a drink with me?"
"Certainly. We can go into the fire room".
He followed him in there, and poured them both a drink.
He handed him his drink, and they sat down.
"I wanted to talk to you and express to you that I am very much in love with your daughter. She means everything to me, and I am so thankful that even though it cost her the friendship with Paige, Jennifer and I are still in each other's lives. If you wouldn't mind, I would like to ask you for her hand in marriage?"
"Well, now that is a big step. I can see that Jennifer adores you. She isn't an easy person to get to know, she puts walls up that sometimes I think not even she can take down. If you can get past one, you can get past all of them, so if she is bringing you to meet me, then you must have been able to break through. Son, if you promise to never hurt her and to always make sure that she is taken care of, you will have my blessing".
"I promise to do all of that and much, much more".
"You seem to be an intelligent man, are you capable of taking care of her?"
"Yes, I am. I have done very well business wise, and all I want to do is share that with her".
"You're a good man, Jonathan. I am very thankful that she found you. If Jennifer agrees to marry you, I won't stand in the way".
"Thank you, sir, so am I".
Jennifer came and joined them a few minutes later, and they snuggled up by the fireplace and chatted with her dad about all kinds of things.
Around 10, he stood up and announced that he was going to bed and that he would see them at breakfast.
After he had left the room, she turned to him.
"So, I take it your talk went well?"
"I can't tell you that".
"Jonathan! That's not fair".
"Jennifer, what a man discusses with his soon-to-be father in law should not be shared with his soon-to-be wife".
He kissed her before she could respond.
"Jonathan….stop playing. I want to know what he said".
"Jennifer, it's alright. He gave me his blessing".
"Good. Now was that so hard?"
"Speaking of things that are so hard…"
"Jonathan! Behave yourself!"
"I can't help it, babe. You have this effect on me".
"You have one on me too".
She kissed him a few times, and then they got up and quietly went upstairs.
She kissed him goodnight in the hallway, and then went into her room.
After she was changed into her pajamas, she climbed into bed. She could hear him in the bathroom, and knew that he wasn't in his room yet.
She opened the desk in her room, and wrote a quick note, and went and put it on his pillow, before creeping back across the hall.
She was in bed when she heard him come in, and rolled over to look at him.
"I thought you were coming to my room".
She pulled the covers back, and patted the bed. He climbed in next to her.
She leaned up on one elbow.
"That bed squeaks. This one doesn't. We still have to be quiet, but this is still the better choice".
"How do you know the bed squeaks?"
"Because last Thanksgiving, my very amorous aunt and uncle were staying in that room, and I was treated to a symphony every night".
"Sounds wonderful".
"I am so glad you came here with me, and that your talk with him went well".
"He's a very nice man. He cares about you a lot. He wants to know that you will be taken care of".
"I have always said if the outside matched the inside, he would be a big teddy bear".
"I could see that".
"Want to go riding in the morning after breakfast?"
"Certainly".
"One of those long rides where we are gone for hours?"
"Whatever you want".
"I love long rides like that".
"I kind of figured".
He leaned forward and kissed her a few times.
She pulled him closer to her, and could feel him resisting.
"You sure this is alright? I don't want to upset the man who just gave us his blessing".
"I promise, he won't hear a thing".
Jonathan rolled till he was on top of her, and quickly undressed her.
She tugged his pajama bottoms off him, and then reached up and turned off the light. In the shadow of the moonlight, he started kissing her neck, and moved her legs open with his knee. She wrapped her legs around his waist, and dug her nails into his back.
He found her center and thrust into her, and kissed her to quell the moans he was causing.
"Jonathan….", she whispered.
"Almost, baby".
Jennifer tightened around him, and rocked her hips towards his faster, and a few minutes later, they went over the edge together, without making a sound.
He relaxed on top of her and held her close.
"That was so hot".
"You were magnificent".
They shared some sweet kisses, and then they got dressed again, just in case.
He laid there with her a little longer, and gave her a backrub.
"That feels amazing".
"How do you like your massages?"
"Deep tissue".
He leaned closer to her and kissed her cheek.
"That's my kind of woman".
"Oh? You like deep tissue ones too?"
"I love them. No point in massaging if you aren't going to get the knots out".
"I'll have to remember that.."
He could tell she was drifting off to sleep, and he kept massaging her till she was in a deep sleep, and then gently covered her with the blankets.
He leaned over and kissed her cheek.
"Goodnight, I love you".
He decided to snuggle with her for just a few minutes before he went to his bed.
***The next morning***
Jennifer's alarm went off at 7:45. Breakfast was always at 8:30 at the Edwards house.
She reached over and hit snooze and then rolled over.
"Jonathan! What are you doing in here? You were supposed to go back to your room last night!"