Max heard the screams from the garden and came running in to find her in front of a crate sobbing and screaming
"Hey! What's going on?" Max shouted over her but she didn't hear or choose to hear him,"Mrs.H? ..JENNIFER!"
"Max, what's this entire racket?" Pearl came in with Aubrey who was surprised to see her normal composed Mama throwing a fit
"Take her outside now!" Max ordered Pearl, who left without saying another word.
He walked over to her and pushed her into the couch but she still kept screaming
"Forgive me," He whispered then as gently as he could, slap her across the face
That seem to get her to stop screaming but now she was sitting in stunned silence
Max threw a blanket across her shoulders and went to the phone
"Jonathan Hart please," Max said to Jonathan' secretary," I don't care if he's in a meeting, tell him he needs to come home now,"
Max then hung up and knelt in front of Jennifer, "What's happened, tell me"
She refused to speak instead holding out a card
He read it and suddenly understood her behavior, "I'm sorry, I'm just sorry"
"Oh Max, what am I going to do?" She suddenly began to sob,"I can't live like this anymore, he'll always find us, how are we going to raise our children in a fishbowl constantly worried that someone will harm them,"
He simply hugged her, if he had the chance, he'd kill this bastard himself he didn't care if he went to jail for a 100 years, nothing was worth seeing this woman fall apart, His friend Teddy Gavin had gone to jail for shooting his great-nephew's murderer after the car accident and had told him it wasn't bad inside the joint..
He pulled back to study her face, his palm print leaving an imprint on her cheek but she didn't seem to care
Suddenly she stood up and marched upstairs
"Hey! Where are you going?" Max chased her up the stairs
"This is all my fault and I need to fix this," She said pulling out her suitcase
"Where are you going? Your pregnant, you can't travel!" Max said standing in the door
"I know what I have to do, I'm going to have these babies, sign over custody to Jonathan and walk away," Jennifer was alternating between sobbing and breathing heavy
"What do you mean, walk away?" Max knew this wasn't her talking, it was the hysteria
"I'm going to ensure these children are safe and if that means leaving then that's what I'll do," She stuffed a sweater into the overflowing suitcase
"You don't mean that, come on we'll figure something out," He said making a move to stop her
"There's nothing to figure it's my fault that this has happened and so what's the best to fix the situation, remove the problem" She went into the bathroom to gather her jewelry
She was serious and Max had to stop her, so while she looked for her earrings, he quietly went behind her, shut the bathroom door and jammed the vanity chair underneath it
"Max, I can't get out of the bathroom!" She called
"I'll let you out when you've got that crazy idea of leaving out of your foolish head!" Max called
"Max, we both know it's in everyone's best interest!" She tried the door but no luck
"No it's in everyone's best interest that you pull yourself together and start acting like the mother you are!" Max knew he would never speak to her that way unless she was really being unreasonable
"Please Max, just let me go!" She begged
Suddenly he heard the sound of a car coming up the driveway and brakes screeching, a few minutes later Jonathan came through the living room door
"Jennifer!" He called seeing the crate
"We're upstairs!" Max called, "you'd better hurry!"
Jonathan walked into the bedroom to see a half full suitcase, Max looking devastated and the chair jammed under the doorknob of the bathroom
"What's going on?" He was concerned, five hours ago he'd left his wife happy and smiling
Now it looked like a hostage situation
"She got this card, freaked out and started to leave so I locked her in the bathroom," Max held out card
"You did the right thing, Max," Jonathan said quickly reading the card
"You gotta do something, she's talking about running," Max said then left them alone knowing she would calm down after Jonathan spoke to her
"Baby, I'm going to let you out alright?" Jonathan removed the door and stepped into the bathroom to find his wife sobbing in the tub
"He's coming back for us, Jonathan, we'll never be safe .."
"We'll up extra security and make sure everyone is safe, Darling we'll be alright" Jonathan said leaning against the tub
"No what's best for us and the children is if I disappear, I'll sign a document giving you all three of our children and never come back, they can have a life without me here," She was hiccupping now
"No I won't accept that." Jonathan couldn't believe that she was saying that, this was not the same woman who had fought for their daughter's life less than two weeks ago and he knew that her becoming stressed out was stressing out the babies
"You have to otherwise I'll just leave in the middle of the night," Jennifer continually looked down at her wedding ring, just one week ago she'd been the happiest she had ever been
"That's enough I'm not allowing you to leave our children or me, we're a family damn it," Jonathan was angry at her
"You don't understand this WHOLE thing is MY FAULT!" She screamed
He couldn't reason with her, she wasn't willing to listen but he couldn't leave her sitting in the tub and for the first time in his life, he didn't have an answer …
He sat for a few minutes in silence looking at her and could see how wrung out she was, this had totally thrown her. Even when they thought they'd lost Aubrey and she was grief stricken she was never this unreasonable. He sat a moment trying to think of how he could get through to her.
"The only thing you did wrong was fall for that man when you were young and inexperienced. He's a psychopath Jennifer, but you couldn't have known that. You hadn't seen him for years and you didn't invite him in to our lives so none of this is your fault. That mad man is the only one to blame." Jennifer lifted her head and looked at him, her body still shook with the occasional sob.
"It's me he wants Jonathan and I can't put our children in danger."
"Letting him upset you like this is already putting 2 of our children in danger." He told her leaning over the tub and gently rubbing her bump, smiling slightly as one of the boys gave his hand a little kick, responding to the sound and touch of his Daddy. The tender gesture calmed her a little, she knew he was right that she needed to be careful or her blood pressure would rocket. "These little boys are still about 5 weeks away from being born so they need to cook a bit longer." He tried the flash of humour then lifted his hand to touch her cheek. "Please baby." She heard his voice waver and it went straight to her heart.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry…."
"You don't need to be sorry. You just need to be strong a little bit longer. The boys need you, Aubrey needs you…. And Darling I need you. I can't do anything unless I have you at my side. Max, Pearl and your Dad have all been great, but who is it that Aubrey wants when she's tired or upset or excited?" Jennifer thought for a moment then nodded her understanding.
"She wants me."
"Yes, she wants her Mama. Her Mama that she reached out to that day in Kenya with immediate recognition. Now she's smart enough to know that if she wants to be fed its Pops she needs, but for everything else it's you. Don't you think she's been through enough already without losing her Mama again?" Jennifer smiled at the remark about food, their baby girl certainly had a great appetite, but she was always on the go burning all her energy off.
Jonathan could see she was coming around.
"What has he done to us Jonathan?"
"Nothing that can't be undone. He can only beat us if we let him and we're not going to let him. We're going to be a strong and united family of five." He told her. We're not running away, we're staying at home where we belong. I'll do whatever it takes to keep you all safe, I promise!"
"What if he never gives up? We can't live like this forever."
"It won't be forever!" Jonathan had a dark edge to his voice and she didn't want to think about what he might mean by that, although if she were completely honest she'd fantasized about that bastard dying at her hands so she wasn't surprised Jonathan might be thinking the same.
"I'm not sure I can be that strong Jonathan, I feel like I'm losing my grip. I never considered myself to be anything other than strong and rational. I was in control of my life. Now I feel like I want to stop the world and get off."
"What we've been through in the last month would be enough to make anyone question their sanity. But when we became parents we had to learn to play by different rules, and those rules are children first, everything else second. As harsh as it might sound you have to try and deal with your feelings or put them aside for now. Aubrey needs you, her Mama, it's that simple."
Jennifer knew he was right and all of a sudden she felt ridiculous sitting in the bathtub fully clothed.
"Help me out of here Jonathan."
"Yes ma'am!"
At 32 weeks pregnant with twins Jennifer was aware it was going to be harder getting out of the tub than it had been getting in, but Jonathan helped her and a few minutes later she was washing her face then heading back to bed.
"You get settled then I'll go and get Aubrey and some milk and cookies for you both." He told her and Jennifer smiled.
"You know that I need her just as much as she needs me, don't you?" She asked seriously.
"Of course I do. You were just shocked. I'll go and get her, we'll be back in a few minutes."
True to his word Jonathan was back a few minutes later with Aubrey following him. She walked just behind him and seemed a bit wary as they came through the bedroom doors. Jennifer gazed at her little face and realized that she looked scared. She stayed close to Jonathan and as he put the tray with the snacks on it down on the night stand and turned round she collided with his legs and he bent down to pick her up. She wrapped her arms round his neck and Jennifer felt the lump in her throat knowing that Aubrey was reacting to what she'd witnessed from her.
Jonathan sat on the edge of the bed, still holding their little girl and Jennifer reached across to smooth her hair back from her face, grateful that at least she hadn't shied away from her.
"Sit next to Mama Sweetheart and Daddy will pass you your snack."
He put her gently on the bed and she settled back against the pillow. Handing her the cup of milk first he then handed Jennifer her glass. Lifting the plate of cookies he laid it on Aubrey's knees and she smiled at him.
"Why don't you give Mama a cookie."
"Cookie Mama." She lifted one from the plate and Jennifer smiled at her
"Thank you baby." She said taking it from her and managing to hold her little hand a few seconds before Aubrey turned her attention back to the plate.
"I forgot your new book Aubrey, I'll go and get it and Mama can read it to you." Jonathan told the little girl who could only nod as her mouth was filled with cookie.
Jennifer sipped her milk then leaned across and kissed her daughters head.
Leaving Jennifer and Aubrey cuddled up in their bed Jonathan headed back downstairs and Max almost immediately handed him a cup of coffee.
"Thanks Max!"
"How are they both?"
"Aubrey is fine, milk, cookies a new story and a cuddle from her Mama. Everything in her world is perfect."
"And Mrs. H?"
"She'll be ok Max. Her nerves are shredded and she's exhausted, but she knows she isn't going anywhere because we all need her here, looking after herself and the babies."
"Good. I was real worried, I've never seen her like that before, even when we thought Aubrey was gone."
"Where is the crate by the way?"
"Out front waiting for the folks from the Zoo to come and collect it. They should be here any minute."
"Thanks Max."
Jonathan and Aubrey spent the rest of the afternoon lying in bed with Jennifer watching Disney movies and at one point all three of them fell asleep.
Max and Pearl sat in the kitchen talking and when Stephen came back he joined them and they explained what had happened, although Max played down Jennifer's hysteria and didn't mention slapping her.
"We might have to up the ante with that maniac now. I thought he'd get the message but obviously not. I never liked or trusted him but I never thought he was stupid."
"I think what freaked Mrs. H out most were the photographs of Aubrey, he even had one of her at the Wedding so either he's stalking them or has someone else who is."
"Has Jonathan spoken to the Police yet?"
"I don't think so, he's stayed upstairs with his girls all afternoon."
"I'm not sure there's much they can do anyway. I think it warrants a bit more weight behind it now."
"Those guys you hired before?"
"Bigger guns than them Max, they let him go in the first place. I know he's a slippery character and he had secret tunnels, and I know their job was to get the child, but I need people I know will be able to deal with him effectively." Stephen said forcefully.
"You mean take him out?"
"I mean take him out!"
"Well if you don't, I think once she's delivered the twins Mrs. H might go after him herself!"
"A lioness protecting her cubs… There's nothing more dangerous!" Stephen informed them.
"Whoa, Guys," Pearl waved her hand, "This isn't the Mafia, we can't go around eliminating people we hate if we could, there would be no one left,"
"So what do you suggest? We sit here and do nothing?" Stephen was furious
"No I'm saying With enough of our connections we can make sure that we can pinpoint his location and make sure he stays there permanently.."Pearl said reaching for her cell phone
"And when that doesn't work?" Max said putting a tray of cookies into the oven
"Then we'll make the bastard suffer" Pearl said dialing
For the first time in weeks, Jennifer finally slept peacefully there was no getting up and wondering to the nursery, a night without sobbing and without fear or of wondering what was going to happen, what was happening a world away, everything she needed was right in this bed and in this house.
The next morning, she woke up to the sun shining and birds singing, standing up to see her daughter curled up against her husband, their identical faces
"My beautiful Baby," She whispered then headed downstairs remembering to tell Max he needed to put the baby gates up, five weeks would be here before they knew it
She went to the kitchen surprised to see Max sitting up drinking coffee
"Have you been up all night?" She said noticing he was wearing the same clothes from yesterday
"I couldn't sleep," He said in fact he hadn't moved from the chair since last night
"I want to thank you for yesterday," She said kneeling in front of him
"For what? " He said taking note of the bruise across her face
"You saved my life, I think if I honestly had been alone I think I could seriously hurt myself or these babies," She said looking into his brown eyes aged with wisdom
"I was so afraid for you," He would never let anyone see him cry but she was his daughter in every sense
"I know Max and I'm so sorry," She stood up and hugged him
"Promise me that will never happen again," He took her arms from around his neck and looked her square in her eyes
"I can't promise I won't have a meltdown but I promise I will never go to that degree again," She kissed his head
"What do you want me to make for breakfast?" Max said standing up
"You know what Max, I'm going make breakfast for you," She said smiling
Remembering last time she had made oatmeal; she had answered the phone and nearly burned the kitchen down
"Tell you what ,We'll just order in," Max said reaching for the takeout menu they kept by the fridge
"No No I can do it, Where do you hide the thing," She gestured up and down
"The spatula?" Max said handing it to her but stopping her,"Please Let's just go to breakfast,"
But before she could answer, Pearl ran into the kitchen looking fearful and skidding when she saw Jennifer standing in the kitchen
"Oh hey Max, can you come outside for a minute," Pearl stuttered
"What's wrong Pearl?" Jennifer wasn't about to get herself completely stressed out again but curiosity was piqued
"Tell you what? There's some cinnamon rolls in the fridge easy quick to make, We'll be back," Max followed her out to the garden
"What's the Matter,Pearlie," He studied her face
"We got big trouble, Elliot Manning is here in Beverly Hills staying at the Palms and I think he's planning something big." Pearl said staring into the window at Jennifer smiling