***Thursday***
Jonathan came in town and was at the Buchanan's.
He had brought the baby a big teddy bear and some diapers as a gift.
They were sitting around talking, and Caroline had McKenna on her chest.
"Saw you in last week's paper. That was a pretty girl on your arm".
"Yeah, Stacie McAlister. She's nice, and witty".
"Do you think you will see her again?"
"No. Our date didn't go all that well".
"What happened? You used to be a lady killer back in the Navy".
Jonathan smiled.
"I can't explain it. It's just….she's not Jennifer".
"Jonathan, Jennifer is very guarded. And you two didn't exactly hit it off on the right foot".
"I know. I've apologized as much as I am going to, though. She won't give us another chance, so there's nothing more I can do".
"Have you tried sending her flowers?"
"Yes, actually. I called her right before McKenna was born, and asked her to send me the research she had dug up on the company she investigated. We had a nice conversation, and when we hung up, I decided to be a nice guy and send her flowers. I had the card say that I enjoyed our conversation earlier and hoped to spend more time with you. They promised me a two-hour delivery. Next thing I know, she's on the phone telling me off accusing me of tricking her with the files just to go on another date. And I assured her that wasn't the case and promised to not bother her again, and then she sent the files with an apology note. She addressed everything in her note except wanting to spend time with me. Then, the baby is born, and I get stuck here because the cab company didn't come. So, she gave me a ride home after we left the hospital. And I took her to dinner to say thank you for the ride. I was nice, I was polite and I was charming. And afterwards, I walked her to her car in the parking garage and asked her if we could spend more time together sometime and she friend zoned me. I don't get it, I don't understand what I'm doing wrong. If I follow her lead, I'm a chauvinistic frat boy. If I make a move, I'm tricking her or I'm coming on too strong. And no matter which way I go, I get friend zoned each and every time".
"How much of her past has she told you?"
"Not too much, really".
"Well, what I'm about to tell you stays between us. I swear to god if you tell her I told you, I will castrate you myself".
"Got it".
"She dated a guy in college. And he was Prince charming to her. His name was Zach. If Zach had his way, Jennifer would never leave the apartment ever again. He tried to get her to quit working, and she wouldn't. I'm not positive, but I have my suspicions that his anger turned physical. I can tell you that one night, they were over at our condo, and we all talked about taking a trip. And then I suggested that she and I and two of our sorority sisters take a girl's trip. She was so excited and we agreed to plan it the next weekend. She had to go to the bathroom, and he followed her to the bedroom. I went in there a few minutes later to get someone's coat, and heard him telling her that she was never to go on a trip without him, that her loyalties were with him now. About 3 months later, she showed up at my doorstep one night and said she needed a place to stay. She had 4 large suitcases with her, and she didn't give me any details. She just said things hadn't worked out. She got her own place the next day and never spoke to him again. A few years ago, she started dating a guy named Tim. He worked in sales at the Times. They were hot and heavy and I thought she was going to marry him. She thought she was going to marry him. Instead, there was a pattern evolving. He would lead her to believe that he was going to propose, and instead, he would get drunk on the night that she thought he was proposing, and wouldn't ask. And then she would have to nurse him back to health the next day and they would start this pattern all over again. Finally, she had enough, and kicked him out. I don't think she is pushing you away because she thinks you are a bad person. I think she is simply trying to protect her heart and she isn't going to allow someone to just come in and destroy her. I think she's hyperaware of the signs now".
"I would never do that to her. I really enjoyed our date in London. She swears she didn't see my note the next morning, but I swear I left one".
"Well, I don't want to discourage you, but it might be time for you to accept that the ship has sailed. She doesn't give people too many second chances when they've hurt her badly".
He nodded.
Luke came downstairs and asked him to come help him with his computer then, and he went upstairs to help him.
When he came back down, Patrick cornered him.
"Hey, Caroline and I want to go to dinner tomorrow night, and we need someone to watch the kids. If we promise to get the baby asleep before we leave, can you just sit here and watch a movie with them? We will just do dinner and then come right back".
"Yeah, that's fine."
"Thanks, buddy".
"No problem".
He went back to his hotel then, and decided on the way that he needed to do something different to win Jennifer over. He had to figure out a plan.
***Friday***
Jennifer got to Caroline's at 4. Per tradition, those nominated for awards get a ½ day off on awards day.
She was in Caroline's bathroom with Savanna in her lap, straightening her hair.
Caroline was in the bedroom feeding the baby.
"So, Scott should be here by 6, and he said he will bring you back here afterwards. Patrick and I will be home by 11, I'm sure, so hopefully we'll see you".
"Great".
Savanna was playing with Jennifer's jewelry and makeup while they talked.
"Who's watching the kids tonight?"
"Jonathan. We promised to get McKenna asleep and in bed before we left. Everyone will be bathed and in pajamas and watching a movie".
"What could go wrong with that?"
"I don't think a lot, but I'm sure I'll still be nervous. I told Patrick we should just stay home, but he said he wants us to have date nights and no time like the present".
"He's right".
She started on her makeup then, and finished with her jewelry. She stepped into the closet to slip her dress on, and when she emerged, Savanna told her she was beautiful.
"Just like a princess!"
"Thank you, lovebug".
They went to the den then, and saw that Jonathan had just gotten there.
"Hi. You're early".
"Yeah, I finished up at the office and just came on. Hope that's ok".
"It's fine".
He turned to Jennifer.
"You look gorgeous. I hope you have a nice time tonight".
"Thank you".
"Any tips on putting Savanna to bed?"
"She likes it if you read princess books to her and you have to sing "You are my sunshine" to her at least twice."
"Got it".
She had a glass of wine while she waited.
She checked her watch and looked at several clocks.
By 7, she started to think she'd been stood up.
"Maybe I should just go alone."
"No, just give him a few more minutes".
Caroline and Patrick pulled Jonathan aside.
"Go with Jennifer to this awards thing".
"I can't. I promised you guys I'd watch the kids".
"We will go out another night. I promise you, just go with her to this thing".
"She said it was black tie-I don't have a tux".
"You can borrow mine. Come on".
He followed Patrick to the bedroom, and put on his tux.
Caroline started recording the baby and put the camera on a tripod so that she could hold her up for the camera.
A few minutes later, Jonathan was ready.
He came out of the bedroom just as the doorbell rang.
Scott had finally arrived.
"Hi, I'm sorry, I had a flat. I had to change it."
"That's alright. We better go, though".
Jennifer never saw Jonathan in his tux, and never realized that he was going to take her.
Nobody realized the video was still recording.
Jennifer and Scott left, and headed to the awards show. Jonathan went and changed out of the tux, and back into his regular clothes.
"That was really sweet of you, Jonathan."
"I would do anything for her".
"I know that. Someday she will too".
Caroline and Patrick went to dinner then, after McKenna went to bed.
While they were at dinner, they decided to have a cookout the next day.
They told Jonathan about it when they got home and he agreed to go.
Caroline stayed up to tell Jennifer about it.
They heard the car around 11, and went and opened the door.
She came inside and put her purse down.
"How was it?"
"Well, I lost out on the Pike award. And my date was a total dud. Total dud. He literally didn't say two words to me all evening."
"I'm sorry it didn't work out".
"Yeah me too. He was pretty handsome. I had high hopes for him".
"We are having a get together tomorrow if you want to come".
"That sounds fun. What can I bring?"
"Just you".
"Great. Well, I am going to change and head home".
She took off her shoes and headed to the bedroom to change and get her bag. She emerged in sweatpants and a tank.
Jonathan was upstairs with Patrick. They both came downstairs as Jennifer was about to leave.
"Hey, how was the awards show?"
"I lost. But some of my co-workers didn't, so I'm very happy for them".
Just then, there was a loud clap of thunder and rain started to pour.
"Oh dang…. I don't have an umbrella".
"Give me your keys. I'll run your bag out to your car for you and pull your car up closer".
She nodded and handed him her keys.
She turned to Caroline.
"Thank you for everything. You are my best friend in the whole wide world and I love you more than anything".
"We love you, and you are family. Nothing closer than that".
She hugged Patrick and promised to see them the next day, and then as soon as Jonathan had her car in the driveway, she ran outside.
She thanked him for doing that as she got in the car.
"Anytime".
She got in the car and headed home.
Jonathan got in his car and headed back to his hotel, wishing he could spend the night with her.
***Saturday***
Jennifer showed up for the cookout at 3, and helped Caroline get everything ready.
Jonathan showed up at 4, and helped Patrick with the grilling.
He had a hard time keeping his gaze off Jennifer. She was wearing some black skinny jeans, a light blue short sleeved top, and some strappy sandals.
As soon as she saw Jonathan, she went and gave him a hug.
"Thank you for pulling my car up last night".
He hugged her back.
"No trouble at all".
She spent most of the day with Savanna in her arms or on her lap.
It was 8 p.m. and she had just tucked Savanna into bed when the phone rang.
Caroline reached over and grabbed it.
"Hello?"
"Hello, I'm looking for Jennifer Edwards. She put this number down as an emergency".
"Yeah, she's here. One second".
She handed the phone to Jennifer.
"Hello?"
Jennifer talked a minute and then hung up.
"Well, I just found out I've been transferred from the Times to another paper. Looks like I'm moving to Chicago".
"What?"
"Yeah, that was my boss, Jack. He said that my contract with the Times had been transferred to Chicago. I have to move there in three days".
"Do you want to go?"
"No, I don't. But I cannot afford to stay without a job, and I have no backup plan".
Caroline gave her a hug, and Jennifer left in tears.
Jonathan felt horrible, but he decided to try and help her out.
***Sunday***
Jennifer woke up to the phone ringing.
"Hello?"
It was her boss.
"I see….I am?...You're sure….I did? Ok…I'll see you tomorrow".
She hung up and then immediately called Caroline.
"So, Jack just called. Seems that somehow, another deal was made and not only do I get to stay in New York, but I got a raise and more time off as well".
"Wonderful! I hadn't told the kids yet, so now I don't have to".
"Yeah, and I hadn't started packing, so now I don't have to do it".
"I'm glad you are staying".
"I am too".
She hung up the phone and started to get in the shower when she heard a knock at the door.
She turned off the shower and grabbed her robe and went to get the door.
Jonathan was standing there with flowers.
"Hi, may I come in?"
"Certainly".
She closed the door behind him.
"These are for you".
"Thank you, they're beautiful".
She went and put them in water in the kitchen and then came back.
"I just wanted to tell you that I called the CEO of the Times last night. I had been in a deal with them to supply some electronics equipment, and I told him that I would back out of the deal if they really transferred you to Chicago. So, I upped my end of the bargain, and you got to stay here in New York, where you belong".
"Why would you do that?"
"Because I saw how unhappy you were last night when you found out you had to move."
"Jonathan, did you tell them to promote me?"
"Not exactly".
"What exactly?"
"I told them that if they promoted you, it wouldn't be the worst thing. You are the most talented writer there, and they need to realize it".
"Jonathan, you had no right. I wanted to earn that promotion based on my merits, not because someone negotiated me".
"I don't understand. You did it get on your merits. If you weren't capable and deserving, I wouldn't have suggested you".
"I understand that. But if you hadn't been negotiating, would you have still suggested it?"
"No, probably not".
"So, I didn't really earn this. It was handed to me. No pressure there".
"I'm sorry, I just had to figure out a way to keep you in New York, so that I could at least see you sometimes. And this was the best I could come up with".
"Jonathan, when are you going to get it through your head that you and I are not together? We went on a double date with Caroline and Patrick. You ignored me, and then insulted me. I gave you another chance and after a wonderful evening, you ghosted me. I cannot make it any clearer to you that you and I are barely friends. If we didn't have Caroline and Patrick, we would never see each other. That's not going to change. I want someone who wants to be with me, not someone who wants to use me as a negotiating tool I am not a piece of property, Jonathan. I am a real person with feelings and I deserve respect. Now, I would like to shower and get dressed, so please, leave me be".
Her eyes were on fire, and her face was turning red.
"I'm sorry, Jennifer. I overstepped".
He stood up to go and as he did, something fell out of his pocket.
She picked it up and read it.
It was a pro/con list, about her qualities.
"You made a list of reasons not to be with me?"
"That's not what it looks like".
"It literally says "Dating Jennifer" at the top, and there is a column of yes items and a column of no items."
"Jennifer-"
"Stubborn. Feisty. Opinionated. Educated. You seriously put educated in the no column?! What did you expect, for me to be an airhead?"
"Jennifer-"
"Let me be extremely clear Jonathan. You and I are never going to date, ever. As far as I'm concerned, we aren't even friends anymore. Go to hell and get the hell out of my apartment".
She practically pushed him out the door and slammed it in his face.
She looked at the clock.
9:20 a.m. She went and poured a glass of wine, decided she didn't give a shit what time it was and went and took a bubble bath.
The phone rang as she was getting in, and she answered it.
"Hey are you ok? Jonathan just called and sounded upset and told Patrick that you were pissed at him".
"I'm passed pissed. I'm livid. He came here and basically told me that he sees me as a tax write-off. Like I'm a piece of meat or property. Then, as he's leaving, a list falls out of his pocket".
"Jonathan said you were a tax write off?
"Don't ever say that name to me again. I mean it, he has really crossed the line this time. Not only did he get me a promotion I didn't earn, he made a list of reasons not to date me. So, all this time, he's been begging me to have dinner with him, begging me to date him. And yet, he's walking around with a piece of paper with a pro/con list about why he shouldn't date me."
"What did you say to him?"
"I told him to go to hell and get the hell out of my apartment. Why, what did he say?"
"Just that you were upset and that he was giving up on things between you".
"Good, that's the best news I have heard all day. You know that promotion that I got? He bought it. He used me as a piece of property to be negotiated over, I didn't get it because I earned it, I got it because he met their demands but threw me in as a stipulation".
"Oh geez. I think he thought he was helping you out. I don't think he thinks of you as a piece of property".
"It doesn't matter. If I don't earn it, I don't want it".
"I understand, I would feel the same way".
They talked a little longer till Jennifer was calmed down, and then hung up.
Jonathan was sitting in the lobby of her building, hoping to see her when she left. After about 5 hours, he went home.
