***Monday morning***
Jennifer woke up when Jonathan did, and they got ready together.
Max had made them a nice breakfast.
They walked into the kitchen together and sat down.
"Morning Max".
"Morning Max".
"Morning you two. Breakfast is almost ready. Eggs benedict, ala Max".
"What's that?"
"I added my own spin to it. A slice of tomato and instead of it being on a plain English muffin, I added a piece of cheese".
"Sounds wonderful".
He brought their plates over while Jennifer got them both coffee.
Jonathan took a bite.
"Mmmm. Wonderful Max. Especially the trans fats and preservatives".
"Would you stop? You know you enjoyed our healthy weekend, you are just being silly".
"I enjoyed spending time with you, darling. I did not enjoy the dive head first into organic food".
"Well, you better get used to it. I've been thinking about it and I want us to start eating healthier, so we can live longer, darling".
"Healthier how?"
"More salads. No more fried foods. Baked or grilled foods. More fish, less red meat".
He made a face.
"Darling, when we are both 100 and in the nursing home and living it up every day, you will be so glad that we started eating healthier".
"We'll see".
They finished their eggs benedict ala max and took their dishes to the sink.
She walked him to the door.
"Bye darling, have a good day. I love you".
"Darling, do me a favor? I have a meeting this morning, I should be done by 1. What if you and I go to the antique store together?"
She nodded.
"I'll call you when I'm ready to leave the office. I love you, gorgeous".
She kissed him a few times and then he headed to the car and she headed to the study.
She worked till 12, and then stopped for lunch.
Just as she was finishing lunch, the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hi darling. I can leave here in about 20 minutes".
"Perfect. Want me to meet you there?"
"No, I want to come and pick you up".
"Ok, I'll be ready".
She blew him a kiss as she hung up the phone, and went and got the letter from her father and put it in her purse.
About 40 minutes later, he was walking into the house.
"Darling?"
"In here".
He walked into the study and found her at the desk.
"Hi".
"Hi". She stood up and kissed him.
"I'm all ready to go".
They headed to the car and she gave him the directions.
It only took them about 30 minutes to get there. Goldie's was a small, filled to the brim shop.
"Looks promising".
They walked inside and straight to the counter.
"Hi. Can I help you?"
"Hi. I was told to ask for the blue light special".
"Ahh. Yes. It's right here".
She pulled a box out from under the counter.
"This is for you."
It was a gorgeous velvet lined box, with a stained-glass top. She opened it and found a note.
"My darling Jennifer-take this box and treasure it, like I always tried to treasure you. Examine it closely, you might find a surprise….or two. Love always, Pa".
She lifted the velvet and found another note and a small wrapped package.
She opened the package first.
"A ruby reminder on a gold ring".
"It's beautiful, darling".
"It certainly is. I wonder where he found this".
She opened the note next.
"My darling Jennifer-I sure hope that ring looks as lovely on you as I imagined. The gold band reminded me of your eyes-you have those flecks of gold in your brown eyes just like your beautiful mother did. Now here comes the fun part. A box will be arriving in the mail for you. Inside that box will be some tickets. Take them to the antique galleries that are on the tickets and pick up the packages that they give you. Your final package will have more instructions. Love Always, Pa".
The lady behind the counter carefully wrapped the pieces for them and they thanked her and headed to the car.
They headed home and went inside.
Jennifer sat on the couch and looked at the box again. The stained-glass design was extremely intricate and she just couldn't stop staring at it.
"Cocktail, darling?"
"Sure. But I want to change first".
"Me too".
Jennifer went and put the new box and ring in the wall safe in the guest room closet, and then they changed clothes.
They headed downstairs to have a cocktail, and found Max in the kitchen.
"Hi Max."
"Hi Mr. and Mrs. H. Dinner is almost ready. Grilled Sea Bass, chopped salad, and especially for you, Mrs. H., sautéed zucchini with parmesan and tomatoes. Especially for you Mr. H., garlic mashed potatoes".
"Thank you, Max".
"Thanks, Max".
He lit them some candles and poured them some wine and then brought their plates over.
"I'm headed to a poker tournament. I'll see you two later".
"Night Max".
"Night. Good luck".
They had a romantic dinner just the two of them, and then they did the dishes together.
They went upstairs to change for bed.
"Want to watch a movie tonight?"
"Sure".
She was waiting for him to finish getting ready when the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hey Sparkles, it's Chris".
"Hi. How are you?"
"Wonderful. I was calling to set up dinner tomorrow night. My flight should land sometime around 1, so whenever you're free".
Jonathan came up and wrapped his arms around her waist and started kissing her neck.
"Well, I was thinking about that. Why don't you come to my home and we can have dinner here? I don't feel comfortable discussing financial matters in public".
"Sure. But let me bring dinner, since I was going to treat you anyways".
"Sure, that's fine. 3100 willow Pond, in Bel Air. We will see you tomorrow night, say around 5?"
"Great. Good night Jennifer".
"Good night".
She hung up the phone and turned to Jonathan.
"He's coming to dinner at 5 tomorrow, and he agreed to come here".
"Great. What are we making?"
"He's bringing it with him".
"I see".
He kept kissing her neck.
"Darling…are we going to watch a movie or not?"
"Of course, we are. I'm just practicing for the late show".
"Jonathan!"
He picked her up and pulled her into a bear hug.
After a few kisses, they walked downstairs to the kitchen.
She made them some popcorn, and he found them a movie on tv and got the room set up just the way she liked it.
She brought the popcorn and set it on the table and then climbed under the blanket next to him on the couch.
Without realizing it, Jonathan had selected a movie about a girl who loses both of her parents and doesn't know how to handle it. Jennifer was crying and wiping her eyes for most of the movie.
"I'm sorry, darling. I'll find us another movie".
She nodded. He turned the channel and then got up and got her some water.
She calmed down and snuggled up to him.
About 20 minutes later, she was glued to the new movie and he was fast asleep.
The movie ended and she leaned over and started kissing him.
"You are so handsome".
She looked over and saw a shadowy figure outside the window.
"Jonathan! Jonathan! Wake up! Someone's outside".
"Huh?"
"Wake up! There's someone outside in the back".
"Stay here".
She moved so he could get up and Freeway jumped up on the couch next to her.
He ran outside to check it out.
A few minutes later, he came back.
"I didn't see anything at all. Are you sure you saw something?"
"I'm positive. There was a person, dressed in black, looking through the windows".
She looked up at him, with panic in her eyes.
"Are you sure you didn't see anyone?"
"Not only didn't I see anyone, I didn't see anything that would indicate anyone has been out there. And darling, Freeway didn't start barking till you got upset. Normally, he would be barking his head off".
"Jonathan, I know what I saw".
"Jennifer, I believe you".
Freeway jumped out of her lap and she stood up.
"It's ok, baby. I promise. There isn't anyone out there".
He pulled her into an embrace and hugged her and tried to calm her down.
"Let's go upstairs".
She nodded.
She waited by the stairs while he locked up and turned out the lights. He checked the gate to make sure it was working properly, and that it was closed. They went upstairs together and climbed into bed. He could tell she was still anxious.
He wrapped his arms around her and held her and she fell asleep relatively easily. Once he knew she was asleep, he fell asleep too.
***Tuesday morning***
Jennifer woke up when Jonathan's alarm went off. She reached across him and shut it off and then kissed him.
"Morning, honey".
"Hmmmm".
She grinned.
"You better get up".
He slowly stretched and woke up some and kissed her.
"Good morning".
She grabbed a quick shower and then he grabbed one after her. They got ready together and then headed downstairs.
"Morning Max".
"Morning Max".
"Morning you two. Mr. H., I found something funny on the front porch when I came home last night. It's on the table. I did a quick search to see if anyone was here, but didn't find anyone".
Jonathan went and picked it up.
"It's a note. All it says is "Did you remember yet?"
"Yeah, that don't make no sense to me".
"Darling, remember those chocolates I had in my bag at the spa? The card that came with them was unsigned. It said "If you build it, they will come. If you eat these, you will remember". I bet they are from the same person".
"You're probably right".
"See? There was someone out there last night".
"Darling, I told you, I looked and didn't see anything".
"Well at some point someone had to be there if they dropped this".
"I agree".
He poured her some coffee and she took it and sat at the table. He poured himself some coffee and came and sat by her.
"Max, where exactly on the front porch was this?"
"Right in front of the door, Mr. H."
"I think I'm going to get in the golf cart and go check the fence lines. Max, did you have any trouble with the gate last night when you came in?"
"None".
"I'll be right back, darling. You stay here with Max. Max, nobody but me in or out".
"Got it, Mr. H."
He was gone about 20 minutes.
He walked back inside.
"I think I figured out how whomever it was got inside the gate. I found a step ladder that looks like it was dropped over our fence on the right side as you are coming in. I am assuming that whomever it was kicked the ladder over instead of bringing it with him as he climbed back over the gate. I think I'm going to call a fence company and have them come put a second fence up along the inside, about a foot away from the other one".
"Great idea".
He sat down and had breakfast with her, and then got up to leave.
"I should be home around 4 or 5, darling. Are you going anywhere?"
"Not that I know of".
"If you do, have Max drive you?"
She nodded.
She took her dishes to the sink and then walked him to the door.
"I love you. Have a good day. Try to be home by 4, since Chris is coming at 5?"
He nodded.
"I love you too".
He gave her a few sweet kisses and then headed to the office.
She went to the study and finished writing thank you notes for flowers and attendance at her father's funeral. She worked on that for about 3 hours and finally had it finished.
"Max, when you go out, will you run these by the post office, please? And can you pick up a couple rolls of stamps?"
"Yes, Mrs. H."
"Thanks".
She spent the rest of the day researching an article and getting it somewhat written.
Around 1:45, the phone in the study rang.
"Hello?"
"Hi darling".
"Hi handsome."
"Are you busy?"
"Not terribly. What about you?"
"Oh, I'm about to head into a meeting and I just needed to hear your voice, that's all".
"How sweet. The faster you get the meeting over with, the sooner you can come home darling".
"I know. I really do love you, darling".
"And I really do love you".
"Ok, they are calling for me. I have to go. I love you, I'll see you in a little bit".
"I love you too". She blew him a kiss as she hung up the phone.
Before she knew it, it was 4 p.m.
Jonathan called and said he was on his way, so she went upstairs and took a quick shower and changed clothes.
She decided on a pair of black pants, a gold sparkly tunic and a black sparkly belt, with black heels.
She pulled her hair up and curled it, and redid her makeup.
She heard him come in the house.
"Jennifer?"
"Up here".
He came up the stairs and found her struggling to put a necklace on.
"Hi darling".
"Hi honey".
She leaned up and kissed him.
"Darling, can you fasten this please?"
"Certainly".
He fastened the necklace around her neck and then held her for a moment.
"I missed you today".
"I missed you too".
A few kisses later, they were headed back downstairs.
Chris showed up right on time at 5.
"Hi, come on up".
She opened the gate for him and then headed to the door.
"Hi, welcome. Come on in".
"Hi Sparkles. You look beautiful".
He swept her into a hug and kissed her cheek.
"Here, let me take that to the kitchen. Can we get you a cocktail?"
"No thanks. Just water for me".
"Hi Chris. Great to see you again". The men shook hands.
Jonathan headed to get his water while he and Jennifer sat on the couch.
"Jennifer, I wanted to tell you, I found this on the driveway. Not sure if you dropped it or anything".
"Oh thank you".
She put the note on the bar and returned to the couch.
Jonathan brought his water to him.
"Ok, so here's the paperwork about the trust. It's pretty straight forward. You sign everywhere the pink tabs are, and I will file the paperwork. You should have the money deposited into your account in within 90 days."
"Darling, let me see that".
She handed him the paperwork and he read over it.
"So, I've been thinking. I think I want to set up a separate bank account for the trust to go into. I will go to the bank tomorrow and then give you the account numbers and then you can file the paperwork".
"Sounds perfect".
Jonathan handed back the paperwork to Jennifer.
"Looks ok to me".
"Thank you, darling".
"Well of course, it's ok. It's the same paperwork her father agreed to".
"Chris, after you file this paperwork, what's left to close my father's estate?"
"That's it. There's a judge in town that I will take the paperwork to and have him sign off on it, and then that will be it. Judge Rellick, remember him?"
"Do I ever? He was the toughest judge in the county. I cannot believe he's still practicing".
"He's not, really. He fills in when Judge Thompson goes on vacation".
"Well, shall we eat? I'm starved".
"Sure".
Jonathan took Jennifer's hand and they headed to the kitchen.
Chris followed right behind them.
He had picked up dinner from La Scala, and had gotten baked ziti with meat sauce for Jennifer, chicken parmesan for him and Jonathan and a salad for everyone.
"This looks positively divine!"
"Yeah it does. Darling, do you want to eat inside or outside?"
"Inside is fine".
Jonathan set the table and Jennifer made everyone plates and then Jonathan got everyone a water.
"Jennifer, I hope that you don't mind, but your father clued me in to a scavenger hunt that he was going to send you on. He and I met and discussed it, and he told me how he wanted things spaced out. I'm sure you must be wondering how he's been able to send things to you from beyond the grave. I just want you to know that if it isn't me sending you the packages, it's his houseman, Walter. But your father wrote it all out and designed it and left clear instructions on when things should be mailed. Everything was wrapped and labeled in order, so we don't know what it is in the packages but we know what order to mail them in".
"I had a feeling he had talked people into helping. Thank you for being so kind to him all these years. He really liked you".
"He was a good man, Jennifer. Good solid head on his shoulders, not afraid to say how he felt".
They had a nice dinner and then retired to the couch.
Jennifer sat down next to Jonathan and leaned back against him.
"Chris, did you hear about the neighborhood reunion?"
"Yes, it's in two weekends. I am glad you brought that up, I forgot to tell you about it earlier. The first night, we are meeting at The Horseshoe. And the second night, we are going to have dinner at my home, with everyone".
"Well that sounds lovely. We will definitely be there".
"Wonderful. I'm sure we will have a great time. It's probably been 20 years since we were all in the same room".
Jennifer leaned forward and put her glass down on the coffee table.
"Well, I will go to the bank tomorrow. How long are you going to be in town for?"
"I fly home in the morning".
"Great. So you will be back at the office by the time I get done with the bank, most likely. I can fax the account numbers to you, or overnight them, whatever".
"Sounds great. Well, I better get back to my hotel. It was great to see you, Sparkles".
She walked him to the door.
"It was great to see you too".
He kissed her cheek and then shook hands with Jonathan.
"Thank you for a lovely dinner, Chris".
"Anytime, Jennifer. Anytime".
They saw him out and Jonathan went and opened the gate.
Jennifer came back inside and went and sat by Jonathan again.
"Now, you see. He was a perfect gentleman the whole night".
"Yes he was, because I was here".
She got up and went and got the note off the bar.
She unfolded it and started to read it.
"What's that?"
"He said he found it on the driveway when he was driving up".
"That's weird. I got here right before he did and I didn't see anything".
"He handed it to me as soon as he walked in."
"What does it say?"
"Remember".
