***Willow Pond***

Jennifer looked at him incredulously.

"Oh, what's that?"

"The press conference, remember?"

"Oh yes, I forgot. Sorry darling".

"It's alright". He kissed her nose and then she went upstairs to change while he went and got the mail.

She was ready to go in just a few minutes. She had put on the green wrap dress that he loved, and black stilettos.

"Ready, darling?"

He nodded.

They headed to Hart Industries.

***Hart Industries***

Jonathan pulled them into the parking bay and told the security guard that he wanted to use the secret entrance.

After using the secret elevator, and coming up to the top floor, they went to his office.

Jonathan called an emergency board meeting to be held right then. Then, he called for a press conference to be held an hour from then.

The board members slowly started trickling in, and when they were all assembled, Jonathan addressed the crowd.

"I just wanted to tell you all first, that Jennifer is alive. We are about to announce it to the press. The short version is that Jake Hanson tried to kill her with the boat explosion, and she managed to swim away, but was then taken hostage by one of his associates, and they got into a car accident, which put her into the hospital in a coma. I found her about a month ago, and yesterday, she testified against him in court. He was convicted, and sentenced to 60 years in prison."

"Mrs. Hart, are you alright?"

"I'm fine. I have some residual issues, like nightmares and flashbacks and forgetting things, but I'm here and the best part is, he's here with me".

He turned and kissed her.

"So, we are going to give a press conference. I just wanted you all to know before it was announced in the press. Thank you for putting up with me these last 9 months, I know I wasn't the easiest person to be around".

They all came over and hugged and kissed her, and then they left.

Jonathan and Jennifer clasped hands and headed to the theater for the press conference.

"Darling, I think you should stay behind the curtain till I tell you to come out, alright?"

"Sure, whatever you want".

They stood behind the curtain, kissing and embracing, and then Stanley introduced him.

Jonathan came out and called for Stanley to come back up.

"I called you all here today to address something, and I cannot do that without acknowledging how important this guy is to Me, and to Hart Industries. He takes any assignment I give him, and he gives it his all, no matter what. And I am not always the easiest person to work for or be around, and he never complains. Thank you, Stanley, for being so dependable. I appreciate it, and I know that Hart Industries wouldn't be where it is today without you. And I would be lost without such a great friend".

Jonathan could see the wall that Stanley had put up kind of crumble. They shook hands and did a bro hug, and then Stanley exited stage left.

"So, the reason that I called you guys here today. Several months ago, my beautiful wife went to Seattle to interview Jack Hanson. After spending a day with him at the office, she spent a day with him at his home. I am sure that you are all aware of the news reports that stated that she was killed in an explosion on one of his boats. We had a friends and family service only a week later, and the months that followed were pure torture. Everywhere I turned, I saw Jennifer. My best friend was missing, and I hated every second of that. I paid to have her body exhumed, so that it could be tested, and we could be certain that it was her. I just had to know for 100% certain that the love of my life was gone. Yesterday, he was tried and sentenced for 60 years in prison for what he did to her. So, now it's time to set the record straight. She survived his attack and attempted murder. Come on out, darling".

She stepped out and he pulled her in for a loving embrace.

"So, just to recap, he's in prison, she's here with me, and Hart Industries is as great as it's always been".

They took a few questions from reporters, and then finally, it was over.

They clasped hands as they walked back to his office.

He buzzed for Deanne to come in.

"Yes, Mr. Hart? Hello, Mrs. Hart".

"Hi Deanne".

"Deanne, please clear my schedule for the next 5 days, I am going to take a trip with my wife somewhere, wherever she wants to go. Stanley is in charge".

"Yes, Mr. Hart".

Jennifer wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I love you".

He kissed her.

"Ready to head home?"

She nodded.

His phone answered, and he picked it up.

After a few minutes, he hung up.

"What was that?"

"A surprise, darling".

They headed back to Willow Pond.

***Willow Pond***

Jonathan and Jennifer came inside the house.

"Darling, I don't see anything different. Where's my surprise?"

"It's not here yet".

"Oh, it's being delivered? I see".

"Cocktail?"

"Please".

"What would you like?"

"Double vodka martini, straight up, no olives".

"With a twist?"

"Let's live dangerously".

They sipped their cocktails, and then a few minutes later, the intercom sounded.

Jonathan told them to come on up and told Jennifer to close her eyes.

"Keep them closed. I will be right back".

She heard him open the door, and the door close again.

He explained the situation, and then opened the door again.

He went over to Jennifer.

"Ok, darling, you can open your eyes".

She did.

Jessalyn and the girls were standing in front of her.

"What are you guys doing here?"

"Ms. Jennifer!" Mia ran to her, full force.

"Hi kiddo." Jennifer enveloped her into a huge hug.

Jonathan turned to Jennifer.

"Corporate Apartment AC is out, so they are spending a few hours here with us till their flight tonight".

"Great!"

"I was thinking, we could order some pizza and just make it a party".

He turned to the kids. "You girls like pizza?"

"Oh yeah! And ice cream".

"We will get ice cream, just for you".

"You're the greatest".

"Thanks for letting us hang out here, Ms. Jennifer!"

"Sure!"

Jonathan went to order pizza, and Jennifer sat down on the couch. The girls sat all around her feet.

"Can you give me some makeup tips? I love your eyeshadow".

"And I love how your hair is curly, but not too curly, and straight, but not too straight, all at the same time".

"Well thank you, girls".

Mia was consumed by watching TV in the recliner over by the piano.

Jessalyn looked at Jennifer.

"I need to call my parents and update them. Do you mind if I go in the other room?"

"Not at all. You can use our phone in the study, if you'd like".

"Thanks. Girls, don't drive her crazy".

Jennifer took the girls upstairs to show them her makeup and hair stuff, like they asked.

They were having the best time looking at all of her stuff and all of her jewelry.

"Jennifer?" Jonathan was looking all over for her.

"Up here".

He came in to the bathroom.

"What are you guys doing?"

"She has the best makeup and hair products and jewelry".

She leaned back against him, and he wrapped his arms around her neck, and she grabbed his arms.

Calista was tweezing her eyebrows, and Jovie was curling her hair.

"They are something, aren't they?"

"Yep, and so are you".

They watched them for a little bit longer, and then everyone went downstairs when the doorbell rang.

"Pizza's here!"

After they ate, Jonathan arranged for a car service to take them to LAX.

They bid Jennifer and Jonathan farewell, with lots of hugs.

Calista took Jennifer's hand.

"Ms. Jennifer, I am really sorry for what my dad did to you. You didn't deserve that. We love you, no matter what".

"Oh that's ok, dear. It's not your fault. I'm sorry that his choices led him to where he is, but he made those choices, and the only one responsible for that is him, not you and not anyone else".

"Thanks, Mrs. Jennifer". Calista gave her a big hug and then got in the car with her mom and sisters.

Jonathan closed the door behind them, and they headed to the couch.

"They are so sweet".

"They sure do love you".

She leaned over and kissed him.

"Where shall we go on our trip?"

"That depends. Do you want to lay on a beach, or do you want to see a city, or do you want to go exploring?"

"I only want to be on a boat, if you are at the helm".

"Fair enough".

"How about an all inclusive resort, so you and I don't have to leave?"

"Perfect. I know just the place".

They went upstairs to pack, and Jonathan called Jack to see when they could be wheels up.

He came into the bedroom.

"6 hours, darling".

"Great".

They finished packing, and then closed up the house and he loaded the car.

Jennifer leaned back and closed her eyes.

She felt the car park.

"Babe, I have another surprise for you".

"Oh?"

"keep your eyes closed".

He came over and opened the door, and picked her up.

He carried her to their destination, and then locked the door behind them.

"Darling, where are we?"

"Almost, honey."

He set her down.

"You good?"

"Yes."

"Ok, keep your eyes closed".

He got things ready, and then pulled her towards him.

"Darling, this is a surprise for you, but really, I have always wanted to do this. And I figured this was the best time".

"Do what, darling?"

"This".

He kissed her and then turned her around and leaned her back till she was laying down.

She felt what she was laying on. Cold, hard, flat.

"Jonathan, what is going on?"

He laid on top of her and started kissing her neck.

"Open your eyes, darling".

He left a trail of kisses along her jawbone.

She opened her eyes and realized they were in his office.

"Jonathan! We can't do this here- you put Stanley in charge, he has to work here".

He sat up and looked at her.

"When he's in charge, he still uses his own office, darling. This one is locked".

"Oh, I see. And you really want to do this, here?"

"You consume my thoughts when you are here, and when I am here without you, and I've just always had this fantasy".

"Well, by all means".

He enveloped her lips with his, and she reached down and started unbuckling his pants. She kicked her shoes off, and wrapped her legs around his waist.

She drew her legs up and used her feet to push his pants down off his hips.

"oooh I like that".

"I like that you went commando, in your jeans".

"Figured it would save us time on the plane, darling".

He tugged her yoga pants off her waist, and then seductively removed her thong.

He squeezed and suckled her breast, and raised her hips to meet him.

As soon as he thrust into her, she started rocking her hips to meet his, and they found a rhythm.

"Darling, do we have to be quiet?"

"We should, since the guards might hear us".

She nodded and kissed him.

He brought her to the brink, and she whispered his name as she grabbed his shoulders.

"Jonathan…."

"Ok, baby".

They exploded into ecstasy together and laid there, panting.

"You were amazing, darling".

She played with his hair.

"You were pretty great too". He lightly kissed her.

"Darling, why didn't you ever tell me that you wanted to have sex on your desk?"

"I didn't think you would go for it".

"Why not? I usually go for everything else".

"That's true".

She touched his cheek while she kissed him.

"We will have to do this again sometime, sailor".

"I am always game".

They got dressed and he helped her off the desk, and then embraced her.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him, and they headed out on their vacation.

They spent 4 whole days in Petit St. Vincent. He had rented out most of the island so they would have ultimate privacy. They enjoyed relaxing on the beach, reading, dancing at night, having mind-blowing sex, and eating delicious meals.

They took one last walk on the beach before flying home.

"Darling, what are you going to do when we get home?"

"I think I am going to call Marcia, and check in. And I need to go shopping, nothing fits me anymore. And I want to send Calista and Jovie and Mia a package".

"A package? Of what?"

"Makeup and hair stuff for the older two, and some fun soccer stuff for Mia. Maybe some clothes for all of them".

"That's sweet. They sure do love you".

She turned and embraced him.

"And, I was hoping that you and I could resume our life, before all this Jack Hanson crap".

"Music to my ears".

They walked along the shore a little farther.

"Darling, do you think if I had really been dead, that you would eventually dated and met someone after me?"

"Nope".

"You sound awful sure of yourself".

He turned to face her, and they stopped walking. He grabbed both of her hands.

"When I met you, I knew that we had something incredibly special. And when you agreed to marry me, I knew that there was never another woman for me. And I had been hurt before, and you had been hurt before. And as corny as it sounds, I vowed never to hurt you, ever. And I knew that I had to protect myself, so I guess I put an armor of sorts, around my heart. I told myself that if you up and left me, I wouldn't be hurt by it, because I had the armor. And you know what? I was wrong. I was miserable without you when you were gone from me, and I don't know that I could stand to meet and fall in love with someone else only to have that happen again. Plus, it wouldn't be fair to the other person, because they will never be able to give me what you do, darling. You set the bar and nobody can ever meet it".

"Oh, you are so wonderful. I love you, so much". She wrapped her arms around him, and kissed him long and slow for several minutes.

"Thank you for this wonderful trip, darling".

"Always. You and me, Red. Forever and for always". She nodded.

He leaned in and kissed her, as the sun set behind them.