A/N This was written and fixed SDAVIDSON by and if it sucks..tough cookies THE GOOD STUFF'S ON THE WAY WE PROMISE
"Darling, you can barely stand up so how are you going to confront this maniac?" Jonathan asked taking back their daughter," Go home, I'll take care of this,"
"And if he kills you, who is going to take of us?" Jennifer narrowed her eyes
"I won't have you put our children in danger," Jonathan was furious with her, more furious than he'd ever been
"And I'm not going to have them afraid for their lives every moment of every day," Jennifer stood her ground, "We can fight about this until the end of time, Darling or we can end this now…are you with me?"
"Always," Jonathan said "but when this is over, we're going to have it out."
"I know," Jennifer said kissing his nose
"Let's get into Max's car and figure this out," But it wasn't necessary because Pearl jogged over
"Jenny, What in the world are you doing here?" Pearl demanded
"Never mind that, what's wrong," Jennifer waved her hand
"I just got off the phone with one of my boys, apparently the wedding's been pushed up and they're getting married in just an hour," Pearl said
"Who's getting married?" Jennifer asked
"Alright so round up the guys and we'll go into the hotel, see what's happening," Jonathan putting his daughter on the ground, for a two year old she had a habit of becoming heavy after awhile
"You got it, Boss!" Pearl quickly dialed Vincenzo who agreed to meet them in the indoor pool in 20 minutes
"Who's getting married?" Jennifer asked again
"But what do we do with Aubrey," Pearl asked watching the little girl dance around her Daddy's legs,
"Go get a room, we'll turn on a Disney movie and lock the door," Jonathan said handing her his credit card
"Put that away, I've got this...Come on Babes!" Aubrey took Pearl's hand and walked away
"Hello? Remember me, the pregnant one...Who's Getting Married?" Jennifer demanded
"I'll explain it to you later, Come on, we need to get Max and meet the guys," Jonathan took her hand and they left
Upstairs in the hotel room, Pearl had a serious talk with Aubrey, who at two understood that she needed to listen and pay attention
"Aubrey," She placed her on the bed and made sure they locked eyes, "Mama, Daddy, Poppa and I have to go do something, we'll be back in really quickly but we need you to stay here and watch Lion King, Alright?"
Aubrey nodded
"And I need you not to open the door except for us alright, in fact we'll have a code word so that when one of us uses it, you can open the door for us," Pearl knew that Aubrey would never remember to ask for a code word but she figured she'd give it a shot
"The code word is Elmo, can you remember that?"
"Elmo ...yup I love Elmo!" Aubrey said climbing up onto the pillows and getting comfortable
"Good Girl," Pearl kissed her head and started to walk away but took one last look at that sweet little face
She hoped she was making the right decision leaving her here
Pearl took the elevator to the pool where she saw Jennifer laying on a lounge chair with her eyes closed
"Are you alright?" She was concerned because the past few days had been overwhelming and being pregnant, Jennifer was risking everything and if this stunt they were going to do wasn't going to send her into labor, then she was more solid than Pearl thought
"I'm fine, just relaxing a moment," She didn't want to say that she was cramping slightly because instead of finishing this, she would be in the hospital strapped to a fetal monitor and worrying that she'd be attacked at any moment
When this was over and it was definitely over today , she planned on soaking in the tub and staying in bed for the next four weeks because if Jonathan found out she was cramping now… He'd kill her and she meant actually kill her
Jennifer plastered a smile on her face when Jonathan came in with a 200lb 6'7 guy wearing a turtle neck and jeans followed by two similarly dressed men
"Darling, this is Vincenzo, Rocky and Louie, Guys this is my wife Jennifer," Jonathan said pointing to Jennifer
"Pleased to meet you Ma'am," for a gruff looking guy, he had impeccable manners
She shook his hand in awe, she had only seen these guys in old gangster movies and never this close
"Please, call me Jennifer,"
"Sorry Ma'am that wouldn't be right," Vincenzo nodded
Who knew Hired guns had manners?
"So what have you boys got planned," Pearl asked
"Well we was thinking we'd just "Borrow him" from his hotel room for a bit and then I think Mr. Hart said he wanted a conversation with Mr. Manning and then I don't know the boys were talking about taking him for a ride," Louie said from behind
"A Ride?" Pearl and Jennifer said together.
"We've probably given you enough information already. You ladies don't need to know no more than that!" The ladies nodded in unison.
Jonathan stepped forward and put his arms around Jennifer.
"Elliot is definitely here then?"
"Yes he is. I want you to go and make sure Aubrey is ok, I don't want her on her own, she's too little. The boys and I will go and check on Manning and I promise you that when anything is happening I'll come and get you. Ok?"
Knowing he was right about Aubrey, and knowing she was still cramping, Jennifer nodded.
"Promise?"
"Yes, I promise."
"Is it him who's getting married?"
"Yes it is, this afternoon!"
"Who is he marrying?"
"The Avon Lady by all accounts…. Ok Darling we need to go. See you soon."
"The Avon Lady?" Jennifer looked at Pearl who shrugged her shoulders and they headed back to the room where Pearl had left Aubrey a few minutes before.
Jennifer took the swipe card from Pearl and put it in the lock, calling to Aubrey that it was her and in a moment she and Pearl were in the room. Aubrey was lying on the bed, totally enthralled by Timon and Pumba singing to Simba.
"Are you ok baby?"
"Hakuna Matata Mama!" Jennifer knew she was referring to the song, but she hoped it was a good omen and that soon they'd have no worries.
Jennifer sat down on the bed and Aubrey continued to watch the screen, unaware of anything being wrong.
Pearl paced up and down a bit and Jennifer watched her as she tried unsuccessfully to relax. After a few minutes she climbed in to the bed beside Aubrey and lay down. Putting both her hands on her bump she rubbed it gently and took a few deep breaths.
"Jennifer, are you ok honey?" Pearl stopped pacing.
"I'm fine Pearl, just a few Braxton Hicks and there's not much room in there now so the boys don't like it when everything tightens." Pearl nodded sympathetically.
"Just a few more weeks and it'll all be over and you'll be holding your precious boys in your arms."
"I know, it can't come quickly enough in some ways. I just feel that we haven't had enough time just us and Aubrey though. I don't want her feeling left out."
"I'm sure she won't, you'll make sure she still has time with you and Jonathan, and Max and I will spoil her for you."
"Cookies Max!" Aubrey shouted her catch phrase and both women laughed.
On the 21st floor Elliot Manning was admiring his tuxedo clad profile in the mirror and smiling to himself that his scheme was all coming together. Meeting Jillian again after all these years had been a stroke of luck, she wasn't Jennifer Edwards but then nobody else could come close so anyone would be second best. Elliot had never liked being on his own, he needed a woman in his life and he supposed she was good enough company. She knew how he'd felt about Jennifer but she was so in love with him herself that she'd subtly tried to look like her for him, and she'd been fine about going to the Hart house with the toy Kangaroo. Of course he'd told her that the kid was his and Jennifer's and the Harts were keeping her from him. She had never been to Kenya so had no idea of what had gone on there, but he'd shown her pictures and had told her as soon as they got his daughter back they'd be living there as a family. It was a bit of a shock when she said she couldn't have kids, but then he found out Jennifer was pregnant with twins and he decided that if he was taking one kid back he might as well take all three. Jillian had been so excited when he suggested moving the Wedding forward, it was great for his ego. It would be even better for his bank balance when he turned up with her and their kids, and his old man finally released his family trust fund. Having Jennifer's kid and passing her off as his hadn't been enough for his Father, he insisted it was only when he saw that Elliot was settled down and married with children that he'd come through. He'd told his Father that he and his wife were living in Kenya and as she was pregnant they couldn't come to the US, but as soon as they could they'd visit him.
Another few weeks and his waiting would be over, he'd finally get what was his, what he would have had years ago if Jennifer hadn't left him. It was all her fault, he wouldn't have had heavies chasing him for the money he'd borrowed if she'd married him, and he wouldn't have had to leave the country.
When he'd taken the baby the plan had been to get money from Jonathan Hart, but then he figured she might be worth more if he held on to her. He'd actually quite liked the kid as she'd gotten older and he'd gotten a real kick out of the pain he knew he'd caused Jennifer, figuring she deserved it.
Jonathan and Vincenzo's boys were on their way up to Manning's room. Jonathan had decided that the boys would stand back out of sight to begin with and he'd confront Manning himself then take it from there.
Knocking on the door Jonathan stood back and waited, willing himself to be calm.
Elliot heard the knock and assumed it was the Wedding organizer again, the damn woman had been to see him three times already.
Jonathan subconsciously made a fist then relaxed his hand a few times while he was waiting. He was just going to talk to him, like he had in Kenya. He wouldn't be intimidated. He wouldn't let himself be wound up. He wouldn't resort to violence.
Elliot opened the door, a fixed smile on his face.
Jonathan took one look at his smarmy expression, stepped forward and knocked it off.
Elliot got to his feet and launched himself at Jonathan, that lucky bastard wasn't standing in his way again. He needed that money and so he needed those kids. Turning Jonathan around Elliot took another swing at him but suddenly he was hit from behind by a 6'8 400lb guy, who picked him up by the neck and threw him over his shoulder, like a dishrag.
"Where to now Mr. Hart?"
"Somewhere private that nobody will come looking for him when the Wedding starts."
"The cleaner's room on the top floor. They won't be back there at this time of day." Rocco said carrying Manning over his shoulder and up 3 floors quite easily. They took him in to the room and put him on a chair. Rocco pulled a length of rope from his pocket and tied it around Manning and the chair.
"Now What?"
"Louie can you go and get my wife please. I promised she could be in on this bit, she'll never forgive me if I don't keep my word."
When Louie knocked on the door Pearl answered as Jennifer and Aubrey were lying together on the bed.
"What's up Louie?"
"Mr. Hart sent me to get Mrs. Hart as they've got Manning tied up in the cleaners room on the top floor and the Wedding is due to start soon so they figure someone might come looking for him."
Jennifer swung her legs over the edge of the bed and Pearl caught the look of pain that crossed her face.
"Are you ok honey? Maybe you should sit this one out?"
"I'll be fine Pearl. Will you stay with Aubrey, Jonathan was right about her being too little to stay by herself."
"Of course I will… You be careful Jennifer, that's precious cargo you have on board."
Jennifer smiled and nodded then followed Louie.
When they got to the cleaner's room Louie opened the door and let Jennifer step in. The sight of Elliot unconscious in the chair filled her with a mixture of anger and terror and the cramping in her abdomen was getting tighter which was making her agitated.
Jonathan spotted the grimace Jennifer was wearing and noticed she was swaying back and forth a little as she looked at Manning.
" Darling, are you alright?"
"I'm fine," She nodded
Now it was a waiting game as they sat and watched for any movement from the man tied to the chair.
After a half hour of alternating between pacing the floor and sitting in an uncomfortable plastic chair Jennifer finally lost patience waiting for Elliot to regain consciousness so she went to the sink and got a cup of cold water.
She came back, got two feet from Elliot's face and threw the water, it was cold enough to jolt him awake.
"Huh? What's going on?" Elliot said unsure of how he'd gone from his room to this room, looking round he saw the three goons, Max, Jonathan and Jennifer.
"Good Morning Sunshine," Jennifer smiled satisfied he was conscious.
"What's this? Can't handle your own problems, Mom, so you had to delegate." Elliot sneered
"There will be a question and answer period for you in a moment, "Jennifer said wishing she could sit down as another spasm ripped through her, "But first I have some questions."
"Go to Hell." Elliot spat out
"Thanks to you, you bastard, we've already been to hell!" Jennifer said getting angrier by the minute.
Louie went behind him and smacked him upside the head, "I believe the Lady was speaking."
"Now, where was I, Oh yes, my questions," Jennifer wanted to hug Louie, "Why did you do all this?"
Elliot thought about making a smart-ass comment but with these guys, he might actually wind up dead
"Eh, Jillian wanted a baby and I'm not that keen on kids, and the thought of witnessing a birth completely disgusted me… Actually I'd have watched you give birth…." That smirk was back and Jonathan wanted to smash him but Jennifer just shook her head. "I saw you one day on the street, getting ready to drop that thing I figure two birds, one stone,"
"But when I was pregnant I was living in Maryland," Jennifer wondered how he could possibly have seen her.
"I was on business and saw you in a doctor's office," Elliot shrugged as best he could despite the rope,"
"Why Assad?" Jonathan cut in.
"I needed someone who was batshit crazy and no better than him, besides he was so obsessed with the idea of getting a Princess, he'd have kidnapped Lady GaGa given the chance."
"Then why did you kill him?" Jennifer asked
"Because he freaked when he saw the cops and was going to tell." Elliot was beginning to lose feeling in his arms
"Who was the baby in the car?" Jonathan's turn to ask
"That was a doll. Right after Assad took her we met in the parking lot and he left me with the baby." Elliot smiled evilly
"How could you let me think my baby was dead? For almost two years you let me think that my baby was killed, what kind of person does that?" Jennifer was getting upset now but she was trying hard not to show vulnerability in front of him. "You're a monster."
"That was just gravy." Elliot said
"And the Kangaroo?" the pain in her belly was getting worse now.
"Well I know what a big animal lover you are and what better way to say "Happy Wedding." Elliot was enjoying this way too much, so Louie tightened the rope and he yelped
"Watch it Buddy!"
"Excuse me?" Louie asked
"Nuthin,"
"You were warning us that you were still out there. Still watching and waiting. What was it you were waiting to do Elliot?"
Jennifer had had enough, she was in pain and wanted to go home. She cringed when she followed his line of vision straight to her bump and she instinctively placed her hand on it as he laughed.
He'd wanted her boys as well as Aubrey and she knew he was crazy enough to try anything. The thought that they'd have had to go through the pain of having that which was most precious to them taken away again was overwhelming and Jennifer could hear a roaring in her ears as the fury rushed through her. She knew her blood pressure was on the up as she had a thumping headache. She should be keeping calm, resting and protecting her babies, not having a confrontation with this monster. She should have let Jonathan and the heavies take care of it, she shouldn't have been so selfish, wanting to get her revenge at any price.
Suddenly she knew she had to end her part in this and get back to what was really important. If she didn't keep her boy's safe until they were born there would be no need to worry about what might happen after. She took a deep breath and moved closer to him.
"Elliot, here's what we're going to do...my boys here are going to take you for a ride, whether you return or not, that's up to them but I want you to know that if you come back alive, you will leave my family alone, especially my children...Our children. I was never yours and neither are they, I belong to Jonathan, this is our family and I swear to you that if the guys decide not to kill you and I ever see you anywhere near us again, I will kill you myself." Jennifer got right in Elliot's face so he could see that her eyes were cold and she meant business.
Jonathan had seen enough, he knew she was in discomfort and he wanted her out of there. He reached for her arm and turned her away from Elliot and towards the door. As Jennifer and Jonathan left the room she turned towards him one last time and said "And if she hasn't gone forever after being jilted, tell your girlfriend if she comes near our home again, she'll know what true pain is."
Just as they turned the corner, they heard Elliot scream in pain but felt no reason to go back to see what or who was the cause. They were finally finished with him.
That Night, Jonathan invited everyone back to the house for a celebratory dinner catered by Wolfgang Puck, Jennifer still wasn't feeling well and wasn't up for entertaining but she knew that this was important, they'd be given some sort of closure and it needed to celebrated
After an amazing dinner and laughing with the fellas, who despite their scary demeanor were actually quite sweet and kind, Rocco even mentioned his own daughter was expecting his first grandchild any time now and he was proud of her, she'd be left a widow after her fiancée had been killed over in Iraq and the only thing holding her up was that baby so he knew how Jennifer felt about the whole situation regarding Manning and Aubrey.
Stephen, who'd been gone for the whole ordeal also made an announcement, that because his daughter and grandchildren were at peace, he'd be going home that night to Maryland and await the call regarding the babies
Jennifer started to object but then realized he wasn't used to all this chaos and that he in his own way had been grieving for his lost granddaughter as well, so after everyone left and he was packed up, she walked him to the car and just before he got in, took her face into his hands and said "So much like your mother, Dear Girl, remember to enjoy this time with your children."
She nearly cried but instead she took his hand, put it on her belly to feel the babies kick without saying a word.
That night she put her daughter to bed with the peace of mind knowing that nothing could happen while she slept. She still kissed her baby's tiny nose and memorized her movements so much like her own.
When she got into the bedroom, Jonathan had a bottle of champagne waiting to toast privately
"To Us," He whispered
"To the future," She whispered back smiling
Despite her advance pregnancy, he found her beautiful and desirable and so when he made a move to kiss her neck, she blushed, "Jonathan I'm as big as a house,"
"And yet still gorgeous, come on Red, it's been far too long," he said his voice giving her goose bumps
She gave into him because she wanted it as much as he did, and so they made love with the passion that had before the events of the past two years.
After making love, and Jonathan was asleep, she realized she had to go to the bathroom, struggling out of the bed feeling heavier than she ever imagined
She finished her business and was suddenly hit with a cramp, rubbing it away she started to walk back into the bedroom when she looked down and realized she was bleeding heavily.
"JONATHAN!" She screamed, "oh no not now please please,"