Jonathan and Jennifer sat there for an hour, and then the doctor came in.
"Hi, I'm Dr. Williams."
"Hi, I'm Jonathan Hart, and this is Jennifer Edwards".
"Ok, so they came in together. That's why we put them together. They both have a concussion, and whiplash. She has a broken hand, he has a broken wrist, she has a broken nose, some extensive bruising and strained muscles in her back and shoulders. He has a couple broken ribs. We think their injuries are mostly airbag induced, but we aren't sure, except in her case. If you look at the palm of her hand, you can clearly read the name of the airbag company".
"Wow".
"Yeah. Because of their concussions, we gave them something to help them sleep. They will sleep for probably 8-10 hours. If all goes well, they should be released day after tomorrow".
They nodded.
"Is there anything we can do in the meantime?"
"I don't think so. You're welcome to stay, but it's really not necessary".
"Ok, thank you, doctor".
Jennifer pulled a notepad and pen out of her purse so they could leave them a note.
"You carry a notepad and pen with you?"
"I'm a journalist, remember?"
"Oh. Yeah."
She quickly wrote Hayleigh a note to call her at Jonathan's when she woke up. She wrote one for Bill saying the same thing.
They put the notes on their tray tables and headed out.
Jonathan grabbed Jennifer's hand as they walked through the hospital and out to the car.
They had a quiet ride home back to Jonathan's house. Thankfully, he didn't live too far from the hospital.
They came inside and Jennifer got a glass of water for each of them and then headed to the bedroom. Jonathan was already changing.
She quickly changed into her nightgown, and climbed into bed.
Jonathan turned out the lights and climbed onto the bed and put his head on her chest.
She wrapped her arms around him.
"I hated seeing him like that".
"I know you did, honey. I hated seeing her like that too".
"In all the years I've known him, he has always been the strong one. Mr. Invincible."
"Darling, if you are this scared looking at him, then think how he must feel. I bet he's scared too".
"I'm sure he is".
She lightly scratched his back.
"I just hope they weren't fighting. I mean, at this point, they need to either figure it out or break up and be done".
"Yeah, I know what you mean".
She held him a little longer, and then he sat up and moved off her and they stretched out together.
"I love you more than anyone else in the world. I hope you realize you mean everything to me".
He gave her a few short kisses.
"I love you too, more than anything."
He wrapped his arms around her and held her all night long.
***The next day***
Jennifer and Jonathan slept late, and then cooked breakfast together. They showered and got dressed and headed to the hospital.
Bill was sleeping, but Hayleigh was awake.
"Hi".
"Hi, how did you know I was here?"
"Bill listed Jonathan as his emergency contact. They called us last night. We came then, but you guys were both out".
"I don't remember that at all".
"How are you feeling?"
"Like I was hit by a semi".
"I bet. Can I get you anything?"
"Not just yet, I think I'm good".
Jonathan was sitting over by Bill.
"How is Bill?"
"He's sleeping. He has a broken wrist, some broken ribs, a concussion and whiplash".
"This is all my fault".
"You remember what happened?"
"Yes, I do. But I don't want to talk about it".
Bill started stirring, so Jonathan moved his chair closer to his bed.
"Hey buddy".
"Hey Valentine. What are you doing here?"
"The hospital called us last night. We came right away and then after speaking with the doctor, we went home."
"I see".
"Do you remember the accident?"
"Yeah, the truck pulled out in front of us, and we t-boned him."
"You two are very lucky".
"How about doing your old Navy comrade a favor?"
"Sure."
"Help me up. I gotta take a leak".
"Bill, there are ladies present".
"Oh, please, Valentine. They're adults".
"Way to keep it classy, Bill".
"Gotta be me, little lady".
He hobbled around to Hayleigh's side of the bed and gave her a quick kiss and then hobbled to the bathroom.
"Darling, I'm going to run get us some water. Do you want anything else?"
"No, no. Water's fine".
As soon as Bill was in the bathroom, Hayleigh started getting up.
"Where are you going?"
"To his bed. If I'm there and he's here, then we can see each other and touch each other and stuff. But if I'm here and he's there, we can't".
"So you two are good?"
"Yeah, we are. We really and truly talked and got things situated. And he's been nice and sweet ever since. And so loving."
"Oh my gosh…you two weren't….in the car….when the accident happened…were you?"
Hayleigh blushed and looked away.
Jennifer gasped.
"Shhh! He can't know that you know!"
"Ok, ok".
Jennifer pushed the empty bed closer to the one Hayleigh had just climbed into, and lowered the inside rails.
Bill came out of the bathroom and Jennifer stood up to help him get back to bed.
"Good idea sweetheart".
After he was settled, she sat back down.
"So, where are you two going to go when you get discharged?"
"I was thinking about that. Bill, you should come to my place, because I live on the ground floor. At least for a couple days".
"Me spend the night in a bed with pink sheets?"
"It won't kill you".
Jonathan came back with water bottles for everyone.
They stayed a little longer and then the nurse came and told them visiting hours were over.
"Call us if you need us, guys".
"Get some rest".
"Thanks for coming by, we appreciate it".
Jennifer and Jonathan headed out and walked to the car.
They stopped at Jennifer's favorite salad place, picked up lunch and then headed back to his house.
"Darling, did you get candy? It is Halloween, you know".
"That's a great point. We can stop and get some".
After they got back to his house, they cuddled up on the couch and ate their lunch together.
"Do you feel better seeing him awake and moving today?"
"Yeah, I do. What did Hayleigh tell you when we left the room?"
"Darling, I cannot tell you that. She swore me to secrecy".
"I see. So, it's probably what I'm thinking".
"They are both adults, darling. I think they've learned a great lesson".
"I think so too. And so did we".
"We did?"
"Yeah. There's a reason they call it parking, darling. It's so you'll do it when the car is in park".
"Are you asking me to go parking with you?"
"Maybe. Are you saying yes?"
"Maybe".
She winked at him and then took their trash to the kitchen.
She went and changed into some comfier clothes and then came back and cuddled up with him again.
"How about a backyard nap?"
"I'm intrigued, Mr. Hart".
He took her hand and led her to the backyard to the patio.
He took the cover off a hammock on a hammock stand. It was a little chilly, so they grabbed a blanket and the long body pillow from the bed, and then got comfy.
They chatted till Jennifer fell asleep. He gently kissed her forehead and then fell asleep with her, thinking about how lucky he was to have found her.
***Later that night***
Jennifer woke up around 5, and checked her watch.
She started scratching Jonathan's chest.
"Darling, it's almost dark. We have to get up".
They headed inside and she made him a lasagna from scratch.
They found some scary movies on tv to watch, and took turns handing out candy.
When they ran out of candy at 9, they turned the lights out and snuggled up on the couch to finish their movie.
Around 9:15, there was frantic door knocking and doorbell ringing.
Jonathan went to get it.
"We are all out of candy", he said as he opened the door.
"Hi, it's us".
Susan, Drew, Laura and James came in.
"What are you guys doing here?"
"We were having fun, passing out candy and then we ran out, so we decided to come party with you guys".
"We brought appetizers and cocktails".
"We just ran out of candy ourselves".
They ended up sitting around talking and playing games and just hanging out for a few hours.
Jennifer was so relaxed and felt like she had known them forever. They were very interested in her as well.
"So, we feel bad. We never asked you where you work or anything".
"At the moment, I work for Modern Woman magazine. I'm looking for something else though. Hopefully, I'll find something soon".
"We should have a girl's night one night. Drinks, dinner, facials".
"Yeah, we should. We should set that up".
"I'm on board. I have a friend Hayleigh who would probably go in with us on that too".
"And while you ladies are doing that, we men can find something to get into".
"Hooters. Football. Beer".
"We don't have to go to Hooters, we can just hire a stripper and have her come to the house".
Susan looked at Jennifer.
"That's why we hardly have girl's night".
Jennifer got a plate of the wedge salad dip and came back.
"I love this".
"Thank you".
Pretty soon, Jennifer had gotten out her makeup bag, and she and Susan and Laura were doing their nails and eyebrows at the coffee table while the men were watching football highlights on tv.
"You have the best stuff".
"Well of course she does. She works at a fashion magazine".
"That's actually not why I have these. I haven't gotten any samples or anything from there. Those people are so stingy and selfish, it's not funny."
"Really?"
"Oh, yes".
Jennifer filled them in on everything that had happened so far.
"That sounds miserable".
"Yeah, it does".
"Trust me, it can be. I've started breaking up the day and then I just tell myself "Make it to lunch", and then "Make it through the afternoon." Somehow it makes it easier".
"Have you tried talking to them?"
"Yes. It made it worse. And the thing that gets me, what they are arguing over, it is special, but it's not unattainable. The flowers Jonathan sent me were special to me because they were from him, but it's not like I am the only one that can get flowers. Same with the fan. If you need a fan like mine for photo shoots, guess what? I paid $30 for it. You can too. It's not like it's dipped in gold or anything".
After they had finished their eyebrows and fingernails, Jennifer put it all away and then everyone made themselves another cocktail.
Everyone stayed till almost midnight and then headed home.
Jonathan locked up while Jennifer cleaned up their dishes.
"You ready for bed, darling?"
"Yeah, you?"
"Oh yes".
They turned out the lights and headed to the bedroom.
"Darling, do you care if I sleep in one of your pajama tops?"
"No, not at all".
She slipped it on and then put on a layer of lotion and then climbed into bed.
"That was a fun and unexpected evening".
"Yeah, I agree. They really like you".
"They are so nice and sweet".
"Yeah, they are".
He got a little playful, and started kissing her chest.
He stuck his finger in her belly button.
"Ding dong".
"Jonathan! That tickles".
"No, darling. You're supposed to say "Trick or Treat".
"I'm sorry".
He did it again. "Ding dong".
"Trick or treat".
"Very good".
"So, which one do I get?"
"How about the treat?"
He rolled on top of her.
"Just what I wanted".
***Monday***
Jennifer had spent the entire weekend at Jonathan's, before they went to her house Sunday night.
She set the alarm for 7, and woke up and made him some scrambled eggs and bacon and coffee.
He had just gotten out of the shower when she came into the bathroom.
"Morning darling, your eggs and bacon are in the microwave. And the coffee is ready".
She moved past him to get in the shower when he grabbed her and wrapped his arms around her.
"What?"
"Happy birthday".
He gave her a special birthday kiss.
"Thank you".
She took a quick shower and then got ready, and found him in the kitchen.
"How were the eggs and bacon?"
"Wonderful. But you didn't have to cook for me, you're the one with the birthday".
"Oh, don't be silly. I love making you breakfast".
She quickly ate some yogurt and then made herself a to-go cup of coffee and one for him too. They walked out to the garage together.
"I love you, birthday girl. Have a great day".
"I love you too".
"I'll pick you up at 5:30, and your birthday celebration will start".
"Interesting".
She gave him several kisses and then they headed out of the driveway.
Jennifer got to work and went inside. Her office was seemingly untouched, and the office was quiet.
Caitlyn got there at 9, and she saw Tiffani and Kimberli trickle in a few minutes later as well.
At 10, Jennifer got a flower delivery.
Caitlyn knocked on her office door and Jennifer motioned for her to come in.
"Here you go".
"Thank you".
Red roses that hadn't quite bloomed yet in a crystal sparkly vase. She knew immediately they were from her father.
Hope you have a great day, sweetheart. I love you-Pa
She gave them a good smell and then put them on her windowsill.
At 11, she got another one.
Caitlyn brought them again.
"Well, someone is popular today".
White sparkly and shimmery diamond shaped vase, jam packed with birds of paradise and purple morning glories, pink roses and white gladiolus. She grabbed the card and opened it.
Happy birthday to the love of my life. Can't wait to see you tonight and show you how much I love you-Jonathan
She picked up the phone to call him.
"Hart Industries, how can I help you?"
"Hey, it's Jennifer. Can I speak to Jonathan?"
"He's on the other line with an Italian investor. Can I take a message?"
"Sure, just ask him to call me, please. Thank you".
"Certainly".
They hung up and she got back to work.
Precisely at 12, she had another delivery.
Caitlyn just motioned for her to come get it.
"Hi, can I help you?"
"Yes, I have a delivery here for you. One grilled chicken salad with extra avocado and lemon pecan dressing from The Lettuce Leaf, a large double orange sweet tea, and some chocolate covered strawberries for dessert, for Jennifer Edwards from Jonathan Hart. And I was promised a bigger tip if I sing Happy Birthday to you, but ma'am I promise you don't want to hear me sing".
She chuckled.
"That's ok. I appreciate it".
She hurried and put the strawberries in the fridge and then went to her office and ate her salad.
She worked till about 2, and then decided to take a break.
As she approached the breakroom, she heard giggling and talking.
She made her way to the breakroom, and opened the fridge, and found her strawberries gone.
"Did anyone see some chocolate covered strawberries in here?"
"Oh, were those yours? I'm sorry".
She decided to walk away before she said something she was going to regret.
She headed back to her office, closed the door loudly, and picked up the phone and called Jonathan.
"Hart Industries, how can I help you?"
"Hey, it's Jennifer. Is he still with the Italian investor?"
"Yes, he is. I'm sorry".
"That's ok. Do you mind giving him a new message?"
"Not at all".
"Great. Tell him I've had enough and I quit. If he calls back and I'm not here, he can reach me at home".