Jonathan leaned forward and kissed her several times. When they finally broke their kiss, he looked deep into her eyes.
"Darling, what did you think I was going to say?"
"Well, I thought you were about to break up with me".
"Break up with you? Why would I do that?"
"I was hoping you were going to tell me".
"You honestly thought I would take you out for a nice dinner, and get you all dressed up and dance with you to the cheesiest song ever, just to break up with you?"
"Maybe you were trying to soften the blow. I just felt like you were going to say that my living in New York and your living in California wasn't something we could overcome".
"Baby, I promise you. I would follow you to the ends of the earth, if I had to. I love you, with all of my heart. You mean absolutely everything to me".
"I believe you. And trust me, I was going to put up a hell of fight for you, Mr. Hart, because you mean everything to me also".
She gave him a kiss that made his stomach flip, and sucked on his lower lip.
"Mmmm".
He picked her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He carried her to the side of the bed and gently laid her down.
He climbed on top of her.
For the next 5 hours, they were like wild animals. They had sex in multiple positions, all over the bed, all over the room, until they were finally so exhausted they couldn't keep their eyes open.
She settled on his chest and he wrapped his arms around her as they fell asleep.
"Goodnight, I love you".
"Goodnight, I love you too".
***Thursday***
Jonathan and Jennifer woke up around 8. He felt her stirring in his arms first.
"Morning".
"Morning".
"Did you sleep well?"
"Yes, I dreamed about you all night long".
"What a coincidence, I dreamed about you too".
She gave him a few kisses and then headed to take a shower.
After they were dressed, they headed to the restaurant in the lobby to have breakfast.
"What did you want to do today?"
"Well, I had the Hart Industries travel agent plan out a sample itinerary. If you want, we can do what she suggested, or we can do part of it, whatever."
"What did she suggest?"
"Well, she suggested we drive to San Francisco, it should only be about an hour from here, and see the Redwoods. We can have lunch in Sausalito, see the Golden Gate Bridge, go on the San Francisco highlights tour, and have dinner in an Italian restaurant overlooking the harbor".
"I love that".
"Have you been to San Francisco before?"
"No. This is my first trip to California entirely".
"First of many, hopefully".
"Indeed, it will be".
After they had finished breakfast, they headed to the car.
Jennifer slipped her sunglasses on, and Jonathan dropped the top on the convertible.
They had an easy drive to San Francisco, and Jennifer took a ton of pictures.
"Darling, can we stop and get more film?"
"Sure".
They did all the top sightseeing things in San Francisco, included the curviest street. Jennifer wanted to take pictures of them at each place, and Jonathan was more than happy to indulge her.
They were driving through the city when Jonathan pulled over in front of a regular looking building.
"What are we doing?"
"They took the sign down for remodeling. But this is the orphanage where I was raised".
"It is?"
"Yeah. We can't go in or anything, because it's after 3, and visits are only allowed till 3. But yeah, this is it".
She laced her fingers through his and kissed the back of his hand.
Just then, the doors opened and some of the kids ran out the front and started playing in the yard. One of the nuns came out with them.
Jonathan decided to get out, and came and opened Jennifer's door for her.
As soon as the kids saw him, they ran over and hugged him.
"Hi kids. Having a fun day?"
"Yeah! Will you throw the football with us?"
"Sure. Go deep".
He threw a pass to one of the kids who caught it and did a touchdown dance.
"You're ready for the NFL!"
He and Jennifer walked over to the stoop.
"Hi Sister Angeline. This is my girlfriend Jennifer Edwards. We are just on a visit to the city for the weekend".
"Wonderful. Lovely to meet you, dear".
"Likewise."
Jennifer sat with Sister Angeline while Jonathan threw some passes to the boys.
Sister Angeline told her all about the orphanage and how Jonathan was solely responsible for them getting a new roof, and new paint and new hardwood floors.
"He's wonderful".
"Yeah, he is. And the kids just love him. He's one of the few people that the kids see that actually wants to play with them and interact with them".
They stayed about an hour and then left.
After leaving San Francisco, they had dinner at a Mexican restaurant in Vallejo on their way back to the Inn.
Even though the restaurant was crowded, and even though there were people and noise all around them, they only saw each other.
"So, when do you think you can get back to New York?"
"As it stands right now, I can be back next Thursday night, or Friday at the latest".
"Sister Angeline was very complimentary about all the repairs you've given the orphanage".
"I like to do what I can. And the truth is, I probably caused most of the damages when I was a kid".
After dinner, they headed back to the Inn, and decided to get in the hot tub.
Jennifer put on a leopard print string bikini while Jonathan got the hot tub ready.
They climbed in and immediately turned the jets on.
"So, tomorrow, we are scheduled for wine tastings at 3 different vineyards here in Napa".
"I love that!"
She leaned over and kissed him.
"For someone who never had a conversation with me about everything I wanted to do here, you sure are knocking it out of the park, Mr. Hart".
"You knocked me out of the park the first time I saw you, Miss Edwards".
"Really?"
He nodded.
"I remember lying in bed in New Orleans, and I wanted so bad to hold you".
"I wish you had said something. I felt so out of place then. I was grieving Holden twice-once because he died and again because I was finding out that who he was wasn't anything like who I thought he was".
"Yeah, I know what you mean, I did the same thing with Tara".
They quietly soaked with her head on his shoulder for a few minutes.
Finally, she decided to broach something that she figured would be awkward to talk about.
"Darling, there's something I want us to do, but I'm not sure you are going to be on board. So, let me just say, I think it makes total sense for us to do it, I think it's important for us to at least talk about it."
"What is it?"
"Well, it's just we haven't really known each other all that long, and we only started sleeping together a couple weeks ago. So, I was thinking, we should get ourselves tested. After I discovered that Holden had been sleeping with Tara, I went to my doctor and she tested me for a few things, but not everything. I just think we need to start off on a clean foot".
"I presume you got a clean result?"
"Yes, I did".
"I agree that we need to start off on a clean foot. And after I discovered that Tara had been with Holden, I went to my doctor and had a few tests as well. I'm not opposed to having more tests, I don't just see why it's necessary. I'm not sleeping with anyone else, and you aren't sleeping with anyone else, and we were both clean after our tests".
"Peace of mind, I guess. But you made a good point".
"Since we are on the topic, where do you stand on birth control?"
"I have an IUD. In fact, it expires next month and I need to have it replaced, unless we decide to not replace it".
"Replace it with what?"
"Another IUD. I don't want to embarrass you, but the implants are the only forms of birth control that make my periods tolerable and manageable. And I seriously see no point in being miserable every day for a month, just to start it all over again".
"I agree with that. I don't embarrass that easily, and I would never presume to tell you what form of birth control you should or shouldn't use. That's your call. Whatever you want to do is fine with me".
"Well, if you have no objections, I'll probably just have my doctor replace the IUD with another of the same kind, on a week when you are in Los Angeles and I'm in New York. I'm not that great of company the day I get that done".
"I'm sure no matter what, you are the best company always".
He leaned over and kissed her temple.
They got out of the hot tub and dried off and headed inside.
Jennifer headed to the bathroom and started putting on lotion, while Jonathan shut down the hot tub.
Jennifer changed into a bright blue spaghetti strap nightgown, and climbed into bed.
After Jonathan had changed into his pajama shorts, he came and joined her.
They found a movie on tv, and turned all the lights out. She gave him a chest rub, and rubbed his shoulders for a bit.
"Honey…when did you know you were in love with me?"
"When we were in the penthouse and Rachel came by and you were so comforting towards her. I realized that I didn't ever want to be without you. But I really think it happened when you and I were at the costume party and we kissed".
"Oh, I would definitely agree with that".
She rubbed his scalp, which practically put him in a trance.
"Want to take another trip with me?"
"Where?"
"Well, I'm not sure. At some point, I want you to come with me so you can meet my father. But he's in London, so I'm not sure if it will just be you coming to New York with me and having dinner with him, or if it will be you and me going to his house in Maryland".
"I would love to do that".
"Wonderful! I'll call him when I get back home and see what his schedule is like".
He had just fallen asleep when the phone rang.
She reached over and answered it.
"Hello?"
"Miss Edwards, it's Max. Is Mr. H. around?"
"He's asleep. Let me wake him up".
"No, that's ok. It's not an emergency. Just have him call me tomorrow or something. You two having a good time?"
"Yes, we are having a lovely time. I'll give him your message".
"Thanks".
She hung up and eased out from behind Jonathan and then settled on his chest.
"I love it when you wake me in the middle of the night".
Jennifer started laughing, which woke Jonathan up further.
"What's so funny?"
"It's not the middle of the night. It's not even 11 o'clock, darling".
"Seriously? What time is it?"
"10:30. You passed out about 20 minutes ago. You even slept through a phone call from Max".
"Max called us? What did he want?"
"I don't know. He said to call him back tomorrow, or whenever".
Jonathan reached over and got the phone.
He quickly dialed the house number.
"Hey Max, what's up?"
They chatted for a few minutes.
"Ok, the 12 p.m. will be fine. We don't exactly have much of a choice, really. It's ok, I promise. We'll see you soon, Max".
He hung up.
Jennifer raised her head up.
"Is he alright?"
"He's fine. Your flight got cancelled. So, the airline called the house. He called and got the new flight times, and then wanted to make sure that you knew about it. So, now instead of flying home at 5, you have to fly home at noon, because the later flight was cancelled".
"I see. Call him back. Let me give him my credit card number".
"No, it's ok. We can settle up later".
She leaned up on one elbow.
"Jonathan, I don't expect you to pay for everything. You paid for this trip, you flew me out to LA, you have paid for countless meals, you paid for New Orleans and Colorado, let me pay for something."
"Baby, I love you. And I want to take care of you. That's all this is. Trust me, you are more than worth it".
"I tell you what. Not counting the trip to my father's, but not counting it out either-I am going to plan a trip for us and pay for it. How does that sound?"
"It sounds wonderful".
She started playing with his chest hair.
"I wasn't trying to wake you earlier. You were so adorable asleep on me".
"You can always wake me up, I promise".
He kissed her forehead a few times.
"It feels so good to be able to hold you like this".
"Yeah? Well, you're in luck. Because it just so happens, I love being held by you just as much as you love doing it".
He rolled them so she was on her back, and wrapped his arms around her and kissed her.
She lightly scratched his back as he kissed her neck.
He made love to her tenderly and romantically, before they both fell asleep in each other's arms.
***Saturday***
Jennifer and Jonathan had spent Friday going to several different wineries and vineyards, and having wine tastings. They had a picnic in a vineyard, which was both romantic and relaxing.
Jonathan woke up and ordered them room service for breakfast. Jennifer slept till the knock on the door woke her up.
He was wheeling the cart over to the bed when she sat up.
"Morning".
"Morning. I got us breakfast. How about some coffee?"
"Yes, please".
She tossed the covers back and stood up.
She kissed his cheek.
"I'll be right back".
She disappeared into the bathroom while he got their breakfast ready.
She came back and climbed back in bed. He had a tray all set up for them.
"Belgian waffles with fresh strawberry puree, scrambled eggs and bacon, and fresh fruit."
"Thank you, darling".
She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
After a cozy breakfast in bed, they showered and dressed, and then headed out.
They stopped at a Target and went inside.
"What are we doing?"
"Pick out a suit that you don't like".
She picked a plain black one, and he did the same.
They checked out and headed back to the car and kept driving.
A little while later, they arrived in Calistoga.
"We are going to see a natural geyser and take a natural mud bath".
"Oh, I've always wanted to do one of those".
They laced their fingers together and walked inside.
For the next hour, they were immersed into a warm mud bath, and had the warm mud massaged into their skin, before soaking in a tub and having a cool down wrap.
After their mud bath was over, they headed back to the Inn and packed up their things.
Jonathan called Jack, and he told them they could be wheels up in 2 hours.
"What do you say we go to that deli we liked yesterday, and get it to go, and take it with us?"
"Great idea".
4 hours later, they were back at Jonathan's house.
Max was in the kitchen.
"Hey you two".
"Hey Max".
Jennifer went to Max and kissed his cheek.
"Hey Max".
"How was your trip?"
"It was the best. Jonathan surprised me and flew us to Napa Valley. We had a mud bath, and massages, and wine tastings, and the most romantic little cottage room".
Jonathan wrapped his arms around Jennifer's waist.
"It was great, Max".
"Sounds fun, minus the part about being in mud".
"You would like that too, Max. The mud is warm and has healing properties for your skin".
"I'll take a hard pass on that, thanks".
Jonathan chuckled.
"You twos hungry?"
"A little".
"What did you have in mind, Max?"
"I made some chicken to shred for chicken tacos. Should be ready in about 20 minutes".
"Perfect. I'm going to go get my bags settled".
Jonathan and Max stayed in the kitchen chatting a bit, and then Jonathan went to join Jennifer.
He noticed she looked a little wistful.
"Penny for your thoughts".
"I'm sure you'll love them. I was just thinking I really and truly don't want to go home".
"So, don't".
"Jonathan-I have a job…my apartment…responsibilities…"
"Move in with me. I don't want you to go either".