Jennifer settled into her first-class seat, next to Marcia.
She got settled and then opened her water bottle and took a long sip.
"Well, the preliminary numbers are in. Your book is predicted to be a best-seller. We sold out at the bookstore tonight and the bookstore for tomorrow's signing has requested another 250 copies."
"That's wonderful!"
"Yeah, I was really impressed. And I spoke to Meredith. I told her that she needed to keep her personal comments about you and Jonathan to yourself, and that you needed to be kept informed ahead of time when possible about the schedule. I also told her we need to not schedule you so tight, so that you do have downtime to decompress and relax. We need that too. And I also told her that you will let us know when Jonathan is coming out to join you, and that we would make every arrangement with him in mind when he does so".
"Thank you. I hope you don't think I was being difficult, or overreacting. It's just that after she barged into our hotel room this morning, and then she yelled at him for getting himself and me coffee, and she made some comments in the car that he and I felt were out of line, and it wasn't even 9 a.m. I don't want to start the tour that way, I don't want to spend 4 months fighting with someone every single day. And I don't want Jonathan to have to pay someone to come help me out, either. That's not fair".
"I don't think that at all. In fact, I agree with you. I think this was just a personality clash that needed to be worked out, and boundaries that needed to be set. Once we get into a routine and get settled, it will be better, believe me".
"So, what's on deck for tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow will be a little easier. You are doing a question and answer session at the local library in the morning, and then a signing in the afternoon at a local bookstore. You will be done by 7, back in the hotel by 8:30. We aren't flying to Atlanta till early the next morning, so you will have some time to relax and rest".
"Perfect".
She read the rest of the flight and relaxed a little bit.
Within an hour, they were on their way to the hotel. Jennifer was ready for a hot bath, some hot tea, and some room service.
As they checked into their room, they agreed to meet in the lobby at 8:30.
"Goodnight".
"Goodnight, see you in the morning".
Meredith and Marcia were on a different floor than Jennifer. She was glad for the peace and quiet.
She opened the door to her room and pulled her luggage cart inside. Sitting on the table was a red rose in a skinny crystal vase. She pulled the card out and read it.
"I miss you bigger than the ocean, I love you bigger than the sky, and I'm so proud of you that it fills the universe. Can't wait till we are in the same place again. Love, Jonathan".
She smiled at his thoughtfulness, and wished he was there with her.
She pulled her phone out and sent him a quick text.
'I love you. Thanks for the rose, I wish you were here too. This hotel is so lonely without you. I have a late morning tomorrow-call me when your plane lands. I love you-me".
She went and took her bath and then ordered some room service as she climbed into bed.
She drifted off to sleep shortly thereafter, dreaming of Jonathan the whole time.
***Middle of the night***
Jonathan's flight landed at midnight, which was 3 a.m. Jennifer's time.
He pulled out his phone, saw her text and decided to give her a quick call.
She sleepily answered on the third ring.
"Hello?"
"Hi baby. It's me. I just landed. I'm walking to baggage claim, and then I'm taking the shuttle to the car and going home. I love you".
"I love you too, I wish you were here".
"I wish I was there too. Go back to sleep baby, we can talk later".
"Sounds good, I love you".
"I love you too".
She blew him a kiss as she hung up the phone and fell right back to sleep.
***A few hours later***
Jennifer's alarm went off at 7:30, and she got up and got ready. She chose a pair of black and white palazzo pants and paired it with a black sleeveless top and black strappy wedges. She was downstairs by 8 and was just finishing her breakfast when Marcia and Meredith came down.
"Morning. You look great".
"Thank you".
They went over what she could expect that day, and then as soon as Marcia and Meredith were finished eating, they headed out.
As they pulled up to the library, Jennifer was surprised to see a line forming outside.
"Wow, look at the crowd".
"Oh, this is great! It's only our second stop! This is wonderful".
Jennifer had a knot in her stomach.
She was ushered in a side door and taken to a back room.
"Hi, I'm Leslie, the operating manager here at the Orlando Public Library. We cannot thank you enough for coming".
"My pleasure".
"So, originally we were expecting a rather informal question and answer session, however with this crowd, that's not possible. So, our employees are out having them write down their questions, and we are going to have you pick some and read them aloud, if you don't mind".
"Not at all".
"So, we figured 1 hour for question answering, and then 1 hour for signing. We have a table and comfy chair for you to sit in, and if you need anything, let us know".
"Thank you, I appreciate it".
They took a few photos, and then Marcia and Meredith headed to get everything set up.
Jennifer pulled her phone out and called Jonathan.
"Hello?"
"Hi darling. It's me".
"Hi gorgeous. Everything alright?"
"Yeah, I suppose so. I just needed to hear your voice. I'm in Orlando at the public library and they are going to have me talk to these people, Jonathan. Actually talk to them. I feel so out of my element".
He chuckled.
"Darling, you are magnificent. You will do just perfect, I'm sure of it".
"But darling, I'm not prepared. I have no idea what they are going to ask me and how I'm going to respond".
"Just answer their questions authentically, and if you don't feel comfortable answering a question, then say so. It's ok, this is just your nerves talking."
"Yeah, I think you're right".
"Have Marcia or Meredith film it, and send it to me afterwards, ok? I love you".
"I will. I love you too. Call me tonight?"
"You got it".
She blew him a kiss as they hung up the phone.
"Jennifer, you're on in 3 minutes".
"Ok".
She did a quick double check of her hair and makeup, and then went and stood by the curtain waiting for the announcement.
'Ladies and Gentlemen-Miss Jennifer Edwards'.
She walked out to loud applause, and took her seat.
The question and answer section began and lasted about an hour.
She answered all kinds of questions to how she came up with the idea for the book, to where she went to college.
After she had answered the questions, they called people up row by row to meet her and have their books signed. Two hours later, she was finished and finally on her way to the hotel to rest before the book signing.
Marcia turned to her in the cab.
"How do you feel?"
"Good. I was nervous before the question and answer, but it wasn't that bad. I think I did ok".
"Ok? Sweetheart, you were magnificent. They couldn't get enough of you. You killed it!"
"Well, thank you".
They arrived at the hotel and she headed straight for her room.
"How about I call you 20 minutes before we leave?"
"Perfect".
She came inside her room and kicked her shoes off.
She stretched out on the bed and called Jonathan.
Straight to voicemail.
'Damn. I was hoping to talk to him'.
She left him a message telling him she loved him and that she was back in her room and then hung up and turned on the tv.
About 15 minutes later, her phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hi darling. I'm sorry I missed your call. I was in a meeting. How did it go?"
"Well, actually. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, and once I got started, it was pretty easy, actually. And then I signed their books for a couple hours and now we are back at the hotel. I have about an hour and half till I have to leave for the bookstore."
"Sounds wonderful".
"I only hope it goes by fast. The faster this whole thing goes, the sooner I get home to you".
"Well, that's true, but enjoy it darling. This is a once-in a lifetime experience, so enjoy it too".
"That's a good point. You always know just what to say to make me feel better".
"I promise you, as soon as you get back home, I'll make you feel any way you want".
"Promises, promises, Mr. Hart".
"I always keep my promises".
"I love you, Mr. Hart".
"I love you too, Miss Edwards. My next meeting is about to start. I'll call you tonight, baby".
"I love you".
"Love you too".
She blew him a kiss and hung up the phone, trying to figure out how she was going to get through the rest of the week without seeing him every day.
***A week later***
Jennifer was dragging. She was 2 engagements from being able to get on a plane and fly home to Jonathan for 5 whole days. She couldn't stand it she was so excited.
Her last engagement tonight was in Maryland, only about 45 minutes from where she grew up.
She and Marcia were having lunch before the book signing.
"Jennifer, I hope you don't think I overstepped, and I know we haven't talked about it. Tonight's book signing is a ticket only event, and I sent your father two tickets to come. So, when you see him, introduce him to me and I'll make sure that he is allowed backstage with you and has whatever he needs".
"Thank you, but I doubt he'll come. Did you talk to him directly?"
"No, I just had a messenger take the tickets to the house and slip them in the mailbox".
"Well, he's mad at me, and we haven't spoken in months. First night of the tour, I tried to reach out, but he refused to speak to me. So, yeah, I'll be shocked as shit if he shows up".
"Well, I'm not going to pry, but I hope that whatever caused you two to stop speaking isn't going to end up in the press. We don't need negative publicity for the tour".
"It won't. It's a long story, but about 8 or 9 years ago, my father made a business deal with someone. My father is a curator in several art galleries, and he was approached by a businessman who owns several high-dollar properties. He wanted my father to put some of his coveted art collections into this guy's business, as part of the décor. But there was one catch to the deal-he wanted dinner with me. I went to dinner with him a few times, but he was definitely more interested in me-and in himself-than I was in him. As soon as I broke things off, he approached my father and sweetened the deal. My father came to me and asked me to not only reconsider dating him, but to marry him. When I refused, he cut me off financially. Everything was fine till a few months ago, when I took Jonathan to meet him. Jonathan is the absolute most genuine, caring, compassionate, kindhearted, sweetest person I've ever known, and the fact that we fell in love with each other is just icing on the cake. And my father told him to his face that because his name didn't have esquire or 'the third' at the end of it, that he wasn't ever going to amount to anything at all. It was disgusting, rude, unacceptable and uncalled for. I told him so, right there in the restaurant, and I told him that as of that moment, he and I had no relationship and that I wish I had never come to visit him. We haven't spoken since."
"I see. Well, I hate to hear that. Maybe news of your success will reach him and he will reconsider".
"My father's stubborn roots go all the way to China, I'm afraid. He won't give in. I appreciate the gesture, but trust me, he won't be here. He regards my career as a writer as play, even though I have won several awards, and have been moderately successful. Not once in my entire life has he told me he was proud of me or that he loved me, and he's not about to start now".
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cause anything-"
"Oh, that's alright. You didn't. He's a different breed, that's for sure. Thankfully, I get most of my looks and personality from my mother".
"Well, why don't we do this? I'll send a messenger back to the house to retrieve the envelope".
"No, don't. If he's home, he's probably already brought it in, and if he's not, he'll know he missed his opportunity."
"Ok. Well, if there's ever anyone you want to see on a stop, just tell me and I'll make sure they are notified".
"Thank you, I appreciate it".
"Ok, So we have some time to go back to the hotel. Now, this time you will need to bring all your luggage with you to the bookstore, because we are going to the airport right after your flight. If you want to change clothes, you can do so in the bookstore".
"Wonderful!"
"Here is your itinerary for the first stop when the tour resumes, in Lincoln, Nebraska."
She slid a piece of paper across the table to her.
"Thank you".
"Tonight at the bookstore, it's strictly signing and taking pictures. That's it. Not a lot of time for chit-chat. And they are limited to 3 books for you to sign, per person".
"Great. Those always go by the fastest."
"Yes, they do".
After lunch was over, they headed to the hotel.
She pulled her phone out to call Jonathan.
"Hello?"
"Hi. I'm one engagement from being home with you".
"Wonderful. Max and I can't wait to see you".
"My plane should land sometime around 9 your time, darling".
"I'll be waiting for you at baggage claim. And Max is fixing your favorite dinner".
"How wonderful. I can't wait to snuggle with you tonight".
"Me either".
"I hate to cut this short, but I have a meeting to get to. I love you, more than you know".
"I love you too, more than you know. I'll see you tonight".
She blew him a kiss and then hung up.
She barely had time to pack everything up before she had to be back downstairs.
The book signing went by quickly, but it was also her best turnout so far.
She signed her name so many times her hand started to cramp. She posed for countless photos, and listened to so many well-wishes that everyone began to run together.
By the time she was in the car and headed to the airport, she was absolutely exhausted.
She barely made it to the airport with just minutes before her flight took off.
She was the last one to board, and settled into her first-class seat just before the doors closed.
As soon as she was buckled, she fell asleep.
5 hours later, she woke up and found she only had 30 minutes left in her flight.
Even though she had napped, she was still so, so tired. She got up and went to the bathroom to try and make herself presentable for Jonathan.
As soon as they landed, she was the first one up and ready to deboard the plane.
She had at least a 30 gate walk to baggage claim. She walked as fast as she could and then took the moving sidewalk.
As soon as she spotted him, she teared up.
She jumped in his arms and hugged him so fiercely.
They spent a few minutes just kissing and holding each other.
She finally broke the kiss and rested her forehead against his.
"Hi".
"Hi. I missed you so much".
"Same here. Let's get your bags so we can continue this at home".
She kissed him again and then went and got a luggage cart.
He loaded her bags on to the cart and they headed to the car.
"I am so glad to be home. I'm going to sleep for days".
"Is there anything special you want to do while you're home?"
"Spend time with you. Take a bubble bath. Lay in the sun".
"I think all that can be arranged".
He laced his hands through hers and kissed the back of her hand.
The drive from the airport was short, only about 25 minutes.
They walked in the house to find Max making his famous spaghetti and meatballs with a chopped salad, just the way Jennifer liked.
"Miss Edwards, so glad to see you!"
"Hi Max! It's great to see you too".
She gave him a big hug and then headed to change clothes.
Jonathan brought her bags into the bedroom, and she dug through them getting all her dirty clothes out.
Jonathan wrapped his arms around her and kissed her neck.
"Man, I missed you".
She scratched his back some.
"I missed you too, darling".
"I have an idea, that would change things, for the better. Want to hear it?"
"Certainly".
He framed her face with his hands and kissed her passionately.
"Let's elope".