"Nothing, really. Just a few wedding surprises".

"I see. Well, if I can help in anyway, I'm happy to do so".

"Thank you, sir".

Jonathan returned to the living room and found Jennifer coming out of the kitchen.

"How's Max?"

"Great. He was just checking in".

Stephen rolled into the living room and turned on the news so they could catch the weather.

'More snow is predicted to impact the area tomorrow, as two new systems move into the area, bringing as much as 5 inches of snow and heavy winds with them".

"Darling, we better head out in the morning so we don't get stuck".

"I agree".

Jonathan headed to the study to call Jack and make the arrangements. After the weather was over, Stephen headed to bed and Jennifer and Jonathan did the same.

"Night Pa".

"Night Sir".

"Night you two".

They headed up and changed into some warm pajamas.

Jennifer got the bed all situated with the extra blanket and climbed in. Jonathan climbed in and joined her.

"Darling, I've been thinking. Any chance we can go to your ranch and get snowed in?"

"I'm sure that can be arranged".

He wrapped his arms around her as she snuggled onto his chest.

"What if our honeymoon was somewhere snowy?"

"I'm not sure we can find something like that in September unless we went to the North Pole".

Jennifer chuckled.

"Do you ever go skiing?"

"Yeah, I've been a few times".

They chatted till she fell asleep. He held her all night long and slept right next to her.

***Sunday***

Jonathan and Jennifer had a quick breakfast with her dad and then said their goodbyes.

"We are going to see you soon, Pa. Have a good time in London".

"I enjoyed your visit, darling. I'll call you when I get settled".

"Sir, it was wonderful to see you. Thank you for your hospitality".

"Jonathan, my boy, you are welcome here anytime. Thank you for looking after my wild child, here".

"Pa, would you stop? I am no wild child".

"You're right. You're a wild woman, darling".

"Jonathan!"

"And it's one of the many, many things I love about you, darling".

He kissed her temple.

"Well, we better head out. Promise me Pa, no more superhero home remodeling jobs?"

"I promise".

"Walter has the number of the handyman I found for you."

"Very well. Call me when you get home".

"We will. We love you".

She gave him a final hug and then they headed out the door.

They had an easy drive to the airport, with Jonathan taking it a little slower than normal due to the snow. He ran them through a drive thru of a gourmet coffee shop and got them both a coffee.

They made it to the airport, and boarded the plane. Jennifer immediately snuggled up next to Jonathan under a blanket, and got comfortable.

"Thank you".

She leaned over and kissed him a few times.

"For what?"

"For taking me to see my dad, darling".

"You don't have to thank me for that, Jennifer. I enjoyed seeing him".

"So, this weekend is the ball, right?"

"Yes."

"I'm excited. I can't wait".

"It's always a really fun evening".

He pulled them up a movie to watch on the plane tv, and they settled in.

Before they knew it, they were landing.

Max picked them up and drove them to the house.

Jennifer headed upstairs to take a bubble bath, while Jonathan talked with Max in the kitchen.

"I put the letters in the office like you asked me, Mr. H. The flowers that were sent to her are in the garage. And the cameras at the beach house were cut again, along with the motion light detectors".

"Damn. Ok, thanks, Max".

"I'm going to start dinner. Primavera stuffed chicken sound ok?"

"Sounds amazing, Max".

He poured Jennifer a glass of wine and took it upstairs to her.

"Great idea, darling".

She took a nice long sip and then set it on the side of the tub.

"Want to climb in and join me?"

"Not right now. Max is making dinner for us. Primavera stuffed chicken".

"Oh, that sounds good. We haven't had that in ages".

"Yeah, it has been a long time".

He pulled a stool up behind the tub and scrubbed her back for her, and washed her hair. He rubbed her shoulders and neck for a few minutes.

"Oh, that feels good".

She stayed in till the water got cold, and then got out.

"Darling, are we staying in tonight?"

"Yes".

"Perfect".

She put on some sweats and one of his t-shirts. She threw her hair up in a bun and then they headed downstairs.

Dinner was excellent as always. Max regaled them with what happened at the poker tables and at the track.

"How's your father, Miss Edwards?"

"I'm not sure, Max. He's changed a lot. He was much different this trip than he's ever been".

"Different how?"

"Well, he let me and Jonathan stay together. He never once told us to stop being affectionate with each other, whereas in years past, he would have more than likely preferred that there be 6 feet of space in all directions between me and the boy I had brought home. He seemed different, as in older, but also as in weaker".

"Darling, he's no spring chicken. And you are his daughter, and he finally accepted that you are a grown woman".

"I know that. It's just…he looked different. He seemed different".

"You also haven't seen him in a long time, darling".

"Yeah, that's a good point".

Jennifer did the dishes when they were finished, while Max and Jonathan headed to the living room to watch the Lakers' game.

She disappeared upstairs. When the game was over, Jonathan locked up and went looking for her, and found her in their bedroom doing an exercise tape.

Sweat was pouring off her, as she did pushup after pushup.

"94…95…96".

He changed into his pajamas and climbed into bed and read while she finished her workout.

As soon as she finished, she quickly showered and then changed into her pajamas and climbed into bed with him.

"Feel better?"

"Oh yes."

She snuggled up to him.

"Do you have a busy day tomorrow?"

"I have a few meetings. But I don't plan on working late or anything. What about you?"

"I'm going to the beach house to work. If I can get my article finished, I'll have time to start my next one".

"That's one of the things I love about you, your mind is always working".

She leaned up and kissed him.

"Can you sneak away for lunch tomorrow?"

"No, unfortunately I cannot. I promise, I'll make it up to you".

"Oh, that's alright. I just thought it would be fun to have lunch with you, that's all. Kind of like a day date".

"We will have one soon, I promise".

He kissed her forehead.

"Darling, did you ever think we were going to end up here?"

"You mean in this house?"

"No. More like, living together before marriage, and together almost from the second we saw each other".

"Well, I knew I wanted to spend more time with you the minute I saw you, yes. As far as living together, I never really thought about it before. Why? Are you moving out or something?"

She chuckled.

"No, don't be silly. I was just thinking about how much Pa has changed. I mean, he and Momma used to always stress "save yourself for marriage, no living together before you're married". But, I met you and the rest is history. I wouldn't be able to stay away from you if I tried".

"Same here. You are the first woman besides Nikki who I ever let spend more than one or two nights".

"You're the only guy that I ever really wanted to spend more than one or two nights with".

"Well, look at us. We figured it out, didn't we?"

"We did. We graduated from the school of life".

They shared a few sweet kisses, and then he rolled on top of her and made love to her a few times.

He cradled her in his arms as she drifted off to sleep.

"Goodnight, I love you".

He kissed her cheek and then fell asleep next to her.

***The next morning***

Jennifer and Jonathan had breakfast together, and then she headed to the beach house, and he headed to the office.

He walked her to the car and opened the door for her.

"Bye honey, have a good day. I love you".

"Bye baby. I love you too. I'll see you tonight".

They shared several kisses and then she got in the car.

He opened the garage door for them, and let her go first.

She waved at him as she pulled out of the driveway, and then headed to the beach house.

She had several phone calls to make and return, as well as research to do on the article she was currently writing.

She made a pot of coffee, and then turned on the tv and sat down and got busy.

She worked steadily till 3, and then headed to the post office to collect the mail before heading home.

She stopped and shopped and picked up a few things for Jonathan's birthday on her way home.

She was going through the mail and realized that the letter writer had sent her a few more letters. She took them to the office and put them in the file in the filing cabinet and then headed upstairs to workout.

When Jonathan got home, she was sweating away in their bedroom.

"Hi darling".

"He….llo".

He watched her in complete and total awe of her energy.

After she finished, she quickly showered and then came downstairs and sat with him.

"Hi baby".

"Hi handsome".

She sat in his lap and kissed him a few times.

"Did your meetings go ok?"

"Yeah, they did".

"Wonderful".

"Did you finish your article?"

"Yeah, I did. And I accepted a freelance position with an editor. Her name is Marcia Wallace, and she's from California, so it will be easier to meet with her if I need to".

"That's wonderful!'

"Only thing she said I needed to have at the beach house that I don't have is a fax machine. Apparently, she likes to fax her writers their assignments".

"We can definitely arrange that".

She leaned down and kissed him again. That kiss turned into a much longer, slower kiss.

"Dinner's ready!"

"On our way, Max".

They shared one more kiss and then made their way to the kitchen.

"Smells great, Max".

"What are we having, Max?"

"Sausage stuffed pasta shells and a salad."

"Sounds wonderful".

They had just finished dinner when the phone rang. Max got up and got it.

"Hello? Yes, he's right here".

He passed the phone to Jonathan.

"I'll take it in the office, Max".

Jennifer was doing the dishes, so Max started putting the leftovers away.

Jonathan finished his phone call and then came back into the kitchen.

He wrapped his arms around Jennifer's waist.

"How about a movie?"

"That sounds nice".

He went and got the movie all set up while she finished drying the dishes.

After she was finished, she came and snuggled up with him on the couch.

Max decided to join them.

The movie was about a lady who thought she had an illness, so she started eating as healthy as possible, trying to cure it without medicine. She didn't realize that her doctor was scamming her and she wasn't sick at all.

"All that healthy eating stuff is a bunch of bunk".

"Now Max, that's not true. Healthy eating is an easy way to ensure you live a long and happy life."

"Yeah, I get that Miss Edwards. But it's just so gross tasting".

"It doesn't have to taste bad all the time, Max. You just have to make small changes and incorporate things that you know you like that are healthy also. And it doesn't have to be just eating, it could be taking vitamins, or just cutting out unhealthy greasy foods".

"The grease is what makes it taste good, Miss Edwards".

Jonathan chuckled.

Jennifer shifted her weight and leaned back against him.

"Max, I tell you what. You can have the week off from cooking. I will take over the menu planning, and the grocery shopping and the cooking. You give me one week, and I promise I will make you healthy meals that I know you will love by the end of the week. And I guarantee you will feel better too".

"Fine, you're on Miss Edwards. I don't think you are gonna get me to like vegetables, but we'll give it a shot".

"Perfect! I'm going to start planning right now".

She jumped up all excited and headed to the kitchen.

"Mr. H., what did I just agree to?"

"I have no idea, Max".

***The next day***

Jennifer got up with Jonathan and had breakfast with him, and then headed to the market.

She picked up all the ingredients, vitamins, and produce she would need for the next week and then headed back to Willow Pond.

She spent about an hour getting rid of the things they wouldn't need in the kitchen.

By the time Jonathan got home from the office, she was just about to put dinner in the oven.

"Hi darling".

"Hi. Have a good day?"

She hugged him and kissed him.

"Yeah, it wasn't too bad. Had a long meeting that ran through lunch, so we ordered in pizza. I brought the leftovers home".

"Great thinking, Mr. H."

"Jonathan Charles, this box is still warm! You just bought this on the way home!"

"Sorry Max, I tried".

She put their dinner in the oven, while Jonathan took the pizza out to the garage.

Jennifer finished mixing the salad and then made the homemade dressing.

Jonathan set the table and Max got everyone drinks.

"Ok, up first, we have a fresh Lentil loaf, along with some roasted artichoke puree. Next, we have a falafel salad with tahini dressing. And for dessert, we have kale chips dipped in a ¼ teaspoon of vegan chocolate."

Jonathan took a bite of the lentil loaf. He tried to hide the disgust on his face. Max didn't try at all.

"Miss Edwards, if you don't mind me saying so, this tastes like worn out shoe leather".

"Max, give it a chance. Jonathan, you like it, don't you?"

"Max, it doesn't taste like worn-out shoe leather. It tastes more like brand new shoe leather".

"Jonathan!"

"Just being honest, darling".

"Well, that just means more for me. You two will probably like the salad".

"Where's the meat?"

"There is no meat, Max. This is vegan friendly, vegetarian friendly, and gluten free".

Jonathan ate about half of his salad. Max picked at his.

Max volunteered to clean up the kitchen after dinner. As soon as Jennifer wasn't looking, he dumped the lentil loaf in the garbage.

Jonathan and Jennifer headed to the living room to watch tv while Max snuck to the garage and ate a few slices of the pizza Jonathan brought home.

He came and joined them about an hour later, and they all watched a movie together.

Jonathan and Jennifer headed to bed when the movie was over.

"Night Max, see you in the morning".

"Night Max. Breakfast is all taken care of, so you don't have to get up early or anything".

"Night you two".

They headed into the bedroom and changed into their pajamas.

"Darling, where's my toothpaste?"

"I picked you up a new one, darling. It's in the left hand drawer."

"Darling, this is just baking soda. There's no mint".

"Jonathan, this is healthier, I promise".

They climbed into bed and Jennifer scooted over right next to Jonathan.

Jennifer set the alarm a little earlier than normal, and then snuggled up to Jonathan.

"What's your day like tomorrow?"

"I have a couple meetings in the morning, then a longer meeting in the afternoon and then I'm coming home".

"That sounds nice".

"What about you?"

"Well, I'm going to write up a few op-ed pieces for Marcia, and send them to her, and I also need to finish the article I started today".

He wrapped his arms around her.

"I'm so proud of you, darling. You are the most amazing journalist".

"Thank you. I'm pretty proud of you too".

She leaned up and kissed him.

He returned the kiss, deepening the passion.

"You think we can keep the passion going for the next 50 years?"

"Oh, I think we will keep it going. I think we will more than double it".

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because, darling, we love each other. Like we never loved anyone else. It's just you and me against the world".

He rolled on top of her and made love to her a few times, before they fell asleep.

***The next morning***

Jennifer got up when the alarm went off and went downstairs to make breakfast.

Jonathan came down about an hour later, just as she was taking it out of the oven.

"Morning, darling".

"Morning".

He came over and kissed her.

"Can I pour you a cup of coffee?"

"No, we aren't having coffee. Too much caffeine is bad for you. I made you a vitamin rich, nutrient full smoothie".

She poured his smoothie into a glass and stuck a straw in it.

"Here's yours. I made it with your favorite fruits-watermelon, banana and strawberries".

"Thanks."

He was less than pleased.

"And breakfast is ready".

"Today is typically omelet day".

"Not today. Today, we are having algae muffins, and eggless veggie cups".

She made his plate and made one for Max, who joined them a few minutes later.

"Morning Max. Fruit smoothies and algae muffins are ready".

Jonathan took a bite of his muffin. He immediately got up and grabbed the butter and jelly and the salt.

"Jonathan, we can't put butter and salt on everything".

"Jennifer, it's the only way I can eat it".

"You don't like the algae muffin?"

"Not really. I'm not a fan of algae, darling".

"It's an acquired taste, Jonathan. It has great benefits for your skin, and your hair".

"So does bacon".

"Ha ha".

"Well, I'm headed to the track. You two have a good day".

Max winked at Jonathan. He could tell Max was planning on stopping for donuts.

Jonathan finished his veggie cup and actually halfway enjoyed it.

"Well, I better head to the office."

"Oh, before you go, I made your lunch. Turkey sandwich with all the fixings on the side, plus a nice healthy salad".

"Thanks. When am I supposed to feel better from this healthy eating?"

"Soon, I promise".

"I love you, that's the only reason I'm doing this".

"I know. I love you too".

She gave him several sweet kisses and then he headed out.

She ran upstairs and showered and dressed and then headed to the beach house.

She got several pieces done for Marcia, and then headed back to Willow Pond.

Dinner was ready as soon as Jonathan got home.

"Hi darling".

"Hi beautiful."

"Dinner is ready".

"What are we having?"

"Grilled chicken, and noodle-free lasagna".

"Sounds yummy".

She wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed him.

"How did your meetings go?"

"Well. They went very well".

"That's great".

She kissed him again and then went and got everything out of the oven.

Max was grilling the chicken, so Jennifer quickly set the table and then brought the lasagna over.

"Darling, explain how this works without noodles?"

"There's zucchini strips in place of noodles".

"I see".

"You probably won't be able to taste it, darling".

Max brought the chicken in.

"Ok, this is ready".

"Thanks, Max".

They sat down to eat, and Jennifer noticed that Max and Jonathan practically inhaled the grilled chicken and somewhat touched the lasagna.

Jonathan and Jennifer did the dishes together after they were finished, and then headed to the living room to watch TV.

They settled onto the couch and got comfy.

About an hour later, there was an urgent News Bulletin on the tv.

"Businessman and hotelier Elliott Manning has escaped from an Australian prison. Prison guards discovered the escape during an afternoon count, and admit that they really have no idea how long he's been unaccounted for. Elliott Manning has ties to the Los Angeles area, as well as the east coast, so officials fear that he really could be anywhere. If you see him, you are urged to call the police right away. He should be considered armed and dangerous".

Jennifer immediately put her head in her hands.

"Here we go again".