***The Next Day***
Jennifer and Jonathan left bright and early and flew back to California. It was a little too early for Jennifer's liking, but it was necessary.
As soon as they landed, Max picked them up at the airport.
"Mr. H., Miss Edwards, if you don't mind me saying so, it's been a tornado ever since you left".
"We don't mind, Max. And we also don't know what you mean".
"I mean, constant phone calls. Constant doorbell ringing. People asking for Miss Edwards. They say they is reporters with this paper, that paper, this show, that show. They got wind that you and Miss Edwards is together so they think she's hiding out at our home".
"Oh geez. I'm sorry Max".
"It's ok, Miss Edwards. I told them to get away from the door and the driveway yesterday. And they kept coming back. So, I took off after them with the hose and they stayed away".
Jennifer chuckled.
"Darling, can we drop me off at the paper?"
"Sure. Max, let's drop Jennifer off at the paper. I'll pick her up later on".
"You got it, Mr. H."
Jennifer kissed Jonathan goodbye and headed into the paper.
"Oh thank goodness you're here. The phones have been ringing off the hook. Everyone wants your statement on the Carter Soren trial".
"I'm not surprised, I had a front row seat for it".
She filled Roxanne in and then began to go through her messages.
She returned a few phone calls and didn't return some others, and then began to map out what her non-negotiables in selling the paper would be.
After a solid few hours, the phone started ringing non-stop again, so she told Roxanne to tell everyone that she wouldn't be making a statement at this time.
Jonathan came and picked her up and they headed to his house.
"Did you manage to dodge the reporters?"
"Yes, I did. I think I'm going to make it a 4-part series, and the fourth part will be my thoughts on everything".
"Not a bad idea".
As soon as they came inside, Max met them at the door.
"Miss Edwards, your Pop called. Said he needs to speak with you right away".
"Ok, I'll call him. Darling, do you mind?"
"Not at all. Give him my regards".
She headed to the living room and called her dad.
"Hello, Pa?"
"Sweetheart, you have been getting phone calls here non-stop all day. Something about a statement and someone named Carter."
"Yes, I know what that is. I have been writing an article about a trial. The defendant was named Carter Soren, and he was on trial for murder. Long story short, his wife got on the stand and tricked the jury into thinking she was the guilty one, so he was found not guilty. She used me and I told her so and then left. They've been calling Jonathan's house, and my job and probably my apartment too, looking for me to give a statement. I'm sorry they bothered you, Pa. if they keep calling, just tell them I won't be making a statement".
"Very well, very well".
"How are you, Pa?"
"I'm good. Same old same old with me. How are you and Jonathan?"
"Great. He went with me to New York, and was a good sport about me working the long hours. Jonathan sends his regards".
"Send him mine as well. He's a fine young man".
"Yes, he is. Are you staying in the states very long?"
"Just a few more weeks and then I'll be in Europe for almost 3 months".
"Sounds pretty usual to me".
"You know my schedule well, sweetheart. Well, I better go. I love you, sweetheart."
"I love you too, Pa".
She hung up and went and found Jonathan.
"How's your dad?"
"He's fine. He's just missing me. He says hello. And the reporters have been calling his home all day too".
"You're a pretty popular woman".
They had a calm, quiet dinner without any interruptions thankfully.
After they were finished, they did the dishes together.
"Darling, I need to go home and do some laundry and get some clothes together, want to go with me?"
"Sure".
He drove her to her place, and she immediately started laundry and then threw a new bag together.
She checked her answering machine and found 45 messages, all from reporters.
"You know, I never thought I'd be the focal point of the story".
"I bet not."
They were just about to head back to Jonathan's house when the phone rang.
"Hang on darling".
She leaned down and picked it up.
"Hello?"
"Hey Jennifer, it's me, Kelly".
"Oh hey, I've been meaning to call you. Thank you so much for running my story in your paper. I really appreciate the exposure".
"No problem, happy to do it. Your next piece will run tomorrow and I was just calling to tell you that Elizabeth Soren was arrested early this morning on 3 counts of perjury".
"What? Are you serious?"
"Yes, I am. And when they arrested her, in her driveway, in front of her children, their bags were all packed and they had passports and everything. So, because she's a flight risk, she was not granted bail. Word has it that Carter and the kids are holed up at their home in the Hamptons".
"I will definitely add that into my last piece. Thank you for letting me know".
"No problem. I will be going on vacation, but I have instructed my assistant to print whatever you submit. Her name is Valerie and she'll be checking my email, so just send it to me like normal".
"Got it, thank you".
They hung up and Jennifer reset the answering machine.
"Ok, I'm ready".
She locked up behind them and they headed back to his house.
"Darling, is there a class you can take where you learn how to draw up a contract, and how to protect your business interests?"
"Yes, it's called business school. Took me a whole semester to learn how to do that".
"Oh great".
"If you want, I can help you".
"I want you to teach me how to do it, and then that's all. I want to do the rest by myself".
"I wouldn't expect anything less".
He kissed the back of her hand.
They pulled up into the garage and went inside.
Jennifer went to put her clothes away while Jonathan got each of them a glass of water.
They watched a movie in bed together, while Jennifer finished the last part of her article and got it submitted.
"Done."
"What's done?"
"Me. I am done. Done with my article and done with Elizabeth and Carter Soren".
"Glad to hear it".
She put the computer away and snuggled up to him and got comfy.
He rubbed her back while she stretched out next to him.
"That feels so good".
She fell asleep in his arms, so he just kissed her whispered to her that he loved her and turned out the light.
***Two Weeks Later***
Jennifer and Jonathan hadn't seen each other in days. They had both been so busy they were like two ships passing in the night. She had been tied up at the paper and he had been in round-the-clock meetings all week. He had started leaving before she got up and coming home after she had fallen asleep. They were both missing each other terribly.
She got to her office and found that she had received a delivery.
The biggest bouquet of flowers she had ever seen was sitting on her desk. The bouquet was filled with 2 dozen bright red new roses. She dug for the card, knowing they were from Jonathan.
I miss you, I promise we'll spend time together soon. I love you more than anyone else in the world-Jonathan.
She smiled and tucked the card into her wallet.
Around 10, she contacted Lancaster Press and confirmed their meeting, and then drew up a few contracts.
She was in the zone, trying to figure everything out when Jonathan called.
"Hey beautiful, you busy?"
"Not when it's you on the phone. Thank you for my flowers. I miss you too, even though we have shared a bed for the past 3 nights".
"I know. I promise, I am tying up these last couple of meetings and then I am out the door. You and I are going to have a very romantic weekend come hell or high water".
"I love the sound of that".
They chatted a few more moments and then her meeting arrived, so she had to hang up.
"I love you. I'll see you tonight".
"I love you too. I will pick you up around 7".
"See you then". She blew him a kiss and hung up the phone.
Roxanne showed the people from Lancaster Press into Jennifer's office.
"Hi, please, have a seat."
Jennifer went first.
"So, I realize that you gave me a month to decide, but I didn't need a month. I am firm in my decision. I will sell the paper to you, under 3 conditions. First, everyone gets a severance even if they stay on to work from you. A severance from this company, and a paycheck from your company is what is fair. Second, I will need at least 2 weeks to clear out my personal effects, and for my employees to do the same, if they choose not to stay on with you. And third, in the foyer, there is a plaque dedicating this building to Loretta Robinson. She started this paper and made it all possible. So, until the day this building is no longer standing, that plaque will remain in its place, and in plain view. If the day comes when you guys sell the building, you will allow me to have the plaque".
"I think we can agree to all of those terms. We have an offer for you. Our bottom line is that your employees will get a severance to include pay and benefits. Pay will be a one-time sum, and the benefits will be covered until Jan 1. They will be granted interviews for each position on a first-come, first-serve basis. We are guaranteeing that everyone will have a job, but we aren't guaranteeing they will retain their same position. Here is our price".
They slid a piece of paper across the table to Jennifer.
She opened it, looked at it, and thought about it. It was more than fair, and actually it was well above her bottom line.
"I'll accept, provided that I get to tell my employees myself".
"Of course".
They hammered out the details, signed the paperwork, and then Jennifer called a meeting with all of the employees.
"Ok, so if you know me pretty well, you know that I am a writer at heart. I love to write a story, but it's not just the story that gets me, it's the process too. I love researching and putting it all together and figuring out the angle and all of that. And recently I had the opportunity to write a compelling story and I took that chance. So, as a result, when someone offered me the chance to return to that, I had to take it. These people are from Lancaster Press, Inc. They are going to buy the paper, and turn it into a magazine. They will explain all the ins and outs and what to expect and all that."
She turned the meeting over to Lancaster and then headed to her office and called Jonathan.
"This is Jonathan Hart, how can I help you?"
"Hey, it's me. It's done. I did it. And I have never been so scared in all my life".
"It gets easier, baby. I promise."
"I'll take your word for it."
"So what is happening now?"
"I called a meeting, and explained everything. And now the new owners are telling them all the details about what they can expect, and all that".
"You're a good boss, darling. You did right by them and that's what counts. Who are the new owners?"
"Lancaster Press, LLC. They are a very small company. They are going to turn it into a magazine".
"Did they pay you a fair asking price?"
"Yes, more than fair".
"Then I say that as soon as you get settled and all the loose ends are tied up, that you and I take a trip somewhere, just the two of us. Somewhere tropical, where we can both relax and just have a good time".
"You're on, sailor. I should probably get back out there. I love you".
"I love you too".
She hung up and then headed back to the newsroom.
They were finished with the representative from Lancaster Press, and were glad to see Jennifer back.
Everyone was concerned for Jennifer.
"I am fine. I am going to write freelance and be my own boss and spend some mornings sleeping in".
The people from Lancaster Press began walking around and surveying everything. Before they left, they wrote Jennifer a check for the total sale. It finally became real that she sold her business.
She packed up a few things, and headed home, so she could change clothes before she went to Jonathan's.
***Jennifer's apartment***
Jennifer had just gotten out of a glorious bubble bath when there was a knock at the door.
She quickly threw her robe on and headed to the door.
"Delivery for Jennifer Edwards".
"That's me".
He handed her a very exquisite vase of flowers.
"Thank you".
She closed and locked the door behind him and set the flowers down on the counter.
She couldn't believe he sent her two bouquets in one day. The flowers were 2 dozen hot pink, yellow, and white roses with baby's breath. She found the card and pulled it out.
Dress up, baby. Romance awaits. I love you-Jonathan.
She went and put on a long-sleeved blue wrap dress, and the stockings with the line up the back, and some black Manolo Blahnik's. She made sure to put on a nice amount of the pheromones, and then her perfume that she knew was his favorite. She straightened her hair and then did beach waves with the flat iron, and sprayed it all with hairspray, so that it stayed in place.
She touched up her makeup and then switched purses.
She was about to drive to Jonathan's house when there was another knock at her door.
"Hi, can I help you?"
"Hi. I'm Kenny with California Limousines. I'm here to pick up a Jennifer Edwards".
"That's me".
"Whenever you are ready, ma'am".
They headed down to the limo and he opened the door for her.
"Thank you".
Jennifer realized that they were not headed to Jonathan's, and that in fact, she had no idea where they were headed, so she sat back and tried to enjoy the ride.
Pretty soon, they arrived at a lovely restaurant about a half hour up the coast. It was the restaurant she told Jonathan a week ago that she wanted them to try.
The door opened and there was Jonathan standing there, in a fresh Italian gray suit with a red tie.
"Hi".
"Hi gorgeous".
She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.
"You are a sight for sore eyes".
"So are you".
He took her hand and led her inside.
"Let our romantic weekend begin".