Two Weeks Later
It was the week of the event that Jennifer had been planning.
Jonathan still didn't know anything about it.
Sadie and Jordyn weren't exactly back on speaking terms, but they weren't fighting, so there was some amount of peace in the house.
Mrs. Rodriguez was coming to stay with the kids that night.
"Mrs. Rodriguez, we are taking the children away for a special trip this weekend. I packed suitcases for the twins, and I told Sadie to pack one as well. Jonathan and I also have a suitcase. I loaded all of the suitcases into the back of the Range Rover, except for Sadie's. Now, tonight, Jonathan and I are going to the gala, but we will be leaving and heading out on our trip. So, we would like for you to help us out by putting the children in the Range Rover at 10:45 and driving them to the airport. You will follow the signs for private planes and park by the Hart Industries plane. My husband's assistant Kelly Mitchell will meet you there. There are two rules that must be followed: Do not under any circumstances let Sadie drive herself to the airport or drive you all to the airport. And please, don't turn the radio on in the car-there might be some news on we don't want them to hear just yet. CD's are fine, just no local stations."
"Yes, Mrs. Hart."
"We really appreciate you doing this for us. Thank you so, so, much."
"It's my pleasure. I love your children almost as much as my own."
"I am so thankful for that."
Jennifer went upstairs to get ready for the gala. She put on a gown that she had purchased a few days before, that looked amazing on her. It was red, sparkly, trumpet mermaid style, with an off the shoulder exaggerated sweetheart neckline and a sweep train. The sleeves were red covered in black lace. She paired it with some strappy black Manolo Blahnik's and the diamond earrings and bracelet and necklace that Jonathan gave her for her birthday. She curled her hair and then swept it up into a sparkly clip, and then worked on her makeup.
Jonathan came in from playing with Ryan outside and quickly jumped into the shower.
When her makeup was absolutely perfect, she spritzed on some of Jonathan's favorite perfume, and then went downstairs. She ordered some pizzas for the kids and Mrs. Rodriguez and began to switch purses to a black clutch.
"Mom, Wow! You look hot!"
"Thank you, I think".
"Mom, can Megan and I go to the movies tonight?"
"Not tonight, sweetheart. Your dad and I are going out, and Mrs. Rodriguez will be here and I don't want you going out tonight. Besides, we are leaving tonight for vacation, remember? Megan can come over here and hang out if she wants."
"Mom…..please! Don't make me stay here in the house with my siblings. I can drive myself to the movies and drive home in time for us to go on vacation."
"No, sweetheart, not tonight."
"Mom!"
"Sadie, I said no and that's final!"
Sadie stomped her way upstairs.
Jonathan came into the kitchen.
"Darling, can you tie this?"
"Certainly."
"Sadie about knocked me down going up the stairs so fast."
"She's mad at me because I told her she had to stay home tonight and not go to the movies."
Jennifer got Jonathan's tie tied and straight and then kissed him.
"I spoke with Mrs. Rodriguez, gave her the instructions, put all the suitcases in the car except Sadie's and ordered the kids some pizza. So, whenever you want to go, we can."
"I'm ready."
"Wonderful."
They headed to the living room and kissed the twins goodbye.
"We'll see you after the gala, alright?"
"Have fun!"
Sadie was waiting on the stairs for Jonathan.
"Dad, can Megan and I go to the movies tonight? I promise, we'll be back before we have to leave for the airport. Mom is being totally unreasonable."
"If your mother said no going out, then the answer is no. Are you packed for our trip?"
"Not all the way."
"Well, now you have time to do it. If you leave anything behind, we are not coming back for it, so pack carefully. Why don't you call Megan and see if she wants to come hang out while you pack?"
He kissed her on the head before he and Jennifer went out the door.
They got into the Bentley and began to head to the gala.
"Do you think the kids suspect anything?"
"No. I promise, I'll explain it all to them tonight when we talk to them."
They pulled over around the corner from their house and met their friend, Stanley Friesen.
"Ok, here is the limo to take us to the gala. Here are the keys to the Bentley. If you don't mind, keep the Bentley at your house and then take it to our home tonight after the gala. Gate opener is in the console."
"No problem at all, Mr. Hart."
Jonathan and Jennifer got in the limo and headed to the gala.
Jennifer tried to keep him calm, but it was no use.
"Darling, what gala is this?"
"I told you, darling. It's the Save the Whales gala."
"Do we have to go to this? Can't we just make a donation?"
"Darling, we talked about this. They want me to give a speech. And I simply cannot give my speech without my favorite guy there to cheer me on and support me." She leaned over and kissed him.
"Do you have any idea what you are going to say?"
"Oh yes. I wrote it out and submitted it to them and they are putting it on a teleprompter for me."
She laced her fingers through his and kissed the back of his hand.
"I love you and I love going to events like this with you."
"I love you too. And I love nights out with you, no matter what they look like. Although, the ones where you and I wear less clothes are my favorite."
She chuckled and kissed him.
"Mine too."
"Darling, when is that benefit you were planning?"
"Soon."
"Oh, come on. You can tell me."
"I don't want to jinx it, darling. I promise, all will be revealed soon."
She kissed him and then wiped the lipstick off his lips.
"Darling, will you do me a favor?"
"Certainly."
"Will you please do the red carpet photo thing for me tonight? We always rush that part and I don't want to rush it, I want us to take our time and get lots of pictures taken, ok?"
"Ok."
"Thank you." She leaned over and kissed him a few times.
The limo pulled them up to the gala and let them out. Flashbulbs started going off and even though Jonathan hated working the red carpet, he did so for Jennifer.
After taking many, many photographs, they went inside and found their table, right up front. Jonathan went and got them each a drink from the bar.
As soon as the music started playing, Jonathan and Jennifer headed to the dance floor to dance a few songs.
"Wow, there's a lot of people here from my office."
"Yeah, there is. Remember that day I stopped by for lunch a few weeks ago?"
"Yes, I do. One of my most favorite lunches ever."
"Only because you told everyone in the building to take an extra hour and then we locked the door."
He kissed her.
"That's right. And it was very, very memorable."
"Well, when I got there that day, I asked Kelly to sell tickets to this to people in the office."
"You're a natural-born saleswoman, darling."
"I learned from the best. You."
She returned his kiss and they kept dancing. Everyone was watching them in awe, wishing they had in their lives whatever magic it was that the Hart's had.
When their dances ended, they sat down and ate, and then the speeches began.
A beautiful brunette went up to the podium and began to speak.
"Hello, I am Miranda Wolfe, and I want to thank you all for coming to our benefit tonight. We are so glad you all chose to spend your evening with us. We have a great night planned for you, and to kick it off, we will begin with a special presentation by someone who truly believes in animal conservation, Mrs. Jennifer Edwards Hart, world-renowned journalist and wife of industrialist Jonathan Hart."
Every one began to clap for Jennifer as she walked up to the stage.
"Good evening. Thank you all for joining us tonight. As Miranda stated, animal conservation is very near and dear to my heart. My husband Jonathan can tell you hundreds of stories about times where he and I have gone to someone's house and I spend more time talking and playing with their animals than anything else. I do firmly believe that saving the whales is important, because they are a very integral part of our food chain. Not to mention the resources they bring in through whale-watching excursions in touristy coastal towns. However, there is something else that Is nearer and much more important to me than this. And it all started almost 30 years ago when one person had a dream and an idea. This person did everything they could to make this dream a reality, and it took a few years to really get going and to get ahead. However, once this person did all of that and achieved all of these successes, there was no stopping them. And since their dream was achieved, they have continuously set the bar and raised it every time. For all intents and purposes, they are their own competition. For those of you that don't know who or what I am talking about….surprise, darling! This is not a gala for Save the Whales. This is an anniversary celebration to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Hart Industries".
Everyone started clapping as Jonathan's jaw dropped open. Banners dropped from the ceiling as the room transformed into a surprise party and all mentions of "Save the Whales" were covered up or removed.
"Come on, darling. Come on up here."
Jonathan got up and went to the podium.
Jennifer hugged him and kissed him a few times and then he had a special seat on the side of the stage.
"Ok darling, now the real speech begins."
Everyone chuckled.
Jennifer gave a very passionate speech about how dedicated Jonathan was to the company and highlighted a few of his important business deals and acquisitions.
"Throughout the years, there are a few qualities that have come to define my husband. Fairness, to everyone in all things. Loyalty to his employees and especially his family. Outside of the office, he is the best husband and father anyone could ever want. When I think of all the lucky people in the world, I count myself and our three children as the luckiest just for being able to share our lives with him. So, to honor this occasion, I had a special item commissioned. If you know my husband, he loves clocks. And he loves to tinker with things. And all of that sort of went out the window to a degree when we had children. However, I took a few clocks that we had in the house, including the first clock that he ever purchased for his office. It was just a standard clock that stopped working years ago. So, I took that clock and I took a few other clocks that we have that have also stopped working and I had a clockmaker put them together into a special clock that will now sit at Hart Industries. My husband can determine where it will go, but we will unveil it now."
Kelly, Jonathan's secretary pulled the sheet off and unveiled a beautiful wrought Iron wall clock that had the local American time in the center as well as the international times along the base.
"This clock is to be hung on a wall wherever you choose, darling".
Everyone clapped as Jonathan got up to look at it. He teared up and was visibly emotional.
"Ok, now we are going to watch a video of my husband's career and then he will hopefully say a few words."
She went and sat by him and he leaned over and kissed her forehead and put his arm around her.
Employees past and present had recorded their memories of working for Jonathan and what they learned from him. Jennifer enjoyed watching him be surprised by the people in the video and remember their favorite memories. He even teared up a few times, and laughed at some of the memories and messages.
Finally, it was time for Jonathan to say a few words.
"I want to thank everyone for coming tonight. I can't believe my wife was able to pull this off-she's very good at the planning of these things and all that, but I can't believe I didn't figure it out. I usually catch wind of her surprises, somehow, but I didn't this time. I just want to say that it means the world to me that you remembered this, darling. And that you put this all together. Looking back, it doesn't feel to me like it's been 25 years since we got started, because to me, running the company isn't work, it's what I enjoy. It's how I take care of my family. If I hated what I did, I could have sold it all and moved her to a private island just the two of us years ago, but I really do enjoy finding a company that is struggling and helping them be successful again. I enjoy hearing that my engineers have invented a new product and I get to test it out. But the absolute best part of what I do, is knowing that this woman who I get to share my life with, will want for nothing. I rest easy at night knowing that she is taken care of and that hopefully, she's happy with me. We have three children who are taken care of, and I know that they will be able to get the best education they can, because of my ability to provide for them. And I also get to give back to the orphanage where I was raised, which means a lot to me. And at the end of the day, I can't ask for more than that, and I truly realize how lucky I am. I promise you, I don't take it for granted. So, moving forward, Hart Industries is going to make the next 25 years the best ones. We are pursuing a number of endeavors, such as clean energy, reducing our carbon footprint, improving technology for everyday use, and keeping up with current trends. We are also committed to making sure that the products that we produce from here on out are as biodegradable as possible, and are made from sustainable ingredients when possible. So, again, thank you all, for this lovely evening and thank you for your continued support."
Jennifer came up and kissed him and hugged him for a few minutes as everyone gave him a standing ovation and the room thundered with applause.
"Ok, so we have almost reached the end of our evening. Darling, I'm not sure you noticed, but everything here tonight is your favorites-I had the caterer make your favorite foods, and I asked the band to play your favorite songs. And tonight's charity that you thought was for Save the Whales was really for the Mission Street Orphanage like always. So, in keeping with tradition, would you like to share the last dance with me?"
"I thought you'd never ask. So, after Jennifer and I share the last dance, everyone can join in, and then we will have dessert and that will be it. Everyone please drive safely, and please tip your bartenders."
Jonathan and Jennifer headed to the dance floor to do the last dance.
"I cannot believe you did all of this, darling. How did you pull this off?"
"I have my ways."
"I love you, you have no idea how much this means to me."
"I love you too, and you have no idea how much you mean to me."
After their dance was over, they got some dessert to go, and Jennifer talked the caterer into putting together boxes for them to take to the kids.
Kelly took the boxes to their limo for them, while Jonathan and Jennifer were busy saying goodbye to everyone.
As they walked out the doors of the venue, a man walked up and began shouting at Jonathan.
"You swine! You promised us we would still get to keep our jobs when you took over! You lied! You couldn't close the factory down fast enough! How do you sleep at night? I have kids to feed, man. We all do! We need the work!"
"I don't know what you are talking about".
"The Power plant, in Morristown. You swooped in, bought the plant, gave us this big speech about how you appreciated us and how you needed us to work for you, and then the next day, we get there and it's all chained up. So, really, how do you sleep at night knowing you put people out of work?"
"Just fine, actually."
"Jonathan!" Jennifer was surprised that he was being so sarcastic to this person.
The man lunged towards Jennifer.
Jonathan put his hand out.
"Don't you dare lay one hand on her."
They got into a shoving match, and then the man pulled out a gun.
"Jonathan! Watch out! He's got a gun!"
Jonathan wrestled for the gun with him for a few minutes and then a shot rang out.
Jennifer watched in horror as Jonathan fell to the ground, clutching his stomach.
The man's mouth dropped open.
"Hey, I didn't mean to kill nobody. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry".
"Jonathan!" Jennifer dropped to her knees and attended to Jonathan while the man ran off, and everyone was milling about trying to figure out what to do.
"Someone call for help, please!"
Jennifer leaned down and whispered to Jonathan.
"I love you, more than anything. Stay with me, darling. It's going to be alright."