Chapter Two

Resting comfortably in a crystal vase, the bouquet of red roses was sitting majestically on a table in the dressing room. Fragrant and beautiful, Gary's gift shared space with her other "treasures": a silver-plated frame that captured the images of the handsome man and the two adorable children.

It was one of Jennifer's favorite pictures of Gary and their children. In the shot, Gary was sitting on the couch with Kathryn snuggled on his lap. Garrett was seated on his father's left. Gary was reading to the children. Jennifer recalled coming downstairs ready to put the children to bed. Upon witnessing this scene, she quickly and quietly crept back up the stairs emerging a few moments later with an instant camera. A photographer she was not, but she had "mastered" the relative simplicity of this particular invention. So focused on the story that he was reading and completely mesmerized by their father, neither of them heard Jennifer enter the living room. The brief light flash shook the trio from their euphoria. Father and son sported twin blushes and seemed almost embarrassed by the unexpected attention. Kathryn, on the other hand, looked directly into the camera and offered an adorable smile. The youngest Hobson wasn't shy. Kathryn wanted to take another picture; in fact, she appeared more than ready for her close-up.

Sheepishly, Jennifer apologized for her interruption and hoped that she hadn't destroyed the moment for Gary and the children. But she wanted to capture this special memory on film. Gary hesitated briefly before telling her that she was forgiven if she allowed the kids to stay up a little while longer for him to finish his story. For good measure, he seasoned his request with his trademark puppy dog look. Garrett looked at his father and then imitated the expression. Jennifer tried to stifle a laugh and be tough; after all, it was getting late and the children really needed to get to bed. Yet, she could never resist that look on Gary and with Garrett, a miniature mirror image of his daddy, providing her with the same expression, her resolve was defeated. "Fifteen more minutes" she agreed. Her announcement was rewarded with a chorus of "thank you" from the trio.

Shook from her reverie, Jennifer gently removed the picture from its place of honor in her dressing room. She picked it up and gazed at the image for a moment, allowing the memory to fill her heart. She had been married to the most wonderful, loving man for nearly a decade. And God had blessed her by allowing her to give birth to his children.

Today wasn't just Valentine's Day, but also her wedding anniversary. She had awakened this morning to the smell of burnt toast. The rude awakening to her senses was quickly followed by the realization that Gary was "cooking". Her suspicions were confirmed when he arrived at their bedroom door, a huge grin on his face, carrying a tray. She sat up in the bed. "Happy Anniversary" he whispered. Approaching the bed, he kissed her tenderly before placing the tray in her lap. The burnt toast was joined by, what one could reasonably assume had been in its former life, scrambled eggs and bacon, but now looked like charred casualties to Gary's lack of culinary skills. But it didn't matter. Gary had gone through painstaking effort to prepare breakfast for her in bed. To her, this meal was a feast.

Tonight would be a night she would never forget, he had promised with a mischievous gleam in his eye. No additional hints were forthcoming. The only thing that he told her was that later at the studio, she would be receiving an "invitation" with instructions.

Jennifer opened the envelope containing the invitation. In Gary's handwriting, the card requested her presence at McGinty's at 6:00 p.m. She was instructed to go home first where she would find a large box on the bed. When she opened the box, she would find additional instructions.

Her workday had seemed endless. Before she left the studio, Jennifer called Lois to check on the children. Lois confirmed that Garrett and Kathryn were perfect little angels and that the three of them were having a good time. Lois also added that the children had already taken naps and would be awake at least until 8:30. Jennifer wasn't sure why Lois felt the need to emphasize this particular time, but she sensed that her mother-in- law was part of Gary's conspiracy.

Arriving home, Jennifer hurried upstairs to her bedroom. She proceeded towards the large box that sat on the bed. Carefully opening the box, her eyes welled with tears when she realized what was inside.