Chapter 8

"Morning Nancy." Jack greeted one of his employees as he came into the flower shop with the widest smile ever.

"Good Morning Mr. Tripper." She smiled back. "You seem to be having a good morning."

"The best."

"Jason is in his office arranging a new shipment for this week. He shouldn't be long I can let him know you are here if you like." She offered.

"No that is ok. I am actually looking for Janet." His eyes already searching the shop for her presence.

"She is over by the daisies."

He smiled as he made his way towards Janet but turned back as soon as he remembered the main reason why he was there. "Here Nancy, I'll like you'll to get together the most beautiful twelve dozen roses in the shop and send them to this address."

"I'll be glad to."

"Just…" He hesitated, "They are for Janet. It's a surprise and I would really appreciate it if we keep it a surprise. The address is there and she keeps a hidden key in the flower pot to your left." Jacked informed her not wanting anything to ruined his one month anniversary surprise.

Nancy smiled at the surprise her co-worker was about to get and started on the boss' order as soon as he turned to make his way towards Janet.

"Morning Beautiful." He said as he enfolded his arms around her tiny waist.

Janet jumped at the feel of Jack's hand, "You scared me." She laughed nervously. "I wasn't expecting you here this early." She said turning around to greet Jack with a smile that made him melt.

"Well I woke up early because I had to run some errands, I didn't think I would finish this early either. And since I rather spend my extra time with you then with anyone else I decided it was a perfect time for us to do something." His hands still tight around her petit body.

"Jack." She looked at him seriously, "I have to work and-"

"Don't worry I'll take care of that." He said flexing his arms as to show he had the authority to get her off work when ever he pleased.

Janet gave him another serious look, "We've talked about that Jack. I don't want any special treatments as an employee. I am just like ever one else." She said placing her arms parallel to his. She could feel the strength of his muscles; something that made her knees weak and her mind wonder why on earth would she want to stay at work when she could be in his arms somewhere else.

"No you are not, you are the woman I love and that makes you extra especial." He said rubbing his nose against hers. "Don't ever forget that. You are never like the rest." Jack said as he leaned in to kiss his girl. Slowly his hands made their way up her body until he placed them between her hair and cheek. She brought Jack closer as she surrounded his body with her hands while their kiss deepened.

"Good Morning Ja-. Sorry I am so sorry I didn't mean to interrupt." Jason stood speechless as he walked in on Jack and Janet's kiss." They quickly let go of each other as Janet looked at Jack, to embarrass to look at Mr. Crockett she stared at the floor, "I will leave you two alone."

"No that's okay. I have other things to do. You two go ahead." Janet said as she looked around the flower shop for something she can get busy on. When she spotted some dry flowers she made her way to water them. At a snail's pace she walked away gradually running her finger down Jack's arm and letting go only as their tips touched."

Jack watched as an embarrassed Janet made he way across the shop, a slightly shy smile crossed his handsome face. 'She was so cute' he though as he remembered Jason standing in front of him. "Sorry." Jack apologized as they made their way back into Jason's office.

"Sorry?" He turned to look at his boss. "You don't have to apologized you are the boss remember."

"What is that suppose to mean?" Jack asked not liking this employee's tone of voice.

"Nothing Jack. You don't have anything to apologize about." He said shutting the door behind him. "You and Janet are free to show your feelings whenever you please. Just remember that this time you were lucky it was me and not some other employee or even worst your wife."

Jack sat down and took in a deep breath, "I know please don't remind me. That would be the last thing I need now that things are finally going our way."

"Exactly. You know how violent Vicky gets when she thinks of you and other women. I wouldn't want to imagine her anger when she actually finds out this time is for real." There was a silent moment. "Because this time it is for real, right?"

While Jason and Jack were discussing his new relationship with Janet, she was standing by a bed of purple and yellow flowers as she carefully watered and cared for them. She absently poured the water over them as her mind wonder what Jack and her manager were discussing. 'I bet Jason is going to let me go' she though to herself. Since she knew that most places prohibited any type of romantic relationship between employees and mangers, she could only imagine the consequences that getting involved with the store owner would bring.

"Just be careful Jack and whatever you do please don't hurt Janet. I don't think she deserves it." Jason spoke as he stood up.

"Hurt her? How?" Jack wonder as he places his hands inside his pockets. "How could I hurt someone that means so much to me?"

"Well I just mean if you plan to lead her on, take her all the way. You didn't have any real intentions with other girls before and I hope I am right when I assume that you will pressure for the divorce and one day hopefully take Janet as your wife."

"You are my friend. That has been my long time dream. All this means nothing compare to one day being able to call Janet 'my wife'."

"I am happy for you…both." He said as he placed his hand on top of Jack's shoulder, "And if there is anything I can do to help. You know I am here for you. It's great to be able to see some light back in your eyes and I bet I will be able to say the same for Janet. Even though I must say she already has the loveliest eyes I've seen."

"She does." Jack agreed as a visual picture of Janet ran across his mind, "Well there is something you can do for me; I gave Nancy an order of roses to be send to Janet's home today, please be sure that gets done before this afternoon."

"Done."

"And well I was thinking maybe if you think you have enough staffed …would you mind me stealing her for the rest of the day. I just want to spend some more time with her before Jr. gets home."

"Of course. You don't even have to ask."

Jack shook his friends hand and made his way towards the door, "Great. I was afraid you might need her. And if Vicky comes by tell her you haven't seen me all day. And that Janet is at lunch please."

"Don't worry I have you cover. You two have fun." Jason said before Jack closed the door behind him.

"It's set." Jack came up to Janet with an ear to ear smile. "You and I have the whole afternoon to enjoy all to ourselves."

She glanced at him as she placed her flower pot down. "What did I tell-?"

"It's okay Janet." Jason came from behind his friend. "We will be fine. Saturday afternoons are usually not as bad. Go ahead and enjoy your day."

She stared from one man to the other. "Jack had to practically beg me to let you go. You wouldn't want to let him down, you know how hard it takes anyone to convince me to let good help go." He winked while Jack gave her a sad puppy face she just couldn't help to resist.

A smile was instantly drawn on her pretty face, "Okay." She said taking Jack's hand in hers. The happy couple made their way out the door. Jason took in a deep breath and smiled content for his friend and co-worker. He really deserved happiness and he knew Janet was the one person that could satisfy that part of his life.

Jack and Janet drove over to a small restaurant near the beach. They each ordered a cheeseburger and fries. Jack had a chocolate shake while Janet had a cold glass of raspberry lemonade. It was a beautiful sunny September day; such a perfect day to be at the beach. The wind blew gently making their hair dance to its rhythm.

"I'm glad you liked this place." Jack said as he took a bit of his burger.

Giggling Janet wiped some mayonnaise off Jack's lips, "It's very cute." She said looking around. "I'm glad we came here instead of a fancy place in town. It's been a while since I've came to the beach. My son is kind of scare of going in the water."

"Well after we are done we can take a long walk down the beach. Who knows if you're lucky I may wear a Speedo just for you." Jack joked as he placed his hand on hers.

"Won't that be something." She winked enjoying his company.

After they finished their food, Jack and Janet decided to take a walk threw the small shops around the area. Jack softly placed his hand around his friend's small body; she looked up at him and smiled. The gold of his sandy blond hair highlighted the blue in his eyes against the sun. She snuggled next to his body as he tilted his head and kissed her dark hair. "I love you, you know." He whispered.

"I know." She replied enjoying the breeze. "And I love you too Jack. I am forever thankful that life brought us back together. And this time we will hopefully be together forever."

"We will honey. You know what they say love can beat anything. And there is nothing else in this whole world I love more then you." He gently took her hand in his and brought it against his lips. "You, Jack and I will be the happiest family ever."

She watched the people next to them pass them by, "But how will we ever get to be a family when Vicky refuses to sign the divorce papers."

He took in a deep breath and removed his hand from her body. They stopped their progress as he turned completely to look her in the eye. His thumb roamed her soft and rosy cheek. "She will give in Janet. This time I won't take no for an answer. I used to not care much about it before you came back into my life. She had her own life and I had mine. But now it's different. This time I have a bigger battle to win because there is a better reward. You." He leaned in and kissed her soft crimson lips. "I will do whatever it takes."

"Where's my husband at?" Nancy heard a shout from behind the counter. Embarrassed she asked the nice elderly lady she was helping to please excuse her.

"I will be right back."

"Go ahead honey. I think she needs more help then me."

"Don't give me that crap." Vicky shouted out at Jason as she pushed him out of the way and made her way inside his office. "He didn't come home last night and has not been by his office. I can't find him anywhere. He has to be here."

"I am sorry Mrs. Tripper. I've not seen him all day." Jason lied as he ran after her.

She looked around her hand on her hip and the dirtiest look on her face. "You better not be lying to me."

"Why would I?"

"I don't know but you better not." She snapped back. "Where is she at?"

"She?" A questionable tone escaped his voice.

"Janet. Don't play stupid with me Jason. Are they together? I want to see her."

"Janet is out to lunch."

Another dirty look, "Funny, how every time Jack is missing and every time I come by the shop, Janet is out to lunch."

"Well if you want to wait for her. You will see she is not with Jack. We haven't seen him all day long."

"Well I may just do that." She warned walking out of the small room.

"Well you are more then welcome to. You're the boss." He added nervously hoping she would not accept his invitation.

"You're dame right I am the boss and don't ever forget that. Because you know what will happened to you if I ever find out you lied to me."

Tearing up the floor under her shoes she made her way towards the entrance of the shop. 'It's useless for me to stay here. Maybe I should go check his apartment.' She though her hands resting across her chest.

Fifteen minutes had gone by when she started pacing the lobby. "Isn't lunch half an hour?" She asked Mr. Crockett.

"Usually it is but we owed her some over time and I gave her an hour today." He said nervously looking at his watch. Hoping Vicky was getting tired of waiting.

Slowly she made her way towards the windows; she stare threw them like a watch dog

"These are lovely." She heard an employee upstairs admiring the beautiful scarlet roses. "I've never seen such beautiful flowers or so many send out. They must be for a very special person."

"They are. This is Mr. Tripper's order." Vicky's head turned faster then lightning. Her eyes opened wide as her heart started to race with anger.

"Don't tell me he opened another restaurant?"

"No, he didn't." The blonde hair employee laughed, "Besides when he does we spend days making flower arrangements not putting together twelve dozen roses. Actually these are to be sent out to Janet's home."

"Janet? Our Janet?" The older lady looked up with surprise. A smile instantly drawn on her chubby face.

"What the hell did you just say?" The four ladies were surprised by Vicky's approach and choice of words.

In shocked the employee just looked at her friends and back to the furious woman in front of her, "Didn't you hear me, what did you just say?" Vicky pointed towards her.

"Nothing." She managed to stutter out.

With her temperature on fire and her heart beating uncontrollably she slapped the young girl and asked her one more time.

With about thirty minutes into their walk Jack started to notice a change in Janet's walk. He looked down at her shoes and the slightly dressy navy dress she wore. "Janet don't tell me you are comfortable wearing those heels on the sidewalk. Plus isn't it a little warm to be wearing a dress like that?" He asked after she refused Jack offered to buy her something more comfortable to wear.

"Its ok don't worry about it I can just take them off-"

"In that case, if you will completely take everything off forget I said anything." He joked. "Come one we can both get something new to wear." He said opening the door to a funky small shop.

She didn't want to take advantage of Jack but did realize he was right plus her feet were already aching.

Vicky dragged the young girl downstairs with her. Her hand wrapped forcefully against the employee's wrist. "I thought you said Jack hasn't been here." She confronted Jason.

"That's right. He's not been here." He repeated as she saw the blond hair girl massage her hand. "What's going on?"

"Liar." She shouted of the top of her lungs. "Then how could he have asked for an order of roses to be sent to Janet's home? Explain that."

"He called that order in." Nancy interrupted their conversation. "Early this morning before Mr. Crockett came in. I had already told the girls upstairs to get working on it. I didn't mention it to Mr. Crockett because I didn't think it was important."

"Then how come when I asked for my husband you didn't tell me he called."

"Because you didn't asked if he had called. All you asked was if he had been here." Nancy tried responding as kindly as she could.

Vicky took in a deep breath, "If I find out you'll are lying all of you will be fire. Every single one of you." She warned all three of them as she pointed her index finger to every one of them before she made her way out the door. "All of you."

After about a quarter of an hour at the small shop they both came out with new beach wear and a undersized pink and orange beach bag where they placed the clothes they were already wearing.

Jack looked extremely handsome in his white pants and baby blue button-up shirt that match the color of his liquid blue eyes. Janet also turned some heads in her white capris and matching spaghetti string shirt that contrast perfectly against her tan skin. "Much better won't you agree?" He asked taking his girl's hand in his.

"Absolutely." She grinned. Her white smile made Jack's heart beat faster as his heart melt in her beauty.

Slowly they walked next to the ocean. Their feet slightly soak as the small waves danced against the golden sand and crushed at the touch of their ankles. Jack had his right arm around Janet's unclothed shoulder while she enveloped her arms around his back. "Janet?" He asked.

"What honey?"

"I was thinking, I've not had a vacation in a while now and I would really love to spend some more time with you and your son. I know he is in school and we can not plan a long vacation but maybe a weekend at Disneyland. You know something where we three can be alone and not have to worry about Vicky or you going to work."

She removed her hand from Jack's body as she stopped their walk. "I don't know Jack. My son hardly knows you and a weekend together so soon may not be the best thing."

"Well that is my point exactly we've only met a couple of times and I was thinking if we spend a weekend in each other's company he will know more about me and I will know more about him. I don't want to be a stranger to him, Janet." She couldn't help but pick up on his tone of voice. Jack really wanted this but she needed to talk to him first. Explain to her son that Jack was more then just a friend that she loved Jack and that one day they both hope to form a family together with him and hopefully a little brother or sister.

"I am not saying no, Jack. It's just that …" She took in a deep breath "Let me talk to him okay?" She requested, "I would love for us to do something together and a weekend away would be perfect." She smiled. "But I want to talk to him and let him know what you mean in my life."

"Thanks sweetie." Jack smiled as he kissed her nose.

"I love you Jack and I would go to the end of the world with you I don't want you to ever forget that but-"

"Your son comes first. I understand that too honey. And I would never want to stand between you and him. Maybe we can setback the trip till after your talk to junior." Jack whisper as he held her chin in his hands and softly kissed her forehead.

At that moment Janet recalled the so many reasons why she has always loved and will always love the man in front of her. He has the heart of an angel she thought to herself as she whispered 'I love you' between small kisses.

"Love you more," he replied, as she laughed after every touch of his lips against her skin. "More. More. More."

Janet giggled uncontrollably as he picked her petite body from the ground and carried her towards the water. "Don't you dare!" She warned him laughing as she enjoyed the moment in his strong arms.

"Or what?" He asked in a sexy tone. "How bad will my punishment be?"

"The worst."

"Try me." Jack said as he pretended to let go of her body.

"Jack." She let out a scream mixed with laughter. "Stop." She pleaded her arms securely surrounding his neck. "If I fall you're coming down with me." She warned him when he started spinning around in the water.

Jack teased Janet for a few minutes; the water had reached his knees when all of a sudden Jack lost his balance and stumble on his feet. They both fell into the clear blue water Jack on top of Janet. Luckily for them there was hardly anyone around and the people who were there had not seen them fall.

"I'll get you back, Jack Tripper." Janet said with a joyful sound to her voice as she pulled Jack back down with her.

They played with each other in the water as the sun started to settle across the sky. After the couple had had all the fun they could in the salty water Jack and Janet soak in their new clothes sat to watch the sun set across the ocean. She was curled up beside him as he coated her body with his well-built arms. She rested her head on his shoulder while he ran his fingers up and down her arms.

"Are you sure you rather have dinner at home?" Jack asked as he knocked on the guest room downstairs.

Once the sun had complete disappeared into the blue waters Jack took Janet to his apartment where they showered and changed into something else. Janet wore the dress she had been wearing earlier while Jack put on some kaki shorts and a polo shirt. "I hope the guestroom and bathroom wasn't too messy." Jack asked as he took their clothes out of the dryer. "The housekeeper only comes by once a month and who know when the last time anyone used or cleaned that room was." Jack informed Janet.

She kissed his nervous lips and informed him it was fine. "Promise." She said looking around. "This is beautiful Jack." She spoke admiring Jack's apartment.

"It's not much but it beats being home with Vicky."

"Well I think it's lovely." She said running her finger across a burgundy table next to her.

"Ready?" He asked walking towards her. He watched as she observed every detail in the two floor apartment.

She nodded.

"I'm hoping we can make this place the happiest home for our family. At least until we can find a home you like." He said looking around himself.

Once they had gather Janet's belonging they locked the door behind them and made their way towards the elevator. "I had a wonderful time. Thanks babe." She said as she compensated him with a small peck. A peck which Jack wasted no time deepening.

The doors shut in front of them as they made their way back to the first floor. Jack's hand soon dropped the colorful bag to make itself useful around Janet's body. With their eyes shut they indulged in the passionate kiss. Janet softly ran her hand threw his light brown hair as he drew her closer. Jack's tongue gradually entered Janet's parted lips. A taste of her strawberry-vanilla lip-gloss welcomed his tongue. He teased her tongue as a pleasurable moan escaped Janet's lips. By far this had been the most fervent kiss they've shared. He kissed Janet so long and hard that neither noticed when the elevator doors opened. Finally Jack opened his azure eyes when all of a sudden his body froze solid. His body temperature dropped below freezing and his hands left Janet's body. Her lips stilled tried to find the rhythm their lips had dance too just a few seconds ago. She slowly and questionably opened her eyes to see what had taken Jack's attention from her. She looked up at his shocked face and then turned to where his eyes were set. Immediately he flew towards the 'close door' button to his left as he saw the fury in his wife's face as she made her way towards the door.