Chapter 10

The next morning Janet was up early. She took her son to school and then made her way to her job. She took in a deep breather before opening the door to enter the flower shop.

The day went by quickly making Janet's nerves ease as the clock approached lunch time.

"Good morning Diane." Jack greeted his house keeper as she entered the kitchen.

"Good morning Mr. Tripper." She replied with a smile.

"Is Vicky in her room?"

"No, she left early this morning about nine or so. We haven't head from her since."

"That is strange." Jack said as his thoughts drifted off and wondered if Vicky had gone by the flower shop.

"Did she say where she was going?"

"Not really. She said she needed to go do some small purchase and then she would have lunch with her friends."

Jack took a sit at the breakfast table. He remained quiet. "Is something the matter?" Diane asked.

Jack took in a deep breath before she started to explain what was going on with and Janet. And what had happened last night. He and Diane had known each other for a long time now and he really trusted her and knew she would understand the happiness Janet has brought to his life. She has been there to see the different stages Jack and Vicky's marriage has gone threw. She also knew of the many times Jack had asked Vicky to sign the divorce documents and how she refused every single time. "Well I hope this time it's different. Maybe now she will see that she has no way of tying you done. That you have finally found someone that makes you happy and you will do whatever it takes to be together." She said patting Jack's hand.

"We will. Janet means everything to me. I would give up everything ….every restaurant…flower shop ….car anything just to be with her. She brings me the biggest joy ever." He said as a mental picture of Janet crossed his mind. "You have to meet her Diane. You will really like her. She's always been the type of girl you know you could bring home to mom and mom would actually approve." He laughed.

"Well I hope so. We both know how picky Mrs. Tripper can be." She winked.

"Well mom got to meet her a while back and absolutely loved her; after we cleared up some misunderstandings."

"Well I can't wait to meet her. She must be something else if she has you floating in thin air like this."

"Well, I have some pictures we took yesterday when we went to the beach." Jack started pulling his wallet out to show Diane the small pictures they took at a booth near the strip by the ocean.

The black and white pictures needed no color to bring out the joy the couple shared. Their love was obvious it came across clearly. "This one is my favorite." Jack pointed to the small image of Janet leaning on his shoulder smiling.

"She looks so content." He added.

"She does. She is very pretty Jack." She paused and smile at Jack. After living with the couple for such a long time, Diane has gotten used to Jack and grown to love him like a son. "I really hope things work out between you two. I've never seen you so happy and excited about life and its obvious this girl is responsible for that ear to ear smile. Hopefully you can come to an understanding with Vicky so that you and Janet can live your lives as you please. Maybe get marry and have a family some day. I more then anyone else know how much you would love to be a father."

"Well I already am." Jack said with a proud smile. "In a way."

"Does Janet have a child?"

"Yes. His name is Jack. She named him after me. And even though I've not spend too much time with him, the times I have I've enjoyed it so much. It's a feeling you just can't put into words."

Jack and Diane spend about an hour talking about his relationship with Janet. He also took advantage of the time they were spending together to offer her a job at his apartment when he and Vicky divorce. "I plan for Janet, Jack and I to live there for a while. At least until we find a home for us to live. And I would love it if you came to work for me there."

She eagerly agreed and reminded him he could count on her for anything. "I don't know how much of Mrs. Tripper I would be able to stand if you left for good."

Jack patted her aged hands and gave her a warm smile.

Things seem to be going well at the Flower Shop. Janet had almost gone through the whole day without any problems. Vicky had not been by all morning and the flower shop had been reasonable busy. "I'll be back in half an hour." She informed Jason before going to lunch.

"That sounds good, hope you enjoy the nice day out."

"Thanks." She replied with a smile. "Do you want me to bring you anything back?"

"Well, if you can just a coke."

"Sounds great. I will be back soon." Janet grabbed her purse and headed towards the door. It was a lovely day out. The sky was clear blue not a cloud in sight and the sun shined like a diamond. "Life is great." She whispered under her breath.

"Where are you going? To meet with my husband again?" She heard Vicky's angry voice. She immediately turned to look at the woman. She came towards her like a beast after it's pray. Intimidated by Vicky's hostility Janet made her way back into the shop.

How could she face her? She was right in some way but it was time Janet stood up for what she knew was hers; Jack's love. Once inside Janet felt a bit safer, she searched for Jason but didn't find him. "Don't try to run." Vicky said once she also was inside the main lobby.

"I am not running."

"Look Janet. I am here for one reason and one reason alone. I am not going to ask you twice because only life knows what I will do if I see you and Jack together again." She warned Janet looking her straight in the eye. "I want you to leave my husband alone. You two might think you'll are really clever and were able to get away from me yesterday but next time I see you with him I will kill you both." She shouted of the top of her lungs. "Jack is mine." Tears now rolling down her face. "I want you out of his life and mine. Do you understand me? O. U. T. Out!"

Jason came running out of his office as fast as lightning, "What's going on?" He asked as soon as he opened his office door.

"You are the one that needs understanding." Janet answered back. "Jack doesn't love you. He's told you that before. And we are not letting anyone stand in our way this time. Vick you are just harming yourself by not agreeing on the divorce. Jack-"

"Jack. Jack thinks he can just leave me for you well he is wrong. He just wanted to take all that my dad left me. He thinks he is the big business man. Well I am not going to let you and him wasted all of my daddy's hard work and spent it on yourself."

"Ladies, please…" Jason interfered.

"Stay out of this Jason." Vicky snapped back.

"You still don't get it this isn't about money. It's about love. Jack and I love each other."

"Janet please." Jason turned to her and with a look that beg for her to remain silent.

"Vicky I think you are too upset. Come into my office and cool down. Janet please take the rest of the day off. We will manage fine."

"That's right leave. Leave and you don't come back. Because you are fire…fire. I don't ever want to see you around here again. You understand. Stay away from all that is mine and that includes Jack." Vicky said as she tried to reach across Jason to hurt Janet.

"Please." He asked once again.

Janet's body stood frozen in that same place. She didn't know what to do. She had to admit she was afraid that Vicky would hurt her and Jack. With out thinking it again she left the flower shop for good.

Jack took a sit on the maroon leather chair inside the library of his home. He had been waiting for Vicky to come back most of the afternoon. At first he was worried maybe she had been by the flower shop but when he called earlier that morning Jason assured him things were going good and that his wife hadn't been by.

He took a small break from his reading to admire the beauty of the room. He smiled as he thanked life for all he had. As he looked down at the picture frame in front of him his handsome smile faded. He took it in his hand and shook his head, "Why did I ever marry you?" He asked.

"Mrs. Tripper just pulled into the drive way." Diane informed Jack.

"Thank you Diane." He winked and headed towards the door. The older lady disappeared into the kitchen as Jack approached the front door.

"Vicky." Jack called, "We have to talk." He said with a bitter taste in his mouth.

"About what?" She asked not even looking at him, "You and Janet. And how she is forcing you to divorce me so that you two can just leave me out in the street? No way."

"Vicky." He spoke firmly. "I am not leaving until you and I have a talk and I am not letting you just walk out without listening to what I have to tell you."

"Okay Jack. You want to talk….lets talk."

Jack headed towards the library once again, she followed behind. Jack let her enter first and then he shut the door behind him. "Is that what you think, that Janet is forcing me to divorce you to take advantage of you money?"

"Why else would you ask me to divorce you?" She asked as she sat at the head of the desk.

"Vick, I've been asking you to divorce me long before Janet ever showed up again. Her coming back into my life just encouraged it more."

"Jack why in the hell did you marry me if you didn't want to spend the rest of your life with me?" She asked in tears.

Jack felt guilt eating him up, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have played with you like this. I loved Janet and seeing her going away and marrying Philip just made me realize that I had lost her forever and when you came into my life I just thought I would be able to forget her and by asking the first girl that cross my life to marry me. I mean if she didn't care about leaving for good why should I. I know what I did was wrong but I though I would be able to get used to life without her and that some day maybe I would like someone as much as I loved her. But you made things so difficult."

"I made thing difficult? Me? How?" She demanded. "How do you expect for me to be the perfect wife when I know my husband is in love with someone else?"

"Well if you knew I didn't love you….then why did you marry me?"

"Because I didn't realize your true feelings. I didn't realized just how much in love you were with that woman. But that doesn't matter now. Jack I will not divorce you. I will never let you and Janet be happy. You are mine and no one else's."

"Look if it's the material goods you are worry about you can keep everything all but the first restaurant I opened with Angelino years ago. That one is non negotiable." He proposed. "You can keep the house and everything else. I just want out."

"Will I keep the flower shop?" Vicky asked.

"What would you do with the flower shop?" He knew it was of no value to her.

"Nothing probably tear it down and sale the lot or just sell the flower shop."

"Then why would you want it?"

She laughed sarcastically, "You know why. Because you would probably end up putting it under Janet's ownership and that is something I am not going to let you do."

"Fine. You can keep it, keep everything, the chain of restaurants, the flower shop, the house, cars, everything but that restaurant. I will also keep those things that belong to me alone. Like the apartment in Beverly Hills, the bank accounts under name alone but anything we have under joint ownership is yours. As long as you give me back my freedom."

"Okay Jack Tripper. I will sign."

"Great let me go get those documents they are…"

"Wait. I didn't say I would sign today. Give me time to talk to my financial advisor. I trusted you once and you ruined my life. I am not doing that again."

He looked at the ceiling above him, they've for once came to a conclusion and he didn't want to ruin it and make her change her mind. "Okay. That is only fair. I will talk to my attorney too and have him do whatever paperwork is needed to have those items put in your name. I will give them to you so you and Cole can look them over before you sign."

With such great news Jack wouldn't think of a better excuse to go see Janet and let her know Vicky had finally agreed to the divorce.

He rang the doorbell as he hid the beautiful dozen of bright colorful flowers he picked up on his way.

Janet answered the door and right behind her was her son. He smiled at them both. Leaning in to kiss her lips softly he gave her the flowers. "Hey honey." He said with his unique charm. "Hey pal." He greeted little Jack as he patted the small boy's head.

Janet moved her lips just enough to draw a small smile on her pretty face. "Is something wrong?" Jack asked.

"Nothing." She shook her head as she closed the door behind them. "I just had a bad day."

"Why?" He asked curiously.

"Nothing important. Don't worry about it." She said trying to keep a smile.

"Come on Janet. There have never been any secrets between us. And I know you better then you do. And that worry look on you face tells me there is something wrong."

Janet took in a deep breath. "We can talk about it later." She informed him eyeing her small son. "It's time for dinner."

Jack agreed and the trio made their way towards the kitchen. Janet's body was tense but at the soon touch of Jack's hand around hers it seem as the world's problems melt and life couldn't get any better.

After dinner both Jacks and Janet played a board game in the living room. Jack made a special desert for their son. "I am very proud of your grades." He told the brown eye boy who was more concerned with getting more sweets then Jack's speech or the game.

After Jack helped Janet send her son off to bed Jack made his way back into his favorite room in the house, "I'll wash the dishes while you help Jack brush his teeth." He said.

Janet aid Jack into his small twin bed and covered him up in his soft sheets. "I love you mommy." He said wrapping his tiny arms around her neck.

"Mommy loves you too." She rubbed her nose against his, "mommy loves you very much."

"How about Jack?" The little boy asked his mother, "Does Jack love me?"

She paused to think for a moment, she nodded her head and replied, "Yes, baby Jack loves you very much too. Just as much as your mommy and daddy."

"Is Jack like my other dad?" He wonder, "Do I have to love him more then daddy?"

"No honey. You only have one father and should always love him as much as you do. Jack …." She ponder, "Jack is always going to be there for you like you daddy, he will love you unconditionally like you father and will always be someone you can trust and love, but he will never try to take your father's place. I don't want you to change the way you love Philip. He is a great man."

"Can I love them both the same?"

"That you can do." She stated poking his stomach softly. "Both Jack and Philip have a very special love for you just like I do. And I have a very special love for them both in my heart. Things didn't work out with you dad but that doesn't mean I don't like him. Now Jack and I are seeing each other in a way your dad and I once did. And are hoping to form a family someday; one in which you will have little brothers or sisters, or maybe both."

Janet's lips moved as though she was going to speak some more but turned to see what had caught her son's attention. She reached out her arm so that Jack could come closer. Jack pulled up a small chair where he sat to read his son a short bedtime story. The little boy soon drifted off to sleep. "My angel." Janet whispered as she kissed his hair.

The two friends made their way into the living room. Jack ran his fingers threw her back and planted a small kiss on her forehead. "We are going to have the best family ever."

"I feel like we already do." She said leaning her head on his shoulder. "Only one thing would make it better." She whispered.

"Are you trying to turn me on?" He joked. "I thought you wanted to save that until we got marry."

Janet laughed; she loved and missed Jack's jokes, "I didn't mean that."

"Come on you know you can't wait to get your hands on me and love me and have your way with me and God knows what." Jack winked as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "I am irresistible. Sorry babe that is just something you will have to get use too."

Janet turned her body around as she placed both hands on Jack's handsome face, "I love you." She whispered as she planted a peck on his flushed lips. She softly repeated those 3 words again as she cuddled against his strong chest while wrapping her arms around his strong upper body.

"Janet. What is wrong babe?" He said making their way towards the living room.

"Vicky went to see me to day at the flower shop." She said slowly taking a seat. "I'm scare Jack. Very scare. She warned me she would kill us. I don't know how violent she really could be but the rage in eyes let me know she wasn't kidding." Janet let Jack know exactly what went on in the shop's lobby that afternoon. "I would hate for us to take her threats lightly and one of us ends up hurt."

Jack smiled a tender smile as he brought her petite body closer to his. Slowly he rubbed the palm of his hand up and down her arm. "Well you don't have to worry anymore Jane."

She turned to look at him confuse.

"I've got some good news. Besides like I told you before Vicky is all talk."

"I sure hope so." Just thinking about the earlier encounter with her brought chills up and down Janet's legs.

"I just spoke to Vicky before coming here. She has finally agreed to sign the divorce. I will soon be a free man." He kissed her lips rapidly. "And then you, Jack and I will be able to live happily ever after."

"When will she sign?"

"She will need to speak to her financial advisor first. Which shouldn't take very long. Plus I also have to talk to my attorney. She put very strict conditions but anything and everything is worth me spending the rest of my life with you."

"What kind of conditions?"

"Well she will get to keep almost seventy five percent of my assets, including bank accounts, properties, restaurants, cars, boats, all that stuff that she just can't get enough of."

"Are you sure?" Janet questioned him with such admiration. "Are you honestly willing to give all that up for me?"

"I'll do whatever it takes. Janet I love you and you are my only happiness. I don't need a $50,000 car to make me feel like the luckiest guy in the world. Just a taste of your lips will do." He said caressing her dark hair.

"That's probably the sweetest thing you've ever said to me Mr. Tripper." Janet informed him. As she leaned in to Jack's awaiting lips. They shared an earth-shattering kiss that expressed all the love and admiration they had for each other. Jack slowly laid Janet's body against the lengthy sofa. Slowly his lips left hers to leave a trail of small kisses down her neck. "I love you." He whispered seductively as she ran her fingers through his hair.

This was the first time they had ever gotten this closer to each other physically. And even though Jack was sure he could have probably kept going he stopped. Placing his forehead against Janet's she giggled while he pecked her nose, "Who would have thought we would have to wait this long to feel the closeness of our bodies. But pretty soon you will be Mrs. Janet Tripper. And I will get to have you whenever I want."

"Whenever you want." She assured him echoing his words in a tone so seductive it made Jack's body tingle with desire.