Chapter 12
"Morning sunshine." Janet smiled at her son as she poured some fresh squished orange juice into a cup.
"Morning mommy." Jack responded as he came walking into the small kitchen.
"Are you ready for breakfast?"
The little brown eye boy nodded his head as he rubbed his left eye. "Can I get some juice too?"
"Of course honey" Janet kissed his hair as she ran her hand through it.
"When is Jack coming home?"
"He should be here this afternoon. Have you prepared your stuff like I asked you last night?" She questioned him.
"I put everything out but my toothbrush."
"That's my boy." Janet said as she placed two blueberry pancakes on his plate.
Jack had arranged for the three of them to take a small weekend vacation to Disneyland. He had not been there since the trio lived in apartment 201. "It will be fun." He assured Janet. "Our son will enjoy it and we can relive some great memories." He said kissing her lips.
Nervously she agreed even if she still thought her son was too young to ride those wild rides, "Well he has to start some where." He joked. "Plus we can ride the smaller rides, something we can all enjoy not necessary the adult rides."
That was true Janet saw his point. "Okay." She agreed kissing his cheek. "You are so smart you know? Must be the reason why I love you so much"
"I do get that a lot." He said prideful joking.
She rolled her eyes and laughed along.
Jack had woken up early needing to get several things taken care of before the trip to Anaheim. First in his to-do-list was to go talk to his attorney so that he could get the documents for the divorce ready. He couldn't wait for Vicky to sign them plus he also wanted to talk to him about leaving everything to Janet and little Jack in case something was to happen to him. With Vicky taking a major part of his wealth, Jack wanted to secure his future wife and son. "I can only leave those accounts and assets which are under my name alone as payable upon death to Janet and my son Jack." He informed Ryan. "Everything else needs to be included as Vicky's for her to sign the divorce."
"Are you sure about this Jack? That is a large part of your assets and though you'll have enough for you to live comfortably you will be missing out on a lot. Maybe if we wait a little longer your wife will agree seeing she has no choice. That way you won't loose as much?"
Jack chuckled, "Waiting is defiantly not an option. Vicky has finally agreed on this with me and I am not going to jeopardize that for money or buildings or cars or anything else. Besides I can never lose with this deal my reward is incomparable, being able to be free to marry Janet and live happily with her and our son is what I want the most. Being able to walk down the beach with her head on my shoulder, take her out without having to worry about running into Vicky, make love to her without making her feel guilty of our relationship, you just wouldn't understand all I am obtaining."
His old time friend looked at him and smiled, "Maybe I can't understand but I can sure bet on your happiness. I've seen you down so many times frustrated with Vicky and this divorce but it's like a new man walked into my office today. I will work on this today do you want me to just mail them to Vicky or do you want to come by later on today?"
"I'll come back. I am taking a small weekend vacation with my new family and I hoping Vicky will sign them while we are out."
"Sounds perfect, you have a good time. And I am really looking forward to meeting Janet." He said shaking Jack's hand.
Once Jack has taken care of all this personal business, he arranged a meeting with an old friend of Janet's. "I am very interested in the property in Santa Monica," he informed him. "I saw you had a 'For Rent' sign but I am willing to pay high dollar for the building. In cash." He added. Knowing that would probably make the owner think about his options more in dept.
"I don't know that little place has been in our family for three generations now and I would hate to lose it." The man replied.
"Well I am about to leave on a trip but how about we discuss this over lunch at Jack's Bistro on Sunset Ave, Monday when I return? That way you'll have a weekend to think about the options."
"That is fine with me I need time to think about this."
"That's all right my friend I understand. But like I said I am willing to pay any amount named in cash." He reminded the man before setting the phone down. He took one last look at it as he crossed his fingers.
'This would be perfect.' Jack thought as he reached for his keys and jacket. "Perfect."
"Hello beautiful." Jack said as he was greeted with a surprised yet attractive smile.
"Jack." Janet smiled letting him inside her home. "I didn't think you would be here this early."
"Neither did I." he laughed kissing her lips. "I just got everything out of the way and well since I don't want to waste any free time without you, here I am."
"You're so sweet. You know that?" Janet stated walking into his embrace.
"Thank babe." Jack said as they walked toward the kitchen.
"Jack." Shouted the little boy in excitement. "Yay you are home." He ran toward the couple.
Jack picked the boy up and lifted him up in the air laughing as his cowboy hat fell to the floor. Janet watched the joy in both of their faces. She took in a deep breath and smiled happily thankful for such a great life she was living.
"Well we are half way ready." She said while she helped Jack make lunch.
"That's okay honey. No rush. I know I told you I would be here later but why spend the afternoon alone when I could be with the greatest love of my life." He winked leaning over to steal a quick kiss.
The couple and little Jack enjoyed their late lunch before departing on their trip. "I do have to go by my attorney's office and then by the house. I am hoping Vicky will sign the papers this weekend. Would you rather me come back and pick you up or would you like to come along?" He asked tensely.
She lifted her shoulders up quickly and then let them rest to normal position. "It's up to you Jack." She stated not wanting to make such a critical decision. "I wouldn't mind staying but it does mean you will lose time going to Ryan's office, home and then back across town again." She paused and took in a deep breath. "But I would hate to cause even more problems between you and Vicky, mostly since she is willing to even look at the divorce documents."
Jack took in a deep breath. "Well if you don't mind I can just go in on my own. I will try to make-"
She smiled her understanding while she made her way towards her boyfriend to try to shake the nervous ton of his voice; she leaned in to meet his lips with hers. "I completely understand." She added. "Jack and I will stay where you want us to."
He smiled his thanks, as he ran his hand through her black hair, "I knew you would, thanks babe."
After they left Ryan's office they made their way to Jack and Vicky's home. "I promise I won't take long." He said before reminding her he loved her.
"Don't worry honey we will still be here."
Jack made his way towards the house; he took in a deep breath. He knew his wife was home since he spotted her silver Audi outside the drive way. "Is Mrs. Tripper home?" He asked a housekeeper.
"Yes. Sir she is upstairs in the workout room."
Jack went up stairs to find Vicky in the room with one of her friends. "Hi ladies." He tried greeting them with a polite tone. "I hope I am not interrupting anything I just need to talk to Vicky."
"Sure." Vicky said turning to her friend, "I will be right back."
"What is it Jack." She said in a short tone.
"I just wanted to let you know I have the paperwork completed. I don't know if your financial advisor will be able to communicate with you tomorrow but since it's' Friday I bet you can catch him today."
"I've talked to him; he said to bring them down as soon as I get them from you. I guess you must be very desperate to get ride of me?" She laughed.
"Please don't start." He said looking around. "I have a trip this weekend."
"A trip?" She raised an eyebrow, "What kind of a trip, a business one or a let's go see if I can get laid this weekend."
"Stop." He demanded. "Don't you ever dare try to call Janet a tramp."
"Then what could I call someone who sleeps with a marry man and worst makes him divorce his wife? A nun?"
"I don't need to give you any details of what I do and who I spend my time with. I have a business trip and I am hoping to return Monday. I want those documents sign Vick. You got away with all I've worked hard for. You should be happy."
"Have fun on your trip." She said before turning around.
"Monday." He reminded her once again, feeling the sweat around his forehead.
Jack furiously made his way back to the car. Took in a deep breath before opening the door to the outside. Neither Janet nor Jack was responsible for his wife's attitude and he wasn't going to take it out on them. He smiled big as he opened the door. "Okay kiddos off to Disney it is."
'A business trip huh?' Vicky though fuming as she watch the car leave, with Janet and Jack in the front seats.
Jack and his new family were having a great trip. They arrived Friday afternoon, they went out to enjoy the city's attractions and then to dinner. They were planning to wake up early the next morning and spend the rest of the day at Disney.
The morning was still young; the sun was barely peeking through the hotel's curtains. Jack was the first up; he has been so used to waking up early for school that every Saturday morning he would wake up at 7 to watch cartoons. This weekend was no exception to his normal weekend habit.
He slowly and quietly tiptoed out of his queen size bed and made his way towards the television. He turned sharply towards the bed his mom and Jack were sharing. He saw as Jack's body moved closer to his mom in a restless sleep taking a deep breath as he wrapped his arms around her waist.
He finally was able to turn on the TV and started searching for the cartoons he was used to watching. At the sound of the television Jack woke up and smiled to see the little boy getting frustrated with the monitor.
Once he finally found the channel he turned towards Jack and smiled timidly, "I always watch cartoons with mommy at home. I didn't mean to wake you up." He apologized.
Jack laughed and scooted closer towards the end of the bed, he patted the space between Janet and himself. The little boy's smile grew wider as he ran towards the bed. The vibration of his landing against the mattress woke up Janet, "What's going on." She asked looking around with a sleepy tone.
"My son and I are watching cartoons." Jack said placing his index finger on his lips asking Janet to be quieter.
She laughed as she watched her son leaning against Jack's body next to her while Jack's arm was wrapped around the little boy's body. She shook he head as she passed her fingers through her hair before resting her back against the bed to enjoy the special moment with the two most important men in her life.
Jack felt like he was on cloud nine. He only had dreamed about a moment like this all his life. A Saturday morning waking up in bed with his beautiful Janet and their lovely children spread throughout the room and bed while they enjoyed those good old Saturday cartoons just like he did many years ago with his own parents.
After they had their breakfast they headed off to the amusement park. Jack did most of the rides with the little boy while Janet took pictures of them enjoying themselves. Janet had always though of Jack as a big kid and proved it today. He was having just as much fun as her son on those silly rides.
When they reached a new exciting attraction Jack asked her to come with him and enjoy the thrill of being young again, while their child rode around the carousel. "That's okay I rather not leave my son alone but you go ahead. I will watch you."
"Are you sure you don't mind sitting here waiting, that is a long line?"
She shook her head and smiled, "Not at all. Go have fun Mr. Tripper."
Like a little boy he eagerly made his way towards the thrilling ride. Janet kept a close eye on her son as she would glance back towards Jack making sure he was still moving in line.
As she turned towards him she noticed a very attractive younger lady making conversation with him. Her smiled faded as she noticed the distance between them. She inched her way closer to him as she laughed. Janet felt her heart beating so fast and loud she was sure anyone around her could have heard the sound.
Trying to calm herself down, she turned back towards her son. The little boy waved as Janet smiled. When he was on the other side of the carousel she turned her attention back towards Jack.
"You are so handsome, you know." The tall lady told Jack as she ran her hand through his arm.
"Thank you." He said nervously trying to back away from her. There was an awkward silent as Jack tried to look at anything but her.
"Well what's a good looking boy like you doing here all alone without a nice looking girly like me?" She said inches from his face.
Janet turned away instantly just to find herself turning back to Jack. She wanted to believe he would do the right thing with or without her presence but after living with him for such a long time, she knew him better then anyone else. Slowly her head turned and watch as he slowly removed her hand from his face and placed it back on the rail. "I'm sorry, but as a matter of fact I am not only here with a nice looking girly who happens to be my fiancé but I am also here with my son. Now if you'll excuse me." He said making his way out of line as a victorious smile sneak on Janet's face. She stared at the floor before turning her attention once again towards her son.
"What happened honey? You changed your mind on the ride." She asked placing her hand in his.
"No, the line was to long and crowded." He said removing his hand from hers only to place it tightly around her waist.
There was a silent moment as they both observed the ride going in circles. He hasty turned to look at Janet who was smiling up at him.
"I love you, Janet." He said leaning in to kiss her lips.
"I know Jack. Nothing in this whole wide world could ever make me doubt that." She leaned her head on his strong upper body and whispered an 'I love you' as they watch the little boy enjoy the ride under a beautifully baby blue sky.
