Chapter 13

The group decided to stop at the Ritz first. The ladies wanted to get settled into the suite and freshen up just a bit before they did much sightseeing.

When they walked into the lobby, Jonathan was surprised to find Kimberly there, talking to the concierge. She waved at him, saying to the concierge, "Oh, there he is now…" Turning and moving towards Jonathan, she called, "Mr. Hart! I have great news."

"Kimberly. What a surprise to find you here." He turned to Jennifer, "Darling, this is Kimberly Ray, my assistant. Kimberly, this is my fiancé, Jennifer Edwards."

"It's a pleasure to meet the woman who can put a bounce in this man's step!" Kimberly said, extending her hand to Jennifer.

"Oh, thank you very much. It's very nice to meet you, as well." Turning to indicate her parents, she continued, "I'm guessing you've met my father, Stephen Edwards… and this is my mother, Suzanne Edwards."

"I would have guessed your sister. You two look so much alike. Nice to meet you, Ma'am."

"Bonjour," Suzanne greeted her. "Merci. My Jenny is much younger and prettier than I am, but thank you anyway."

"Momma. That is not true," Jennifer laughed.

Kimberly turned back to Jonathan, "So, great news. The ballroom here is open tomorrow night. You can have your party here, and everyone can come to you."

Jennifer turned and looked at Jonathan, "Party?"

He smiled at her. "Yes, Darling. I'll tell you about that in a minute." Turning back to Kimberly, "And everything else?"

"Well. The band is booked. I have Caroline working on catering, Rachel working on calling everyone on the list as a personal invitation. Oh, and several dresses are waiting in the suite for her to try on and pick one." She looked Suzanne over once more before she continued speaking. "They can probably even find one for her mother out of the ones up there."

"Dresses?" Jennifer repeated, feeling a bit out of touch.

For a second time, Jonathan sidestepped the question from Jennifer and spoke to Kimberly. "That sounds like you have taken care of everything. Thank you very much!"

"You are very welcome, Mr. Hart." Kimberly turned back to Jennifer. "If you need anything, I left my card with my home number written on the back in your suite. Feel free to call me whenever for whatever. It was a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Edwards."

"Please, call me Jennifer. And thank you." Kimberly headed back out of the lobby, and Jennifer turned to Jonathan, "Forgive me."

"Whatever for?" His grin was ear to ear, and he rocked back on his heels ever so slightly. The man was delighted with himself at that moment.

"Well." She paused, studying his face, "I seem to have forgotten something in our plans… A party? Tomorrow night? Dresses?"

"Ah... "he replied with more than a hint of mischief in his voice. "That might be because I have a couple of surprises for you."

"Oh?" She smiled back at him, feeling herself getting lost in his eyes, "I like surprises…"

"Do you? I'm so glad."

"Are you going to tell me?"

"Let's get you and your parents checked in, and I'll tell you in your room."

The check-in process was pretty painless. Jonathan and Kimberly set up everything. The bellmen had already taken all of the bags to the room. They received keys from the front desk and made their way to the elevator.

"The 24th floor?" Suzanne asked. "Si belle. Merci."

"It is my pleasure, Suzanne." Jonathan told her on the ride up. "Actually, my place only has three rooms. And since I have one, and Max has another, I felt it was best to have you all stay here. This way, you can have your own rooms and plenty of space."

Jennifer leaned into him and whispered, "That's so thoughtful Darling."

"Knowing how your father was in Maryland, I wasn't about to suggest we share a bed here," he whispered back.

They exited the elevator and made their way to the room. Or rather rooms, adjoining. When they entered, they found their luggage waiting in the rooms, and the adjoining doors were open. Laid out on one of the beds were several garment bags Jennifer did not recognize.

"Jonathan?" Jennifer questioned him.

"Uh-huh."

"Would you please explain about these?" she gestured towards the bed.

"Well. I have a couple of things I would like to explain. Or maybe I should say, a schedule we need to go over. If it's ok with you all, I have several things planned. I know this trip is quick, and there are several things I want to make sure happen."

Jennifer turned to her mother and winked, "It is your town, Jonathan. We are in your hands."

"Excellent! Then we will start with surprise number one as soon as you are ready to go. Tonight will be casual, and just us," he turned to Stephen and Suzanne. "I have dinner reservations for you all set at the restaurant on site. I figured a night alone would be high on your list as well. It's already on my tab, so please enjoy yourselves."

"Thank you, Jonathan." Stephen said.

Turning back to Jennifer, "Then tomorrow will be a relaxed morning, we will get breakfast, stop by my office and run some errands. We will be back in time for you to get dressed. Darling, I have several people I want to meet you. So you and your mother can pick any of those dresses Kimberly had delivered to wear. If none of them are to your liking, we will have others brought over. Your father and I have already taken care of his tuxedo. We will go to the ballroom where we will have our official engagement party. Dinner, dancing, and a few of my closest friends."

"An engagement party? What a fabulous idea. I can't wait to be able to talk to people who have known you longer than I have." She winked at him. "I am going to freshen up, and then we can go."

"Do you want to look at the dresses?" He asked, hoping to pick one out with her.

"No. Not until you are gone for the evening." She replied, walking away from him. Just inside the door frame of the bedroom, she turned back and smiled, "I want to have a few surprises of my own. I'll be right back," and she shut the door.

He turned around to find Suzanne had walked into their bedroom, and Stephen was standing by the window, watching him and laughing to himself. "She will keep you guessing, that one."

Jonathan grinned, "I like it." He picked up the phone and quickly dialed a number. "Hey, Max. Is everything ready? Great. We will leave in a few minutes. Thank you!" He hung it back in the cradle, as Jennifer walked back into the room. She left her jeans on but changed her blouse to a casual, low cut v-neck sweater. "Lovely. Are you ready to go?"

"Yes, sir." She walked over and kissed her father's cheek. "Good night, Pa." Suzanne opened the door, and Jennifer walked over and kissed her as well, "Bonne nuit, Momma."

"Bonsoir, my Jenny."

***

Jonathan and Jennifer made their way back to the elevator, hand in hand, to head back to the car, chatting about not much of anything. It was a light, comfortable conversation. The conversation was halted for just a bit when they entered the elevator. Jennifer walked ahead of him, with Jonathan close behind. As the doors slid shut, he spun her around and into his body. His hands found their way to her face. "You are absolutely gorgeous," he said breathlessly and placed his lips on hers. He kissed her like he had been longing for the last two weeks. And she responded with an equal amount of passion. They didn't feel the elevator halt or hear the doors slide open.

"Excuse us." They turned to see another couple, and their little boy, step into the elevator. Jonathan and Jennifer smiled and stepped back to give them enough room. "Nice day today…" the man suggested.

"Uh-huh," was all Jonathan could manage. Jennifer giggled at him.

"Where are you all from?" the man continued.

"New York," Jennifer said.

"LA," Jonathan answered.

The man just looked at his wife. Half under his breath, "That explains a lot."

The little boy watched Jennifer, who smiled at him, "Are you having fun?" she asked.

"You're pretty," he answered.

"Oh, well, thank you very much. You are a handsome young man," Jennifer responded.

"And a wise one," Jonathan quipped.

The doors opened, and the woman grabbed the boy's hand, and half pulled him off the elevator, "Come on, Jake."

Jonathan and Jennifer looked at each other and laughed. "Come on," he said. "I have something I want to show you."

***

The drive over was a relaxed continuation of their chatter. Jennifer watched the buildings go by, and asked questions, which Jonathan answered as best he could. When they pulled into a reclusive neighborhood, Jennifer asked, "This is gorgeous. Just where are we going?"

"To dinner."

"With some friends of yours?"

"Nope, it will just be us."

She watched a few more large homes go by her window. "These places are beautiful. How old is this area?"

"Um… I think several of these places are from the 1940s and '50s." He pulled the car up to a large, unassuming gate, punched in a code at the box, and entered when the gate opened. He followed the road back almost a mile.

"Wow. This place." She turned to face him, slightly in awe, "This is magnificent. Who lives here?"

He parked the car in front of the front door. Jonathan gazed into her eyes. "You do, Jennifer. You do." He got out of the Bentley before she could say anything and ran around to open her door.

"What are you talking about, Jonathan?" she asked, accepting his hand to help her out of the car.

"Your first surprise." He pulled her close to his chest again. "Your wedding gift. I wanted you to have a place you could move into as we plan the wedding."

"So you bought a house?" she laughed. "Seriously?"

He walked to the door, put the key in, and opened it. It was still mostly empty; however, Max had come earlier to make preparations. He had laid out a picnic blanket, chilled champagne, and two place settings. In the fireplace was a roaring fire, which reflected off the hardwood floors and lit up the room.

"Oh, Jonathan. It's exquisite. It's perfect."

"You like it?"

"Oh, yes. I love it!" She reached up and kissed him.

"Come on, let me show you around before dinner arrives."

"Dinner?"

"Yeah, I had Max order us a pizza. I hope that's ok?"

"Pizza and champagne?" she asked. "Can't say I've ever had that combination before."