Chapter 19

Placing the last of the books from the open box on the shelf, Jennifer sat back and surveyed her work. Two more boxes to go. The library was shaping up to be all she had hoped it would be. As a matter of fact, the whole house was nothing shy of perfection. With one noticeable exception… she was here alone.

The wedding was a short two weeks away now, and she knew it would go fast. And yet… it didn't seem to be going quick enough. The nights at the house alone drug on forever, it seemed.

She had been a resident of California for five weeks now. Being with Jonathan, she had met so many people it made her head spin. And yet… she felt she didn't know anyone here. Trying to get everything tied up and ready for him to out of the office for a month meant Jonathan was working late nights, and their time together was more limited than she had expected or liked.

As much as she loved the house, she was a bit overwhelmed by the silence every night. When Max and Jonathan were there, it was terrific, but when they went back to the condo, the sound of the silence was almost deafening. The sound of the phone ringing was a welcome distraction.

"Hello." She answered, hoping it was Jonathan.

"Allô, Jenny! Ça va?"

"Salut, Momma. Ça va très bien et toi?" she answered, somewhat halfheartedly.

Suzanne paused. "Are you sure, cherié? You don't sound so great."

"Honestly, Momma, it's great," Jennifer sighed, trying to collect her thoughts and express them accurately. "Sometimes I wonder if I'm getting cold feet. I don't know." Jennifer paused again, she didn't want to sound ungrateful, but she wanted to tell her Mom what she was feeling genuinely. "It's just… I guess I miss New York. For sure, it's too quiet here when Jonathan and Max aren't around. I mean, it's only 9 pm, and I find I miss things like the sirens echoing off the buildings. Isn't that crazy?"

"No, cherié, it is not crazy. You built a life for yourself, and you have given it all up for this man. And all so fast. Now, things are different than what you are used to, and different than what you are expecting when you say you will marry him."

"Oui, Momma." Jennifer sighed again. She felt like things were not as she had expected. What was it exactly Jennifer expected? Of even that, she was unsure.

"Cherié. I think we need a holiday."

"Momma. There is so much to do. I mean, there is a wedding in two weeks."

"Oui. And it will be there still will be when you get back," Suzanne told the girl. "I think you need to come to New York with me. Just us."

"Oh, Momma. That sounds incroyable. Almost decadent." She thought for a moment, "Friday is your birthday…"

"Then say yes, my Jenny."

Jennifer thought for just a moment more. "Oui, Momma!" Together they laughed as they set their plans. Jennifer could feel the joy of a girl's weekend with her Mother lifting her already. When she hung up with her Mom, Jennifer called Jonathan at the office to tell him. "Hi, Darling."

"Jennifer! Oh, I hate that I haven't been able to see you all day."

"I know me too. How much longer will you be there tonight?"

Jonathan sighed now. "Nothing is going as I had planned. Between people dragging their feet, and other people not being honest with their numbers, I'm more than a little frustrated with this deal. As a matter of fact, your voice is the best thing I've heard all day."

Jennifer felt a twinge of guilt. "Ugh. I am so sorry. And I hate that the reason I'm calling is to tell you I am going to spend this weekend with my Mother."

"What? You're leaving?"

"Only for the weekend, Darling. I'll be back on Monday."

"But, Jennifer," Jonathan started to whine. "That means I won't see you at all until Monday. And this is Wednesday!"

"Yes, but then a short 12 days after, you will have me all to yourself for a whole month."

"Now, that sounds amazing."

"Doesn't it? I can not wait!" She snickered a bit, "Oh, Jonathan Hart. The things I will do to you come two weeks from now."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

"When are you leaving?"

"I need to get a ticket yet…"

"Jennifer," he said, shaking his head. "When will you learn, Darling? You need to call Leonard. Not get a ticket. Call… No, wait. Hang on," he put her on hold. After just a few minutes, he came back, "Done. Leonard will meet you at the airport at 10 am."

"Oh, Darling! You are amazing." She paused for a minute. "That leaves me enough time to pick you up for breakfast in the morning. Pancakes?"

"Yes, please. Until then. I love you!"

"Please don't stay too late! Good night. I love you!" Hanging up the phone, Jennifer headed upstairs to pack a quick bag and get some sleep.

***

At breakfast, they discussed some final plans for the wedding, relishing the fact that in just two weeks, they would be husband and wife.

"I can not wait to wake up on the 26th in the same bed as you," Jennifer told him.

"I can not wait to get you into the bed on the 25th," Jonathan smirked.

"Mmmm," Jennifer closed her eyes, thinking about things to come. "That does sound amazing…" She opened them and looked directly at Jonathan, "In the meantime, you are all set with picking up the tuxes and getting your men to the church?"

"Uh-huh." Jonathan reached out and put his hand on the side of her face. "I wanna go back to the last topic."

"Jonathan. We can not dwell there right now," she said rather breathlessly. He moved closer to her, his eyes not leaving hers. "We'll never get this finished."

"Oh, we'll finish..." he moved closer still, his mouth hovering above hers, their eyes locked.

"Jonathan. You're not helping."

"Maybe this will help…" his mouth met hers and lingered, drinking her in. He was not excited about her leaving for the weekend, though he knew it would help him be much more focused. He removed his lips from hers just far enough to say, "I am going to miss you."

Jennifer swallowed, trying to catch her breath, "And I will miss you, too."

"More coffee?" the waitress asked impatiently.

"Uh." Jennifer turned to face her and forced a smile. "No thank you. Darling?"

Jonathan didn't take his eyes off her, "Uh uh."

Jennifer, still looking at the waitress, "We are good, thanks. Just the check when you have a moment, please. Thank you."

"Where were we?" Jonathan asked.

"Honestly. You are going to be late for the office."

"That's ok, I'll work later tonight." He sighed, "My girl is busy."

"I'm sorry, Darling. I promise I'll get back as fast as I can." She leaned over and kissed him again, just as the waitress brought back the check.

"You can pay upfront."

"Ah. Excellent. Thank you," Jennifer replied. "Ready, Darling?"

"If we must," he sighed, standing and grabbing the check. Together, they headed to the front door, where Jonathan paid for their breakfast. Once outside, Jennifer started to hail a cab. "What are you doing?" he asked her.

"Getting a cab to the airport."

"Your bags are already in my car."

"I know, I put them there when I stopped at the condo, remember?"

"So, I will just take you to the airport."

"Oh, Jonathan, that's so far out of your way. I couldn't ask you to do that."

"You didn't ask. Get in the car."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive. Come on."

"If you're sure."

"Come on already." He flashed his smile and winked at her. "I need to get to the office, and you're holding me up." Climbing into the car, she watched him for a bit. "What?"

"You know, you really are amazing, Jonathan Charles Hart."

"I know." He grinned at her again, "But I like to hear you say it."

She leaned over, running her hand from his knee up his thigh, stopping herself short, but not removing her hand, and whispered in his ear, "You are amazing."

"Ugh. And you are a tease."

"I know." She grinned back at him, then sat back in her seat, her hand not moving from its perch, "I know."

Once they arrived at the airport, Jonathan carried her bag onto the plane for her. Jennifer caught Leonard before he climbed up after Jonathan, "Leonard, did Mr. Hart tell you where we are flying into?"

"Yes, Ma'am Ms. Edwards. Plans are all set for D.C."

"Shoot. Can we change them?" She paused and added, "And not tell Mr. Hart?"

Leonard didn't even raise an eyebrow, "Of course. Where to?"

"New York City, please."

"Yes, Ma'am. I'll be right back." He walked back into the hanger to make the needed changes to their flight plan.

Jennifer headed into the plane. Jonathan was making some notes of his own as she walked in.

"All set?" he asked.

"I think so. Leonard just went in for some last-minute details."

"Excellent. I really do need to head into the office. I hate leaving you…"

"I know. Thank you, Darling. I promise I will be back as soon as I can."

"Monday."

"Monday."

"Call me before you leave, and I'll meet you here."

She put her arms around his neck, "I look forward to it." As she leaned in to kiss him, Leonard stepped onto the plane.

"All set."

"All right. I'll see you Monday," Jonathan said, and he headed back off the plane.

"Bye, Darling. I love you," Jennifer called after him from the doorway. He turned to wave, and she blew him a kiss. Then she turned back to sit in her seat as the plane door shut. She noticed the paper Jonathan had been writing on was still on the table. It was addressed to her.

"Jennifer, my love -

Every minute away from you is torture to my soul. This last week has been nearly impossible. I can not wait to make you my wife and be able to come home to you every night. Hurry back to me, my love.

I love you, always,

Jonathan"

His wife. She was going to be his wife. Suddenly her feet didn't feel so cold. She was going to enjoy a weekend celebrating her Mother, and then she was coming home to LA to become Mrs. Jonathan Hart.