***Willow Pond***
Jennifer and Jonathan pulled up and parked, and then went inside.
Rachel and Jack and Max were sitting in the living room with the babies.
"Hi! Momma missed both of you babies so, so much!"
She went over and kissed Jagger and then took Jessalynn from Rachel. Jonathan kissed Jessalynn and then took Jagger from Jack.
"They were perfect little angels. They both took their naps well and took all of their bottles each time. And only Jagger spit up, and only one time".
"I'm so glad you two behaved for Aunt Rachel and Uncle Jack".
Jennifer was giving her tons of kisses.
"Did you two have fun with Pops today?"
"We sure did, Mrs. H. I went on their walk with them. It was a nice day".
Jennifer handed Jessalynn to Jonathan, and he held both babies on his lap for a few minutes.
Jennifer went to her purse and wrote Rachel a check, and then brought it to her.
"Squishy, this is way too much".
"No, it's not. You helped out more than you realize".
"Thank you".
"Oh, thank you. I was able to relax knowing you were here with the babies and helping out".
"So, did you call Marcia?"
Jennifer nodded.
Jack and Jonathan and Max were immersed in a conversation about football.
Jennifer went and got Jagger from Jonathan and then went and sat next to Rachel.
"Tucker Collins".
"Oh no. What's happened?"
"He's out. He's been released. Somehow, she was notified and I wasn't, and she was just letting me know since she published the story I wrote about that whole thing."
"What are you going to do?"
"Not much I can do. I called my dad and he said the restraining order is good for another 3 years. If he contacts me, that's a violation and I'll report it. Jonathan said he was going to call his parole officer and speak with him and just let him know about the restraining order in case they aren't aware. But other than that, we have to wait till he makes a move and then react".
"That's got to be scary".
"I'm a little freaked. But, then again, he didn't have a life sentence, so I knew this day would come sooner or later".
"I'm sorry, Squishy. Hopefully, he'll stay on the East Coast, where he belongs".
"Yeah, I hope so too".
Jennifer and Rachel sat there playing with Jagger while Jonathan and Jack and Max were talking. Jessalynn fell asleep on Jonathan's chest.
"Jagger really took to Jack last night. He didn't want anyone but Jack to hold him. Not even me".
"Yeah, I've noticed that he's started to prefer Jonathan lately too. I try my hardest to switch it up and make it even, but I love that they love their daddy too".
"They are literally the sweetest babies. They only cry when they are hungry or need to be changed and that's it".
"We are so blessed".
"So, what did you and Jonathan do on your staycation?"
"Well, we stayed at the hotel and first, we had room service cocktails and snacks on our balcony. And then we had a late dinner at a restaurant that I've been wanting to go to, and there was live music and dancing, and then I asked Jonathan what he wanted to do, and he said he really and truly just wanted to go relax at the hotel with me while we watched tv, like we used to. So, we did. And then this morning, we slept in and then he took me to brunch at a restaurant we used to brunch at all the time, and then back to the hotel for a couple's massage, a facial, and a mani/pedi, and then we came home".
"That sounds like a fun night".
"It was nice to have his full attention, and to be able to give him my full attention. If you were to ever ask me what is the most important thing in a marriage, I would tell you that paying attention to your husband is critical. If you neglect him, you can't expect him to dote on you. Jonathan had to talk me into this, but I'm so thankful he did".
Rachel and Jack stayed a little longer, and then headed home after a few kisses for the kids and about a hundred thank you's from Jonathan and Jennifer.
They fed the kids while Max got dinner ready, and then put them down for their first sleep of the night.
"Max, this grilled chicken is amazing".
"Thanks, Mrs. H. I tried a new recipe. If Mr. H. is a fan, I'll make it again".
Jonathan gave a thumbs up.
"Did you two have a good time at the hotel?"
"We had a great time, Max. It was so wonderful to have each other's undivided attention".
"Jennifer's right. We missed the kids, but we enjoyed each other too".
After dinner, Jennifer did the dishes and then she and Jonathan washed and made a bunch of bottles.
"Darling, we have Thanksgiving week after next, and I think I want to invite Pa to come here for Christmas. I don't feel comfortable flying with the babies yet, even on our own plane".
"I agree with you. I'm fine with that, because then we can really go all out decorating for Christmas and we won't have to take their gifts with us and ship them and all that".
"Perfect. I'll call Pa tomorrow and invite him".
"We can get a real tree, and decorate it all big with lots and lots of lights, and a few ornaments if we want to, and this year, we can start their ornament collection".
"Oh, that's a great idea".
They took two bottles upstairs with them, and arrived upstairs just as the babies woke up.
They took them to their room to feed them and change them and bathe them.
"Susan said we could also start trying to keep them up for an hour or so at night between bottles and then put them back down. That might help them sleep longer stretches".
"Well, Daddy thinks that's a great idea."
They figured out how to make the babies smile, and how to get them to hold on to their fingers.
After about 2 hours, they got them down for bed, and then came back to bed themselves.
Jennifer went and took a hot bath, while Jonathan watched a game on tv.
When they finally turned out the lights and climbed under the covers, Jonathan wrapped his arms around her.
"Thank you for a lovely staycation and night away, honey. I loved every single minute of it".
She kissed his nose and then kissed his lips a few times.
"You know, I think we are starting to get the hang of this mommy and daddy thing".
"I hope so, we are in it for the long haul".
***A week later***
Jennifer and Jonathan are dead asleep, it's 1:17 a.m. Jennifer wakes up when Jessalynn starts crying.
She sleepily gets up and heads to the nursery and picks her up.
"There, there. It's ok. Mama's here".
She sat down with her in the rocker and began to rock her.
Jessalynn kept crying.
Jonathan came in a few minutes later, and tried to help.
"Want me to go make a bottle?"
"I don't know. I don't think she's hungry. I think it's something else".
They took her into their bedroom so they wouldn't wake Jagger.
"Darling, can you get my Moby wrap? And let's try a bottle, but only make a half of one".
"Sure, I'll be right back".
Jennifer held her against her chest, and walked her around the room and sang to her.
"You are my sunshine….my only sunshine…you make me happy, when skies are gray…."
Jennifer accidentally dropped Jessalynn's blanket while she was walking, so she laid her down on the bed and picked it up.
As soon as she picked her up again, she realized she was warm.
Jonathan came back with the bottle just then.
"Darling, she feels pretty warm to me".
She tried to give her the bottle, but Jessalynn wouldn't take it.
"Maybe we should call the doctor. She doesn't want to eat, she doesn't want to lay down, she feels warm, maybe there's something wrong".
"Ok, let's call the on-call emergency number".
"Number is on the fridge, on the purple magnet".
He ran and got it and came back and called it.
"They are paging the on-call doctor and they will be giving us a call".
Jennifer kept walking her and giving her the pacifier and softly singing to her.
A few minutes later, the phone rang.
Jonathan answered it.
"Hello? Hey Susan, sorry we woke you. Jessalynn woke up, and she's crying, won't eat, feels warm and only wants to be upright. Jennifer thinks something is wrong, but we are out of options. Walking her has helped some, but it's not working wonders just yet".
"I tell you what. Turn the light on and open the gate. I'll bring my bag of tricks and pay her a house call".
"Thanks, we appreciate it".
He hung up and turned to Jennifer.
"Susan's on her way, she's going to do a house call. Want me to take her so you can get dressed?"
"Yes, please. Keep her upright like this, and whatever you do, don't stop walking".
Jennifer dressed quickly and then took the baby back from Jonathan and resumed the walking.
Jonathan threw some sweatpants and a t-shirt on, and then they went downstairs. She and the baby got set up in the recliner, while Jonathan opened the gate and turned on the light.
Max heard them and got up.
"Anything I can do, Mr. H.?"
"I don't think so, Max. Dr. Kendall is coming over to check on Jessalynn. We think she might have a fever".
"Jonathan, can you get the thermometer from the cabinet, please?"
"Sure".
"We're sorry we woke you, Max".
"No apologies necessary, Mrs. H. Pops is concerned too".
Jennifer took Jessalynn's temperature and then looked at Jonathan.
"101.5".
"Glad we called Susan".
"Yeah, me too".
Just then, she knocked on the door so Jonathan went and answered it.
"Hi, thanks for coming".
"No problem".
"Want me to put on some coffee?"
"No, no. That's ok".
She walked over to Jennifer and Jessalynn.
"HI angel. You don't sound like you feel well".
"We just took her temperature, and it's 101.5. She won't let me lay her down, and she won't eat. Walking helps but I can't get her to go back to sleep".
"Well, let's just take a look, shall we?"
Susan gave her a thorough examination, and then looked at Jennifer.
"Ok, this little one has a pretty bad ear infection. I brought some medicine with me to give her the first dose, and I'm going to write her a prescription for some meds for you to give her twice a day for the next several days. Pick up a baby syringe from the pharmacy when you pick up the meds, and that will help you administer them. You can mix it with a little breastmilk or formula if you need to, if she won't take them straight, but at her age, she shouldn't be able to taste it so it shouldn't be a problem."
She got the first dose all set up and administered it while Jennifer held Jessalynn.
"This medicine works pretty quickly, so she should settle down in a little bit."
"Darling, can you run get her blanket from upstairs? It's in our room".
"Sure".
Jennifer rocked Jessalynn on her chest and she began to settle down a bit.
"I think you guys are doing all the right things. Good instincts, Mommy".
Jonathan brought the blanket down and handed it to Jennifer.
They covered Jessalynn up and a few minutes later, she was fast asleep.
"Oh happy day", Jennifer mouthed.
"Ok, I'm going to leave you two to it. Here is the prescription, and call me if you need anything".
"Thank you so much".
Jonathan showed Susan out and then came back to Jennifer and the baby.
"I'll run get the medicine and then come back. Is there anything else you need?"
"Can you get one of those syringe things? And before you go, can you grab me a bottle of water please? I think I'm just going to wrap her in the Moby wrap and try and sleep here in the recliner with her till she wakes up again".
"Sure".
After they were all set, he headed to the pharmacy.
When he got back home, they were both fast asleep. He went upstairs and got the baby monitor and then came back and slept on the couch in case Jennifer needed something.
The rest of the day was long and exhausting. Jessalynn either slept or cried. Jagger either slept or wanted to be held. It took Jennifer, Jonathan, and Max all pitching in and getting everything done.
Jonathan took that nights recliner shift so Jennifer could sleep in the bed. By midnight Jessalynn was finally fever free.
After the 3 am bottle, they put both kids in their cribs and headed to bed.
He wrapped his arms around her.
"I think we did it. We made it through our first crisis".
"Go us".
She fell asleep with her head on his chest within minutes.
***A month later***
It was two weeks before Christmas, and Jonathan and Jennifer were home with the babies. They had gotten immunized that day and were being a little cranky that day, but nothing too horrible.
Jonathan had gotten a Christmas tree and he and Max were setting it up while Rachel and Jennifer were holding the babies.
"How did the wedding venue tour go?"
"Not well. Jack loved the one that I hated, that we can't afford and can't decorate the way I want to, and he hated the one that I liked, that we could have afforded. But then I talked to my dad and he told me that since I won't let my stepmom plan the wedding for me, that they won't be paying for or attending the wedding at all. So, it's basically up to me and Jack to pay for our wedding and that changes things drastically. And honestly, at this point, if we could afford it and find a venue we agree on, I would be happy if it was just me and him, you and Jonathan, Stacie and her boyfriend and Alexandra and her boyfriend and Jack's family in attendance".
"So do that. Have you considered a wedding moon?"
"A wedding moon"?
"Yeah. Like you two and everyone would go to Mexico or Jamaica or Hawaii or wherever, and you get married there and honeymoon there and then come home. It's all one trip".
"Hmmm. I kind of like that idea".
"Or you guys could do a wedding in a city, like Miami or somewhere and then the next day, you leave on a honeymoon cruise from that city".
"That's a good idea too. We are going to his parent's house this weekend. He thinks they might offer to help us with the wedding."
"Would it be the worst thing in the world to let your stepmom help you?"
Rachel made a face.
"You know how I feel about her".
"Yes, I do. But sweetie, she's the closest thing you have to a Mom. I didn't have my mom to help plan my wedding, and I know how hard that was and what that feels like. She's not your mom, but she's close".
"If I let her help me, she will want me to get married in some stuffy, hideous dress that will make me look like the lace fairy threw up all over me, and she will give me pageant hair that a bird would want to nest in, and the whole thing would take place in some God-awful church and I would just be miserable the whole day and I don't want that at all. And I'm sure my little sister would have to be the flower girl. And I don't want her to be the flower girl. If I have any children in my wedding, I want your babies, not hers".
"I see your point".
"Plus, I think it's downright shitty for them to tell me they won't attend the ceremony or support my marriage unless I let her call the shots. I mean, my dad hasn't even met Jack. I invited him here for Christmas but he said no, because "she doesn't want to be that close to the ocean".
"What does the ocean have to do with it?"
"She probably knows I'll push her in".
"What a lovely sentiment".
"Trust me-if you had to deal with her for 5 minutes, you would probably feel the same way".
"Well, I know I'm not your mom, but if I can help with planning the wedding, I'm more than happy to".
"Thank you, I appreciate that".
Rachel held the babies while Jennifer and Jonathan wrapped the tree in lights and got it all perfect.
"Ok, darling. Do you want a star on top, or a fancy bow?"
"I think I want a star and a fancy bow".
Jack pulled up and knocked on the door, so Max went and let him in.
"Hey Jack".
"Hey Max. Hello everyone. Hi Angel".
He came over and kissed Rachel and then took Jagger from her.
"Hey buddy! Did you miss me? I missed you".
Jagger gave him the biggest smile.
"Aww…he's smiling so big for Jack".
"How sweet".
"So, I was at home before I came here and your dad called. He said he wanted to know if you wanted to come for Christmas".
"Do you want to go to Texas for Christmas?"
"I wasn't invited. He made it clear that he was only inviting you."
"How?"
"He said "Just tell her we were wondering if she wanted to spend Christmas with us when you spend Christmas with your family".
"Oh, I see. Well, if you aren't welcome, then I'm not going".
"I appreciate that, but I don't want to come between you and your family".
"We can talk about it later, but I'm not going to his house for Christmas".
After the tree was decorated, they all sat around playing with the babies and then Jack and Rachel decided to go.
"We will talk to you soon".
"Sounds great. Thanks for coming by".
Jennifer and Jonathan sat down on the couch with the babies.
"Ok Max, do the honors".
"Happy to, Mr. H."
He plugged in the tree and the babies' faces both lit up. Jennifer started laughing.
"She's so precious! She loves it".
"Jagger is a fan too".
Some of the lights twinkled, and some didn't. Both babies stared at the tree for the longest time, and then gently fell asleep.
After they were in bed, Jennifer and Jonathan came back downstairs and sat by the tree for a bit and had a brandy.
"Darling, I'm worried about Rachel. She puts up a big front, but I can tell, it's really bothering her that she can't have the wedding she wants."
"Darling, I feel for her too, but it's not our place to get involved".
"Yeah, I know. I just hate it for her. As long as I've known her, she's had this vision of her wedding day. And her stepmom wasn't ever part of that vision, and now her dad is telling her that unless she lets the stepmom plan the wedding, he won't pay for it or attend. She's heartbroken, but she's trying so hard to play it tough".
"Well, I'm sure it will all work out".
"Darling, you know that hotel that Hart Industries owns downtown?"
"Yes, the Sunset Inn".
"Yes, that's the one. Would you let them get married on the rooftop there? Or maybe on the patio?"
"Yeah, if that's what they want".
"I'll suggest that and see what she says".
"If she wants to get married there, I'll waive the booking fee, but there will most definitely be a cleanup fee".
"That's fair".
Max came out of the kitchen and told them that he was going to a poker game.
"Have fun".
"Win big, Max".
They stretched out on the couch and he covered them with a blanket.
"Darling, we never discussed what we are getting the babies for Christmas".
"Well, clothes and lovies would be most appropriate. And perhaps a sound machine for their bedroom. And maybe a savings bond or two".
"How about a swing set for the backyard?"
"That's a good idea. We would need to make sure that it has two of everything, if possible though".
"Well, let's go pick it out tomorrow".
"Sure, that sounds fun".
"What do you want for Christmas?"
"I don't need anything at all. I have you and the babies. I'm very happy".
"And that's why you deserve everything in the world for Christmas. You are so good to us".
"What do you want for Christmas?"
"Nothing material. I would love more date nights with you, I would love more family outings with the babies, when they are able to go out more. I would love another night away with you, maybe up the coast somewhere to a bed and breakfast somewhere."
"Those are all great ideas".
"I also want to do some things to remember the babies at this age. I want to take them to sit on Santa's lap, and I want to have some pictures taken of them, and I want to preserve their footprints and handprints. They are only little once, darling".
"That's true".
Jonathan started kissing her forehead and then moved his kisses to her lips.
"Want to head to bed?"
"We can. Or we can stay right here".
"Oh. We certainly could".
They were just about to make love when the phone rang.
Jonathan reached behind him and picked it up.
"Hello?"
He chatted for a few minutes.
"Damnit! Ok, thanks, Stanley. We will just have to start from scratch and try again".
He hung up the phone.
"What is it?"
"The Ryder Electronics, LLC merger that we've been working on for weeks just fell apart. Now we have to start from scratch".
"Oh no. I'm sorry, I know how hard you've been working on that".
"Worst part is, I'm going to have to make everyone work on Christmas Eve, till noon".
"Work on Christmas Eve?"
"Can't be helped, darling. We have a lot of ground to make up. Everything is riding on this merger being successful".