***A Couple Days Later***
Jennifer and Jonathan were having a family day with the babies. Jennifer had dressed Jagger in some red and white snowflake pants, a white shirt, and some white socks and his first pair of tennis shoes. She dressed Jessalynn in a pair of red and white striped ruffled pants, and a red shirt with an embroidered Christmas tree on it, and some baby black flats and a red headband and bow.
They started out going to Jonathan's office for their annual Christmas gathering. Every year, Hart Industries held a family day for the employees and their families. Tons of food, a balloon man for the kids, a bouncy house and pony rides, and Santa always came to surprise all the kids. It was always a lot of fun.
Jonathan and Jennifer carried the babies up to the podium on stage.
"Hello everyone. Welcome to our annual Hart Industries Family Day. We are so glad you are here. And with us this year, are the two newest members of the Hart Industries family, and one day, the heirs to this company. This little guy is Mr. Jagger Harrison Maxwell Hart. He is already a champ at eating, and sleeping, and has Mommy wrapped around his finger like a pro".
Jennifer stepped up to the microphone with Jessalynn.
"And this is Miss Jessalynn Suzanne Olivia Hart. She is already a pro at staying up all night and wearing cute outfits, and she most definitely has her daddy wrapped around her finger".
Everyone oohed and ahhed over the babies for a few minutes.
Jonathan gave a short speech, and then they made their way to Santa so that the twins could have their pictures taken with him.
Both babies cooperated quite nicely, and neither of them cried at all. Jennifer and Jonathan got several really nice pictures of the babies with Santa and then found themselves a table where they could sit with them and try to eat some. That proved almost impossible since everyone was wanting to come up and see the babies.
They managed to stay almost 2 hours, and then headed up to Jonathan's office to feed the babies and change their diapers.
Jonathan was holding Jagger and Jennifer was holding Jessalynn.
"Look around son. All of this is going to be yours someday".
Jennifer was smiling at the thought of him taking after Jonathan.
"And you see that desk over there? Mommy has given Daddy some really good memories over there, yes she has".
"Jonathan Charles! Don't you dare tell our son things like that!"
"I was kidding. And actually, I think I was mistaken. I think it was over-"
"Jonathan!"
"It's ok, Mommy. He doesn't even know what I'm saying".
"Be that as it may…some of those memories were for you to remember secretly. They were never intended to be gossip for our children".
"Well, maybe it's possible that Daddy was talking about the time Mommy surprised him by bringing him lunch one day. And the time that she left him a love note in his desk. So tell her, buddy, tell her that maybe she's giving Daddy a bad rap".
"Sure, darling. Whatever you say".
They got the babies fed and into their car seats fast asleep.
Jonathan scooted over and put his arm around Jennifer.
"Every moment I spend with you in here is a good memory".
He kissed her cheek.
"I love you, and I love that you remember all of our moments so fondly".
They sat and enjoyed the peace and quiet for a few moments.
"Darling, why didn't Max play Santa this year?"
"He said he had a prior engagement".
"Oh. He always does Santa so well. I think I want to get a picture of the babies with him dressed as Santa. Do you think he will mind?"
"Not at all. He's not very hands-on with the babies, but he loves being a grandpa".
They quietly loaded the car seats onto the stroller and headed towards the car.
Jennifer stood on the sidelines of the family day area while Jonathan thanked everyone for coming and then put Stanley in charge.
They headed to the car.
"Darling, what if we stop and pick up some Chinese food for dinner tonight?"
"Dinner is already taken care of, darling".
They pulled up to the house and parked and got the babies inside.
Jessalynn woke up when they came in the house. Jagger was still sleeping even when Jennifer took him out of the car seat.
They sat down on the couch with the babies.
"Darling, what do you mean dinner is all taken care of?"
"Exactly what I said. Dinner is all taken care of".
Just then, Max came in the living room.
"Hi you two. Have fun at the shindig?"
"We had a wonderful time".
"Max, can we possibly ask you for a small favor?"
"Sure, Mrs. H."
"Well, the babies want a picture with their favorite Pops dressed as Santa".
"Well, it just so happens that my Santa suit is at the cleaners, Mrs. H. But, I'll need it tomorrow, so I will put it on for them and then we can take the picture before I go".
"That's perfect, Max".
Jagger woke up and smiled at Jonathan.
"Hey there buddy. Did you have a nice nap? You were snoozing pretty good, you know".
Max came back into the living room.
He gave Jonathan the A-ok sign, which Jennifer saw.
"Ok, what are you up to?"
"Darling, if I told you that you were going out to dinner tonight, would you want to go in what you have on, or would you want to go change?"
"I want to go change".
"Ok, so give Jessalynn to Max, and go change".
"Really?"
"Really".
"But change into what? Are we going to a casual place, or a dressy place?"
"In between".
"You're the greatest".
She gave Jessalynn a bunch of kisses and then handed her to Max. He sat in the recliner with her, and then she kissed Jagger a few times, and then Jonathan a few times before she ran upstairs.
"Do you think she suspects anything, Mr. H.?"
"Not a thing".
About 20 minutes later, Jennifer was back downstairs in a pair of skinny jeans, a dark blue off the shoulder top, and some brown strappy sandals.
"Ok, let's go".
"Hold on, not so fast. Now, I get to go change."
He stood up, kissed her and then handed her Jagger. She draped a blanket over her and then took Jagger from him.
"Daddy is so mysterious. He is always wanting to surprise Mommy. And you know what? Mommy loves every minute of it".
She gave Jagger a few kisses.
"Max, are you going to be ok staying here with the babies by yourself?"
"I'll be fine, Mrs. H. I'm Pops. I got this".
"Ok, if you're sure. Well, from here, they will probably each take another bottle, and probably one more diaper change each as well. They should go down pretty easily after that, and unless he has something planned that I don't know about, we should be home after that".
Jonathan came downstairs and back into the living room.
"Did the babysitter get here yet?"
"What babysitter?"
Just then, the gate buzzed.
Jonathan went and let them in, and then unlocked the front door.
"Ok darling, give me the baby, and then you can go open the door for the babysitter".
She handed the baby over and went to the door.
As soon as she heard the knock, she opened it and found her father on the other side.
"Pa! What are you doing here? I thought you weren't coming for a few more days yet".
"Jonathan flew me out here as a surprise for you, sweetheart. And I insisted that I wanted to give you two a night on the town and spend some time with my grandchildren".
She gave him a big hug and then they headed to the living room.
"Are you sure you want to do this, Pa?"
"I'm positive."
He kissed both of the babies.
"Ok, so they will each probably eat one more time, and need a diaper change and then they should go down pretty easily after that. And unless Jonathan has packed bags for us, we should be home after that, I'm assuming".
"We are just going for dinner, Darling. And Max knows where everything is, and how long to heat the bottles up for. And if we don't get going, we are going to be late".
"Thank you, Pa, and Max".
"Enjoy it, you two".
They headed to the car, and he opened the door for her.
She laced her fingers through his as they drove along.
"Darling, how did this come about?"
"Well, your father called and said he wanted to come out early and surprise you. So, I sent him my plane. He stated that he wanted to babysit the kids one night, so I figured you and I could use a night out and he and Max could exercise their granddaddy skills".
"Great idea".
Their reservations were at Canyon Rock. They had a table outside on the patio, with a gorgeous view of the ocean.
They ordered some cocktails, and an appetizer.
"This is so nice".
"Yes, we will have to come back here again".
"Darling, I know that we need this, and that Pa and Max need some grandkid time, but let's not stay gone too long. I really want to see them with the babies".
"You got it".
They placed their orders, and then sipped their cocktails while they waited.
"I hope Rachel and Jack's weekend with his family is going well".
"Yeah, me too".
"She's so good with the babies. And they just love her. In the mornings when she gets to the house, they just light up. Jessalynn will just smile so big every time she sees her".
They shared the artichoke flatbread pizza, and some shrimp cocktail.
After a nice, relaxing dinner, they headed home.
***Willow Pond***
Jennifer and Jonathan came in the house to find Stephen and Max in the living room with the babies. Nobody was crying and the grandpas didn't seem frazzled.
"Hi. How was your dinner?"
"Wonderful."
"That's great".
"How were the babies?"
"Fine. We got a few smiles out of them. No crying spells or anything".
"That's wonderful".
They took the babies and changed them, and then the grandpas fed them their bottles.
After a nice family evening, they got the babies down for the night and then Jennifer got Stephen settled in the guesthouse.
"Are you sure you want me to stay all the way out here, sweetheart?"
"You can stay in the house if you want to, but sometimes the babies wake up crying in the middle of the night and I know how you like your uninterrupted sleep".
"Good point. The guesthouse will be perfect".
After Stephen was settled, Jennifer and Jonathan headed up to bed.
"This has been the best day".
"Yeah, it has been fun. I can't wait to see the kids experience Christmas".
"I noticed that Jessalynn was a little sniffly, I hope that goes away. I hope her ear infection isn't coming back".
She climbed into bed and settled onto his chest.
"Darling, do you still have to work on Christmas Eve?"
"Yes, but just until noon."
"I can live with that".
"After that, the office will be closed through New Year's Day, and only open if people want to catch up on things in between the holidays".
"That's a great idea".
He lightly scratched her back while they laid there, chatting about everything they want to do over the holidays.
"And then Santa will come down the chimney and leave us all our presents".
"Who do you think should play Santa this year? You, or Max?"
"Well, probably both of us. We are going to have to help the babies unwrap their gifts".
He rolled on top of her and started kissing her all over.
"Well, then I better practice coming down the chimney".
***Christmas Day***
Jennifer and Jonathan woke up when the babies woke up, around 7, and changed them and then brought them downstairs. They fed them in the living room by the tree, in hopes that seeing the tree would help them stay awake a little longer that morning.
"Merry Christmas everyone".
"Merry Christmas, you two".
"Merry Christmas, Pa. Merry Christmas, Max".
Jennifer sat down on the couch with Jagger, while Jonathan sat down with Jessalynn.
They decided to wear the babies so they could open gifts easier.
"Ok, darling. You go first".
Jonathan handed Jennifer her first gift.
She unwrapped it to find a Louis Vuitton weekend bag she had been wanting.
"I love it! Thank you, darling".
She leaned over and kissed him.
"Ok, Pa. Your turn".
Jennifer directed him towards one of his presents.
He opened it and found a new wool sweater and some new gloves.
"Wonderful, sweetheart. Very thoughtful. Thank you".
They had gotten Max a "World's Best Pops" t-shirt, and some new cigars.
Finally, it was Jonathan's turn.
"Ok, darling. Your turn".
She handed him a present and he unwrapped it.
She had gotten him a keychain that had 3 discs on it, layered and engraved. The silver one, on top, had his birthdate etched into it. The bronze one, in the middle, had their wedding date etched into it. The gold one, on the bottom, had the year the twins were born etched into it.
"How thoughtful! I love it".
He leaned over and kissed her.
The babies each had a present to open, which was new pajamas and new rattles.
"I think they like them. They won't let go of the rattles".
All in all, Max ended up with a new hat, new cigars, the t-shirt that said "World's Best Pops", an apron said "Smokin' Hot", and some new Jazz records. Stephen ended up with a new wool sweater, new gloves, some books that Jennifer knew he wanted, and a coffee mug that said "World's Best Poppy", plus a framed picture of the grandbabies.
Jonathan got a new wallet, the keychain from Jennifer, a certificate for them to go drive racecars, and some new pajamas and house shoes.
"You have one more, darling".
He unwrapped it to find a new tackle box, with all new lures and fishing supplies, all sorted and organized. In the bottom, there was an envelope. He opened it and began to read.
"This certificate is good for a 4-day weekend in Bozeman, Montana, on a guy's fishing trip. Comes with tour guide, boat ride, cabin and all meals included".
He turned to Jennifer.
"You mean, I get to go fishing?!"
"Yes. And Jack is going with you. Rachel is giving him his tackle box today also".
On the inside of the tackle box lid, Jennifer had put a card that said "Hooked on you since Day 1", and a big red heart.
"How cute and creative. I love it, thank you, darling".
He picked up her final present.
"Ok, last one. This one is from me and the babies".
She unwrapped it to find a gold bracelet with her birthstone, his birthstone, their anniversary stone, and the babies' birthstones, plus diamonds on either side.
"Jonathan! It's absolutely gorgeous!"
"That one is an amethyst, my birthstone. Then comes topaz, your birthstone, followed by Sapphire for our anniversary, and peridot, one for Jagger and one for Jessalynn, and the rest are diamonds".
"You spoil me, and I love it. And I love you too".
She leaned over and kissed him, and then he helped her put it on.
The babies had gotten new pajamas, new rattles, new blankets, and some cute spoons and bowls for when they started baby food.
Jessalynn was starting to get fussy, so Jennifer put her in the swing. Jagger was fast asleep on his activity mat.
Max made everyone pancakes and bacon for breakfast, which they all enjoyed. A low-key Christmas morning was really and truly what they all needed.
They were just about to take the babies upstairs when the doorbell rang.
Jennifer went and answered it.
"Hi Mushy. Merry Christmas".
"Hi Squishy. Merry Christmas to you too".
"Hey Jack".
"Hey there little mama".
He kissed her cheek and they came inside.
"We brought presents for the babies and for you guys too".
"Merry Christmas Speedy".
"Merry Christmas Poppy! So good to see you".
Rachel gave him a warm hug and then they sat on the couch.
Jennifer suddenly remembered that she had forgotten to wrap one of Jonathan's presents.
"Ummm Mushy, can you come with me a second?"
"Sure".
"We'll be right back, darling".
They disappeared into the study.
"I forgot to wrap Jonathan's other gift".
"Where's the wrapping paper?"
"Bottom of the closet".
"Where's the gift?"
"Top of the closet, hopefully".
She got out the foot stool and climbed up.
"Here it is".
They quickly wrapped it and then took it out to him.
He was in the kitchen, so he didn't see them bring it out.
"Darling, I forgot. You have one more. And this one is for you and Max together".
"Well, that sounds great. Let's see what it is".
They unwrapped it to find beer mugs made out of baseball bats.
"This is very clever! Great idea, darling".
"How inventive! Thanks, Mrs. H."
They opened the gifts for the babies next, from Rachel and Jack.
They had gotten them each some new outfits, new toys, and water mats.
"Milky, what are the babies supposed to do with the water mats?"
"They lay on them, Techy. They lay on them during tummy time and it keeps their attention focused and keeps them entertained".
"Jonathan, did you get a fishing box today?"
"I sure did".
"Same here. Want to go fishing with me one weekend?"
"Sure. I can't wait".
Pretty soon, the guys were all talking about football, and Rachel and Jennifer were holding the babies on their chests and chatting.
"So, how did the weekend with Jack's family go?"
"Not very well. They were nice to me, but they told him that they didn't think I was the one he ought to marry. We ended up only staying one night because he was so insulted, and we have decided that we are going to scrimp and save and have the wedding of our dreams, the wedding that we want, and they can show up or they can stay home, it's their choice".
"I hate that it didn't go well, but I'm glad that you two are determined to get married anyways. Have you talked to your dad again?"
"Yes, actually. He called this morning with a peace offering. They will pay for the wedding, and the stepmom will let me do the planning, and will only say something if it goes over budget, but that's only if I move to their home in Texas and wait at least 6 months to get married. So, I gave him the same speech Jack gave his family. We are getting married with or without their help and support. They are welcome to come or they can stay home, but this wedding is going to happen, and we are going to live by our terms and nobody else's."
"Good for you. I'm proud of you for standing up for yourself".
"I am so sick and tired of people putting demands on me and Jack and inserting themselves into our lives without invitation. If you don't support us, fine. Then just leave us alone".
"So have you two set a date?"
"We are thinking April 8. But we don't have a clue as to where or anything like that. He liked the idea of a wedding moon, and he also liked my idea of just going to the beach here and having the ceremony in the sand and then us flying off on a tropical honeymoon somewhere".
The babies woke up, so Rachel and Jennifer fed them bottles, and then Rachel helped Jennifer with a project.
"Ok, we are going to strip each baby down to just a diaper. And we are going to put these fancy bloomers on them over the diaper, and then we are going to wrap them in Christmas lights and plug them in and take a picture".
After they got that done, they had a very low-key afternoon with everyone. Jennifer had made some of her mom's favorite appetizers and put those out on the coffee table. Her dad lit up when he saw them.
Jennifer and Jonathan were sitting on the couch, watching Rachel and Jack hold the babies and Stephen and Max having an animated conversation about football.
Jennifer leaned over to Jonathan.
"This is probably my most favorite Christmas ever".
"Mine too."
They shared a few sweet kisses.
"I can't wait to see how their Christmas will be next year".
"I'm happy for whatever each day brings, as long as it brings me home to you".