***Two Weeks Later***
Jennifer and the babies were at home, waiting on Jonathan to get home. Rachel had just left, and Max was in the kitchen.
"Ok, Mrs. H. Dinner is on the stove, just needs to be stirred and served. I'm headed to poker".
"Thank you, Max".
Max and Jonathan passed each other coming and going.
Jonathan pulled up and parked and came inside.
"Hi darling".
"Hi handsome".
She leaned up and kissed him.
"Hi there, kiddos".
"They missed you all day".
Both babies were smiling for him and kicking their legs.
He took Jagger and sat down next to them on the couch.
"So, Jack called me today. We officially booked the fishing trip."
"Oh? When are you two going?"
"Two Weeks. We will fly out Wednesday night, and fly home Sunday afternoon. Two full days of fishing with a guide, and one day of fishing from a boat while on a boat cruise, and then we come home".
"Well, that sounds like fun".
"And I had a meeting today and someone mentioned a product, and I stopped and got one on the way home."
"What is it?"
"A cellphone with video technology as well as calling and texting. You can do everything in the world from these things. Check your email, take pictures, pay a bill, watch a tv show…kind of wish I had developed and invented it myself".
He pulled a box out of the bag next to him and handed her one.
"Yours is white, and mine is black, and that's only because they don't come in pink. They have fancy cases though, so I picked you up a protective case".
"How wonderful. I can't wait to try it out".
They got the phones all set up and then he set up a charging station to charge both of them.
"I spoke with Tucker Collins' parole officer today. He stated that he has been to all of his appointments, he is verified to be living in New York, with his family, and is working and has yet to violate any terms of his probation or parole. He reminded him about the restraining order you have on him, and he said he honestly hasn't thought about you since he went to prison. The parole officer doesn't think he will give us any problems, but he promised to check in with me regularly until he is off parole".
"Good. I hope he stays in New York and stays out of trouble".
Jennifer reached over and plugged in the Christmas tree.
"Darling, how long are we going to leave the tree up?"
"Oh, I don't know. I love how it looks all lit up at night, and the babies love to look at it. I'll probably take it down in a day or so".
"I tell you what. I'll help you take the lights off one night soon, and as soon as we get it finished, I'll haul it to the street myself".
"Ok, I suppose you're right. It's almost time".
They took the jumperoos to the kitchen, and put the babies in them, and then started getting dinner ready.
Both babies were just babbling away and jumping up and down and having a good time.
"Darling, what would you say if I told you I wanted us to throw Rachel and Jack a wedding?"
"I'm listening".
"Well, it's just that she and I couldn't be any closer than if we were sisters. And she loves Jack more than life itself. Her father is making all these unreasonable demands on her and if she doesn't comply, he won't pay for the wedding. And Jack's family told him that they didn't think he should marry her, and they have both taken a stand with their families and said "If you want to come, fine. If not, that's fine too", and I guess they can't do much more than that. I just feel bad that she's not having the wedding she dreamed of because of all this".
"What kind of wedding do they want?"
"She told me that she wants something simple, something sweet and romantic. We talked about it today. I offered to let her wear my dress, and she said she wants to splurge on her dress and the wedding night hotel. I think she is leaning more towards a beach wedding, with just you and me and Stacie and Alexandra and their boyfriends/husbands in attendance, plus any family that shows up. I asked her about a reception, and she said no, they didn't really think they could afford that. So, what if we gave them a really nice honeymoon, or what if we threw them a huge party when they get back, with a wedding cake, and dancing, the whole works?"
"We can do that. I'm not opposed to it".
"Wonderful! I think I'll pick her brain tomorrow and see what she has in mind, and then call and make the arrangements".
"She'll love that, I'm sure".
After they finished eating, she did the dishes while he put the leftovers away.
"Ok babies, it's bath time, your favorite time of the night".
They carried them upstairs and bathed both of them, and then Jonathan ran downstairs and got them both a bottle, while Jennifer got them diapered and in their pj's.
After both babies were fed and down for the night, Jonathan and Jennifer put on their pj's and went to their room to watch a movie. They had a lovely evening, and managed to remember their lives before they were parents.
***A Week Later***
Jennifer and Jonathan had barely seen each other in a week. Jonathan had been working on several different mergers, trying to finish out the quarter strong. He hadn't been home for dinner in days.
He was in his office, going over some papers when Deanne came in.
"Mr. Hart, Ross Andrews, with Claxton Electronics has been calling. He wants to meet with you about the merger. He is insisting that he meet you in person. He's free for dinner tomorrow night".
Jonathan sighed.
"Ok, tell him I'll meet with him. But it has to be a short meeting-drinks, not dinner. I've had meetings every night this past week, and it's high time I spend an evening with my wife and my kids".
"I'll tell him. Will there be anything else, Mr. Hart?"
"Yeah, see if you can get Jennifer on the phone, please?"
Just then, Jennifer walked in the door.
"Hi darling. I was just about to call you".
"What a coincidence. I've been calling you and calling you, and you are impossible to get a hold of".
"I'm sorry. Things have been busy".
"Let's go".
"You sound like you're kidnapping me".
"If I have to, I will. Now look, I've been patient. I've been understanding. I've looked the other way while you canceled and rescheduled and promised and re-promised. Enough. You and I are going to have a real meal together and we are going to do it right now, with lunch. Grab your coat".
Just then, Stanley came into the office.
"Mr. Hart, I'm sorry, I know this is lunch time. But these papers were just faxed over by Redfield Technology, and you and I have to go over them so that you can sign them and I can have them sent out by the deadline, of 1 p.m."
Jonathan sighed.
Jennifer looked at him with pleading eyes.
"I'm sorry, darling".
"It's ok, Jonathan. It's just *lunch*".
She turned and left his office.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Hart".
"Let me see the papers, Stanley".
***Willow Pond***
Jonathan came in about halfway through dinner. Jennifer had Jagger in the jumperoo, and was bouncing Jessalynn on her lap while trying to eat herself.
"Honey, I'm home".
He had a dozen roses with him, and came over and kissed her.
"Hi".
"Want me to take her?"
"Please".
He held her while she ate, and then they took both babies upstairs and bathed them. After they got them down for the night, they headed downstairs to start taking the lights off the tree.
"I'm sorry about our non-lunch today. It couldn't be helped".
"It's ok".
"Darling, after I get back from the trip with Jack, things at the company are going to amp up some. I just want you to be prepared for that".
"Amp up how?"
"Well, we are going full speed on a few acquisitions, and this is an odd year, so we have to meet with all of the boards of directors in all of the cities, and we have several charitable campaigns we are undertaking, so we have a couple more charity events we are throwing that you and I will have to attend, and we are also opening 4 new plants and 2 new factories, so those are all going to need some attention".
"Jonathan, I love that you are so innovative and that you can project all of these things and that you have the skill and ingenuity to pull all of it off and be successful. But what happened to you taking a step back and spending more time with us here at home?"
"I can't do both. I won't be working around the clock or anything, I'll just be back to working a 5-day week for a while".
He could tell she was disappointed.
"You've been working around the clock, practically".
He sighed.
"This isn't about me. I've been with you when you've worked 6-day weeks, and somehow, we've survived. And I'm almost positive that we survived because I was working then too. And we didn't have infant twins that love and need their daddy. They are only going to be little once, they are only going to do things for the first time, one time. I just don't want you to miss out on those moments because you can't get them back. And as much as I want to, I can't follow them around with a video camera every second of the day to catch all of their first moments on tape".
"I realize that. I just keep thinking that I have to do everything I can to build this company and grow it into something they will be proud of and that they can run with little effort someday. If I do the hard work now, they won't have to".
"Can't really argue with that. I just wish you would delegate".
They finished getting the lights off the tree and then he pulled the golf cart around and they carried the tree out to the driveway and he drove it down to the curb.
When he came back in, she was on the couch rolling up the lights and putting them in their tins so they could put them in the attic.
They watched a movie in bed, and then watched the news afterwards.
"Darling, when you get to the office tomorrow, block April 8 and the days before and after it off on your calendar".
"Why?"
"Because, that's the date Jack and Rachel are considering for their wedding. And if they pick option B which is to have a weddingmoon, then we will need to be there and there's no point in us taking the time to fly down and back if we aren't going to take a few days to enjoy it".
He rolled on top of her.
"How exactly are we going to enjoy it?"
He started kissing her chest.
"Mmmm. That's one way".
"I have many, many others".
He slipped her nightgown off her shoulder and paid attention to her exposed breast, while he ran his hands up and down her sides.
Just then, one of the babies started crying.
They both sighed.
"It's time for another staycation, honey".
She got dressed again and headed across the hall.
Jessalynn was lying in her crib, softly crying.
Jennifer picked her up and brought her to their room to see if she could figure it out.
"Now, you can't be hungry. You just ate. And you aren't wet…so what is it, princess? Tell Mama all about it".
They figured out pretty quickly that as soon as they laid Jessalynn down, she would cry again, and that she wanted to be held upright.
"Darling, can you go look in the babies' closet and see if there is a dock-a-tot in there?"
"Yeah, sure".
"Thank you. I'm sorry".
"It's alright".
Jennifer got out the bulb syringe and began to suck her nose out.
Jonathan came back with the dock-a-tot.
"Here it is".
"Great. Let's try her in it in here first and if she doesn't scream, we can take her and it to her crib".
It took about an hour, but they finally got her back to sleep and back in her crib.
Jennifer came back and climbed in bed with Jonathan.
"I think she has another cold. She was all stuffy".
"So, what is the purpose of the dock-a-tot?"
"It will keep her upright so she can breathe better".
"How do you know all this?"
"I'm with the babies all day, darling. I just…figure it out".
"Are we back on me working more again?"
"No. No, we aren't on anything again".
She reached up and turned out the light.
***An Office Building in an unknown location***
Two men were sitting in an office, talking.
"What's left on the to-do list?"
"Well, I successfully got his attention and I'm going to call him and convince him that he needs to come into town. Once he's here, we will just knock him out, and transport him to the holding location, and then wait till he comes to. Once he's awake, we will proceed with the plan, and by week's end, Hart Industries will be ours".
"I hope this works like you want it to. I would hate to resort to Plan B".
"What's Plan B? We don't have a plan b".
The man didn't say anything. He just pulled a loaded gun out of his waistband and set it on the table.
"That's plan b".
***A few days later***
Jennifer and Jonathan were exhausted. Jessalynn's cold had not gotten any better, and she had been keeping them up most of the night for the past few days.
Jonathan was leaving on his trip tonight, and more than anything he was looking forward to a good night's sleep.
"I'll be home around 3, and you and I are leaving at 4. I love you".
"I love you too. Where are we going?"
She kissed him a few times.
"I arranged for a babysitter, so that you and I could spend some time together before you drive me to the airport".
"Wonderful idea!"
He kissed the babies and then headed to the office.
Jennifer got the babies down for a nap, and then went and took a shower.
She managed to work on an article while the babies napped, and got it almost finished.
Jonathan got home at 3, just like he promised.
"Hi gorgeous."
"Hi handsome".
He gave her a quick kiss and then went upstairs to change and finish packing.
She was sitting downstairs when he brought his bags down.
"Darling, why are you carrying my Louis Vuitton weekend bag?"
"It's not for me, it's for you. And all will be revealed soon, darling".
Before she could question him any further, the doorbell rang.
He quickly grabbed it.
"Susan! Laura, what are you guys doing here?"
"We are here to watch the children for the night. Jonathan said you need us till about 10 or so".
"Wonderful! I have no clue what we are doing, he hasn't told me anything."
"Well, the babies will be in good hands."
"I definitely believe that. They are both sleeping right now-their room is upstairs to the right, on the right. Diapers and wipes are in this cabinet here, and also in the cabinet in their room, with the lamp on it. They should wake up in about an hour, and then they usually like to play for a bit. Bottles are in the fridge, I just heat them up for 22 seconds with the top off, put the top on, shake it up and then take the top off and add 2 ounces of breastmilk. Breastmilk bottles are the green bottles in the fridge, top shelf. They should stay awake till about 7:30 or so. Jessalynn's battling a cold, so she might be a little fussier. And she needs to sleep on the dock-a-tot in her crib."
"Got it. Don't worry about a thing".
"Thank you so much for doing this for us. We really appreciate it".
"Ladies, dinner is on me. Graham at La Scala is expecting your order, and will deliver whatever you want. Help yourself to anything in the fridge, and again, thank you so much".
"That's very kind. Thank you, Jonathan".
Jennifer and Jonathan headed out, in her car.
As soon as they pulled through the gate, he grabbed her hand and kissed it.
"Darling, when do I get to know where we are going?"
"Well, first, we are going to check in to the Port Republic hotel. The manager has arranged us for us to have a room with a whirlpool, and then we are going to order room service and relax until you have to take me to the airport".
"What a wonderful idea".
They got all checked into their hotel, and then headed up to the room.
"Oh, Jonathan! It's absolutely beautiful!"
"Yeah, it really is".
She turned and kissed him several times, and wrapped her arms around him.
"Let the romance begin".
He called and placed their room service order for cocktails and a cheese and fruit plate.
She grabbed her bag and started to unpack it.
"What are you doing?"
"Seeing what you packed me".
She pulled out a frilly nightgown plus her hygiene kit and her robe.
"I knew this one was your favorite".
He came up behind her and started kissing her neck.
"Anything you wear is my favorite".
"I hate that you are going to be gone for 4 days and 4 nights…I especially hate the nights".
"Yeah, I know. But Jack really wants to go, and I've always wanted to go fishing in Montana, and just think, I'll be home Sunday night and then we'll have a reunion that will make history when the babies go to bed".
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
He went and got it, and as expected, it was their room service.
"Thank you".
"Ok, darling, I'm going to pour us some drinks, while you get the whirlpool going".
She went and started the tub, and poured in a few drops of the bath oil that she knew Jonathan loved.
He brought them their wine glasses and their cheese and fruit tray, and they climbed in the tub.
She leaned back against him for a bit, as he fed her cheese and grapes.
He rubbed her shoulders and gave her a nice neck massage, and then she moved to sit next to him so she could enjoy the jets too.
"It's so nice to take a bath in a tub without rubber duckies everywhere".
"Yeah, I know what you mean".
"I miss you, I miss us. I miss our spontaneous moments and our late-night lovemaking sessions, and our extensive travelling".
"Darling, I didn't go anywhere. I'm right here. I'll make love with you anytime you want".
"I know that. It's just different now. We have to make time for us now that we have the babies, and before, we didn't have the babies, we had all the time in the world".
"And that's why we need nights like this so we can find a balance".
"Great idea".
"And after we have our next baby, we will just hire a live-in nanny".
"Do you think you'll still find me desirable if I had another baby?"
"I know I will".
He kissed her nice and slow for several minutes, and stroked her hair.
She sipped her wine and fed him a couple of grapes.
"Darling, the water's getting cold".
They got out and dried off and then climbed into bed.
They were all over each other, rolling around like two people who had been separated for months.
He was masterful, kissing and suckling her breasts while she ran her fingers through his hair.
She reached down and gave his butt a not-so-gentle squeeze.
He moved his kisses up to that spot on her neck that was guaranteed to drive her crazy.
He crushed his lips on hers and grazed her neck with his fingertips.
"Baby…."
"Ohhhh".
He quickly and easily entered her, and lowered himself onto her even more.
She threw a leg over his, and pulled him closer to her, as he began to move his hips forward.
"You feel amazing".
"You are amazing".
Jennifer was vocal, free, and passionate. Jonathan was intense, loving, exciting, and focused.
They took each other over the edge a few times, and then kissed each other as they calmed down.
"Mmmmmm….I love it when you make me feel that way".
He started kissing her neck.
"Don't stop".
They continued making love for a couple hours, till they absolutely had to get up and get dressed.
As soon as she was dressed, she put her arms around him and kissed him several times. They started making out and almost laid back down, but got it together and headed out.
They checked out of the hotel and headed to their favorite taco stand and then drove to the beach and parked.
"I don't think we've had a car date since we got engaged".
"I think you're right about that".
After they finished their tacos, and after a brief make out session, they headed to the airport.
Jonathan pulled them up next to his plane, and parked.
They sat there waiting on Jack to arrive.
The car phone rang, and Jonathan picked it up.
"Hello?"
He talked for a few minutes.
"Ok, I'll fly out Sunday night, Monday morning at the latest and take care of it".
He hung up.
"You'll what?"
"There's a tiny labor dispute at our Texas plant. I just have to fly there, meet with them, resolve things, get them to agree to some terms, meet with a contractor about fixing a few things, have both sides sign the contract and come home".
"Oh is that all? Jonathan-"
"I know. The babies are little and you don't want me to miss out on their lives".
"Or mine. We got married so we could share our lives, not so we could spend more time apart than we do together".
"Baby, I know this isn't ideal. But there's a chance it could be resolved before I finish this trip and I won't have to go. And if I do have to go, I promise just there and back".
Jack and Rachel pulled up then so they got out of the car.
After his bags were loaded, she kissed him goodbye.
"It'll only be for 4 days, but I'm going to miss you".
"I'm going to miss you too, but only for the 4 days. Not the other two".
He smirked at her.
"I love you".
"I love you too. Kiss the babies for me".
"Come home and kiss them yourself".
He gave her a few sweet kisses.
"Have a safe flight. Did you pack your cell phone?"
"Yes I did".
"Good".
"Ok, we've got clearance".
"Ok, I'll be right there."
He gave Jennifer a final hug and kiss.
"I know you're mad about the work trip. I'm sorry. I promise, I'll do everything I can to keep it short".
"I love you. I'm not mad, I'm just… disappointed".
She kissed him again and then he boarded the plane.
She turned to Rachel.
"Wanna stay with me and the babies for a few days?"
"Slumber party?! Let's go".
***Willow Pond***
Jennifer and Rachel pulled up and parked and came inside.
"Hi! How were the kiddos?"
"Jagger is a dream baby. So happy and sweet. He ate and went down so easily."
"Jessalynn was coughing a little bit so I took her in the bathroom and we turned the shower on so the steam could open her lungs a little bit. She's asleep, in the dock a tot in her crib".
"Thank you both, so much".
"Our pleasure. They really were sweet".
She got out her checkbook but they refused to take one from her.
"We will see you soon".
Susan and Laura left and Rachel and Jennifer sat on the couch.
"So how was your date with Jonathan?"
"Great. He got us a hotel with a whirlpool tub and we ordered room service and soaked in the tub a bit and then we went and got tacos at our favorite taco stand, and parked by the ocean and then we headed to the hotel".
"What a sweet night. Jack and I just stayed at the house, and watched a movie under the blanket".
"Did Jack happen to mention what time he and Jonathan were going to arrive?"
"Yes, he said it would be just after Midnight".
"Perfect".
They headed upstairs and put on their pajamas and then came back down to the kitchen.
Jennifer washed a bunch of bottles while Rachel made some for the next day.
"Well, it's the end of an era. You are officially out of breast milk".
"Completely out?"
"Yes. This is the last of it, and there's not any more in the freezer".
"Wow. I can't believe we ran out so soon, but then I guess it does make sense. I only fed them for a month and pumped and fed for a month, so it's not like I had an unlimited supply going".
"Ok, so the bottles with the blue design are the ones with the breastmilk, and the ones with the yellow and green ones are just formula".
"Perfect. Let's put the blue bottles on this side, and the green and yellow ones on the other."
After they finished that, they turned out the lights and headed upstairs.
"You can sleep in the guestroom if you want, or you can bunk with me".
"I will take the guestroom."
Jennifer handed her the extra baby monitor, and they said goodnight and headed to bed.
***A couple hours later***
Jennifer was in a dead sleep, when she woke up to her phone ringing.
She grabbed it and answered it.
"Hello?"
"I love you, and we just got checked into our hotel."
"I love you too. I'm glad you -yawn-got there safely".
"How are the babies?"
"Ok, so far. They were asleep when I got home and haven't woken up yet. Susan said Jessalynn was coughing. I'm afraid this cold of hers is getting worse".
"Well, give her a daddy kiss from me. Can Rachel come help you?"
"She's here now. She's staying a couple days, but we haven't really talked about it".
"Great. Well, go back to sleep and try not to dream of me too much in the night. I love you more than anything".
"I love you too".
She blew him a sleepy kiss and then hung up and went back to sleep.
***2:25 a.m.***
Jennifer woke up when Jessalynn woke up crying.
She went to the nursery and picked her up and sat down and started to rock her.
"There, there. It's alright…Mama's here".
Jessalynn kept crying and just wouldn't settle down.
Rachel sleepily came to the nursery.
"Hey, you didn't have to get up. But I'm glad you did. Can you hold her while I carry one of the gliders into our room?"
"Sure".
After Jennifer got the glider into their room, Rachel brought Jessalynn and they sat down and started to rock.
"You don't have to stay in here with us if you don't want. Jagger will probably need a bottle soon, though".
Jennifer noticed that Jessalynn's cheeks were so red, and her hair was soaked with sweat.
Jessalynn was still crying, so Jennifer unwound the blanket off of her, and started taking her outfit off.
"You get so hot, just like your Mama. Maybe you'll feel better with just a diaper on".
After she got her undressed, Jessalynn began to scream even more.
They put a simple thin pair of pajamas on her, and Jennifer continued to rock her.
"Rachel, can you bring the thermometer, please? It's in the basket in the nursery on the diaper changing table. I think she might have a fever".
A few minutes later, Rachel was there with the thermometer and Jennifer took Jessalynn's temp. 102.5.
"Ok, let's go downstairs and get some medicine".
Rachel held Jessalynn while Jennifer looked in the cabinet.
"Damn! She's still a little too young for this. I think I'm going to call the doctor's office and see if the nurse can help me".
She made the phone call and they sat down and waited for a call back.
Rachel was holding her and singing to her and rubbing her back some.
The nurse called back a few minutes later, and Jennifer quickly grabbed the phone.
"Hello? This is she….thank you so much for calling back. I have boy/girl twins who are right at 5 months old, and my daughter has had a cold for the past few days and it's gotten worse. About an hour ago, she woke up crying, with a fever of 102.5, and she won't eat, she won't let me undress her to get her cool. At the moment, I'm holding a cool washcloth on the back of her neck, but she's not happy about it…Ok, I'll do that. Thank you so much".
She hung up and looked at Rachel with a sad look on her face.
"She said I need to bring her to the emergency room".