***The Next Day***
Jennifer had basically held Jessalynn all night long, until bedtime. She put her in the crib, but she was obsessing over the video monitor.
After Jonathan reassured her that everything was fine, she was finally able to fall asleep. She couldn't remember when she had slept so soundly.
Jonathan had filled her in on his dinner plan, and she readily agreed.
He made a phone call to his travel agent, and made a few arrangements based on what he and Jennifer had discussed.
"Are you sure you're going to be ok if I go to the office?"
"We will be fine, darling".
They all had breakfast together and then he carried Jagger to the play yard in the living room, and she carried Jessalynn.
"Bye buddy. Daddy will see you later. You're the man of the house, so do a good job".
He took Jessalynn from Jennifer.
"Bye sweetheart, Daddy will see you later too. Be a good girl for Mommy and Aunt Marnie". He set her down in the play yard with Jagger.
Jonathan grabbed Jennifer's hand and walked her to the door.
"I love you, call me if you need, no matter what. I'll be home as soon as I can".
"I love you too. Remember, dinner is here at 6, and we are dressing up".
"I'll call Jack and tell him".
"Got it".
They shared a few sweet kisses and then Jonathan headed out and Jennifer headed to sit in the living room with the babies.
Marnie brought her coffee in, and sat with Jennifer.
"How did she sleep?"
"Good, I think. I was kind of shocked she let me put her in the crib".
"Well, both of you needed your rest".
"Yes, I agree. I wish I could know what went on while she was with…her, but then I again I don't want to know".
"Hopefully, she doesn't remember most of it".
Just then, the doorbell rang.
Jennifer went and answered it, and found Rachel on the other side.
"Hi, I know I wasn't scheduled to come over today, but I just wanted to see the kiddos, and you too. Is it ok?"
"Of course it's ok. You're welcome here anytime, you know that".
They headed to the living room.
"Hi sweet twinbies! Aunt Mushy missed you guys last night, yes she did".
She gave them both kisses and then sat down next to Jennifer.
"So…..Jack and I set the wedding date. We are officially getting married in 4 weeks, on April 28th."
"Great! Where did you pick?"
"Well, I got strong last night when we went home, and I called my dad. And I told him we were getting married, it was going to be in Jamaica, and that they were all invited. He again said he was only going to attend if we got married in his Southern Baptist church and if she could plan it, and I said I wasn't interested in anyone helping me plan it, that it was all planned, and that I would really appreciate them coming. I also told him that this was his only chance to see me get married, and again, he said "if you change your mind, I'll book whatever church you want here in Texas", so I told him I would be in touch and then hung up. And then Jack and I booked it at the Malibu Beach Club. We are going to have the ceremony, at sunset, on the beach, and then have a short reception inside the club, and then we are going to spend 10 days in Jamaica for our honeymoon".
"How sweet!"
"So, I need a dress. And I need some flowers, and I need to figure out music, and a cake, and you will need to find a lavender dress and some white flip flops and-"
"Wait. I thought you said it was all planned out".
"No, I told my father it was planned. But I had to tell him it was planned because if I had told him it wasn't planned he would think I'm not able to plan anything and I don't want him to think that".
"Ok, so let's get busy. I still have my wedding notebook around here somewhere".
Jennifer went and got it from the study, and Rachel started leafing through it.
In just under two hours, Rachel had called and gotten prices from all the vendors she wanted and then picked a few wedding gowns that she wanted to go try on.
"Jennifer, do you have a calculator?"
"Sure".
Jennifer ran and got it, and then brought it to her.
She added up everything, and then went to call Jack.
A few minutes later, she came out of the study.
"Well, so much for that. Jack says we can't afford any of what I wanted to do, so now we have a venue we are either going to lose money on, or we are going to have the most boring wedding in the history of the universe".
"I tell you what. Why don't you and Jack come to dinner tonight, and you and I can convince him?"
"Sure. If nothing else, maybe we can just compromise on a few things. I never thought he and I would be fighting over the color or cost of flowers".
"Welcome to marriage, Mushy".
"Can we do any of what you want ourselves?"
"What do you mean, Aunt Marnie?"
"I mean, can we make it ourselves? If you can find a wholesale flower dealer, we could make the centerpieces and decorate the arbor ourselves. And the bouquets too. And you could always do something unique, like a donut cake instead of a fancy wedding cake".
"Hmmm, that's a wonderful idea. Jack sure loves donuts".
"How many people are you inviting?"
"Well, let's see. Your dad, Aunt Marnie, you and Jonathan and Max, Alexandria and her husband, Stacey and her boyfriend, and whomever Jack wants to invite, I suppose. So far, he's only mentioned 2 of his friends from flight school. So that's….like 12 people".
"Mushy, we can definitely make this work".
"Gosh, I hope so. I only plan on marrying this boy one time, and I don't want us to look back on our wedding day with what ifs and regrets".
"Have you thought about eloping and then having a big party?"
"Yes. We even extended an invite to my dad and the she-devil to meet us in Vegas. And we extended an invite to Jack's family as well, but my father refused and Jack's mom doesn't like to fly".
"If you were going to have a big party, would you invite more than 12 people?"
"Yes, we would. And we would probably renew our vows too, since nobody else got to see us get married, but it wouldn't be the same. You only get one wedding day".
"So, if your father doesn't come, who would you want to give you away?"
"Max, I guess. He's been more of a father to me than my own father has".
"I'm sure he'd love it. He loves you too".
They sat around talking about various wedding ideas and color schemes for about an hour, and then the phone rang.
Max came into the living room.
"Rachel, Jack just called. He says he needs you to come back to the house so's you two can go somewhere".
"Ok. Well, I guess I'll go do that, and then we'll come back later".
"Sounds great. I tell you what. Let's make it a formal dinner. Let's all get really dressed up tonight, it's been a long time since we've done that".
"What a lovely idea! That sounds great".
Jennifer walked Rachel out, and then she and Marnie got both of the babies fed and down for their naps.
Jennifer took a bubble bath, and got her hair and makeup just perfect, and put on some lounging clothes until Jonathan got home.
Jagger and Jessalynn woke up around 4:30, and were full of energy. Jonathan came in at 5, and had a few bags with him, that he discreetly passed off to Max.
"Hi gorgeous".
"Hi handsome".
He gave her a few kisses and then loved on the kids for a bit.
Rachel and Jack showed up right on time, at 5:30.
"Hey, perfect timing. Can you two watch the kiddos while we go change?"
"We would love to".
They handed the kiddos to Rachel and Jack, and then headed upstairs. Jennifer slipped into a sequined halter dress that was black on the bottom and white on the top, and some black peep toe heels. Jonathan changed into a fresh dress shirt and tie.
"Darling, I have a couple of surprises for you tonight".
"Oh? Do tell".
"Not just yet. All will be revealed soon, I promise".
They made it downstairs right when the doorbell rang.
"Ok, darling, surprise number 1."
He opened the door to reveal Deanne and Lanie, one of the executives from Jonathan's office on the other side of the door.
"Deanne and Lanie are going to babysit the babies upstairs in the nursery, so that we can have a grown-up dinner downstairs".
"Wonderful! Thank you so much!"
"We are happy to help out".
Jennifer walked them into the living room.
"This is Jagger, and this is Jessalynn. They are usually pretty happy, but she might be a little apprehensive because of everything she's been through. She's usually ok with Jagger close by, though. So, diapers and wipes are upstairs in the changing table. Max will bring you guys bottles for them when it's time. And to sleep, they like to take their bottles in the rocking chair and then be rocked to sleep. They both take their lovie and their blankets with them in the crib. Pajamas are laid out upstairs on the rails of their cribs. They should be good to just play and crawl around. They love to be sung to, and read to. Favorite songs are "You are my Sunshine" and "If you're Happy and you know it". And we'll be right downstairs if you need anything".
"We will be fine".
"Thank you. Bye babies, Mommy will come kiss you goodnight later".
She kissed both of them and then Deanne and Lanie headed upstairs with the babies.
Jonathan made everyone a cocktail.
Aunt Marnie came down in her prettiest outfit-a sparkly light blue top and black pants.
They enjoyed their cocktails while they waited on Jennifer's second surprise to get there, and for dinner to be finished.
Just then, the doorbell rang. Jonathan got up to get it.
"Hi Stanley, come on in".
Stanley and an older lady that Jennifer didn't recognize came inside.
"Thank you Stanley. Pick up time is 9:30".
"You got it, Mr. Hart".
Jonathan and the lady walked into the living room.
"Darling, this is Evelyn Cartwright, the tipster".
Jennifer teared up and went and gingerly hugged her.
"I cannot thank you enough."
"No thanks necessary, ma'am. I was just doing the right thing".
"We are so thankful that you recognized her and that you had the courage to call the hotline".
"Mrs. Cartwright is going to join us for dinner, and then Stanley is going to drive her back home".
Ms. Cartwright turned to Jonathan.
"Was that his name? That man is a nervous nelly on the highway".
"Ms. Cartwright, may I get you a cocktail?"
"Certainly. White wine, if you have it".
Just as Jonathan got her wine, Max came in and announced that dinner was ready.
They all headed to the dining room and had a lovely meal of filet mignon, lobster tails, and lemon parmesan risotto, and then went back to the living room.
"Ok, so Jennifer and I were talking. And we made some decisions that affect all of you. First of all, Aunt Marnie, you dropped everything and came out here when Jessalynn was in the hospital on a moment's notice, and you have stayed much longer than we thought we would need you, without a complaint at all. And we couldn't be more grateful. But thank you, it's just not enough. So, we booked you a cruise. 6 weeks, and it will stop in 26 different ports. And you can customize it. It's all paid for and taken care of".
Marnie teared up as soon as Jennifer handed her the packet.
"I can't believe this".
"And, we booked you a flight to Pa's house for this weekend, first class. If his surgery goes as well as he's expecting, you will only have to stay with him for a week or two, and then you can go home and plan your cruise".
"Thank you, so much".
"And then, there's Rachel and Jack. You guys mean the world to us, and Rachel also came and helped out with Jagger and keeping me sane and keeping Aunt Marnie company."
"And Jack, you got dragged into that nightmare that we went through all because you worked for me. I can't ever apologize enough for that".
"So, we decided to give you the best gift we know how. We are paying for your wedding. We set up a wedding account for you at Citibank, and here is the bank book".
Rachel teared up and covered her face, while Jack took the bank book from Jonathan.
He showed her the amount and she got up and hugged Jennifer.
"Thank you. You always pull out the stops when I least expect it".
"We love you so much, Mushy".
"I love you too, Squishy".
"And finally, Ms. Cartwright. You gave us the best gift possible. You helped us find our daughter. You ended the moments of us thinking she was being hurt or worse. You made it possible for us to find her before something horrible happened to her, and we are so grateful. So, as promised, the person who gave us the tip that lead us to her gets the reward and that's you. Here is your check".
"What? Oh no, I can't. That's not necessary".
"Yes, it is. You earned it. We insist. It's rightfully yours".
"Thank you".
"Darling, can you go upstairs and ask Deanne and Lanie to bring the babies down?"
"Certainly".
Jonathan and the ladies and the babies came downstairs into the living room.
"Hi sweet pea. Are you having fun with Miss Deanne and Miss Lanie?"
Jagger was all smiles.
Jonathan had Jessalynn, who was smiling also.
"Ms. Cartwright, this is Jessalynn. And this is her twin brother Jagger".
"Hello babies. You two are so precious".
Jessalynn was smiling and patting Ms. Cartwright's hand.
"You remember coming to my house that first day, don't you? You were such a happy baby".
"We just wanted you to see that you didn't just bring her back to us, and you didn't just make us happy and make her happy, you helped make our family whole again".
"I appreciate that. I was just doing what was right, believe me. I wouldn't have been able to sleep at night knowing that you two were worried about her and I knew where she was".
"The world needs more people like you, that's for sure".
Stanley arrived right on time, to take Ms. Cartwright home.
"Thank you again for dinner".
"It was our pleasure. And if there's anything at all you ever need, please, don't hesitate to call us".
"You folks are too kind. Thank you so much".
Stanley and Ms. Cartwright left, and then Marnie said she was headed up to bed.
Rachel and Jennifer got the babies down, while Max, Jack and Jonathan played some poker.
After the babies were asleep, Jennifer and Rachel stepped into Jennifer and Jonathan's room.
"I'm still just shocked that you want to pay for my wedding".
"Every woman deserves the wedding of their dreams. I had mine, and I want to make sure you have yours".
Jennifer quickly took her dress off and put on some lounging pants and a t-shirt of Jonathan's.
"Do you want to change into something?"
"Yes, but I'll wait. One of my favorite parts of the night is when Jack helps me out of my dress".
"Well alrighty then".
"Boys will be boys".
"Don't I know it? I married one of the best ones around".
"And he only has eyes for you, no matter what is happening around him".
"I feel the same way about him".
They headed downstairs and headed for the bar. Jennifer popped open a bottle of champagne and they each poured themselves a glass.
They sat on the couch chatting and drinking, and talking about the wedding, and Rachel's honeymoon preferences for about an hour.
Jonathan and Jack finally came into the living room.
As soon as they saw the men, the women started giggling.
"What's so funny?"
"I….don't…..know".
"Why are you two drinking champagne?"
"Why not?"
More laughter ensued.
"Ok, time to say goodnight".
"Who has to say it?"
They both pointed at each other and then started giggling again.
"Both of you".
Jack picked Rachel up and swung her over his shoulder.
"Oh, I love it when we play fireman rescue".
"Goodnight you two. Thanks again for everything".
Jonathan walked them to the door and opened it for them and told them goodnight.
He came back and helped Jennifer up off the couch.
She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him.
"I love you".
"I love you too".
"Yeah? Show me how much".
"Right away".
He picked her up and carried her upstairs, turning out the lights along the way.