***Chapter 4***
***Jennifer***
She was still in the field, and still collecting flowers. She was also still sad, because she wanted to be with the lady and the man. She didn't know why, but for some reason she felt at home with them. She sat down and tried to figure things out. She didn't know where she was, but she liked where she was. She didn't know who the lady and the man were, but she felt safe with them and wanted to be with them. She didn't know why they didn't want to spend time with her, but she seemed to be ok with it, just sad.
She loved her flowers though, and she was making some beautiful bouquets. She got up and kept walking and picking more flowers, and making more bouquets. She was over by a gentle stream, sitting under a tree, when a lady arrived. She handed her a bouquet and looked at her. She had the bluest eyes, almost a baby blue color.
"Give these to him, please. Thank you for loving him".
All of a sudden the lady walked away, and joined a man. Jennifer was left holding the bouquet. It was several white gerber daisies, a few blue tulips, and one yellow rose.
She got to the edge of the field and looked around. The man and the lady were gone. The flower lady was gone. Jennifer had no choice but to turn around and go back the way she had come.
***Jonathan***
Max came and brought Jonathan a change of clothes, and some tea for Jennifer. He had been nice enough to put it in a cooler for her, so that she could keep it cool.
"No change Max. I thought she squeezed my hand earlier, but she hasn't done it since".
Max could see he was discouraged. He wished he knew a way to help him, but he knew that sometimes in life, you encounter things and the only way to deal with them was by getting through it. This was one of those times.
"I've been talking to her, but the nurse said to keep her as calm as possible, so I have been trying to just reassure her that I am here, and not say too much to her".
"Probably best".
Max leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Come back to us, sweet girl. We all miss you and care for you".
Her blood pressure went up slightly, but not enough to set off the alarm.
"Thanks for coming, Max".
"Sure thing, Mr. H."
Max left, and the nurse came in. The doctor was right behind her. They did a blood draw and ran a quick panel on her and then the doctor looked at Jonathan.
"Her kidney function is improved, slightly. I think we might hold off on dialysis for now, and just continue to monitor it. I am going to start her on an antibiotic, and that might help as well."
"When she wakes up, can she eat?"
"We will start her on liquids and if she can keep that down, we will add in some bland solid food. She's getting IV nutrition, so trust me, she isn't malnourished".
"I understand. Is there anything I should be doing for her that I'm not?"
"I can't think of anything".
"Thank you".
The doctor left, and the nurse started her antibiotic drip and then left.
Jonathan was desperate to hear her voice and see her smile and see her eyes.
It was almost mid afternoon. He knew it was selfish, but dammit, he wanted her to wake up, like NOW.
He leaned over to her, and began to sing to her very softly.
"Let me call you sweetheart, I'm in love with you/
Let me hear you whisper, that you love me too/
Keep the love light glowing, In your eyes so true/
Let me call you sweetheart, I'm in love-he kissed her-with-another kiss-you".
She squeezed his hand then, and he started talking to her.
"Come on baby, I'm right here. Come on.."
She stirred a little and moved her head slightly. He kissed her again.
"Come on, darling. I love you so much. I am right here waiting on you".
She slowly opened her eyes and struggled to focus.
As soon as she focused on him, she smiled and puckered up her lips.
"Hi darling!" He kissed her a few times.
She mouthed the words "I love you".
"I love you so much, baby".
He reached over and got her glass of water, and put a straw in it.
She sucked it down.
"We need to call the nurse so that she can see you are awake".
She nodded.
He kissed her a couple of times, and then pushed her button.
He was sitting up staring at her. She patted the head of the bed and indicated she wanted him next to her.
He snuggled up to her.
"Be careful darling, you have stitches in your stomach".
She was whispering.
"Nobody wanted me….they didn't want me…."
"I always want you".
He didn't press the issue, he just figured it was from her medicines and left it at that.
The nurse came in and checked her over.
"How are you feeling?"
"Fine I guess. I'm thirsty".
They ordered her a beverage tray, and told her she could have some broth for dinner.
She nodded.
"Tomorrow, we will get you up and have you walk some".
She left, and Jonathan turned his attention to Jennifer.
"Darling, what do you remember?"
"I remember being in a warehouse, and then seeing you and I can't get to you".
He nodded.
"What am I missing?"
"You are missing…the part where I put you at risk… the kidnapper, who we now know is named Braxton, pulled a gun out and I gave you the signal. You did your little self defense move, and then he and I struggled over the gun. He ended up shooting you because I was forcing him to drop the gun. So, this is my fault, darling. I will never forgive myself."
Jennifer could see he was close to tears. She reached up and stroked his cheek.
"What did the doctor say?"
"The bullet went through your abdomen and nicked your kidney. They initially told me that you have a kidney disorder and need a kidney transplant. However, today, they stated that you might not, and have you on an antibiotic."
She closed her eyes briefly and leaned back on the bed.
"How long was I out?"
"It happened yesterday. They told me that you would wake up today".
She nodded.
She wanted to tell him that she didn't blame him for this. But, she knew that he wouldn't believe it because he was already blaming himself so much. So, she didn't say anything and figured they would talk about it later.
Jonathan was feeling a little rejected that she hadn't told him it was ok and that she forgave him. She was everything to him. He would never be able to make it up to her that she had been hurt because of him.
She drank some more water, and she had her head on his shoulder.
"I had the craziest dream, darling".
"Really? Good or bad?"
"I have no idea, to be honest. I was in a field with flowers, and there were people there and they didn't want me. I kept trying to go with them, but they didn't want me to".
"That sounds like a side effect of the medicine".
"Maybe".
"I'm sorry I ruined the surprise, darling".
"What surprise?"
"The painting".
"That was a surprise?"
She nodded. "That's kind of why it was wrapped".
He stared straight ahead. "You didn't ruin anything".
She lifted his hand and kissed it.
"Darling…tell me the whole thing".
"I don't know the whole thing. You tell me your part first".
She tickled his chest.
"Ok. I went to an auction and got you some stuff and some stuff for the house. And then we were going to have lunch, and then I was on my way to you. Someone bumped me at a stop light, and I got out to look at it. I didn't see any damage, but he put a gun to my ribs and took me in his car. And then I was in a warehouse and I was handcuffed. He told me that we could either give him the painting, or pay him for it. I decided to just give him the painting so that's when he had me call you. He put this ball and chain on me, and I used that to escape the room he was holding me in. And then you were there, and then I remember he had his arm around my neck, and then it all goes black".
"Ok. So, he wanted this painting, and it's at the house. I had it evaluated by Walter. The one you bought is a replica of a Jackson Pollack. However, the base is a painting on canvas, and then there is a textured piece of something over it and then the replica of the Pollack painting is painted over the textured piece. So, he valued it at around $250. I decided to trick him, so I went upstairs to the guest room and got a painting that I had done out of the closet, switched it with the one you bought and then wrapped it back up."
"Very clever".
"Except it almost killed you".
"Jonathan…I'm going to be just fine".
She kissed him.
She closed her eyes and leaned against his shoulder.
Within a few minutes, she was fast asleep.
***A couple hours later***
Jonathan was miserable. His shoulder was tingling and numb, and he wanted to move it so bad. But Jennifer was sleeping on it, so he just stayed still. She was the most important part of any situation.
She woke up about 20 minutes later, and he was grateful to move his shoulder again. He tried to not let it show that he was numb.
She was getting antsy. She hit the button for the nurse. The nurse came in a few minutes later.
"I think I want to try that walking thing now".
"Darling, take it easy".
"Jonathan, I can't just sit here anymore".
"Darling-"
She gave him a look. He backed off.
The nurse helped her out of bed, and helped her take several steps to the door.
She was in pain, but she managed it well.
"The more you walk, the less it will hurt, but don't overdo it, ok?"
Jennifer nodded.
After making it to the door, she turned around and went back to the bed. They helped her into bed, and the nurse ordered her some broth.
The doctor came and checked on her during his evening rounds.
"You are going to be just fine. I am still concerned about your kidney function, so we will keep monitoring that. But, I would say you are more than likely out of the woods where a transplant is concerned".
Jennifer nodded.
"Do either of you have any questions?"
Jonathan spoke up. "How soon until we can resume marital activities?"
"Jonathan!" Jennifer was so embarrassed. "I'm sorry, doctor".
"Don't be. It's a perfectly normal question. I would say as soon as you get home, and your stitches heal. But don't get too crazy, take it slow".
Jonathan nodded.
The doctor left, and they were alone in the room.
"I missed seeing you smile, and hearing you laugh, and looking into your gorgeous eyes".
"You are so romantic. Tell me a love story".
She settled down against him.
"How about a poem instead?"
She nodded.
"Roses are red, violets are blue…"
She sat up and looked at him, as he continued.
He leaned over and whispered to her. "I can see myself inside of you".
"Jonathan!"
He was cracking up. She smacked him on the chest.
"Sorry, darling. I couldn't resist. It's from my Navy days. I just miss you.."
"I miss you too, but I am still in control of myself".
Secretly, she loved it when they talked about their sex life. It made her feel desired. But she couldn't let him know that.
He called Max and told him that Jennifer was awake, and asked him to bring her some pajamas and a robe and slippers and her favorite pillowcases.
Max said he would be there in an hour.
Jonathan got up and went to the cooler.
"Max was here earlier, and he brought you a surprise. Some of your favorite tea".
He poured her a glass and she sucked it down. She loved Max's tea.
He climbed back in bed with her and she wrapped her arm around his.
"Darling…I don't deserve you, but I am so glad you are mine".
He kissed her forehead.
"I'm the lucky one, that's for sure".
She pulled her knees up, and rolled over on to her right side, and put an arm across his chest.
"How do you figure that you are lucky when I'm not? Honey, you always put me first, no matter what. You are always taking me to dinner where I want to go, and you are always buying me things. Even when you buy something for yourself, you say it's for me. I'm the one who should be spoiling you. Lord knows, I don't cook you enough dinners".
"You spoil me in other ways, darling".
The nurse came in and checked her vitals and took her temp, and then updated her white board.
For the first time, Jennifer noticed the date on the white board.
"Oh no!"
She started to cry.
"What is it? Darling, what's wrong?"
"I'm the worst wife ever".
She buried her face into his chest and he wrapped his arms around her trying to soothe her.