Chapter 15

"Five more minutes mommy," Jack slurred in a sleep haze. The sensation of air in his ear sent tingles down his spine.

"Uhmm," Jack groaned as he stirred in his bed. A giggled tickled his left ear. His eyes fluttered open and took in the most beautiful site.

"Good morning, Miz Wood," Jack said as he propped his head up.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Tripper." Janet correct, smiling at the sleepy head.

"Good Lord, is it that late already?" Jack asked as he searched for his alarm clock.

"Yeah, now I think you should get up," Janet smiled and reached for a pillow. She giggled and brought the pillow behind her head.

"Janet don't you dare-" Jack commanded. To late, the pillow wacked him in the face.

"You're dead!" he yelled as he hopped out of bed trying to tackle Janet. Janet laughed uncontrollable as she ran from him.

"Don't think you can get away with that Miz Wood!" he called as he ran down the hall after her.

"Or what?" Janet asked as she entered the kitchen. "You gonna be a baby about it?"

"No! You're just, not playing fair!" Jack said as he flicked a dishtowel at her.

"Jack, stop it," Janet said as she turned her back to him as she gathered keys from the counter. Jack's eyes couldn't stop from helping themselves. A smirk crossed his face as he watched her move.

"I'm going to the store and then Kathryn wants me to stop by the shop after awhile, so I'll be home a little late. Think you can coup without me?" Janet asked as she slipped her purse under her arm.

"Alone, without you? I don't think I'll be able to survive," Jack said as he tossed himself to her.

"Jack I have to go, you'll manage. Find something fun to do. I'll be home around nine at the latest," Janet called as she opened the garage door and blew him a kiss goodbye.

"Fine, bye." Jack's sighed as she closed the door behind her. He plopped himself on the couch as he hear her car star and drive away.

"Ughhhhh," Jack groaned as he picked up the newspaper only to throw it back on the table. Jack took a deep breath on the couch, propping his feet on the arm of the couch.

"Lordy, lordy, lordy, lordy," Jack muttered as he rubbed his temples. He picked up the remote to the TV, turned it on only to find nothing. Jack looked around and hummed to himself as he twiddled with his thumbs. Never had it been so hard for Jack to entertain himself.

Just as Jack laid back down on couch, his phone began to ring.

"This is Jack." He said with a heavy sigh.

"Uh hun."

"Yeah."

"Sure, I'll leave first thing next-"

"I don't think I can get a flight to-"

"You already made arrangements- Oh I see."

Loud yelling filled the phone as Jack pulled it away from his ear.

"Very well then sir, I'll be there no later than then."

"Yes sir. Goodbye" Jack hung up, nearly throwing is across the room. He stopped and dialed profusely.

"Kathryn, it's Jack, has Janet come in yet… oh she just left…She's not coming straight home is she?… I see… Well thank you…" Jack hung up the phone and sighed.

The next plane left in an hour, he had to be on it, his career depended on it, and he couldn't get a hold of Janet.

"Jack, honey I'm home!" Janet called into the house, waiting for the sweet sound of Jack's voice to answer back, or his spontaneous caress. There was nothing. Janet frowned and called out his name again as she walked up the stairs.

"Jack! Come on and get up now! It's," she looked down at her watch, "almost six!" Still no answer.

Hmm, I wonder where he is. She thought entering the kitchen. There was a yellow note taped to the fridge.

Janet,

I'm terribly sorry baby, but I got a call from corporate and I had to be on the next plane to Paris. I can't stand leaving without saying goodbye to my favorite woman in the world, I'm sorry I couldn't give you a hug and a kiss. I'm not sure how long I'll be gone, but I promise as so as I can get away, I'm coming back. I left you some numbers where you can reach me. Non preoccupare tutto sarà grande. Ti amo.

Jack

Janet tore the note from the refrigerator and tossing it haphazardly somewhere. She grabbed the bottle of wine from the cabinet and a wine glass along with it. She poured herself a glass of wine and sigh, leaning back in her chair she took a sip and stared out the back window. She waited.