Jonathan was stunned, "You're what?"
Jennifer caressed his cheek, "I'm pregnant, Darling."
Jonathan shifted away from her and stiffened slightly, "I thought we had an agreement, no children."
Jennifer was a little bewildered by his tone, "I know but I guess someone else had other plans." She tried to smile but his reaction was beginning to really upset her
Jonathan got up and walked over to the window, "You know we can't bring a child into our lives. It's way too dangerous." He said, "I thought we were being …careful."
Jennifer sighed heavily, "Darling, we can always quit. We don't have to keep doing this. You have Hart Industries and I have my writing."
Without turning to look at her, "I don't want to just be some rich millionaire that sits in some office all day making deals. It's just a cover, just like your father had being an art dealer as his cover." He reminded her
"Well, you don't have to quit but I can't do it anymore. We can't both put ourselves at risk now." She replied tears beginning to form in her eyes
"We're in the middle of an investigation, probably one of the most important we've ever handled and you want to quit? What do we tell Wainwright?" He asked
"Jonathan, I didn't say I wanted to quit this second. But after we get Olbermann, I'm out, for good." She got up and went to him and put her hand on his back
He stiffened again at her touch, "Getting Olbermann could take months. Before long you won't be in any condition to do any of this."
She pulled back a little, "Well, we'll figure something out. You can always go it alone or Max can step up his part."
"We work as a team, Jennifer. That's how we get the bad guys. That's how we save lives." He replied
She moved from behind him to his side and he finally turned to look at her, "I know what we do is important and we're saving lives and serving our country, but Darling." She paused and took his hand and placed it on her still flat abdomen and held it there, looking at him again with those eyes, "Isn't this the most important life of all?"
He didn't know what to say. He just pulled her into his arms and held her. She started crying and her body shook against his and he just held her tighter but still couldn't speak. He stroked her hair and rubbed her back, hoping in some way it would reassure her.
Finally she pulled back and wiped her eyes, "I'm really tired, can we go to bed?"
He leaned in and kissed her, "Of course."
They walked over to the bed, got in and she was immediately wrapped up in his arms again. He kissed the top of her head, "It'll be alright. We'll figure something out."
She nodded and he noticed her breathing pattern change. She was asleep but his mind was racing. He tried to get his mind wrapped around the whole thing. Never in a million years did he think it would happen. They had made a decision not to have children and now it was going to happen. Everything was going to change. But was it a bad thing? He looked down at his wife sleeping peacefully in his arms. She meant everything to him. She and Max were the only family he had or had ever had and now he might even have a son to carry on his name. He couldn't stop a smile from creeping across his lips as he thought about it. Maybe they would have a little girl who would be as beautiful as her mother. He wished he was as sure as Jennifer seemed about having this child. He gently shifted out from under her and quietly left the bedroom. He went downstairs to think and didn't want to disturb her sleep. They hadn't had much of anything but appetizers at the museum benefit so he went to the kitchen and made a sandwich. He had a feeling it was going to be a long night.
When Jennifer awoke the next morning she reached out for Jonathan but found the other side of the bed empty. She hated waking up alone. Even when they pretended not to be married they managed to be together at the end of every day. She got up and put on her robe then exited the bedroom and headed downstairs. She found him standing at the large window in the living room, obviously deep in thought.
She stopped at the edge of the sofa, "Good morning."
He turned, slightly startled, "Good morning, Darling." He smiled slightly
She crossed the room and joined him by the window, "Have you been up all night?" She caressed his cheek
He nodded, "I didn't want to bother you so I came down here. I needed to think."
"I see." She replied, "And were you able to … to figure things out?"
He smiled slightly again, "I'm getting there." He pulled her closer and untied her robe and ran his hand over her abdomen, "It's a lot to take in but we'll figure it out."
She placed her hand over his, "I know and the truth is I'm scared to death. I mean I don't know the first thing about babies." She admitted, "But I know one thing." She pressed his hand closer against her abdomen, "This child came to us for a reason."
He leaned in and kissed her, "I love you." He whispered, "Both of you."
She leaned in for another kiss and he happily obliged. There was no doubt they had it bad for each other, they always had.
"Hey you two, not before breakfast, huh?" Max said having entered the living room
They pulled apart blushing slightly, "Sorry, Max." Jonathan said looking at Jennifer, "I couldn't help myself."
"Yeah, yeah." He muttered, "Coffee's on, pancakes will be ready in a jiff." He walked back into the kitchen.
Jonathan started to follow but Jennifer put her hand on his arm to stop him, "Darling, can we wait just a bit to tell people about the baby?" She asked, "Well except for Max and my father. I think we have a lot to discuss before we let others know."
"Well that's fine but it won't be a secret for long. In no time you'll be complaining about being fat and having swollen ankles."
She eyed him curiously, "Are you bucking for different sleeping arrangements, buster?"
"Not on your life." He smiled, "Let's go tell Max the good news."
She smiled, taking his hand, "Are you sure you're alright with this now?"
"It'll take some time to get used to it but yes, I'm okay." He assured her
She arched one of her eyebrows, "Happy?"
He leaned in and kissed her yet again, "Happy."
They walked into the kitchen as Max was preparing the pancakes, "You guys want some coffee?"
"Yes, I'll get, Max." Jennifer replied, "You want a cup, Darling?"
"Yes." He answered
Jennifer began pouring a cup but as soon as the smell hit he nostrils she became nauseous, "Hmmm. Darling I think you better pour." She backed away from the pot
Jonathan walked over to her and rubbed her back, "You feel alright?"
"Yeah, I guess it goes with the territory." She responded
"Hey, what are you two talking about? You sick, Jennifer?" He let her first name slip out. The main reason even in private he called the Mr. and Mrs. H was because if he didn't he might slip in front of people and he wanted to make sure and keep up the illusion
Jennifer smiled and looked at Jonathan, "You tell him, sweetheart." He encouraged
"No, Max, I'm not sick. I'm…I'm pregnant."
Max nearly dropped the bowl of pancake batter, "Pregnant?" He exclaimed, "Hey, that's terrific. Just terrific." He slapped Jonathan on the back, "You son of a gun."
Jennifer rolled her eyes, "Please, no macho muscle flexing."
"So when will baby Hart make his or her debut?" Max asked
"Oh, that's a good question." She replied looking at Jonathan. In all the hullabaloo she hadn't even told him her due date, "Dr. Kendall estimated mid-April."
"Darling, why don't you sit down? I'll get breakfast for you." He suggested
"Jonathan, I'm not an invalid." She protested
He smiled as she took her arm and guided her to the table, "I know but now I have a great excuse to spoil you."
She reluctantly took her seat, "Well, how can I argue with that?"
"That's my girl." He replied, "So, since coffee is out, how about juice?"
"That sounds good." She agreed, "I think I'll call my father after we eat. He'll be ecstatic."
Jonathan brought her juice over and sat across from her, "Why don't we tell him together?"
Jennifer nodded and Max flipped the pancakes, "Speaking of telling, when are you planning on letting Wainwright in on your little bundled of joy?"
Jonathan shifted his gaze from Jennifer to Max, "We will soon. But we don't want anyone else to know just yet, only you and Jennifer's father."
"No worries, Kid, if anyone can keep a secret, it's a CIA Agent." He said as he flipped a pancake
After breakfast Jonathan and Jennifer went into the living room while Max went to the basement for a morning briefing which they would join as soon as they got off the phone with Jennifer's father
She dialed the number and waited for an answer, "Edwards' residence." His houseman, Walter answered
"Walter, how are you? It's Jennifer."
"Oh, Miss Jennifer, it's good to hear from you, I'm doing just fine."
"Good, is my father there?"
"Just a minute, I think he just came in from an early morning ride." Stephen Edwards was getting on in years but he was still vital and active and his number one passion, besides his daughter, was horseback riding
They waited a few minutes then Jennifer heard the familiar voice, tinged with an English accent, "Hello, my darling. How are you?"
She had him on the intercom, "I'm fine, Pa. That's actually why I'm calling. Jonathan is here with me and we have some news."
"News? Well tell me dear girl."
"Pa, how would like to put a grand in front of that name?" She teased
There was silence for a moment, "You mean you're…"
Jennifer smiled, "Yes, Pa, I'm pregnant."
"Oh, darling, that is marvelous, simply marvelous." He replied, "Jonathan, my boy, are you there?"
"Right here, Steven." Jonathan replied
"Well, you take care of my girl, you hear? And my grandchild, I worry enough about you two being in this business but now it's even more important that you all stay safe."
"You can count on it, Sir." He assured him
"Good." Steven replied, "Well, my darling, I may just have to plan a visit soon."
"That would be wonderful, Pa. Listen, we have to go and check in with Wainwright. But we'll talk again soon."
"Alright, good bye, darling, good bye, Jonathan."
They hung up with Steven and went down to the basement. Max made an excuse for why they were a little late. He was listening to Wainwright on speaker when they joined him
"Well, it's about time you two showed up." Wainwright said. Constantine Wainwright had been with the agency for many years. He had been Steven's case officer but that was before he was blinded in an accident. Now he was relegated to desk job briefing field agents on their assignments
"Sorry, Connie." Jennifer replied using the familiar nickname, "We had something to do that couldn't wait."
"No matter, I understand last night yielded less than desirable results." He replied
"It didn't yield anything." Jonathan chimed in, "We're coming up empty at every turn."
"Well, I may have a new line on his movements. I'm waiting for a contact to return my call, so just sit tight until you hear further instruction."
"You got it, chief." Max said disconnecting the call
The three of them looked at each other. Neither had said it yet but they all were thinking that there had to be a mole in the organization and Olbermann was able to stay one step ahead of them
"Are you two thinking what I'm thinking?" Jonathan finally spoke
"I sure am, Mr. H." Max replied, "Something is rotten in the state of California."
TBC