"Jennifer." Stephen called out but Jennifer wasn't listening and was already headed up the stairs. He turned back to Jonathan, "What was that all about?"
"She's not happy that we're not going back home." Jonathan explained, "I just came for a few days but I want her to stay here a while longer."
"Jonathan, I really don't understand all this and I was very angry when you told me what happened and I know you can't tell me the details on who you were after, but I know my daughter and she's terribly obstinate and strong willed."
"I know that and I know she's angry about this. I just think she and the baby are safest here even more than at home."
"Let me talk to her." Stephen replied
"Alright but you probably won't be any more popular than I am if she thinks you agree with me." Jonathan told him
"Don't worry about that. Why don't you have a drink while I go try to reason with that lovely redhead upstairs?"
"Thank you, Stephen."
Stephen left the room and climbed the stairs and walked to the room at the end of the hall and knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" Jennifer asked
"It's me, Darling." Stephen answered, "Please, I'd like to talk to you."
Jennifer walked over to the door and opened it, "I suppose you're going to tell me how horrible I'm behaving and how Jonathan is only thinking of me and the baby."
Stephen stepped into the room, "Something like that." He replied, "Darling, he loves you very much and just wants you both to be safe."
Jennifer exhaled heavily, "I know that, Pa. But sitting around here doing nothing is driving me crazy and he should be with me. I don't want him to miss out on my entire pregnancy."
Stephen looked at his daughter sympathetically, "Then don't push him away while he's here, even if it's just for a few days."
Jennifer thought for a moment then nodded in reluctance knowing her father was right.
Jonathan sat in the drawing room nursing his brandy when Jennifer appeared in the doorway. He looked up and saw the uncertainty in her eyes. He gave her a weary smile to let her know it was okay. He loved her more than life itself and it was killing him to be away from her.
"I suppose this is where I apologize and ask you to forgive me for being so hormonal." She said
He reached out his hand, "Come here." She crossed the room and sat in his lap and kissed him, "What's with the lap? Not that I mind."
"Well, I figure it won't be long before I'll be too heavy." She quipped, "I am sorry Jonathan. I feel like one big jumble of emotions, all contradicting each other."
He ran his hand over her slightly rounded abdomen, "I know this has been hard on you. It hasn't been any easier on me. I've missed you so much." He caressed her cheek
She looked at him sympathetically, "I know that, I just…"
"What is it?" He asked slightly alarmed
A smile crept across her lips, "The baby, I felt it move. " She took his hand and placed it back on her abdomen and held it there, "Can you feel it? It's like little butterflies."
He smiled broadly staring at her midsection, "Yes, it's amazing."
She nodded in acknowledgement then started to cry, "I don't want to go through anymore of this pregnancy alone. I want you with me. I want to go home, Jonathan."
He sighed heavily and held her closer to him, "If you go home you'll be alone. At least here you have your father."
She pulled back and looked at him her eyes moist from the tears, "Darling, I want us to go home. Let Max and Wainwright worry about Olbermann now. We need to concentrate on the baby. I need to see my doctor and flying won't be safe for me later on."
"I can't let Olbermann get away with what he did to you." Jonathan explained
She ran her hand through his hair, "Jonathan, I'm fine, we both are. Please, I've done what you asked and stayed here in hiding. Can't you do the same for me and let's take a break. I think Wainwright would understand."
He sighed again, "Alright, I didn't even think about your doctor appointments. I'll call Frank have him get the plane ready for tomorrow morning."
She smiled and kissed him again, "Thank you, Darling."
STOCKHOLM SWEDEN
In the dimly lit hotel room he stood staring out at the street below. He had to find a way to get them. He couldn't let them find him again. Once again he was hiding, having to let others do what he would prefer to do. He wasn't going to get caught now, not after all these years. A new plan had to be made.
"Father." A male voice called from behind
He spun around, "Did anyone follow you?"
"No, it's fine." The younger man replied
"Did you get the information I need?"
He held an envelope in his hand, "Yes, I did." He confirmed, "Mary Bailey is actually one Jennifer Hart and her husband is Jonathan Hart. The other man with them is Max Brenner, their assistant."
"Who are they? What are they?" He inquired
"Hart owns a conglomerate that mainly deals in high tech security. They have contracts with the department of defense and some private sector business. His wife is a freelance journalist. They are very wealthy and very well known in Bel Air and around the Los Angeles, California area."
Olbermann scratched his chin and took the envelope from him, "Hmm, something isn't adding up. I want you to do some digging and find them and watch them. I want to know why a corporation president and a journalist would be trying to find me."
"Yes, Sir." Christian Olbermann replied, "What are you going to do?"
He sighed heavily, "I'll just have to stay underground for a while, so please don't do anything foolish my boy."
"Of course not, Father." He assured him, "When I find out anything how should I reach you?"
"I'll be here for now. Just don't let anyone follow you."
Christian nodded, turned and headed for the door then turned back to his father, "I'll make sure no one ever finds you." He said then exited the room
Olbermann looked through the information So Mr. and Mrs. Hart you fancy yourselves crusaders for justice, do you? Well I would stick to high-tech toys and writing for the society pages
EDWARDS ESTATE
Jonathan and Jennifer lay in bed after making love for the first time in a month. Neither of them had realized how much they needed it until they were together. The ache had been so strong and the love making so intense that they actually worked up a sweat. Tangled in the sheets she had her back to him and he held her close resting his hand on her abdomen he could feel the butterfly like movement of their baby.
He kissed her in that spot behind her ear that drove her crazy and drank in the scent of her, "You are absolutely breathtaking."
She laughed softly, "You say that now."
"You know something?" He asked
"Hmm."
"You being pregnant is about the sexiest thing I can think of." He admitted
She laughed again a little louder, "Sexy? You think you're going to find swollen ankles and raging hormones sexy?"
He shifted gently on top of her, "You're damned right." He leaned in and kissed her hungrily
The next morning they awoke and as Jennifer exited the shower something suddenly occurred to her, "Jonathan, where is Max?"
"He's staying at a hotel in DC." He explained, "Darling, before we head home he and I need to meet with Wainwright at headquarters."
"Just you and Max?" She asked
He sighed heavily, "Alright, the three of us." He agreed, "We need to tie up some things before Max continues by himself."
"Alright." She agreed as she got dressed
Jonathan eyes washed over her appreciatively. Her body had filled out and he found her burgeoning bump adorable. He went over to her and pulled her into his arms, "I love you, my darling, more than I can put into words."
Her amber eyes sparkled for the first time in weeks, "Jonathan, I love you too, so much sometimes that it hurts."
CIA HEADQUARTERS
The three of them sat in Wainwrights office waiting for him to return from a meeting. He arrived a few minutes later making his apologies.
"I'm sorry. I had an unexpected briefing to come up." He explained using his cane to maneuver around, finally taking a seat at his desk
"That's alright, Connie." Jonathan assured him, "So what is the plan now for Olbermann?"
"Well, I'm going to have Jansen and Rush take over." He explained, "Olbermann has seen all of you so Max continuing without you won't work."
"Connie, we know we let you and the agency down." Jennifer said, "I'm…I'm sorry."
"Now I don't want to hear any of that." He replied, "You have more important things to think about right now."
She knew he couldn't see it but she smiled, "Thank you." She said, "We're still discussing what we feel my role should be after the baby is born."
"I understand." He assured her, "I sure would hate to lose you permanently but I family is first. Your father felt the same way. So you go back to California and do what you need to do." He said then turned to Max, "I know the three of you have almost always worked together but I may need you on another assignment soon."
Max nodded, "Just let me know. We'll work it out."
The three of them got up to leave, "Thank you, Connie, for understanding all of this." Jennifer said
"Well, if I didn't do everything I could to keep you safe your father would personally take the four sense I have left and make it three."