HART HOUSE

After Max finally understood what she meant about late and made a secret run to the grocery store for a pregnancy test, Jennifer wondered around the house, she was so confused.

This had been something she and Jonathan had wanted so long and when it didn't happen, she was okay with it, it didn't change her feelings for Jonathan, maybe she didn't want a baby as bad as she thought.

But she knew Jonathan did, he'd bought a bunch of baby books and hidden them in the bookshelf, she'd come across them one afternoon when he was at the office and she was searching for a reference book but she never let him know that she'd found them because why make him feel worse?

Jennifer decided that the wait was torturing her downstairs and to go upstairs, she walked into their giant bedroom closet to the full-length mirror where she would dress up for her evenings out with Jonathan.

Because she had a reputation to uphold, she would shop at the best stores in LA, From Chanel to Valentino to Dolce and Gabbana, all the best labels. Her closet was something to be envied.

Except now, apart from going to the Office, she didn't go out anywhere anymore, she wasn't ready to date and she felt that she was betraying Jonathan if she did.

Jennifer walked passed the mirror and without thinking, grabbed a pillow and stuffed it under her shirt to make it look like she was pregnant.

She stood there for several minutes and felt excited but a bit sad, could she raise this baby without Jonathan? Did she want to give up all the new and exciting things that were on the horizon as the new CEO of Hart Industries?

She looked around and started talking to the baby, "Hello little one, I hope to see you soon"

Jennifer was still standing in closet in front of the Mirror when Max came in with the tests and bottles of Gatorade for her to drink

"I wasn't sure what kind to get so I got that the Lady to help me," He said gruffly handing her a bag

"How many did you buy?!" She had ripped the pillow out from under her shirt when he'd come in, it looked like Max had bought out the entire pregnancy aisle.

"Well, it's been a while since I had one of these scares and a lot's change since the old days when the rabbit died of shock so I just figured," He shrugged

"Thank you," She kissed his cheek, "I'll be back" she took the bag and went upstairs.

While she was gone, Max took Freeway in his lap at the kitchen table, "Your Mom might be giving you a sibling, I sure wish your Dad was here, He'd be so excited." Max rubbed his little ears.

Jennifer came back down to the kitchen, 10 minutes later with one of the tests in her hand.

Max, ever the gentlemen, immediately stood up when she came back in, "Well," He hadn't been this nervous.

Ever.

She hopped on the counter, "We have to wait 10 minutes," She said putting the test beside her.

For some reason, they couldn't speak to each other, they were each a bundle of nerves and a little bit of excitement.

Jennifer broke the silence, "I'm scared, I'm really scared,"

Max wasn't surprised, she wasn't exactly Mom material, he remembered when Riley came to stay with them and Jennifer sort of steered clear of her because Riley had gravitated toward Jonathan but Max could understand why.

She'd been the only girl in Jonathan Hart's life and she wasn't about to let that go for anyone including a child but now that he was gone, this was the last little bit she could hold on to.

"Mrs. H, you'll do terrific, you can do anything." Max was never anything but supportive even when they got themselves into trouble and that was what she loved most about him.

Jennifer reached her hand out to Max's and held on, "Okay, let's do this together," They both took a deep breath and looked down.

A YEAR LATER

Jennifer was nervous about being in Paris since the accident but duty called and her stint as Hart CEO was flourishing, she could take the company to new heights and exceed the expectations of the Board, it was indeed as if Jonathan Hart hadn't existed or rather had left the company in the best possible hands.

But still, Jennifer wasn't sure she was ready for this, Although Max had insisted that everything would be fine, that she would be fine and returning to Paris was something that Jonathan would insist on her doing, she was strong enough to handle this.

This time, she was headed for Paris to delegate a deal that would create a new Hart Industries, this deal was worth Billions but to secure the deal, she'd have to move them to Paris to oversee everything.

So Much Had Changed for her but there wasn't a moment that she didn't wish she could trade it for a moment with Jonathan.

There were days when she was positive that she'd seen him walking down the street, that He was simply in hiding and unable to contact her and then there were days when the realization of his death would literally drown her.

Jennifer rode through the streets of Paris, passed all the places that had been important to both her and Jonathan, the restaurant where they shared their first meal together, the bar where she drank way too much champagne and when he brought her back to his room, she passed out in his bed, only to wake up the next morning wearing her business suit next a man she hardly knew and a damning headache.

After downing two cups of coffee and Advil left by Max discreetly on a silver platter, she had felt somewhat better but still couldn't believe she'd spent the night with a man she hardly knew and when she tried to sneak out, Jonathan had grabbed her by the arm and pulled her onto his chest.

She remembered the boat ride on the Thames and how seasick she got, a combination from the champagne breakfast and fish smell and how when she got sick all over her clothes, Jonathan insisted on buying her a new dress.

Jennifer arrived at the Four Seasons Hotel and was checking in when a voice from behind, a voice that she'd heard a thousand times in her dreams, a voice she'd wish more than anything she could speak to again.

"Hello, is my fiancée here," the Voice asked another Concierge.

"Not yet, Sir." The Concierge replied

"When she does arrive, please tell her I'll be in the bar," The mysterious voice said

Jennifer was in shock, she turned slowly and saw familiar blue eyes.

"Oh my god!" She gasped

His face was different, he now had a beard and it look like some scars from stitching but she'd know that face anywhere. "Jonathan?!"

"I'm sorry?" the man asked

She couldn't speak and accidentally knocked over her purse.

The man bent down to help her and she couldn't breathe, could it be? Was he alive?

"My name is Charlie Maxiumus, what's yours?"

She swallowed hard, "Jennifer Hart,"

"Well, it's very nice to meet you, Miss Hart," He handed her back her purse before disappearing into the bar.

"That man, does he come to the restaurant every day?" Jennifer was frantic.

"Yes, His fiancée works at the hospital around the corner, is everything alright?"

"No," She took her room key and went upstairs, closing the door, she hyperventilated.

If Jonathan hadn't died, Why didn't he come home to her?