The mood was celebratory and spirits were high. It was a smaller gathering than usual, as only two people had reached their five year mark cancer free this particular year so aside from the hospital staff and Hart Industry employees it was just the two survivors and their spouses and children. Jennifer couldn't help but feel happy, lighter in fact than she could remember feeling for a long time. Despite the fact that the party was at the house and she knew whispers were being shared by those who knew her and those who didn't who got their first glimpse at the former Mrs. Hart.

The doorbell rang and Max went to answer it, "Hello, Ms. Caldwell. May I take your coat?"

"Yes, thank you." She replied

She then walked into the living room and she saw her immediately, standing in front of the fireplace talking with Dr. Fleming and one of the survivors, a young woman named Faith, ironically. Diana studied Jennifer trying not to be obvious but her curiosity demanded it. She studied her movements, the way she held her glass, trying to understand what it was about this woman that seemed to hold Jonathan hostage to the past. She was attractive, despite her illness, and had probably been even more so when they were married. Jennifer smiled then threw her head back laughing at something the doctor had said. Diana moved over to the bar all the while not taking her eyes off her. Just then Jonathan came in from the kitchen with some more wine, refilling Jennifer's glass then making his way around the room to the other guests. He caught her eyes and smiled slightly then returned to where Jennifer was, joining in the conversation. He casually rested his hand on the small of her back and whispered something to her and they both laughed.

"So you see, doctor, that's why we don't let her near a kitchen." He said after the two of them recalled one of many tales of Jennifer's less than stellar culinary skills

"Well, I must admit you seem to know how to laugh at yourself." Doctor Fleming observed

Jennifer was quiet for a moment, "Someone once told me the secret to a long life was a good sense of humor"

Jonathan put his arm around her waist, "And that's exactly what you'll have." He lifted his glass, "To long

life."

The four of them raised their glasses.

After a couple of hours later Diana decided to make her exit. She hadn't seen Jonathan since that night at the restaurant and she really didn't want to see him now. She headed for the door just as he came back in from the kitchen.

"Something I said?" He asked

She smiled slightly, "No, I just think it's time for me to go."

"Diana…" He began

She held up her hand, "Don't say it."

"I never meant to hurt you." He said

"I know." She said, "But you can't help how you feel."

"I guess that's the trouble. I don't know how I feel."

She shook her head, "You know for someone so smart in business you sure are thick when it comes to relationships."

"What?"

"You're in love with her."

"Not you, too." He said, "Max keeps saying the same thing."

"Well, he's known you a good deal longer than I have so I would think he would know." She pointed out

"I really wish everyone would stop thinking they know how I feel." He said

"Jonathan, I've watched you with her tonight." She said, "I saw the way you looked at her, the way you two seemed so comfortable near each other, laughing and talking."

"Comfortable doesn't always mean love." He said

"Why are you being so obstinate?" She asked, "The way you looked at her tonight is the way I had hoped you would look at me one day. You need to be honest with yourself and her and follow your heart."

"Maybe that's what I'm afraid of." He said being the most honest he'd been with her or anyone else in a long time

"Since when are you afraid of anything?"

"Maybe I'm becoming a coward in my old age." He quipped

She kissed him on the cheek, "Good bye, Jonathan."

Around eleven the party wound down and Jonathan said his goodbyes to the last of the guests but he hadn't seen Jennifer in a while. He closed the door after the last guest left and heard a soft voice behind him.

"You sure know how to throw a party."

He turned around to find her offering a warm smile, "I did learn a few things from our time together. You may not be Julia Child but you always knew how to entertain."

"If you don't stop knocking my cooking I might start taking offense."

He shoved his hands in his pockets and looked down, "I'm sorry this has been so hard on you." He said quietly, "Not just the treatment but, you know…being here."

"You don't have to be sorry." She said, "If it wasn't for you, I'd probably still be in New York accepting defeat."

He shook his head and looked up, "I don't believe that for a minute. The Jennifer Edwards I know doesn't give up."

"Well, I have no plans to roll over and play dead." She said, "Pardon the pun."

"Would you like to have a drink?" He asked

"I've had my limit tonight." She said looking at her watch, "Besides, I thought you'd have someone waiting for you."

He sighed heavily, "She left, for good."

"She did?" Jennifer asked, "Why?"

"Well, you know, it wasn't going to work."

"I'm sorry, Jonathan."

"Eh, don't be, her name was all wrong, you know?" He joked

"Her name?"

"Yeah, Diana." He said, "No matching monogram. It was doomed from the start."

She laughed recalling years ago his explanation for wanting to marry her, the matching initials, "Well, you'll just have to find someone named Jezebel."

"uh uh." He shook his head

"Jean? Jeanette?"

He moved closer to her, "No again."

"Jonathan, I…" She began but he covered her lips in a warm kiss

"Zero, what'd I tell you?"

"Even though I've been away for years, I've been the only man in your life."

"I called Freddy Wilson." She said, "Did you know he's gay?"

He suppressed his urge to bust out laughing, "See what happens when you break their hearts? They either become a blubbering heap or can't even date another woman."

"And who, pray tell, is a blubbering heap?"

"I am." He said, "Every time you're near me."

"Jonathan, what are we doing?"

He nuzzled her neck, "Necking, it's the latest craze."

"I'm serious." She said pulling away

He looked her in the eyes, "I know." He said, "Jennifer, I haven't wanted to admit it to myself but I can't keep pretending that I don't love you, because I do. I had to say it, even if you don't feel …"

She pulled him close and kissed him, "You were saying?" She asked pulling back

"Marry me."

"Marry you?" she asked, "But my job is in New York, my apartment."

"I don't want your apartment." He said

"My clothes are in New York."

"They have clothes in Beverly Hills."

"What will I tell my father?"

"Tell him someone loves you and you're getting married."

A YEAR LATER

Jonathan pulled into the driveway after a long and draining day. He'd had back to back meetings and a fundraiser to attend. He went alone, his wife had a more pressing engagement, and he fully understood. He ducked out early and wanted nothing more than to crawl into bed with her and sleep. He quietly entered the house, sat his briefcase down on the credenza began to loosen his tie and head upstairs. He opened the double doors to their bedroom and smiled broadly at what he saw. There was his wife, asleep with her body spooned around a beautiful sandy haired little boy, who had his arms around another new member of the family, Freeway Junior. He had been a wedding present, of sorts, from him to Jennifer. She had kept the original Freeway who died about a year after she moved to New York. Jonathan searched high and low for the right dog and finally found him, another adorable Heinz 57 mutt with big brown eyes. But the boy had been the real gift. One of the patients who had gone through treatment around the same time as Jennifer unfortunately passed away. She was a single mother with no family and after every effort had been made by social services to locate any family for the boy but coming up empty, Jonathan and Jennifer didn't think twice about pursuing adoption. He sat down on the bed and the pup was the first one to stir.

"Go on, Freeway." He said softly and the dog got up and took his usual spot under the writing desk across the room

He smoothed his son's hair back off his face and leaned down and kissed him, not really wanting to wake him but he did anyway.

"Daddy." He mumbled opening his eyes

"Hey champ." He said quietly, "Let's not wake up Mommy, okay."

"Too late." She said sleepily without opening her eyes

"I'm sorry, Darling." He said

She finally opened her eyes and smiled, "It's alright." She yawned, "How was the fundraiser?"

"Dull, especially without you there. You know how I love to watch you work a crowd." He said, "How are things here? Is he feeling better?"

She kissed the top of her son's head, "Hmm, I think he is. It feels like his fever is breaking."

"I don't suppose we could put him in his own bed tonight, huh?"

"Not just yet." She said, "I want to make sure he won't wake up tonight."

He nodded, "I'm going to change."

The little boy stirred again, "Daddy?"

"Yeah, champ?"

"I love you."

"I love you too, Christopher."