{Author's Note: For a great view of the southern live oaks mentioned in this chapter be sure to pay particular attention near the beginning of "The Scent of Murder"; Season 11, Episode 12.}

Happy New Year!

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Jessica awoke to the pitter-patter of raindrops on the red tiled roof. Well, "Into every life a little rain must fall," they say. I guess that includes honeymoons..., she pondered as she looked slightly up to the left at the still slumbering Seth, who was lying on his back with her curled in the embrace of his right arm. His left hand possessively rested on Jessica's forearm, which was crooked over his torso. Jessica's head nestled against his bare chest, with her right leg slung over his.

A gentle flow of peace enveloped her as she simply stared at Seth's tousled hair and the slightly grizzled side of his face that she could see of him - so relaxed as he continued his journey in dreamland.

Today is Tuesday. We've been married to each other for only three days now. Yet, it seems like we've been together forever. Except for sleeping in the same bed and the lovemaking, that is, she thought as a smile formed on her lips and a small glow crept into her cheeks.

It had been so long; so very long since I'd been with a man, she admitted to herself. I almost thought that I'd forgotten how… I'm amazed that we make love together so well and so easily. It seems so natural. We're so right together… It's so wonderful to be wanted and desired by a man who loves me, again. And whom I love. And desire. And need…

At that thought a long sigh unconsciously escaped Jessica's lips as she felt a soft fire flare in her lower torso.

"Jess… Jessica," murmured Seth in his sleep, while twitching slightly and tightening his arms around her, thus pulling her even more to him. A move she did not resist.

Mmmmm, well this is… an interesting, …and pleasurable development, Jessica contemplated with an inward grin as she found herself now half draped over Seth and enjoying the feel of his bare chest under her.

He seems to be dreaming of me. Of us together…, she corrected herself. What a rare opportunity to actually make his dream come true. I don't think he'd mind one bit… And with that Jessica began a series of small, feathery kisses along Seth's clavicle leading up his neck to under the corner of the jaw, and on to his ear.

Seth rose from the depths of an intense, romantic dream to the feeling of Jessica's hot breath blowing against his moistened earlobe. For a moment he wasn't sure if he was still dreaming as his hands smoothed over the warm body held snugly to him. Then even warmer lips were pressed against his mouth and he realized he was awake!

Jessica pulled back slightly and whispered, "Good morning, Seth," before lowering her mouth to his again for a sweet kiss.

"Oh, it's a very good morning!" whispered Seth back when he had the chance.

Jessica smiled at him, "I woke up needing you and I didn't think you'd mind if I joined you since I was already in your arms, and it seems, in your dreams as well."

"I'm so glad you did. But I know you just want me because of my spiffy red boxers with the hearts all over them," happily accused Seth.

"Oh, my, but you're right. They're just so sexy," giggled Jessica in agreement.

Seth growled softly into her left ear, "Of course, I meant what I said last night about those lips all over your nightshirt."

"What was that, Seth? I can't seem to remember," was Jessica's breathy reply.

"Let me remind you then," he answered as his lips nuzzled the hollow behind her earlobe while his hands began caressing her sleepwear upwards and off of her.

The tingling sensations Jessica felt coursing throughout her body caused her breath to catch as Seth began greedily kissing her skin all over, and soon sizzled into white hot, overwhelming desire.

With her aid, Seth wriggled out of his red boxers and then, covering her lips with his, moaned with delight as he felt her warm, soft curves pressed fully against him.

Nearly undone by the feel of his skin under her as well, Jessica gasped out, "Seth - I need you, now!"

Seth looked deeply into Jessica's blue eyes and watched with awe as their sparkle turned into fire.

"I'm yours, Jess. I'm all yours!" was his passionate reply and with that they both joyfully gave up all conscious thought of their actions while their bodies found a language of their own, until all of their longings were blissfully expressed and deliciously met.

Only then did the flames of desire subside. But by that time, both were again fast asleep in each other's arms.

... ... ... ... ...

Waking up for the second time that morning half draped over her husband's torso, Jessica couldn't resist a somewhat self-satisfied big grin into the curve of Seth's neck, where her head lay cuddled against him.

Roused by the tickle of her smile Seth said, "By the way, good morning, my dear! And I fervently hope to be awoken many, many more times just like today," as he drew back and kissed her.

"I'll take that under advisement," Jessica chuckled. "But in the meantime, I think it's time for a shower."

"And that would require getting up," added Seth. "You go first, dearest, just save me a few drops of hot water."

"I do believe that it's stopped raining. We could save water and time and use the beach shower - together," suggested Jessica impishly.

Seth laughed, "The way we do it, probably neither. But it's definitely more fun! Remember to forget the washcloths!"

Once showered and dressed they sat close to each other at the kitchen table, overlooking an ocean dulled with grey clouds that began to drip water again. As they enjoyed their after breakfast coffee Jessica's hand lay held in Seth's with their fingers intertwined. Periodically, one would look over and smile with wonder and love into the other's eyes.

The seemingly unnatural sound of the phone ringing broke the spell that they were under.

"Now who would that be?" muttered Seth as he rose and stepped over to the end of the kitchen counter and picked up the phone.

"Hello? Oh everything's fine. How are you? No, you're not disturbing us, Kendall," Seth replied to Jessica's quizzical look as she then blew him a silent kiss in gratitude.

"Yes, we'll be by today. Lunch? Yes, we'd enjoy that," he added after noticing Jessica's nodding her assent. "Where can we find you? The lab. Of course. See you around noon, then. Good bye."

"Kendall certainly is eager to speak with you."

"It's seems so. We're to lunch with him in the arbor near the lab. They have a covered area in case the rain continues. But, before we go down to the plantation house I want to talk with you about the financial side of Riverton Gardens, since it now directly affects you, too."

After refilling both of their cups and settling back into his chair Seth began, "I couldn't talk to you before about this Jess, because the four of us who are partners in the estate agreed to a complete non-disclosure pact for reasons that'll become clear in a minute."

Seth took a sip of coffee and continued, "I'm sure you remember - cousin Buford originally left Kendall half the proceeds of the Forever Scarlet magnolia, cousin Rob a token amount, his stepdaughter Margaret only access to the house, and split the whole estate between Evelyn and me. Well, I didn't want to be bothered with owning a plantation at my age and it worked out that Kendall, Evelyn, Rob and I all agreed that we'd be partners; with Kendall continuing his research and Evelyn as the estate manager, now with Rob's help, it seems. After us, the whole shebang would go to the Charleston Botanical Society."

"I remember it well," said Jessica with a lovely small smile. "I grafted the cutting from the two century old Queen Anne rose bush that I was bequeathed onto one of the bushes in the back yard. It was the one we stood next to on our wedding night as we gazed at the Northern Lights."

Seth returned her smile and looked at her meaningfully as he reached over to squeeze her hand. "The scent was heavenly and the night just filled with beauty."

He sighed and went on, "It's been a good partnership, I do little and get regular reports and things are going well. Very, very, well in fact. Kendall told me that before he died, Buford mentioned to him that he thought the essence of the Forever Scarlett magnolia would sell for millions."

Looking up at his wife, Seth clarified, "He was wrong, Jess. When everything was said and done it sold for tens of millions. Even after estate upkeep, bonuses to the staff, and taxes we four are all multi-millionaires."

"You say that like it's a problem," Jessica observed neutrally.

"What do I need with all the responsibility of that kind of money at my age?! I've set up trust funds for Susan and John and the grandkids and made sure my retirement is well funded. But mostly I've been giving the money away quietly."

Becoming slightly misty eyed, Jessica interrupted, "Like giving your best friend an expensive new fishing rod and reel for her birthday and later getting her a gorgeous sapphire engagement and wedding ring set, and then paying for our wedding guests' accommodations, and a private jet for us, too."

"Well, yes, and it was my joy to do all of them," Seth admitted as he leaned in and softly kissed her.

Jessica's eyes grew wide as a mystery became clear. "And you're the anonymous donor who bought those new state of the art incubators for the hospital's nursery! I've spent half a year denying that it was me! It was you, wasn't it?!"

"A-yuh, it was," Seth confessed. "Some of those preemie babes are so young and tiny that they need every advantage possible just to get started in this life."

"Seth," Jessica said softly, "that was so wonderfully kind and thoughtful of you."

Smiling into her eyes he replied, "No more kind or thoughtful that a certain anonymous benefactor who has made sure that a small town like Cabot Cove has a world class library complete with a full time librarian and assistants, and that the local schools have the very latest textbooks, computers, and all the supplies they need for the kids to get the best education."

"Hey! I thought I was Sherlock Hazlitt," exclaimed a chagrined Jessica.

After a moment she admitted, "All right, yes. I did fund an endowment to support the library, and the schools, too. Years ago I was faced with the same dilemma as you: what to do with the millions that my books earned for me? It can be a real burden over time. A happy burden, but a burden nonetheless. I'm glad I have someone to share it with."

"It's a real responsibility not to waste such a gift," intently added Seth. "And I'm so glad I have someone to talk this over with now, too. It's not exactly the kind of topic you can bring up at a bar."

"Not unless you want to be stuck with the tab for eternity," kidded his wife.

"Heh, heh, heh. Right you are! Well, shall we get over to the house and see what's on Kendall's mind?"

After the short drive down to the River Road they passed along the west side of the estate until coming up to the long, winding drive to the plantation house, completely lined on both sides with ancient, majestic, live oaks heavily festooned with tendrils of Spanish moss hanging down.

Staring up in amazement Jessica asked, "These are far bigger that the ones near the cottage. How old are these giants?"

"I'm not sure. Live oaks can live for hundreds of years and these have been very well tended. I remember them being huge when I was just a whipper-snapper coming down here with my parents."

After pulling up near the laboratory, Jessica and Seth found Kendall's son Billy, waiting for them. After Seth parked Billy opened the door for Jessica and offered her a hand to get out of the sedan.

"Mrs. Hazlitt, how nice to see you again. Dr. Hazlitt, how are you?" he greeted them politely.

"We're just fine, Billy," answered Seth. "I see your daddy's let you in on our little secret."

"Yes, sir, he did. And may I wish you both every happiness," Billy smiled widely at them.

"Thank you, Billy, that's very sweet of you. Are you out of school for the summer?"

"Not quite, Mrs. Hazlitt. I didn't do well in one class so I'm taking it again over the summer. But my father's been letting me do some work around the estate too, as long as I keep my grades up."

Observing the big smile on his face Jessica added, "You look very content; I'm glad."

"I now have a direction in my life, and part of that is due to the good advice you and Dr. Hazlitt gave me the last time you were here. You gave me a lot to think about. I want to thank you both for helping me do the right thing."

"We just pointed you in the right direction, son. You travelled the path on your own volition," commented Seth kindly.

As they were talking they completed the short walk to the lab.

"Yes, but I could have gotten completely lost if the way hadn't been shown to me," Billy replied. "Well, my father's waiting for you inside. I've got to get back to my chores. It was a great pleasure seeing you both again."

"And you as well," said Jessica as she stepped up to Billy and gave him a hug.

"I'm glad to see you doing so well," added Seth while giving the young man a hearty handshake.

Entering the lab they found Kendall in his usual place, bent over an experiment.

"Ahem," Seth cleared his throat.

Kendall looked up in surprise to find them standing there.

"Jessica! Seth! Is it that time already?" exclaimed Kendall. "Ah, please excuse me, I get so caught up in my work that I just lose track of time," he said as he moved in for a handshake with Seth and a hug from Jessica.

"You both look wonderful. Congratulations on your marriage. I hope everything's okay at the cottage? Evelyn stocked it but Billy insisted on cleaning it himself and making everything neat for you."

"It's perfect, Kendall," said Jessica. "Billy did a wonderful job."

"Yes, he's turned into quite a young man since we saw him last," added Seth. "You must be very proud."

"I am. He's even been making sure that I keep my promise to drag myself away from my work so we can spend time together before he goes off to college. We're both better for it. But, come. Billy also set a table for lunch for us in the arbor."

With that they walked out and around the lab down to a tent covered patio surrounded by various miniature species of lemon, lime, orange, and tangerine trees. In the center of the patio was a table laden with covered, chilled selections of local seafood, including fresh oysters, shrimp salad, a chilled pitcher of tea, and an ice bucket with a bottle of champagne in it.

"What a beautiful array!" Jessica admired.

"Billy set it up. I'll be sure to tell him that you like it," replied Kendall, the pride in his voice evident.

After seating Jessica and Seth, Kendall moved to the ice bucket and proceeded to pop the cork on the champagne. He then filled three flutes and passed them around.

"Evelyn made me promise to toast you with this particular vintage. It was Buford's favorite. So, here's to a long and wonderful marriage," said Kendall as he raised his glass to Jessica and Seth and took a sip.

Jessica and Seth smiled back at their host. "Thank you very much," said Jessica. Then they raised their glasses to Kendall, "And thanks for the kind wishes and this feast. Here's to you, Kendall," toasted Seth as he and Jessica clinked their glasses and sipped their chilled bubbly.

"Well, now that the formalities are over let's put off business until after we eat. Dig in!" encouraged the botanist, much to the satisfaction of Seth, who sat near the tray full of oysters and helped himself to several of them while Jessica passed the shrimp salad to Kendall.

As they ate their host filled them in on the happenings in Riverton, which were coincidentally very similar to the happenings in Cabot Cove. "Apparently small towns are pretty much alike everywhere," chuckled Jessica.

After lunch was finished Kendall gathered the empty dishes together at the end of the table and refilled the iced tea glasses for all of them.

"Excuse me, I'll be right back," he said as he left Seth and Jessica at the table and took a turn around the outside of the trees while looking carefully around him.

Returning to their curious glances he explained, "What we have to talk about needs to be kept secret. Jessica, although you're not a partner I trust you completely."

"You have our full attention, Kendall," noted Seth. "What is it?"

"In a nutshell, I've perfected the grain I was working on and I don't want to patent it, despite its being worth a huge fortune. I want to give it away for free. And I want to accomplish that before someone kills me to prevent it from happening. I need your help."