Jennifer was in her room when she heard Jonathan wake up.
She got up and took him some fresh water.
"Thanks".
"Sure".
"Is Max back?"
"Yeah, he is. And I have to tell you something".
"Go ahead".
"They gave out our phone numbers at the press conference. So, while you were sleeping, I fielded about 100 phone calls for interview requests, and magazine article requests and television show appearance requests. I told all of them that you weren't available and that I wasn't available and that we would call them back, but I'm telling you, there's a lot of people we have to call back".
She could tell he wasn't happy.
"Well, if they continue to call, we can just tell them we aren't available".
"Good idea".
"Can you please go to the kitchen and get some garbage bags? They are under the sink. And the duct tape is in the drawer next to the fridge".
"Right away".
She went and got what he asked for and brought it back to him. He had taken his pajama pants off and was sitting on the bed with a blanket on his lap.
He instructed her on how to wrap his cast in the garbage bag, and tape the edges.
She helped him into the bathroom and got the shower started for him and then got him a few towels.
"Call if you need something".
She went to the kitchen and found Max putting up groceries he had just bought at the grocery across the street.
"Mr. H. awake yet?"
"Yes, and he's in the shower. I told him about the phone calls, he said we will just continue to tell them we aren't available".
"Good plan".
She got herself a glass of water and then went back to the living room.
The phone rang and she grabbed it quickly.
"Hello?"
"May I please speak to Jennifer Edwards? This is Ava Glassglow, from the London Herald".
"Ava, it's me".
"Jennifer! Hi! What's this I'm seeing about you surviving a plane crash?"
"I did. Remember the guy I met at the Ritz? We ended up having seats in the same row on our flight to New York. I was connecting to Dulles and he was staying here, I think, I don't really know. And our plane crashed and we were the only survivors".
"Oh my goodness! Are you ok?"
"Yes, physically. Mentally, I'm not sure. I've been so busy avoiding the press I haven't really had time to think about it. And I cannot get home fast enough. The bank won't give me access to my accounts. I don't have a driver's license, id or anything".
"I tell you what. What if I go to your apartment? I can overnight you whatever you need. Would that help?"
"No, because I will still need my passport, which perished, in the crash".
"Bummer".
"It's ok, I will figure something out".
"Well, I'm overjoyed that you survived! Brooks actually asked me to ask you to consider telling your story to me for the paper, but he said he would understand if you said no".
"Well, you are the one I would tell it to, if I was going to tell it. But I think instead of an interview I want to do some digging into the flight company. I feel like the FAA is holding something back from us".
"I can hear the wheels turning in your head as we speak, Edwards. Great job! I'll see you when you get back".
"Thanks, I'll talk to you soon".
She hung up and made a list of what she wanted to do.
"Jennifer?"
"Coming".
She went into the bathroom to find him in a bathrobe leaning against the counter.
"I left my crutches in the bedroom. Can you help me get to the bedroom, please?"
"Certainly".
He wrapped his arm around her neck, and she wrapped her arm around his waist. He hopped over to the bed and sat down.
"Do you want pajama pants?"
"No, I think I want sweatpants. Bottom drawer, on the left".
She got him a pair of sweatpants and handed them to him.
He got up and hopped over to the dresser.
"I can get the rest, thanks".
"Sure".
She left him alone and went to take a bath herself.
They spent the rest of the day laying low in the penthouse and avoiding the press.
He fell asleep on the couch, and she covered him with a blanket and turned out the lights and went to bed.
***The next day***
Jonathan woke up early, and happened to see the list of things that Jennifer had made. Everything she needed involved getting her passport again.
She was going to the DMV today to get an ID, and then she was going to try and get a passport again, somehow.
Jonathan made a few phone calls while she was asleep.
An hour later, she was awake and sitting at the table with him, drinking coffee.
She had just gotten up to get him a refill when there was a knock at the door.
Max got up and answered it.
"Miss Edwards, delivery for you".
"Thanks, Max".
She went and signed for it, and then took it back to the table.
She opened the envelope and dumped out a new copy of her last driver's license, a new passport, and a new copy of her birth certificate.
"Where did this come from?"
"I saw your list when I woke up. I made a few phone calls, so that you wouldn't have to spend all your time in line and legal limbo."
"Thank you".
"You're welcome".
He got up and crutched to the den, and called his office to check in.
Jennifer headed to take a shower and get dressed for the day.
When she came out, Jonathan was in his room, packing a bag.
"Hi, need some help?"
"Yes, that would be great. I called my office, and there are some things that I need to get back to Los Angeles to attend to. So, I'm going to be flying out this afternoon. Feel free to stay here as long as you need to, though."
"Actually, I was thinking of using my miles and flying back to London today."
"Perfect. Well, you are more than welcome to ride to the airport with us".
"Thank you, I'd like that".
She helped him pack his things and then went and packed her own. All she had to pack them in was a large shopping bag.
"Do you need to borrow a suitcase? I have an old duffle bag you can have".
"Thank you, that would be helpful".
"Certainly".
He got it out of the closet and brought it to her.
She called the airlines and used her miles to book herself on the 4 p.m. flight, first class.
They all took his car service to the airport around 2. He was also flying commercial home, since his pilot couldn't get to him fast enough.
They pulled up to the airport and got out.
They did curbside check in for their luggage.
"Max, can you give me and Jennifer a minute please?"
"Certainly. It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss Edwards".
"Thank you, Max. I feel the same".
Max headed to security, leaving Jennifer and Jonathan alone.
"Look, I know that you and I didn't leave things the best way we could have when we were leaving London. And that's my fault, and I apologize for that. I just want you to know, that if you ever need anything, please don't hesitate to call me in Los Angeles or New York. I'll always be there for you, I mean that".
"Thank you. And thank you for letting me stay at your apartment and for helping me get my passport and everything. I really appreciate it".
"I'm happy to help you with anything you need, I mean that".
He leaned forward and kissed her cheek.
"Well, I guess we better head through security."
"Yeah, I guess so".
They got in line and made it through security and then caught up with Max.
"Ok, we have to go down the left side".
"And I'm to the right".
"Well, I guess this is it".
"I guess so. The next time you're in London-"
"I'll give you a call".
"Great. Have a safe trip back, Jonathan".
"You too".
They shared a final hug and then they went their separate ways.
A few minutes later, she heard him call her name.
She turned around and saw him hobbling towards her.
"I forgot to give you this. Thanks again for everything".
He handed her an envelope and then turned around and started hobbling back to Max.
She hurriedly put the envelope in her purse and headed for her gate.
About an hour later, she was settled in her seat, and couldn't quit thinking about Jonathan.
"We are just friends. It's what he wanted".
She suddenly remembered the envelope and leaned down and got it out of her purse.
She opened it and found that it was a handwritten card and a check.
"You were the best nurse I could have ever asked for. Thank you for everything. Next time I get a cold, I'm heading to London-Jonathan".
She unfolded the check and felt her eyes bug out of her head. He had made it out for $10,000.
She folded it up and put it back in her purse.
She tried to read the rest of the flight, but she found it hard to concentrate.
She finally drifted off the last couple hours of the flight.
She was so ecstatic to be home and couldn't wait to get to her apartment.
As she crawled into bed, she really missed Jonathan. She tried to push him out of her mind and get some sleep, but she couldn't get comfortable.
She reset all her pillows, and found a wadded up t-shirt under one of them.
She quickly realized it was Jonathan's shirt, and that he must have left it there when they left before the plane crash.
She brought it to her face and smelled it, inhaling that familiar smell that reminded her of him.
She got herself comfy and slept with the shirt, all night long.
***The next day***
Jennifer spent about a half a day getting her bank stuff straight, new keys made, and basically trying to put her life back together.
She got to her office around noon, and planned to work a few hours.
"Edwards! What are you doing here?"
"Change of plans, Brooks. My plane crashed, and I survived, and that cut my vacation short."
"Well, I'm so glad you survived! Great to have you back".
"Thank you".
She got to work and decided to call Jonathan.
"Hello, Hart Industries, how may I direct your call?"
"Hi, Jonathan Hart please".
"He's in a meeting, may I take a message?"
"Yes. Just tell him that Jennifer got to London safely, and that the envelope was too much. He'll know what I mean".
"Ok, I will make sure he gets the message".
"Thank you".
She hung up and got to work.
Before she knew it, it was 5:45, and everyone was leaving.
Ava came by her desk.
"How about a girl's night, tomorrow?"
"Sounds wonderful".
"What are you doing tonight?"
"I am thinking a hot bath, some Chinese food, and maybe a chick flick".
"That sounds great. I will call the others and let you know where we are going tomorrow".
"Thanks".
She took a cab to her apartment content to spend her night relaxing.
The phone was ringing as she walked in and she hurried to grab it.
"Hello?"
"Jennifer? Hi, it's Jonathan. Glad I caught you".
"Hi. How are you?"
"I'm fine. Listen, I got your message. What do you mean by the card was too much?"
"Jonathan, I got you water like 3 times and only helped you a couple other times outside of that, and you pay me $10,000? I can't accept that".
"Jennifer, it's fine. I promise. I not only appreciate you helping me, but I enjoyed your company. And you lost the most in the plane crash. Plus, you had to put up with me and my bad attitude on that island".
"Jonathan, it's fine. But $10,000? Really?"
"Yes, really. Use it to get back on your feet".
"Ok, but this is just a loan. As soon as I can, I'm paying you back".
"Deal".
They chatted for a little bit longer, and then he had to hang up and get to a meeting.
"It was great to talk to you, Jennifer".
"It was lovely to talk to you as well. Bye Jonathan".
"Bye Jennifer".
She hung up and went to take her bath.
No matter what, she couldn't stop thinking about Jonathan.
***A few months later***
Jennifer and Jonathan had formed a nice friendship. He called her about once a week to check in, and she found herself looking forward to those calls.
She and Ava and two other friends, Cassie and Morgan, had started a weekly breakfast/brunch date at one of their favorite restaurants, Bloomfeld's. They met every Saturday and discussed the week.
Jennifer was still investigating Regent Airlines. She had filed a complaint with them over her luggage, and they were giving her the run-around.
This morning, they were all being called in early to work, because Brooks had called a mandatory, early meeting.
Jennifer and Ava walked in and took their seats.
A few minutes later, Cassie and Morgan came in and sat with them.
"What are you guys doing here?"
"Apparently, this meeting is for the sales department too".
"I wonder what is going on".
"I have no clue. Must be big, whatever it is".
Just then, Brooks came in.
"Hi everyone, I want to thank you all for coming. I found out something last night, and I figured there was no better way to announce this, than to just come right out and say it. The London Herald has been sold, and is most likely going to be shut down. There are jobs for each of you, but they will be in other cities at other papers. I'm passing around a list of cities and available positions. I will be meeting with each of you individually so that you can decide where you want to go. If you decide to not take any position, today will be the last day of your employment".
Jennifer was stunned.
"Where do you want to go?"
"New York, I suppose. I can't imagine living anywhere else".