"I'm coming".
"It's absolutely beautiful!"
The walls were all the right color, the perfect shade of cream. The hardwood floors were stained to perfection, and some of the furniture they had ordered had been delivered and was in place.
"I absolutely love it!"
"Yeah, they did a nice job".
They walked into the kitchen, and Jennifer fell in love. Brand-new appliances, ample cabinet space, and lots of natural light.
They walked outside and surveyed the backyard.
"What do you think of us having a table and chairs out here?"
"Yes. And I want a porch swing too, on the other side".
They walked up to a flat part, and decided they wanted to put a pool in.
"There's a guy that has done some work like this for Hart Industries, I'll give him a call. We will have to sketch out what we want, but he can do absolutely whatever we want, no problem. We will have to put a gate around it though, because of the baby".
"I can live with that".
They walked back inside and saw the contractor had shown up.
He walked them through everything downstairs, and then they headed upstairs.
"Mr. Hart said you wanted a spiral staircase, so I put one in at the back, in the library. It goes down to the backside of the living room".
"Wonderful".
He showed them every single room.
"The only room I didn't paint yet was the one you designated as a nursery. Mr. Hart said you two were waiting till the baby was born to decide how to decorate it. So, when you two know what you want, I'll paint it then".
"Oh, thank you".
He saved their bedroom and bathroom for last.
"Well, that's all for me. I will leave you two to finish looking at the house. If you have any questions, call me. This house is move in ready".
"Will do. Thanks so much".
After he left, they went into the master bedroom.
It was painted a beautiful soft blue shade. The bathroom was painted cream, with a double vanity dressing area, and 4 huge closets for each of them. He had also installed a wall safe in one of the closets.
"I absolutely love this! I can't wait to live here with you".
"Same here".
He leaned forward and gave her a few kisses.
She looked over and noticed a bed in the room for the first time.
"You ordered us a new bed?"
"I did. I was ordering a bed for the guestroom and saw this one and thought we could try it as our bed and use our bed as the guest bed".
"What a great idea. I love the ornate headboard".
"I thought you might".
"You know me so well".
They laid down on it to test out the mattress.
She had him turn on the fan and was pleased that they would be able to feel it.
"We could move the bed to the other wall if you want".
"I love it right where it is".
She snuggled up to him and laid her head on his chest.
"I can picture us here, night after night, in this bed, this room. And I love the way that picture looks".
She sat up on one elbow and kissed him.
"I love how it looks too".
"We should celebrate this occasion, somehow darling."
"What occasion?"
"New to us house, new bed, new life here".
"What kind of ceremony did you have in mind?"
She chuckled.
"A private one, right here in the bed".
"You got it".
He rolled her on top of him, and kissed her passionately.
"Darling, the baby".
"Relax, you're barely showing."
"I am not, I look like I'm carrying a basketball under my skin".
"You are the most beautiful pregnant lady that has ever walked the earth, darling".
She straddled his waist and he took her top off.
She had on a strapless black lace bra that was barely holding her boobs in.
He reached behind her and undid her bra clasp, and then pulled her closer to him.
He rolled them till she was on her back and took one of her hardened nipples into his mouth.
"Mmmm".
He moved his kisses to her neck, and sucked on her earlobe some.
"Mmmmm, I love it when you do that".
"Then it's a good thing I love doing it".
She ran her fingers through his hair and lightly scratched his back some.
He tugged her leggings off her, and then stood up and undressed before returning to her.
She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him with an intensity and passion she had been holding back. He noticed it and matched it with his own.
He squeezed her breasts as he kissed her and then kissed his way to her belly button and back up to her eager lips.
"I love you, so much".
"I love you, too".
He quickly penetrated her and they found a mutual rhythm as they thrust their hips together. He leaned down to kiss her neck.
"There's nobody else here, baby. Don't hold back".
She was loud, and intense, and made sure he knew what she was feeling.
He loved knowing that he made her feel that way.
"Oh baby….right there".
"Yes….Jona…than….yes".
A few minutes later, she clung to him as the wonderful feelings of her orgasm moved through her from head to toe. Her orgasm triggered his own, and then he was clinging to her.
They calmed down together and then just held each other.
"That was fantastic".
"Yeah it was".
"Must be the new room".
"You think we can always do it like that in here?"
"Guess we'll find out."
He kissed her softly and just held her for a few minutes.
"What time are we checking in to our romantic getaway?"
"We just did".
"You mean it? We are staying here?"
"Yes, we are. Just you and me."
"Oh wonderful!"
"I thought you might like that".
"I love it. There's just one problem".
"What's that?"
"We don't have sheets or pillows for the bed".
"Oh yeah. Well, we can go get some if you want".
"I want, Mr. Hart. I want".
They got up and got dressed and then headed out.
They went to a few places to get everything they needed.
They picked out 2 comforters, since Jennifer couldn't make up her mind, and some sheets and several pillows and soft blankets. Jonathan found them a TV, and Jennifer found them a gorgeous set of nightstands.
Jonathan also got them a ready to hang porch swing, and a couch with a chaise lounge.
"We cannot deliver the couch till Saturday, but if you have a truck, you can take it with you tonight".
"Give me a minute".
He used their phone and called Bill.
"Hey, Jennifer wants this couch so bad she can't stand it, and she said she'll do anything you want, absolutely anything, if you can let us borrow your truck and deliver it to our house tonight".
"Jonathan!"
"Tell her I'll be there in 10 minutes".
"We are at Haskell's. We'll wait for you".
He hung up the phone and paid for their purchases.
"You are impossible, Jonathan!"
"Got him moving, though, didn't it?"
He smirked at her.
"You are explaining this, not me".
They were waiting out front when Bill pulled up.
"Ok pretty lady, what's on deck?"
She elbowed him in the ribs.
"I was a little overanxious in describing her excitement, Bill. But we really do need your help".
"Oh Valentine, I saw right through you!"
He and Jonathan loaded the couch into the back of his truck and then he followed them to the new house, and pulled up and parked.
"Pretty nice place you found here, Valentine."
"Thanks. Jennifer's grandmother left it to her in her will".
"You mean you met a lady who comes with a house like this?! Jennifer, sweetheart, leave him and marry me".
"Ha ha. I'm sorry, Bill. You're too late".
She leaned up and kissed Jonathan.
He and Jonathan carried the couch in and set it down where she instructed.
Jonathan gave him a tour of the house while she got the sheets and pillows and comforter on the bed.
She came downstairs afterwards and found them sitting on the couch.
She came and sat next to Jonathan.
Bill and Jonathan were discussing a joint-business venture.
"I think we can definitely look into working together on a deal, if you want to."
"Sounds great. Let's talk about in a few months, after things settle down".
"It's a deal".
"Well, I better be going. I'm sure I will see you guys soon".
"Thanks for helping, Bill".
"Anything for you, little lady".
She kissed his cheek and then he and Jonathan walked to the door.
"Thanks buddy".
"Anytime. See you soon".
They shook hands and then Bill left.
Jonathan closed the door behind him, and then returned to Jennifer.
"Honey, the baby wants to eat. Are you hungry?"
"I could eat".
"Can we order something?"
"Sure. How about Pizza?"
"Yes, the baby is agreeable to that".
They didn't have a phone, so they had to go to the car and use the car phone. After a few minutes, they were able to order a large meat lover's for Jonathan and a small grilled shrimp and tomato pizza for Jennifer and a 6 pack of bottled water.
They lounged on the new couch and chatted till the pizzas came.
"Darling, when I moved to California, and we said we were going to ship my furniture that was in your storage unit-did we?"
"Yes, it's in one room of the corporate apartment that the company owns. Nobody has stayed in the apartment in months."
"Ok, so we need to pack your house, and decide what goes and what stays. And then we need to go through that room and decide what goes and what stays and then we need to bring it all here, I guess".
"I own a packing and shipping line. I will send them to pack the house, darling. I don't want you lifting anything heavy because of the baby".
"I like that idea".
"We should probably leave most of the furniture in the beach house if we are going to keep it, which would eliminate the packing".
"That's a valid point. So, then we should probably just make a list of what we will need here, and then go through your furniture at the apartment and see if we already have it. If not, we'll get it".
"I can do that while you are at the office".
"Ok, but I'm serious. No heavy lifting, darling. I mean it, I don't want anything to happen to you or the baby".
"I promise, no heavy lifting. But when I go through my stuff at the apartment, you will have to send me someone to do the lifting".
"Got it".
He fed her a bite of his pizza and she fell in love with it.
"We will definitely have that again. That was amazing".
She fed him a bite of hers and he liked it, but he didn't love it.
She put the rest of the pizzas in the fridge while he went to hang the porch swing.
They sat outside for a long time, swinging.
"Darling, have you thought about what kind of parents we are going to be?"
"Sort of. I figure if we have a boy, I'll probably coach or help out with whatever sports team he plays on. I'm sure Hart Industries will sponsor his team each year. And if we have a girl, no dating till she's 40".
She chuckled.
"Jonathan, we can't lock her up."
"Yes we can, too. No boys allowed in, no daughters allowed out".
He held her a little tighter and kissed her temple.
"What about you?"
"Well, if we have a girl, I can't wait to put her in cute little outfits and bows every day. And I want to raise her to be a lady, mannerly and respectful. If we have a boy, I want to raise him to be a gentleman and to treat ladies with respect. And either way, I want to raise them to be thoughtful and kind and charitable. I want them to know they have options and opportunities, but I don't want to force the options and opportunities on them."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, say for instance, when they get a little bigger, I want them to have an activity. I just don't think the activity has to be a sport, or has to be a performing art of some kind. I want them to be interested in whatever they do and I want what they do to be their choice. I also feel that whatever they start, they must finish".
"I agree with that 100%. And whatever the rules are, we have to be a united front".
"Yes, absolutely".
She leaned up and kissed him a few times.
"Are you scared to be a parent?"
"Not really. I'm anxious, to see what our kid is, and see what they are going to look like and who they are going to turn out to be".
"I'm terrified that we will make a mistake and they will hate us forever".
"Oh, that won't happen. Rule number 1: no hating mommy and daddy".
"I like that rule".
"Do you want our kid to go to public or private school?"
"I was a public school kid and I turned out just fine. But I'm not against private school. And the ones around here are some of the best in the country".
"I went to both. I would say private over public, just because you know you are paying for a good environment and a good education".
"You know what I can't wait to see? Max as a granddaddy. He is going to have that kid wrapped around his finger".
"He's going to be great. But that's another rule, darling. Somehow, we are going to have to tell him that he can't smoke in the house or around the baby".
"I think he will be agreeable to that. I can talk to him about it, don't worry".
"Thank you".
They went inside after a while and headed to bed. Jennifer had picked out an extremely plush mattress pad. Jonathan was in heaven as soon as he laid down.
She was in the bathroom putting on her nightgown.
"Only thing that could make this bed better is you in it with me".
"Well good, because here I come".
She climbed into bed and scooted over next to him.
"Oh, this is very comfy".
"Yeah, I think we are definitely going to get a lot of good sleep in this bed".
"Is that all?"
"Was there something else you wanted?"
"Maybe just a repeat of your earlier performance".
"Oh, you mean like an encore? Coming right up".
***Sunday***
Jennifer was exhausted. She and Jonathan had been up to their eyeballs all week dealing with packing, moving, and buying new furniture. They were finally moved completely out of the beach house and into Willow Pond. She was so excited to go to Susan's today and get a break from it all.
She had purchased a few maternity dresses and chose one to wear to Susan's. It was a cold shoulder dress, knee length, in orchid. She looked absolutely adorable in it. She put on some black and silver flip flops since her feet couldn't fit in flats anymore.
"Ok darling, I'm headed to Susan's. You and Max going to be ok while I'm gone?"
"We will be fine. We are going to work on a surprise or two for you, which we will reveal when you get back".
"Sounds intriguing. I love you".
"I love you too".
She kissed him a few times and then left.
***Susan's house***
Jennifer pulled up to Susan's and parked. She rang the doorbell and Susan answered it a few minutes later.
"Hi, I'm so glad you are here!"
"Thanks, me too".
"Come on in. Here, I'll take your coat".
"Oh, thank you".
She took her coat off and handed it to her.
They walked through the living room and into the sunroom.
"So what is it that you wanted to show me?"
"SURPRISE!"
All of the women that she and Jonathan were friends with were in the sunroom.
"This is your baby shower, Jennifer."
"Oh my goodness! This is so nice! You didn't have to do this!"
"Yes, we did. Now, come sit right here."
They led her to a plush recliner.
"Ooh, I like this".
"Good, because it's yours. It's for the nursery. It's a glider, and it comes with a foot rest".
"How nice".
"We are going to get you a plate. We have chicken salad sandwiches on croissants, a fruit and cheese tray, a veggie tray, artichoke dip cups, and because I spoke to your husband, shrimp cocktail and mini caprese sticks".
"I will take all of that, please".
Everyone laughed.
"Coming right up".
After they ate, she opened her gifts. They had been gifted nearly everything they had registered for.
After it was over, she thanked everyone for coming.
"You guys are the greatest. I literally didn't know a soul when I moved here besides Jonathan, so I didn't put much stock in worrying about showers and such. So this was definitely a wonderful surprise, and I so appreciate it".
She turned to Susan.
"So, my husband was in on this, huh?"
"Yes, he was. He even offered to come with you, but I was firm on the no men allowed rule".
"He was so cute in the car the other day-we were discussing whether we wanted a water birth, or a silent birth, or a hypnobirth or a traditional birth. He had so many questions about each type. It was so cute".
"Jennifer, as your doctor, if you want me to help deliver your child, traditional is your only option".
"That's the one we chose".
"So, what does your nursery look like?"
"Well, at the moment, it's empty. We don't know what we are having, and we want to wait till after the birth to decide on a theme and fill the nursery. I don't know if Jonathan will go for it, but I do know that I want one wall to be an accent wall. All I've liked so far is if it's a girl, I want hot pink and sparkly silver, and her monogram on the wall above her crib, maybe. And if it's a boy, I want to do earth tones, and a sailboat theme, since Jonathan loves the water."
"Do you have names picked out?"
"I know that I want it to be a 'J' name. And I want his side incorporated as well as my side. But other than that, no, we don't have a clue".
"How are you so skinny? You're barely showing at all".
"I can answer that. The woman barely stops moving. She's an exercise Nazi".
They all laughed.
"I've slowed down some since the beginning of my pregnancy. But I do walk about 3 or 4 miles every day on the beach. And now that we moved into a new house, I do about 4 or 5 miles a day on the treadmill, in sections".
"Still doing squats?"
"Not since the cerclage. But I do 100 leg lifts every morning and 100 every night, each leg".
"Like I told you, the woman is a machine".
Everyone started to leave then, so Jennifer was busy thanking everyone and telling them goodbye.
After they finished eating, Susan made Jennifer and Jonathan several to-go boxes filled with goodies.
"Ok Jennifer, you and Jonathan have plenty to eat tonight. And the top layer of the cake is for ya'll as well. And we boxed up everything and if you will give me your keys, we will load it all up".
"Certainly".
She handed her key to Susan and sat on the couch a little longer.
A few minutes later she came back in.
"Ok, you're all packed up".
"Thank you so much! This was so lovely!"
"You're so welcome! Now, doctor's orders, you are not allowed to carry the stuff in. Put that handsome husband of yours to work".
"Oh don't worry. I intend to".
They shared a hug and then Jennifer headed home.
***Willow Pond***
She pulled up and parked. Jonathan came out and met her.
"Hi, have a good time?"
She threw her arms around his neck.
"You are sneaky and full of tricks and I love you very much".
She kissed him a few times.
"Dr's orders, darling. You and Max are the only ones allowed to unload the car".
"We will happily oblige".
They started to carry in the packages up to the nursery.
At the very end, Jonathan carried the glider in.
He carried it up the stairs to the nursery and then she sat in it and unpacked each box and showed him everything.
"We need to wash all this stuff before the kid wears it. So, we should probably organize it somehow first".
They separated everything by sizes and he put it all away in the dresser they were temporarily keeping in the nursery.
They had also been given a swing, a mamaroo, and a jumperoo.
"We really cleaned up".
"Yeah, we did. I've been crossing stuff off the registry, and I think there are only a few things left".
He started putting all the trash in a trash bag.
"Well, I think I'm going to go change out of this dress".
"No, not just yet. Max is putting the finishing touches on our project".
"Oh. Well alright".
"He and I were going to order a pizza for dinner. What kind do you want?"
"Well, Susan sent home boxes of leftover food just for you two".
"Well, let's eat that instead".
"You and Max finish the project, and I'll go get everything set up".
She kissed him and headed downstairs.
She had everything on plates when they came in.
"Ok, we have chicken salad on croissants, grapes, strawberries and pineapple, cucumbers, broccoli florets, and carrots, and fresh squeezed beet juice. Plus, there's cake in the fridge".
Max and Jonathan looked at each other.
"Pizza", they said in unison.
Jennifer polished off the chicken salad and croissants while they were figuring out what to order.
"Darling, will you add a small meat lover's for me, please?"
"Yes, of course".
After they ordered, they went upstairs and showed her the surprise.
"Ok, eyes closed. Just a few more steps".
He got her into position.
"Ok open."
As soon as she did, she knew exactly what it was. She looked at it, and then looked back at him, and then burst into tears.