***A week later***
Jennifer was at home, relaxing on the couch. It was the only night all week that she was free and she didn't want to go anywhere.
Her phone rang just as she was about to drift off to sleep.
"Hello?"
"Hey, it's Caroline. How are you?"
"Fine, how are you?"
"I'm good. I was calling to see if you wanted to go to dinner with me and Patrick next Saturday".
"Just you and me and Patrick? Poor guy".
"Well….there is a friend of Patrick's that's dying to have dinner with you".
"Oh, there is? Who is it?"
"Jonathan".
"You have got to be kidding!"
"Look, just come to dinner, and if you don't have a good time, then we won't ever ask you again. Honest. He promised me and Patrick that he would be on his best behavior and that you would have the time of your life."
"He did?"
"Yes. He came over last night and asked me to call you and I read him the riot act on how he behaved towards you at Luke's birthday party, and he told us some things, and once he really explained himself, I started to understand. And then I really explained myself and he swore to me that he would be a total gentleman".
"What kinds of things?"
"Basically, he insinuated that he puts on the bravo, macho act around women because he feels uneasy towards confident, successful, intelligent women. He says all the women that he ends up with in California aren't interested in him for him, but for his money, and he has to protect himself from that and from them, and as a consequence, he feels intimidated by women who are smart and intelligent like you are. He kept telling me how much he loved your eyes. And how much he loves the fact that Savanna and you have such a tight, close bond".
"It's amazing to me how when he talks to you, he sounds almost human. But when he talks to me, he's dripping with chauvinism and comes across as a pig".
"I think that's his defense mechanism. I explained to him that it wasn't a good one and it wasn't until he promised to act like a gentleman and agree to make it a double date, that I agreed to even ask you."
"So, what's the plan if he acts like a jerk during the double date?"
"You and I will leave and take a cab home and Patrick will box his ears".
They both laughed.
"Ok, fine. Since you are going to be there, I'll go".
"Great. Be at our house at 5, and we can all ride together".
"Where are we going?"
"He said something about Bluetail, and then The Corner Bar".
"Ok. See you then".
They hung up, and Jennifer got back to relaxing.
She had an early meeting the next day, so she was in bed pretty early.
***The next morning***
Jennifer walked into her office at the New York Times and put her stuff down.
Her meeting started in 10 minutes, which gave her just enough time to grab a cup of coffee.
She made it to the conference room right on time, and sat down just before her boss came in.
"Ok, so I called this meeting to let you know about some changes. First of all, our Friday deadlines are now going to be Monday deadlines. And, as of today, you are allowed to pick one day per week to work from home. You must be signed into the network just like you would if you were in the office, and you are still expected to work. Also, everyone is expected to chip in a dollar each week for coffee, making your monthly total $4.00. Someone will come around with an envelope on the first of every month. That's all, have a good day".
Jennifer walked back to her desk to find a dozen red roses in a vase waiting on her.
She found the card and read it.
"Can't wait to have dinner with you. Jonathan"
She was impressed, but still cautious.
She quickly called Caroline.
"Hello?"
"Hey. Guess who got flowers just now?"
"He didn't?!"
"He did. One dozen, red roses, crystal vase. Card says he can't wait to have dinner with me".
"Well, he was paying attention after all. Glad to hear it".
"Is he still in town, or has he gone back to California?"
"He told Patrick he would be here through the weekend. He works at Hart Industries".
"Interesting. Well, I better get back to work, the boss is here today. I'll call you tonight".
"Ok, have a great day".
"You too".
They hung up, and Jennifer got out the phone book. She called Hart Industries and asked to speak to Jonathan.
"Sure, one moment".
"Hello, this is Jonathan Hart, how can I help you?"
"Jonathan, hi. It's Jennifer. I was just calling to say thank you for the lovely flowers".
"You're very welcome. I meant what I said on the card, I really cannot wait to have dinner with you".
"That's very sweet. Well, I don't want to keep you, I'm sure you are busy. I just wanted to say thank you".
"You're welcome. Have a good day".
"You too".
She hung up the phone and smelled her flowers for several minutes and then got back to work.
She worked hard all day and made lots of progress on her article. She found lots of articles about Moonrise Innovations, but she still hadn't been able to find out anything about who ran it, or who owned it.
She had just picked up dinner and gotten home after a late research meeting when the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hey, it's Caroline. Luke has a really high fever and we are taking him to the ER. Can you come stay with Savanna?"
"Absolutely. Let me change clothes and I'll be right over".
She hung up and went and put on some more comfortable clothes- some black linen pants and a green long sleeved top, and grabbed her tennis shoes.
She quickly packed a bag just in case she had to stay over, and was on her way about 10 minutes later.
***Caroline and Patrick's***
Jennifer pulled up and parked. She grabbed her things and headed towards the door.
Caroline met her at the door and helped her with her stuff. Patrick was putting Luke in the car.
"Savanna is upstairs picking out a nightgown. She's going to want you to read her several stories, and sing her some songs, and then she'll probably ask you to lay with her. You can lay with her in our bed if you want. We will be back as soon as we can. Thank you so much".
Caroline gave her a huge hug.
"You're welcome. Hopefully he will feel much better as soon as they give him something".
Savanna came bouncing down stairs then, in her nightgown, which was on backwards.
"Give me kisses, I have to go with daddy and Luke to the doctor".
"Is Aunt Jeffer staying with me?"
"Yes, I am".
"Yay!"
Savanna gave her mom kisses and hugs and then she and Jennifer went to the living room.
"First of all, let's fix your nightgown".
Jennifer helped her take it off and turn it around and put it back on.
"Now what?"
"Well, I haven't eaten dinner. So, I was thinking I might do that".
"Yay! I can help you".
"Well, I'm not sure how you can help me, but you can come sit with me".
They went to the kitchen and Jennifer got out her salad.
"Is that begetables?"
"Yes, it is".
"I don't like begetables".
"You don't? Salads are very healthy for you. They make your body grow nice and tall and strong".
"So does chocolate pudding".
Jennifer chuckled.
"I don't think so".
After Jennifer was done eating, she and Savanna went and sat on the couch and watched TV for a bit.
"Ok, I think it's bedtime".
"I'm going to need you to tickle me".
"I think I can handle that".
Jennifer started tickling her and making her giggle. After a few minutes, Savanna crawled into Jennifer's lap and hugged her tight.
"Ok, so, it's story time."
"It is? Am I supposed to tell you a story or read you a story?"
"You can do both. Let's go get some to read, though".
They went upstairs and picked out a few books and then Savanna grabbed her blanket and her dolls and they went back downstairs.
They crawled up into Caroline and Patrick's bed, and she read her a few stories.
Just before she was about to read the last story, the doorbell rang.
They walked to the front door and answered it.
It was Jonathan.
"Hi".
"Hi, I'm here to watch football with Patrick".
"Oh, come on in. I guess they didn't tell you that they had to take Luke to the hospital. You are welcome to wait here if you want".
He followed them into the living room.
Jennifer went and got the blanket and the books and they sat on the couch instead.
She read the last book to her and then snuggled with her a bit.
"Can you tell me a story now?"
"Sure. What do you want the story to be about?"
"Umm….. a princess, a turtle, a rainbow, and some dolphins".
"Ok. Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess, who lived in the most beautiful castle ever. And she had a mommy, and a daddy, and a pet turtle named Splash, but she was very lonely, because she didn't have any friends or any brothers and sisters. She was so excited because the Queen and King were going to let her go to real school. So, on her first day, she tried so hard to make new friends. But nobody wanted to talk to her, and nobody wanted to be her friend. So, she sat all by herself and just listened very closely to what they were saying".
Savanna turned and started hugging Jennifer and Jennifer started scratching her back as she finished the story.
"So, after she listened to what they were saying, she realized that she heard all of them say that their most favorite thing in the whole world was when they got to see rainbows, after a storm. So, she decided to see if she could make rainbows appear. That was kind of her special talent. She decided to get everyone together at recess and show them how she could make rainbows. But, nobody believed her. So, she went home feeling very sad that day and she told the queen and the king that she didn't want to go back to school ever again. The queen and the king told her that she had to go back and give it one more shot. So, she went back and decided to try again. Sadly, it rained all day, and they didn't get to go outside at all. So, when they were walking home from school, it had stopped raining. And the princess decided she was going to make a rainbow. So, she hid behind a tree and made a rainbow appear and everyone was happy. Suddenly, everyone wanted to be her friend, and she felt happy and she ended up loving school. She went home to the castle and told the queen and king that she wanted to stay at school and be happy. She ran out to the edge of the shore, and played with her dolphin friends for about an hour before coming back home. And they all lived happily ever after. The end".
Savanna was content on Jennifer's chest. Jennifer kept scratching her back and finally went to lay her down in the bed.
Caroline called and told her they were keeping Luke overnight.
"You can sleep in our bed if you want. Did she go to bed ok?"
"Yeah, I just laid her down. She had me read her 4 stories and make up one to tell her, no songs".
"Aren't you lucky? You are the greatest aunt Jeffer to our kids. We mean that".
"You have great kids. Tell Patrick that Jonathan is here, he said they were going to watch football".
"Oh crap, we forgot about that. Tell him we are sorry".
"Ok, I will. I will see you when you get here".
"Thanks again."
"Anytime".
She hung up the phone and looked at Jonathan.
"They are keeping Luke overnight, so Patrick and Caroline said to tell you that they were sorry about the no football".
"Dang. I don't have a way to get back to my hotel. Guess I can call a cab".
He picked up the phone and called a cab. Jennifer got up and got a magazine and started reading it. Jonathan turned on the football game.
As soon as he did, there was a very large crack of thunder outside, and then the unmistakable sound of heavy rainfall.
About a half-hour later, Jonathan hung up the phone.
"No cabs this late this far from the city. Looks like I'm spending the night, unless you want to give me a ride".
"I cannot do that without getting her up and taking her with us".
"Yeah, that's true. Oh well, guess I will sleep in the guest room".
"The guest room doesn't have a bed. It's the office. You can have the couch, or you can sleep upstairs in Savanna's bed. I wouldn't sleep upstairs in Luke's bed, since he's sick. I'll sleep in their bed with Savanna".
He nodded.
She sat out there a little longer with him, reading.
He got up and got a drink.
"Can I get you anything?"
"No, thank you".
He quietly watched football, and she read her magazine for about a half hour. It was still thundering and storming outside. She was just about to head to bed when she heard Savanna screaming.
She got up and ran to her.
"What is it?"
Savanna was crying really hard and just held her arms out to Jennifer.
Jennifer picked her up and held her and carried her out to the den.
They sat on the couch and wrapped the blankets around them.
"What is it? Did you have a bad dream?"
"No. I…..listened…..to…..the…thunder noise…. And it….. made me…really scary…"
"Oh, I'm sorry. It's ok. It's outside, and we are inside. It won't hurt you, I promise you".
She held her for a little longer till she calmed down, and then she and Savanna went back to the bedroom and back to bed.
Just after midnight, the electricity went out. Caroline and Patrick's room had a fireplace in it. Jonathan crept to their kitchen, and found a flashlight. He then took it to the garage and found a couple of starter logs for the fireplace. He picked up a couple and brought them quietly into the bedroom and gently placed them in the fireplace. He started them a fire, and was about to creep out of the room when Jennifer woke up.
"What are you doing?"
He tiptoed over to the bed.
"Power's out. Which means no heat. So, I started you guys a fire. I didn't want you two to get cold".
"That's very kind of you".
"I'm going to go back to the living room now. Call me if you need me".
"Jonathan, if you want, you can stay in here. We have plenty of room."
"Are you sure you don't mind?"
"No, I don't. No sense in being cold".
He took his shoes off and went and grabbed the blanket off the couch, and came back. He stripped down to his boxers and t-shirt, and then slept on top of the bed under the blanket.
Around 6 a.m., the power came back on, and Jennifer heard everything starting up and beeping and woke up. She managed to climb out of bed without waking up Savanna or Jonathan, and headed to the kitchen to make coffee.
She had just poured a cup when Jonathan appeared.
"Morning".
"Morning. Coffee is ready if you'd like some".
"Thanks".
She tried to figure out what Savanna would want to eat for breakfast, and decided to just wait and see what she wanted when she got up. She started resetting all of their clocks and straightening up.
Savanna got up around 7, and Jennifer made her a bowl of cereal.
Jonathan changed clothes and appeared in the kitchen. He called a cab and was given an hour pickup time.
"Want me to make you some breakfast? I was about to make some bacon and eggs".
"That sounds great. Let me help".
"Sure, if you'd like".
She turned on cartoons for Savanna and she made the bacon while he made the eggs.
After they were finished, they went and sat at the table.
Savanna was just finishing her cereal.
"Aunt Jeffer, let's make our own story".
"Ok. You start".
"Once in a time".
"Once upon a time", Jennifer corrected her.
"Once up in a time, there was a princess and a man. Your turn".
"The princess was very beautiful with long curly hair and a pink flowy dress".
"Jonathan's turn".
"I'll pass, thanks".
"Oh come on, it's fun".
"Fine. The man was very handsome and had lots of money".
"My turn. The princess did not like bedtime".
Jennifer chuckled.
"So, what happens next?"
"Well, the princess married the man so that she could stay up as late as she wanted to".
"Oh, that's a good idea".
"Aunt Jeffer, you are the pretty princess. And Jonathan is the man".
"Oh really?"
"Lucky me".
Jennifer turned to Jonathan.
"Will you let me stay up as late as I want?"
"If you're nice to me".
She grinned at him.
She got up and started doing the dishes and just then, Caroline and Patrick and Luke came in.
"Hey, we're home".
Savanna ran to her mom.
"Mommy, guess what?"
"What sweetie?"
"Aunt Jeffer is going to marry Jonathan".