Jonathan insisted on helping Jennifer take her things inside.
She led the way to her 3rd floor apartment and unlocked the door.
"Thank you".
"Absolutely".
He set her bags down on the counter.
"Would you like a drink?"
"Sure, whatever you're having is fine".
She grabbed them both a water, and handed him one.
"Thank you".
"You're welcome".
She walked past him and went to sit on the couch.
He sat next to her.
"I won't stay long, but I did want to ask you something if I may?"
"Sure".
"Without going into a long, boring explanation, I just want you to know, there's a reason as to why our dinner the other night didn't go well. And, the person that I showed myself to be that night, isn't who I am at all. I really and truly would love another chance to show you who I am, and treat you to the dinner you deserve, if you will let me. Is there anyway that you will reconsider?"
"That's not necessary, really. I forgive you for what happened, it's fine. Honest".
"Ok, I respect that".
"Thanks for the ride home, I appreciate it".
"Anytime".
He gave her an awkward hug and then left.
Jennifer headed to bed as soon as the door was locked.
***Friday***
Jennifer was walking home from the office around 6. It had just gotten dark, and she was about 3 blocks from home.
She had her arms full, with her work bag, her purse and her dinner, and she was absolutely exhausted. All she could think about was taking a hot shower and eating dinner and passing out.
She had just turned the corner when she heard it.
"Give me all your money, now!"
She froze. She tossed her purse at him and started running.
Just then, someone ran by and tackled him. Jennifer ran around the corner and leaned up against a wall. She was shaking.
A few minutes later, she heard her name being called.
It was Jonathan. He had her purse.
"Go back to your apartment. I am going to call the police and then I'll come there".
She nodded and started walking that way.
About 8 minutes later, she was in her apartment.
Jonathan got there about 10 minutes after Jennifer did. She let him in as soon as she heard the knock.
"Are you ok?"
She silently nodded.
"The police want me to call them and have them come here. Is that ok?"
She silently nodded.
He grabbed her phone and called the police.
She sat down on the couch and pulled her knees to her chest.
"Can I get you anything?"
"W-w-w-"
"Water?"
She nodded.
He went and grabbed her a water and brought it to her.
The police got there and he let them in, and she calmed down enough to give her statement.
After the police left, she looked at Jonathan.
"I think I want to take a shower".
"What about your dinner?"
"I dropped it when I was running."
"You go take your shower, and I will order you something. What did you have?"
"I had picked up Wang's from 8th street. Chinese spare ribs and chicken fried rice".
"Got it".
She went to take her shower and he called and ordered her dinner for delivery.
He had just paid for it when she came out of the bedroom.
"It's all set. It's on the counter".
"Thank you".
Jonathan looked at Jennifer.
"Are you sure you're ok?"
"I will be. Thank you again".
"I'm just glad I was there".
He stood up.
He leaned down and hugged her, and this time, she was more into it.
"Well, I will see you later, I guess. Try to rest".
She nodded.
She closed the door after him and then took her dinner to bed.
***Saturday***
Jennifer was woken up by the phone ringing.
"Hello?"
"Are you ok? I just heard that you were mugged".
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just shaken up is all".
"Tell me everything".
Jennifer sat up a bit.
"There's not much to tell, really. I was walking home, and had my hands full, and I took a shortcut through the alley like I always do, and got mugged. I tossed my purse at him, and ran. Jonathan appeared out of nowhere and tackled him and then brought me my purse. He told me to go to my apartment, and that he would call the police, and see me back at my apartment."
"That was kind of him".
"Yeah it was. He not only brought the police here so that I could give them my statement, he held the guy there so that he would be picked up. And he ordered me a repeat order of the dinner I dropped when I ran".
"That was nice of him".
"Yeah, he really surprised me. I mean, I know he feels like he has to make something up to me, but this time I feel like I may have misjudged him."
"Well, I don't think you misjudged him, but it's nice to know that you and Jonathan can be here together without coming to blows".
"Yeah, I know we can do that. I would just ignore him before I ever argued with him here at your house".
"You weren't the one I was worried about-I don't mean that he has a temper or anything. I mean, I was worried that he would upset you to the point where you would stay away".
"Well, he lives in California, so I'm sure we could work something out".
They chatted a little longer, and then hung up.
Jennifer kept busy all weekend, and ventured out into the city some. However, she made sure to come home before dark, and stay in populated areas.
***Monday***
Jennifer headed to the office, and picked up coffee along the way. She was happy that she would be getting her car back that day, so she could stop walking and taking cabs everywhere.
She walked in just as her boss was calling a meeting.
"Edwards, you are just in time. Plum assignments coming down the pike".
She grabbed a chair and joined them, eager to see what the assignments were going to be.
***Later that night***
Jennifer ran home and changed clothes. She was deep in thought, as she had 24 hours to accept an assignment or turn it down.
She called Caroline.
"Hello?"
"Hey. Can I interest you in a late night cup of coffee?"
"Come on over, I'll put a fresh pot on".
"See you soon".
She got in her car and headed over. She was wearing her college "uniform"-grey wide-legged sweatpants, and an old Vassar sweatshirt and her tennis shoes.
She pulled up and parked, and knocked on the door.
Caroline let her in, and Savanna came running.
"Someone was avoiding bath time till she knew you were coming over".
Savanna was wrapped in a towel, without any clothes on.
"Hi Aunt Jeffer".
"Hi. You better get dressed".
"Don't look at my boobs!"
She pinched Savannas nose.
"You don't have any boobs".
"Yes, I do!" Savanna opened her towel to show her, flashing her.
Jennifer collapsed into a fit of laughter, while Caroline hustled her upstairs.
They went and poured their coffee, and sat on the couch.
"Where's Patrick?"
"He and Luke are playing a game in the game room. So, what's up?"
"Well, I was given the option of a very lucrative assignment today, and I'm trying to decide if I should do it".
"Oh? What is it?"
"International correspondent. I would be traveling and reporting. I would be going to places like Japan, Africa, Spain, France".
"This sounds like a no-brainer. When do you have to decide by?"
"Tomorrow. And if I say yes, I start Monday".
"So what's keeping you from saying yes?"
"I would be based in London. It would only be for a few months and I would have the option to extend if I wanted, but it's still a big decision".
"Jennifer-you are single, you are smart, and you have the means and the opportunity to travel. Do it. All of this that you think is keeping you here will be here when you get back, probably just like you left it".
"That's a good point".
Savanna came down then and climbed in Jennifer's lap.
"Lovebug, would you be upset with Aunt Jennifer if she went on a trip?"
"Will you send me a mail?"
"Yes, I will".
"Ok, you can go".
Jennifer chuckled.
"Well, thank you for your permission".
She kissed her on the forehead.
"So, what does this mean in regards to the article you are working on now?"
"I have until Friday to submit it. Shouldn't be a problem".
"So, are you going to go?"
She hesitated and then nodded.
"Ok. So, that means we have one more week to see you. How would you like to come over on Saturday night? Luke has a recital that afternoon, and we are having a little party for him afterwards".
"Sure, that sounds great".
They chatted a little longer and then Jennifer got up to go.
"Aunt Jeffer, will you tuck me in?"
"Certainly lovebug".
She picked her up and carried her up to her room and tucked her in and read her some stories and then gave her a bunch of kisses.
"I love you, Aunt Jeffer".
"I love you too, princess".
She gave Caroline huge hugs and then headed back home, secure in her decision.
***Wednesday***
Jennifer was at the office, hard at work on her article. She had blown open the article she was doing on Moonrise Innovations. Not only were they a subsidiary, but they were doing some really illegal things-money laundering, tax evasion, and insider trading, just to name a few.
Jennifer was deep in concentration when the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hey, it's me. Savanna got all E's at school, and we told her that she could have whatever she wanted for dinner. She requested tacos and Aunt Jennifer".
"Aunt Jennifer would be delighted."
"Pedro's, on 77th, at 6?"
"See you then".
She hung up the phone and got back to work.
Around 5, she wrapped things up for the day, and headed to Pedro's to reserve them a table.
Caroline and Patrick and the kids got there at 6.
Savanna was so excited to eat tacos with Aunt Jeffer and Luke was excited to sit next to her also.
"Aunt Jeffer, guess what?"
"What lovebug?"
"You are going to be a Jeffer".
"I'm going to what?"
Savanna looked frustrated.
"Mommy has a baby in her belly so that means you get to be a Jeffer again".
"Oh, you mean I get to be an Aunt again".
"Yeah, that".
Jennifer chuckled.
Caroline looked at her.
"We told the kids this morning".
"And mommy says that in a few weeks we will know if it's a me or a Luke".
"Well, that's exciting!"
"Tell Aunt Jeffer your rule".
"You have a rule for the new baby?"
"Yeah. NO sharing".
"No sharing what?"
"No sharing Aunt Jeffer".
Jennifer cracked up.
"That's sweet, but there's enough of me to go around. I gave you lots of baby hugs and kisses and I still have some left I can give the baby too".
Savanna climbed in Jennifer's lap and gave her a hug.
"It will be ok, I promise".
"She was excited till she realized that she was going to have to share you".
"You know what? When you were born, your mommy needed lots of help with taking care of you and Luke. So, that's how come I got to come hold you and give you kisses and hugs. And I bet this time, mommy is going to need even more help. So, what if I come help her, and you help me?"
Savanna nodded.
"I can do that".
"Good".
Jennifer started telling Caroline about how the research for her article blew wide open.
"It's going to be published in Saturday's paper. It's going to be a big story".
"Congratulations, I am so proud of you!"
"Thanks. It's a nice way to start my overseas job."
They all ordered then, and then sat around talking.
"Jonathan is joining us, he has a business thing to talk to me about".
"Great".
Jonathan showed up about 10 minutes later.
He was polite and cordial, but very stressed out.
He started to tell Patrick all about his issues.
"Jonathan, as your lawyer, I must advise you to wait till we are back at the house, and can speak privately".
"Done".
After they were done eating, they all walked out to the parking lot.
"Well, thanks for inviting me. This was so fun. And good job on getting all E's lovebug".
"Thank you for coming with me Aunt Jeffer".
"You're welcome, baby doll".
Jennifer hugged the Buchanan's goodbye, and then looked at Jonathan.
"Nice to see you again".
"Thanks, you too".
"See you guys Saturday".
"Yes, see you then".
She headed home, ready for a long bath and a good night's rest.
***Thursday***
Jennifer was putting the finishing touches on her article, and was almost halfway through.
She hadn't been able to dig as deep as she had wanted to due to time constraints, but she had enough information that if the feds wanted to prosecute, they certainly could.
Her phone rang around 10:45.
"Hello?"
"Hi, it's Jonathan. Listen, I need to ask you something. Is there any way that you could meet me for lunch? My treat. Strictly business".
"Sure, I guess. I can't get out of here till almost 12, though".
"That's fine. How about Create a Bowl at Madison and 4th?"
"Sure, that sounds fun. See you then".
She hung up and worked another hour and then went to meet Jonathan.
***Create a Bowl***
She walked in and found him holding them a table.
"Hi, thanks for meeting me".
He stood up and kissed her on the cheek and helped her with her coat. He pulled her chair out for her and signaled the waitress.
"What's this important thing you have to ask me?"
"Well, it has to do with a friend of mine. It has come to his attention that something negative about his occupation might soon be coming out in the press, and he was wondering how he could stop that".
"Well, he can't really, unless he knows the person reporting it. But even then, it's no guarantee."
"So, is there some law that he could cite or use to get them to back off?"
"Well, if they cite anonymous sources, then you could try and get a court order requiring them to reveal their sources. However, that's the kind of thing that real journalists revel in, because it means the system is working. Our work is being noticed, which is our main goal. So, you might end up winning in a legal sense, but there's nothing to keep another reporter from reporting that you won a legal battle to keep the story out of the press, which is then going to just do what you didn't want done-put it out there".
"Yeah, that's the fear."
The waitress brought their drinks and took their orders. Jennifer ordered a spring mix salad with lots of veggies, and Jonathan ordered a pasta bowl.
"Level with me. What is the story that you don't want reported on?"
"Well, my company acquired a conglomerate, and one of the companies in that conglomerate was being used for illegal activity. And I got word that someone was digging into them and was trying to expose them".
"What's the name of the company?"
"Moonrise Innovations. I don't know who the reporter is though".
She sighed.
"I do. It's me".