***Two days later***
Jennifer strolled through the London airport, with her carryon on her shoulder and sunglasses on her face.
She hated the part in the airport where you sit endlessly waiting for your flight, so she had come prepared with books, magazines, etc.
As far as she was concerned, she was leaving Jonathan Hart behind in London, and her plane couldn't take off fast enough. She was ready to get back to her life in New York.
She didn't really know how she was going to handle the Jonathan situation, except to just ignore him when they were both at Caroline and Patrick's. It wouldn't be fair of her to ask them to not invite him, it was their home and he was their friend. However, nothing said she had to be friends with him either. She wished like hell she had stuck to her original wish of just being acquaintances with him, but she hadn't and she couldn't do anything to change that.
'If only he wasn't so good in bed, this would be a lot easier'.
She sat there waiting for her plane to take off, and then was the first one in line to board.
She had been able to upgrade to first class in hopes that she would have a pod to herself. It worked. She planned on sleeping through as much of the flight as she could.
She landed in New York around 4 p.m., and got her luggage. She took a cab to her apartment and took a shower and changed clothes.
As she was going through the mail, there was an invitation to a party at Caroline and Patrick's. She decided to go surprise them.
She got in the car and drove out there, and parked across the street.
She walked up the walkway, and let herself in the house, and found Caroline in the kitchen. Most everyone else seemed to be outside on the deck.
"Need any help?"
"No thanks, I've got-"
Caroline turned and saw her.
"It covered! Stranger, what are you doing here?"
She closed the oven and went to hug her.
"I just flew home tonight. Or today, whatever".
"I'm so glad you're home. I know some others who will be glad as well".
They walked out to the deck, and Caroline introduced her to the others.
The kids were jumping on the trampoline.
"Savanna, look who's here".
Savanna stopped jumping and then climbed off the trampoline and took off running full speed towards her Aunt Jeffer.
"Hi lovebug!"
Savanna jumped in her arms and locked her arms around Jennifer's neck.
"Are you home forever?"
"Well, I might have to travel again, but yeah, my trip is over".
She held Savanna for a little bit, while everyone commented how sweet it was.
They sat down on the porch swing, and Caroline sat with them.
"So what kind of party is this?"
"Well, we found out what we are having and we are going to tell everyone later on".
"Oh, yay!"
"Aunt Jeffer, guess what?"
"What lovebug?"
"Jonathan was here. And he said you were very pretty".
"Oh, well, that's nice".
Caroline noticed the look on her face, but didn't say anything.
Patrick announced that the burgers were ready, so everyone went inside to get a plate.
Jennifer set Savanna down on the couch and told her she would make her a plate.
"Are you coming right back?"
"Yes, I am. I promise".
"Mommy, can Aunt Jeffer sleep over?"
"She certainly can if she wants to, but sweetie, she just flew home and had a long trip. I'm sure she wants to get back to her own house and sleep in her bed".
"That's right. But, Aunt Jennifer can stay a little while. How about if I tuck you in at bedtime?"
"Deal. And you have to sit with me to eat".
Jennifer chuckled. "Ok".
They made their plates and then Jennifer went to sit with Savanna, as promised.
Luke came running in and found them.
"Mom, is Uncle Jonathan coming?"
"I don't think so, why?"
"My computer isn't working and Dad said he could help me fix it. Can you call him?"
"Yeah, but not right now. I promise I will call him tonight before bed, after the party".
Caroline noticed that Jennifer seemed to recoil almost when anyone mentioned Jonathan's name.
She decided to ask her about it later, when they were alone.
After everyone was done eating, they ushered everyone into the den. Savanna sat in Jennifer's lap, and Luke sat next to them.
"Ok everyone, we are going to open this box. It has balloons in it, and they are either pink or blue, and that will tell you what baby Buchanan is".
Everyone counted to three, and then they opened the box, and out tumbled some pink balloons.
"It's a girl!"
Everyone was so excited and started congratulating them.
When the moment was quiet, Savanna turned to Jennifer.
"I'm not sharing you".
Everyone laughed.
Jennifer helped Caroline clean up then, as everyone started leaving.
When they had a moment alone, she cornered her.
"Ok, out with it. Every time that someone mentioned Jonathan Hart tonight, you had a physical reaction. What gives? I thought you guys were friends and you had forgiven him".
"We were, I did forgive him".
"So, what happened?"
"Well, remember how I called him and asked him to testify and he said no? Told me he couldn't get away from the office. So, a few days later, I'm leaving the office in London and I decided to go to a restaurant and pick up dinner. I'm leaving the restaurant and he's getting out of a cab right outside. I asked him what he was doing there and he said something had come up. So, then I assume he called you and you gave him my hotel, and then you called me right when he was there."
"Yeah, I remember that".
"So, he apologized and asked if we could start fresh, and we talked. I mean, really talked. So, anyways, just as he was about to leave, the power goes out. In that hotel, when the power goes out, the doors to the stairwells lock, so he had to stay with me till the power came back on. So, we chatted as friends and got to know each other, and then we headed to bed. He took the couch, and insisted that I take the bed. The next morning, when the power came back on, he left. Before he left, he asked me to go to dinner with him, and I agreed. So, that night we went to Remington's, had a nice dinner, and some drinks, and then we went to another place that had dancing and had some more drinks and danced together. Then he came back to my hotel with me, and one thing led to another, and he stayed the night. It was absolutely incredible. And the next morning I wake up and he's gone. Just completely, totally gone. No note, nothing. I haven't heard from him since. The killer is, the night before, after things had taken place, he was asking me what I was thinking. And I was honest and told him that I was kicking myself for having misjudged him. I told him how I initially thought he was a chauvinistic bachelor, but that he had surprised me for the better and I was glad I had given him a chance. And then he ghosts me. I have never felt so stupid in all my life".
Caroline leaned forward and hugged her.
"I'm sorry. I wish I could explain his behavior, but I cannot. I cannot believe he did that to you".
They hugged for a few more minutes.
"Do you want me to call him and find out what happened?"
"No, I don't think so. At this point, it doesn't matter what his explanations are. I never intend to acknowledge his presence ever again".
"Can't say I blame you there. But maybe you won't always feel that way".
She shrugged.
"Look, I've been meaning to ask you something. We don't have any family close, and my sister has more than she can handle with her own 3 kids. Last week, something got me thinking-I don't know if it's the pregnancy or what, but I started thinking we needed to get our lives together. So, we are meeting with a lawyer soon and we are going to draft our will. I just want you to know that you are in it".
"Caroline, that's not necessary. Your stuff should go to your kids".
"It will. But you will get something too".
"That's very sweet".
They finished cleaning the kitchen, and then as promised, Jennifer tucked Savanna in.
She read her a few extra stories, and then stayed with her till she fell asleep.
Jennifer finally came back downstairs.
"She's asleep".
"Yay, thank you."
"It was my pleasure".
They sat down on the couch and gossiped for a while.
"Listen, he-who-shall-not-be-named told me that you made him agree to watch the kids overnight so that you guys could have a date. When is that?"
"We couldn't get a reservation till the end of the month. We booked two nights, but might change it to one".
"Interesting".
"Why do you ask?"
"Well, I was just going to let you know that I am happy to watch the kids anytime, and it doesn't have to be because you gave me information".
"Oh, we know that. We listed your name and number for our neighborhood sitters, in case of emergency. I hope that's ok".
"Yeah, of course."
They kept on chatting for a bit, and then Jennifer decided it was time to go home.
"Want to have lunch later this week?"
"Absolutely".
She hugged her goodbye at the door, and Jennifer walked to her car.
As soon as she got home, she took a long bubble bath, and got into bed, and fell into a deep, deep sleep.
***Wednesday***
Jonathan had flown into New York for a business meeting, and headed to the Buchanan's. Patrick had told him that Luke's computer needed fixing, so he wanted to fix it.
He spent a few hours on it, and got it fixed and then upgraded it some for him.
"Thanks Uncle Jonathan".
"No problem, kiddo".
Jonathan walked back downstairs and sat on the couch next to Patrick.
Caroline came in from the grocery store and saw him sitting there.
"Hey, what are you doing here?"
"I came by to fix Luke's computer".
"Oh, that's nice of you".
"He's a good kid, he deserves it".
"Yeah, he does. I'm a big fan of people getting what they deserve".
She swiftly smacked him upside the head.
"Including you!"
"What the hell was that for?"
"You know what it was for. You hurt my best friend, Jonathan. And that's not okay".
"What do you mean, I hurt your best friend?"
"Jennifer. She's a little taller than me, a redhead, very beautiful? Perhaps you remember her. She's the one you spent the night with and then rudely left with no explanation".
"That's not true!"
"So you didn't sleep with her?"
"No, I mean the no explanation part. I left her a note".
"She says you didn't. I'm inclined to believe her, she doesn't lie".
"Well, I know what I did. I woke up, called my office to check my messages, and found out about an urgent business matter. I left her a note saying I had to leave, and asked her to call me. She never did, so really, she dumped me, not the other way around".
"Jonathan, she's really hurt. I'm not kidding- If you aren't going to take her seriously, then just leave her alone. She doesn't deserve this cat and mouse game you are playing".
"I'm not playing any games. Call her up and ask her to come over. We can straighten this out".
"I am not going to get involved with you breaking her heart again. You will have to find her on your own".
She went to the bedroom then, leaving Patrick and Jonathan to continue watching TV.
***A few weeks later***
Jennifer was at home, waiting on her dinner to be delivered.
She and Caroline hadn't talked about Jonathan since she got home from London.
She hardly ever thought about him anymore. She had learned her lesson, though. Nobody was ever going to get close to her again.
There was a knock at the door, so she got up and answered it.
She paid for her dinner and closed the door.
Just as she set it down on the counter, the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hey, it's Caroline. Patrick and I are in the city for our weekend, and Jonathan called and said that Savanna is crying her head off. She wants you. He wanted to know if you could come over and calm her down, and he promises that he will stay upstairs with Luke the whole time".
"Tell him that's not necessary. I will come over. Is she sick?"
"She was asleep when we left, and woke up upset. He said he tried to make her dinner, but she started crying saying she wanted you to do it".
"Ok, call him and tell him I'm on my way. I haven't eaten though. I ordered Chinese. Will she eat chicken fried rice?"
"Oh yeah, she loves that".
"Cool, I'll take her some".
"Thank you".
"Anytime".
She hung up and packed a bag just in case, and then headed out.
She got to their house and pulled up and parked.
She knocked on the door and he let her in.
"Thanks for coming. She's on the couch".
Savanna quieted down as soon as she saw her. Jennifer picked her up and held her.
"What's the matter?"
"I wanted you".
"Well that's sweet, but you can't scream at people because I'm not here. That's not very nice".
Jennifer felt her forehead.
"You don't have a fever, do you feel ok?"
"I think so".
"I brought chicken fried rice with me, want some?"
"I made her some macaroni and cheese and she wouldn't touch it".
Savanna nodded.
"Ok, but you have to eat the mac and cheese too. It's not nice to ask Jonathan to make you something and not eat it".
"I'm sorry, Jonathan".
"It's ok".
They got up and went to the kitchen. Jennifer got her settled at the table and she started eating her mac and cheese, while Jennifer made them each a plate of Chinese food.
She went and sat next to her and they ate, while Jonathan looked on in stunned silence.
After Savanna was done eating, Jennifer cleaned up the plates and went and gave Savanna a bath.
She got her into bed, and stayed with her till she fell back asleep.
"Goodnight, angel. I love you".
She kissed her forehead and then crept out of the room.
She went back downstairs and gathered her things and went to leave.
He caught her just as she got to the door.
"Jennifer, wait, please".
She sighed.
"What is it?"
"Come here, please?"
He held his hand out to her and she took it. He led her to the couch.
She set her things down and looked at him.
"Thank you for coming over".
"No problem".
"Can we talk a minute?"
"I'm not interested, Jonathan. I'm tired and I want to go home".
"Can you just tell me what I did to make you not interested?"
She was totally floored by his question.
"Are you kidding me?"