"What? Whatever it is, just tell me".
"You used me, Jonathan. You used me and tossed me away like cheap garbage. And the worst part is, you waited till after I told you I had misjudged you before you tossed me away. Why don't you get some salt and pour that on my wounds instead? It would hurt a hell of a lot less".
"What are you talking about? I didn't do anything to hurt you".
"I see it differently, not surprisingly".
"Tell me how you see it".
"We had a wonderful night together and I wake up to find that you have completely and totally ghosted me. You didn't leave a note, you didn't wake me up, you just left. That's very hurtful".
"I did leave you a note. I left it on the table by the couch".
"I know what notes look like, I would have seen one if you had and I didn't".
"Well, I promise you that I left you one. You aren't the only one who got ghosted here, Jennifer. You ghosted me too".
"How can you say that? Are you totally insane?"
"I left you a note. And in that note, I asked you to call me when you woke up. You didn't, so yeah, you ghosted me".
"How do you expect me to call you after reading a note that you didn't leave me, that I didn't see?"
"Jennifer, we can go all day like this but the truth is, I left you a note".
"And the real truth is, I didn't see one. If you had left me one, I would have seen it".
"Look, let's agree to disagree. Why don't we try again? We had a good time the last time, we can have a good time again, and this time we can make sure that we communicate better".
"No thank you. I am not allowing you to disappoint me again".
She got up and picked up her bag.
"Jennifer, please don't leave like this".
"I don't think we have anything else to say to each other. You aren't who I thought you were and I'm sorry to have wasted your time".
She headed for the door.
"Jennifer, you didn't waste my time. I'm sorry we can't come to an agreement".
"Good night".
She walked out the door and ran to her car.
She was back in the city before the tears started falling.
***A few days later***
Jennifer was at her desk at the Times, working. She had thrown herself into her work because she really had nothing else to do.
She was researching an article when the phone rang.
"Hello, Jennifer Edwards".
"Hi, it's me, Jonathan. Do you have the research you did on my company?"
"Yes, I do".
"Is there anyway you could give me a copy? We are going to trial soon and I think it might be helpful".
"Jonathan, don't be ridiculous. There's over 900 pages. I am not spending my time making 900 copies".
"I tell you what. Can you put it in a box for me, and I'll have someone come pick it up? I can make the copies here".
"Yes, I will do that. It will be ready by 5".
"Thank you".
They hung up.
About an hour later, there was a delivery of flowers for her.
A dozen pink roses with white gladiolus in a crystal vase.
She dug for the card.
'Lovely to talk with you this morning. I'm sorry for our misunderstanding and I would love to spend more time with you. Please call me. 718-464-2085. Jonathan'.
She grabbed the phone and called him back.
"Hello?"
"That was some cheap stunt you pulled, trying to get me to help you out. Look Jonathan, it isn't going to work out between us. If you want the files, then just ask for them. But don't use me and my work as a way to try and entice me into spending time with you".
"Jennifer, I really do need the files and I meant what I said on the card. It was lovely talking to you. It wasn't a trick, I swear".
She sighed.
"I'm sorry, I just thought-".
"No apology necessary. I understand. I won't bother you again".
"Jonathan-"
He hung up.
She got the files ready, and wrote him a personal note and put it in an envelope with his name on it. She called his office and told his secretary the files were ready and waiting for him at the front desk.
He sent someone to pick it up.
It was at his desk in an hour, and he opened it and found her note.
He opened it and began to read.
"Jonathan-I apologize for my rudeness earlier. I shouldn't have jumped down your throat like that. I also appreciate the flowers, and I apologize for insinuating that you were bothering me by sending them. I hope you find what you need in the files, and please call me if you need more information. Jennifer".
He sighed and put the note back in the envelope.
He knew that if he thought about her too much, he wouldn't get any work done, so he put her out of his mind and got busy with the files.
***A few months later***
Jonathan and Jennifer had basically avoided each other. When they saw each other at the Buchanan's, they just pretty much stayed away from each other. It was the easiest way. He hated it, but he was trying to respect her wishes. She hated it, but she knew it would take an act of God to change her feelings.
They were at the Buchanan's one night after a get together, and when they were about to leave, Caroline started rubbing her stomach.
"Are you ok?"
"Yeah, maybe. I don't know".
"What is it?"
Just then, a big burst of water came out from between her legs.
"Oh, I think my water broke".
"Ok, don't panic. Let's get you changed and to the hospital".
Jennifer cleaned up the floor while Patrick took her to the bedroom to get changed and get her bag.
"Can you stay with the kids?"
"Certainly".
"Thanks".
"Keep us updated".
"I'll call you in the morning, and you can bring the kids up after that, ok?"
"Ok".
Patrick and Caroline headed to the hospital, and Jennifer sat down with the kids on the couch.
"Are you staying with us all night?"
"Yeah, I am".
"Yay!"
Savanna was so excited.
Jonathan called for a cab and they told him it would be an hour.
"Can we order a pizza?"
"Guys, we just ate. We don't need to order pizza".
"We are hungry. We want pizza".
"Ok, fine. We can order a pizza. What kind do you want?"
"Cheese".
"Pepperoni".
"Ok".
She ordered them a half cheese, half veggie pizza and a large pepperoni.
"30 minutes or it's free".
"Thank you".
She and Savanna played a board game while Luke and Jonathan played a video game.
Pretty soon the pizza was there.
She got up and got her purse.
"No, I've got it".
Jonathan ran to the door and paid for the pizza.
He brought them back to the kitchen.
"Thank you".
"Sure".
She made the kids plates and they sat at the table.
Jonathan grabbed a slice and stood at the counter.
"You can sit at the table with us, you know".
"I know. I didn't want to make you uncomfortable".
"You won't".
He came and sat down next to her.
The kids were happily chatting and eating their pizza and talking about their new baby sister.
"I hope she looks like Mommy".
"I hope she looks like Daddy".
"I bet she has dark hair".
"I hope she doesn't cry a lot".
Jennifer was getting tickled by listening to them talk about a sister they haven't even met yet.
They all played a board game after they were done.
It was every man for themselves, and they were all competitive.
Savanna cried when she lost a turn, and Jonathan was more than happy when he beat Jennifer on one of his turns.
Jennifer was leaning back against the couch with Savanna in her arms fast asleep. Luke ended up winning the whole game and Jonathan helped him put it away.
After they were done, he moved to sit by Jennifer against the couch.
"Want me to take her so you can get up?"
"No, it's alright. I enjoy this".
He reached up and got a pillow for her and wedged it behind her back.
"Thanks".
"I wonder where my cab is. It's been almost three hours".
He reached over and grabbed the phone and called them.
"We sent someone to pick you up but you didn't answer the door so the driver left".
"Well you must have gone to the wrong house, because I've been waiting here all night".
He hung up the phone angrily after they told him they weren't sending another driver.
"You can spend the night here and try again in the morning".
"Are you sure you don't mind?"
"I promise. I can sleep in Savanna's bed with her, and you can have Caroline and Patrick's bed".
"Oh, that's ok. I'll take the couch in the game room".
She nodded.
She pushed the coffee table away with her feet, and he helped her up.
She carried Savanna upstairs and put her in bed.
She came back downstairs and didn't see Jonathan, so she assumed he had gone to the game room.
She locked up and cleaned up the kitchen and then turned the lights out.
She went to Caroline's bedroom and borrowed one of her nightgowns. The only one that fit her was a black lace spaghetti strap nightgown.
She climbed into bed and fell asleep.
About an hour later, Jonathan came back downstairs. He had tried to sleep on the couch in the game room but couldn't. So, he decided to try Caroline and Patrick's bed.
He stripped down to his underwear and climbed into bed.
Jennifer rolled over.
"What the hell are you doing?"
He reached up and turned the light on.
"What are you doing here? I thought you were sleeping upstairs".
"I couldn't sleep, so I decided to sleep in here. I thought you were in Savanna's bed".
"No, she's in there alone."
"Well, I will go to the couch".
"You don't have to. We can share the bed."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure."
He settled back into bed and turned the light out again.
"Do you have enough room?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. You?"
"Yeah, I'm good".
They went to sleep, on their separate sides of the bed.
Sometime around 5 a.m., the phone rang.
Jennifer sleepily answered it.
"Hello?"
"She's here. Everyone's fine. Bring the kids as soon as you can, ok?"
"Ok. See you soon".
She hung up and went back to sleep.
"Everything ok?"
"Yeah, the baby's here."
"Great".
Jonathan woke up around 7, and went to start coffee.
Savanna came downstairs and climbed in her parent's bed, and snuggled up to Jennifer.
They slept a little longer, and then got up around 8.
Jennifer made everyone pancakes and bacon.
She told them over breakfast that if they got dressed, she would take them to the hospital to see their sister.
They hurriedly ran upstairs to get dressed and she cleaned up the kitchen and got dressed too.
"Want to go to the hospital with us? I can give you a ride home after".
"Sure, thanks".
They all piled into Jennifer's car, which was a tight squeeze in her Corvette.
"Nice car, what is this, a 78?"
"77. I rebuilt it myself".
"I'm impressed".
They pulled up to the hospital and parked, and made their way to Caroline's room.
"Hi guys".
The kids climbed up in the bed and kissed their mom.
Jennifer leaned over and hugged her and then sat down on the couch.
"Ok, here she is."
The kids looked at her and gave her kisses.
"What's her name?"
"Well, you know how you are named after your daddy, and you are named after your aunt?"
The kids nodded.
"Well, she is named after someone very special".
"She is?"
"Yeah. This is Miss McKenna Paige Buchanan".
Jennifer teared up.
"I can't believe you did that".
Caroline smiled at her.
They both had tears running down their cheeks.
"Can someone fill me in?"
"Jennifer and I were roommates in college. The name of our dorm was McKenna Hall. She's named after Jennifer, in a way".
Jennifer walked over and picked the baby up and held her and kissed her.
She sat down with her and Savanna climbed up next to her.
"Hi sissy".
She leaned over and gave her a kiss on the forehead.
"That was very sweet".
"Hey guys, Aunt Abby is coming to stay with you guys tonight. Mommy and Daddy should be home from the hospital in a day or two, with McKenna."
Jennifer and Jonathan stayed a little longer, and then left.
They had a nice quiet ride into the city and then they arrived at his hotel.
"How about dinner, tonight? On me? Consider it a thank you for the ride".
"Ok, but nothing more".
They went to a little hole in the wall Mexican place.
After they were done eating, Jonathan paid the check and they walked back to his hotel.
They walked into the hotel and he walked her to her car in the parking garage.
"Thanks for dinner. I had a nice time".
"Thanks for the ride and for keeping me company at dinner".
"Sure".
"Listen, I know that we had a miscommunication the last time, and I'm sorry about that. Do you think that maybe we could go out again sometime?"
"I don't think that's wise. I think we should just be friends".
"Is there anything I can do to change your mind?"
"I don't think so".
He nodded.
He kissed her forehead.
"Have a nice evening". He walked away, hoping she couldn't see how hurt he was.
***A few weeks later***
Caroline and Patrick were settling in as a family of 5. The baby was a really laid-back, chill baby, who only cried if she was hungry or needed a diaper change. The kids were being really good and Patrick had really stepped up and was an amazing dad. Caroline was healing well and had tried breastfeeding, but McKenna didn't take to it, so they were strictly bottle feeding.
Jennifer was at work one day, at her desk when her boss called a meeting.
They all assembled in the conference room.
"I would like to announce that our own Jennifer Edwards has been nominated for the Pike award for excellence for her article on Moonrise Innovations".
Jennifer was stunned. The Pike award was so prestigious that they didn't have yearly winners. You had to be superb to get nominated and even better than that to win.
"The awards ceremony is this Friday. It's black tie, and a number of you are nominated for other awards. However, only Jennifer is nominated for the Pike".
The awards ceremony was held between all of New York's papers and magazines. It was usually a very swanky affair.
"Is it going to be at the Plaza again?"
"No, this time it's at a country club out in the suburbs. All the information is here on this flyer. Cash bar, sit down dinner, and there will be dancing and a silent auction afterwards."
Everyone congratulated her as they left, and she made her way back to her desk.
She picked up the phone to call Caroline.
"Hello?"
"Hey, it's me. How's the baby?"
"Wonderful. She's sleeping like an angel".
"Great. Listen, do you know any single guys you can fix me up with?"
"Besides Jonathan?"
"Please".
"What's this for?"
"Well, the Times and the other newspapers in the city and magazines have an awards show every year, and I'm nominated for a prestigious one this Friday night. I don't want to show up without a date, and Jonathan and I are better off as friends".
"Well, I think there might be a guy at Patrick's firm. I'll see if he will ask him. Where's the ceremony?"
"At some country club. TimberWoods Country Club".
"That's only 10 minutes from here. Why don't you come here and get ready and then your date can pick you up here?"
"Perfect!"
"Oh, McKenna's awake. I'll talk to Patrick and call you later".
"Sounds great. Thank you".
She hung up and got back to work.
Later that night, she was in her apartment when Caroline called back.
"Hey, Patrick found you a date. His name is Scott, and he's a lawyer at the firm. Patrick said he's nice, and quiet, and very handsome. He showed him your picture and Scott said he would love to be your date and take you to dinner the next night if you'd like".
"Sounds wonderful. I can't wait to meet him".
"I think you will like him. Plus, Savanna is so excited that you are going to get dressed here. She thinks that's so cool".
"It should be a fun weekend".
"Jonathan came by today and brought us the nicest gift. He gave us a fancy new video camera. I have read through the manual 4 times and I still can't tell you all that I can do with this thing. So, Friday, when you get here, you and Scott can be our guinea pigs".
"Sure, that won't make the date awkward, being on a video together as soon as we meet each other".
"Ok, you're right. We won't do that".
"Thank you".
They hung up a few minutes later, and Jennifer spent the rest of the night figuring out what she was going to wear to the event. She wanted something hot and sexy that would knock his socks off, but her boss was going to be there, so she felt she should tone it down some.
She finally decided on a short black sparkly cocktail gown with a beaded halter neckline. It had sort of an Egyptian feel to it with the neckline, but with a short gown attached.
She decided to pair it with her black Manolo Blahniks, and a sparkly black clutch that had a bow on it.
She made a hair appointment for Thursday and a facial appointment for Wednesday.
She took a long bubble bath that night, and relaxed with some wine.
She was climbing into bed when the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Baby, you miss me? I miss you?"
"Hello, Tim".
"I could come by if you'd like. We could heat things up."
"No, thank you".
"Nobody does it for me like you do, baby. I miss you".
"I'm sorry. I'm not available, Tim. Have a nice night".
"When are you available?"
"You and I are over, Tim. You know this".
"Baby, please….please give us another chance".
"You're drunk. I'm tired. Good night".
She hung up the phone and went to bed.