"Would you care to explain your position on that?"
"Darling, I've known Luke and Savanna since they were babies. I've spent a lot of time with them, and they are great kids. Obviously, I've been around since McKenna was born too, and she's a wonderful baby. She's a way easier baby than the other two were. And I couldn't take care of them as well by myself, and I'm so grateful that you are helping me take care of them. But I want time with you, just us. You and I aren't ever going to have kids that are just like Luke and Savanna and McKenna, and having kids wasn't ever that high on my list anyways. If it happens for me and you, then wonderful. But if it doesn't, I'm fine with that too, and right now, I just want to spend time with you, not planning for it. I had almost a front row seat with Caroline and Patrick when they were trying for Luke. It wasn't pleasant, and that's not what I want for us".
"What do you mean it wasn't pleasant?"
"She was constantly taking her temperature and testing to see if she was ovulating, and they could only have sex certain days of the month, and they were planning their lives around getting pregnant. And the worst part was, every month when they weren't pregnant, it killed her. She was devastated and took on a lot of self-blame over that".
"He never told me that part".
"What about you? Do you want kids right away or do you want to just spend time with us together?"
"I want whatever you want. I guess in a perfect world, we would have some time together before we welcomed a child, if we ever do".
She nodded.
"Where did you get to be so good with kids?"
"In college, I worked in a daycare. And I've been around Luke and Savanna since they were babies, and kind of learned them. Savanna is very routine-y. She likes things the way she likes them, and that includes who she wants to do them with and who she wants to do things for her. You just kind of learn how she likes things as you go along with her".
"I love how she thinks she's your bodyguard".
"Yeah, me too. She's very protective of her Aunt Jeffer, and used to be, if I was in the room and someone tried to take her from me, she would bite them. We had to work really hard at getting her to stop that".
"She would bite them?"
"Yeah, she would. She did not want to share her Aunt Jeffer".
"How did you get her to stop?"
"I told her I was going to come over one day and only let Luke sit in my lap and be my special helper and I was only going to sing songs to Luke and not her, if she didn't knock it off. And I also started putting her down or getting her out of my lap when she bit someone".
"You are so good with her".
"I know. I'm worried that Abby and Mike won't be able to handle her as well".
"Well, we can offer them all the help we can, but they are the ones who Caroline and Patrick designated to care for them full time as soon as they are able".
"I know".
They decided to go to dinner then, and got up and got ready.
"There's a sushi place we can go to, or a seafood place. You pick".
"Seafood".
After a nice dinner, they took a walk on the beach, but it was a little chilly so they didn't walk as far.
They came back to the room and had a low-key evening watching tv and being together.
He ordered them a dessert cart, with champagne. They took turns feeding each other strawberries and chocolate wafers.
"Ok, let's play the question game. What's your favorite food?"
"Well, that depends. If Max is cooking, it's his stuffed chicken. He makes the best primavera stuffed chicken, hands down. If it's you cooking, I love it when you make the dip with the French fries, and the spaghetti you made that night was amazing".
"Thank you. The secret is in the sauce".
"The sauce?"
"Mmmhmm. Well, really the meat. You season the meat with garlic powder and use fresh garlic in the sauce".
"What about you, what's your favorite food?"
"Hmmm. My favorite meal would be ravioli lasagna. And my favorite dessert is Devil's Food cake."
"Is there anything you don't like?"
"Oh yes. I am not a fan of cooked corn. Blech. And I refuse to eat veal, out of principle. What about you, what do you not like?"
"I don't like too many cooked vegetables. I'm a meat and potatoes man. After I left the orphanage, I swore on my life I would never eat peas again, and for the most part, I haven't."
He was quiet for a minute.
"What's your favorite color?"
"Aqua. What about you?"
"Green".
"When's your birthday?"
"February 10. You?"
"November 2".
"November 2, wait-wasn't that the day that you found out you weren't moving to Chicago?"
"Yep".
He leaned over and kissed her.
"I wish you had said something".
"It's ok."
"Jennifer, it's not ok".
"What was I going to do? Tell you it was my birthday in between telling you to go to hell? That wouldn't have solved anything. I typically spend that day alone, anyways".
"Why?"
"My mom passed away on my birthday when I was 13".
"I understand".
"What's your favorite thing to do?"
"I love to be outside. Whether it's a walk in the neighborhood, or through a park, or a hike in the canyons, I really enjoy being active and outside. And I promised myself that in the New Year, I'm going to get back into Pilates."
"What is that?"
"It's exercise, with stretching. What's your favorite thing to do?"
"Max and I like to take in Laker's games and Dodger's games together. I like fishing, I like sailing."
"But what do you love?"
"You. I love spending time with you, whatever that looks like".
"Aww". She leaned over and kissed him.
"So, if you could plan a perfect date night with me, what would you plan?"
"Hmm. I would plan for us to go to dinner somewhere, a place that's intimate and romantic. And we would go dancing, and we would end the tonight together, snuggled up in bed. What about you?"
"Well, for starters, I would bring you the most gorgeous bouquet of flowers you ever saw. And I would take you to eat dinner somewhere, but it would be somewhere creative. And you and I could go dancing, or we could go strolling on a beach or through a park somewhere afterwards, and then when we got home, I would give you a back rub and hold you all night long".
She leaned over and kissed him and snuggled up to his chest.
They finished their dessert and he rolled the cart into the hallway.
He came back and joined her in bed.
They watched Tv for a bit and she fell asleep on his shoulder. He kissed her a few times and then wrapped his arms around her and fell asleep.
***The next day***
They woke up early and decided to head to the pool again, since the sun was out.
Jennifer had chosen a soft purple bikini with a blue and green paisley pattern. It was push-up, not that she needed it. She opted for a Bloody Mary from the swim-up bar.
Jonathan wanted one too, so she went to get them.
She was at the bar and looked over to see the blonde from two days ago sitting and talking to him again.
She brought the bloody Mary's to their chairs and sat down.
The blonde shot her a glance and then left, blowing him a kiss.
She started putting on lotion and then she laid out on her stomach.
He reached over and rubbed some lotion on her back for her.
"Thank you. Hope your blonde friend is watching".
"The only blonde friend I have is a 5- year old named Savanna who probably wouldn't consider me to be her friend if you are in the room".
Jennifer chuckled.
"Yeah, probably not".
She sat up and rubbed some lotion in for him.
"Do you want to try the sushi place tonight?"
"Actually, I arranged for a little surprise for us tonight".
"Oh? When do I get to find out what it is?"
"When we get there".
They laid out for a few hours and then went and had lunch at the pool bar. He reserved them a private cabana for the afternoon.
Around 3, they went for a walk on the beach, and walked a long way. They came upon this little inlet type area that had a short cliff very close to the shore. There was a tree there, that hung out over the water, and a swing where you could swing out over the water. Jonathan hopped up on the swing and Jennifer climbed up in his lap. She held on to him while he swung them.
He leaned back when they went backwards and she leaned back when they went forwards.
He nuzzled her neck every time she leaned back, and she kissed him every time she leaned forward.
They stayed out there a while, and then headed a little farther north.
There was a hammock around the next little bend, that was also over the water.
They walked back to the hotel hand in hand, and went inside and got ready for dinner.
"Darling, what is the attire for dinner?"
"Your swim suit and a cover up will be just fine".
She kissed him and headed for the shower.
She was just about to get out when Jonathan stepped in behind her.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and started kissing her neck.
"Darling, we're going to be late".
"I promise you, it's fine".
She turned around and put her arms around his neck and kissed him as the water washed over them.
"Darling, you planned all these wonderful surprises for me. Let me give you one".
"What did you have in mind?"
She kissed him and then trailed her kisses down his chest as she got on her knees.
She gave him the most memorable shower he had ever taken in his life.
About an hour later, they were walking through the lobby hand in hand.
He led her to the docks, and onto a boat.
He had rented them a catamaran.
"We are sailing on this catamaran and having a private dinner out on the water".
"I love that".
She kissed him and he helped her onto the boat.
A few minutes later, they were on their way.
Their boat had a small covered slip where the navigation part of the boat was, and the rest of it was a flat, thick net like material.
The hotel had packed their dinner in a picnic basket and secured it under the steering wheel.
Jennifer stood next to him with her arms on his shoulders as he drove them out to sea, and then as soon as they were out of view of the hotel, he let her drive. She stepped in front of him and leaned back against him as she took the wheel.
They found a nice place to anchor, and laid down a blanket and got out the picnic basket.
"Looks like we have chicken sandwiches, and sliced fruit, and water bottles and a bottle of wine".
"Perfect".
The boat was steady enough that they were able to eat without too many waves.
"How deep is it where we are?"
"Depth meter says 35 ft".
"Darn".
"What is it?"
"I was going to see if you wanted to take a swim".
"I'm not sure we should. We don't really know what creatures are out here".
"Good point".
After they were finished eating, they sat there a few minutes just enjoying the view.
"Darling, do you realize that we have almost been together a month?"
"Seems like longer".
"Yeah it does. Probably because we have been living together with the kids longer than we have been a couple".
"Yeah, I guess so. I don't really count those first few days as us living together. More like existing and just getting through".
"Same here. I was so hoping that you and I would be able to get along while we took care of the kids. I was pretty scared that you were going to insist on doing it alone".
"Are you kidding? I could never do that alone. The two older ones, maybe. But not getting up with McKenna all hours of the night plus being awake for the other two."
"I couldn't have done it without you, either. Savanna would have locked me out of the house the first day".
Jennifer chuckled. "She's not a gangster".
"Darling, let me put it to you this way. If you and I were to break up, and I was to break your heart, under normal circumstances I would be nervous to see your father or deal with your friends. Nervous for the dressing down I would get and more than likely deserve. But in this situation, I'm scared of the 5-year old. She will beat me up if I break your heart, no doubt".
"What can I say, the kid loves her Aunt Jeffer."
"I can see why".
He kissed her tenderly, as a gentle breeze gently rocked the boat.
"So, tell me. What's your life in California like?"
"Well, Max and I have a townhouse. He has the downstairs, I have the upstairs. He likes to play poker, and he and I have a monthly poker game with some friends. Aside from that, I'm usually at the office, or at a game with him, or at a work thing".
"So, when the kids are solely in their aunt and uncle's care, are you planning on going back to California?"
"If you'll go with me".
"You want me to move to California with you?"
"I do. I think you and I have something incredibly rare, baby. I don't want to give that up. I don't make a lot of promises in life, mostly because as a kid, I learned early on that promises aren't usually kept. But I want to promise you something".
"What's that?"
"That I'll never ever abandon you, or make you feel like I don't love you. That night that you and I spent in London, that was one of the best nights I've ever spent with anyone, anywhere. And yes, I did leave you a note the next day. But I ghosted you, too. When you didn't call me, I should have called you. My stupid pride got in the way and I will forever regret that I didn't wake you up and tell you I was leaving, or call you to explain. I swore to myself that if I could have another chance with you, I would do it right and I wouldn't let anything come between us ever again. I love you, I'm not about to move back to California without you. And if you can't go, then I will only be in California the bare minimum amount of time that I have to, and I'll be wherever you are the rest of the time".
"You would do that for me? I'm touched, I don't know what to say. You don't have to always fly out to see me, though. I can fly out to see you some. I love you too, honey. We can take turns".
"As long as we are together, I'll be happy. As long as you are happy, I'll be happy".
They spent about half an hour kissing and holding each other, and then decided to drive back to the hotel.
He let her drive the boat for a little bit and then took the wheel when they got close to the dock.
They walked hand in hand back to their room after they docked.
They were in the elevator when Jonathan started rubbing his neck.
"Can I have some more of that headache medicine?"
"Absolutely".
As soon as they got in the room, she gave him the medicine and a fresh water bottle.
They went and sat on the terrace and watched the moon for a little bit. She gave him a nice shoulder rub trying to get his headache to go away.
"Darling, I'm almost 10 years older than you. Do you think anyone in your life is going to have an issue with that?"
"If they do, it's their issue, not mine. I don't have an issue with it. Do you have an issue with me being younger than you?"
"No, I don't."
"Good".
She kissed him and rested her head on his shoulder.
"Tomorrow is our last day here, what do you want to do?"
"Well, I researched Aruba before I made the reservations. There isn't much sightseeing to do, but we can take an ATV tour in the morning if you want."
"That sounds fun".
"I will call and book it in a few minutes".
"Darling, does your company have a New Year's Eve party?"
"No, we usually don't. I've thought about us having one, but it's just never materialized".
"The kids will be back on New Year's Eve, we could get a sitter if you want to go somewhere".
"Honestly, I would rather spend the evening at home with you and the kiddos".
They went inside then, and changed into their pajamas.
Jonathan's headache returned with a vengeance, so he took a sleeping pill and wrapped his arms around her. 10 minutes later, he was fast asleep and Jennifer was too.
***The next morning***
After a lovely breakfast in the restaurant downstairs, they set out on their ATV tour. They ended up at the cliff overlooking the hammock.
Jennifer had worn a shimmery white bikini under her athletic shorts and tank top, and Jonathan had worn his swimsuit and a tank top.
They walked down to the hammock, and climbed in. She nestled down into his shoulder and they let the wind blow them while they swayed over the ocean.
"What are you thinking about, darling?"
"Well, just that I was the unluckiest kid in the whole world who somehow grew up to be the luckiest guy in the whole world".
"Oh, how do you figure?"
"Well, I was unlucky because nobody wanted me. And I'm lucky because now I have you, the most beautiful woman on the planet in my arms".
He leaned over and kissed her with an intensity that neither of them had ever felt before. She matched the passion with an intensity of her own. He started running his hands up and down her body as he kissed her.
"Darling…someone might see us".
"I highly doubt they will".
"Darling…"
"And if they do, so what? It's not like we will ever see them again".
"Jonathan, I don't want anyone seeing us being intimate. You're one of the most eligible bachelors, do you want the press reporting that you were having sex in public on vacation?"
"Darling, I promise you. Nobody is going to be here to see us".
He started kissing her neck and sucked on that one spot that she loved.
He reached down and untied the strings on her bikini bottoms. She was untying his board shorts and reached down and squeezed his butt.
"I love it when you do that".
She squeezed him again.
He ran his fingers under the triangles of her bikini top, bringing her nipples to life.
They shared a few more sensual kisses and then he plunged inside her, holding her in his arms as he sank himself inside of her over and over. She was uninhibited, passionate, and free. She let him know exactly how much she was enjoying him. He tried to hold back, but couldn't, and filled her a lot quicker than he intended. A powerful orgasm washed over both of them, as they lay there curled up together in the hammock.
He climbed out of the hammock, and waded out into the ocean to adjust himself and retie his board shorts. She lay in the hammock retying her bikini bottoms. She eventually waded out to swim with him, and then after a few moments in the water, they got back on the ATV and headed back to the resort.
There was a little souvenir stand on the side of the road, and they stopped for a little bit. They got back to the hotel and returned the ATV. Jennifer decided she wanted to shop in the gift shop, so they headed in there. They bought Savanna the most adorable little dress, and a handmade doll. They found Luke an authentic handmade toy from one of the villages, and a t-shirt. McKenna got a cute little dress. She also got a picture frame that said "Aruba" and a Christmas ornament that depicted an aerial view of Aruba and had the year on it.
Jonathan paid for everything, including a couple shot glasses that said Aruba and a disposable camera.
He took his hand in hers and they walked out towards the sand.
"Darling, we have to pack and get ready to go".
"I know. I just want to get some pictures of us, that's all".
They took several shots of them kissing with the ocean in the background. They took a couple shots with him giving her a piggyback ride, and then they had a passerby take a few photos of them as well.
After showering and packing, they arrived back at the airport at 5.
They boarded the plane and got settled.
She took his hands in hers and looked deep into his eyes.
"Thank you darling, for the most wonderful trip ever".
She leaned over and kissed him.
"The first of many, darling".
Jack boarded the plane and stepped into the cockpit.
"Jonathan, Jennifer. Where are we headed now?"
"Home, to our family".