"What did he say?"
"Basically that the entire underside of the hood has to be rebuilt. Going to cost a lot of money".
"I'm sorry, Jonathan".
"It's ok. I don't think it was your fault, I think something malfunctioned. I was just hoping it wouldn't cost an arm and a leg to replace the burned parts, but I was wrong".
She got up and went and put their dinner in the oven, and set the timer again.
She came back to sit next to him again.
"Honey, did you talk to the lawyer?"
"Yes. He agreed to pursue it, but he said we might not win, because Abby is their blood relation and the courts usually prefer placing children with an actual relative instead of someone else".
"Well, we can at least try. And if we come away with a set in stone visitation schedule, I'll be happy with that".
"I feel the same way".
She leaned over and kissed his shoulder a few times.
"Darling, what was the first thing you noticed about me?"
"Your eyes. And your smile, it lights up the room. What was the first thing you noticed about me?"
"When you came into the room at Caroline and Patrick's on Luke's birthday, I remember thinking you were the most handsome man I had ever seen. And then the night when you and I went on the date with Caroline and Patrick, I remember being awestruck by how deep blue your eyes are."
He leaned over and kissed her.
"Did you ever think you and I would end up in love?"
"At times, yes. After the list that day, not a chance."
"Same. That was the only time I really and truly thought I had lost you, was after the list."
"I was so mad at you after the list".
"You had every right to be mad."
"And as usual, you surprised me".
"You surprised me too".
"I did? How so?"
"It was the night of the accident. We hadn't spoken a word in months, and you didn't hesitate to let me drive your car to go to the hospital. Most women are petty, but not you".
"Yeah, I've never been called petty, that's for sure".
They spent the next several minutes kissing and cuddling on the couch, till the timer went off.
Jennifer went to get the chicken out of the oven, and Jonathan followed her.
As soon as they got dinner on the table, the lights flickered.
"Must be a big storm coming in".
He grabbed his keys and went outside to put the top up on his car.
He came back in and put his keys down on the counter.
"Dark, dark storm clouds rolling in".
"Well, it's a good thing we don't have to go anywhere tonight".
"We do have one place we have to go".
"Oh? We have to go somewhere?"
"Yes, we absolutely have to go somewhere".
"Where is that?"
"To bed. Together".
"My favorite trip to take with you".
She leaned forward and kissed him and then made their plates.
He lit them some candles on the table and they had a lovely candlelight dinner.
Jennifer absolutely loved Max's primavera stuffed chicken and wild rice.
"This might be my new favorite meal".
"Glad you liked it. Max will be glad too".
They did the dishes together and then went and sat on the couch.
"Darling, we haven't told Max about our engagement. But I'm wearing an engagement ring on my finger and I have bridal magazines on the coffee table. Don't you think we should tell him since it's so obvious?"
"Yeah, that's a good idea. We can tell him tonight when he gets home".
"How do you want to tell him?"
"I don't know. Probably straight up, I suppose".
"Darling, what would you say to it being just us at the altar?"
"Why would it be just us?"
"Well, Caroline would have been my matron of honor, but now she's not. And I don't have anyone else. And I want it to be even, so it's not going to look right if you have someone on your side, but I don't have anyone on my side."
"Patrick would have been my best man".
"I want the kids to be in the wedding if Abby will still let them, if she has them. I had kind of figured on Luke pulling McKenna in a wagon, and Savanna walking beside it, I don't know".
"I like that idea. But we would need someone to pull the wagon to the side or something after they get up there".
"Yeah, that's true. And I have no idea who that would be. But darling, I cannot imagine our wedding without them in it".
"So, we will make that part of the deal with the lawyers, is that they get to be in the wedding".
She nodded.
"What kind of wedding do you want?"
"What are my options?"
"Outside, inside, night time, day time, formal, casual".
"Daytime. Semi-formal or formal, and I think we either need to get married inside and have a reception either outside or inside, or we need to get married outside and definitely have an inside reception".
"Why?"
"Darling, it's going to be August. August in LA is hot. We don't want to make our guests sweat all day".
"Oh, you're right. I haven't thought about that. Ok, so I like the idea of a daytime wedding. And I like the idea of it being semi-formal, and I think I like the idea of us getting married outside and then going inside for the reception. But I'm ok with the opposite, too. I guess it will depend on the venue".
"Darling, what about your family?"
"What about them?"
"Well, all I have is my father and my aunt. And my father is in Germany, and won't be back in the states till March."
"I see".
"We can go visit him when he gets home. I just know he will love you".
There was a large clap of thunder and then after a few flickers, the lights totally went out.
"Hmmm. What are we going to do now?"
"I can think of a few things".
He leaned over and kissed her and wound her hair around his fingers.
She moved to straddle him and he started kissing her neck.
He was moving his hand up her shirt and crushing her lips with his, when they heard the commotion.
Max was coming through the door, yelling.
"That's it! I'm done with women! They ain't good for nothing! Especially the redheads. All the redheads are rude, ugly, and don't have half a brain! As far as I'm concerned, the world would be better off without a single redhead in it!"
He barged his way into the kitchen while Jennifer got up and went upstairs.
Jonathan went to talk to Max first.
"Max, what is going on?"
"I'm sorry, Mr. H. I didn't mean to disturb you. It's just I had this date with this wonderful lady, and she turned out to be a cheap broad. She took all my money, and my dignity, and that's it. I'm done with women. Ain't no more dating for me".
"Max, I'm sorry you had a bad date. But Jennifer was sitting next to me and I think you hurt her feelings."
"Me hurt her feelings? How so?"
"She's a redhead".
"Oh geez, Mr. H. I didn't mean her at all, I swear it".
"I know that. And I'm going to go make sure she's ok. But she would probably appreciate an apology from you, later".
"You got it. Tell her I'm real sorry, Mr. H."
"I will. Are you sure you're ok?"
"Yeah. She only took me for about $300 dollars."
"Glad that was it. For what it's worth, Jennifer loved the stuffed chicken. Said it was her new favorite meal".
"Glad to hear it. Let me go apologize to her".
"Not yet. She's gonna need some time. Tomorrow, Max".
"Got it".
He headed upstairs to check on Jennifer.
She was in their room, opening the windows. She had changed into a nightgown and robe.
"Darling".
She turned to him and let him embrace her.
"He didn't mean it. He said he didn't realize you were still here, it was dark. Basically, he took a lady to the track with him and she fleeced him for $300. So, his anger was really with her, not you, and he's sorry he hurt your feelings".
"Jonathan, I don't belong here. You and him, you have your life and your things that you do, and I don't fit in".
"Nonsense. You most definitely belong here. And if you don't, then I don't either. Where you go, I go".
"I don't want to come between you and Max".
"You aren't. I told you, he was just angry with the woman he had a date with".
"Well, we certainly can't tell him we are engaged now".
"I didn't tell him. I figured we would wait a few days and then tell him. And if he figures it out before then, so be it".
"Darling, go talk to him, make sure he's ok?"
"I did talk to him. My focus is on you now".
"I am so glad I gave you a third second chance".
He started laughing.
"I'm glad you did, too".
He changed into his pajamas while she finished opening the windows.
"How about a snack?"
"Ok".
He took her hand and led her downstairs. As soon as they got downstairs, the power came back on.
Max had left them a note that he was going to an all-night poker game to recoup his losses.
Jonathan opened the fridge and found some strawberries, and some of Max's homemade chocolate chip cookies.
She pulled herself up on the counter and started nibbling on a cookie.
"Darling, what's your favorite dessert?"
"Well, there's dessert, and then there's dessert".
"The first one".
"Ice cream sundaes. Hot fudge, rainbow sprinkles, and crushed m&m's, whipped cream and a cherry".
"I see."
"One scoop of vanilla ice cream, one scoop of chocolate".
"I see".
"Why, what's yours?"
"Devil's food cake".
"Hmm".
He fed her a strawberry.
"What's your favorite ice cream?"
"Mint chocolate chip".
"I like that one too".
"What about the second kind of dessert?"
"You".
He leaned forward and kissed her.
"Promise me you believe me that you belong here?"
"I do. I just feel so…so….out of my element. I mean, I had my work. And for a while, it was work, my apartment, and seeing the kids and hanging out with Caroline. And then they got ripped away and it was all about taking care of the kids and working occasionally, and now I don't have any of that. And I'm across the country, not working, no kids, and I just don't know what to do with myself".
"Darling, I think you just need to give yourself time to get acclimated. It's ok, these aren't little changes, they are big ones".
"I just want to be where you are, but if that's not what is best for everyone-"
"If you go, I go".
"That's sweet".
"I mean it. I want a life with you, baby. Not a life without you, but a life with you. I want to experience the big things in life with you, I want to experience the little things in life with you. I want to live everyday with you, and I want to do whatever I can to make your life better".
"You are so wonderful. How did I get lucky enough to find you?"
"The same way I was lucky enough to find you".
She put her arms around his neck, and kissed him.
"Feel better?"
"Yeah".
"Want to go upstairs and make love to me?"
"Yeah".
He kissed her again and helped her off the counter.
They put the strawberries and cookies away and then he took her hand and led her upstairs.
They climbed into bed just as the rain started to fall, and made love a few times before falling asleep.
***A few weeks later***
Jonathan woke up at 7 when his alarm went off.
He rolled over and snuggled Jennifer a little tighter.
"Morning, angel".
"Morning darling".
He got up and went to take a shower while she went downstairs to make coffee.
She brought him a mug as he was getting out of the shower.
She kissed him and jumped in the shower right behind him.
After they were both dressed, they headed downstairs.
Jennifer made him scrambled eggs and bacon, and scrambled egg whites and bacon for herself.
They were sitting at the table when Max came in.
"Hey Max, how did you do?"
"Marvelous. My lucky streak is intact".
"That's great, glad to hear it".
"Can I make you two some breakfast?"
"Already taken care of, Max."
"I'm happy to make you some if you'd like".
"Oh, that's ok, Miss Edwards. I'll be fine".
He disappeared into his room and left them alone.
She walked him to the door and kissed him goodbye before he left for the office.
"I have a meeting this afternoon, so I'll be home about 6".
"I love you, have a good day".
"I love you too. The truck should be here to deliver our things".
"Where do you want to put all of them?"
"Well, we are only allowed 2 parking spots per condo. So park your cars in the visitor spots for now, and we will move them all around later tonight. I have a storage unit that we can put your Corvette in if you want".
She nodded.
"Have them put the boxes in the office upstairs or the guest room, wherever. We can deal with those later too."
"Would you mind if I put a few things out around the house, to make it feel more like us?"
"Not at all".
"I love you".
"I love you too".
She kissed him again and headed to the couch.
She had just picked up a magazine to start reading when the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Jennifer, hi. It's Abby. Are you busy?"
"Not at all. What's going on?"
"We matched in with Texas, so we are going to move there soon. At some point in the next two weeks. But I wanted to ask you, how did you deal with it when the kids were out of control and all over the place?"
"I just calmed them down as soon as I could. What are they doing?"
"Well, Savanna has a nasty ear infection, and the doctor gave her this medicine that made her act like a lunatic. And Luke has been very defiant and rude, and McKenna is in a sleep regression, and waking up every 2 hours".
"Abby, please, let us help you. We would love to take the kids and give you a break."
"Yeah, I think that's a great idea."
"Tell me where you are, and I will send you some plane tickets for all of them."
"We are in New York. I can fly with them".
"Ok, let me call the airlines and I will call you back as soon as we get you guys tickets."
"Thank you".
"You're welcome".
She hung up and called Jonathan.
"Hart Industries, how can I help you?"
"Can I speak to Jonathan Hart, please?"
"He's in a meeting, may I take a message?"
"This is Jennifer Edwards. I promise you, he'll want to speak with me".
"I will give him the message and have him call you".
"Thank you".
She hung up.
About 5 minutes later, the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hey, it's me. I'm sorry my secretary didn't put you through, I just told her that you are to always be put through no matter what".
"Oh that's ok. Listen, Abby called. She said the kids were being crazy and she needed a break. I told her we would be glad to take them and she agreed. So, I want to purchase her some plane tickets, and I want to fly out there to get them and bring them here, but I have to wait for the delivery truck".
"Ok. Let's think this out. What if we have Max wait at the house for the truck, and you and I fly to get the kids and bring them home ourselves? One person can't corral 3 kids by themselves, but with two, it's doable."
"I like that idea".
"Ok. So, I will cancel my plans the rest of the day, and come straight home. I'll call Jack, and we can take my plane, and then we don't have to buy tickets. Call Abby back and get an address, and tell her we will be there by 8 tonight".
"Perfect. I love you".
"Pack a bag just in case we have to spend the night. I love you too".
They hung up and she called Abby back.
"We will be in New York by 8 tonight, at your house to pick them up."
"Thank you".
"No problem. We are more than happy to help out".
She hung up the phone and went to find Max and fill him in.
"Jonathan said to park my two cars in the visitor spots. One is a Corvette and the other is a Ford Explorer. And the boxes can be put in the office or the dining room, I suppose. We will be back either in the wee hours or first thing tomorrow".
"Kids, Miss Edwards?"
"Yes. Luke is 8, Savanna is 5, and McKenna is 6 months old".
"I see. What kinds of stuff do they like to eat?"
"Normal kid stuff. Mac and cheese, chicken nuggets, stuff like that. And listen, Savanna is really attached to me, and Luke likes to just sit and play video games, so if they act like they are ignoring you, don't take it personally".
"Trust me, I prefer it when ankle biters ignore me".
She chuckled.
"Thanks, Max".
She kissed his cheek and ran upstairs to pack.
She was so excited she could hardly stand it.