Jonathan got home and came upstairs right away.
"Hi gorgeous".
"Hi handsome".
He kissed her a few times.
"I started a bag for you, but wasn't sure exactly what you wanted."
"It's ok. I was talking to Jack, and he thinks we should turn around and come right back, but I would rather be prepared just in case".
"I talked to Max and filled him in."
"Good, good".
He carried their bags downstairs, and took them to the car.
They said goodbye to Max, and headed to the airport.
Within an hour, they were on the plane, wheels up, flying to New York.
Jennifer made a diagram of where everyone could go in the house.
"McKenna can be in the alcove at the end of the hall, in the library. Luke can be in the TV room upstairs, and Savanna can be in the guest room".
"I like that plan".
"Good. We can figure it out as we go along, I suppose. We will need a crib, a car seat, and a Jumperoo at the house for McKenna. I guess the only things the other kids need are beds and clothes. Savanna will need a nightlight".
"We can get them whatever they need".
Jonathan got up and got a bottle of water and took his medicine for his ear infection.
He wrapped his arms around her as they flew, and she fell asleep on his shoulder.
He woke her up about a half hour before they were supposed to land.
"Have a nice nap?"
"Yea, I love sleeping in your arms".
"Me too".
They landed in New York around 7, and he had arranged for a Tahoe to be waiting for them.
They made a superfast stop at a baby store to pick up a car seat stroller combo, pack n' play and jumperoo, and then headed to the Elliott's house.
They pulled up and parked and went and knocked on the door.
"Hi, come on in. The only one awake is McKenna. Savanna and Luke fell asleep about a half hour ago. I packed all of their things and I put her medicines in a Ziploc bag. Thank you so much for doing this".
"No problem. We love them, we are happy to help out".
Jonathan installed McKenna's car seat while Jennifer talked to Abby.
She noticed they had other bags packed as well, in the living room right off the foyer.
Jonathan came back in and picked up Luke and carried him to the car and got him buckled.
Jennifer picked up Savanna and got her buckled in the car.
Jonathan picked up McKenna and got her in the car seat, and then they loaded their bags into the back of the Tahoe.
"We will be in touch, thank you".
"Thank you".
They headed out of the neighborhood and stopped to get a bite to eat to take with them on the plane.
They headed towards the airport, and found themselves behind a familiar van.
"Darling, that's Abby and Mike".
"What? Are you sure?"
"I'm positive. I saw her as the car passed us. And look at the bumper sticker, it has Easton on it and the other one has Parker".
"I wonder where they are going".
They followed them for a bit and realized they were going to the airport as well.
"You know, now that I think about it, I saw several packed suitcases in the living room".
"And didn't you tell me that she sounded frazzled this morning?"
"Yes, like she was about to have a nervous breakdown".
"Completely the opposite of what she seemed like tonight".
"I agree. I think they are up to something".
They followed them onto the airport road, and then Jonathan turned to go to the tarmac.
"It doesn't matter where they are going, what matters is where we are going. And we are going home to LA."
She nodded.
They pulled up to their plane and got out.
Jennifer went to talk to the baggage handlers.
"We have two sleeping children, so please let us get them on the plane before you load it".
"As you wish, ma'am".
Jennifer took Savanna upstairs to the plane and got her buckled into one of the seats.
She returned to the car and got McKenna out of her car seat and grabbed her diaper bag. McKenna was all smiles.
"Ok monkey, let's go".
Jonathan got Luke out of the car and took him up and got him buckled in.
"Darling, can you get my purse and my water bottle and my sunglasses?"
"Yeah, no problem".
Jennifer quickly made a bottle for McKenna so she could feed her as they took off.
He brought Jennifer's things, and his things and sat down.
"Darling, we forgot her car seat".
"No, we didn't. It's with the luggage".
Jack came into the cabin and told them they were leaving in ten minutes.
"As long as the kids are buckled and not reclined all the way, it's ok if they are reclined during take-off and landing. And I don't expect any turbulence. If everything goes well, we should land in LA around 3 a.m.".
"Thanks Jack".
"Yes, thank you Jack".
They settled back with the kids, and McKenna wanted Jonathan to hold her.
"Bahman".
He grinned and sang the Batman theme song to her and she just squealed and loved it.
She was such a happy baby, and as soon as they started taxiing, Jennifer took her and started to feed her, and she fell asleep before too long.
Jennifer and Jonathan reclined their seats, and reclined the kids seats too. They covered them with a blanket and Jonathan got one for them.
Jennifer held McKenna on her chest and they all slept for most of the flight home.
Jennifer woke up around 2:30, and found everyone still sleeping.
She laced her fingers through Jonathan's.
"Darling…wake up. We are almost home".
"Hmmm?"
"Wake up, honey. We are going to land soon".
"Right".
He got up and went to talk to Jack, who confirmed they were landing in about 10 minutes.
He came back and sat next to her and buckled up.
"Do we have a car waiting for us?"
"Yeah, Max. I told him to bring the Explorer if it got there in time, and to rent a large SUV if it didn't. I hope that's ok".
"what's mine is ours, honey. It's fine".
The plane landed, and none of the kids woke up, which Jennifer decided was a small miracle.
"Darling, can you go get her car seat, and bring it in here, so I can put her in it?"
"Certainly".
He walked downstairs as soon as the door was open, and found Max waiting with Jennifer's Explorer.
"Hi Max. Thanks for picking us up. Everyone is asleep, so we are going to be as quiet as possible."
He came back upstairs with the car seat, and Jennifer successfully transferred her to the car seat and got her buckled while Jonathan picked Luke up and took him down.
Jennifer picked up Savanna and carried her down, while Jonathan took the car seat.
Jennifer decided to just sit with Savanna in her lap on the way home, so she settled in the back next to McKenna and buckled the seatbelt around her and Savanna.
Max drove them home and Jonathan rode in the front seat, and they were home in about 20 minutes.
Jonathan helped her out of the car and went to unlock the door.
She took Savanna upstairs to the room across from theirs, and decided to let her sleep in her clothes.
Jonathan took Luke to the other guest room.
Jennifer came downstairs and sat with McKenna while Jonathan put the pack n' play together and then they got her settled into the pack n' play upstairs.
She ran downstairs and put her formula in the fridge and Savanna's medicines in the fridge and then headed upstairs with Jonathan.
They were both totally exhausted and collapsed into bed as soon as they were changed.
"Goodnight, I love you".
"I love you too".
They slept the rest of the night wrapped up together.
***The next morning***
Jennifer woke up when she heard McKenna crying, around 6:45. She went to get her and got her a bottle. She was in the kitchen feeding her a bottle when Max came in.
"Morning, Miss Edwards".
"Morning Max".
"Who do we have here?"
"This is McKenna. She's the sweetest, most laid-back baby you'll ever meet".
McKenna stared at him for the longest time, and then broke out a smile.
"Aww, she likes you".
"Of course she does. Women can't resist Max".
Jennifer chuckled.
Jonathan came downstairs and came over to kiss Jennifer.
"Morning darling".
"Morning".
"Wahblah!"
"Well hello, little monkey".
"Bahman".
He picked her up and held her.
"Want some breakfast, darling?"
"No thanks, just coffee. I have to run to the office for a quick meeting this morning, but I'll be home for lunch and for the rest of the day".
"Good".
She poured his coffee into a travel mug and took it to him. She took the baby from him and handed him his coffee and gave him some kisses.
"I love you, see you soon".
"I love you too. And I love you, you little monkey".
He gave McKenna a kiss and gave Jennifer another kiss.
She and McKenna went and sat on the couch for a bit, and Max helped her get the jumperoo set up.
McKenna's eyes got really big when she saw it, and as soon as it was ready, they put her in there. She was happy and playing for the longest time.
About an hour later, Jennifer heard footsteps, so she turned around to look at the steps.
As soon as Savanna saw her, she took off running and jumped into her lap.
"Hi lovebug, I missed you".
"I missed you too, Aunt Jeffer".
They spent about 20 minutes with Jennifer just holding Savanna and Savanna not moving.
"Did you sleep well?"
"I guess so".
Savanna sat up and looked at her.
"When did you get here? And who's house is this?"
"Well, lovebug, this is Uncle Jonathan's house. We came to get you last night, but you were already asleep. We brought you back here with us".
"You saved us! You really saved us!"
She hugged Jennifer's neck so tight.
"Lovebug, let go, baby. I can't breathe".
Savanna let go and put her head on Jennifer's chest.
"Lovebug, I want you to meet someone."
She turned her around and pointed to Max.
"This is Uncle Max. He lives here with Jonathan and I. He's kind of like Jonathan's daddy".
"Hi".
"Hi sweetheart".
"Lovebug, do you want some breakfast?"
"Yes, actually".
Jennifer chuckled.
"Ok, what would you like?"
"Panacakes".
"Well you are in luck. Because I'm Max. And I make the best pancakes you've ever tasted".
"No, you don't. Aunt Jeffer does".
Jennifer chuckled.
"How about you try mine and see?"
"Ok, but you're going to lose".
Jennifer was laughing.
"Want to go help him stir?"
"Miss Edwards, Max doesn't do kitchen help".
"I'm sorry".
"I'll be right back with your pancakes".
Savanna gave him a high-five and snuggled back against Jennifer.
"Lovebug, we need to go take your medicine."
"No! Please! I promise I'll be good, please don't make me take it!"
She started to cry really hard.
"Honey, honey, it's all right. Come on, I'll show it to you and explain it all to you".
Savanna refused to walk so Jennifer carried her to the kitchen.
She set her on the counter and got her medicines out of the fridge.
"I was talking about this one, the pink medicine".
"Oh. I like that one".
"What one did you think I was talking about?"
"Aunt Abby says I'm bad and she puts this red stuff that burns on a spoon and makes me drink it and then she won't give me any water afterwards".
"Well, that won't happen in this house. I promise".
She filled a medicine spoon with her antibiotic and handed it to her and Savanna smelled it for a moment, and then licked the edge and then took it.
Jennifer put the top back on and put it back in the fridge, and then picked Savanna up again.
"Aunt Jeffer, I really missed you."
"I really missed you too, Lovebug".
"Aunt Jeffer, do I have to sweep the floor today, or is today dishes?"
"What are you talking about?"
"My tores. Aunt Abby makes me sweep the floor and do all the dishes in the house".
"She does?"
"Yea. Except I never do them right, and she always yells at me".
"I'm sorry lovebug. You don't have to do anything like that here".
"You mean it?"
"I mean it".
Savanna gave her a huge hug then, and they went to sit down at the kitchen table.
"Lovebug, you stay here with Uncle Max, I'm going to go get McKenna, ok?"
"Ok".
She realized then she didn't have a high chair for her, so she called Jonathan.
"Hello, Hart Industries?"
"Hi, Jonathan Hart, please. This is Jennifer".
"Right away, Ma'am".
"Hello?"
"Hi darling. Can you stop and pick up a high chair for McKenna?"
"Yeah, I can do that. How are the kids?"
"McKenna is just as happy go-lucky as always. Savanna was overjoyed to see me, and she's fine. She's said a few things that are really concerning me, I'll tell you about them when you get home. She and Max kind of hit it off, they both seem very guarded".
"What do you mean?"
"Well, she's acting like she did when you upset me, and she wanted to take you out- and he is being cordial but not overly loving".
"That's Max".
"Ok, well we will see you when you get here. I love you".
"I love you too".
She hung up the phone and picked up McKenna and took her into the kitchen.
Savanna was chowing down on her pancakes.
"Are they good?"
"Yes, I like them".
"Good".
Jennifer mashed up some bananas and put them in a bowl and sat down to feed them to McKenna.
She did very well, and seemed to really enjoy them.
"Savvie, what is McKenna's favorite food?"
"I don't know. Aunt Abby only gives us cold oatmeal for breakfast".
"She does?"
"Yeah. It's not fair, because Easton and Parker get panacakes or bawlfuls, but we just get cold oatmeal".
"I see".
Jennifer was getting upset on the inside, but she was able to control it on the outside.
"Uncle Max, as soon as Jonathan comes home, I am going to put McKenna down for a nap. I can also find a movie on TV for Savanna to watch. Would you mind watching the kids while Jonathan and I take a walk?"
"Sure".
"Thank you".
"Aunt Jeffer, I want to take a walk too".
"Well lovebug, this walk needs to be just Uncle Jonathan and me. But what if we all take a walk later today?"
She nodded.
After Savanna was finished with her pancakes, and McKenna was finished with her bananas, Jennifer took them both upstairs to give them baths.
Luke was just coming downstairs.
"Hi Aunt Jennifer!"
He ran to her and gave her a huge hug.
"Hi sweetheart. I missed you".
"I missed you so much, you have no idea how much".
"Listen, I want to introduce you to someone, ok? Come with me".
She took them all back to the kitchen.
"Luke, this is Uncle Max. He's like Uncle Jonathan's daddy. He takes care of us."
"Hi, nice to meet you". Luke stuck his hand out to shake hands.
"Hi ya kid. Nice to meet you".
"Luke, I'm going to take your sisters upstairs to give them a bath. Uncle Max will make you breakfast, ok?"
"Ok".
He gave her another hug.
"I'm so glad we are with you".
"I'm glad too".
"Max, whatever he wants, ok?"
"You got it, Miss Edwards".
"Aunt Jennifer, where is Uncle Jonathan?"
"He went to the office. He will be home in about an hour or so".
"Yay".
She took the girls upstairs and took them into the master bathroom and got her shampoo and conditioner and a couple towels.
"Ok, let's go to the one that has a bathtub".
They went to the guest bathroom, and she ran them a bath and put bubbles in it, just for fun.
She stripped McKenna down, and put her in the tub first.
She stripped Savanna down, and put her in the bathtub.
"Ok, now I'm going to wash your hair, ok?"
"Ok".
"Turn around".
Savanna turned around and Jennifer let out a gasp.