"I say sure, let's call them and ask them. Worst they can say is no".
She leaned over and kissed him.
"I'm so glad you are on board. I just miss the days of us watching them and having them all around us".
"Yeah, I miss it too, sometimes".
He looked at her quizzically.
"Does this mean you are thinking about us having kids?"
"No. I'm not thinking about it, but I suppose if it happens, I wouldn't be opposed to it."
"We haven't exactly been preventing it".
"Yeah, we haven't. But, I promise you, I'm not pregnant".
She was quiet for a few minutes and then looked at him again.
"Are you wanting us to have kids right away?"
"I want whatever you want. If you want to have kids, I'm on board. If you don't, that's ok too. I don't miss the sleepless nights of waking up with McKenna, but I sure do miss the little monkey."
"Yeah, me too".
He flipped the chicken, and then sat down with her again.
"If we do have kids, we would have to give up certain things, but we would gain certain things too. If we didn't, we wouldn't have to give up anything, but we would miss out on things as well".
"I agree. Honey, why did we…stop preventing it?"
"I don't know, really. Just seemed like it wasn't a big deal to either of us. I wasn't trying to get you pregnant on purpose or anything".
"Oh honey, I know that. If I get pregnant, it's ok. If I don't, it's ok. Either way, I'm fine. I swear it".
He leaned over and kissed her.
"I adore you".
She kissed him again, and then they took the chicken inside.
After a nice dinner, they put on their pajamas and came back downstairs to watch TV.
"Honey, can you meet me somewhere tomorrow afternoon?"
"Sure. I can get away around 3:30".
"Perfect."
"Where am I meeting you?"
"We need to pick out wedding bands. And then I was thinking we could pick up a few things to use to make our wedding toss."
"Sure. Why don't you have Max bring you to the office around 3:15?"
She nodded.
Halfway through their movie, he kissed the back of her hand.
"Popcorn?"
"Nope. I have something better. I'll go get it, you stay right here".
She kissed him and then disappeared into the kitchen.
She came back a few minutes later with a basket of waffle fries, and some of the loaded baked potato dip.
"Oh, baby. You read my mind".
She fed him some of the dip on a waffle fry, and sat there with him while he ate the rest.
"Thank you, baby".
"You're welcome". She snuggled up against him and covered them with a blanket.
She ended up falling asleep on him. He woke her up after the movie was over, and they went upstairs to bed.
He wrapped his arms around her and held her all night long.
"Goodnight honey, I love you".
"Goodnight Angel, I love you too".
***Tuesday***
Jennifer had Max drop her off at the office at 3:15. She found Jonathan in his office, on the phone.
"Send me those reports by Thursday, please. No, I cannot wait till next week. This deal is going to fall through if we don't do it this week….No, I will not wait till Monday. I said Thursday and that's final!"
He slammed the phone down and turned to her.
"Hi darling".
"Hi. Are you ok?"
"I'm fine, I'm just frustrated".
She kissed him and rubbed her hand on his chest for a minute.
"Anything I can do?"
"You're doing it."
He kissed her back.
"Ok, let's go."
He grabbed her hand and led her to the elevator.
They got in the car and headed to the jewelry store.
He pulled them up to Neil Lane, and parked.
They went inside and started looking around. She was pretty certain she wanted a diamond band, but Jonathan had no idea what he wanted.
They looked at several, and finally picked one. It was titanium, and had a polished finish and a step-down edge.
Jennifer told Jonathan what her top 3 were, and that she wanted to be surprised. He could pick from a curved diamond band, a straight diamond band, and a set of two diamond bands. She walked over to the register and paid for his ring while he picked hers.
They both wanted their rings to be engraved, so the salesperson told them they would be ready next Tuesday.
"Perfect, thank you".
He handed her the keys, and she went to the car to wait while he paid for her ring.
After they finished there, they headed to the specialty store to pick up the things that Jennifer had ordered.
They were home within an hour, and Jennifer made Jonathan a martini as soon as they walked in.
He took it from her and sat on the couch.
Max was making them dinner.
She made herself a drink and came and sat next to him.
"Honey, do you want to write your own vows at our wedding, or do you want us to do traditional ones?"
"I want us to write our own".
"Yay, me too".
"What are you doing tomorrow?"
"Well, I'm going to buckle down and finish my article. That way I don't have to worry about it during the wedding and honeymoon".
"What's it about?"
"It's spotlighting an accounting firm-AllStar Accounting. It used to be run by 4 guys, who all stole money from their clients. As soon as they were charged with embezzlement, their wives took over the firm, and they are making it more prosperous than it ever was. The clients have all been paid back, and new ones are knocking down the door to work with them".
"I remember that. I almost bought their company a few times".
"You did?"
"Yeah, I did. I'm glad I didn't though, because of the embezzlement".
"No matter what is going on with the company, I will always have complete faith in you, darling".
She leaned over and kissed him a few times.
"Dinner's ready!"
They stood up and went to the kitchen to eat.
After a nice dinner, they went upstairs to watch a movie. She tried to get him to relax, but it was no use. He was stressed to the max.
She fell asleep on his chest before the movie ended. He didn't have the heart to wake her, so he just turned the light out and laid there in the dark with her, thinking things through.
***Friday***
Things at the office weren't any better for Jonathan. He had finally gotten the report he wanted, but he didn't like what was in it.
Jennifer was at home packing them both an overnight bag.
She heard him come in, slamming the door behind him.
"Hi darling".
"Hi."
She went to him and kissed him.
"I'm almost done packing our bags".
"Fine".
He went to his closet to change clothes, and she kept packing.
About 20 minutes later, they were headed to the airport.
He didn't say anything to her the whole way there.
He pulled up and parked, and started to get out of the car.
"Darling, don't be like this. I don't want us to leave each other angry".
"I'm not angry at you. It's just that things at the office are very hectic right now, and this trip couldn't have come at a worse time."
"Well, do you want to cancel it? I'll cancel mine too and stay with you".
"No, don't do that. It will all work itself out".
He leaned over and kissed her and then they got out of the car.
Jack wasn't there yet, so they had a few minutes to wait.
He hugged her for a few minutes.
"I'm sorry, darling. I shouldn't have taken my work issues out on you. Thank you for packing my bag".
"Jonathan, I hate to see you like this. Let me help".
"There's nothing you can do. I put in a bid to buy a company and I'm finding out that the company has been misrepresenting themselves and their assets. And I'm too far into the deal to pull out, but if I go through with it, I could lose more than I'm spending on the company."
She didn't know what to say, she just held him and kissed him.
Just as he was about to get in the car and call Jack, he heard his car phone ringing.
He ran to answer it.
"Hello? Hi Stanley…..you will? Thank you, Stanley, I owe you one."
He hung up and turned to her again.
"Stanley is going to work all weekend to figure out a solution".
"That's very kind of him".
"I completely agree".
Jack got there a few minutes later and so did Susan.
Jennifer was confused.
"Wait, we are all on the same plane?"
"Yeah, I figured it would just be easier this way. So, I called Jonathan's office, got his secretary to give me Jack's number and we coordinated."
"So, where are we going?"
"As soon as the guests arrive, we will spill the beans".
They boarded the plane and sat down.
Jennifer snuggled up to Jonathan.
One by one the guests arrived.
Max, the members of Jonathan's poker club, and Kelly, Marlene and Myra all came on board.
Jennifer's face lit up.
"Ok, so the gang's all here, where are we headed?"
"Vegas. We reserved some suites at Mandalay Bay. We are having dinner together tonight, then going to the club. Then tomorrow, the ladies are having a spa day, the men are golfing, and then tomorrow night, we are each having our own party. And we are coming home Sunday".
They popped some champagne and toasted to Jonathan and Jennifer.
He gave her a few sweet kisses.
About an hour later, they landed in Vegas. They all took cabs to the hotel.
Jennifer and Jonathan checked into their room, and got settled. She changed into a strapless black lace dress that hugged her in all the right places. She paired it with black stiletto pumps. He put on a black button down shirt and some khaki pants.
"You look sensational, darling".
He dipped her and kissed her.
They walked hand in hand to the lobby to meet everyone for dinner.
Susan had made them reservations at Stripsteak, a new steak house.
They had a very lovely dinner, and then went back upstairs.
They all agreed to meet in Jonathan and Jennifer's suite in half an hour.
Jennifer put some flats in her purse just in case her feet hurt later.
"Honey, I-"
There was a knock at the door.
He let them in, and they came in with confetti and a sash that said "Bride to be" for Jennifer, and a crown for her to wear, and some champagne.
"Ok boys, time to go. We will see you guys later".
"Have fun, honey".
"I love you, have a good time".
"I love you, too".
He gave her a few kisses and then Jack and Max dragged him away.
"Ok, now we have some gifts to give you, and some wine to drink".
They all poured a glass of wine and then gave Jennifer some gifts.
"Ok, don't get mad. But I called Jonathan, and had him tell me your sizes. It was only so we could get you these".
She opened the presents to find they had all bought her some scandalous lingerie.
"Jonathan isn't going to want to take his hands off you".
"That's what I'm counting on".
Myra passed around some treats that she had made.
"Myra, these are all shaped like penises".
"Yes, that they are. I used a mold. And we have penis straws and a light up penis necklace".
"And we have one more thing that will be arriving in about 10 minutes".
They started asking her questions about her and Jonathan and just chatting in general, and then there was a knock at the door.
Susan opened it, and in walked a plumber.
"I'm here to fix your leak, ma'am".
He set down his bag, turned on a stereo, and ripped his clothes off.
He gave Jennifer a lap dance that made her blush and then they all danced with him for an hour or so, and then he put his clothes back on and left.
They headed downstairs to the nightclub and they made her wear the sash and the crown. She drew the line at the necklace.
After about 4 hours of dancing and drinking, they headed back to their rooms and agreed to meet at 9 a.m. the next morning.
Jennifer was pretty tipsy, and fell into bed without even changing clothes.
Jonathan stumbled in around 3, and pretty much did the same thing.
***Next morning***
Neither of them felt like talking when they woke up on Saturday.
They shared a bottle of Advil, and he ordered them some coffee.
Susan came by around 9 to tell her that they had moved the spa appointments to 1.
"We made brunch reservations for all of us for 11:30. We are meeting in the lobby by the elevator".
"Perfect, I will meet you downstairs".
After a shower, she felt light years better, and almost human.
He was sitting on the loveseat when she got out of the shower.
She came and sat on his lap.
"Darling, did you have fun last night?"
"I think so. Did you?"
"Yes, I did. But I missed you".
She leaned forward and kissed him.
"These chocolate peanut butter things are good. But they sure are shaped weird".
She smirked as he studied them and realized what they were shaped like.
"Where did you get these?"
"Myra made them".
His eyes grew to about 3 times their size.
"Myra? Our Myra?"
"Yes. And they all bought me some special things to wear for you on our honeymoon".
"I have to wait till then?"
"Yes, you do".
"What else did you get?"
"A jar full of condoms, a light up penis necklace, and some penis-shaped straws. What did you get?"
"Boobie straws, a few gag gifts, and a nice bottle of scotch."
"What were the gag gifts?"
"One of them was a man thong for me to wear on our wedding night. Trust me, it ain't happening".
She was laughing and buried her head in his shoulder.
"It was very awkward, I mean Max was there. He's like my dad".
That made her laugh even harder.
"Will you put it on for me, just once?"
"We'll talk".
He kissed her a few times, and then they got up and headed to the lobby.
After a very low-key lunch, the men headed to play golf while the women headed to the spa.
She kissed him a few times before they left.
"I love you, Mr. Hart".
"I love you, too Miss Edwards".
The ladies spent the afternoon getting facials, body wraps, massages, body scrubs, and manis/pedis.
Jennifer and Susan were the first in the pedicure chairs.
"Susan, I wanted to ask you-I booked a hotel room for Friday night, before the wedding. Would you mind staying with me?"
"Sure. But why don't you cancel that and just stay at my house? I live very close to the Sablewood, probably closer than the hotel is".
"Yes, I love that. I will do that as soon as we get home. Thank you".
Jennifer chose a French manicure and pedicure and had them put rhinestones on her toes.
"What are we doing tonight?"
"We are taking you on a scavenger hunt up and down the strip".
"Oh my goodness, that sounds interesting. Jonathan found the tray of chocolate penises this morning, if only you could have seen his face".
"I bet that was funny."
"This trip has been so good for him. He was so stressed about work, and now he's relaxed and happy".
"You two are so cute together. You guys have this magic-everyone else can see it, and I mean really see it-it's very visible. You two are perfect for each other".
"We fought so hard to be together, it feels like we've been together forever".
Everyone else came and joined them, and they all walked back upstairs together.
"Ok, we have about an hour before the men get back. When they do, we will make dinner reservations, and call you".
"Great".
She headed to her room and reapplied her makeup and fixed her hair.
She was dozing on the bed when Jonathan got back.
He laid down next to her and wrapped his arms around her.
He started kissing her face.
"Hi".
"Hi. Have a good day?"
"Mmmmhmmm".
She sleepily moved to put her head on his chest.
"How was golf?"
"Hot. I'm all sweaty. I need a shower".
He gave her a few more kisses and then headed to the shower.
She got up and curled her hair some.
Susan called and told them they were going to a noodle place for dinner in a half hour.
"Great, we will meet you by the elevator".
She put on a dark blue spaghetti strap halter dress with a strappy back, and some black strappy sandals.
"Honey do you know what you guys are doing tonight?"
"They are taking me to a club. That's all I know".
"I see".
"What are you ladies doing?"
"Susan said something about a scavenger hunt up and down the strip".
"That sounds fun".
"Yeah. But honestly, I'm ready for us to be married and just focusing on each other".
"Me too, baby."
They headed downstairs to the lobby and met everyone for dinner.
They decided to each order a large noodle bowl and split it.
After dinner, while they were waiting for the check, Susan gave Jennifer her scavenger hunt list.
"Oh my. I cannot do some of these things, I'll get arrested!"
"Jennifer, honey, this is Vegas. It takes a lot to get arrested".
Susan paid the tab and they all got up from the table.
As they were walking to the door, Jennifer reached over and pinched Jonathan's butt.
"Whoa! What are you doing?"
"Honey, it's on the list".
"I see."
She kissed him and hugged him for a minute.
"At least it was you and not a stranger".
"Valid point. I love you, have fun".
"I love you too, have fun".
She and the ladies went up and down the strip and Jennifer knocked all the items off her list.
They were all hanging out in Jennifer's room around midnight, when Jonathan came in.
"Hi, have fun?"
"Yeah, we did. Did you?"
"Yeah".
"Ok ladies, let's give the soon to be newlyweds some time alone. We will meet you guys for brunch tomorrow by the elevator at 11:30."
"Great, see you then".
Jennifer changed into her nightgown and climbed into bed.
Jonathan changed into his pajama pants and climbed in next to her.
"So, what kinds of things did you do tonight?"
"I had to make a veil out of toilet paper and wear it. I had to ask a stranger to propose to me. I had to ask a stranger to serenade me. I had to convince a stranger to give me a condom. I had to drink a shot called a blowjob, and I had to dance on a bar".
"You did all that?"
"Mmmmhmmm. But honey, I didn't really love it. I felt so out of place".
"I would have too. What did the blowjob shot taste like?"
"It was baileys, kahlua, amaretto, and whipped cream on top. They put it in a glass and Susan held my hands behind my back while I drank it".
"Sounds interesting".
"I really have enjoyed this, but I just feel like I'm in a weird spot. Like, on one hand, it's been liberating and fun. On the other, I feel so out of my element because it's things I would never, ever do. But there's something titillating about knowing I don't ever have to do these again".
"Yeah, I know what you mean. They took me to a strip club tonight. And it's not like I've never been to one before, I mean, I was a regular patron back in my Navy days. But tonight, the only set of boobs I wanted to see was yours".
"How sweet".
She leaned up and kissed him a few times.
"I love you. Next time I come to Sin City, I only want to sin with you".
"It's a deal".
He reached up and turned out the light.
They made love and then fell asleep together, both of them content to never have a bachelor or bachelorette party again.