Jennifer took off running to her.
"What is it, lovebug?"
"I…smashed….my…..finger….in the…drawer".
"Oh, I'm sorry. Come on, let's get you some ice. It's ok".
She picked her up and carried her to the kitchen. She ran her hand under cold water while Jonathan made her an ice pack.
After a few minutes, she calmed down. She let Jennifer sit her on the countertop while she bathed McKenna.
Jonathan went and got pajamas for both of them, and a fresh diaper for McKenna.
He made her a bottle while Jennifer gave her a bath and then they all dried off and went to the living room.
Jennifer got the kids settled on the couch, and then she and Jonathan went upstairs and got their pajamas on.
They went back downstairs and snuggled with the kids for the movie. McKenna fell asleep on Jonathan's shoulder, and Savanna fell asleep in Jennifer's lap.
They got everyone upstairs in bed, and then finally went to bed themselves.
He wrapped his arms around her and she settled into the crook of his arm.
"I love you, baby".
"I love you too".
"Two days, darling".
"Two days".
"Do you still want three kids?"
"Not all at once".
They were both so tired, they fell asleep before they could make love.
***Friday***
Jennifer was up early, making breakfast for everyone. Cinnamon roll waffles, and sliced fruit for the win.
McKenna got up first, so Jennifer mashed some bananas for Jonathan to feed to her, and made her a bottle.
After breakfast was made, they were waiting on the kids to wake up.
"Honey, Savanna and I are meeting Susan at The Bistro at 11:30. We should be done by 1. We are going to take the favors and the wedding toss stuff by Sablewood, and then we are going to run get our toes done. We should be home by 4. There's chicken nuggets and french fries in the freezer for lunch, if Luke wants."
"Sounds good".
"We have to be ready to walk out the door tonight by 5:15. Rehearsal is at 5:45 and then dinner is right afterwards.".
"What time is your father getting here?"
"His flight lands at 3, and he's meeting us at the rehearsal".
She was wringing her hands and sweating.
"Jennifer, honey. It's ok. It will all come together, I promise".
Savanna and Luke came downstairs then, and she made them a plate.
She poured some coffee, kissed Jonathan and headed upstairs to shower.
Savanna came in after she was dressed and sat with her while she curled her hair and put her makeup on.
After Savanna was dressed, they went downstairs.
"Ok, we are going to a luncheon. We will be back".
She kissed Jonathan goodbye and McKenna too.
She and Savanna headed out.
Savanna loved driving around with the top down.
They pulled up to The Bistro and parked and went inside.
Susan was waiting for them.
"Hi".
"Hi. This is Savanna. Savanna, this is our friend Susan".
"Hi".
They sat down and started looking at the menu.
Savanna wanted a grilled cheese and French fries, and a Shirley Temple.
Jennifer ordered the California Chicken Salad, and a sparkling water.
Susan ordered a steak salad and some wine.
"Are you freaking out?"
"A little. Jonathan and I had a bit of a blowup the other night, so things were tense. But he reassured me today that it's all going to come together."
"What could you two possibly find to fight about? You're magic".
"It happens, believe me. He had promised to take me to dinner Monday night, and he did, but he was quiet and distant and then worked all night from home afterwards. We always go to bed together, and that night we didn't. Then he left before I woke up, and came home after I went to bed. And then Wednesday, he was supposed to be meeting me at the airport to pick up the kids and he didn't. He was at the office till almost 11, no phone call, no nothing. So, we argued a bit when he got home and then I slept in her room with her, and we didn't resolve it till yesterday".
Savanna was coloring her kids menu.
"He loves you, Jennifer."
"I know. I love him too. I just hate it when he lets the office take over".
"Welcome to marriage".
After they ate, Susan followed Jennifer and Savanna to the wedding venue to drop off everything.
"We are going to get our toes done, want to join us?"
"I would love to, but I cannot. You two have fun, though".
"Ok, well, we will see you tonight at the rehearsal".
"See you then".
Jennifer took Savanna to get her toes done, and Savanna was thrilled that she was getting to be a big girl.
She picked out sparkly purple for her toes and sparkly pink for her fingers.
Jennifer stuck with the French pedicure and had them do more rhinestones on her toes and also a line of rhinestones on her ring fingers.
They got home at 4, and found everyone asleep on the couch.
Jennifer transitioned McKenna to the other couch, and then went to lay down next to Jonathan.
He sleepily wrapped an arm around her.
"Honey, it's time to wake up. We gotta go soon".
He woke up and kissed her a few times.
"Have a fun afternoon?"
"We went to the park. Luke wanted to race, so we did. Then he wanted to rent bikes, so we did. Then he wanted to go on a walk through the trails, so we did. I pushed McKenna in the stroller and she was in the backseat of the bike and we all just crashed when we got home".
"I see that".
"How was lunch?"
"It was very nice".
He sat up and woke up Luke. She picked up McKenna and took her upstairs with them.
She laid her down on their bed, and then they all got dressed.
Jennifer put on a white spaghetti strap dress and some white strappy heels. She curled her hair and curled Savanna's hair too.
McKenna woke up soon after, so Jennifer got her dress on her while Jonathan got dressed.
They somehow all made it out the door right on time.
Sean and Julie met them at the rehearsal and took over with the kids.
"I hope they behaved".
"Like angels. Thank you so much for letting us spend some time with them".
Savanna showed them her manicure and pedicure.
"She was a perfect big girl".
"Do I have a daughter getting married here tomorrow?"
Jennifer turned.
"Pa! I'm so glad you made it".
"Hi sweetheart, you look beautiful".
She gave him a big hug.
"Stephen, wonderful to see you".
"Hi Son, how are you?"
They introduced him to everyone and then the wedding coordinator started telling everyone where to stand.
They ran through it a few times and then they headed to dinner.
Jonathan treated everyone to dinner at ChiSpa's, an upscale steakhouse.
There were a few toasts and lots of storytelling and then everyone left.
"We will see all of you guys tomorrow at 12:30 at the venue. Wedding is at 2."
Jennifer kissed them all goodbye, and promised Susan she would be at her house in an hour or so.
They kissed the kids and then headed home.
Max was driving Stephen to his hotel and then heading to a poker game.
They came inside and went upstairs to change clothes.
Jennifer was taking off her jewelry and getting out some lounging clothes to wear to Susans.
"Baby, stay here a little bit longer. Don't go right away".
She turned to him.
"I'm not going right away. I still have to pack my bag, and tidy up some".
He grabbed the remote off his bedside table and turned on some music.
"Dance with me?"
She nodded.
They danced a few dances in their bedroom, barefoot and half undressed.
"Are you sure you want to marry me tomorrow?"
"I'd marry you right now if I could".
"I cannot wait to be your wife, honey".
"I cannot wait to be your husband".
He kissed her long and slow, and then picked her up.
"Jonathan! What are you doing?"
He spun her around and then set her down by the bed and unzipped her dress and let it fall to the floor.
She started unbuttoning his shirt, and leaned forward to kiss his chest while she did.
He reached up and took her hair down, as she undid the button on his pants.
He laid her down on the bed, and climbed on top of her. He started kissing her neck and squeezing her breasts.
They wasted no time. He quickly peeled her underwear off and she tugged his boxers off him.
He kissed his way back up to her lips and then nibbled on her earlobe.
"You are so gorgeous, baby".
She kissed him and framed his face with her hands.
He quickly penetrated her, and began thrusting in and out of her.
"Mmmmm".
"You feel so good".
"You do too". He picked up the pace and she got louder.
"Jona….than….."
A few minutes later, they both exploded into intimacy together.
"God that was wonderful".
He kissed her a few times, as they calmed down.
They spent several moments just staring into each other's eyes.
"I should probably get to Susan's".
"Yeah, I need to get to bed too, so I can marry you tomorrow".
She kissed him a few times and then got up and got dressed.
He carried her bags downstairs for her.
"Honey, what car are we bringing tomorrow?"
"You take my car to Susan's. Have her follow you here in the morning and drop it off. I'll bring your car to the wedding, and we can leave from there in the limo, and Max can bring the car home".
"Perfect".
She went and put her honeymoon luggage in her car. He slipped a few surprises into her overnight bag.
She came back in to tell him goodbye.
"Baby, give this bag to Susan when you get there please?"
"Sure".
She wrapped her arms around him.
"I love you, I can't wait to marry you tomorrow".
"I love you more, and I can't wait to marry you either."
"You still haven't given me a hint about the honeymoon".
"I did give you a hint. It was right under your nose".
He gave her several kisses and then walked her to the car.
"See you tomorrow honey".
"Bye baby, I love you".
"I love you too".
She headed to Susan's, and pulled up in the driveway.
Susan was waiting for her.
"I have a fresh bottle of wine, and I made us some snacks."
Jennifer poured some wine and then took a sip. She almost spit it out.
"Oh my god! I forgot my dress".
"Your wedding dress?!"
"Yes, it's in my closet".
She grabbed the phone and called Jonathan.
"Honey, are you in bed yet?"
"No, what is it?"
"I forgot my wedding dress. Susan and I are about to come get it".
"Ok, I'll get it out of your closet".
"No, you can't! You can't look at it, honey. I'll just run in and get it".
"Ok, I'll open the door".
They hung up and headed to the car.
Jennifer drove since Susan had been drinking.
They pulled up to the townhouse and got out.
Jonathan had the door open.
Jennifer came inside and kissed him and then zipped up the stairs and put her dress in a garment bag and grabbed her wedding shoes and the rest of her wedding stuff.
She started back down the stairs.
"I can't believe I forgot this. I don't know where my mind was".
"She was thinking about our honeymoon".
"Jonathan!"
She got to the bottom of the stairs and stood next to him.
"You are impossible".
"And you love me anyway".
"That I do."
He walked them out to the car and loaded their stuff into it, and then hugged and kissed her some more.
"I love you, Mr. H."
"I love you, Miss Edwards".
"Come on you two, I'm not getting any younger".
"Ok, ok".
She kissed him and then got in the car.
"Bye honey".
"Bye. See you at the altar".
She blew him a kiss as they drove away.
They got back to Susan's house and back to their wine glasses.
They stayed up talking about various things till about midnight and then they went to sleep.
She found a love note in her overnight bag from Jonathan.
"Darling-you are my everything, and you will always be where my heart is. I love you and I can't wait to slip that ring on your finger and make you my wife-Jonathan".
***Saturday***
Jennifer woke up around 8. Susan had made them omelets for breakfast and mimosas.
"Happy wedding day!"
"Thank you! I can't believe it's finally happening".
After breakfast, they showered and dressed.
Jennifer put on some jeans and a button-down shirt and some flip-flops.
She found another love note from Jonathan.
"Darling-In just a few hours, you are going to walk down the aisle and become my wife. Everyone is going to see how lucky I am that I get to marry the beautiful Jennifer Edwards. I'm not going to see anything else but you coming down the aisle. For the rest of my life, I will only have my eyes on you. I love you more than anything-Jonathan".
She teared up at his tender thoughtfulness.
They headed to drop off Jonathan's car at the townhouse, and then went straight to the salon.
Jennifer got her hair done and her makeup done.
She had decided to go with cascading curls. She had picked a tiara instead of a veil, so they put that on for her and got it in place.
They headed to the venue and straight to the bridal suite.
She got into her dress, and Susan zipped her up.
"You look absolutely stunning".
Her dress was a v-cut, open back sequined gown, with rhinestone straps. It was push-up, and very flattering and she looked sensational in it. She had chosen white peep toe stilettos and had on her mom's diamond earrings.
"Thank you".
"Ok, do we have your something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue?"
"Something old is my earrings-they were my mom's. Something new is my dress. Something blue is my garter, and something borrowed- I don't have anything borrowed".
"Ok, how about this?"
Susan took a diamond tennis bracelet off her wrist and put it on Jennifer's.
"Drew gave me this for our 5th anniversary. You can borrow it".
"Thank you".
Stephen came in the room then.
"Hi sweetheart-you look so beautiful, just like your mother".
"Thank you, Pa".
Susan pulled the bag from Jonathan out of her bag.
"Sweetie, I'm supposed to give you this".
She sat down and opened it.
There was a card and a present.
"To my lovely bride-I wanted to give you something meaningful, something to show you how much you mean to me. I hope you like it and I hope the sentiment comes through. I love you, Mrs. H.-Mr. H."
She unwrapped the package and found a note on top.
"This is the original deck of cards from your dad's house. I replaced his that night after you went to bed."
She moved the tissue and found that he had taken the deck of cards from their poker game at her dad's house and put holes in each card. On the back of the cards, he had written on each one a reason why he loved her.
She almost teared up while she read through them. Things like "You make me want to buy you the world" and "You always give the best hugs". Her favorite was "You let me mistreat you and demanded that I treat you better".
She was trying hard not to cry.
She dug something out of her bag and handed it to her father.
"Pa, can you take this to Jonathan, please?"
"Certainly. I'll be right back".
"What did you get him?"
"Well, you know how they are wearing green ties? I got him a green tie and had the seamstress stitch "J+J Always and Forever" on the inside, and our wedding date".
"That is so romantic".
Her dad came back and declared that Jonathan was thrilled with her gift.
"He said thank you. He's a nervous groom, that's for sure".
The photographer came and wanted to do some pictures with them, and then took Jennifer to do the non-first look wedding pictures.
She positioned them against a square brick column. They were able to hear each other and hold hands but they couldn't see each other.
"Thank you for my deck of cards, honey. That was so thoughtful".
"You're most welcome, baby. Thank you for my tie".
"Did you look at the backside?"
"Yes, I did. I love it".
"Are you nervous, honey?"
"Kind of. Are you?"
"Anxious, more than nervous. But if you are at the end of the altar, I know it'll be alright".
"Yeah, same here".
He gave her hand a few more squeezes and then they were taken back to their separate places.
Pretty soon, it was time for the wedding to start.
They were getting married in the courtyard.
White chairs with green tulle sashes were set up on both sides of the aisle. Large pillars holding vases of green, pink and white flowers were on either side of the aisle, at the front and the back.
Jonathan walked down the aisle to "The Way You Look Tonight".
Max walked down the aisle to "Here Comes the Sun", by the Beatles.
Susan walked down the aisle to "Wonderful Tonight".
Luke, Savanna and McKenna walked down the aisle to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". McKenna did great and walked straight to Julie with her brother and sister.
Everyone stood up and Stephen and Jennifer made their entrance to "Marry Me".
Jonathan teared up as soon as he saw her.
Jennifer was carrying a bouquet full of green and pink gladiolus, soft pink roses, and white lilies.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today, to celebrate and witness the marriage of these two people in holy matrimony. Jennifer Suzanne Edwards and Jonathan Charles Hart are electing to share a life together from this day forward. Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"
"Her mother and I".
Stephen kissed her cheek and then placed her hand in Jonathan's.
"Jonathan and Jennifer met each other through a very unique situation. There is a brief synopsis printed in the program about that situation. While their story is certainly rare and not your everyday love story, it shows to us how when two people are truly meant to be together, sometimes not even the Universe can keep them apart".
"Marriage is intentional-we don't get grandfathered into it. It ais a choice that we enter into, and it must not be taken lightly. Jonathan, is it your intention to take this woman to be your lawful wedded wife?"
"It is".
"Jennifer, is it your intention to take this man to be your lawful wedded husband?"
"It is".
"Jennifer and Jonathan have elected to write their own vows. Jonathan, you may begin".
Jennifer handed her flowers to Susan and put both hands in Jonathan's.
"We grew up across the country from each other. We didn't have a prayer of meeting. Our paths were probably never going to cross, if it hadn't been for our friends who saw what we couldn't. And we didn't have the best start, but it's the one that took that counts. I chased you from New York to London, back to New York, brought you to California, chased you to New York again, and brought you back once more. Where you go, I'll go. I promise you that you will never question how I feel about you, or where my heart lies, because you carry my heart with you wherever you go. There was one thing that struck me about you soon after we met, and that is your compassion. You are always putting everyone else first and making sure their needs are met before your own. I promise to always encourage your compassion, because that helps to make you wonderful and different. And we have talked about our future dreams, more than once. I love it when we talk about our dreams, because I can see more of the beautiful you on the inside. I promise to always talk to you about your dreams, and to do whatever I can to make your dreams come true. I promise to always send you flowers, and buy you trinkets, and cook your favorite meals, and give you backrubs, and do all the things that you love. I love you more than the stars in the sky, angel, and every day I love you more."
Jennifer wiped a stray tear that had found its way to her cheek.
"Jennifer, it is your turn".
Susan handed her the piece of paper with her vows on it, and she opened it.
"While I admit that our first meeting was far from love at first sight, I'm so glad that you kept chasing me. I hate the circumstances regarding the situation we were in, but I'm grateful for the outcome. I love the way you never hesitate to tell me I'm beautiful, or that you love me, or that you want whatever I want. You are the most supportive, handsome, romantic, kind hearted, sophisticated man I have ever known. I am so glad that you didn't give up on me, and you convinced me to step outside my comfort zone and do life with you. I'm not the easiest person to live with, but I'm working on it. I promise to always be willing to compromise, to fight for what I believe in, and to make sure you are happy. I promise that you and I will face every problem together, instead of apart. I promise to always kiss you goodnight, and to always tell you good morning. I promise to always make your favorite loaded baked potato dip, whenever you want, and to share every adventure with you. I love you with every fiber of my being, always and forever".
"Now, it's time for the rings. These rings symbolize the commitment and the bond that Jonathan and Jennifer have together."
Max put both rings in the minister's hand.
"Jonathan, take her ring and place it on her finger and repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed".
"With this ring, I thee wed".
"Jennifer, take his ring and place it on his finger and repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed".
"With this ring, I thee wed".
"By the powers vested in me by the State of California, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Jonathan, you may kiss your bride".
Jennifer threw her arms around Jonathan's neck and he gave her the most perfect romantic kiss.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor and privilege to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Hart".
Susan handed Jennifer her flowers, and they walked back up the aisle and behind a curtain.
The kids followed with Max and Susan, and then it was time for more pictures.
"You did it, Aunt Jeffer! You married Uncle Jonathan!"
"I did, didn't I? And I couldn't have done it without you".
She kissed her forehead.
For the next hour, they took pictures. Jennifer really wanted one of them and the kids, and one of her and Jonathan kissing, to match the one from Aruba. She and Savanna took a few pics together as well.
They had a table set up with pictures of them together, and another table set up of a picture of Caroline and Patrick, with a short little letter from Jonathan and Jennifer about how Caroline and Patrick had introduced them.
They did all the traditional things at the reception, like cut the cake, feed each other a piece, bouquet toss and garter toss.
"Darling, I don't see my grooms cake anywhere".
"That's because it's a surprise. There isn't one".
"Oh?"
"Nope. And in about 3 minutes, we will find out what there is instead".
They had danced, together by themselves for their first dance, and then for their final dance, they had the DJ make a special request.
"The bride and groom would like for everyone to clear the dance floor. They are going to share a special dance with some very special people".
They got the kids from Julie and Sean and brought them to the dance floor. They all shared a dance together. Jonathan held McKenna, and Savanna held onto Jennifer's legs, and Luke just danced next to them.
"This has been the happiest day of my life".
"Mine too".
He leaned forward and kissed her.
Their dance ended and Jennifer went to the DJ booth.
"In lieu of a traditional grooms cake, it is time for my husbands special dessert to come on out".
The waiters and waitresses started passing out bowls of ice cream for sundaes. Each bowl had one scoop of vanilla, one scoop of chocolate. There were 4 topping bars all around.
"I love that you did that".
He took a bowl from the waitress and went and topped it the way he loved it.
He came back and fed her a bite.
"mmm".
"It's almost time for us to leave. My feet are killing me".
His friends from the office wanted some pictures with him, so she kissed him and told him she would be right back.
She ran to the bridal suite and put on some flip flops. She grabbed a present bag and came back.
She went and sat at the kid's table.
"Luke- Uncle Jonathan and I have a present for you."
She handed him the card. It had a subscription to X-box live, so he and Jonathan could talk to each other and play games together.
"Thank you!"
He gave her a huge hug.
"You're welcome, buddy."
"Ok Savanna, your turn."
Savanna unwrapped a lamp and a box.
"This is a best friend lamp. I have one too. If you touch yours, mine will light up. And if I touch mine, yours will light up. So, when you are thinking about me and miss me, touch your lamp. I'll touch mine when I'm missing you".
"I love this! I'm going to touch it every day".
"Well, it's not going to light up for two weeks, because I'll be on my trip. But after I get back, it will light up".
Jennifer had included a calendar and had outlined in red what days she would be gone.
"Don't forget the box".
She opened the box to find a pair of emerald earrings in 24k gold.
"When Aunt Julie says you are old enough to get your ears pierced, you can wear these. The green is your birthstone. It's called an emerald. And the gold is real gold. I want you to always remember that no matter what, you don't have to depend on a guy to buy you nice things."
"I love these, Aunt Jeffer. You are my favorite person".
"I love you too, sweet girl."
She had a gift for McKenna as well, a little stuffed monkey. She grabbed it and hugged it and wouldn't let it go.
"I think she likes it".
"I think she does".
"Julie, as a thank you for letting the kids be in the wedding and bringing them early, and putting up with all the craziness, let us pay for your hotel."
She handed them a VISA gift card.
"That's so generous of you".
"We love them, and we are so thankful that you guys are taking such good care of them. They couldn't mean more to us than if they were our own children. We would have taken them full time, but the will stipulated that it was only supposed to be temporary for us".
"We love them. We never dreamed that we would have a family, and they fit right in, like they've always been there".
Jonathan came and found her then, and sat with her.
"Uncle Jonathan, when can you play X-box?"
"Well, not for the next couple of weeks. But after we get back from our honeymoon, how about every Sunday afternoon?"
"Yeah! What is your handle?"
"Well, I'll be changing it. But it's Conquistador321".
Jennifer chuckled. Jonathan leaned over to her.
"It was before I knew you".
"I hope so".
"I gave them their gifts, darling".
"Wonderful".
The lady in charge of the venue came and told them it was time to leave.
They gave the kids huge hugs and kisses and promised to see them soon.
Jennifer found her dad and hugged him goodbye. They both told Max goodbye and then went to make their exit.
They gathered their things and he took them out to the limo.
The favors were being passed out and the wedding toss items were being passed out too.
Everyone lined up outside the venue and made a path to the limo.
Jonathan and Jennifer walked down the path holding hands while everyone threw oversized confetti in pink, green and white at them. They climbed into the limo and did a few sunroof pictures.
They blew the kids kisses and waved to everyone and then, they were on their way.
She leaned over and kissed him as they rode to their hotel.
"Honey, where are we staying?"
"It's a surprise".