Jennifer arrives home, anxious to see her husband and her dog. The long days at school for the past 5 days had her eager for a break and time with her husband.

She smiles when she spots Jonathan standing outside waiting for her, with Freeway Junior in his arms, wiggling as her car comes to a stop. Jonathan is waving as she pulls up.

Jonathan sets him down gently and he runs right for Jennifer, whining and wagging his tail in delight as she opens the car door.

" Hello baby!" Jennifer laughs as he kisses her. Jonathan chuckles as the little dog greets her.

She carries him up to the house and Jonathan greets her with a kiss before she puts Freeway down.

" Hello darling." Jonathan pulls her close, taking in her scent and the warmth of her. She was so glad to be in his arms. It was comforting to the both of them.

" I see I've been missed." Jennifer says, smiling coyly at her husband.

" You have no idea." Jonathan can't contain the boyish grin he wore on his face, even after all of this time.

Jennifer smooths out his shirt placing her hands on his chest as she looks into his eyes.

" Ready for our vacation, Mrs. Hart?" he asks, his hands falling to the small of her back.

" You have no idea." she replies, grinning now.

Jennifer goes inside and finishes up her packing before she changes into something more comfortable and casual for their ride up to the mountains.

She sees the file with her story in it, carefully tucked away. It had remained untouched for the past several days but after her conversation with Carolyn, she decides to take it with her to jot down notes and possible leads, especially from the tip she learned after school.

She didn't want to miss out on the chance to make an important connection.

At the cabin, she figures she won't be doing any work, but it doesn't hurt in case inspiration strikes.

Jonathan comes up to their bedroom to grab her travel bag to take it to the car.

Donning his leash, Junior is more than ready to hit the road. He takes a seat in Jennifer's lap once she gets settled in the car.

With Jonathan in the driver's seat and the open road in front of them, they set off on their weekend getaway.

" So tell me about your day. I want to hear all about it." Jonathan is eager to hear about her work day. Jennifer never failed to have an interesting story to tell about the school and it was only her first week.

" Principal Morris was quite happy I signed on for the position, as was Carolyn. You know darling, I've really enjoyed it. This first week has been wonderful. The kids are brilliant and have such bright minds. I can see some of them really making a career out of this." she says, smiling as she scratches Junior behind his ears.

" I know they are happy to have you. I'm a little jealous they are taking you away from me during the week, but I'm glad you are doing something you enjoy. You're so passionate about your work and it's great you are able to share it with the future generation." Jonathan replies back to his wife, returning her smile.

" Thank you, darling. I know it's going to be an adjustment, but having your encouragement means the most." she says, squeezing his upper arm gently.

" There is something strange though, about this whole situation." Jennifer begins, quickly intriguing her husband.

" What would that be?" Jonathan asks, as he continues to focus on the road, unsure of what his wife will say.

" Well, Carolyn and I were discussing my story, the one I'm working on about the wildlife center. There seems to be a connection with a student at the school. His father was a former senator in a small town that now lives near the school as a matter of fact. He apparently has a way with money which I believe has to be a connection to Richard Markston." Jennifer replies in a tone that tells Jonathan she's been doing a lot of thinking.

" Is it someone we know?" Jonathan asks.

Jennifer shakes her head. " I don't think so unless the name Derrick Johnston rings a bell."

Jonathan is quiet for a few moments, the name meaning nothing to him. " I'm sorry I don't know him darling."

" He's friends with someone you golf with, Robert Wainwright." Jennifer says.

" Ahh I know Robert. An acquaintance of some buddies of mine. Not a very warm man. He's got the personality of a rock." Jonathan slightly chuckles.

He remembers the man all too well, but not his friend, the former Senator.

" What did this Senator Jonhston do that has Carolyn detesting him?" Jonathan asks.

" He knows how to buy favors and apparently some of the staff at the school. His son is apparently a very popular young man. He has trophies and various accolades on display at the school. He's very gifted in athletics or as gifted as one can be if bought for a certain price." Jennifer says.

" Darling, I'm afraid this story sounds a bit too complicated for you to finish. I don't think muddying the water of someone who's a former senator is the best move to make." Jonathan feels uneasy about the whole situation as his wife describes the events that unfolded with Carolyn.

" I plan on filling in some gaps when we get to the cabin. I won't touch the story until we get back. I promise. I just want to fill in some holes that I think Carolyn just handed to me on a silver platter." Jennifer replies as Jonathan nods his head in agreement.

Changing the subject, Jennifer couldn't help but recall the interesting girl she met at the school that hadn't left her mind.

" Darling, I did meet a wonderful student at the beginning of the week. She's in my first class of the day. She's so brilliant beyond her years, especially with her writing and appreciation for great literature. Her name is Macy. She's 14." Jennifer tells her husband, smiling as she thought of the girl.

" How nice. She's 14 so that would make her a freshman in high school, am I right?" Jonathan asks.

Jennifer nods. " Yes."

" It's been a long time since I thought about high school." Jonathan muses, before his wife continues.

" She reminds me a lot of myself when I first started high school. She's a bit quiet but very observant and eager to learn. She also is a foster child. Carolyn told me she's been between three homes already."

Jonathan raises a brow.

" Really?" he asks.

Jennifer nods silently. She can tell her husband deep in thought, far away almost.

Perhaps, he's lamenting on his own youth, recalling his time as an orphan and then thinking of Max.

" Maybe she will get as lucky as I was and find the right family." Jonathan says after a long pause.

" I agree." Jennifer replies, unsure of what else to say.

The two seemingly always find a way to dance around the subject.

Children.

Even the word seemed so foreign to her. Jennifer had never felt that maternal instinct or a drive to have children.

Many of their friends had children, grown of course, and some of them had grandchildren now.

She and Jonathan enjoyed themselves and were so content in their lives. They had Junior and he was a handful enough.

But something within her had sparked this past week and she felt so silly bringing up the thought or the conversation to her husband. Especially now at this stage in their lives and at their ages no less.

Life had always been an adventure for them.

As Jonathan keeps his focus on the road, Jennifer doesn't realize the same song and dance are also going through his mind.

The two had always danced around the subject in years past. Somehow, he felt maybe, putting it out in the open would clear the air once and for all, just so he can breathe. This was the one subject that Jonathan had remained tight lipped about all of this time.

" Darling I-" Jonathan pauses when he looks over and realizes his wife is fast asleep.

He takes a breath and grips the steering wheel a little harder and continues the winding roads towards their cabin, content to drive in silence.

They arrive and it's dark outside.

The only thing guiding their path are the street lamps lining the entrance to the gate.

It was a rod iron gate with a big H on the front. This was their home away from home and it felt good to escape reality. Even if it was just for the weekend.

Jonathan had shaken Jennifer awake a few miles back. She was happy to get into bed and relax with her husband and have a glass of wine.

" Here we are. Home sweet home." Jonathan says, grinning at his wife as he puts the car in park.

" I believe the bed is calling my name." Jennifer smirks as she stretches her legs.

" No evening in the jacuzzi?" Jonathan raises a brow, a hint of playfulness to his tone.

" Well, I suppose we could do that. Maybe have a glass of wine." Jennifer replies back, winking.

" I'll get the bags if you and Junior can manage to pour two glasses of wine." Jonathan says.

" You have a deal. Come on baby." Jennifer lightly pulls on Junior's leash. He follows hot on her heels as the two head inside.

Jennifer cuts the lights on and inhales the crisp mountain air.

She locates the wine glasses and goes to work pouring their favorite red wine before she goes upstairs to their room to draw up a bath.

Sighing deeply, Jennifer takes off her shoes and her clothing before grabbing her fuzzy white robe adorned with an embroidered H on it. She goes to work putting her hair up before sinking deep into the jetted tub, feeling her body relax.

She shuts her eyes to let the jets lull her into a state of relaxation before she feels her husband's firm but gentle grip against her shoulders as he pulls her close.

He kisses the top of her head and sinks in right beside her.

Jennifer lazily leans up and kisses his lips lovingly before settling with her head against his chest.

" This feels nice." she murmurs.

" It does, doesn't it." Jonathan smiles as he plants a trail of kisses lightly down her neck.

Jennifer moans happily as he gently makes love to her.

His hands gingerly caress her, holding Jennifer as if she was the most priceless item in the world. She was his heart.

" Jonathan!" Jennifer exclaims as they reach their climax. The two were in ecstasy as their heated moments of passion exploded into a frenzy.

Jonathan nor Jennifer were older when it came to the bedroom. Their spark and deep connection to one another never made things dull or boring.

They were madly in love and that would never change.

….

A thunderstorm had settled overhead as they lay in bed.

It was nearly midnight now and Jennifer lay in Jonathan's arms as they found comfort in the stillness.

Junior was asleep at the foot of the bed, occasionally whimpering when a loud clap of thunder or lightning would strike.

Jennifer traces her fingers along Jonathan's silk pajama top, each stitch familiar to her fingers.

" Something on your mind, darling?" Jonathan asks as he pulls her a little closer to him.

" Hmm?" she hums against his chest before sitting up a little.

She props her head up with her arm and looks up into her husband's face.

Even in the dark, she can read him like a book. He can sense she has something on her mind.

Jennifer can sense the same.

Even after their evening of bridled passion, Jennifer and Jonatahn knew something lingered in the air.

" I think we are probably thinking the same thing." Jennifer says softly, her gaze now falling on his nightshirt once more.

" I think you're correct." Jonathan replies, gently bringing a finger to her chin and tilting it up to meet his gaze.

Jennifer swallows. " For the longest time, I've been so happy with our life and I've had all I've ever wanted."

" So have I. I have you." Jonathan doesn't hesitate, smiling at his wife of many years as he says this. Never once has he pushed her or questioned her on her choice, and he's always respected her decision.

Jennifer finds comfort in his words and his touches as he gently grabs her hand in his own. " The past few years really have made me wonder if I really made a mistake."

" Darling, what do you mean? I hope you don't mean marrying me." Jonathan asks, worried now.

" Oh Jonathan, marrying you was the best thing that's ever happened to me. I mean, pushing aside the chance to have a family." Jennifer admits.

" We both agreed to it darling, and never once did I regret that decision. I'm happy with you. We led busy lives. We still do. But you're all the family I need. You and Freeway." Jonathan reassures her. He can hear in her voice that she's upset.

Jennifer tries to piece together what to say next but she doesn't exactly know how.

" It's silly of me to say this and I don't know quite how to phrase it other than I wish I could give you that now." Jennifer feels foolish.

She knew how old they were and knew it was impossible.

" Darling, I have never regretted one single moment in our marriage, or the fact that we didn't choose to have children. I have been the happiest man on earth because I get to spend each day with you by my side. I love you endlessly Jennifer Edwards Hart. I don't think we need to worry about the "what if's" now." Jonathan pulls Jennifer close and kisses her deeply and passionately.

" I love you darling." Jonathan says once he pulls away.

The lightning from outside casts just enough light for Jonathan to see her face.

He strokes her cheek gently before Jennifer leans her head in the crook of his neck. He rubs her back and holds her tightly through the rest of the night.

He wonders how long that thought has been looming in her mind for and hopes she hasn't been carrying this burden for long.

Could their trip to Munich a few years before have something to do with it? Jonathan found himself suddenly very tired.

The rain lulls him to sleep as he joins his wife who is sleeping soundly beside him. He hopes tomorrow will be a better day.

TBC…