Jonathan arrived at Dulles at 8:45pm, to turn in his rental and to meet Jack. After closing out his rental, he contacted Jack regarding their flight plans. Jack answered, "Jonathan, how was your drive?" "Fine Jack, just fine. Listen, do we have a flight plan and clearance for at least 10pm?" Jack frowned, "Jonathan, there were a few issues with gaining clearance and as a result, it would mean a 1am take-off." "Dammit", Jonathan shouted, as it meant that they would not arrive in Naples until 12:30pm or so, tomorrow. Jack apologized, but told Jonathan that there was no way around it. Sighing, Jonathan understood that he really had no other choice, so he told Jack to move forward with the plans they had and that they could both relax in the executive lounge adjacent to the private plane hangars, until their pre-flight check-in.
As he sat in the lounge, Jonathan pulled out his phone – 11:00pm and doing the math in his head, he realized that it was around 4am in Italy, and he didn't want to alarm her with such a late or ridiculously early call. He thought about sending a text, but decided against it, as part of his plan was to surprise her with his visit and maybe, just maybe, it would break some of the ice that had formed around their marriage in the last month.
Staring off into space, he wondered how long she had been away from him, on his count, 3 weeks. Three incredibly long and excruciating weeks without her, but with all of the difficult issues that was part of her and to be fair, him as well. Sadly, it took him too long to realize that the difficult parts of Jennifer's past and the pain still within her as a result, was also part of him. It was his job to assuage that pain or simply listen and to just be there for her; something he failed to do, but he vowed from this moment forward, that he would be the man as he was previously – the man she needed.
His anger at her use of Birth control, without his knowledge he felt, was understandable, however, he failed miserably at being her rock, after learning the reasons why. It was his ridiculous male pride that wouldn't allow her any room for explanation – that was on him, as was her fleeing him, and Willow Pond. Jack, entering the lounge, watched Jonathan from behind, knowing he was somewhere far away, most likely bombarded with images of that certain some, who clearly was made just for him.
Jack, shaking his head, hoped that this trip would change the trajectory of his best friends' personal life and more importantly, his marriage – as he knew of no other woman, who did to Jonathan, what Jennifer did to him, and all of those things, in his eyes, were nothing but positive. Jonathan, Jack recalled, once having met Jennifer, was a changed man in every facet of his life - his work, his company which while still very important, took 2nd, as Jennifer was his #1! She, unlike so many other women before, had him beyond smitten, but was truly his equal – the others simply wanted something tangible from him… status, money or security. Jennifer's tangibles were love, respect and honesty – even though his dishonesty was revealed in keeping her in London, until he could complete the Kingsford Motors deal; that action, Jack emphatically believed, was different!
Of course, Jennifer being beyond gorgeous was of no consequence, as Jonathan had dated many who were near that category, only they weren't exactly in it, indeed they were not like Jennifer.
Jack, walking over to Jonathan, placed a hand on his shoulder, abruptly shaking him out of his melancholy. Jonathan turned in the direction of Jack's hand, "Good news Jack?" "Kind of, we have clearance for a 12:30am take-off. I figured, the sooner the better, so I filed our flight plans and we'll be ready for a pre-flight inspection at 11:30pm. Jonathan stood up and reaching for Jack's hand, said "Thanks Jack…for everything." Jack waived him off, "Jonathan we've been best friends for how long? So, no need to thank me, because you'd do the same for me and then some!". Jonathan smiled, "Let's get ready for that pre-flight!". Jack smiled, now there was a hint of his old friend – "Yes Jonathan, lets!"
Following the pre-flight inspection, Jack and Jonathan were given clearance for take off. In the Hart Jet, Jack was at the controls and Jonathan was co-pilot – they would both fly the jet, as they would require an exchange of controls due to the 11+ hour flight. In line waiting for their signal to taxi down the runway, Jack noted the weather, "It looks to be like smooth sailing weather wise. Now, all that needs to be done, is to begin smoothing out your personal sails, and right now, it appears you're on your way in doing that!", nodding his head at Jonathan. Jack received a tight smile and hopeful eyes, from Jonathan, knowing exactly what his old friend was thinking, so he chose to refrain from mentioning anything Jennifer related again, unless Jonathan did. As their turn came, they taxied down the runway, faster with each thrust Jack gave and, as soon as, they were airborne, Jonathan remarked, "Now that's why I became a pilot – nothing better than a take-off!" Laughing, Jack responded, "Oh yes there is, landing in a gorgeous destination – be it woman or place." Jonathan broke out in hysterics until tears of mirth shone in his eyes and it was at that time, that Jack realized he hadn't seen his old friend laugh like that in quite some time. Indeed, Jack thought, this destination was going to do him some good – it simply has too!
Jennifer woke up with a start, looking around, she shook her head, in an attempt to orient herself, as the fog of wine remained heavy. Her surroundings reminded her, that she was in bed, at her father's villa in Italy - her very vivid dream, had her believing otherwise. It was one, that had her in a California King at Willow Pond sprawled across the chest of a handsome, blue-eyed gentleman, who just happened to be her husband.
She smiled faintly at that dream, then pulled the blankets off for a trip to the bathroom. Upon returning, she noted the time, 5:30am and whispered, "What an ungodly hour to get up, when you don't really have to." At that, she climbed back into bed and sunk down deep under the blankets, ready for a return to her deep slumber, willing herself back into that California King, to rejoin the man in it.
Quite a few hours later, with the sun brightly shining through her window, hitting her eyes at the same moment her phone beeped, Jennifer moaned loudly, "Noooo, it's too early!" Turning towards the nightstand, she reached for her phone to read the message, not counting on it being from Jonathan; sighing as she saw the number, Pa. His message was one of well-being and hopeful well wishes - reading his last line out loud, "Brighter days are ahead and closer than you think, my darling daughter, I promise you that!" Jennifer responded, "As cryptic as ever, Pa!", and as she did, she noted the time, 11:45am – motivating herself, she threw back the blankets resolutely, "Get up Jennifer, don't let the day pass, it's almost lunch time old girl."
After an invigorating hot shower and light breakfast, which was really lunch – A Caprese Salad with yogurt on the side, and a glass of water with lemon, Jennifer was ready for the day.
Stepping onto her balcony, she realized just what a prized view she had, the Mediterranean in all its splendor, at her door. She looked down at her Journal and writing pad, and knew it was just what she would need to today, to write - whatever and wherever that may take her, she simply needed to write.
Now, would her story remain in that Journal meant for her eyes only or should she allow parts of it to spill onto her writing pad, with perhaps the thought of future publishing of something deeply personal with the idea of it helping others who shared similar fates. Unlike the previous days and weeks, she had many ideas running rampantly in her head, and sitting in her Chaise on that balcony, she began.
It wasn't until she realized that she needed sunscreen, due to the heat, along with another glass of water, that she noticed the time – 2:30pm? "My goodness, where did the time go!? After getting the tube of Sunscreen she left on the kitchen counter and grabbing a bottle of water, instead of a glass, she was about to return to the balcony, when she heard the doorbell; "Who could that be?", she whispered, knowing that the only person who knew she was there was Pa and he assured her of that!
Slowly walking to the door, Jennifer looked through the peep hole, but was unable to make out the person behind it, "Pa, you need to replace this alleged spy hole or the entire damn door, because some of today's spies, it's useless". Taking a breath, she slowly opened the door and an electric whoosh overcame her – "Jonathannn"… her mouth dropped open, "what are you doin…how did you know I wa…how did you know where to find me?"