The harsh ring of the phone woke Jonathan with a start, and as he shook off the sleep dazed feeling, he looked down to see Jennifer peacefully asleep and still secured to his chest. In reaching for his phone, he had jostled her a bit, but she remained asleep. He was about to ignore the call and turn his phone off; wanting to join Jennifer, deep in her slumber. But, in seeing who was calling, he answered – it was Stephen.
"Hello Stephen, how are you and what are you doing up, it's past midnight?" "Jonathan my boy, you're 6 hours ahead of me and it's 7pm here, so it begs the question, what are you doing up, as it's past midnight there". Jonathan, in realizing his time and space folly, chuckled quietly and thanked Stephen for the reminder. Stephen continued, "Jonathan, I know it's quite late for you, but I had to call and check on that daughter of mine and more importantly, on how the two of you are fairing?"
"Stephen, right now, Jennifer is asleep and judging by how little she's moved, given my movements and conversation with you, I'd say she desperately needed this kind of rest! As for us, we're getting there, a slow walk to be sure, but it's a place where we both want and need to be – back to us!"
"Well, that's wonderful Jonathan! The best news I've had in quite some time! Now, maybe that hard lesson your old father-in-law taught you, wasn't that difficult to learn and acknowledge? Wisdom my boy, wisdom, with age comes wisdom – and I suspect you're more aware of that adage, than you were previously, no?!" Jonathan knew Stephen was correct and could see his gloating smirk on the other end, but unlike in the past, where it would have irritated him; this time Stephen was owed his due, as he saved Jonathan's life – saved him from himself and more importantly, helped in saving his life with Jennifer, as one without her, wasn't even worth the thought! "Stephen, I am truly indebted to you for helping in changing my path and I will spend a lifetime of repayment!". Stephen, feeling somewhat emotional at Jonathan's statement, pulled his staid, reserved, Englishman persona out, to avoid the heartened thoughts threatening to expose his softer side, "Jonathan, like my daughter, you are my beloved family and from the day you were married, it has been my duty to reveal the error of your ways! Now, I must get going, as Walter's prepared a wonderful dinner, which smells amazing, and so, I must be prompt to the table. But, please tell Jennifer I called, and will call in a few days. Now, you take care Jonathan and remember, take even better care of that wife of yours, she's precious and irreplaceable to us both!" "Goodnight Stephen, will do and thank you - enjoy your dinner." Staring at the phone, Jonathan looked at Stephen's name on the screen, looked at Jennifer and back to the phone; whispering in earnest to Stephen - thank you, as grateful tears splashed down his cheeks.
Stirring to Jonathan's continued movements, Jennifer repositioned herself on his chest and burrowed her face further into his body, with her breathing a continued peaceful trance. While loving the closeness of the moment, and not wanting to wake her, Jonathan felt the beginnings of what he knew to be a stiff neck and sore back. So reluctantly, he removed Jennifer from his chest, moving her against the sofa and stood up to stretch his body and shake loose his muscles, to get ready for what needed to be done – carry Jennifer upstairs to the bedroom, to get a proper rest, of which they both required. Jonathan, reaching for his phone again, turned it off and looked around for Jennifers', as he wanted to do the same with hers, which would guarantee uninterrupted sleep. However, he didn't see it in his immediate view and shrugged it off. Returning back to Jennifer, Jonathan softly whispered in her ear, that he was going to carry her upstairs to bed and kissed her before picking her up, slowly and carefully taking the stairs one at a time, to ensure both of them made it safely to the second floor – He silently thanked the gods for Jennifer not waking up.
Upon approaching the bedroom, he lightly kicked the door open to allow for entry, walking over to the bed and placing Jennifer on it – She was still "out", like a light. So, he pulled the blankets down and maneuvered Jennifer under them, then stripped down to his boxers and got in behind her, spooning her as he did. Lying there and seeing how deep into slumber Jennifer actually was, he'd hoped he'd join her soon. However, the guilt from Jennifer's heart wrenching reveal earlier, crept back into his psyche, and hung over him, as solidly as syrup sticks to Maple trees.
The exhaustion within her was enough, as he was currently witness to, while holding her. But, his behavior back in Los Angeles, the questioning of her past choices, her reasoning and motives, without having an ounce of knowledge, understanding and suspect of her credibility, had him seriously wondering, "How in the hell does she still want me, love me, after what I've done"? Saying those words to himself, in what he thought was barely above a whisper, when in actuality they made it to Jennifer's ears – She turned over to him, exchanging their spoon embrace to one of face to face, reached up to caress his cheek and whispered, "Because I do, I always will, no matter the circumstances." She wasn't as deep into sleep, as he thought, "How long had she been awake", he wondered. Jennifer, placed her hand over his his heart and placed his on hers, and spoke again, "Because of this Jonathan, pointing to each of their hands, we're bonded in so many ways, like no two people on this earth, and while we're not perfect, despite those on the outside thinking otherwise, our love beats not only in our hearts, but our souls." Jonathan just stared into her eyes as she softly spoke and at that moment, he fell in love with her, even more deeply than he even thought possible. He pulled her into him, kissed her forehead and whispered to her, let's get some sleep, before the day begins. Jennifer snuggled into his chest and soon, her soft snores led him into his own peaceful slumber.
The sunlight, bursting brightly through the bedroom window, had Jennifer and Jonathan moving slowly about in the bed. Jennifer moaning first, "God what time is it and why is that sun yelling at me?". Jonathan, as unhappy as Jennifer with the start of the day and that pesky sun, whispered, "Let's just slip completely under the blankets and come out when we're ready?"; closing his eyes, he went about doing just that. Jennifer, despite thinking how enticing Jonathan's idea was, sat up and rolled out of bed, groaning as she did, "I'm going to put some coffee on, would you like some?" "Please and thank you" came from under the blankets. Smiling and shaking her head, she padded off to the kitchen with a coffee mission.
Jennifer, having started the coffee, was looking in the refrigerator for breakfast options, not necessarily for her, but, for Jonathan, as she had gone shopping upon arrival, fruit, yogurt, green tea, granola, none of which he deemed breakfast appropriate. Checking the cabinets and sighing at the contents, which were also strictly her preferences, all healthy and again, choices that weren't up Jonathan's ally. Frowning at the thought of having to go on a trip to the market, she quickly thought about the positive, having to stock up for a wonderful reason – Jonathan! Buying "real food", as Jonathan called it, was unexpected, but absolutely welcomed! They were together and, albeit silly to some, her happiness at having to shop for food, to include her husband's preferences, highlighted the beginnings of her day!
Jonathan, appearing in the kitchen, dressed in a T-shirt and boxers, spotted Jennifer and called out to her, "Darling?" Turning around, she found him casually leaning against the doorframe, looking ridiculously sexy in his attire and responded with a devilish smirk, "Yes, what would you like?" Approaching her, his smile became bigger, as their distance became shorter, reached to encompass her in his arms, and came nose to nose, "What do you think I would like?", raising his eyebrows in conjunction with his question. Laughing, Jennifer knew the answer, but pulled away and pointed to the cup she poured for him, "Coffee, it's ready, but I'm afraid the pickings are slimmer for you in the sustenance department - there's fruit, yogurt and toast." Thinking about her offerings, Jonathan knew that she wouldn't have had his favorites in the first place, but to assuage Jennifer, he said, "I'll have what you're having.", reaching for his cup of coffee and giving her a soft kiss, as a thank you.
Jennifer eyed him suspiciously, as she knew that her breakfast mainstays would never suit Jonathan, not even if they were on a deserted island and those were their only choices. She eyed him a a bit more, then put her coffee down and without a word, went upstairs. Jonathan just stood there, staring into the space she previously occupied and said, "Did I say something wrong?"
In thirty minutes time, Jennifer emerged from upstairs dressed in white shorts, a cobalt blue, off the should top and white sandals. She went directly to Jonathan, took his coffee cup from his hands and pointed to the stairs, "Go, get dressed, so we can go to the market and get you some of favorite breakfast fare." Displaying his signature mega watt smile, he pointed to himself and his clothing, "I like what I'm wearing now!" Jennifer returned his mega watt smile with that of her own, leaned into him and said, "Oh, so do I, as will every other woman with decent eyesight and if you're not careful, she continued, gazing down his chest and zeroing in on his boxers, you may be mistaken for a delicious fruit plate." Jonathan burst out into hysterical laughter, and he put his hands up in surrender, "Ok, ok, you convinced me, I'll go change. But just so you know, I only want to be served up on a platter, by and to you!"; winking at her, before disappearing upstairs.
Jonathan returned within 20 minutes, wearing shorts, a white polo shirt and loafers. Approaching Jennifer, he turned around in a full circle, asking, "Well, how do I look? Presentable for the insatiable females of the Amalfi Coast?" She laughed, "Absolutely, but just hold my hand, in case they don't get the message." As they left the house, Jennifer took Jonathan's hand and headed to the garage door, pressing the opener. Upon seeing the car, Jonathan let out a slow, low whistle, "Your fathers'?" Nodding her head in the affirmative, Jennifer unlocked the car and they both got in. Jonathan began checking the car out and said, "You know, I never gave Maserati's a thought when I was interested in buying a particular car.. Jennifer cut him off and said, "until now?". "Until now" he said with a smile, then pointed to the road, "let's see what this baby can do!" Jennifer laughed, then backed out of the garage, closing it by pressing the button on her key ring and headed to the local food market.
Arriving at the market, after Jennifer chose to take the scenic route for Jonathan's benefit, they held hands upon exiting the car. As they entered the market, Jonathan snapped his fingers, "we forgot to make a list." "Jonathan, this trip is for you, so we know exactly what we need – Eggs, Bacon, Sausage, and Potatoes for Home Fries; route cette merde grasse et malsaine que tu aimes tant." "Well, I'm not..wait, what did you say? He came up behind Jennifer, as she was walking the aisle and whispered, "Italian huh?" She smiled sneakily, "When in Rome." Jonathan smirked and continued, "for some reason, that didn't sound like Italian to me." "It wasn't, it was French." "So, what did you say?" Before Jennifer could respond, another voice answered Jonathan, "All of that unhealthy fatty shit you love so much." Jennifer turned to the voice, almost stunted with a look of slight shock, and there he was, Alessandro. Jonathan, smiling at this stranger's responding to his question and at Jennifer's words themselves, quickly realized that he was missing something, as he watched the way Alessandro looked at Jennifer and her visceral response to him. "Alessandro, she said quickly, but nervously, nice to see you again." "You as well Jennifer, shopping for dinner I see." "Breakfast", Jonathan quickly interrupted, moving closer to Jennifer, while looking between the two. Alessandro picking up on the slight tension, introduced himself, "Please forgive me for interrupting, I'm Alessandro", offering his hand to Jonathan, who took it willingly. "Jonathan Hart" he said casually, "I'm Jennifer's husband." Alessandro, raised his eyebrows just a hint at Jonathan's introduction, but enough of one that Jonathan caught it.
Jennifer, feeling mildly uncomfortable, answered Jonathan's silent questions, "Jonathan, Alessandro is the host at Melchio, a fabulous restaurant in town with a gorgeous view of the Mediterranean. I met him, while having dinner there and he graciously offered me a ride back to the Villa, as I was unsure how to get back there at night, with my being unfamiliar with the area." Jonathan, shook his head in acknowledgment, but was a bit wary and nervously thought, that if he hadn't come to find Jennifer, would this man have wormed his way into her good graces? Even worse, he could… He shook that thought out, as quickly as it came. He was never jealous of men finding Jennifer attractive or of their eyes roaming all over her, hell if she weren't his wife, he'd react the same way. But, he and Jennifer, were never in the place they were now – out of sorts and working their way back to one another.
Alessandro, sensing that he should've disappeared about five minutes ago, made his apologies again for interrupting and stated that he needed to finish his shopping. Jennifer, silently exhaling, took Jonathan's hand and continued down the aisle. Jonathan slightly tightening his hand in Jennifer's, looked at her and smiled, "let's get some real food, I'm starving!"
Arriving back at the Villa with more than just breakfast food, Jennifer shook her head at the amount of food they bought. "Jonathan, I thought we were just getting a few things, like sausage, bacon, but apparently you had to buy half of the store." Laughing, Jonathan said, "Well, that's how I shop, if it's on my list, I get it. If it's not, but I like it, I get it, simple right?" "I'll say it's simple", she said, pinching his cheek in the process. As they finished putting away the food, Jennifer said, "Do you realize it's almost lunch time?" "We literally went out to buy food for breakfast and it's nearly over." Jonathan, moving his head to the side said, "Well, there is brunch, how about that?" "What a good idea", she responded.
"Great, I'll make it – What would you like?" Pondering his question, Jennifer finally responded, "Well, how about, we leave all that and go out for brunch, which by the time we get to wherever it is we choose, it will definitely be lunch."
In agreement with her, Jonathan responded, "Perfect and then we can have breakfast in bed tomorrow morning, deal?" "Deal", she said smiling.
Jonathan ensnaring Jennifer within his arms, "Listen, before we go, I need to say something!"
"I don't want you thinking I'm angry with you about Alessandro or that I have questions as to why or how you knew each other. You're a grown woman Jennifer and can have friends of the male persuasion without my input or knowledge – I'm not the Jealous type." "Of course, you have every reason to feel differently, considering my behavior at learning of Elliot being involved in any capacity with you. I also want to say how badly I felt, at your reaction to Alessandro in my presence; because again, that's my fault. I saw the uneasiness in your reaction to my possible response and again, that's my fault for the eggshells you were walking on! Jennifer, I want you to know, that I will never make you feel like that, ever again!"
Jennifer hugged him tightly, then leaned in and kissed his lips, "Thank you and I love you!" "Now, let's go, pour que tu puisses manger toute cette merde grasse et malsaine que tu aimes tant."
Jonathan smiled, "Yes, I will eat that shitty food, you don't like." But, when we return, we need to resume our talk." Jennifer, knowing which talk he was speaking of, smiled and nodded. But underneath, knew it was going to be another night of emotionally draining the hart.