The Romantic Evening,
Part 1
By Tonya
(Sorry, she never finished this)
As Jennifer turned off the ignition she thought of
the wonderful day she had just spent with Gran.
Quality time with Gran was exactly what she had
needed. Of course, the great day she'd had yesterday
had a lot to do with why today had been so enjoyable.
Her spirits were enormously high as she was walking
toward the house where her ex-husband and beautiful
daughter were. She looked up at the sky at the
thousands of twinkling stars that lit her way to the
doorway of her new house. The bright stars reflected
her mood as she opened the door wondering if Jack
would be waiting up for her.
She had to admit the thought of Jack possibly
waiting for her return warmed her heart. However, he
was most likely in bed reading The Spectator or The
Wall Street Journal before nodding off for the night.
That was his usual routine. But, she couldn't help
but hope he was still awake and waiting to greet her.
What was happening to her? Was she falling in love
with Jack all over again? She had seen a side of him
in the last few days that she had never seen before
and it was a side that touched the core of her heart.
He had been so strong for her. First, he saved her
life and then he had been there to help her deal with
the heartache and guilt she had experienced after J.T.
couldn't be found. She didn't know how she could have
made it through these painful days without him to lean
on and comfort her.
Had she ever really fallen out of love with Jack,
though? She knew she loved him and always would.
But, she had told herself many times that the reason
she could never seem to put him out of her heart was
because of the bond they share being Abby's parents.
They also shared a past full of memories that she
would hold in her heart forever. He was, after all,
her first true love. Was she fooling herself to ever
think she could put Jack out of her life?
She had to admit she was glad she let Jack talk her
into moving in together. Abigail was ecstatic living
with both her parents and even more elated that her
parents were living under the same roof together.
Jennifer had hated coming home all these months and
having no adult company waiting for her. The
loneliness had been overwhelming for her. The brief
time they stayed with Gran had helped ease some of the
bitter loneliness she felt, but no one seemed to be
able to make her feel as whole as Jack Devaraux could.
There was one thing Jennifer was sure of. Jack
Devereaux had managed to get her attention and to
become an important part in her life, again. Another
thing she was sure of was that she needed a man in her
life now more than she ever had. She also knew
exactly who that man was: Jack Devaraux. As much as
she had fought it since his return to Salem, she could
no longer deny that she wanted and needed Jack back in
her life for good.
Jennifer started up the stairs of the house that
she already felt comfortable in to check on her
slumbering daughter. However, she noticed light on in
the family room. Was Jack waiting up for her? She
hoped it hadn't been a struggle getting Abby to sleep.
For his sake, their daughter better be in bed.
Jennifer had a strict bedtime routine for their
daughter and Jack was well aware of that. As she
darted toward the family room, she could feel her
temper flaring.
When she reached the doorway to the family room her
mood was changed abruptly. She couldn't believe her
eyes! There were candles flickering all over the
room. A crackling fire was blazing in the fireplace.
Soft music was humming on the stereo. Jennifer
couldn't help but say out loud, "Jack Devereaux, you
really have changed."
Tears started to flow uncontrollably down her
flushed cheeks. The last few days had been an
emotional roller coaster for her. Jack had surprised
her with the comfort, strength and caring he had
shown her. But, the setting she was seeing now
totally amazed her. Jack had never romanced Jennifer.
She realized as she felt her heart melting and her
emotions soaring how much she had wanted and needed
this from Jack.
As she imagined what this night had in store for
her and Jack, the doorbell rang. She wondered who
would be coming over this late at night. When she
reached the door she was surprised to see Greta
standing there. Why would Greta be at her house this
late?
"Hello, Greta."
"Hello, Jennifer."
"I don't mean to sound rude. But, why are you out
so late? I hope nothing is wrong."
"Yes, it is late. I was quite surprised myself
when Jack called and asked me to come over."
"Jack called and asked you to come over?"
"Yeah. He was acting sort of mysterious."
"Hmm. What did he say?"
"He was vague, actually. He just said he had a
very special evening planned and asked me to come over
right away."
Jennifer couldn't believe what she was hearing!
The romantic setting in their family room was for
Greta! She knew Jack had been spending time with
Greta, lately. She had never imagined they had any
kind of romantic relationship, though. Her pulse
started to race as she thought of how excited she had
been only moments earlier thinking Jack had planned
this evening for her. Before she had time to ponder
the situation any further, Jack entered the foyer.
"Good evening, ladies."
"Good evening, Jack. I came over as soon as I
possibly could."
Jennifer was speechless. But she managed to utter
the words through the tears that had started falling
as soon as she laid her eyes on Jack, "I'm going to go
check on Abby and then I'm going to turn in for the
night. Have a good night you two." She raced up the
stairs as quickly as her legs would carry her. But,
before she could open Abby's door she felt Jack's arms
wrap around her waist and turn her around to face him.
She couldn't look at him. Jack saw the tears
streaming down Jennifer's hot cheeks. Instinctively,
he started wiping her tears with his his firm but
gentle hands. He then put one hand in her hair and
started caressing it ever so lightly as one would a
baby's hair. Jennifer pushed him away and gave him a
look that made him feel as if a dagger had pierced his
heart.
"Don't touch me, Jack. Thanks for saving my life.
But, I can take care of myself, now. As you are well
aware of, I have been doing it for months, now."
"What's wrong, Jennifer? Why are you acting this
way?"
"Don't worry about it, Jack."
"But, I do worry about you, Jen. I have been very
worried about you since the accident. I thought now
that J.T. is home and safe you would be okay, now."
"I'm fine, Jack. Now, let me check on my daughter
and go to bed."
Jennifer quietly entered their daughter's bedroom
and saw her sleeping peacefully with her arms wrapped
snugly around her covers. "The Velveteen Rabbit" was
on her night stand opened about half-way through.
Jack had obviously been reading her favorite story to
her and she had fallen asleep before he finished it.
She kissed her daughter ever so gently on the forehead
and placed the storybook in her bookcase.
Jack watched her from the doorway. He was very
confused at Jennifer's mood. He thought spending the
day with Alice would be terrific for her.
Evidently, something had gone wrong. But, what?
When she re-entered the hallway, she stomped right
past Jack without saying a single word. She went
straight to her bedroom. Jack followed, but Jennifer
slammed the door in his face. He tried to open the
door, but Jennifer quickly locked it.
"Jennifer, please, let me in. I want to talk to
you."
"Go away, Jack."
"Jennifer, please, at least tell me what is wrong.
I'm worried about you."
"I said Go away, Jack, and that is final. Leave me
alone."
Jack continued to beg Jennifer to let him in or at
to at least explain her actions to him. But, Jennifer
didn't reply. She sat on the side of her bed sobbing
as quietly as she possibly could. He finally gave up
and decided maybe she needed some time alone and that
he would talk to her first thing in the morning about
what was bothering her. Besides, Greta was downstairs
waiting on him.
Several minutes later, Jennifer was still sitting
on the side of her bed sobbing when she heard the
front door close. Had Jack decided to go to Greta's?
Or, had Greta seen the turmoil on Jennifer's face and
graciously bowed out of their romantic evening
together? Just as Jennifer decided to stop crying
and feeling sorry for herself, the telephone rang.
She didn't feel like speaking to anyone. She hoped
Jack hadn't left with Greta and that he would answer
the telephone. Second ring. No answer. Third ring.
Still no answer. She decided he must have left with
Greta and she'd better answer before it woke Abby up.
"Hello."
"Hello, darling." It was the warm voice of Gran.
"Are you still up, Gran?"
"Yes, dear. Did Jack ever get hold of Greta?"
"I suppose. They left just before you called."
"Left? Where did they go?"
"I don't know. How did you know Greta was coming
over, Gran?"
"Well, Jack called me earlier this evening and
asked me if I could babysit Abigail."
"You have got to be kidding!"
"No, I would have said yes, but"...
"There is no need to explain, Gran. Jack had no
right to ask you to babysit Abby this late. This is
vintage Jack! He is going to hear it from me the
moment he walks in the door! I will be waiting on
him!"
"Calm down, Jennifer. He only asked me to babysit
Abby if he couldn't get Greta to. He wanted to
surprise you with a nice, romantic evening for the two
of you. Oh no! I hope I didn't ruin his surprise for
you."
"Oh, Gran. You didn't ruin the surprise. I did.
I am so glad you called."
Page updated 5/9/12
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