Early the next morning the quiet of the Harts bedroom was shattered by a call from the front gate. Jennifer didn’t even open her eyes, she just reached over to Jonathan to nudge him awake. She made contact and nudged, making him aware of the loud buzzing. He reached for the intercom and exchanged a few words with their early visitor before opening the gate.
"Who is it?" Jennifer asked without moving or opening her eyes.
"A delivery, for you." He said sitting up.
"Let me know what it is." She said before rolling back over.
"Oh no you don’t." Jonathan said and pulled the covers from her.
"Your such a gentleman." She said before getting up.
"It’s for you remember?"
"So what’s your point?" She asked as she followed him out of the bedroom.
They answered the door and Jennifer signed for 12 dozen white roses. The card was missing but the price tag was not. "$720. Along with the shoes and Kelly bag that’s almost two thousand dollars in gifts in under 48 hours." She said frustrated.
"Well I think that I could guess who your secret admirer is." Jonathan said.
"Darling, after last night I sincerely doubt that Claude would give me anything."
"Maybe not, but I’d like to call and talk to him anyway."
"I’ll call Claire and get his number."
Jennifer called Claire and got Claude’s hotel number, but when Jonathan called he was told that Monsieur Monet had checked out. Later that afternoon another gift was delivered, a diamond tennis bracelet. Jennifer was debating whether or not to call the police when the phone rang, it was Eugenia calling for Jonathan. After about her 10th call Jennifer answered the phone and spoke with Eugenia. She very politely told her that as Jonathan’s wife she could not let this continue. With that, the calls from the Bird Lady ceased. The Harts had just returned from dinner when another gift was delivered.
"I think its wine." Jennifer said unwrapping the package.
"Well he already said it with flowers."
"Jonathan, it’s a bottle of Ch.d’Yquem, 1811." She said with amazement in her voice.
"A white Bordeaux?" he asked. Jennifer just nodded. "I wonder how much it cost, is there a price tag?"
"No, but I’m going to find out what it’s worth." She said as she headed toward the phone.
After several hours on the telephone Jennifer found someone who could quote her price. He didn’t even believe she had a bottle until she introduced herself. Jennifer had just hung up the phone when Jonathan walked into the bedroom holding an envelope. "It’s for you."
"You open it Darling." She said before lying back on the bed.
Jonathan opened the envelope, "Plane tickets."
"A plane ticket? Where to?" she asked sitting back up.
"Tickets, and several places actually. We’ve got France, Madrid, Moscow, Tokyo, Korea, and ends back at Charles de Gaulle." He said reading the itinerary.
"France."
Jonathan nodded, "First class, total price 21 thousand and some change. Did you get a price on the wine?"
"Somewhere between 12 and 16 thousand." She said reading the notes she had jotted down. "What’s the travel date?"
"Friday." Jonathan saw her frustration and moved to sit beside her. "It’s late, why don’t we get ready for bed?"
The telephone rang interrupting their conversation and Jennifer reached to answer the call. The caller spoke with a French accent, and Jonathan watched while his wife talked with Claude. "Well?" Jonathan asked when she hung up the phone.
"He wanted to know if I received the gifts." She said before covering her face with her hands and leaning forward to rest her elbows on her knees.
"And?"
She moved her hands from her face to the back of her neck and said, "And then he told me that he would see me at the airport on Friday."
"Then what?" He asked rubbing her back.
"And then he hung up."
"Why don’t you go and get changed, and I’ll go downstairs and get us some warm milk?"
Jennifer nodded and went to get changed while Jonathan retrieved the milk.
Friday came quickly and the Harts and Capt. Grey walked into LAX almost five hours before the scheduled flight. Herschel was off duty and was accompanying the couple as a favor, seeing that the only real crime that Claude had committed was being a jerk. Jennifer wanted to ignore Claude and forget about everything, he would have to quit sending her gifts eventually. But Jonathan felt that they had to confront him and handle it directly. After much debate they decided that they would try it his way, under the condition that they did not go alone.
The plan was to meet Claude, hopefully before getting on the plane, and then Jonathan and Herschel with a bit of American Authority would confront him. They decided to split up into two teams, Mr. and Mrs. H would go one way and Herschel would go another. After four hours and no sign of him the Harts decided to grab some coffee. Jennifer took a sip of hers and turned around to see where Jonathan was with the sugar when a hurried man who wasn’t watching where he was going crashed right into her.
"Whoa!" Jennifer shouted as the coffee was absorbed into her shirt and jacket.
The man who caused the collision stood shaking his head as he looked down at the large wet spot on his chest. "I can not believe this." He said almost accusingly before continuing on his way, minus an apology.
"Well, beware stationary objects!" Jennifer called after him.
"What happened to you?" Jonathan asked as he approached.
"Let’s just say that I won’t be needing that sugar after all."
Jonathan laughed, "No I guess not."
"However I would like to find somewhere to try and clean up a little." She said.
The Harts went to find the nearest restroom; all the while unaware that this was just the diversion that people watching them had been waiting for. Jonathan was leaning against a wall waiting for Jennifer. He nodded to a woman with a crying baby as she passed him to enter the Ladies Room. Jennifer was trying unsuccessfully to remove the coffee spot; she looked up and smiled when she saw the lady and the baby. She noticed that the woman appeared to be frustrated and was having a difficult time managing with both the baby and her luggage.
"Can I help you with that?" Jennifer offered.
"Oh, thank you so much." the woman handed Jennifer the baby, "I won’t be but a minute." She said before stepping into a stall.
Jennifer looked down at the adorable baby boy in her arms and bounced him gently to try and sooth his cries.
Outside Jonathan was wondering what was taking his wife so long when a man bumped into him from behind. "Hey!" shouted the man.
"Hey?" Jonathan asked, didn’t this man just bump into him?
"This man just stole my wallet!" The man yelled as he waved to nearby security guards.
"What?!" Jonathan demanded.
"What’s going on here?" one of the guards asked when they approached.
"This man bumped into me and picked my pocket. He stole my wallet!"
"I can assure you, I did no such thing."
"Why do you think that this man stole your wallet Mr.?" asked guard one.
"Frank Nessman. And this man stole my wallet. I felt him slide it out of my jacket."
"Mr.?" asked guard two referring to Jonathan.
"Hart, Jonathan Hart, and I did not steal Mr. Nessman’s wallet. I’m just waiting for my wife."
"Well then Mr. Hart, if you’ll consent to a quick search we can resolve this matter quickly." Suggested guard two.
Jonathan agreed, "Fine, unless of course this search requires rubber gloves."
Guard two approached Jonathan and asked him to pull out the wallet that was resting in his back pocket. He agreed and the wallet produced quite a few credit cards, a little cash, a California driver’s license, and a couple of other things. All of which belonged to Mr. Hart himself. The guard then moved to his jacket and recovered a second wallet, the contents all belonging to a Mr. Frank L. Nessman.
"Mr. Hart I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to come with us." Said guard one.
"You see, I told you!" Shouted Mr. Nessman.
"Wait a minute, I didn’t steal anything. I don’t know how…" Jonathan stopped when he realized what was happening and he turned towards the Ladies room, "Jennifer!" he shouted as he tried to get to his wife. He tried but the two security guards were on him quickly. "You don’t understand, I have to get to my wife!" he continued to fight and struggle to free himself as the guards pulled him away.
Back inside the Ladies room Jennifer was pacing with the baby boy to try and get him to quiet down. When she offered to help she had meant to watch the luggage or something, it’s not that she minded the baby, she just never thought that a mother would hand her baby over to a stranger like that. She and the baby circled the room a few more times and Jennifer was wondering what was keeping her, she had been in there for nearly twenty minutes. She was sure that Jonathan was going to get worried and she approached the stall door. She was about to knock when the door opened and the woman emerged.
"I’m so sorry that I took so long but I needed to express some milk for Christopher." She said as she walked over to Jennifer and gave him a bottle.
"He looks like a Christopher." Jennifer said smiling, still holding the now content boy.
"You’re very good with children, do have any?" the woman asked as she watched Jennifer and Christopher.
"No." she said almost regretfully as she looked down at the baby boy, "It just never…happened."
"I’m sorry I didn’t mean to…"
"No, no it’s alright." Jennifer interrupted. "Oh, my name is Jennifer by the way."
"It’s nice to meet you Jennifer, I’m Samantha. And you’ve already met Chris. You know, you look familiar, are you from around here? L.A. I mean."
"Yes, I am." Jennifer said as she surrendered Christopher to Samantha.
"You wouldn’t happen to live in the Valley would you?"
"Ah no, but I have been out there form time to time."
"Hmm? I’m sure that I have seen you before, where in L.A. are you from?" Samantha asked as she gathered her things up.
Assuming that Samantha was from the San Fernando Valley, Jennifer hoped that she wouldn’t sound like she was bragging and almost opted to lie, "Well, uh, Bel Air."
"It’s okay, really." She said noticing Jennifer’s discomfort, and she and Jennifer shared a smile. "Well Jennifer, it was very nice to meet you but we have a plane to catch. And thank you so much for helping me out like that."
"It was my pleasure. It was nice to meet you, both of you." She said as she removed her finger from Christopher’s tiny hand and watched them leave. She turned around and caught her reflection in the mirror. She noticed the large coffee spot and it immediately sent her thoughts back to her waiting husband and she headed quickly to the door.
Jonathan and Captain Grey walked quickly out of the security office, "Thanks Herschel, any luck with paging Jennifer?"
"No not yet, but they’re going to keep trying."
"Damn. Well how about that guy that planted the wallet on me, Nessman? Did you get anything from him?"
"No, they let him go. Had no reason to hold him." Captain Grey replied, "So where are we going?"
"To find Jennifer." Jonathan answered as he quickened his pace.
Jennifer Hart walked through LAX in search of her husband or Captain Grey. Her eyes continuously scanned the crowds of people but ceased to find either familiar face. She thought she heard her name on the intercom a few minutes ago but she wasn’t sure. She was more focused on where Jonathan could be; he certainly wouldn’t just leave her like that. Something must have happened. She was on her way to find a security officer when a familiar man appeared in front of her causing her to jump. "Claude."
"Hello Jennifer. Before you try to run or scream, you should know that I can explain your husbands disappearance." Said the Frenchman.
"Where’s Jonathan?" she demanded, contemplating whether or not to scream.
Claude took her by her elbow and began guiding her to their gate. "Don’t talk, just listen. Right now he is with several of my associates." He lied, "My associates have been promised a great deal of money, provided that they follow my instructions implicitly. And they always do. So, what I am saying is that Jonathan will be released unharmed when our plane touches down in France. I say our, because I mean the both of us. You are going to accompany me, and without difficulties. However, if you try to deviate from this plan Jonathan will pay harshly for your disobedience."
"I don’t believe you."
"I think you do. Because you know that I am not a man that needs to bluff."
"How do I know that you’re telling the truth, that you’ll let my husband go?"
"You also know that I have no need to lie, I can make anything possible. And you are never to refer to him as your husband again." Claude said demandingly. "Now let’s go, we have a plane to catch."
Jennifer and Claude were about to hand over their tickets when suddenly they were both jolted hard from behind. Jennifer fell to the floor and looked around to see what had put her there. She saw that it was Jonathan who caused the impact, and he was now wrestling with Claude. The way they had fallen put Claude on top and Jonathan was struggling to get an upper hand. Jennifer got up and grabbed Claude around the neck; it took almost no effort for him to cast her aside. The momentary distraction was all that Jonathan needed, he pushed the Frenchman off and was able to stand. Claude was also able to regain his balance and the two men stood circling each other.
"Why don’t you give it up Monet, you have nowhere to go." Said Jonathan. Claude mumbled something in French and then lunged forward. But the only contact that was made was Jonathan’s fist to his face, and Monsieur Monet fell motionless to the floor.
"Jonathan!" called Jennifer as she ran into his open arms.
"Darling are you alright?" he asked pulling her back to look her over."
"I’m fine."
"Are you sure you’re alright?"
"Well actually I’m half left." She said with a grin.
"What…Oh. Funny."
The couple stood laughing as Captain Grey and security approached. "What’s so funny?" Hershel asked looking from the Harts to the unconscious Claude.
"Nothing, it’s just that my wife here seems to be a regular comedian." He said putting his arm around her shoulder.
"Yes and my husband," she emphasized the word husband, "Is a regular Mike Tyson." She said wrapping her arm around his waist.
"I am so glad that you two found each other." Herschel said as he walked away.
The security crew was attending to Claude, they helped him to his feet and were about to take him away when Jonathan stepped out of his wife’s arms and over to them. "Jonathan." Jennifer said cautiously.
"Don’t worry Darling." Jonathan said as he took something, she couldn’t see what, out of Monsieur Monet’s pocket and placed it into his own. He nodded to the officers, and the security detail hauled their prisoner away while he returned to Jennifer’s side.
"What’d you do, steal his wallet to get even?" she teased.
Jonathan gave her an odd look, "No, I just borrowed something that he wouldn’t be needing anymore." He said as he reached into his jacket and pulled out Claude’s plane ticket.
"Jonathan."
"Why not? I figure it’s the least he could do." He said shrugging his shoulder’s in innocence. The final boarding call rang out through the terminal, "Well? How about it?"
He knew the answer before she spoke, the twinkle in her eyes told him yes. "Yes." She said mischievously. They joined hands, delivered their tickets and walked onto the plane.
Jennifer was standing on the balcony admiring the sunset and the view; a few minutes later Jonathan walked out to join her. He placed two glasses of wine on a small table then stood behind his wife and wrapped his arms around her. Jennifer leaned her body back against him and let her head rest comfortably on his shoulder. His arms were wrapped snuggly around her waist and she moved her arms to overlap his. Jennifer closed her eyes and enjoyed the comfort that their closeness gave her.
It was Jonathan’s turn to take in the view, "Isn’t France beautiful this time of day?"
Jennifer opened her eyes and answered, "France is always beautiful."
"Yes it is, especially from where I’m standing." He said placing a kiss on her cheek, and then her neck. And then her neck again. He was working his way down her jaw to her mouth, Jennifer turned in his arms so that she could meet his kiss directly. Their lips met and they enjoyed a deep lingering kiss. Jonathan took her hand and started to lead her inside, "Come on, I have a surprise."
She followed him unquestioningly and he stopped just outside the bathroom door. He pushed the door open and a light orange glow from the many candles emanated from the room, while the hundreds of rose petals lying on the floor produced a tantalizing scent. Across from the steaming bubble bath, which was also littered with red petals, was a large picture window. The window allowed a view of the setting sun over the French countryside. When the sun disappeared, it was replaced by a blue night and thousands of stars. A bottle of chilled wine and two glasses sat resting next to the enormous tub, while soft music filled the air.
"After you." Jonathan said. Their eyes met and held for a few seconds, then Jennifer smiled lovingly and walked into the bathroom. Jonathan followed her in, closing the door behind him.
