Chapter 18

After thoroughly enjoying my Thanksgiving weekend with my family and making plans for Christmas, I got back to the office on Monday and was ready to put in for the time off, when Josh came into my office with an invitation. "What's that?" I asked. "An invitation to the Christmas party of the year in Chicago," he answered enthusiastically. "Who's?" I questioned. "The new, Lake Heron Hospital Christmas party," he replied making the card dance across my desk. I shook my head, "Have fun," I said. "No we are the legal team we all have to go," he urged as if I had let the wind out of his sails. I starred at him, "I need you to go, because Chris and Lindsey are leaving before the party, so it's up to us to represent," he explained. "Fine, when is it?" I asked. December Twelfths," he answered. "I guess that's enough time, I'll just make my flight for the Wednesday after," I said out loud. "Where are you going?" He asked. "Back home," I answered. "Ok, well it's formal. Do you want prime rib or chicken?" He asked. "Prime Rib, if it's fancy that prime rib has to be good," I joked. "That's my girl," he joked back and walked out. Beth came walking in after him, "What was that all about?" she asked. "Oh he scored an invite to the hospitals black tie Christmas party," I explained. She rolled her eyes, "He loves to get dressed up and shmooz," she said annoyed. "What's up?" I asked. "I'm just tired, all this wedding planning with my mom is driving me crazy," she answered. "Wanna come shopping with me?" I asked with a smile. "Always," she answered. I put in my time off request and bought my plane ticket home for the sixteenth, helped get a few motions ready to file and headed home.

That weekend Beth and I went shopping, "I thought after the last time, you'd be scared to shop with me," she joked. I smiled, "I don't entirely blame you," I told her, remembering the last time we were furniture shoping and I got the call about the lawsuit. We were Christmas gift shopping for family and went past the dress shop in the mall. "Oh I need a dress for that party," I told her. "You say that like it's a bad thing," she replied dead pan. After trying on what felt like a thousand teen prom dresses I finally found an emerald green, lace, long sleeve, off the shoulder, mermaid style dress, with a slit up the left leg. Beth came to my house after shopping so her fiancee wouldn't see the presents and we drank wine and wrapped them. We ordered dinner in and hung out most of the night, it was great to have a girls night. As I laid in bed I began to realize, I was getting back to me. The me, before tragedy, before marriage and life happened, back when I was just me, life was simple. I didn't answer to anyone or have to worry about anyone else.

The next few weeks went by quickly, but that was always something that bothered me. The time between the holidays always seemed too fast. We got bonuses at work and had a party afterwork one Friday. It wasn't anything big, just pizza and the handing out of the bonuses and done. I was appreciative of that, because aside from Beth and Chris I don't really care to hang out with people at work.

The night of the Christmas party Beth came over to help me get ready, "Awe, I'm a little jealous," she said looking at me. I smiled, "Don't be I'll be spending my evening with Josh," I told her. "True, hey maybe you'll meet a hot doctor," she shrugged. I laughed, "Ok, text me when you get home," she said hugging me and heading out the door. I looked at myself, my auburn hair in a low ponytail curled and elegantly messy, a few strands around my face. My make up was soft, but I had gold glitter on my eye lids, which I highly approved of. The door man called and said my car was here, so I grabbed my black clutch and the black faux fur stole, Beth let me borrow and headed down. The driver opened the door and Josh sat inside in his black tux, "You look beautiful," he complimented as I got in. "Thank you, you look very dapper yourself," I replied. That was really all we said to each other, it was clear we had nothing in common beyond work. That was fine, I respected him at work, and I was glad to just have a fun night out, but after Halloween, I think we both knew there was nothing beyond work. I'd never been to a black tie party before, so I was a little excited.

The benefit was beautifully set up in a huge ball room with a large balcony over looking the grounds of a large golf course. I took Josh's arm as we got out of the car and walked into the doorway to check in. The whole event was beautiful, poinsettias everywhere and I believe I saw a dance floor in front of the stage. It was a catered event but first a cocktail hour. I smiled at the memories of cocktail hour before dinner. We walked to the bar for a drink, I got a boozy apple cider, "We need to make sure we mingle," Josh ordered. I nodded sipping my drink. We walked around under the guise of looking for our table.

We met a few doctors and nurses. A few board members and big wigs of the hospital. It was while we were talking to the COO that I nearly spit my drink out. A few tables over I saw him, Jack.

"Are you ok?" Josh asked. "Yes, sorry," I apologize. I stared at him and he smiled and raised his glass. "Excuse me, I need some air," I said and started walking to the doors. I heard Josh mutter, "Can't hold her liquor," as I walked away, I didn't care I needed to breath.

I felt like I had seen a ghost, I had waited nearly eight months to hear anything and suddenly there he was. One of the staff opened the balcony door, "Thank you," I nodded and stepped out into the cold night air. I walked straight over to the railing, set my glass down, my hands instantly went to my stomach. I tried to breath calmly, part of me wanted to run to him, while another part of me was wondering what did this mean for me being back to me. Did I still love him?

"Whitney," a deep voice called behind me. That voice played the strings of heart, I closed my eyes, "What are you doing here?" he asked gently. I turned to face him, I could feel the tears threatening to fall. "I'm representing the legal team," I began, "What are you doing here?" I asked back. "I'm part of the financial team," he said with that amazing smile. "I thought you were based in Seattle?" I asked still fighting the tears and urge to fling my arms around him. "I got a promotion, with it a move to Chicago where the company's main hub is," he answered. There was an awkward silence, "Here with your boyfriend?" he asked. I shook my head, "No, just one of the lawyers from the firm," I answered. "You look amazing," he said looking me up and down. "Thanks, you look pretty dashing yourself," I replied clearly nervous. There was an elephant on that balcony with us, giant and uncomfortable.

"Why did you leave?" he blurted out. I let out a sigh, there it was, those words were like a dagger to my soul. "Did you read the note I left?" I asked. "No," he answered. I nodded, "Well," I nearly yelled giving him a, "maybe you should have" look. "What?" he asked. "I left my email, cell phone, address every way to contact me in that note," I explained. His face fell defeated, "When I never heard from you, I figured it was just money," I finished. "It wasn't money," Jack said. I tried to carefully wipe my eyes, "That business I had to take care of was making sure, I wouldn't be in any violation if I left there with you," he trailed off. I took a sharp breath, "Left with me?" I asked. "Whitney, that was the first time I had been there. I had sign contracts for confidentiality and some other things, but I was a guests too," he explained. "I'm so confused," I replied. "I know I'm not really explaining this right," he paused. "Ok remember the first night there, the guy that was talking to you when I showed up?" He asked. "Yeah," I nodded shrugging. "Ok, he was paid to be there, he worked there. He was probably supposed to be your escort," he explained. I stood there frozen, "Whitney, they're starting," Josh called from the door. "Be right there," I replied. I didn't know what to say or do, I grabbed my drink and started back in. Jack grabbed my hand, "Do you still love me?" He asked. "I just want to get through tonight," I told him. That much was true, I was too confused to deal with all of this right now.

Turns out we were sitting at the same table, the legal team, financial team, and marketing team each consisting of two people were all at the same table. The CEO Dave, made a speech about how the hospital was back on track to being the best in Chicago, and he couldn't have done it without everyone in the room. He gave out bonuses to the staff that worked at the hospital, the room felt light hearted and appreciative, meanwhile my mind was in turmoil. If Jack and I did start dating, would we even get along outside of the spa? Would I have to move farther from my parents? My parents.. How would I explain this to them? By all accounts I had gotten a Christmas miracle, but it came with so many complications. So many questions were swirling in my head as they brought out the food, I wasn't sure how I was going to eat. Jack had been seated next to me, there was idle chatter at the table, I wasn't really following it. Until Josh asked, "Jack, do you know Whitney?" I looked over at him, "Yeah, we met on vacation. We stayed at the same resort," he smiled. "Oh was that the one you took for your birthday?" Josh asked taking a bite of his food. "Yeah," I answered nodding. "I would love to take a month off for my birthday," Josh stated arrogantly. "You could probably benefit from it," I dug taking a sip of my drink. Jack stared at me with a smirk. After dinner there was dancing to classic Christmas carols, "Come on, for old times," Jack joked. I took his hand and we went to the dance floor, he wrapped his arm around me bringing me close. I could breath him in and once again it was intoxicating, "I'm sorry," he offered. "For what?" I asked as began to slowly sway. "All of it, not reading the note, surprising you here," he stated. "Actually no I'm not sorry I surprised you here," he added. I breathing quickened, "What if it's not the same?" I questioned. "What do you mean?" He asked. "We fell in love on an island, no one else was around. That's a lot different than day to day life, with work and friends," I explained. He smiled, "The jab at your coworker, reminds me of the same woman who rolled her eyes at Sandra and Roman," he assured. I couldn't help but chuckle at that first night. "Is there any part of you that still feels anything for me?" He asked. I looked into his deep brown eyes, those eyes that saw into my soul on the island, it was as if they were calming the storm of my mind, "Of course," I answered. Aware of our surrounding, neither one of us felt we could kiss, "Let's get out of here," he whispered and I nodded. I grabbed my clutch, looked for Josh who was deep in a group of women, he'll be fine. I got Beth's stole and we walked out, a car was pulled around and we left.

I told the driver my address and sat back, "I couldn't believe it when I saw you," he said. I smiled sweetly, "I thought I was seeing things," he added. I felt hot, he leaned over and kissed me I melted into his kiss. His hand caressed my jaw line, all the questions and hesitations I felt were gone completely. He pulled back and rested his forehead on mine, my eyes were closed I was trying to remember how to breath. I don't know how long we stayed like that, before we pulled up outside my condo. The driver opened my door and we climbed out, Jack laced his fingers in mine and we headed up. Once inside, I set my clutch and stole on the table. "This is it," I said walking to the living room. I turned around and he was right there, I closed my eyes and breathed him in. How long I had waited for that, he push my hair off my shoulders and ran his hands gently down my arms, I felt as if I was going to come apart right there. He slowly trailed kisses down my neck as he undid the zipper on my dress, and it slowly fell revealing the black corset and garters I had on. He took off his jacket, I grabbed his hand and walked backwards to my bedroom, with a smile. I stopped close to my bed and pulled him to me, kissing him, showing him how much I missed him. He unfastened my corset, releasing my breast. I pulled out his bow tie, unbuttoned his shirt and unfastened his belt. I sat back on my bed and he knelt down taking off my shoes, like that night at the cabana, then slid my stockings slowly down my legs. His gentle touch made my breath hitch, he then kissed his way up my legs, stopping to pay extra attention at my clit. My breathing grew ragged and quick, he stopped and kissed up my stomach, then paused to devour my breasts one at a time. When my reached my mouth I was on the edge ready to be tipped, "I've missed you," he whispered against my lips and pushed into me. The feeling I had missed and needed, I took a deep breath in as if it was my first. We locked into a kiss as he thrusted slowly, trying to enjoy every sensation. I on the other hand was completely coming undone with each thrust, he broke our kiss, searching my eyes, he whispered, "Cum with me," breathlessly. He began pushing harder and faster until I couldn't hold back anymore I moaned with each breath I let out. Jack collapsed laying his head on my chest his arms stretching out on either side of me. I ran my fingers threw his hair, enjoying having Jack close. He was here and finally life seemed as it should be. As it was always ment to be, I was finally happy again with all that had happened I was me again, happy and in love.