Jen smiled softly as Tad left with Amy. She was proud of him and was quite happy that things were working out well for him. As the door shut, Jen turned back to her house guests in Theodore and Marci Green. Jen hadn't met Marci before, but she felt a profound sense of thanks and gratitude to give to her husband. Teddy Green had caught the man who had killed her husband, and Jen would be thankful for that for a very long time. Sure, Lionel Ulysses' arrest and murder had provided enough of a scare for just about any were that their secrecy, but the man had murdered her husband, who she had loved dearly. Exposure was potentially scary, but a part of her was quite willing to endure it if it meant justice being done.
"You have a very nice boy, Mrs. Decker," Marci said to her as Jen looked in the direction of her guests.
"Thank you," Jen answered, "and call me Jen. And yeah... Tad is great. Practically a spitting image of his father in every way. In a way... Tad is really what's helped me get through the past couple of weeks."
Marci frowned as she noticed Jen look down for a moment. Teddy had told her about what had happened, and she could understand that their host was probably still grieving for what had happened to Major Jeff Decker. That didn't mean, however, that Marci had to like it, though before she could think of something to try and comfort Jen, their hostess looked up and had a small smile on her face.
"He's done well and will be safe here in Moon Lake," Jen gave a smile, "and I just can't help but get the feeling that in heaven... Jeff is proud of his son for all that he's done and the stances he's taken."
"I take it your son and your husband were close?" Ted asked, "They had a strong bond... and your son learned from that?"
"Tad learned from both of us," Jen answered, "but I suppose he might identify more with his father, since both of them are... were... werewolves."
"That may be part of it," Ted commented, "but from what I could see... your husband in heaven shouldn't be the only one proud of your son. He longs to be strong, polite, and yet reasonably curious. I'd think you would have plenty to be proud of him for."
Jen couldn't help but smile a bit and look down, trying to hide her embarrassment. After a moment, she did answer, "Thank you... And I am proud of him. He's a good boy and has been quite strong through everything. More interested in computer and video games than service to his country the way Jeff was... but both of them have the same sense of right and wrong, and so far he's treated his girlfriend Amy right and she's treated him right. That's made him happy, which makes me happy."
"Well... that is good," Marci said to Jen.
"Yes, it is," Jen nodded and then looked to Ted as they all stood up as they finished dinner, "and thanks to you... I can be assured that Tad will be safe."
Ted blinked for a moment, "I only did my job, Jen."
"Yes... but you got justice for my husband," Jen said to him, "and for that I will be forever grateful."
Jen carefully approached the two. She was slow and a bit hesitant, as she didn't want Marci to think she was putting the moves on Ted. She had waited for years to be able to be with her husband in every way. Jen figured that Marci might not want someone they barely knew making any sort of sexual advances on her husband. Thankfully, Marci didn't move or react in anyway that would be considered hostile. That allowed Jen to approach him and shake his hand.
"And I give you my most profound thanks and I wish you the best of happiness together," Jen said to Ted as she shook his hand and looked between both of them.
"Thank you, Jen," both replied to her, "and thank you for the dinner."
Jen shook Ted's hand and was surprised to get a hug from Marci.
"Hopefully we'll see you around before we have to head home," Marci said in a friendly voice, "Because we'll be friends."
"That'd be nice," Jen smiled, "We can share letters after Ted and I go back home..."
"You wouldn't move here?" Jen asked.
"For the moment... that's something for the future," Ted answered, "Neither of us are at retirement age yet... and while potential issues of exposure and reaction remain... we'll have to be careful with regard to all of this."
"But know that we'll be friends," Marci said to Jen with a friendly smile.
With that Ted and Marci headed out. It had been a good visit, and Ted seemed to enjoy the steaks that Jen had cooked. With that, Jen had felt the visit had gone quite well. She stayed in the doorway as the Greens walked off. Marci waved back to her over her shoulder. Jen smiled and waved to Marci. They may not have me before, and Jen's first meeting with Theodore Green may not have been under the best of circumstances, but Jen did think that she had made friends and she would accept them as friends.