Jon
and all the kids gathered close to her. Lexie looked from one face
to the other, she picked up her suitcase and walked over and put it
on the cart with all their luggage.
“Alright
Lexie” Stephanie went over and gave her a hug.
Jon
looked at Lexie and then at Stephanie, he had a puzzled look on his
face.
“Dad,”
Jesse went over and put his hand on her suitcase.
It
was like a light bulb went off over his head. He walked over and
pulled Lexie in his arms and gave her a toe curling kiss.
“I
wanted to tell you back at the cabin but you didn't want to hear my
answer.” She whispered when they broke apart.
Jon
felt a tap on his hip. He looked down at Romeo looking up at him.
“What
you need Roe,” Jon bent down to Romeos level, “Lexie is gonna
live with us now.”
“Does
that mean Snowball can stay in my room?” Romeo looked promising to
Lexie and his dad.
“Roe,
you mean you aren't happy Lexie is coming to live with us?” Jon
leaned closer to ask.
“Yeah
Daddy, I'm happy,” Romeo looked up at his daddy, “If I don't ask
now Jakey will ask.”
Lexie
tried hard not to snicker at his response.
“Why
don't we let Snow decided where she wants to sleep, is that okay
boys.” Lexie said as she looked between Jake and Romeo. They both
nodded and that one hurdle was accomplished,
They
let the doorman lug the luggage cart across the street and into the
lobby and into the elevator for them. Jon tipped the doorman and
rode up with the kids and Lexie. The door opened into the hallway
Jon handed her the key.
“I
need to get you a key made.” He told her when he handed her his
key.
Lexie
took the key to open the door when it opened.
“Bought
time you all got back, hey Lexie good to see you with the crew.”
Richie moved back so they could enter the townhouse. The kids gave
him a hug and Lexie gave him a hug too. Jon gave that little show of
affection his famous stink eye.
“What
are you doing here Dean?” Jon pulled Lexie close.
“Laid
down some tracks and was heading to Mom's for dinner with her and
Ava.” He noticed the way Jon held Lexie close. He looked at
Stephanie and nodded his head toward Jon then Lexie.
Stephanie
smiled and nodded her head, at her uncle Mookie's questioned nod.
Richie
smiled and went and clamped his hand to Jon's back.
“Bout
time there Frank” Richie whispered into Jon's ear.
“I'll
give you time to get settled, call me when your ready to work,” He
headed out the door.
Jon
smiled as he watched Richie leave.
“Ok,
lets get settled and get some dinner.” Jon said as he took Lexie's
hand and headed toward the stairs to the bedrooms. “Don't take
long.”
~.~.~
In
the next few weeks the kids got settled Lexie got her own key and
getting things ready for school.
“Hey
Lexie can you take me school shopping?” Stephanie came into the
kitchen where Lexie was working on dinner.
“I
thought your Grandmother Bongiovi was taking you and Jesse?” Lexie
asked her as she tore the last bit of lettuce into the salad bowl.
“She
is, but you have better taste in clothes than she does.” Stephanie
said as she sat on the counter. “Anyway my Grandmother asked me to
ask you to come, I told her you had a busy schedule with the book you
are working on.”
“Steph,”
Lexie wasn't sure she was ready to meet Jon mom. “I'll take to
your Dad first, okay?”
“What
do you want to ask me about?” Jon came in and snitched a cherry
tomato out of the bowl.
Lexie
smacked his hand and laughed.
“Daddy,
Grandmother wants me to ask Lexie to join us when we go shopping.”
Stephanie rushed to tell him, “She wants to meet Lexie, and I told
her about Lexie schedule.”
“Well
Lex, you have to meet her one day, why not shopping?” He said as
he grabbed a plate of steaks to take out and grill.
“Jon,
you really think this want be a 'grill the new girlfriend day' I
don't know if I'm ready for meet the momma time alone.” She placed
the bowl on the counter and started on the potatos.
“You'll
have Stephanie and Jesse with you, they'll protect you.” He headed
out on the patio and opened the grill he started before his run.
Lexie
came out with the wrapped potatoes to put on the grill to cook.
“Why
don't you go with us?” Lexie asked him.
“Because
I'll have the little dudes with my Dad shopping for the boys” He
added the steaks and closed to lid. “I bet my mom set this up so
dad could grill me.”
“Then
why don't you go with your mom and I'll go with your dad.” they
went and sat in chairs by the grill.
“Why
don't we all go together, I'll call for a driver and a limo to take
us all shopping.” He patted her hand that set on his thigh.
“I
knew I loved for some reason.” She laughed, “You won't serve me
up to your mom.”
“Yep,
I'll be your Superman.” He leaned over and gave her a kiss.
