Chapter 61 All in the Family

Lexie got dressed and headed downstairs, going through the family room, headed to the kitchen. She had a salad to fix. Wearing a red and white sundress she picked up on one of her book tours, along with the red sandles, she pushed open the kitchen door. Coming face to face with an older version of Jon, only with a head of Silver hair.

“Well hello young lady.” John Sr. said. He was dressed casual with Khakis and a polo shirt.

“Hello, you must be Jon's father.” She approached his dad the same way she did his mother, her hand outstretched in welcome.

“You must be the reason my wife came through her ranting about my son ignoring his priorities.” He took her outstretched hand and pulled her into a family hug.

Jon came into the kitchen and caught his woman in the arms of his father.

“Hey old man, take your hands off my woman.” He chuckled as he pulled Lexie out of he fathers arms.

“So you already laid claim to this wonderful young lady?” John Sr laughed.

He held out her left hand to show the engagement ring on her ring finger.

“Sure have,” he kissed Lexie on the cheek. “Don't tell mom, I haven't had the chance to break it to her.”

“My lips are sealed, but not before I give her the welcome to the Family kiss.” John Sr. pulled Lexie back into his arms and gave her a kiss on each cheek. “Don't let this one give you any problems, if he does, come to me and I'll have him straightened out.” he told her.

Jon laughed. “You gonna send me to Uncle Max?”

Jon Sr. Laughed, “No your Mom.” He let Lexie go back to Jon.

“You haven't told me my future daughter in laws name.” John Sr. told his son.

“Hey you're the one who was kissing her before you knew she was taken.” he carried his cup to the coffee pot and poured the cold dark coffee in his cup. “John Frances Bongiovi, may I introduce Miss” He put his cup in the microwave and set the timer.

“You know as a boy he never could do two things at once.” John Sr. picked at his son.

“Oh, he can now.” then Lexie turned as red as her dress.

Both father and son broke out laughing. Lexie went over and smacked Jon on the arm.

“My name is Alexis Madison,” Lexie told John Sr. “You can call me Lexie.”

He stopped laughing and gave Lexie as stunned look.

“The Alexis Madison, the mystery writer, that Alexis Madison? I have all your books.” Jon Sr. took her hand and shook it. “Does your mother know, the new woman in your life is her favorite writer?”

“She likes my books?” Lexie stood there stunned. She had told Carol her professional name.

“Like is a mild word, she has all of us reading your books. You are right up there with Nora Roberts in her mind.” John Sr. told her, only to be solidified by Jon's proud nod.

“Wow, I couldn't tell by the way I met her.” Lexie told them.

“You were in her boys room and she didn't know anything about you. She was still in Mother Hen mode.” John Sr. told her. “It will sink in when you meet the rest of the brood.”

“I've met Richie,” She told John Sr. Going to the fridge she pulled out all the salad fixing,

Jon got his coffee and went out to where his kids and his mom sat out by the river. Snowball was running around with Romeo and Jake, you couldn't see a white spot on her fur.

“You two are gonna be giving Snow a bath, you better not let Lexie see her covered in river mud.” Jon came out and sat by his Daughter.

“I told them to get her out of there.” Stephanie told him.

“She been grilling you about Lexie?” He whispered in her ear.

“No, but she's been telling what a bad impression your making on your children.” She whispered back.

Jon looked up at the sound coming from the back door.

“Hey, your dad is in there turning on the Bongiovi charm with your woman Kidd.” Richie came out with his hands full of Drinks. “Momma B, Dad B sent you out a glass of Tea.” He went and sat across from Jon. Setting the glasses on the table he leaned forward and whispered to Jon. “Kidd you done good on the ring.”

Jon sat back and smiled and nodded. He got an idea, way to make his mom happy and well the kids weren't there last night and she was getting a ready made family and they should have been a part of it. He leaned over to Stephanie and whispered in her ear to go get Lexie's ring.

Stephanie jumped up and headed into the kitchen.

Lexie and John Sr. were in the kitchen sitting and chatting while the Salad bowls were full of salad and big pots sat on the stove top with bowling pasta and Sauce. The whole kitchen smelled of Garlic and tomatoes.

“Hey Grandpa,” Stephanie came up and gave John Sr. a hug and a kiss.

“Hey Stephie Rose, you happy that your dad is getting remarried?” John Sr asked.

“Yes sir, we all love Lexie, by the way Lexie, daddy wants your ring.” She held out her hand to Lexie.

“Taking it back already?” Lexie asked as she slipped the ring off.

“Yeah Uncle Mookie told him he did a good job and then he got this goofy look on his face and asked me to come in here and get your ring.” Stephanie told them. “Oh yeah, Snow isn't so white anymore, the boys had her down by the river.”

“Well, they can be the ones to give her a bath tonight.” She laughed.

“That will be there job before bed.”

John Sr. got up to check the pasta and took the pot to the sink. “Go tell everyone dinner is almost done, send Jesse in here to take the glasses to the table and the silver, chow line will begin in ten minutes.”

The gate alarm went off, Stephanie laughed, “There's Uncle Lemma and his family.” She ran to activate the gate. Then pocketing the ring she ran out to get Jesse. “Uncle Lemma and crew are here.” She told them and slipped Lexie's ring into her dads pocket.

“Thanks sweetie,” He put his hand in the pocket over the ring then turned to the boys. “You too put Snow over to the patio and rinse her off and take her to your room and towel her off then come eat.” He followed the boys and the muddy puppy to the garden hose and waited until she was white again and grabbed a towel off the patio and let them wrap Snow up and hustled through the house.

Dinner was full of laughs and boasting. When were they going back to the studio, had the tour schedule being worked on. Lexie sat back and watched the camaraderie, they were like brothers. It was giving her ideas for a chapter in her next book. Soon they were moving into the family room, while the woman cleared the table.

Lexie and Steph were loading the dishwasher, Desi and Kelly were fixing up take home packages. Carol and Mrs Sambora were with the men in the family room.

“Are you working on a new book Alexis?” Desi asked.

“You can call her Lexie, Desi, she and daddy are going to get married” Stephanie told her aunt.

Both Kelly and Desi came over to congratulate her, both talking at once, Lexie was having a hard time answering them both.

“Where is your ring?” Desi asked.

“Jon took it back, he's up to something, don't know what,” Lexie told them.

They finished up in the kitchen and moved into the family room.

Lexie came in and sat on the ottoman at the end of Jon's chair. All the kids were sitting on the floor watching a movie. The movie was coming to an end that was Jon's cue to get up.

“I'm glad we could all get together today. Last night I did something and since we are all here today, I want to sort of,” Jon started to stammer. “Damn this is harder than it was last night.”

Lexie started to giggle.

“Come on Kidd, you did it last night, just repeat what you said.” Richie gave him a nudge.

“Jonny what's going on.” Carol started to get nervous.

“Mother let the boy talk.” John Sr said patting his wife's arm. Carol got quiet but glared at her husband.

“When I came into the kitchen at the cabin and saw you standing there, I think I started falling in love with you and your little fur ball.” Lexie had to chuckle at this. “You used your breakfast rations to feed me and Romey.”

“You thought I was the cook.” Lexie picked on Jon.

“Hey, it wasn't until Romey pointed out your Promotional display did I realize my mistake.” He laughed with her. “If I had put two and two together I would have known who you were.”

“No you wouldn't even if I did give you my professional name, you would have still thought I was the cook.” Lexie continued to pick on Jon. Now she knew why he wanted her ring back.

“You had Romey in love with you, and now all my kids think your something special.” Jon did just what he did last night, he dropped down on one knee and took her hand. “Alexis Madison, I love you and what to be with you the rest of my life, to wake up beside you every morning and go to bed with every night. I want to grow old with you. Will you do me the greatest honor to be my Wife and Step Mother to my kids?”

Well she thought that was different from last night. She looked down in his eyes, should I draw this out?

“Jon, as I told you last night I would marry you and today I will and if you asked me tomorrow I would still agree to be your wife. Now give me my ring back.”

That caused everyone to laugh but Carol, she just sat there when everyone came up to congratulate the couple.

Stephanie noticed her grandmother and went over there.

“Aren't you happy Grandmother? Daddy is getting married again. We all love Lexie and can't wait till they get married.” She told Carol.

“We don't know anything about her or her family.” Carol started.

“Yes we do Grandmother, you read her books all the time.” Stephanie was pretty perturbed at her grandmother the way she was acting about Lexie.

“What are you talking about Steph, I read books by Alexis Madison not someone named,” Carol stopped, Alexis Madison, the woman in her Jonny's room what had she called herself, oh yeah Alexis Madison.

Stephanie could almost see the wheels turning in her grandmothers mind and when the smile appeared on her face she knew, her grandmother had put two and two together.

Carol got up and walked over to Lexie, the rest of the family moved back to get her room.

“Alexis dear, welcome to the family.” Carol said as she pulled Lexie into a big hug.

Jon nudged Stephanie.

“You told her who Lexie is?” Jon asked quietly.

“Yep, now about the wedding, can I be the maid of honor?” Stephanie laughed. 

Chapter 60

Jon pulled his arm over his eyes, he heard Snow scratching at the door. Groaning he slid out from under Lexie's legs and arms. Letting his feet hit the floor as he sat up.

“I coming girl, damn your like a baby whining from a wet diaper.” He moaned as he tried to will his morning erection to allow him to put on his running shorts. Looking back at a totally sated Lexie he had to smile.

Once they got the older two to bed, he tossed Lexie over his shoulder and took her upstairs.

He opened the door and headed down to let Snow out. Turning on the coffee pot he pulled his mug out and one for Lexie. Glancing at the clock he moaned.

“Snow, we got to paper train your little puff ass.” He had only a four hour nap, maybe he could catch a nap before everyone came over. “Six a m is too early to be up puff ball.” He opened the kitchen door and the dog shot out heading toward the river. “Don't get out in that mud puff ball.” He called the dog put on the breaks, dropped her tail and walked back toward the house. Jon laughed, that little ball of fur acted just like the terrible two when he yelled at them.

He finally watched her find a spot and do her business he clicked his fingers and she snapped to and ran to his heels and followed Jon into the kitchen

Filling his mug he added water to the next cup and stirred in his sludge, as she called it. Carrying the two cups upstairs, he nudged the door open and peeked in. Sometime while he was downstairs, Lexie pulled on a night shirt, which was good because Romeo was snuggled close on his side of the bed.

He walked to her side of the bed and held the coffee close. He watched her nose wrinkle.

“Is that sludge I smell?” She whispered and tried to sit up. A small body held her in place. “Little help here dad?”

Jon chuckled softly and sat her cup on her side table, walking around the bed he placed his cup to his side table. Leaning over on his side of the bed he put his knee on the mattress and moved Romeo into his arms. Heading toward the door, he carried Romeo toward his room.

Lexie sat up and reached for the cup. Grimacing she took a swallow of the watered down sludge. She was either going to have to learn to love sludge or buy another coffee pot for her style coffee. She was counting the coffee grounds in the bottom of her cup, when Jon came back in the room.

“Snow has done her business, we need to train her to wait until a more Godly hour to go out.” He left the running shorts on and sat beside her.

“She's used to me being up writing, but, someone wore me out last night.” She sat the empty cup on her table and snuggled close to Jon.

“When will the angry horde be here?”

“Mom and Dad will be here around eleven to put the sauce on to heat and make the pasta, Richie and his mom around noon with Matt and Dezie, David normally blows in about the time the pot hits the table.” Jon told her between sips of coffee. “Wore you out hum?” he put the cup down and put his arm around her.

Lexie shifted her body so her head was on his shoulder. “Did you tell your parents about us getting engaged?”

Jon shifted uneasy, Ah hell, he didn't even think to tell Mom and Dad.

Feeling the sudden shift in the mood.

“Jon, you did tell your parents?” she struggled to sit up, he held her into place.

“We can tell them when they get here. They'll love you as much as I do.” Jon held her tight and kissed the top of her hair.

“Jon,”She sighed. “You're your moms son, her first born, she is not gonna be too happy she didn't know before you put the ring on my finger.” She reached her arm across his waist and snuggled closer.

“She'll be happy because she can help you plan the wedding.” He laughed until he felt her reach up and twist a nipple “Ouch shit Lexie that hurt, so you won't have her help you with the wedding.”

She patted his nipple to ease the pain she caused. “Jon, was your mom happy when you and Dorothea got married?”

“No, she was pissed we did it without telling anyone.” He answered softly.

“You think it's going to be any different, us getting engaged without her knowing anything?” Lexie yawned, slowly closing her eyes. Him rubbing her back and her rubbing his chest.

When he didn't answer she lifted her head and looked into his peaceful sleeping face. Sighing she lowered her head back to his chest and closed her eyes and drifted back to sleep herself.

Romeo and Jake were sitting at the counter, Stephanie was cooking breakfast and Jesse was out getting the paper when the gate alarm went off.

“Jakey go see who is at the gate.” She flipped the last pancake out and started filling plates. “I wonder if daddy and Lexie are up?”

Jesse came in with the paper and tossed it on the table. “Grand Mom and Grand Pop are here.” He went to the fridge and got out the milk and filled the glasses that Stephanie set out.

“We're here.” came Carol's voice from the foyer.

Somewhere in the recesses of his mind the voice registered, but sleep was winning over waking up. Pulling Lexie close he smiled and went back to sleep.

“Grandmother, you're early.” Stephanie said as she came into the foyer.

“Your Grandfather wanted to get the pot on.” Carol told her as she gave her oldest granddaughter a hug.

“Your grandmother wanted to meet this new woman in your dad's life.” John Sr. said and he came in following his wife in the door, carrying a huge pot of sauce. He headed to the kitchen “Hey boys, come help grandpa with the sauce.” John Sr. said as he walked into the kitchen.

“Don't listen to your grandfather Stephanie, now where is your Father and this woman.” Carol walked into the family room.

“He and Lexie are still in bed.” Stephanie told her grandmother.

“He's sleeping with her, in the same house as his children? I didn't raise my son that way.” Carol started to head back to the foyer and the stairs.

“Grandmother, they've lived together for eight months now. We love Lexie and she makes daddy happy.” She said loudly as she followed her grandmother upstairs.

“Eight months, why and I just hearing about her? Is she one of those groupies that follow your dad around?” Carol said as she headed down the hall toward Jon's bedroom.

“If anything he's her groupie.” Stephanie said as she continued to follow her grandmother.

Jon heard his mother and daughter creeping into his sleep. Why did the word groupie wake him up when he heard his daughters voice right outside his door.

“Lex, Lexie, get ready to meet my mom” He grumbled and eased out from her embrace.

“Mom, okay.” She mumbled then her eyes popped open , “Your mother?” She moaned as she scooted off the bed as the door burst open.

“John Frances, Why am I just now hearing you and this woman have been living with my grandchildren.” His mother charged into the bedroom, her arms crossed over her chest.

“Mom, Carol Bongiovi this is Alexis Madison, Lexie this is my mom.” Jon said as he sat with his back against the headboard, his legs crossed at the ankles.

Lexie stood, her back against the closet door, happy that she put her night shirt. She looked at her future Mother in law and tried not to back away from her.

“It's nice to finally meet Jon's mother.” She swallowed the lump that threatened to choke her. She came forward her right hand extended.

Carol looked at the extended hand, Jon gave his mom a family stink eye, she took the extended hand. “Nice to meet you too.”

You could tell her heart wasn't really into it. No one was good enough for her son.

“We'll let you both get dressed, come on grandma lets go see what the guys are doing.” Stephanie said as she pulled her grandmother out of the room.

“Well that went great.” Lexie dropped down in the overstuffed chair by

the window.

Will You Merry Me?

Stephanie watched the car pull out the drive and waited on Snow to do her business.

“Well girl, welcome to the family.” Stephanie said as she looked down at Snowball. “Your momma and my daddy are gonna be married.”

“Daddy and Lexie getting marrweed?” Romeo asked.

“That's why daddy and Lexie are going out, so he can ask her. You want that don't you?” Stephanie asked Romeo.

Snowball walked between Stephanie and Romeo. While Stephanie shut the door and locked it up, Romeo thought about what Stephanie had told him.

“So daddy and Lexie are gonna get married.” Romeo said.

Stephanie could almost see his little brain trying go gasp the information. All of a sudden he broke out in a huge smile.

“That means Snowball will be our puppy.” He ran into the family room yelling for Jake. Snowball running and jumping right with him.

“Jakey daddy and Lexie are gonna get married, and Snowball will be our puppy.” Romeo yelled as he and Jakey rolled on the floor tumbling with Snowball.

“So, those two are happy.” Jesse watched the three of them rolling on the floor.

“Yeah, nothing is gonna change.” Stephanie told him.

“It will if she has a baby, now that they are gonna be married.” Jesse finally let the elephant into the room.

“A baby, aren't they too old for that?” Stephanie asked

“Not if my Physics teacher is any thing to go by.” Jesse told her.

“We'll see, won't we.” Stephanie went into the kitchen to check on the pizza that she had in the oven.

Jon drove toward Long Branch, he called in a few favors and got a table for two. He had it all planned dinner and then a walk on the beach. The moon would be full and the beach deserted. He would ruin his pants but it would worth it to make it memorable for her.

He pulled into the lot of Avenue La Club. Jogging around the car just to open her door. Once out he tucked her arm with his and walked her to the restaurant. They were seated by the window and no one was to be seated near them. They talked about their up coming schedules and where they would go for the upcoming holidays. Jon paid the bill and they headed out the restaurant, Jon angled her toward the boardwalk. They looked in the windows, then he guided her to the beach. He helped her remove her shoes and stockings, balling up the stocking he put them in his jacket pocket.

“This is so nice, bet the kids would like coming down here.” Lexie said as they moved down the dark beach.

“We could take a weekend and come down.” Jon told her as the moon crested the horizon, they stood there and looked out over the water as the moon rose higher and higher.

Jon turned her to face him.

Lexie was caught by the look in his eyes The whole night he had that same look in his eyes. All of a sudden she had had a little nervous shiver run through her body.

“I was at the end of my rope, or rather the bottom of my bottle, when I showed up at that cabin.” He watched her dip her head, lifting it up so he could look deep in her eyes. “I walked in the kitchen and thought you were the cook Hugh hired so Romeo wouldn't starve, while we were there.”

Lexie giggled at the memory of Jon standing in the kitchen.

Jon fingered the box in his pocket.

“By the end of the week, I knew I had found someone special. Someone who loved, liked me for being me. You and that little ball of white fur slipped into my heart and made me want to share my life again. You brought my family together and bonded with them.” He went off script that he had written in his head. “They must love you already to volunteer sitting for the terrible two.” he laughed.

Lexie giggled along with him. She was shocked when he dropped down on one knee.

“Jon?” Lexie breathed.

“I want to spend the rest of my life waking up next to you, to grow old with you.” He looked up in her shocked face. “Share the good times and the bad times, share my children with you.” He pulled the box out of his pocket. “Will you do me the honor of being my wife?” He held up the ring and it sparkled in the moon light as if he had it all planned with the man in the moon.

Lexie gasped as the ring came into view. It was beautiful and not so ostentatious that she wouldn't feel safe to wear it to a signing. She held her hand out for him to place it on her left hand. Then she noticed she was so into him, the proposal and the ring that she hadn't answered him.

“Yes Jon, yes I'll marry you and share your life and your children.” She reached down to him and put her hands around his cheeks and bent down and kissed him.

Neither of them noticed the flash of a single camera. He had stayed outside in the cooling night and followed them down the boardwalk. He knew something was up, he had almost called the paper to let them know who and what he had just witnessed. Something stopped him when they had headed down on the beach, here there was no where to blend in, as they was on the boardwalk. When he saw Jon drop to one knee he knew a proposal was in the works. Now he was glad to be the only reporter on the beach. Their faces had been in shadow, if you knew who it was, you couldn't tell from the picture. He quickly let the couple have their special moment. As he turned to walk back to his car he looked at his watch, he had fifteen minutes to make the morning addition.

“I wonder if the kids are up?” Lexie asked as they walked back to the car.

“They better not be, I want you naked wearing only your ring.” He leaned close and gave her a quick kiss as he held the door to the car. She giggled as he went around to get in.

They were lucky that they made back to the house without a ticket for speeding. The reporters snapped to when the car roared up the street. Thank God he remembered to open the gate by remote or when he spun into the drive he would have taken the gate out and made the morning edition. Camera's flashed, Lexie put her hand up to block the flash reflected off the windows. Jon fishtailed spraying gravel and yard.

He screeched into the garage, jumping out and ran around the car. Scooping her up in his arms, he carried her, both of them laughing. He flipped the lock and let her open the door.

“They left the television on.” He said as the entered the family room only to stop. There standing between them and the steps were Stephanie and Jesse. Hands on hips, looking every bit of angry parent mode.

“You were supposed to be in bed.” Jon told them, slowly letting Lexie side down his body.

“You two are late, Romeo wanted to wait up, it was a struggle to get him and Jakey to bed.” Stephanie told them, standing with her hands on her hips.

Jon would have laughed, but she was so serious. He grinned and tried to give them the a stink eye, but he was too happy to muster one.

“Well, what do you have to say daddy?” Jesse asked him.

He took Lexie by the left hand and lifted it up for them to see.

Jesse slapped him on the back and Stephanie squealed and threw her arms around Lexie.

“Now, go to bed, we want to celebrate.” Jon laughed as he shooed his older two up the stairs.

“Jon?” Lexie blushed as he followed a laughing Jon.

When they got upstairs and the kids into their rooms he scooped her back up in his arms.

“Where were we?” He said them kissed her. “I think we were heading here.” He stopped at the door to his bedroom and reached down and opened the door.