The whole family wanted to go to the vet for the weigh
in. The boys were in charge of the crate.
“Inky got sick in the car, Mom.” Jesse said as he held
the pup. “So I held him up to the crack in the window to calm his stomach.”
“That’s good Jess” Lexie said as she herded them toward
the office. It was going to be hard for the kids to let the puppies go. But the
“Don’t name the puppies, strategy didn’t
work. The black one has already been called Inky, Charcoal and Smudge.
Jake and Romeo carried the crate in with Snowball and the
puppies into the vet’s office, the rest of the family followed. Jon told the driver they would call when they
were done and brought up the rear.
The whole clinic fell in love with the puppies. They were weighed and their dewclaw clipped,
which Romeo had a hard time understanding why it had to be done. The vet told him, “Puppies don’t need it and
it makes their paws not hurt when they walk once it’s gone.” He still winced when the puppies yelped.
Jon was on his phone to his parents who said they would
come and check out the new additions.
Matt was worried about the puppy and the bull dog, so he nixed the idea
of a small puppy with Duke. So that meant they had four puppies that needed
homes. He just about went through his
phone when he hit on Richie, he knew Richie wanted one for Ava. Lorenza said she might want one, when she met
Snowball. What is it with women in his
life and small white balls of fur? The
boys were getting attached to Inky, if truth be told so was he. He tugged at
his heart strings just the way that Snowball did. So that brought them down to one puppy. Jon sent a picture of their new arrivals to
the band and puppy number four had a home out in Utah,
Huge McD: “You’re a dead man Kidd, Kelli fell in
love and when it’s ready to weaned,
it’ll come to Utah.”
Kidd:”What is it about white fluffy dogs and our
women?”
Hugh McD: “Don’t know man, but it was instant love.”
Jon laughed as he pocketed his phone. Soon they were paying the vet and the car was
called. It was decided that the boys would
be dropped off at school, with Lexie taking them in and explaining why they
were late.
All too soon Jon and the boys were heading back to
Europe. Lexie went with the driver to
take him to the airport. They would be gone for two weeks, one in France and
one in England. Sally told her to go with Mr. Jon, but she had a meeting with
her new editor and one with the illustrator for her new kid’s book.
“I got everything packed,” Jon told her. He had packed
himself, as she had been in the nursery.
The trio had been to the doctor, they didn’t like the medication, and it
seemed as one got close to being well the other two got it. But each one was
cutting a tooth, at seven months old they were right on target. Cullen being
smaller than his sisters, was right with them.
“Good, so I don’t need to check your bag?” She Gave him an under the lashes look.
“You know I went by the list you put on my phone.” Jon laughed at the look on her face.
“I didn’t know you looked at that message.” Lexie joined
in the laughter.
“I always read your text.” He told her as they pulled off
the Parkway. “I got a text from
Stephanie, she’s dating some new guy, I got a bad feeling about this guy.” He
told her. Lexie didn’t want to tell him that she felt the same way too.
Soon they were pulling into the private airfield, where the
Jovi jet was waiting. They sat there waiting for the band. Just as they were just starting to say their
goodbyes there was a tap on the glass.
“Jonny boy, say goodbye to the Mrs., and let’s go get
this plane in the air.” David kept tapping on the window of the car.
Lexie rolled down the glass and gave David a dirty look.
“Lemma, do you plan on being a pain in the ass the rest
of your life?”
“Whoa momma bongie has teeth! I’ll be on the plane.” David backed away from the car.
“I guess I got to get on the plane.” He gave her a kiss
on her pouty lips.
“It seems like you just got home, and you’re leaving me
again.” Lexie pouted.
“Cancel your meetings and come with me.” Jon gave her a
little longer kiss, drawing it out till there was another knock on the
window. “Okay Lemma, I’m coming.”
“TMI Bro, TMI.” Matt said with a snicker. He had to back up fast as the door came open.
“Just remember who writes the checks.” Jon said as he climbed out of the back. Lexie followed him out of the car. “I’ll see
you in two weeks, Lex. Keep me posted on the trio.”
“I will, text me when you land.” She followed him to the steps to the plane.
“I will, I’ll call you before the show.” He passed his go
bag to Matt who took it on the plane.
“Next month, you and me, second honeymoon.” He turned to face her.
“London and free range on the black card at Harrods.” She
gave him a watery smile.
“Hey no tears,” He pulled her into a bear hug, “I’ll be
home before you know it.”
“I know, know, but I’ll still miss you.” Lexie sniffed.
“I’ll miss you too.”
He gave her a kiss and stepped back.
“Two weeks.” He starts to go up
the steps.
“Two weeks.” Lexie whispered as she watched him board the
plane. When the door shut on the plane she
headed toward the car, and just like last time, she watched until it was a
speck in the sky.
On the drive home she called Stephanie, she was supposed
to be home for the weekend and Lexie was planning a long of Girls day out for
the two of them. The call went right to voice mail. It seemed like every time
they called, it went right to voice mail. Even Dorothea hadn’t heard from here
lately.
The driver dropped her off at the front door of the
building. She knew she had to take Snowball out for a little bit, before the
boys got home. Checking the mail, she tossed the stuff that were advertisements
and tucked the fan mail and bills into her message bag. The bills would go to
the accountant and fan mail divided between hers and Jon’s clubs. She let
herself into the apartment, walking in on Jesse and Sally kissing on the sofa.
They jumped apart when she came in.
