Chapter 40

Mark took Stephanie over to the phones and they looked at the latest version.

“I guess all my information is toast on here.” She said as they walked over.

“I can see what we can do for you, I'll need your number.” he pulled the phone off his hip

“212-325-2825” She told him. **

“You pick out which one you want and I'll see what magic we can do.” Mark took the bag and walked behind the counter and then disappeared into the back.

Stephanie smiled and decided on the white one and then went and looked at the protection cases. She walked around and watched Mark when he came out of the back room. He was not the kind of guy you saw at Polly Prep, more blue collar than blue chip. You've been too long from school that you're jonesing over a mountain hick. She watched him come back with something in his hand.

“Oh my God, you got it back together, could you get anything off it?” She gushed. It would take her months to get all her numbers back and forget all the pictures on it.

“This is a backup, I worked some magic and will transfer it to your new phone.” He showed her to phone he used. “So what did you decided on?” He noticed the phone and case in her hand.

After all the paperwork was done and her phone was charged she looked up to see Jesse and her brothers standing in the doorway.

“So Stephanie, you and your family here for a vacation?” He asked as he handled the charge, the name on the card not ringing any bells.

“Yeah, my dad and brothers came up here for some family bonding. So is there much to do around here?” She tried to wave off her brothers.

“We got a decent club and some burger joints. Most you find in a college town. Not what you see in the big city, but its good.” He put the case on her phone.

“My Brothers friend told him about it, we might be going tomorrow night.” She looked up at him under her eyelashes as she signed the receipt and the contract forms.

Handing her the phone and the bag with all the the papers, accessories and the empty boxes for the case and phone.

“Maybe I'll see you there.” He said as his hand brushed hers.

“I hope so.” She said looking up at him

Her brothers had waited enough for her came into the store. Jesse watched his sister with the sales guy, And she strikes again. God why me, dad'll kill him then me for leaving her alone with the opposite sex.

“You done sissy?” Romeo asked from half way the middle of the store.

Stephanie rolled her eyes.

“Let me guess, your brother?” Mark laughed.

“One of three, the youngest.” She wanted the floor to open up and swallow her. “Romeo, inside voice.” She turned to her brothers.

Jesse took the card she had in her hand.

“You ready Steph?” Jesse asked

“Yeah, I just got finished.” She looked from Jesse to Mark. “Mark was able to get my phone moved to the new one.”

“Great, You got a good hard case?” He asked her.

“The best we have.” Mark answered.

Jesse looked the guy over, he seemed okay, at first glance, but so do most cereal killers.

“Good, you ready to feed the rats?” Jesse turned his attention back to his sister.

“Yeah,” She turned her attention back to Mark. “Thank you for your help, I thought I would lose everything.”

“No problem.” Mark smiled, “Have fun tomorrow night.”

“I hope so,” She started to walk past Jesse when he touched her arm.

Mark had gone to the next customer but he kept looking back at Stephanie.

“Why did you tell him about tomorrow night?” Jesse asked as they walked out in the mall.

“It just came up, I asked him about things to do here. Anyway, he was kind of cute and I might want to see him again.” Stephanie steer the boys toward the food court.

“Isn't he older than you, what would he want to be with you?” Jesse asked as he walked with Jake.

“Isn't Sally older than you?” She looked at all the food choices. “Romey what would you like for dinner?”

“She's just being nice because of Dad, she's in Lexie's chat.” Jesse looked at the choices too. “Jakey you see anything you want?”

“So it's okay for you to go out with someone who is older but not me?” Stephanie asked.

“Do you not want to go?” He looked down at his sister. “I can always call her and tell her its off.”

“No I don't want to cancel, it's the first time since with got here it'll be fun.” She sighed.

“Don't fight.”

It was so quiet they almost didn't hear it. They both looked around to see who said it. Seeing no one paying them any attention they went back to their conversation,

“If you would just grow up a little and quit being such a princess you wouldn't have so many problems and I wouldn't have a record.” Jesse told her.

“I am not being a princess, and I am older than you, you spoiled brat.” Stephanie all but sneered “I didn't ask you to step in you should have let the old bat hit me.”

“Oh sure, you think she wouldn't have beat you with her cane?” Jesse asked her.

“At least I wouldn't be stuck here in bum fuck Egypt.” Stephanie flopped down. “Momma would leave Graham and come back to daddy and we would be a family again.”

“Stephie?” Romeo asked

“Wake up Steph, mom and Dad aren't going to get back together, that's never going to happen.” Jesse sat down. “Dad likes Lexie, he likes her a lot. Mom loves Graham, just because you get Granny so mad she takes a swing at you isn't going to change that.”

“Jesse I got to tell you something.” Romeo tried with his brother since his sister isn't paying him any attention.

“In a second Romey.” Jesse was getting exasperated.

“But I don't want daddy to like Lexie, if he would just try he could get momma back.” Stephanie put her bag on the table and pulled out her new phone in the pink hard case.

“But Stephie you got to listen to me.” Romeo grabbed her phone, “Jesse I got to tell you something.”

“Romey that's my new phone don't break it.” Stephanie snatched it back. “Whats so important that you took my phone?”

Romeo looked at his two older siblings and sighed. “Jakey's gone.”

** Do not call number I made it up. The only number that is right is the area code for SoHo in New York.

Chapter 39

After lunch Jon and Jesse sat down and started to learn the new set up.

“I didn't want to make it ease for the hackers to get into it. So Dad, all in lower case your gonna type lexnkidd.” and so dad computer 101 began.

“It keeps booting me out.” Jon groaned

“No dad, all lower case no spaces lexnkidd.” he watched his dad repeatedly type the wrong thing in.

“What am I doing wrong?” He handed the laptop.

“Dad, its really easy,” He handed to laptop back to him “Lets try it one more time.”

“Why didn't you use something easy,” Jon took the laptop and waited.

“What like bonjovi, then any hacker could get on and use it. You need to learn it, just in case we come back,” Jesse spoke really slow, “Type the following letters, all lower class, l,e,x,n,k,i,d,d and it enter.”

Jon slowly typed the letters and finally he was in.

“Yes, don't tell your uncle Tony or Matty how hard it was for me to get in.” Jon started searching through different area's.

“Hey dad, can Steph and I go into town. She needs a phone and I'd like to check out whats there,” Jesse asked as he watched his dad log into the chat site “You know you can bookmark the site.” He showed his dad how and waited.

“You two be here for dinner?” Jon thought about making them take the boys.

“Not sure, don't know how long it takes Steph, you know how she is ones she gets into a mall.” Jess laughed a little.

“I'll treat dinner, if you take your brothers.” Jon peeked up at his son,

“Dad, they'll run crazy and want everything they see.” Jesse groused

“True, but it would give me and Lexie time to talk and it'll feed the two beast.” He hinted.

“I'll talk it over with Steph.” Jesse knew his sister would put a botch on bring the two ankle bitters.

Leaving the game room and headed to his sisters room, He found her in the window seat reading.

“You up for a trip to the mall?” Jesse stuck his head in.

“Are you shitting me?” She looked up from her book.

“Yeah dad said we could go,” He came into the room.

“Whats the hitch?” She marked her page and closed the book,

“We have to take the rats with us.” He learned on the door. “Feed em while we're out.”

She thought about it and shrugged. “We can handle them. You better call Sadie and let her know we plan on going out with her tomorrow.”

Jesse nearly fell in the floor.

“Okay, who are you and what have you done to my sister, and her name is Sally.” He pushed away from the door.

“I just did a lot of thinking since lunch, I owe daddy for all the mess I've caused. Jess I really messed up this time,” She watched him walk over to the other side of the window seat and sit down. “We can't go home to mommy, she can't even let us come and visit.”

“Steph, you know there was going to be fall out for what we did.” he reached over and put his hand on her knee.

“Yeah but not Romey and Jakey, they're the ones getting a raw deal. Jakey hardly talks, Romey was with daddy and now he can't even visit mommy.” She looked about ready to cry.

Jesse knew his sister was a good little actress, so he wasn't sure if she was acting or really feeling the results of her actions. He'd watch her to see how honest she was.

“I'll go get the rats, you get the keys from dad.” Jesse told her and got up to leave. “Steph, I hope you serious about all this.” He left without giving her time for rebuttal.

Stephanie stopped half way out of the window seat. I guess I deserve that. You can't turn back time.

She headed downstairs to get the keys, her dad was on the sofa typing away on the laptop.

“Hey daddy, Jess said we were going to replace my phone,” She walked over and sat beside him.

“Yeah, listen, keep an eye on your brothers, make them eat a good dinner.” He lowered the screen so she couldn't see what or who he was talking to.

“I will, Jess and I will take care of them. You can depend on me.” She told him.

“Keys are in the bowl on the table and” He stood up and for his wallet. “Here's for dinner,” He pulled out cash and then took his card out “For what ever the runts want and for to replace your phone.” He sat back down and picked up the laptop.

“Thanks daddy.” She took the card and the money and reached over and gave him a hug. “We'll be back around seven” She told him.

“Make it eight thirty. They boys bedtime is nine and they need to get a bath.” He winked.

“Okay Daddy.” She laughed “We will.”

She got up and got the keys and met Jesse and the boys.

“Okay, lets go.” The loaded up the Escalade and headed to town.

Kidd: hey Lex, the kids just left for town, Something happening with Steph.

M2S: Don't push her Jon, she'll talk when she's ready.

Kidd: I know she was talking to Dottie her phone took the blunt of the call.

M2S: Oh

She didn't know what to say, she never had children and she didn't want to tell him how to handle his, so she changed the subject.

:

M2S: How is she liking to books I sent her?

Kidd: She was excited when she saw them, she used to have a few of them.

She started to say something when she saw people coming into the Chat.

M2S: Welcome Sam. You're here early.

Just the three of them were in there.

Kidd: Hey Sam, how are you?

Sam: Good Kidd, waiting on a text.

Kidd: Should be getting one soon.

Sam: Good.

M2S: Well. Seems I'm out of the loop. Lol

Sam: I offered to take Kidds older two to a club in town.

Kidd: Sam works at the grocery store near the cabin.

M2S: Oh I see now

More people came in so talk changed to the new book release and other things.

Stephanie followed Jesse directions and they were soon at the mall. Pulling into a close space she turned to her younger brothers

“Rule one, you do not take off as soon as we get in the door. You will stick close to Jesse while I go to the Apple store.” She had her old phone in a bag, all four pieces.

“Dad gave me his card, so as soon as I am through getting my new phone will go where you two want to go.”

“Oh boy, Super Mario game.” Romeo yelled.

“Jake, you like Mario, is that what you want one also?” Jesse asked.

Jake just hunched his shoulders. Jesse looked over at his sister. That was so unlike his brother. If Romeo wanted Mario, Jake wanted something else.

“Okay, why don't you three go see whats available for dinner and I'll meet you at the food court,” Stephanie got out of the car and waited on her brothers to follow.

They separated at the door once they looked at the mall map. Stephanie headed to the Apple store while the boys about when in three directions.

Signing in she started looking around. Looking at the iPads and the iPhones and all the goodies that goes with them. Granted if she hadn't had a jeweled case and had a more sturdy one, she wouldn't have a bag of phone parts.

“Stephanie, Your Geek is ready.”came the call over the P.A. She headed to the front of the store. She pulled up when she saw the guy waiting to help her.

“I'm Stephanie,” She said softly,

A pair of golden brown eyes looked down in her blue ones and she held her breath.

“I'm glad, I mean I'm Mark, what can I help you with.” He smiled and in Stephanie's mind she heard birds sing.

“I broke my phone.” she held out the bag.

Mark took the bag and looked in, jiggling it to hear how much noise it made.

“Well, looks like time for an upgrade, hope he got what he deserved.” Mark said with a wink.

Stephanie giggled.

chapter 38

Grocery shopping went off without a hitch, Stephanie took care of the boys while Jesse and Jon hit the store.

“Hey dad, I think I can boost up the WiFi at the cabin, can we maybe stop into this shop I googled on line?” Jesse was watching which way they went in case, he and Steph, got to go into town by then selves.

“Sure, I don't want to get knocked off line tonight.” He said without thinking.

“Oh yeah, this is chat night.” he grinned, “Don't want to get booted out, a dad?”

Jon thought about what he said and then Jesse reaction he had to laugh.

“You got it bad dad.” Jesse laughed too.

“Just for that I'm gonna set you up kiddo.” He teased his son.

“Now dad, don't set me up with one of your groupies.” Jesse laughed

“Not one of mine, she's too young to be one of my groupies. She's one of Lexie's” Jon laughed even stronger.

“Dad!” He choked on his laughter.

They pulled into the grocery store, Jon got out no hat no glasses and headed in. Jesse stopped and watched him for once not go in with disguise. Grabbing the cart he pushed it behind his dad.

They hit all the isles and even made it through the bakery section with only one pack of cookies and one cake. Better than when he came in with Romeo. As luck would have it Sally was on the register when they went to check out. Jon nudged Jesse and nodded his head toward Sally and wiggled his eyebrows at him. Jesse just rolled his eyes.

“Well well well look who is back for a visit.” She began ringing up their order.

“Hey Sally, you will be happy to know Alexis new book will be out on time.” Jon told her, watching her stop checking and looked up at him.

“No kidding, really, you know Alexis Madison, Oh my God, you're Kidd.” She gasped

“You got busted Dad,” Jesse laughed.

Sally gasped and looked at the young guy with Jon and blushed. He had to be one of Jon's sons.

“Don't rat me out Sally,” He started to say.

“Sam, I'm Sam.” Sally said. “I took it from one of Lexie's book.” If it was possible she blushed even more. “I promise not to rat you out.”

“Good, good this is my son Jesse. He and his sister are here with me and well. You met my youngest and I have one more, but the two older two are getting bored real easy. What do the young people do around here.” Jon asked as he put the groceries out on the belt.

“Well, a lot of us go to the local college or the high school bunch hang out at Banshee, its a dance club that allows kids from sixteen and up from the high school and well since it's the only club in town the we hang out there too.” Sally said as she rang up the groceries, kinda looking at Jesse under her lashes.

“So are you in college or high school?” Jesse asked and was worried his voice would crack.

“I graduated last year from high school, decided to take a year off before tackling college. Just glad to work for a while before digging into college.” she totaled the sale and took Jon's card. “How long are you here for?”

“Just got here yesterday, we plan on being here two weeks.” Jon said.

“Good, There is a bunch of us meeting tomorrow night, I can give you directions to the club or you can meet me here after 7pm. I get off at 6 gives me time to go home and change.” Sally offered. “Dress is really casual jeans and shirt.”

Jon looked at Jesse to take the lead. Was he going to have to nudge him to get him to talk?

“Ah, it would be my sister too. That is if she wants to go out.” Jesse sort of stumbled over his words.

“Look, here's my cell number.” she flipped up the register receipt and wrote her name and cell number on the back. “If you and your sister want to go, just give me a text message and we can go from there, hows that?” she finished the sale and handed Jon back his card and the receipt,''

“That's good.” Jesse took the receipt from his father,

“Good. Have a nice day.” She nodded at the two.

“Bye Sally.” Jon said as he pushed to cart out to the car and tried not to laugh at the two kids.

Jesse followed and helped load the car with the bags. Jon took him to the computer store and waited in the car.

Jesse got what he needed and hurried out to the car.

“So, what do you think about Sally?” Jon asked as they headed back to the cabin.

“She's nice dad, older, but nice.” Jesse said as they drove along.

“Good, older is good.” He smiled.

“Yeah it is.” Jesse said as he looked at the number on the receipt. Taking out his cell he added the name and number.

“So you think Steph would like to go out tomorrow night?” Jon asked at he turned to car toward the cabin.

“I think so,” He toyed with the cell. “I got the part and should have it up in about twenty minutes.”

“Good, you might want to join in the chat and I really don't want you knocking me out.” Jon laughed

They got unloaded and Jesse went to upgrade the WiFi.

“Hey Jesse, what are you working on?” She curled up on the sofa.

“Setting up the new WiFi.” he told her. “We have the option to go out tomorrow night.”

“Yeah, dad down with that?” she looked at all the wires and stuff Jesse was messing with.

“Down and set it or rather me up.” Jesse sat up and looked at his sister.

“Dad set you up?” She giggled.

“Yeah he sure did, and I just stood there and let him do it.” He sighed

“So is she a total dog?” She picked up the manual that came with the kit.

“Not really, she's rather cute, she's the checker and the grocery store. I would say maybe nineteen, might be twenty.” He stood up and leaned over to activate the router. “Lets check this out.

“So this girl she have a name?” She reached over for the laptop her father was using and powered it up.

“Sally, she was telling dad and I about a club that the locals go to. She's said we could go with her tomorrow night.” Jesse pulled out his cell. Going over to the sofa he sat down and took the laptop from his sister and went into set up the password. “What will dad remember for the password?”

“Bon Jovi?” Stephanie laughed.

“Too easy need something no one could break.” He tapped away on the laptop and had to wait.

“LexnKidd” he typed the words with a smile. “Locked in. So do you want to go or not? I have to let Sam I mean Sally know.” He loaded the password in on his cell. “Here go on Facebook and lets see if you get booted.” He handed it back to her. While she went to get on facebook, he was loading the chat room and picking out a screen name. “You in?”

“Yep, you on?” She asked.

“In, now hit your cell,” he said and didn't see the head slap coming “Oh yeah, I'll get dad to let me take you to the mall I saw today and get you a new phone.”

“Good, I'll think about the club and let you know.” She got up and headed to the kitchen where her dad was on his cell.

“Yeah babe.” He said almost in a whisper.

“Jon what did I tell you about the Babe handle.” She laughed.

“Sorry Lex, I won't call you babe anymore.” he sounded chastised.

“So, you tried to hook up Jesse with Sally, I hope it doesn't backfire on you.” Lexie cuddled with Snow on the sofa.

“Listen when she learned that I knew you, I am numero uno in that girls eyes.” he laughed

“Ah. So your just using me to hook up your son.” She laughed even harder.

“Naugh Lex, I would never use you.” He stopped laughing. “I like you too much of you to use you.”

Good he said like not love Stephanie thought as she came into the kitchen.

Jon saw Steph come into the room.

“Hey Sweetie,” Jon smiled. “Jess and I got a pizza for tonight, think you can pull together some sandwiches for lunch?” He went back to his call. “Listen Lex, I got to go.”

“Okay Jon, help Steph with lunch and I'll talk to you later after chat.” She Got ready to end the call.

“Okay, I will. Later if Jesse got the new router so I won't get knocked off line. I”ll talk to you late.” With Steph in the room he couldn't say what he wanted to, so he let it go for not.

Closing his phone he watched him daughter fixing lunch.

“So you and Jess going to hit that club Sally told him about?” he went over and got the plates out and glasses out.

“I guess so, what kind of curfew will we have?” she took the plates and started the sandwiches.

“I would say eleven.” Jon got the milk out and poured two glasses.

“Daddy, could we do midnight?” Steph countered the curfew time.

“Why midnight, if you go about seven that gives you three and a half hours and thirty minutes to come home.” he watched her take in what he said.

“What if there is a band and they don't go on till ten, then we'd only get an hour and a half to listen.” She put a sandwich together and started the next.

“Why don't we say eleven on nights with no band and eleven thirty when there is a band.” he could almost here the wheels turning from across the room.

“Well,” she could play dirty and and bring up Lexie, but it could backfire on me and be worse than it is.”can we come back and talk about it once we start going out?” She took the third sandwiches to the plate and started on the fourth.

“Sounds logical, okay” Jon was impressed with her negotiations and could use her at the board table for the Soul Foundation.

She quickly finished the sandwiches.

“I'll get the boys,” she started handing him the plates for the table. “Tell Jess to call Sally and oh yeah Daddy, I need to go into town.”

“Need club clothes?” he laughed

“No, but you never know,” She giggled, “No I sort of broke my phone.”

“Do you want to tell me how it happened?” He stopped laughing.

“Not really, just know your phone and the floor don't work.” She stopped as she headed out the door and looked back. “Thanks Daddy.”

Jon looked up puzzled.

“For what Princess.”

“Just thanks.” Stephanie ran out of the room.

Chapter 37

Jon headed up the stairs counting each step taking him to his doom. Walking down the hall he got to her closed door. Taking a deep breath he raised his hand to knock, stopping when he heard her on her cell,

“But mommy there is nothing to do here.” She said.

“But can't you come and get me.” She pleaded

“What do you mean you can't,” She sniffed “He has full custody, you mean I can't come live with you.” She sniffed again

Jon really wished he could hear what his ex was telling her.

“Graham doesn't want me to live with you, Mommy are you going to let him do that?” Her voice raising. “What do you mean I did it to myself? You can't mean that, mommy, mommy”

He heard a loud crash and wondered what she threw and what it was going to cost him to fix.

He knocked on the door.

“Steph, can I come in?” he called through the closed the door.

“Go away” She called back to him.

Something heavy hit the door, a book perhaps.

“Okay, but I'm right down the hall if you need me.” he called back

Heading back downstairs to check on the boys. Jesse had the two playing on the Wii. He passed onto cleaning up the kitchen.

“She okay dad?” He looked over his shoulder at his oldest son.

“I don't know Jess, I really don't know.” he hung his head.

“Let me go talk to her, see what's going on.” Jess said not giving him a chance to say anything.

Jesse got to closed door, he could hear her crying through the closed door. He didn't knock just walked in. He noticed the books all over the floor and what looks like her cell phone in about four pieces. She was sitting in the window seat, curled into a ball, crying. Going over the nudged her over and pulled her into his arms.

He waited till the tears wound down before he spoke.

“You want to talk about it?” He asked when she finally stopped talking.

“Mommy said I can't live with her and Graham, that He won't let me.” She sniffed.

Jesse wasn't shocked when he heard that.

“I think you burned that bridge when you showed yourself while they were on their honeymoon.” Jesse told her.

“Hey I thought you were here to comfort me.” She sniffed loudly

“Steph, are you listen to yourself? Do you remember what you did to Grahams family, you really thinks he wants you anywhere near them.” He wasn't going to let her feel sorry for herself. “Dad has custody of us now, no visitation, full custody.”

“You mean Mommy has the visitation now, well, I want to go visit her,” She told him.

“If I head Dad and his lawyer right, she can visit us at our house, we can't go to her house. Grahams mom is living with them.” He told her as he watched her get up to pace the room. “We, you and me can't be around Grands.”

Stephanie sat on the bed and put her head in her hands. ''I'm screwed then”

“Well yeah I guess we all are. I don't see her leaving Graham anytime soon. I don't see Dad wanting her back. So time to be the oldest and buck up.” He nudged her shoulder.

“Been talking to Grandpa much?” she let him nudge her this time. “Buck up, Jesse.” She shook her head.

“Now that this has settled, lets talk about Lexie.” He waited for her to blow.

“Must we, you changed your tune really fast.” She made a face.

“Actually. I heard him talking on the phone with her several times, he's like one of us talking to a crush. It's funny.” he laughed. “I saw him going into that chat room and he didn't even know what l 8 ter meant.”

“What's that got to do with Lexie.” She ashed him.

“It was her chat room. He's been there before, they call him, Kidd. No one knows he's who he is or if they do, their keeping on the down low.” Jesse reached for her laptop and a few click's he was on line.

“You think we can catch them online together?” Steph looked over his shoulder.

“Doubt it, the wifi sucks would knock one of us off. Get dad to let us go into town with him while he shops, I'll see if I can tweek it.” He checked into shops in town for computer place.

“Someone will have to watch the runts, I doubt he'll take them to the store.” Steph sighed.

“Well, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. There it is, now I just need to get Dad to take me.” jesse power down the computer. “So game plan is to get into town tomorrow. He got up and headed to the door. “You okay with all this?”

Steph looked up and though about the phone call and how she felt now.

“Yeah, I think I am.”

“Good, now think hard till the end of the week and do what you think is best.” Jesse said as he headed to the door.

“Oh Lexie, I'll try.” She said as she cleared off the bed. Looking over at his look of question. “I really mean it, I'll try.”

“I'll hold you to that.” He said as he left the room.

Jon was bringing up the two youngest Jovi boys to bed.

“She going to be okay?” Jon whispered.

“I hope so, I really hope so Dad.” Jess headed down to his room.

Chapter 36

It took two days to get the cabin all set. Lexie came down the day they were leaving with a few things for the kids. Romeo was is second heaven, he played with Snowball until they loaded up. She brought three books for Stephanie, they were from her Teen series, which really surprised Steph.

“There isn't much to do up there, the wifi is iffy at best.” She handed her the bag. “I thought you might like these.”

“Thanks, “ She took the bag.

“I should have added a cook book for your dad.” She whispered.

“Hey, I make a mean omelet and Grilled Cheese.” Jon laughed as he loaded the last case into the SUV.

“Don't forget reservations and take out orders.” Jesse added.

“Don't forget, no body delivers up there.” She reminded Jon.

“O Kay lets load up, We have a nice drive ahead of us.” Jon wrangled the younger two into the back seat, taking notices of any lumps in Romeo's jacket. “Romey, where Snow?”

“Her's in her carrier.” Romeo said

“Romey, Snow doesn't have a carrier.” Lexie looked at Jon.

“Romeo, Where is Snowball?” Jon used his daddy voice.

“Hers in her Carrier Daddy.” Romeo looked at Jon not backing down.

Jon started to unpack the back of the suv checking each suitcase until they were all out on the street.

Jake unzipped his jacket and the little white head peeked out.

“See Daddy, Jakey is hers carrier.” Romeo and Jake started to laugh.

Jon was not to happy to repack the SUV.

“Romey, why didn't you just say that Jake had Snowball in his Jacket?” Lexie asked Romeo as she took her small dog out of Jake's jacket.

“Because Lexie, you and Daddy would be mad at me if I snucked Snow in my jacket.” He told her.

Damn, he's right Jon thought as he placed the last suitcase back in the SUV he came around to where Lexie stood holding the little puff of fur.

“I'll call you when we get there,” he told her. “One week.” he whispered.

“Only if Stephanie calls me and asked me to come.” She whispered back and gave him a little kiss on the lips.

“O kay, lets hit the road.” he said as he backed up and got into the SUV.

Lexie stepped back and waved.

“Bye bye Lexie, Bye Bye Snowball.” Romeo called over the roar of V8.

“Bye Romey.” Lexie called back to him.

She stood there as the Escalade was swallowed by the traffic. Walking back to her apartment she felt sad. She would stand by her decision to wait until Stephanie could be won over.

After about a million bottles of pop on the wall and twenty stops for bathroom and snack break he finally got to the gate. Reaching for the remote he opened the gate and garage door, it felt like coming home.

Getting four kids settled and rummaging in the cupboard for dinner, he came up with soup for dinner. Mentally making a grocery list he went up to unpack in his room.

Checking on each of the kids he found Jesse reading on his Kindle and Jake with Romeo playing with hot wheels and Lego from the toy box he had to bring, the last room he got to was Stephanie. Tapping on the half closed door he waited for her to tell him to enter.

“Hey, did you get unpacked.” he leaned on the door jam. She was stretched out on the bed, her laptop on her left.

“Yeah, wifi sucks here.” She grumbled.

“Yeah, it's spotty at best.” He agreed.

“I looked in the bag, she gave me some great books.” Steph tossed him the bag. “Mom bought them for me but I left then.”

Jon caught the bag and looked in and pulled out one. “Murder at the Fashion Show” he looked at the second one “Death at the Prom” he had to chuckled.

“You love this style books.” he opened it up and read the inscription.

Stephanie, I hope you enjoy these as much as I enjoyed writing them. Lexie

“You cracked any of these covers yet?” He asked as he sat on the edge of the bed, handing her the book.

Stephanie took the book and thumbed the book open. She stopped at the inscription.

“She wrote this book.” She looked at her dad. “She wrote all of these?”

“That's what she does, she's a writer. You know those books that your mom and I like, she wrote them too. In fact,” He picked up her laptop and stuck in a driver and pulled up what he downloaded for her to read. “You might like to read this.” he got up off the bed and headed to the door. “Dinner in an hour, we got soup.”

“Grocery shopping in the morning?” She laughed.

“Oh yeah. I haven't hit the freezer yet, I know we left some stuff in it.” He laughed as he headed back down to the kitchen.

Stephanie started to read what her dad uploaded onto the laptop. Jesse stood in the doorway watching his sister.

“What ya reading?” Jesse asked

Stephanie jumped.

“Damn it Jess, you scared the shit out of me.” Stephanie swore at her brother. “If you must know I'm reading about dads new fling,.”

“Don't let Dad or the runts hear you cuss or you'll be paying for that little out burst.” He came into the room and pulled the desk chair over. “I don't think Lexie is a fling, she just might be in for the long haul.”

“Only if I want her to be.” She said with a fake smile.

“Steph, give her a chance. She makes dad happy. Hell he's going into her chat room.” Jesse laughed

“Didn't you want mom and dad back together?” She asked as she read over the bio. “Wow, she started writing when she was Jakey's age. Published at sixteen.”

“Yeah, at one point I did was them back together, then I remember the fights and the slamming out of the house, the Uncles that came and went while daddy was on tour. Mom wasn't a saint by any means.” He picked up one of the books she had stacked on the floor,

“I remember all that, but I also remember the good times, when daddy wasn't on the road and we did things, like spend the summer at The Hamptons. or St. Barts. “ She highlighted a line, “Look at this, when asked who she used as the character reference she said a certain New Jersey rocker, she was talking about daddy. You think he knew her from the road?” She sat the laptop to the side and looked at her brother,

“Nope, they met here. He thought she was the cook.” Jesse picked out another book and placed the other one back. “Can I borrow this one. I just finished my reading list for school. I guess will be going back to good old Poly Prep.”

“Yes, thank God I only have one more year. Then I can move out and go to college.” She flopped back on the bed and looked at the ceiling.

“Better get your grades up or it's be junior college instead of a university.” Jesse laughed as he got up and headed for the door. “City College is where you'll end up if you don't.” He dodged the pillow she threw at him.

“Hey kids soups on. Dinners on the table.” Jon called from the bottom of the steps.

He was rewarded by the pounding of feet and they younger two came clomping down the steps. Jesse and Stephanie followed a little behind.

The table had been set with bowls of steaming tomato soup and a stack of slightly burnt grilled cheese sandwiches waited to be passed out. Milk for the younger Bongiovi's and pop for the older two. Jon had found the last of the wine he and Lexie had shared that last night they had stayed there still on the bar.

“What's there to do around here?” Jesse asked as he finished his sandwich.

“We got movies, and Wii, there are books and television.” He told them.

“No clubs or places that kids hang out?” Stephanie asked

“We hardly left the cabin, there was a lot of snow and Romeo isn't the club kinda kid.” Jon chuckled.

“Can Jess and I maybe go out?” Steph used her little girls voice.

“Maybe tomorrow night, don't like you guys out late in a strange place.” Jon said.

“Please Daddy, we'll be careful.” She tried again.

“Steph, I said not tonight. It's really dark and you don't know the area.” Jon was getting upset the more she pushed.

“It's not fair, you haul us up here and there is nothing to do, you think this is gonna make me want to like your girlfriend, ain't gonna happen.” She yelled as she slammed out of the room, knocking over her chair and knocking her plate and glass off the table.

Jon started to jump up and go after her, but he just sat there shocked.

“oooh Stephie is gonna be in trouble.” Romeo whispered.

Jakey seemed to curl into himself. It was like he wanted the floor to open and swallow him up.

Jon was handing out stink eyes as he looked around the table.

“I'll go talk to her dad.” Jesse started to get up.

“No Jess, this is my problem.” he got up from the table. “Can you three clean up this mess.”

“Sure daddy.” Romeo pushed back from the table and went around.

Jake just got up, not saying a word and began to pick up the plate.

Jon walked up the steps, dreading what was about to happen.

Chapter 35

It didn't take Lexie long to grab her jacket and the leash, by the time she had her spare key, Snow met her at the door.

“It's just Jon, Snow, not Romeo.” She told the little dog as she clipped the leash onto her collar.

They made it down the steps and headed down the block toward Jon's place. He was waiting on the corner.

“Damn that was the shortest two weeks.” he laughed.

“I know, my chat tonight paid the price for me being in a down mood.” she handed him the leash and they walked along,

“I know, Sam told me.” He pulled her close, “Jesse, my oldest son, told me he was okay with his dad having a girl friend.”

“One down two to go,” Lexie sighed “One's gonna be harder than the other, I don't see her coming around in two weeks.”

“I don't know, my mom always said Steph was just me only she wore a skirt.” they made it down to the coffee shop on the corner. “care for a cup?”

“Can you stay out this late?” She asked as he picked up Snowball and put her in his jacket

“Rich is watching the kids, I got time.” He opened the door, and usher her into the shop. He was lucky they had a table near the back. He helped her to the table and deposited Snow into her lap and went to the clerk and ordered two coffees, one black one light and sweet. As he waited he thought back to the cabin, how good things were. He had been happy there. He could be happy again, once he figured out how he could get Steph on board. Taking the two coffees back to the table he slipped in beside her.

“I've been thinking, what have you got coming up?” He sipped his coffee.

Lexie took a sip of her coffee and thought about what she did have coming up,

“Nothing that I could think of, without my calender that is. My re-writes are done, I just have chat that I know of. Why.” She sipped her coffee.

Jon reached over and took her free hand and laced his fingers with hers.

“I want to go back to the cabin, just us and the kids. See where this goes.” he sipped his coffee.

Lexie sipped her coffee and thought.

“I don't know Jon, it just might make things worse instead of better. Give her a chance to know me better first.”

He knew she was right but he still wanted that happy place again.

“Listen, take the kids up, spend some one on one time with them. If they agree, after a week, then we'll come up.” She said softly at his pouty face.

“O Kay” He gave her his little boy smile.

After coffee he walked her to her door and a sweet kiss before heading back to his place. He let himself into the apartment, the lights down stairs were dimmed. Dropping the keys in the bowl on the table he toed off his boots. Padding into the kitchen and took a slice out of the box in the fridge he headed back into the family room. Dropping down on the sofa he started to reach for the remote when he noticed he wasn't alone.

“Can't sleep princes?” Jon kept the lights low so they could talk.

“Where did you go?” She asked. “I came down to talk to you, Uncle Mookie said you went for a walk.”

“I did go out for a walk. I met up with Lexie,we had coffee.” He wasn't going to lie to his kids anymore, they had been lied to too much in the past.

“I thought you said two weeks.” She huffed.

“I talked it over with Jess, I was going to talk to you tomorrow.” he finished off the slice and got up “I'm going to get a bottle of water,you want one?”

“Yeah,” She curled her feet under her, He went to the kitchen, grabbed two bottles and went back in and sat down opposite her.

“I was scrapping the bottom when you mom married Graham, I took romey and headed to place Uncle Hugh got for me. I met this woman,” He sipped his water. “I thought she was the cook. By the end of those three weeks I was alive again. The music was back.”

“So you had sex and poof the music was back.” Stephanie sarcastically spoke to her father.

“No there wasn't any sex till the last night, she made me laugh. She knew when I needed quiet and when I needed to talk.” He got a far away sound in his voice. “Romeo would go to bed and we would sit there, her writing, me on the guitar. She would bounce ideas off me and when I needed a word, she helped me find it.”

“You said Mom used to help you find the words for a song” She asked. “That you wrote all the songs for her.”

“I did. But it just wasn't enough anymore. I wasn't there for her when she needed me the most. He was, oh I knew about him before you all did. She let me know what a failure I was in her eyes. I let her go, it was what she wanted, the least I could do. I let her go.”

“Do you regret letting her go?” she asked quietly.

“In the beginning, I did.” He was honest with her. “But, it was only because you kids weren't with me. That was what I hated the most.”

“We hated it too Daddy, but we kids didn't get a vote.” She sat up and leaned forward. “Are we going to get a vote on this one?”

“To a point, give her a chance Steph. That's all we, I ask.” he sat the bottle down on the table “She wants whats best for you kids. I wanted us all to go up to the cabin, but she said no, we'll go up but she won't come until you want her to come.”

“Even if I don't want her to come, she won't come with us?” Stephanie finish her water and played with the bottle.

“Then she won't come. Her idea was for me to take you guys up for one week and then if you wanted her, and only if you wanted her, she would come up for the next of the week.” He leaned forward and gave her the look. “I know none of my kids wouldn't give her a chance, that is before they got to know her.”

Stephanie thought about what her father was saying.

“I heard what Jesse and you were talking about earlier,” he laughed a little at the look on her face, “If you didn't want me to hear, you should have kept your voice down.”

Daddy, she started on me the first night we were there, you dress like a slut,” She jumped up off the sofa and paced. “What did she expect, daughter of a rock and roll singer, that is must be a druggy too.”

“So you decided to act the part?” He calmly said. “Steph, you know I always told you, people would always think the worse of you, don't give the ammo to hurt you even worse.”

“I know daddy, I just had it. But the good thing as now we, all four us, are where we want to be.” She came over and curled up next to Jon on the sofa. “We wanted to be with you.”

“I want you to be with me too. I want you to give Lexie a chance, Lexie and me.” he put his arm around Stephie and gave her a nudge.

“O kay daddy, I'll give her a chance.” She nudged him back.

Chapter 34

True to his words he was going to give her the two weeks, even if it killed him. As he and Romeo headed back to the penthouse. Romeo was dragging his feet, he wasn't stepping so lively himself.

“Are you hungry Romey?” Jon stopped at the corner so he could catch up.

“Lexie had some cookies, but I'm still hungry.” He looked up at Jon. “I only got one, cause I was a bad boy.”

“I'll make you a sandwich when we get home.” They crossed the street, one block to go. Jon looked down at the little man. It was going to be hard on him not seeing Snowball, and it was going to be hard on him knowing she was just two blocks away and not in his bed.

They had been home a few minutes before Richie and the kids walked in. Jon was in the living room with his laptop open and his glasses on. Romeo was standing in the corner.

“Daddy did you find him?” Stephanie said as she put the pizza box on the bar.

“Yep sure did.” He finished typing and lowered the site. “Thanks for the pizza bones, honey”

“Pizza bones?” Stephanie wrinkled her nose.

“Silly daddy, pizza got no bones.” Jakey spoke quietly and ran upstairs.

Jon was stunned at Jake speaking he missed Jesse asking him a question.

“Does she call left over pizza, pizza bones?” Jesse repeated what he said as he draped himself over the sofa, giving his dad a look after looking at his sister.

“She has a name and its Lexie, or Miss Madison.” Jon set up straighter. Richie went over and placed his hand on Jon's back and calmed him down. “And yes she called the left over pizza the bones.”

“Are you going to see her again?” Stephanie asked. Perching on the bar stool at the bar.

“We, or rather she, thinks you three need time to get over the experience you have been through, before you can accept that we will be dating.” Jon stood up and went over and headed into the kitchen.

Steph and Jesse looked at Richie.

“She makes him happy.” Richie told then. “While you were with you mom, he met her when he took Romeo to the Adirondacks. Three weeks later, he's back to his old self, he smiles again.” Richie followed Jon into the kitchen.

“I told you, he had a girlfriend.” Jesse said.

“Lexie is a nice lady, we made snow people and had a snowball fight and roasted marshmallows in the fireplace.” Romeo said from his corner. “Snowball is her puppy and she loves me and daddy. I can't see her for two whole weeks because of you and Stephie.”

“Hey, we didn't do anything to her,” Stephanie looked over at Jesse.

“Well, we really didn't welcome her with opened arms, you could have been a little more friendlier.” Jesse told her.

“Well you weren't smiling very much yourself.” She rolled her eyes.

Jon and Richie stood in the kitchen listening to the kids talking.

“Eavesdropping is not a good daddy quality.” Richie whispered.

“If you don't break the daddy rules sometimes with four kids you never learn anything” Jon whispered back.

“I heard him talking to her last night, he did sound like he really was back to his old self. Maybe we should give her a chance.” Jesse shrugged.

“We gave Graham a chance and look where that got us, you have a jail record.” Steph got up and walked over to the sofa,

“Well, I wouldn't have that record if you haven't tried get to Grahams momma and dressed like a slut,” Jesse spat out at her.

“I didn't ask you to play Incredible Hulk on her. Geese she's an old lady.” Stephanie got in his face.

“So I was to let the old bag smack you with that metal cane of hers. Sometimes I think you do all these to get momma and daddy's attention.” He got up and stood toe to toe.

“I think Kidd you better go out there before they draw blood.” Richie whispered.

“Damn, they always were hot headed.” Jon headed back in, “Hey you two enough.”

“She started it.” Jesse backed up.

“I started it? Oh blame me for everything.” Stephanie stormed off and ran up the stairs.

Jesse started to go up but Jon stopped him.

“Jess, lets talk,” Jon walked over and sat on the sofa. “Romey, come here, times out is over you can go up and unpack your suitcase.”

“Okay Daddy, can I call Lexie and see if Snowball can spend the night tomorrow night?” He ran over to the sofa.

“Now Romey, it hasn't even been two hours much less than two weeks,” He ruffled his hair. “We'll call her tomorrow and maybe set a play day up.”

“Yeah, you're the best daddy,” Romeo hugged him and ran up the stairs.

“He really loves that rag mop, doesn't he?” Jesse asked.

“Yeah he does, two weeks are gonna feel like two months for him.” Jon sighed

“For you too Dad,” Jesse watched his father.

“You could say that, but I can see where she's coming from.” He picked up his laptop and brought the site up again.

“You and a laptop are not two things I'm used to seeing. Hey that's the laptop I use when I'm here.” he moved over to where Jon was tapping away. “You're in a chat room? Oh my God dad welcome to the twenty first century,” He laughed

Jon Chuckled and noticed that the chat was over. “Damn” He mumbled. Sam was still there.

Kidd: Hey Sam, I missed chat.

Sam: It was short, she just didn't sound into it, ya know.

Kidd: Yeah I know what you mean.

Jesse watched him chatting with this Sam person.

“Dad, she know who you are?”

Jon looked at Jesse over the rims of his glasses.

“I don't think so, this is just my second time in here.”

Jesse looked over at the screen, watched his dad tap away at the keys.

Sam:Hey Kidd I added your name to the free book list. Lexie send out a free copy of her new book, we get advance copies of her book. Can't wait to read it.

Kidd: I can't wait either, heard it's gonna be great.

Sam: Well time to go, got school in the morning. L8ter

Jon looked at the acronym and made a face

“Dad she told you later.” Jesse chuckled.

Kidd: L8ter

Jon started to log out when SBM came in.

SBM: Hey Kidd, wondered if you were gonna make it in

Kidd: You know hows its been, Kids

SBM: LOL I copy, got a little pup here misses her buddy

“Lexie?” Jesse asked

“Yeah.” Jon answered

Jesse took the laptop from Jon

Kidd: <3 p="">

Jon looked at the symbol and the three

“Dad, it's a heart.” Jesse laughed

“I get that” He turned his head to the side and nodded his head.

“Listen Dad, I'm okay with you and Lexie dating. I don't need two weeks.”

Jon looked over at Jesse.

“Thanks. But she wants the two weeks and I'll try to give it to her.”

Jesse handed him the laptop back and got up.

“I'm headed to my room, I'll keep an eye out on the kids if you want to take a little stroll tonight. Uncle Mookie is here, if you know what I mean.”

Jon watched his oldest Son head upstairs. Looking back on the screen she was waiting. Richie walked in heading to the kitchen, his guitar in his hand.

“I'm gonna grab a slice and hit the studio and work out that rift,” He stopped at the stunned look on Jon's face, “You Okay there Kidd?”

“Yeah, my 15 year old Son just gave me permission to date Lexie.”

'Well, that's a good thing isn't it?” Richie questioned. “Then what are you doing sitting here, go to her Man.”

Jon nodded his head and picked up the laptop.

Kidd: Meet me at the corner and bring the dog.

SBM: Okay

Jon grabbed his key's out of the bowl on the table and log off the computer.

“I won't be long.”

He grabbed his jacket and headed out the door.

Shaking his head Richie chuckled.

“That's my boy”