Chapter 46

Jon stood there and looked at Lexie standing there.

“Surprise” Lexie smiled. “Stephanie called me and invited me up.” She told him. Jesse was taking her suitcase into his fathers room.

Jon looked between Stephanie's, look daddy what I did, shit eating grin to Lexie's we got to talk smile that wasn't quiet making her eyes sparkle.

Oh shit what am I in for now

“Lex, “ he walked over and gave her a kiss.

“Jon,” She giggled this was so strange with his kids standing there watching.

Jesse made a quick exit to store her suitcase and then to his room. Stephanie giggled and disappeared into her room when she got a text signal on her phone.

“Well that cleared the room.” Jon laughed. He walked Lexie into the bedroom they would be sharing.

“I wanted to call you and let you know I was coming, but Stephanie wanted to surprise you.” She tossed her bag on the bench at the end of the bed.

“I'm glad you and Snow are here.” Jon flopped down on the bed and watched her unpack. “Is that all you bought?” He asked watching her hang up clothes and pull out drawers and loaded them.

“Jon there is a washer and a dryer.” She tossed pajamas at him.

“What are these?” He laughed holding.

“What I am going to be wearing to bed with the kids a few feet away.” She told him, standing there with her hand on her hip giving him the eye.

“Ah Lex” Jon gave her his little boy pout,

“Ah Jon.” She rolled her eyes at him.

“My boys know if the door is closed they knock.” He told her tossing the Pj's back to her.

“For right now Jon, I will ware the pajamas.” She tossed them back on the other pillow. “I'm going to check on Snow and put her stuff out.” She kicked off her shoes and headed back down to the kitchen, grabbing her laptop bag as she went.

“You're editor know where you are?” Jon followed her out the bedroom and then went over to open the door to Romeo and Jake's room. Light fell across the bed showing Snowball curled between the boys. He would have to take the bunk beds a part so Snow could sleep with both boys. She couldn't climb up to where Jake was sleeping.

Lexie looked over his shoulder and smiled.

“She missed her buddy.” She whispered as he pulled the door to, but left it cracked if she needed to get out,

“Yes, my editor knows where I am. I have a deadline.” She told him as she followed him down to the kitchen.

Jon took out two goblets and a bottle of wine.

“Who's been cooking since you got here?” She looked in the fridge. She had brought up some of the stuff from her fridge and added it to the stuff he already had.

“Well, cereal and fruit for breakfast and Salad and sandwiches and soup.” he told her.

“So, I need to go shopping tomorrow for real food.” She took the glass of wine he offered.

“You are not here to feed us.” he drew her out to the family room. “Your editor will have my ass.”

They sat cuddled on the sofa. The lights were low and the wine was relaxing her. Then a door opened upstairs and a kid came downstairs. Jon felt Lexie move but he pulled her back.

“Don't mind me” Jesse went into the kitchen to raid the fridge.

“Lexie is not here to cook for us.” Jon said out loud.

“Jon.” Lexie smacked his thigh.

“Ouch Lex” Jon rubbed his injured thigh.

Jesse laughed an came out of the kitchen eating an apple and had a sandwich in his hand.

“Dad, we're used to eating your food now, good healthy food would kill us.” he dodged the pillow his dad threw and headed back to his bedroom.

“You have some great kids Jon, be proud of them.” She said settling back into his embrace.

“Yeah I do.” Jon sipped his wine.

They sat like that for a while and just enjoyed being in the same room. Jon sighed and nuzzled her neck. He was happy that she was here but somewhere in the back of his mind a little voice said talk to her.

Stephanie sat in the window seat talking to Mark.

“Lexie got here a little while ago,” She told Mark.

“Your dad and Lexie are an item hum. A happy daddy is a occupied daddy” Mark laughed.

“So we can go out tomorrow night and I don't have to have my brother as a sitter.” She laughed,

“Your brother and Sally hitting it off?” Mark seemed to be interested in her brothers love life.

“They're just friends,”She leaned over and got her water bottle and took a long sip. “So are we on for tomorrow?”

“Yeah, I'll come by and pick you up, there's a bunch of us going up to the lake for a party.” He told her as he texted to his friend that they would be there.

“Party sounds just what I need.” She told him where they were staying and what time she would be ready.

The call was short but she was party bound tomorrow night,

Lexie pulled the bacon out of the pan and started another pan. Her laptop was sitting on the bar and between typing and flipping bacon she had the radio on. She stood there taping away on the laptop and her feet moving to the beat. She sniffed the air and went to check on the breakfast bread pudding in the over.

Looking up she saw Romeo and Jake following Snowball down the stairs.

“Wondered if you all were going to sleep all day.” She put down Snowballs food bowl and watched the boys climbing up at the breakfast bar. “Are you two hungry?”

“We always have fruit and cereal.” Jake told her as he watched her flip the bacon.

“Lexie makes us good breakfast Jakey.” Romeo told him. “She makes me messy eggs when I want them.”

“Well Romey, how about bacon and breakfast pudding this morning?” She asked as she pulled the pan of fragrant bread pudding out of the over.

“Silly Lexie, we can't have pudding for breakfast.” Jake laughed.

Jesse and Jon met at the top of the stairs and stopped at the sound of Jake laughing.

“I smelled bacon,” Jesse told his dad. “I thought you said she wasn't going to cook.”

“She can do what ever she wants, Jake is laughing.” Jon said as he high five his son,

“Daddy,” Jake called out “Lexie's got pudding for breakfast.” He pointed to his plate with Bacon and bread pudding.

“That's great Buddy, did you thank Lexie.” Jon got a cup of coffee and watched his three sons digging into breakfast.

“Thanks Lexie.” Jake smiled up at Lexie. He reached for another strip of bacon,

“You're welcome Jake.”She fixed Jon a plate and turned back to her laptop and tapped away. “You want to go get Stephanie up to eat or will she fix her own breakfast?”

“I'll go get her.” Jesse said as he snagged a couple slices of bacon and ran up the steps.

Without knocking he stuck his head in her room

“Hey Steph, Lexie's got breakfast ready get your butt out of bed.” Jesse laughed as Stephanie lifted her hand and gave him the bird. “She cooked bacon and this bread thing.” She still gave him the bird again. “okay I'll save you some bacon.” He laughed as he went downstairs. “Steph said she'd be down later.” He grabbed more bacon and put it on his plate.

“Listen I've got to finish this and then hit the store for dinner.” Lexie looked up from her computer.

“You can make a list and we'll do the shopping. That way you can work and I won't get death threats from your editor.” Jon took a big bite of bread pudding and moaned

“But I wanted to meet Sally” She told him never taking her eyes off the screen.

“I can invite her to dinner, if you want.” Jesse followed his father euphoria and closed his eyes savoring the sweet bread pudding.

Lexie looked up from the screen at Jesse.

“You would, that would be great. I'll make a list.” She dropped down her novel and started to make a grocery list.

The house was quiet when Stephanie came down. She went into the kitchen and she noticed how clean it was. She opened the fridge and pulled out juice and saw a plate wrapped with her name on it. Pulling it and unwrapping it she was hit with the smell of bacon and something sweet. Popping the plate into the microwave. Grabbing the juice she poured a glass and sat down waiting on the microwave.

Mark: morning blue eyes you ready for tonight?

Steph: ready and excited

Mark: No curfew?

Steph: he'll be too happy and distracted to care.

Mark: Good, later blue eyes

Steph: later

She closed off the message when the microwave beeped. She got the plate and sat down to eat.

“Augh” Lexie said as she came into the kitchen with the empty glass and plate. “I hate doing edits”

Stephanie jumped, she had thought the house was empty.

“Sorry,” Lexie said when Stephanie jumped.

“I thought everyone was gone.” She finished what was on the plate.

“Gone to get groceries.” She washed off the plate and glass then joined Stephanie at the breakfast bar.

“We've only been here three days what happened to the groceries daddy bought.” She popped the last bite of bacon in her mouth.

“I thought you guys might have had enough of salad and soup.” She took Stephanie’s plate to the sink.

“I'll get this.” Stephanie jumped up and took her dish to the sink. It just seemed too personal for Lexie to clean up after her.

“Is there anything you want special for dinner or someone you might like to ask? Jesse is going to ask Sally over for dinner and I thought you might like to ask someone.” Lexie poured so tea in her glass and watched Stephanie.

“I'm sort of going out tonight.” She stumbled over telling Lexie, seeing how she was only there as a distraction.

“Oh well, that's good. Does your father know?” She casually asked

“Not yet, I just got asked out about an hour ago.” She tried to brush off the feelings that she was feeling.

Okay Lex she's not going to open up to you. She's hiding something and you know and she knows it. You're going to have to step back and be around to pick up the pieces.

Just then the garage door open and the Escalade pulled in. Snowball met them at the back door.

“Lex, The grocery store wants to thank you for buying them out today” Jesse laughed as he hauled in three bags, followed by Jake with two, Romeo with two and Jon with the remaining four,

“Sally said dinner would be an honor and she looks forward to coming tomorrow night. It's okay we set it up for then, she had to work tonight.” Jon said as they began to unload the bags.

“That's great, we'll all be here.” Lexie said giving Stephanie the opening to tell her dad she had a date tonight.

“Yeah that's great, Daddy I was going to tell you, I have a date tonight.” Stephanie said as she emptied one of the bags.

“With Mark?” Jesse asked giving her a version of the famous Bongiovi stink eye.

“Yes with Mark and his friends, they're having a party down at the lake and he invited me.” She carried a jug of milk to the fridge, bumping into Jesse on the way.

“Good, I can meet the boy, let him know when you're due home.” Jon said as he folded the eccobag to go back in the SUV.

“Daddy, he isn't a boy, he goes to college.” She rolled her eyes.

Jesse whipped his head so fast Lexie thought she heard the joints snap.

“Okay, but I still want to meet this paragon of Apple I phones.” Jon laughed and looked at Lexie waiting on her to join his laughter. When she didn't he gave her a questioning look.

Soon the groceries were up, the boys were playing the Wii and Jesse and Stephanie were up stairs Jon watched Lexie tapping on the ever present laptop.

“Lex, you got a minute.” He sipped his coffee

“Sure Jon, whats on your mind.” She dropped her screen, she know that minute was gonna be a long one.

“Has Steph told you anything about this Mark guy?” He watched her face for any hint that he had something to worry about.

“No Jon, she hasn't said much about him. Just that he called an asked her to this party.” She went over to the fridge and pulled out her mug of tea and joined him at the bar.

“I've always let Dottie handle the kids and the dates, but I'm out here in a limb, I've never had to be the Dad.” He looked down in his coffee cup as if looking for all the answers to the problems in the world.

“Jon, I've never been a mom so I don't know what to tell you. But I do know your gonna fall as many times as you rise.” She touched his arm.

“In other words, I'm gonna learn from my mistakes.” he looked up at her and placed his hand over hers.

“Yep.” She leaned over the bar and gave him a little kiss.

Jesse and Stephanie stopped dead in their tracks seeing their dad and Lexie kissing in the kitchen

“You done a good thing Steph, I'm proud of you.” Jesse patted her on the back.

“Yeah, I done good” But there wasn't any passion in her voice. Seeing her dad kissing any one but there mom was gonna take a lot of getting use too. Like Mark said a happy dad was a distracted dad.

Chapter 45 Surprise

Stephanie stopped short at the sound of Lexie's voice.

“Hi Lexie, I wanted to call you and tell you I'm sorry for the way I acted.” She repeated what she told the machine.

“Stephanie, It's okay I understand.” She did understand, but she would let her explain why she was sorry.

“Things were so messed up and I took it out on you, and I shouldn't have. Daddy and I talked today.” She started to say, but Lexie stopped her.

“Stephanie, did your dad pressure you into calling me?” She hoped she was wrong in her thinking.

“No, no Lexie, he didn't pressure me into calling, I wanted to call you.” She was shocked to think she had thought her dad could make her call. “We talked about him and momma and as much as I wanted them back together, it isn't gonna happen.” She said truthfully.

“I know it's hard, my parents split when I was about your age.” She hadn't told anyone, it wasn't even in her bio with her editor. “My dad, well lets just say, he went to work one day and didn't come home.”

“Did you want them back together?” She asked.

“At first I did, then I remembered what it was like at home. The quiet dinners and the slamming doors. They tried to keep it from me, but I knew things had changed.” She thought back to the day she admitted that it was better that her dad had another family. “I went through a hard time until I noticed my mom was happy again.” Which she didn't admit to Stephanie that she was in college when she figured it out that her mom was happy with her new stepfather. That also finding out she had a niche for writing also helped.

She thought about what Lexie was saying. Jesse had told her their dad was happy with Lexie, but until her talk with her dad today she didn't want him happy with anyone but her mom. She thought about what Mark had said about distracting her dad. A happy dad was a distracted dad.

“Lexie, will you come up here, Daddy is so happy when he talks about you and I want him to be happy again.” There she had said it.

Lexie was shocked, they had only been up there for two days and she was calling to ask her up. Red flags were going up all over the place, she thought about saying no, but she missed Jon too much to cut her own throat. She would just have to watch and keep her eyes open.

“I guess I could come up tomorrow,” she said. She would have to pack her bag and get Snowballs stuff together.

“Could you come up today?” She asked.

Lexie saw a huge red flag but pushed it away.

“I'll try, it might be late, I have to pack and load the car.” she told her.

“Try, please, I need some girl talk around here.” She laughed.

“Okay, I'll call if I can make it up.” She made a mental list of what to pack and food for Snowball.

“Call my cell, lets surprise daddy.” She was getting excited. Her plan was working.

“I don't have your cell number Stephanie.” She grabbed a pen and paper.

“Its two one two” She started “Nine six five three thousand.”

She wrote it down and promised to call her and let her know when she was on the road. Hanging up and looked down at Snowball.

“Something is up Snow, she thinks I don't feel it, but something is up?” She loaded the number in her cell and headed to her bedroom and pulled out her bag and started to pack.

It took her about an hour to get her car loaded. She hoped it make it she didn't want to take time to get her editors jeep again, so it was the Kia or taking another hour to rent a car.

She called Stephanie and started up the road. ''Snow I still think I should call Jon and let him know I'm coming. What would you do if you were me?” She laughed as Snowball started to bark.

Stephanie was excited when Lexie called to say she and Snowball were on the road. She texted Mark to let him know she had taken his advice. She went to clean up her dads room so Lexie wouldn't come to a messy room. Then she came down to pick up all the other things the boys left out when they went to the park.

Jesse and the boys walked into the grocery store grabbing a head basket they headed to the deli to pick up sandwiches and then the chip and cookie section before picking up a couple of sodas before heading to the check out. Sally looked up as the boys ran up to the candy rack by her register.

“Hi Romeo, you here with your dad?” Sally watched the boys look up at the sound of Romeo's name,

“Nope Sally, we're going on a picnic.” Romeo said as he put his candy bar and Jake's on the counter.

Jesse came up and smiled at Sally.

“So you three are going on a picnic?” She started ringing up the order.

“Yeah, you know where a park is, I thought I'd give dad a break and take the guys.” He added a snicker bar to the order.

“Yeah, there's a great park two blocks from here. Lots of things to climb on and great area just to run in.” She took the money and handed Jesse the change.

“Take the bags out Jake I want to ask Sally something, that is if you have time.” He asked her.

“Sure, I'm due for a break.” She smiled and let her boss know she was going on break.

They walked outside and watched the boys getting into the car.

“Last night when we were chatting you started to say something about Mark.” He watched her face as he spoke. “Is there something I need to watch out for with Steph dating him?”

Sally looked down and really didn't want to answer it with out coming off jealous.

“Mark, well I've lived here all my life, I've known Mark all my life.” She shifted from one foot to the other.

“Known all your life as in you dated, or wanted to date, or” Jesse tried to draw her out.

“Well, we dated.” she shifted again. “I went away to college and well to put it mildly he couldn't wait for me to get out of town before he cheated.”

Oh Oh girl dumped, how many times has his friends talked about their sisters getting dumped. He reached out an touched her shoulder.

“Maybe it wasn't meant to be.” He told her as he touched her shoulder.

“My friends sent me pictures of how he handled me being gone. He's just going to use her and drop her. She's not a townie and he will play with her and drop her before you leave to go home.” she blurted it out. “I got to get back to work. I'll talk to you later, just watch your sister.”

Sally rushed back in, Jesse stood there shocked. New he regretted asking her. But she did give him some insight in Mark, that his brother senses had been right all along not to trust Mark. Shaking it off he went to the car and took the boys on their picnic.

Stephanie was acting really strange, she yelled at the boys to pick up their junk, as she had just picked up the family room. Dinner was the usual salad, canned soup and cheese sandwiches, grilled if you didn't mind scraping off the burnt edges. She kept looking out the window and as the sun set and it started to get dark, it was worse. While no one was watching she opened the driveway gate so Lexie wouldn't have to be buzzed up and the garage door was open on the second slot.

It was close to nine when her dad started to get the boys upstairs for baths and bed, Stephanie took her phone out on the front porch and called Lexie, she should have been there by now. The call started to ring and Jesse stepped out on the porch.

“You calling Mark?” he leaned back on the railing and noticed the garage door. “Hey, who left the door open on the garage?”

Stephanie closed the call.

“What if I am, whats it to you?” she sat in one of the rockers, trying to get his mind off the garage door and if he looked out over the yard he could see that they gate was open.

“I sort of talked to Sally about Mark, I think you better watch out for Mark.” He told her.

“You talked to Sally about Mark? Jesse why did you do that?” she huffed. I can't believe he went behind my back to check on Mark. He's a vacation fling, like Sally is for him.

“She would know all about Mark and well they used to date, in fact, from the non verbal message I got from our talk, he's hurt her really bad and don't want you to ever be hurt like that. Hell, I think she's still in love with him, she's going back to college in the fall, if he asked her, I doubt she would leave him behind.” he really liked Sally and seeing her hurt made him mad to the point he'd like to rearrange Mark face.

“I'm sorry that Sally and Mark broke up, but Jesse, I'm not looking for a forever kind of guy. He's just a fun guy to spend a vacation with.” She rolled her eyes at him.

“I just don't want him to hurt you Steph.” he reached over and touched her arm.

“That's good, but there's nothing to protect Jess, he's just a fling.” She told him again.

“Does he know he's just the fling?” Jesse asked as he pushed off the banister and started to go in when a car slowed down by the gate. “Did you leave the gate open for Mark to slink in?” he shook his head. “Are you sneaking out?”

“No, It's not Mark.” She got up and headed to the walkway as the car pulled in. Jesse came up behind her as the car pulled up and into the garage.

“Then who is it?” Jesse asked as her rounded the corner as the door opened. The sound he heard was sound of nails on concrete. “Snowball?”

Hearing her name Snowball barked and ran to Jesse.

“She needs to go out Jess, she's been in the car for too many hours.” Lexie told him. She looked up at Stephanie “Well we made it. It was touch an go, had to stop for gas and food.” She popped the trunk and they got her stuff and Snowballs bag. “Does your father know I'm coming yet?”

“Nope, I want him to be surprised.” Stephanie said as Jesse came back with Snowball. “I cleaned up his room so you won't have a problem.”

Lexie stopped short, she was staying in Jon's room.

“You don't mind I'm staying with your dad?” She asked Stephanie.

“I don't mind,” she smiled.

Okay kiddo if that flag was any bigger it would swamp the cabin. We'll play it your way but I ain't stupid and you're playing with the big kids now. 

She followed Stephanie into the cabin and stopped in the kitchen to put out Snowballs stuff. As Jesse came back in he put Snowball down who high tailed it upstairs to find Romeo.

“Well I guess the secrets out now.” Jesse laughed. “Hey Dad we got company.” Jesse grabbed Lexie's suitcase and carried it upstairs.

Jon was coming out of Romeo's room when he heard Jesse call out and saw Snowball running down the hall. He pushed open the door for her and heard Romeo squeal and giggle. Jake hearing his brother came out of the bathroom his hair damp and rushed past Jon into their shared bedroom laughing as Jon watched Snowball give Jake's face a bath. Hearing voices and feet on the steps he turned to see Jesse bringing up Lexie's case followed by the woman he had been missing for two whole days.

“Surprise Daddy.” Stephanie came up behind Lexie.

Chapter 44

Stephanie wasn't up yet, Jesse took care of the boys and their dad was doing business this morning.

“Come on guys dad is working we have to keep it down some.” Jesse topped off Romeo's milk.

“Daddy is always working” Romeo pouted.

“How about we find a park and go toss the football around, would you like that Jakey?” Jesse asked his brother.

“Okay, Jesse can we have a picnic too?” Jake asked.

Jake seemed more like his old self, maybe dad talked to him yesterday when they hit the video store, Jesse thought.

“Sounds like a plan, we can go to the grocery store and get some sandwiches at the deli and some chips and soda's.” Jesse ruffled his hair

“And some candy too.” Romeo piped up.

“Yeah, not much but maybe a little bit,” Romeo wanted his hair ruffled too so Jesse laughed an ruffled his too, “I can ask Sally what a good park we could go too.”

Sally had started to say something last night when they were texting but stopped short and that bugged him.

“Go get cleaned up and I'll tell dad where we'll be.” He cleaned up the bowls, glasses and spoons and went on search of his dad.

“I don't know what I'm going to do Lex, I got to get us back to being a family, that's what Jake wants.” he said to the phone, his back to the door he didn't see Jesse standing there. “Sure I can't get you to come up?”

“Hey Dad,” He waited until Jon turning around “I'm taking the boys on a picnic to the park toss the ball around,”

“Okay son, keep an eye on Jake” Jon raised his hip to get the keys out of his pocket. “Steph up yet?”

“Not that I heard .” He caught the keys and Turned to go but stop. “We'll get our Jakey back.”

“I hope so Jess,” he watched Jesse leave and went back to his call. “So Lex can you come up here?”

“Jon, you know the deal, the invitation has to come from Stephanie.” Lexie stood at the counter, her laptop was waiting to be abused, Snowball was waiting on her walk and she had already ignored two calls from her editor just to take Jon's call.

“I know, I know, you can't fault me for trying. I really miss you and being here without you, just isn't the same.” Jon's voice lowered and got really sexy

“Dirty pool Bongiovi dirty pool, make me all hot and wet.” She laughed

“You can't fault me for trying, baby.” Jon chuckled

“On that note and that name I am hanging up before my editor is pounding on my door, he's been trying to get me for the past fifteen minute .” she told him. “Francis I'll talk to you later.” She laughed as she hung up before he could reply,

Stephanie roll over and stretched, house was quiet. That could mean two things either the family was out or the boys were out and daddy was working. Checking her phone, no text from Mark, she grabbed her wrapper and headed downstairs, with a stop by the shared bathroom, God these boys are such slobs. She put the towel back on the rod and wiped off the mirror and hung the cloth to dry.

As she was going downstairs she heard her father on the phone with what sounded like either uncle Matty or Tony. She made her way to the kitchen and fixed her some toast and fruit. She noticed the coffee was getting low. As she finished her breakfast she checked her mail and her pages.

She looked up as her dad came in with his phone tucked under his chin never breaking the conversation. Steph smiled as a memory of sitting at the table with her mom and the conversations they used to say her dad would talk business in his sleep if he could. It hurt to know she wouldn't have those mornings every again, and it was her fault as much as her mom's that they were no longer a family.

Jon noticed that Stephanie was up, nodding to her, he poured the last of the pot into his cup and started to one hand make another pot.

“I got it daddy,” She got up and moved him out of the way and got the fixings out to fix another pot.

“Thanks Princess, boys went to the park for a picnic so it's just you and me for the day.” Jon said as he finished off the call and sat at the table. “Do you have any plans today?”

Stephanie set about making her dad a pot of coffee sludge as she and her mom used to call what her dad drank all day.

“Nope, I guess I'll finish my book and hang out here.” She added the water and turned around. “I haven't heard from the girls at school, other than that, I haven't met anyone up here yet. Girls at the club gave me the cold shoulder, Mark said it's a townie vacationer thing.”

Mark hum, wonder if I should be worried or not? It's so tough having been a part time dad to know where to lower the hammer or stand back a wait to clean up the fall out? Jon thought.

“You met this Mark at the club?” He sipped the now cooling mud he called coffee.

“He was the miracle worker at the Apple store that saved my phone contacts and stuff.” She wanted to shy away from talking about Mark.

“Then if he saved your phone that brings him up there with Bieber fever.” He tried not to laugh.

“Oh Daddy, that was so lame.” She gave him her fake Bon Jovi laugh.

“Oh you got that down pat.” Jon laughed.

“I missed this daddy, us sitting around the table and just talking.” She sat down with him. “What happened with Jakey really hit it home.”

“I know it did Stephie and that what scares me.” He paused and sipped his coffee. Should I bring up Lexie or wait and see what she's beating around the bush to bring up. “You know the band will be going into the studio soon and you know that means tour. I don't know what I'm going to do with you four.”

“Well, I had been thinking about that. I know us and tour would mean tutors and taking us out of school.” Then the enormity of what she had done hit her. “Oh my God, what did I do.” Her face fell tears flowed down her cheeks. “I didn't do it on purpose daddy I really didn't. I just wanted you and mommy back together.” She jumped up and started to run out of the room.

Jon stood up and caught her before she could leave the room and folded her into a bear hug.

“Stephie, “ He rocked her in his arms and then walked her into the family room, Sitting on the sofa with her on his lap and let her cry herself out. They sat there until she could calm herself, he held her and rocked her, rubbing her back til she could talk about it.

“Steph, honey that's not ever gonna happen, your mom loves her new man in her life. He can give her what I can't, a steady nine to five guy. One that's there at night and gives her the support I couldn't give her.” he spoke softly. “It wasn't a spur of the minute thing, it's been coming for several years. We just wanted different things in life.”

“But why didn't I see this?” She asked him.

“Honey, your mom was seeing Graham for years before she even told me. I guess I knew it in the back of my mind. We were like strangers sleeping in the same bed.” He admitted to her. “When she was ready to share that part of her affair it wasn't long before everything ended for us.”

“Weren't you mad,” she slipped off his lap and went and sat across from him. “Didn't you want to fight for her?”

Jon thought a few minutes before he spoke.

“Steph, when she told me that she was leaving me, it was the first time I felt like a real failure.” He told her honestly. “I fought, I wasn't gonna roll over and give up without a fight. She told me point blank it was over and done with and if I wanted any contact with you kids I wouldn't fight her. I chose you kids.”

Stephanie listened, taking it all in everything about him, his voice, he facial expressions.

“You might have not heard your mom and I fighting, but Jakey did. He told me yesterday when we went to get video's, he heard us fighting and then what ever happened at Grahams parents place, the change in custody change and them what happened at the mall capped it all off for him. Now I have to find a way to make him feel like we are a family again.” Jon told her waiting to see what she was thinking.

After a few seconds she finally started talking.

“Why did you want to come up here, we could be a family at home in the city, or in the river house.” she shifted and curled her legs under her, “What makes this place so special?”

“The day your mom and Graham got married I was in a bar trying to drink myself under it.” He got up and headed to the kitchen and got a fresh cup of coffee and came back to the sofa. Taking a fortified swallow he started talking again. “Your Uncle Huge found me and helped me dig myself out of this depression I was in. Told me about his uncle in law's cabin, that I should take Romey and head up there to get my head straight.”

“So Uncle Huge set you up with Lexie.” She asked.

“Not really, seems Kelli's uncle is a friend of Lexie's publisher and she was having writers block and he sent her up here, to see if she could clear her head.” He smiled as he remembered the first day he met Lexie. “I thought she was the cook assigned to the cabin.” He shifted on the sofa and chuckled.

“You thought she was the cook?” Stephanie laughed. “When did you find out who she really was?”

“She told me right away she wasn't the cook, I knew I had seen her before, but I couldn't remember.” he smiled.

“When did you find out who she was?” She was filing away all this information.

Actually it was Romey that found it out. Her book was in one of those displays with a picture of the author. It was in the grocery store.” He sipped his coffee and smile again.

“The same store where Sally works?” she laughed.

“The very same one. Small world right?” He laughed.

“Very small.” she noticed a change in her dad. “I'm going to go get dressed, check my mail,” She got up and walked over and kissed her dads cheek.

“Okay Princess, I'm going to be working on some foundation work, so if you need me for anything I'm going to be in the den.”He pointed to the door by the stairs.

“Okay. Hey can I get Lexie's number so I can thank her for the books?” She asked sweetly.

Jon took out his cell and tossed it to Stephanie.

“When you get done bring it to the den.” He called up as she ran up the stairs with his phone.

She flopped down on the bed and pulled up her dads phone contacts, going to recent calls and hit the one that said Lex and waited while it rang. “Voice mail, Hey Lexie, this is Stephanie, Stephanie Bongiovi, I wanted to say I'm sorry for the way I acted.”

Lexie came in with a damp Snowball and was drying her off when her phone rang, Letting the machine get it she fluffed Snowballs fur until she heard the voice on the machine. Reaching the phone on the words I'm sorry she picked up the phone disconnecting the machine. “Stephanie, this is Lexie.”

Chapter 43

The club was not what they had expected this far from the City. Jesse and Steph bought membership with the help of Sally.

“Many of the vacationers join the club, so when they visit they don't have to have a townie to get in.” She said as they filled out the form and paid the fee.

Mark was waiting on her as she came into the club. The trio parted ways once they got stamped and banded.

“Well blue eyes, you finally got here.” He was sitting at a corner table sipping a beer.

“Had to wait on the car and then we met up with Sally.” She reached across for his beer and was going to take a sip, “This okay with you?” she asked before she did.

“You got on a red band?” He showed her his blue band.

“Yeah, I couldn't tell a lie my birthday is in a few weeks, and my brother was watching me.” she rolled her eyes.

He looked around and called a girl over.

“Hey Hannah, my friend here got the wrong drink band, what can you do for her?” He smiled and winked

The girl came back with a blue band for Stephanie.

“Just make sure you get her the right band from now own Mark.” Hannah told them.

“Thanks Hannah, I'm Stephanie.” She tried to make a friend of the girl in charge of the drink bands.

“I know who you are.” Hannah turned and walked away.

“Wow, I haven't gotten that cold a shoulder in a long time.” Steph faked a shiver.

“Don't let it get to you, Hannah is like that with all the vacationers.” He lifted his hand to the waiter and got Steph a beer. “Some of the Townies that have been here like forever, don't care for those who come in for a few weeks then are gone. Think she's one of those.”

Stephanie gave the girl the once over and sighed. She would love to have a female friend while she was here. Someone to talk fashion and girl stuff with.

While Stephanie and Mark were hitting it off Jesse and Sally were hitting it off really well. They got a table and soon many of Sally's friends came by to join the table.

All too soon it was about time for them to head back. Sally was okay with their need to be home as she had work the next morning,

Jesse went looking for Stephanie and found her and Mark outside on the smoking deck.

“Steph, it's time.” Jesse told her.

Stephanie rolled her eyes.

“You aren't leaving are you?” Mark asked as he ground out his cigarette. They had been sharing his smokes too.

“Yeah, my dad had a cow today and changed our curfew.” Steph took the last drag and followed suit. “He forgets we aren't kids anymore. Since he and my mom split he's like over protective.”

“So your parent aren't together anymore, maybe he needs someone to lighten him up.” Mark said as they headed back in. “Does he date?”

Steph stopped so short he almost mowed her down.

“That's it, oh Mark I could just kiss you.” She reached up and framed his face with her hands and gave him a smacking kiss. “Why didn't I think of this, it's been there all the time.”

Mark liked the fact that she kissed him first. She was what he was missing, short term and lots of fun.

“So you got a plan to take care of your dad?” they headed through the club and out to the parking lot.

“Oh yeah, I got a plan.” They got to Sally's car.

“Good, when you get it into place maybe we can go out a little longer.” Mark pulled her close and lowered his lips to hers.

“Mmmm. Oh I plan on it.” She told him when he broke the kiss.

“Any day now Steph.” Jess called to her as he got in the front seat.

“Mark,” Sally said to him.

“Sally, take care of my girl here.” He smiled and held the car door open for Sally then Steph.

Sally rolled her eyes and got in and started the car, giving them a few more seconds before she honked the horn, “We have to go, before they break their curfew.”

They barely made it, with only seconds to spare. Jesse and Sally made plans to go out again, hopefully without his sister and her new friend.

Jon was just getting ready to lock up the house and head upstairs when the garage door opened and he stopped and looked at the grandfather clock in the hall. They were cutting it but they made it.

Strange that they were quiet, not good. He thought back to last night and the mall fiasco.

“You smell like beer and cigarette smoke.” Jesse whispered as they headed to the door.

“So I had fun.” Stephanie pulled out mouthwash out of her bag and took a swallow. There was nothing she could do about the smoke smell. At home she kept spare clothes in the garage. She would just have to fly by the seat of her pants and hope her dad was already upstairs.

“How did you get a blue drink band, you had a red one when you walked in.” He rounded the car and they headed into the house, which was a blessing that it was dark.

“Mark got it changed.” She came in behind him. She would have to spend some time planning the plan. She would give it a day and then approach her dad with the idea of bringing Lexie up early

They turned to go upstairs and stopped short at the sight of their dad.

“We made it on time.” Stephanie said as she went to go up past him.

Jon was hit with the stench of stale cigarette smoke. He didn't say anything but the heavy smell of mouthwash about choked him as she blew him a kiss. Pulling back some.

“Night princess.” He called up to her, his only answer was the closing of her bedroom door. Well at least she was smiling, “Did you have a good time?” Jon sat down on the step waiting on Jesse to join him. “Still mad I set you up?”

Jesse sat down and knew bed was going to wait and he wanted to text Sally.

“I can't believe I'm saying this but, thanks Dad.” Jesse laughed. “I actually had a good time. Sally is a great girl.”

“Oh, not the great girl moniker, in my day she was not jock date material. You saw them with the multi media club.” Jon laughed.

“Nah dad, she's like the kind of girl to help you pass an exam to stay on the team, you know a friend.” Jesse ducked his head a little.

“Ah a friend but not a girlfriend.” Jon teased his son.

“Well she's a girl and she's a friend. She's a freshman in college and I'm a freshman going to be a junior in high school. So I doubt she'll be a girlfriend,” He got up and patted his dad on the head, “On that note I'm going to bed.” He headed up the stairs pulling out his phone as he went,

“Watch the hair kid.” Jon ducked his head, and listened to him going up the stairs, “Tell Sally I'll talk to her tomorrow when we have chat.”

“Eww Dad.” He shook his head.

Chapter 42

Jon got up early to go on a run, as he was heading down the stairs he heard someone in the kitchen. He knew it wasn't Stephanie, unless it was a school day and he knew the runts wouldn't be up yet, so that could only mean Jesse was going to run this morning.

Dropping his runners by the door, he walked into the kitchen. Drawn by the sent of fresh coffee, he pulled down a mug and filled it up. He leaned on the counter and watched his son as he drank.

“It's a shame what happened last night at the mall.” Jon said as he sipped from his cup.

“It shouldn't have happened.” Jesse said without looking up from what he was reading. “How did you find out, Romey tell you?”

“You tell me,” he walked over and sat at the table with him. Taking a sip of his coffee, he watched the emotions play on his sons face.

“You know dad, there's too much yelling in this family, we aren't even a family really. Oh we got a dad and a mom, brothers and a sister. But lately we're yellin at each other, not listenin to each other.” Jesse looked up at his dad. “Mom now has a new family and we can't even visit, because of yellin and fightin and tearin each other apart. We don't know who we're hurtin the most.”

“Who are we hurting?” Jon asked quietly.

“Jake, we're hurting Jake.” Jesse looked up.

They both watched each other. The things Jesse had said rang true in what he had seen in his middle son. Where had the laughing, yelling, happy little boy gone to.

“He has a point, dad. We need to be a family again.” Jesse got up and put the cereal bowl in the sink. Leaning on the sink he looked out of the yard. “If that means bring Lexie in the family or not, we got of stop being strangers anymore.”

“I got ya Jess. I'll handle it.” Jon got up and walked over to Jesse. “Lets get our run in and we'll talk some more.” He put his cup in the sink

“Okay Dad.” He went to the steps and they both put on there runners and headed out for their run,

Stephanie heard the slap of sneakers on the driveway and the shutting of the door. Stretching she pulled the quit up close and was just about asleep when she got a text. Sitting up she pulled on her glasses and reached for her new phone, Noting the text was from Mark she smiled, just the sight of his name on her message sent warm feeling through her body. Sure she had a boyfriend back at old PT, but what would a little vacation fling hurt.

Mark: Morning blue eyes how is the new phone doing?

Stephanie: Well hello Mark, it's doing fine,

Mark: Good, Still planning on going to Banshee tonight?

Hum what could a little vacation fling hurt, not like Anthony and I aren't engaged or anything.

She looked over at the clock radio om the night stand and winced it was nine in the morning, She was shocked that the rats hadn't started clambering for breakfast.

Stephanie : That's the plan. I'll be with my brother and this girl he met at the grocery store.

Mark : Sally, she's an alright girl.

Somewhere in the back her mind she hated when the boys at Poly Tech called a girl “Alright” seemed to think of her as on the fringes of the popular girls. She's good enough to be a lab partner and friend but not a girl friend.

Stephanie : We're meeting her and going with her tonight. So I guess I'll see you there.

Mark : Plan on it. Got to go to work. See you tonight,

Stephanie : Plan on it.

She had just snuggled back down under the door creaked open and two faces came into the door.

“You up sissy?” Romeo asked. As the door opened more and the two piled in on the bed .

“Jakey and me are hungry for some snap crackle pop.” he snuggled his sister.

Jake just sat on the side of the bed with his game.

Stephanie reached up and pulled Jake into a tickle fest.

When Jon and Jesse came in the boys and Stephanie were around the table eating big bowls of what looked like Romy's favorite breakfast cereal.

“There's fruit in the fridge” Stephanie told them.

Jesse and Jon got bowls and fixed up fruit and cereal. Sitting around the table, Jon looked up, Jesse had been right, they needed to get back to being a family.

“I'm gonna go get a shower, since you two are going out tonight, I'm gonna take the boys to get a movie later.” Jon said to a chorus of movie titles that they want to see. The loudest coming from Romeo.

Once they were done eating, Jesse and Steph were at the sink washing the breakfast dishes, Jon was on his way upstairs after putting on the Disney channel for the boys.

“Dad knows.” Jesse told his sister.

“Knows what?” She handed him a bowl to dry.

“What happened at the mall.” Jesse dried the bowl and put it in the cabinet

“How, I didn't say anything.” She dried off her hands and went to the family room door. “Hey guys we weren't going to tell daddy about what happened last night at the mall.”

“I didn't tell daddy about Jakey running away.” Romeo told her.

Jake just shook his head.

“Then how did he know?” Jesse asked them.

Jake hunched up his shoulders, Romeo hunched his shoulder.

“I just got up a while ago.” Stephanie informed him.

Jon came down the stairs drying his hair with a bath towel.

“Daddy, how did you know Jakey ran away at the mall?” Romeo asked.

Jon stopped on the steps he looked from Jesse to Stephanie with a what the hell look.

“I didn't know.” Jon put the towel on the banister and came over to the kids.

“If you didn't know why did you said it was bad what happened at the mall?” Jesse asked him

“You going to the mall and not finding anything to buy with my black american express card something must have happened, you are the one who told me all about the fighting and yelling that we were hurting Jake, but not that you lost him in a strange mall.” Jon was shocked that he wasn't yelling, he would have, if he hadn't looked at Jake's face. “Jake is safe and nothing bad happened, but don't let it happen again, right Jakey?” Jon was awarded with a smile and a nod.

Jesse could tell this wasn't over and knew his father was ready to blow his top, that vain in his head was about to explode.

“I'm going to finish getting ready, you two get your shoes on and faces washed. Be ready to go in fifteen minutes.” Jon turned and headed back upstairs snatching the towel off the banister as he went up.

Jesse looked at Stephanie with a what the hell look. She hunched her shoulders and started to follow her brother upstairs behind the boys.

Stephanie and Jesse headed into their dads room, shutting the door they waited for the explosion.

“I don't know what to say to you two, you better let me cool off first.” Jon's voice came from the walk in closet.

“We didn't want to upset you.” Stephanie started.

“So you think that not telling me was better?” He came out of the closet tucking his shirt in.

“Dad, we took care of it, he wasn't gone but just a second and this lady saw him and told me where to find him so he was only missing about three minutes.” Jesse explained.

“Jess I just wish you told me what happened when you got home. I noticed something has been up with Jake since we came back.” Jon sat on the end of the bed pulling on his socks and shoes. “I think I might need to talk to someone who can help him and us.”

“It might be the best dad.” Jesse said

Jon looked at his oldest son. Shaking his head he heard the boys downstairs ready to go.

“I'll be back in a while, might see if I can get Jake to talk to me.” Jon said as they headed downstairs to join the boys. “When I get back, the two of us are going to talk about things.”

Stephanie stopped short, Jesse almost bumped into her.

Jon got the boys out to the SUV and they got buckled up.

“Oh yeah, Curfew tonight is ten thirty.” He looked right at Stephanie.

“Dad, you said eleven.”Stephanie huffed.

Jesse put his hand on her arm trying to stop her from making it worse. He really wanted to go tonight and if they had to be in at ten thirty then that would do.

Jon got in the car, backed up even with his older two. Rolling down the window he gave them the famous stink eye that was held for family only.

“You're two steps away from staying home tonight, don't push it princess.” Jon hissed and backed out of the garage.

“Way to go Steph, piss him off more.” Jesse bopped her in the back of the head and pulled out his cell to text Sally.

Chapter 41

Jesse jumped up and looked around the food court, no Jake.

“Okay, Steph you take Romeo and go look toward the toy store and I'll go to the security office and see if they have surveillance cameras.” Jesse took charge of the situation.

“Come on Romey, show me where the toy store is.” Stephanie and Romeo left the food court.

“You missing your brother?” The little old lady asked that was sitting beside them.

“Yes Ma am, did you see which way he went?” Jesse asked her

“I would check the bathroom right outside the food court first, he was crying and it would give him privacy.” She told him and before he ran off to check the bathroom she touched his arm, “He doesn't like you and your sister fighting and I saw him go in,” She smiled.

“Thanks, I kinda figured he didn't like fighting. He's not been his self since, well it's been about two years.” Jesse sunk back in the seat, he was remembering how Jake was before mom and dad split and the kids were stuck in the middle. “I better go get him, talk to him, be the brother I should have been.” He got up and headed to the bathroom.

Jake sat on the toilet, just like Romeo, he liked the last stall. What he hated was all the fighting. First his mom and dad ending in a divorce and not being a family anymore. Then Stephie and Grammy had to fight and now they can't go to see Momma and Step-daddy. Now Stephie and Jess are fighting, I hate all this fighting, If Daddy and Lexie get married then we get a Step-momma. Daddy likes Lexie too much to fight with her, for now. He heard the door open to the bathroom, only one person came in. He started to pull his feet up to hide, but almost ended up in the water. His feet hit the floor.

“I know you're in here Jakey, that lady sitting beside us saw you come in here.” He prayed they were the only two in there. Tapping each door as he walked till he got to the last stall. “I should have known, why do you and Romey like the last stall?” Jesse chuckled.

“Are you and Sissy gonna fight anymore?” Came Jake's voice from the last stall.

“Jakey, you know the answer to that, think about, it's our sister.” He laughed.

“I don't like all the fighting, every time someone fights someone leaves. We can't see Momma because she lost us to daddy and you and sissy with Grammy, now, I'm tired of losing someone I love because of fighting. It's got to stop. Don't want to lose you too.”

The door to the stall slowly opened, Jake walked out and right into Jesse arms. Jesse just held his little brother, the sensitive one.

“I don't like the fighting either Jakey, but sometimes we have to disagree.” He rubbed his back as he spoke. He had done that when their parent separated and then divorced.

“But does it have to be so loud?” Jake sniffed and looked up at his brother.

“Jake, think about this, we are talking about our sister, when has she ever disagreed quietly?” He chuckled.

Jake looked up and slowly smiled.

“You got a point there.” he stepped back. “Can we eat now, no fighting.”

“You got it little dude.” He took Jake's hand and they headed out of the bathroom.

After collecting Romeo and Stephanie they got dinner and a trip back to the toy story for Mario Brothers. On the drive back to the cabin they calmly talked about what happened.

Jon oblivious to what was going on at the mall was chatting with the chat group.

SAM: oh Kidd I just got a text.

Kidd: I knew he would be texting, I guess all is good?

SAM: All is great.

Kidd: Good.

M2S: Well lets call it a night, my child needs to go for her last walk for the night.

SAM: Take care Kidd and Lexie be careful.

M2S I will Sam, have fun tomorrow night.

SAM: Will do.

Once the room had cleared out Jon was ready for little one on one.

Kidd: That's a load off my mind. Steph will be happy and Jesse just might forgive me for setting him up.

M2S: I still can't believe you set your son up. I really have to walk Snow Jon, can we talk while I take her out, before she puddles on the floor?

Kidd: Sure Lex. Hopefully I can keep a link.

They signed off and Lexie got Snow ready for her walk. She got out the door and hit the sidewalk, her phone rang.

“We just got down.” she said into her phone.

“Well that's good darlin, I was wondering if you needed an escort while Kidd's away.” Richie was walking up the street to where Jon told him Lexie lived.

“Thanks Rich, Jon's going to call while we are walking, but you're welcome to join us.” She looked up and saw his tall lanky form striding up the street. “Are you still working in the studio?”

“Yeah, I'm heading out tomorrow, Got to take my Daughter to the father daughter dance at school.” He walked beside her his hands in his pockets.

“You must miss her, all that traveling and recording?” They stopped while Snowball sniffed a stop of grass near a small park.

“Yeah, every time I see her she's grown up more.” He waited for Snowball to do her business and Lexie to bag it.

Her phone rang and he took the lead so she could talk

“Come on fluff ball” He spoke to Snowball who quickly caught up with him

“Well hello I see you got a connection.” She told spoke softly.

“Got a glass of wine and sitting out here on the deck, Snow done her business and you two heading back?” He sipped his wine and wished he had a cigarette, it was the only time he missed them.

“The three of us are heading back.” she watched the tall outline of Richie and the ball of fur waddle beside him.

Jon's feet slipped off the railing he had propped them on.

“Three of you, who joined you tonight, you didn't say you had company for your walk on line?” He tried not to sound jealous.

“Rich came and walked with us, I think he was lonely. He's heading home tomorrow.” They chatted a little bit longer.

Jon heard the garage door opening when he came in to put his glass in the sink.

“Kids are back, wonder how bad my black card got hit?” he joked,

“You gave your teenagers a black credit card with no limit, Brave man.” she laughed.

“I just hope that my princess grants you a pardon so you can join us, I'll take a big dent in the card.”

“Jon, I don't want to buy her trust, I want to earn her trust.” She stopped walking.

“I know you do, I want that too. I just miss you so much.” He ended the call with a promise to call back once the kids went to bed. The door to the garage opened and the kids stepped through. “Hey guys did you have fun at the mall?”

While the two younger Jovi's had eaten the older two talked about their disagreement and decided to not tell their dad.

“Had a great time, the mall not so bad” Stephanie said as she sat her bag on the bar.

“Look what we got daddy.” Romeo showed his dad the new game cartridge.

“Great Romey, did you get one too Jakey?” Jon asked as his middle son came in. Instead of talking he just held up a bag.

“So everybody got dinner and a treat.” Jon smiled “Romey and Jakey got a game, Stephie got her phone, so what did you get Jess?”

Jesse looked at his sister and brothers, he hadn't gotten anything for himself. He had the boys to take care of and then the argument with his sister and Jake's taking off, he hadn't had time to think of himself.

“I didn't see anything I needed.” He told his father.

“Okay, you two, upstairs and get ready for bed.” He said as they ran for the stairs, “Bath first, Jake you can use the one in my bedroom” He called as they bounded up the stairs.

“I'll go make sure they actually get in the tub.” Jesse told his father as he followed the boys up, leaving his sister with their father.

They sort of stood there in silence, Jon watching the boys go upstairs and Stephanie waiting for the other shoe to drop. Jon turned and looked at her.

“Whats up with Jess?” He pulled out a stool and sat down.

“What do you mean Dad, he said he didn't see anything he wanted.” Steph heard he phone beep for a message. Glancing at the screen it read Hi still loving the phone? It was Mark, a smile spread over her face.

“Okay, just not used to my card coming back only slightly dented.” He held out his hand for his card.

Stephanie fished out his card with the receipts, handing them to her father she headed upstairs to her room to answer her text from Mark.

Jon watched her rush upstairs to call back who ever sent the text. He got this feeling something wasn't right. He sat there a little longer trying to figure out who of his two younger boys would tell him what happened at the mall. Divide and conquer. Getting up he cleaned his wine glass and turned out the lights and went up stairs to check on the boys and go to bed, and a little late night call to Lexie. Smiling he took the stairs two at a time.