Chapter 50

Stephanie sat there for a while, her mom had all but said she was acting like a child and to grow up. Her dad had a new woman in his life and momma isn't going to leave her husband. The boys like Graham and they think this Lexie walked on water. Dad said I should talk to Lexie could help me, she had said that her dad had walked out on her and her mom. Neither her mom or her dad walked out on each other, they just fell out of love and well her mom had cheated on her dad. But daddy was no angel on tour, he had all but said so. Her dad still had her phone so calling Mark was out of the question. She doubted she would hear from him again.

Getting up she wondered around the house, her dad and Lexie took the boys to the mall to spend their hush money and Jesse was out on the pouch chatting on his cell. She went onto the kitchen and found Snowball curled up on her towel by the door.

“Hey Snow, you want to go for a walk?” She spoke to the ball of fur, who perked up at the sound of a walk. Putting on the dog harness she snapped on the leash as headed out the front door.

“Snow and I are going for a walk.” She told her brother.

“Be careful and don't get lost.” He laughed.

“You'd all be happy if I would.” She fake laughed.

“Naugh I'd miss ya if you didn't come back.” He watched her walk off down the drive “Listen Sally I'll call ya back, going for a walk with Stephie.”

“Okay Jess, I have to take my brother to band practice, call me when you can.” Sally said as they hung up.

He pocketed his cell and headed the way she and the dog went. He caught up- with her.

“Hey Sis can I join ya?” He asked as he matched her step by step.

“If you don't have anything better to do. I'm gonna be around the house a lot until we go home.” she stopped to let Snowball sniff. “You and the little bros seem to like Lexie, why?”

Jesse thought about what she asked. “She makes dad happy, I haven't seen him this happy in a long time.” He walked without talking for a second. “She isn't after him for his money, she's not a groupie, if anything he's her groupie.” He chuckled a little. “Steph, she's good for him, just watch them together. She doesn't take shit off him, she calls him Francis when he calls her babe.”

That got a chuckle out of Stephanie, they had to stop again while Snowball had to do her business. Jesse took the baggie and did the scoop business. They walked a little further then turned back.

“Did anything I said help?” He asked as they approached the the gate.

“Yeah it did, and I'll watch them and see if what you said was true.” She told him as they stepped aside so the Escalade pulled in the drive. “I hope the bros spent their money on something they wanted.”

“You know dad won't let them spend it on candy so no candy to hype then up. I hope Lexie got him to let up on the bro's” Jesse tossed the baggie in the trash as Snowball danced in excitement on her leash.

The boys were the first two out of the car, both carrying shopping bags.

“Hey what did you two get?” Jesse asked.

“I got a new Mario Brothers game and some army men and a book” Romeo said as he bent down to get loving from Snowball.

Jake not to be outdone by his little brother bent down to get his share of Snowball loving. “I bought me a Madden football game and a football so we can play later and a book.”

Steph watched her dad and Lexie get out of the car. They were smiling and laughing. Her dad walked around the front of the car and took Lexie hand as they headed to where to boys played with Snowball.

“Seems these two got a lot for ten dollars dad.” Jesse teased his dad.

“Yeah it's amazing how much ten dollars could stretch when you go shopping with Lexie.” He gave Lexie a nudge.

“You should have gone with us.” Lexie laughed.

“Yeah I was talking to Sally and Steph didn't pay me anything.” Jesse laughed.

“Well you can thank Lexie, she thought you might like this.” Jon said as Lexie pulled two bags out behind Jon's back. “She didn't want you two shafted.”

Jesse took him bag and gave Lexie a hug, and headed back into the house.

Stephanie walked up and took the remaining bag.

“Thanks Lexie, you didn't have to.”

“No I didn't have to, I wanted to. It's something that I use every day, it's a personal Journal.” Lexie told her.

“I'm a little old for a diary.” Stephanie told her as she turned the book over in her hand. Steph opened the book and turned to the front page Lexie had written a message inside.

Steph, my grandmother gave me a journal when I graduated from high school she wrote in the front of the book. May this book be the holder of your secrets and your desires that you don't want anyone to know.

Your friend I hope Lexie

“It has no lock on it like a diary, this one you can put pictures and ticket stubs all the things you want to keep.” Lexie told her as they walked in to the house. “I've had to replace mine several times over the years. I put in my first rejection letter in mine, so I never forget the company who turned me down and when I win writing awards I make sure to thank them for making me do better.”

“You received a rejection letter? I can't believe it.” Stephanie told her.

“When we get back I'll have you come down and see the letter in my journal.” Lexie put her arm around Stephanie as they went in.

Jon stood outside and watched his two favorite women head into the house arm in arm. He looked up at the sky and thanked God that for right now all was quiet in the Bongiovi house. He slowly walked into the house.

The next few days things seemed to go really smooth Saturday came, Lexie got up before everyone and pulled on her robe and slipped downstairs and called her Editor.

“Hey Max, did the covers for my next book come in, did they take me suggestion on the cover design.” Lexie walked into the kitchen and started a pot of her coffee , she knew Jon would be up soon to make his sludge.

“Good morning to you Lexie, do you know what time it is?” Max sat up and wiped the sleep out of his eyes.

“Yeah it's the time I get up every day now, I do have a dog that needs to go outside now and them.” She sat down at the bar and waited on Max to answer her.

“Yes I have the covers and I will fax them to you, with a release form.” Max told her. He crawled out of bed and headed to his at home office. You did things like this for his best author. “How are things going for you and the rock star?”

“Really good, the boys like me, its been a tough road with Steph, I think we're going to be fine.” She said pouring her a cup of coffee and going in to the office and turning on the fax and watching for the machine fire up to print.

“So you going to marry the man?” He fed the paper into his machine.

“He hasn't asked, and I don't know, unless the whole family agrees then I, well I don't know. Anyway we haven't gotten that close so don't look for any announcements.”

“Okay first one is sent, second one on the way.” He told her, “I won't jump until you give me the word.”

“Good I would hate to open that kettle of fish. Okay they just got here, I love the one in silhouette, you can't really tell it's him, but the one in profile and shadowed you really can tell.” Lexie laid the two cover sheets on the table.

“Lexie, I'm putting your coffee in the hot pot, Oh I'm sorry I didn't know you were on the phone.” Stephanie said from the doorway into the office.

“That's okay Steph, it's just Max, my editor.” Lexie motioned her into the room. “Steph come look at these and tell me which one you like.” She showed her the two pages.

“Oh, are these for your new book? Is that Daddy?” Steph turned the Silhouette toward Lexie. “Oh I know this one is.” She turned held up the other one.

“Yeah, I thought I would use his picture since he was who my character is based on.” She took the release form off the fax. “Not the rock star persona but the rocker life style.”

“I didn't think you were a fan, this blows that theory out of the water.” She started to turn around an walked out .

“I never said I wasn't a fan, I'm just not a fanatic, I didn't chase after him and I have only been to one concert.” She followed her into the kitchen.

She stopped short and turned around to face Lexie.

“You've only been to one concert?” Her eyes were big and round.

Jon walked down the stairs and followed Lexie and Steph voice, stopping short when he heard she had only been to one of his concerts.

“Well that's gonna change.” He said as he walked in to the kitchen and gave her a kiss.

Chapter 49

They walked into the kitchen, Lexie unhooked the leash and let Snow run to find the boys.

“Here we go.” She whispered to Jon.

Stephanie was in the family room on her phone, she stopped short to see who she was talking too. If it was anyone but Mark it wouldn't work. They were in luck she had it on speaker phone.

“I don't like this Mark, I don't like being so secretive with my dad.” she was chewing on her nail a sure sign all this was getting to her.

“Pull on your big girl panties little girl, you were all go for last night, now you regret meeting and getting to be friends with Gail and Tiffany? I don't know Steph, you're not the girl I thought you were.” Mark admonished her.

“Look Mark, I am a big girl and my dad isn't the only one that goes commando at times.” She nearly yelled at the phone. “Yes I loved meeting Gail and Tiffany, it'll be nice to have friends, if we come up here again.”

Jon about swallowed his tongue where he heard his little girl, his baby girl, his princess telling a boy she goes commando It was all Lex could do to keep him from busting in there. She pulled him back into the mudroom.

“Count to ten.” She told him.

“Ten won't cut it Lex, I doubt a hundred will work this time.” He took a deep breath, eyes a stormy dark blue and the vain over his right eye was throbbing. He was running his fingers through his hair in a nervous fashion.

“Stop that,” she grabber his hands and stopped them.

“Sorry Lex, shes going to make me bald before she goes to college. How did Dorothea handle it all.” He looked up at the ceiling.

She didn't at the end, that's why you have the kids now she thought but would never tell him that.

“Just follow my lead. Jon quit the kids will see.” She said loudly and drug him toward the family room. Finally he got the idea and started to chase her laughing. “Keep it down, the neighbor told us if we're loud he'd call the cops.” She threw opened the door open to the family room and stopped short.

Jon was expecting her to stop so quickly and he had to grab her before they fell on the sofa. “Gotcha”

Lexie giggled as he tumbled her on the sofa. “Oh Steph, I so sorry, we didn't know you were in here.” She giggled more.

Jon was trying to get his breath from taking the blunt of the fall, She was straddling his hips. He cocked his head and saw the shocked look on Stephanie’s face.

“Did Lex tell you we just met the neighbors?” Jon said and was awarded with her version of the stink eye.

What part of follow my lead did he not get.

“Yeah he was complaining about the loud music and the beer cans tossed in his trash can.” She got off Jon so he could sit up. “We told him there must be some mistake.”

“Yeah. I told him you wouldn't have a party, not after promising me you wouldn't.” Jon said.

“Oh Shit” Marks voice could be heard from Stephanie phone.

“I trusted you Stephanie, you wouldn't do anything behind my back like say hold a party and breaking curfew.” He leveled his stare at her.

“You said you wouldn't tell” Stephanie said turning on Lexie.

“She didn't, you need to make sure no one can hear you when you talk on the phone.” Jon went over and took her phone out of her hand. “I don't think you'll be welcome here any more Mark.” Jon said to her phone before hanging up on Mark. He put her phone in his pocket. “You and I are going to sit down and talk, I was going to wait until you let Lex walk out of here on Saturday, but it has to stop now.”

“But daddy,” She started to talk.

“No lies Steph, I figured it all out in the last few days, a trashcan full of beer cans this morning” He noticed Lexie quietly leave them alone. “You thought I would be so wrapped up in Lexie that you could do what ever you wanted, I think Mark had a large part in all this. Am I right?” He could tell he was hitting the mark because she looked sick. “I can't believe you would sink this low. What's got into you lately. You got your brother arrested, then you turn on someone who could be a good friend to you and I have never seen you sink so low on treating people as pawns. I am totally disappointed in you.” he sat down on the sofa across from her. “Steph, I want Lexie in my life, I'm going to ask her to move in and now I don't think she will because of you. Why are you doing this?”

“I told you daddy I want you and momma back.” Steph told him.

“That ain't gonna happen Steph, after what happened when I was last in Philly, I wouldn't take your mom back, so you can just get that out of your head little girl.” He leaned forward as he spoke. “You are not going to be happy, but this isn't about you or your brothers. It's about me and Lexie, about what we want.” He watched her starting to get upset. “Getting mad won't make what you did any less appalling. I don't know why you thought you could do this.” He shook his head. Getting up he headed to the door. “Consider yourself grounded and I want you to apologize to Lexie by this evening.”

Stephanie stopped her foot and folded her arms over her body until he was out the door them she broke down in tears.

Jon leaned on the closed door and listened to her cry. It was the hardest thing to do, stand there and not give comfort.

Lexie came up and wrapped her arms around him an just held him.

“I don't know what to do with her.” he groaned. “She wasn't like this before the split.”

“Maybe you need to talk to a professional, you always said a child didn't come with a manual.” she said softly. “Listen, I'm going to take the boys to the mall, get them out of the line of fire. Jake seems to be more happy since the first time I met him, this might just set him back.”

“You said you weren't good with kids, but you're doing pretty good.” he allowed her to lead him away from the den, and the crying Stephanie.

“I good with characters and looking into them.” She told him. “She's hurting and she lashed out the only what she knew how to to do it. She's not horrible she's just a teenager.” She got him to sit down on the sofa. “ I did the same thing when I was her age, I wanted my parents to get back together and I did everything in my power to achieve my goal. I forgot all the quiet arguments when I went to bed. The bad thing was the slamming of the door when they forgot to argue quietly. I came home from school and my dad moved out, no note for me and I didn't see him again until I published my first book. It took me a long time to see how happy my mom was with her new husband. I was just like Stephanie, and before you ask, I did tell her how it was and what I felt. Don't think it was any help.”

“I just don't know what to do, I am so stumped.” He shook his head. “I was so worried about Jake that I never saw Stephanie had a problem. I should have seen it when Jesse went save her but, she has manipulated people, she manipulated us to her own gain.”

“She's a teenager who is hurting.” She defended Stephanie.

“Thank you, for saying that, what I did was wrong and I let Mark talk me into doing it.” Stephanie softly spoke as she came onto the room. “I was mad that Daddy had found someone who made him happy, the way momma did, but they weren't together.”

“But Steph, don't you want your mom and me to be happy, we weren't together for a long time honey. When we ended things it was what was best for the family.” He told her holding out his hand for her to come to him. When she came and sat with him in the chair he held her close.

“I'm gonna take the boys to the mall and give you two some time to talk.” She smiled at Jon and winked at Stephanie. She went upstairs to get the boys and they left.

Jon waiting until the car was out of the drive, he turned and looked at his daughter.

“Now Steph, I know you want things the way they were, but honey that isn't going to happen. I said earlier your mom and I did what was best for you kids, she wanted Graham and I wanted her to have Graham. They deserve to be happy, just like me. Do you understand this?” He reached out and touched her knee. “Can you understand we didn't we didn't do it to hurt you kids, would you really like how it was before we divorced?” He could tell she was actually listening to him. “The quiet dinners or rather you kids eating dinner with either your mom or just me? It wasn't that I didn't want to be with you kids, but I stayed out on tour and did extra shows, I would have you kids come out when I had breaks instead of coming home. We thought this was for the best.”

“How could you feel this was best for us, when you destroyed out family?” She asked him.

“Steph, your mother, your mom” He didn't want to tear into the woman that he had shared most of his life with. He pulled out his phone and called her number. “Graham, is Dot there? I'm having a little problem here. Yeah I'll hang on.”

He sat the phone down and put it on speaker.

“What Jon could be so important that you had to drag me into it?” Dorothea's voice sounded over the phone.

“Stephanie is having issues over out split.” Jon told her.

“Momma, I want you and daddy to be a family again.” Stephanie cried.

“Stephanie Rose, that is never going to happen, I love Graham and I am happy for the first time in years, you could have been a part of that, Graham loves you kids, but you destroyed that with what happened on my honeymoon. You and your brothers now live with your dad. It's time to grow up Stephie there is no way your father and I will ever get back together.”

“But Momma.” She started to try again.

“No buts Stephie, its over, Graham and I are a family now and your dad will find someone that he'll be a family with you and your brothers and his new friend.” She rang off with a promise to be available if she needed to talk.

They sat there quietly for a few minutes.

“I'm sorry daddy, I didn't mean to be a brat. I wish I could blame it on Mark, but he just vacation boy.” She played off the hurt she felt from her mothers talk.

“You know, if you needed someone to talk to, Lexie would be happy to help you.” Jon know she was putting on a front that once she was alone she would have a lot to think about.

“I know dad, and I will talk to her.” she got up and walked over and put her arms around her dads neck. “I love you daddy”

“Love you too baby girl.”

chapter 48

Jon motioned for Lexie to go out with him. He took the steaks that were waiting for the grill. Lexie carried out two glasses of wine and watched the barbecue master at work.

“Did I hear what I thought I heard?” He asked as he put the steaks on. Jesse had foiled the potatoes when he brought Jake and Romeo back from the park.

“Depends on what you heard.” She said as she sat and sipped her wine.

“My daughter is playing us. You know something I don't and you aren't telling me.” He sipped his wine and gave her a look.

“I told her I wouldn't and that I don't like being played.” She told him.

“Okay, I'll accept you promised, but being played? Can you explain that one to me without telling me what you promised not to tell.” He went over and sat at the table with her. Reaching out he took her hand.

“Jon, you have to see, you were only here two days and she calls me to come up.” She laced her fingers with his. “That kind of hate doesn't go away in two days.”

“Well we talked for two days, she knows she can't go to her mom's, that escape route has been permanently closed.” He told her. “I have to tell you, I was shocked she had you come up here so soon. I'm glad she did, I really missed you, it wasn't the same without you here.” He smiled.

“Jon, that kind of hate does not go away in two days. She has an agenda and I put my foot down I told her if she doesn't come clean I am leaving Sunday.” She waited for him to blow his gasket. She knew he was famous for his Sicilian temper.

“Sunday, no that can't happen.” he told her.

“It's up to her Jon, I will not back down.” She told him. “This has all been her show all along.”

“You think she has a little help with this?” he asked her getting up to flip the steaks.

“Oh I know she has.” She laughed as she told him.

“Jess warmed me, he said Sally told him some things. I guess I got played too, he had me snowed.” Jon dropped his head a little. “He seemed so different from the boys she dated at Polly Prep.”

“Well she has til Sunday and if she doesn't come clean I will be gone Jon. Snow and I will be back in the city when you get back.” She gave his hand a squeeze and motioned to the steaks. “You don't like well done.”

Jon jumped up for the steaks Lexie went back in and got the plates out and started setting the table,

Jesse had gone to pick up Sally, Lexie liked her right away. She seemed more excited to be having dinner with Lexie than sitting at the table with Jon Bon Jovi.

They were sitting around the patio out back, Jon had gone up to check on the boys in while Lexie and Sally talked.

“So Sally, tell me about Mark.” They were sitting in the swing with a glass of wine in their hands and talking quietly.

“We dated and I wasn't out of the city he had moved on. Everyone told me to watch him when we started dating, I wasn't listening to them. He's a user and a player.” She sipped her wine. “I told Jesse that he should watch him with his sister.”

“Oh, I think Jon and Jesse will be keeping a better eye on her.” She swung in silence a little. “So you know I am happy we got this time after all these years of talking online.”

“I am too, When Mr Jon came in with Romeo I was like star struck but not like I was to meet you.” She laughed a little “I feel like I know you like a sister.”

“I feel the same way Sally.” She reached over and gave her a hug.

Jesse walked out and smiled. “Hey you two, if Sally and I are going to go out we better leave now.”

“So you and Jess are going out? Well well.” Lexie gave then the googly eye. She always thought Jesse acted older then he was.

“Yeah, there is a band playing that I want to see and I happen to know one of the band members.” Sally

laughed.

“Band hum, are they any good?” Jon asked as he came out of the house.

“Pretty good, the guitar player is pretty hot.” Sally informed him

“It's always about the guitar player.” Jon laughed and rolled his eyes.

“Why don't you two join us, we can get a table in the back.” Sally offered.

“Sounds like fun, you want to go Lex?” Jon asked

“Jon, who would watch the boys?” Lexie uncurled herself out of the swing.

“Why not ask Steph, Dad” Jesse asked then it hit him oh man I'm going on a double date with my dad.

“Let me see if she has plans.” Jon went back on looking for his daughter but stopped half way up the stairs oh man, I'm going on a double date with my son. Jon laughed as he went on up to Stephanie’s room. Raising his hand to knock her heard her talking to Mark.

“I can either tell my dad, we were late the other night or Lexie will go home.” She griped.

So that's it, she blew curfew and Lex caught her. Okay little girl we'll play this out, until Saturday night and then I put my size twelves down.

He knocked on the door.

“Steph, you got a minute?” He called from the other side of the door.

“It's my dad, hang on,” She walked over to the door and opened it. “Sure daddy what do you want?”

“I'm thinking about going down with Lexie, Jesse and Sally to listen to the band, I need you to listen out for your brothers.” he asked as he stood in the doorway.

“Sure daddy, can Mark come over while you all are out?” She asked.

“I really don't think that would be a good idea,” Jon started, but then after what he had just heard maybe keeping them close he could watch them better. “Maybe for a while, I want him gone at eleven,”

“Okay daddy, thanks.” She ran over and hugged her dad and went back to the call. “Think you might want to come over and help me watch my brothers?”

“Sure Babe, they have to go to bed sometime.” Mark was already making plans for little miss Bongiovi.

“Bad thing is you can only stay until eleven.” she told him.

“That’s doable Blue eyes.” He smiled eleven, midnight daddy and his woman will stay out later and I can sneak out.

“See you soon.” She said.

“Give me ten and I'll be there.” He hung up and grabbed his keys and left.

Stephanie came down to see her dad off.

“Not later than eleven Steph, keep it under control no other friends.” he helped Lexie with her jacket as they were walking out the door he turned “Don't forget to watch your brothers.” He laughed.

They were out the door about five minutes when Mark pulled in the drive.

“Parental unit gone, let the party begin.” Mark said as he walked in.

“Yeah he's gone, but no party, My little brothers are still here.” She told him as she noticed he had his cell open.

“Just two other couples, you want to be friends don't you?” Mark asked her.

“Well sure, we have one more week. But, He said no other people.” She told him.

“He's gone to hear that band at Banshee I can call Sam and tell him your dads in the audience and get him up on stage to sit in a set or two, then we'll be gone by the time he gets home. No harm to foul babe.” He still had his phone in his hand.

“Okay but everybody has to be gone by eleven I mean it I am not going to get in trouble over this.” She gave him the Bon Jovi stinkeye.

“I promise Babe.” He just smiled and she melted.

They got in as guest of Jesse and Sally and were given a table in the back. Jon ordered Jess and Sally sodas and him and Lexie the house wine. The band was setting up when they got there and Jon took the time to look around the bar. There was a nice size dance floor with a stage for the band. He remembered what it was like playing the small clubs.

“Bringing back memories?” Lexie whispered in his ear.

“Yeah, long lost memories.” He whispered back.

Jesse and Sally got up and went out on the dance floor. Lexie was tapping her foot to the music and bobbing her head. Jon hid his smile behind the rim of his wine glass. He wasn't surprised when a young man asked her to dance. When she turned to look at him. Jon told her to go dance. I knew this would happen, how do I tell her I don't dance. I can shake my ass on stage and strut like Jagger, but dancing was a non Jon activity.

As they walked back to the table, they were joined by a few of the band members. They had been told that he was here. Who let the cat out of the bag, I know it wasn't Sally, had to be Mark. Strike two apple dude.

“Man it's a honor to have you here tonight Mr Bon Jovi” the young man he would later know was Sam, not the hot guitar player.

“Sally told us about the band and we thought we'd come hear a little of your set.” Jon shook the man's hand, praying that he'd take the hint that they were here to hear them not him.

“Sally's a fan of the band.” The second young man had his arm around Sally.

“Only because I've known you since we were in diapers, Greg.” Sally laughed.

By the sparkle in her eye, Jon could tell that there was a little more to the relationship between Sally and Greg. Poor Jess, he doesn't stand a chance with Sally, she's got her heart set on a guitar player.

They talked a little then the band ran up to take the stage. They were pretty good, a little rough around the edges, sort of on the lines of a Maroon 5. Sally was right on one thing, the guitar player reminded him of a your Sambora, he just didn't the sex faces yet.

Jesse had Sally out of the dance floor, he know Lex wanted to dance. He prayed they would play a slow song. That way they could just hold each other and sway.

He was lucky the next song was a slow ballad and he looked over and Lexie and held out his hand to her. “Want to sway?” He gave her a sexy smile.

They just got up and stood in the corner by the table. He knew the words and sung them softly in her ear.

Jesse looked back and noticed his dad and Lexie were dancing, well dad's style of dancing, come to think of it I never saw him and mom dance. Maybe they did at those political dinner things they went to, but I doubt it.

“Think they'd be ready to leave?” He nibbled her ear.

“I doubt it, we've only been here an hour.” She shivered from his warm wine scented breath and the sensation of his teeth on her ear.

“Think they have a bathroom that's a one seater?” He moved to her neck.

“Jon.” She shivered again.

All of a sudden the song changed and he thought he heard one of the bands songs up beat.

“We have a really great rocker here with us tonight I wonder if we can coax him on stage to join us for a set.” Sam announced

Jon groaned and looked at Lexie.

“I gotta go up there.” He groaned in her ear.

The spotlight found him as he went up on the stage.

He got pulled into playing the whole set and it was nearing midnight by the time he left the stage,

“You looked good up there” Lexie told him when he came back to the table.

“Thanks, I tried to get off the stage but Sam kept talking me into another song.” Jon downed his wine,

“I'm sorry Jon, I didn't bring them over to meet you, well I didn't want Sam to meet you just Greg.” Sally apologized.

“It's okay Sal, but I hate to be a damper on the party but I am ready to go.” He stood up and took Lexie by the hand.

“Let me go say Goodnight to Greg and we can go.” Sally told them.

As she walked off Jesse finished his drink and got up.

“Dad you know you love the spotlight.” Jesse laughed.

“But I'm on vacation Son, even the ice cream man takes a break from making ice cream when he's on vacation.” Jon said as he helped Lexie navigate around the tables that had been moved to increase the dance floor.

Sally met them at the door.

“Okay I'm ready.” She said as she walked up,

“You don't want to stay with Greg?” Lexie asked her quietly so Jesse didn't here.

“Why, I'll see him when he gets home or in the morning when he wakes up.” Sally told her.

“You two live together?” Lexie was a little shocked. She had gone out twice now with Jesse.

“Yeah, I have since he was born, he's my Brother.” She laughed “You didn't think, Oh Lexie”

The two girls laughed over the moment.

They dropped Sally off with a promise of shopping and lunch in the next few days and headed back to the cabin.

“I wonder how things were while we were gone.” Jon thought out loud.

“Know Steph, we weren't out the door long before she had company.” Jesse humphed.

“I told her she could have him over, but gone by eleven and only him, she still had to watch the boys.”

Jon informed them.

Lexie thought, the two of them alone in the house with just two young boys as chaperones not good. But she kept her mouth closed.

The house was dark when they pulled into the garage.

“Looks like all quiet on the home front.” Jon sighed.

The smell of over sprayed floral with an under tone of cigarette smoke. Lexie went into the kitchen to check the dishes, they were done stacked on the side of the drain. Even the trash was taken out. She shook her head and heard Snowballs nails on the floor and went to take her out.

“I'm going to take Snow out.” Lexie told Jon. Heading out the front door she watched Snow sniff the air and take off around the side toward the trash cans. The smell of beer hit her, this didn't smell like a few cans, and since she was there, she hadn't seen any beer in the house. Only way that would happen is if it was brought in. Lexie went over and lifted the lid. She must have really rushed to get the evidence out of the cabin, they were all in one can. She dropped the lid and shook her head, at least they were put in the recycle bin.

Once she had snowball in and the door locked she headed up stairs to bed. Jon had tried to wait up for her but he was sound asleep being on stage must have worn him out.

Lexie woke up, Jon was still snoring. She slipped out from under Jon and headed to the bathroom. She could hear Jakey and Romeo down in the kitchen when she came down.

“Hey Guys, has Snow been out yet?” She started a pot of coffee “Did you two have fun last night with your sister?”

“Yeah Lexie, we had a party.” Romeo said.

“Romey, we weren't supposed to tell Lexie or Daddy.” Jake nudged him on his shoulder.

“I forgot,” Romeo's lip quivered.

“It's okay Romey. I saw all the cans.” Lexie whispered.

“Oh.” Jake finished his cereal. “We buried them in the other can.”

“Were you two up late?” She got up to get her coffee.

“Yeah, Stephie never makes us go to bed early like daddy does, she gave us ten dollars to help her clean up. I did the dishes and didn't break any, not even one.” Jake said proudly.

“Yeah, she said she would take us to the mall today for the toy store. I wanted the candy store, but she said just the toy store.” Romeo drank the remaining milk out of his bowl.

“Maybe your dad and I can take you later this week.” She sipped her coffee and sighed,

“Where are you and I taking the Ro and Jake to?” He walked over to the coffee pot and grimes

“Candy Land at the mall.” She sipped her coffee and got up and pulled down the coffee hotpot and poured the rest of her pot in. “They came into some money recently and it's burning a hole in their pocket.”

“Let me make you some sludge.” She laughed as she got to coffee filters back out.

“I'll make it, I know what he likes.” Stephanie said. “You two have fun on your double date?” She snickered.

Lexie poured another cup and got a bowl from cereal. Okay princess firing a shot on your little make believe kingdom. “Jake, great job on the dishes” holding the bowl up and turned it to Jon to see how clean it was. “Don't you agree Jon?”

Jon looked puzzled, but by looking at Jake face and seeing his normally quiet son beaming under Lexie praise. He took the bowl from Lexie and gave it a good inspection.

“Hey Jake, great job.” he said getting himself a bowl out and looking it over. “Yeah that's a number one job.” He ruffled Jake hair as he walked by.

Romeo started to clear up his breakfast dishes and had Snows leash.

“I'll take Snow out for you after she eats Lexie.”

“You know what Ro, I want to go on a walk with your dad after he has his coffee and breakfast, we'll take her.”

“Okay, can I be scused then, Stephie will be ready for the mall when you are.” Romeo gave her a big smile.

“Okay Ro.” Stephanie yawned and fixed her a cup from Lexie's pot.

“They give you any problem last night?” Jon asked her as he ate his cereal.

“Nope, not a one.” she sipped her coffee.

Jon looked from Lexie to Stephanie, Lexie shrugged her shoulders.

Jon fixed him a travel cup of coffee as Lexie put Snow on her leash.

The made it out of the garage Jon finally asked her what was up.

“What were your instructions to your daughter about last night?” She casually asked as they headed down the drive.

He gave her a funny look.

“Does any of this have to do with the boys pocket money and the fact that Jake did the dishes?” Jon stopped in the middle of the drive.

“Yes, but we need to walk a little further. Sort of away from the windows.” She let Snows leash out a little more.

Jon followed her to the area that has the trashcans.

“She wanted to have Mark over, I told her okay, but he had to leave a eleven. You know something?” he asked as they stopped as Snow sniffed the cans.

“He smokes a lot. The floral air freshener was over powering.” She laughed.

“Oh yeah, I told her just him no one else.” Snowball did her business Jon turned his back thinking about what she said and his blood pressure went up a notch.

Lexie bagged the poop and handed Jon the baggie and pointed him to the extra trashcan. When Jon opened the lid it was full of beer cans. Jon stopped counting at twelve.

“They had a party, after I told her just Mark, son of a bitch, I bet he's the reason I ended up on stage. That's strike three for the apple ass and you get no more.” He turned around and started to storm into the house, but Lexie stopped him.

“Jon, wait a second, count to ten and take some deep breaths.” She pulled on the tail of his jacket until he stopped. “The way you're going at this he's the one you're mad at, he wasn't alone. Going in there mad and making accusations will end up causing more problems. You have to get her to give it up herself. Trick her into admitting it.”

“How do I do that? He gritted his teeth.

“Follow my lead, after all I am the literary writer in this duo.” She smiled and gave an evil laugh that cause got Jon to laugh.

Chapter 47

Lexie stretched and moved Jon's arm, they had made love and the second go around Jon had fallen asleep and was snoring gently beside her, Glancing at the clock she was wide awake and it was almost 2am. Slipping as quietly as she could off the bed she headed to the bathroom.

“Lex” the sleep rumpled voice called from under the covers. “Come back to bed”

“I will in a minute” She waited until she was sure he was back to sleep. Pulling on her pajamas she left the room The night light laminated the hallway and stairs. Quietly going downstairs she fired up her laptop and settled in the sofa to work on edits. Yawning she had gone over two chapters when she decided a cup of hot chocolate would be needed. Uncurling her legs she set the laptop on the coffee table and went into the kitchen. Waiting on the milk to heat she looked out the kitchen window as a car turning into the drive.

Well well well little girl I think you just broke curfew.

Jon had met Mark at the door, they walked into the family room with Mark.

“So you two are going to a lake party.” Jon motioned Mark to sit down,

“Yes sir, a group of the local kids go down once a week. We cook out and have a bonfire, we have some tubes.” Mark sat looking at Jon, you could see the wheels in his head turning,

“I'll go check on Steph.” Lexie went upstairs level the testosterone laden room.

She went up and knocked on the door.

“Steph, Marks downstairs with your dad.” She opened the door when Steph said come in, “I'd get down there as soon as possible.” She laughed.

“I'm just about ready.” She stood looking in the mirror, she had her bathing suit topped with bootie shorts and a mans shirt.

“You might want to take a jacket, it might get cold.” She sat down on the end of the bed.

“Mark said they would light a bonfire.” She grabbed her bag and started out the door but turned and grabbed her soul sweat jacket as an after thought.

“I think I hear Steph.” Jon said.

In the noise of them leaving Jon told Mark “Have her home by midnight.”

Lexie looked at the clock it was now after two. It was a good thing Jon was asleep. Making her hot chocolate she went into the family room and started reviewing what she had done.

The door opened and Stephanie came in and started upstairs.

“You have fun?” Lexie asked her as she went up the first stair.

“Oh my God, you scared the shit out of me.” She spun around. “Why are you up?”

“Re writes and your dad snoring.” She laughed. “You didn't answer did you have fun?”

Stephanie moved over to the sofa, Lexie could smell a subtle under scents of tobacco and beer along with wood smoke from the bonfire.

“I guess, we cooked hot dogs and had marshmallows, tubed and just sat around the campfire. Mark was the hit of the party because he brought me.” she sat down in one of the club chairs by the sofa and curled her feet under her.

“Hit of the party hum.” Lexie sipped her hot chocolate.

“Yeah, they like that Jon Bon Jovi's daughter was at the party. Want to know when they can come party with the rock stars daughter.” Steph played with the strings on the hem of her shorts.

“So you made some friends.” She put her cup down,

“I guess.” Steph looked up. “Are you gonna tell daddy I broke curfew?”

Lexie chuckled a little

“Broke, honey you shattered the curfew.” She finished her cocoa and got up to take the cup to the sink and rinsed it out,

“okay I know Daddy said midnight, but we were having so much fun and well I didn't check my phone until it was around one thirty, we left as soon as I saw the time. We really did.” she added when she saw Lexie roll her eyes.

“It's not my place to tell your dad,” She came back in to the family room and sat down. “I'm not here to be your mother, I just want us to be friends. But I want an honest answer, why did you rush to get me up here, after what went on before you all left.”

It was really quiet, you could hear the creaks and cracks of the house settling.

“Steph, if you can't be honest with me, I don't like being bull shitted. Before you all left I was person non gratis.” Lexie looked her dead in the eye. When she didn't say anything Lexie started leaving the room. “I wont tell you dad about this, I'll stay the week, but I think if we can't be honest with each other, I'll head home Sunday.” She left the girl sitting there with a lot to think on.

Quietly she slipped back in the bed, Jon rolled over and pulled her back in his arms. Giving her a sloppy sleep laden kiss, he moaned. “I'm so glad you're here” as he drifted back to sleep. Lexie sighed and counted the ceiling fans reps willing her mind to shut down. It was hard to get out of her mind that Stephanie just sat there and didn't answer the question. She had only five days to give her a reason to stay. She fell asleep finally as the sun crested the mountain.

Jesse came down and noticed his brothers were up and in the kitchen alone. Romeo was putting Snowballs food in her bowl and Jake was getting the cereal boxes out and there was a stack of paper bowls on the table.

“Morning Jess, you want captain crunch or special k?” He sat the boxes down next to the stack of paper bowls.

“Special K” Jesse told him as he got out the fruit bowl and the jug of milk.

Jon came down and looked around the family room, Lexie laptop was flashing and evidence she had been down at some time after they had made love twice. He noticed when he woke up she was dressed in her pajamas and hard to wake up. He gave up and moved to the bathroom to take care of his morning erection.

“Any cereal left?” Jon joined the boys at the bar.

“Lexie still asleep?” Jesse asked.

“Yeah, she must have come down last night and worked on her book. She's sort of like me coming off the road when she is working on a deadline.” He grabbed the Special K and added some berries.

“I saw her laptop was still on.” Jesse added more cereal to soak up the left over milk in his bowl.

“Steph must have had fun, she's still in bed.” Jesse mentioned around a spoon of cereal.

“You know I sort of liked that Mark guy. He's not like the guys she dated at Polly.” Jon tossed out for comment.

“You can't be serious dad, he's a user.” Jesse got up and tossed the used bowl in the trash and wiped off where he was sitting with a damp paper towel. “He and Sally used to date, I sort of asked her about him,”

“So Sally knows about Mark? She seems to be a good judge of character. She tell you anything I should know?” Jon got up and started a pot of coffee sludge.

“I tried to tell Steph, but she said he wasn't like that to her.” Jesse leaned on the counter.

“So I better not invite Sally and Mark to dinner together.” Jon made a mental list of things he wanted to take to Lexie about.

“I don't know if she would show up if she knew he was invited, and I sure as hel,” he caught himself “Heck wouldn't now tell her or him. He's so slick he might show up.”

Jesse looked up as Stephanie came into the kitchen.

“Morning Princess, it's catch as catch can for breakfast, Lexie's still asleep. She must have gotten up last night and tried to finish her edits.” Jon told her as he got up and made a cup of coffee.

“She is?” She accepted a kiss on the top of her head from her father

“Yeah, I don't know what time she came back upstairs. She has to turn her edits to her editor by Sunday. I know she wants to have next week time to relax.” He told her as she joined them at the table.

Stephanie didn't say anything. She finished her cereal and headed upstairs.

Lexie could smell coffee as she came down the stairs. Just then she passed Stephanie on the steps they looked at each other. Not saying anything she walked on past to the kitchen.

“Morning, or is it afternoon.” She yawned and went over and pour a cup. Just as the cup touched her lips Jon stopped her.

“I wouldn't if I were you.”

Lexie looked from the cup to Jon then sniffed,

“Oh my God,” She drew the cup away from her nose. “Who drinks this it's high octane?”

“Sorry Lex, that would be me. We'll pick up another coffee maker for some low test for you.” Jon pulled her into his arms taking the cup out of her hand.

“I need coffee now.” She took it back added water to it sniffed again an sipped. Making a face she shuddered. “If that doesn't wake me up nothing will.”

“What time did you head back to bed?” Jon asked.

Jesse came down dressed and grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge

“Listen you two, I think I'm going to take Jake and Romey back to the park. That way they won't be little hellions tonight at dinner.” Jesse held his hand out for keys.

“In the bowl by the door.” Jon told him.

Jon held her in his arms while the brothers left.

“I don't like to see you this sleepy.” Jon told her as he rubbed her back.

“It's just a few more chapters and then faxing it to my editor. I'm going to work on it today so I can cook dinner tonight.” She mumbled into his shoulder.

“I can fire up the grill throw some steaks on and Steph can throw together a salad and Jesse can foil the potatoes to go on the grill. You work and get it done so you can rest.” He told her as she sipped his watered down high test coffee.

Stephanie came down and walked into the kitchen she stopped when she saw Lexie and her dad.

“Listen Steph honey can you toss a salad today for dinner tonight so Lex can do her edits? She needs to get them done so she can relax, she hardly slept last night.” He asked his daughter.

“I can do the salad Jon, It isn't hard to throw a salad together.” Lex moved out of Jon's arms. Looking at Steph she sighed. “I can do it after the edits if I get on them now.” She fixed another cup of watered down sludge. She moved past Stephanie and went into the family room shut down her laptop and taking up to the bedroom and closed the door.

Jon looked at Stephanie, “Steph, I forgot to ask, how was the party last night?” He fixed another cup of coffee.

“It was okay, we cooked hot dogs and Marshmallows, swam some.” She repeated what she told Lexie earlier, leaving out the make out session with Mark the real reason they were so late coming back. “The kids were cool, they wanted to know when I was going to have a party.”

Jon listened to Steph with half a ear, he was worried about Lexie, the chill he felt when she jumped on the idea of Steph helping with dinner,

“Party hum, well not this week. Lexie needs some quiet when she's working.” Jon sipped his coffee “We can do it next week before we leave.”

next week if you're still talking to me. You're gonna be pissed when Lexie leaves Sunday if I don't confess. Why did I have to let Mark talk me into the idea what Lexie would distract you. Because he's sex on two legs, that's why. I either tell tell Lexie or have you hate me.

“Daddy I'll make the salad for Lexie, I don't mind.” She got up and filled his cup with the remaining coffee.

“That's great Princess, she needs to get this done. Can you make Lexie a pot of coffee, but half as strong as mine. I think there's one of those hot pots around to put it in. I can take it up to her.” Jon got up and looked in the cabinet and pulled out a white coffee holder.

“Sure, maybe add some of those cookies she seemed to like yesterday.” She added sweetly.

“Thanks princess.” He kissed the top of her head. “I'm go check on what Uncle Mookie is up to in the studio and then check on Lexie. If you get it ready let me know, so I can take it up.”

“Sure thing daddy.” Steph rinsed out the pot let it drain.

Jon carried the tray up and eased the door open to the bedroom, the sun was streaming into the room. He found her sitting on the window seat, glasses perched on the end of her nose and fingers tapping away on the keyboard.

“Ready for a coffee break?” He asked softly so he didn't scare her.

“Oh the Gods have answered my prayers.” She sat the laptop onto the table she pulled over.

“So that was that whispered voice I heard in my ear.” He sat the tray on the dresser and poured her a cup and brought it to her. “I didn't want to distract you.”

“Oh Jon this isn't your high octane you drink.” She let the smell of the coffee letting it seep into her before taking a sip.

“Steph made it” he told her as he sat down on the other end of the window seat.

She didn't say anything at first, hoping Jon didn't notice.

“Listen Jon, I was thinking I might have to head back early.” She said over the brim of her coffee cup.

Jon was handing her a cookie and stopped short.

“Why, your editor putting the screws on.” Jon really didn't want her to go back. He was going to approach her into moving in when they got back to the real world.

Jumping on an excuse rather than tell him his daughter was playing in the deep end of the pool with no floaties. There was one thing she hated was liars and being used and Stephanie Rose Bongiovi was doing both.

“Yeah, he wants me to cut my vacation short and come into the city. He's talking about a talk show run with this new book, and you know the talk about making one of my books into a movie, this just might give it the boost it needs. The new Jim Patterson is going that way.” She hated not telling him the truth. But unless little miss Bongiovi can clean she had no other option.

That wasn't too much of a stress on the truth. He had wanting her to do a talk show with this new one. So she wasn't exactly lying to him.

“When do you think you'll be heading back?” Jon really hated the thought of her leaving her.

“Well if I don't hear anything by Saturday night I'll head back Sunday.” That was the deadline she had given Stephanie and by God she would stick to it.

“I'll let you get back to work, I got to go get the grill ready.” He leaned over and gave her a kiss.

“I'll be down in a few minutes to make the salad.” She put her glasses back on and picked up her laptop.

“Steph has the salad done when I came up with the coffee.” He told her.

Sighing she gave up this one fight.

She finished the last edit and shipped it off to her editor and carried the tray back down. Stephanie was sitting there at the table talking on her phone. Lexie made a loud enough to let Stephanie know someone was around.

“Either I tell her why or she's leaving on Sunday.” She told the person on the phone.

“So tell her, you wanted your dad happy.” Mark liked the fact that he was with Bon Jovi's daughter, Sally never brought him this much notoriety

“She was still up when I got in. She says she won't tell daddy, but if I don't tell her why I asked her to come up she's going to leave and I will have two people mad at me.” She sounded like she really cared.

“Hey Steph, thanks for the Coffee.” She said as she came down the stairs.

“Oh Shit that's Lexie, I hope she didn't hear me.” She told Mark.

“Blow her off she's replaceable to your dad.” Mark told her.

“Steph, can you bring out the steaks, Sally will be here in a little bit want to get them started.” He came in from the patio and caught some of the conversation. He saw Lexie standing in the doorways to the family room looking shocked,

oh hell can this get any worse Stephanie hung up on Mark.