Chapter 69

He arrived home in time to read his youngest two their bedtime story, Romeo cuddled on his lap, Jake nestled beside him. When he finished, Jake sighed heavily. Jon tilted his head to look at him. "What's wrong buddy?"

"I miss Mommy."

Jon slid his arm around him, hugging him close and kissed his head. "I know buddy, so do I." Then he thought of something sure to bring a smile to his son's face. "Hey, know what?"

"What?"

"Bri's coming to see us tomorrow."

"Reawy?" The small face lit up. "Yay!" He turned to the doorway. "Hear dat Gamma? Bianna's coming tomorrow!"

Carol smiled at her grandson. His speech was becoming clearer all the time, but his 'L's still gave him problems and his 'R's were hit and miss. "I heard. That'll be fun for you. You'd better get to sleep so that tomorrow comes faster."

"Okay!" He slid down in his bed with a yawn. "Nite!"

Jon chuckled and stood with Romeo half asleep in his arms. "Nite buddy." He tucked in the blanket with his free hand and bent to kiss his head.

In Romeo's room, he tucked him into bed and kissed his cheek. "Nite little man."

Carol fingered his pajamas. "He needs some new pajamas." She looked at the dresser on the opposite wall. "And probably some other things as well. I guess I should look over his clothes."

"Oh, ummm....."

"Or is Brianna looking after it?" Her look was knowing.

"She mentioned it when she told me about taking Steph shopping." He looked at his mother. "Are you upset about that?"

Carol waved a hand. "Of course not. I understand a teenager wanting to shop with someone younger who's up on all the latest trends and not her old grandmother. I think it's great that they enjoy each other's company."

"Me too." He started for the door. "Do you want some coffee?"

"I just put on a fresh pot. It should be ready."

In the kitchen, Jon poured while his mother took a seat on a stool at the island. John Sr. walked in and sat beside her. "Pour me a cup of that too would you please?"

"Sure." Jon filled another cup and passed it over. He saw the look his parents exchanged. "What?"

Carol glance towards the doorway to the living room.

"They're watching TV." John assured his wife.

"Steph and Jesse think you have a girlfriend." Carol warned her son.

Jon frowned. "Where did they get that idea?"

"I don't know." Carol answered.

"Is it true?" John Sr. asked.

"Yes." Jon admitted, almost absently, his mind on his mother's revelation. "But I've been careful not to say anything in front of them. I didn't think they were ready. How did they react to the idea?"

"They're a little uncomfortable. They see it as a betrayal to their mother." She hesitated, thinking about the letter, but decided not to tell him. That was between Dorothea and her children. "I talked to them a little. I think they just need a little time to get used to the idea. They'll come around. Especially if it's who I think it is." She smirked. "She's a good choice."

John looked between his wife and his oldest son. "Who is it?"

"You mean Matty didn't tell you?" Jon was surprised.

"No, when did you tell him?" Carol asked.

"I didn't. He and Desiree figured it out themselves."

"It's Brianna, isn't it?" John clued in.

Jon nodded. "Yeah. We're giving it a try anyway."

"Good. I'm glad to see you healing and ready to move on." Carol patted his hand. "Just....make sure before you tell the kids. Don't rush it. You'll know when they're ready."

He doubted it, but he figured at least one of the women in his life would tell him.

When Brianna arrived at the mansion the next day, she stepped out of her car and braced for the exuberant greeting of the fearsome guard dog. Seventy pounds of fur, muscle and licking tongue pinned her to the car. She petted and pushed and tried to avoid drowning in dog drool. "Hello Copper......Copper stop! Copper heel!"

"Copper leave her alone." Jesse grabbed the dog's collar and pulled him away.

"Thanks Jess." Brianna wiped her face and picked up her briefcase which had fallen to the ground during the mauling.

Together, they walked towards the house.

"How are you doing? Ready to go back to school?"

He shrugged. "I guess."

"Anything you need?"

"Naw, I'm set. Grandma's going to take me shopping."

Brianna smiled. Jesse hadn't really discovered girls yet, so wasn't very particular about his clothes. Or maybe he was just like his father - jeans and t-shirts were all he needed most of the time too. "Okay, well, let me know if you need something."

"Thanks."

Entering the house, Brianna closed the door behind them and took a couple steps into the foyer.

"Bianna!" Jake ran in and threw his arms around her waist to hug her.

"Hi buddy!"

"Hey! Come back here you little monkey!"

Brianna didn't have to wonder who Jon was talking to for long. Romeo, wearing only a diaper, came running in to hug her before shifting behind her to peek out around her legs.

"Romeo! Come here!" A harried looking Jon followed his son. "Oh! Hi. Didn't realize you were here." He took a step towards her, then stopped. Idiot! You sound like a teenager with his first girlfriend!

Brianna raised a brow at his awkward greeting. "Hi. I just got here. Rough morning?"

He glanced around for a distraction - anything to stop him from taking her in his arms and greeting her like his body longed to do, the type of greeting he couldn't do in front of his kids, at least not yet - and found it in the form of his youngest clinging to her legs. "Trying to put clothes on him is like trying to dress a wiggling worm. And he's fast!"

Romeo giggled, unfazed by his father's glare.

"Like father, like son." Brianna gestured towards his bare chest. Looking down, she ran her fingers through Romeo's hair. "Should we get you dressed?"

Romeo nodded and reached up to take her hand and walk with her into the living room.

Jon watched in disbelief as she quickly and efficiently put shorts and a t-shirt on his suddenly co-operative son. He shook his head in disgust. "Brat."

Romeo grinned, giggled, kissed Brianna's cheek, then sat on the floor to play with his blocks.

Brianna chuckled and grabbed her briefcase. "I'll head down to your office." She squeezed his shoulder as she passed him.

"Okay." Jon watched her walk down the hallway, fingers tapping on his thighs. Restless, he stood and paced to the window and back to the couch again. When Jesse and Jake came into the room, he stood. "I'm going to the office. Jesse, keep an eye on your brothers please."

Jesse sighed, but nodded. When his father's back was to him, he smiled.

"Brianna here?" Steph scanned the room as she entered.

"Uh huh. She's in the office...with Dad."

Stephanie grinned. "Yeah? Jake where're you going?"

"To see Bianna."

Jesse blocked his path. "They're working squirt. Leave them alone for awhile."

Seeing Jake's frowning pout, Stephanie distracted him. "Why don't we go get a snack? I think Grandma made some cookies."

"Okay."

Brianna looked up at the sound of the door closing. She stood and stepped aside to let him have his chair. But he didn't rush to take it. When he reached her, he slid his arms around her waist and pulled her against him. His head dipped until his mouth could capture hers. "Mmmm." He lifted his head and grinned at her. "Now that's a proper hello."

She licked her lips and watched his eyes darken. "I feel a bit like a teenager again. Only this time, instead of hiding from my parents, we're hiding from your kids."

"Speaking of your parents, am I ever going to meet them?"

Her brows rose. "You want to?" The thought hadn't even crossed her mind.

Jon shrugged. "You've met all of my family, it's only logical. Or is there some minimum number of dates requirement before I can be introduced to your family?"

She smiled. "No."

Her tone had him frowning. "What's the problem? Afraid they won't like me?"

Brianna knew he was trying to be funny, but the truth was, while she knew her mother would welcome him with open arms, she doubted her father would be as agreeable. "My father can be a bit...overbearing. And his views are a little....old-fashioned."

"You mean he wouldn't approve of you dating a musician." Jon guessed.

"Yeah. Your saving grace is that you're a successful one. Plus my brother has been singing him your praises as a businessman."

He raised a brow. "Somebody been checking up on me?"

"What would you if you had a sister - or for Steph as far as that goes? Wouldn't you check out any man she was spending as much time with as you and I have? Especially if she was travelling all over the world with that man?"

"Inside out." Jon admitted. He sighed. "Now I feel like a teenager again."

Brianna ran her hands over his chest and shoulders. "Not from my perspective you don't."

Jon laughed and bent his head to kiss her again.

After several minutes she broke the kiss and eased back. "We'd better at least look like we're working in case someone comes visiting."

"I thought we were working....on each other." He kissed her again.

"Mmmm. Such a workaholic!"

Footsteps running down the hallway had them breaking apart just before Jake burst into the room.

"And this is the response I typed up." Brianna handed a folder across the desk to Jon. "Hey buddy. What's up?"

"When you gonna be done workin so we can pway?"

When are you going to sleep so Daddy can play? "Give us until lunch time buddy." Jon replied.

Jake heaved a heavy sigh. "Okay."

The adults watched him trudge from the room and grinned.

When Jon stood up, Brianna read his expression correctly and shook her head. "Like you told Jake, work first, play later."

Jon heaved a sigh that sounded remarkably like his son's and sat down again. "Okay."