Chapter 96

Now Jon was even more determined to carve out a few days for some quality alone time with his girlfriend. He spent the next morning surfing the internet for suitable locations. He wanted someplace comfortable and secluded enough to discourage over eager fans, but civilized enough to have some interesting activities is they wanted to go out. It wasn't easy to find a place that met his criteria. Finding one that had an opening for a few days around Valentine's was even harder. Especially on short notice.

He finally found one that sounded  - and looked - perfect. In Vermont of all places, which virtually guaranteed at least a little anonymity. No one would expect him - Mr. Beach Bum - to be vacationing in a lodge in Vermont in February. But he really didn't care what the weather was like - he wasn't planning on leaving the room much. They had waited a long time to be able to spend a whole night together without kids interrupting or him having to leave earlier than he wanted to because he was needed at home. This was going to be three glorious days of doing.....whatever they wanted. And he had a whole list of things he wanted to do to her. While he recognized his physical limitations - he wasn't twenty anymore - that didn't mean he couldn't test those boundaries.

"Daddy! I hungy!"

His son's voice pulled him from his carnal planning and reminded him of the next step in his plan - find a babysitter. "Coming little man."

He spent most of the afternoon considering and discarding possible babysitters. Some were too far away, some the kids wouldn't like and some he didn't want to bother anymore than he already had. There's got to be someone. I can't miss this opportunity because I can't find a babysitter!

"Dad. Dad. DAD!" Stephanie had to yell to get his attention.

"What?"

She waved the phone at him. "It's Aunt Linda."

"Thanks." He took the phone. "Hey Linda, how are you?"

"I'm fine. How's everything there?"

"All good."

"Jon.....I have a big favour to ask you."

"Sure, what do you need?"

"Donna's coming home for a few days and the family's all getting together. I wondered if the kids could come."

"When?"

"February. Valetine's if you can believe it. Only someone truly homesick would visit New Jersey in February."

"Colorado in February isn't any better." Jon pointed out.

"I guess. I still think she's nuts for travelling then, but she insists. If it's okay with you, I'd like the kids to stay here with us. I'll make sure they get to school."

If she'd been there in person he would have kissed her. "That's fine with me."

They chatted for another few minutes. Hanging up, Jon did a fist pump. Yes! Now everything was set for his little get away. It had all come together rather easily.  A little too easily when he really thought about it. He wasn't one to believe in spirits or higher powers involving themselves in his life - he created his own luck. But just in case, he sent up a prayer of thanks.

"Dad?"

"Mmmm?"

"What did Aunt Linda have to say?"

"Aunt Donna's coming from Colorado for a visit in February and they're having a family get together. She wants you guys to stay with her for a few days."

"Do we get to miss school?" Jesse asked hopefully.

"No. Aunt Linda's going to take you and pick you up."

"Oh." Jesse sighed. 

Stephanie rolled her eyes and refocused her attention on her father. "Are you going to the party?"

"No."

"Then you should take a trip with Bri. Somewhere romantic."

More and more often Jon was surprised at how fast his daughter was maturing. He couldn't decide whether it was a good thing or not. But he couldn't prevent the grin curving his lips. "That's the plan."

Later that evening  after the little ones were in bed, Jon poured himself a glass of wine and settled into his favourite chair to call his girlfriend. "Hey honey, how are you feeling?"

"A little better thanks. I still have a fever, but my stomach seems to have settled."

"Good." He took a sip. "How does three days alone at a lodge in Vermont for Valentine's sound?" He'd debated keeping it a surprise, but he hadn't done very well in the surprise department where she was concerned and he figured he was safer to just tell her.

"Um......cold?" Her fever addled brain wasn't sure where he was going with this.

He chuckled. "By alone, I meant you and I alone together. The room has a fireplace and a jacuzzi." His voice deepened. "I won't let you get cold."

His tone had her stomach swirling again. "Do I even need to pack clothes?"

Several visions formed in his head while he considered her question. "Bring your kimono."

Brianna grinned. She had a few other items he might like too.

"So where's he taking you?" Lisa asked her sister-in-law.

"A lodge in Vermont." Brianna answered as she folded her kimono and laid it in her suitcase, trying not to drop the phone in the process.

"Vermont in February? I thought he was a beach bum not a snow bunny."

Brianna laughed, remembering the snow ball fight the month before. "Oh he knows how to have fun in the snow too." She assured her. "Plus, he said the room has a fireplace and a jacuzzi."

"Mmmm. Sounds romantic. I may have to rethink my opinion of him."

"Oh? What do you mean?" Brianna frowned.

"Well, after the whole inviting you parents without telling you fiasco I wasn't sure if he was totally insensitive or just incredibly stupid."

Despite agreeing with her sister-in-law at the time, Brianna found herself defending him. "His heart was in the right place, he just didn't realize how bad Father is. He thought he was doing a good thing by bringing the families together."

"So....stupid then."

"In that instance.....yes. But I don't think he'll make that mistake again."

"I hope not." Lisa paused. "Other than underestimating your father, does he treat you well?"

"Yes. Despite what you've seen, he is usually quite considerate of my feelings. I think at some level, losing his wife has made him more conscious of his partner's emotional state."

"I'm glad something good came out of that tragedy." Lisa shook her head sadly. "So Jon's coping okay?"

"Better than I ever anticipated." After a little tough love. "He's really stepped up with the kids. He has a cleaning lady and a cook that comes in several days a week when I'm not there, and of course his mother helps out, but he does the bulk of the children's caretakimg himself. Even Romeo's potty training."

"Wow!" Lisa was impressed. She wished she could see through the phone line to her sister-in-law's face, but the pride in her voice told a pretty clear story. "You love him. And more than that, you're in love with him."

Brianna sighed, but didn't deny it. "Yes."

"And does he feel the same way?"

"I think so."

Lisa frowned. "But you're not sure?"

The subject hadn't come up since she'd blurted it out in a feverish daze, and while she believed his 'ditto', she wanted the actual words and she wanted to see his face while he said them. She intended to make that happen over the next few days. "I will be after this trip."

"Go get him girl!" Lisa made a mental note to have a long conversation with Mr. Bongiovi very soon. Brianna hadn't had an easy life and wasn't as self confident as she appeared. She'd come a long way from the meek girl she was raised to be, but it wouldn't take much to deflate her hard fought for backbone and Lisa was determined to make sure that didn't happen.