Chapter 102

"What do you want to do for your birthday?" Brianna sank down onto the couch beside her boyfriend and braced for his response. Given their as yet unfinished conversation, something along the lines of move you in wouldn't surprise her. What was unexpected was his silence on the subject since their return from Vermont over a week ago. She knew him too well to think he'd changed his mind, or even that he'd backed off to let her think everything over and come to her own decision. No, that's not the way John Bongiovi worked when he really wanted something. He was planning something. She just didn't know what.

"Math lesson done already?" Setting aside the book he was reading, he patted his lap, inviting her to rest her feet there.

Obliging, Brianna swung her legs up and leaned back against the arm of the couch. She closed her eyes briefly, enjoying the feel of his fingers digging deep. "Yes. Mmmmm. She's a smart girl. Once I gave her some real life examples she got it." She sighed and wiggled her toes. "You didn't answer my question."

"Hmmm? Oh. My birthday." He shrugged. "Whatever. But no big party please. I'd rather spend it with just you and the kids."

"I'll take that under advisement."

After dinner that night, Brianna got Stephanie and Jesse alone. "Do you have any ideas of something fun we can do for your Dad's birthday?"

They all thought for a few minutes.

"We could do a scavenger hunt." Jesse suggested. "Leave him clues to his presents stashed all over the house and other buildings."

"That's a cool idea." Stephanie agreed. "Do you think he'd go for it?"

"With the right incentive I think he will." Brianna was already running wording, bribes and blackmail scenarios in her head.

Stephanie had a couple ideas of her own.

A couple days later, Stephanie tracked her father down in his office. "Hey Dad..."

"Mmmm?" Jon didn't look up from his computer.

"Have you decided when you're going to propose to Bri?"

"No." He had the ring - chosen by him but approved by his daughter - tucked away in a drawer, but he hadn't come up with a suitable plan. He'd considered going the traditional route, but there was no way in hell he was asking her father for his permission. But the running off to Vegas thing wasn't for her either. He wanted something uniquely for her.

"But you want it to be soon?"

"Yes." He wondered where she was going with this.

"I've got an idea."

"Yeah?" He sat back in his chair and studied her. "What?"

"Well, first you have to promise not to tell anyone that I told you what the plan is for your birthday."

"Okay. I promise I'll act surprised."

"Okay. There's going to be a scavenger hunt around the estate for you to find your gifts."

His brows rose. That actually sounded like a fun idea.....and a lot of work for him to get his presents. "Who's ideas was that?"

"Jesse's."

So.....no way of getting out of it. "So what's your plan?"

"I can suggest that the last gift take you to the Inn. Then, after you open it, Jesse and I will take the little ones into the house and you can be alone with Bri in the Inn." She considered him for a moment. "Can you take it from there or do you need some help?"

He scowled. "Smartass. I think I can manage."

"What do you think of the plan?"

"Sounds pretty good." He admitted. His mind was already working on several ways to finish the hunt and attain the best gift of all.

The morning of his birthday, just before lunch, Brianna pulled him aside.  "The kids have organized something a little different to celebrate your birthday. I know it might seem a little childish, but please play along. They've worked really hard on this."

He scowled at her.  "Of course. I'm not too old to have a little fun with my kids."

"Not yet anyway." Turning, she led the way into the dining room.

Passing her in the hallway, he swatted her ass. "Brat!"

"Happy birthday Daddy!" All four kids chorused, and ran to hug their father.

"Thank you!"

After they finished eating and cleared the table, Romeo patted Jon's arm. "Daddy."

"Yes little man?"

"Here. Dis for you."

Jon took the card the toddler held out to him. "Thanks." Opening the card, he realized the game had begun.

This year for your birthday, your presents are all around

Solve the clues to reveal, where each gift can be found.

The first is from the youngest. An activity you share each day

For him it's to help him go to sleep. For you this may help increase your pay

Jon frowned. This wasn't going to be as easy as he'd thought.

"It a scavager hunt!" Jake explained. "You have to find your presents!"

"Yeah? Okay, let's see if I can figure this out."

"Need some help?" Brianna asked, lips twitching.

Blue eyes narrowed as he glared at her. "No!" He studied the clue again. While he ran the words over in his head, his gaze drifted to his youngest. "Something we do everyday to help you go to sleep. Hmmm." A brow rose. "Bedtime story? It's a book!"

Romeo grinned and nodded.

"But where is it?" Stephanie prodded.

He read the clue again. "The library would be too obvious. Increase my pay. Increase my pay." He snapped his fingers. "My office!"

The little ones took off, leading the way to the office.

As he entered the room, Jon glanced around, but saw nothing out of place. Rounding his desk, he sat and looked around again. Still nothing. The clue repeated in his head again, but nothing else fit. It had to be in this room. He frowned and opened the drawer on his left. "Aha!" He pulled the brightly wrapped package out of the drawer and ripped off the paper to reveal a hardcover book. It was Warren Buffet's biography and philosophy. "Thanks little man!" He picked Romeo up and hugged him.

"Don't forget your next clue." Jesse gestured towards a piece of paper sticking out from the middle of the book.

Jon pulled it out, glanced I over quickly, then read it again more slowly.

Jakey's up next, full of not flowers but spice there's no doubt

Only room in the house where you smell better going in than coming out

Jon rubbed his chin while he thought. Flowers and spice wasn't ringing any bells for him, so he decided to focus on the room part of the clue. "Smell better going in than coming out. Bathroom?"

Jake giggled, but shook his head.

"Not the bathroom huh?" He mentally ran through the house's floor plan, quickly discarding room after room, until it finally came to him. "The gym!"

"Yep!"

Together they trooped down to the gym. All eyes were on Jon as he wandered the room. It took him a few minutes to find the small box on the top of the treadmill. Under the paper was his favourite cologne. He bent to hug Jake. "Thanks buddy."

"You welcome Daddy." At a nudge from his sister, he pointed to the small piece of paper propped on the controls. "Don't forget your next clue!"

The oldest son is exploring his family history and heritage

If someone squeals, the horse is dead, take the carriage

He was starting to get the hang of this. "Horseless carriage is a car. It's in the garage!"

They kicked into boots, but didn't bother with coats for the short trip to the garage.

This time Jon knew right where to look. Bypassing the Navigator, he headed straight for the Chevelle. The seats were empty, so was the trunk. He was beginning to think he'd been wrong when he caught Jesse and Brianna exchanging smirks. It's here somewhere, I know it! Opening the driver's door he bent and reached under the seat. Nothing. Rounding the car he opened the passenger door and repeated the process. Still nothing. He blew out a frustrated breath and raked his hand through his hair. As his head tilted, he caught sight of the glove compartment. When he opened it, a package fell out. Ha! With a triumphant expression, he ripped paper to find a special edition Godfather trilogy DVD collection. "Oh wow! This is great. Thanks Jesse."

"Can we watch it later?"

"Sure."

Brianna cleared her throat and shot a glance at Jake.

"Much later." Jon amended. He clapped his hands together. "Where's my next clue?"

"Under the flor mat." Jesse pointed.

First born child, the only girl, but she ain't no Malibu Barbie.

Let the record show, when it comes to tough she's a regular David Tyree

"Okay. Tyree means something to do with the Giants. Let the record show.....the studio!"

The gift was sitting on the side of the sound board. The large box contained a New York Giants sweatshirt and ball cap. 

"Thanks sweetie!" He hugged her.

"You're welcome." Stephanie assured him and motioned to the microphone in the larger room. "Only one left."

Last but not least, just a little fun from your helper, your date

So pull up a chair, pour a drink, try your luck, it's your day, celebrate

"The Inn."

This final gift was sitting in the middle of the pool table. Jon picked it up and shook it, raising a brow at Brianna at the slight rattling sound.

She rolled her eyes. "Just open it. It's G rated."

"Too bad." He chuckled as he undid the wrapping. It was a poker set with chips, several decks of cards, felt table cloth with markings for cards and chips, and a book explaining every version of poker known to man. "Cool."

"It all fits in that case so it's portable. You can take it on the road and try and win back what you lost to Tico last tour."

"Practice on Uncle Matt first." Jesse advised.

"Good idea." Jon grinned and leaned over to kiss Brianna. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." She glanced around the group. "What do you want to do now?"

"We've got some stuff to do in the house." Stephanie answered. "But you guys should stay out here and relax."

Jake frowned and was about to argue, but was stopped by his older brother whispering in his ear. "Yep, gotta go!" 

He took off with Jesse right behind him. Stephanie picked up Romeo and followed, shaking her head. "Boys!"

Jon looked at Brianna who was watching the kids's departure with a frown. "What's wrong?"

"They're up to something."

"Probably." He shrugged. "As long as they don't set anything on fire, we'll be fine."

"Thanks for being such a good sport about all of this."

"It was actually kind of fun." He reached into his pocket. "In fact, I'm not ready for it to be over quite yet." He held out a piece of paper.

"What's this?"

"Your clue. This time you get to solve the puzzle."

Now we're alone just us two, time for a little libation

Some ice for me, some ice for you, let's have a conversation

Amber eyes narrowed. "You knew about the scavenger hunt!"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"You had to have known to have this set up."

"Are you really upset or are you stalling because you can't figure out the clue?"

Scowling, she stomped behind the bar. "You're so....."

"Loveable?"

She snorted as she set two glasses on the top of the bar and lifted the lid off the ice bucket. Reaching in, she grasped a handful of ice and dropped it in a glass. A metallic clink had her looking closer. "What the....?"

When her brain processed what her eyes were seeing, her lungs seized.

Jon moved to stand on the other size of the bar and reached into the glass. Wiping the ring off on his shirt, he held it out to her. "Marry me, Golden Eyes."