Chapter 123

It was their third day on the island before the newlyweds set foot outside their suite.

"Are you up for a walk on the beach?"

They were enjoying a late breakfast on the balcony and scanning the scenery. Jon's question was as much about her physical condition as it was her wishes. He had worked very hard to fulfil his promise and while he hadn't completely crippled her, he had come close.

At another time his smugness might annoy her, but she was still wallowing in the afterglow of his efforts so she let it slide.  "As long as we're not running any races I am if you are."

Twenty minutes later, dressed in bathing suits and slathered with sunscreen, they made their way down to the beach. Hand in hand they strolled along the water's edge and white sand of Deadman's Beach. When they got tired they headed towards the nearest bar.

"Why don't you grab us a couple of those lounge chairs and I'll get us some drinks." Jon suggested. "Are you hungry?"

"No, but a drink sounds great."

While Jon headed towards the bar, Brianna turned towards the chairs scattered over the beach. She pulled two close together and sat, lifting her face to the sun and sighing in contentment.

A few minutes later, she could hear two women talking as they passed behind her chair.

"They're on their honeymoon apparently."

"Rock star or not, if my husband looked like that I'd keep him locked in the room too!"

"And for a lot longer than three days!"

Brianna smiled, not surprised they'd been discovered. It was par for the course when you were involved with a celebrity. As long as they weren't hounded she could deal with it.

"Here." Jon handed her a glass full of some fruity concoction with a tiny umbrella in it....and a small flag on a stick.

"What's the flag for?"

"When you want anything, just wave it and the waiters come out here."

"Hmm. Handy."

"What were you smiling about when I walked up?" He asked as he sat beside her.

"You've been noticed."

"Already? Fuck." Behind his dark sunglasses his eyes scanned the area around them. "Did they look like they might be a problem?"

"Well, they did talk about keeping you locked up in a room." She bit her bottom lip to suppress a grin.

His head jerked towards her. "What?! Are you serious?"

Brianna nodded. "They said if their husbands looked like you they'd keep them locked in a room for a lot longer than three days."

"Ha ha." Jon snorted, then paused. "How did they know.....?" He waved a hand. "Never mind. Damn fans find out everything."

She reached over to pat his arm, grinning openly now at his disgruntled tone. "It'll be okay honey, I'll protect you."

He leaned his head back against the chair. "Thanks. I feel so much better now."

She chuckled and reached for her drink.

A little while later, Brianna was starting to doze off when a member of the resort's staff approached her.

"Mrs. Bongiovi? If it's alright with you, we're ready to give you your massage now."

"My massage?" Brianna frowned,

"Yes. Your husband booked it for you."

Brianna looked at her husband who was seemingly ignoring the conversation.....but the smirk twisting his lips gave him away. "You did this?"

He shrugged. "Just thought you might like it."

"You know, if you start off being this considerate, I'm going to expect you to continue."

"Can't promise it'll happen, but I plan to try."

The sentiment brought tears to her eyes. Blinking rapidly, she stood and looked down at him. "Why don't you come and have a massage too?"

A glance at the staffer assured them that they could accommodate him as well.

"You know the only one I like rubbing me is you Golden Eyes."

"But these are professionals. They know how to work your kinks out better than I do."

He smirked. "Oh I don't know. You seem to be able to handle my kinks just fine."

Blushing, Brianna swatted his arm. "Pervert. Come on."

Jon chuckled, but did as she wished.

At the spa, they were shown to a room with a clear view of the beach. It was decorated much like their suite and had two sheet covered tables set up parallel to each other.  Apparently someone had called ahead and let them know there would be two guests. Soft music filled the air.

"Both of us in here?" Jon asked.

The staffer nodded. "It's called a couples massage. All that really means is that you share a room. You will each have your own therapist. Is that alright with you?"

"That's fine." Jon assured her. "We have no secrets. Right honey?"

"Sure babe." She winked at the staffer. At his scowl, she grinned. "Got to keep a little mystery so you don't lose interest."

"No chance of that happening Golden Eyes."

"Okay, I don't think I need a massage now. I just turned to mush."

"Me too." The staffer chuckled.

An hour later, kneaded and pummelled to a totally relaxed mass of quivering muscles, they struggled to work up enough energy to get up and dressed.

Jon rubbed his hand over his face. "Food or nap?"

"Whichever I don't have to move for." She had sat up, but hadn't moved off the table.

"Sorry honey, but I don't have the energy to carry you right now."

Brianna sighed. "Then what good are you?"

"If I had the energy I'd show you. Come on." Jon held out his hand and pulled her off the table.

They managed to stumble back to their suite where they collapsed on the bed. 

They spent the next several days exploring their idyllic environment. They swam, snorkled and even took a few SCUBA lessons to explore the various shipwrecks nearby. When they wanted to stay on top of the water, they hired a sailboat for an afternoon cruise.

Most of all, they relaxed and enjoyed alone time with each other. They knew that once they left here uninterrupted adult time would be hard to come by.

All too soon, it was time to go home. Both of them had mixed feelings while they packed. They were sad to leave but they missed the kids and couldn't wait to see them.

"Bina! Bina! Bina! You home!"

"Bianna!"

Brianna just managed to set her purse down before she was tackled by two little boys. "Hi guys! Did you miss us?"

"Uh huh!"

"You anyway." Jon grumbled. "Apparently I'm chopped liver."

"No, they're just used to you going away." Carol commented as she and John Sr. entered the foyer.

"Give Daddy a hug." Brianna whispered to Romeo, then straightened to greet her in-laws. "Hi. Everything go okay?"

"Yes. They were angels." Carol assured her.

John just smiled.

"Good, you're back. Brianna, I need help with my math."  Was Jesse's greeting. "Grandpa tried but couldn't figure it out either."

"Sorry kiddo. They didn't have algebra in my day." John explained.

"Did you have a good time?" Carol asked. "You look more relaxed than when you left."

Brianna laughed. "Yes. It was beautiful and very peaceful."

"Bianna? Will you make some cookies please?"

"What happened to all the ones I made before I left?" She'd thought she'd left plenty to get them through two weeks.

"Gampa ated dem." Romeo explained.

"All by himself?"

Romeo nodded, his eyes wide. 

"So that's where Jon gets it from." Brianna eyed her father-in-law.

John shrugged. "I stocked up your freezer with the staples."

"Staples?"

"Lasagna, spaghetti sauce, cannelloni...the staples." Stephanie clarified as she joined them.

"I left the desserts for you." John warned Brianna. "Pastry was never my thing."

Jon stood back and watched his family, feeling a little left out. He was glad they all accepted and loved Brianna, but he didn't like being ignored and forgotten. Disgruntled, knowing it was childish to feel jealous of his wife and kids but unable to stop, he picked up their suitcases and started up the stairs.

"I'll help you Dad." Jesse rushed over to take one of the bags and follow his father up the stairs.

"Thanks Jess." In the master bedroom, he set the suitcase on the bed.

Jesse followed suit. "Dad?"

"Mmmm?"

"Uh....did you have a good trip?"

Jon wasn't fooled that his son really wanted to talk about his trip, but he played along and waited him out. "Yes. It was really nice. How did things go here?"

Jesse shrugged. "Okay." his fingers toyed with the strap on the suitcase.  "When does the tour start?"

Suspecting his son's agitation had something to do with the idea of him leaving again, he watched him carefully. "We leave for Japan in three weeks. We'll only be gone for two and a half weeks. Then we'll be home until after New Year's."

Jesse nodded, but continued to play with the strap. "Is Brianna going with you?"

"No. She's going to stay home with you guys."

The boy's relief was obvious even before he spoke. "Good. I'm mean, I love Grandma and Grandpa, but it's not the same. Brianna's more like....."

"Mom?" Jon suggested when Jesse didn't finish his sentence.

Jesse shrugged. "Yeah....kind of."

Reaching out to grip the slim shoulder, Jon squeezed. "I know what you mean. I get it." And he felt even more justified in his decision not to take Brianna on tour. Obviously the kids needed her at home.

With a nod, Jesse started towards the door. "Grandma's got dinner ready."

"Okay."

After dinner and his parents departure, Jon decided to tackle his phone messages and e-mails. He'd wait for Brianna to sort his mail. A knock on his office door lifted his gaze from his computer screen.

"Dad?"

"Hey sweetie what's up?"

Stephanie strolled in and dropped into the chair across the desk from him. "So....it sounds like Brianna had a nice time."

Another one of his children trying to ease into a serious conversation with small talk. He sighed inwardly, but once again played along. "I think  so - I hope so anyway."

"She said it was beautiful and very romantic. Good job Dad."

"Thanks." He tried not to sound sarcastic. He knew it was a sincere compliment, he was just chagrined that she sounded surprised that he knew how to show his wife a good time.

"So you're home for three weeks then off to Japan, right?"

"Yes. We'll only be gone for two and a half weeks, then we're home until after the holidays."

"Bri must be getting excited about hitting the road again."

"She's not going on tour this time."

Her brows lifted. "What? Why not? I thought she was continuing as your assistant."

"She is, but Amanda will tour instead. Bri is staying home with you guys."

Surprise turned to a frown. "Why?"

"Because you guys need her more than I do."

"Really? Or is it because she's your wife now and that means her place is at home with the kids instead of working?"

His brows snapped together. "No! You know I don't agree with her father's views. Her place is wherever she wants it to be!"

"Even if she wants to be doing the job she loves and travelling with you?"

"When you guys are older maybe, but right now you need her here." Why am I arguing with my daughter about this?

Stephanie eyed him for a moment and remembered some advice her grandmother had given her when she was struggling with accepting Brianna into their family. "She's not Mom, Dad. She has different feelings and wants. You can't expect her to do things like Mom did. If you don't let her do what she loves, she'll be miserable. And that's not what any of us want. It's only for a few weeks at a time. We'll survive with Grandma and Grandpa or whoever you get to stay with us."

Deciding she'd given him enough to think about, she stood and headed for the door. She stopped in the doorway and looked back at him. "We're finally finding happiness as a family again, Dad. Please don't do anything to destroy it."

For a long time Jon stared at the now empty doorway. Where did all that come from? Fuck! Now what the hell do I do?