October in Montreal was beautiful, and this morning was no exception. The sun was shining, the air was crisp, it was a perfect day for a run. Ariana was glad she ran outside rather than in the hotel gym. With everything she’d been dealing with this past week, exercise was the furthest thing from her mind.
So, after Cara’s flailing limbs abruptly woke her, she traded the warmth of the sheets for a pair of sweats and running shoes.
Saturday morning’s busy tourist traffic had her opting for the back streets until she reached her desired path. She had settled into a steady pace by the time she reached the waterfront and the slight drop of air pressure felt invigorating against her sweat soaked skin.
Gentle waves slap-lapping against the pier reminded her of the night Jon had surprised her with their helicopter ride. There were a few boats and steamships along the river as she passed the Bonsecours Market and continued towards the Old Clock Tower before turning around.
Her lungs burned, but it was a good burn. It reminded her of how she missed running. Her heart slowed, quieting after pumping in time with each thud of her footsteps as she turned the corner and stopped in front of the hotel. Taking a few deep cleansing breaths, she put her feet together, and she bent to touch her toes first, before grabbing her ankles to stretch. When she straightened herself, the doorman opened the door, waiting for her to climb the steps.
It was a quarter past ten when she got back to the room, and Cara was still sprawled out over the bed. Ariana didn’t know how she could sleep like that. Sometimes Ari wondered if that is why Cara never kept a man around. She didn’t want to share her bed for more than the obvious reasons.
Closing the bedroom door behind her so she wouldn't disturb Sleeping Beauty, Ariana ordered breakfast before sitting down with her computer. She hadn't checked her emails since coming home, other than quick glances here and there from her phone. She hadn't heard from Jon since yesterday when he texted to let her know he had landed and then again to say he was home. Looking for her phone, her hands searched around in the cushions until she found it under her leg.
♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱
Jon scooped the towel that had been covering the digital display to wipe his brow. Today he didn’t care what it read. Today wasn’t about distance, it was about emotions. His legs screamed with every foot strike, every mile, as beads of sweat drenched his skin.
Relief mixed with sadness and a dash of foreboding made up the torturous assault he was taking out on his treadmill. Having it out in the open relieved some of the burden he had been carrying, but there was still more they needed to talk about.
Her anger was justified, and he hoped that, eventually, she would be willing to do so. They’d been part of each other’s lives for a long time and, even though they drifted apart, it didn’t mean he didn’t care. He did, and part of him always would. He needed her to know that.
His finger pressing the white arrow had the incline descending to zero, and Jon thought about how the kids would cope when they were told. He and Dorothea had always tried to keep their differences away from them. That’s not to say they hadn’t seen them disagree a time or two.
Stephanie and Jesse were old enough to understand and, though they might not be happy with their parents divorcing, it was the little ones he was more worried about. Telling them would definitely be one of the hardest things he’d ever have to do. That’s where the sadness he was feeling came from. They were his world, and he would do anything for them.
He fully agreed with Dorothea about not telling them until after the holidays. They deserved a joyous holiday.
Jon decreased his speed, bringing his workout into the cool-down phase. Wiping his sweaty brow once again, he thought about Ariana. Just when she’d accepted that they were going to be together and wouldn’t have to hide their feelings for one another, he had to tell her it might have to wait a bit longer.
This didn’t mean he was agreeing to Dorothea’s demands. He would have to speak to his lawyers first. Jon knew just how nasty a divorce battle could get. He watched what some of his closest friends went through, and a nasty battle played out in the media was the last thing he wanted.
But he wasn’t about to deny Ariana or his love for her. Not anymore. He just hoped that, when he told her, she wouldn’t get scared and change her mind. That was something she was good at doing.
The buzzing of his phone vibrated against the cup holder and replaced the constant hum of the moving track as Jon straddled the belt and pressed stop. He took a few short, deep breaths as he looked at the display and accepted the call.
Winded, he spoke. “Hey.”
“Hi. Did I catch you at a bad time?”
“Nah.” He puffed out another breath. “Just finished my run.” Jon walked to the mini refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of water.
She could hear the crackling of the water bottle as he drank. “Me too. Felt great to get back to it. How d'you do?”
“Don’t know. Didn’t pay attention. You?” Jon asked.
“Not sure either. It is beautiful out, so I ran to the Old Clock Tower and back. The distance is short, so I looped around twice.” She waited for him to answer.
"Jon? You still there?" she asked.
"Yeah." There was a slight hesitation in his voice. "Ari, we need to talk. Where's Cara?" He only asked because he wanted no interruption.
"Still sleeping. Does this have to do with your talk with Dorothea?" Ari pulled her legs close to her chest and rested her chin on her knees.
"Yes. And I really hate doing this over the phone."
"We don’t have any choice. Just tell me." She closed her eyes and waited for him to speak.
He wrapped the towel around his neck and slid down the wall until he was sitting, one wrist rested on bended knee. Staring up at the rotating blades of the ceiling fan, he spoke.
“She knows. All of it.” He wiped his upper lip with the corner of the towel. “She knew I was with someone when I got home yesterday. I brought back a little souvenir on my neck. So, when we finally had time to talk, I asked for a divorce, and she said no.” He heard the hitch in her breath “At first.”
“What do you mean at first?” She loosened her hair from the ponytail and dragged her fingers through it. “And all of what exactly?”
“About me and you. All these years. I told her this morning.” He ran his free hand through his damp hair.
“Jon, I thought you were going to wait to tell her everything?” Ariana wondered why he had changed his mind.
“I was, but last night she asked me how long I knew the woman who had me asking her for a divorce. I sorta had no choice. Besides, now that it is out, we can deal with everything at once.”
Her legs now tucked under her, she rested her arm on the back of the couch. “And just like that, she changed her mind."
“Not exactly.” Jon switched the phone to his other hand as he stretched his legs out in front of him. “She had some - um - ultimatums, that I – we – need to consider.”
“What kind of ultimatums?" Curious as to what they were, she wasn't sure she was ready to hear them.
“She wants me out of the apartment, she wants half of everything, and we can’t go public until the divorce is final.” The line went silent. “Ari?”
“I’m here.” She bit the cuticle on her thumb.
“Stop biting and say something... please.” This was what he had been worried about.
“How do you feel about that? I mean, she does have the upper hand, don’t you think?” Ariana was trying to see things from Dorothea’s point of view.
“To tell you the truth, I was more concerned with how you would feel.”
“Why? I told you yesterday I would be okay.”
“So, you’re okay with having this remain a secret still?” He was a little taken back at how well she seemed to be handling this.
“That’s not what I said. Am I happy about it? No. It’s taken me a long time to admit that this is what I want. If we need to wait a little longer, then we will wait, but can she really make us?”
“Technically, no. But, as she put it, if I don’t want a nasty, dragged out divorce then I will do as she asks. She is mad and with good reason. Of course, I would see that she is taken care of. However, I am not exactly happy about keeping this a secret. We’ve done that long enough.”
“Then I guess we have no choice.” There was a slight disappointed tinge in her voice.
“Before I make any decisions, I need to talk to my lawyers.” He grunted as he stood. “You know how I feel about being told I can’t do something. What I do know is, I don’t want the kids dragged through a long, ugly court battle.”
“Good heavens, no. Have you told them?” she exclaimed.
“No. We have decided to wait till after the holidays. Mom and Pop took them to Jersey for a few days.”
“Did you even get to spend time with them?” She knew just how much he’d missed them.
“Yes. We went to Sal’s after Romey’s play yesterday and the boys and I made breakfast this morning.” He opened the refrigerator door for another bottle of water. “I was thinking of going out to spend the day with them.”
“That’s a wonderful idea. It would do you good.” There was a knock at the door. Uncurling her legs, Ariana went and answered it.
“Who is that?” Jon asked.
“No one. Just my other boyfriend,” she joked. “Room service.”
“Smartass. Don’t you mean your daily dose of grease?”
“Actually, it’s yogurt with granola and fresh fruit. I didn’t just bust my ass for nothing. Hold on a second.”
Ariana put the phone down so she could sign the bill and thank the server. Pushing the cart into the living room, she grabbed her food and went back to the couch.
“Okay, I’m back.”
“Speaking of your ...”
She cut him off. “Nunn uh. Not going there, keep your dirty thoughts to yourself.” She tried quietly to eat. “So, where are you going to stay?”
“Jersey, I guess. We have the kick-off announcement on Thursday for the new stadium. Maybe I’ll give Richie a call and see if he wants to come in a few days early. Then the following week we will be in Philly for a shit load of meetings for the football team.”
“Ah yes, crunch time. You should be busy, just the way you like it.”
“Yes, but not too busy for you.”
“Don’t you worry, I have plenty to keep me busy with Petit Soho, and I am seriously considering starting my own company."
“That reminds me, I’ll give Paul a call to see if he has any information for you. I have to get going if I want to beat the traffic out of the city.”
“Thanks. I could use his help if I want to start something. Go be with you kids. And Jon?”
“Yeah?” He opened the gym door.
“We'll get through this." Ariana’s reassuring words weren’t just for him. She’d be a fool to say she wasn’t disappointed. It had taken her nineteen years to come to terms with her feelings and allow herself this happiness. What’s a little while longer? In the end, they would still be together.
"Yes, we will. I love you."
“Love you too."
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