“Jon, your hair is a mess! What have you been doing??” Reaching up, she combed her nails through the blonde mop and tried to make a slight adjustment to his obviously hand mussed locks.
Ariana bowed her head as she felt the flush of heat warm her cheeks.
“Giving Ariana a tour. What are you doing here?”
“Excuse my manners.” The woman pushed her son aside and pulled Ariana into a motherly embrace. “My dear child, I am so sorry for your loss. I know how much your grandmother meant to you.”
Shocked, Ariana just stood there for a moment before leaning into the embrace. “Thank you, Mrs. Bongiovi,”
“None of that Mrs. Bongiovi nonsense, call me Carol.”
“S’alright Ma, you still haven’t told us why you are here?”
“We were on our way to Buona Sera for some lunch and thought you might want to join us. I did not know you had company until we went up to the main house first and Lidia said you and Ariana were out walking. We stopped at the studio first, then came here.”
“We haven’t eaten yet.” he looked over at Ariana and at her slight nod continued, “What do you say?”
“I’d like to freshen up first, if that’s okay.” Ariana glanced at Jon and seeing his smirk, she elbowed him in the side. Jon hid the oof as a cough, but his dad still caught the expression on both of their faces.
“Shall we meet you at the house?” The senior Bongiovi asked.
“No. We’re staying at the guest house.” Jon stated.
“The guest house? Why on earth are you....”
“Ma.” Jon shot his mother a glare. “You can wait for us there or we can just meet you at Buona Sera, let’s say in twenty minutes.”
Sensing his wife had just hit an uncomfortable nerve with their son, John Sr. took his wife’s hand.
“C’mon Carol, let’s let them do what they need to do, and we will meet you there.” The elder Bongiovi made their way back to their car as Jon and Ari walked back to the house.
♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱
As promised, Jon and Ari were walking into Buona Sera thirty minutes later. Scanning the room, Jon spotted his parents sitting at a corner table by the window. Placing a hand at the small of her back, Jon ushered them through a series of tables until they reached them. John Sr. stood as his son pulled out the chair next to Carol’s. The way the table was laid out, Jon and Ari were sitting across from each other, Jon next to his father and Ari next to Carol.
A bottle of Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio and Provenance Cabernet Sauvignon already on the table, along with Fried Calamari, Clams Oreganato and a Fresh Mozzarella Roasted Peppers and Tomato salad.
“We weren’t sure which wine you preferred, Ariana, so we ordered both.” John Sr. asked.
“I’ll just have water.” Ariana motioned for the waiter. “Can I have a bottle of Pellegrino and some lemon, please?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Are you not a wine drinker?” Carol asked.
“Not particularly.” Ariana picked up the menu that was laid across her plate.
“So, what’s new, pops?” Ariana was thankful that Jon had quickly chimed in.
As they lingered over the appetizers, the two Johns and Ariana seemed to control most of the conversation. They mostly debated who they thought would make the playoffs, only stopping long enough for the server to take their order.
After the server left them, the two men excused themselves, one to the restroom, the other to take an important phone call. Carol took the opportunity to take control of the conversation. Not wanting to scare Ariana with a bombardment of questions, she started slowly, but it didn’t take her long to get to the heart of what she really wanted to say.
Carol reached across the table and placed her hand softly over Ariana’s, stopping her from playing with her napkin. “Ariana, there is no need to be nervous. I will not bite.”
Ariana let out a soft giggle. “I know. It’s not like we are strangers. It’s just...”
“Do you mind if I say something first? Maybe it will help.” Carol interjected.
“Sure, go right ahead.”
Carol took the last sip of wine from her glass, then set it down. Running her thumb and forefingers over the sides of her mouth, she straightened her napkin in her lap and leaned back against her chair.
“I’m sure you know that I have known my sons feeling for you for a very long time and have watched him struggle with them just as long.”
Ariana lowered her eyes for a moment, then brought them back to meet the woman who was at her side.
“Although I have never approved of how he has handled himself, I do know that he loves you deeply and you make him happy. And as his mother, that is all I want. With that being said, my husband and I would like to welcome you to this family.”
For the second time today, Carol wrapped her arms around her. This time Ariana didn’t hesitate, and she hugged her back, biting back the tears and exhaling a sigh of relief. The server interrupted their tender moment when he arrived with their food. Before pulling away, Ariana softly whispered a thank you.
Both men returned shortly thereafter to find their food had been delivered and the woman they loved laughing over something they both agreed not to share.
“Whassa matter, you don’t like it?” Jon asked Ariana as he reached into her risotto for one of her scallops.
“Just not hungry.” she pushed the plate towards him, “here you eat it.”
Ariana shook her head at his boyish grin as he picked up her plate and traded it with his empty one.
“You barely ate anything.” John observed.
“I had a big breakfast, that’s all.” Ariana pushed her chair away from the table. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be right back.”
Ever the gentlemen, Jon was up and at her side just as she stood. Moving the chair away, he leaned in to ask her if she was alright. Smiling, she placed a soft kiss on his cheek. “Be right back.”
Jon watched and listened as her heels clicked against the marble tile until she was out of sight before he sat back down. Both his parents turned to look at him when he finally did.
“Is everything okay, son.” His father asked first.
“Yeah. We’ve just got a lot going on. You know, with the divorce, the press. It’s good, we’re good.”
“Is this why you are staying at the guest house?” This time it was Carol who spoke.
“Partly. Ari still has some mixed feelings we are working on. Throw in all the other stuff along with Dorothea.” Jon drained his glass.
“There is something more. I just can’t put my finger on it...” Carol paused as the busboy approached the table to clear it. “I noticed it back at the house and again while we ate. There was even a hint while we were talking.”
“Ma!”
“Carol!”
“Oh, hush, you two. I did nothing. We had a lovely conversation. I just wanted her to know that we were okay and she needn’t be worried.” Carol waved her hand at them both. “You two always think the worst of me.”
“Are you picking on your mother?” Ariana asked as she took her seat.
“Pay them no mind, dear. I sure don’t.” Carol tapped her arm.
The server appeared holding a dessert tray and explained what each one was. When he pointed to the zabaglione, Jon couldn’t contain his smile, but Ari just smiled and pointed at the piece of chocolate ganache cake. Carol settled on a piece of Italian cheese cake, John went for the cannoli’s and Jon just ordered coffee and an extra fork.
“Who said I was sharing?” Ariana teased.
“You will not eat that entire piece.”
“Wanna bet?” Ari rested her elbows on the table.
While enjoying their respective desserts, Jon talked about some of the commitments and appearances the band had over the next few days. They talked about the holidays, and Ari was asked if she would be here. She told them about her grandparents’ tradition and that most likely she would go back to Montreal to help. Carol extended her an offer if she changed her mind.
They all watched in astonishment as Ariana stuck to her word and finished every piece minus the few that Jon had taken. Jon and his father debated over who would pay the bill, but Senior won out in the end.
John Sr. and Jon both stood simultaneously and pulled the chairs back for their respective partners, then helped them with their coats. Walking towards the entryway of the restaurant, Ari casually turned to Jon and quietly whispered, “You owe me a pool lesson when we get home.”
Out of the corner of her eye Carol caught the intimate moment, along with the sparkle of her son’s eyes mixed with the glowing smile on Ariana’s face. Quickly putting together the events of today, the words spilled from her lips before she could articulate further.
“You’re pregnant.”
Ariana and Jon stopped dead, their faces an identical mask of shock- their jaws dropped, and both tried to speak, but nothing really came out.
“It was nice having lunch with you both, we’ll have to do it again sometime.” Smiling at her son and his love, Carol slid into the small coupe as John Sr. shut her door and walked around to the other side. He gave a small wave, and with that they were left standing on the curb, still speechless.
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