108 - Pride And Joy

One... two... tree...”

“ROMEO NOOOO!” Jon shouted, jolting out of his sleep but it was too late. The little tike was already mid-air and falling fast in between his father and Ariana, who was buried somewhere under the confines of the bed's soft feathery comforter.

 

“Get up, Daddy. I want pancakes.” The boy cheerfully demanded. 

 

“Buddy, you can’t do that again. Do you understand me?” Jon said sternly. 

 

“Jumping on the bed is fun.”

 

“It’s also dangerous. Someone could get hurt.” Jon pressed his index finger to his lips, “Besides, Ari is still sleeping, and you don’t want to wake her. Trust me.” He whispered the last part.

 

“Hey! I heard that.” The muffled voice came from somewhere under the covers, causing Romeo to laugh.

 

“See, I told you.” Jon poked the giggling boy in his side.  

 

Romey tented the comforter and peeked his head under, “Ar-rie, come outta there.”

 

A rumpled mane of curls peered through as she propped herself up on her elbow. Two sets of eyes, one the color of chocolate and smiling big and wide, and the other bluer than any ocean, looked back at her as she brushed her untamed mane from her face.

 

“Hey there, cutie.” 

 

“Mornin’ beautiful.” Jon replied.

 

“I was talking to Romeo.” she winked at the boy.

 

“Yeah, Dad.” he exclaimed, “She was talking to me.” 

 

Wrapping his arms around his son, Jon tossed a pillow over his head and started tickling him. Through his infectious laughter, his flailing little arms and legs, the boy finally cried ‘uncle’ making his father stop.

 

Hugging the pillow against his chest, Romeo caught his breath, “Do you like pancakes Ar-rie?”  

 

“Duh. Of course, I do. Do you wanna know what my favorite kind is?”

 

“Bluuuueberrrieeess?” he squealed.

 

“Nope." She shook her head. 

 

"Banaaaannnnas." He pulled his knees to his chest.

 

"Ew, yuck." Ari scrunched up her nose. "Chocolate chips!” She tapped him on his nose and his little eyes widened, "Now, I think I hear voices out in the kitchen, if you go look in the pantry, I have a big jar full of chocolate chips. I’ll be right out, and we can make pancakes.”

 

Pushing the pillow to the side, he scampered to the foot of the bed. His small feet dangling over the bed’s edge until they reached the bench. Standing, he swung his arms back and forth, then jumped down and was out the door in a blink of an eye.

 

Jon leaned over, placing a kiss on her lips, “Sorry about that.”  

 

“For what? I was up. I’m just glad I put clothes on before we crashed last night.” She swung her feet off the bed.

 

“Wouldn't that have been funny?" Jon folded his arms behind his head and watched as she padded towards the bathroom, tugging free the wedgie her sleep shorts caused.  

 

"Um, no. Is he always up this early?" she called over the sound of flushing water. 

 

Tossing the covers to the side, he ran his fingers through his bed head and stood. He walked to the door first, making sure it was locked, then made his way to the bathroom. Ari was standing at the sink brushing her hair when he rounded the corner, her black “Born in the USA” tank inching up above her belly button.  

 

Stepping behind her and caressed her growing belly. Covering his hands with hers, Ariana leaned back into him, protruding her belly even further. Together they watched in the mirror as their joined hands moved in semi-circles. The small flutters they felt caused them both to smile. 

 

"There's my girl" Jon whispered against her hair. 

 

"You woke her up that's why she's kicking you."

 

"She's not kicking, she's waving hi."

 

This time the flutter was more of a thump, thump. "See? Just like her mama. That was definitely a ‘why did you wake me’ kick."

 

Falling to his knees, Jon spun her around and pressed his ear against her belly. After a series of uh-huhs mixed with a few head nods, he sheepishly looked up at her, "She said, she is kicking ‘cause her mama was being mean to her daddy’."

 

Tossing her head back Ari laughed. "Ah, I see how this is gonna be. Trying to pit her against me already."

 

"I need someone on my side. Steph and Jesse see right through me. I'm not cool enough for Jake anymore, and I think I lost all credibility with Romeo this morning, after your open admission to loving chocolate chip pancakes." Standing now, he looked into her smiling eyes, "I’m outnumbered, and you know how I hate that."

 

Patting down a strand of his morning bed head with her fingers, she spoke, "Speaking of your kids, we need to tell them."

 

"I know. How 'bout after breakfast? We can go for a walk on the beach. Take them down to the bluff."

 

"The bluff, eh? Is that in case they're not happy with the news you can push me off?" Ari joked.

 

"Crash, don't say that.  They like you already. They'll be fine."

 

"Even Jake?" 

 

"Yes, even Jake. He's been better, don't you think? I do."

 

"I think he's doing that, so he doesn't have to hear you. But that's okay, Rome wasn't built in a day. Right?"

 

"Exactly.  Now whaddya say we go eat?"

 

Ari took off running. "Last one to the kitchen cooks breakfast." 

 

♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱

 

Breakfast had been something out of a Saturday Night Live skit. Watching Jon maneuver his way around the kitchen was a sight for sore eyes. She mostly sat back and watched. That was until it was time to add the chocolate chips. That is when Ari insisted, she take over. Had she let him continue, he would have dumped the whole jar in. 

 

After breakfast, Carol offered to clean up so they could get ready to go on their little adventure. With minimal help from Jesse and Steph, Ariana and Jon rounded up Jake and Romeo and they all headed down the well-worn trail towards the beach and the bluffs overlooking the ocean. Just shy of Sam’s Chowder House, Jon stopped and asked them all to take a seat. With Ariana’s hand linked with his, Jon looked at each one of his children.

 

“Ariana and I have some news we want to share with all of you.” Jon began.

 

“We’re going to Disneyland?” Romeo shouted.

 

“Shut up.” Jake elbowed his younger brother.

 

“Jake, be nice.” His father eyed him.

 

“No Romey, we are not going to Disneyland.” Ariana spoke to the sad eyed little boy.

 

“Can you all just hush and let me finish.” Jon released his hold on Ariana’s hand. “I... um... We...”

 

“What your father is trying to say is, we are... I mean, I am pregnant.”

 

There was an awkward silence amongst them, as Jon and Ari watched each of them processing what Ariana had just said. Surprisingly, it was Jake who spoke first.

 

“Does this mean you two will get married?”

 

“Yes. That was the next thing I wanted to tell you.” Jon watched his reaction. Jake was the one who was struggling the most with all of this. He hoped the latest news wouldn’t push him further away.

 

“Great!” One word, that was his response.

 

Stephanie was next, “I kinda figured something was up. I’m really happy for you, both of you.”

 

Ari and Jon looked at each other, but neither of them questioned her response or what she meant by it. Jesse sat there funneling sand through his fingers, giving his sister pause why he hadn’t said anything yet.

 

“Does that mean there’s a baby in your tummy?” Romeo scratched his head, “Why aren’t you fat?”

 

“Yes. There is a baby in her tummy. Now you know why I didn’t want you jumping on the bed this morning.” Jon leaned forward and tapped his foot, “Psst, buddy, don’t call her fat, it’s not nice.”

 

“Can I see it?” Romeo crawled next to Ariana.

 

“Romeo!” Jake snarled.

 

“Sure, but you can’t see much. She just a little thing yet.” Ariana lifted her shirt.

 

“She? Are you having a girl?”  

 

Stephanie’s blue eyes sparkled. The idea of another girl was a dream come true. Even if it was a half sibling, she was going to do everything she could to make sure her brothers didn’t have any opportunities to tease her like they did to her. Or that her dad wouldn’t do anything ridiculous to embarrass her. 

 

“Uh-huh. A girl.”

 

“Ugh! Another sister.” Jess rolled his eyes.

 

Stephanie bumped his shoulder, “Knock it off. I don’t see you complaining when my friends are at the house.”

 

“S’alright. That’s enough.” Jon tossed a small shell at his two oldest. “I know things have been a little crazy, and this all seems to be happening so fast, but I really hope you are all okay with this. It doesn’t change how I feel about any of you. I love you just as much today as I did yesterday and will continue loving you. Capisce!”

 

“Cah-peesh!” Mimicking his father's words, Romeo gave a firm nod of his head.

  

107 - On The Road

February 22, 2010

Logistically, the next two weeks were going to be hell for Matt. The west coast leg of the tour left little room for any days off. Only a night between most shows. And the fact that Jon had insisted on staying all the way out in bumfuckegypt at Ariana’s house was surely going to be exhausting for him.

 

Usually, they'd go from one hotel to the next — fly in — fly out, with him never leaving his brother’s side other than to sleep, that is. Now, it would consist of meeting helicopters, hiring drivers and/or a car big enough of some sort, personally driven by Jon or Ariana.

 

On top of all that, his parents, niece, and nephews were here as well. All of whom he had to find seats for to these shows. Sometimes he just assumed being a banker would have been better.... not really.

 

“Jon, why can’t you just take a chopper? Do you realize what time you would have to leave to make it to soundcheck? Are you going to be in the mood to do the hour-long drive after the show? I don’t want Ma and Pop, or Ari doing it either.” Matt argued. 

 

“First off, it's forty, fifty minutes tops. Red Bank to the City. Piece of cake.”

 

“Seriously? Did you just say that? You fly back and forth from Jersey and Philly.”

 

“I get where you’re going, but I don’t want a chopper. I want to spend some time with my family, not running here and there.” Jon spat back with a tone of finality in his voice. 

 

“Fifty minutes after the show maybe, it will take twice as long beforehand. If you’re lucky. Are you really prepared to do that and with that crew?” 

 

Groaning into the phone, Jon continued pacing back and forth at his brother's obstinate behavior. “It’ll be fine. The kids will enjoy the ride along the coast, and it will give Ari some time to get to know them more.” 

 

“Dude, you need to take your head out of your ass. What do you think this is, the fucking Griswold’s?” 

 

“Shut the fuck up! We ain’t that bad.”

 

“They aren’t... but you, you have a show to do and no one wants to deal with your grouchy ass once you get there. They have to do that enough without any extra weight. Would you just reconsider, please, for my sake?”

 

“Matty, we ain’t flying. I’ll talk to Ari about hiring a driver, though, if it will make you happy. Now, have you talked with Jeanie about the next two weeks? What shows the kids will come to, what mom and dad are going to be doing?”

 

“No, not yet. She is next on my list. Your little list of escapades is a logistical nightmare, I might add. I was hoping, just maybe, she would’ve convinced you that this is all nuts.”

 

“If you’ll remember correctly, she works for me, so I highly doubt that. We’ll do what works best for us, Matt.”

 

“Suit yourself. Oh, would you look at the time,” Matt said sarcastically, “you better wrangle the troops if you want to make it here on time.”

 

“Bye Matty.”

 

♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱

 

Jeanie sat crossed legged on the bed, surrounded by mountains of paperwork, that her lovely boss had to have done immediately. All of it. Instantly. At least in his mind. However, since the tour started, he didn’t quite keep up with the schedule as much. And though she had fallen somewhat behind, it wasn’t as bad as it could have been.  

 

Her phone had been ringing off the hook all day and she was about one more phone call away from either turning it off, drowning herself in a bottle of wine or throwing it out the window. She would probably combine that list later in the evening anyway if things kept going the way they had been. 

 

Jon was antsy, the crew was antsy because Jon was antsy, and when the crew was antsy, nothing got done because everyone was too damn busy tiptoeing around their lion-with-a-thorn-in-his-ass boss. He wasn’t bad all the time, and usually not bad with her. After ten plus years, she was pretty used to his mood swings but, sometimes taking the brunt of the anger got old, really fast, especially when she was sleep deprived and a little bit hungover. Mind you, she wasn’t complaining. She got rewarded handsomely for it, but one person could only handle so much of Jon Bon Jovi.  

 

At last, some sweet relief.  

 

She said aloud to no one as she set aside the last of the contract she was reviewing. Her plan now was to head to the minibar, then order room services. But before she could as much as move off the bed, her phone rang again.

 

“What now, Matt?” she snapped.

 

“Hello to you too, Jeanie. I was wondering if you heard from our fearless leader recently and the latest cockamamie plan he’s concocted?”  

 

“Good grief! What is he up to now?”

 

“Well, Mr. Rocket Scientist wants to drive himself and his gang, to and from the HP Pavilion tonight.” Matt sounded resigned as he sighed out the news. 

 

“He WHAT? Has he lost his frigging mind?” she exclaimed! 

 

“FINALLY! Someone who understands. He’s bat shit crazy, just like some of his fans, that’s what he is. He’s under the impression that this will be some sort of family bonding time.”

 

“I swear, I’m gonna age twenty years before this tour is over. I hope you told him he was nuts.”

 

“I tried. The best I could get from him was ‘he’ll talk to Ariana about hiring a driver instead’. What do you think our chances are of that happening?”

 

“Six of one, half a dozen of another. Ari’s good. She doesn’t take his shit.”

 

“She’s always been a tough cookie. I sure hope she can change his mind. While I have you on the line, I have the list of shows my folks and kids will be at. Do you want them now or an email?”

 

“I’ll take it now. It will help with having some extra stuff on hand to keep Romeo and Jake out of their father's hair and any trouble they may wander off to.”

 

“Ha, you can say that again. Okay, so, they will all be at tonight's show and Phoenix. Then, they won’t be around till the second Anaheim. We have off for three days, and then it's off to Sacramento for Jon’s birthday. Do you have anything special going on for that one?”

 

“Not yet. Ariana has some stuff planned. She was just waiting to talk with your Mom about a few things. What about LA and Vegas?”

 

“No one for LA. Vegas, just Steph and Jesse. The band usually go play poker after the show. I don’t know if Jon and Ari will go with them this time. If yes, then we’ll have Nick or Zunno take them back up to the suite after the show.”

 

“Are they planning on staying out in Half-Moon Bay the whole time we are in California?”

 

“I fuckin’ hope not, but I’m still working on that.”

 

“Alrighty then, Matt. I still have some stuff to finish up before we head to the venue. Thanks again.”

 

“No sweat. There’s a van going over at two if you’re ready. If not, just shoot me a text.”

 

“Will do. Bye.” 

 

Simultaneously, their call ended. Jeanie huffing out a breath and tossing her phone on the bed. Twenty minutes later, as she headed for her mini bar for the second time, her phoned buzzed.

 

[12:45pm] Matt: “Shot down in a blaze of glory... the Griswold’s hit the road at two.”

♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱

 

Just as Matt predicted, the Griswold’s' little adventure didn’t go as smoothly as Jon had hoped. For starters, the traffic was awful. Making a Friday night on Garden State Parkway seems like a walk in the park. The kids fought most of the way, which had Carol keeping the peace of how she saw fit, which only fueled Jon's fire. By the time they arrived at the venue, forty-five minutes later than scheduled, they all needed a break from each other.

 

Thank God for Jeanie, who was two steps ahead of everyone and had a room already setup just for them. The room came fully equipped with a television, their favorite gaming system, and games.  

 

With everyone settled in their respectful corners, Jon headed to sound check. There were a few sound issues, which Obie quickly fixed. They were able to run through it pretty quickly and with only a few minor infractions. When all was said and done, it still took Dean and Ariana to relax him.

 

By show time, Jon was raring to go. The show itself was good. On a scale from one to ten, Matt would give it a solid six. Jon was able to maintain his playful mood and kept the crowd into it. One thing that Matt had found to be funny, was that Jon had made one minor comical change to the set list, he had put Lost Highway back in but had jumped it up and played it after Born to Be My Baby. A song, which seemed to have some secret meaning for Jon and Ari. 

 

After the show they wasted no time, Ari rounded up the gang while Jon showered. They had brought pj’s for Romeo and comfortable clothes for the others. The hour-long trek back to her house was sure to put some, if not all, the children to sleep. 

 

  

106 - California Girls

February 21, 2010

 

Ariana had insisted they go to her house in Half-Moon Bay for their house guests - his parents and kids. She was still nervous even though she had already called Cassandra, her long-time neighbor who always looked after the house when she had to go to work and explained exactly what she wanted done. Even went as far as having her stock the house with all the kids' favorites. 

 

That meant catching the red eye after the show last. Which was fine with him. They’d have a normal bed and the soundtrack of the ocean waves lapping at the shore to sing them to sleep. It was a little after two by the time they crawled under the pillowy comforter and not much after they were asleep.

 

So why in God’s name was he up so early?

 

Ari curled up asleep on the edge of the bed. That’s why! 

 

His dick twitched as he inched closer and slid his hand over her hip. Just as he expected — bare. She had an ongoing battle with her wardrobe that was becoming quite convenient for him.

 

“Wakey. Wakey.”

 

She was slowly gaining awareness as she blinked away a sleepy haze. The warmth of his body, his soft kisses on her neck, his hushed whispers in her ear.

 

“Go away!" she growled sleepily.

 

“No can do.” His fingers traced lazy circles down her back.

 

“Sleep. I want sleep.”

 

“And I want you." His voice bathed her ear as he nipped on her lobe.

 

“What else is new?” She bumped him back.

 

“Don’t tell me you don’t want it as well.”

 

“Um, no.”

 

“No...?" his fingers brushed over her hip to her belly, round and round.

 

Ari bit down on her lip. Every nerve in her body was focused on the barely there brushes of his fingertips.

 

“Betcha, I know what I’ll find if I...” his fingers brushed the outer edge of her sex. “Mmm-hmm, just what I thought.”

 

Giggling, she reached up, wrapping her hand behind his neck and leaned into him. “You’re incorrigible, you know that?"

 

“And you love me.”  

 

“I do.” She moaned into his mouth.

 

Pulling away from the kiss and giggling like a school kid, he swiftly disappeared under the covers.

 

“What are you doing?” Ari lifted them up, finding him positioned between her legs.

 

“Punishment time.”

 

“Whaaaaat?” She cried as he tickled the inside of her thighs.

 

“You were a bad, bad groupie. Time for your tongue lashing.”

 

Ari didn’t have time to respond, as Jon ran his tongue up and down along the outer lips, then blew a slow, cooling breath over them. Calloused fingers spread her wide open, granting him access to what he needed and craved. Hearing her moan, he closed his lips around the little bulb and sucked.

 

“Jon!” she pleaded in pleasure and dug her heels deeper into the mattress.

 

Using his elbows, he pressed her thighs down and in quick successions; he licked and sucked repeatedly before swirling his tongue around her opening, dipping just beyond, and moving it along her inner walls.

 

“This,” Jon whispered against her, “tastes sweeter every time.”

 

“More.” Her neck arched, her breath coming in shallow pants as Jon’s tongue stroked her and his thumb pressed firmly down on her clit. 

 

One finger slid between her folds, this time her body arched, chasing his finger and the pleasure. “Oh God, please!”

 

A second finger followed, causing her body to grind against his hand.

 

“You like that, don’t you?”

 

“Yes,” she panted in a soft moan.

 

“And this?” his hand moved, pumping his fingers, once, twice as his lips clamped down, hitting the knot of nerves sending her tumbling from that peak she’d been climbing.

 

Fisting her hands in his hair, she tugged him upward. As not to crush her with his weight, Jon braced his forearms on either side of her. Smoothing the damp curls away from her face, she looked up at him, her body still quivering from her orgasm.

 

“Kiss me.” She whispered.

 

He did what she asked and leaned forward to press a kiss to her lips, never taking their eyes off each other. She could taste herself in his mouth, on his tongue, which begged for entry, and she happily granted.

 

Curling her arms around his neck, she pulled him closer, letting her legs falling further apart to accept him as he entered her slowly. It felt like home when they were together like this. Him hard and heavy between her thighs, her sheath wrapped tightly around him.

 

His thrusts slowly and deeply. Their tongues tangled, hot and sweet, neither one fighting for dominance. Together, here... now, going nowhere.

 

Using her heels to hold him more firmly inside her, she could feel him tensing up, holding back his release, waiting for her. She groaned wordless encouragement into his mouth, and they came together, endlessly, mindlessly.

 

Jon carefully braced himself on his forearms so not to collapse on top of her. They said nothing; they didn't have to. They just stared at one another wide-eye and bemused until he dropped a peck to her nose and rolled off of her.

 

♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱

 

The chime of the doorbell caused her to nervously look around one last time.

 

“Crash, everything is fine. Trust me. They’re kids, they will not care if the counters are clean.” Jon placed a kiss on her hair and took her hand as they went to the door.

 

“Your parents will.” She leaned against him as he pulled open the door.

 

The little blonde-haired, brown-eyed boy leapt into his father's arms. “Daa-dee!” he squealed.

 

“Hey there.” 

 

Jon caught his rambunctious son, the momentum throwing him off balance as a steady flow of people came through the door, saying their hellos. Carol and John were the last ones through the door, ushering the children inside. After performing a quick head count, Carol went over and embraced Ariana. 

 

“Hello Sweetheart. I hope my darling son isn’t stressing you out too much. I know he would never do such a thing.” 

 

“Ma! Can’t you ever just come in and say hello like a normal family.” Jon quickly responded to his mother.

 

“You know, normal would be boring. Besides, Ariana and I are on the same team now! We’re gonna gang up on you and the boys.”

A stampede of small children interrupted the debate. "Dad, can we please go look around?”

 

Slapping a gentle hand on Jon’s shoulder, Ari moved toward them. “Yes. Let me show you around and to your rooms.”

Ariana showed them around her home, explaining that it was once where she and her father lived. She started with the entryway since it was where they were standing. The living room wall devoted entirely to books enamored Stephanie. Not that Ari ever had time to read. Lili had collected them over the years and would give them to her as gifts. The kitchen, the next obvious room, was situated off to the living room, giving the rooms an open view of the ocean. Ari was thankful she had gone ahead with those renovations a few years ago. She now had plenty of room with the large island and sitting area she had put in.

 

Moving right along, she neglected to show them the master bedroom, instead stating that it was on the main floor while the other bedrooms were upstairs, fully stocked. This pleased Stephanie the most, as she wanted away from her younger siblings. She set off to claim a room and unpack immediately. 

 

After they were all settled in their rooms, it was out to her favorite part of the house. The weather-beaten porch overlooking the ocean. This was why she loved the beach so much. Waking up to the sound of the ocean as a child. The soothing sounds of the waves crashing against the shore.

 

“Can Jesse and I go play catch now?” Jake asked. His first words other than hello since they arrived.

 

“Jake. You just got here. Why not hang out for a bit? Maybe later.”

 

Jake’s disgruntled expression had Ari putting a gentle hand on Jon’s arm. “Let’em go. Tours done. We can sit on the deck and watch from here.”

 

“Right here.” Jon pointed to the stretch of beach at the end of the property.

 

“Ari, why don’t you and I go inside and make some drinks and snacks. I’m sure we all could use a bite to eat.” Carol motioned with her hand for Ariana to follow.

 

Once inside, Carol headed straight for the kitchen like it was her own. “Here Carol, let me do that.”

 

“Nonsense. You sit right there.” She pointed to one of the bar stools. “And rest.”

 

Ariana smiled, “I can help, you know?”

 

“I know. But I want to do this. You have your hands full with enough, you don’t need to be waiting on all of us.”

 

“Honestly, I don’t mind. It was my idea that you all stay here.” Ari picked at the grapes that were in the bowl. “We’ve been in a hotel so much lately and I wanted this time to be easy on the kids.”

 

“You mean Jacob?” Carol looked up from what she was doing. “I see how he is and from what little Jon has told me. He’ll be fine. With a little space, he'll come around on his own. He is just like his father, you know?”

 

“I’m starting to see that. Jon gets so worked up over it, even though I’ve told him not to.”

 

“Yes, well, Jon gets worked up over a lot he shouldn’t.”

 

“Don’t I know it.”

 

“You don’t let him get away with it, I hope?” Carol asked, while she arranged some crackers and cheese on a platter. It amazed Ariana how she moved around her kitchen like it was her own.

 

Laughing, Ariana simply stated, “No!”

 

The two women were still laughing when Stephanie came through the French doors. 

 

“What’s so funny?” she asked.

 

“Nothing.” They both responded.

 

Rolling her eyes, Stephanie popped a grape into her mouth, “Dad said you have a clawfoot tub. I love them. Mind if I take a look?"

 

“Sure. Carol, are you coming?” Ariana asked. 

 

The three women made their way down the hall to the master bedroom. Opening the door, the large maple fourposter bed drew eyes immediately, but once you looked past the large maple bed with the cream canopy, there was a small sitting area with a bookshelf and a fireplace, and two sets of French doors that both revealed small wonders. 

 

“Wow! That’s a beautiful bed.” Steph said.

 

“Thanks. I have a thing for antiques.” Ari answered.

 

“Me too.” The girl replied as she trailed her hand over the matching dresser and full-length mirror.

 

Opening the French doors that led into the bathroom, Ari revealed the resurfaced claw-footed tub, and a newly tiled rain shower with clear glass doors. A double granite vanity topped all of this, freshly stocked with all the essentials.  

 

“Oh, my!". Carol gasped, “that tub is exquisite.” 

 

“Thank you.”

 

“Where on earth did you find it?”

 

“My neighbor, Cassandra. She’s an antique collector and watches the house for me when I’m not here.”

 

“I so want one a tub like that!” Stephanie exclaimed.

 

As they returned to the bedroom, Ari pointed to the second set of doors and led them out to a private sitting area on the beach with two Adirondack chairs and a firepit. Though it was mostly secluded, you could still see the main beach where Jon had now joined his sons for catch. 

 

Romeo had caught sight of them and started jumping and waving back at them. 

 

“Brothers.” The young girl huffed.

 

“Are great to have.” Ari laid a hand on her shoulder. “Now, what do you say we go bring your brothers something to eat?”

 

“Sure thing.” With that, the three ladies headed back through the house and prepared lunch.