Father Gaetan stood at the altar, motioning them forward. The elder man with silver hair shook Jon’s hand first, then took Ariana into his embrace. Talking in their native tongue, Jon watched this tender moment between the two. After the exchange, they moved into a small office off the altar where the three talked long and in depth about the past, present, and future. Ariana shared her fears and feelings along with the importance of her wanting and needing to do this now. By the end of the meeting, everyone agreed to how things would take place later that evening.
The sky blanketed with gray clouds now, they stepped out of the Church and to the cars that waited for them. Hooking her arms around his neck, Ariana pulled him closer. The warmth of his body taking some of the chill away.
“Thank you,” her voice shaky like the wind that blew.
“No need to thank me. I want nothing more than to marry you. The how or when doesn’t matter to me.”
“You might remember that later.” She wiggled closer to him, trying to get warm. “About later, nothing fancy. You know that, right?”
“What? I don’t get to see you walk down the aisle in a white dress?”
“Nope.” His smile turned to a pouty face. “Stop! You know that’s not me, besides it wouldn’t fit. Simple and me, that’s how I want this.”
“I figured as much. Though….” his eyes grew wide, “I know a better kind of white I’d like to see you in.”
Rising on her tippy toes, she kissed him, “Yeah, well, I’ll see what I can do about that.”
“Yes!” Jon mouthed, giving a little fist pump.
“Mister Bongiovi, you are incorrigible. Now let me go, I’m freezing my ass off.”
Releasing her, Jon opened the car door and helped her in. Once she was comfortable and buckled, he gave her a wink and closed the door. Watching until the red taillights were no longer visible, Jon walked to his waiting car. The rear passenger door was already open as Jon ducked into the plush leather seat.
“Wanna tell me what’s going on here?”
The sound of his friend’s voice startled Jon. He’d forgotten he’d asked him to meet at the church, but never told him why. Telling the driver where they were headed first, Jon turned to face his longtime friend.
“We’re getting married, and I need a best man.”
Richie’s jaw dropped in surprise, “Lucy, you have some splaining to do!”
Dropping his head forward, Jon laughed and shook his head at his friend’s response. Leave it to him not to make a big dramatic scene but lighten it instead. As the car maneuvered through the traffic laden street, the two friends talked about the course of events had taken place and led to the events of today. Richie had been a big part of most of their journey together and was finally happy to see them happy. Like any loyal brother, he didn’t hesitate when asked to be Jon’s best man.
♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱
“You know if I didn’t love you I could… I could kill you right now.” Cara leaned across the table so the other customers enjoying their lunch couldn’t hear her.
“Now, why would you do that? You know you’d miss me.”
“I’m serious, Ari. You should have called and told me about the dreams.”
“Fine. Be right this time. I should have told you, but you still love me, right?”
Cara rolled her eyes. Of course, she did. Ariana was the sister she never had. Even though she’d like to shake her sometimes, it was for that same reason she loved her so much.
“Ma Chérie, you know that getting married won’t guarantee anything.”
“I know. But I need to do this, for Lily’s sake.”
“Lily, eh.” Cara reached across the table again and took her friend’s hand. “It’s perfect.”
“Not yet, it isn’t.” Ariana retrieved her phone from her bag. “Gimme a second, would you?” The grin on her face grew as her fingers busily typed off a text, then placed the phone on the table next to her.
“What just happened?”
“I can’t tell you yet. But as soon as I can, I will.”
“You better.” Cara stabbed a piece of cheesecake onto her fork. “So, what else do we need to do for this wedding.”
“Nothing. Jon has taken care of it all. After the show tonight we will go back to Petit Soho and get married.”
“Interesting. He talked to Max as well?”
“Yes. He’s talked to everyone.”
“Chicken shit, didn’t call me.” Cara teased.
“Funny, I said the same thing to him.”
“I’ll fix his rockstar ass later, but for now we have some things to do. You ready?”
“Yeah.” Ariana motioned for the server.
♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱
Grateful he called for a later soundcheck, Jon and Richie arrived at the Bell Centre undetected and made a quick stop at craft services for some coffee before quietly disappearing to their separate dressing rooms. His parents and kids needed to be told he was marrying Ariana, and he wanted to do so without being disturbed. Starting with his parents, it did not surprise him with his mother's reaction when she first heard the news. She was slightly disappointed that he hadn’t given her enough notice so she could be here, but she agreed with his reasoning for doing so quickly. His father simply gave his blessing and asked that he pass them along to his new daughter-in-law.
Next, he called Stephanie and asked her to round up her siblings for a family conference call and to call him back when they were ready. While he waited, he wondered how they all would react to the news. Besides Ari and baby Lily, they were his heart and soul, and how they felt was very important to him. When the call came through, it took about ten minutes for Romeo to update him on everything that he’d been doing since he’d last spoken to him the night before.
They spoke long and hard about what was happening and why. Jon tried to explain it in a way that the younger boys would understand, and mostly they did. He gave each one the opportunity to share how or what they were feeling. While Stephanie and Jesse had a better understanding of why, they express to their father that things were moving a little fast for them, but it wouldn’t change how they felt about Ariana. Overall, Romeo was happy, yet sad, that there would be a party they did not invite him to. And although Jake said he was happy, but Jon could sense his son still had conflicted feeling towards the situation.
With the serious business out of the way, the discussion turned to Spring Break and where and what they wanted to do. Jon promised to take each of their suggestions into consideration, and they would decide in the next few days. As they said their goodbyes, Jon asked that they’d not mention to their mother what was happening and that he would take care of it first thing in the morning. This day was all about Ariana and he wanted nothing or no one spoiling it.
Dean had just finished adjusting Jon’s neck when the sound of Lady Marmalade’ Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir rang through the air. Pushing up on his elbows, Jon caught Dean grinning.
"Could ya grab that for me, Dean?" he asked.
"Sure thing.” Dean scooped the phone off the table and handed it to him. “You’ve got yourself a real spitfire, don’t you?”
"Tell me 'bout it." Accepting his phone, Jon tapped in his security code, bringing the device to life.
[5:24] Ari: ALM ❤ JFB = ❤ LFMB ❤
“Huh?” Jon scratched his temple as he read her text.
“You say something, Jon?” Dean asked.
“Um. No.”
“Heading to craft services, you coming?”
“Nah. You go, I’ll catch up in a bit.”
Alone now, he read the text aloud, this time to try to decipher it better. If it meant what he thought it to be, it made perfect sense.
Lily Francis Moretti Bongiovi
Slowly, he let the syllables flow over his lips as he continued out of the room and down the hall. It was the perfect name for his little girl.
Aww I love that Jon going make Ariana
ReplyDeleteSo special for her wedding. I can’t wait
For the wedding!! 🥰 I glad Jon had a call
Conference with & parents his kids.
I can’t wait for Dorothea find out. lol
Awww I love the name
Lily Francis Morretti Bongiovi 🥰
I'm surprised Jon's Mom didn't throw a bigger fit considering she missed the first one. But, circumstances being what they are,it's understandable. Don't understand why he wanted Richie there waiting in the car. Maybe we find out about that later...
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