153 - Leaving On A Jet Plane

Dorothea rode the elevator to the top floor, her foot tapping anxiously with anticipation. She hated being late. The sun was just breaking when she finally closed her eyes but swore she would only sleep for a few minutes. When the doors finally opened, she juggled the handful of D’Agostino’s bags from one hip to the other, pulled her key from her pocket and opened the door.

 

“Meeeetbaallllll. Come back here.” Romeo screamed as he came to a halt at the opening door. “Uh-oh.” he pulled on his dog’s collar, causing the joyful pup to sit at his side.

 

“Romeo Jon Bongiovi. What is this animal doing in my house?” Dorothea entered the apartment enough so she could shut the door, which she did with a swift kick of her foot.

 

“Uh. Um. Well…” the little boy struggled for the right words.

 

Setting the bags on the door side table, she turned and looked at him. “Well.”

 

Three high pitched yelps came from the pup as Romeo patted his head to sshish him. “He’s gonna stay here, while Daddy and Ari go on their trip.”

 

“Over my dead body.”

 

“But. But, Ma…”

 

“Don’t you but Ma me.”

 

“It’s about time. I thought I told you we would be here by nine. Did you get caught up at the gym?”  

 

Startled by the sound of Jon’s voice coming from the patio door, Dorothea ran a nervous hand down her wrinkled clothes. She wasn’t about to explain her whereabouts and what had made her late.

 

“Yeah.”

 

Setting his empty coffee cup on the bar, he asked, “Is there a problem?”  

 

“Yes, there is. This dog wasn’t my idea, so he’s not staying.”

 

At his mother's strong words, Romeo’s shoulders sagged instantly in defeat, as did the smile on his face.  

 

“Ro, why don’t you take Meatball outside on the patio and have a catch for a few minutes.”

 

“Kay, Dad.” he sighed.

 

When he knew his son was out of earshot, Jon spoke, “You are seriously going to tell him no?”

 

“Oh, no you don’t. You will not make me out to be the bad guy again.”

 

Crossing his arms over his chest, Jon leaned back against the couch. “Don’t have to. You do that all by yourself. You know we are going away. He wants his dog with him. Is that too much to ask?” 

 

“This isn’t Jersey, Jon. I can’t just open the door and let him run outside. Tell me, who will be the one to walk him?”

 

“We went over this with him already. His dog, his responsibility.”

 

“So, you’re okay with your six-year-old walking the streets of Manhattan alone?"

 

Count to ten and take a deep breath, Jon. Don’t let her under your skin before you have to go.

 

“Romeo has a list of things he needs to do. Stephanie and Jesse have already agreed to help him. Now, if you still have a problem with this fine, I call my Mom to come get him. But I will not be the one to tell him. That’s all on you.”

 

Distracted by the sounds of footsteps, Dorothea turned to see who it was. “Is there something wrong?” Ariana asked as she waddled down the extended hallway.  

 

As she approached them, she could see the steam of frustration emanating from Dorothea’s eyes. What could it be now?  She really needed to take a chill pill or get laid already. Smiling past her at Jon, she nodded towards the door, “We need to get going? Ready?”

 

“Yup.” He popped up off the back of the couch. “So, what’ll it be?” he asked Dorothea.

 

“Why are you in my house?”

 

“Sweet Baby Jesus. Does everything have to be so confrontational with you? I had to pee, for Christ's sakes. And had you been here like you were supposed to, we could have just said our goodbyes and been on our merry way.”

 

“S’ookay….” Scooping his arm around Ari, Jon stepped in between them and ushered her towards the door. “Kids. We’re outta here.” he yelled up the stairs.

 

Thunderous sounds of footsteps echoed throughout the apartment as his four children came from different directions to say their goodbyes. Jon joked that once he knew where he was going, he would call to tell them. Little did he know Ariana had already told them all at breakfast and they had been giggling and joking about it ever since, so much so that Jon didn’t even notice their subtle hints.

 

“Dorothea?” Jon nodded towards Meatball, who sat at the feet of his best buddy.

 

Huge brown eyes pleaded silently up at his mother as she looked between the dog and Jon. “Fine!” she huffed, and disappeared into the kitchen.

 

Romeo’s smile grew from ear to ear as he gave his father the thumbs up and shut the door behind him.

 

♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱

 

Ariana maneuvered sideways so she could fit down the narrow aisle and return to her seat. Vicky had announced they were preparing to take off, so she made one last trip to the restroom and to check in with Vicky. She wanted to make sure everything was still on schedule and that she and the captain wouldn’t let on to Jon where it was they were heading. After they left Dorothea’s, he nagged her all the way to Teterboro, trying to get her to tell him where it was they were going. And when he wasn’t nagging her, he was trying to get it out of anyone that he called or who had called him.  

 

She also warned him that once they were settled on the plane that his phone would now become her property. In true Jon fashion, he just nodded and muttered yes. She let him think his answers had placated her, but she was fully prepared to do whatever necessary to take it from him. He needed this time away, maybe a little more than she did, and she intended to keep whatever business, if not all, away from their time together. Of course, if someone or something needed his immediate attention, she would let whoever talk to Jon. Of course, they would talk to the kids every day.  

 

As she approached the two leather chairs they had chosen in the middle of the plane, she glanced over the seat back to see what Jon was doing. As usual, he was busy typing away on his phone. Reaching over him, she quickly snatched the phone from Jon's hand, startling him. 

 

"Hey!" he looked up to see her laughing. 

 

"Times up, Mister." she stuffed the phone in her bag, before settling into her seat. 

 

"But..." he started to protest, but she pressed her finger over his lips, silencing him.  

 

"Nuh-uh. I said no phone. "

 

"But what if it was one of the kids?" he muffled over her finger. 

 

"Was it?" 

 

"Nooo." he pouted, sulky eyes and all. 

 

She replaced her finger with a quick kiss, locked their fingers together and laid her head upon his shoulder as the plane slowly backed towards the runway. “I wasn’t kidding, Jon. This trip is about shutting off. Something we both need.”  

 

“You know I can’t do that.”

 

“Won’t. You mean.”

 

“That’s not fair.”

 

“You know I’m right.” She didn’t give him a chance to answer. “I promise you that if someone needs you, I will let you know. The kids know they can call any time they want. They will just be calling my phone.”

 

“I’m in the middle of a tour. People will need to talk to me.”

 

“And those very people know how to get in touch with you,” drawing their joined hands to her mouth, she brushed his knuckles with a soft kiss. “Friends first, remember? You need this, Jonny.”

 

Jon knew she was right. She always was with stuff like this. His head had been in a whirlwind these days, tour, foundation, baby… a baby.

 

She felt the rise and fall of the deep sigh he released. “Can you at least tell me where it is we are going?”

 

“Nope.”

 

“A hint?”

 

“Nope."

 

“A continent?”

 

“Nadda.”  

 

Vicky’s voice came over the cabin speaker, telling them they were next in line to take-off. It was something she had started doing for Ari. “Now, stop asking so many questions and sing to me.”

 

“And if I say no?” he teased.

 

“You’ll be delivering your daughter right here on this plane.”

 

Her heart on impact immediately sped up, and her fingers curled tighter as the plane did the same. But the instant she heard his voice as he belted out at the top of his lungs Paul Anka’s Having my Baby, she let out the deep breath she was holding and melded into his arm.

 

Yes. This was going to be the best vacation they’d ever had.