“NO!” Romey shouted into his father’s ear. “I need to talk to you.”
“Oh-kay.?”
‘When is Ari’s birthday?” the little boy asked.
“July fourth. Why?”
“Theeee, July fourth?”
“Yes, Romeo. Is this conversation going somewhere?”
“Oh man, that is sooooo awesome.” To say he was a little excited about when his stepmother’s birthday was would be an understatement. “So, I had this idea. I wanna throw her a gigantic party. Whaddya think?”
“I’m thinking that’s not such a great idea, buddy.”
“But everyone needs to have a birthday party.”
Jon laughed. “Not so much once you hit a certain age. It was a good idea, though, but I think I’ll just take her out for dinner. Would you like to come to that? And before you ask, it won’t be Sal’s.”
“How about a small party? Pretty please.”
“Romey, what’s going on?”
“Nothing, Dad. It’s just, it’s Ari’s first birthday with all of us and I just wanted it to be special for her.”
Jon couldn’t believe he hadn’t realized that himself. They had spent some birthdays together, but not like this. “Romey, my boy, I like how you think, but it has to be small, just the family and how ‘bout we do a big cook-out?”
“Perfect. We can have cake and watch the fireworks. I will ask Steph to help me plan it.”
“Sounds good to me. Now, I have to get back to work. Everything else good? You behaving?"
“Yes, Dad.”
“Good. Tell your brothers and sister I love them and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Love you too. Oh, wait, what’s her favorite color?”
“Red.”
“Bye, love you.”
“Small remember, Nana, Pop Pop, Uncle Matt and Uncle Tony.”
“I know. I know. Bye.”
Laughing, Jon tossed his phone on the cushion next to him. He couldn’t wait to get home to spend some time with his kids. The next two weeks would be nothing but lounging around, maybe hit the beach and catch a few waves. Jesse had texted him a photo of his new surfboard he wanted to try out.
“What’s so funny?” Ari stood in the doorway with a bowl of ice cream in her hand.
“Nothing. Whatcha got there?” he patted the empty spot next to him.
“Ice cream. Makenzie from catering needs a raise or something. She has made sure my favorite was available every night we’ve been here.”
Jon rolled his eyes. He took the waiting spoonful she presented to him. “Mm. Good, but whatever happened to just plain ol’ ice cream.”
“It’s boring, like plain old rockstars.”
“There is nothing plain and old about me and you know it, Crash.” He took another taste from her lips this time, then went back to what he was doing before Romeo called, making the setlist. Last show, he’d have to pull out some good ones.
“Was that one of the kids you were talking to?” she asked casually while she ate the rest of her ice cream.
“Yeah, Romey.”
“What was all that talk about family? Is he working on a school project?"
“Something like that.” Knowing full well if he looked at her she would know something was up, Jon buried his head deeper into his trusted yellow pad.
“Jon.” Her long drawn out calling of his name meant he had to come up with something quick.
“Wha?”
“What are you up to?”
“Nothin’, he wanted to know who was coming to the Redbank’s firework show. I’ve told you about those, didn’t I?”
Sitting up, Ari set her bowl down on top of his pad, blocking him from what he was doing. “You wouldn’t be planning a party of some sorts now, would you? Say a birthday party?”
“Baby, listen.” he tossed his pen down and faced her.
“Don’t Baby, me. You know how I feel. I don’t want a party.”
“Not even if it’s a little boy's wish to throw you one?”
“That’s not fair.”
Ari settled back against the cushions and extended her legs up onto the table. Sitting well, everything was becoming more uncomfortable these past few days for her. She was happy to be going home, though she had wanted to stop off in Montreal first to check on things, but she has changed her mind. She and Max talked daily, and he had reassured her that she need not come.
Settling back next to her, Jon laid his hand over her belly and began rubbing. “I didn’t say it to mean anything, but what it is. The truth. Romeo wants to give you your first birthday party as a Bongiovi. I tried explaining you didn’t like ‘em, but you know him. I got him to agree on a cake at the firework display, if that’s okay with you.”
“Of course it is. I just don’t want a big to do.”
“It won’t be, promise. Immediate family only, and maybe South Side. Do you want me to call Cara?”
“I have to call her, so I’ll tell her. That’s the third, right?” Her last words were a bit mumbly as she let out a yawn.
“Yeah.” He brushed back a strand of her hair. “Someone’s sleepy.”
“Mm, huh.” she tilted her head and smiled at him. “Wanna help a fat whale up so she can sit comfortably in the chair and take a nap?”
Standing in front of her, Jon took her hands and pulled her up. “Crash, you are not a fat whale. You just have a little extra junk in your trunk.”
“And my tits and my thighs.”
Together, they walked hand in hand to the oversized chair. He helped her get settled, then pushed the matching ottoman closer, so she could put her feet up. Next, he went and retrieved her water bottle and her phone. Because, God forbid, she goes two minutes without playing that Angry Birds crap. Then he placed one hand on each of the chair arms and bent to kiss her. A few small little pecks mixed with a long lingering one. “I happen to love how you look, extra baggage and all.”
“Well, good, because it’s your fault I look this way.”
“I’m okay with that.” He gave her stomach a rub. “Get some rest. I’m going to find Rew and give him tonight's setlist. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱
As everyone boarded the plane and got settled into their seats, Ariana stared out the window onto the tarmac with her headphones on, blocking out the noise. For the most part, their month in London had been enjoyable, give or take a few moments. She got to spend time with Cara, which she truly missed doing, and even found a new friend in Nicole. But now she was just happy to be heading home.
She had been reading a lot in her baby books and all what she was feeling was normal as she headed into what they referred to as the nesting phase of pregnancy. To have a little trepidation would be understandable for most women who were about to give birth for the first time, but hers was heightened to the nth degree and it showed in her blood pressure earlier. That’s when Dr. Cummings put her foot down and gave her two choices; they could take a quick trip to the hospital or she could check her right there in Jon’s dressing room.
Obviously, Ari choose the latter. She didn’t need Jon worrying before going on stage. She let out a laugh, thinking about his reaction to walking in and finding her bare ass on Dean’s table. Nicole confirmed, though she was not in labor, she was now two centimeters and fifty percent effaced, which meant nothing other than what it was. She was not in labor and would not be for some time. She told her that now that they were heading home, she’d hope Ari would try to take it easy.
“A penny for your thoughts.” Jon plopped down into his seat and pulled one of her ear buds out.
“Just thinking about home.”
“Which one?”
“Ours, silly. It feels like forever since we’ve been there. I wonder if Luc finished his touches on the nursery yet. He’d texted the other day telling me he was working on a surprise for me. Wonder what it is? Do you know?”
“Nope, cross my heart.”
“Hmm.” she teased. “I have a few surprises, so no peeking in the room till I say so.”
“Well, that’s not fair.”
“You already know the design. I just added my personal touch. No peeking, promise.”
Jon again crossed his heart, but with his pinky this time and hooked it to hers just as Vicky’s voice could be heard preparing them for take-off. Looking at the time, it would put them at Newark sometime around three thirty am.
Sending a quick text to Lydia to let her know, he then did the same to Dorothea, telling her he wouldn’t get the kids until later that evening for dinner or early Sunday morning. He wanted to make sure Ari had time to adjust before the kids came and took over the house for the next two weeks. It would be the last extended time they would have together until August, when they all would head to the beach, which beach was still yet to be determined, but he didn’t care as long as he had all his kids around him.
“Ready?” he leaned in closer.
Sighing, she rested her head on his shoulder. “Yup.”
As the plane taxied, he locked her fingers with his and started singing, his song choice earning him the laugh he couldn’t get enough of.
Are you gonna take me home tonight
Ah, down beside that red firelight
Are you gonna let it all hang out
Fat bottomed girl, you make my rockin’ world go round…..
I love that Romeo wants give
ReplyDeleteAriana a birthday Party!! I’m
Glad that Ariana letting Romeo
Have a party for her!
Glad they on their way home!
I can’t wait to see more of the
Story!