Thursday, March 26, 2009

Chapter Seven

The following two weeks went by faster then Jon had anticipated. He was kept busy spending time with his kids, dedicating at least one day with each individually. His day with Stephanie was spent shopping in the city, Jesse’s was spent at a Notre Dame College Football game, and Jake’s and Romeo’s each consisted of just playing around the house. Jon’s time with his kids had always been few and selected due to his line of work, so he had always made sure that during his breaks he spent as much time as he possibly could with his children.

Now here he was in Philadelphia once again, sitting at his desk looking through some of the proposals that several charities had sent his way. Just as he was starting to think to himself that he needed some coffee there was a knock at his door. “Come in.”

Nikki slowly opened the door peaking in to make sure that Jon wasn’t in the middle of a meeting or phone call. Seeing that the coast was clear, she made her way into the office, closing the door behind her and walked up to Jon’s desk setting down a cup. “I thought you might be ready for a nice cup of coffee.” The site before her frightened Nikki slightly, in the time that she had been Jon’s assistant at the Philadelphia Soul, and the time before that when she had been a fan; she couldn’t recall ever seeing Jon look so down before. He had dark circles under his eyes, and at least a two or three day beard growing, just to look at him sent a shock of sadness through Nikki. “Have a rough couple weeks at home Jon?”

Thanking her for the coffee with a nod, Jon held the cup with both hands as he felt the hot liquid go down his throat. “What do you mean?” Setting the cup down after a few more sips, Jon again started sorting out the papers scattered about his desk.

“Oh.. Nothing.. It’s just that you look really tired or something. Looks like something is bothering you is all.” Nikki was afraid that she may be pushing slightly, but she had always been the type to make sure that everyone was ok.

“Oh. Yea.. Its nothing.. Just some things going on at home. I’m fine. Thanks for asking though..” Nodding her head Nikki gave Jon a small grin and then turned on her heel to leave his office. “Oh Nikki.. Before you leave.” As she opened the door, she looked over her shoulder to Jon still sitting at his desk. “Can you see to it that I’m not disturbed today, with visitors or phone calls. Besides Richie.. He’s suppose to be stopping by to talk shop with me.”

“Of course.” With that Nikki gently closed the door and went back to her own desk.

About an hour later, as Nikki was finishing up one her ‘spokesperson’ projects she heard a slightly familiar voice down the hall. Looking in the direction the voice was coming from, she waited to see who it was. As he came into view Nikki felt her heart skip a beat. What are you doing!?! Get yourself together Girl! She thought to herself as Richie approached her desk.

“Well Hello there darlin’” Richie flashed a smile at Nikki as he walked around her desk to embrace her in a hug.

“Hello there Richie.. Good to see you again.”

“How have you been?” Richie perched himself on the edge of her desk.

Taking a seat in her chair, “Oh same old same old. You know how it goes.”

“Yea I know what you mean. So how’s the boss??” Richie motioned towards Jon’s office as he rolled his eyes.

“Keeping himself busy, which from what I know is the usual. Although he does seem a bit down today compared to usual.”

Richie hesitated for a minute, trying to find his words and quickly before she suspected what was going on. “Oh really?? Hm.. I don’t know. Guess I’ll go find out.”

As Richie got to his feet and started to walk away Nikki spoke up. “Richie!?” Turning around Richie gave her a curious look. “He mentioned something about things at home. I know its really none of my business. But is everything ok?”

His eyes widen, as she spoke he could see the sincerity and concern in her face. “Well darlin’, I honestly don’t know what’s going on. But even if I did, it wouldn’t be my place to say. If Jon wants anyone to know, he’ll let them know.”

“Oh, ok. Sorry its just, it really looks like something is bothering him. Just worried.”

Nodding his head, Richie step forward and leaned closer to Nikki. “I’ll let him know darlin.” Leaning back he gave her a wink and turned on his heel making his way to Jon’s office. After knocking on the door once he walked in and closed the door behind him. Nikki turned back to her desk, took a deep breath then stood, grabbed her things and headed out for some air.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Chapter Six

Taking a deep breath he turned the key in the ignition killing the engine, reached into the passenger seat and grabbed his coat before stepping out of the car. As he made his way into the building and to the elevator he glanced at his watch. 1:30.. The kids should still be in school. The elevator doors soon slid open to the top floor of the building, to the penthouse.

Jon had always loved New York City, and when Stephanie began to show a interest in Fashion Design, he and Dot decided that moving to New York City would be a great benefit for Stephanie. Jon searched for months trying to find the best possible place for he and his family, but none of the places he looked at really seemed to scream out at him like he had hoped. Finally his realtor contacted him about a penthouse in Soho that had just became available. Jon immediately set up an appointment to go take a look at it and fell in love with it instantly. After the kids finished up their school year they packed up and moved in. The kids seemed to be adjusting well; Steph, Jesse, and Jake were all doing well in school. Not that Jon wasn’t surprised by that, they took after their mother in that aspect; Dot was always one of the smarter ones in their class. Romeo probably adjusted to the new apartment better then any of the kids, after all it was someplace new that the little guy got to explore, a new playground for him as he put it.

As Jon walked towards the front door he chuckled at the memory; but was pulled away from his thoughts when he was just about knocked to the ground. “Daddy!!” Getting his balance and lowering himself to his son’s level Jon pulled his youngest into his arms and held him tight as he stood back up.

“Hey.. How’s my little man doin’?”

“Good.. Miss you.”

“I missed you too Romeo. Have you been a good boy for mommy?” Almost before Jon could even finish his question Romeo started going on and on about all the things he had done while daddy had been away. From eating cereal every morning with his ‘brovers and sissy’ before they left for school, to making mommy look pretty by putting purple paint all over her face, to racing cars with grampy and winning. “Wow you’ve done a lot haven’t you buddy?”

Bobbing his head up and down quickly, Romeo gave his dad a big smile. “Uh huh!! Play wit me daddy??”

Just as Jon was about to answer he was interrupted. “Romeo sweetie, daddy just got home, give him a few minutes ok hun.” Jon looked through the doorway to see Dot standing there with one hand on her hip, he always thought that was sexy.

“Ok mommy... daddy put me down!!” Chuckling Jon set his son down and ruffled his hair as he made his way back into the house.

“Welcome home Jon.” Nodding his head in response Jon stepped into the house and closed the door only to yet again get trampled.

“Well hello to you too Copper!!” Copper jumped up to his owner and licked his face continuously. “Alright .. Alright alright.. I missed you too copper.. Geez.. Down!!” Wiping the dog slobber off of his face, Jon looked at Dot to see her covering her mouth trying to hold in the laughter. “That funny huh?”

“Well I thought it was cute, a loyal dog welcoming his owner home.” Dot was happy to see that Jon finally decided to come home. She hadn’t heard from him in almost a week, since he walked out of their home in New Jersey. She knew that he wasn’t handling things well. Richie had called her earlier that day to tell her Jon was on his way, and informed her of how he had been the past week. A stray tear ran down her cheeks as she heard Richie’s voice in her head again. You shattered his heart in a million pieces Dot... out of all the women us guys have been with, you were the last one I expected to do this..ever. It was the last words she had heard before he disconnected the call. Shaking her head quickly trying to remove the thought she reached out to give Jon a hug but cringed when he stepped away from her. “Jon?”

Shaking his head, Jon started past Dot towards the living room where he saw Romeo and the dog had both gone. “No Dot.. I’m here for the kids, I’m not ready to deal with us right now. Please, give me a few more days.” With that Jon made his way to the living room to see Romeo curled up with Copper on the floor watching cartoons. Smiling softly Jon continued through the living room into the kitchen, grabbed himself a bottle of water and joined his son and dog on the floor until the other kids got home.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Message From Me!!

Hey everyone! sorry I haven't had any updates.. been a little busy with personal life.. but just wanted to let you know that I'm working on the next chapter now and hoping to have it up before the end of the weekend :)

and I also want to take the time to thank you all for the different comments I've received from this story.. I'm glad you're all liking it :)

So keep checking in here the next few days for the new chapter :)

SilLee~