chapter 48

 

Colleen and Stephanie drove the bug which was packed to the gills, Jon had the boys and in the SUV also packed, and this was how their Saturday started.

 

Colleen and Stephanie went to Romeo’s dorm while Jon helped Jake set up his room.  Romeo was lucky his dorm mate had extra risers, to make his bed higher for storage.  Colleen found out Walmart was close they could go tomorrow to finish up his room.

 

“Thanks, Miss O, for all your help, you too Steph,” Romeo told them as they walked over to Jake’s dorm.

 

“What we need we can pick up tomorrow,” Colleen told Romeo.

 

Once at Jake’s dorm, they helped him finish up.  They all stood out by the cars, you could tell Jon was starting to get choked up.

 

“Dad, Colleen and I will head to Redbank, so I can get the path,” Stephanie said as she hugged her brothers and got in Colleen’s bug.  “I have a date tonight.”

 

“Okay you two, you have my number,” Colleen hugged Jake, turning to Romeo, she pulled into a hug.  “I’m just a call away, free homework help.”  The boys all laughed.

 

“Speed dial,” Romeo told her.

“Skype and facetime,” Jake added.  “We’ll see you tomorrow for shopping.”

 

“We could go shopping today, it’s still early.” Romeo told them.

 

Jon looked at Colleen, who knew that look, she knew he wasn’t ready to let his baby boys go just yet.

 

“I know,” Colleen laughed to cover the sadness in her voice.  Jon walked her to the bug.

 

“Hey Nutt Crew what part of I have a hot date tonight do you two not understand?” Stephanie admonished her brothers.  Thus saving her dad from finding another reason for coming up tomorrow.  It might’ve been years since He and their mom had dropped her off at college, but she knew the signs.

 

“I’ll meet you at Crazee’s for ice cream,” Jon leaned down and gave a quick kiss.

 

“I’ll show her how to get there before she drops me off,” Stephanie told her dad as he walked back to the boys.

 

All three waved as the bug left the quad.

 

“Okay, I’m gonna head out,” Jon told the two. “Your account has been loaded, and you have the cards that Colleen set up for emergencies, and that’s what they’re for, emergencies.”

 

“Yeah Dad it was in the card in the gift bag she gave us this morning, along with Band-Aids, a roll of quarters, Walmart gift cards, and condoms,” Jake laughed.

 

“The condoms were from me,” Jon laughed.  “Not that means to use them, but just be prepared.”

 

“Dad, we were boy scouts a long time ago,” Romeo laughed.

 

“Yeah, mom gave us the birds and the bees talk while you were on tour,” Jake rolled his eye.  “By the way dad, good luck with the house.”

 

Jon held up his fingers crossed. “See you nuts tomorrow around lunch, don’t miss church service your first day here.”

 

 

Jon headed to Rumson, to meet Colleen.  He was actually nervous. Would she agree to the move, or would she be mad?  This was for the best, she’d be safe, and they would be closer to the boys, now that they were out of New York schools.

 

He pulled into the Crazee’s Ice Cream lot and parked next to the bug.  Colleen smiled as he parked and got out of the car.  She locked up the bug and went to join him, they walked into the shop hand in hand, just like they did on their second date.

 

“You going to get Rocky Road again?  You know they have like twenty-five flavors,” Colleen teased him.  “Live a little.”

 

“Why, you’re going to get the same thing you did the last time we were here,” Jon nudged her with his hip.  “Chocolate covered Strawberry.”

 

“I might do something different, pistachio or butter almond,” Colleen punched him in the arm.  “Licorice!”  Her eyes opened wide.

 

“Oh hell no I hate licorice, and I have to taste it later when we kiss, nope I put my foot down on Licorice,” Jon gave her his special stink eye.

 

“Well, if you feel that way, I guess it’s no kissing for Jonny,” Colleen laughed at him and opened the door, cutting off all responses.

 

Jon walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist and put his chin on her shoulder.

 

“Can I get a double scoop of Lic,” was all she got out of her mouth when Jon put his hand over her mouth. 

 

“She’ll have a double scoop of chocolate covered strawberry in a cake cone, and I’ll have a double scoop of rocky road in a cake cone,” Jon laughed and let Colleen go so he could get out his wallet. 

 

While the teenager made up their cones, Colleen went over and got them a table.  Pulling napkins out of the holder she pulled out her cell and checked for messages, and to see what time Church was tomorrow at Pennington.

 

Jon brought the two cones to the table, handing her the double Chocolate covered Strawberry, maneuvering into the chair opposite her.  He reached over and took her hand while they ate the cones.

 

“Yum, I could eat here every day,” Colleen moaned.  “I really love small towns, I grew up in a small town.”

 

Jon smiled this was the lead in he needed.

 

“I’m happy to hear that, see I was raised in a small town,” Jon told her.

 

“Sayreville,” Colleen smiled. “You’d be surprised at what your mother can tell you when she googles your new boyfriend.”

 

They both laughed at that, ‘so it wasn’t enough that my dad and hers were golf buddy’s her mom still googled me.’

 

It wasn’t long till they were heading to the cars.  He now knew more about her growing up years, and he didn’t have to google about her to find it out, that she played softball in high school and took ballroom dancing when her dad became a politician.

 

“I want to show you what I’ve been working on,” Jon told her.  “Follow me.”

 

He waited on her to start her bug, then he backs out and turned toward the left to the light then left over the bridge.  Colleen had an idea where he was leading her to, Stephanie had sort of slipped up and told her about where she had met Greg, but Colleen never called her on the slip-up.

 

Jon pulled up to the gate and used the remote, he drove slowly so Colleen could come in behind him and closed it with the remote again.   Pulling down the drive they parked side by side near the front door.

 

“Wow, I’ve seen pictures online, but in person, it’s very French/ Italian chateau looking,” Colleen said as she approached the door behind him.  “You designed this?”

 

“Yeah, when Stephanie was born, we had a place on the other side of the river. It was at the end of a cul-de-sac, the fans would park and wait for me to come out on a run,” Jon gave her the five-cent history of the house.  “I saw the house that was here and fell in love with the property, the rest is history, and you can google later.”  Jon laughed as he turned the key.

 

Colleen laughed walked into the sparsely furnished foyer.  She thought about something nice to say, the hanging light fixture didn’t fit the space, it just wasn’t her style.   It was cold and impersonal.

 

“The kitchen is to your left to the right is the family rooms, office, and formal living room,” Jon took her hand and walked her upstairs. “The back of the house is the master, giving the kids the front.” 

 

The whole two-story foyer was painted the same beige yellowy cream color, very formal.  But all the reading she had done the house was Architectural Digest designed. Good in pictures.

 

Jon stood Colleen in front of the double doors into the master bedroom and turned the knob, so she could walk in first.  Colleen walked into the middle of the huge empty room, it still smelled of fresh paint and new floors, and then she saw her overstuffed chair from her house.  The last time she had seen it was in pieces and smelled of urine. 

 

“You saved my chair, oh Jonny,” She rushed to Jon and jumped into his arms and wrapped her legs around his waist, and latched her lips to his.  “Thank you, Thank you, Jonny.” She repeated between kisses.

 

Jon carried her over to the chair and Colleen dropped to her feet as he sat in the chair and cradled her in his lap.

 

“This chair holds a special place in my memories of you, I had to save it,” Jon told her as he wiped the tears that flowed down her cheeks.

 

“It was the first thing I bought when I graduated college and rented my first place,” she explained why the chair meant so much to her.  “But why is it here instead of your townhouse?”

 

“Well, there’s a long story in why,” Jon got very serious.  He took her hands in his, looking deep into her eyes.  “All those places in the city, well they never felt like home.”

 

“And this place does,” Colleen said softly. There was no question in her voice.

 

“Yeah it’s special,” Jon smiled she got it, she understood.

 

“I want this to be our house now, no interior designer will touch these walls every again.  I want us to make it our home,” Jon said very seriously.

 

“I’d like that, but Jonny, it’s a long drive to work for me,” Colleen told him.

 

“That’s another reason for the driver, it’s about twenty minutes on the ferry. You could work as Wilson drove” Jon had it all planned out. 

 

Colleen thought about this being another reason for the driver, the man had thought of it all.

 

“The big thing about moving back to Jersey is the boys would be closer, Stephanie could move into the Townhouse,” Jon listed off all the reasons he came to making this decision.  “The best of all, it’s secure, and no one can get to us here.”

 

Colleen thought about all he had said.  Yes, she felt safer here, no one could get her out here. No more looking over her shoulder. They could make this into their home, not his and Dorothea’s.

 

“We can change all the rooms?” She asked shyly.

 

“All the rooms, if that’s what you want to do,” Jon answered, afraid to smile too big if she said no.

 

“It’s gonna cost a boatload of money,” Colleen looked up at him through her lashes.

 

“I got a boatload of money, and more,” Jon smile got a little bigger.

 

“So I don’t need to shop at the Salvation Army?” She asked.

 

“Or Good Will, since that’s where I donated all the furniture in here too,” Jon smiled all the way to his eyes.

 

”But antiques are alright?” Colleen asked.

 

“Yard sales and double beds are out of the question,” Jon hugged her. “Along with queen beds.”

 

“That explains the questions about the color Yellow and Gold came up talking to the kids,” Colleen snuggled into the hug.  “There I thought they were asking for Christmas presents.” Colleen laughed.

 

“So after the holidays, we can move in?” Jon asked after they sat snuggled for a while looking out over the river.

 

”That means three weeks,” Colleen's eyes got really big.

 

“We can do anything,” Jon reached down to the floor beside the chair and pulled up a paint swatch ring Greg had left for them to choose from.  “As long as we do it together.” He dropped the heavy ring of paint strips into her lap.

 

Colleen looked down at the rainbow of paint colors in her lap and smiled.

 

“How do you feel about a light gray in here with dark gray trim?” She asked Jon as she gave him a huge smile.

 

 

 

 

chapter 47

 

 

Colleen was dressed in a Polly Prep shirt and ripped jeans, she could pass for a senior instead of a teacher. Jon came down in jeans and a Notre Dame sweatshirt.

 

The kids starting arriving, the music was low, so not to annoy the neighbors.  Jon was thinking that this would be another plus being in the Jersey house no neighbors to complain about the music being too loud.

 

 

By around nine the party had already split into two different parties with the older couples paired up, and the single friends had already gone home.  Romeo and his friends were in the theater room playing video games. Jake and his girlfriend were slow dancing in the living room, Jon went into the kitchen and smiled at Colleen as he refills the chip bowls and Stephanie followed behind them with a trash bag full of trash and cans.

 

“Jakey and that little cheerleader are cute out there dancing. It might be wise if you two chaperon the dancing part.” Stephanie told them.

 

“Want to show these young people how to dance?” Colleen asked Jon.

 

“I don’t dance,” Jon held up his hands.

 

“Neither do these kids, they just stand there and sway.  Even you can do that Dad,” Stephanie rolled her eyes at him. She remembers so many conversations or arguments between her parents about how mom would complain never being able to dance with her husband, she even recalled one time her mom told her that the only way she could dance at dinner was with other men, not her husband.


Jon gave up and took Colleen’s hand and they headed to the living room.  Colleen wrapped her arms around Jon’s neck, while Jon held her hips as they swayed to Home Sweet Home by the Crue.  Stephanie snuck into the living room and shot a video of her dad and Colleen dancing to send to Jesse.  It was the first time she had ever seen her dad dance.  Daddy had told her there wasn’t enough booze in the world to get him to dance where there were photographers around. Mom had pulled up pictures of him dancing with fans, his response had always been that was work.

 

Jesse’s response had been ‘Did hell freeze over?’

 

Stephanie texted back ‘It’s a Christmas miracle.’

At the end of the party Jake and Romeo along with Jon escorted the kids down.  Stephanie and Colleen were in the kitchen washing dishes.

 

“Can I ask you something, Colleen?  Sort of woman to woman.” Stephanie asked when they were done and headed into the living room to bag up trash.

 

“Sure Steph, what can I do for you,” Colleen said as she picked up cups and plates.

 

“Well, dad and I have been cleaning out the Jersey house.  He is using a contractor named Greg Davidson, well we’ve sort of hit it off,” Stephanie said sounding shy to be asking her questions.

 

“So tell me about this Greg?” Colleen asked.

 

“Well he has a sexy smile and he has dreamy eyes.”  Stephanie blushed.

 

“He a good kisser or is it like kissing a friend?” Colleen tried not to giggle.  This was the sort of talk a mother and daughter would have, she knew she had one like it when she told her Mom about dating Jon.

 

“Well, yes he’s a very good kisser,” Stephanie told her just as her dad and the boys came in. 

 

“Here you three, finish up while I get Stephanie set up for the night.” Colleen said as she handed her bag to Jon and Stephanie handed hers to her brothers.  “You three can also separate the cans for recycle, come on Steph grab your go-bag and let’s let these three finish the clean-up.” They headed up to her and Jon’s room and sat on the foot of the bed.  “Now back to Greg.”

 

“Well the other night, I met His kids.” Stephanie looked up from the thread she had been playing with.

 

“So, Greg is a dad?” Colleen was getting an idea of where this was going. 

 

 “They’ve been divorced for three years, she’s remarried and they have shared custody of the kids.” Stephanie told her.

 

“Well that’s good, but what can I do to help you Steph?” Colleen asked.

 

“I’ve never dated a guy with kids before.  Ashley is the oldest she’s ten, and Shelby is six.” Stephanie told her.

 

“Ten and six and girls, you know what girls like Steph.” Colleen reached out and took her hand. “What do you have questions about?”

 

“What was it like for you, you know dating dad and him having four kids?” Stephanie finally got to the reason for the talk.

 

“Well at first, I was a little scared to be honest Steph,” Colleen told her.

 

“So you were scared?” Stephanie asked her.

 

“At first, I really didn’t know if you were ready for your dad to date again, it hadn’t been long since your mom had passed. Would you hate me?” Colleen told her.

 

Stephanie thought about what she said, did Ashley and Shelby hate her for dating their dad?

 

“We were glad that dad had found someone he liked, and he’s changed so much since you two started dating. He’s happier and he’s coming back alive, so much of the last four years were kept out of the press. It was hell for all of us, Romeo the worst.  The Nutt Crew are smiling now and well your family now to all of us.” Stephanie told her and giving her hand a squeeze.

 

“Stephanie, I dated a guy that had kids once before, I made a huge mistake thinking I was to step in the mom shoes. Boy, I was wrong, they didn’t want a mom and he didn’t like me telling his kids what to do.  I learned from that experience, a better way of approaching dating a guy with kids.”  Then an idea came to her.  “Stephanie, was there something you did as a kid that Ashley might like? Maybe a tea party or going to the movies.” Colleen asked. “Get to know what the girls like maybe have a sort of a girl’s day, I’ll help if you want me too,” Colleen suggested.  “Talk to Greg and see if he agrees, always go to him first.”

 

“I have a date with him tomorrow night, mom has the girls this weekend and I can ask him about it.” Stephanie pulled Colleen in for a hug.  “Thanks Colleen, I don’t know what I would do without this talk.

 

“I’m always here for you and your brothers, Stephanie. All you have to do is call,” Colleen told her brushing a tear that was rolling down her cheeks.  “Now it’s gonna be an early morning let’s get some rest.”

 

Jon had been standing, leaning on the wall by the open door listening to their girl talk, fell a little further in love with her at this moment, his girls. He too had tears in his eyes.

 

 

Chapter 46

 

 

Friday was a huge day at Casa Bongiovi, both houses.  Jon and Stephanie were at the river house. They walked into the room that was the master bedroom. The wallpaper was down, and the carpet up.  The crew had even sanded and laid the new hardwood flooring. The heavy curtains were down and the sheers were the only window covering up.

 

“Wow, dad the room looks huge,” Stephanie walked into the middle of the room and did a three-sixty. Moving over to the overstuffed chair that set by the balcony door was the only piece of furniture in the room.  Sitting in the chair she sighed.

 

“This came from Colleen’s place,” Stephanie smiled.  “Oh man, I see why you saved it, it’s big enough for two people or a great place to nap.”

 

Jon thought back to the time they cuddled in the chair and ended up taking a three-hour nap.

 

“Yep, it hugs you and lulls you to sleep,” Jon agreed.

 

They went into the master bath, once again the wallpaper was down and the Italian tile floor was cleaned. 

 

“Boy, mom really liked gold, gold faucets, gold rugs and curtains,” Stephanie wrinkled her nose.  “I can’t wait to see what you and Colleen do together, what’s her favorite color?”

 

Jon thought, ‘what was her favorite color, she tended to wear a lot of blues and some sort of pink colors.’

 

“I really don’t know?  I do know she isn’t a minimalist,” Jon remembered all the clutter in her house and the apartment over the bar.

 

“So Boho chic,” Stephanie said. “If this chair is any proof, its colorful eighties vibe.” Stephanie laughed, “Time to pull out the spandex dad.”

 

“Oh hell no,” Jon laughed “That ship has long passed.” They went back downstairs.  “So how’s it going with the contractor?”

 

“Good, I met his kids the night after I had dinner with you guys.  It’s strange dating a single dad,” Stephanie told him.  “Not strange creepy, but strange intriguing, something I want to explore.” 

 

Jon thought about his baby girl dating a dad, this was going to be different.  ‘Wonder if I should plan on more people on this vacation?’ 

 

“I was going to bring it up this weekend about coming Christmas with us, but it’s his weekend and they are going to have a ski weekend,” Stephanie told him as they headed to the kitchen. “I should have had them paint the kitchen to get rid of the yellow gold in here.  “Maybe a nice white, to bring out the brick, you think Colleen would agree?”

 

“I’m not sure baby girl, you can ask her tonight while you two set up for the party,” Jon told her. “I’m on pizza duty, Colleen started meatballs this morning before work.”

 

“I’m on dessert and sub duty, I ordered a monster sub to be delivered and rolls for the meatballs,” Stephanie told him.  “The bakery will deliver the cookies and cupcakes.”

 

“Cookies from a bakery when Colleen makes the best cookies?” Jon looked stunned.

 

“She still has to work dad, she didn’t have time to bake up a batch of cookies,” Stephanie admonished her dad.

 

“I just love her cookies,” Jon frowned and rubbed his tummy.  “Her mom bakes the best chocolate chip cookies ever.”

 

“Then you’re lucky dad to have found Colleen.  Better not screw it up.” Stephanie said as they locked up the house.

 

Jon thought about what she had said about not blowing it with Colleen. ‘I’ve toyed with the idea of getting her a ring for Christmas, was it too soon?’

 

They got in the SUV and headed to pick up the pizzas, then home.  Jon pulled into the parking lot and jumped out. Stephanie pulled out her cell and texted Colleen.

 

Stephanie: dads getting the pizzas then we’ll be home.

 

Colleen: That’s great, I’m waiting on the boys then we’ll stop at the store for soda, chips, and dips.

 

Stephanie: We should be there to meet the bakery delivery. Here comes dad now, damn he has eight boxes and there is a guy behind him with four more, how many kids are coming?

 

Colleen: I think around twenty to thirty kids.

 

Stephanie: Well I hope we don’t run out.

 

Colleen: If we do I have the pizza place on the corner on speed dial.  See you when you get to the house.

 

 

Colleen closed her phone as the boys came to the classroom.

 

“Ready to party?” Colleen asked the two boys.

 

“Yep,” Romeo said as they closed off her classroom and headed to the car.

 

“Jake you and Romeo pick up the place when we get back from the store and put on some music.  Alexa has some great dance music on her.” Colleen said. “I also need the guestlist for Hal, so no one not on the list can get in.”

Jake and Romeo handed her their list. Wilson took them to Whole Foods and dropped them off. All three of them got a cart. Jake’s was for sodas, and Romeo was for dips and chips.  Colleen headed to the deli bakery section for the trays, Colleen went to the produce for stuff for guacamole. Then they headed to check out.

 

Jon and Stephanie beat them to the house by about five minutes.  Coming down to help unload the trunk of the town car, Jon laughed.

 

“Did you three buy out the store?” Jon asked as he loaded up the hand truck that Hal brought to the back of the car.

 

“Teenagers can put away soda, like tap water,” Colleen handed bags to the boys and Steph to carry up.  “Hal, did you find the tub, I asked about?”

 

“Yes Miss O, I put it at the back door,” Hal said as he grabbed four bags of chips.

 

“Here’s the boys list of invitees, I’ll put them in your pocket.” Colleen slipped the folded lists in his coat pocket.  Albert grabbed the last of the bags, as Wilson closed the trunk lid and watched as Colleen went into the building.  He scanned the area before getting in the car, no one was hanging out that he had pictures of.

 

Colleen got to work on the Guac and Jon was filling the tub with ice and soda’s and put the tub on the bistro table in the kitchen. 

 

“I’m gonna go change,” Colleen told Jon as she washed off the knife and masher and then dried them off before putting them away.

 

“I’ll be up in a minute, going to check on the boys,” Jon patted her on the bottom as she walked past him.

 

“We don’t have time for that Jon,” Colleen laughed.

 

“Just putting in a rain check for later, then.” Jon winked at her.

 

“Promises, promises,” Colleen said as she headed up the back stairs to their bedroom.

 

“That’s a threat, not a promise,” Jon called up the stairs.  Turning around he faced his daughter shaking her head and giggling.

 

Ghapter 45

 

Colleen sat in the back of the town car as it got closer to the townhouse, the boys were quiet the whole way home.

 

“You two are awfully quiet,” she asked Jake and Romeo?

 

“It just feels like this is the longest week in my life,” Jake said.

 

“Talk to your dad, maybe we can get you moved in sooner, of course, that would mean less of my home cooking?  I started a stew this morning, should be done when we get there,” Colleen told Jake, she was really going to miss these boys, once they were at Pennington.

 

Romeo looked at Jake and nudged him.

 

“Our friends want to give us a going away party,” Jake said.

 

“Yeah, it’s tomorrow night, it’s a surprise.” Romeo added.

 

“That’s great but if you both know about the party, how can it be a surprise?” Colleen asked. “Is it at the townhouse?”

 

“Surprise,” Jake and Romeo said in unison.

 

“On no, do not smooze me to get your dad to agree,” Colleen her hands in protest.

 

“Please Miss O,” Romeo begged.

 

“Yeah, dad will do anything you ask,” Jake said.

 

“You guys give me too much credit, I can’t change his mind on letting you two throw your own going-away party.” Colleen protested.

 

Both boys gave her sad eyes and pout.

 

“OH okay, but if he says no it’ll mean no, final veto.” Colleen gave in.  These boys gave her too much credit where their dad was concerned.

 

They pulled up and a new doorman came out to open the door, this was built like a brick shit house, defiantly ex-military. As he walks us into the lobby, Romeo goes to the mailbox for the mail, but the doorman stopped him.

 

“I’ll get the mail,” The new doorman said taking Romeo’s key.

 

Ted, the older doorman came up, “He’s a new hire, by Mr. B.”

So in other words another bodyguard.  She had to talk to Jon, he needed to keep her into the loop where her safety was concerned.

 

The bodyguard doorman handed the mail to Colleen as the trio headed upstairs.

 

“Homework boy’s,” Colleen said.

 

“Ooh, dad’s in deep shit,” Jake whispered to Romeo.

 

They both headed to their bedrooms, till they were called to dinner.

 

Colleen was in the kitchen when Jon came in. “I’m home, do I smell Stew?”

 

“Stew, bread, and fruit for dessert,” Colleen answered leaning on the counter, turning her teacher stink eye on Jon.

 

“Which of my son’s in trouble?” Jon only saw that look once when Jake lifted one of his old songs and turned it in as his poem.  “What did Jake do,” Jon asked?

 

“Not Jake and not Romeo,” Colleen informed Jon.

 

“Well it wasn’t Steph, she was with me, and Notre Dame would call my cell.” Jon walked to stand toe to toe with Colleen.

 

“Getting hot,” Colleen told him.  “You hired me another bodyguard without telling me.  I thought we were partners, but you went behind my back didn’t you?”

 

“Ted and I were talking this morning about a lot of walking traffic around the place, so I haired him some help,” Jon explained.

 

“And somewhere in all this, you were going to tell me?” Colleen asked.  “I should have been told before Tank was hired.” 

 

“Tank? I thought his name was Albert, and I protect what is mine,” Jon put his hands on Colleen’s hips and pulled, her in for a kiss.

 

Colleen turned her head so he kissed her cheek. “Tank because he’s built like a brick shit house, those arms the size of tree trunks, he’s every girl's wet dream of a romantic hero. A Seal for sure.”  Colleen watched Jon take it all in, almost giggled at the stink eye he gave her. She leaned over and kissed his lips.

 

“His ass is fired,” Jon told her.

 

Colleen laughed, Jon leaned in and captured her lips in a kiss.

 

They heard someone come into the kitchen.

 

“You two need to get a room, in the kitchen of all places,” Stephanie laughed.

 

Jon and Colleen stood their foreheads touching, “You didn’t say Steph was coming to dinner,” Colleen said softly.

 

“He didn’t know, surprise the Nutt Crew invited me,” Steph put the Crown Royal purple bag on the counter.

 

“Nutt Crew?  Who or what is a Nutt Crew?” Colleen asked Steph.

 

“When it was just me and Jesse, I said my brother, but now there are three of them, hence the Nutt Crew,” Stephanie explained.

 

“Four,” Colleen told her with a laugh. That got Stephanie to laugh too.

 

“Real funny ladies, real funny,” Jon rolled his eyes and went to pull down another bowl for dinner.

 

“Boys are doing homework upstairs,” Colleen told father and daughter.  “Either of you want to bring them down?”

 

“I’ll get them,” Stephanie said heading to the stairs.

 

 “Stephanie and I have been working this week to clean out the river house in Jersey,” Jon told Colleen as she dipped up stew into the bowls. 

 

Colleen remembered when they went out got ice cream, he took her to Rumson.  He had gotten quiet when they took it to the park along the river.  “That’s good Jonny,” Colleen took the bread out of the oven and pulled out three Irish beers for the adults and soda for the boys. “By the way, the boys want to ask you something, and its okay with me,” Colleen handed Jon a beer.

 

Jon looked at her like there was more to say than it was Okay with her, but he had his own questions to ask tonight.

 

They moved from the bar to the dining room table, with the addition of Stephanie, it would more comfortable.

 

“Boy’s you have something to ask your dad?” Colleen prompted the boys.

 

“We want to have a going-away party with our Polly friends,” Jake said.

 

“And when is this party?” Jon asked looking between his sons.

 

“Friday, here at the townhouse,” Romeo told him.  “Miss O said it would be okay with her.”

 

Jon looked at Colleen, “So it’s okay with you?”

 

Colleen gave him a sweet smile, “At least I warned you before they asked.” 

 

Oops Jon knew his goose was cooked, first the extra bodyguard, and now he had to say yes.

 

“I’ll come and help Colleen, dad we can handle this,” Stephanie smiled at Colleen.  This would give them girl time to talk.

 

“See dad, it’s gonna be fun,” Jake told his dad.

 

“Well, I guess if Colleen and Stephanie will be here, no booze or beer,” Jon looked at the boys and the ladies at the table. ‘Outnumbered, what else could I say’ Jon thought ‘Hope they agree to my Christmas plans for next month?’

 

Dinner finished Jon asked them to come into his office.  Stephanie knew what was about to go down, she waited to see how the Nutt crew felt about the changes.

 

“I called this meeting for a reason,” he picked up his cell and dialed Jesse at Notre Dame.  “Hey Jess, I’m putting you on speaker, Okay?” Jon punched the speaker button and set it on the desk.

 

“Steph called me and told me you were gonna call, but not what was going on, Miss O doing okay?” Jesse asked.

 

“Doing good Jess, how’s school going?” Colleen asked him. She knew how hard senior year in college was, been there got the tee shirt to prove it.  Granted hers was NYU.

 

“You know how it is making sure I have my credits and all,” Jesse told her.

 

“That’s great, if I can help, let me know,” Colleen told him.

 

“I have you on speed dial,” Jesse laughed.

 

“Okay before it gets any later, let’s get to why I called this meeting,” Jon took control of the call.  “Christmas, I know we usually go to St Barts, but maybe it’s time to set a new tradition.”

 

“Oh, this is a family discussion, I’ll go do the dishes,” Colleen started to get up.

 

“This concerns you too Miss O,” Stephanie said. “You’re family now.”

 

The boys nodded and Jesse added his vote on that too.

 

Colleen blushed a little when Jon got up and went over and pulled her into the circle of his arms.  “Welcome to the family,” Jon said as he kissed her.

 

“Are they always like this?” Stephanie asked her brothers.

 

“Yep, always,” Romeo told her.

 

“Okay you three,” Jon laughed as he brought Colleen around the desk and sat her in his lap.

 

Stephanie took a picture of their dad with Colleen and sent it to Jesse.

 

“What’s going on?” Jesse asked. “Why didn’t you skype me so I could be there?”

 

“I sent you a picture Jess,” Stephanie laughed.

 

Another voice was heard in the background, Jesses roommate must’ve looked over his shoulder. “Cool Mr. B’s got a girlfriend, looking good Mr. B”

 

Jon laughed, Colleen blushed more but she still giggled.

 

“So about Christmas, I thought we would split it this year. Start a new tradition.  Hamptons till the twenty-sixth and them how about the Maldives to New Year. I can get a yacht that sleeps about thirty people.” Jon told them and waited on the fallout.

 

“You don’t need to change a family tradition for me,” Colleen told them.

 

“I think it’s a great idea,” Stephanie said.  “The fans will be in St Barts and we’ll have privacy for once.”

 

“I heard the water was so clear you can see the bottom,” Jesse said.  “I vote new tradition also.”

 

Jon looked at Jake and Romeo, this was the only Christmas they had ever known.  Stephanie gave them a stink eyes that said you better agree, it’s for dad.

 

“Okay, we can still bring a friend or two,” Jake asked, thinking about Robin and Mike.

 

“Sure, it’s okay with me, if it’s okay with Colleen.” Jon looked at Colleen and smiled.

 

Colleen looked at the faces of her new family and nodded. “Fine with me, I’ll have to warn my mom so she can start making cookies.”

 

Jon laughed. “Cookies for the cookie monsters. I’ll let Matt know so he can set it all up with the yacht company.” 

 

The rest of the night was all talk of the big move on Saturday and counting off the days to winter break.

 

Later after they showered and made love, Jon and Colleen cuddled in the middle of the bed reading a new book together on Colleen’s kindle.

 

“Do women really like a guy like this? He’s almost too perfect.” Jon said as he waited for Colleen to turn the page. 

 

“Of course he’s too perfect a woman made him up to be what many girls like in a man, one who sends flowers and candy for no other reason than to say I love you or thinking about the hot sex we had this morning, by the way, the morning sex caused me to, be late and almost made the crew late for school this morning and they ragged me about it,” Colleen told him before she turned the page. “Lingerie works too.”

 

“But no granny panties, right?” Jon teased her.

 

“Or World War two bra’s.” Colleen pinched his bicep.

 

Jon made a mental note to look in her lingerie drawer tomorrow.