Family First Ch 1-10 Completed Fic

Family First ( Part II to Toronto Dreams but can be read separately)

Steph 15, Jesse 13, Jake 6, Romeo 4

Prologue :

Jon and Danielle had only just met a little shy of a year ago. What a world win their love affair had been. No one would have guessed when Danielle met David in that Toronto Tim Horton's in December of last year that within 3 weeks she’d be married to Jon. Sure getting married before ever really dating was different. It wasn't the generally accepted way things were done, but they both wanted a successful marriage and they took the risk on each other to get one. Luckily her mom stood by her decision. She met Jon and accepted him at face value when he said that he'd care for her baby girl she trusted that.

Jon's mother hadn't been nearly as kind. Once she was introduced to the elder Mrs. John Bongiovi she quickly let Danielle know that Dot was Jon's wife in her eyes even though Dot had broken Jon's heart by ending their 29yr relationship. Danielle and Dot had words a few different times through the course of year. Finally coming to an understanding of sorts that they would try to get along for the kids sake Danielle and Dot found a tense peace with each other. That didn't really work well though because Dot decided the easiest way to run Danielle off was to push her and Jon's kids at her.

Dot’s plan didn't work, Danielle bonded with the kids pretty quickly even managing to get Jon to agree to let her take Steph to an amusement park alone. All the friction between Dot, Jon's mom and Danielle caused stress in Jon and Danielle's marriage.

It wasn't long after getting married before Jon and Danielle decided that they wanted children of their own. They had to consult a fertility specialist because Danielle suffered from a medical condition that made it more difficult for her to conceive. Months and months of trying and failing had left Jon and Danielle still without a new baby. Finally after the Dr. prescribed an invasive injection drug to help with conception Jon and Danielle gave in. They decided after the first round of this drug, what the process was doing to them just wasn't worth it. After that first round they were going to adopt a baby if it didn't work. Luckily for them it did work, so we pick up the story with Danielle 4 months pregnant and Jon and Danielle 2 months from their 1 yr anniversary together.




Chapter 1

Jon wrapped his arms tightly around his naked wife. Sleeping with her in his arms would never get boring. Jon smiled as his arms wrapped her deeper into his embrace and his hand cupped her fuller breast. Pregnancy had done her body good already; she was rounder in all the places Jon loved most. Hell somehow she even had an ass now, he loved that.

“DADDY DADDY!” Romeo ran into the room screaming.

Jon’s eyes shoot open and his finger comes to his mouth, “Shhh Danielle is sleeping. What’s up buddy?”

“Can I cuddle too?” Romeo asked in a stage whisper.

“Sure buddy crawl up here on top of the covers.” Jon said quickly thinking back to what caused Danielle and him to end up naked under the covers. Shit he thought, their lovemaking frenzy last night in the living room did not include picking up the clothes they threw all over. Jon kept his eyes closed but expected to feel the bed dip behind him just a bit as Romeo cuddled up to his back but after a moment of not feeling that he opened his eyes just to see

Romeo crawled up on the bed in front of Danielle. Jon’s soft smile settled as he wrapped his arm around both his wife and child.

His eyes opened as quickly as they had closed. What was he thinking if one of his kids by his ex-wife were here that meant they all were?

“Romeo is mommy still here?” He asked softly still trying not to wake his wife.

“Yes she downstairs.” He gives and exaggerated yawn.

“Ok can you keep Danielle company I want to go say hi.”

“Sure daddy I on it.” Romeo cuddled closer and closed his eyes again.

Jon moved to the edge of the bed and slid his boxers on and walked downstairs. Dorothea stood in the kitchen looking around, reminiscing about the life she used to have with Jon.

“Hey the next time you’re bringing the kids over why don’t you call first?” Jon asked moving to get some coffee.

“Jon put some clothes on.” She immediately scolded him.

He turned to look at her, that killer smile that works to seduce millions. He looked down at his body and smirked at her. “What’s the problem Dot you’ve seen me plenty of times in a hell of a lot less.”

“That’s not the point.” She flushed. Damn why does that man still have the ability to turn her insides to jelly without even touching her.

“That is the point Dorothea, you’re in OUR home, he can wear whatever the hell he wants.” Danielle said from the stairway. Dot’s face paled at being caught looking at her ex with wanton eyes.

“Danielle I just”

“You just walked into our home without even knocking. Dorothea he’d never walk into your home like that. It's rude.”

“He’s never lived at my place.” She attempted to justify.

“He bought the place for you.” Danielle tells her. “Jon can you get me some coffee please?”



Chapter 2

“Sure baby.” Jon smiled at his wife’s protective assertiveness. There was something to be said about women fighting over you. Even though he knows he shouldn’t like this, he knows he should all but kick Dot out he wanted to see what his wife would do. It stroked a guy’s ego to know his woman would fight for him. Even if Dot could kick her ass he loved knowing she’s standing up for him. It made his heart full to look at her. In bare feet he walked back to Del with her coffee. “Here baby.”

“You shouldn’t drink that if you’re trying to get pregnant.” Dot tells her not knowing yet that they are pregnant already.

“We aren’t trying anymore.” Jon tells Dot softly.

“Oh I’m sorry, I know you wanted children.”

“No Dot we aren’t trying because we succeeded. Danielle is pregnant.” Jon took his wife in his arms and kissed her neck absently. He couldn’t believe his luck. Looking over Danielle’s shoulder he saw the love of the first half of his life, and in his arms is the love of the rest of his life. He has truly been blessed in the love category he knows that. This time he can’t let things get messed up. He knows he has to value her above and beyond everything. He’s going to prove to her always that she’s number one.

“You shouldn’t have coffee then if you’re pregnant.” Dot warns.

“Dot I’m not the type of person that believes Doctors know everything. They practice medicine – they haven’t perfected it yet because if they did I wouldn’t have Asthma anymore. I’m going to drink coffee and be normal while pregnant my mom drank coffee with me and other than Asthma I’m perfectly healthy.”

“Well I just” She started to say but Jon stepped out from behind Danielle again and distracted her. “Jon damnit put some clothes on.” Dot tells him rather exasperated.

“OH stop playing shy Dorothea it's not like you haven’t seen him in much less many times.” Danielle laughed.

“Yes but then I could attack him and not get my ass kicked.” Dot explained.

“True, he’s mine. How about this since his attire bothers you so bad, you can go home and write yourself a few notes that whenever you’re coming over here to call us first. It's not a good idea for any of the kids to walk in on us naked like Romeo did today.”

“Possessive much?” Dot challenged Danielle.

Jon looked at Dot and for the first time could openly see that look in her eyes that she used to have for him, that look that admitted for her that she missed him. He could tell by the misting of her eyes she wanted to be the one he warped in his arms. But that couldn’t be could it? Jon knew that Dot caught on that he looked at Danielle the way he looked at her 5 years ago. Like she could do no wrong and she was everything he needed.

“Yes I’m possessive, he’s mine and I’m not letting go ever.”

“You know this possessive thing, baby it's a turn on.” He smiled and nibbled on her neck this time solely because he could and he knew she liked it. Forgetting for just a moment that Dot was in the room.

“I’ve got to go.” Dot quickly walked out of the house.
“Babe I’ve got to talk to her something’s wrong.” Jon let go of Danielle looking worried towards the door.
“That’s fine baby I’ll check on the kids.” She smiles giving him a soft smile.
Jon reached over and touched Dani’s hand. “Thanks sweetheart.” Smiling softly he turned on his heal and ran out to catch Dot in the driveway before she left.
“Hey talk to me.” He called to her stopping near the driver’s side of the car.
“No Jon. I can’t.” Dot said back with tears almost escaping.
“Why Dot you’ve always talked to me.” He didn’t understand, Dot had been his best friend almost all his life, why was she running from him he didn’t do anything wrong here.
Dot turned to him a tear escaping her eye. “These Days track 8.” With that she drove away from him.

“What the fuck?” Turning to walk into the house Jon wondered what the hell that meant. He closed the door and immediately walked downstairs to the studio and grabbed the These Days CD. Jon searched his mind for what the hell track 8 was, after all he had recorded 100s. “What the hell couldn’t she say to me?”

Soon the familiar lyrics played through his mind and ripped through his heart

"(It's Hard) Letting You Go"

It ain't no fun lying down to sleep
And there ain't no secrets left for me to keep
I wish the stars up in the sky
Would all just call in sick
And the clouds would take the moon out
On some one-way trip

I drove all night down streets that wouldn't bend
But somehow they drove me back here once again
To the place I lost at love, and the place I lost my soul
I wish I'd just burn down this place that we called home
It would all have been so easy
If you'd only made me cry
And told me how you're leaving me
To some organ grinder's lullaby

It's hard, so hard - it's tearing out my heart
It's hard letting you go

Now the sky, it shines a different kind of blue
And the neighbor's dog don't bark like he used to
Well - me, these days
I just miss you - it's the nights that I go insane
Unless you're coming back for me
That's one thing I know that won't change

It's hard, so hard - it's tearing out my heart
It's hard letting you go

Now some tarot card shark said I'll draw you a heart
And we'll find you somebody else new
But I've made my last trip to those carnival lips
When I bet all that I had on you

It's hard, it's hard, it's hard, so hard
It's hard letting you go
It's hard, so hard, it's tearing out my heart
But it's hard letting you go

He picked up the phone and called Dot as the song ended.

“What?” She answered, knowing he needed to talk this out.

“You have to let go Dot. It might be hard but you chose this remember?”

“I don’t have to like it.”

“But you can’t take it out on my wife, you can’t try to sabotage my new life, it's not fair to me I didn’t ask for this but I’ve moved on. You have to move on Dot.”

“Ok can you two keep the kids for a few weeks, I plan on taking a trip to Europe?” Dot asked changing the subject immediately.

“You’ve been to Europe 80 times Dot?” Jon told her not understanding why all of a sudden she wanted to go again.

“Mark and I are getting married ok, it's our honeymoon.” She admitted.

“Does he know he’ll always be second place?" Jon asked without thinking and then continued, "Don’t settle Dot. You walked out on me because you thought being with me meant you were settling for less than you deserved. Don’t walk into a marriage again if it's not everything you want. You always picked on me for not wanting to be alone you have that same need inside you.” No matter the awkwardness of the conversation he couldn’t let Dot make this mistake his love for her ran to deep.

“Jon I have to marry Mark, no one is ever going to compare to you and I don’t want to be alone forever, he’s good to me, treats the kids well. I’ll be happy enough.”

“Happy enough isn’t what you deserve Dot. Date him, keep him in your life until either you stop wanting me and only want him or you find someone that rocks your world. Up until about a year ago you probably could have un-did the hole you put in my heart but now that’s not possible. Don’t make the hole in yours bigger by never actually allowing someone to fill it.”

“You sound so philosophical?” Dot smiled weakly at him.

He smiled to himself, “Dot when you broke my heart I thought for sure I’d never be happy again, that I’d never find someone I could believe in again. But I did, I found Dani and we’re happy we’re going to be a family and you taught me to cherish this feeling, that’s what I’m doing. Go to Europe with him and have fun but don’t marry him unless you can live by that vow forever, truly forever this time because it's not fair of you to do to him what you did to me. You allowed me to believe in forever until you walked away.”

He whispers his goodbye and walked upstairs but Danielle isn’t to be found anywhere in the main living area so he returns to their room thinking he’ll have to put some clothes on to find her but a smile reaches his eyes when he takes in the beautiful picture of his pregnant wife with her arm wrapped around his son, both sleeping peacefully. Jon quickly joined them not wanting to ever stop cherishing these small moments in time that are to perfect for words.

Chapter 3

A few days later when Danielle woke up she went about her normal morning routine, she and Jon had a doctors appointment today but right now Danielle was enjoying a relaxing moment alone in Jon’s Soul jersey out on the deck with a glass of pineapple juice. Not something she’d normally drink but it sounded good when she woke up so be it.

Jon woke to a cold bed and was not happy. “That wife is gonna get a spanking” he mumbled finding some lounge pants and walked out of the room. He grabbed his morning coffee which was more necessary than air and looked around. His beautiful wife was out on the deck her legs curled up under her and he could tell she had on one of his shirts. “Damn life is good.” He smiled as he walked out onto the deck; he has lived such a charmed life that he silently said a soft thank you to the man above before quietly touching Dani’s arm as he sat down.

“Morning baby.”

“Morning sexy.” Dani smiled. Even fresh out of bed, unshaven and in dire need of coffee, her husband could melt her to the core.

Jon reached over touching his lips to hers and softly rubbing his hand over the baby. “So we have an appointment today right?”

“Yes we do.” Shocked that he remembered on his own Dani moved over to him and kissed him. He wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her down to him, taking the time to sit her down on his lap and smile.

“So are you noticing anything you want the doctor to explain? Tell me so I can guard against your pregnancy brain.”

She smacked him playfully on the arm, “That’s not nice.”

“Someone has to remember things around here.” Jon laughed and kissed Dani at the same time.

“Jon”

“Yes baby.” He smiled kissing her again.

“After the baby is born can I get my boobs fixed again.”

Reaching up to cup one with his hand he smiled, “I don’t see anything wrong with them.”

“You wouldn’t you man.”

“OH now baby that’s a mean cut down – calling me a man how dare you.” The grin that lights up stadiums is well plastered on his face and Dani can only laugh with him. He’s in such good spirits.

“Seriously Jon I want them small after.”

“Baby if you want to go through the surgery again afterwards that’s fine by me.” He smiled and moved her breast up closer to this mouth. “Damn I want you.”

“I can tell.” She laughed and kissed him softly while rubbing her lower half over him. Deciding that her feistiness can match his today she quickly changes positions and straddles his hips. Her lips claim his as her body teases the quickly growing manhood under his lounge pants.

“Tease” He murmurs into a kiss.

“That’s Mrs. Tease to you.” She smirked as she nibbled on his bottom lip.

“Daddy are you ok?” Jesse asked from the doorway shocked at the position he found his dad in.

“Sure buddy Dani’s just teasing me we’re having fun. Good-morning Jess.” Jon answered his son looking up into eyes that were cold and full of displeasure. That surely is a look he's never seen from his son.

Jesse turned and walked back into the house quickly.

"What was that about?" Dani asked.

"NO clue baby, must just be one of those adolescent things." Jon answered quietly while still pondering internally why his son looked so unhappy.


Ch 4

While Jon and Danielle showered to get ready for the Dr’s appointment Jon felt a bit uneasy, kissing Dani’s shoulder he stepped out of the shower. “I’ve got to figure out what’s wrong with Jesse. See you in a bit baby.”

Jon dressed quickly in what he planned to wear out in town today and walked to his son’s room. Knocking on the door and allowing Jesse to give entrance he opened to door then quickly closed it, walking over towards the bed and sitting on the end of it.

“So it looked to me like you had a problem seeing me kissing Danielle today. Was I reading you wrong?” He figured honesty was best with his almost 14 yr old son.

“No, I like Danielle dad but..”

“But what Jesse, we talk that’s what you and I do – tell me what’s going on in your head.” Jon truly was at a loss here, he couldn’t figure this attitude shift out from Jesse. He was normally his even keel son, it's Jake that’s all over the place emotionally.

“You aren’t supposed to. Mom and you were supposed to be forever, and it looks wrong.”

“But it feels so right.” Jon’s mouth had a way of running without his permission sometimes and this was one of them. “Jess look son, I’m sorry your mom and I didn’t make it. I know it's gotta be odd, all your life you’ve seen us kissing and touching one another and now we’re doing with that with other people. Jess, know that finding someone else wasn’t easy for me to do; it hurt when your mom and I went our separate ways. But I survived, I fell in love again, I got married again and now we’re having a child together. Sometimes the best marriages don’t work, no matter how much you want them to. It doesn’t mean your mom and I love you or your siblings any less, we just couldn’t be married anymore. Now that I’m married to Danielle, kissing her is one of those things I like to do.”

“Dad it feels like you’re cheating on mom.” Jesse laid it on the line for his dad.

“I can’t cheat on someone who isn’t mine son. She and I are over as hard as that is to say and believe it's true. It's ok Jess, mom is ok with it, she’s starting to move on with Mark right?”

“Yes but its odd when she kisses him to.” He looked to his dad for understanding, “Is kissing necessary in relationships dad?”

“Only in the best kind son, only in the best kind, the kind where you marry the woman you love and thank the heavens every day for her love.”

“Ok I’ll try not to get upset then.” Jon and Jesse spend the better part of the next hour talking football and music, finally Jon gets up to take Danielle to her appointment.

Less than 2 hours later Jon and Dani leave the doctors office both in shock. “Triplets” They say in unison while looking at each other. They had been doing that about every five minutes for the better part of an hour. Neither of them believed what the doctor had told them until she showed them the three separate shapes on the ultrasound. “Baby when we said we wanted a baby, we meant business.” Jon’s voice finally broke the stunned silence they had fallen into. Thankfully they took a chauffeured car today out of luck so they were in the back together both in a daze.

“How are we going to come up with three boy and three girl names, we can’t even agree on dinner?”

Jon took his wife into his arms smiling. “Honey it’ll be fine. We made them out of love, that’s the best start anyone can ask for.”

She rested her head on his shoulder running her hand into his fur and smiled. “You know, I get it now. What you were saying about making our children intentionally. What you just said has such a nice sound to it. Knowing that they are starting from love, it just sounds wonderful.”

“Baby whatever we need to do from here on out to make sure you’re happy and healthy and our children come into this world safely we’ll do it. Now we just have to figure out how to tell the rest of the family.”

“Can we just absorb this for a day or so first?”

Jon took his finger and gently raised her chin, kissing her softly on the lips he looked down at her, “What’s got you scared baby?”

“Hello, did you hear we are having triplets?”

“I realize that Del and I also realize that we already have 4 children in our lives, it's going to be a more difficult transition but so worth it. Honey we wanted to share our lives with children this is the best way, we’ll have a great family all at once.”

“Jon there are 3 of them in there? How am I going to keep them safe?” Danielle’s fear finally comes to the surface.

Jon quickly pulled her into his arms, “Baby please relax. You’re body is meant to do this, seriously you doubted you could get pregnant and we proved that wrong right? Trust in the fact you got pregnant for a reason and now you have our children in your womb. Baby trust that our love is growing inside you, you’ll keep them safe your body was meant to do this.”

“Jon”

“Shhh sweetheart, trust me please, you’re body has all the parts it needs to bring our children to life. Relax beautiful, we’ll just take it easy, well follow the doctor’s orders and it’ll be fine. Honey I’ve been told every woman feels this right after the initial thrill of "yay I’m pregnant". It’s in a woman’s nature to go straight to all the complications that may or may not occur instead of letting things take care of themselves. Also, the pregnancy hormones don’t help.”

“How do you know so much?”

“Honey I’ve been around a pregnant woman a few times in my life. I’ve learned and read.” Jon answered her with a tender kiss. “Baby you’re going to be a great mom. You’re so good with my kids, and when I saw you with Helen’s little boy, baby you’re a natural.”

“Jon I can give all those back.”

“Baby you don’t give my kids back when they get upset. Like when Romeo ran away from the bee the other day and you protected him and let him cuddle up to you. Or when Jake crawled in bed with us you didn’t shoo him away you cuddled up to him like he was part of me.”

“He is part of you Jon.”

“And these children are part of each of us, baby you’ll love them and protect them with everything in you have as soon as you start to feel them move you’re going to get this flip flow of emotions and then they’ll be ours to love and protect and you’ll protect them while they are inside you until you give birth to them and I can help.”

Chapter 5

Jon and Dani arrived home and before she escaped to room by herself Jon grabbed her hand and pulled her upstairs into the morning room. When she had redecorated the house she created this wonderful private beach feeling oasis for them upstairs. It’s a room Jon found himself spending lots of time in, writing or reading to one of his kids. He used his free hand to move some of the extra throw pillows from the grey suede couch out of the way and sat down facing his baby.

“Del talk to me. What’s the big fear here? We’ve wanted children since day one; we’ve tried purposely to make children together. Now obviously I think our goal was one at a time but since we are lucky enough to have all 3 now let’s enjoy it.” He moved his hand up into her hair, he offhandedly realized that she never touches his hair he’ll have to ask her about that later.

“Jon are you sure? Are you sure you want 7 children?” Danielle asked. Right now her mind and heart were all over the place and she needed Jon’s special brand of reassurance.

“Sweetheart if making love to you nightly produced 100 children I’d be the happiest man alive. Remember these kids are going to be spaced apart very well. My oldest are well on their way to adulthood, my other 2 are school age so these three will be the only babies we have. Don’t worry honey. Just stay stress free and we’ll be fine. My only fear is you are going to stress yourself out worrying and that’s not good for you or our children. Please Del; keep me informed on what’s going on with you. The kids are only with us now because Dot is overseas; they are normally with her during the week because of school. We’ll be ok as long as you don’t shut me out, please baby let me experience this pregnancy too ok, and they are my kids too.”

“Ok.” Danielle said softly.

Jon took his wife in his arms and gently kissed her until the tension melted away.

That night they kept the news to themselves, Jon gave her the time she needed to come to terms with the new aspect of her pregnancy. She called Helen to explain they’d be in Esky the following day to see her mom so she invited Helen to drive up. Hearing the insecurity in her voice and knowing how much of a rock Danielle was for her during her own pregnancy Helen of course says she’ll be there.

About 10am the following day Jon started to round the kids up to bring them to the airport, Richie arrived last night and was going to be coming on this mini family vacation with Jon and Danielle and the kids.

Jon found all his boys easily, then he walked out on the back deck to find Steph. She had a tendency to wander the grounds, she was like him in so many ways, staying inside was never a thing she enjoyed if freedom and security were options outside.

Jon was one step away from leaving the deck when he saw something out the corner of his eye. He turned to his left and could feel the blood rush to his face when he saw his baby girl. She was no more than 10 feet away leaning up against the house kissing a young man a little older than her.



Chapter 6


Swallowing hard, Jon walked towards his daughter and her boyfriend, turning to walk in the garage door trying to make it look purposeful he said in the most even voice he could. “Stephanie say goodbye to your friend we’re leaving in an hour.”

The boy jumped back from Steph instantly looking down at the ground. Steph turned to her dad. “If you’re going to kiss my daughter you had damned well better respect her enough to be able to look me in the eye.” With that Jon turned into the garage and disappeared.

“You’re dad’s going to kick my ass.” Steph’s boyfriend said.
“Michael my dad’s not like that. He is however going to keep an eye on us. I’ve got to go I’ll call you when we get back in town. Bye.” She turned and ran inside quickly. Her cheeks still flamed from being caught by her dad.

Not much was said over the next hour while everyone piled into cars and left for the airport. Stephanie sat next to her Uncle Mookie and leaned her head on his shoulder.

“What’s wrong princess?” He asked.

“Is daddy mad at me?” She asked her voice showing her insecurity.

“No way princess. He’s just in shock you’re old enough to kiss boys. Did you at least enjoy it?” Richie smiled, glad this wasn't his daughter starting the boy thing.

“Mookie!” She exclaimed causing Jon to look up. Knowing he had to have this talk with his daughter no matter how much he dreaded it, he stood up and motioned for her to follow him to the back of the plane so they could at least have some privacy.

As Steph walked into the back room on the plane she shut the door.

“Daddy I’m sorry.” She started, predisposed to thinking she’s in trouble.

“Baby don’t be sorry unless he was a creep. You’ll always be my bubblegum princess. I’m not upset or angry with you honey I just want and need to talk to you.”

She moved to sit down next to him on the couch and asked him, “Talk about what?”

“Sex.”

“DAD!”

“I know embarrassing huh but I made a deal with your mom and I have to live up to it.” Jon explained softly.

“What deal?”

“If she gave you life I’d explain the birds and the bees to all of you. I don’t know the female details of…um” Jon stops not knowing how to explain coming of age to a girl; he stopped to think that maybe he should get Danielle involved here.

“Dad I’ve already got my period mom explained what that’s about.”

“OH thank God I didn’t want to go there.” Jon ran his hand through his hair and smiled knowing this conversation was just as awkward for her as it was him so he had to find a way to have it anyway. “Steph when I was about 19 I made a promise to your mother, she made one to me too and it was all about someday when we had kids how we’d treat them, how we’d talk to them. We promised each other a very long time ago that we’d never lie to our kids. I’m happy to say I’ve lived up to that. I have never lied to you and I will never lie to you or your bothers or my new kids.”

“Seriously dad you’ve never lied?” She asked more in the tone of I dare you to deny this.

“Nope, not when you’ve asked me a direct question. So I want you to know during this conversation, as weird as it is to talk about sex with you’re old man you have to know honey you can ask me absolutely anything and I will answer to the best of my ability.”

“Ok.” Steph says unsure of what this conversation will entail.

“Oh lawrd. Steph here’s the situation, my theory on growing up and sex is this, if you are old enough to have sex, you are old enough to talk about it. Even with your old man. Have you had sex yet Steph?”

“Dad!” She screams.

“Steph we need to have this conversation so it's time to get less shy. Answer the question sweetie.”

“No dad I haven’t.”

“Good.”

“So this is going to be one those conversations where you tell me not to have sex and tell me it's evil and warn me about the dangers of it.” Rolling her eyes thinking she already knows what he's going to say.

“Sort of. I’m not going to tell you to not have sex, I’m not going to tell you its evil but I am going to tell you the dangers of it.”

“What? My father isn’t going to tell his only daughter to stay a virgin forever.” Sarcasm flies from her mouth without a thought.

“No I’m not because that would make me an idiot and that is one thing of many I am not. Steph you are beautiful you got all the best traits of both your mother and I. I’m not going to act like a father who is completely out of touch. I know you’ll have sex at some point in this life, I just want to make sure you’re prepared first and you have all the facts.”

“like what?”

“Like do you even know what sex is?” Damn this was the hardest conversation he's ever had with her.

“Yes dad I do.” She mouths off to him.

“Ok what is it?” Jon dares her to reply.

“It's … DAD!” Steph can’t believe her dad actually wants her to talk about this.

“Come on if you’re old enough to think about this we need to talk about it? You proved today when I caught you kissing a boy that you’re thinking in that way so we need to talk.”

“It's when the boy puts his part in the girl.”

“Baby girl there is so much more to it. It's about tenderness, and showing the person you're with that they matter and that you want to be connected to them in a way you aren’t with anyone else. In my case it's showing my wife that she’s everything to me, that she’s the woman I love beyond everything and that I belong to her, heart, body and soul.”

“It won’t be like that for me?”

“Not right away sweetheart, when you first have sex it's all about how your body feels. How you want to touch the person you’re with, everywhere. As you get older, you’ll understand more that sex is fantastic as a way for your body to release built up tension but also a great way to say I love you to someone.”

“So you’re saying that when a guy tells me if I loved him I would have sex with him it's true?” She questioned not quite believing that her dad was being this honest with her. It made her smile inside to know he loves her this much.

“NO not at all, that’s completely a lie. I’m saying that you can say I love you that way if you want to. My wife isn’t feeling quite as sexy as she used to because she’s got a baby inside her that is making her body change and she worries that I won’t find her attractive. When we make love I tell her I love her with my body, I show her I love her and her body in a way that words sometimes fail at.” At that moment Jon realized that explaining sex to his little girl was going to make him old before his time.

“Oh ok.”

“Steph I need you to promise me one thing when it comes to sex?”

“What dad?”

“You’ll never have sex with a boy or man that isn’t your husband without a condom.”

“Dad seriously?”

“I’m serious Steph. I’m not kidding you sweetheart. I won’t sit here and tell you to never have sex, I won’t even sit here and tell you to make sure you only have sex after marriage. Steph I’m not going to be a hypocrite when it comes to sex. I know you’re going to do it I just want your promise to me that you’ll always use a condom unless you’re married.”

“Dad you can’t tell me that you have always used a condom.”

“No I haven’t always used one.”

“Then when do you make me promise?”

“Because baby girl, I’m 46 and I’ve only had sex with 2 women without a condom.”

“Dad you said that everyone except my husband.”

“Sweetheart the first woman was your mother, the woman I was married to for half my life and the other is Danielle my current wife. I’m serious that I want this promise from you. Sex without a condom can do anything from make you pregnant to sign your death certificate. Baby Girl, have you heard of HIV?”


Ch 7

After Jon proceeded to embarrass both himself and his daughter he hugged her and told her that she could ask him anything.

“Dad there are just some things about you I really don’t want to know.” Her cheeky grin got Jon to smile again.

“Good because there are some things I’d like to keep private too.” He smiled while rustling her hair.

“So dad, can I really just talk to you?” She wondered softly.

“Absolutely honey, I want you to know you can come to me for anything.” Jon stood up and started pacing the room they were in.

“When will I know its right? Like when do I know the guy is the one I should have sex with?”
Steph asked only to see her dad run his hand through his hair and turn to her.

“None of them.”

“DAD! You said I could talk to you!” She immediately was offended at his comment.

Jon sat took her hands into his and looked her in the eye, “I’m kidding - sort of. Honey, no one in my eyes will ever be good enough to touch you, no one will ever be good enough to marry you but that’s your dad speaking. Right now acting as your friend and dad I can tell you that when you are thinking of sex with the guy and the thought of explaining him to your 15 yr old daughter when you’re 46 doesn’t make you cringe you might be making the right choice.”

“Seriously dad, come on.”

“I am serious Steph. Make sure he counts; make sure the recounting of that event will mean something to you. Don’t make it something you’d like to wish away.”

“Dad what do you mean? What was your first time like? It was with mom right?”

“Baby I wish I could say that. Remember what I said 2 sec. ago about making it count and making it something you wouldn’t mind recounting to your child?”

“Yes.” She wondered exactly what he was getting at. She had never seen her dad look this ashamed.

“Steph I was 13 the first time I had sex and I can’t tell you her name, not because I’m being secretive but because I don’t know it. I’m embarrassed to say that my first time was nothing more than getting in and getting off. It was cheap and I’d love to believe that I learned something since then, I hope I’m able to pass on that knowledge to you and let you know that a nameless faceless person isn’t worth that special part of yourself. Make him count, whoever he ends up being just make sure he truly matters to you.”

Steph let go of Jon’s hands and hugged her dad. “Thank you for being honest with me daddy. I love you.”

“I love you too princess, now and forever.” His eyes misting a bit at how his baby girl has grown up.



Ch 8

As the plane touched down in Esky Danielle was on the phone to her best friend before they deplaned. Finding out Helen was 10 min outside of Esky made her smile. “Ok we’ll meet you at the Days in, take US 2 through town and it’ll be on your left on the far side of town, that’s about 20 min from where you are now.”
“Ok hon see you soon.”

“Ok Helen will meet us at the hotel so lets all pile in a rental.” Dani smiled and started to walk over to get a rental when Jon stopped her, “I’ll do it sweetheart you just relax.”

“Relax chasing your four kids around is relaxing?” She asked with a smile.

“Of course, kids are a joy baby.” He kissed her quickly and walked the 10 feet to the counter to get a rental.

As he returned he heard Jesse say “You’re not my mom.” Before Jon could respond he heard Dani, “You’re right I’m not, and I’m not trying to be. But when you are in my hometown and around my friends and family you will show me respect Jesse Bongiovi, I’ve done nothing to be disrespectful to you and I expect the same courtesy from my husband’s children.”

Jon wrapped his arm tight around Danielle’s waist immediately backing her up. “If you show her disrespect in anyway Jess you and I are going to have issues.”

“Do you have ears in the back of your head or something?” Jesse asked not knowing how his dad even knew that he and Danielle were having words.

“I’m your dad Jess, I see and hear everything. Now come on lets get out of the airport.” Jon smiled softly and as the kids walked out he pulled Danielle tight to him. “Are you ok?”

“Yeah I’m fine Jon, thanks for backing me up.”

“Care to tell me what I was supporting?” He smiled putting his hand in her back pocket.

“He said he wasn’t going to call my mom grandma and I advised him that she technically is his grandma. Jon she’ll be sad if kids don’t accept her. It's not her fault.” Danielle said softly into his chest.

“I’ll cure that baby, come on lets go.” Jon then got everyone and everything packed into the car, Richie opened the passenger side door for her and helped her in.

“Rich are sure you don’t want to sit up here you’re legs are much longer than mine?”

“No sweetie I’m good, besides I can’t give directions in a town I’ve never been in.” He closed the door and jumped in the back with the kids.

While in the back he quietly talked to Jesse asking him what is issue is.


“She’s not my mom.”

“Oh trust me kid we all know that.” Richie laughed thinking of a million and one differences between Dani and Dot.

“What do you mean Uncle Mookie?”

”Well Jess, do you want your dad happy or not?” He always had a great relationship with Jon’s kids but especially Jess.

“Of course I do.”

“Well then get over your ‘tude kid. You aren’t 4 anymore, Romeo’s got that covered. You are old enough to understand that mom and dad have been divorced for a while now – Danielle didn’t cause it but she’s putting the smile back in your dad’s heart so stop acting like a baby and realize that sometimes in life the best relationships can’t work and people have to move on. You’re dad didn’t leave your mom, it was the other way around. He had to get through it and get to the other side. Your mom and dad moved on and your dad found love again, be happy for him Jess. He’s happy when you’re happy. Don’t you think you owe him the same?”


“Are you mad at me Uncle Richie?” Jesse asked not liking the words or tone coming from his uncle.

“I’m disappointed Jess. I’ve always looked at you like the kid that just wanted people to enjoy life. Here you are, in the town Danielle grew up with giving her shit about how you’re going to treat her mom. Come on Jess- Does Danielle’s mom really have anything to do with your parents getting divorced?”

“No.”

“Ok then why are you acting like this? This isn’t the Jesse I know. Danielle is pregnant, scared and all alone really out in Jersey. She moved there only knowing your dad so that he wouldn’t have to leave you guys to start a life with her. She brought all of us to her home to share that with us and you immediately disrespect that and put her on the defensive. I expect adults to do stupid mean things to one another, as you get older you stop caring as much about how your actions affect people around you but I never thought you’d hit that at 13.”

“Hey Danielle what’s that building?” Steph asked trying to cover the conversation Richie and Jess were having in the far back of the vehicle.

“That was my high school Steph.”

”Wow its small – compared to ours.”

”Yes but honey this is tim-buck-two. We don’t even have our own city school it’s the AREA high school, kids are bussed from all the surrounding cities to attend school here.”

“No way- how far away?”

“Some of the kids lived 25-30 miles from school.” She told her.

”I not going that far to school-make me tired getting there.” Romeo laughed from his booster seat Jon had rented.

As the family arrived at the hotel, Jon brought the kids up to the room and Danielle waited downstairs for Helen. When Jon looked at her to question her actions she just smiled, “Need some sister bonding we’ll be up in a few.”

Jon pulled Danielle to him without a concern for how it looked or who was watching. “You are mine, don’t freak out because of my 13
Yr old, I want you in my arms, in my bed, in my life and in my heart. I love you Danielle.”

Smiling she ran her hand up and moved a short strand of hair from his face. “I love you too Jon. We’re good.”

”Why don’t you play with my hair more?” He asked absently as he kissed the palm of her hand.

“Because you’re hair is too damn dark and short and I don’t like it.” Just then Helen walked in and Danielle ran over to her for a hug.

Jon smiled softly and whispered, “Wife needs a spanking.” As he got in the elevator leaving the sisters alone to bond for a bit. He had a child to set straight.


Ch 9
Opening the hotel room door Jon saw his daughter in her normal place, a corner chair with her cell phone texting someone whom Jon could only assume was the kissing boy. His youngest sons were using Uncle Richie as a jungle gym and making him smile wider than he’s seen on Rich in months. It was good to see his brother smile.

Jon quickly let his eyes land on Jesse. Motioning with his eyes to the balcony he followed his son out there. “Jesse”
“Dad I’m sorry ok. I’ll apologize to Danielle when she comes upstairs. It's not her fault that you and mom didn’t make your marriage work and it wasn’t fair for me to take it out on her.”

“Wow- so Uncle Richie hit home huh?” Jon laughed astonished at the 180 his son had just done.

“Seriously dad, Mookie just reminded me that you and mom were over before you ever met Danielle. She’s kind of a parent to me now so I have to find a way to deal.”

“Jesse I admire you son. I am very proud to be your dad.”

“Really? I thought you were mad at me?”

“Jesse I was disappointed in you but the way you realized your mistake and manned up and apologized, son that’s what real men are made of. If you do something wrong you man up to it. You really are growing up buddy.”

As Jon puts his arm around his son’s shoulders the door to the suite opens and the vision he see’s stops him in his tracks. His beautiful pregnant wife holding a baby. Well not to much of a baby, 16 month old Liam but none the less, the look on her face and the fact there was a child in her arms caused Jon to instantly walk across the room and kiss her.
Liam allowed that for a moment or two before slapping at Jon’s shoulder, “Stop, mine.”

“Ok Liam, you and I are going to have words. That beautiful woman holding you – she’s MINE. SHE” Jon pointed to Helen, “Is your mommy and she’s yours but I’m possessive and I’m not giving up what’s mine. I’ll share her though ok?” Jon said seriously almost like he was speaking to an adult.

Liam ponders the thought and smiles. “Ok.”

Jon smiled at the toddler and then looked to Dani, “Hey babe you want to do introductions?”

With that Danielle introduced her best friend/sister to all of Jon’s kids and Richie. Emphasizing the fact that Richie was single and had a child. She figured that Helen if nothing else would get a friend out of the deal that might understand some of her issues with being a single parent.

It takes no time at all for Jon to sit Danielle down and start to cuddle with her while talking with Helen and Richie. Silently Helen took in the scene in front of her and made mental note to remind Dani how lucky she was with Jon. She watched as Jon got up to get Danielle a drink, he held her close the entire time they were sitting on the couch, he rubbed her belly and kissed her constantly.

“So exactly how did the triplets come into play?” Richie asked trying to determine what happened. He knew from Jon they had been having problems conceiving.

“We were on some medication to increase our chances of making a baby and one of the side effects of the meds is multiples. Personally I think it's fantastic. We wanted more than one child anyway and in this situation given our ages, we’ll have that and not risk even more or have more problems. So far so good, the only issues I’ve been told about are back aches.” Jon smiled and pulled Dani closer.

“Are there others?” Helen asked her sister knowing that Danielle couldn’t like to her, for some reason it never worked when she tried so she knew she’d get the truth.

“Just feel like a whale.”

“You’re look like an angel.” Jon explained to her with a kiss to the temple. “just remember baby I helped create those beautiful children and you’re just watching them full time now for us but soon I’ll be able to hold them too.”

“How did you do this?” Helen asked.

“Do what?”

“You managed to wait forever for the perfect guy and then you get your prince charming and he’s your favorite rock star to boot. How’d you do it?” Helen asked with a laugh.

“Easy I just refused to settle. I waited so long that God saw I wasn’t bluffing and sent me Jon.”


Ch 10

It doesn’t long for Danielle’s mom to call and let them know that she is home. As Dani gets everyone in the appropriate vehicle she bounces in her seat waiting for Jon to buckle Romeo in. Once they were on their way Danielle was bouncing around in her seat.

“Honey is your seatbelt on?” He asked his wife.

“yes I’m just happy I want to see my mom and introduce everyone.”

“It's ok baby it's just too cute that you’re this happy about seeing your mommy.” He smiled and pulled into mom’s yard.

She immediately got out of the car and ran into the house. Richie and Helen pulled up behind Jon and Richie questioned why Danielle wasn’t outside with him. “I don’t know I’m just going to assume it wasn’t personal and she really does want to be part of this family.” Jon said with a layer of sarcasm in his voice that Richie picked up on easily. Problem is so did Helen.

“Jon get your head out of your butt, she just wanted to tell her mom by herself. It's not anything against you it's just they’ve had an incredibly close relationship.”

“But the children are mine too.” He almost pouted the answer out.

“Yes but like you told her she has to do what she needs to protect them now, until they are born then you can help. Right now she’s doing just that, by telling her mom and bonding with her that way she’s reducing the stress she’ll carry.”

“Alright I’ll stop pouting.” Jon laughed as Dani walked out with her mom.

“Jon congratulations honey.” Mom took him in her arms for a hug and then saw Helen and Liam and hugged them too.

“Mom I have some kids for you to meet. Here’s the rest of the family. This is my 15 yr old Stephanie.”

“Hello Mrs. Harafin.” Stephanie says.

“Oh sweetheart can you find another name, Fran, Mic, you can call me grandma if you like.”

“How about Grandma Mic?”

“Oh that sounds perfect.” Mom hugged Steph after that and the boys knew immediately they were in for hugs as Jon introduced them all and everyone including Jesse responded kindly.
Then Danielle introduced her brother Richie to the fold.

“When did I have you?”

“I’m not sure mom, probably before you were hold enough because I’m not a spring chicken.” He laughed.