Chapter Eighty Six

"Ok, look, but don't get mad."
"why would I get mad?, I don't like the sound of this?"
"trust me its nothing bad, just gonna involve a little change..."
Mara eyed me suspiciously, and so far I was not making a good job of explaining and I was making it sound shady and unappealing... I took her arm and led her to a seat, and sat beside her.
"thing is, you know when Joel rang me when we were back home before the wedding?," she shook her head "yeah what of it, your doing that movie right?, no biggie I said I was cool with that..."
"yeah, look that was not all."
"why? what else did he say?"
"well he asked me if I wanted to work on a project with him, and spend the next two years here in the Uk, all expenses paid, a fabulous house, and I jumped at the opportunity and agreed."
Mara sat with an expressionless look to her face, and remained quiet. I took her hand in mine, "say something baby?"
"what can I say its all agreed, what perplexes me is that, we are a couple, now I'm your wife and you never even thought enough of me to tell me about it?"
"I wanted to surprise you, I thought you'd be happy cause you love England."
"mmm not sure its a surprise, its more a shock, Jon, I have my mom back home, you have your family, we cant just leave home and stay here, there's things that all need organising, this is such a bad idea.... Oh god I am over whelmed and really I'm lost rambling and don't know what to say, or think?"
"baby, your reading way to much into this, look, its a work opportunity, simple, we get to go to the realty agent to find our home, and were not staying forever, and anytime you want home we get on a plane and go, no questions asked, that's a promise..."
She still sat looking straight ahead and not focused on me. "Mara, baby?"
she turned her head and spoke, "Jon, you make it all sound so easy, but in reality its a life change," she managed a meek smile, "but I need time to digest it all and think, can you give me that time please?"
this time I shook my head, what else could I do....
"Do the kids know?"
"erm not yet..."
"don't you think they should know the plans too?, they have school after all and friends back home Jon...."
"we will tell the kids together when you have taken time to take in what I've said... ok?" she shook her head, now I'd delivered the bombshell, I felt flat, "what would you like to do this afternoon?"
"Go back to the guest house and have a coffee and think, if that's ok?"
"sure, I hailed a cab and we got in and in silence drove back to the guest house, the kids were unusually quiet too on the journey, and all went straight to their rooms as we entered the house. I followed Mara up the stairs to our room after saying hi to our house keeper, inside the room a large sigh escaped Mara's lips... "I just don't get it Jon, Why could you have not told me about it before, we could have discussed it and planned things you know?, and its not that I'm not grateful I am, but I need to organise things and get it all right in my head.... I have clients too from my business,?"
she turned to look at me, and stood quiet letting me know this was my opening to try and figure this out with her and win her over.
"Look, honestly, I get I'm a jerk, but believe me when I say I just wanted to give you your dream, for as long as I can remember you have always talked about living in the uk, how it excites you and how much you love it... when Joel asked me the question, I didn't hesitate and said yes, I guess in hindsight I should have told you, but I wanted it to be a surprise not a shock.... which I can see has totally back fired and I'm sorry..... I paused.... Look its no biggie, Ill contact Joel and tell him I aint doing the project...." I took my cell from my pocket and went to dial his number, ""no wait, Jon lets talk this through together and lets see what we can arrange ok?, and if it don't sit right then you can call Joel..." she smiled at me giving me hope.
"so where you wanna start?" I asked,  she looked at me with wide eye's and answered, "At the beginning of course, I want to know the whole conversation you have had that led to you making this decision..." sitting on the arm chair by the window, she crossed her legs relaxed her arms on the arm rest and added, "I'm ready?"
For some reason I felt like a school boy about to be interrogated by the head teacher for banging erasers around in class... but swallowing hard I moved and sat on the edge of the bed opposite where Mara was in the chair and began.
"two weeks prior to our wedding Joel rang me, I thought he was calling to confirm the movie and start date, but he was so excited and told me about this music project he was working on with Elton John, and that when he had mentioned to Elton you and me would be in England on honey moon and the movie he asked if Id like to join the project as he loved my song writing, as did Bernie his writing partner.  babes, Elton John right?"
Mara shook her head, "go on"
"I told Joel I was interested, and he said he'd sort it out and come back to me with more details.
"so at this point nothing was confirmed?"
"Right?, then two days later Joel rang me back and said, if I wanted to do this with Elton he would pay for me to buy a forever home in England as a thank you"
"so where exactly did me and the kids fit in too all of this?"
"Baby, we were here for our honeymoon and me working on the film, which you already knew about, I just didn't think this would be that much of a bigger deal and that as you said you wanted to live in the uk, you'd love the idea too..."
"but two years Jon?"
"yeah two years, but were here for eighteen months anyway, what's the stress about 6 months more, and a house too?, can you see where I'm coming from baby? its a win,win situation"
Mara digested the information "but you still should have told me Jon,  I do get your thinking, but this is my life and the kids life too, don't you think we have the right to decide what we want as well?"
How is it that women can do that? turn a positive into a negative and still make you feel bad even when you think your doing the right thing? I guess that was something I was never gonna understand... I tried again, "yes to all of what you said baby, but can you at least now see where I was coming from?"
she softened her look, "yes I can see, and Ill go with it, providing you get the kids in and tell them and if there ok you have your deal, we will live in the uk for the extended six months, if they don't, you do your movie and we head back home deal?"
I had no option I had to agree and as Mara held out her hand I shook it, before grabbing her to her feet and pulling her in for a kiss and holding her real tight....her lame protests fell on deaf ears and as I kissed her deeply I felt her melt into my arms...... I knew id gotta tell the kids but right now my mind was else where and Mara was coming along for the ride and without to much of an argument so far.... anyway

Chapter Eighty Five

There was no way to back down on this one, so I bit my own butt and stood and just sang out a couple of verses from Living on a Prayer... the sound of clapping and cheering filled my ears as I sat down again, marking Jesse and Stephanie within ear shot I warned them we would be talking later, each caught my stink eye and hung their heads in shame. Mara on the other hand was delighted and was happily chatting to everyone that came over to say hi, she was polite, and respectful, and the smile that was a mile wide spoke of how proud she was of me, and despite my misgivings with the kids, I had to admit that it sat good in my heart too.

Leaving the Hardrock however, was a chore in itself, given, I had now been recognised, and everyone either stood as we tried to exit, and stuck out a hand towards me, or a tirade of bodies rushed over as we reached the stairway asking for autographs, it took some time but we did make it to the sidewalk. Immediately I held up my arm in the air signalling for a black cab to stop; Mara tugged gently at my sleeve as we stood waiting,  my arm already beginning to ache from being held in the air so long, funny, it always worked in the movies, but they were all evading my arm that's for sure. "Don't be too hard on them?" half concentrating on keeping my arm raised I looked down at my wife, I tried playing the dumb, "hard on who?"  but it was no dice,
"You know very well who, Don't try to be such a smart ass, you know exactly what and who I'm talking about...
a little too sarcastically I replied " Oh you mean, the part when my kids could have got me arrested again and locked up in jail?"
"Yeah, ok putting it like that it sounds bad, but they were just having fun, and nothing bad happened did it?, other than you made some very mediocre lunch exciting for a lot of people...including me.."
"that's alls good Mara, but it could have been a different story, I'm not gonna holler at um, but they need to know that doing dumb ass stuff like that can be serious..."
"Yeah, but please, go easy they didn't mean no harm really," she looked up at me with her liquid chocolate eye's and I couldn't stop the smile that spread across my lips, and defeated I agreed.

After an age, and with my muscles all but seized in my arm a cab stopped, it was a tight squeeze but we all got in, "where to guvnor?" I stared at the driver, not sure what he was saying, he looed at me as I answered,  "what?"  Hearing my accent he asked again, "Where to?" I shook my head, and turning to Mara I asked,
"Where do you wanna go next?"
"Harrods," Mara's eyes lit up as she almost squealed her reply,  looking at the driver he shook his head and started the meter and we set off ,to one of the worlds most famous stores.
"who owns that store dad?" Steph asked a question, before I could answer Mara took charge, "a man called, Mohammad Al Faed.." she spoke it in a very factual voice and seemed proud of herself knowing the information. I was puzzled too seeing as Mara's idea of shopping back home was either Walmart, or regular run of the mill clothes stores, she had never been one for designer clothes.
I had to know, " so how you know?"
she sat looking smug, "Cause I know loads about London, its one of the top places I have always wanted to visit, so you do learn don't ya?"
"I guess," then I caught the London book peeping out of her purse, pulling it out I waved it in front of her eye's, "and having a read helps too right?" she flushed bright red, "Ok you got me..."

The distance to the store from The Hardrock, was not far, but the uptown traffic was horrendous and paying the cab fare at the end £30.00, told me walking is gonna be another option, or I was gonna be bankrupt if we kept up using cabs.

The kids stood on the sidewalk, and we all looked at the man stood by the door, he was dressed in green and gold livery, he looked like something out of a story book, as we all neared the door he opened it for us to enter.  "Steph whispered up close, "OMG he's a doorman..." I shook my head in acknowledgement, as she sided next to Jessie and they walked inside. We all stood in a fantastic marbled lobby area with escalators to both left and right, and directions to different floors.

Jake noticed that the toy department was to the left and tugged so hard at my arm I thought he'd pulled my arm outta my socket. "Pop, toys, PLEASE!!!" I looked at the rest of the guys, "You all ok with that?" all shook there heads, so we got on the moving escalators and headed up to the third floor.

Jake couldn't believe his eye's as there were life size stuffed toys everywhere, with price tags costing thousands, he was really impressed and drawn to the life size horse, his eye's were gleaming... he looked over at me, I knew what was coming.
Walking over I picked at the price tag, staring back at me was a price of £1,000 pounds, quickly converting the exchange rate to dollars, it was $1,500, kneeling beside little man, I spoke, "Jakey, do you realise how much money this is?"
puzzled he looked at the tag too, then looking back at me he replied. "a whole heap?"
"what's a whole heap to you?"
biting his lip, he answered, "more than I can afford."
"ok, so what can you afford,?"
he dug his little hands into his pocket and brought out his spending money, slowly he counted it out into my hand, as we both stood looking he had £100.00 pounds, or $125.00.
"so how much more do you think you need to buy that horse?"
he looked at the money then at me before he answered. "a years allowance?"
laughing, I answered him, "your not far off son, and looking at it, do you really think its worth all that money?"
he looked at the horse, and then back at me, shaking his head he replied, "nah" and then took off to find something else to wish for, and that took like seconds, his little legs and body darted in and out of the other shoppers, and he came to stop at a robot game. there was an assistant demonstrating how it worked. the robot was only miniature and stood on a mirrored platform, with the magnet located underneath as you moved it around you moved the robot on the mirror too, what he found cool was the toy was filled with coloured sand and you could make shapes and patterns as it moved and write things too, an cause it was sand it could be re used in the toy over and over. he pulled my arm, I bent down next to him, "pop how much is £25.00 in our money?" quick to work out the cost I told him about $30.00, his next question came fast, "cool can I get it?"
"sure if you really want to, but don't you wanna look around a bit more first?" he thought for a millisecond and took off again, Jessie followed him and said he keep his eye on him, Steph was looking at the teddy bears, as Mara and me sided up beside her. Mara spoke, "He's cute"
Steph looked round at her and smiled. "he is, I'm thinking of buying one for my room, but I'm not sure how much it is?" I looked at the tag, £40.00, then I noticed the tag had other currency's shown there too, one of which was our money. $65.00. Steph quickly put it back. "This shop is expensive... not sure I can really afford anything here pop.."
Mara slipped her arm in Stephs and she moved over to the book section, I looked at the bears and as a surprise I picked up two medium sized bears for both Mara and Steph, then slipped over to the demonstrator with the Robot game and bought that for Jakey too. Jessie was into his sports so I was planning on treating him to something special too, but that would have to be later as we moved from section to section.
I moved across to the checkout operator and paid for the items I had, then with them in a Harrods bag I made my way back over to the girls. They were deep in conversation about a cook book and making novelty cakes. As I reached the girls my cell rang, reaching in my pocket and juggling the bags I had I answered, "Yo?"
"Jon, its Calum, you made it to London then?"
"Yeah, got here couple of days ago, sightseeing and stuff..."
"so where are you now?"
"Harrods"
"Liking it?"
"yeah, but man its not a poor mans shop and that's for sure?"
Calum laughed, "got that right my man so we cool for the meeting in couple of days?, its a great opportunity for you?,
"Yeah alls good, time same as you wrote me?"
"Yeah, no changes, anyway, just wanted to touch base, see ya Friday."
Ending the call Mara stood in front of me, arms folded across her chest she looked at me, after saying nothing she asked " who was that, and who are you meeting in a couple of days?, what's going on Jon?"
Time now to share the surprise, and I was praying she'd be happy....

Chapter Eighty Four

Fully rested the next morning after breakfast we set off to do the sight seeing thing around London. the kids voted on visiting Madame Taussards first, they wanted to see if they had my wax work still there. Now I wished I hadn't told them I'd sat for one in the eighties, Mara was intrigued to, so I was out voted, so packed up with necessities and with  Joe our driver we climbed into the car and set off. I had my baseball cap and sunglasses at the ready so hopefully I could blend in with the rest of the tourists, and thank fully with the sun shining wearing the shades I would not look to outta place.

Joe negotiated the centre of London with ease, which was not indifferent to the hustle of New York at peak flow, and he somehow managed to stop not to far short of the attraction to allow us to get out safely and go join the already mile long queue. I had his card and when we had finished for the day all I had to do was call him to come collect us.

Out of the vehicle the kids shot off to join the waiting line with Mara and me following a little slower behind.
My idea I'd had playing in my mind, was still high priority and I wanted to discuss it with Mara, and right now seeing her smiling and her enthusiasm it inspired confidence what I was going to speak with her about she would be happy to agree.

All standing together, and listening not just to my kids excited chatter about the attraction but listening to others waiting in line was a treat. The family in front of us, I'm guessing was Mom and Pop with their two kids, "Ooooh I so hope Justin Bieber is in there, I want my photo with him so bad mum..."
"Who knows Sammie, we will see won't we, Robert stop pinching your sister please..."
"Who do you wanna see Robert?"
the young guy shrugged his shoulders then answered, "Someone I know I guess..." His sister then started in on him, "Oh you are so lame, Someone you know... this aint about meeting our friends doubles in here you muppet..."
"Enough, both of you, or well go back home..."
I was fascinated by the family, and couldn't help listening in to the family chit chat. the normality of everyday life, and how no family with kids was to indifferent to my own. I studied the family, the mom was a striking women early forties, average build, dressed smart but casual in jeans with a t, her blond hair cut short which fitted her elfin features, the pop was around 6ft and he seemed by nature a quiet kinda guy who let his wife control the kids, he came across as the man to be back up to his wife when needed. He was stocky in build and dressed in shorts, with t and sneakers. the kids were dressed as most teens dress, and looking along the line the kids could all have been moulded in the same clothes factory, mine included as the repetition of clothing was 100 percent. I smiled to myself analysing and listening to the family, Mara had to poke me in the ribs twice to get my attention.
"Hey welcome back, I've been talking to you for the last ten minutes, but you seem oblivious to what I was saying, or that I was even here?"
quickly I apologised, "I'm sorry babe, I was miles away..."
"Yeah so I saw..."
concentrating on Mara, and quick to make it right I asked, "Sorry babe what was it you wanted?"
relaxing her arms back by her side, she slipped one arm through mine as she asked, "can we go see the London Eye next, then Harrods, Buckingham palace,..."
I laughed, "Whoa there, take it easy, we don't wanna see everything in one day do we?, we have a month to see everything, lets not burn ourselves out on day one."
Mara paused and grinning from ear to ear, she nodded her head. "I'm sorry I'm just so excited to be here, I cant wait to do and see everything, I feel like a kid in a candy store at Christmas.."
Pulling her close into me, I kissed the top of her head and smiled, as the line started to move. Reaching the cashier I paid for the tickets and we headed inside to the attraction, with us, about ten thousand other tourists descended at the same time as Inside the place was manic,  the kids looked at me, everywhere we looked there were people hustling for photo's with the different celebrities. Jake looked at me a frown and disappointment on his face, "dad, I don't know any of these people, do I have to have my photos taken with them?"
I laughed, "No its ok buddy, you can just look at them, and just have your picture taken with someone you know and like... ok?"
his young mind settled he took off to check out all the first line of celebrities, I called out after him, "Jakey, stay close, I don't want to lose you..."
Looking forlorn he returned to my side, and shuffled along next to us in protest, his arms crossed over his chest and a scowl set on his little face.
I stopped and knelt beside him, "listen buddy, I only want to keep you safe ok, we are in a foreign country and I don't want to lose you ok? once we get outta here you can have a little more freedom, ok, I'm sure the rooms will thin out as we move round..." my reasoning wasn't cutting it, in the end I relented to bribing him "look Ill let you have a fudge Sunday and soda pop at the hard Rock café, all your call ok?"  That worked and his little face broke out into a broad smile, as his little hand slipped into mine and Mara's. Jessie and Steph were hustling with the crowd to get close to the stars. Steph came back and announced there was a copy of Arnie dressed as the terminator and she wanted her photo with it so she could e-mail her friends to say "she'd be back..." Mara went forward and took the picture with the camera. Any idea's that the rooms would thin out of people were not happening any time soon and to reach the end it took us more than four hours, as we walked back out onto the side walk at the end, hot flustered tired and all wanting a drink, I hailed a cab to take us to the hard rock café for a rest.

After paying the cab fare, we headed into the Hard rock café, "Jessie asked, " Hey Pop, aint this where, you and uncle Richie and the guys played and were arrested cause you did not have a working visa?"
I shook my head, "Yeah,"
As we waited the questions started, "What was it like being arrested?, where did they take you?"
I laughed at the interest, "Whoa, it was not cool Jessie so less of the enthusiasm please,"
"Wait a minute, you were arrested?, how come I didn't know that?" Mara looking at me a quizzical look on her face...
"It was way back when we first started out, our manager Doc Magee, got us the wrong visa's and we were booked to play here, Doc didn't want to lose the fee, so he told us to do it, the law wouldn't do shit, so we played on the balcony to thousands of fans below and after we were arrested..."
"Wow, my husband has a criminal record, I never would have thought.... I'm surprised they let you back..."  she laughed, and I caught Jessie and Steph whispering to each other too...
"Ok you too, what's the secrecy about?"
"Jessie looked guilty as he answered, "Oh nothing pop honest" he smiled the biggest smile and I knew both he and Steph were up to no good.
"Stephanie Rose, out with it?"
she looked at me trying to look all innocent, "What, it's nothing pop, I swear..."  neither of them were giving anything away, so I made sure to keep a close eye on them as I knew they were making mischief.
The bleeper we had been given for a table started to buzz, so I headed with the guys following to the station and handed it to the staff member who then took us to our table. We had no sooner sat down when Steph asked to go to the rest room, as she left the rest of us choose our meals from the menu.
When Steph returned she had a member of staff with her, "Pop, Pele here has recognised you and has asked if you would sing a song for her and the diners?"
the tables surrounding us all broke out in cheers and applause, as I sat there uncomfortable, with a dilemma of whether to accept or decline, as I was conscious that my visa was not a working visa and I did not fancy spending the rest of my vacation in jail for breaking English law again...

Chapter Eighty Three

We touched down at Heathrow airport, after a relaxed uneventful but pleasant flight. I thanked Carl and Charlotte as we left and exited the plane.

"Any time Mr Bongiovi, Have a pleasant stay in London sir we will see you for your return flight" We shook hands as I walked down the jetty corridor with Mara next to me and the kids tailing behind. We walked and walked for what felt like miles though different tunnels to at last get to to border control. "Passports Please?" I handed them  over and waited for the questions.  "What's the purpose of your trip today?" I answered,  "Vacation and work" "Do you have your work visa?" I handed it over, "how long are you planning on staying in the united kingdom?" "A month"

She checked over my documents, and holding a blank expression she stamped mine and Maras and the kids passports.  

Her last comment " Have a nice stay with us Mr Bongiovi." No personality at all, I guess that was a criteria of the job... I smiled to myself as we left border control.

 All together we headed to collect our luggage at the baggage carousel. When I was on tour I had a team to do that for me, but now I was on vacation with my family I was loving doing the normal tourist part. Carl had ensured our baggage was off loaded quickly and as we reached the carousel the kids saw our baggage waiting for us. Direct from baggage collection we headed through nothing to declare and out to the exit foyer.

"right guys look out for our driver, he will have a card saying Mr Grumpy"
"Why grumpy dad?"
"no idea, ask your uncle Obie, he arranged it." I heard Steph and Jessie sniggering behind... turning round trying to look angry I asked, "yes... something you wanna share?"

they looked from one to other before again dissolving into fits of giggles.  I turned to look at Mara who had her head facing away from me and she too was laughing. the only person not laughing like me was Jakey. he stood looking at the others as if they had gone mad, he had tears in his eyes too as he asked " but dads not grumpy, so why are you laughing?". Looking at my youngest, I told him to ignore the others, that it was Uncle Obie's joke. his young face looked up at me all innocence as he said, "well I don't think its funny, why couldn't uncle Obie give your real name?" It was difficult to explain fame to a child so I told him not to stress it was all good and when we saw his Uncle next he could tell him off. that settled his mind and we wandered into the foyer and started looking for the "Mr Grumpy" sign. Stood just before the exit door to the sidewalk, we spotted our driver, Smiling; I walked up to him and introduced myself and our family, he did the same,

" Good evening sir, my name is Joe." he gave me his card with his contact details.

"anything you need, please don't hesitate to call."

Taking our luggage, he gestured the way out to the sidewalk and to the waiting SUV.  he stowed the luggage in the trunk,  while the kids climbed in to sit far back; Mara and me climbed inside the middle back,  then with Joe at the wheel we left Heathrow Airport.

"can I ask sir, do you know where you are staying?"  I pulled out the documents from my hand luggage and past them to Joe.
"ah, your staying in Barnes, South London, a stones throw from the city. You ever been there before?"
"Er London yeah, but, where you say we're staying,?"

"Barnes sir?"

"no never been there, what's it like?"
"nice, it's a village in a big city, you'll see."
" great how long till we get there?"
"hour, maybe hour and half"
That was fine, I was with my family, and enjoying my time, we were away from the stress of my pop and home and we were on honeymoon. I answered Joe.

" that's fine, take your time."
Then holding Maras hand we sat back and took in the sights of the towns in Surrey on route to our holiday home for the next month.

 

The going was slow, traffic was real bad tail to tail along most of the roads, the kids were quiet as they looked out and studied the houses and people going about their everyday business, Joe had been correct on time as and hour and a half later we pulled up outside our home for the next month.

 

Joe helped us with our luggage as we met the agent on the steps of a gorgeous Victorian town house.

"Good Evening Mr Bongiovi, I'm Ellie Waters." I shook her hand and introduced my family as she unlocked the house and we stepped inside. Smells of coffee and fresh baked cookies filled my nostrils and the house was warm and welcoming as we entered, the kids all chorused together, "mmmm cookies", they immediately took off to find the kitchen; where they met with the cook and house keeper, Back at our sides with cookies and glasses of milk we were taken on a tour of the house by Ellie.

The décor was modern with a art deco twist, dressed out in yellows and pastel greens and pink. It was clean and going to be very comfortable.

At the end of the tour we were all taken into the kitchen where we too met our house keeper, her name was Sandie. A women of older years, slim, slightly greying but still attractive with a friendly face.
""Would you like something to eat?" "Mara shook her head, I too was feeling hungry it had been some time since we ate. A sandwich made with white bread, with cheese and tomato and mayonnaise with a fresh cup of coffee were placed in front of Mara and me as we sat at the kitchen breakfast nook.

Sandie told us that she would be looking after us during our month long break, and anything we needed, we only had to ask, but not to hesitate to help ourselves to anything we wanted in her absence.

She had her own quarters at the far back of the house, but told us; she would work the hours we wanted to make our vacation a pleasant one.

 The kids had gone off in search of their rooms, and took their luggage with them, while Mara and I sat talking to Sandie as we ate our snack and drank our coffee. We learned that she had been a head house keeper for five years, but prior to that she had been a manager of a Estate Agent, not familiar with the term Mara asked, "Wants that?" Sandie smiled, then adjusted the meaning,  as she corrected her meaning "I believe you call it realty?"

Mara smiled, "of course, I'm such a dumbass sometimes, I guess its cause I'm tired..." Sandie smiled , "so I believe congratulations are in order, you are here on honeymoon?"

we shook our heads as we looked at each other, and I spoke, "yes, we were married yesterday."

"Oh that's so nice, well Congratulations both, so what are you planning while your in London?"
"Mara answered before I had a chance, "Everything, I cant wait..."

chapter Eighty Two

How we made it to the airport and then on board the Jovi jet is gonna remain one of life's mysteries to me, I've never witnessed such disorganised chaos in all my life, there were kids running in and out of rooms, Mara going through her checklist over and over and ma making sure we had every drug needed in a pouch, just incase.... I told her more than once, "Ma we ain't going to Mars, we can get these in any drug store in Europe," "yes and when you need a store you won't be able to find one." I laughed and gave in and just went with the flow.

Ma was driving us to the airport to save time, hadn't quite got that one figured out yet, but she was happy and I wasn't gonna rock the boat, I wanted happy people before we set off on honeymoon. I know my ma did not agree with me not telling Mara about my pop but she accepted my wishes, so I figured give as well as take, then its a win, win situation.

 

At the airport, we all stood out of the SUV with our luggage on the sidewalk, any easy escape was outta the question, when my ma jumped out too and grabbed us all wishing us a great vacation and a safe flight.

I really had to pry her arms from the kids so we could get going and check in.  It took forever, but we managed to make it through the doors into the departure foyer, as we moved forward in the direction of the check-in desk, I could see her waving and wiping her eyes.

"For the love of god, that women's not real..."

"Jon, she loves you, she is going to miss us, have a heart."

I smiled at Mara and shook my head and turning back I gave my ma a wave...

"Ok, happy now..." she smacked my butt. "Better" 

At check-in all the usual answers done we headed to security, as always I was the one that triggered the sensors and had to remove everything but my pants and be frisked before they would allow me though. A great source of fun for my wife.

"I think they knew it was you and the only way the women security officer could ever touch you up was legally... she certainly had a smile on her face the whole time..."  

"you think?" walking down to the gate, she laughed. the kids were sharing their banter and I knew we were going to have a great honeymoon and vacation.

We boarded the bus for the short trip to the plane, standing off the bus, as it turned around and left, I looked up to the door entrance of the jet. Stood waiting to welcome us on board was Carl our captain and Charlotte our cabin crew. Turning to Mara and the kids I asked, "so we all ready?" a resounding chorus cried out in unison, "yeah, lets get this muther..." "Jessie Bongiovi, watch your mouth..." he smiled at me and apologised, "Sorry dad, I'm just psyched you know..."  

"alright, lets go then, follow me." I led the way up the steps to the top, with Mara and the kids following behind her.  "Good Morning Mr Bongiovi, nice to have you on board." I smiled at him as I introduced Mara, what caught me by surprise was how Mara behaved, as she extended her hand to meet his, I noticed she was blushing. Mara looked at me, then looked to Charlotte and continued with the pleasantries of meeting our crew. I brushed it off and smiled to myself, I had a feeling Mara fancied our captain, or was it the uniform I guessed on the latter..
"Thank you Carl, nice to see you again, its been a while." he smiled and shook his head then added,
"My congratulations to you both on your wedding"
"thank you,  we appreciate it, so any storm's we need to ride or should it be smooth?"
" no reports of any bad weather sir so should be a nice flight"  "great, " he smiled as we moved past and took our seats. Mara chose them, we were sitting on the left side and Mara took the window seat... "Hey not fair I wanted that seat?" laughing she replied, well sit somewhere else then..."

I sat next to her, "oh really, is this the real you Mrs Bongiovi, getting all bossy,?" and leaning in close I whispered, " and what was with you blushing meeting the captain, care to share..?" she giggled as she whispered back, "I had a flash image of you wearing that uniform... for me..." I burst out laughing as my guess had been right, leaning back in I whispered, "well this is our honeymoon so never say never, anything is possible..." she smiled at me and blushed again. then she cast her eye's out looking at the runway.

My attention was caught momentarily as the kids had spent ages finding a seat they wanted to sit in, Charlotte was closing up the plane, a given we were nearing take off.  

Jakey was jumping from one seat to the other, having a seat in front of me, I caught him mid run and made him sit facing me. "hey lil man, steady ok... sit down and fasten your belt, were about to take off". no sooner had I said that carl came over the intercom. "cabin crew to seats please."

I watched as charlotte seated herself in the jump seat and buckled up. there was no psychical safety drill on my jet, we had cards and the video played while we taxied ready to depart.

I looked at all the kids, and smiled as they studied it, then I looked across at Mara who was miles away, "penny for them?"

she smiled back at me,  before speaking "thank you, thank you so much?"

"what for?"

"for giving me my dream..." she held her smile and behnd her chocolate eyes were tears, I took her hand and held it, as the captain increased the engine speed to a roar and we sped down the runway, taking off on our vacation/honeymoon, destination.... London England...  

Chapter Eighty One

I was stunned in one way and not another, my pop and me had always had this love hate relationship, now I understood it to be a jealous hate relationship. the one thing I couldn't do was tell Mara, It wasn't right to ruin her moment because of my ass of a pop. No, I reasoned with myself, when we got home after the honeymoon was soon enough.

 

leaving my ma drinking her coffee, I took a two fresh cups of coffee, one for me and one for Mara together with some fruit and slice of toast for breakfast on a tray. I wanted to start the day right. We were leaving in a few hours for our honeymoon and I was going to fix my attention on Mara and my kids, although I had an idea playing in my head, but didn't want to say anything until I had ran through the scenario fully in my own mind first.

Reaching our bedroom door, I knocked and opened it calling her name, "Mara, sweetheart, time to wake up..."
she stirred in the bed, "mmmm What time is it?"
"A little after seven,"
I sat on the bed and placed her breakfast next to her. she smiled as she asked, "For me?"
I nodded, "she took a slice of toast and bit into it, "mmm delicious..." with a wicked glint in her eye she continued,  "the best toast I've ever tasted" she was teasing, "alright Mrs Bongiovi, knock it off" I was smiling and loved our little play fights, "so why are you wearing that robe Mr Bongiovi?"
"erm, we have other guests in the house, including the kids... I would not wanna scare them mentally would I?"
"Not physically either..." she giggled as she spoke, and continued " but you don't need to wear it now do you?"  still laughing she gave me a look still with a twinkle in her eye..." standing I slipped off my robe, and slid into the bed right next to her. "that better?"
"Much, she settled down after placing the tray on the floor and lay her head on my chest. holding her with one arm I stroked her hair gently with my free hand and kissed the top of her head, for a while as she lay silent I let my mind wander to the idea that came to me as I was walking up the stairs. I didn't hear Mara for a second until she gently nipped me in my side, " hey, are you listening to me?" coming back to the moment I answered guilty,
"What, no sorry babes, I was thinking of something else..."
"So that's how its gonna be is it..." this time she sat astride me, is this what I have to do to get your attention?"
laughing back at her I answered, "Could be..."
she lent forward and kissed me, pulling back she spoke softly, "thank you for marrying me, I love you Jon with all my heart...."
I smiled back at her and answered "Ditto"
Jumping off the bed, she raced to the bathroom, "I'm showering first, unless you'd care to join me. in a millisecond I was in the bathroom with her.

Both refreshed from our shower together, we helped each other towel down, we both dressed. Back in the bedroom she picked up her breakfast tray and munched the cold toast and ate her fruit, drinking her coffee, she moved around the room collecting clothes and accessories to pack in the cases. I watched in amusement.
"babe, we're not emigrating just going on honeymoon."
"Yeah, well I don't wanna be without my essentials, tell ya what, why don't you go wake the kids and let me finish up here?" she smiled the sweetest smile, but it was clear I was being dismissed. "are you trying to get rid of me? Mrs Bongiovi?" turning to look at me with a scarlett silk scarf in her hands, she looked up to the ceiling then back at me as she considered her reply, "Erm, how can I put this..... Yes, now go, or we will miss the flight"
I laughed, "ok, I'm going, but I could not go without stealing a kiss, I moved over to her side and stole a moments passionate kiss, "Oh babe, by the way, just to give you the four one, one, we won't miss the flight" she looked at me, "but you need to check in two hours before departure, don't you?"
"Yeah on a commercial jet you do," I moved back in close again and held her gently, " but it's a little different when you own the jet..." I tapped her behind as picked up my coffee and headed out the door,  leaving her to pack in the room, while I was off to go wake the kids.  I was smiling to myself Walking along the hallway. Taking a drink of my now luke warm coffee I met my ma, who had just come upstairs "Jon are you ok?"
"sure, why wouldn't I be?"
"well after telling Mara." I held up my hand, "whoa there mama, I aint told Mara, and I aint gonna."
"But what if she hears about it else where? you cant leave this hanging like a noose?"
" how is she gonna hear it from anyone else ma? Huh? How? The only people that know are you me and him., and why can't I leave it?, why do I want to spoil my honeymoon, to much time has been spent on that ass, no more ok, I'll sort it when we get home..." "but sweetheart..." No, Stop mom, Please drop it ok,, Ive told you, I'm going on honeymoon with my wife, all this shit stays here, you got it?" my ma shook her head, changing the subject she asked, "want me to help jakey pack"  calming down I shook my head, "Yeah please" feeling a little remorseful I bent down then and kissed her head to show no anger, I loved my ma, and everything she had done for me, but sometimes she just didn't know when to let go.

Chapter Eighty

The day after the wedding I awoke at stupid o'clock, I looked across to my wife sleeping peacefully next to me. I laid looking at her for ages, studying every line of her face, which to me was perfection, she looked like an angel as she slept.
If I'm honest, I had not slept well, and the phone call from my pop begging me to go see him this morning before we left on honeymoon had not helped.
Swinging my legs over the edge of the bed, I eased my body up and out, without waking Mara, I grabbed my dressing gown from the foot of the bed and managed to make it out to the hallway.

Walking quietly I made my way down to the breakfast nook, looking at the clock on the wall the time was 4.35am, with the moonlight streaming through the window I made my way to the coffee pot and switched it on, then resting my hands on the counter top I waited and stood thinking.

What was it that my mom had been so afraid of with my pop?, and what was his breakdown about? In the past, not being invited to any of my events would not have phased him in the slightest, why this time?.
I had agreed to go see him before we left for Europe, given I had the Jovi Jet booked for ten am, my visit would be short.

Thankfully my ma had agreed she would stay at the house, and make it ready for the sale for when we returned, we were going to be vacationing in Uk for a month, Mara had always wanted to visit and I was meeting with a film director regarding a movie being made in England, I was being offered the leading role. The most it would take up out of our schedule would be two days. I hadn't mentioned it to Mara yet, but knowing how supportive she was I knew it wouldn't be a problem.

Drinking my coffee, my mind was playing everything over, I didn't hear my mom come downstairs, or come into the breakfast nook.
She slid her arms around my waist, "Penny for them?"
"whoa, damn.." I spilled my coffee as I jumped, "mom, what are you doing up?"
"Same as you it seems, I couldn't sleep"
I turned so my back was resting on the counter top, my ma was now stood over on the other side.
"why mom?, you know far more than you have let on... would you like to share with me?"
"I don't know Jon, what I've been told, well, lets leave it till you return from your vacation."  she made to move to leave and go back to bed, "Please ma, I did everything you asked, you promised you'd tell me after the wedding, don't you think you owe me the truth as to what the fuck was going on?"
she breathed a deep sigh, then moving to the chairs, she sat herself down at the breakfast bar. she patted the seat next to her for me to join her.
I sat and waited, "Oh boy this is hard, and it is seriously going to affect the relationship you have with your pop..."
"ma, there's no love lost between us, how can it get any worse?"
my ma looked at me gravely, "Oh it can son, and it will.... before I tell you, I need you to be one hundred percent sure you want me to tell you?"
"ma, stop stalling, just tell me already."
taking her third deep breath in minutes she replied, "OK, here goes..."
"Your dad came to see me three weeks ago, he was stinking drunk and in a terrible state, all he was talking about was coming to your wedding, then he started rambling about making things right for D and getting revenge..."
"go on.."
" I asked him what he meant by that comment, he sneered at me, and mockingly pointed his finger while swaggering around...what he told me next sent shivers down my spine..."
"Yeah..." I was getting impatient, "he told me that him and D had been having an affair together and everything that had happened to you and Mara was all his brain child..."
"What?"
"he told me that he was responsible for the fire, and for everything that had happened to you, he was jealous of you and D, he wanted her, so he told me he visited one night to console her after you two had yet another spat. he found her crying, the kids were staying over with you and Mara I think, anyways, D kept telling your pop how much she loved you and how she wanted you back, he instigated the meeting with her re your kids, and what she did to you in the bedroom the night you were drunk, then when you got more involved with Mara he set up the fire..."
"but D's mom was responsible, "no that's just it she wasn't' your pop was, she agreed to take the heat so your pop and D could carry on trying to hurt you both."
"wait a minute are you saying my pop was trying to kill me and Mara?"
she nodded her head, "but the most awful part is, now D has died, he is still hell bent on revenge, he told me when he came to the wedding he was gonna cause a scene and kill Mara first and you next... Baby, that's why I didn't want him at your wedding..."
I sat in silence, stunned to be hearing what my ma had told me. Our living nightmare was because of my pop and my ex wife....
I looked to my mom, "he's asked me to visit him before we leave on honeymoon..."
"Oh god, your not going are you?"
"to the cop station I am.... to see him no, I'm gonna tell the cops just what you have told me, as for my pop I aint got one, he's dead to me now..."