Chapter 21

They both turned as the door slowly opened and Romeo’s head came into view “You sleep daddy?” he whispered.

Both men closed their eyes. The head retreated behind the door but they both heard him whisper, “They sleep Miz Alex”

Alex said a little prayer that they both went along with the plan. Then she remembered the shocked look on their face when she forced Richie back into the bed. Oh shit she thought turning to Hattie, who held the other tray, they forgot to tell them! Too late now thought as she rolled her eyes.

“Go on Meo.” She whispered a little loud to let the two men know they were out there Romeo pushed the door open wider and the four kids went in yelling

“Happy Father’s Day Daddy and Uncle Mookie.” They all piled up in the bed. Jessie had the paper, which was still badly wrinkled where Hattie had rolled it up to swat Jon. Jake carried the cards they had made; Stephanie held the packages and Meo just plopped down on Jon’s lap. Alexis knew he was uncomfortable from the oomph he moaned. Richie just shook his head and laughed.

Alex sat the tray down and moved Meo off Jon’s lap. Smiling down she whispered “Sorry” Picking up the tray she laid it on his lap. Hattie put her tray on Richie’s lap.
“Were you prized daddy?” Meo asked hopping up and down.

“We knew you weren’t going to be home so we decided to have Father’s day today.” Stephanie explained. Alex and Hattie slowly left the room, leaving the kids alone with the guy’s.

As they walked downstairs they started to laugh. Heading into the kitchen they surveyed the damage.

“You should have seen Mr. Jon’s face when I opened the front door.” Hattie laughed as she began to clean up the mess on the counter by the stove. “I had to push him to the stairs.”

Alex laughed and grabbed the wet rag to wipe down the island counter. “I think Mr. Sambora thinks we are crazy.” She stopped short and looked over at Hattie “Oh my God I forced him to take off his shirt and get back into bed!” She laid her head down on the counter “I threw Jon Bon Jovi out of his own house” she banged her head on the counter but Hattie just laughed. Things were never dull at Chez Highpoint.

Back up in the master bedroom the kids were telling their Father and Uncle Mookie about how it had been Miss Alex’s idea that they make breakfast and serve them in bed. Richie looked over to Jon and mouthed You lucky shit. They both picked up their coffee cup and toasted each other.

“I made the coffee Daddy, just like you like it.” Stephanie said with a smiled.

Richie took a sip and tried not to make a face Damn that is like tar he shuddered but swallowed it anyway, grounds and all. Jon took a sip and smiled Ah just the way I love it strong and what was that crunchy stuff? Coffee Grounds? He shuddered but drank the whole cup.

“We tried to get Ava to come Uncle Mookie but Aunt Heather said she couldn’t come.” Jessie said as he watched them eat the eggs. “Miss Alex didn’t help us cook.” He said proudly. “I cooked he bacon and Jake scrambled the eggs” he patted his younger brother on the back. The eggs were soft along with the bacon. Romeo stood at the end of the bed and smiled brightly

“Meo made the towst” he said as he watched them each pick up a piece of perfectly browned toast on one said and burnt on the other. Richie looked over at Jon and chuckled

“Like Father like Son.” He took a bite of toast and washed it down with watered down Orange Juice. Concentrate thank God, not fresh he downed the glass.


Hattie peeked into the room and caught Jon’s eye Finished? She mouthed and when he nodded she and Alex walked back into the room to take the tray’s. Alex couldn’t look them in the eye. What must they think of her now?

“Open your gift Daddy.” Stephanie put the package down in his lap once the tray was gone. “We all chipped in and got it for you.” She smiled at her brothers.

Jon opened the box and looked in at the picture frame. It was one of those digital picture frames. He took it out and turned it on. The picture slowly appeared. They were of the kids. Jake and Jessie at baseball practice. Stephanie at one of her Fashion shows. Romeo doing what he did best looking cute.

“It’s so you won’t be lonely while you’re gone.” Stephanie said with a tear in her eye.

Jon couldn’t say anything. Here was a man who made a living writing hit songs and he couldn’t say anything. He just looked at the pictures and at his kids sitting around him on the bed.

Richie leaned over and looked at the pictures as they changed. Then ones of Alex and the kids started showing up with the ones of just the kids. He cocked and eyebrow at Stephanie who just smiled at him.

“Oh yeah Uncle Mookie we have a gift for you too.” She handed him a smaller package. “Miss Alex helped us with it. She called Ava and well” she let it trail off as Richie opened his package.

The frame was smaller but the pictures were all of Ava and California. He kept watching the pictures change but there were none of Jon’s kids with Alex. He looked up at Stephanie and gave her a questioning look, but she winked at him. He looked over at Jon who just looked around at his kids. Lucky bastard he thought and he doesn’t expect a thing, he just shook his head.

Alex peeked in and watched them with the gifts.

“Okay kids we need you downstairs for KP” she ushered the kids out and looking back she whispered “Hattie is coming up with a cooked breakfast. And a bottle of Pepto.” She laughed as she got the kids out of ear shot.

Richie looked over and Jon and shook his head “You are one lucky bastard you know that?” He said as he got out of bed and put his gift in his bag. “Great kids and someone who cares about them.” He picked up his cell and called Ava. Then he caught site of the clock and about snapped it shut when he saw that it was only 9 AM. then he remembered it was a three hour difference in the time. He had been on European time for so long he forgot he was calling Ava at 6 AM.

Jon put his frame on the nightstand and went to the bathroom the give him some privacy. Yeah one lucky bastard, He thought as he closed the door.