End of Summer...

Rolling over, Jon stretched out his arm, hoping to encounter a warm body.  He should have known better than to get his hopes up.  Even after beating cancer and marrying his cranky old ass, she still managed to get up earlier than him.  Rubbing his hand over his stubble-covered chin he listened to the sounds of his boys running rampant through the house.  He shook his head.  He wished he had a quarter of their energy.

Pushing back the covers he stood and stretched, scratching his stomach as he wandered to the bathroom.  After taking care of business and brushing his teeth, he slipped on a pair of shorts and headed to find coffee and his wife.

He smiled to himself as he trotted down the stairs.  The sounds of his boys’ raucous laughter warred with the scent of maple syrup the closer he got to the kitchen.  His stomach grumbled as he pushed through the door.  He stopped dead in his tracks.  Cilla had a plastic crown on her head and was wielding a… was that a sword?

He watched silently as she laid the tip of the cardboard weapon on Jake’s shoulder.  “I dub thee Sir Jake.”  The boy nodded solemnly and waited as she turned to do the same to Romeo.  “I dub thee Sir Romeo.”  He smiled and giggled.

Lifting her head she met Jon’s amused blue gaze and winked.

“Oh no” Cilla’s eyes got wide and her hand flew to cover her mouth as she turned her attention back to Jake and Romeo.  “Now ye’ve done it.  Ye’ve woken the Ogre!”

The boys shrieked when they saw their father and they grabbed for their own paper towel tube daggers.  “Stay back!”  They looked at Cilla, “we’ll protect you Queen Cilla.”

Jon growled low and moved across the kitchen to the coffee, trying not to laugh.  Queen Cilla?  And an Ogre?  Really?

Cilla kept her attention on the boys.  “Watch out for him men, from what I hear, it’s not me he’s after.  Ogres are keen on catching and snacking on sticky little boys.  And that’s after they’ve looted the kingdom of all the silver dollar cakes.”

Romeo’s eyes grew huge in his face and he looked down at his plate.  “Good thing we ate them all” Romeo said to Jake.

Cilla struggled to keep a straight face.  “You’d best be off to the loo to wash the syrup from yer faces before the Ogre turns on ya.”

They scrambled down from their seats and high-tailed it out of the kitchen.

Cilla followed them to the door, “don’t forget to brush your teeth and get dressed” she called after them.

“Yes ma’am” they shouted as they clamored up the stairs.

Jon waited for her to turn around.  He couldn’t hide the smile any longer.  “An ogre.  I had to be an ogre?”

Cilla tugged the crown from her head and tucked it into the closet along with her sword.  “Well,” she laughed “you’re too tall to be a troll and too short to be a giant.”  She crossed the room and wrapped herself around him, resting her cheek against his chest, breathing him in.  God, she had missed him.

He set his coffee down and wrapped his arms around her.  It had been too long since he’d had a minute to just hold her like this.  After the end of the tour he and the kids had spent ten days on a yacht in Croatia.  She hadn’t come along, telling him to take the time with his kids; that she had to work anyway and she’d meet them in the Hamptons when they got back.  Then he had taken Steph off to school; and then there had been a commitment for a fundraiser at The Appollo; and just the other day he had gone up to Foxboro for Patriots Training Camp.  Things had been so crazy that even last night when they had actually been in their bed at the same time, they didn’t have the energy for anything but sleep.

He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, nuzzling in the hair that had finally grown back.  “I thought I was your prince charming.”

She tipped her head up and smiled at the slight pout he wore.  “You are, but I couldn’t exactly have the boys protect the kingdom from a prince now could I?”

He shook his head and chuckled as his gaze traveled over her face.  Her eyes sparkled with humor and there was a light dusting of freckles across her nose from the sun.  Her hair nearly touched her shoulders these days and the sun had added streaks of red to the deep, chocolate brown.  Her smile was wide, for him.  His heart beat a little faster.  He had seen a lot of women in the last year and a half and not one could hold a candle to his Cilla.

“You’re so beautiful.”  His lips found hers in a blistering kiss.  “I’ve missed you.”

Sliding her hands up his chest, she wound her arms around his neck and returned the kiss ardently.  “Oh Jonny” she whispered, “I’ve missed you too.”

He tightened his grip on her hips.  “Hold on” he breathed in her ear as he lifted her off her feet.  “Wrap your legs around me.”

Holding tight she did as she was told and he took a step toward the door.  “Where are we going?”

He opened the door and stepped out onto the back deck.  “To our spot.”  With half a dozen steps he was in front of the chaise.  Their chaise.  Letting her legs go she slid down his body, every part of her coming on contact with every part of him.  “God Cil” he groaned quietly as his lips found hers again.

His lips slid from hers, across her cheek, nipping at her earlobe and trailing down her lovely neck. He made his way across the smooth, velvety skin of her shoulder, nudging the strap of her soft pink cami aside.  Her skin was as sweet as the pastries she sold.  Pulling the strap down further, he bared the creamy swell of her breast.

Feeling her shudder under his touch, he pushed her further.  He traced tiny circles, working his way down until he could curl his tongue under the lacy edge of her cami and around the taut nub of her nipple.

Cilla’s head dropped back and her fingers clenched in his hair.  God, it seemed like it had been forever since they had more than two minutes alone together.  She groaned as he sucked her nipple into his mouth.

Easing her back, he laid her down gently on the overstuffed cushion.  The sun washed over her, leaving her skin glistening and her hair afire.  Kneeling over her, his fingers walked up her side, tugging her top down, baring her breast.  His thumb brushed back and forth just under the sensitive tip.  She shifted restlessly under his touch and he leaned down, pressing his hips to hers and bracing himself on his forearm.

“Jonny” she breathed.

He brushed the hair from the side of her face, his lips fluttering kisses along her cheek and neck. “What, Sweets?”  His fingers never stopped moving on her breast, rubbing and pinching, driving her to the edge.

Her hips pressed up against his in answer, grinding against the hardness tenting his shorts.  “How much longer are you going to tease me?”

He buried his face in her neck, nibbling at the sensitive spot where her neck and shoulder came together.  “All day if I could.”

She growled and tugged on his hair, drawing his mouth away from her neck.  “Not nice, Jonny.”  She nipped at his bottom lip.  

Kneeling up, he pulled her top down lower, baring both breasts to his view.  He leaned down, intent on making her come without touching her anywhere else.  He never heard the door open or the footsteps coming closer.

“Dad?”

Cilla scrambled to cover herself and Jon’s head whipped toward the voice as he tried to shield Cilla from his son’s gaze.  “Jesse, what do you want?”

Cilla turned her head away, her face hot with embarrassment at being caught like teenagers messing around in the backseat of a car.

“Sorry.”  He averted his eyes, embarrassed to have clearly walked in on a very intimate moment between his father and his stepmother.  “I-uh,” he cleared his throat.  “I just wanted to tell you I was leaving now.”  He was going to meet up with a couple of his friends and spend the day at the beach.

Jon blew out a frustrated, defeated breath.  He had forgotten that Jess had plans and now he was going to have to find some way to keep his youngest two occupied rather than occupying himself with Cilla.  “Okay.  Have a good time and don’t forget to come home. You’ve got your phone, right?”

Jesse nodded and turned and jogged down the steps.  “Yeah.  See you later.”

Jon watched him drag his bicycle out of the garage and head off down the lane.  Shaking his head he turned back to Cilla.  She had sat up and was hip to hip and face to face with him. “Sorry about that.”

She straightened the straps of her top and looked at him.  “It’s okay.  Next time though, let’s just go upstairs and lock the door.”

The moment clearly gone, Jon kissed the end of her nose.  “What do you say we go to dinner tonight, just the two of us?  I’ll ask Jo to keep an eye on your little knights so we can have a little alone time.”

She frowned and shook her head, “did you forget?  Our friends are coming in some time later this afternoon.”

Jon stood and helped her up from the chaise.  His brow furrowed.  Fuck.  He had forgotten.  “It’s just Richie and Jennie and Sid and Mark, right?”

Cilla took his hand and walked back into the house with him.  “No.  You invited Hugh and Kelli, Obie and I think Matt, Desiree and Isabella are coming too.”

Jon picked up his coffee cup, took a swig and grimaced before dumping it out and getting a refill.  “This little barbecue is turning into a bigger party than I intended.”

Cilla cleared the table and stacked the dishes in the dishwasher.  “Blame yourself.  You invited everyone.”

He stuck his tongue out playfully at her.  “I know.  You’d think I woulda had enough of everyone after the long ass tour we just finished.”

Cilla finished up the dishes, dried her hands and came around the counter to stand in front of him.  “You love your friends and family.  Just because you were on tour with them for the last year and a half doesn’t mean you don’t want to still spend time with them.  Just don’t drag out your guitar.  You’ll give Sid a heart attack.”

Jon snickered and dragged Cilla from the kitchen.  Her best friend Sid was a character and a half.  “I make no promises where Sid is concerned.  He makes it too easy.”  He pulled her toward the stairs.  “Let’s go shower and see if we can’t pick up where we left off” his hands skimmed over her from shoulder to hips, “since we were so rudely interrupted.”

Jake and Romeo came tearing around the corner and nearly knocked them over.  “Dad!”

Jon raised his eyes to the ceiling, looking for, praying for the strength to get through the day with his over-energized boys.  “Guys, you need to stop charging around the house like that.  Someone is going to get hurt.”

“Sorry” they said in unison

Jon smiled.  “Now, what did you want?”

Jake tossed the football he was holding up and caught it again.  “You said you’d take us to the park today.  Can we go now?  Please?”

Jon looked to Cilla and then to his boys.  He hated to leave her, but he couldn’t disappoint his boys.  He was away so much, he just couldn’t say no to them now.  He gave Cilla an apologetic look and mouthed sorry.  “Just let me find my sneakers.  Go wait out on the porch.”

Jon turned back and Cilla was halfway up the stairs already.  “You wanna come with us?”  He followed her up the stairs, cursing himself as he watched the gentle sway of her hips with every step she took toward their room.  

She shook her head, “no, you go have fun.  I’m going to take a shower and I have a few things I want to get done before we’re invaded.”  She stepped out of her cotton sleep pants and turned to face him in just her cami and boy shorts.  “Should I pencil myself in on your calendar for some time alone with you?”  She didn’t mean to be snarky, but they were being bombarded at every turn.

Jon looked up from tying his shoes and nearly swallowed his tongue.  She didn’t need any fancy lingerie to make his mouth water and his dick stand at attention.  He stood and crossed the room to stand in front of her, pressing his hips to hers.  “You’re killing me.”  He held her gaze for a long moment.  He stroked her cheek lightly with the pad of his thumb.  “We will find some time, I promise.”

She smiled and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pressing a kiss to his lips.  “Have fun playing football.”  Letting him go she turned toward the bathroom and pulled her top off, flinging it back at him.  She turned to look over her shoulder and he was staring at her back, the cami dangling off his fingers.  She winked at him.  “See you later.”

He growled and nearly charged after her, but his boys’ impatient voices floated up from the bottom of the stairs.  They could wait just one more minute.  In two steps he was at her back, his lips were nipping at her shoulder.  “Later Sweets, you’re all mine.”

He dropped her cami in the hamper and was out the door before she could come up with a suitable reply.

~

He was hot, he was sweaty and his boys showed no sign of slowing down.  They’d been at the park all morning and Jon was more than ready to head for home.  His boys had other ideas.  “Can we get an ice cream?”  Romeo was bouncing along the sidewalk next to Jon.  

“No” Jake spoke up.  “Lunch.  I’m hungry.  Can we go get lunch?”

Jon stopped at the crosswalk.  All he wanted to do was go home and collapse.  He looked down at his sons’ eager faces.  “How about lunch and then an ice cream?”  Then maybe I can go home and die.

He directed them toward Sam’s.  “Pizza better be okay for you guys.”

Jake and Romeo nodded and headed toward a booth.  “Can I get rootbeer with my pizza?” He looked up pleadingly at his father.   Soda wasn’t an everyday drink at the Bongiovi house.

Jon nodded, “just a small one, bud.”

The waitress came and took their order and Jon glanced around the restaurant.  He spotted a table of older twenty-somethings staring across the room at him.  Oh great.  Keeping his head down, he tried not to glance over again.  Don’t come over here.  Please don’t come over here. Nothing irritated him more than having a fan interrupt his private, family time. Even if he was out in public.  Shouldn’t he be able to have lunch with his kids without his professional life interfering?

Their waitress brought their drinks and she turned to leave and one of the kids from across the room was in his face.  “Mr. Bon Jovi, I’m a huge fan.  Can I have your autograph? Please?  She held out a napkin and a pen.

He took a deep breath and held up his hand in defense.  “Sorry, I’m with my kids right now. Another time.”  

The young woman’s face fell as she looked at her idol.  She wanted her “moment” with him, but she didn’t want to piss him off.  “I’m sorry, I know your family time is sacred, but it’s just an autograph.”  As if on cue, her eyes watered.  “Please?”

Jon rolled his eyes behind his sunglasses.  Jesus, this chick was a piece of work.   He glanced over at his boys; both wore bored looks on their faces.  Not wanting to cause a scene in the middle of the restaurant, he snatched the pen and napkin from her hands. “Here.”  He angrily signed his name and pushed the napkin back at her.  “Now go back to your friends.  Thanks.”  He gave her a less than dazzling smile.  “Have a nice day.”

She turned on her heel and stalked away, but not before Jon heard her muttered “asshole” as she went.

He shook his head.  If she was really a fan, he’d eat his hat.  He turned his attention back to his sons.  “Sorry guys.”

Jake shrugged his shoulders in indifference and Romeo slurped his rootbeer.  “It’s okay.”

Their waitress brought their pizza over and Jon helped the boys with theirs and just as he grabbed a slice for himself he noticed a flash coming from across the room.  Of course, she’s taking my picture now.  What the fuck, I can’t even eat lunch with my sons in peace?  Leaving his pizza on his plate he signaled for the waitress.  “Can we get a box, please?”

“Sure.  I’ll be right back.”  She scurried off.

Jon looked across the table; Romeo was wearing more pizza on his face than he was getting in his mouth.  “Finish up guys.  We gotta go.”

Jake frowned.  “But we’re not done yet.  And you promised us ice cream.”

“I know, and you’ll get your ice cream later.  Right now, we need to go.”  He boxed up the pizza and wiped up Romeo as best he could.  “Wipe your hands and face Jake and let’s go.”

Jake picked up his napkin and took great care in wiping each finger and his mouth, ignoring the frustrated, hurry-up glare coming from his father.

Doing his best to ignore the little group across the restaurant, he herded his sons out the door and away from the annoying fan-girl and the camera flashes.  The last thing he wanted to see was his sons’ faces splashed across the internet.  Dorothea would kill him.

“Go find Jo and tell her I said you could have ice cream” he told Jake and Romeo when they got home.  He needed five minutes, maybe he could steal ten.  He hoped Cilla was here somewhere. He ran up the stairs and found their room empty.  He ran back downstairs and checked the deck. The chaise was empty too.  He frowned.  Where the hell was she?

Walking toward the kitchen he heard his boys talking to someone.  Stepping through the door he stopped and sighed in relief.  She was there.  He glanced around at the counters. She was up to her elbows in pastry shells, some sort of cream and melted chocolate.  He smiled and shook his head.  Richie was coming.  Over the course of the last two tours, he had developed a deep and abiding affection for her cannoli.  He couldn’t blame the man. She made the best he had ever tasted.  And that was saying a lot coming from a man with the last name of ‘Bongiovi.’

He snuck up behind her, stuck his finger in the bowl of cream, trying to steal a taste.  As expected, she slapped his hand away.

“Hey, that’s not for you.”  She tried not to smile.  No matter what she was making in the kitchen, he always tried to steal a taste.

He kissed her temple and snagged a taste before she could slap his hand again.  “But it’s so good and you know Richie doesn’t need all of those.”

Covering the bowl in plastic wrap she slid the bowl into the refrigerator.  “I know he’ll think they’re all for him, but he’s going to have to share with everyone else later.”  She covered the tray of filled shells with foil.  “And stay away from the tray of cream puffs too.”

He grabbed her hands, kissing her left hand right above the sparkly pink diamond that proclaimed her as his and dragged her toward the door.  “You’re awful bossy today Queen Cilla.”

She laughed at his reference to her morning antics.  “Someone has to keep you under control.” She stumbled along after him, out the door and toward the stairs.  “Where are you taking me?”

Keeping her hands in his he climbed the stairs.  “The boys are distracted, eating their ice cream.  I need a shower.”  He looked her up and down and frowned.  “Shit.  I forgot you already took one.”

She smiled slyly as she closed and locked the door behind her.  “I can take another.”

He grinned and pulled her to him.  “Have I told you I love you lately?”

She tugged his t-shirt up and over his head.  “Yeah, but you can tell me again.”

He opened his mouth to say the words, but a groan came out instead.  Her sassy little mouth had latched on to his nipple.  His head dropped back and his cock surged to attention.  When her hands wandered to the waist of his shorts he stopped her.  “Cil” he hissed, grabbing her hands.

Looking up she changed tactics.  His eyes were blazing and he looked ready to pop.  She pulled off her t-shirt and slipped out of her shorts.  Taking his hand she led him to the bathroom.  She turned to start the water and heard the soft plop of his shorts hitting the tile.  Before she could straighten she felt his strong, calloused fingers gliding up her back. With a flick of those nimble fingers her bra slipped down, his warm hands cupped her breasts and his lips were skimming over her shoulders.

Moving slightly, she straightened, his hard chest was warm against her back; his cock nestled in the crack of her ass.  She sucked in a shuddering breath.  His thumbs were drawing lazy circles around her nipples and his tongue was teasing her neck.  She had missed him, missed being this close to him.  “Jonny” she whispered brokenly.

He knew.  He felt it too.  His hands left her breasts and slid down her sides, his fingers slipping into the lacy strings at her hips, pushing her panties down her thighs.  Nudging her forward, they stepped into the steamy shower together.

Standing under the spray, the hot water raining down on them, Jon pulled Cilla close, dropping his lips to hers in a bruising kiss.  He took a step, then another and one more until she was pressed up against the wall.  His mouth left a fiery trail of need as he tasted and nipped his way down her neck.

She gasped when her back touched the cool tile.  Her nipples puckered against his chest and she felt his fingers gliding down her belly, through her curls to brush her clit.  Her fingers curled into his hair, drawing his mouth back to hers and her hips jerked against his when he slid two fingers inside her.   

He growled against her mouth.  He loved that she was always so ready for him.  Stroking her once more, he slid his fingers from her, drawing them across her thigh.  Easing away from her mouth, he dropped his head back, shaking the wet hair out of his face.  Bracing one hand against the wall, he lifted her leg with the other, holding her thigh against his hip. His mouth found hers again.  “Help me” he murmured between kisses.

Reaching between them she stroked him, her fingers lingering, brushing lower, teasing his already tight balls.

“Now who’s teasing?”  He groaned.

She couldn’t help the small smile.  Angling him toward her, she drew him closer, waiting, her body trembling in anticipation.

Jon pushed his hips forward, one slow thrust had him seated fully inside her.  God, he loved the way they fit together.  She was so tight, so warm, so perfect.  He lowered his forehead to hers, their lips met; the slow burning kiss matched the slow, steady pump of his hips.  He wanted it to last forever, but she felt too good.  He pumped his hips faster, grinding against her with every push back in.  

Pulling his mouth from hers once more; he grit his teeth against his impending release.  She wasn’t quite there yet.  Slipping a hand between them, his fingers found that little pearl and he stroked her, pushing her toward her orgasm as he lost his tenuous grip on his control and he exploded inside her.

Dropping his head to her shoulder his hips finally slowed and stopped.  He pressed his lips against her neck.  “Love you, Sweets.”

She stroked his back, the hot water washing away the sweat of their loving.  “Love you too, Jonny.”

He smiled against her.  He loved how she said his name all soft and whispery like that. With a last kiss he straightened and slipped away from her body, lowering her leg back to the floor.  His fingers caressed up her sides, her skin was cool under his touch.  Turning her from the wall he stood her under the warm spray. 

With lingering touches and gentle caresses, they washed each other, neither wanting to step out of their cocoon of heat and steam back into the chaos that their lives had become.  But as the water cooled, and the soap bubbles circled, they reached for towels and the resolve to make more than five minutes a day for each other. 

~

In the kitchen, Cilla was dipping the last of the cannoli in melted chocolate when she heard the doorbell.  She listened for a minute and when it rang again she wiped her hands and hustled to the door.  She met Jon in the hallway and they answered it together.  Richie, Jennie and Abby greeted them with smiles and Abby practically threw herself at Cilla. 

“I’ve missed you Miss Cilla!”

Cilla hugged her tight and ran her hand over the girl’s pixie hair cut.  Her once curly hair had come back pin straight after her chemo treatments.  “I’ve missed you too sweetie.”  She was still in remission, not cancer free yet, but they were hoping and praying every day.  “How do you like living in California?”

Abby smiled up at her, “it’s great.  We go to the beach a lot.”  Without thinking, Abby grabbed for her mother’s hand.  “We got a ‘prise for you too.”

Cilla looked down at the two hands, one small, one slightly larger.  Both had rings on the all important third fingers.  Her eyes flew to Jennie’s face.  “You’re getting married?!” 

Jennie nodded and grinned.  “Yeah, he asked us the other day.”  Jennie drew Cilla in for a hug.  “I can’t thank you enough for bringing him into my life.  He’s the best man I’ve ever met.”

Cilla felt tears gather in her eyes and she remembered that Thanksgiving night when Richie and Jennie had met.  “I’m so happy for you.”  Jennie deserved as much happiness in her life as the rest of them.  She turned to Richie and reached up to press a kiss to his cheek.  If she hadn’t been so in love with Jon, she could have easily fallen for him.  “I’m very happy for you too, Rich.” 

Wrapping her in his arms, he lifted her off her feet in an exuberant hug.  “Thanks little darlin’.”  He looked over the top of her head to Jennie “she’s the best thing to happen to me in a long time.”  He kissed Cilla’s cheek and set her back on her feet.  Thanks for finding her for me.” 

Cilla smiled.  “I’m glad you guys found each other.”  She looked down at Abby.  “Jake and Romeo are out back if you want to go and play.” 

Abby nodded, “’kay.”  She looked around uncertainly.  “Where’s the back?”

Jon picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder.  “I’ll show you.”  She shrieked with laughter as he tickled her ribs on the way down the hall. 

Turning back to Richie and Jennie she noticed they each had a bag in their hands.  “You guys are staying upstairs, second room on the right.” 

Richie let Jennie go ahead of him up the stairs.  He took a step and turned back to Cilla.  “You made cannoli, right?”

She smiled at him.  “Of course, but you can’t eat them all.”

He pouted, “damn.  And here I thought you loved me.”

She laughed as Jennie retreated and grabbed his hand.  “She does, but you have to share.”  She looked at Cilla, “don’t mind him.  He’s just going through cannoli withdrawal.”

Cilla laughed “sounds like he needs a 12-step program.”  The doorbell rang again as they disappeared up the stairs.  Pulling open the door this time, she found Obie and Hugh waiting.  “Hi guys, come on in.”

Before she could say anything more, Obie pushed a bottle into her hands as he looked around her and down the hall.  “Before he comes out of whatever corner he’s hiding in, here.  Thank you. He never lets me say it, so I’m doing it now before he can stop me.”

She set the bottle on the hall table and gave him a hug.  “He’s out back.  Go pester him out there.”

 “Jon!  I’m not working tonight so just forget it!”  He hollered as he made his way toward the back of the house.

Cilla shook her head and turned back to Hugh.  “I don’t know how you work with him.  He’s way too high strung for me.”  She gave the tall, quiet man a hug.  “Where’s Kelli?”

Hugh pushed at his glasses and handed her a gift bag.  “She wasn’t feeling well so she stayed home, but she asked me to give you this.”

Jon meandered down the hall just as she was pulling a Saintly Edge box out of the gift bag.  Lifting the lid she gasped.  The bracelet had alternating black and teal beads with a ribbon dangling at its center.  Teal, the color of ovarian cancer.  She looked up at Hugh, “it’s beautiful.”  She slipped it on to her wrist.  “I’ll have to call her and thank her.”

Hugh took her hand, “she also wanted me to tell you that she’s going to sell these on her website and donate the proceeds for ovarian cancer research.”

Cilla’s eyes watered, she didn’t know what to say.  “That’s so… I don’t even know what to say.   Thank you doesn’t seem like enough.” 

Hugh just shrugged.  “Call her and talk to her.  Maybe you two can figure out exactly where to send the money.”

She reached up and kissed his cheek.  “Thank you both.”

She turned to Jon and held out her wrist.  “Look, isn’t it beautiful?”

He took her hand and kissed just above the bracelet.  “Absolutely.”  He turned to Hugh and shook his hand, “thanks man.”

The doorbell rang again and Jon took Hugh down the hallway and out back.  Cilla wiped under her eyes and opened the door.  Sid and Mark were standing there.  She smiled widely at her best friend and his husband.  “Hi guys.”  Mark kissed her and handed her a bottle.  “Thanks for having us.”

She took the bottle and set it on the table next to Obie’s.  “You guys are always welcome, you know that.”  She turned to Sid.  They hadn’t seen each other in two weeks.  He scooped her up in a fierce hug.

“I’ve missed you Cil.”  He pulled back and took a good look at her.  “Why are you crying?  What did he do to you?  What happened?  Do I need to kick some rock star ass?”

She laughed and thumped him on the shoulder.  “He didn’t do anything to me.”  She pushed at him, “put me down already!” 

He set her back on her feet.  “If he didn’t do anything, then why are you crying?”

She held up her arm, “Hugh’s wife Kelli made this for me and she wants to sell them on her website and donate the proceeds for research.  It just got to me, that’s all.”

He studied the bracelet.  “Tell her she has her first customer.”  He looked over at Mark.  He nodded.  He looked back down at Cilla, “make that two.”

She blew a kiss toward Mark and hugged Sid tightly.  “You guys are the best.”  She looked up at Sid’s face, “you really don’t want to kick Jon’s ass do you?”

Jon came back down the hallway, catching only the end of the conversation.  “Who wants to kick my ass?”

Sid laughed, “no one.”  He looked down at Cilla, “you know I’d rather pinch it than kick it, right?”

Cilla laughed, “I’ve no doubt.”

Jon looked at Cilla, a wicked gleam in his blue eyes.  He looked over at Mark and winked before turning and presenting his ass to Sid.  “Go ahead” he looked over his shoulder at him, “I dare ya.”

Sid’s face turned red and he got all flustered, his eyes flitting between Mark and Cilla.  “I was just kidding.  Besides” he took a breath to compose himself.  “You might like it and then what?  You don’t want to hurt Cilla like that and Mark would never forgive me.”  He held out his hand to Jon, “how about a handshake and we call it even?”

Jon threw his head back, the laughter roaring out of him.  He could barely talk, “never gonna happen man.”  He wrapped his arm around Cilla’s shoulders, and pulled her close.  “I like the girls and Cilla is the only one for me.”

Sid punched his shoulder.  “You’re an ass, Jon.”  He looked over at Cilla, “I really don’t know what you see in him.  Now, lead me to the wine!”

Cilla walked Mark and Sid through the house and out to the deck.  The kids were playing on the lawn and the adults were sprawled around on the wicker furniture.  She turned to head back into the house and Jon appeared with Matt and Desiree in tow.  “Hi there!”  She looked around and over their shoulders, “where’s Isabella?”

Matt stepped forward and kissed his sister-in-law on the cheek.  “She wanted to stay with grandma.  So she’s having a sleep over.”  He grinned, “that means mom and dad get to have a slumber party too.”

Cilla nodded and looked at Jon, “a naked pillow fight could be fun.”

Matt blushed.  “Jeez Cilla, really?  I don’t need that image in my head.”

Jon came up and handed his brother a beer.  “What image?”

Matt drank down a swallow.  “You, naked, swinging a pillow around.”

Jon opened his mouth and shut it again.  “I don’t even want to know.”

Matt walked off to find his wife and Jon looked around.  Cilla was sitting next to Jennie and Richie talking about wedding plans he was sure.  Obie and Hugh had their heads together talking about cars he imagined.  Matt and Desiree were out on the lawn with the kids, and Sid and Mark were chatting quietly. 

It was going to be a good night.

***