FIFTY-THREE

"Alright, Buddy... Ya ready?"

"Yeah, Dad!  Come on!"

Jon grinned at his youngest son's unbridled excitement.  Romeo was literally bouncing up and down, eager to dash through the glass doors and into the dark playland.

"Hang on!  I gotta finish gettin' geared up!"  Jon laughed as he slipped the crinkly, sensor-laden vest over his shoulders and settled it on his chest.  "Don't want your Old Man to get shot, do you?"

"DAD!"  Romeo rolled his eyes.  "You can't get shot unless you wear the vest."

"Ah.  Maybe I should leave it off then."

"NO!  Then you can't play!"  Romeo impatiently waved his futuristic-looking red-and-black plastic laser gun.  "Come OOOONNNN!"

"Better hurry up, Jon, or you may end up a victim of friendly fire."  Cate chuckled quietly at the exchange between her stepson and her husband.  She nodded at Romeo's finger, curled over the trigger.

"You wouldn't shoot me, would ya?"  Jon grinned the query at his boy as he cinched the nylon-web straps across his sides, securing the vest.

"Yeah.  Now hurry up!" 

"Sheesh!"  Jon wrinkled his  nose at Romeo and gave Cate a sidelong wink and a grin.  "You're pretty bossy for a Birthday Boy."

"That's 'cause you're holding up my party!"

"Oh.  Well, that's what you get for inviting old men to your laser tag bash."  Jon chuckled again.  "Why don't you let your Stepmama play too? She likes to shoot things."

Cate snorted softly at Jon's comment, already knowing what Romeo's answer would be.

" 'Cause.  This party's only for boys."  Romeo shook his head firmly with the pronouncement.  It's my birthday and I say so."  He turned to look at his stepmother and his stern expression cracked.  "Uh... Sorry, Cate."

She shook her head, holding up her hands in mock surrender.  "No, no.  It's okay.  I agree, Romey... Your birthday, your rules."

"You don't want her to play anyway."  Jon leaned down to stage-whisper next to Romeo's ear, his blue eyes sparkling with mischief as he grinned at Cate.  "She cheats!"

"I do not!" 

"Uh-huh!  Last time you played laser tag with us we were all dead in under five minutes."

"That's because I'm good.  Not because I cheat."  Cate sniffed and crossed her arms over her chest.  She arched a brow at her blasphemous husband.

"Yeah,  and you have an unfair advantage."  Jon straightened and stepped toward Cate, his sensor-vest now strapped in place across his chest and his laser gun in his hand.  "You used to play these games in the dark for real."

"Those weren't games, Jon.  That was training."

"Sure seemed like fun and games to me.  Especially that one time, with the strobes going and that engine all revved up..."  Jon gave Cate a devilish smirk.

Cate felt her cheeks heat with Jon's naughty tease, a reference to their adrenaline- and temper-fueled tryst early in their relationship.  In a private training session their frustration and mutual attraction had finally exploded, fueling an illicit passionate encounter on the hood of a training-prop police cruiser.

With a throaty chuckle Jon ducked his head to plant a kiss on Cate's plump lips.  The action was immediately protested.

"DAD!"

Jon cringed playfully and backed away from Cate.  She giggled at his exaggerated reaction to Romeo's displeasure.

"Jeez!  Can't a soldier even kiss his girl goodbye before marching off to battle?"  Jon gave his son a skeptical faux-glare.

"No! That's gross!"

Jon sighed heavily and shook his head.  He reached out to tousle his boy's sandy hair.

"All right.  C'mon, G.I. Joe.  Let's go shoot your brother."

"YEAH!"  Romeo let out an excited whoop as he charged through the glass doors and into the vestibule leading to the game floor. 

Jon rolled his eyes and grinned at Cate.  "Guess I better go.  He's probably setting up an ambush."

"I'll meet you in the party room."  Cate laughed, giving her resigned husband a little wave.  "Or the morgue."

"Yeah.  You can come claim my broke-down ol' body after those wild animals leave me for dead," Jon wisecracked as he followed Romeo through the door and toward the game maze.   "Bye."

"Bye.  Remember, eyes up, ass down."  Cate snickered as she delivered the old cop adage. 

Her smile softened as she watched Jon disappear into the dark, following his son's trail.  She stood for a moment, contemplating her own movement.  She had at least an hour to kill before the game ended, and the facility's rented party room was not yet ready.

Finally Cate sighed and turned away from the maze entrance.  She wandered down a short hall to the space-themed snack bar, where a dozen other adults were presumably waiting for their own kids and friends to emerge from the game floor.  All were engrossed in their tablets and smartphones as they sipped from lidded paper cups.

Cate paused to eye the menu board posted over the barista counter.  When nothing caught her fancy she sighed again and wandered over to a small vacant table on the far side of the room.  Automatically she chose the seat facing the room's only entrance, positioning her back to the wall.  She sat, dropping her large handbag on the seat beside her.

She rummaged in her bag for a moment before pulling out her iPad and nudging it to life.  As the tablet booted up Cate rested it on the table.  She turned her gaze to the plate-glass window that offered patrons a view of the bustling street outside, a people-watchers' panorama. 

Cate stared blankly at the glass, her thoughts turning inward instead of to the world outside the window.  Her mind raced back, over the previous hours that had seemed like a lifetime.

The past few days had passed in a blur of emotion and exhaustion.  It seemed like a month ago that she had melted down in Danny's hotel room, an event she now realized had been more therapeutic than shameful.  At the very least it had cleared her head and her heart, letting her rebuild her resolve for the challenges ahead.

Her reunion with Jon had strengthened her, as well.  Though he had been honest about his feelings of anger and disappointment, Cate's husband hadn't pushed her for details of what had transpired between her and Danny.  Jon had been patient and calm, trying to understand what his wife needed most was space.  His affection was subdued, his platitudes spare.  For that Cate was grateful.

Friday had been hard for both of them.  The Bongiovis had been cheerfully greeted at Dr. Klein's office as usual, but once they had entered the physician's inner office the mood turned somber.  Dr. Klein was encouraging as he explained his reasoning for recommending they move forward with in-vitro fertilization.  Cate had heard his words, but it was as if she was watching the scene from outside herself.  She had stayed stoic, numb except for the warm strength of Jon's hand wrapped reassuringly around hers.

It took little persuasion from Dr. Klein to secure Jon and Cate's agreement.  The previous evening they had discussed over dinner the future of their family plans, deciding to defer to their physician's expertise.  After all, as Jon pointed out, they had retained Dr. Klein's services because of his sterling reputation. 

Though she had prepared herself for the inevitable, Cate had been mildly surprised by one point of Dr. Klein's instruction.  He had insisted Cate visit her gynecologist for a full routine exam before he would proceed with IVF treatment.  Cate hadn't argued, merely shrugging and nodding her docile agreement.  When she and Jon finally left the clinic Cate had an appointment with Dr. Seuss set for the day after their return from vacation and a sheaf of IVF consent forms and literature stowed in her handbag. 

From now on their procreation would be in the hands of white-coated technicians, transpiring with microscopic precision in sterile laboratories rather than happening spontaneously in romantic locales.  Their child would be a miracle of modern science as much as an expression of their devotion. 

Despite her doctor's optimism and Jon's hopeful encouragement, Cate felt like a failure.

The rest of Friday had been unremarkable.  The Bongiovis returned to the apartment, speaking little and each seeking private space to process this turn their lives had taken.  Both tried to occupy their minds with work, but neither was successful.  Try as she might, Cate had been unable to focus on the previous day's Case Status Reports.  After a wasted hour of halfhearted effort she was staring out the window of her office when she heard the evidence of Jon's own frustration: his guitar hitting the floor with a muffled clang and a gruff curse.  Silence followed.

Friday evening was spent with takeout dinner and the television.  Both emotionally exhausted, Cate and Jon went to bed early, long before their customary midnight hour.  Even curled in the comfort of each others' arms, sleep didn't come easy.  But finally it came, mercifully ending their ordeal.

Saturday dawned bright and clear, the spring sunshine brightening the couple's mood.  Cate and Jon started the day with a long jog through the Village, something they hadn't done together in months.  They returned to the apartment sweaty and refreshed, holding hands as they strolled the last few blocks of their trek.  After a leisurely shower and breakfast they again departed the building, this time with separate destinations:  Jon headed to Jesse's lacrosse match in Brooklyn and Cate to her office downtown, to wrap up a few professional matters before her vacation.

The hours had passed quickly.   The Bongiovis rendezvoused again at home,  just long enough to change clothes before heading for the day's most important event.  Cate and Jon arrived at Dorothea's apartment to find Jon's two youngest boys and four friends impatient to kick off Romeo's birthday celebration.  The adults barely had time to exchange greetings and plans before Cate and Jon were practically dragged to the elevator by the gang of eager boys.  Dorothea had waved them off with a laugh and a promise to meet them later at the laser tag venue, with Romeo's birthday cake.

Cate had been thankful to find Jesse and his friend Connor waiting at LazerWorld, slouching against the check-in counter and charming a cute female employee while four more youngsters tussled nearby.  While Cate checked in with the party coordinator Jon, Jesse, and Connor somehow managed to corral the excited laser-warriors and get them outfitted with sensor vests and toy guns.  Then the males had departed into the darkened play zone, Jon bringing up the rear with the Birthday Boy.

And now here she sat, alone with her thoughts. 

Cate sighed again.  She was tired of thinking, of analyzing, of worrying, of planning, but she couldn't seem to turn off her brain.  Earlier today she had caught herself staring moodily out her office window instead of taking care of business.  Her faint reflection in the plate glass had made Cate's worried frown turn to an exasperated scowl.  And that had been the moment, her epiphany.

Stop thinking.  Start doing.  Fix the problem.

Cate's head bobbed slightly as she nodded in agreement with her memory.  Her blue eyes narrowed slightly and she dropped her chin, focusing on the tablet's bright screen.  A little curve appeared at the corners of her mouth with her first act of self-empowerment.

It was time to take the first step, the one she had tried to ignore for so long.  Until Danny had forced her to admit it.

A couple taps of Cate's fingertips on the tablet opened the link, and a few more keyed in the search.  Immediately the screen filled with colorful rectangles flanked by lines of text.  Glowing stars denoted the popular opinion of each entry.

"Okay."  Cate murmured as her gaze narrowed a little more.  She slid her fingertip over the gray bar at the side of the screen, then perused the list.

Red-Hot Monogamy:  Making your Marriage Sizzle

5 Simple Steps to Take Your Marriage from Good to Great

Married Couples:  Thou Shalt Have Great Sex!

Men are Like Waffles, Women are Like Spaghetti:  Understanding and Delighting in Your Differences

A quiet snicker slipped from Cate's lips as they curved at the fourth title.  She gave her auburn hair a little toss and continued, a hint of amusement now lighting her midnight gaze.

Better Sex Through Yoga

69 Ways to Spice Up your Relationship

Sex Games:  Fantasies, Roleplays, and Toys to Spice Up Your Love Life

A User's Guide for Fifty Shades of Grey

Oral Sex He'll NEVER Forget!

"Hmmm."  Cate's lips pursed thoughtfully as she reached to touch the arrow at the top of the screen.  She typed in an additional term, narrowing her search.

Keeping Your Sex Life Alive While Coping with Infertility

Reclaiming Your Sexual Self:  Bringing Back Desire After Infertility

A Return to Desire:  Rediscovering Your Sexual Passion Through and After Fertility Treatment

The Conception Chronicles:  The Uncensored Truth About Love, Sex, and Marriage When You're Trying to Get Pregnant

Ignoring the tightening in her gut at the first three titles on the list, Cate's brow crinkled as she regarded the fourth title.  It wasn't exactly what she expected, having typed "improve sex life infertility" in the search box.  But it was intriguing. 

She touched the thumbnail image, then scanned the description.  

When we first started down the baby-making path, we thought we'd be pregnant in no time. We'd just toss out our birth control pills and before we knew it, we'd be rocking our little one to sleep. Little did we know what was in store for us, or the energy it would take to face all of the crazy, unpredictable and (sometimes) irrational emotions we felt along the way.  Neither did our husbands. Sound familiar?

·         If your idea of foreplay is screaming, "I'm ovulating; it's time!!!" to your oblivious husband...

·         If your ovulation schedule is ruling your life and every trip to the drug store includes a bulk purchase of pregnancy sticks...

·         If you're running out of answers to the chronic questioning from the pregnancy paparazzi about your plans for parenthood ...

Then this is the book for you. Whether it's been three months or three years since you've been trying, the more complicated and overwhelming the process becomes.  The Conception Chronicles shares candid humor, hold-nothing-back banter and practical advice on everything that goes along with trying to start a family: from dealing with your fertile friends to the battery of tests you may have to face; from surviving "sex on demand" to navigating the ins and outs of high-tech fertility treatments. This book will guide you through the emotional journey to motherhood, offering compassion and laughter like only your best girlfriends can. And we promise you'll never hear us say, "Relax and you'll be pregnant in no time."

Cate felt herself smile with welcome relief.  After past few days, the lightheartedness of the dust-jacket description was somehow liberating.  Suddenly her future as a mother didn't seem so bleak, her struggle so solitary.  She chuckled quietly as she tapped the "buy now" button.

"What's the punchline?"

The friendly voice startled her.  As she jumped Cate's eyes snapped up from the screen to the face of her visitor.  Automatically she tipped the tablet toward her body, shielding its display.

"Uh... Oh!  Hi!"  Cate gave Dorothea a sheepish half-smile.  "What?"

Dorothea cocked her head bemusedly, her brow creasing at Cate's reaction.  "Sorry.  I didn't mean to startle you."

"S'Okay.  I was just... I didn't see you."

"Mind if I join you?"  Dorothea rested a hand on the back of the chair opposite Cate.

"Oh!"  Cate straightened and hastily waved at the seat.  "Of course!  Sorry... I just... you just caught me off-guard is all."

Dorothea chuckled quietly as she settled into the seat.  "Looked like whatever you were reading tickled your funnybone.  You were smiling."

Cate's cheeks heated as she felt a twinge of embarrassment.  She fidgeted in her seat, unsure why she felt as if she had been caught doing something illicit.  It wasn't like she was looking at porn or something equally lascivious.  She did her best to brush off the sensation.

"Oh, it was nothing.  Just surfing Amazon, looking for something to read on the trip."

"Ah.  A little beach reading."  Dorothea nodded her agreement.  "I just finished that new Marilyn Monroe biography.  Pretty good."

"Really?  Maybe I'll check it out."  Cate gave Dorothea a small smile, hoping she didn't sound as unenthusiastic as she felt about the suggestion.

"The new James Patterson mystery is good too." Dorothea chuckled again.  "But you probably don't want to read about the stuff you do at work."

That made Cate chortle softly.  She shook her head.  "Nah, not really."  Glancing down at her iPad, she pushed the button to darken the screen before reaching to slip it back into her bag.  "I'll find something.  Just not sure what I'm in the mood to read right now."

"Mmmm."  Dorothea nodded and took a sip from her coffee cup. 

"So, uh... Is the cake here?"  Cate changed the subject.

"Yeah.  I gave it to the girl up front, asked her to take it to the party room."  Dorothea glanced at her watch.  "And in about twenty minutes I have to go pick up pizzas from Piccola's."

"Need some help?  I can come with you..." 

Dorothea shook her head.  "Thanks, but no.  I'm sure they'll loan me a kid for five minutes to carry them over here."  She smirked.  "Of course they're not gonna offer, but for the right tip..."

"Yeah."  Cate nodded her agreement as Dorothea took another sip of her coffee.  An awkward moment of silence followed.  Cate dropped her eyes to her hands as they twisted in her lap, her mind searching for a topic of conversation.  Dorothea beat her to it.

"So, are you all packed and ready to hit the road?"

Cate chuckled with relief and raised a hand to push back a strand of copper hair from her cheek.  "Not even close.  I don't think Jon's started at all, and I've only put together a few toiletries.  Guess that's what we'll be doing when we get home tonight."

"Well, you know Jon.  He'll throw a pair of jeans, a pair of swim trunks, and a couple t-shirts in a bag and say he's done."  Dorothea rolled her eyes as she grinned.  "Wish the boys were that easy.  You'd think they were moving out, as much stuff as they crammed into their luggage."

"They're all ready to go?"

"OH yeah.  Have been for a week.  Of course I had to audit their suitcases and take out about three-quarters of the junk they put in..."  Dorothea sipped again.  "But they can't wait to go with their Dad."

Cate nodded.  "Jon's excited too."

"I know."  Dorothea smiled.  "Whatever else I may say about Jon, he's a good father.  For that I'm thankful.  I couldn't handle those two alone."

Cate cleared her throat softly, for some reason feeling a twinge of discomfort at Dorothea's gentle praise of her ex-husband.  "So... are you looking forward to your trip?   Aruba, isn't it?"

Dorothea grinned as she nodded emphatically.  "Yes.  And yes.  I can't wait to get on that plane tomorrow evening."

"Ted's working, though.  Isn't he?"

"Just a conference, for the first week.  And he's turning off the phone and the computer for the second week.  Then he's all mine."  Dorothea giggled softly, a light flush painting her cheeks.  "Finally."

"He's been working a lot, huh?"

"He's a lawyer.  So of course."

Cate snorted softly.  "I can sympathize.  Jon and I have hardly seen each other lately.  I'm not sure we'll know what to do, being in the same place for two whole weeks."  Her sarcasm was gentle.

"Well, I know Jon is really looking forward to this vacation.  He said the same thing, that he can't wait to just stay in the same place with you and the boys.  Have you around all day, every day."  Dorothea chuckled again.  "Though he may change his tune after two days in the car with those maniacs."  She tipped her head toward the cafe's entrance, vaguely indicating the adjoining space where her sons were surely running wild.

Cate grinned and slowly nodded her agreement.  "It's gonna be interesting for sure.  But Jon is determined to make this a fun, old-fashioned family road trip."

"That's what Clark Griswold said," Dorothea wisecracked before sipping again from her cup.

"That's exactly what I told him," Cate laughed.

"He should listen to us women.  We know."  Dorothea grinned again and shook her head slowly.  "It's a sweet idea, in theory, a traditional family car trip.  But your husband is clearly insane."

Cate felt a little twinge at Dorothea's words.  She didn't know why, but for some reason it gave her a bit of contented satisfaction to hear Dorothea acknowledge her role in Jon's life.  Her smugness was immediately tempered by a flush of embarrassment as she silently chided herself for her unnecessary jealousy.  She dropped her gaze from Dorothea's, her smile turning a bit sheepish.

"You're right.  He always says women rule the world..."  Cate shrugged, chuckling throatily.

"So he should heed his own words," Dorothea finished for her.  She chortled again, then tipped her head to the side as she gave Cate a more conspiratorial smile. 

"But seriously, Cate.  Jon really is looking forward to having you with him on this trip.  It means a lot to him that you want to spend time with the boys.  And..." She hesitated for just a moment before continuing.  "He's been missing you lately."  Dorothea's expression softened, a hint of sympathy lighting her warm brown eyes.

Cate sighed.  "I know.  But you know how it gets, Dorothea... things don't stop just because we're not there.  Between Jon's projects, my cases...  I wish we could both just turn off our phones and computers for a week or two.  But it's not realistic, not with the way our lives are right now."

"Cate, you gotta make him unplug.  You know that."  Dorothea arched a brow, her tone carrying a hint of sternness.  "And you gotta do it too."

Cate nodded evasively, not really wanting to pursue this topic further.  She reached up to drag a hand through her thick auburn hair, pushing it away from her forehead.  "I know.  It's hard.  But with the boys along I'm sure Jon won't have much time to worry about business."

Dorothea frowned slightly.  "Yeah, they'll keep you both busy, that's for sure.  I was a little surprised you didn't want to take Claudia along."

"Nah," Cate shook her head, causing her chestnut waves to fall back into place against her cheeks.  "We figured she could use a break, would enjoy a little time off."  She smiled.  "Besides, Jon likes to pretend he has everything under control, all by himself.  He actually said 'Nannies? We don't need no stinkin' NANNIES'!"

Dorothea laughed at Cate's comical rendition of the iconic movie line.  "I know, I know.  But Claudia could at least give you a break from the lunatics, a little time for you and Jon to go out to dinner together or something."

Cate shrugged.  "That's true.  But it's only two weeks.  Jon likes to spend as much time with Jake and Romeo as he can, when he has them.  He misses them."

Dorothea lowered her chin, giving Cate a direct look.

"He misses you too, Cate.  Don't make the mistake of putting yourself at the back of the line for his time and attention.  Trust me... I know."

Cate blinked, taken aback by Dorothea's abrupt candor.  "I... yeah.  I know."  Cate swallowed, then gave Dorothea a small smile.  "We'll have plenty of time together.  All of us.  And Jon and I will have time to go out to dinner when we get back here after the trip.  There's always a chance for us to go out... it's New York City, for Christ's sake."  She shrugged, not fully convinced by her own declaration.

"Oh, yeah.  Every night is date night in the City.  Like tonight, for instance?  Dinner at Chez LazerPlanet?"  She arched a brow.

"Okay, okay."  Cate chuckled sheepishly, unable to argue with Dorothea's point.  "Tonight's an exception.  We had a more pressing engagement to attend."

"See?"

"Yeah, well... it's not like we were gonna miss Romeo's birthday party just so we could go to some restaurant and stare at each other over our plates.  This is much more important."

Dorothea nodded.  "I agree.  But..."  Dorothea hesitated again, her expression turning more earnest.  "Cate, seriously.  I really hope you and Jon do take some time for yourselves on this trip.  To reconnect.  He... Well, I just think you could both use a break from ... everything."

Cate frowned as she gave Dorothea an unintentionally suspicious look.  "What makes you say that?"

Dorothea's eyes widened slightly at Cate's challenge, but she didn't avoid the question.

"Cate... Jon told me about your... plans.  At Jesse's game this afternoon."

"Our plans?"

"Yes.  For IVF."

Dorothea's gentle confession momentarily stunned Cate.  She swallowed hard, trying to push back the pang of annoyance that knifed through her gut.  How could Jon disclose their most private affairs without discussing it with her first?  Especially to his ex-wife, of all people? 

Cate looked away from Dorothea, staring at the window as she gathered herself.  She frowned more deeply at herself, ashamed of her from-the-gut reaction.  It wasn't Dorothea's fault Jon had confided in her.  And there was no reason for her to keep his confidence; it wasn't exactly a secret.  But still...

When she answered her reply was careful and deliberate.  "Oh.  What exactly did he say?"

"Just that you're going to start the process when you come back from vacation."  Dorothea gave a slight, apologetic shrug.  "And that he's optimistic."

Cate sighed, her expression relaxing and her shoulders slumping.  She nodded wearily as she once again addressed the topic that seemed to consume her every waking moment.

"Well, not right away after we come back.  First I have to have a physical, some more labs... and my body has to adjust to different hormone meds...."  Cate gave Dorothea a tired half-smile.  "But yes, Doctor Klein thinks it's time we move on to IVF."

"Cate, I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable... I don't mean to pry..."

Cate waved a hand dismissively, cutting her off.  "It's fine, Dorothea.  Jon obviously told you because he thought you should know.  I don't mind."  She shrugged again, ignoring her half-truth.  "Besides, I guess it affects you too, indirectly."

Dorothea looked down at her cup, for the first time evading Cate's gaze.  "I just...  You know, sometimes Johnny just... tells me things.  He always has."  Her voice was quiet and apologetic. "Some things just don't change.  Even though we're divorced."

"I know, Dorothea."  Cate smiled weakly when Jon's ex-wife looked up at her.  "It's fine.  Really.  He doesn't have many people he trusts like that." 

Her chuckle was hoarse with irony.  "Believe me, I get it.  It's like me and Danny.  Danny just knows me.  There are things I can say to him that... well, that Jon just wouldn't understand.  Because he didn't go through...  "  She paused and gave Dorothea a long look, wondering if Jon had told her about Danny's recent visit. 

When Dorothea didn't react Cate sighed again before continuing.  "Anyway, you can't change history.  And sometimes you shouldn't try, I guess."

"Yeah."  Dorothea's brown eyes again met Cate's blue gaze.  Cate saw in them genuine concern and a sad hint of nostalgia.  "I'm glad we're still friends.  That he can still talk to me.  I think it... it makes us better parents to our kids."

"Me too."

"Cate, you know..."  Dorothea's tipped her head.  "If you ever want to talk, about this... or anything...you know, about Jon... I'm happy to listen.  I mean, if it's not too.. too weird, for you."  She grimaced apologetically.

Cate couldn't help but smile at her overture.  "Thanks Dorothea.  But I'm okay.  For now, anyway."

"Sure.  I'm just saying... Well, I know how he can be.  How frustrating it can get.  Johnny means well, but sometimes he doesn't know how to back off."  Dorothea's hesitancy disappeared, her voice brightening a bit as it gained strength.  "So, if you need to... I don't know, vent?  Bitch?  Rant?"  She smiled.  "Well, you have a sympathetic ear, here."

Cate nodded.  "Thanks."

"Okay.  Good."  Dorothea nodded back.  Another uncomfortable silence settled over the table as the women regarded each other.  This time it was Cate who broke the tension.

"Dorothea... I'm sorry.  I don't want you to think I'm being rude.  I'm just so tired of thinking about it, talking about it..."

Dorothea shook her head emphatically, holding up a delicate hand.  "Cate, I should be the one to apologize.  I didn't mean to..."

"No, no..."

"No, seriously..."

The women both stopped abruptly, staring at each other for a moment before bursting into embarrassed laughter.  The tumble of their mutual apologies seemed almost like a scene from a movie.

"Okay, so we're both sorry,"  Dorothea wisecracked.  "And it's done."

"Agreed."  Cate nodded, her smile bemused and relieved.

Dorothea nodded again, then looked down at her watch.  "Okay, so... I guess I'll head over to Piccola's."  Her chair made a low grating noise against the tile floor as she pushed it back from the table.

"Sure you don't want some help?" 

"Nah."  Dorothea shook her head and stood.  "I got it.  But..."

"But what?"

Dorothea glanced toward the doorway, then again at her watch.  "Would you mind checking out the party room, just to be sure they have everything ready?  The boys won't be done for about another twenty minutes, but still..."

"Sure."  Cate nodded and reached for her bag.  "Anything else you need?  I hate just sitting around while you do all the work."  She rose from her seat and stepped around the table. 

"I think we have everything covered..."  Dorothea turned slowly and began to stroll toward the cafe exit.  Cate fell into step beside her.  "The cake is here, all the decorations and everything are part of the package.  And I had the balloons delivered here earlier."

"Okay, so I'll just be sure they have the drinks and stuff ready to go, and that they're ready for the pizza.  And if the boys finish before you get back I'll make sure they don't go straight for the cake."

Dorothea laughed and nodded.  The women paused by the door, turning to face each other.  "That works.  Thanks, Cate."

"Sure.  Happy to help."

"Text me if there's anything we still need, or if there's a problem."

Cate nodded, giving Dorothea a small smile.  "I'm sure everything will be fine."

"Okay.  Then I'm off... I should be back in about fifteen minutes."

"See you then."

Cate watched Jon's ex-wife push through the door to the street, then she turned the opposite direction, toward the reception desk.  She gave the girl a friendly smile with her inquiry.  "The Party Room?"

"Just down that hall, around the corner, last door on the right."  The reception girl turned to point the way.

"Thanks."  Cate shifted her bag on her shoulder and strolled in the indicated direction.  She was mildly surprised when she turned the corner and saw another long hallway before her.  The laser tag venue's storefront certainly didn't look that large.  Cate snorted softly at her musing, silently reminding herself that appearances were often deceiving.

A few more leisurely paces brought Cate to the door bearing a "Party Room" placard.  She turned the knob and stepped inside, then paused to take in the scene. 

Her lips curved into a smile at the festive decor of purple, green and red balloons floating in clusters above the long rectangular table.  Bright purple and green plates and red paper napkins and cups dotted the black tablecloth sprinkled with silver confetti.  Spotlights recessed in the ceiling over the table projected blue light down onto the party table, lighting it with a mysterious glow.  Most strikingly, black lights beamed toward the long black-painted wall illuminated a fluorescent-paint planetscape.

On a smaller table to Cate's right sat a large bakery box on a silver pedestal, surrounded by dessert plates and napkins.  Cate stepped over to the table and carefully lifted the box's lid.  She chuckled at the sight of the chocolate sheet cake, simply decorated with purple and green stars and the greeting "Happy Birthday Romeo."  As much as Romeo loved pizza, he loved chocolate cake more.  Cate wondered bemusedly how many extra pieces the Birthday Boy would sneak behind his mother's back.

"Miss, can I help you?"

The polite inquiry made Cate turn.  She smiled at the short man with the suspicious expression.

"No thank you.   Just checking things out."

"This room is for a private party."

"Oh, yes."  Cate's nose wrinkled apologetically.  "I know.  It's for my Stepson.  I'm just waiting for him and his Dad to finish in the maze.  His mother asked me to be sure the room was ready while she went to pick up the pizza."

"Okay."  The man still looked skeptical.  "You need anything?"

"Thanks, I'm fine."

"Okay."  The man abruptly turned and disappeared through the door.

Cate rolled her eyes and turned again toward the table.  She pulled out a chair and settled onto it, then looked again around the room.  

Realizing she would likely be waiting for awhile, Cate again pulled her iPad out of her bag.  When the screen illuminated she was greeted with an alert that her Amazon purchase had successfully downloaded.  Ignoring the suggestion for other like titles -- Great Sex After Baby and Sexy Mama, Happy Papa -- Cate dismissed the alert with the tap of a finger.  She didn't want to think about that now, not when she should be celebrating with Jon's family.

Another tap opened a different screen.  Cate sighed quietly as electronic playing cards slid across the green background into neat stacks.

Fifteen minutes and three games of Solitaire later Cate heard the noise.  It was a brief warning, giving her only moments' advance notice before the party room doors burst open and a herd of rambunctious boys tumbled into the room.  She laughed quietly at their loud expressions of excitement.

"COOL!"

"Man, that's AWESOME!"

"Look at the wall!  Dude!  It's like, a planet!  Look at the aliens!"

"Where's the cake?"

"I'm STARVING!"

Cate slipped her iPad back into her bag and stood, pushing her temporary seat back under the table.  She quickly retreated to stand against the wall, her eyes on the door.  A hand raised to muffle her giggle when Jon strode through the portal.  His expression betrayed his waning patience.

Jon paused and stepped aside, muttering to Jesse as his oldest son and friend shuffled past him into the room.  He reached up to rake a hand through his wildly mussed hair, then pushed the door shut.  Jon turned his back to the door, his hand falling to his side as his head swiveled, his blue gaze sweeping the room.  When it found Cate his tightened jaw visibly relaxed.

Cate dropped her hand to give Jon a sympathetic smile as he strolled over to her.  "How was it?"

"Jesus.  They're fucking animals!"  Jon growled, keeping his swear-laden voice discretely low.  "It's fucking impossible to keep track of them all!"

"Even with Jesse and Connor?"

Jon nodded, his moody pout cracking into a little grin.  "They were just as bad.  They were the fucking ringleaders."

"And by that you mean what?  That they ambushed you?"  Cate's blue eyes sparkled with her tease.

"YES.  The Fuckers."  Jon snorted.  "I was technically dead in the first five minutes."

"Technically dead?"

"Yeah.  Then Romeo said I was a zombie and could come back to 'life',"  Jon raised his hands to mime air-quotes as he spat the word.  "But then I had to fucking act like a Zombie Laser Warrior for the rest of the game."

"Well."  Cate raised a hand to rest on Jon's chest, a half-sympathetic gesture.  "Good thing you're a professional actor, then."

Jon snorted and rolled his eyes.  "Didn't help."  He sighed heavily again, raising his hand to cover Cate's on his chest.  "Please tell me Dorothea's on the way with the pizza.  If we don't feed 'em soon they're gonna mutiny."

"She'll be here any minute."  Cate patted Jon's chest reassuringly before slipping her hand from under his and reaching for her phone.  She checked to assure there were no text messages to contradict her promise, then gave Jon a knowing smirk.  "So it was awful, huh?"

Jon shrugged.

Cate chuckled.  "Admit it.  You had a ball.  You're just pretending to be a grumpy old curmudgeon."

"Honestly, Cate.  They were insane."

"Of course they were. They're boys."  Cate arched a brow and chuckled again as she watch Jon try to suppress a grin.  "And you were probably just as bad in there.  I'm sure you did your share of running and jumping and shooting."

"You mean hobbling and yelling."

"Pffft.  Sure."  Cate shook her head at Jon's stubborn refusal to admit what she could clearly see in his eyes -- that he had thoroughly enjoyed his laser-tag romp with his sons and their friends.

"My back's gonna be all fucked up after this."  Jon raised a hand to his hip, slipping it to his lower back for effect.

"Mmmm.  Well, then it's gonna feel great after you sit in a car for two days, driving to Florida."

"I may need you to give me a backrub later."  Jon's couldn't stop the smirk from curling his mouth.

Cate countered with her own smirk.  "That's why we have that fancy shower, remember?  With those adjustable showerheads?  For your back?"

"Yeah, but that doesn't work as well as an actual massage.  And it'll be too late to get a masseuse by the time we get home..."

The debate was interrupted by a cacophony of excitement.  Cate turned to see the party room door opening and a person, obscured by a large stack of flat white boxes, shuffling blindly into the room.

"PIZZA!!!!!!"

Cate turned her grin back to Jon.  "Saved by the Pizza Man."

"I don't know that we're 'saved',"  Jon faux-grumbled.   "But at least they'll be distracted for a few minutes.  C'mon." 

Cate laughed again and followed Jon, ready to lend her help to manage the party.

For the next hour Cate, Jon, and Dorothea served pizza, poured drinks, cut cake, and cleaned up messes.  They managed to enjoy a brief break of their own while the boys crowded around the large television mounted in the corner of the party room, to watch a video recording of their laser-tag adventure.  Cate and Dorothea laughed heartily at Jon's antics on the play floor, and at his apparent confusion and frustration throughout the game.  Jon sarcastically brushed off the ribbing from his wife, ex-wife, and oldest son, promising to make his own fun of them at the next possible opportunity.

Finally the party came to an end with the arrival of Romeo's friends' parents.  Cate watched with a smile as the Birthday Boy, Jon and Dorothea thanked each boy for attending and presented him with a goody bag.  When the last boy was ushered out and only family remained, Jon breathed a sigh of relief.  He reached out to tousle Romeo's hair, smiling tiredly down at his son.

"So, Buddy.  Good party?"

Romeo grinned.  "Yeah.  It was cool."

Jon arched a brow at the boy.  "You mean, 'Yeah, it was cool, thanks Mama!' Right?"

Romeo giggled and nodded.  He turned to look at Dorothea.  "Thanks for my party, Mama." 

"You're welcome, Romey."  Dorothea's reply was full of gentle emotion.  "Happy Birthday, Baby Boy."

Across the room Jacob snickered, though his head was bowed over his Nintendo DS.

Romeo shrugged and hung his head bashfully at the endearment.  "Mo-om... I'm nine."

"But you're still Mama's Baby Boy," Jon interjected, again rubbing the top of Romeo's shaggy head.  "And you always will be.  So get used to it."  He grinned when Romeo looked up at him, clearly less than thrilled by his father's statement.  "Heck, she's probably gonna be calling you 'Baby Boy' on your wedding day."

"I'm not getting married."  Romeo countered seriously.

Jon chuckled.  "Sure you're not, Buddy Boy."

"I'm not."

"That's what I said."  Jon winked at Romeo.

"DAD!"

Seeing her son's growing impatience, Dorothea interceded. "Okay, okay.  Nobody's getting married.  And certainly not tonight."  She looked over at Romeo's brother, still engrossed in his video game.  "Jacob, come on.  Time to go home."

Jacob raised his head and gave Dorothea a blank look.  "Huh?"

"Come on.  Home.  Bed."

The boy looked around.  "Where's Jesse?"

"He left with Connor."  Dorothea rolled her eyes.  "Good grief, you don't even remember him saying goodbye to you?"

"Nuh-uh."

Dorothea growled and shot Jon an exasperated look.  "Maybe you need to get your nose outta that video game, then.  Honestly, Jake..."

"Okay, Mom.  Whatever."  Jacob's shaggy head bowed again over the screen.

"Jesus!" Dorothea sighed exasperatedly, turning back to Jon.  "Well, at least he'll be quiet for you on your trip.  Just stick a screen in front of him."

"Yeah, we'll see about that."  Jon shrugged.

"Dad, can I sleep at your place tonight?"  Romeo's question turned Jon's attention back to him.

Dorothea answered for Jon.  "No.  Romey, you're gonna be with your Dad and Cate for the next two weeks.  You can sleep in your own bed for one more night."

"But Mom, I have my own bed, at Dad's house.  And all my stuff is already packed."

Dorothea shook her head firmly.  "Your Dad and Cate still have to get ready for the trip.  They've been busy.  And they don't need you getting in their way while they're trying to do it."

"I won't be in the way!  I'll be in my room!"

"Romeo, I said no."

"Mo-om!"  Romeo half-whined his protest before turning back to Jon.  "Dad?  Please?"

Jon shook his head and gave the boy an apologetic smile.  "Sorry, Bud.  But your Mama's right.  Cate and I have stuff to do tonight."

"Aww, Man..."

Jon chuckled and circled Romeo's shoulders with his arm.  He pulled the boy against his leg for a gentle hug.  "Aw, c'mon.  It's just one more night.  And think about your Mama!  Maybe she wants to spend one more night with her Birthday Boy before he takes off for two whole weeks."

Romeo shrugged, his expression heavy with disappointment.

"Hey.  Listen."  Jon gently shook Romeo's shoulder, then waited until the boy looked up.  "It's your day, but it's special for Mama too.  She was the one who did all the work, that day you were born."  He gave Romeo a wink and a little grin.  "So it's kinda her day too.  You should at least let her tuck you in tonight."

Romeo sighed heavily.  "Oh-kay."

Dorothea chuckled quietly at her son's less than enthusiastic agreement.  "Gee, thanks Romeo.  Love you too."

The boy shrugged again, stepping away from his father when Jon gave him a pat on the shoulder and released his hug.  "Sorry, Mom.  I love you."

"Romey, it's only a few more hours.  I'm gonna pick you and Jake up right after lunch tomorrow."  Jon nodded along with his promise, encouraging his son's agreement.  "We're all gonna drive out to the Jersey house and stay there tomorrow night.  Maybe go to dinner at Crab Shack?"

"Yeah, okay."

"Then we'll hit the road bright and early Monday morning.  Off on our Big Spring Break Adventure."  Jon grinned and reached again to ruffle his son's sandy hair.  "Two whole weeks you got me.  So you can give Cate one more night of peace, can't ya?"

Romeo giggled and glanced at his stepmother.  "I guess."

"Alright."  Jon held out his hand, encouraging Romeo to return his high-five.  The boy half-heartedly obliged.

"Okay, Boys.  Let's get out of here so they can clean up."  Dorothea gave Jon a smile in response to his wink in her direction.  "Thanks, Johnny.  For helping out with the laser-tag wars."

"No problem."  Jon leaned in to accept Dorothea's kiss against his cheek.  "It was fun."

"And thank you, Cate, for your help with the party."  Dorothea smiled and pressed a friendly buss against Cate's cheek.  She pulled back and gave Cate a meaningful look.  "Have a good vacation.  And if you need anything... well, you know."

Cate nodded.  "I know. Thanks Dorothea."

"And..." Dorothea glanced over her shoulder at Jacob, who was still engrossed in his video game.  "Good Luck."

Cate laughed.  "Thanks.  We'll be fine.  You just go and enjoy your vacation."

"I intend to."  Dorothea nodded, then turned again toward her middle son.  "JAKE!  Let's GO!"

Jacob started at his mother's sharp command, then slowly hauled himself out of his chair, his eyes still on his DS.

Dorothea rolled her eyes and shook her head as Jacob shuffled toward them.  "He's your son," she playfully chided Jon.

"Yep.  Every bit." Jon grinned cheekily.  "See ya tomorrow after lunch.  I'll call before I come."

" 'Kay.  G'night."  Dorothea turned to herd her two boys toward the door.

"Good night," Cate answered.  She watched mother and sons depart, then turned her blue gaze to Jon.  His gentle smile warmed her heart.

"It's gonna be a good trip,"  he predicted.  His azure eyes sparkled as he turned them to his wife. "For all of us."

Cate nodded.  "Yeah.  But not if we don't get home and pack."

"Pffft."  Jon stepped close to Cate and slipped an arm around her waist.  "That can wait until tomorrow.  Tonight I just wanna go home and curl up on the couch with a glass of wine and My Baby."

Cate's heart squeezed at the affection in his voice.  She couldn't find a reason to argue.

"Okay.  Let's go home."

*****

"Dad!"

Jon cracked open a bleary eye, wondering where the noise was coming from.  He saw only hazy grayness.

He grunted and let his eyelid slip shut.

His body was rocked by a gentle nudge against his bare arm.

"Pssst!  DAD!"  This time the hissing whisper was close in his ear.  It was unmistakably real, not a figment of a dream.

"Mmmmfff."  Again Jon cracked open an eyelid, searching for the source of the disruption to his slumber.  Again he saw nothing.

"Dad!  Get up!"  Again a warm hand squeezed his bicep and shook.

"Fuuuh... Romeo?"  Jon mumbled the boy's name.  He couldn't summon the will to raise his head from the pillow.

"Dad, come on!" 

Finally the neurons fired, pulling Jon from the hazy netherworld of semi-consciousness.  His voice was a scratchy half-whisper.

"Romey?  What's wrong?" 

"It's time to get up!"

"What?"  Jon raised his head and squinted at the glowing LED on his night stand.  "What time is it?"

"I dunno.  But we gotta go!"

"What?"  The digital numbers swam into view.  5:18.

"Dad, you said we gotta get on the road by sunup!   It's still dark, but we gotta hurry!  It's a long way to Disney World!"

Jon groaned and let his tousled head fall back against the pillow.  "Romeo, go the fuck back to bed."

"But Dad!  You said!"  Romeo's protest was a whine, not a whisper.

"Romeo!"  Jon snapped hoarsely.  "The sun doesn't come up for two more hours!"

"So?"

"Shhh!  You're gonna wake up Cate."  Jon growled.  "Now go back to bed!"

"I'm not sleepy!  And I'm already dressed!"

"Then go watch TV or something."  Jon closed his eyes.  "Just get outta here."

"Fine."  Romeo didn't bother to whisper his pout.  "But you said we were leaving early."

Jon didn't answer, squeezing his eyes closed and ignoring his son's insistence.  He sure as fuck wasn't going to argue with a nine-year-old at this ungodly hour.  After a minute he heard the bedroom door close, announcing the boy's unwilling departure.

Sighing again, Jon nestled his cheek against the pillow, burrowing further into the down.  He took a deep breath and let his body relax.  It would be mere minutes before he was again snoring soundly.

Just as he was about to drift into the welcome grey calm of sleep...

"Jon."

Another warm hand on his bicep, and other whisper in his ear.

"Baby?"

Jon sighed wearily.  Fuck.

"Yeah, yeah.  I'm up..."