Monday, November 3, 2014

UPDATE


So... here's the thing.

Life is unpredictable.  A huge, rushing, unstoppable roller-coaster.

The last few months of my life have been just that -- up and down, sideways, loop-de-loop, all at breakneck speed.  It's been a rush, a joy, incredibly stressful, and downright exhausting.  I started not just a new job, but an entire new career.  I took the bold step of following my heart, and I don't regret it for one second (at least not yet).  I feel like I'm doing what I was meant to do.  When Karma and Opportunity knock, you answer the door.

But this wonderful new life has brought with it 60-hour work-weeks, long commutes, frequent travel, and very little time for home, family, friends, or hobbies (or sleep, for that matter).  Add to that an unexpected medical "surprise" (no worries, I will be fine in a few months), and, well... you get the point.

This new phase of my life has also left me with about 5 minutes a day to actively listen to my Muses.  They are always with me, and I scribble furiously when I have a free minute here or there.  But at some point scribbled vignettes and hastily-typed scenes and conversations have to be patched together, smoothed and edited.  Crafted.  It's an intense process that requires quiet, concentration, and energy.  Very little of which I've had recently.

So, for those of you who still remember, who care about these characters... First and foremost, THANK YOU.  I will not leave you hanging forever.  I can't.  I need closure to Jon & Cate's saga even more than you.  But it might be awhile before I can resume, and I will not do it until I can do so with the same quality of writing as has come before.  Hopefully it will be soon, as my schedule seems to have some daylight in the months ahead... but I cannot promise when.

I'm still here, and will return as soon as I can.  Karma will let me know when the time is right.

xoxo
Catte

Saturday, August 2, 2014

SIXTY-FIVE

She stared at the screen, her mind turning over its prompt.  Cate hadn't spoken with Gus in the last few days, but that wasn't really a surprise.  It had been a weekend, after all, and at last check-in Gus had said Cupid had kept to his usual routine.  The junior agent was probably calling now to update his partner on an uneventful weekend.

Her finger remained poised over the green circle as her phone continued to vibrate in her hand.  Silently she counted the rings... Three.... Four.... Five... The buzzing and movement halted as the call was redirected to her mailbox.  Cate sighed lightly and slipped the device back into her pocket.  Gus could leave his update on her voicemail; if he had something important to tell her he would call again, or text her.

Her lips curved gently as her gaze returned to the figures on the beach.  Cate watched Jon and his boys play, her heart warm and her soul content.

Maybe it would be enough, if their child came.

Maybe.

Another short buzz in her pocket alerted Cate to the new voice message.  This time she didn't bother to reach for her phone, her gaze not wavering from the view out her window.  She could listen to the message later, after enjoying a relaxed evening with her family and friends.

After a few more minutes of quiet reflection Cate turned away from the window and wandered toward the kitchen.  She hummed softly as she checked on the oven's contents, then began removing dishes from the cupboards to set the table. 

By the time three breathless, windblown Bongiovi males burst through the door Cate had readied the house for their evening.  Jon smiled broadly as his blue eyes swept the room, taking in the festive table and the appetizers and drinks set out on the kitchen island. 

"You were busy."  He moved close to Cate and brushed a kiss over her mouth before giving her behind a light smack.

"Somebody had to do the work," she countered playfully.  "Dinner wasn't gonna cook itself."

Jon chuckled and took a deep breath.  A tantalizing aroma filled his senses.  "Mmmm.  What did you decide to make outta your cart full of gourmet ingredients from the Piggly-Wiggly?"

Cate giggled at his sarcasm.  "Food snob," she chastised, reciprocating his playful spank.  "The best meals are the simplest.  And sometimes they even come from the Piggly-Wiggly."

"Whatever it is, it smells delicious."

"Chicken marsala.  Danny's favorite."  Cate smiled, then quickly added a caveat before Jon could remind her.  "And plain oven-fried chicken tenders for Romeo.  With ranch dip."

Jon chuckled.  "You're a good Mama, taking care of your picky eater."

His comment caught her by surprise.  "I... uh...you mean StepMama," she corrected awkwardly.

"No."

Cate took a breath, her mind immediately flashing to Dorothea.  She wasn't sure Jon's ex-wife would appreciate him equalizing her role in their children's care.

"Jon..."

"You need to get used to that title."  He smiled warmly.

"But your Boys... Dorothea's their mother."

"And so are you."

"I..." Cate paused, not knowing how to respond to his simple logic.  "No, she's the one...."

Before she could fully formulate a reply Jon redirected his attention to the living room, where Jacob and Romeo had sprawled on the couch.  "Hey!  You Chuckleheads!  Get your grimy butts off that sofa before you get it all dirty!"  He rolled his eyes at Cate before continuing his command.  "Go get washed up and put on some clean clothes for dinner!" 

Jacob ignored his father's order as he was focused on poking at the television remote, trying to decipher its workings.  Romeo sat up and looked hopefully at his father, his tousled head popping into view over the sofa's back.  "Is it time to eat?  I'm starving!"

"Not yet.  But it would be nice if you two were party-clean before our guests get here."  Jon's scold was playfully sarcastic. 

Recovering from her momentary awkwardness, Cate echoed Jon's instruction.  "Romeo, after you wash you can have some fruit and cheese.  I put some out on the counter."

"What kinda cheese?"

"Cheddar and mozzarella."

"And what kinda fruit?"

"Berries, melon, grapes..."

Jon interrupted.  "Jesus, Romey!  It doesn't matter what kind of fruit and cheese!  GO WASH UP!"  He gave an exasperated sigh before looking at Cate, shaking his tawny head disbelievingly.  "I swear, that one's got lawyer written all over him.  Everything's gotta be a Goddamned negotiation!"

Cate chuckled and patted her husband's arm before stepping away to respond to the urgent beeping of the oven's expired timer.  "Wonder where he gets that?"

"Not from me."

"Uh huh.  Sure."

"I don't negotiate.  I say 'this is the way it's gonna be,' and that's that."

Cate snickered.  "And if you don't like it, what?  You get whacked?"

Her sarcastic counter made Jon grin.  He crossed the little kitchen in two strides, capturing his bride by the waist as she turned away from the oven.  Jon growled playfully as he pulled her close, his arms banding around her middle and anchoring her hips against his.

"Oh, so now you're crackin' wise, huh?"  His silky voice was accented with heavy Jersey as his blue eyes sparkled. When she smirked back at him his fingers curled against her sides.  Immediately Cate squeaked, attempting to wiggle from his grasp.

"Jon!  Stop it!"  Cate's protest came out as a breathy squeal of laughter. "QUIT!"  She pushed against his chest, then grabbed at his hands in a desperate attempt to still his wriggling fingers. 

"You asked for it, Smartass."  Jon didn't stop tickling her as he chuckled his response. "That's what you get for makin' fun of me."

"STOP!!!!!!!"  Another peal of laughter shrieked from Cate's lips as she squirmed in his unyielding grasp.  "JON!"

"You gonna apologize?"  His fingers paused mid-tickle.

Cate gasped for breath, her blue eyes meeting his.  She blew a puff of air upward, dislodging an errant chestnut strand that had fallen across her face.  She smirked mischievously.  "No."

"Then I ain't gonna stop."  Jon countered in a faux-snarl.  His fingers again wiggled against the thin t-shirt cotton covering her midsection. 

"JONNNNN!!!!!  AAAAAGH!"  Cate's cry was a high-pitched, full-throated shriek that dissolved into hysterical giggles as she tried in vain to escape his torment.  Jon just grinned and held on tight.  Her unbridled laughter was something he had rarely heard in recent months.  It was intoxicating.

"DAD!  What are you DOING?"  Romeo's gleeful shout interrupted the torture.  "Leave Cate alone!"

Jon paused long enough to turn his sandy head.  He gave his youngest son a mischievous wink.  "Your StepMama was a Bad Girl.  She deserves to be tickled."

"What did she do?"

"She made fun of me."

"What did she say?" 

"Something very, very bad.  She accused me of being in the freakin'.... Hey, did you wash your hands?  And that's the same shirt you were wearing...."

Romeo's head swiveled toward the granite-topped island as he noticed the appetizer tray.  The boy tuned out his father's voice as he reached for a cube of cheese.  He had been promised food in exchange for his compliance with hygiene demands.  And he had in fact washed his hands... which was close enough, in his book. 

The boy popped the piece of cheese into his mouth and grabbed a handful of strawberries.  As for what was going on in the kitchen when he arrived, Romeo didn't really care what his Stepmother had said to draw his father's playful ire.  They were obviously goofing around.  Again.  And it would probably end up with kissing. 

"... and use a plate!"  Though he had stopped listening to his father's blather, Romeo comprehended the order.  He dropped the fistful of fruit onto the top appetizer plate of the stack, then slid the dish closer to the tray.  He munched eagerly as he dragged a cluster of grapes and a pile of cheese cubes to join the berries.

"Can I have another soda?"  Romeo turned back to the adults with his request. He sighed, realizing they hadn't heard him.  They were too busy kissing.  Again.

"DAD!  Can I have another SODA?"  Romeo repeated his request more loudly and succinctly.

"NO."  Jon pulled his lips away from Cate's long enough for the denial.

"But I'm thirsty!"

"Water."  Jon pointed toward the sink as he gave Cate one more smacking smooch. 

"I need a glass."

Cate turned her head, her cheeks pink with self-consciousness.  She always felt a little embarrassed when one of Jon's children witnessed their affection.   "There are glasses right there on the counter, Romeo.  Beside the napkins."  She nodded toward the island.

Romeo followed her gesture, turning to see a row of glassware beyond the fruit tray.  "Oh."  He picked up a goblet and carried it to the sink.

Jon rolled his eyes and grinned when Cate looked back at him.  Silently each nodded agreement to what the other was thinking: "And that's why we call them Chuckleheads."

After Romeo filled his glass Jon turned to look toward the living room.  He noticed the television screen had illuminated with moving images, which meant his elder son had figured out the remote.  Jon couldn't see the couch over the half-wall that separated the living room and kitchen, so he called out his query.  "Jake?"

"Huh?"

"Are you still laying around in there?"

"Yeah."

"GO get cleaned up!  NOW!"

"Okay." 

Cate chuckled softly, still held tight in Jon's embrace.  Like him, her gaze was fixed on the seemingly empty living room, awaiting movement.  Seconds later Jacob's dirty-blonde head appeared as he dragged himself off the couch and slouched toward the hallway.  Almost immediately Romeo's darker head bobbed into view.

"Hey!  Who said you could eat in there?"  Jon barked his disapproval. 

Holding a plate loaded with fruit and cheese in one hand and his glass of water in the other, Romeo turned to give the adults a look of mild surprise.  "Cate, can I watch TV?"

"Yes, Romey.  Just put your plate and glass on the coffee table, okay?  And use a coaster under your glass.  They're on the side table."

"Okay."  Romeo's head disappeared.  Seconds later the image on the television screen flashed through a number of scenes, finally pausing on a cartoon.

Jon's sigh next to her ear made Cate giggle.  She turned back to smile at her husband.  "It's all good, Baby.  He's a kid.  They're both gonna eat dinner in there anyway, since my table only seats four."

Jon's voice was soft, confining his words to their private space.  "I know.  They're my boys and I love 'em dearly, but in all honesty... I'm gonna be glad to give 'em back to Dorothea on Friday."

"That's understandable.  You've spent pretty much every minute of the last few weeks with them."

"I know.  And I love doing the Dad stuff.  All of it, even the frustrating part.  But Jesus..."  He sighed heavily and shook his head.

"It's been a long two weeks," Cate agreed gently.  "You need a break.  All parents do eventually."

"I don't know how Dorothea does it, handling those two full-time."

"She does have help, Jon.  And you spend a lot of time with them too.  More than a lot of Dads would."

"I know, but still..." Jon smiled sheepishly.  "I'm looking forward to it being just us again, at least for a couple days.  That's why I told Dorothea I'll drop them off Friday.  So we can have the weekend to ourselves before we both have to go back to work on Monday.  Selfish, huh?"

Cate gave her head a little shake, accompanied by an understanding smile.  "Not at all.  And thanks."

"For...?"

"For thinking of us.  You and me.  Just us."

Jon tipped his head toward Cate's, his smile relaxing as he rubbed his nose affectionately against hers.  "You don't have to thank me.  It's for me as much as you.  I just think we need a couple days to settle back into life, before it gets crazy again.  And we need to talk about what's coming up with the doc...."

"Shhh."  Cate cut him off with a quiet hiss and a firm shake of her head.  "Not now.  The boys..."

Jon chuckled.  "They're not paying attention to what we say.  Hell, they don't hear me when I yell at them."

Cate arched a brow.  "Maybe they don't seem to listen, but I guarantee you they hear more than you think."

"Okay, okay.  But you know what I mean."  Jon's mouth curved again.  "Anyway, I was thinkin' we'd go out to the Jersey house, putter around town, just do nothing much.  Talk.  Think about the next couple months, the summer...."  His voice dropped to a quieter croon.  "And be naked.  Maybe for the whole weekend."  He smirked an waggled an eyebrow.

Cate choked on a giggle.  "The whole weekend?  Don't think we can do that the whole weekend.  We'd attract a little attention walking around town in the Full Monty, don'tcha think?"  She patted his chest.

"So we'll just stay in.  We can have our own little nudist colony, right there on the river."

"You better warn the staff, then."

"I'll give 'em the weekend off."

Cate's chuckle was muffled by Jon's lips.  She smiled against the kiss as her mind turned over his proposition.  An entire weekend of just the two of them sounded wonderful.  Naked or otherwise.

An electronic vibration interrupted the moment, sending a jolt between their bodies.

"Mmmm.  You or me?"  Cate tunneled her fingers into her jeans pocket, searching for her phone.  It was still under her fingertips when a second signal buzzed against her body.

Jon wrapped his hand around Cate's, tugging it from her pocket.  "Don't answer it."

Cate chortled.  "Okay.  No problem, since it's you."

Jon pulled Cate's hand to his chest.  His other arm remained curved around Cate's waist as he smiled down at her.  He swayed slightly, pulling her with him in a gentle little dance.  "Good."

Another buzz tickled Cate's hip.  "Aren't you gonna answer?  Or at least see who it is?"

"Nope."

"What if it's important?"

"It's probably just Ma.  And if not, whoever it is can leave a message."  Jon leaned close, brushing another kiss across Cate's cheek.  "I'm busy."  He started to turn in a slow circle, guiding Cate to follow him. 

Cate sighed contentedly, letting Jon lead in their silent slow-dance.  Her lips curved in a smug little private grin.

"What's that all about?"  His voice was closer to her ear, then his softly-stubbled cheek rubbed against her smooth skin.

"What?"

"That little cat-who-ate-the-canary smirk."

Cate chuckled.  "Just thinking."

"About...?"

"About how you'd be proud of me."

"Why's that?"

Cate grinned.  "Because earlier I ignored a call too.  From work."

Jon's chuckle in her ear made her tingle.  "Who are you and what have you done with my wife?"

She giggled softly.  "It was Gus.  Probably just checking in."

"Ah.  And what made you decide to blow off a chat with your partner?"

"You." 

"Me?  I didn't even know about it."

"Yeah, but..." Cate sighed softly.  "I don't know.  I just... you were playing on the beach with the boys, I was watching from the window.  Thinking about our... family.  And it was just... peaceful, I guess.  Happy.  I didn't want to interrupt that.  So, when Gus called I let it go to voicemail."

"What did his message say?"

"I don't know.  I'll listen to it later."

Jon stopped moving, pulling his face back to give his wife a long look.  His eyes glowed deep azure as the corners of his mouth curved.  "Well that's quite a breakthrough."

Cate felt her cheeks heat as her gaze dropped from his.  The way he was looking at her, with such... pride.  She just couldn't...

She shrugged.  "It's not a breakthrough, Jon.  It was just a dodged phone call.  Not like I've never done it before.  I let calls go to voicemail all the time, when I'm busy, in a meeting...."  Her justification tumbled out of her mouth in a breathy rush.  For some reason she needed to explain, to minimize her husband's overreaction to this mundane occurrance.  "It was actually kinda.... selfish."

"Why?  Because you  ignored a work call during your vacation?"

"No." Cate felt herself squirm involuntarily.  "Because I'm not just Gus' partner, I'm his trainer.  And his friend.  Maybe he needed my advice or my guidance."

"Gus is a big boy.  And a good agent.  He can figure things out himself.  Plus he has a whole office full of cops to bounce stuff off."  Jon's mouth twisted into a gentle half-frown.  "Do you feel guilty about not taking his call?"

"A little, yeah."

"Baby...."  Jon reached up to stroke a lock of auburn hair behind Cate's ear.  "If it was urgent he woulda called you back.  Right?"

"Yes.  Or texted me."

Jon smiled.  "So don't worry about it.  You don't have to be on call twenty-four-seven."

"Actually, I do.  That's part of the job."

"For emergencies.  Not for case updates or check-in's or how-ya-doin's or whatever the fuck this was."  Jon grinned and his voice deepened, filled again with a comical thick Jersey accent.  "Just... Fuhgeddaboudit."

Cate giggled, relieved he had lightened the moment.  "And there's the repressed Wiseguy again.  Isn't that what got us into this position in the first place?"

"Nothin' wrong with this position, Baby.  At ALL."  Jon squeezed her against him and spun her around before nuzzling at her cheek. 

Again the buzz vibrated between their bodies.

Jon frowned and growled his displeasure at the interruption.  "Ahhhhhh....FUCK."

Cate cocked an eyebrow.  "You gonna answer it?"  Her question was a light tease, daring him to practice what he preached.

Jon gave her a playful sneer.  "Yeah, yeah... call me a hypocrite, but I gotta at least check it."  He sighed and slipped a hand to his hip where his holstered phone buzzed again.  "Maybe it's Dorothea, or Steph or Jess."

"I'm teasing, Jon.  Answer it."

"We'll see."  Jon pulled the phone from his belt and flipped open its leather cover.  His brow creased with puzzlement as he regarded the incoming number.  "What the fuck....?"

"What?"

"It's a private number, 202 area code.  That's D.C., right?"  Jon turned the phone so Cate could see the display.  She nodded.

"Maybe..."

Before Cate could finish her thought Jon raised the phone to his ear.  "Hello?"

Cate watched Jon's jaw tighten and his eyes narrow as he listened.  Gently she disengaged herself from his loosened embrace, sliding his arm from around her waist and stepping back to give him space.  After a few seconds his tense countenance relaxed.

"Well hey, Man.  It's been awhile."  A friendly grin split Jon's face as he replied to the caller.  "How have you been?  Busy as Hell, I'm sure."

Cate crossed her arms over her chest, an amused smile playing across her lips.  When Jon looked at her she cocked her head inquisitively.  He didn't respond, intent on listening to the voice at the other end of the connection.

"You did, huh?"  Jon chuckled.  "All good, I hope."  There was another pause, then he laughed heartily.  "Well, if that's the worst they said, I guess I'm okay."  Jon took a step and leaned back against the island, his denim-covered derriere impacting the countertop.  Shifting his weight to one leg, Jon crossed one sneakered foot over the other.

Taking Jon's relaxed posture as a cue, Cate moved toward the stove.  She picked up the pot she had placed earlier on the cooktop and carried it to the sink, moving as quietly as possible so as not to interrupt Jon's call.  After filling the pot with water she returned it to the stove where it would sit until Danny and Charity arrived.  Then Cate stepped over to the opposite side of the kitchen where she busied herself putting away the few dishes she had washed and left in the drainer to dry.

"Sure... Sure.  Of course you can count on us."  As Cate slipped past Jon to return a bowl to the shelf under the island, she gave him a curious glance.  He reached out to give her arm a squeeze of reply.  "Yeah, a little over four years now.  Cate."

At her name Cate turned to arch a brow at Jon.  He grinned and winked while continuing his side of the conversation.

"Thanks."  Jon chuckled again.  "You mean you didn't hear the story?  Jesus, I think life in outer fucking space heard the story.  It was all over the press and tabloids for months, Man.  Yeah, we met when I was preparing for that cop movie I did.  She was my trainer."

Cate gave Jon a little poke in the ribs as she moved past him on her way to the pantry.  It was obvious he was speaking to someone she didn't know, since the caller apparently didn't realize Jon had remarried.

"What can I say?  She's a tough chick, but she couldn't resist me."  Jon ducked when Cate playfully flicked a dishtowel in his direction.  He stuck out his tongue at her before continuing.  "Hey, I'm the total package, Man."  He chuckled self-depricatingly.  "Though I'm pretty sure she'd tell you I'm just a typical slob husband.  I don't put my socks in the hamper, I leave empty milk cartons in the fridge, I fart in bed..."

Cate rolled her eyes at Jon's description of his marital qualities.  He was playing off the conversation as much for her benefit as for the caller's entertainment.  She turned her back to him, busying herself with running hot water into the sink.

"Still working on it, but things are looking positive.  Yes.... Uh... I can't really say.  I'm sure you know the League requires nondisclosure agreements from all prospectives.... Sure.  No, no problem." 

Cate chuckled at Jon's modest handling of what was probably his favorite topic of discussion, his continued quest for NFL team ownership.  She nodded to herself, approving of his cautious tactic.  A long silence followed, Jon's caller obviously doing all the talking.

"Absolutely.  We'd be honored.  What time frame are you looking at?"  There was another pause as Jon listened, frowning as he tried to recall his calendar.  "Yeah, I think that will work... Listen, I'm on Spring Break with my kids right now, so I can't tell you for sure.... No, No!  It's fine!  We're just hanging out today.... Nah, it's all good.  Tell ya what, give Gretchen a call tomorrow.  You have her number?.... Okay, good.  She has my calendar in front of her all the time, and can give you a couple dates.  She'll also be the one to coordinate all the details -- catering, music, tents, yadda yadda....   Sure.  Oh yeah, she's done it a couple times.  She's great.  Can handle this kinda stuff in her sleep."

Cate turned off the faucet and reached for a towel.  As she dried her hands she turned to face Jon, now even more curious about his conversation.  From what she could ascertain from the snippets she had overheard, Jon had agreed to some sort of philanthropic event.  She laid the towel on the counter and settled back against its edge, quietly listening to Jon's closing dialogue.

"Of course....  Definitely.  Please pass on my best regards.....  All right....... yes, you too.  I look forward to it.  Good to hear from you, Grant.  We'll talk soon...... Okay.  Goodbye."

Jon chortled softly as he tapped the screen of his phone, then dropped it onto the island's top.  He gave his wife a knowing smirk.

"So, guess who that was?"

"Grant."

"Grant who?"

"I have no idea.  But apparently it was someone you haven't spoken to in awhile, if he didn't know about us."  Cate raised a brow to accent her point.

Jon nodded, his smirk evolving to a grin.  "That was Grant Burton.  He used to be the Appointments Director in the New Jersey Governor's office."

Cate's lips pursed as she considered the name.  It didn't ring a bell, though through her recent investigative work she had become quite familiar with the hierarchy of state public officials.

"How long ago was that?  I don't know the name..."

Jon shook his head.  "A long time ago.  Probably, oh.... ten, twelve years ago?  Anyway, he's held several other positions in the party.  For the past couple years he was with the national Democratic party, but he came back to Jersey to join the last gubenatorial campaign."

Cate frowned, confused.  "He's with the State, but he's calling from D.C.?"

Jon chuckled.  She never missed a detail, that wife of his.  "He's in D.C. for meetings.  Grant's still involved in national Party business, especially on behalf of this Governor."

Cate nodded slowly.  The sitting New Jersey Chief Executive had for several years been on a "watch list" of possible Presidential hopefuls.  Though she generally avoided press speculation and punditry, Cate's work kept her fully informed of political activity -- both legal and illegal -- in her adopted home state. 

"And... he just called you to say Hello?"  Cate delivered her query with a wry smile.  Jon was clearly toying with her.

"He called me...." Jon paused as he pushed away from his lean against the island.  He strolled three steps over to Cate and stood close in front of her.  "...to ask a favor."

"Ahhh."  Cate nodded sagely, then chuckled.  That explained the conversation about Jon's personal life.  "Imagine that.  A politico asking a rich celebrity for a favor.  And what would that be?"

"We..."  Jon reached up to playfully tap the tip of Cate's nose. "...are going..."  He lightly tapped her chin.  "... to host a party."

Cate's smile faded.  "A party?  What kind of party?"

"A fundraising dinner, at the Jersey house.  I've done it a couple times in the past."  Jon smiled and tapped Cate's nose again.  "And before you protest that you don't have time to throw a big-ass party.... you won't have to lift a finger.  I promise.  We'll hire somebody to put it all together."

"I don't care about that."  Cate shook her head, frowning.  "What I care about is..."

"I know, I know..." Jon interrupted her with a dismissive wave of his hand.  "You're a federal cop, you can't take a public partisan stance, blah blah blah.  But Baby, this is state politics.  And for the party, not for a candidate."

"Will the Governor attend?"

"Probably."

Cate shook her head again.  "Then I can't.  I can't, Jon.  It's not appropriate under our ethics rules.  The Governor is a potential Presidential candidate, which is a federal nexus."

"Hell, Cate.  I'm a potential Presidential candidate, if you ask some people.  So I don't see how that..."

"You know what I mean, Jon."  Cate clipped Jon's rebuttal.

Jon lowered his chin as his expression sobered.  He could see his wife wasn't going to back down, but he wasn't either.  He had already made the commitment.

"Cate.  Listen to what I'm saying.  It's a party fundraiser.  In exchange for a couple grand or whatever people get to come eat fancy catered food, rub elbows with Jersey politicos, and see the inside of my house.  Which is usually what they really want, anyway...  they could care less about the food or the windbag politicians."  Jon chuckled ironically. 

"The money goes to the general party fund, not to any specific candidate.  That can't possibly be a conflict of interest for you."  He cocked an eyebrow.  "In fact, I'm pretty damned sure that, under the Constitution of these United States, you have the right to express your political opinion any way you see fit, regardless of your job."

Cate crossed her arms and lowered her chin, mirroring her husband's defensive posture.  "Technically that's true.  But practically, and professionally, it's not.  I work public corruption cases, Jon.  Involving federal and state officials.  Whether it's my 'right' to host a political fundraiser or not isn't the issue.  The issue is that I won't give even an inkling of a perception that I might be somehow susceptible to political bias."

Jon sighed, smiling in spite of himself.  Despite her protestations to the contrary, his wife was exactly like him in many ways.  Smart, passionate, stubborn... but there was one area in which he held the upper hand.  Persuasion.

"Okay, so you won't host a dinner at your house, where money is raised for a political cause.  What do your ethics rules say about attending a political fundraiser or dinner?"

Cate blinked.  He knew he had her.  Her mouth twitched involuntarily upward.

"There is no prohibition on simple attendance. BUT... we should make every effort to keep a low profile."  Her answer was calm, almost begrudging.

"So that means you can be my date.  Right?  As long as you don't talk to any press?  Give any statements?  Say anything near somebody holding up a smartphone?"  Jon waggled his brows and gave her a smug little smirk.

"You can't call somebody who lives in your house your 'date' to a party at your house."

"Why not?  Couples have 'date night' all the time.  So we dump the kids off on somebody else and decide to stay in instead of go out.  You can't tell me other parents haven't done that.  And that's effectively what this would be.  Except for the dumping of the kids part."

She couldn't stop her wry smile.  Dammit.

"I... you're assuming I even want to be your date."  Cate tried to sound haughty, but couldn't pull it off.

"I never assume, Baby.  You know what they say about that."  Jon chuckled.  "Though I'm pretty sure you think I have the 'ASS' part fully covered right now."

"You're not wrong."

Jon chortled again, reaching for her hips.  She didn't resist when he pulled her to him.

"Listen, I  get it.  I'll make it crystal clear that the invitations can't say 'Mister and Missus Jon  Bon Jovi request the pleasure of your company...', okay?  We'll make it all politically correct.  Hell, we won't say anything about you being there at all if that's what you want.  This will be my Big-Ego Rock Star Deal... which is what all the conservative press will shout anyway." 

Jon gave Cate his sweetest smile, the one he saved for her.  "And all you have to do is be there.  Just be your usual gorgeous, smart, charming self."

Cate sighed begrudgingly.  "Baby, that's still walking a fine line..."

Jon gave her a direct look, his gleaming blue eyes boring into her.  "Cate.  I know you're a cop, and I respect the Hell out of that.  I do.  But you're my wife.  And I need you to be there, by my side.  Okay?"

Her heart melted.  She sighed again before nodding, her smile gentling.  "Oh...Okay."

"Good.  Now lighten up.  Your friends are gonna be here soon."  Jon dropped another kiss against her lips, then slid his hand down to pat her rump.  "It's party time."

Cate chuckled and rolled her eyes. "Oh yeah.  It'll be quite a party... dinner and board games on a Tuesday night with a couple pre-teens and a middle-aged couple."

"I'm gonna tell Charity you called her 'middle-aged'."  Jon playfully needled his wife.  

"Fine.  A middle aged Dude and his knocked-up trophy wife."  Cate felt a little jealous twinge as she made the playful barb about Danny's bride. 

Jon chuckled.  "Yep, gonna be one helluva party.  Better get out the bail money."  He squeezed Cate's behind and gave a playful leer.  "What time are they coming?"

Cate glanced at the clock.  "In about fifteen minutes."

"Mmmm.... So we've got time for a quickie, huh?" 

"Yeah, sure.  Right here in the kitchen, with your kids around the corner."  Cate snorted sarcastically.  "And that's just what every girl dreams of... that her man can finish the whole deal in well under fifteen minutes."

Jon grinned and moved his mouth closer to her ear.  "Baby, you know I can go longer than that.  This is just an appetizer.  The main course will be later.  And I'm..."  He nipped at her lobe before breathing the last word.  "Hungry...."

Cate shivered as a tingle flushed through her body.  She murmured her response, concealing it from the boy in the next room.  "Jeez, Baby.  It's only been three days."  She shivered again at the delicious memory of their naughty night at the Grand Floridian.

"Three days too fucking long.  I need a fix."  Jon's other hand dropped to Cate's ass, cupping the taut globe of denim-wrapped flesh.

"Sorry to say, Baby... you're gonna have to suffer.  At least for tonight."

"Dammit," Jon crooned, without venom.  "Guess I'll have to settle for a little pillow-talk tonight, huh?  Then tomorrow night we can get freaky, when the boys are tormenting Danny."

His proposal made Cate snort a laugh.  Hearing Jon mix the terms "pillow talk" and "get freaky" in the same sentence was just too much.

"Pillow talk, sure.  We'll see about... freaky... tomorrow.  But tonight it's strictly PG-rated."

"I can do that."  A smirk curled Jon's lips as he lowered his mouth to Cate's.  She sighed as his kiss turned sultry, letting her body melt against his.  Their tongues twined languidly, savoring each other's taste.  At least they could steal this moment, before they resumed playing the Responsible Parent game.

And then the doorbell rang.

*****

"Two... three... four... Awww.... Shit."

"YES!"  Romeo's triumphant shout was accompanied by a fist-pump before he pointed gleefully at Jon.  "Boardwalk!  You owe...."  He gloated over the blue-topped game board space, crowded with small plastic boxes, before giving his partner a wide-eyed, puzzled look.  "How much does he owe us?"

Charity laughed softly and picked up the deed card.  "Here.  Let's add it up together."  She pointed a pink-tipped finger at the lines of text while guiding the boy through their calculations.  "And now we double that because we own Park Place too...."

"Six thousand eight hundred dollars!"  Romeo announced after a moment of thought.  He grinned again at his father and held out his hand, palm up.  "Pay up, Chump!"

"Hey!  Who you callin' a Chump, Chump?" Jon protested.  He shook his head and pulled an exaggerated grimace as he thumbed through a multicolored stack of play money.  "I don't know if I have it..."

"HAHAHAHAHA!" Romeo cackled wickedly.  "Come on, Dad!  You gotta pay the rent!"  He wiggled his fingers expectantly.

"Thirty-five, thirty six.... Oh... Hell with it."  Jon sighed dramatically and tossed the pile of notes at his son.  The paper fluttered through the air, showering the giggling boy with multi-colored fake tender.  "I'm out.  Bankrupt.  Kaput."

"Gimme all your cards, then!"  Romeo demanded, pointing to the small array of property deeds on the table in front of his father.

"Fine."  Jon picked up the cards and tossed them onto the game board.  "Happy?"

"Yeah."

Jon chortled and picked up his wine glass.  He gave Cate a wry sidelong smirk. "Told ya that one's gonna be a lawyer.  He's already a shark."

"Great idea, partnering up the shark with the IRS cop," Danny countered sarcastically.  "We were all screwed from the start." 

Charity wrinkled her nose and smiled sweetly at her husband.  "You had your chance to be my partner.  But Nooooo, Mister Big Man wanted to go it alone..." 

"Bite me," Danny mumbled over the rim of his own glass.

Cate chuckled at the playful exchange.  When she had first met Charity she assumed the striking brunette would be just one in a long line of her best friend's temporary companions.  But the woman had quickly proven she could hold her own against Danny's stubborn, sarcastic, sometimes-playful petulance.  Marriage and pregnancy seemed to have enhanced her powers.

"Should we all throw in the towel, so Jon won't feel like a loser all by himself?"  Cate's question was in the form of a tease but she was serious in the sentiment.  They had been playing Monopoly for more than two hours, and Cate had never been a fan of the tedious game.  She had grown weary of if an hour ago, but had remained silent and engaged because her husband and stepsons were obviously having a ball.

"Yeah, I'm done."  Danny flicked his game piece across the board.  "I was probably the next one to go bankrupt anyway."  He gathered his Monopoly money and handed it to Jake.  "Here ya go, Banker.  Don't spend it all in one place."

"What, no tip?" Jake grinned sarcastically.  "Sheesh.  Way to stiff a guy."  He sorted the bills into their slots before reaching for Cate's stack.

"I got a tip for ya.  Don't eat yellow snow."  Danny gave the boy a playful punch on the arm.  Jake giggled softly, his grin widening.

Cate and Jon exchanged a little smile, acknowledging their shared thought.  Jacob had been a veritable chatterbox this evening, sharing jokes and anecdotes with Danny.  It was obvious the boy was a little in awe of his "unofficial uncle." 

"Alright Chuckleheads.  Get your butts ready for bed.  We're gonna have a long day tomorrow."  Jon made the announcement as he reached over to give Romeo a playful push.

"We can't go to bed yet," the boy informed his father, pushing him back.

"Why not?"   

" DUH, Dad!  'Cause you're sitting on it!"  Romeo rolled his eyes.

"Oh, yeah."  Jon gave Cate a wink.  "I forgot.  You get to sleep with your brother tonight."

"Yeah, Great," Jacob commented sarcastically.  "I've been looking forward to that this whole trip."

"Oh, poor you."  Jon snorted playfully.  "You know, when I was a kid and the family went to visit my Nonna in Pennsylvania, your Uncle Tony and I both had to sleep on her lumpy old pull-out sofa.  So  it's family tradition, Kid.  Suck it up."

"Hell, I had to sleep with two of my brothers when we went to my Gramma's," Danny added.  "And they farted.  All the time."

That made Jon chuckle along with his boys.  "You have two brothers too, Danny?"

"I have four.  I'm in the middle, two older, two younger."

"Your poor mother," Charity observed, patting Danny's thigh before rising from her seat on the upholstered ottoman.  "That woman should be sainted."

Cate chuckled and followed Charity's lead, getting up from the couch.  "Oh, Alice could hold her own against all those boys. Trust me on that."  She picked up her empty glass and followed Charity into the kitchen.

"I don't doubt it.  I know what my Ma went through, and she's still standing."  Jon downed the last swallow of wine and reached to set the footed glass on the table.  He redirected his comments to his sons, who had made no move in obeyance of their father's command.  "Alright, now.  Seriously.  Go brush your teeth and get ready for bed."

"Can't we stay up a little later?" Jacob implored.

"We're heading out too, Jake,"  Danny answered, reading the subtext in the boy's plea.  "You need to get some rest.  I'm gonna make you work tomorrow."

Jake grinned.  "Fine by me.  What are we doing first?"

"Well, we'll do a quick tour of the office, then go over to the gym.  Maybe do a little workout, then I'll suit you up and let you and your brother pound on each other for awhile."

"Awesome!"  Romeo interjected.  "I'm gonna smash Jakey's face in, and he won't be able to do anything about it!"

"Yeah, we'll see about that, Kiddo," Jon chortled.

Danny grinned before continuing.  "Then we'll go check out the defensive driving track, then lunch.  After lunch we'll go shoot some targets, 'kay?"

"Cool."  Jacob nodded. 

The wide smile on his son's face warmed Jon's heart.  "This is gonna be the best day of the whole trip for you, huh Jake?"

"Yeah, probably."  Jacob shrugged.  "But NASA was cool too."

Danny nodded, giving the boy a fatherly smile.  "Jack -- my boy -- loved going to Disney until he was about Romeo's age.  Then it was more about cars and sports and space and stuff like that.  He's a Marine now."

Jake nodded.  "I still like Disney, but more the Epcot stuff.  Not the little-kid stuff from the movies."

Danny chuckled, leaning closer to Jake for a fake-whisper.  "I like Disney too.  Especially Space Mountain.  Space Mountain will always be cool."

Jake grinned wider and nodded his agreement.  "Yeah."

Jon watched the exchange with an amused smile.  He could understand Jacob's reaction to Danny; after being stuck with only his brother, father, and grandfather to hang around with the past couple weeks the boy was obviously relieved to have another male to bond with.  And it was apparent from Danny's expression that Jacob reminded him of his own now-grown son.

"Alright, Jake.  Seriously -- you and your brother, get ready for bed.  We're cleaning up, then I'll help you pull out the couch and put the linens on.  Then it's lights out, for everybody."

Jake nodded slowly, giving Danny a sidelong glance.  When Danny nodded his agreement with Jon's command, Jake moved.  "Okay.  C'mon, Romey."

"I'm gonna put the game away."

"We got it, Romeo,"  Jon reached for the Monopoly box lid.  "Go."

The younger boy sighed.  "Oh all RIGHT."  He slumped dramatically and slouched after his older brother, his arms swinging lifelessly and his head lolling to one side.

Danny chuckled.  "You're gonna have your hands full with that one."

"What do you mean 'gonna?'  We already do."  Jon chortled softly.

"Ah, they're good boys.  Enjoy 'em while you can.  Before you know it they'll be men."  Danny nodded sagely and took another drink from his wine glass.

"Tell me about it.  I blinked and Jesse's in college."

"Notre Dame, no less.  And playing football."  Danny gave Jon a half-smirk.  "The boy obviously got his Mother's brains."

Jon chuckled.  "Damn straight.  And her athletic ability."  His smile gentled.  "Hopefully the next one will take after her Mama too."

Danny glanced toward the hallway, where Jacob and Romeo had exited moments before.  Even though the boys had left the room he lowered his voice.  "Everything okay with that?"

Jon's reply was also quiet.  "Yeah.  I don't know what she's told you, but the latest is we... we're starting IVF."

"She didn't tell me.  But we haven't really spoken much since Philly, either.  I've been TDY."

"Yeah, well.  Our Doc thinks it's time we move on.  We've kind of exhausted the other options."  Jon sighed softly.  "I think it's time too.  Cate's gone through so much with all the shots and the pills and the exams and the pregnancy tests... She just... well, we're putting it in the hands of the doctors now.  No more uncontrolled factors."

Danny gave Jon a long look before nodding slowly.  "Modern medicine is an impressive thing.  But it's still not a hundred percent, you know."

"I know.  But it's our best shot.  And we'll know what's actually happening, step by step.  We'll be able to see the egg being fertilized.  Actually watch the moment of conception.  That's..." Jon paused, his mouth curving slightly.  "Kinda mind-blowing, ya know?"

"Yeah, it is, actually." Danny smiled weakly.  "And hopefully they'll survive when they're implanted.  In Cate's... womb." He tried not to grimace as he said the word.  He didn't know why, but it just felt strange to describe his friend's uterus using such a maternal term.

"Hopefully.  Dr. Klein thinks chances are good at least one will."  Jon gave Danny a serious look.  "Look, I know you and Cate are both skeptics by nature. I get it.  But with this... we're trying to stay positive."

Danny nodded.  "I am too.  Believe me, Jon.  I hope with all my heart that IVF is the answer for you.  But I also know that if it's not... she'll be okay.  It may take awhile, but she will be.  You will be too."

"I know."

"Good."  Danny sighed and rubbed his hands over his thighs.  "Alright, time to head out, so you can get those two little felons to bed."  He pushed himself up out of his chair with a weary groan, then gave Jon a grin.  "Thanks for dinner.  And entertainment."

Jon accepted Danny's proffered hand, giving it a firm shake.  "Welcome.  Thanks for getting all this set up for us."  He clapped a hand over Danny's shoulder as the men turned toward the kitchen.

"My pleasure.  Always good to have her home."

"Yeah."

Jon collected their guests' jackets from the hall closet while Cate chatted with Danny and Charity about the next day's plans.  Once everything was arranged the Bongiovis bid their friends farewell.  After the couple had departed Cate finished cleaning up the kitchen while Jon helped Jake and Romeo prepare the couch for their slumber. 

It was almost an hour later when all the chores were completed and the house was quiet.  Jon had not only confiscated the remote controls but had also unplugged the television to prevent unauthorized nighttime viewing.  Romeo had fallen asleep almost immediately, but Jacob spent nearly a half hour reading before Cate gently told him to turn off the light.  Soon the older boy's breathing was shallow and rhythmic in slumber.

Quietly Cate traversed the short hall toward the master bedroom at the back of the house, to which Jon had retired.  Through the stillness she could hear the faint roar of the ocean.  Her lips curved at the soothing sound; it had been a long time since she had heard that lovely lullaby. 

Cate paused outside the bedroom door, then reversed her direction.  She padded back down the hallway to the tiny foyer.  Stealthily she unlocked first the deadbolt then the doorknob and eased the front door open.  Cate pushed open the glass storm door and slipped outside, being careful to close both doors behind her. 

She stood on the little porch and breathed deeply.  The aroma of sand and surf and pine and roses and camelias filled her senses, taking her back to the time when this little cottage was her only home, her refuge and shelter, her private little corner of the world.  It was the one place she could find serenity, whether it be from the harsh realities of her job or the trials of her heart.

Turning her gaze skyward, Cate noted the carpet of twinkling stars against an inky blue-black sky.  A swirling breeze ruffled her hair, blowing inland from the beach that was just yards away, behind her house.  Close enough for a peaceful moonlit walk before sleep.

She stepped off the porch and onto the narrow stone path that led around the side of the cottage.  Cate hesitated, remembering she was not the only one here as she once had been.  Jon was probably waiting up for her and would wonder where she had gone when he didn't hear her moving around the house.  She should let him know where she was going.

Cate reached in her jeans pocket for her phone and raised it to her face.  The illuminated screen made her squint, then frown.  It was filled with notifications of missed calls and messages.  She had turned her ringer off when Danny & Charity arrived, not wanting to be distracted during their visit.  Apparently that had been a mistake.

Unconsciously Cate pulled her lower lip between her teeth as she scanned the notices, then tapped the screen to open her message application for more details.  The ignored call from Gus had come in over four hours ago; he had neither left her a message nor called again.  However, over the course of the next several hours five more calls had been attempted, two from a nondescript number Cate recognized as her office's central line and three from her supervisor's personal mobile number. 

Cate's stomach tightened as she tapped open a text message from the Senior Agent in Charge.

Cate-- call me ASAP, even late.  Home or cell. - Al

"Shit," Cate muttered, closing the message.  She was just ready to dial Al's number when she noticed an alert in the voicemail icon.  She tapped that button and held the phone to her ear.  As she suspected, the message was from her office.

Agent Sullivan, this is Agent Marenko.  Please contact the Operations Center when you receive this message.  If possible, use a secure line.  If you must call unsecure, call the Main Desk.  Thank You.

Cate's pulse raced, an adrenalized reaction to the unexpected contact.  Though both the text from Al and the message from the Duty Agent had been nonspecific, she knew from experience something significant had happened.  There was no other reason both her boss and the Operations Center would try to contact her when she was on approved leave.

She lowered the phone and forced herself to take a deep breath, then another.  When Cate had tamed her physical response she turned back to her tiny front porch.  She sat on the concrete step before dialing Al's number.  She would rather speak directly to him than contact the Operations Center, especially since she was calling from her personal smartphone.  It wasn't like the Duty Officer would be able to tell her anything of substance over an unsecure line anyway.

There was only one ring before the gruff voice answered.

"Hello."

"Al... it's Cate.  I'm sorry for the delay in contacting you... I just now got your message.  We were..."

"It's okay."  The senior agent cut off her apology. "I'm sorry to interrupt your vacation, Cate, but I have some bad news."

Cate's pulse kicked up again.  She swallowed hard.  "What?"

"Gus is on emergency leave.  His father had a stroke.  It doesn't sound good."

Tears sprang to Cate's eyes.  That must have been why her partner had tried to reach her earlier, and only once.  Goddammit, she should have answered...

"Do... is... is he there now?"

"We got him on the first flight out of LaGuardia.  He should have landed by now.  I haven't heard anything more from him or the Watch, so I presume he's still getting settled.  He said he'd let me know when he's there and how his Dad is doing."

Cate could hardly speak past the lump in her throat.  "I... I missed a call from him..."

"He probably tried to call you from the airport.  I told him I'd take care of it."

"I... I should call..."

"Cate, not tonight.  Let him do what he needs to do, then maybe talk to him tomorrow.  Text him if you want, but he's going to have a lot on his plate the next few hours."

"Oh... yes, of course."  Cate swallowed hard, then cleared her throat.  "Thanks for letting me know, Al.  Is that why the Ops Center called me too?  I have a message from them, to call secure."

"It's related. I told them I would contact you tonight about Gus, and we can handle the other stuff tomorrow.   Can you get access to a secure line?"

Cate nodded though her boss couldn't see her.  "I'm in Georgia, at the Center.  We left Orlando yesterday and drove up to visit friends.  Tomorrow we're taking Jon's sons on a tour of the training facilities."

"Good.  Are you going to your old office?"

"Yes.  I can call you from there."

"That works.  I'll be in a meeting until nine; call me at nine-thirty.  That will give me time to get caught up on real-time ops status."

"Yes sir."

Al's voice softened.  "Cate, I'm sorry, but I think your vacation is over."

"Understood.  Whatever you need, Al."

"I'll fill you in tomorrow.  Get some sleep."   

"You too."

"Good night, Cate."

" 'Night."

Cate dropped the phone to her lap and swiped her hand across her eyes.  A pair of guilty tears tumbled down her cheeks.  Dammit.  I should have answered.

She sat for a few more minutes, forcing herself to breathe, ordering her thoughts.  Then she bowed her head, blinking moisture from her eyes before opening a new text message on her phone.  She typed carefully, trying to put her feelings into words, trying to communicate her support to her young partner.

Ten minutes later she finally hit the "send" button.  Then she stood, swiped away the remnants of her tears, and climbed back up onto the porch.  She paused for another minute, breathing in the salty-sweet night air.  There would be no walk on the beach tonight.  Her vacation was done.

Now she had to figure out how to tell Jon. 


Saturday, June 28, 2014

SIXTY-FOUR

Chapter 64

Hmm hmm hmmmm hmm hmm hmmhmmhmm hmm hmmm....Hmm hmm hmmmmm hmm hmm hmmhmmhmmmmm hmm hmmm....

Cate's mouth curved slightly in recognition of the melody but her eyes didn't leave the tablet on her lap.

Hmm hmm hmmmmmm hmm hmm hmmmmm...... hmm hmm hmmmm HMMMM HMMM HMMMMMMMM..... 

"Jon."

"Hmm?"

"You're doing it again."

A throaty chuckle of admission followed.  "Sorry.  Can't help it."

"Try.  Please."

"It's a catchy little ditty."

Cate glanced sideways from her screen, at her husband's profile.  He smirked lightly and resumed his humming, now drumming his fingers against the steering wheel as his sunglass-shielded gaze stayed forward, on the highway. 

"People have literally resorted to violence because of that 'catchy little ditty,' you know."

"This song?  Nah.  It's a happy song."

"It's maddening.  And it's been three days.  So please.  For all our sakes."

Jon glanced up at the rearview mirror before advancing his rebuttal.  "Jake and Romey don't mind."

"Only because they can't hear you with their earbuds in."  Cate couldn't stop a smile from curling the corner of her mouth.  Jon was doing everything he could to keep her engaged in conversation, having tired of sports-talk radio.

"They still wouldn't mind.  Watch."  Jon lifted a hand from the wheel and waved it, attempting to attract his sons' attention.  Jake noticed and tugged at the wire leading to his ear. 

"Huh?"

"It's a small, SMALL WOOOOOORLD!"  Jon sang with the gusto of Pavarotti, gesturing with his free hand.

Jake pushed the electronic plug back into his ear without comment.

Cate snorted at her stepson's response, or lack thereof.  "What happened to the 'no screens on this Family Vacation' rule?"  Cate taunted gently, her voice deepening to mimic his stern edict.

"You know what happened.  And don't pretend you're not happier now,"  Jon replied smugly, his eyes remaining on the road.

"Mmm."  Cate hummed a non-committal response, then chuckled.  Early in their trip Jon had been steadfast in refusing to allow his sons to use their tablets, iPods, and game devices, mandating that this was a time for family fun and togetherness.  He had held firm through most of their time at Disney, much to his sons' chagrin.  But when his parents decided to stay "just another day or two" Jon had finally relented, sympathizing with his boys' pleas for respite from their Nana's nonstop clucking.

Jake and Romeo hadn't been the only ones needing relief from their grandparents.  Jon had finally surrendered, announcing a short-notice change to the family's travel itinerary.  As a result Jon, Cate, Romeo, and Jake were headed north on I-95 a day earlier than planned, having cut short their stay in Orlando.  Jon had used the excuse of wanting to sightsee on the way back to Jersey, but Cate knew he really wanted to escape his mother.

The elder Bongiovis' impromptu visit hadn't been bad, exactly.  In fact, Cate had been a little taken aback by Carol's uncharacteristic warmth and friendliness.  Though Jon's mother had never been nasty to her, Cate had always felt a little uneasy around the family matriarch.  Carol maintained a close relationship with Dorothea, and Cate suspected Carol still harbored hope that someday her son would remarry his high-school sweetheart. 

A breathy whistle pulled her from her musings.  It was the same cheery tune.

"Dammit, Jon!"  Her words held a hint of exasperation.  "Stop it!"

Jon's white teeth flashed as his pucker dissolved into a grin.  He turned his head slightly toward Cate, keeping one shaded eye on the road.  His voice slid out in a sexy, playful croon.  "It's a small, small world, Baby...."

"Oh Good Lord."  Cate rolled her eyes and sighed.  Still she couldn't stop a smile.  Bored Jonny may be Annoying Jonny, but at least he was cute.

Flipping shut her iPad's cover, Cate turned her gaze to the passing scenery.  She had been reading for an hour or so, not really paying attention to their progress.

"Where are we?"

"I-95."

"No kidding.  Where on I-95?"

"Northbound."  Jon grinned.

Another exasperated sigh slipped from Cate's lips.  "It's gonna be a long ride..." she grumbled beneath her breath.

"Hey!"  Again Jon waved his hand to attract attention of the backseat dwellers, punctuating the movement with a loud exclamation.  This time Jake didn't bother to remove the bud from his ear before replying loudly.

"What?!?"

"Who's hungry?"

"ME!"  Romeo immediately responded, his attention diverted from his game by the mention of food.  "Can we stop at McDonald's?"

Cate half-turned in her seat to give the boy a wrinkle-nosed smile.  "Really? Again?"  They had started their morning travels with Egg McMuffins and hash browns from the drive-thru.  She could still smell the faint greasy odor of fried food, though the wrappers had been long discarded.  Cate's stomach rumbled its dissent to the thought of more heavy fare.

"We can have hamburgers."  It was clear from Romeo's reply that he thought no explanation was necessary.  The "DUH" was implied.

"Nah.  No fast food."  Jon's response made Cate nod.  She suspected the McMuffin was still sitting heavy in her husband's belly as well.  "I'm thinking something fresh."

Romeo sighed noisily before half-whining his displeasure.  "DA-AAD.  Not another SALAD."

"What's wrong with salad?  You eat 'em all the time at home."  Jon glanced in the rearview mirror, his blue eyes twinkling merrily behind his shades.  Cate smiled at his gleeful expression.  He was almost always successful in pulling Romeo into a playful "debate."  The boy had not yet learned to detect his father's teases.

"It's a bowl of weeds."

"So?  A hamburger is a piece of cow.  On bread."

"But a hamburger tastes good."

"So does a salad.  Put a little dressing on it, some croutons.... maybe some tofu...."

"Ugh."  Romeo rolled his eyes and flopped back against the seat.  Cate supressed a chuckle.

Jon grinned and glanced again at the mirror.  "And who said I wanted salad, anyway?  Maybe I don't."

"Yes you do."

"No, I don't."  Jon shook his head, then glanced at the road and the Navigator's side mirrors.  A flick of his left hand activated the signal before he slid the big SUV into the right lane.  Another flick silenced the flasher before he continued.  "Actually, I have a hankerin' for some seafood."

Cate's nose wrinkled again, this time with amusement.  "A hankerin'?"

Jon nodded.  "Yup.  A hankerin'.  Maybe for some... oh, I don't know... crab cakes?"  He glanced sideways at Cate, his cheeks dimpled with his smirk.  "You know any good places?"

She stared at Jon for a moment, puzzled with his question.  How on earth would she know where they could get crab cakes along the Interstate?  She didn't even know where on the highway they were...

Suddenly she understood.  Cate turned her gaze to the road ahead as she felt the Navigator slightly decelerate.  Ahead of them a nondescript green-and-white highway sign marked the exit, a familiar number above an arrow pointing them down the cracked asphalt off-ramp to a faded two-lane highway.  She smiled as the SUV drifted onto the exit and curved onto the road, slowing to a more modest speed.

"Actually, I  do know a little place."  Cate looked at her husband, who was grinning widely now that his ploy had been revealed.  "And so do you.  I think you put on five pounds in two weeks, just from the cornbread."

"Not just from the cornbread.  The pie too."  The lines at the corner of Jon's eye crinkled as he gave her a wink.  "You did your best to work that offa me, if I recall."

Cate chuckled as her cheeks pinkened at the memories.

"Where?"  Jake's curiosity got the better of him.  He had been stoically monitoring the conversation from his seat, but now that they were clearly preparing to stop he figured he'd better speak up or risk being forced to choose his meal from a menu of unpleasant options.

Cate turned to look at the boy, her smile warm.  "A little place called Barbara Jean's.  I took your Dad there when..."  She paused, not sure how much of the story of their romance Jon had revealed to his younger children.  "... A long time ago."

Jacob's reply was wary.  "Oh.  Uh....where is it... er... are we?"

"You're in the Great State of Georgia, Son."  Jon answered, a hint of a drawl tinging his Jersey.  "Best place for peaches, Vidalia onions, sweet tea, and Barbara Jean's crab cakes."

"What?"  Romeo was confused.  Somehow his argument for a Happy Meal had been hijacked to this conversation.  "Don't they have McDonald's here?"

"Nope."  Jon grinned through his lie. 

Cate snorted before gently correcting Jon's fib.  "Yes, Romey.  There's a McDonald's here.  But you'll like this place... they have hamburgers too.  Good ones.  Or you can have shrimp or chicken fingers, or whatever you like."

"Or a salad."  Jon gleefully needled the boy.

"DAD!"  Romeo protested loudly, disgruntled that his lunch recommendation had been ignored.  He gave Cate a displeased half-scowl.  "I don't want a salad."

"That's fine.  There's lots of other stuff to choose from.  And it's good, Romeo.  Really, it is."  Cate reached back to pat the boy's knee.  "We can sit on the patio if you want.  You can feed the birds.  And probably the squirrels.  They're pretty brazen, come right up to the tables."

Romeo visibly perked up at Cate's suggestion, though his response was wary.  "Okay..."

"Great," Jake muttered, dropping his face again to his tablet and slouching back onto the seat. 

Jon glanced in the rearview at his older son.  "You'll like it, Jake." 

"Whatever.  I'm not that hungry."

Jon let his head fall back against the headrest as he rolled his eyes.  He turned to give Cate a look that clearly said "Jesus Christ, if it's not one it's the other...."  She chuckled and reached over to give Jon's thigh a reassuring pat.

"You remember how to get there?"

Jon pulled his head forward and nodded.  "Just follow this road to the bridge, then straight down through the village, right?"

"You got it."  Cate shifted in her seat, turning to face fully forward before leaning to drop her iPad into the tote bag at her feet.  When she straightened she saw her husband's hand extended toward her, palm-up.  She smiled as she accepted his offering, twining her fingers into his.  Then she looked ahead, watching the familiar, idyllic scenery unfold before them as they rambled down the old highway she knew so well.

*****

"Romeo, you  haven't even touched your hamburger. EAT."

"I am!" To support his argument Romeo absently stuffed a french fry into his mouth.

"No you're not.  You're feeding the birds."  Jon glanced at the boy's plate,  where a ground beef patty sat atop a green lettuce leaf next to a scattering of shoestring-cut potatoes.  "Christ, you fed them the whole bun?"

"No."  Romeo looked at his plate to confirm his response.  "The bottom part is under the lettuce."  The boy eagerly tunneled his fingers under the patty and vegetables to grasp the soggy warm bread.  "See?"  He extracted a piece of the bun-bottom and held it up for his father's evaluation.  Then he grinned mischievously and tossed the morsel on the ground.  Three gray-brown sparrows promptly hopped toward the bread and pecked at it with their tiny beaks.

"Romey, I swear... you better eat that burger.  I'm not buying you anything else when you're whining about being hungry in a half-hour."

Romeo shrugged.  "Okay."

Jon rolled his eyes and turned his attention to Jacob.  "How was your crab cake?"

"Good."  The boy nodded and reached for another fry from the dwindling number on his plate.  Unlike his younger brother, Jake had devoured his sandwich with gusto.

"Told ya they were good."  Jon smiled and winked.  "Your Stepmama knows her seafood."

Jake shrugged, turning his gaze to Cate.   "You used to eat here all the time, huh?  When you lived here?"

Cate sipped her iced tea before answering.  "Yes.  Before I met your Dad.  I lived here for a few years when I worked as an instructor at the Training Center."

"Yeah, I know.  That's how he met you -- you taught him cop stuff for that movie he did."  Jake's mouth curved slightly.  "It was kinda dorky.  The movie, I mean."

Cate chuckled and nodded.  "Yep.  But that wasn't my fault.  I had nothing to do with the script.  Or the acting.  Or... well, just about any of it.  I just had to teach him how cops do things.  It was up to him to make it look cool... or not."

"I'm sitting right here, you know."  Jon interrupted, his protest mild and accompanied by a little smirk.  "Jeez."

"Sorry, Baby... but it was... uh... let's just say it wasn't your best work."  Cate smiled sympathetically and reached over to pat his hand.

"Yeah well..." Jon pulled his hand away in faux-affront.  "That's your opinion.  A lot of my fans loved 'Dirk Steele'."

Cate snorted.  "A lot of your fans love anything you do.  You could pick your nose and scratch your ass for an hour and a half on screen and they'd start a petition demanding you get an Oscar nomination."  Her sarcasm was delivered in a teasing lilt.

"Yeah, yeah..." Jon waved his hand, dismissing the topic.  He couldn't argue his wife's point.  "Anyway... it was a good experience, making that movie."  He smiled sweetly.  "If I had passed on that role we wouldn't have met."

"No, we wouldn't have," Cate agreed, returning his gentle grin and again extending her hand in truce.  Jon slid his palm against hers as his blue eyes sparkled brightly.

A heavy sigh from Jacob reminded the adults that they were being sappy.  Again.

Cate chortled softly, giving Jon's hand a squeeze before picking her napkin up from her lap and dropping it on the table.  "Okay, gentlemen.  If you'll excuse me for a moment...."

Jon quickly rose from his seat, his hand going to the back of Cate's wicker-backed patio chair.  He chivalrously helped her rise.  "I'll walk you."

"Thank you, but I think I can find my way to the ladies' room.  Stay here with the boys."  Cate glanced at Jon's sons.  "Romeo may feed his burger to the squirrels if you don't."

"Squirrels don't eat meat!  They eat nuts!"  Romeo protested.

"Zombie squirrels eat meat."  Cate winked at the boy before turning away.  "Be right back."

"Take your time." Jon crooned softly, his lips puckering expectantly.  He grinned after accepting a peck from Cate and watched her step off the patio and into the restaurant.  When his wife had disappeared inside Jon settled back into his seat and picked up his iced tea.  He gave his sons a smug look.  "What?"

Jake rolled his eyes.  "Nothing."

"So, you guys wanna walk around the Village a little bit?  There's some cool shops and stuff."  Jon waved a hand toward the little town's main street, where a few dozen midday shoppers strolled along the walks.  

"I guess," Jake shrugged. 

"Can we go to the beach?" Romeo asked.  They could hear the rush of the surf where it met the shore just two blocks away.

"Sure.  It's not much of a beach here, though.  Just some rocks and a little strip of sand."  Jon pointed the opposite direction, toward several large buildings in the distance.  "Up there is where the nicer beaches are, by the hotels."

"I thought we had to get on the road.  You said we were driving all day."  Jacob raised a brow with his query.  Suddenly his father was in no rush to make it to another lame landmark or tourist trap.  The boy's suspicions were aroused.

"We can take a little time.  Why, do you want to be stuck in the car for eight more hours?"

"No."  Jake's eyes narrowed as he tried to read his father's cryptic smile.

"Can we go swimming, then?"  Romeo interrupted the exchange.  "If we go over there, where the nice beaches are?"

Jon turned his smile to his youngest son.  "Why don't you ask Cate when she gets back from the Ladies' room.  Maybe she'll say it's okay for you to swim on her beach."

"Cate has a beach?"  Romeo's incredulous response made Jon chuckle.  He shook his head slightly.

"Well, not exactly.  But her house is on the beach.  It's nice.  And private."

Jacob's brow furrowed, then his mouth curved into a slow smirk.  Now he understood... their father was playing them, trying to make them accomplices in whatever plot he was weaving.

"Cate still has a house here?"  Jake's question was casual and deliberate.  "I thought she sold it.  You know, when she moved away and married you."

"No, she still has it.  For sentimental reasons."  Jon smirked back at his son.  The twinkle in the boy's blue eyes mirrored his own.

"And you want to go there?"

Jon looked away, confident Jacob would read his expression.  He waved a hand nonchalantly.  "I didn't say that.  But if you and your brother want to go walk on the beach, then..."

"Swim!"  Romeo corrected him.

"...Swim... at the beach, that would be the best place.  Just sayin'."

"So you want us to go to Cate's house."  Jacob raised a brow as he fixed Jon with a direct stare.  The Old Man wasn't as good at trickery as he had once been."  "Why?  What's there?"

"It doesn't matter to me if we go to Cate's house or not."  Jon tried to maintain his nonchalant demeanor.  "I just thought maybe..."

"Maybe what?"

"Maybe nothing!  Sheesh!  Just... the beach by her house is nice."  Jon turned his attention to Romeo.  "Are you gonna eat that burger or not?"

"No."

"Then why were you yammering on about wanting a hamburger when we were driving?"

"I wanted a McDonald's hamburger.  Not this one."

"Well, if you don't eat this one I'm not buying you anything else.  Especially not ice cream.  So don't ask."

Jacob watched the exchange between his father & brother with little interest.  His lips pursed thoughtfully, his smooth-cheeked face a replica of his father's typical thoughtful expression.  Still something wasn't adding up.

"It's April."

Jon turned his face to Jacob's in response to the statement.  His brow crinkled with puzzlement.

"Yeah, so?"

"The ocean's too cold for swimming."  Jacob's blue eyes narrowed.  "We can't swim from the beach.  There's another reason you want us to go there."

Jon let out an unconvincing exasperated sigh."  "Jesus, Jakey... what's with the conspiracy theories?"

"You're trying to make us part of your conspiracy."  Jacob gave Jon a pointed look, a touch of triumph in his tone.  "The question is... why?"  A melodramatic pause followed.

Jon stared back at his son, silently willing himself to maintain his neutral facade.  The kid was getting too smart, not as easy to manipulate as his older brother had been at this age.  Of Jon's three sons, Jacob really was the most like him.  He was quick to read people, and quick to decipher their motives.

Jacob blinked, then rolled his eyes.  His shoulders slumped with realization.  "Oh, now I get it.  You want to drag us to see where you and Cate met, and where you had your first date, and all that sappy crap.  Just like you made us do with Mom."  The sneer in his voice relayed his utter lack of excitement for the idea.

Jon bit back a chuckle.  Jake had been correct in sniffing out his concealed motive of spending more time on the Island, but he had missed the mark on his reason.  He played along for Romeo's benefit, certain he could still count on the younger boy's unwitting cooperation.

"What's wrong with that?  You guys thought it was cool to go to the chapel in Vegas.  I seem to recall you saying you wanted Elvis to be your minister when you get married."

"Dad, that was Vegas.  This is some random little town with nothing to do."

"How do you know there's nothing to do?  You've never been here before."

"Look around!"  Jacob threw a hand in the air, waving vaguely toward the street.  "We hardly saw anything while we were driving here!  And we're on an island!"

Jon smirked and sipped at his tea.  "When we go to Saint Barth we're on an island.  You don't bitch about that."

"Because that's a tropical island.  With a nice beach.  This is.... Georgia."  Jake sighed noisily, his exasperation finally coming to a head.  He started to complain further, but mentally checked himself.  One surefire way to make his father mad was to disparage his Stepmother or anything to do with her.  That would result in them spending the rest of the day doing exactly what he didn't want to do... be dragged around this sad excuse for a vacation spot while his Dad and Cate held hands and told sappy stories.  Instead he slumped back in his seat.

Jake's visible frustration pricked Jon's annoyance.  He took another deliberate swallow of iced tea before calmly setting the glass on the table and leaning back in his wicker chair.

"I'm sorry this place doesn't meet your lofty standards, Jake.  But it's a nice place, with nice people."  His voice was calm, without a trace of anger.  "And it means something to me.  So I wanted to share it with you, even if only for a couple hours."

The boy's chin dropped to his chest and he shrugged.  The gesture telegraphed his guilt, though his response was noncommittal.  "Whatever."

"You know, there's some pretty cool cop stuff going on just a few miles from here.  It's not all just palm trees and sweet tea and crabcakes.  Over at the Center they're shooting guns and driving cars real fast and blowing stuff up...."

A silent shrug from Jake told Jon he wasn't buying his father's pitch.  Jon sighed softly and shook his head.  It was no use trying to convince the boy.  He would come around on his own, or he wouldn't. 

Romeo's voice broke the standoff.

"Hey Cate!  Can we go to your house and go swimming on your beach?"

The corner of Jon's mouth curled at the question.  He could always count on Romeo.  Jon pushed himself up from his seat as Cate emerged from the restaurant, then stood with a hand on the back of her chair. 

Cate shot Jon a puzzled look.  He shrugged and smiled, pulling out her seat.  As she settled into the wicker chair Cate replied to the boy.

"My beach?"

"Yeah!  The one at your house.  Dad said you live here."

Cate chuckled, now understanding.  "Well, I don't exactly live here, Romey.  But the house I used to live in is here.  And yes, it's on the beach."

"Can we go see it?  And go swimming?"

Jon's amused smile remained unchanged though he mentally high-fived himself.  He had succeeded in covertly coaching Romeo into asking exactly the right question.

Cate's nose crinkled as she offered a gentle rebuttal to Romeo's question.  "Romey, I don't think we have time to go over to my house.  Besides, there's not really anything there.  It's just a cottage on the beach.  Nobody's even lived there for a few years."  She shook her head.  "And the water's too cold for swimming."

"Awww MAAAAAAAN!!!!" Romeo had just about had enough with this lunchtime detour.  It seemed like his every request was being rejected, for no good reason.

Jon chuckled.  "I think we can spare a little time to go see Cate's house, if you really want to."  He gave Romeo a wink.  "And at least go walk on the beach a little bit.  Not swim."

Cate's gaze swung to Jon, her blue eyes widening with mild surprise.  "What?  I thought you wanted to make Richmond tonight?  We've already spent over an hour here.  At this rate we won't make it before midnight."

Jon shrugged.  "So?  We'll just stay somewhere else then.  We don't have to make it to Virginia tonight."  He gave Cate a little grin.  "And I thought maybe we'd check out the shops anyway, stretch our legs a little bit.  We can do that then head over to your place.  I think the boys would get a kick out of seeing where their Stepmama lived." 

"Yeah!"  Romeo agreed enthusiastically.  "Can we, Cate?  Please?"

"And then we can let this one off his leash and run him until he's tired,"  Jon teased, nodding at his bouncing son.

That made Cate giggle.  "Well, okay.... as long as you promise you won't complain later about not being further down the road.  This is your call.  Jake and Romeo are my witnesses.  Right, Boys?"

"Yeah," Jake mumbled noncommittally.  It was apparent his opinion didn't matter.  He just hoped his Dad would be so wrapped up in his memories that he wouldn't rag about Jake listening to his iPod for the duration of this island detour.

"No bitching.  Promise."  Jon gave Cate's hand a squeeze before reaching for his wallet.  "Besides, while we're here you may as well check in on the place, right?"

"I'm sure the house is fine, Jon.  We would have gotten a call if anything was wrong."

"Still, as rough as this winter was, can't hurt."

Cate shrugged.  "Guess not."  She took one last sip from her watered-down iced tea while Jon dropped a couple bills on the check.  She looked at the quieter of her two stepsons.  "Jake, you okay?"

"Yeah.  Just full.  And kinda tired."

"Okay."  Cate paused, not convinced by his unenthusiastic response.  "You know, they have a pretty cool surf shop here.  How about we check that first?"  She stood and picked up her purse.

"Sure."  Jake shrugged, then pushed back his chair.  Following his Stepmother's lead, the boy rose and stepped off the patio onto the sidewalk.  He felt his father's hand on his shoulder a second before Jon's voice rumbled close to his ear.

"Try to be at least a little enthusiastic.  For Cate."

Jake nodded silently, then sighed.  He forced a half-smile when Cate glanced back over her shoulder at him.  He felt his father's hand move from his shoulder, releasing him from the minor scold as he began to shuffle down the sidewalk.  Behind him, Jake heard his brother's voice followed by an exasperated half-snarl.

"Can I have ice cream?  I'm hungry."

"NO!"

*****

"This is your house?  Wow!  It's so LITTLE!"

Cate chuckled as Jon pulled the SUV into the concrete drive of her little coastal cottage.  She turned to look behind her, at Romeo's adorable wide-eyed face.

"I didn't need a big house.  I was the only one who lived here."  Her smile softened.  "Well, just me and my dog."  Her heart squeezed at the memory.  Her big, loveable collie had crossed the rainbow bridge several years ago, after living out her days on Jon's Jersey estate.

"How did you both fit in there?"  Romeo's question was half-puzzled.

"Romeo!"  Jon intervened.  "For Christ's sake, it's not that small!  It's a normal beach cottage.  You know, like the ones down the Shore back home."  He put the SUV in park and killed the engine.

Cate laughed softly at her husband's exasperation.  Sometimes he needed to be reminded that his children's perspective of "normal" was rather skewed.  Unlike Jon and their mother, they had never lived in a modest dwelling.  Even their travel accommodations were usually luxurious.

"We managed, Romey.  It was... cozy."  Cate gave the boy a wink before turning away.

Cate pushed open the door and climbed out of the vehicle, then approached the garage door.  "Hope I remember..." she muttered as she raised the shield on the keypad.  Cate tapped five digits in sequence and hit the "enter" key, then stepped back as the garage door rumbled upward.  When the door was fully-raised she wandered into the empty bay, Jon and the boys in her wake.

"So... here it is." Cate announced with a chuckle before turning the knob on the interior door.  "The Sullivan Mansion."  She stepped up and into the small closet-like entry, then moved into the kitchen.  She blinked against the bright light streaming through the unshuttered ocean-side windows, its brilliance both momentarily blinding and confusing her.

"What the... the service must have left the curtains open..." Cate mumbled, raising a hand to shield her gaze as she looked through the pass-through from the kitchen to the living room.  Her brow furrowed as she noticed something else was not as expected.  Upon her last inspection her furniture had been draped with sheets to protect against dust and light-fade.  Now the room looked liked a feature in a magazine spread, every pillow, throw, and tchotchke clean and tidily arranged.  Above the room the blades of the ceiling fan turned lazily.

Cate stepped around the kitchen island and moved to the living room entrance.  "What... why...." she sputtered, unable to form a sentence to communicate her confusion.  "Somebody's been in here."

"You mean like a burglar?" Romeo asked, a bit too excitedly.

"No, you idiot."  Jacob answered quickly.  "A burglar would have stolen stuff.  The TV and stereo and stuff are still here.  See?"

Jon chuckled at Cate's bewilderment as she moved into the living room and turned in a circle, surveying its contents.  He stepped to the doorway and leaned against the jamb.  His blue eyes sparkled as he watched her.

"Don't you have a service come in every month or so?"

"Yes, but they just cover the basics.  They check the faucets, be sure there's no leaks, check for pests..."  Cate continued to revolve as she answered Jon's query.  "They don't mess with the furniture or anything..."

"That's weird."  Jon smirked.  "Maybe you have squatters.  Think somebody's living here without your knowledge?"  He arched a brow when she gave him an alarmed look.

"No.... no.  That can't be it..."  Cate shook her head firmly.  "Danny would know if anybody tried...."  She stopped in midsentence as something clicked.  She froze and stared at Jon, her eyes narrowing.  "Wait..."

"I'm thirsty!  Cate, can I have something to drink?" Romeo's question caught her off-guard, momentarily distracting her from her theory.

"Oh... sorry, Romey, but there's no water.  I turned off the lines since nobody's living here...."  Cate moved across the small living room and rounded the corner to re-enter the kitchen through the doorway opposite the garage entry.  She saw Jon's wide grin as he turned to watch her, his blue eyes twinkling merrily.  Her lips curved.

"Jon, what did...."  Cate didn't finish the question.  Instead she stepped toward the sink and turned a knob.  A stream of water whooshed from the faucet into the porcelain basin.   Turning off the water, Cate reached to pull open the refrigerator.  The light revealed a small stock of groceries:  half-gallons of milk and orange juice, a dozen eggs, a loaf of bread, butter, jam, and other condiments, and an assortment of canned sodas and juices.

"Can I please have a soda?"  Romeo's query was polite and hopeful.  "Please?"

"Sure.  You too, Jake."  Cate's smile widened as she stepped away from the refrigerator to allow the boys access.  As they perused the soft drink assortment she turned to face her grinning husband.

"What did you do?"

"Nothin'.  Not a thing."  His answer was smug.  Jon straightened from his door-frame lean as Cate moved over to him.

"Liar.  You obviously had some hand in this."  Cate's voice was soft and full, her smile beaming.  She raised a hand to Jon's chest, resting her palm over his heart.

"Okay, so maybe I had a little something to do with this...."  Jon shrugged and raised a hand to cover hers.  "But I had help."

"Danny."

"Yeah.  Danny."  Jon chuckled throatily, his heart swelling at the happiness in Cate's glowing expression. 

"So you two conspired to do this.  Get my house ready for a visit." 

"Uh-huh,"  Jon nodded, then winked.  "I told him we needed to bust out of Florida early.  He was a willing accomplice, but said his help comes at a price."

"Which is...?"

"We're making dinner for him and Charity tonight."

Cate giggled softly.  "Of course we are."  Her best friend's services could usually be bought for the price of a home-cooked meal.  "But why here?  We could have cooked at their place."

"Because I thought it would be nice for us to sleep in our own bed instead at of some hotel."

Cate felt her eyes moisten at Jon's quiet reply.  He had been the only man to share her bed here; that he considered it his home as well made her heart squeeze. 

"So all that talk about getting to Richmond tonight....?"

"Complete bullshit."

"Of course it was."  Cate stepped closer, turning her face up to Jon's.  He willingly accepted her sweet kiss, chuckling against her lips as two loud, carbonated POPs reminded them of their audience.

Jon slid his lips from Cate's, then kissed her forehead before looking over at his boys.  Both were staring at the couple, Romeo grinning widely and Jacob wearing a resigned expression.

"Alright, you two.  If you haven't already figured it out, we're staying here tonight.  Go grab your stuff from the car.  You're sleeping on the pull-out couch, but you can dump your bags in the bedroom."  Jon hitched a thumb over his shoulder, in the direction of the bedroom.  "After that you can watch TV or go down to the beach... whatever.  We're just hanging out the rest of today and tonight."

"Awesome!"  Romeo exclaimed.  "I wanna go in the water!"

"NO swimming, Romey," Cate admonished, turning to face the boys.  She smiled as Jon's arm slid around her middle.  "It's way too cold.  But you can go pick up shells or something."  She craned her neck to look up at Jon.  "You should go with them, just in case...."

"Yeah."  Jon nodded, then continued his address to his sons.  "Let's get your bags and then we'll go down & throw around the football or something.  Give Cate some peace and quiet so she can figure out what to do for dinner.  C'mon."   Jon dropped another kiss against Cate's temple and gave her a squeeze, then slipped from behind her toward the door to the garage.  He waited while the boys set their sodas on the kitchen island before herding them out the door.

Cate watched them depart, then pulled in a deep breath.  She looked around  at the familiar surroundings, her blue eyes gleaming with contentment.  She was still somewhat stunned at this surprise adjustment to their itinerary, but she would quickly adapt. 

She didn't know how he did it, but Jon always seemed to know how to give her just what she needed most, even when she didn't realize it herself.  Even though she no longer resided here, to Cate this little cottage was still Home.  It was the place in the world she had made for herself, the house she had bought and decorated with her own money and style.  It was her refuge from the harshness and sorrow of life, the demands of her job, the loneliness of her heart.  It was the place she could hide away and just be.  Alone.

Until he had come along, anyway.  Jon had changed her life, taken her away from this little house and her quiet life here, given her everything she had ever wanted and much, much more.  But somehow he understood that this was the one thing he couldn't touch, couldn't change.  He had never suggested or even hinted that she sell the cottage, or even rent it out.  This place would always be Hers, even if he sweetly called it "theirs." 

And it felt so good to be Home, even if only for a short while. 

Cate reveled in the comfort for a few moments, until the boys returned with their bags.  She pointed them toward the bedroom and told Jon where to find spare sheets and pillows, then turned back to her kitchen.  She had dinner to plan.  The idea made her smile.

*****

Several hours later Cate stood by the windows, looking down onto the beach as she wiped her hands on a damp dishtowel.  She had spent a blissful afternoon chopping, stirring, simmering, and glazing, and now the evening feast was nearly ready.  Cate had confirmed in a spirited conversation with her best friend that Danny and Charity would arrive for "cocktail hour" at 6:00 p.m., to be followed by an evening of food, friendship, and family board games. 

She hadn't stopped smiling since Jon had confessed the full extent of their plans.  The Bongiovi Family would spend the next two days and nights at Cate's house, enjoying a "detox" from their past week-and-a-half at Disney World.  They would spend tomorrow at the Center, visiting Cate's former colleagues and giving the boys the Grand Tour of the nation's premier law enforcement training facility.  Even Jake had been unable to contain his excitement at the news that the boys would be allowed to shoot, climb, run, investigate, and beat or be beaten up, just like real Agent Trainees.  In the evening, Danny and Charity volunteered to host the boys so Cate and Jon could enjoy a night out together.  The following day would be spent visiting the local wildlife refuges, giving Romeo his "animal fix."  Then it would be back on the road to New Jersey and the conclusion of their Spring Break Adventure.

Cate chuckled.  Jon had managed to pull it off.  His much-ballyhooed "Bongiovi Family Vacation" was a success.  She had fully expected their trip to degenerate into an epic Griswoldian tragi-comedy, but instead she had truly enjoyed this vacation.  Grandparents and all.

Her smile gentled as she looked down at three of the most important men in her life -- her wonderful husband and his precious sons.  Cate watched affectionately as Jon tossed her beat-up football back and forth to Jacob while Romeo sat on the sand, counting a pile of seashells.  She still was amazed at how all this had happened to her.... somehow she had ended up with the life she had always fantasized about but had never felt she deserved.  It was close to perfect.

Close.

Cate sighed, crossing her arms across her middle and giving herself a little hug of reassurance.  Maybe this was all she needed.... Maybe it was enough.  To be a wife and Stepmother.  To be able to spend every day with Jon, to work on projects that caught her interest, or that were important to him.  To be able to travel with him, when he toured with his band or when he journeyed on behalf of his business and philanthropic endeavors.

Maybe.

She pondered the idea for several more minute before a muted buzz against her hip alerted her.  Still watching the activity below, Cate fished her phone from her jeans pocket.  She glanced at the screen that announced the identity of her caller, and was immediately hit with a jolt of irony. 

CALL FROM SANTO, GUS
973-792-4688


Her finger hesitated over the "answer" icon.