FLA 35

Chapter 95

Three thirty Monday afternoon arrived and just on schedule the front door opened and Steph yelled to her parents with a laugh, "Kid home and accounted for." She had a bounce to her step even though the jacket she wore was heavy.

"At least it's the good one." Jon yelled back with a laugh as he came down the hallway and saw his daughter. "So you and Chris are gettin' serious huh?"

Steph bounced around and danced to a beat only her in head to show off Chris' lettermans' jacket that was now hers. "What makes you think that daddy?" She smiled.

"Lucky guess."

"I don't think I ever want to take this off, I got so many looks today with it on it was awesome."

"I'm sure you did honey." he smiled hugging her. "I'm surprised that kid let go of it though as crazy as he is about football."

"He's crazier about me." Steph smiled.

"Congratulations - I guess." he laughed. "Football and love, that’s a rough choice."

"Nah its easy I don't require him to give up his mistress. Kind of like rock and roll and love for you. Mom knows she's first so you can be a rockstar on the side." Steph laughs. "I wanna learn how to write songs dad."

"Yep she's always number one." he grinned then winked when he saw Dot walking past the door. "As far as writing song go, the best things to do is write down your feelings first then you can sort out everything."

"Right now I have no feelings but gushy love."

"Gushy makes number one hits." her dad teased.

"Ok, hey did you see the letter to the editor today?"

"I haven't had a chance to read the paper today. Jake is sick and mom went to the dojo today so I've been busy."

"Oh what's wrong with Jakey?"

"Just a little stomach virus but between you and me I'm thinking he just didn't want to go to school today."

"Why I thought he liked school?" Steph asked.

"I thought so to but I got a pencil from his book bag and saw a note in there from the teacher wanting your mom and I at school."

"oh oh. How can he be in trouble 6 at yrs old? Jesse was the first time you got called to school wasn't he?"

"I have no idea but I'm gonna talk to your mom in just a minute."

"Ok I have homework so I'm going upstairs." Steph bounced from the room.

"Alright if you need any help ask your mom." Jon smiled.

"Thanks pops." Jon walked into the kitchen because he had seen Dot walking in that direction.

When he got in there she was nowhere to be found so he grabbed a soda out of the refrigerator and sat down at the small bar in the kitchen to wait on her.

Dot walked back into the kitchen from the laundry room. "Hey honey how's Steph?"

"She's good. Chris gave her his jacket today." He looked over the letter again that he found in his son's book bag.

"OH oh he's in love. Would you have given me your Jacket if you ever had one in school?"

"You know I would baby." Dot kissed Jon on the top of the head, what are you looking at?"

"A letter I found in Jake's book bag - I think he may not actually be sick."

"That wouldn't shock me. What's the letter say?"

"Just that they want to see both us." he sighed handing the letter to her.

Dot took the letter and looked it over, then quickly crossed the floor grabbing the phone.

Within moments she had the teacher on the phone and confirmed that she'd be there for about another hour and Dot said they'd be right over. "Come on honey lets go to school."

"Now? Shouldn't they be gone already?"

"No most of the teachers stick around til a bit after now a days."

He stood up off the stool stretching before grabbing the keys off the wall while Dot told Steph
that they would be back a little later. "Never did when I was a kid."

"No that's cos both parents didn't generally work back then."

"True I guess." He motioned her out the door first then walked over to the car opening up the door for her.

"Thanks honey." Dot leaned over and opened his door from the inside before he got in.

"So do you think this is bad that she wants to see us?" He questioned his wife knowing that she had dealt with this before.

"Well if Jake is anything like his daddy we might just get scolded." Dot laughed. "It can't be that bad normally if its horrible they call they don't send letters."

"What do you mean if he's like daddy?" Jon laughed as they drove toward the school.

"Do we need to call your parents?" She laughed.

"They tell lies on me."

"I think not Jonny remember I was in school with you."

"I was good till I met you." he smirked.

"You really wanna fib to your wife like that?"

"I like to call it stretching the truth." He smiled reaching across the consol for her hand.

Dot let her hand find his. "I love you baby."

"Remember that when we get in the school." He parked the car releasing his hand from hers to open up the door then walked over to the passengers side to help his wife.

"this is the kind of stuff I need you to teach our boys." She smiled taking his hand to get out of the car.

"I'll start with Romeo and Jake." He cracked a smile when Dot stood up and he put an arm around her waist as they walked into the school.

They immediately walked to the principles office and got their visitors passes. "Mrs Joanst is still in her classroom. 3rd one in the right."

"Thank you Lynn." Dot smiled and walked out of the office.

"Do you have to come here often?"

"Often enough with events and plays and what not. Lynn also takes classes at the DoJo."

"Oh that makes sense." As they walked down the hallway Jon looked around and saw one of Romeo's pictures he had drawn hanging up outside of a room with a few other kids. "I'm guessing that's little man's room."

"Yep. He has Ms. Dankin, she loves him."

"Well he is my son, so what's not to love."

Dot shook her head and knocked on Mrs Joanst's door. "Come in." A voice from the other side answered while taking the assignments from the desks.

"Thank you for seeing us Mrs. Joanst. You remember Jon." Dot offered.

"Yes I do." She walked over shaking both of their hands then went back over to her desk.

"Excuse my mess but the first couple weeks of school are absolutely crazy." She laughed.

"They are the same way at home." Dot laughed. "So how much trouble is Jakey in?"

"No trouble at all." She smiled looking through her papers to find Jakes' last assignment. "I had all the kids do an assignment the other day, just basic math, addition and subtraction. Your son finished about 10 minutes before everyone else. Normally when kids do this I figure they go through and just make designs when the fill in the dot's but Jake -" Mrs. Joanst handed the paper to Dot.

"I don't see a design." Dot looked at it then handed it to Jon.

"He got'em all right." Jon said softly seeing a check at top.

"Yes he did and it wasn't the only time, they took another one today and the same thing happened." Mrs. Joanst explained.

"Is it just math that he's excelling in?" Dot asked.

"Not at all." She went over to her cabinet grabbing the book that they were reading in class.

"Most of the kids start with this one and it will last them at least a week but Jake was finished in two days."

"My son Jacob Hurley Bongiovi?" Jon questioned making sure she had the right kid.

"Yes Jon, it's your son." She smiled.

"Wow he's always been articulate but we figured that was because he was the 3rd child, you know he has older siblings to help him along."

"That could be it but he's got a little more pushing him." The teacher sat down on the edge of her desk looking at both parents. "All he ever talks about is making his daddy proud."

"He is daddy's boy. You know he's been focusing on that even more lately with Jon spending a little more time with Romeo, could that be impacting him negatively?" Dot asked.

"I wouldn't think so but it could be playing a part in him working so hard."

"I'm proud of my kids no matter what they do though." Jon told both of them.

"OH I know that honey, Jake is just struggling to find his place right now, remember what I said about the title thing."

"Yeah I remember."

"With all of that being said I think that Jake is extremely talented though and if you would agree I would like to move him up a grade."

"Into 2nd grade?" Dot asked for clarification.

"Yes but that's only if you two agree. If you want you can talk over it for a few days then let me know."

"Have you mentioned any of this to Jake yet?" Dot didn't think she had but wanted to know for sure before she brought it up to him.

"No I never do that with the children, I talk with the parents first." She assured her. "But Jake does help me out a lot during the day so we chat about things." She smiled looking toward Jon.

"There is one thing I'm concerned about with him though."

"What's that?" Jon questioned moving closer to his wife.

"While the other kids are off playing games with each other he tends to keep his distance and come up here with me."

"Is this unusual in a 1st grader. Our kids have always talked to adults easily." Dot told her.

"I wouldn't necessarily say unusual but most of the kids tend to stick together. It could be where he is gifted and needs to be with children who are on the same level as he is, I'm not sure."

"You think their interests don't interest him?" Dot needed more clarification.

"I don't think they are on the same level as he is and that's not meant to put any of the kids down in the class. Jake just seems more mature than a lot of them."

"Well thank you for letting us know. We'll talk it over and let you know by next week if we want him to move up a grade." Dot ended the meeting cordially.

"That's all I ask is that you think about it, there's no pressure at all." She smiled. "I just like to keep in touch with parents and let them know how their kids are doing."

"We appreciate it, we know he's smart but this is unexpected." Dot smiled shaking her hand.

"Thank you, Mrs. Joanst. It was nice meeting you." Jon told her shaking her hand after his wife.

"Thank you for taking the time to come by. I'm usually here until five everyday so feel free to stop back in."

After saying their goodbye's Jon and Dot walked back down the hallway where Dot waived to the girls in the office just before they walked out to the car. "Well that was kind of shocking."

"Very much so." Dot said her mind still realing.

As usual he opened up her door helping her in then walked back to his side. "Do you think he would benefit from moving up?"

"I'm not sure, I'd like to really talk with him a few times about school first, see if he's bored, if he's challenged, maybe he just has photographic memory. What concerns me is he seems to relate incredibly well to the things Romeo does so with him being 2yrs younger how would Jake fit in with older kids?"

"He's used to taking a couple steps back when it comes to Romeo though, I mean where he is younger."

"Yeah I get that. It still doesn't make sense to me though, I don't see him doing things a 7 yr old does, we've experienced two other 7yr olds already. I don't want to push him farther than he wants to go."

"I don't either but would the teacher normally ask us about him skipping a grade if she thought he wouldn't benefit from it?"

"Its hard to say Jon. She's known him 2weeks we've known him 6yrs. We have to be sure about this." Dot told him.

"You know as well as I do that I don't want either one of us to be the controlling parents. I'll never make my kids do anything they don't want and know you feel the same way." He leaned back into the seat with one hand on the steering wheel while going back to the house. "Why do you think he didn't tell us about the note though? Because he thought he was in trouble."

"Probably, the running joke in the house is he's you, he's a little Jon so that must mean he gets in trouble at school."

"Glad to know my kids think highly of me."

"They love daddy. When we get home why don't you just hang out with him, take him out on the 4 wheeler and talk, not about this just talk, I'll see if I can get Steph to take Chris' jacket off and see what the other are doing."

"I think I can do that. It's been a while since we've actually had Jake and daddy time." he smiled
"I know that's one thing he misses."

"To be honest I miss it too." he told her sadly as they turned into the driveway.

"Well I'm sure you two can find something to entertain yourselves with." She smiled.

"Football."

"Wow that's a shock."

"I know it, imagine me and Jakey talking football." He laughed getting out of the car.
Dot laughed waiting on Jon to walk around and open up the door for her. She's missed the simple things like just going to school and talking to teachers with him. "You go find Jake and I'll go find my daughter." she smiled kissing him on the cheek as she walked in before him and went upstairs.

Jon walked into the family room and Jake was watching cartoons curled up under his blankets. He walked over and sat down on the end of the couch. "Feelin' better buddy?"

"No." he curled up even tighter in the blanket never taking his eyes off the screen. "Do you wanna go outside with daddy?"

"Can't I sick." Jake told him pretending to cough as he talked.

"Okay then." Jon stood up off the couch and started walking toward the door. "I guess I'll go ride the four wheeler by myself then." He knew that would cure his son of his illness he had.
The miniature Jon kicked off the blanket and hopped up off the couch. "No wait daddy I better!"

"You are?" Jon asked surprised.

"Yeah I don't cough no more." He grinned looking just like his dad.

"Glad I could cure ya." He laughed taking Jakes' hand as they walked out to the garage. Jon grabbed two helmets, after helping his son put the helmet on, he put his on before pulling out of the garage. That was the main rule in the house that even daddy to obey, if you take out the four wheeler you have to get a helmet.

Jake wrapped his arms around his daddy with a grin that was larger than life.

"Faster" He yelled into Jon's back.

"Slower?" Jon yelled back.

"DADDY" Jake yelled louder. Jon laughed enjoying the time with his son and pulled back on the handle to give it more gas. They flew down past the trees and went toward the river, parking in between two trees.

Jon laughed enjoying the time with his son and pulled back on the handle to give it more gas. They flew down past the trees and went toward the river, parking in between two trees.
When he turned off the engine he jumped off first then helped Jake down.

"Dat fun daddy." Jake laughed as he took his helmet off.

"We'll have to see how fast we can go going back but don't tell mommy." Jon placed his helmet on the seat beside Jakes then they both walked down to the river.

"Ok I not tell her." Jake laughed then ran up quick to get near his daddy.

"So what kind of interesting stuff has been goin' on with you buddy?" Jon sat down on the river bank and motioned for Jake to sit beside him.

"I go school."

"Do you like it this year?"

"Yeah it fun. Do you know 10 minus 3 = 7 "

"Yeah I know buddy." he smiled. "You like math huh?"

"it fun, it make sense."

"Sometimes." Jon laughed. "What else have you been doing in school?"

"We color and Ms Joanst pretty." Jake tells his daddy.

"She is?"

"Yes, she kinda look like mommy, you might like her, pretty brown hair."

That's who she reminded me of. Jon knew his son would inherit something from him, the ability to choose women. "I bet she is pretty then."

"Yeah but you have mommy so she mine k?"

"Okay buddy." he laughed softly. "What else have you been into?"

"Not much, I don't like my class people much. There are a few that are cool but most suck." Jake told him honestly.

"Why don't you like some of them?"

"Dey call me names." Jake told his daddy.

"What kind of names?" He could tell that something was bothering his son but couldn't figure out what it was.

"No big deal daddy lets go play."

"No let's talk." He told him wanting to know.

"Dey call me rocker baby, poor little rich kid, they are mean. They asked if I really a Bongiovi cos you spell your name wrong."

"Jakey I'm sorry." Jon moved over and hugged him then put his finger under his chin making him look up. "If you have problems at school I want you to know that you can talk to me and mommy alright."

"Can I just kick der butts I know how."

"I would say yes but we are supposed to talk our problems out first. Did they do this before this year?"

"No, there are new kids in our class this year. Lots of my friends moved."

"Well if anybody questions you being who you are or they call you names I want you to tell the teacher okay. It's not nice for them to do that and it's not nice if you call them a name back alright." Jon explained hoping to get through to his son.

"I don't talk with them, I stay inside with the teacher."

"You don't talk to any of your classmates?"

"Only a few."

"Why don't you play with them? I know you like to play outside."

"Cos then the other kids come over and I don't like that."

"What if you try it one day and the other kids get to know you?" Jon suggested anything that would help his son fit in. "If they get to know the Jake I know, they will love him."

"Dey stupid. I a Bongiovi no doubt if dey don't know they I don't care."

"Listen to me buddy." Jon moved down so that he was eye level with his son. "If they won't get to know you thats their loss 'cause you are a great kid." Jon smiled looking into his eyes. "But you at least need to try to make friends okay."

"I already tried, it been 2 weeks, I not try no more."

"Ok." Jon was going to let it rest then bring it up in a couple more weeks because if he knew his son like he thought, he was just letting the Bongiovi stubbornness in the way. '

"So what you been doing?" Jake asked his dad.

"Watching my kids grow up." he smiled.

"We don't do that quick so what else?" Jake asked again.

"Yes you do Jake." he laughed. "But I've been busy making up for the time I was gone. I miss these little talks."

"Well don't be gone so much." Jake told him coldly.

"I'm not gonna be at least for a couple years."

"Daddy can we go drive fast?" Jake asked.

"As long as you don't tell mommy we can."

"I see noting."

This could was more like him everyday which had it's disadvantages when it came to trouble. But Jon being the guy he is took Jake up on his offer. They walked back up to the four wheeler and Jon helped Jake put on his helmet then sat him up on the seat while Jon sat behind him.

"You think you're ready to drive?"

"YEAH!" He hollered.

His dad showed him where to put his hands at leaving Jon enough room to still control the gas and the brakes. "Hold on Jakey." The two Bongiovi men had headed back towards the house but Jon took a couple of detours just enjoying being out with his son.

Jake laughed so hard while out with his dad. This was the best time of his life, hanging out with daddy.

They had been out riding for a couple of hours when Jon noticed it getting dark. He went back to the garage and once in there looked at his watch and it was already 8 pm. "We better get you in and get a bath so you can get rested up for tomorrow." Jon told him while taking his helmet off.

Jake took his helmet off and jumped up into his daddy's arms. "I love you."

"Love you to buddy." If Jon could stop time right now would be the time he would do it. Of all the boys he's been closer to Jake and hated not being able to spend as much time with him as he wanted to. "Now let's get inside before mommy kicks both our butts."

"We saw noting." Jake laughed and held onto his daddy. "Thank you for spending time with me."

"No thank you Jakey." he smiled taking Jake's hand while they walked back into the house.
As they walked in the front door Dot was standing there tapping her foot looking at her husband.

"Hi mommy, daddy and I have so much fun." Jakey smiled and ran to her for a hug.

"Did you, daddy forgot to bring you in for dinner aren't you hungry?"

"Yes can I have peanut butter and Jelly?"

"Sure honey, I bet daddy will even make it for you." Dot smiled and walked up the stairs.

"Will you daddy?" Jake asked.

"Sure." he rubbed his stomach and smiled. "I think I could use one myself." Jon started walking to the kitchen but before he took a step Jake wrapped his arms around Jon's leg and stood on his foot. All Jon could think was that at least he picked the one leg that didn't bother him. They went into the kitchen still attached that way then Jake climbed up one of the bar stools while his dad made a sandwich. After Jon fixed both of them one he grabbed to glasses and filled them with milk. "Peanut butter and jelly is no good without a nice cold glass of milk." He put the glass down then sat down across from his son.

"An oreos!"

"No neither are oreo's." Jon laughed. "But it's to late for chocolate buddy."

"But daddy we no tell." Jake laughed.

"We may not but your mom might wander why you are jumping up and down."

"Daddy we Jovi's no rules for us."

"Even we have rules son." Jon finished up his sandwich then waited on Jake before going to the dishwasher.

"Oh I not like this." Jake told him finishing his sandwich.

Jon took the plates and rinsed them before putting them in the dishwasher. "What having rules?"

"Yeah that boring."

"I agree buddy it is." Jon leaned against the counter watching his son finish up his milk. "Why don't we go upstairs and get your bath water run so we can read you a story before bed."

"Mommy say I no have to take a bath, did that today when I home."

"She did?" Jon grinned. "How did she tell you that when I was with you all day?"

"Before you and I hung out." Jake hated bath time he found it very useless.

"Jacob." Jon said his name using his dad voice, somehow that made the truth come out.

"What?" He smiled.

"You know what." Jon wiggled his fingers moving them down his son's sides. "Don't make me tickle the truth out of you."

"Daddy baths boring."

"So are business meetings but I have to do them." he laughed picking up his son and holding his legs near his chest while the rest of his body was across his shoulder.

"Daddy you do bath I go business meetings."

When they got up to the bathroom Jon started the water letting his son get undressed. "You know that teacher of your you like probably doesn't like boys that stink."

"I not even stink daddy. I wear RSPP" Jake laughed getting into the tub.
Jon rolled his eyes holding back a laugh. "I'm gonna go get your pajamas I'll be right back."

"Otay." Jake took his rubber ducky down off the ledge and started playing.

Jon went down the hallway to Jakes room and noticed that Romeo was already in bed. He stopped in there giving him a quick kiss on the forehead and covering up the one leg that was out from under the cover. "Night little man." he whispered before walking out of the room and grabbing a pair of pajamas for Jake. When he got back to the bathroom Jake was washing his hair.

"Now is that so bad Jake?"

"I just cute like that." Jake laughed.

"That you get after your daddy." Jon smirked.

"You think?" He laughed and then squirted his dad with a water gun that was in the tub.

"Jake what did I tell you about using water guns in the house?"

"Only shoot Jesse?" Jake tried to remember with a laugh.

"No." Jon stood up with a straight face taking the toy away from his son. "Not to use them unless daddy is armed to." He smiled doing the same thing his son had done to him.

"Daddy!" Jake hollared and laughed pulling on the gun to try to get it back.

Somehow during the little struggle with his son, Jon slipped on water in the floor and ended up with half his body in the water. Jake started laughing which caused Jon to start laughing making it hard for him to move up out of the tub.

"Daddy mommy let you take a bath in your room." Jake laughed even harder.

"Oh you are in trouble now!" Jon laughed finally pushing himself up out of the water. When he stood up his head was soaked as was the right side of his body.

"You funny daddy" Jake laughed so hard he almost fell into the water.

"You're gonna think funny." Jon smiled handing his son a towel. "You're pajamas are on the sink.

"Help me out?"

"Help you do what?"

"Get me out?"

"I don't know after you made me fall I think I might just leave you in there."

"Daddy I turn to prunes."

He laughed walking over the tub and dried off Jakes hair before helping him get out. "Now I know you can put on your clothes but can reach the sink to brush your teeth or does mommy help you?"

"I reach I big boy."

"Okay well I'm gonna trust you to do that while I go change."

"otay" Jake smiled trying to pull his jammies on.

Jon walked out of the bathroom and into the bedroom hoping that Dot was taking a shower so she wouldn't see him.

Dot walked out of the bathroom and looked at him, "Do I wanna know?"

He walked into the bathroom and grabbed a towel after tossing his shirt into the clothes hamper. "Your son pulled me into the tub."

"OH he's my son huh?" Dot laughed watching him wipe off. "Need help?" She offered with a grin.

"Look at me Dot." He stretched his arms out with his pants still soaked down one side. "I can use all the help I can get." he laughed.

"I'll help get you naked, anytime." She smiled walking up to him like a lioness stalking her prey.

The glimmer in Dot's eyes was almost enough to send him over the edge but then he remembered the promise to his son. "And normally I would take you up on that."

"What? Are you telling your wife no?" She asked with moc indignation.

"God no." He said softly watching her hand move toward the button of his jeans. "I just promised Jake I would read him a story."

"Well you best go." Dot moved her hand back and smiled.

"I need to get out of the pants first." A small smile moved across his lips. "Can't afford any more shrinkage." he smirked.

"Trust me baby, there's nothing to worry about there, Jake takes hot baths not cold." Dot grinned as she unbuttoned and unzipped his pants.

Without even thinking he pulled her hips toward his bringing her lips to his in a small but passionate kiss.

"You sir have a child to read a bedtime story too then you can come tell me one." She smiled and backed away moving to her vanity to brush her hair.

"Yeah I know." He stood in the spot that Dot could watch him and slipped off his pants then put on a pair of shorts he wears to jog in. "I'll be back shortly baby."

He walked down to Jakes room and found him in bed already. "Are you awake buddy?" Jon asked softly walking across the room.

When there was no answer Jon looked closer and he was already fast asleep. "So much for a story." He pulled the cover up and tucked the blankets around his son before he kissed him on the cheek. "Night Jakey." he whispered with a soft smile as he walked back out of the bedroom.
Before going to their bedroom, he stopped in Stephanie and Jesses' room telling them goodnight before making his way back to his wife. When he walked in she was already in the bed reading.

"Quick story?" Dot asked putting her book away.

"He was already asleep when I got in there." Jon went over to the bed and sat down beside his wife, the one place he was always comfortable. "You know I''m really starting to enjoy this dad thing."

She reached over and kissed him softly on the lips. "Feels good huh?"

"Yeah actually it does. I just wish I would have done it sooner."

"I'm glad you're getting to experience it, what did Jake tell you when you were off being men tonight?" Dot laughed.

"Actually we talked about school." he told her a little shocked.

"About what the teacher said?" She asked.

"No not about him doing really well on his work, just that-- " Jon paused not sure how his wife would react to hearing about her son being teased.

"That what Jon? I'm his mother tell me." Dot sat up more.

"Just that some of the kids have been picking on him and apparently that's why he's been staying with the teacher instead of going outside with the other kids."

"What have the little shits been saying?" Dot asked showing her mama bear instincts.

"Calling him names is all I know, he really didn't say anything else other than that. I asked him if they had done it before but he said it was just the new kids."

"Is it the fame thing?" Dot asked, Steph and Jesse had both experienced a little of this in the past.

"Yeah I think thats part of it." Jon sighed resting his head against the head board. "They tell him he's not really a Bongiovi because my name isn't spelled the same way and they've called him a spoiled little rich kid."

"Jon unfortunately that's typical. Steph and Jesse both had that too. I'll just" She stopped herself knowing he wanted to participate now, "All we need to do is go talk to the principle and the teacher tomorrow and a note will be sent home to the troublesome kids parents, reminding them that this is a private school and our kids have the same rights to a harrasment free learning experience as all others."

"But won't that make things worse?"

"no actually it helped with the other two kids, its something about this being a private school and the rights thing, I think cos we aren't the only famous family who's kids go there its in the bylaws or something."

For one of the first times he noticed that Dot actually included him in something that had to do with the kids. Before it was always she was going to or she had to, now she actually said we, which made Jon smile knowing she was actually letting him help with parenting their kids. "I think we are gonna make a pretty good parenting team." He slid over close enough to put his arm around waist letting his hand rest on her upper thigh. "Between you and me I think another reason he likes staying with the teacher is because he's got a little crush."

"Oh really? He told you that? He always just giggles when he talks about his teacher to me."

"According to him, she had pretty hair like mommy's but he he told me to stay away because I had you." he laughed.

Dot laughed and smiled at her husband. "So is that why you looked at the teacher today with that kind of cock eyed look?"

"I knew she looked familiar but until Jake said something it really didn't click."

"So you want her or me?" Dot asked playfully.

"Ummm let me think."

Dot playfully raised and eyebrow. He took a couple of seconds tapping his index finger on his lips like he was making a tough decision. "I guess I choose you."

Dot moved a bit and pushed him out of bed.

"Well hell what would have happened if I didn't pick you." he laughed getting back into bad.

"no more sex or spankings for you ever."

"Baby that hurt." He playfully put his hand over his heart.

"Well who do you choose again?"

"You without a doubt."

"That's better." She smiled. "OH thinking of spankings where are we hiding the key to our room for the party tomorrow?"

"Why do we have to hide it? It's in a drawer that never gets opened."

"I'd just feel better knowing it was super safe, after all this is a political function rather than the band who'd just laugh." Dot told him.

"Okay I'll move it from my underwear drawer then." he laughed.

"You know what on 2nd thought, I don't think you even know how to open that drawer." She laughed.

"No I try to avoid it as much as possible but I guess I'll have to wear it tomorrow. I hate getting dressed up."

"But you look so damn good dressed up." Dot smiled moving her body closer to his and rubbing her hands on his chest.

"And this is why I do it."

"So do you have everything all set for Tim?"

"I do, he's comin' over at 11 tomorrow."

"What time is everyone else going to arrive? 4 right? Obama should be here at 5?"

"Yeah about then I guess, so that means we can stay up here until at least 3:30."

"No we have to go to school tomorrow to talk to the principle." She reminded him of the beauty of being a parent.

"Okay but lets do that first thing so when we get back we can --" he paused with a sneaky grin across his face. "We can get things together."

"OH oh I see the gears turning." Dot laughed and kissed him.

"I don't know what you mean." he replied innocently

"Yeah right." She smiled and moved her hand down his side and tickled him easily.

"Oh you don't play fair!"

"You taught me." She laughed again and this time tickled him more and then rubbed her hand down over his ass.

"Hey I'm the good one of this couple." He laughed pushing her hands away and moving his to her sides were she was extremely ticklish.

"Right sure you are." She tried to wiggle away from him knowing what was coming.

"Oh I am baby." He straddled her stomach putting his weight on her hips so she couldn't slip away. "I'm as sweet and innocent as they come."

"On which planet Bongiovi." She laughed.

He didn't say anything before he started tickling her. This was one thing that he knew that secretly liked even though she wouldn't admit it. "Have you had enough yet?"

"NO." Dot laughed and then used a Karate trick on him and flipped him over getting on top of her.

"What the hell?" She flipped him before he even knew what happened. "That's it there will be no more Karate for you." he laughed.

"Why I thought you liked me limber?" She laughed, damn she just loved having him home.

"Limber and over powering me is two different things." He explained then pulled her down to him kissing her softly.

"That's cos you're easy, you were looking at my breasts again." She smiled and kissed him back.

"Sure take advantage of a guy when he's pre occupied."

"Honey you've been pre-occupied for 30 yrs." Dot laughed and pulled her top off exposing her breasts to Jon.

"And I have never heard you complain." He raised up pressing her breast against him while his mouth teased her bottom lip gently tugging on it.

"I love you Jon, completely and forever." She smiled letting the night carry both of them to paradise.

Stephanie stood very poised and dignified, her hand in Chris' as she talked to her dad. "You're sure Mr. Gore said he was coming right?" She asked again. Lately everything wrong with the world had really gotten on her last nerve so she wanted to get involved.

"Calm down honey it's only 5 pm, he said he would be here around 5." Jon assured his daughter. He had become very proud of her lately for wanting to help out.

"Well I don't want to monopolize his time but I know he's going to be my best resource for being heard."

"If you want a guy to guide you in the right direction he's the one but don't think you're wasting his time. He's always been one to support the younger generation and their opinions."

"Who are you talking about Jon?" Al Gore said walking up behind him.

"Actually you." Jon turned around smiling shaking his hand then giving him a small hug. "Did they give you any hassle coming down the street?"

"No why? Should they have?" Al laughed hugging Jon back. "Stephanie you look so beautiful sweetie. You sure have grown up when I wasn't looking." Al smiled to her not knowing who the boy next to her is.

"Yeah she's grown up way to fast for me." Jon smiled then pointed over toward Chris. "This is Chris....Steph's boyfriend."

"Nice to meet you Chris, I'm Al Gore." Al reached out to shake Chris' hand, equal to how he would introduce himself to any adult.

Chris shook his hand with a huge smile on his face, it wasn't everyday you got to meet someone of that power. "Nice to meet you sir."

"Sir?" Al smiled and looked around. He then pointed to Jon. "He's your girlfriends dad, the one you need to suck up to I'm just a party crasher."

"He's already told me to call him Jon so we're cool." Chris laughed.

Jon just laughed then turned back towards Al, he saw the look his daughter was giving him. "If you have a few minutes Steph wanted to talk to you about a few thing."

"Oh really Steph and what did need me for?" Al asked honestly interested.

Steph took a deep breath, it wasn't everyday you get an audience with a Nobel Peace Prize winner and a Vice President of the United States. "I'm concerned about the environment and more so with what people my age can do to get the government to take their collective heads out of the sand and start looking at what they are doing today thats going to impact my when I'm their age. Do you know of any organizations I can get involved in that can help start steering the government in the right direction?" She asked and then squeezed Chris' hand silently needing his strength.

"With all do respect sir, this country's economy has went south in the past few years. And if it keeps going this way, kids that are my age won't have anything when we get older."

"I applaud both of you for thinking of more than how you are going to spend next weekend, its people like you that truly exemplary what this country is built on and what we have to look foward to. I recommend contacting the KLCC or the Kellogg Leadership for Community Change, or the Innovation Center. Both are non profit groups focused on teens who want to be involved and like yourselves are driven to find a solution to problems."

Al then smiled and looked over to Jon. "You've got a intelligent, formidable woman on your hands there Jon."

"I can't tell you how proud her mom and I are either." He reached over for his daughter wrapping his arm across her shoulders. "She's a very intelligent young woman and I'm not saying that just because she's my daughter." he smiled proudly. "Just a few weeks ago she came up with the idea to help out her school by talking to the Soul Foundation to donate laptops."

"Really? Tell me more Stephanie." Al asked.

"I just thought it was ridiculous that the school district had mismanaged funds so bad that they didn't have money for computers, so they were requiring parents to buy them for their kids. Well even though dad and mom are billionaires not everyone that lives around here are that lucky. Some of my friends families were thinking of moving and changing school districts so I brought the idea up that maybe the Soul Foundation should step in a little closer to dad's home. My school was chosen and then dad got in trouble with the principle so I guess you can't win them all." Steph laughed.

"You could have left out that last part Steph." Jon laughed.

"You taught me not to lie daddy." She smiled innocently.

"Jon how did you manage to get in trouble from the Principle, you're out of school." Al had to know this one.

"I got so wrapped up in helping Steph with everything I forgot to call and let the principle know. He gave me the spill about how the board had to approve these kind of things."

"Maybe I'm just stupid but why would a school board have any say in a donation?" Al asked.

"That's the same thing I asked and of course I didn't get an answer." Jon told him.

"if you ever do get an answer will you let me in on it?" Al laughed.

"Sure." Jon laughed. "But I'm not expecting an answer anytime soon."

"Steph honey did you have anything else you wanted to ask Al?" He leaned over just a little looking at the young man beside her. "Chris?"

"If getting involved in these organizations doesn't seem to cure my need to help, who in the government do I have to start pushing to get something done, I know the President we have now is a moron but who below them has any power?" Steph asked.

"Steph!" Jon scolded even though she was right but he was the president.

"I can't disagree with you on the current administration. I'd definitely recommend trying to get a few minutes of Obama's time, he needs to know that people in your generation, the people that will be of voting age come his re-election time have some serious thoughts and concerns." Al laughed.

"Dad - 1st amendment, I know it and I use it." She smiled sweetly.

"I understand that but find a nicer way to say it next time." Jon laughed.

"buffon?" She laughed.

He just rolled his eyes then looked over toward Al. "Not much better." he smiled.

"She can't be faulted for her vocabulary." Al laughed, "Oops was that out loud?"

"Mr Gore thank you so much for speaking with me, I know I'm not a constituent because I'm not old enough to vote but I truly do value your opinion and appreciate your time." Steph smiled to him.

"Stephanie, you are a constituent, even though you can't vote you are an American and have every right to be concerned and want to get involved. Have your old man here contact me if you have any more questions, in fact if you promise not to publize it you can even email me directly. You're dad has that information." Al told her and shook hers and Chris' hand again.

"WOW, thank you so much. Are you sure you won't run for president in 4 yrs, I promise you a vote." She smiled.

Al didn't say anything he just patted Jon on the shoulder and walked away with a grin.

"Did I do good dad?" Steph asked.

"You did very well honey. I think you might have a future in politics."

"Just like you?" She laughed. Then smiled and saw Obama. "I'm gonna go do what he said, who wants to come with me?" Steph was feeling brave now, she just spoke with a hugely accomplished man, speaking to a Senator who was running for office made no difference to her.
He was still smiling that his daughter held her own and stuck with what she believed in. "Do you want me to go honey or do you think you and Chris can handle this one?"

"You can go play social butterfly, I'll call you in if he ignores me" then Steph thought about it,

"No in fact if he ignores me I'll just tell all my friends parents to not vote for him." She then smiled, "Chris you coming?"

"You do that honey." Jon smiled back then walked over toward his wife leaving his daughter on her own.

"I'm with you Steph." He smiled taking her hand as they walked over to the presidential candidate.

Steph stood quietly to the side of him while he spoke to others, waiting for him to turn her way.

Once he was finished greeting the people just inside the door he spotted Jon and started walking toward him until a young girl off to the side caught his attention. She looked vaguely familiar but he couldn't place who she was but there was something about her that made him walk over toward the young couple.

"Hello Senator Obama." Stephanie greeted him.

"Hello." He smiled reaching his hand towards the young girl. "And your name is?"

"Stephanie and this is my boyfriend Chris." She shook his hand not telling him her last name on purpose to see if that made a difference in how he treated her.

"Nice to meet both of you. I'm a little surprised to see young people like yourselves here though, it makes proud seeing young people wanting to get involved."

"Well we aren't really that young, we'll be old enough to vote in your re-election campaign if their is one and I personally want to know what you plan on doing about investing in energy options that are going to help not kill my generations hope for a cleaner safer America." Steph asked.

"Well for starters I would like to have cars that get up to 150 miles per gallon on the road by 2015 and they will be made here in America, not overseas. I will make sure that families get a $1000 emergency energy rebate to help families pay their rising bills. There are so many things that I have planned though it's hard to do a run down right now."

"Ok but how is that going to help us long term, where do you plan on getting this $1000 a family from?" She questioned, "Are you just planning to create more debt that my generation is going to inherit?" Steph questioned.

Just then Jon walked up putting an arm around Steph. "I see that you've met my daughter." He smiled reaching his hand toward the senator.

"Good afternoon Jon. Your daughter asks some well thought out and tough questions." Barack tells him.

"And I'm still waiting for and answer sir, or would you rather I tell my friends families you didn't have one?" Stephanie was getting pissed, she seriously wanted to know how planned on doing this.

"Oh I'm sorry Stephanie, the emergency energy rebates will come directly from the oil companies recent profits."

"And how do you plan on getting that money from them?" Stephanie questioned.
Barack smiled, this teenager wasn't letting up, it was good to see though. "I'd impose a mandate on their record profits and once approved take the money the mandate collected and give a $1000 back to each family on the census and then anything left over put into my other energy initiatives."

"Ok that works for me, thank you for speaking with me." Stephanie smiled to him.

"She has been thinking for the past few days what to ask you and Mr. Gore." Jon explained about his daughters questioning. "She has been really involved here lately, locally and keeping up on whats going on with the presidential race."

"That's so good to hear, your right Stephanie, the next election is your generations to decide, it feels good to me to have you question me so througholy. I hope I was able to give you some information that you were looking for." Barack told her.

"Yes but I'm not politically correct, even at a fund raiser at my house for you. If you don't do what you say you're going to do, I'm flunking you next time up. My generation and this country can't take 8 years of promises that aren't kept, I would like to know that my friends can afford to go to college and the way it looks now thats not going to happen." Steph told him.

"My brother even had to join the national guard to get an education because my parents weren't able to afford it on their own." Chris spoke up once Stephanie mentioned colleges.

"You don't think joining the National Guard is a good thing?" Barack addressed Chris. His aids were trying to pull him in another direction but he realized the importance of not passing these kids by.

"No sir I didn't mean that. I just meant that this was the best way for him to get an education financially, personally I'm kind of scared he'll be sent to Iraq and I'll never see him again." Chris told him with a hint of sadness.

Barack put his hand on Chris' shoulder. "I'm gonna do my best to make sure we bring our soldiers home safely not send more there. I have a plan that kids can serve their country in volunteer groups, like the one your dad heads up Steph while you are in high school, to earn help for college tuition. How does that sound Chris?"

Chris smile up toward him hoping that he was being honest. "That sounds great Senator."

"Well you do everything you can to help me get into office and I'll do everything I can to get these ideas into law. Do we have a deal?"

"Yes sir." Chris told him then looked towards Stephanie.

"Sounds good to me, Dad I think you might want to listen to this guy, he has some pretty good ideas." Steph smiled, thanked the Senator again and walked away with Chris.

"Thank you for taking the time to talk to my daughter."

"I can tell you that it meant a lot to her."

"She's a powerhouse, not afraid of anyone." Barack laughed, "Happy to talk to her, I wouldn't want to get a failing grade from her."

"And she mean's business." Jon laughed.

"She always like that?" Barack asked.

"Yeah she's always been determined, thats one thing she inherited from me."

"Well its a very good trait to pass down. Thank you again for hosting this fundraiser, I appreciate the support."

"You're welcome, it's mine and my wife's pleasure to do this. Both of us want to see this country turned around not only for us but our children and future grandchildren."

"Where is your wife I've been meaning to thank her?" He smiled seeing his own wife off talking to a few supporters.

"She just stepped upstairs to check on our younger boys. The nanny is upstair but she has to confirm with her own eyes they are okay." He laughed. "I'm sure your wife does the same thing."

"Oh yes, I think that is a universal trait in a wonderful woman." Barack smiled knowingly to Jon.

"I got lucky in the woman department." he smiled softly watching her walk back down the stairs. "Speakin of which...." He caught her attention motioning her over toward them.

"Yes honey." Dot smiled at Jon as she walked up to him.

His hand reached out for hers as he pulled her over to him. "I wanted to introduce you to Senator Obama."

"OH hello Senator Obama, I hope you're enjoying this little party." Dot smiled.

"Yes ma'am and I'm extremely pleased with this turnout." He leaned over and kissed her cheek gently to thank her.

"Ok I need to tell you right now if you call me Ma'am again the secret service is going to have to protect you, that makes me sound old. Jon, tell him how it is." Dot laughed

"Last time I told her that I ended with a black eye." he replied jokingly. "Needless to say I've never called her that again.

"Don't him kid you, he fell and hit his eye when I kicked him in the rear, I didn't punch him or anything." Dot defended herself.

"I don't recall that second part happening babe."

"Barack do you give your wife this much of a hassel?" Dot laughed.

"I do on occasion." He smiled holding back a laugh at the couple in front of him.

"I hope she keeps you grounded like I try to keep my rock star grounded."

"She tries but like Jon here I'm sure his career comes home with him occasionally."
Dot touched Barack's arm and points to the studio. "That's his studio. Yes it comes home all the time."

Jon looked in the direction that she pointed to. "I do on ocassion but she puts a stop to it really quick." He pulled her in for a small hug as they stood there.

"I love you baby, I'm gonna go check on Steph and Chris, they walked away together, their heads are together talking up a storm. Did you get an earful from our daughter?"

"It's always nice to hear from the younger generation. I think your daughter would make a wonderful politician on day."

"Bite your tongue we are already in the press enough." Dot laughed.

"That is certainly something she would have to deal with." The senator told her honestly knowing that the press will find out anything and everything about her.

"Oh she can handle them." Jon replied thinking about the one day she virtually beat up a photographer.

"I believe its unfair though. Its different for you Senator, you walked into this race as an adult with your eyes wide open. There should be laws against these nasty paparrazi going after a child of a star. They didn't become famous on purpose they were just born." Dot vocalized, looking at Jon softly not meaning anything against him she just felt some pain for Steph never actually had a childhood.

"I agree Dorothea it's extremely sad when these people go after the children but unfortunately that's how they rely on their income." Senator Obama explained.

"If you two will excuse me I'm gonna run up to my office. We'll chat more later Senator, I just need to go up and grab my notes." He didn't even look at his wife before turning the opposite way and started walking away.

"Senator I'll let you mingle, I have kids to check on." Dot said and walked away to follow Jon. She caught him inside the front door of the house. "Whats wrong?"

"Nothing, I just need my notes."

"Bullshit, talk to me." Dot didn't believe him for a second.

"Don't worry about it alright baby." He told her touching her arm gently as he started to walk into the house.

"Jon" She asked him to talk to her in a tone only he understood, a soft request.

He knew that tone all to well and just closed his eyes before turning back to her. "Not here okay. Let's go somewhere else."

"Ok." She took his hand and walked up the stairs with him to their room. Once they were safely tucked away from everyone she asked again, "Whats wrong?"

"It's just what you said about the kids out there." He told her softly trying to fight back his emotions. Hearing what she said made him realize that their kids hadn't had a normal child hood which is the one thing he wanted them to have.

"Jon I love you, that wasn't an attack on you, for God's sake you've done everything you can to give them a normal life and these damn photo people piss me off."

"I know they piss me to but I guess it's just hearing you actually say that out loud to someone made me think about how are kids can't be kids because of me."

"Our kids can't be kids because of the photographers, you've done nothing wrong." Dot pulled him into a hug.

"Maybe but I'm the reason photographers are around." He reminded her but continued with the hug. There was always something about her that helped his mind be put to ease.

"Our kids are lucky they have you for a dad, they have a man in their life that loves them immensely. If being a famous guys kid is the worse thing our kids have to deal with they are lucky little shits." Dot told him.

"I do love'em." He smiled softly looking at her with his gorgeous blue eyes. "And I love their mom just a little to."

"Just a little?" She smiled.

"Just a little -- I can't let you get to conceded." he joked.

"Brat." She smiled. "Come on only another 2 hours of hob nobbing."

"Two long ass hours." he grumbled walking over toward the door.

Dot reached over and kissed her man walking outside with him, holding his hand.

********
Three days later Tim walked into his house with an envelope in his hands. "Laura, you around baby?"

"I'm upstairs cleaning up your son's bedroom."

Tim took the steps two at a time and walked into Chris' room and smiled. "Baby you gotta see this?" Tim stood in front of her smiling.

"See what?" She looked down in her husbands hand and saw what looked like envelope. "If it's' another bill just take down to the living room I'm going to pay them as soon as I get finished up here."

"No baby its my paycheck." He handed her the envelope, he smiled at her, "I think those bills are going to finally be under control. That's from working the Obama thing."

She opened up the envelope, her eyes widened when she saw the amount because Tim never mentioned exactly how much it was. "Honey --" The tears ran down her cheek still staring at the check. "Is this real? I mean they didn't accidentally put an extra 0 on here right?" she asked still in disbelief

"Its right, Jon told me what the check would be from the Senator's people but I'm shocked its real too. Baby doesn't this pretty much pay off the house?" Tim had always let her handle the finances for the house but he kept an idea on the general goings on.

"We may actually have a little left over." She kissed him soundly on the lips jumping up into his arms. "Thank you."

"I'm just happy we finally can see the light. Maybe Jon can somehow recommend me for 1 or 2 more things and we can actually get a head now."

"Remind me to thank him the next time we see him."

"Ok. Will do." He smiled. "How much are we in the hole or will my normal paycheck keep us afloat?"

"If you get as much as normal we'll be okay I think."

"normal with an 80hr work week or normal with a 50hr week?" Tim clarified. "If the house is paid off then we just have utilities and the one medical bill from when Melody was in the hospital 2 yrs ago right?"

"Normal as in your 50 hr week and yeah those are really the only bills we have now. Her hospital bill is actually down to $2000 so that shouldn't take to long now that the house is paid for."

She smiled. "God that sounds so good!"

"Baby thanks for sticking this out with me and being so diligent with our money."

"Honey you mean the world to me you know that. And while managing our money and making sacrifices was tough at times, this moment makes it all worth it."

"What do you say we go enjoy this feeling a little bit." Tim smirked and pulled her slowly out of their sons room down the hall into theirs.

"I think we should definitely do that." Her eyes glistened while looking into his. With Tim's job it was hard for them to be together and even if he did get home at a decent hour he was always to tired. This was one time she wasn't allow anything to get in their way.