Chapter 5

Opening the hotel room door Jon saw his daughter in her normal place, a corner chair with her cell phone texting someone whom Jon could only assume was the kissing boy. His youngest sons were using Uncle Richie as a jungle gym and making him smile wider than he’s seen on Rich in months. It was good to see his brother smile.

Jon quickly let his eyes land on Jesse. Motioning with his eyes to the balcony he followed his son out there. “Jesse”
“Dad I’m sorry ok. I’ll apologize to Danielle when she comes upstairs. It's not her fault that you and mom didn’t make your marriage work and it wasn’t fair for me to take it out on her.”

“Wow- so Uncle Richie hit home huh?” Jon laughed astonished at the 180 his son had just done.

“Seriously dad, Mookie just reminded me that you and mom were over before you ever met Danielle. She’s kind of a parent to me now so I have to find a way to deal.”

“Jesse I admire you son. I am very proud to be your dad.”

“Really? I thought you were mad at me?”

“Jesse I was disappointed in you but the way you realized your mistake and manned up and apologized, son that’s what real men are made of. If you do something wrong you man up to it. You really are growing up buddy.”

As Jon puts his arm around his son’s shoulders the door to the suite opens and the vision he see’s stops him in his tracks. His beautiful pregnant wife holding a baby. Well not to much of a baby, 16 month old Liam but none the less, the look on her face and the fact there was a child in her arms caused Jon to instantly walk across the room and kiss her.
Liam allowed that for a moment or two before slapping at Jon’s shoulder, “Stop, mine.”

“Ok Liam, you and I are going to have words. That beautiful woman holding you – she’s MINE. SHE” Jon pointed to Helen, “Is your mommy and she’s yours but I’m possessive and I’m not giving up what’s mine. I’ll share her though ok?” Jon said seriously almost like he was speaking to an adult.

Liam ponders the thought and smiles. “Ok.”

Jon smiled at the toddler and then looked to Dani, “Hey babe you want to do introductions?”

With that Danielle introduced her best friend/sister to all of Jon’s kids and Richie. Emphasizing the fact that Richie was single and had a child. She figured that Helen if nothing else would get a friend out of the deal that might understand some of her issues with being a single parent.

It takes no time at all for Jon to sit Danielle down and start to cuddle with her while talking with Helen and Richie. Silently Helen took in the scene in front of her and made mental note to remind Dani how lucky she was with Jon. She watched as Jon got up to get Danielle a drink, he held her close the entire time they were sitting on the couch, he rubbed her belly and kissed her constantly.

“So exactly how did the triplets come into play?” Richie asked trying to determine what happened. He knew from Jon they had been having problems conceiving.

“We were on some medication to increase our chances of making a baby and one of the side effects of the meds is multiples. Personally I think it's fantastic. We wanted more than one child anyway and in this situation given our ages, we’ll have that and not risk even more or have more problems. So far so good, the only issues I’ve been told about are back aches.” Jon smiled and pulled Dani closer.

“Are there others?” Helen asked her sister knowing that Danielle couldn’t like to her, for some reason it never worked when she tried so she knew she’d get the truth.

“Just feel like a whale.”

“You’re look like an angel.” Jon explained to her with a kiss to the temple. “just remember baby I helped create those beautiful children and you’re just watching them full time now for us but soon I’ll be able to hold them too.”

“How did you do this?” Helen asked.

“Do what?”

“You managed to wait forever for the perfect guy and then you get your prince charming and he’s your favorite rock star to boot. How’d you do it?” Helen asked with a laugh.

“Easy I just refused to settle. I waited so long that God saw I wasn’t bluffing and sent me Jon.”

It doesn’t long for Danielle’s mom to call and let them know that she is home. As Dani gets everyone in the appropriate vehicle she bounces in her seat waiting for Jon to buckle Romeo in. Once they were on their way Danielle was bouncing around in her seat.

“Honey is your seatbelt on?” He asked his wife.

“yes I’m just happy I want to see my mom and introduce everyone.”

“It's ok baby it's just too cute that you’re this happy about seeing your mommy.” He smiled and pulled into mom’s yard.

She immediately got out of the car and ran into the house. Richie and Helen pulled up behind Jon and Richie questioned why Danielle wasn’t outside with him. “I don’t know I’m just going to assume it wasn’t personal and she really does want to be part of this family.” Jon said with a layer of sarcasm in his voice that Richie picked up on easily. Problem is so did Helen.

“Jon get your head out of your butt, she just wanted to tell her mom by herself. It's not anything against you it's just they’ve had an incredibly close relationship.”

“But the children are mine too.” He almost pouted the answer out.

“Yes but like you told her she has to do what she needs to protect them now, until they are born then you can help. Right now she’s doing just that, by telling her mom and bonding with her that way she’s reducing the stress she’ll carry.”

“Alright I’ll stop pouting.” Jon laughed as Dani walked out with her mom.

“Jon congratulations honey.” Mom took him in her arms for a hug and then saw Helen and Liam and hugged them too.

“Mom I have some kids for you to meet. Here’s the rest of the family. This is my 15 yr old Stephanie.”

“Hello Mrs. Harafin.” Stephanie says.

“Oh sweetheart can you find another name, Fran, Mic, you can call me grandma if you like.”

“How about Grandma Mic?”

“Oh that sounds perfect.” Mom hugged Steph after that and the boys knew immediately they were in for hugs as Jon introduced them all and everyone including Jesse responded kindly.
Then Danielle introduced her brother Richie to the fold.

“When did I have you?”

“I’m not sure mom, probably before you were hold enough because I’m not a spring chicken.” He laughed.