Chapter 42 - Ho Ho Ho

The summer sun packed up, it's long gone.  Along with the beautiul New Jersey fall.  The Bongiovi/Adams clan is getting ready for their annual trip to St. Bart's, where they will spend the Christmas holiday with Jon's parents and his brothers; with their families and even Pete.  It was a holiday that they all were looking forward to, after the year that they had.

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With the love and support of Jon and his family, Beth was able to put Dalton and Jennifer in her past.  She still had issues with being raped, and it seems like her and Jon talk about it often, but she was well on the road to recovering from it and she stopped blaming herself for it. 

The incident with her mother was a one time thing, she hasn't resurfaced and they were fortunate for that.  Beth knows that she can handle Jennifer and anything that she could have thrown their way. 

The vineyard has been renamed and it's hugely successful.  Beth made several trips out there to staff it and over see the building of the hotel.  She made it a place that she was very proud of and loves when they weekend out there.  They put in a pool behind the house that was on the grounds so the kids would have things to do.  The Shoe Inn - West was a great place for lovers, families and friends.

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The entire family met at the Monmouth Executive Airport and they all boarded the plane for the quick trip to the Caribbean.  Everyone was looking forward to some sun and sand.  The winter in New Jersey was mild, but cold enough to make everyone miserable.  His family is with him, as well as the love of his life - Jon is certain that this Christmas will be the one that they have waited for.  The one that was drama free, the one that there are together for and the one that will start new traditions for the Bongiovi/Adams family.

 

The flight was uneventful and everyone was happy when they deplaned in the 80 degree weather with the sun beating down on their face.  Jon had arranged for each family to have a car waiting for them, and once they all were loaded into their cars - the group of vehicles took it's passengers to the shore where they waited to board the boat that was taking all of them to the private island.  "Dad, I'm hungry." Jake says to his dad, tugging on his shirt sleeve.

 

Jon looks down to the little guy and asks, "Can you wait until we get to the hotel or do you want something right now?"  As soon as he finished his question, Beth was handing him a Ziploc baggie with cookies in it.

 

"Here Jakey, have a cookie."  Beth says.  "We'll eat as soon as we get to the hotel, okay?"

 

"I want a cookie."  Romeo says in excitement. 

 

Beth hands Romeo a cookie and he says "Thank you."  Jon's standing there holding the bag with the cookies in it, wondering where in the hell she got cookies from.  Beth doesn't like food like that in the house. 

 

"Thank you." Jake tells Beth.  Beth looks to the older kids to see if they wanted a cookie, but they were busy hanging with Uncle Matt. 

 

Jon walks into her, now that the boys are content with their cookie, he kisses her and says, "Does vacation mean junk food?" 

 

"This vacation, there are no rules." she kisses him back and hands him a cookie.  "Do you want one?"

 

He winks at her and says, "No thanks, I'm watching my weight."

 

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The boat pulls up and they all climb aboard, they are just a few minutes from paradise. 

 

Tony, seated next to Jon at the back of the boat, makes mention of the paparazzi on the shore, "I'm glad they follow us."

 

Jon looks over his shoulder and says, "One or two will make it over, they usually do."

 

"One or two is better than the 20 that are standing there STILL taking our picture." Tony laughs as he tells Jon his thought.

They arrive at the dock and unload the boat.  There were cars waiting for them on the island, all were shuttled to the hotel where they all were thrilled to be.  Just minutes from the official start of their vacation, everyone was excited and eager to hit the clear blue water that awaited them.

Mom and dad went off to their rooms, as did Tony and Matt.  Pete was sharing a room with Stephanie.  For Pete, this was a working vacation and she didn't mind.  Her family was estranged and the Bongiovi's were the next best thing.

  Jon and Beth lugged their luggage into their room and sat on the bed, exhausted.  It was a quick trip, but they packed so much and Beth was convinced that she needed it all.  That they needed it all.  The kids were rough housing and driving Jon nuts.  He grabbed his cigarettes and opened the patio door.  He stepped out and looked at the beach, over his shoulder he told the kids, "Get you suits on and hit the beach."

"Yeah!" yells Romeo.

Jake runs up to his dad and asks, "Can we get body boards dad?  I want a body board."

Jesse over hears his little brother, from their connecting room and yells, "They're shore boards dork, not body boards."  Jesse puts his suit on and meets his dad in his room.  "Are you coming down?"

Jon laughs at his sons and says, "What ever they are, get one and tell them to charge it to our room.  Beth and I will be down in a few minutes, okay."  Jon places his hand on his eldest sons shoulder, "We just need a few to unwind."

"Okay, dad."  he replies, turning to leave.  "Get your towels."  He tells his little brothers.  Jake and Jesse run into their room and grab towels from the bathroom. 

With their towels and their big brother, the boys run out of the room and head to the beach.  Jesse is on their heels, happy to be on the beach.  He likes to girl watch.

Jon takes his place next to Beth, who is still sitting on the bed with her head in her hands, "I'm exhausted." she tells him without even looking at him.  "Just beat."

"Lay down and rest for a bit." he tells her, grabbing her leg and pulling her toward him.  "Take a nap.  I'll go hang with the boys at the beach."

"What are Pete and Rose doing?" she questions Jon, not knowing herself.  They went to their room and that was the last she had seen of them.

"I think it's safe to assume that they will be on the beach at any moment, why?"

"Pete might be 'working' but I don't want to take advantage of her.  I want her to have some fun too."

"Babe, I said I'll go hang with the boys.  The girls can go do whatever.  Come on, " he stands and reaches for her hand, "Lay down and get some rest."

Beth stands up and she lets him lead her to her suitcase.  She stops and starts to unzip it, "I'll get my suit on and lay on the beach, is that alright?"

He takes her hand and stands her up to look at her, she smiles.  "What are you doing?"

"I just want to look at you, are you okay?" he's slightly concerned.

"I'm just tired, really."  She starts to strip and put her bikini on.  Jon helps her with the ties, kissing her bare flesh along the way.  "Maybe we should eat something."

"I'll order, what do you want?" he asks her, rubbing her back as she stands there and fixes her suit.  "The usual?"

She thinks for a moment and finds herself more concerned with what the kids would eat, over what she would eat.  "Let's see what the kids want.  I'm sure they're hungry too.  What about you?"

"You know me, I can eat whatever."  he grabs their towels and waits for her to apply her sunblock and sunglasses.  Once she's ready, they walk to the beach together and lay on the chairs that the resort had out for them.  There are people everywhere and that makes Beth happy.  The boys will be busy with all the kids that are running around having fun - hopefully for Christmas they all can be invisible.