Chapter 62

Jon spent Saturday night with Katie, but left early Sunday morning to jet off to the next city for a show that evening. Even before the sun was up he kissed a sleepy Katie on the cheek as she stirred under his touch.

"Baby, I'm heading out. I will call you later. I love you." He whispered, leaving one more lingering kiss on her lips. Then he was out the door.

"Love you...." Katie mumbled, sleepily refusing to open her eyes, and drifted back to sleep.

She spent the day catching up on chores around the house, as the next week was filled with photo shoots for two separate schools. The kids were also back and spring sports were well underway, taking up her afternoons with shuttling one kid to this and the other kid to that. The week flew by. She talked to Jon at some point most days, thanks to cellular technology. If he wasn't busy, she was, out at a shoot or carpooling from one activity to the next. When she was ready to call it a day, Jon was up on stage, seducing thousands of fans with the music. It wasn't until a week and a half later when she saw Jon again, between engagements. He slipped away for a couple of days during a small break, surprising her mid week. Lucky for him the kids were at their dad's that week, so at least they were able to be together in the evening. Jon welcomed the small break from life on the road. Katie, however, had a tough time keeping her eyes open during the day since they had not spent much time sleeping at night. This time he left her with the promise of seeing her in one more week when they all headed off to Hawaii for spring break.

Friday the kids took the bus to Katie's house so they could make an early morning flight to San Francisco where they were meeting Jon and his kids. Then they were all headed to Maui on the Jovi jet. Once they deplaned they were met at their gate by Cristoph, who escorted them to a private room so they could freshen up and relax before the next leg in their journey. Jon and the kids were already there. He greeted Katie with a big hug and kiss on the lips, then passed out hugs to Brandon and Sophia. The kids drifted off as Jon motioned for Katie to take a seat. She sat down with a sigh as Jon sat next to her.

"It's so good to see you, baby." He said, his voice low as he leaned toward her taking her hand in his. She couldn't help but return his infectious smile, even if she was tired from the trip.

"Cowboy, you have no idea how happy I am to see you." She admitted. "But I will admit I'm more than ready to lounge on a beach with a cold drink in my hand." She said, laughing.

Jon nodded, "Well, I can offer you a cold drink, but the beach is a few hours away yet." He said as he got up to pour her a glass of ice water. She thanked him as he handed it to her, then he sat back down. "At least there will be more room on this leg of the trip, and the seats are a lot more comfortable." He said, winking at her.

No doubt, Katie thought as she chugged the water, dried out from the plane air. After a bit, Chrisoph came back from collecting their luggage from baggage claim and whispered in Jon's ear. Jon nodded and stood up. "Ok, is everyone ready to fly?"

The kids answered excitedly that they were all indeed ready to go. Jon offered his hand to Katie and they followed Christoph down a private hallway to a gate that was reserved for private flights. Once on the plane the kids took their time settling in, each changing their mind at least once on what seat they wanted to sit in. Even though it was a private plane, there was a section of 8 seats near the front that could be curtained off.

"Once the kids get settled we can sit up here." Jon said as they entered the plane. Christoph followed them, then took his seat in the cockpit.

Jon raised his voice so he could be heard over the clamor. "Ok, ladies and gentlemen. Please take your seats and fasten your seat belts. We are getting ready to take off." He said as he buckled in Romeo, whose eyes were getting a bit heavy since it was already late afternoon. Jon had decided against bringing his assistant, even thought it was a 6 hour flight. The plane was stocked with plenty of food and beverages for the trip. Each seat had it's own screen and headphones to watch an array of movies or shows. Jon joined Katie in the front section of the plane as Christoph started the engines, slowly backing away from the gate. Katie leaned back into the creamy leather seat, letting out a deep sigh. More comfortable, indeed, she thought, smiling to herself, this was the life.

Jon saw her smile as he took one more look back at the kids. They all seemed settled in as the plane taxied out to the runway. Satisfied that everyone was ok, he relaxed into his seat and reached for her hand. As they left the San Francisco skyline in the background and climbed up into the blue horizon, Katie lifted the arm rest and lay her head on Jon's shoulder, then closed her eyes. Jon had noticed Romeo drift off as the plane had taken off, and figured it wasn't a bad idea, so he closed his eyes as well. Steph and Jesse could show everyone else where the food and drinks were if anyone wanted anything, so he took the chance to relax.

Back in the main part of the plane Brandon and Jesse had settled into playing video games while Jake watched a movie and Romeo napped. Sophia and Stephanie were sitting across from each other chatting. During a lull in the conversation Steph looked out the window at the clouds, her face taking on a melancholy look. Sophia noticed.

She leaned forward and asked "Steph, everything ok?"

Stephanie turned towards her with a sigh and a shrug. She liked Sophia. Actually, liked her a lot. But it didn't change the fact that she was still very unhappy with the whole idea of this trip. She knew better than to act like a spoiled baby, though. So she resorted to a quick nod and picking up a magazine. Sophia could take the hint and fished out a book of her own to read.

They had been in the air about three hours when Katie stirred, waking with a bit of a stiff neck, her head still on Jon's shoulder. She looked up at him, seeing he was still fast asleep. Next she looked back towards the kids. The cabin lights were dim and they were all out. She slowly stood up and made her way to the bathroom. Jon came to and noticed Katie was gone. As he ran his fingers through his disheveled hair, she came back and sat down next to him.

He leaned over to give her a quick kiss on the lips, "Hey, baby. Did you have a good nap?" He said with a sleepy smile.

"I did. And you?" she answered, smiling as she tousled his hair with her own hand. "But I am getting a bit hungry."

He leaned in for another kiss and said, "Ok, ok. Let me see what we have on board to serve my lady." He stretched and stood up, making his way to the front of the plane where there was a refrigerator and microwave located. He found a tray and took out a variety of sandwiches, packages of fruit and water for both of them. He set the tray down on the table in front of their seats. Katie unwrapped a sandwich and settled back to munch contently. After Jon offered her a napkin and opened her bottle of water, he did the same. When they finished, Jon took the tray back to the front and returned with a bottle of wine, an opener and two plastic glasses. He opened the bottle, poured a glass and offered it to Katie. She took it, letting the soft leather claim her once again. They talked quietly about the week, enjoying their wine. Jon set his glass down and leaned back to pull one side of the curtain closed. Once he made sure no little eyes could see them from the back of the plane, he took her glass, set it on the table and leaned towards her, kissing her slowly on the lips. He tasted the sweetness of the wine, exploring the softness of her lips with his tongue. Katie let him take the lead as she leaned towards him, her body relaxing into his. He kissed her slowly, feeling the heat rising in his groin. It seemed like so long since he had held her in his arms. He knew it would be hard for them to find alone time this week. But the knowledge that she and all the kids were there with him, was worth the lack of privacy. He also knew if he didn't stop himself now, he would be in a great deal of pain before long, since there was nothing he could do about his desires at the moment.

Jon pulled away with a smile, "I better be good, baby. But oh, I don't wanna be." He growled in her ear as he nuzzled her neck before sitting back in his seat.

Katie chuckled as he tickled her neck, then patted his hand, "I like it when your naughty, cowboy." She teased.

Just as Jon was thinking of a witty comeback, he head a slight cry from back in the plane. He knew it was Romeo waking up from his nap and not remembering where he was. Jon stood up and went back into the plane, returning with a very sleepy Romeo in his arms. He sat back down across from Katie this time, Romeo in his lap. Romeo laid his head on his daddy's chest and stared off into space as he took his time waking up. Katie looked at them, thinking how handsome and sexy Jon looked sitting there holding his little boy. After awhile Romeo started chattering a bit and asked for some food. Katie offered to get him something and returned with some sandwiches, snacks and juice. Romeo decided he wanted to sit next to Katie instead and munched away happily in the seat next to her, engaging her in 4 year old conversation about the stars and the moon. Jon stood up and mouthed to her, "be right back." Katie nodded as Jon went to the cockpit. He returned in a few minutes.

"We have about another hour and we land in Maui. We should get there just in time for the sunset." Jon reported.

They older kids eventually stirred and ate a dinner of sandwiches, chips and soda or juice. Jon, Katie and Romeo spent the last hour in a rousing game of Go Fish. The sun shined brightly through the airplane window as they descended into Maui, making a smooth landing at the Kahului Airport. Once the plane stopped, they all stood up, stretching their legs. Christoph led them out into a quiet gate where they were greeted by the man that would be their driver for the week. Christoph was taking the week to spend with his family on another island, thanks to Jon's generosity. Their luggage had been transported to a van waiting near a private door to the airport. The driver helped them all get settled in the large van, and drove smoothly away from the airport towards the other side of the island. After about 20 minutes they could see the other side of the island coming into view. The van stopped at a gated drive, proceeding when the gate slowly opened. Katie looked out the window at the view, wondering what the place looked like. The van made its way down a curvy drive, finally coming to a stop in front of a stone curved driveway. Before them stood an enormous house, with the ocean peeking through the palm trees. Katie's mouth dropped open, when she realized just how lavish this place was going to be, and right on the beach to boot. Once she composed herself, she looked over at Jon to find him watching her reaction, a big smile on his face.

She attempted to scold him for being so extravagant on her behalf, "Jon, I told you to not go crazy. I don't feel right about you doing so much."

Jon took his index finger and placed it on her lips. "Sweet Kat, relax. It really isn't as big a deal as you think. And for once, will you just let me do something for you and the kids? Something I really want to do?"

Her defiant look softened as she sighed. She found it damn near impossible to be angry with him when she looked into his twinkling blue eyes, crinkled in the corners, as he smiled at her. She shook her head at him, but didn't say any more. She did, however, look back at the house and grounds, feeling a bit of excitement creep in. She had never spent a week in such a place. She then noticed the excited clamor from Brandon and Sophia. Jesse was telling Brandon about the last time they had been there, and Steph was explaining that the beach was private, they had it all to themselves. Sophia answered, "But then who will get to see my new bikini?"

Katie laugh, "This is going to be some week."

Jon nodded, silently hoping for the best. After all, he knew this week would be very telling on how he proceeded over the next month or so.

Chapter 63