Chapter Four

It was dark inside Jon's house when he entered, which was strange seeing as it was 5pm and it was at the end of May. He dropped his bags where he always did, right inside the door, and turned on the light. "SURPRISE!" people shouted, he looked at the people standing in front of him - it wasn't a lot. There was Stephanie, Jake, Romeo, Richie, Ava, his father and.. oh the joy... his mother. "Daddy! Daddy!" Romeo said running up to him, he grabbed onto his leg and wouldn't let go. Jon picked him up and gave him a big bear hug,"how you doin' munchkin?" he asked putting him back down, Romeo smiled up at him - his big brown eyes looked happier than he had ever seen before. His brown eyes.. Jon's heart sank, Romeo had Dorothea's brown eyes it nearly felt like he was looking into her eyes. His not so little, little girl came and gave him a big hug. "I missed you" she whispered, Jon kissed the top of her head, "I missed you too baby girl" he whispered back. He noticed Jake wasn't coming up to welcome him back, it was unusual for Jake, he was usually the first to welcome him home.

Jon's father went over to Jake, "Jakey, how about you go say 'hi' to daddy?" he suggested - John Sr. always had a way with kids. "No!" Jake refused loudly, that hurt Jon and it was evident in his face. "Why not?" John Sr. asked, "Because, daddy says not to!" he told his grandad, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. John Sr. nodded in agreement, he looked as though he understood and so did everyone else, apart from Jon.

Jon gave his children the presents he had got for them - one of his ways to try and make up for lost time, but still Jake wouldn't go near him. He ran out to the back yard and started playing catch by himself. Then Jon noticed Jesse wasn't around, Jon was quite used to him not being around if he was gone away for a week or two, Stephanie and Jesse were used to it, but when he was gone for over a month he was usually there to greet him.

Richie came over to him with a drink in hand, he handed the drink to Jon. "Thought you might need this," Richie always knew these things, Jon was grateful for such a great friend in his life. He took the drink and chucked it back in one go. "Where's Jesse?" he asked watching Jake play by himself, "Tony said something about Jesse, Chris, 'Chelle and shopping, but he said it kind of quick and he was in a hurry so I didn't pick it all up.." Richie answered, Jon nodded as if he understood, but he didn't. He couldn't stop thinking about what Jake said, "Because daddy says not to!" What did he mean by it? Jon hadn't said not to welcome him home. For the rest of the night Jon didn't speak much, he tried to play with Jake but yet again he refused.

Richie put Ava, Jakey and Romeo to bed, Stephanie was gone to her friends, Jesse wasn't back yet. The phone rang, it took a few moments for Jon to realise that is was ringing. "Hello?" he said answering the phone "Hey! Dad! Welcome home! Mind if I stay at Chris and 'Chelle's tonight?" he asked, Jon closed his eyes "If you want son, I'll pick you up tomorrow?" he asked, Jesse said something to Chris "Chris said he'll drop me home..." he told his father then hung up.

Richie came down the stairs, "Man, you need to give those kids a bed time!" he said laughing slightly. Jon looked at the clock, it was 2am, Richie was right, it was far too late for a five and seven year old to be up. "I'm going to bed" Jon said standing up, he started to walk and fell. "I think you had one too many drinks man" Richie said helping him up and steadying him on his feet. Jon had only one drink and that was hours ago, he was drinking coffee and soda for the rest of the night. "I don't think so.." he started to walk again but once again he fell. "Need some help?" Richie asked laughing, Jon nodded, Richie picked him yup and threw him over his shoulder and carried him up to his bed.

"I'll see you in the mornin' man" Richie said turning off the light and walking to the door. "You might want to check that I'm still breathing in an hour or two" Jon joked, "Always do" Richie said walking out the door. As soon as the door was closed, Jon broke down crying. "Oh Dorothea..." he said curling up to where she used to sleep. He missed her so so much, he and Stephanie were going to visit her in the morning and bring her flowers - red roses, her favorite.