Ninety-Six

Two days later Jesse was locking up the apartment to go and pick Jon up from hospital. He was coming home today earlier, on strict instructions to take it easy for a couple of weeks. She knew for the man that could never keep still, this was going to be a task and a half for her. Dot and Carol had arrived and surprisingly been supportive to her and grateful that she was there for the kids when it had happened. She’d left them to take the kids to see Jon and now the kids were back living at home.

She’s scooped her keys and cell into her purse when the rap at the door stirred her from her thoughts. She shrugged into her woollen coat and unlinked the door. To her surprise Dot was standing there clutching her handbag under her shoulder.

“Hi Jesse” she smiled.

“Hi Dot, I wasn’t expecting you. I was just on my way to collect Jon” she said checking her watch. She still had plenty of time.

“I know, I’ve just dropped the kids off at school and was in the area and thought I’d pop in. “I won’t stay, you’ll be wanting to get to see Jon there was just something I wanted to say. That has to be said”

Jesse stood back on her heels “Sure, what is it?” she asked cautiously not being able to read the serious look that was so often on the woman’s face.

“I just wanted to say, thank you for what you did for the kids, when this all happened. They haven’t stopped talking about you and both and Carol are so grateful someone like you was around when this happened. Especially for my younger boys, they’ve never had to deal with this sort of thing happening to their father before” she explained rubbing her thumb over her leather arm strap.

Jesse relaxed her shoulders “God, don’t be silly. I was glad whatever I could do got them through it. I was in so much shock myself I had to put them first, I realized that”.

Dot nodded and then smiled. “I know, it can’t have been easy for you. I’m not going to pry but is that whole business with your ex, taken care of?”

The question wasn’t callous, more like the question a concerned mother would ask to be aware of all the risks to her children. Jesse quickly nodded “He’s in custody and Jon’s laid charges against him and so have I. He won’t be getting out anytime soon I can’t imagine. He’s a sick man” she added.

“That’s good to hear, and for what it’s worth I’m sorry you had to go through it all. And if you and Jon need anything in the next few weeks, just let me know. The kids will be busting to see him every moment they can, but I’ll keep visits restricted so he can rest.”

She laughed imagining already Romeo and Jake all over poor Jon. “It’s ok Dot, he’ll want to see his kids. I know he will and I won’t stop that. Hopefully if anything, things like that will keep his mind off anything work related, as he has to rest” She knew it was a tall order for him. But she’d try and help anyway that she could.

Dot snorted “Good luck to you honey. I’ve known the man for years and never once succeeded without coming into nearly blows with him”

Jesse motioned for her to walk with her out, closing the door behind them she pressed the lift button. “God I know, he’s going to drive me insane. Men are bad enough at being patients but Jon? Well he’s a special breed all by himself right?” she turned to ask her.

“Uh huh, you can say that again. Just don’t give in. He’ll push you and he’ll probably want to make you pull your hair out. But just remember, he’s just no good doing nothing. Never has been. Not even as a young man” they both walked into the lift and waited for the doors to close.

“I’ll remember that” she was looking forward to having him home though. Somewhere she knew he was safe. It still hadn’t been determined what would happen to Jason. She’d not seen him. She’d given some thought to going and see him, call it stupid but she needed some form of closure on the subject. She no longer loved him and after what he did to Jon she couldn’t care all that much for him. But there was something still tugging on those heart strings inside of her for him.

Once out in the lobby she turned to Dot “Thanks for coming Dot, I’m glad you did. And get the kids to call tonight. He’d love to hear from them. If you want to bring them over that’s ok too, Anytime. I mean that” she said reaching out and touching her arm.

Dot smiled “You know, when we first met something deep inside me wanted me to hate you. Not because of that fact you’d moved on with Jon. It was the way he looks at you. He never in the whole time we were together, looked at me like he looks at you Jesse.”

Jesse was taken a back; did she really just say that? “Well thank you Dot. I’m sure it’s just different though. People could say the same thing about Jason. I think that when its love second time around it’s different because you appreciate it more. Knowing how much it hurt to lose it the first time.”

Dot nodded “I think you’re right. He loves you Jess, and I still care about him so do me a favour and look after him”

Jesse grinned “I know that, and I love him. More than he probably knows”

“Take care Jess, we’ll talk later. Give my love to Jon” and with that she was gone.

Jesse couldn’t help but let the smile break over her face. She knew it took a lot for a woman like Dot to openly admit that. Everything was going to be ok. She rubbed her finger around her ring and sighed. She would do anything to make sure Jon recovered and got the rest he needed. Anything. She’d already arranged for the two weeks off work. She’d be working from home keeping in the habit of emails and phone calls, working on pieces in between. But she was confident George could take care of things for her at the office sufficiently.

The drive uptown to the hospital was quick and soon she was clicking her heels along the bland corridors happy to know she wouldn’t be coming back here for what would hopefully be a long time.

She tapped her knuckles against the door before striding in. Jon was sitting up, dressed with his legs hanging over the bed. “Hey gorgeous” she gave him a gentle kiss on the forehead. Rubbing her thumb lightly down his cheek she whispered. “You’re looking a lot better” some of the bruising had already started to go down. He still looked like Jake and Romeo had attacked him with a red and purple marker set but it was am improvement.

“Hey Jess, I’m feeling so much better and can I tell you I’m so fuckin’ glad I’m going home” he leaned forward and stroked her lips with his tongue before kissing her. He pulled her by the waist in close to him in-between his legs as the kiss deepened.

“I know you are baby, hospitals are the pits and I’m so glad you’re coming home too. Time for me to dust off that nurse’s outfit” she said with a gleam in her eye. His eyebrow quirked and the smirk set against his lips.

“You have one on those?” he asked gliding his hands down to cup her ass through the denim of her jeans before he slipped his hands in her back pockets.

“I’m not telling. You’ll just have to wait and see” she winked “And be a good boy”

He rolled his eyes and laughed “I’m always good”

“Sure you are” she hooked her thumbs inside the collar of his v-neck feeling the soft cashmere on her skin. One last kiss and she pulled away “So are you all ready to go?” she asked.

“Yep – I’ve been given the all clear. Have to come back in a week for a check up but I’m more than read to go” he attempted to shift off the bed but she stopped him.

“Let’s get you a wheelchair”

“Hell no, I can manage” he tried to push against her hands on his shoulders but winced when he tried as a small tinge of pain shot up his sternum.

“See? This is what I mean Jon, I’m getting an orderly to get us a chair, now don’t move” she said, her eyes growing flat and serious.

He gritted his teeth and mumbled something that was inaudible.

“What?” she asked him crossing her arms.

He sighed “Nothing just get the orderly” he snapped.

She bit back a chuckle. Good god, it was going to be a long two weeks. She found an orderly and soon they had Jon in a chair and she was on her way to the car with him. He’d pulled on a cap and slipped on some sunglasses to ensure that he’d go unnoticed as media had already been tipped off that he was leaving the hospital today.

Once she had he strapped in the car she clicked in her own seat belt and plugged her key in. He looked so miserable, his eyes were dull and his whole body just sagged. He was a little broken so it was expected but she longed to see her Jon, in the way she loved and the way she knew he loved. Full of life and full of confidence.

She reached out and grabbed his hand “It’s going to be ok” she gave it a small squeeze.

He looked across at her and lifted her hand to his lips pressing a kiss against it. “I know Jess, it’s just going to take me a bit to get used to it. I’m going to be an asshole some days. You know that don’t you?” his lips curled into a small smile.

She managed a small chuckle “Oh I know, believe me. I’m prepared” she said remembering the conversation with Dot earlier. She’d do whatever it took to get him back to his normal self. Anything.