Chapter 60 - I Hope You'll Say Nothing's Changed

The family spent a week of stress free family time in St. Bart's and that is exactly what they needed.  The fun in the sun was the best medicine that any of them could have asked for. 

They took family walks, swam like they were fish, ate picnic style on the beach, did a little jet skiing, some rock climbing, but most of all, they were together and they were happy.

It was the night before they were leaving to head back to New Jersey and get back into their life.  The life that they are happy with and Jon thinks that once her and Beth marry, they will be complete.  They met in the grand living room for dinner, Jon, Beth and the kids, including Pete.  Jon looked at his family from the head of the table and couldn't help but smile.  He's in paradise with all of the people that he loves the most in the world.

The kids were a little antsy because they knew they had to leave in the morning and none of them wanted to leave, but they know that it's inevitable.  "Dad, when can we come back?"  Jesse asks as he hands Beth the bowl of mashed potatoes, "I wish we could stay longer."

Jon answered him with, "We can come back at Christmas like we always do, but you can come here when ever you want Jess, you're old enough."

He nods his head, "I know, and I've been here without the family before and it's just not the same."

"Well, plan on Christmas then."

"Dad, I want to go to Disney for Christmas!"  Romeo blurts out, with a mouth full of grilled asparagus.  He covers his mouth when he sees that he's spitting food as he talks.

Beth joins the conversation and tells Romeo, "I was thinking that we could do that for your birthday?!"

"Okay!' he easily agrees, as long as he knew he was going to Disney.  "Can I bring a friend?"

Jon takes the conversation here and tells Romeo, "Let's wait until we get a little closer to Christmas before we think about that."  He winks at his son.

Romeo nods his head with a smile and continues eating his dinner.  The family continued to enjoy their dinner together, up until Jon's cell phone rang.  The no cell phone at the dinner table rule only applies to the kids.  With a disgusted look on his face, Jon leaves the dinner table and fetches his cell phone from the counter.  He flips open his case and sees that it's a call from Paul.  He declines it, knowing Paul will leave a message and he will take care of it later.

Back at the table, Jon joins his family as they are in the middle of a conversation about their vacation.  They were discussing what they like best and what they dislike.  From what Jon and Beth could tell, the kids had a great time on this vacation and that pleases both of them.

The children are all nestled in bed, with the twins being the last to go down.  Together, Jon and Beth got them ready and put them into bed.  As they were leaving the small nursery style room off the master bedroom, they see Pete sitting on the couch with her laptop.  Jon, with Beth's hand in his, stop at Pete, "Pete, would you mind listening for the twins?  I'd like to take Beth on a walk along the beach."

"I don't mind at all."  She smiles up at Beth.

"Thanks Pete, we won't be long."  Beth shows the loyal friend her gratitude, leading the way out the door to the beach.

Jon and Beth are walking side by side, hand in hand.  Beth rests her head on Jon's shoulder and says, "This is the best idea we have had in a very long time."

"It is, isn't it?" he kisses the top of her head, dropping her hand to wrap his arm around her, "I'm so glad that it all worked out and we all had a great time."

"The kids had a blast." Beth states, "And so did I."  Her arms goes around his waist and together they walk the beach, toward the full moon that lit the way.

"Hey."

"Yeah?"  Beth looks to him, "What?"

He stops and turns her to face him.  She can see him reach into his back pocket and she really doesn't give it a thought until he gets down on one knee, with her hand in his.  She figures out what is about to happen and she starts to cry.  But she can't say a word.

"Beth Ann, from the moment I met you, I knew I had to have you.  And through all of the ups and down, the ins and the outs, the back and forth and all of the heartache, I still knew that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you.  Since you have been in my life, you truly have inspired me to be the best man and father that I can be.  You, without even trying, have carved your name in my heart and in the hearts of my children, and from this point on - I can't even imagine my life without you in it, for even one day."  He holds out the Platinum 2  - Carat ring, that she has had her eye on for months, "Beth Ann, will you marry me and make me the most complete man on the planet?"

Beth is looking down at him, with tears streaming down her face. She nods her head yes, with the first whole hearted genuine smile she has shared with him since they found their way back to one another, "Yes, yes I will marry you!"

Jon slides the ring on her finger, which fits perfectly.  She looks at it as he stands and when they are face to face, she kisses him with a fresh kiss, that's comes from a place within her that needed to be opened from being completely happy.  She is with him, where she belongs and they have the family back together again and she is determined to keep it that way.

They stand on the beach in a long embrace, only to be broken when a couple of joggers jog by.  They were startled, and brought back to reality by them as they ran by.  Jon kisses her nose and takes her hand that holds his ring, "Do you want to head back or walk down the beach farther?"

"Let's walk."

And they did, hand in hand and then arm in arm.