Chapter 30

Cilla frowned as she looked over her notes for a cake she was doing for a wedding that Saturday. Jon hadn’t called her last night. She had waited as long as she could before finally letting herself go to sleep and he hadn’t called. She was so lost in thought that she jumped when the door bounced open and Sid walked in. “Good morning Cil” he sang out as dropped the newspaper on the table in front of her.

She looked up at him, “what’s this?” He smirked, “the newspaper.” Cilla watched as he went to get his apron, “why are you bringing me your paper?” Sid tied the apron behind his back and flipped the paper open to page 6, “you made the paper girlfriend.”

She looked down and sure enough, there was a picture of her and Jon walking out of the restaurant that weekend, complete with a short caption. “Oh God.” She turned to find Sid smiling at her, “what?” She shoved the paper at him, “did you read the caption?” He shook his head, “no, I was too excited to see your picture in the paper. What does it say?”

Cilla picked up the paper again, “Soho-dwelling rocker Jon Bon Jovi spotted leaving Waverly’s Restaurant with an unknown woman. Bon Jovi and this same woman were spotted earlier in the day shopping on the streets of Soho. They looked quite cozy.” She looked up at Sid, “there’s a picture of us looking at some books at one of the street vendors and holding hands too.” Looking back at the paper she continued. “Has Bon Jovi found a new leading lady or is she just” Cilla winced “Living on a Prayer?”

Sid grabbed the paper back from Cilla and tossed it in the recycle bucket, “what the hell do they know. Damn vultures.” Cilla smiled, she could always count on Sid to make her smile when she wanted to cry. “Thanks.” He patted her shoulder, “don’t you worry about the press. They’re bigger pains in the ass then they're worth. I bet Jon doesn’t know about this. Matter of fact, I bet he doesn’t even care about it.”

Cilla stood and grabbed a tray of muffins, “oh, I don’t know about that. I’m sure if he hasn’t seen it yet that he will soon enough.” Sid shrugged and grabbed another tray, “so what? He’s got to be used to it by now.” They went out front to load the cases, “I know Sid, but still…” she stopped, turning to face Sid a look of near horror on her face, “how long do you suppose I have before they figure out who I am?”

Sid stacked the now empty trays, “probably not that long.” He nudged her, hoping for a smile, “but just think how good it will be for business.” Cilla dropped her face to her hands, “just shoot me now, please.” Sid pushed her toward the kitchen, “go and have your meltdown in the back. I’m going to open up.”

Cilla was working on the flowers and extras for the cake, still wondering why Jon hadn’t called, when Sid poked his head around the door, “Cil, could you come out here for a minute please?” She stopped what she was doing “what’s the problem?” Sid rolled his eyes, he didn't want to tell her that Jon and his children were out front, “could you just come here please?”

With a sigh she wiped her hands, can’t he handle the customers? She pushed through the door and stopped. Sid was crouched next to the cookie jar handing a cookie to a little blonde-haired boy and Jon stood on the other side of the counter, his three other children beside him.

Jon was watching Romeo and didn’t notice Cilla right away so she took the time to study the group in front of her. The kids all resembled Jon, but his daughter looked remarkably like his ex-wife. Except for her eyes. They were all Jon. She glanced at the two boys, it seemed they had all inherited Jon’s amazing blue eyes.

When her gaze came back to Jon he was watching her watch him and his kids, “hi.” With a smile she came around the counter, “hi. What brings you in today?” Romeo moved back over by his dad, clinging to his leg. “We were in the neighborhood so I thought we’d stop. And Romeo wanted a cookie.” Cilla nodded and addressed the kids, “okay, what does everyone like?”

As the kids studied the long glass enclosed cases Steph sidled up to Cilla, “I’m Stephanie. You made my birthday cake, right?” Cilla nodded, “it’s nice to meet you Stephanie and yes, I did. I hope you liked it.” Stephanie smiled, “it was amazing. My friends still talk about it. I think dad gave all their moms your card too.” Cilla smiled, “I know, he told me. I’m just waiting for the phone calls.”

She felt a tug on her pant leg. Looking down she peered into yet another pair of blue eyes. She crouched down slightly, “well hi there handsome. Who might you be?” Jake looked her up and down, “Jake. Do you have any cookies with M & M’s in them?” Cilla shook her head, “I’m sorry Jake, I didn’t make any like that today. How about chocolate chip?”

When she stood she found one more pair of blue eyes on her, “you must be Jesse.” Jesse nodded, “Yeah. Is that just a regular brownie?” She looked at where he was pointing, “no, that’s not just any regular old brownie, that’s a special brownie.” She smiled at the boy. “Do you like chocolate and peanut butter?” Jesse nodded his head, “oh yeah.” Cilla chuckled, “then I think you’ll like this.”

She went behind the case, “here” she handed him what appeared to be a brownie. In actuality it was a peanut butter cup encased in a brownie. With his first bite Jesse gave Cilla a big chocolaty smile, “awesome Ms. Preston, this is really good.” Cilla laughed, “it’s Cilla and I’m glad you like it.”

Jon watched as she talked to his kids. She didn’t push herself on them, didn’t force them to talk to her. They all seemed to be comfortable with her, all except Romeo. He was still clinging to Jon’s leg like a drowning man clinging to a life preserver. He reached down and pried Romeo’s fingers from his leg and picked him up, “what’s the matter big guy? Don’t you want to meet my friend?” Romeo shook his head, “no. Can we go now?”

Cilla approached Jon and Romeo, “everything okay over here?” She tried to engage Romeo but he just turned his head and wouldn’t say a word. Jon apologized for him. “I don’t know what his problem is. Usually he’s friendlier than this.” Cilla squeezed Jon’s free hand with hers, “it’s all right.” When Jon leaned down to kiss Cilla’s cheek Romeo squirmed and wiggled to get down. Jon’s lips landed somewhere in the vicinity of Cilla’s hair before he resituated Romeo on his hip, “what is the matter Rom?”

With a little hand on the side of Jon’s face Romeo turned his father’s head so he was looking right at him, “I want to go home now.” Jon sighed and turned to Cilla again, “sorry babe.” He turned his attention to his other kids, “did you all get what you wanted?” They all shook their heads, “okay." He turned to Cilla as he dug in his pocket for his wallet, "what're the damages?" She put a hand on his, "it's on the house." He searched her eyes, "you sure?" She nodded, "absolutely." He looked at his kids, "let’s go.”

Cilla watched as they all trouped out of her shop. Looking back at the clock she decided to close up a little early and locked the door behind them. She turned to find Sid watching her, “what?” Sid started to unload the cases, “what’s wrong?” She shook her head, “nothing. It’s just…” she let the thought go. Sid didn’t, “come on Cil. Something’s bothering you. It was the little one, wasn’t it?”

She grabbed a tray, “yeah. He wouldn’t even look at me. I don’t get it.” Sid shrugged and pushed through the door, “you’re not his mother.”