Chapter 154

The album was released on September 19th, one week before Jon and Monica's vow renewal ceremony was to take place.  Between an album launch and a vow ceremony Monica was about at wits end.  She had all of that going on, plus finishing the rockumentary for Rick.

She had spent weeks trying to get every detail right, from the guest list to the food, to the decorations and even the security.  The people that they wanted to invite add up to more than they budgeted for.  They sat in the living room, Jon leaned back, his feet on the coffee table.  They just had a small dinner together out in their backyard on the patio, getting back to where they used to be; one step at a time.  Monica is laying on the opposite end of the couch, her feet propped up on the back of the couch.  "Babe, we need to slim the guest list."

"By how many?" he responds, rubbing her feet, helping her relieve some of her stress.  

"Well, for us, it's a vow renewal and for others it's our actual wedding."

"I get that."

"But we need to slim it down by like a 100 people."

"Can I see it?" he asks, having no idea where she hid the wedding bible.  The wedding bible is the look book that Monica put together with her must haves and her wants.  "Or is it top secret?"

She leans over and drags her pocket book off the coffee table and rummages around to find the most current guest list.  She hands it to him.  

He scans it quick and asks, "Why aren't your parents on the list?"

"Momma was pissed when we got married and I've seen her what, three times since the accident.  They don't deserve to be there."

"Babe, that's your mom and dad."

"NO Jon." and she was adamant. He can see it in the crinkle of her lips.

Jon knows she means business, and he knows it's best to let it lay.  He looks over the list again and has to admit, "There isn't anyone on the list that I don't want there."

"We need to slim it down, we are way over budget."

He kind of chuckles, "Budget?"  He sits forward, resting his chin on her knee, "You don't have a budget.  Plan the wedding that you want, it's going to be your only one."

Jon takes another look and just shakes his head.  "No one?"  she questions him hard.  "I don't want this to be a big ordeal."

"Leave the guest list as, babe.  And add Alec's parent."  He nudges her with his foot.  "This is your only wedding, make it the wedding of your dreams."

"So we can pay for it for the rest of our lives?"  She exhales, knowing that he's right, but her practical side is over taking her.  

"So what if we do, but we won't...."  He sits up to get closer to her.  "We aren't in the poor house, babe.  We can afford this.  Plan the wedding that you want."  His lips find the crown of her head, "Make this all about you, all about us."  She leans in, finding comfort in the details.  His lips on her.  That was quite often what calmed her in their numerous storms.

"I don't want this to be a big ordeal, just a simple vow ceremony and that's it."  She firmly states, rolling on her side, taking the fetal position.  "We're only doing this for friends and family."

"And me."  he admits.  "I want a celebration of our love, with our family and friends.  I want the world to see how much I love you."  He smoothly slides in behind her and spoons her as they lay there on the couch.  "I can't say that I always wanted a big wedding, but I do now."  His voice, gentle in her ear.

"But with all of those people?  So many are strangers to us."

"But they're all important to us, as are your mom and dad."

"I'm not inviting them."  She states, without hesitation.  "and you better not."  She rolls her head to look back at him, "promise me you won't."

He gives her the smile that she needed to feel confident that he won't.  She knows that he can't understand her reason why and she also knows that he'll respect her decision.  With a peck on the forehead he assures her, "I promise."

They spent the rest of the evening the best way they could.  Together.

The road for their recovery from adultery leaves nothing to be desired.  Their schedules consume most of their time and when they're together, those are the moments that matter most.  

As she tries to forgive Jon and leave that memory in the past, at times she feels herself getting upset about it.  She finds that when she thinks about it, it literally takes her breath away.   

Jon and the band have had rehearsal after rehearsal.  So much in fact, they decided that they need  small break from one another.