Chapter 83 - It's Been A Long and Lonley Ride

There wasn't much mention of the baby over the next several days.  Monica was focused on getting better and getting back home to New Jersey.  She was worried about her fish.  Who was feeding her fish and her plants?

On the day that she is to be released, they went over her discharge instructions and was ordered, rather harshly that she is not to go on an airplane.  The pressure within the cabin could rupture the mend in her brain, causing serious trouble 30,000 feet in the air. 

Upon hearing that, Jon decided that they would rent an RV and a driver and they would be driven home.  He wasn't letting her take a risk, even though that when the doctor left, she said she was flying home.  "Babe, we are not flying!  You heard what the doctor said."

"Jon, it will take days to get home.  I want to get home."  she whines a little bit, getting irritated with the nurse that's unwrapping her head. 

"You heard the doctor, and quite honestly babe - it's no longer open for discussion."

She shoots him a look.  "Fine, can you gather my things so we can get out of her as soon as Dr. Carrier says that I can leave?"

"It's all ready packed." he smiles at her, loving that he is one step in front of her and has everything under control.

"When will our chariot arrive?" she questions, hoping that he doesn't know.  Him in control was a new thing for them, and she's not sure that she likes it.

"There is a taxi waiting to take us to it." he reaches down and rubs her foot, "Will you stop worrying and let me take care of this, babe?"  he winks at her and then follows it with his infectious smile. 

"Fine."  The nurse is done and Monica is able to see the wound on the side of her head.  "Thank God they didn't shave my head."

"But they shaved enough, you need a haircut now."  He's laughing at the bald spot on the side of her head.  When the nurse leaves, he moves in closer and takes a look.  "Oww, only five staples.  That's not too bad."

They get ready and as they are about to walk out the door, they are met by Dr. Carrier, "Whoa, not so fast."  Monica feels like her get away has been halted and she hopes it's just for something simple or maybe just a form that she needed to sign.  "Mrs. Bongiovi, I also went ahead and scheduled a follow up appointment with Dr. Farrell in New Jersey, once you get back.  He can take the staples out and do a wound check for me.  He is also the one that will give you the okay to travel and go back to work."  He hands her a piece of paper that has all of the information and then tells her, "You are free to leave."

They say their goodbyes and Jon and Monica leave the Las Vegas hospital and get into the cab that Jon said was waiting for them.  In the cab, he tells the driver, "We need to go to Leisure Life RV, out on Route 43."

The driver nods and they are on their way to the RV that's waiting for them, along with a driver.  In Jon's mind, the next seven or so days will be a little honeymoon.  They will travel across the country, stopping at various places and they will enjoy the alone time that they have.  He knows that he needs to hit the road soon after they get back to New Jersey.

Settled in and on their way to New Jersey, Monica goes in the back and lays down.  It wasn't too long and Jon joined her.  She was comfortable in the bed, just a t-shirt and underwear, under the down comforter in the air conditioned cooled bedroom.  Jon drops his jeans and climbs in with her, "How are you feeling?"

She rolls on her back and looks at him, "I'm quite sleepy, actually.  Must be the medicine that they gave me just before I left."

"Go to sleep then."

"Will you lay with me?" she asks, "At least stay with me until I fall asleep?"

He laughs, "I'm taking a nap with you.  Being out of the hospital is freeing and I would love to hold you while we both take a nap."  He kisses her nose, "Go to sleep."

She smiles and turns over, with her back to him and melts into him.  He holds her close and the two of them are asleep, in just a matter of minutes.

Along the way, they stopped in Salt Lake City, Denver, Chicago and various other places along the way.  Monica wasn't up for much sight seeing, but she did what she could handle.  She knows it means a lot to Jon and she put on her happy face.  They ate at quaint little dinners and for the most part, Jon wasn't recognized.   There was one incident where they thought they were spotted, but he quickly dismissed it and they went on about their business.

The trip took seven days and it was one of the best things that they could have done.  All of that alone time worked wonders for their relationship and Monica tells Jon, "Even though I fought you on this, it was amazing.  I have gotten to know you all over again.  I love you Jon."

His hear melts and he admits, "This has been very therapeutic for me after all of those weeks in the hospital.  It's great to be out and about with you and only you.  I am so thankful that you made it through and with only that one scar.  I really thought I lost you."

"The only way that you can get rid of me now is to divorce me, sucker." she jokes, she knows that that will never happen.  He loves her way too much.  "What happens when we get home?"

"What do you mean?"

"When do you have to hit the road?  I vaguely remember that you have dates coming up soon."

"I had to cancel a bunch that I need to make up, but the next scheduled on is in Jersey, sometime next week.  I don't have my schedule with me."

"I can go to that, right?" she smiles, knowing that he is the key holder to what she can and cannot do.

"With head phones, yeah,  you can go."

"Headphones, screw that.  I want to take pictures."

"You can do that from your seat."

"A seat, I will not sit in a seat and you know that."

He takes a deep breath, "I promised the doctor, our families and you that I would do whatever it takes to keep you safe.  Monica, you were sleeping for almost 5 weeks, there will be no work for a while."

"I'm not sitting in a seat like a fan and I'm not wearing headphones." she's adamant about both.