Chapter 69

“Kimberly? Is that you?” Dorothea tried to spot the young woman behind a huge gift basket when she opened the door.

“Yeah, hi Dorothea. Could you guide me, so I can put it down? I barely see where I’m going.”

“Sure, here let me help you.” Together they carried the basket into the kitchen and placed it on the table.

“What are you already doing here?” Dot wondered.

They were all celebrating Thanksgiving together in the house in Red Bank. She told Kimberly that she would do all the preparations, so Kim didn’t need to worry about it besides her job. Kim tried to protest, but Dorothea didn’t wanna hear any of it.

“Well, I’m pretty sure there’s something I can help you with. I know how much work it is to prepare Thanksgiving for such a big family. It’s just not my style to sit around and wait.” Kim said.

“Oh, it’s not that much. Jon will deep fry the turkey later and that’s it.” Dot tried to play it down, but secretly appreciated her offer.

“Yeah, right. It’s only the turkey.” Kim replied dryly. “I bet there are several pies, stuffing, rolls and Lord knows what else in the fridge.” Dot grinned.

“Actually I still need to bake the rolls and two pies.”

“I knew it.” Kim grinned. Dot shook her head smiling.

“Thanks for coming. Does Jon know?” She wondered.

“Well, he will, when Jake and Romeo wake him up and show him my note.” Kim chuckled.

The two boys were already awake when she left the apartment and promised her to wake Jon exactly at 7:30 am. She knew she could count on them, when Romeo placed the clock from the kitchen on the dining room table and wouldn’t miss a single movement of the hands.

“He’s gone love it.” Dorothea chuckled too.

“So, who’s that present basket for? Jon’s parents?” she asked.

“No, actually…it’s for you.” Kim told her.

“For me?” Dot looked at her surprised.

“Yeah, you had all the work to get this done, I thought you might need something to relax a bit in the next couple days.” Kim explained a little nervous. She hoped Dorothea would like it.

“You are unbelievable…” Slowly Dot walked closer to the huge basket and inspected it. It held three bottles of wine, one white and two red, chocolate truffles and other chocolate as well as cheese and biscotti, which would all highlight the great wines together with some smoked almonds.

“Thanks so much, Kimberly.” She gave the blond woman a hug and tried not to get all emotional. Nobody ever gave her something like this. It was always her who was composing such wonderful presents for others.

“Glad you like it.” She smiled happily. “And…I know it’s maybe a little odd, but…I’m Kim.”

“Hi Kim, I’m Dot.” The reply came without any hesitation. Both women laughed lightly.

“How about I give you a short tour of the house before we start with the baking. And we can wake Steph and Jess, they have some things to do too today.” Dot suggested.

“Ok, let’s go.”

Together they toured the house and Dot showed her the huge backyard with the river. She explained that even though Jake and Romeo could both swim and were no longer toddlers there were rather strict rules how close they could go to the river.

She pointed out Jon’s pub, the studio and the guest house and knew Jon would show her all this later on his own.

“So, Jon is using the guest house and you stay in the main house when you are here together?” Kim asked when they walked upstairs to the different bedrooms.

“Yeah, but it happens only once or twice a year that we are here together. The same goes for the Hampton house. Normally we tell each other and take the kids, you know.” Kim nodded.

“Ok, this is Jon’s room.” Dot pointed at one door, but didn’t open it. Kim hesitated.

“It’s ok. Check it out. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t mind.” Dot said softly and remained at the open door when Kim risked a short glance into the room. The light wall color was a strong contrast to the deep brown furnisher and carpet. She didn’t spot any accessories or extra pillows, just some framed pictures of the kids. Kim searched for Dot’s eyes when she closed the door again.

“He re-did the whole room after we separated. I sleep down the hall, when I’m here.” She answered the unspoken question. Kim only nodded.

After they woke up the kids and Kim admired Steph’s new short haircut, which she got only two days ago, the two women started their preparations in the kitchen.

They were already working for quite a while, when the front door opened.

“Kimi, are you here?” Jon yelled.

“Kitchen.”

Jon rounded the corner and found his girlfriend and ex-wife mixing dough. He couldn’t help the huge smile that spread across his face.

“Good morning, ladies.” He greeted them each with a kiss after his two youngest sons said hello to their mother. Dot and Kim grinned at each other and waited for Steph’s grand entrance.

“Hi Dad.” Steph’s voice made Jon turn around and the smile faded. Dot watched Jon interested while Kim had problems keeping her laughter in check.

He stepped closer to his daughter and carefully ran his hand through her short blond hair. He sighed deeply and searched his daughters eyes.

“Do you like it, babygirl.”

“Yeah, I love it, dad.” She replied smiling happily.

“You look beautiful, Steph.” He kissed her cheek softly and pulled her into a hug. She looked so grown up with it. He knew he needed some time to get used to her new look.

“Thanks dad.” Steph beamed and immediately started begging him to let her go with him to the SNL recording in two weeks, so she could meet Taylor Lautner. Jon wasn’t very happy about her idea, but when Kim told him she would be there as well and Dorothea agreed, he didn’t have any more saying in it.

He sighed deeply when his little girl rushed off to call her girlfriends and share the big news.

“I thought you wanted to get used to her growing up. Having a boyfriend or a crush goes with it, baby.” Kim said softly and gave him a short hug. She didn’t wanna show too much affection when Dorothea was around. It just didn’t seem right.

“Yeah, I know. I think I don’t mind her having a boyfriend…” the two women looked at him sceptical. “…really!...I …I just don’t want her having a celebrity as a boyfriend…the pap-rats would show no mercy. I think that’s something she doesn’t need.”

Kim and Dot couldn’t really argue with that and Kim promised she wouldn’t let any photographer close to Steph during SNL.

Just when all the preparations were done and Jon had set up everything to deep fry the turkey on the patio the other family members arrived and Kim got nervous.

His brothers and their wives greeted her warmly, especially after they realised that Dot and her were getting along quite well. His father had a short but very investigating talk with her and seemed satisfied that she had a job and a life besides his son.

His mother was a totally different story though. Right from the moment she greeted Kimberly she was cold and repellent. Kim tried to get into a conversation with her to give her a chance to get to know her and maybe wash away any worry she might have, but Carol didn’t wanna talk to her. She only shot disapproving glances in her direction and seemed really unhappy about the outfit Kim chose for today.

Finally Kim gave up. She had no idea why Jon’s mother didn’t wanna talk to her or what could be wrong about the dark trousers and the purple long sleeved top she’d wore today. It was totally appropriated in front of the kids, it didn’t show anything at all and besides she knew she had the figure to wear it.

When the kids had left to watch a movie and Jon wanted to leave the house to fry the turkey his mother pulled him aside.

“I don’t like her Johnny. Such a blond girl, she is probably only after your money.” Jon stared at her for a second before erupting into loud uncontrolled laughter.

Every conversation in the room stopped dead and all were looking at him expectant.

“I don’t think it’s funny, Jon!” his mother told him sternly.

“Oh, mom…believe me, it is…it is terribly funny.” He looked at Kim.

“She thinks you are only after my money, blondie.” And burst into laughter again. Kim tried to keep a stern face. She should be offended by his mother’s words after all, but Jon’s laughter was infectious.

“Can someone tell me, what’s so damn funny.” His mother got angry.

“Well, mom if you would have talked to Kim, you would know that she is a pediatrician at a hospital in New York and not a stupid blond girl.” Jon pointed out and kissed Kim on her cheek. She smiled stalwart.

“You are a doctor?” Carol was surprised. Kim nodded. No need to tell her that she was planning to quit her job.

“Yeah, mom and a pretty good one I might add.” Kim blushed a  little at his praise.

“Besides…she aces me out when it comes to money about… what? Ten, twelve times.” He searched Kim’s eyes for confirmation. They never talked about how much money each of them had. But he knew she was way out of his league.

Everybody in the room except Dorothea gasped surprised at his statement. She was the only who knew who Kim’s parents were.

“Probably more, baby…I had two good weeks.” Kim replied dryly.

“Ha! I knew you were a pretty good catch!” Jon stated and pulled her close for a long kiss.