CHAPTER 11

~ "Like Riding a Bicycle" ~

The first night in Seaside was pretty chill after Nicole had taken Deena with her and Jenni to the same bridal shop they went to find Nicole's dress at. They had their own moment while there and then came back to the house for a first night dinner.

Tonight they switch it up. The girls are at Jenni and Rogers with the Kids while the guys have their own night at Jionni and Nicole's. They sit around having drinks on the deck outside, while Jionni grills.

Jionni closes the grill back and sits down as Roger turns to Pauly where they are seated.

Roger, "So I know you were raggin on Ronnie about Sam at the surprise engagement party Jenni and I had but uh…what about you? You joinin' the bling club, and by that I mean, you givin Deena a rock soon?"

Pauly, "You just said you sold a lung and a kidney for that rock Jenni's got. So why would I want to become a donor?"

They laugh and Roger continues.

"Well come on, you already got one up on me and Jenni. You got the Kid. You also have the House now. What are you waitin for?"

Pauly, "I don't know what you've heard but Deena and I are not an item."

Jionni smiles, "That's not what Nicole says."

Roger laughs a little and Pauly shakes his head.

"I don't care what the girls talk about, they're girls, they're gonna say shit like that in front of each other."

He continues.

"I'm tellin you as a man, that we are not in a relationship period."

Roger, "…and I'm tellin you as a man with a little more experience that I've been where you are now. I mean, not with the Kid of course but think about life outside of work."

He continues.

"I know what you do, you are lovin it and livin the life but I see it in you now Pauly. You're startin to want that stability. It's why you got the house right?"

Pauly, "Yeah. I originally got the place so that I could have one place to come home to after work. I planned to stay in Vegas for a long time, still have thoughts of that wherever things take me."

Pauly continues.

"Then, I started thinking about my daughter. (In thought now) I'd do anything for that little girl. She's my world…I always say that. The house is for her now, so I can have her with me. I'm jus glad Deena came around to seein' it that way too."

Roger, "So now think about when you spin your last record…Besides Pauleena, who else is gonna be there? She's not gonna be with you forever. Are you just gonna keep workin for the rest of your life?"

Pauly, "No. I'm settin things up so that I can retire at your age."

They laugh and Roger responds.

"Well, at my age I never thought I'd want to leave the lifestyle you have…but then you reach my age and you meet a Jenni…"

Jionni smirks and drinks his beer. He's heard this story before.

Roger, "I can't see my life now without Jenni. (Pointing to Jionni) This guy right here will tell you that the last thing I wanted to do was get that ring and propose."

Jionni, "Nicole was rabid about Roger not proposing."

Roger continues, "Yeah. Then one day it hit me that she's the one. Hell, I'm no different than any one of those guys on the Shore. We're us! I've had the girls in the clubs, the cocktail waitresses, the dancers, the strippers, whatever you wanna call 'em…"

Pauly laughs but listens.

"…but I've got the perfect girl. She is the stripper on the outside, but it's what's underneath that I can take home."

Jionni, "…and you know what I go through with Nicole but at the end of the day, my Mom loves her, my whole Family loves her and I may not tell her a lot…that I know she's a good girl."

Pauly, "Well you had us fooled in the past Jionni. I gotta tell ya."

Jionni, "I know but I love Nicole and she gave me my son, so I'll always love her."

Now that Pauly can relate to. He will always love Deena for giving them Pauleena but he still cannot comprehend marriage.

Roger, "Just think about it Pauly. How many more DTF's are you gonna go through before you just get sick of the shit. Your luck eventually runs out with that shit and you get yourself into more trouble than it's worth. Especially when you're famous."

Jionni, "Yeah. Girls just want you for your looks, their own fantasies, and what you can give them. Be with someone you know and can trust."

Just then Pauly's phone goes off. He looks at it and it's…Angel. That's definitely not the omen he is looking for. He ignores it and keeps talking with the guys. Soon enough they eat.

-The Next Day-

It is the third day in Seaside and the day is spent doing what they used to do on the Shore. Pauly got to see the Boardwalk again and they hang out without all the crazy that used to go with it though.

They even visited their old Boss Danny at the Shore Store. Danny was thrilled to see the housemates and even more thrilled to rag on Pauly and Deena as parents. He already got his chance with Nicole. Danny even revealed that he has a baby now, a little girl. Everyone showed pictures of everyone and then they continued on with their day.

It is getting close to nightfall and everyone couples off. The Kids are with Jionni's Mom but Nicole and Jionni decide to head back home anyway. They said they'll meet Deena and Pauly there. Roger and Jenni will drop them off.

Deena and Pauly are on their own now talking.

Pauly, "It's so weird bein here. After the storms, I neva thought I'd be back here and it's here you know what I mean?"

Deena, "I know but I'm glad it's not lost forever. We've had a lot of great memories here."

Pauly, "I'm surprised you remember most of them. You and Nicole were always fallin down drunk on the pavement. That's the memories I have."

Deena, "Shut up. Although I can't deny that it is weird bein here sober."

They find a bench to sit on now.

"We picked a good day to come here. Not a lot of people to bother us."

Pauly, "It's not the weekend yet that's why."

Deena, "Speaking of weekend. Are you at Haze again? I forgot."

Pauly, "No, I'm at the Mandalay Bay. I'm back at Haze at the end of this month."

They are quiet and Pauly speaks up again.

"I wasn't gonna say anything but I may be getting some time off."

Deena, "When?"

Pauly, "After this month in October."

Deena nods and then Pauly continues.

"I was thinkin…that maybe we could take that Guido road trip you were talkin about."

Deena looks at him, "Really?!"

Pauly smiles, "Yeah. I gotta make sure I get the time off though."

Deena bounces in her spot and then she leans over to hug Pauly. Pauly laughs and then the same feelings come back to him like the ones when they were at the house and ended up kissing.

Deena must feel it too because she slightly moves away from Pauly. She can't help but to catch his eyes.

It is quiet between them when Pauly's phone goes off. He laughs a little when Deena jumps. He takes it out and looks at it. It is Angel again. He doesn't answer and Deena says something.

"Aren't you gonna answer it? It could be important."

Pauly, "It's not. If it's not my manager, the guys, or the Label, then it's not about work."

Deena, "What about me?"

Pauly, "You're Fam', of course I'm pickin up."

Deena gets a little feeling in her gut. She was hoping he would say something else but she shakes it off.

Sensing his calls could be an all night thing. Pauly silences his ringer. He then continues talking with Deena until the night ends on the Boardwalk.

A/N: Marvelous Monday Everyone! Posting first thing in the morning for me! Luv the guy talk in this Chap but I want u all to have a voice. Let me know where you think things are headed and we will revisit this soon enough.