Chapter 6

It's a long one...enjoy!

Jon just gave Richie a pointed look letting him know to back off. Once breakfast was cleaned up, Jon suggested they nap. It was after all the middle of the night in London where they were landing first, and it would probably be best if everyone arrived as much as London time as possible. Especially Steph who wasn’t used to travelling overseas.

“Ok,” David said, “Me, Teek and Richie will take the compartments on the back of the plane. That leaves the bed in the front and the couch for you two.”

“I’ll take the couch,” Jon and Steph said at the same time.

The guys started laughing. “It is a big bed,” Richie said. “Probably big enough for the two of you.”

Steph stifled a yawn, and Jon grinned. “Rich is right Steph. The couch is comfortable and all, but not for good sleep. And you should be plenty rested for tomorrow.”

“So should you,” she said.

“Then it’s settled. We’ll both take the bed,” Jon said.

“Just try to keep the noise level down. We don’t want the captain to get distracted by you two,” Richie said.

“Don’t worry Rich,” Steph replied sweetly. “Jon’s anti-snoring pillow is with me, and it works wonders at keeping him quiet.”

All of the guys laughed except for Jon who let out a little pout.

“Ok guys, let’s get some sleep,” Jon said seriously.

They all parted and went their separate ways.

They went into their room for the rest of the flight and Jon pulled back the covers, and patted the spot next to him. “Come here. There’s plenty of room.”

“But I’m not all that tired,” Steph said. “A little tired, but I don’t feel like I’ll fall asleep any time soon.”

Jon clicked a remote and a screen came down. “Well then my lady. We can watch a movie until you fall asleep. I hope you like classics. I’ve got the Wizard of Oz.”

“You never cease to amaze me with your movie choices,” she said crawling into the bed next to him and propping herself up on the pillows. “I love this movie.”

“I like to watch it when I’m travelling. So I can remember that there is no place like home.”

“You’re such a sap. Who knew that the serious workaholic I met a couple of weeks ago was really a down to earth sap?”

You bring out the fun in me. I’m able to relax and enjoy myself more because of you, he thought. “I do have a fun side. It’s just that I’m always working, and for the past few months, it seemed that the only ones who saw the fun side to me were the fans. I guess I forgot what it was like to just have fun.”

“Ok, let’s watch the movie now, mister,” she said handing him a pillow, “Oh and here’s your anti-snoring pillow.”

“I. Do. Not. Snore,” he said.

“Oh, we are so going to record you,” she said.

“The guys have,” he replied with a grin. “I just destroy the tapes so no one knows.”

About a half an hour into the movie Steph fell asleep. She rolled over and snuggled against Jon, who wrapped his arms around her and gently kissed her forehead.

“Sleep well my angel,” he whispered softly. Within about 15 minutes he was asleep as well. About six hours later, he awoke to discover that she was still sound asleep in his arms. He smiled at the sight. Her long wavy hair was fanned out around her and she had a peaceful smile on her face as she slept. He didn’t want to wake her so he stayed put. He figured she needed the sleep. After all for the last two weeks all she did was work, and there had been a lot of late nights. He heard a soft knock on the door. He figured Richie would be up first. He was like him and the two of them never slept that much on the planes.

“Come in,” he said softly, hoping he wouldn’t wake her. She didn’t even stir.

Richie walked in and looked at the two of them and almost burst out laughing. “So much for breakfast in bed every morning.”

“Nothing happened man. She fell asleep and this is how she ended up,” Jon protested.

“Ok,” he whispered, “Fine. Then how come you’re over there with your arms all wrapped around her?”

“Well, it’s kind of habit when a beautiful woman falls asleep in my arms, that I snuggle back and when I woke this way, I didn’t want to move. I don’t want to wake her up.”

“Does she even realize the effect she has on you?” Richie whispered. “You’ve been like a whole new man.”

“No,” Jon said, “And we’re not going to tell her yet. Christ Rich, I’ve only known the girl a couple of weeks.”

“She is like such a breath of fresh air,” Richie said. “For all of us.”

Richie’s phone vibrated at him. He read the message and smiled. He wrote back to the person on the other end, and quickly deleted the messages just in case someone saw his phone. The last thing he needed was Jon finding out what was going on with him. It would definitely put him back into the dark days. He knew that they were ready for the divorce, but he also didn’t want Jon to know anything until he felt just as happy as him. Otherwise, he’d think it were a huge betrayal.

“New girlfriend?” Jon whispered.

“Maybe,” he said softly. “We’ll see.”

“Who is she? And when do I get to approve of this girl?”

“Not for a while. Want to keep things under wraps for a while,” he whispered.

“Fine,” he whispered back, thinking it was probably time to wake the sleeping angel in his arms, he sighed.

“I’ll leave you to it so you can wake her,” Richie whispered and left the room.

A few minutes later, a voice came over the intercom doing the job of waking Steph for him. “This is captain Tico speaking. We will be landing in approximately thirty minutes. You have 15 minutes to put your clothes back on and brush your hair and teeth and make yourselves look like you haven’t been having sex for the last 6 hours. Then you have to come out here and fasten your seatbelts and tell us all about it.”

Steph let out a soft groan. “I hope he’s not like this for the next three months.”

“Don’t worry babe,” Jon said with a grin. “They’re all like that. Don’t be surprised if you get wake up calls at three am from people saying they’re the hotel front desk. Or people knocking at your door at 6 am saying they’re housekeeping. Actually, the housekeeping thing is mine. I tend to get up early and hit the gym a lot and always go looking for company.”

“Joy,” she groaned and went to bury her face in his pillow but was surprised to find herself burying her face in his naked chest instead. She sat up quickly. “How did I end up there?”

Jon chuckled softly, but was also slightly disappointed to be releasing her from his arms. “You fell asleep, and then moved. Who am I to deny a beautiful woman in my arms?”

She blushed, slightly embarrassed. “I’m sorry. And here we thought this bed was big enough for both of us.”

“Don’t be sorry,” he said, “You needed the sleep.”

“Ok,” she said, getting up and pulling a t-shirt on over her tank top and running the brush through her hair. She went to the bathroom and quickly brushed her teeth. She walked out to find Jon standing there with a grin on his face, wearing a pair of jean shorts and still topless.

“What? Did I get toothpaste on my shirt or something?”

“I hope not,” he said. “That’s my shirt. This is your shirt. We actually had this made for you. The shirt you had on when we left is in your bag. Remember you put it there before we went to sleep?”

“Oops,” she said blushing again. “I guess I was still half asleep when I got dressed.”

“It’s ok. It looks better on you than it does on me.” He said as she slid the t-shirt on over her head and was back to wearing just the camisole tank top and shorts again. “Come on. You can open this out there. Time to fasten our seatbelts and watch London as we land.”

They walked to out to catcalls and whistles. “Guys,” she said. “It’s way too early for this. But thanks for the shirt.”

“Open it,” David said. “We had it made just for you.”

“Ok,” she said opening the package. Inside was a soft black t-shirt with the circle tour logo on the front. It was no different than any of the other t-shirts she’d seen at the four concerts she’d gone to that year. “This is um, nice guys.” She said holding it up. Then she burst out laughing. On the back of the t-shirt was a picture of the four of them and a quote that said, “You’re just jealous because I hang with them.”

“You like?” Richie said sounding like a little kid.

“I love it,” she said. “I’ll wear with pride.”

She slipped it on over her camisole and found it fit perfectly.

“It looks fantastic on you,” Tico said. “My wife would be jealous to know we hang with such a hottie.”

Jon just sat back and quietly watched them joking around. He was feeling slightly jealous of the guys and all of the attention they were lavishing on his PA. Which was ridiculous. Everyone knew she worked for him. Besides David and Tico were happily married and Richie has a mystery woman back home. He pushed the jealous thoughts to the back of his mind. “We figured we needed the perfect gift to initiate you into our group.”

“This is definitely perfect,” she said smiling happily. Before she sat down to fasten her seatbelt, she walked up to each of them and kissed them gently on the cheek, going to Jon last.

“The t-shirt is a one of a kind,” he whispered into her ear, “Like you.” She blushed and sat down at the only empty seat which the guys had made sure was next to Jon.

The landing in London was a little bumpy making Steph a little nervous. She didn’t mind flying, but hated when it was a little bumpy. Jon could sense she was scared and reached his hand out to her. “Here. Squeeze my hand so you’re not so scared.”

She felt a hesitant.

“Steph,” Richie said, “You can grab Jon’s hand if you’re scared. Hell if you weren’t sitting next to him, you could’ve grabbed either one of our hands.”

“Yeah, and you know fully well I don’t bite unless asked,” Jon said softly.

“Ok,” she said softly and took his hand in hers and sat back and closed her eyes.

“I didn’t know you were afraid to fly,” Jon said softly, gently stroking her hand.

“I’m not,” she said, “Just afraid of a little turbulence.”

“Understood,” he said. “We’re almost down. Probably about 5 minutes.”

The real captain just came on. “I apologize for the turbulence lady and gentlemen. It appears the London fog is making it a little bumpy. We should be hitting the runway in about 3 minutes.”

“A little turbulence? The old wooden roller coaster at Six Flags in Massachusetts is less bumpy than this,” Steph said.

The guys just laughed. “Yeah and when you come off of one of those you’re all bruised. At least you’re not bruised up from this,” David pointed out.

The plane finally touched the ground, and stopped in the private area where Steph had instructed the pilot to land. Steph just stood up quickly and grabbed hers and Jon’s suitcases. Most of his things that he would need would already be at the hotel, but they had each packed two small bags just in case.

“Steph,” Jon said, “Let me take one of those.”

“Yeah,” David said, “Make Jonny use his muscles.”

“Guys, they’re light,” she said. “I don’t mind carrying bags. Besides, they have wheels and the car is right down those steps.”

“Ok,” the guys relented. As they got off the plane Steph smiled. She was in London. She hoped to at least be able to see some of the sights of all of the cities they were going to. Jon had said there’d be some down time in each city. She sure hoped so.

She got to the bottom of the steps and the driver took their bags and they headed to the hotel. Steph instructed the guys to wait in the car while she checked them in. She quickly checked everyone in and handed out room keys. They were all on the same floor as well as most of the crew that would be arriving shortly. Jon was in the presidential suite and Steph was in the adjoining room per his request.

The guys all went to their rooms and Steph opened the door to her and was amazed at the view from the hotel. They were on the top floor of course and the views of London looked positively spectacular. She stepped out on to the balcony and breathed in the fresh air. The fog had lifted and the sun was shining. It was going to be a beautiful day. She smiled happily. She didn’t realize that a pair of eyes was watching her from the adjoining balcony. Yes even the balconies had a little gate connecting them. Jon walked over and tapped her on the shoulder causing her to jump a mile.

“Sorry,” he said, “Didn’t mean to scare you. I thought maybe you’d want to grab lunch with me out there before we have to be at the arena.”

“Sure,” she said. “Should I change?”

“Nah, I thought we might run and grab a bite and sit down in a little park over near Big Ben.”

“Sweet. Do you need me to call a car?”

“Nah,” he said again, “I figured it would be a good day for a walk around the city. But let’s get going before the guys all decide they want to go for a walk too.”

“Ok,” she said, grabbing her bag.

They got on the elevator and walked outside. Jon led the way as he knew London well. They walked by the venue as it was on the way, where they saw some people waiting in line trying to get last minute tickets for the show. Jon lowered his head and the brim of his baseball cap as they walked. Once they got past the venue, they walked by a small girl about 10 years old crying.

They stopped and knelt down to the little girl. “What’s the matter sweetie?” Jon said to her.

The little girl crying sniffled. “I’ve been working hard delivering papers and walking dogs for one whole year now, and I wanted to buy mommy the perfect present. But they’re sold out. It’s just me and her and she can’t afford the tickets because she wants me to have a good education.” She pointed at the big Bon Jovi sign in the marquis at the arena. The little girl’s close looked old and there was a rip in her jeans. “I just wanted my mommy to have a good time tonight. Jon Bon Jovi is her favorite musician. Mine too, but I only had enough for one ticket, and just enough for Mommy to pay my baby sitter and the concert was sold out.”

Jon gave Steph a look, and she dug out her cell and called the arena asking them to put two tickets on hold for Jon and some special guests. He then slowly took off his hat and sunglasses. “I think your Mommy is doing the right thing by getting your education. Why don’t you hold on to your concert ticket money and go shopping with Mommy for a new outfit to wear for the concert tonight?” he said to her with a smile. “My good friend Steph here will meet you right around that corner by the back door at six with extra special tickets for you and your Mommy. What do you say to that?”

The little girl’s eyes grew big with recognition as Jon slipped back on the hat and sunglasses and held up a finger to his lips for her to be quiet.

“It’ll be our secret.”

“What’s your name?” he asked her.

“Angela,” she said and “Mommy’s name is Daphne.”

Steph reached into her bag and found a copy of the circle album. She carried all sorts of things on her at all times just in case. She handed the CD to Jon along with a pen. Jon quickly autographed the CD and told her to run home to her mother.

“We live right across the street and down some. Mommy was hoping to hear the show from our apartment since it was outside. Thank you so much!” Little Angela hugged Jon tight.
“Before you go home,” he said, “What’s your favorite song Angela?”

“Me and Mommy both love When We Were Beautiful,” she said.

“Ok,” He said lowering his shades and giving her a wink. “We’ll see you tonight.”

The little girl ran off clutching her CD excited. “You’re amazing,” Steph said. “You could have easily been recognized.”

“I don’t care. It was worth it. I probably made the poor little girl’s year. Where are there seats?”

“Front row, center. Right next to me.”

“Good,” he said. “Let’s go.”

They continued walking and Jon found a little deli that he was familiar with. He walked in and they ordered sandwiches and went and found the park and sat down and had lunch. Steph looked out and saw Big Ben.

“London is really beautiful,” she said.

“Yes it is. Thank you for joining me for lunch. It sure beats room service from the hotel.”

“So are you going to dedicate that song to Angela and her mom?”

“I think so. She reminded me of the spirit of giving. It should not just be at Christmas time. A few weeks ago I probably would’ve just autographed a CD for her and sent her on her way. But I’m slowly starting to open my heart to the world again. I’ve been so bitter about things for so long. I know Dot and I haven’t signed the papers yet, but that’s only a matter of time. I feel like such a failure because of my marriage, and part of me will always wish that I had been able to keep it alive.”

“Sometimes things aren’t meant to be forever. And when you’re young and in love, you’re blinded by that love and it’s hard to see that it won’t be forever,” Steph said gently. “That doesn’t mean that it wasn’t just as important to her as it was to you. She’s probably feeling like just as much of a failure as you do. But neither one of you are. You just weren’t meant to be forever. You’re only a failure if you let this cripple your ability to open up and love again.”

“Like you?” he asked gently.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You clearly are coming off of a bad breakup. I’m just saying you should follow some of your own advice.”

“My situation is completely different than yours. It is brand new still and there is a lot more to my situation than two people who fell out of love with each other,” she was starting to feel a little angry.

“Maybe if you’d open up to me, I could give you some good advice on the situation.”

“Jon, please don’t push,” she said angrily getting up to walk away. “When I’m ready to open up to you and tell you what happened, I will. We should really get back. I have to make sure the backstage area has everything you guys need for tonight and you have sound check.” She started walking really fast. He was bringing up wounds for her and pushing to find out about her past, and she just wasn’t ready to deal with it. Her past is why she ran to New York as fast as she could.

Jon hurried to catch up to her, and fell in next to her. “I’m sorry,” he said softly after a few minutes. “I shouldn’t have pushed. It’s just you’re clearly upset about whatever this guy did to you, and I want to know so I can be a friend to you, and help you. I allowed you in and feel like a whole new man already because of it. I just wish you would let me in.”

She had been walking with her head down and had silent tears rolling down her cheeks. She was angry with herself for having gotten so upset with him when all he was trying to do was help. She just kept walking praying he wouldn’t notice.

“Ok, so you’re not going to say anything, would you at least stop and look at me? I’m really sorry. I won’t push again until you’re ready.”

She finally stopped and looked at him, with tear filled eyes that nearly broke his heart to see. He opened his arms wide, and she fell into his embrace. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I promise I won’t be such a mess. Can you promise not to ask me about what happened to me in my past? I still need to process the situation and realize I’m better off away from it before I can actually open up and talk about it.”

“Ok,” he said his arms still wrapped around her in the middle of the street. “I promise to let it go.” She gently pulled herself out of his embrace and took his hand.

“Thank you for being such a great friend, and so understanding,” she said.

“You’re welcome,” he said softly. “Just remember. I may be your boss, but am always here for you to talk to. I want us to be great friends.” And maybe more eventually. When you’re ready, he thought. They walked back to the hotel hand in hand each smiling. Steph because for the first time in a long time, she felt as though she had someone who she could trust to keep her safe and Jon, because he was holding her hand and didn’t want to let go.

They arrived back at the hotel and showered and dressed for the concert that night. Steph dressed in a jean skirt and put on her new Jovi t-shirt from the guys. She took her long wavy hair and tied it up with a few lose curls framing her face. She wore a pair of black strappy sandals on her feet. She put on a touch of eye makeup to bring out her big brown eyes and little bit of vanilla scented lip gloss and grabbed her bag and phone and headed downstairs to meet the guys. She ended up meeting Tico and Dave on the elevator. Jon and Richie had sent a text that they’d be down in 2 minutes. They had been discussing set lists for the evening.

“Woo hoo!” David said, “She’s got our shirt on. You luck hot tonight!”

“Thanks boys! Don’t get to used to the get up though. We have 10 nights here,” she said.

“Good. Then we expect something different every night,” Tico said.

“You’ll have to make me some more t-shirts,” she said laughing.

They walked outside and the car was waiting for them. They climbed in and Steph called the arena to say they’d be there in five minutes. She was told that everything was ready for them. A few minutes later Jon and Richie climbed in, all decked out in rock star mode.

Jon wore a royal blue short sleeve shirt that showed off his superman tattoo and his muscles. The shirt was slightly unbuttoned and he wore tight black jeans that showed off his perfect ass. Richie had on his black sleeveless leather vest and jeans, and the cowboy hat.

Steph whistled. “Ok, now I’m a little excited to be seeing you in rock star mode. I almost forgot how hot you two look together on that stage.”

“Don’t go groupie mode on us yet,” Richie winked. “Not until we’re on stage.”

“No chance in hell of that honey,” she replied. “Too much work for the PA to do prior to the show.”

They pulled up around the back entrance to the arena, where the O2 security was waiting to escort them in. He introduced himself as Paul and handed out the VIP passes to Steph, as well as her ticket and the two tickets she had requested earlier in the day. They walked around and showed everyone around the backstage area. Jon’s changing area was all set to go for him. There was a small cooler with bottled water and beer on ice for him. He always liked to have at least one during a show. There was spread just outside of the changing area with plenty of munchies for the guys to snack on beforehand, and all of their equipment was set and ready to go.

“Steph,” David said grabbing a piece of bread and making a sandwich, “You did good work getting this all set for us.”

“Yup,” Jon said, “Now it’s your job to enjoy sound check and then to make sure I’m ready to go when the lights go out for Last Man Standing. Then you can enjoy the show. There will be two sets of encores tonight guys. Steph, when we go off stage after the first set, I want you go head back stage so that we’re already to get right out of here afterwards.. You can watch encore from the wings here. He gestured to a spot that was on the stage, but right where they would be walking on and off in the back. It was dark enough that she wouldn’t be seen.

“Ok.” She said, “I explained to the driver that we would be between 1130 and midnight. I’ll call when you guys run off for the second encore.”

“Perfect,” he said. “Do you have that list I gave you in the car?”

“I do,” she said eyes twinkling.

“Did you add some of your favorites?”

“Nope,” she replied. “It’s perfect just the way it is. We have 10 nights here. You’ll probably hit all of my favorites by the time we’re done.”

He grinned, and looked at the boys, “Ok guys, sound check. Steph, please take your seat right in the front row. Mind you, you have permission to move anywhere you’d like in the pit. Which means when I get ready to come out on the circle, you can move. So your t-shirt will really live up to its name with all of the fans tonight.”

Steph took her seat and watched as the boys went through about 8 songs. It felt like having her own private concert. Then she looked at her watch and walked over to security. It was time to let the fan club contest winners and the radio contest winners in. The guys stopped what they were doing, and Jon grabbed a bottle of water, while escorted the contest winners down. The plan for them was to do 2 songs and then run off so they could open the gates for the public and the opening band, “Train,” could come on. They went through two fan favorites for the sound check, and thanked everyone for coming. One of the fans came up to Steph. “Can we buy one of those shirts?”

“Sorry,” she said, “It’s a one of a kind.”

“Darn,” she said. “I so wanted one. How are you in here? Did you win a contest? I see you have VIP access.”

Jon was peeking from back stage and he noticed Steph being held up by a fan. He smiled. Her first experience being on the other side and she was smiling like a star already.

“I work for one of the guys. Am a PA,” she said with a smile. “I do have to get going. Have some last minute details to attend to before tonight.”

“Wow….who do you work for?” the girl asked, pushing.

“it’s more like all of them. But really, I have to get going. I’ll be out here in the pit during the show, so maybe I’ll talk to you then.”

“Oh, ok,” the girl said, as the doors were opened for the public, Steph ran backstage and found the guys laughing.

“Steph has her first fan,” Jon said with a grin.

“Stalker is more like it,” she muttered. “I have to run and let our special guests in.”

“Yeah,” Richie said, “Jon told us about the little girl you guys met this afternoon.”

“She’s such a doll,” Steph yelled over her shoulder as she walked back to where the back entrance was. She opened the door and found Angela and her mom Daphne there.

“Hi kid,” she said smiling, “Remember me?”

“Yup,” she said happily. “My mommy didn’t believe the Jon himself autographed the CD for us.”

“Hi,” Steph said holding out her hand, “I’m Steph, Jon’s PA and you’re Daphne, correct?”

“Yes,” her mother said near tears, “Thank you so much for this tonight. Things are so hard for us and poor little Angie wanted to get me to this concert so badly. I told her it would probably be sold out, but she insisted on trying.”

“Come on,” Steph said. “Follow me. There’s a few guys that want to meet this little lady. And they have presents for both of you.. Although I see Angie got a new pair of jeans today.”

“Mommy insisted we spend the money on stuff for me, but I made her buy a cute pair of jeans for tonight too.”

Steph led them down the hallway to where the boys were joking and laughing.

“Boys will be boys,” she said. “Ahem, we have visitors guys.”

The guys stopped and turned around. “Hi!” Richie spoke, “You must be the little girl that tried so hard to get our concert tickets. I hear you’re my biggest fan.”

“No,” Angie said matter of factly. “My mommy is Jon’s biggest fan, and I’m Tico’s. I want to learn to play the drums.”

The rest of the band and Steph and Daphne all choked back a laugh.

“Actually, I’m probably the biggest fan of all of you guys,” Daphne said. “Especially today. Thank you for making my daughter’s dreams come true.”

“We’re not done yet,” Jon said. “We actually have a couple of small gifts from us.” He handed them each a circle tour t-shirt almost identical to Steph’s only it just had the picture of the guys on the back. They were just autographed by all of the guys.

“And,” Tico said, “For the little girl who likes to play drums, a pair of my personal drumsticks.”

“Wow,” Angela said, “Now all I need to save for a drum set.”

Richie handed Daphne one of his guitar picks. “In case she changes her mind on the whole drum thing.”

Everyone laughed, as Train finished up Hey Soul Sister and they announced that the band would be coming on soon.

“Alright Daphne and Angela,” Steph said. “What do you two ladies say I get you both to your seats? Jon and the guys need to get ready to go on stage now.”  She motioned for Paul to come over, as Angela and Daphne hugged every one and thanked them for everything again. Paul directed the girls to their seats and Steph walked over to Jon’s room. He looked ready to go calmly finishing off a bottle of water.

“Your small towels are set up on stage for you.”

“Good now walk down with me,” he said. The lights had just dimmed and there was screaming all around them as they walked down to the back area of the stage and found the platform where he would come out on for the first song. The platform would stretch all the way to the circle where he’d jump on stage. The opening chords to Last Man Standing began and Steph smiled with pride as she watched the crowd look in anticipation for him. She could hear the guys play and see the lights come on each of them one by one with the last spot light on Richie in an opening guitar solo that was a little longer than need be while waiting for Jon to get one there. He looked at her grinned and pulled her to him and gave her a peck on the lips. “I needed that for luck!” he yelled grabbing the mike, and starting to sing, “Come see a little raining spectacle….”

Steph ran for her seat in the front excited. She managed to make it before the end of the song and stood up as he the platform reached the circle and Jon jumped off and ran around to the front of the stage.

“Take your seats now, folks. It's show time.
Hey, Patrick hit the lights
There's something in the air
There's magic in the night
Now here's the band, they really play
I'll count the first one in
I don't know where it's going
We all know where it's been…”

They continued the song and went into the next song. Not one member of the audience was sitting down from what Steph could see. The two most excited people were the two standing next to her. Jon looked down at them and winked.

“This ain’t a song for the broken hearted….” He went into It’s My Life causing everyone to erupt in more screaming. At the end of the song, Jon yelled out, “Are you with me London! If there were a roof here, we’d blow top off tonight! Just the other day I took a shot right through the head, but more importantly, right through the heart, sing it guys!” He held out the microphone to the audience.

“Shot through the heart and you’re to blame. You give love a bad name. I play my part and you play your game, you give love a bad name.”

They sang the whole song and Steph had the Jovi fist pump thing going and then he went into the next song.

“We got it. Going on. Is there anybody out there looking for a party. Shake your money maker. Baby smoke it if you got it.”

They did all of we got it going on and Jon shushed the audience to slow it down.

“There’s something about you, I want to rescue….” He finished superman tonight and found himself staring at Steph through the whole song. She looked almost teary eyed as he looked into her eyes through the song.

“Alright, everyone. Recently I made friends with a beautiful woman which is not unusual for me, but what is unusual was her ability to make me remember why it is I love to give so much. So thank you Stephanie. Today we met an incredible child who was just trying to get tickets for the show tonight. She had worked hard all year and wanted to buy her mom one ticket for tonight. Well thanks to Steph, the two of them are sitting with her right in the front row, and this next song is for them. I hear it’s your favorite, Angela and Daphne.”

The band went into When We Were Beautiful, and then picked it back up a notch for Work For the Working Man. It was time for Jon’s break, as he handed the reigns over to Richie for I’ll be There For You and Lay Your Hands on Me.

Steph ran back stage and met Jon. “Jon, that was incredible.”

“I have a few more tricks up my sleeve baby. You ain’t seen nothing yet.”

She handed him a cold bottle of water, and wiped some sweat off him so he could change into dry clothing. He swapped out the blue shirt for a red sleeveless button up, and left it unbuttoned a little more than halfway down. He flashed that grin of his at her again. “Richie is almost done. You might want to get back out there and get near the front of the pit. I want you to really enjoy the next couple.”

She smiled, “Ok.”

“Wait!”

“Yes Jon,” she turned around, as he pulled her into another quick kiss.

“Sorry, I always need a beautiful woman to kiss before I go onstage,” he said with a wink. She shook her head laughing at him.

She went and found Paul who took her to Angela and Daphne and then brought them around to the front of the circle.

Richie finished his song and Jon came back out and walked around to the center of the circle.

“So I asked a good friend of mine what their favorite song was that we do, and to my utmost disgust, it was not a Bon Jovi song. However that quickly turned into sheer happiness when my friend told me what song it was. It’s called Hallelujah and it is one of my favorites to perform. Since my friend happens to be in the audience tonight, this one is for you.”

“Well I’ve heard there was a secret chord that David played and pleased the Lord, But you don’t really care for music, do yah…”

Steph wept as he sang the rest of the song. This was truly the first time she found herself so enamored by one of their shows. Maybe it was because she knew them all now. She felt a tugging at her hand, and smiled down at Angela.

“Is this song for you?” she asked.

She looked at Daphne who nodded as she bent down and picked up Angela, “I think so sweetie. I think so.”

The next song, Jon had Richie come out for and they went into Always, followed by You Want to Make a Memory, with all of the guys out there, sitting on stools. Jon sang with so much emotion and the crowd just ate it right up cheering along with each song. He stood up and ran back around, as Paul came over and escorted them back to their seats. He then broke into Have a Nice Day, followed by Feels Something Like Summertime, Something for the Pain and Bad Medicine.

When that was done, he yelled thank you to the crowd and the lights dimmed as the crowd cheered. Steph had no clue how long each set would be for the two encores, but was really looking forward to watching. All of a sudden spot lights came back on and Jon’s voice shouted.

“Well who says you can’t go home!” She had known what most of the set list was with the exception of the three songs in the circle and the encore set. Who says you can’t go home, they broke into Whole Lotta Leavin’ Going On, and then In These Arms Tonight, before running off stage again. Steph hugged Angela and Daphne goodbye and offered to have tickets at the will call box for the remaining shows. They wouldn’t be the front row, but would still be just as good. Daphne thanked her, and Steph politely instructed them to wait there as they were not finished yet.

Steph ran back and hugged the guys. “The show was spectacular guys!”

“Quick,” Richie yelled, “We have Living on a Prayer and Dead or Alive for the last two songs, but want one more for the second encore. What’ll it be?”

She only hesitated for a second, “Bed of Roses.”

“You heard the lady!” Jon yelled “Let’s go finish the night.” David ran back out to the keyboard, and started playing the piano for Bed of Roses and Richie and Tico ran out. Steph just stood in the wings watching eagerly. It was the first time she ever heard that song live. Jon ran over and threw his arms around her.

“Jon,” she said with a smile, “You smell.”

“Right back at you,” he said giving her yet another friendly peck on the lips and ran back out there and sat next to David at the piano, “Sitting here wasted and wounded  at this old piano…” Since he was sitting down for this one, he was able to watch Steph through the whole song.

Steph felt a little confused with all of the kissing. She had told him she wasn’t ready for this yet and then he just kept kissing her tonight when no one was watching. Maybe he always kissed his wife before a show or his kids, and doesn’t have anyone to kiss so he just chose me. Who knows?