Chapter 14...finally

Hey everyone, thanks for being patient while I was very busy with school this semester. I have started writing again. Below is a photo (not of Jon this time), but still a good one. I went to an after party at the Stone Pony Sunday night after Bamboozle and look who I met! It was awesome...I know the pic is a little grainy, am downloading photoshop and hoping to fix that. Enjoy, and please...I love feedback! :) Anyway, here is the new add. Enjoy!

Steph was the first of the two to pull away. “Actually,” she said, thinking of her romantic plans, “I think we should wait until we have all night ahead of us.”

Jon grinned at her. “All night, huh? You will definitely be wearing me out, my little one.” He pulled her close and kissed her forehead. “But you’ll definitely be worth it.”

Steph pulled back and got out of bed. “Come on,” she said walking over to the dresser and pulling out some clothes. “You promised you’d show me Rome.”

“But I thought we were going spend the afternoon right here,” he said with a pout from the bed.

“Very funny,” she said getting dressed and he pouted some more, and then broke into a grin. “Actually, I did arrange for a tour of the sights today.”

She tossed her hair back and ran a brush through it. He got out of bed and did the same. He put on his baseball hat and sunglasses and they both brushed their teeth and they were out the door.

They walked around Rome and he showed her the sights. He took her on a private tour of the Coliseum, and a private tour of the Vatican, and the Sistine Chapel. They stopped for lunch along the way and she had real Italian pizza and gelato. 

“I’ve got to say,” she said licking her chocolate gelato, “The pizza here is not as good as pizza in America.”

“Definitely not. Here is very hard to find good pizza like what we have. I think pizza is an Americanized Italian dish.”

She laughed. “I miss real pizza.”

“Me too.”

While they were walking she had seen a little square with lots of little quaint shops.

“Can we go here?” she asked.

“You can go wherever you’d like my little one,” he said, putting an arm around her.

“Yay!” she said. They walked in and she looked different shops. Sure enough there was a small lingerie shop. She made a mental note to go there in during her shopping excursion.

He saw a little jewelry shop. “Come in here with me.”

“Okay,” she said, and they walked in the store. Jon was looking at necklaces . “What do you think of this one?”

He pointed at a beautiful necklace on a gold pendant with a beautiful heart shaped charm. Inside the embedded in the heart in a blue stone was the superman symbol.

“Jon, this is beautiful,” she said, “But probably way too much money. You don’t need to buy me a gift.”

“I want to. Is it so wrong to spoil the woman I love?”

“Can’t this wait until we’re celebrating an anniversary or something?”

“It kind of is,” Jon said. “You came into my life 2 months ago, tomorrow. You were feisty and I knew I wanted you from the moment I saw you.”

“Aww,” she said. “You’re sweet, but really it’s too much.”

He looked at the sales person. “We’ll take it.” He took the necklace from the sales person, and opened it and put it around her neck. “That looks perfect there.”

“Thank you,” she said. “It’s still too much, but I do love it. And I love you.”

“I love you too,” he said taking her into a kiss.

They got back to the hotel that evening and went to dinner with the guys. Soon after, Steph was yawning next to Jon. It had been a long day and she was exhausted.

“Guys,” Jon said, “I think it’s time me and this lady hit the hay. What do you say babe?”

“Definitely,” she said “Sleep is good and you have to be up early tomorrow.”

Richie looked at Steph. “Mind if I borrow your girl for five minutes Jon? Just some shop talk.”

Jon smiled, “Go right ahead. I’ll see you upstairs beautiful.” He yawned. “I’ll probably be sleeping when you come up.”

“I won’t wake you,” she said.

“You can if you want to,” he teased with a grin, and leaned over and kissed her.

“Good night baby,” she said smiling at him.

He got on the elevator and went upstairs leaving her and Richie to talk.

“So Dot’s plane gets in at 11:30 tomorrow,”

“That’s fine,” she said. “I have to be at the venue by3 and you guys will be tied up in interviews most of the day.”

“Good. Thank you for picking her up,” Richie said. “Here are her room keys. I checked her in to the adjoining room next to mine under a different name while you guys are out today. The connecting doors will remain open so she can come and go from my room.”

She sighed, “I really wish you would tell Jon. This is just asking for you to get caught.”

“I know it’s risky, but it’s to be with the woman I love. If you and Jon had to keep your relationship quiet, and couldn’t really see each other, wouldn’t you try anything risky to be with him?”

“I suppose,” she said, “But even if we did, what we’re doing doesn’t have potential to destroy a nearly lifelong friendship. What does she think about telling him?”

“She thinks we need to tell him too. You women seriously don’t get it. The blow will come a lot better when we’re not all under the stress of touring.”

“Be careful Rich. Be very careful. He may be happy with me, but that doesn’t mean he won’t feel betrayed when all this comes out. I see a bumpy road for me and him in the very near future, and I really don’t want to lose him.”

“You won’t,” Richie said calmly. “He’s crazy about you. He’s going to pissed at me, but he’s absolutely head over heels for you.”

“I hope you’re right, Rich.”

“So what are your plans for tomorrow night?” he asked changing the subject.

“I’m not staying for the whole show. I plan on leaving after his break. I want to have everything set up perfect when he gets back with candles, rose petals, room service, and any other romantic thing I can think of.”

“Sweet,” he said. “Just remember, he’s getting old, so he can’t go all night. He needs to be able to function properly on Thursday.”

She laughed. “I’m not a crazed sex maniac.”

“You think he isn’t?” Richie teased.

“I think on that note I’m going to bed. Good night Richie,” she said smiling.

“Goodnight Steph. Thanks again.”

She got upstairs and found Jon sound asleep hugging her pillow and she smiled at the sight of him. She changed into pajamas and crawled into the bed with him, careful not to wake him. He only stirred slightly, just enough to remove his arm from her pillow and wrap it around her instead. She was asleep not too long after that.

The next morning, the alarm went off at 8 a.m., and she woke right up. It was going to be a long day. She sat up in bed, and Jon opened his eyes.

“Baby,” he pouted at her. “Don’t we have time for a little more sleep?”

“I thought you don’t sleep much when you travel,” she said.

“I can’t help it. With you, I sleep like a baby. You have a great effect on my sleeping habits.”

“Well,” she said, “We don’t have time for that today. You and Richie need to be out this door by 9:30, and then I have things to do. But first you have to have breakfast, and get showered and all sexy since it is a TV interview today.”

“Fine,” he said. “You win today. At least we don’t have anything other than the show on the schedule for tomorrow night. We can stay in bed until noon tomorrow.”

“That we can,” she said smiling. “Although, I much prefer you like this, but I think you should get in the shower.”

“See,” he said, “I’m sexy without the clothes, and hair being done.”

“Yes you are,” she said as he stood up wearing nothing but the boxers he slept in the night before, “But if you show up for an interview like that, the women in the television studio will definitely rush the stage, and start a riot.”

He grinned, and walked over to her and gave her a long slow kiss that made her insides melt. He always had that effect on her. He broke the kiss and looked at her. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” she said. “Now shower. I’ll order breakfast.”

“I’m going,” he said, walking into the bathroom, and then turning around with a grin at her “Can I get you to join me?”

“Not now, sweety,” she said. “Too much to be done.” She called room service and ordered breakfast, and then called to confirm everything at the television studio.

Just then there was a knock on the door, and she opened it to Richie standing there.

“You’re here wicked early. I thought I told you not until 9 so you and Jon could go over last minute details for today.”

“Sorry, I was up, showered, dressed and had breakfast bright and early, so I thought I’d see if Jon was ready,” Richie said cheerily, “But I can hear the shower running, so I guess he’s not.”

“You’re welcome to hang around and wait for him. Our breakfast should be here any minute,” she said. Just then she heard the water shut off, and she gathered his dark blue jeans and t-shirt and walked into the bathroom. He was drying off with the towel, and nothing was covered up. He grinned when he saw her.

“I knew you would end up in here with me,” he said walking over to her and pressing his lips against hers.

She kissed him back, and then pulled away and handed him his clothes. “I thought you might want these. Richie’s here a little early, and I didn’t think he’d want to see you come strutting out of the bathroom stark naked.”

He laughed and kissed her again. “Definitely not.” She left the room and he got dressed, and came out barefoot with wet hair, and found that breakfast had arrived.

“Perfect,” he said reaching for some coffee, “I’m starved.”

She quickly ate her omelet, and drank her tea, and got up. “Boys, I’ll leave you two to talk shop. I’m going to get in the shower. I have some errands to run this morning.”

“Right,” Jon said. “Do these errands have to do with my surprise?” he was grinning, hoping to get it out of her.

“Maybe,” she said, reaching into the closet and grabbing a pair of jeans and a tank top and sandals to wear for the day.

“I can’t get it out of you?” he stood up and snaked his arms around her.

“Nope,” she replied. “I will not cave.”

“Rich,” he said. “Do you know what my surprise is?”

“No man,” he said trying to keep a straight face, “But surprises women plan are always better than what we do for them. They’re just more detail oriented than us, so enjoy it. Whatever it is.”

She laughed. “Ok, I’m going to shower now.” She spun on her heels and went into the bathroom, leaving the two men to talk about the interview and maybe squeeze in some time to discuss the evening set list.

Jon knew this interview would be kind of tough. He was going to be grilled about the divorce.

“You know man,” Richie said, “I bet you this guy asks if she’s the reason for the divorce.”

“I know,” Jon said. “I did dedicate a whole slew of songs to her during the show the other night. My plan is to tell them the truth: that she and I only met two months ago, and that the marriage was long since over before that, and that Dot and I just didn’t make it official until recently. I’ll also let these guys know that Dot and I both have significant others that we’re happy with.”

“Those are good points to be made,” he said.

“Yeah, I’m not worried. I knew the press would have a field day with this, but I don’t care. Let them. I’m happy. Dot’s happy. That’s all that matters.”

The interview wasn’t until 1230, but they had to be there early for it, so the wardrobe people could go through some stuff. And it was a live interview, so Jon wanted to go over some things with the interviewer so that they weren’t surprised by any of the questions that were asked.

Steph came out of the shower dressed and hair brushed. It was still wet, but that was fine because it was another beautiful day outside. The sun would dry it.

Jon walked up to her. “Hey gorgeous.”

“Hi handsome,” she said reaching her arms up around his neck and pulling him close for a quick kiss.

“You two are so in love,” Richie said. “It’s almost sickening.

Jon laughed. “I don’t want to hear it man. If your mystery woman were here, we’d only see you for gigs and whatever press interviews we have. I’ve seen the look you get when you’re texting your woman. I know she makes you just as happy as Steph makes me. I just wish we could get some details on this girl, like a name, what she does for a living. I’d hate to see you get hurt by her bro.”

“Not gonna happen,” Richie said. “She would never hurt me. I know that.”

“Ok,” Jon said. “You have always had a good judge of these things. I guess that will do until I get to meet her.”

Steph looked at her watch. “Boys, the car should be downstairs any minute.”

“I think that’s the lady’s way of saying, ‘get the hell out of here,’” Richie joked. He gave Steph a quick hug and peck on the cheek. “Thanks for making sure both of us are on time darlin’.” That was his way of thanking her for going to the airport and she knew it.

“You’re welcome Rich,” she said and Jon came over and gave her a big kiss.

“I love you,” he said.

“Mmm,” she said breaking away, “I love you too. I’ll miss you today.”

“I’ll see you this afternoon?” he asked and gently kissed her nose.

“Of course,” she said. “I should be there around 3.”

“Good.” He said giving her another kiss on the lips. “Love you.”

“Love you more!” she said. “Now go.”

The guys left the room and she finished getting ready shortly there after, and grabbed her purse and left. She had enough time to get to the little lingerie shop before picking up Dot at the airport, so she went downstairs to the lobby, and spoke to the concierge for a few minutes. He had her rental car keys waiting, and handed them to her. He told her one thing she had asked him about the day before and she tipped him and headed on her way.

She got to the little shopping plaza and found the shop she was looking for. She found a pretty light blue set that matched her necklace, and tried it on and it fit her perfectly. She paid and wrapped it up and got into the car and headed for the airport.

She arrived there and checked on Dot’s flight. It just switched from on time to landed and she was waiting in the waiting area for her. She saw her come through the gate, and Dot gave her a small wave, and walked over to her.

“Hi,” she said. “Thanks for picking me up.”

“Thank Richie for that,” she said. “He knew I had a car today and would be out running errands and when I found out you were coming here, I confronted him on it. I’ll say the same thing to you that I told him. This is a mistake and just asking for trouble.”

“You think I don’t know that?” Dot said. “But you try saying no to either one of those two men. It’s not easy. I’ve won quite a bit of arguments over the last 20 years, but you really have to stick to your guns. He just wore me down, because I missed him just as much as he was missing me.”

The quickly got to the baggage terminal and collected Dot’s two suitcase, which she carried.

“Do you want some help with those?” Steph offered.

“Not necessary,” she replied. “Look, I know that lying to Jon is hard for you. Richie and I have already discussed this and we will do everything in our power to make sure he doesn’t find out that you knew anything about this. From what I’ve heard, you’re an amazing assistant for him, and you make him so happy. Much happier than he was when he was with me. If he finds out you knew about this, that will mess things up big time, because he will feel betrayed; not only by me and Richie, but by you. And I think that blow will be harder than me and Richie.”

“Agreed,” she said. “I know I’ve only known him a short time, but I can’t lose him Dot.”

“And you won’t. I may not be in love with my ex husband anymore, but there’s too much history for me not to care about him and want what’s best for him. And honey, from what I can see you’re it.”

She blushed a little. “Thanks Dot. That means a lot coming from you.”

“I’d like us to be friends,” she said. “Once all of this blows over, we’ll be spending a lot of time together, because these guys are like two peas in a pod when they get together. Where one goes, the other one goes, and the significant others and kids follow.”

She laughed. “I get that. Except for right now, other than the stuff that they have to do together, and the occasional dinner, we haven’t really done that much as a group.”

“That’s because Jon is in love with you and it’s new. He doesn’t want to miss a moment with you. And Richie is calling me whenever the time is convenient.”

As they got into the car, they didn’t notice a camera flash go off behind them.