Chapter 15...two adds in one week...yay!!!

Hi to everyone still reading...above is a pic of Jon at Bamboozle...it's my favorite that I took that night (maybe-the shot of his butt that I got as he was walking away was good too) :) Here's the new add...enjoy!

The guys settled into the interview. Jon and Richie had gone through the questions with the guy from the television station, and then someone came rushing in around 1215 with a photograph in his hand. The gentleman looked at it. Knowing that it was in his contract to go over the questions with Jon and Richie first, he decided to show the picture to Jon and see if he knew anything about it.

“Jon,” the gentleman cleared his voice. “I do have one last minute piece of information I need to ask you. Did you realize your ex wife was in Italy right now with her new significant other?”

Richie swallowed, and knew that there was no way this guy could know Dot was here to be with him. She hadn’t even arrived at the hotel yet. The guys showed Jon and Richie the picture. Luckily the photographer only captured Dot getting into the car at the airport and not of Steph. Richie breathed a sigh of relief.

“Well, she told me she was taking a vacation with her new friend, and the kids are spending some quality time with my parents. I just didn’t realize he was taking to her Italy. Good for her, because I know that she loves coming here,” Jon said easily. “Maybe I’ll call her and send her and her new friend to tomorrow evening’s show. I do want to meet him before he meets my kids.”

Richie tried to relax, and the guy from the station told them he’d scrap that question, but decided to use the photo for when he was talking to Jon about the divorce.

Steph and Dot arrived at the hotel and Dot quickly went upstairs to her room to stay out of sight from anyone. Steph gave the rental car keys to the concierge to return for her and went upstairs to watch the guy’s interview.

Just then the hotel room phone rang. It was Dot.

“What’s up?” Steph said.

“Thought maybe you might want to stop down here and watch the interview with me. I know that there are most likely going to be questions about the divorce and probably you from what I heard he did at the show the other night.”

“Dot,” she said. “I know you think we should be friends, but honestly, I’d like to wait until this all blows over with Jon to even really try a friendship.”

“I know,” she said honestly, “And I respect that, but sometimes what the press says on live t.v., and how the guys react can be very daunting and I thought you might like moral support to watch it.”

She sighed, “Okay. I’ll be down in a minute.”

Steph grabbed her room key and went downstairs to Richie’s room and knocked. Thankfully, David, Tico and Hugh weren’t coming out of their rooms and didn’t spot her, as this interview was just with Jon and Richie, and not the whole band.

Dot opened the door and Steph heard the opening chords of “Living on a Prayer” coming out of the T.V. And then a camera panned across Jon and Richie.

The interviewer came across the screen and he welcomed Jon and Richie to the show, stating what an honor it was. There were pictures of Jon and Richie posted on a megatron and then one of Dot came up. The two women gasped.

“Is that from today?” Steph asked shakily.

“I think so,” she said. “Do you think that means Jon knows?”

“Well,” Steph replied thoughtfully, “I think that means that Jon knows you’re here in Italy. Thank god you can’t see me in the photo and that I returned the rental car or I’d have some serious explaining to do.”

“What if he calls me?”

“You never told him where you were going on vacation. It’s just a coincidence that you ended up here at the same time as the rest of us.”

“What if he wants to meet Richie?”

“Well, you can be honest, or at least tell a white lie. You can let him know that you’re planning on quality alone time with your man and your vacation and his tour isn’t the best time to meet him.”

“Ok,” Dot said, “I panicked for a moment there.”

The interview came back on after a quick commercial break.

The interviewer started with Jon. “Well, guys I figured before we get to talking about the major record breaking tour you gentlemen are on, I wanted to get these questions out of the way. Jon, it has recently come out that you were just divorced, and I hear there is already a special lady in your life. To clarify things, was this the reason for your split with Dorothea? From what the public knows of you, you’re not the type to cheat.”

Jon flashed his million dollar grin at the audience and then grew serious. “Well Adam, I’m glad you asked this question because I know that the other night I made a beautiful dedication to the new woman in my life, and I had a feeling people would want an answer for that. My marriage to Dorothea was over long before Steph came into my life. In fact Dorothea and I both agreed that we were over a long time ago, and would wait until we found significant others who made us happy before filing for divorce. We still care a great deal about each other, and have both found someone to move on with. It was Dorothea who found a wonderful man that makes her happy first, but adultery was nothing to do with the divorce. We just fell out of love with each other. Which happens. She’s very happy, and I’m very happy. We’re both happy for each other. She and I will always be friends. One more thing, Steph, I love you.”

“So folks,” Adam, the interviewer said. “I think it’s safe to say that Jon is still very much a one woman man. Richie, has the divorce affected you or the rest of the band at all?”

“Not at all,” Richie replied. “We’ve always had a family bond within our group, and we were all quick to include Dot in that part of the group. She’s still very much a member of our family and always will be. And Steph has quickly become a sister to the rest of us. The two women have met before Jon and Steph got together, and from knowing them both so well, I am confident that they will both be friends.”

“Ok,” Adam said, “Now that we’ve established all of this, we can get into the tour and the actual questions about the music. I think your fans want to hear more of that than anything else, but I know that there are some out there that want to hear about the personal stuff, so I apologize to you both for having to ask those questions.

Jon just laughed, “You’re just doing your job.” He grinned. “We all have jobs to do.”

The interview went on and questions were asked about the tour and the great success of it

Steph looked at Dot. “That went well.”

“Yeah,” Dot replied. “The guys have been doing this for years. So they know what they’re doing for the personal questions.”

“Well,” Steph said, “I’ve got to get going. The interview should be over soon and I have some stuff I’m working on for tonight with Jon. Sort of a special surprise for him for after the show.”

Dot smiled. “I know you wanted to wait on being friends, but seriously, if you ever need anything, I’m just a phone call away. This is a tough life to adjust to.”

“Thanks, Dot,” she said. “But I’m feeling pretty adjusted to them already.”

“Ok,” she said. “I’ll see you later.”

Steph left and got back upstairs and ran into David in the hallway.

“Where have you been all day? You missed the interview where Jon announced to the world that he loves you,” David asked. “Tico and I were looking for you and thought that maybe you might want to watch with us.”

“I’m sorry you Lemma,” she said. “I just got back from running errands. I found a cute little restaurant that had the interview on so I watched that part there.” The lie was just too easy for her.

“Oh,” he said. “Did you see the picture of Dot? It looks like she’s at the airport right here in Rome. Do you think she’s here or is that an old photo?”

“I don’t know,” she said. “I know she was going on a vacation, but Jon didn’t think to ask her where she was going.”

“How funny would it be if she were in Italy? Although we only have tonight and tomorrow night and she’s probably only here for a few weeks.”

“Probably,” Steph said, “Listen, David, I’ve got some stuff to do. I’m sort of arranging a special surprise for Jon for after the show tonight. I know they’re not coming back here when they’re done at the television studio, but maybe you can help me with some stuff. I need to leave the show early tonight. After Jon’s break, and before the encore. Do you have any suggestions as to how I can make that happen since he prefers having me around?”

“Well, you can say you don’t feel well,” David said. “That usually worked when the ex wives didn’t were tired of watching our concerts. Of course, usually we’d go out for drinks or something and pass out in someone else’s room after the show so not to disturb our women.”

“I definitely want him to come back tonight,” she said, “How about saying I have a headache?”

“That will work. Let him know you’re going back here to take some Advil and lie down and that it would be great if he could join you when he gets back.”

“Good plan,” she said. “Thanks Lemma!”

“Anytime sunshine!” he said, heading back to his room. “Are you riding with us to the venue?”

“Yeah,” she said, “I’ll be downstairs in about an hour or so.”

“Sweet,” he said.

She got back to her room and her phone beeped. She looked at it and saw a text from Jon.

“I love you,” he wrote.

“I love you too,” she said.

“Can you do me a favor? I know Dot is in Italy. Can you call her for me? I want to send her and her new friend tickets for tomorrow night’s show. I thought it would be a good time to meet him. See what’s she’s up to.”

“Ok,” she said.

“Let me know what she says when you get here,” Jon said. “I’ll see you in an hour. I love you.”

“I love you too,” she wrote back.

She arrived at the venue with the rest of the guys a little while later, and Jon ran up to her and twirled her around, and pulled her in for a kiss.

“I missed you too,” she said laughing when he finally broke the kiss.

“A day apart from you is no fun,” he said.

“Tell me about it,” she said. “Oh I talked with Dot.” They were all sitting down.

“What did she say?” Richie asked.

“Well as much as she would love to see you guys for billionth time, she would appreciate some alone time with her man, and Jon you’re very busy with the rest of the tour and press stuff, and we’re only here for really a day and a half more; she thinks that she’ll wait until we’re all back in the states.”

Richie laughed. “She said the same thing I told you she’d say Kidd.”

“Sometimes I think you know my ex wife better than I do Rich,” Jon said with a grin. Steph nearly choked on her celery stick she was munching on. “You alright baby?”

She swallowed, “Yeah, I’m fine. Just went down the wrong pipe.”

“I guess it makes sense for the tour to end and her vacation to end before I meet this guy. It was just a thought.”

“It was a good thought too honey,” Steph said reassuring him. “It’s just that the timing was bad.”

Sound check went by without a hitch and soon it was time for the show again. She listened from back stage that night instead sitting on the sidelines like she had been doing. When it was time for Jon to break, and Richie to do his solo thing, he came running back to find her laying on the couch in his dressing room. She sat up and handed him bottle of water and a towel.

“You ok baby?” he asked come over to her on the couch.

“I’m fine,” she said, “Just a bit of a headache.”

“Why don’t you go back to the hotel? Take some Advil or Aspirin and lie down. I’ll come back as soon as the show is over,” He bent down and kissed her quickly, before he had to change.

“Are you sure? I’ve already let the driver know where to be right after the show, and gave him a half hour window.”

“Yeah, baby,” he said. “Hopefully you’ll be feeling better when I get back and we can watch a movie or something.”

“That sounds good,” she said, standing up.

“Here, I’ll walk you out,” he said, “Richie is still playing and he’ll do a long solo for an intro while I shower and change quick.”

“No,” she said leaning in for a kiss. “I’ll be fine. You go and get back to work. I’ll see you back at the hotel.”

“Ok,” he said. “If you need anything, text me, I’ll have my cell on vibrate in my pocket.”

“I’ll be fine. You only have about an hour left of concert and then a half hour to shower change and get back to the hotel. It’s just a little headache. I’ll see you when you get back. I love you.”

“I love you too baby,” he said. “Feel better.”

“I’ll be fine once the Advil kicks in,” she smiled, “So plan on coming back for a movie night.”

“I will,” he said, and they heard the opening chords of Always playing, so Jon knew he had to run back out and onto the circle. “I love you!”

“Go!” She said. “Richie can’t stall forever. I love you too.”

“Wait,” he said and pulled her into a lingering kiss, “Now I can go.”

She smiled and watched him run back towards the stage. Then she thought of their romantic evening she was planning and headed towards the door. She ran into Paul.

“Hey Stephanie!” Paul said. “Are you leaving?”

“Yup, planning a romantic surprise for the boss. There should be a car out there for me.”

Paul opened the door and there was a black town car waiting. He walked over to check, and came back.

“You’re clear. You know I have to make sure nothing happens to you. The boss will kill me if that happens.”

She laughed. “See you tomorrow Paul. Thanks!”

She got back to the hotel in about 10 minutes.  She ran upstairs and dialed a number and placed an order and they told her it would be about an hour. She knew that food would be awesome. Her next call was to room service, she ordered a bottle of champagne, chocolate covered strawberries and whipped cream. Next, she went and got the rose petals and candles she had picked up. She gently spread the soft petals out on the bed, and then she lit a few candles around the room, and dimmed all of the lights, and turned on some soft music. Room service arrived next and she had them set up the champagne, and strawberries  by the little bar in the room. Next she got a call from other order and she ran downstairs. She saw the delivery driver and took the box and opened it.

“Perfect,” she said, “Louie is the best concierge ever.” She tipped the delivery driver and ran back upstairs. She had asked around where to find a good pizza pie that was similar to those in America and the concierge that morning knew just the place. She was thrilled with the smell of the pizza. She set that up on the table along with two glasses of champagne. Just then her phone rang. She looked at the caller id. It was Jon, and she still had to change.

“Hey baby,” she said turning down the music.

“Hey beautiful,” he said. “Feeling better?”

“Much,” she replied. “Are you on your way back?”

“We’re leaving here in about 5 minutes so we’ll be back in 20 minutes.”

“Ok,” she said airily. “I’ll see you when you get here. Love ya. Bye.” She hung up the phone, and smiled and went to get changed.”

Jon just looked puzzled, and looked at the guys. “She just gave me the brush off. You don’t think she’s tired of me already to you guys?”

Richie laughed. “Trust me Kidd. The girl is not tired of you. She had a headache earlier. She probably just didn’t want to be on the phone.”

“You’re probably right,” he said thoughtfully. “I’ll feel better when we get back to the hotel, and I see her smiling face.”

Jon was feeling anxious and asked the driver to hurry.

Steph hurriedly changed. The set was a pretty pale blue teddy with a matching satin robe, which she put on and tied around her waist. She closed the robe tight so he couldn’t see the teddy, and put on a little bit of lip gloss, and brushed her hair. She quickly grabbed the privacy sign and scribbled,  “Please knock before entering the room. Your surprise awaits.”  She kissed it so her lip gloss left lip prints and hung it outside the door to the suite. He was going to love this, and she couldn’t wait to see the look on his face.

About 5 minutes later the car pulled up in front of the hotel. Jon and Richie both jumped out in a hurry, and quickly said good night to the rest of the guys. The two men practically ran into the hotel. Just before getting on the elevator Jon stopped dead in his tracks at a familiar figure headed to the elevator.