Chapter Thirteen

“Are you trying to tell me I had ulterior motives?” he asked her with a sly look on his face.

“Who me nooo. Why would I say that?” she questioned him coyly.

 “No reason.” He said as he bent down to her and started to kiss her which in turn led to passion before she knew what was happening to her. He then picked her up and started to carry her up to her bedroom.

“You know one of these days you’re going to hurt yourself you know.” She told him into his shoulder as he was walking up the stairs.

He was startled by what she said. But he waited until they got into her bedroom before he said anything to her. As he laid her on her bed and laid next to her he asked, “What was that comment about Baby?”

She looked at him not sure by what he meant. “What comment Honey?” she asked honestly not knowing what he meant.

 Jon huffed knowing that this was not only going to delay things but may even end up in an argument. “The one you said as we were coming up the stairs. That I might hurt myself because I was carrying you. What the hell did you mean by that?” he asked her as he caressed her arm.

“What do you mean what did I mean by that?” she asked as she looked the other way not wanting to look at him right now.

“Don’t give me that Babe you know exactly what I mean.” He said as he was getting a bit uptight now but so was she.

 She finally looked him dead in the eyes and said, “You know exactly what I meant by it or you wouldn’t have asked me right? So let’s just leave it alone ok? I’m sorry I said anything but you keep picking me up and if anything did happen to you because of me Doc would not only kill you but me. You don’t have to pick me up all the damn time and carry me like that I can walk you know?” she told him sounding a little tick off now.

“Well it’s my prerogative if I want to carry you and be all romantic and shit if I want to.” He told her. “Ok I’m not a weakling you know? I work out for crying out loud.” He started to rant but Mary broke in.

“I know that but I’m not a model either I am a little heavier than what your used too you know? I’ve seen those damn groupies that hang around you. And that actress you used to date and Dorothea. And Michael always told me how heavy I was…” but Jon wouldn’t let her finish.

“Oh my God! You’re not heavy first of all. Can we get that straight? You are average size for any girl and you are the most beautiful girl I’ve ever met inside and out. So just stop ok? I was attracted to you the second that I laid eyes on you. I’m sorry I was a jerk when I first met you but unfortunately that’s how I come across to most people especially if I like them. So no more about your weight ok? I don’t want to hear about it. I love you the way you are. If I didn’t believe me I wouldn’t be here Babe. I mean there are things I don’t like about myself but you don’t see me bitching about them do you?” he said to her.

 Looking him over real good she asked him, “So what don’t you like about yourself? Because I don’t see anything wrong from this end?” she told him with a smirk.

“Really? Well why don’t you come a little closer and when I think you get to it I just might tell you if you’re a really good little girl.” He said with a wink and a smirk.

“You know you’re full of shit.” She told him as she started to pull up his shirt.

Smiling, “So you promised me dessert?” And that’s exactly what he did collected on that. They made love thru out the night until neither on them could move. He showed her that he loved the way she looked and felt to him over and over. And she certainly felt loved by him. They fitted together like two missing jigsaw puzzles pieces. He knew that they were meant to be together so now he just had to figure out to convince her to stay with him even after they marry. That they come first now.

They slept in and Jon usually the first to wake wanted to talk. He lied there trying to decide whether to wake her or not. He did want to talk to her before everyone started to come back to the house and before he had to leave to go back himself. So he started to apply little kisses to her neck and her ear sucking gently before she started to squirm around him. Giggling she turned into him kissing him and then mumbling into his mouth “Morning.”

“Morning back.”

“You know I can get so used to this.” she said as she roamed his body with her hands. She loved rubbing his chest with all that hair. It was warm and inviting to her. She never thought that she would like a man with a hairy chest but there was just something about Jon’s. There was just something about Jon. Every inch of him turned her on.

 Rubbing her back he said to her, “Well I’m glad you said that because I have something I want to talk to you about.”

 “Really you want to talk now?” she asked curiously.

“Yeah why not?” he questioned.

“Um because little Jonny seems to want to play?” she said trying to keep a straight face but failing miserably.

 Looking at her shocked he said to her, “First of all Jonny isn’t little and we will get to that in a minute but first I want to talk to you about coming back with me.” He waited to see her reaction.

 She just looked at him as her mind was racing. “Well I guess I can’t keep saying no now can I. If we’re going to get married I really should be with my husband shouldn’t I?” she told him smiling.

 Looking shocked and thrilled at the same time he kissed her hard. Finally parting he said, “Really? You mean that?” he asked hoping that he wasn’t hearing things.

 Smiling back, “Of course I mean it Honey why wouldn’t I? I mean before, you have to understand even thou we were dating my responsibilities ran between not just my family but you too. Which actually was tearing me kind of apart. You just thought I could just drop everything and just be with you but what you didn’t understand that I was part of a team. I had a job too. But I wasn’t going to pressure you into something that you weren’t ready for either. I don’t think I was ready for it at that point either. It was too early in our relationship. But I knew when you did ask me I knew that you would be ready and then and only then I knew I could accept. And there is no other place I want to be is than by your side Jon.” She told him happily.

“And there is nobody else that I want by my side other than you. Especially everything that we’ve been thru. Believe me I don’t think I would have gone thru what I have if it was with anyone else.” He told her as he wrapped his arms around her and they became one together. He took her places that he has never took any other woman before. And she gave back to him one hundred and ten percent because he thought he had seen heaven a thousand times since they have been together. He had never felt like this with any woman before her and he wasn’t about to find out what life would be without her.

            After their round of love making they took their shower together, got dress and ate breakfast. Jon had explained that he had to go back that night because he had to be in Seattle for their next show tomorrow and he did have two tickets purchased just in case if she did decided to go back with him. “You mean you had that extra ticket all a long knowing that you could talk me into going back with you?” she asked him a little perturbed.

He was hoping that this wasn’t going to come to blows but he knew his luck wasn’t going to continue so, “Baby I was just hoping that you were going to come back with me that’s all. Please don’t get all upset about it ok?” he asked her. “We were having such a great night and morning let’s not spoil it alright?” he asked her with his best sexy face that he could put on.

“You mean for me not to spoil it right?” she asked him with her pissy face on.

“No I didn’t mean that. Did I say that? No.” he said trying his hardest not raise his voice.

Taking deep breaths and trying hard to stay calm she realized that his motives weren’t him being possessive. “Jon I’m sorry. I jumped to conclusions, I guess I need to work on that.” She told him as she put her head down so she wouldn’t have to look at him.

 He walked over to her and with his knuckles lifted her chin so he could look into her eyes. “Well I guess we’re going to have to work on that won’t we?” he said to her as he bent down to kiss her lips gently.

Parting, “Yeah I guess we are.”

That afternoon Cecelia came home and Mary and Jon explained to her that she was going back with Jon. Cecelia had a sneaking suspicion that she was going back with him so she wasn’t surprised when they told her. They said their goodbyes and A.J. took them to the airport. There were a few pap’s there but not enough to bother them. When they arrived in Seattle there was a car for them to the hotel and the guys were happy to see her. Everyone waited to see if she was wearing the ring and when she showed them Congratulations were given out. Hugs and kisses were given to both of them as they were all happy for the couple. Richie brought Jon over to the side as he asked him this question, “Hey Kidd hate to bring you down but have you called your parents yet to give them the happy news?”

 “Oh shit I totally forgot. Fuck this is not going to be a great phone call. I mean Dad will be happy for us but Mom…she’s going to freak.” He told Richie.

“Don’t I know it. Man she’s going to have a bird. I feel bad for Mary. The happiest day of her life and then BOOM! Her future Mother-in-law hates her.” Richie said with a frown.

 Jon just ran his hands thru his hair. “I’m going to have to think about this one.” Jon told his best friend. Jon told his band of brothers that he didn’t want anyone outside of the band to know about their engagement until they were ready to announce it themselves. They all agreed as Mary just gave him a strange look.

  Mary decided that she wouldn’t say anything to him until they were alone later in their hotel room. She had no idea why he would say that unless he didn’t want it to leak out to the press because he didn’t want his fans to know that he was engaged which could mean a number of things. Was he embarrassed of her? Would being engaged ruin his career? Oh my God if he was worried about that how would he feel about being married? Was he lying to her all this time just so he could get her to come with him? And come to think about it he hasn’t called his parents either to tell them about getting engaged either. She was thinking all this as Jon walked up to her and put his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. “Hey whatcha thinking? You have this faraway look on your face?” he asked her.

Turning her head to look at him, “Nothing really just spacing out I guess. Plus I’m tired too.” She told him, “Jet lag I guess.”

 “Well we did rush from the plane to the hotel then to the arena. But I do need to get the sound check done then the concert tonight so we won’t have any time for each other until probably late, no early morning Baby.” He explained to her.

“That’s ok I guess I have to get used to it right? But how upset will you be if I skip out on you tonight and just get some sleep?” she asked him turning in his arms so that now they’re facing each other.

“Well I’ll miss you terribly but I’d rather have you rested for what I have in store for you later.” He said with a smirk.

Smiling, “I was hoping you would say that.” She said and kissed him deeply.

“Ohhh would you two get a room Please!” Richie yelled as he walked up to the two of them.

 Mary just laid her head on Jon’s chest as Jon gave him the Jersey salute. “Shut the hell up will you Rich. What do you want anyway?” Jon asked him.

 “Well you have heard of a little thing called sound check right? You see we have this task master of a boss and he’s really a fucker when it comes to being on time especially when he schedules things and…” but Jon cuts him off seeing he doesn’t see Richie’s humor right now.

 “That’s enough Rich I’ll be right there. Just tell the guys I’ll be a few more minutes.” Jon said in a not so pleasantly voice. Richie just smirks and leaves the room. Picking her head off of his chest, Jon says to her, “Baby I’ll have a car take you back to the hotel and I’ll meet you there later so we can have dinner how does that sound?” he asked her.

 “That sounds great.” She told him. Jon quickly made the arrangements and had Rich B. walk her to the awaiting car as he went to sound check. When she got to the hotel and settled in she couldn’t help but keep thinking of what Jon had said to the guys. It just kept bothering her and that he hadn’t called his folks yet either. He had plenty of time to call them last night and tell them that they were engaged. Was he embarrassed of her to tell his own family or the world that he was engaged to her or that he was engaged to a female Private Eye? She knew his mother wasn’t thrilled with her. Okay his mother hated her plain and simple. What the hell did Dorothea have that she didn’t?

She was sleeping when Jon got back to the hotel. He leaned up against the bedroom door frame and just smiled. He was thinking to himself how did he get so lucky. He went back out and ordered their dinner and waited for it to arrive. Once it got there he went back in the bedroom to wake her up. He started to shake her and she started to flutter her eyes open. “Hi there sleepy head. Did you have a good nap?” he asked her as he bent down to place a kiss on her.

“Hm hm.”

“Well good because dinner is here so when you’re ready it’s all set.” He told her.

 “No I’m all set, just need a boost up.” She said as she gave him her hand. They walked out to the living area as Jon had set everything up and she was shocked to what she saw. He had set the table up with candles on the sides on the table and roses in the middle. The lights were set low and music was also on low. “Wow you did this all by yourself?” she asked him surprised.

 “Yep I did. Do you like?” he asked her hoping everything was to her liking.

“Yah everything is just beautiful.” She said as she stood there trying to not to look too shocked.

“Well good here let me help you.” He said as he let out her chair. She gave him a very loving look and sat down. She still didn’t get it when he went to all this trouble but didn’t want anyone around them to know that they were engaged. “Baby are you alright? You look a little funny?” he asked her a little confused now by the way she was acting.

“No I’m fine, so how much time do we have before you have to get back to the arena?” she asked him.

Looking at his watch, “Um about two hours or so why?” he asked.

“Oh I don’t know just thought we could talk that’s all.” She said as she started to eat.

As he sat down he asked her, “Ok then let’s talk. What’s up?”

Looking at him she wasn’t sure where she wanted to start. “How did the sound check go?” she asked sounding unsure of herself.

Surprised that she asked him that he asked, “Really? Okay it went fine why do you ask?” he wanted to know.

 “Just making conversation that’s all.” She told him.

Smiling at her he asked, “Okay Babe there’s more going on in the beautiful head of yours than you’re letting on so spill it.” He told her.

 Smiling nervously at him, “It’s nothing really Hon um you still haven’t told me how sound check was?” she said trying to change the subject as she put a piece of steak into her mouth.

Jon was getting a little annoyed now seeing that they didn’t have much time to spend together and wanted to know what was up with her. “Babe we don’t have time for this ok? So just tell me what the hell is up so whatever it is I can fix it ok?” he said a little harsher than it should have been.

“Excuse me? What the hell does that mean?” she asked a little teed off.

“It means that whatever I did just tell me now instead of dragging it out like you always do. I have to be at the arena in a couple of hours so I can start getting ready for tonight’s concert and not here trying to figure out what the hell is wrong with you.” He said again more strongly this time.

She sat there pissed off now herself so she figured what the hell why not go for it. “Okay Jon you want to know what the hell is wrong with me? Fine I’ll tell you!” she said loudly. “You tell my Mother and Brothers that we’re getting married and then the band but and this is a big but you tell the guys not to say anything to anyone about us! Which I get but you haven’t even called your folks to tell them that we’re engaged. What The Hell Jon! Are you ashamed of me or something? I might get that you don’t want your fans knowing but you’re family oh and maybe your Mother telling Dorothea that you’re engaged to me! Yeah right! We can’t have that can we? So why the hell did you even give this to me Jon? Huh? Just so I’d come with you? That’s even low for you! You know you can eat dinner by yourself!” she yelled at him seeing that she was holding it in since they had gotten back and they had told the guys.

Jon sat there dumbfounded. He knew there was something that was wrong but never in his wildest dreams did he think it was this. When she jumped up to leave he quickly did the same and grabbed her and wrapped his arms around her so she couldn’t move. “Let me go! Jon let me go!” she yelled as tears ran down her face.

“No I’m not letting you go. We need to talk this out apparently. Jesus I knew I did something but had no idea I blew it this bad. Will you hold still please! God will you just stop so I can explain.” He tried to tell her as she was trying her best to get out of his grip.

“NO! What the hell can you tell me that I already know! You really don’t want to be with me! This is just a fucking ruse and I was dumb enough to fall for it!” she shouted as she was still wiggling to get out of his grasp.

“Damn it you’re strong! Will you just stop for a minute! Please!” he shouted as he was begging her to stop.

“Fine!” she said as she did finally stop wiggling in his arms.

But he didn’t let go so fast. “This isn’t where if I let you go you’re going to make a run for it is it?” he asked her. She just thought for a moment. “Because if it is I just going to tell you right now I can out run you and I will turn you over my knee when I catch you I promise you that.” He told her as he carefully said it to her as his hot breath fell on her ear and sent chills down her spine and places that made her eyes water and her body tingle. Plus she knew that if she did run and he did catch her he would do just that.

“Oh alright! I’ll listen.” She said defeated.

“Too bad. Now sit while you can.” He instructed her. She did as he said and listened to what he had to say. “Do you really think that I don’t want anyone to know that we’re not engaged because I’m embarrassed of you?” he asked her. All she did was shrug her shoulders. “Well you couldn’t be more wrong. I Love You more than anything in this world and that includes my music. Yes I said it. Because without you in my life I can’t enjoy all this. So then what good is all this to me? Yes there’s a reason I don’t want the press to know right this second is because we need to tell Doc and I don’t know how he’s going to take it. Then I’m not sure telling my folks would be a great idea either. I mean I know Dad would be thrilled but I know Mom and well I still need to talk to her so let me take care of her ok? And as for Dotty well she’s still in that sanctuary and I have nothing to do with her you know that. Yes I should have explained all this to you before we got here but I was a little brain dead from our little romp from the past few days.” He explained to her as she sat and smiled at him from that memory.

“I can’t tell you how sorry I am that I didn’t tell you Baby but it wasn’t until Richie reminded me that I didn’t tell my parents yet and I just didn’t want them to hear about it on the news before I could tell them myself that’s all. News like this can spread really fast that’s all and well Mom would have a bird if she found out threw the press and not me that’s all.” He explained to her. Now she felt horrible. Especially the way she acted. Tears started to run down her cheeks. “Baby now why are you crying?” he asked her concerned.

 “I shouldn’t have yelled at youuu.”  She cried.

“Ah Baby I asked you to tell me what was bothering you and hell I practically had to drag it out of you. And when I did I got all upset and you blew. I told you I have a way of pissing people off please don’t cry anymore.” He asked her feeling really bad himself now. Getting on his knees he took her hands in his and kissed them. “Baby are we okay?” he asked.

Shaking her head yes, “I’m sorry I guess I’m just a little sensitive that’s all. I guess I’m going to have to learn to get a harder heart.” She told him.

“No don’t do that please. I love your heart just the way it is. But please just if something is bothering you don’t let it linger okay? Just come to me and ask so we can resolve it fast before it becomes something.” He said as he leans in and kissed her on her nose. “So can we finish dinner?” he asked her. She nodded yes and they got back and finished their dinner and he convinced her to take a shower with him so he could get ready for the show tonight.

Chapter Eleven

Standing he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small square box. Bending on one knee in front of her she thought she was going to hyperventilate. Opening the box was a beautiful white platinum diamond ring with one diamond in the middle and four begets two on either side equaling to two carats.  

“Mary Cecilia Simon will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” he asked her with tears welling up in his eyes. She felt tears running down her cheeks. Not in a million years did she ever expect him to propose. He always joked that he was too young to get married and that marriage was an institution and he was too young to be sent to an institution. She was just staring at him and it was making him nervous. “Baby well?”

“Huh? Oh! Yes! Yes I’ll marry you.” She told him smiling.

 He took the ring out of the box and placed it on her finger. “Ok you know what this means now?” he asked her.

“No what?”

“You’re mine all mine.” He said lovingly.

 “I wouldn’t want to be anyone else’s.” He sat back in the chair and stared at her then finally leaned in again and this time kissed her passionately. “Come on I’ll put you back to bed.” He told her and picked her up and laid her in bed.

“Oh Jon wait.” She said excitedly.

“What Baby?” he asked concerned and confused.

 “I can’t wear this here. They don’t want anyone to wear personal jewelry   in case it goes missing. So would you hold on to this until I get out of here?” she asked him.

 “Sure Baby but this is the last time I want to see this off your finger understand me?” as he took back the ring and put it back carefully in the box as he smiled at her.

“Promise I’ll never take it off again after this I swear.” She told him smiling brightly.

“I hate to do this to you but I need to go back we have a concert to do in about three hours and I should get back and eat, dress and do the press but this will be between you and me ok? Just us until you can put this back on your finger for good.” He told her.

“Fine by me. I like just having our little secret for a while.” She told him smiling.

“So do I. I’ll try and get here as soon as I can tomorrow ok?”

“Don’t worry about me I’ll be fine now.” She looked at him lovingly.

“I love you Baby.”

 “I love you too.” 

He got back to the arena as fast as he could. All he wanted to do was get this concert finished with knowing that he had a month and a half off before they had to start they’re third album. Which also meant that he had all that time with his new fiancé. He liked the sound of that. He stayed relatively alone in his dressing room wondering how long she was going to stay in the hospital. He had more surprises for her and wanted to put them in action but needed to know when she could travel. God he felt like he was going to jump thru his skin he was so excited. But the best part was that she forgave him for being the biggest Jackass that ever lived. Yeah Richie was right he did have a horseshoe up his ass that was the only reason why things seemed to work out for him lately. As he was pondering things a knock came at his door which seem to knock him out of his thoughts. “Come in?” he said.

Popping his head in, “Yeah is it safe to come in?” Richie asked. Laughing, “Yeah sure come on in.” Jon told him.

 “So I take it you went to see Mary? How’s she doing?” Richie wanted to know as he just asked straight out.

 Smiling, “She’s beat up, tired, hurting but other than that doing ok. We had a good talk…she forgave me…for be an ass.” He told him mostly as he fiddled with his fingers which he did when he was nervous. Just one of his nervous habits.

“Oh just an ass? You got off lucky then Kidd.” Richie told him smiling.

“Oh you’re funny. How about you guys? Have you guys forgiven me yet?” he wanted to know?

“What do you think?” Richie said as he sat down next to him.

“That’s why I’m asking you. You were pretty mad at me there.” He said to him.

“Yeah well when aren’t I. No really I’m glad you two are ok. You guys really are good together.” Richie told him sincerely. Richie could tell that there was something else going on with Jon. He knew him well enough to know when there was something going on and when Jon was bouncing on edge.

“Is there something else going on Jon because you keep looking around the damn room and your leg is bouncing like a rubber ball.” He asked his best friend.

Jon just sighed. “I could never keep anything from you could I? Look we’ve promised to keep this between just the two of us but I’m sure she’s going to tell her brothers before she gets out of the hospital. I proposed to her Rich and she said yes.” He told him with a smile as big as Texas.

Richie just sat there for a second thinking he missed understood what he heard. “You what?” he asked confused.

“You heard me right. I proposed to her and she said yes. We’re going to get married Rich but we want to just keep it between us right now at least until she gets out of the hospital so she can wear her ring.” He told him.

“You already got her a ring?” he asked stunned. “When the hell did you have time to do that?” he asked Jon shocked.

“I found the time. It wasn’t hard really I‘ve had the ring for a while now it was just finding the right time to give it to her. I even asked her brothers for her hand in marriage a while back. Believe it or not they gave it to me.” He told him.

“Were they drunk?” he asked him chuckling.

“You’re an ass.” Jon told him while he threw a pillow at him.

“So have you guys set a date?” Rich asked him.

 “No not yet I had to get back here and get ready which speaking of they should be just about be letting in the press right?”

 “Oh yeah I should go get ready meet you out at the meet and greet?” Richie asked him. They both said their goodbyes and showered and got dressed and went to the press conference and then to meet and greet. Once that was over the front act went on while Jon went to do his warm up and before he knew it they were bounding on stage. Back at the hospital Mary had slept most of the time after Jon had left as her brothers came back with just a few of her things and Jon didn’t show back up with his tail between his legs. She had slept for a few hours and when she woke up her brothers were there reading the paper. They had asked her if everything had gone ok with Jon and she told them that they had a very long talk and how they both apologized to each other on how they both acted wrong. She so wanted to tell them that Jon had proposed marriage to her but she had promised him that she wouldn’t tell anyone and this time she wasn’t going back on her word. She wasn’t going to do anything to jeopardize her chances with him this time. She loved him to damn much. They were happy that she was happy but still wanted to take her home for a while to heal properly. Now the only thing was to explain that to the two of them.

“You two have a funny look on your faces what’s the matter?” she asked them.

“Is Jon coming back by any chance?” A.J. asked her.

“Um no he has a concert tonight why?” she asked him.

“Well we wanted to talk to both of you about this.” he told her.

“Talk to me about what?” she asked him looking at both her brothers questionably. They both looked at each other and nodded.

A.J. went to sit on the bed. “Look Sweetheart we really wanted to tell the two of you together but since he’s not here and well we’ve already made the arrangements.”

 “Arrangements?” she questioned.

“Yeah we’ve arranged to take you home so you can heal properly and rest up, clear your mind and no stress you got that.” He told her. She just laid there not knowing what to think. She felt like she was six years old again.

 “Did you tell Mom what happened? Is this what this is all about?” she tried to say as calmly as possible.

“No not yet.” A.J. told her. Her mind was racing again.

She didn’t know how Jon was going to take this. Rubbing her hand on her forehead and her heart racing, “Look I’m going to have to think about this ok?” she said but Rick spoke up.

“No Honey everything’s been arranged and you’re coming home with us. The day after tomorrow we’re checking you out and getting on a plane for home. No if’s ands or but’s. Plus Mom will be home by then so she’ll be able to take care of you and lecture you about getting hurt. You know the drill.” He said as he rolled his eyes.

“Look I’m an adult and I think I can make up my own mind what I want to do. I’m staying put.” She said firmly.

They both looked at her shocked. “I’m sorry Sis but this isn’t up for debate. You’re going home and that’s final. Once you’re feeling better then you and Jon can work things out but until then we’re not going to let him push you around any longer. Case closed.” A.J. said and stood.

“We’ll let you get some rest now and sleep. We’ll see you tomorrow.” He said and leaned in and kissed her cheek. Rick did the same and they left. She was fuming. She had to get in touch with Jon somehow. She called the hotel and left a message with the clerk to have John Carpenter call her when he gets in. Hopefully he’ll do it.

The concert went great as usually and the guys were on a natural high. They ran backstage and took their showers and changed so they could go to the after party. Jon mostly had to schmooze the mucky mucks for a while until Richie could pull him away.

 “Hey thanks Rich. Boy does that get boring.” He said grabbing his beer.

Laughing, “Well I thought it was time, I could see you starting to drift away there. Ok now for the fun stuff. What will it be Blonde, Brunette, or Redhead?” he asked slapping his hands together.

 Jon just rolled his eyes at him. “Rich did you forget what I told you back at the hotel?” he asked shaking his head.

“Oh man sorry. Well ok I’ll get the three for myself then.” He said waggling his eyes.

Laughing himself now, “I’d like to keep my guitar player King I don’t want to have to call 911 when you have that heart attack.”

“What you don’t think I’m up to it?” Richie asked making a shocked face.

“Depends on what you mean ‘up’ to it” Jon sneered.

“Oh very funny ha ha” Richie laughed at him mockingly.

“You sure you don’t want me to grab you one?” he winked at Jon.

 “No man go I’m going to have a couple more and work the room then go back to the hotel.” Jon told him.

“Ok but you do know what goes on in Bon Jovi stays in Bon Jovi. Hey I made another funny.” Richie laughed at himself for making another inappropriate statement.

“Oh yeah you’re a laugh a riot Rich. Look you’re feeling good so just go before there’s nothing left even for you.” Jon told him.

“Never happen man never happen.” Richie said as he went off into the hunt. Jon just laughed and grabbed himself another beer and finished up his mingling. Then he slipped out quietly and left for the hotel. Once he got there he went up the back way because he saw the Pap’s outside in the front of the building and didn’t want to handle them. He never knew Mary left him a message to call him when he was to get in. He was exhausted and stripped down and collapsed in bed. He couldn’t believe something could feel so good and not give him the pleasure that usually goes with it. It didn’t take him long to fall asleep. 

When morning came the Simon brothers went straight to the hospital to see their sister. She wasn’t too happy to see them when they arrived. They could feel that she was still angry with them. But unbeknownst to them she had made a phone call early that morning to San Diego to a certain Mother whom she ranted to and told her everything, well almost everything that had happened. Cecelia had promised to call back around noon time to talk to her stubborn sons about what was going on.

Jon had slept way into the afternoon so he had no idea what was going on.

Noon time finally arrived and Mary just reached over very gingerly to answer the phone. “I can get it! Hello? Hi. Yes they’re here. Hum hum. Fine. A.J. it’s for you.” She told him.

A.J. looked at her as if she had two heads. He couldn’t image who the hell it could be. Jon maybe? She just held out the receiver for him to answer the phone and shook it. With wide eyes he took it. “Hello?” he said wondering who the hell could be on the other end of the receiver.

“Andrew? Please could you tell me what the devil is going on there?” Cecelia asked concern.

“Mom? Is that you?” A.J. asked shook.

“Well of course it’s me who else would it be.” She told him angrily.

 Rick looked at his sister and said, “You called Mom on us?” Mary just sat there and smiled very smugly. “I don’t believe this.” Rick said annoyed and pissed.

A.J. just didn’t know what to say. “Andrew are you still there?” Cecelia asked.

“Uh yeah Mom I’m still here. She called you?” A.J. asked his mother in disbelief.

 “Well of course she called me what else would she do. You two are bullying her. Who else would she call but her mother.” She told her son as she was not very pleased at them.

“Mom did she tell you everything that happened? How Jon treated her? How this is the best thing for her?” A.J. asked his mother. Cecelia then relayed everything back to him that Mary had explain to her over the phone even thou she wasn’t exactly too happy with it. But she knew her children were adults and that they were going to do things their own way whether she liked it or not. Plus she really did like this boy and had seen firsthand how he had taken care of her daughter and thought that he could get her to stop working as a private detective. Yes she did have an ulterior motive. She figured one down and two to go.

“But Mommy we really think that she needs to go home and only rest and think everything thru.” A.J. whined.

“Well I’m her mother and I think that she can make up her own mind A.J.” Cecelia told him. Now A.J. had to think fast. They did call the courthouse that morning and didn’t want to tell their sister this until they got her home but now seemed like best time seeing that they were losing the battle.

 “Well Mom Rick and I didn’t want to say anything till we were home but Jasmine got bailed out last night.” He told her hoping that it would change his mother’s mind.

“What!” Cecelia shouted. A.J. smiled.

“That’s right Mom.” A.J. said.

“Wait when did this happen?” Mary asked.

 “Last night just before they closed. We found out when we got back to the hotel. We didn’t want to call you because we wanted you to get a good night’s sleep.” Rick explained to her.

She just sat there and couldn’t believe her ears. Well this changed Cecelia’s mind. She told A.J. to put Mary on the phone and they argued for abut ten minutes about the dangers of her being out of jail. Mary tried to explain to her mother that Jon would provide her with the proper security but Cecelia wasn’t hearing any of that now since that psychopath was released. A.J. took the phone back and talked to their Mom again and reassured her that they would have her home by tomorrow night. Cecelia felt bad but then again for her safety she had to do what was right for her daughter. Mary was even more pissed than ever and now more pissed at Jon for not calling her back. Maybe that marriage proposal didn’t mean anything to him after all. No wonder he wasn’t in a hurry to tell anyone. Maybe it would be a good idea to go home. They finished up they’re phone call and she didn’t fight them anymore. They told her that they had already gotten her things from Jon’s and that they had packed for her so she was all ready for tomorrow. A.J. was going to get her papers ready to leave so they could leave first thing in the morning. She told them that would be fine and if it would be alright if she could just get some sleep now. She just wanted to be left alone.

     By midafternoon Jon finally crawled out of bed. He didn’t normally sleep this late but he was extremely tired and a little hung over. Luckily they didn’t have a show to do that evening but he did have to do an interview later that evening. He sat up and scrubbed his face and threw on some sweats. He then called down to room service and ordered himself some food and coffee to wake up. Then he called over to Richie to see if he wanted to write before they had to go over to the interview. It didn’t take Richie long to walk across the hall. “Hey Kidd you just get up?” Richie asked him.

“Yeah about twenty minutes ago you?” Jon asked back.

“Just before you called.” He told Jon.

“So how did last night go? I see your still standing?” Jon said smiling.

“Very funny. Let’s just say even feeling good I could see through them if you know what I mean.” Richie said making a face. “It’s all your fault anyway.” He told Jon.

Staring at him bewildered, “My fault? Why is it my fault that you couldn’t get laid?” he asked his best friend.

“Because you and Mary have set the bar way to high man. You really don’t know what you have in her do you? I’m just saying no other girl can match her we’ve all been spoiled. Those girls last night well even drunk I could see right through them Jon. Urgh! You know anytime you want to give Mary up I’d be glad to take her off your hands for you.” Richie said waggling his eyes at Jon and not wanting to tell his best friend but he really did mean it.

 “Not a rat’s ass chance in hell man. She’s all mine! And don’t you forget that.” Jon said laughing not realizing that Richie actually meant what he said.

If Jon knew that Richie had feelings for Mary it could mean the end of Bon Jovi. It nearly made them come to blows once before except when Jon realized that it was his ex-girlfriend Diane Lane that was the one that came on to Richie and that Richie was drunk at the time. When Jon realized that he knew he couldn’t be mad at Richie forever and that it was Diane who made the advances towards him, he knew that Diane never loved him in the first place. So she had to go. “Jon so how’s she doing by the way?” Richie asked.

Jon turned around realizing that he never made it back to the hospital last night. “Oh crap! I told her that I would try and see her last night. Oh man am I stupid.” Jon chastised himself.

“Jon I’m sure she understands she knew we were preforming last night right?” Richie asked him. Jon shook his head yes. “Ok then so what’s the problem?” he asked.

“I just don’t want her to think that I’ve abandon her again that’s all.” Jon explained to him.

“Believe me she won’t especially now that you’ve proposed to her. She’s probably floating on cloud nine.” Richie said mimicking a bird flying around the room.

“Stop that shit will you!” Jon told him chuckling as he threw a pillow at his head.

“Hey!” Richie yelled.

“Come on I have some ideas I want to put down before we go to that damn interview.” Jon said as he picked up his guitar and sat on the couch. Richie did the same and they started. After about an hour there was a knock on the door. “Yeah that sounds good put that down.” Jon said as he got up to answer the door.

As he opened it the manger was standing there looking all apologetic. “Hello Mr. Bongiovi.”

Looking at his name tag, “Mr. Woodward how can I help you?”

“Well Mr. Bongiovi first I want to apologize for the mistake, apparently this note was forgotten to be given to you last night. Please accept my sincerest apology for not getting it to you on a timely matter.” The manager of the hotel told him.

Jon looked at him confused. “Apologize for what?” he asked him. “You said a note?” Jon repeated.

 “That’s correct. None of my staff saw you come in last night.”

“They wouldn’t have I came up the back way. There were Paparazzi out front last night and I didn’t want to deal with them.” Jon told the manager.

 “Well again I’m sorry for any inconvenience that this may have caused you.” He said again handing the note over to Jon. He then turned around and left.

Shutting the door Jon turned and looked at Richie and smirked as he huffed into it. “What was all that about?” Richie asked.

“Don’t really know the manager gave me this note that they were supposed to give me last night.” Jon told him.

“Well what does it say?” Richie asked him.

Jon unfolded the note and all it said was ‘Jon call me when you get in from the arena I have to speak to you as soon as you get in. It’s very important. Love Mary.’

Chapter Ten

 “What the hell do you mean he’s not coming! Why?” Rick demanded to know.

 Stepping back out of the way of Rick’s rage, “Look don’t get mad at me I came ok? And don’t kill the messenger but he said he was sick and tired of being lied to by her and by you guys and she did this to herself and that he’s tired of waiting in waiting rooms to see if she’s alright. He said he’s done.” Richie told them sadly.

He could see that the brothers were fuming. “He did did he! Well we’ll see about that!” Rick shouted and left the room very angry.

“Where the hell is he going?” Richie asked.

“To kill your boss and friend! Come on let’s go before he makes good on that.” A.J. told him. They got into Richie’s rental and headed to the hotel and prayed they would make it there at the same time Rick did.

Jon was sitting in the bar of the hotel trying very hard to get drunk. It wasn’t working very well. Tico and David were sitting on either side of him giving him the stink eye so that wasn’t helping him either. But he was staring at the same drink now for more than an hour and had only a few sips of it. And I don’t know how many of Get lost’s and Fuck off’s you can say to two of your best friends and brother’s before they can get the hint and take it and don’t. “Look guys I just want to be the fuck alone ok. So FUCK OFF!” as he tried again.

Tico tried once more “You’re sure you don’t want to go to the hospital and…” but Jon stopped him short.

“Don’t Tico just don’t. I can’t think right now. She made me a promise and she broke it. I can’t keep doing this.” he said as he just stared off into space.

“Ok Jon but how are we going to tell her that you never even showed up or even cared to. Huh? Ever even think she might have had a good reason that she did what she did? You know she’s put up with all of our crap that you’ve shoved at her and she never walked away from you has she? No! But you’re going to walk away from her. I’ve known you since we’ve been kids Jon and I’ve been thru hell and back with you and I know a lot of your secrets. You were pretty quiet with what happened with Dot and we didn’t push which was ok because to be honest none of us really liked her. But Mary we do so I’m going to be honest with you what you’re doing to her is pretty crappy!” Dave got out before any of them saw the man come up behind them and grab Jon from behind.

He turned Jon around before anyone could do anything and punched him dead in the face luckily not breaking his nose but making it bleed pretty good and what will leave a good black eye. Two men came running from the entrance of the bar then standing next to the other two men staring down at Jon staring up at the five of them one holding back his brother. “Holy crap Rick you got him good.” A.J. said shocked.

“Let me go A.J. I’m not done with the Son-of-a-Bitch!” Rick yelled struggling to get loose from A.J.

Richie bent down to see if Jon needed any help. “You want a cold cloth or anything for your eye or nose?” Richie asked him unsympathetically.

Jon just looked at him. “No why the hell do care anyway?” He said point blank to Richie as he refused his hand to get up. Looking Rick straight in the eye, “Do you want to keep hitting me Rick! Because you can’t hurt me anymore than I’ve already hurt myself!” Jon said as he got up rubbing the blood off his nose with his sleeve and touching his eye tenderly.

“You just stay the hell away from her you got that! If you can’t give her your precious time then don’t show yourself at all Asshole!” Rick shouted!

“Come on Rick calm the hell down you’ll give yourself a stoke you’re so mad. He’s not worth it. We need to get back to the hospital and see if she’s out of surgery and find out what the doctor has to say.” A.J. said angrily.

They were just leaving as Jon said, “Surgery? She…She’s had surgery?” he was stunned that she had to have surgery this time around. “Why?” he asked startled.

 Ricked turned around and as angry as he was yelled, “Ask Sambora!” and the Simon's walked out leaving a very confused Jon standing there.

As the Simon's had left Jon turned to Richie as Tico and Dave looked on. “Richie? She had surgery? Why what happened?” He asked concerned but Richie was having none of it.

 “Oh we’re caring now? You said you were done Jon well maybe I am too.” He told his best friend. Jon grabbed Richie’s arm as he turned to leave but Richie whipped around and stared him down. “Don’t Jon!” he yelled at him.

 “What the hell did I do to you?” Jon asked him.

 “Are you kidding me? You find out that she was trying to figure out who was sending her the flowers and stuff behind your back because she loves you and she didn’t want you to get hurt. Then that bitch Kristen comes on to you and you like an idiot let her. Then when you find out that she went behind your back you dump her. You don’t want to see her anymore. You had it with her. Well guess what you don’t get to know anything that’s going on with her then Jackass! Now I’m going back to the hospital to see if she’s ok. If you guys want to come with me your more than welcome but if I see him you better hold me back!” Richie told them as he left for his rental car.

 Tico looked at Jon, “Look we’re going with Richie when you get your head out of your ass then we’ll talk.” And he and Dave went to go meet Richie. Jon just stood there stunned. He finally turned back to the bar and ordered himself a Jack.   

 They waited a few more hours in the waiting room to hear word on Mary. It had been five and a half hours now and it was driving them crazy. They couldn’t drink anymore coffee they just couldn’t get any more down. Rick seemed like he had enough waiting and when he was about to go and ask that’s when the doctor came in to talk to them. “Mr. Simon?” the doctor asked.

“Yes that’s us Dr. Wilson my brother and I.” A.J. told him.

“Oh well I just wanted to tell you both then that we were able to stabilize the internal bleeding but it was hard to find. Just when we thought we had it repaired there were two more that we had to find. They really did a job on her. Also she had a hair line fracture in her skull. We x-rayed that before we went in and able to take care of that also. She’s going to need to be hospitalized for at least a few days until I’m sure she can leave on her own accord.” He told them. They listen to what the doctor told them and that they would be able to see her when she returns to her room. He told them that a nurse will come out and let them know when she is in her room. They all sat down and sighed a sigh of relief.

Dave asked a question that he didn’t know if it would go over to well. “I hate to ask this but um should I call Jon and let him know that Mary is ok?”

They all looked at each other and Richie said, “Screw him. If he couldn’t bother to come with us then just screw him.” He said as he got up and walked out.

“What changed his mind?” Rick asked.

“He’s pissed that Jon’s throwing away the best thing that ever walked into his life. And because she’s not doing what he asked her to do not only is his feelings hurt but his manhood. You see he wants to be able to protect her not the other way around. He does love her trust us we know that for a fact. He just has a hard time sometimes showing it. You would too if you knew what he went thru as a kid.” Tico told them.

They just looked at them confused. “Look we’re going to go look for Richie say Hi to her for us and that we’re thinking about her but we do need to get back to the arena.” Tico said as he and Dave said bye.

About an hour later they were told what room to go to and they went in and saw her sleeping. They both sat down and waited for her to wake up. Back at the arena the three of them were looking for Jon but found Obie instead. Asking him if they had seen him Obie told them that he had come in about half an hour ago and he was hurting really bad. They ask him what he was talking about and Obie told them that he believe Jon must of drank half the bar earlier because he was not only wearing his sunglasses but he also looked like death warmed over. The guys told Obie what else that had happened and how Richie told him off which would explain the drinking. Tico also asked if he had seen Alec and Obie said that the last time he had seen him was in Kraft services. Dave said he would get Alec and meet them on the stage for sound check so Jon wouldn’t have a hissy and Richie and Tico would get Jon and bring him. Dave actually for once figured he had the better choice.               

She finally woke up to find her brothers sitting watching the news. She looked around the room but was disappointed at who she didn’t see. “Hey” she was able to get out. Both turned around to see that she had woken up.

“Hey there beautiful you’re finally awake.” A.J. said.

“How long was I out?” she asked them groggily.

“Well it depends because you had to have surgery so you were out for at least a day.” A.J. told her.

 “Do you remember anything Honey?” Rick asked her.

 “Yeah all of it. Jasmine is just as crazy as her brother was. But I don’t remember exactly when I passed out on her.” She told them.

“Well she’s in jail Honey so you don’t have to worry about her anymore. “Rick stated.

Mary shook her head. “Well I guess I should ask where’s Jon?” even thou she had a feeling.

They both looked at each other and A.J. answered. “They have sound check is it?”

 “It’s ok guys he’s not coming is he?” she asked.

 “How’d you know?” Ricked asked on how she knew that.

 “Just a gut feeling. I knew if I went out again doing something like this without taking security with me he would have a fit. And not seeing him here when I woke up just confirmed everything. He’s really pissed at me isn’t he?” she asked them.

“Yeah he is Sweetie…” A.J. started to tell her.

“It’s ok really just do me a favor would you two get my things for me. I don’t think I’ll have the strength emotionally or physically to do it.” She told them with tears in her eyes.

“You’re leaving him?” A.J. asked.

“Not my doing. It’s just that I broke a promise to him that one: I wouldn’t lie to him anymore and two: I wouldn’t break anymore promises to him and I did both. So he’s probably really pissed and he’s broken up with other girlfriends for less than that. That’s why he’s not here. When I get out of here can we just go home please?” she asked them as tears flowed down her cheeks.

“Yeah Sweetie we can go home.” Rick told her feeling bad for her.

 Sound check was just hell. Jon nitpicked everything. At one point the guys had to get in-between Jon and Richie thinking that they were going to come to blows at one point.

 “What the hell is your problem Sambora!” Jon yelled.

“You’re my problem Bon Jovi! There’s nothing wrong with my playing and you know it! I’m playing it the same way as I always do. I can’t help it if your damn ears are clogged!” Richie yelled back.

 “OK that’s it! You two can yell at each other till the damn cows come home but this isn’t going to solve anything.” Tico told them.

 “Look Tico my business is my business all of you just stay out of it.” Jon said as Obie yelled to him.

 “Hey Jon I have Rich B. on the phone.”

“Take a message will ya Ob.”

“He says it’s important.”

“Fine” Jon ran over to the phone, “This better be important Rich, who’s there? They are? What are they doing? Stall them will ya I’ll be right there. Ob get me a car I’m going back to the hotel.”

The guys were at the hotel and after they demanded to be let into Jon’s suite they started to pack up Mary’s things. “You know Jon’s going to be pissed that you guys are here doing this without him?” Rich B. told them.

“Look these are our sister’s things and she asked us to pack them up. So back the hell off.” Rick told him. Rich stalled as long as he could.

Just as the brothers were getting ready to leave with her suitcases Jon walked in. “What the hell is going on here?” he asked them.

“What does it look like?” Rick shot back sarcastically.

“Rick don’t. She asked us to get her things, Jon she’s going to need a change of clothes when they finally let her out of the hospital and she also needs her I.D. so we’re just going to drop off what she needs and bring the rest to our room for when we take her home.” A.J. explained to him.

 “Who says she’s going home with you guys? I’ve taken care of her after everything that has happen to her up to now why change?” he wanted to know.

“You’ve got to be kidding right? You’re the one that said that you were done or am I mistaken?” Rick asked him pissed.

“I was angry I didn’t mean any of it.” He told them.

“Oh really? Well she seemed to think you did asshole.” Rick shot back.

 “You told her!” Jon asked shocked.

 “Yes and we really didn’t have to because you gave her some cock and bull story that if she fucked up again you’d leave her.” Rick stated pissed as he moved forward at Jon as A.J. tried to get in-between the two.

“All right you two knock it off. We are taking her home Jon that’s where she wants to be.” A.J. told him.

 Jon just stood there. Then he stormed past them and went into the bedroom to get something. When he came out he turned back to them and said, “Nope not happening so unpack her things. Rich tell the guys to go ahead and eat without me but I’ll be there later in time for the concert.” He said as he was out the door running.

The three men just stood there staring at one another. Jon got to the hospital as fast as he could. When he entered he walked up to the reception desk and asked what room Mary Simon was in. Once he got that info he got into the elevator and once off made a beeline to her room. When he got there he was surprised that she wasn’t there. He paced back and forth seeing that he was nervous as it was. It wasn’t long that a nurse brought her back to her room and she was surprised to see him standing there waiting for her.

“Hey” he said to her.

 “Hi.”

“Well do you want to sit up for a while?” the nurse asked her.

“If you don’t mind?”

“Sure, let’s get you in the chair.” She told Mary. Once in the chair the nurse left them so they could be alone.

 “So why are you here Jon? My brothers should be back shortly.” She told him coldly.

Smiling, “I don’t think so I just saw them at my suite they were packing your stuff. Why did you tell them to do that?” he asked her.

“I thought it would be better than you calling me and saying to get my stuff the hell out of there. Besides I needed some stuff anyway.” She told him.

“I could have brought it to you.” He said pulling up a chair next to her.

“Why the guys told me what you said and I didn’t want to put you out. I’m no longer your problem so why would you want to?” she asked him confused.

“Baby I was hurt ok? I’m sorry. I was a jerk and if I can take it back I would. I love you more than anything you know that right?” he asked her almost trembling.

“You hurt me Jon. I thought they needed me. I didn’t do it to hurt you. I’d rather cut my own arm off than to ever hurt you.” She told him but never looked at him only staring straight ahead.

“I know Baby I know. I’m sorry I should have never asked you to not to help your brothers out. I should have know better than that. But you have to understand that I’m scared to death every time that you go out and do those things. You getting hurt what if…I can’t deal with that. But I do need to know one thing.” He asked her.

Turning her head, “What’s that?” she asked.

“Do you forgive me?” he asked hoping.

“Do I forgive you?” she asked a little confused.

Shaking his head, “Yeah.”

“Oh course I forgive you do you forgive me?”

 “With all my heart.” He told her as he leaned in and kissed her gently on the lips.

Separating “I love you too Jon.” She told him.

“Good because now I have a question to ask you.” He told her.

“What’s that?”