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.’