Chapter Twelve

“Is that all it says? Richie asked.

“Yeah that’s it. Something’s up. I’ll call her right now and see what’s going on.” Jon said picking up the phone.

“Jon it’s already one fifteen in the afternoon you don’t think she’ll be a little pissed off at you?” Richie asked.

“No why? She knows the deal. Thou I did tell her I would see her after the concert or did I tell her I’d call her? Shit I can’t remember now. Damn it! The phone is just ringing. You feel like taking a ride with me?” Jon asked Richie.

Smiling, “Sure why not someone is going to have to be a buffer between the two of you when she starts throwing hospital crap at you.” Richie said laughing.

“You’re not funny Richie.” Jon told him as they headed out. When they got to the hospital they headed up to her room and as they walked in the nurses were just putting an older gentleman into the bed. The guys stood there a little shell shocked.

“Oh excuse me can I help you gentlemen?” the nurse asked.

“Y…yes. I’m looking for Mary Simon? She had this room last night when I was here visiting her. Did her doctor move her?” Jon asked a little scared now.

“Um I’m don’t know I just got on at noon time but if you go to the nurse’s station I’m sure they can help you sir.” She told them.

“Fine thank you.” Jon said as he turned around still in a little bit of shock.

“Hey Kidd are you ok?” Richie asked him as he directed Jon to the nurse’s station.

“Ah yeah where the hell is she Rich? Do you think that’s what she wanted to talk to me about last night?” Jon asked him.

“Probably. You know they probably just moved her to another room that’s all. Nothing happened to her Jon ok?” Richie told him doing his best to keep him calm. They got to the nurse’s station and Jon caught the eye of a young nurse.

“Can I help you?” she asked.

Jon was going to take advantage of his charm and looks to get what he needs. “Ah Ann such a pretty name for a pretty girl.” He told her. She was blushing from ear to ear. “I was wondering if you could help me out. I’m looking for my girlfriend Mary Simon. Did you guys happen to put her in another room?” Jon asked her.

“Oh right Mary Simon no no her brothers came in early this morning and checked her out. Apparently they took her home.” She told Jon who nearly dropped.

“They did what?” he asked shocked and pissed.

“Yeah they discharged her and from what I understood took her home so she could heal.”

“Thank You Ann you’ve been a big help.” Turning around with a look that could kill on his face, “Let’s go Rich we have that damn interview to do and then the concert. Luckily were off for two weeks right after the concert so I’m going to go get my fiancé and they better not fucking stop me.” Jon said with determination on his face. They did the interview as Jon was all business. The other guys didn’t know what was wrong with Jon and they weren’t going to ask because they didn’t want him to jump down they’re throats.

Tico went up to Richie and asked him, “Hey Rich what’s up with Jon? Why is he so tightly wound?”

 Richie looked around to make sure Jon wasn’t around. “The Simon’s took they’re sister out of the hospital and apparently took her home to San Diego to get better I guess. But between us I think they wanted to separate them because they’re pissed at Jon.”

“Why because he didn’t go see her in the hospital when she got hurt?” David asked.

“Yeah I’m pretty sure that’s the reason and right now he’s so pissed he’s spitting bullets. He knows she can’t fight them right now. So after the concert’s over he’s packing up and heading out there and all I can say is God help them.” Richie told them.

Back in San Diego they had just arrived back to their mother’s and were getting their sister settled. “Dear are you sure you don’t want anything to eat? It will just take me a minute to whip something up.” Cecilia told her daughter.

“No Mother I’m going upstairs and lay down, maybe take a nap. Please don’t disturb me I’m tired oh unless Jon calls me Do You All Understand Me!” she demanded.

“Of course dear you go and rest and if and when Jon calls I’ll let you know.” Cecilia told her. Mary basically stomped up the stairs to her room and slammed the door shut.

Cecilia turned to her sons confused and knew her sons were at the bottom of this somehow. “Ok you two want to explain to me what that was all about?”

The boys felt like they were about six and ten again and that they got their hands caught in the cookie jar. “What do you mean Mom?” A.J. asked trying to look as innocent as he possibly could.

Cecilia walked over to her sons as they tried to back up. “You know exactly what I mean. Why is she all upset like that? And why doesn’t she think that I wouldn’t let her know when Jon would call?” Cecilia asked looking at them like they just ate the whole cookie jar.

“Well um maybe because we never told him we were bringing her home.” Rick told her squinting his face and getting behind A.J. as he turned and made a face right back at him that said chicken.

“You two are telling me that you never told him that you were taking her out of the hospital and bringing her home?” she asked her sons. They stood there looking guilty as charged as they shook their heads no. “I can’t believe you two. I know they have had their problems in the past but that doesn’t give you the right to interfere in her love life like that. They both love each other very much and I think it should have been her decision if he should have been informed or not. ‘taking a breath and stepping back, she had a disapproving look on her face’ I’m very disappointed in both of you. You not only owe your sister an apology but Jon as well. Why don’t both of you go and get some rest and let Mary get some also and then we’ll all discuss this some more tomorrow how does that sound?” she asked her sons.

They all agreed and they left feeling like heels which they thought that’s what their mother wanted them to feel like. Cecilia checked on her daughter and found her asleep and let her be. Cecilia did feel that it was a little strange that Jon hadn’t called all day. Were her sons right about him. But Mary had told her that he did have an unusual schedule and that she had to get used to it and that there were times that she had gone days without him calling her. Well if she had no problem with it why should she right? She only hoped that he did have something going that kept his attention and that he would call soon. At least that way she would understand why he wasn’t calling her daughter and wondering where the hell she was.

After the concert was finish and everyone ran off the stage Jon didn’t even wait for all the pats on the backs. He just ran to the back to his dressing room and grabbed his things and asked Obie if his car was ready to take him back to the hotel. “Jon you’re not going to the after party tonight?” he asked him.

“Nope Ob that’s why I needed the car. I just want to get back to the hotel so I can finish getting my things together. You did get my plane ticket right?” he asked him.

 “Yeah everything is all set you leave at four a.m. ok? You did say you wanted to leave A.S.A.P. right?” Obie asked.

“That I did. Thanks.” Jon thanked his friend and ran out to the awaiting car. First thing he did was finishing packing and making sure he put Mary’s ring in his jacket pocket. Then he jumped in the shower to get the sweat and smell off of him. He had about two and half hours left before heading out to the airport so he called down to reception and put in a wakeup call and made sure his car would be ready to take him to the airport. A few hours later Jon was on his his way to San Diego. His mind was running thru everything to make sure things were taken care of. The last thing he did before he left was to make sure that a car was waiting for him when he arrived at the airport. The only problem was he couldn’t sit still. He kept running everything what he was going to say not only to Mary but to her family. But he had to keep reminding himself to stay cool and not lose it. All he wanted was his girl and that was his main concern.

Morning had come and Cecilia was up bright and early. When she past her daughter’s room she peeked in to check on her. She was sleeping soundly so she decided to let her sleep. She went downstairs to make her coffee and made extra just in case her sons decided to show up. An hour had gone by when Mary had come downstairs to join her mother. “Hello Sweetheart how are you feeling this morning?” she asked her daughter.

 “Fine.” She said sadly as she sat down at the kitchen table. Cecilia got up to start her daughter’s tea.

 “Sweetheart I got out of the boys last night what actually happened. I didn’t know they didn’t tell Jon that they brought you home.” She told her.

“Yeah well…”

 “Mary I’m sure he knows now.” She told her.

 “Well if he knows he hasn’t called me now has he? He must be real pissed.” Mary said still angry herself.

 “I’m sure he’ll call just give him a chance. Aren’t you the one that told me that sometimes he can’t if he’s busy?” Cecilia asked her with an inquisitive face and smile.

 Smiling at her mother, “Ya I did. But Mom they shouldn’t of have done what they did. I’m a grown woman damn it! I can make my own decisions.” Mary said frustrated.

“I know but you were hurt pretty badly and I do have to say I think they did the right thing in bringing you home.” Cecilia told her.

Before Mary could argue with her, Rick and A.J. walked in. “Well I see someone’s up. How are you feeling Honey?” A.J. asked her as he went up to her and kissed her on top of her head.

She really did acknowledge him, all she did was answer him as she sipped on her tea. “Fine.” Was all she said.

“Still see we’re not really talking to us. Mom is there anymore coffee left?” Rick asked her.

 “There’s plenty Rick. A.J. would you like some?” she asked her middle child.

 “Please.” He said.

This went on for about another half hour so Cecilia had gotten dress as the boys moved into the living room. When Cecilia came downstairs, “Where’s your sister?”

 “She went back upstairs I’m surprised you didn’t hear her?” Rick said.

 Just then the doorbell rang. “Mom were you expecting anyone?” A.J. asked. Cecilia shook her head no. A.J. got up to answer the door and when he did he couldn’t believe his eyes at who was standing there. “Hey um won’t you come in.” A.J. said as Jon walked in. Cecilia saw who it was and walked over to him as A.J. shut the door.

 She gave him a hug then said, “Jon I’m so glad that you came. Mary has been moping ever since the boys brought her home. She’s going to be so happy when she sees you.”

“Well Thank You Cecilia. I needed for her to know that I didn’t abandon her.” Jon told her as he glanced at the boys.

 “Well that’s funny she said the same thing about you. She didn’t want you to think that see abandon you.” Cecilia told him.

“I would never think that. She is here isn’t she? She not in the hospital is she?” Jon asked a little nervous.

 “Oh no dear she’s up stairs I’ll go get her just a minute.” Cecilia told him. “Now you all play nice do you understand me!” she told the three of them.

Upstairs Cecilia went into Mary’s room. “Mom what? You have heard of knocking right?” she said aggregated.

 “Stop I need you to come downstairs with me.” She told her daughter.

“I’m not in the mood Mom.”

“Well I think you will be when you get down there now follow me this minute.” Cecilia told her as she left.

She wasn’t too thrilled about getting up in the first place but she also knew if she didn’t her mother wouldn’t leave her alone. She descended the stairs and saw her brothers standing next to one another talking to their mom. “Ok what is it Mom?”

“Well come here.” She said.

“I’m fine right here. What is it that you wanted to tell me?” She said getting annoyed now.

 “Hey don’t speak to your Mom like that.” Jon said behind the brothers.

Mary just stood there on the last step of the stairs frozen. “Jon?” she said not believing even her own words or ears.

The brothers moved away to reveal Jon standing there smiling. “I’m here Baby and I’m not going anywhere.” He told her as a smile came across her face. Jon walked up to her and helped her down to stand on the floor and gently kissed her. When they separate he asked her, “How you feeling Baby?”

 “Ok, I thought, I thought…” she couldn’t get any more out when he put his finger up to her lips.

“Shhh it’s ok I know it wasn’t you. I get it I do but there’s no way in hell anyone is going to separate us. When I leave here you’re coming with me.” He told her.

“Like hell she is.” Rick said.

“Richard!” Cecilia exclaimed.

 “No it’s ok really because where else would my fiancé be but with me.” Jon told them. The three of them just stood there dumb founded.

“Fiancé? Well when, how?” Cecilia asked.

 “A few days ago Mom and I said yes.” Mary told them smiling widely and ready to jump out of her skin. But then she remembered that she didn’t have her ring on.

“Oh wait a minute that reminds me.” Jon said as he reached into his pocket and pulled out the small box. He opened it and took out her ring. “Now as I put this on you I don’t ever want you to take this off again got it?” he told her as he took her left hand and slid the ring on her ring finger.

“Never I’ll never take this off again I promise.” She told him as she leaned in and kissed him.

“You better not.” He whispered into her after they kissed.

Cecilia was about to jump out of her skin. “I can’t believe you two are getting married. This is wonderful. Have you two set a date?” she asked happily as her sons looked on not knowing whether this was a good thing or a bad thing.

Jon just smiled as he put his arm around his girl. “Mom calm down please. We haven’t set a date yet because Jon’s on tour for one and two it’s going to be chaos if we announce our engagement because all of Jon’s fans are going to go crazy.” She explained to her Mom.

“So you’re not going to say anything? Don’t you think people will notice the ring on your ring finger?” she asked the two of them.

 Mary just looked to Jon for that answer. “Well if they do we’ll just tell them then. And we’ll also tell them the truth that we haven’t set a date. Which we haven’t we’ll do that when I finish the tour which is sometime next month. That is if they don’t extend it.” Jon told them.

“Well isn’t that convenient.” Rick blurted out as he sneered at them.

“Rickkkk Please? It’s hard for Jon to do anything right now where the press is watching him like a hawk not to mention his fans. Just give him a break will you?” Mary asked of her brother.

“Oh I’ll give him a break all right.” Rick said moving towards him as A.J. stepped in between the two.

“Ok that’s enough Rick. Why don’t you and A.J. go to work while the kids stay here with me ok? A.J. make sure your brother cools off please.” Cecilia asked her youngest son.

 “Sure Mom, Come on Rick you heard Mom Let’s go.” A.J. said as he took his brothers arm.

Rick yanked it from A.J.’s hand and stormed out of the house. A.J. looked back and just shrugged his shoulders as he walked out of the door. “Look I need to pick up Alice and take her shopping. Can you two do without me for a while?” she asked them knowing darn well what the answer would be.

“We’ll be fine Mom just go and say Hi to Alice for me. Oh and Mom can you please just keep this between us. We really don’t want this going public just yet ok?” She asked her mother.

“Fine dear I won’t say a word.” She kissed the two of them on the cheeks and left.

Jon walked up to her and put his arms around her gently, “Do you still hurt?” he asked while nibbling on her neck.

 Giggling, “Yeah I’m still soar a little why?” she asked as her head was swirling with desire.

“Oh nothing really. It’s just that we have the house all to ourselves now and I was just wondering if you were up to a little workout of sorts.” He asked as he moved his attention to the other side of her neck.

“Workout huh?” she mumbled out.

“Hm hmm.” He hummed out not lifting his head.

“Well I um think I can um do a little um workout.” She said as his head shot up.

“Yeah? That’s good enough for me besides I’ll do most of the work Baby so you just have to lie back and enjoy.” He told her as he picked her up and carried her up stairs. Cecelia left them alone all afternoon so they could get reacquainted with each other. They finally came out of her room sometime after dark. Mary offered to call something in but Jon said no way.

“You remember the last time you called for food you tried to pick it up and I never saw you again til Michael called here saying that he was going to hurt you. Or something like that.” Jon said as he mumbled under his breath.

Mary looked at him and smiled. Walking over to him and putting her arms around his waist, “What was that? Hum?” she asked as she nudged his ear with her nose.

Grumbling now, “Nothing?”

“Nothing huh? Fine then I’ll see what’s in the fridge Babe ok? And if you’re a really good boy I’ll let you watch.” She told him now nibbling on his ear.

 Trying hard not to smile, “You keep that up and we’re not going to make it in the kitchen.” He told her as he turned in her arms and started kissing her back.

“Well we could skip dinner.”

“We could? But we do need to keep up our strength you know.” He told her as his hands started to roam her body.

“That’s so true. Plus we don’t want Mom to come home and see us rolling on the kitchen floor either.” She told him. Well that seem to have done it for him.

“You really know how to zap the air out of the room don’t you?” he said as he went to go sit down in one of the chairs.

“Oh you poor baby. I’m just saying the way were going at it and can’t seem to keep our hands off each other I really don’t want Mom to come home and see that. God she once ran after Rick and dragged him out of a motel while she grabbed his ear and threw him in her car.” She told him trying not to laugh.

Laughing Jon said, “Well isn’t it her responsibility to make sure that her kids don’t well you know screw around when they’re kids? I mean I hate to see when I’m a Dad and if I had a little girl what I’d do if a guy like me come’s around courting her I think I’d freak.” He said laughing.

“Really? Well you know what’s even funnier?” she asked him.

“No what?” he asked.      

“Well even thou I’m surprised that Mom is even letting us alone and not having the guys babysit us. That fact is Rick wasn’t a kid when this happened. I mean she probably did when he was a kid but he was hardly here when I was a kid. So I don’t know what Rick and A.J. did or how they dated when they were teenagers. I was still in High school when they started the detective business. I remember A.J. in High school and college.”

“Really? How much older are they? I never really asked you.” Jon asked her.

“Rick is seventeen and A.J. is thirteen years older than me.” She told him.

“Wow and I thought I was a lot more older than Matty. I’m only twelve years older than Matty and four years older than Tony.” He told her still shocked that she is so much younger than her brothers.

“Yeah I was a wonderful surprise and miracle as Mom puts it. Dad came home during one of his missions and I guess they just got lucky. Then a couple of months later after they found out that they were having a baby Daddy got called back into action. Then I think Mom was five months with me when she got the call that Daddy had died. That would have about destroyed her if it wasn’t for the boys they said. Oh and her being pregnant. That’s what kept her going all these years, her kids. She’s a lioness. That’s why about a year ago Rick was going thru I don’t know something and well Mom she was worried about it especially since he was acting really weird. So she took me and A.J. and we followed him to this motel. And that’s when she busted in on them. I was at the door and after she pulled him out of the hot tub because he fell in with his clothes on I had to turn around otherwise she’d probably would have hit me for laughing.” She explained to him.

“Wait you mean Rick was an adult when she did that?” Jon asked her shocked. All she did was shake her head yes with a grin on her face. “Yeah let’s not have her find us screwing on the kitchen floor then. I’d like to keep my balls.” Jon said grimacing as she kissed him on his check.

 “Come on help me make some hamburgers will you? Then I’ll show you what’s for dessert.” She said as she winked at him as she walked into the kitchen.

Smiling as he got up and rubbed his hands together. Talking to himself ‘Show me what’s for desert little girl I think not. I’ll show you what’s for desert and then some.’ He murmured as he walked into the kitchen to see how he could help without making too much of a mess. After dinner and cleaning up the phone rang and it was her Mom saying that she was staying over her friend’s house so she could give them the house.

That’s all Jon needed to hear. “Well, well isn’t this nice having the house all to ourselves.” He said to her with his eyes blazing as his arms wrapped around her waist.

 “Well isn’t it? I guess she really likes you. Of course announcing our engagement didn’t hurt either.” She told him smiling.