One Step Closer

“Look I probably shouldn’t have said anything but I need you to know what I would do for him and what I won’t do for him. And that he’s my life. So I would rather stay here and suffer for him and protect him with my life. Now I know what my parents have gone thru with me all these years and still do with me. What they’ve done to make sure that Jimmy and I have everything that most single Mom’s don’t. They didn’t have to do that just so you know.” As she went into further explanation.

Looking at her he had to make sure that she knew that he wasn’t going to take him away from her. Taking her hand in his and smiling, “Look Ellie he looks like he’s in excellent health and is doing wonderful. I don’t have any qualms about how you’re raising him. I’m sorry that I gave you that impression, and I’m sorry if I gave you any impression that I want to take him away from you. ‘rubbing her hand with is thumb’ because that’s the last thing I wanted to do is give you that idea. Look I’m scared to death that everything I’m saying is wrong. I’m just…” but before he had a chance to say anymore Ellie cut in.

“Jon no I’m sorry I’m just on the defensive and I just love him so much. Look why don’t we stop blaming or accusing each other and just talk about Jimmy and how wonderful he is. Plus he’s going to love the present you got him.” She told him trying to be happy as she could.

“Well I, I got him a truck like you suggested and I thought maybe when he’s older I could see if he gets interested in music.” Jon told her he hoped.

“Well you never know it does run on both sides you know.” She told him.

“It does?” he asked her confused.

“I thought I told you my Grandfather on my Mom’s side was a Trumpet player famous one in fact here in Worcester. He led the Orchestra here in Worcester and taught piano and trumpet. Mom even said that everyone in the band would host a party every weekend or every other weekend and this one time they had this t.v. star come to the house. Now Mommy was about twelve years old I think and when she saw who it was she ran upstairs, they lived in a triple decker, and she hid underneath her bed and wouldn’t come out and Grandma Mary was so angry with her. Grandpa Charlie who adored her was trying to coach her to come out from underneath her bed but it was a no go.” Ellie told Jon laughing.

“So are you going to tell me who it was? Oh I know it had to be Bela Lugosi or Lon Chaney Jr. right?” Jon asked her curious.

“Nope. It was Rin Tin Tin.” Ellie told him laughing even harder.

Jon burst out laughing now too. They finally were feeling like they used too when this little boy came walking down the stairs rubbing his eyes wanting his Mommy. “Momma, Momma.” Jimmy was calling out to her at the bottom of the stairs.

She looked at Jon as she stopped laughing and said, “Will you excuse me a sec while I get him?”

“Sure go ahead I’ll be right here.” He said nervously.

Ellie went to get Jimmy and brought him back to where Jon was waiting. “Well here we are he’s still a little out of it but just give him a minute or two and he’ll start waking up more. ‘looking at Jimmy’ Jimmy do you remember Jon?” she asked him.

Jimmy looked at Jon and just dug his head into his Mother’s neck and mumbled something to them.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t understand him Ellie.” Jon told her confused.

Smiling she said to him, “He said no he didn’t and that he was hungry.” She was rubbing his back when Joe walked into the den.

“I thought I heard my nephew. Hey there slugger you want to come with me and get something to eat?” he asked Jimmy who turned to his uncle with outstretch arms.

“I don’t think so Joe we’re trying to get Jimmy to know Jon better remember?” she told her brother as she gave him the eye.

Thankfully Mary walked into the den with some milk and cookies. “Hey I thought that Jimmy could use a little snack while he sat with you guys. Joe why don’t you come with me I need to do some errands.” She told him as she tried to get him out of there but Joe wouldn’t hear of it. She took him by the hand and dragged him out of the room nearly kicking and screaming but they left together.

“Boy your brother really likes me doesn’t he?” Jon said to her sarcastically.

“Well he has his reasons Jon and it’s only partly you. He’s just very protective of me and Jimmy that’s all.” She told him.

“Well I remember he wanted you to date that friend of his what was his name Hugo?” Jon said smartassy.

“His name was Herbie and he really wasn’t the problem. But what happen after I got home is none of your business.” She told him flatly.

“Really? Why? Did something happen you don’t want me to know about?” he asked her concerned.

“I really don’t want to get into it in front of Jimmy please.” She told him as she started to get annoyed now. Jon agreed but only for now. Ellie let Jon give Jimmy his present and when he opened it is eyes grew big as saucers when he saw the big dump truck.

“Momma, Momma look at the truwk! Can I go play wiff it?” he asked Ellie.

“Well first what do you say to Jon?” she reminded him.

“Oh I sossy. Jon Tank You for my pestant.” He told him.

“Your quite welcome little man.” Jon told his son as his heart felt like it was going to bust when he saw his son’s face when he opened it up.  Ellie saw Jon’s face and her heart melted. She needed to explain to Jimmy that Jon was his Dad but how do you explain to a five year old that never had a father that now he does. Jon got down with Jimmy and started to play with him and his truck then Ellie told him to take him out back and in the corner of the backyard her Dad had put in a sandbox for him, so Jon picked him up and the truck and went out the back porch to the back yard. Ellie just told him to be careful of the pool. Jon just smiled at her as they went out to the sandbox.

Ellie went into the kitchen to get some sodas for her and Jon and some milk for Jimmy when her parents walked in. “Where did you two go?” she asked them.

“We went next door over to the Forbes. We heard Jimmy and Jon by the sandbox so we told them that we needed to see what was going on and probably be back later.” Cecelia told her.

“How are Adam and Ashley?” she asked them trying to change the subject.

“They’re fine wanted to know if Jimmy could play with them later. So Jon’s playing with him first I see?” she asked her daughter as Paul went to grab myself a beer.

“Yes he is and I’m going out back with some drinks before Joe jumps ship from Mary. He’s being a pain.” She told her parents.

“He’s just being over protective you know that.” Her father told her.

“I know but it gets real annoying after a while.” She told them. “I better get going before Jimmy starts to get antsy on him. He really doesn’t know him and I don’t want him to get scared. Jon may not know what to do.” She told them smiling. She walked out to the back yard and saw the cutest site she ever saw. Both of them playing in the sand box and she really couldn’t tell which one was the biggest kid. Her heart was beating faster than it had ever in a long time when it came to him.  She walked over to the two of them and sat down in the chair that she had put there earlier. “Hey having fun you two?”

Looking up at her Jon just smiled. “Yeah we’re having a ball, and you were right he’s smart as a whip.”

“I told you didn’t I? He seems to be taken with you. Is there anyone you can’t charm?” she asked him smiling.

“Well there seems to be you?” he told her looking at her with all this renewed love in his heart.

“What do you mean?” she asked him. “You charmed me years ago or have you forgotten?” she asked him.

“Yeah well that was years ago what about now?” he wanted to know.

“Well I just showed you I’ve been busy. Plus I’ve grown up and I don’t think you really have now have you?” she told him while he was stilling sitting in the sandbox playing trucks as she smiled at them.

“I can see that you haven’t lost your sense of humor have you? So do you want to come in and play?” he asked her with that wicked grin on his face.

“Funny I was going to ask you if you want to come out and have something cold to drink.” She told him.

“A beer?” he asked her as he perked up.

“No a soda you did drive here right?” she told him.

“Yeah I did. That would be fine.” He said as he got up and joined her. She bent down and gave Jimmy his sippy cup to him as he took it too happily and continue to play with his new truck and all the others.

“So Ellie do you ever get out?” he wanted to know.

She just looked at him strangely and wanted to know where he was going with this. “Why do you want to know? I mean Jon does it look like I get out? I already told you this. I mean Joe and Mary tried and get me to go out with them. I did a couple of times. Even got picked up a few times that was an experience. Even had a boyfriend for a while but that ended well let’s just say not good.” She told him without getting into the details.

Jon just looked at her then finally asked her, “What do you mean not very good? He didn’t do anything to Jimmy did he?” he asked her nervously.

She was glad that he asked about Jimmy instead of her. “No he didn’t hurt Jimmy it just wasn’t a good fit and you know my family they just don’t like me dating the wrong guys that’s all. The last few years well haven’t been the greatest.” She told him hoping he bought that.

“I’m sorry if I was part of that Ellie.” He told her feeling really guilty even thou he knew it was now his Mother’s fault.

“Well we know whose fault it was that kept us apart Jon. I don’t blame you anymore.” She told him.

“Thanks, I did talk to my Mom and well you’re not going to like it.” He told her as he reached out to take her hand again but this time she just pretended she didn’t see him and took a sip of her soda. He didn’t like that very much but decided not to mention it because he didn’t want her to get mad at him. “She did admit it. She admitted everything. She wanted me to go and be what I wanted to and not be tied down.” He told her ashamed at what his mother had done to them.

Ellie just sat there and couldn’t believe she actually admitted it Jon.  “Did she read my letters Jon? Did she know that I was pregnant? Is that why she didn’t want me with you?” she asked him shocked.

“No I don’t think so because she seemed really shocked to find out that’s she even had a grandson. I told her don’t even think about meeting him until she got her sh… stuff together.” He told her smiling when he almost made that slip on his swearing. “It’s hard isn’t it?” He told her looking at Jimmy while he was playing.

“What? Not swearing?  Tell me about it. I don’t in front of him but when he’s not around I swear like a sailor.” She told him grinning as she took another sip.

“Look Ellie I’m going to cut to the chase are you doing anything tonight?” he asked her hoping that she didn’t.  She looked at him and nearly choking on her soda. “Are you ok?” he asked her as she stopped him from trying to help her.

“Yeah I’m fine. What? You want to what?” she asked him as she thought she was hearing things.

“I want to know if you want to go out tonight you know if you want to that is.” He asked her as he was actually nervous to ask her out for the first time in a long time to ask a girl out.

She thought about it for a minute as she smiled at him. She really hasn’t gone out except with Joe and his girlfriends and then there was Michael and he was in jail for hopefully quite some time. “Well I was invited to Cyndi’s party tonight but I declined.” She told him smiling.

Looking at her strangely at why she didn’t go he asked her, “Well why didn’t you go?”

“Because I didn’t want to and because I’m exhausted. Besides I don’t like burdening my family into taking care of Jimmy all the time. Mom and Dad look after him while I’m working. I mean they all don’t complain they love him and spoil him rotten just like Grandma Mary did to me and Joey. Besides I don’t get to spend that much time with him during the week you know? So the weekends are our time together.” She explained to him.

Looking at her and seeing the love in her eyes when she speaks about him, “Do you ever regret having him Ellie? Did you ever think for once about well you? Or give him up?” Jon wanted to know.

Shaking her head no, “After getting over the fear about being pregnant in the first place and how my parents were going to react, which by the way wasn’t good at first. But then when they realized that it was happening after about five seconds into finding put they were great. And there was no other answer we were going to keep him. Sure people talked but you should have heard Daddy put a stop to that really fast.” She told him proudly.

“Really? Well you always told me that your family was tight and that you guys stuck up for each other. But I definitely can see why everyone would be afraid of him.” Jon told her.

“Well that and a couple of my cousins fucked up too so it was like the pot calling the kettle black so when their parents were talking shit it just pissed Mom and Dad off and they called them on it. You don’t say anything about their kids. You just don’t.” Ellie said proudly.

“Well I guess not. But you still haven’t answered my question.” He told her.

“What was that?” she asked as she had totally forgotten.

“Will you go out with me tonight?” he asked her sincerely.

“Jon it’s really short notice and I don’t want to…” she was trying to get across to him when he interjected.

“Well you won’t know unless you ask them right? Look Ellie we need to talk and we need to be alone. No family or friends and band members ok? Can we just please do this because right now I have time but in the next couple of days I have non-stop crap to do and I don’t know when I’ll be able to get together again without having a million people around us. I thought this was important to you too?” Jon ranted to her and wanted to know if she felt the same way when Jimmy looked up at the two of them and yelled out, “Crap!”

Jon just sat there stunned when he heard his son mimic him as Ellie just sat there and gave him a death stare. “Ellie I’m so sorry. I didn’t know he was listening I thought he was playing with his trucks.” Jon babbled as he was trying to apologize to her when all of a sudden she burst out laughing. He sat there again stunned and didn’t know what to do.

“I’m sorry Jon but you should see your face it’s priceless. Look he didn’t say anything bad ok? So chill. And he knows not to repeat the bad words because I told him not to or Santa won’t come on Christmas if he does. Plus I don’t consider that a bad word so you’re safe.” She told him still giggling off and on.

“You’re mean do you know that?” he told her with a sour puss on his face.

“Oh get over it will you. I can see that I’m going to be the meany in the family and you’re going to be the push over.” She told him chuckling.

“You know maybe you can stay at home because I don’t date mean girls.” He told her pouting.

“Oh God you still do that?” she asked him.

“Do what?” he asked her with that inquisitive face of his.

“You know damn well that sexy pout of yours.” She told him smiling. As they were talking Jimmy stood up and told Ellie he had to go potty again and Ellie told him that she would be right back but Jon stopped her.

“Would you mind if I take?” he asked her.

“You serious?” she wanted to know.

“Sure your potty training him right? I think I can handle that.” So Ellie let him take Jimmy to the bathroom but would have loved to have been a fly on the wall. Paul and Cecelia were in the kitchen when they saw Jon walk in the bathroom with him and exchanged smiles. It took Jon a little bit to help Jimmy with everything but Jimmy told him that he would get the hang of it. Jon laughed and told him Thank You for the encouragement. When Jimmy was finished he asked Jon to pull his stool over for him so he could wash his hands. Jon asked where it was and Jimmy told him it was underneath the sink so he opened the cabinet doors to take it out. Once finish they left the bathroom and Jon asked Jimmy if he could go back out to his Mom so he could talk to his grandparents.

Ellie saw Jimmy coming out of the porch but didn’t see Jon. Thinking nothing of it at first she just thought maybe he had to go too and sent Jimmy along ahead of him.

Meanwhile back in the kitchen Jon gathered his courage to ask her parents a question. “Mr. and Mrs. Anderson I was wondering if you could watch Jimmy tonight so I can take Ellie out? She told me that she hardly gets out and um well we need to talk so I thought if we could get away and discuss some things privately we can come to some sort decision a financial arrangement.” He told them.

They looked at each other and even thou Paul wanted to tell him to stick it and that things were just fine the way they were Cecelia explained to him that Jimmy was his child also and it was about time that he stepped up to the plate. He just didn’t want his daughter to go thru that pain again when Jon dropped her again when this became old to him. So Cecelia spoke up, “We’ll take care of him just tell her everything will be fine. Or when she comes back in here we’ll back you up. She gets her stubbornness from her father.” She told Jon as Paul gave her the eye.

Jon went back out in the back yard and sat back down next to her. He was smiling at her and she thought that was getting really weird now. “Ok what did you do?” she asked him suspiciously.

Still smiling, “Ok don’t get mad at me but I asked your parents to look after Jimmy tonight so I can take you?” he told her waiting for her to explode.

She didn’t explode but she wasn’t happy either. “Jon we just talked about this and you went behind my back? I told you I’m tired and I don’t want to go out.” She told him very strongly.

“I know but I really need to talk to you and the faster we do it the better. So why don’t you go put something a little nicer on than just jeans and a t-shirt ok?” he asked her smiling that sexy smile that gets the girls panties to drop.

“Well what do you want me to put on? Casual or dressy or in-between? Because Jon you’re not giving me much here.” She told him getting a little annoyed now.

“Casual alright, but no concert t’s I want to show you off. We’ll go get some dinner then we’ll go and talk out what we’re going to do about Jimmy how’s that?” he asked her. She just shooked her head and went back into the house to get dressed. She wasn’t kidding because she was tired. Working a full time job took its toll on her but she wasn’t about to saying anything because she had her son to raise. She was getting a lot of crap from her period lately and had made an appointment with her Gyno and she was hoping that she wasn’t having all that crap happening to her again not to mention her migraines.

Finally Jon brought Jimmy into the house as Jimmy was getting a little antsy and wanted something to drink. Cecelia was making dinner and she could see that Jimmy was getting cranky. She looked over to her husband and asked him to grab a sippy cup and pour some milk into it and hand it to Jimmy.  When he did Jimmy wanted his Grandpa. “Don't feel too upset over this Jon, he does this to Ellie to.” Paul told him just as Ellie came down stairs.

“Wow you look great.” Jon told Ellie as he kept staring at her.

“Well thanks I guess. Is Jimmy ok? What’s the matter I heard crying.” She asked them hoping that she couldn’t leave the house.

“He’s fine just wanted his sippy cup and his Grampy right buddy? Just go and have a good time Honey he’ll be fine.” Her father told her while he held his grandson. Ellie just smile halfheartedly and Jon grinned from ear to ear. She knew this was going to be a long night.

Daddy?!

 "Um what did you say Jon? You’re a what?” Carol asked her son very calmly.

“Yeah you heard me right Mom. I’m a Father. I have a very handsome son with Ellie. That’s what she was trying to tell me all those years ago in those letters that you wouldn’t give me. Or those phone calls that you told her that I didn’t want. She wasn’t about to tell you before she told me and when you told her that I wanted nothing to do with her well then she decided to have the baby by herself. Oh wait her parents were there for her unlike mine.” He told her with an attitude.

Carol didn’t know what to say to her son after that. She was mostly in shock. She was a grandmother. She was trying to wrap her mind around that when she heard Jon asked her if she heard him. “Mom, Mom are you listening to me?” he asked her annoyed.

“Oh yes I am sorry. Did I hear you right you’re a father?” she asked him just to make sure that she heard him right again.   

“Stop playing games Mom you know damn right what you heard me say. Now tell me the damn truth and tell me did you tell Ellie that that I didn’t want to ever hear from her again or what!” Jon demanded from her.

“Why are you going to believe her over me?” she wanted to know.

“Because if you ever want to see your grandson you’ll tell me the truth how’s that?” he told her angrily.

“You would keep my own grandson away from me?” Carol wanted to know.

“I got news for you Mother I don’t have any rights to him. He doesn’t even have my name. So Ellie has all the say here. And I can tell you she is furious with you right now that you kept us apart. So if I was you I would start telling me why, why would you lie to me that she never tried to get in touch with me when she did and why you never mailed my letters to her when you said you did? It was just one lie after another with you.” He told her awaiting an answer from her.

“Fine your Father told me what he had planned for you with Tony and I couldn’t let you ruin that with this girl so I lied and you seemed so excited about going to New York and helping out there and maybe getting some of your song’s recorded. Tony promised your Dad that if you did a good job for him he’d let you do that and I knew once you could get a foot in that door that was all you needed but I knew she was wrapped around you like an albatross you wouldn’t get your big chance. Jon I was just looking out for you.” She rambled on. 

Jon was getting furious by the minute. “You know Mom I’m so glad you had such faith in me.” He said almost banging the phone against his head.

Finally she thought, “So you finally understand then?” she asked him.

Jon almost lost it on her. “No Mother I don’t! And it’s you who don’t understand. If you had faith in me you would have gave me Ellie’s letter’s and messages and let me make up my own mind whether I wanted to talk to Ellie or not. And now not am I without her but I’m without my son. So here’s what you can do, you can tell Dad that he’s a Grandfather and that you’re the reason why he’s never met him. Oh and by the way his name is James Paul Anderson.” And he hung up the phone. He was squeezing the bridge of his nose when Richie asked him a question.

“Um Kidd?” Rich asked him.

“Yeah?” Jon said trying very hard to get rid of his headache.

“Your son’s name is her last name and not yours?” Richie asked him carefully.

“Yeahhh why?” Jon wanted to know.

“No reason I just thought she’d make sure that she’d put the kid’s name under your’s that’s all.” Richie said trying to imply something.

“Don’t go there Rich.” Dave said to him.

“Why would you think that Richie?” Jon wanted to know.

“Don't answer that Rich I mean it.” Dave told him knowing Jon’s temper.

“I just thought that well you know if she wanted to make everyone know he was your son she would have named him Bongiovi instead of Anderson that’s all.” Richie told him.

Again Jon squeezed the bridge of his nose as Dave just shooked his head. “Rich she named him Anderson because she didn’t want me to have anything to do with him because she thought I didn’t want anything to do with her. Where the hell have you been thru this?” he asked his best friend.

Richie took a deep breath and said, “Look Jon you know I love you like a brother right? So I’m going to say this to you straight.” He said as Dave got up and move to the other side of the room. “I get that we were the ones that ran into her but are you sure that it’s yours? I mean did she tell you when his birthday was?” Richie asked him sincerely.

Jon just looked at him and actually smiled. “Rich man I get what you’re saying but he’s the spitting image of me when I was his age. Trust me he’s mine. Ellie was a virgin when I met her and we only did it a few times before she left. Believe me she just wouldn’t fuck someone else in spite of not getting in touch with me like that. Besides she was sick when she left so she was pretty sure she was pregnant before she left Sayreville. Plus she wouldn’t lie to me. She’s not like you know who who would lie thru her teeth every five minutes to me. No he’s mine and I can’t wait to get to know him.” Jon told the guys smiling.

“Hey I’m sorry Jon I didn’t mean…” Richie started to say.

“It’s ok Rich I understand. You were just looking out for me. Look I need to take a shower plus I want to call Ellie and see if I can see her and Jimmy later. Hey do you guys want to meet them? I mean if you want to?” Jon asked them excitedly.

Richie smiled but then said to him, “Why don’t you get to know him first Jon and get reacquainted with your girl first. There will be plenty of time for us to meet your son.”

“Yeah I guess I should do that first. I’m so excited and nervous at the same time.” He told them.

“Jon that’s to be expected. Look go take your shower and then call her and see what you guys can work out. You guys have a lot to talk about you know?” Dave told him.

Jon knew that which scare him a little because he knew his name wasn’t on Jimmy’s birth certificate. Which for all he knew he didn’t have any right’s to his son. He also knew how angry she was at his mother for keeping them apart. So he was afraid that she may keep Jimmy away from him because of what she did to them for revenge. God he hoped not he hoped that she’d remember how much that they had loved each other before this all went to shit.

*********************************************************************

Saturday morning was just so much fun for Ellie. It used to be that she could sleep in but as soon as Jimmy was able to walk on his own he was able to jump on her and wake her up early so he could go down stairs and watch t.v. even thou she had one in their bedroom. You see Grandpa was up but Jimmy like his Mom to be up too so they all could have breakfast together.

“Momma come on Grampe is up and I want to see him.” He told his mother as he held her eye open against her will.

“I’ll give you a million dollars if you let me go back to sleep please?” she asked him.

“Nooo! I want to see Grampe pease?” he asked her again with the cutest little puppy dog face. They went thru this every week and she would lose every week.

“Ok, ok give me a minute to get up.” She told him as she started to move slowly.

“Yayee!” he yelled happily.

“Yeah right…Honey shh or you’ll wake up Aunty Beth.” She told him by putting her finger to her lips.

“Oh ok. Sorree.” He told his Mommy who was smiling at him lovingly.

It didn’t take them long to go down stairs as Jimmy rush to his Grandfathers side to give him a hug and a kiss as Paul picked him up and put him on his lap as he already had Jimmy’s bowl and cereal out for him.

“Hey Daddy do you want any more coffee?” Ellie ask her Dad.

“Thanks Honey that would be great.” He told her while she filled up his cup and she was making her tea.

This was the only time Cecelia could sleep so they left her alone while they had their breakfast and once Jimmy had his and he got down from his Grandpa and went into the den as Ellie put on his cartoons for him. She then went back into the kitchen to join her Dad once more. As they were talking Sean finally came creeping out of his room from the basement to join them as Chick was still sound asleep as who knows what time he came in last night.

As they were talking Sean brought up the subject as Patrick wanted to go see RATT this January and when he saw that the opening act was this heavy metal group called Bon Jovi Sean asked her if Jon had anything to do with it.

“So I was wondering since his last name is Bongiovi but not spelled like that is it the same guy?” he asked his sister.

She thought about that for a moment and then answered, “Huh, I don’t know he did say that he changed his name or the spelling of his name so it could be him. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised that it was him. Why do you want me to ask him?” she asked her brother.

“Well only if you want to I know that you and Jon just kind of got back together.” He said as Ellie jumped in to set him straight.

“Whoa Jon and I are not back together. We just found each other and he just found out that he’s a father and probably doesn’t even know if he wants to be a father.” Ellie told them.

 By this time Cecelia had gotten up and was having coffee with them. “Well Honey you don’t know that but you’re right about one thing you two just met again so give him time. But becareful please you two haven’t seen each other in what five/six years and he is a very different person.” She told her daughter.

Smiling Ellie decided to go for it. “Ok Mom how is Jon different besides him changing his name over.”

“Well he’s been out on his own correct?” she asked her daughter. Ellie shocked her head yes. “And he’s been in the rock band for a few years now?” Ellie again shooked her head yes. “And I supposed just like other boys his age he goes off with the girls at the end of the shows?” This time Ellie had to think about that.

“Mom I’m sure that he has and he is very good looking and he is a very red blooded American boy. What happened in those six years is none of my business as those six years is none of Jon’s business. And if anyone of you guys tell him about Michael I’ll kill you. Got it!” she told them.

Her father told her, “If Michael shows his face anywhere near you I’ll kill him do you got it?” he said with a straight face.

“Yes Sir I do.” She said as she looked at her Mom as she mouthed ‘Oh my God!’ to her. Michael was a subject that no one was allowed to talk about as they had dated for a few years until he got a little obsessed with her and wouldn’t let her talk to anyone who was male. It even got to the point it almost jeopardize her job. She had to get a restraining order out on him but what was the worst thing was when one night when she had inventory from her job at the store and it was around two in the morning she was coming home he had ran her off the road with his car and what happened next well let’s just say he had gotten quite a number of years in the state prison. As they were talking the phone rang and Cecelia answered it thinking it was her sister-in-law as it usually was at this time of morning. But when she did she had a little smile on her face and told her daughter that the phone was for her.

“Really? Oh ok thanks.” Ellie told her. Ellie wasn’t used to getting phones calls especially since her girlfriend had moved. “Hello?” she said into the receiver.

“Hi I hope that it’s ok that I’m calling you but I just wanted to know if it was alright if I came over again to see you and Jimmy?” Jon asked her nervously.

“No it’s fine I’m not doing anything this afternoon and Jimmy will be more awake so that would be good.” She told him happily.

“Great um would it be ok if I bring him a present?” Jon asked her not knowing if she would allow it.

“Sure that would be fine he likes gifts.” She told him grinning happily.

“What does he like?” Jon wanted to know nervously as he didn’t know what young boys liked at that age.

“What did you like at this age Jon? And don’t say girls. All boys’ likes trucks and cars you know match box and dump trucks stuff like that. That would be great to start off with ok?” she told him trying not to laugh.

“Well great then I’ll see you say around two?” he asked her.

“Sure that would be great. I’ll put him down for his nap around one so that way we can talk for a while before he wakes up if that’s ok with you?” she asked him questionably.

“Sounds good Ellie I really can’t wait you know I missed you.” He told her.

“Well I missed you too Jon.” She told him back. They hung up and she went to get Jimmy to get him at least cleaned up, dressed and ready to see his Daddy. Daddy she thought. Wow that really hit her hard for a moment. She always wondered what it would have been liked if he ever knew right from the start that she was going to have a baby. Would he have been there from the beginning? Would they have gotten married? Or would it still be like it is now? It wouldn’t matter about one thing thou. She still would have had the baby. There is no way she would have not had that beautiful baby boy only because he was made in love and nothing else. And as much as she knew her parents would have blown their gaskets there was no way they would have turned their backs on her or their Grandchild.

**********************************************************************

Two O’clock finally came and just before Jon came Joe and his finance was over to visit the family when they found out that Ellie’s ex was on his way to visit with her and Jimmy. Joe wasn’t too happy that Ellie told him about Jimmy.

“Why the hell did you do that! He doesn’t deserve to know that Jimmy is his.” He told his sister angrily.

Mary Joe’s finance asked, “Well why not Joe he is the father of Ellie’s son so he deserves to know.” She told him.

“Look Mary you weren’t around when all this happened so just stay out of it ok.” Joe told her as Mary just looked at him shocked.

“Joe don’t talk to her like that. She’s just expressing her opinion. And it’s not any of your business either so there!” Ellie told him spatting it back at him.

“Oh really well you sure didn’t feel like that when you wanted me and Chick to go to New Jersey and beat the shit out of him now did you?” he reminded her.

“Oh blah blah blah! That was like a hundred years ago and you wanted me to beat up all the kids on the school bus for picking on you remember that? So were even.” She shouted at him.

“Look will you two keep it down it you’re both going to wake Jimmy up.” Mary scolded them.

“Mary’s right we’re going to wake Jimmy up. Now when Jon gets here you be nice I mean it Joey!” she warned her brother.

“You know if you just had gone out with Herbie none of this would be a problem you know?” He told her.

“If you had minded your business on that front to I might have gotten a real date with him.” She told him as she stuck out her tongue at him as Mary tried very hard not to laugh at him when Cecelia came in and told her that Jon was waiting in the kitchen for her. She gave her brother a dirty look and went into the kitchen to welcome Jon.

“Hi there how are you?” she asked him as she went over to him and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

“Fine doing fine.” He said nervously as he stood there fidgeting from one foot to another.

“So Jon this is Joe’s finance’ Mary Dawson, Mary this is um and old friend of mine Jon Bon Jovi.” Jon just looked at her with a confused look on his face then shook Mary’s hand as they were introduced. He thought old friend and would have to talk to her about that later. Then she said, “Joe this is Jon, Jon my brother Joe.” She just prayed Joey wouldn’t do or say anything. Joe just shook his hand as Mary laid her hand on his back to remind him to be a good boy.

“Well it’s nice to meet all of you.” Jon said.

“Well follow me and we can go and talk before Jimmy wakes up.” She told him. The two of them walked into the den and sat on the couch next to each other. For Jon he wanted to grab her and just start kissing her. For Ellie she just wanted to be wrapped up in his arms.  

“So I see you did go out and get him a present.” Ellie said to him.

“Oh yeah well what kind of Dad would I be if I came over empty handed now.” He told her smiling.

“Jon you’ll be a great Dad I just know it. Is that what you wanted to know? Whether I’m going to let you see him or not?” she asked him.

Jon let out a big sigh of relief. “Oh Ellie thank God you said it first. I’ve been sweating bullets.” He told her.

“Yeah well I figured the subject would come up sooner or later. I haven’t even talked about it yet with my folks. It’s funny they haven’t brought up yet. But yeah we do need to talk about that don’t we.” she said to him scared to death.

“Yeah we do because Richie you met him the other day with me at the store, well he just wants to make sure that one: Jimmy’s mine and two: your intentions are honorable.” He told her cautiously.

“Well he sounds like he cares about you very much. Wants to make sure that I’m not a gold digger. Which is kind of funny seeing that I didn’t know that you were going to be successful in five years when I got pregnant in the first place.” She stated not knowing whether or not to be annoyed or not.

“Look he means well he really does he wasn’t trying to accuse you of anything he was really just looking out for me and Dave did back everything up.” Jon explained to her.

“No really I get it and I’m glad you have friends like that I really do. Did you show him the pictures of Jimmy? That would prove that he’s your child.” she asked him.

“Oh damn it I totally forgot. I was going to ask you if you wanted to meet them or actually for me to show you two off to them.” He told her smiling that smile to her.

“You want us to meet the members of your band?” she asked.

“Yeah I do. Well you already know Dave and you kinda met Richie but you haven’t met Tico or Alex so I thought you could come to a band rehearsal and we could get head phones for Jimmy and that way he could see what I do for a living if that’s ok with you?” he asked her hoping that she would say ok.

“Um that would be great only if I can bring my brothers with me and maybe my sister? They may want to see RATT too if that’s ok. Sean said something about you guys coming back in January to play at the Centrum so he thought maybe he was wondering if he could get backstage and all?” she asked him.

Jon chuckled. “Let me know how many ok? You would come right?” he asked her.

“Well I’m sure my parents would want me to go if you’re going to be there especially where it would be Sean and he’s the youngest he would need someone over eighteen to go with him.” Ellie told him smiling.

“Oh so if it’s with me then.” Jon said smiling.

“Huh huh.” She huffed. “So we do need to talk about Jimmy. Look I know you want to dive right in Jon but I can’t just let you take him and be the Dad that you want to be. I hope you understand that? He doesn’t know who you really are so I suggest we take this slow ok?” she told him straight out.

“Well whose fault is that Ellie? It certainly isn’t mine.” He told her defensibly.

“Excuse me?” she asked him.

Jon wanted to hit himself he didn’t mean to over react like that. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to jump on you like that. Rich explained it to me that I’m just harboring some…I don’t know resentment that because I didn’t think you not getting in touch with me that I could still be a bit bitter about it and blame you and vice versa. You know how the years just build it up with us not knowing the truth for so long so it’s going to take time for the real truth to sink in.” he explained to her.

Smiling she knew exactly what he was saying. “No I get that I really do. Sounds like he’s a smart guy this Richie.” She said to him.

“Yeah well don’t tell him that ok it will just go to his head.” Jon told her chuckling.

“Ok I won’t. Look Jon I am going to tell you this thou I will fight you every step of the way if you try and take him away from me do you understand me? Because he’s the only thing that got me thru this whole ordeal and if it wasn’t for him I would have killed myself probably several times over because you have no idea what the hell I’ve been thru since I’ve been home.” She told him as she meant every word she said.

Jon looked at her and wondered what the hell happened in the years that they have been apart. “Ellie what happen that was so damn bad that you wanted to hurt yourself?” he wanted to know more than anything and more out of concern for Jimmy.

And Baby Makes Three

  Jon stood there like he was a deer in the headlights. “How?...How? I don’t understand? We used condoms for crying out loud. Oh God I need to sit down.” He said as he was shaking as his breathing got really fast and he felt really dizzy.

Ellie just stood there holding Jimmy in her arms. “Ok Honey you need to go back to bed. Come on I’ll take you back to Grandma and Grandpa ok. John hold tight and try not to pass out on me while I’m gone.” She told him as she went into the living room and handed her son over to her parents. They just looked at each other and Ellie told them that she was going to go down in the basement, in the boy’s room so she can talk to John in private if that was ok? They told her Sean was down there but to tell him to come up and they would tell Chick if he came home to wait until the coast was clear. She thanked her parents and went back into the kitchen as they took Jimmy back to bed.  

She saw John inhaling in and out so he wouldn’t pass out. She wanted to laugh but instead she would just go in there and see what he thought of their little, well what she thought was her blessing. She would get his point of view in a second.

“So how you doing?” she asked him smiling.

Looking up at her, “How the hell do you think I’m doing? I come over here to find out why you never got back in touch with me and I find out I’m a father? How the hell do you think Ellie?” Jon asked her as he was all mixed with emotions.

“Well before you going saying anything you regret I suggest you come me so we can talk about this in private are you ok with that?” she asked him.

“Yeah I think we should.” He told her as he got up.

She told him to follow her down the stairs to the basement and he was wondering why she wanted to go down here. She came to this door and knocked. A second later her brother Sean answered the door and she told him that she needed his room and that Mom and Dad said it was ok for her to use it. Once he saw John he put two and two together and left. Once inside Jon got a kick out of how nice it was set up on the inside.

“Hey this is really nice in here. It’s what half a bedroom and half a bar?” Jon asked her.

“Yeah once we need the extra room I kept my room and Beth moved onto the boys rooms upstairs so the family room down here Chick claimed for himself on the terms Sean went with him. So Chick and his friend’s re-decorated and made it half a bedroom and half a bar/family room. I guess I really put everyone out this time.” She told him as she tried really hard not to well up.

Jon saw that she had turned from him but he really didn’t know this time how to comfort her. “So you want to tell me what happened?” he asked her straight forward but didn’t realize that he did.

Turning around and looking straight at him pissed, “Excuse me? What happened? What happened was pally was that you got me pregnant. Even thou it was a two person job I will give you that. You remember when just before I left I wasn’t feeling good I thought I was sick because Marsha’s kids.” She asked him. He tried remembering then he finally shooked his head yes. “Good, well apparently it’s wasn’t the flu or the cold I got when I was sleeping out on your porch. I was pregnant. That’s how naïve I am John. Because when I got home I couldn’t stop throwing up and smells were killing me. I hid it for quite some time but putting on weight was a clear sign for my Mom and when she asked me how my periods were I broke down crying. Because I was skipping them I told her so off to the doctors I went. And SURPRISE! Do you know what’s it like to tell your very Catholic parents that you fucked up. I missed that opportunity to run away to Greenland as you can see.” She told him as the tears were starting to flow down her cheeks. “Damn I so didn’t want this to happen.” She told him wiping the tears away with her sleeve.

Standing there and feeling terrible about what happened, “Look Ellie if I had known you know I would have been there for you right?” he told her as he approached her but she backed away.

“Well I thought so. When I found out I tried even harder to call you to let you know because I knew what kind of person you were, but when your mother kept telling me you didn’t want to speak to me then you went to New York to follow your dream well there was no way in hell I was going to stop you John. Then she kept telling me you didn’t want me anymore and that you were going to get a restraining order what was I supposed to do or think. So I stopped calling and writing to you.” She explained to him.

He sat down to think over what she just said to him. “I don’t get it Ellie because if you said you wrote and called me why didn’t I get those messages and letters. My Mom was so great to me during that time. I mean she even mailed all my letters to you because I was still working at that God awful shoe store before I quit and went to my cousin Tony’s place in New York City. And she definitely would have told me if you had called.” He told her of what he was going thru at the time.

Ellie just started to laugh. “What’s so funny?” he asked her as he was getting annoyed.

“Really John? You’re Mother? Yeah right she never liked me for some damn reason so like she was ever going to help us stay together. I mean she sic’d Dorothea on us remember?” she reminded him.

John was wringing his hands thru his hair as Ellie looked on. “You let your hair grow I see. And what’s with the earrings? Oh My God John are you wearing nail polish?” she asked him as she started to giggle.

“What of it? And who are you to judge me?” he spat at her.

“I’m not judging I’m laughing. Oh don’t tell me your one of those punk rockers John?” she asked him shocked.

“Nooo. We’re more heavy metal rock I guess. I don’t like to be name tagged ok? Besides we have two albums now didn’t you know that?” he asked her hoping that she knew about the two albums.

“No why would I? It’s not like someone ever sent them to me? Or even let me know that he had made it. You had totally forgotten about me John. So what are they called? You’re albums?” she asked him.

“Well the first one is self-titled called Bon Jovi and the second is 7800 Fahrenheit and the first one is spelled B.O.N. J.O.V.I. That’s how I spell my last name now and as for my first name its’s J.O.N. not J.O.H.N. The record company thought it would be easier to go by Jon Bon Jovi and the band is just called Bon Jovi after me.” He explained to her. She just looked shocked.

“And you allowed this?” she asked him.

“Well it was better than all the alternatives believe me. So you haven’t heard any of the songs?” he asked her a little disappointed.

“Really Jon is it now? So glad I didn’t name Jimmy after you. No I haven’t been kind of busy the past five years. Besides all I listen to is Elvis and Rick Springfield.” She told him.

“Rick Springfield? We really do need to change your music likes don’t we.” He told her kiddingly.

“Bite me. He’s been around way before you sweetie! And I love how his new fans think they’re finding him now. Well you’re not green anymore so that’s good so I guess you can drive yourself back to where ever you’re staying right?” she asked hoping that he would leave.

“Um no I want answers why didn’t you try and get in touch with me later you know much later and let me know about our son?” he wanted to know.

“Why the hell should I bother Jon? We are just doing fine without you. And for all I know you didn’t want us. Look I’m not that little girl you use to know and I’ve grown up a lot and the hard way. I don’t need you anymore. I have my family and they love Jimmy so there.” She told him.

“Oh my God you’re seeing someone aren’t you!” he accused her.

“Oh my God NO! There is no one that I’m seeing Jon. No One wants to date a girl who has an almost five year old kid. I’ll be lucky to ever get a date again.” She told him angry.

“Well what about that kid who was hanging around this afternoon huh?” he asked her out of jealousy.

“Who Steve? Oh really believe me he was just flirting and he flirts with all the girls in the store. Plus he would never ask me out because of Jimmy he just likes what we have as is. That’s it! And what about all the girls who you fuck Jon! What about them Hmm?” she asked him.

“Oh Please first I’m not seeing anyone and second the groupies are none of your business. But I do have a question we did use condoms right? So how? I mean we were so careful so how could this of happened?” he asked her as he really needed to know.

“Yeah well I did some research on that Jon. Did you ever read the condom box?” she asked him.

“No it doesn’t take a brain surgeon to put one of those things on you know.” He shot back.

“Yeah that’s what I thought. Well you guys really should because I checked one of my brothers and when we read it you should have seen his face drop. They’re only ninety-seven percent effective. So there is a three percent chance of pregnancy. Again SURPRISE! I think it was when we were in the car during our last night at the drive-in. I didn’t want to tell you but I was getting really sore but I knew you really needed to cum and well I didn’t want to disappoint you. You were just so hard and you really needed it you know so I just let you keep going. So like I said it took two of us that night and Jimmy was certainly made in love. I loved you so much Jon that it hurt you know. And when you never got back to me I just wanted to die.” She told him as she just started to cry. Jon got up and encased her in his arms.

“I’m sorry so sorry you had to do this alone. I should have been here. I’ve should have been here to seen my son go thru these stages like a normal father does. Baby I’m going to find out what happened I promise and if my mother did what I think she did well…” but was cut off by Ellie.

“She going to regret everything Jon I mean it. Because if she did she’s never going to see her Grandson. He looks just like you and I can’t deny that. But if she thinks she’s ever going to see him after putting us thru hell she has another thing coming I swear.” Ellie ranted.

“Baby I get it I really do. I need a picture of him do you have any that I can have?” he wanted to know.

“Of course I do. Come on upstairs with me and I’ll get you a few. Does Daddy want to show him off?” she asked him. That was exactly what he wanted to do was show his son off to his band mates his band of brothers. He also told them he wanted her to meet them. He knew she kind of met Richie and of course knew Dave but he wanted her to really get to know them. She told him of course but she would need some time especially right now seeing that he was coming back into her life. She was so used to him not being there for her that she needed time to get used to it.

*********************************************************************

Jon got back to his hotel dazed to no end. He was sharing a room with Richie so he made sure to knock before entering. He heard Rich give the ok to enter even thou there was no sign on the door knob but it has happened before where he has forgotten to put something on it and he has walked in on Rich and one of his female companions doing the nasty.

“So did you talk to her? Did they let you in to see her or have you been wandering around moping all this time?” Richie asked him hoping the answer was no he wasn’t moping.

“Oh yeah I saw her alright. She looked as beautiful as she did when I first met her well you were there you dope. But she wasn’t happy to see me just pop up in her home.” He told him.

“God you still have it bad for this one don’t you? I’ve seen you with a ton of girls but you’ve never acted this goofy for one of them before. And what do you mean she wasn’t happy to see you in her home? Why not? Girls usually melt for you.” Richie told him jokingly.

“Well that may come to end and soon.” He told Richie as he himself really didn’t know how to feel about it yet.

Richie looked at him and knew something was going on with him. “Ok Kidd what’s going on with you? Something happen tonight that was more than her turning you down tonight. So what’s up?” he asked his best friend.

Sitting down on the nearest chair he did his nervous habit again and ran his fingers thru his hair. “Well I asked her about why she never wrote to me or called me and she asked the same of me.” He said.

“Ok so what did you two figure out then?” Richie wanted to know.

“That my mother is probably the one who sabotage our relationship and never gave me her letters or told me of her phone calls or sent my letters out to her. And probably redid her phone number on her paper that she gave to me. Doesn’t matter thou it was so long ago and I’ll deal with my Mom. She’ll get hers in the end.” Jon told him.

“Did you ever tell her that you got back with Dotty for a while?” Richie asked him carefully.

Jon heads shot up, “No and neither will you. Ellie is to never know got that. She hates Dot with a passion and it was just a very weak moment I had. It was after she left and I was hurting.” He said embarrassed.

“Jon that moment lasted a few years she’s going to find out eventually it will sound a lot better coming from you than Dot you know that right?” Richie told him sincerely.

“Yeah I know your right but if I do…Rich it…well I might lose my chances at seeing my…my son.” Jon finally got out.

Richie just sat there stunned. “You’re what?” he asked again fearing that he didn’t hear him right.

“You heard me right Rich. My son. She had my son Richie. And before you say it yes I know he’s mine just by looking at him. He’s the spitting image of me when I was that age Rich and he has my, what do you want to call it my freckle in the same place I do right here. She says he’s really smart too. I can’t wait to find out too.”  He said staring into space. He just could’t get over that he had a son. And what made it even better was that he had him with the woman he loved more than anything in this world.

“So Jon what the hell are you going to do? I mean Jesus you’re a Dad that’s really a lot to take in. One minute you just wanted to know why she didn’t…hey wait a minute you don’t think that when she found out that when she was pregnant that she didn’t want to tell you?” Richie asked him.

Jon looked at him like he was crazy. “What the hell are you talking about? Why wouldn’t she want to tell me that she was pregnant?” he asked him confused.

“Well maybe it’s not your’s. Maybe it’s someone else’s or her parents didn’t want you in her life because they didn’t think you were any good for her?” he explained to him.

Jon looked at him and shook his head. “Don't be a moron will you? That had nothing to do with it. Just stop talking. I have a freaking headache as it is. I need a drink.” He said as he got up and walked over to the mini bar. “Damn there’s not enough in here to get drunk. Do you feel like going down to the bar with me?” he asked Richie.

“Yeah sure just give me a sec and I’ll put some pants on” as Richie was doing that Jon couldn’t stop thinking about that little boy he saw and how he was going to figure out how he was not only going to tell the rest of the guys and Doc but to tell his parents that he was a Dad. Richie came out in some black jeans with his boots and just put on a leather vest over his t-shirt.

“Ready?” he asked Jon. He shooked his head and they head down to the bar.

They took the end of the bar when they got there and each ordered a whiskey and asked the bar tender to leave the bottle. Jon was quite for a while when he finally asked Richie how the hell he was going to tell everyone that he was a Father.

Richie just looked at him and told him, “Look Jon the guys will understand. It was something that happened when you were a kid. Plus you never knew about it. If it was me I’d be a little angry at that. But I don’t know the circumstances that happened because I wasn’t there. But I do know one thing and that is I am looking forward to getting to know her and your son. But the way you’ve been talking about Ellie for the last few years that I’ve known you and that is you’ve never stopped loving her have you Kidd?” Richie asked him as he slugged down his drink.

Chugging down his he then answered, “Why does it show that much?” he asked Rich as he poured them another each.

“Oh mostly because every time anyone says the name Ellie or if you just hear it you should see the look on your face. Your just adorable.” He told him kiddingly as Jon gave him the Jersey salute. Laughing Richie continued, “Look Jon you seem to be so much different with her. Look don’t get pissed at me ok but I talked to Dave and he kind of filled me in on what happened back then with the two of you and man I got to say he said you two were really tight. He also said that Dotty was a royal Bitch to you guys. So my question to you is why? Why get back with her.” Richie wanted to know.

Chugging down another shot, “I told you I lost my mind there for a while. Look I don’t know she was there I guess and knew the routine. She wanted to get out of Sayreville like me and we do have a lot in common and it was familiar you know.” He said sadly.

“Yeah and we all know how that worked out now don’t we.” Richie shot back.

“Right and the same way everything worked out with Diane they both cheated on me except with different guys.” Jon said shooting back another one.

“How many times do I have to apologize for that? I was drunk and she came on to me. In fact she even told me you two broke up that afternoon and that you were ok with it. Oh and like you make great decisions when you’re drunk?” Richie said as he also hit another one back.

“Hey I know ok I wasn’t that mad at you alright. I was more upset with her than you and yes I know that you don’t make great decisions when your drunk believe me I know.” He told Rich as he too remembered that time with him and Dorothea and how he hurt Ellie severely. They talked for a while and drank just as much. They stayed there for a few hours drinking and then finally when they thought they had enough they tried to get up and head to the elevator. They were lucky they even made it as they were laughing so hard and nearly falling down. By the time they made it up to their room they were trying to hold each other up and shhing each other to be quiet. Neither one of them bothered to undress they just dropped on their beds and passed out. It took banging on their hotel doors the next day to wake them up.

Slowly Richie lifted his head as Jon just screamed. “Get the fuck out of here!” They were both hurting really bad this morning as Dave was still banging on the door.

“Hey come on guys let me in will ya! Doc’s been calling all morning.” Dave yelled thru the door.

Richie finally got up and let David in. “Ok so what’s the Bastard want? Don't we have this morning off?” Richie asked squinting at David as he was smiling evilly at them.

“What the hell happened to the two of you?” Dave wanted to know as he loudly moved around the room banging into things and then finally sitting in one of the chairs.

Jon wasn’t too happy with him. “What the fuck Dave? Do you have to make all this noise?” he asked pissed.

“Actually yes because Doc has been calling me and Tico all morning and he’s not that happy. He said you had a radio interview this morning at seven a.m. and wanted to know where the hell you were seeing it’s now eleven a.m. and he wasn’t too happy that he had to reschedule and neither was RATT’s management. So what the hell happened Jon other than the two of you got bombed last night.” Dave asked them curious.

Jon and Richie both looked at each other and nodded. Then Jon asked David, “Dave do you remember Ellie Anderson?”

“Oh my God yeah she was such a cutie. Boy the two of you had a thing for each other. I mean Rich he had it so bad…”then he stopped and looked at the two of them and then asked, “Why are you bringing her up all of a sudden?” he wanted to know.

So Jon told him all about how they met yesterday at the store with Spanky and then how he had decided to surprise her at her house and how she wasn’t too keen that he had showed up.  Well Dave could almost understand that because he knew how upset Jon was when she never called him like they had arranged. He also knew how upset Jon was when he couldn’t get thru to her either and that he thought that she gave him a false number but as he told Jon why would she have done that? Why would she have given him a false number when she gave him the most precious thing that she had already given him? Jon thought about that too and it didn’t make sense. But now talking to Ellie things started to become clearer to him.

“So you really think your mother might behind this whole thing?” Dave asked him.

“Well things are starting to add up don’t you think? Neither one of us got each other’s letters and she said that my Mom threaten her basically and told her I didn’t want to see her anymore when you know damn well I did. I would have done anything to have been with her and now well Dave Ellie was pregnant when she left and I have a handsome son.” He told him as Richie looked on.   

Dave just sat there staring at his buddy in shock. “Whoa wait a minute Jon, you’re a father? Are you sure?” he asked him.

“Why are you two asking me that? I think I would know my own kid if I saw him. Yes he looks just like me when I was that age. And the age lines up perfectly. Besides Ellie wouldn’t lie to me. If she wanted me to know and I mean really know she would have made sure she found me somehow but she just gave up because of the threats my Mom said to her. Probably because if my Mom knew of the baby she was afraid of losing it. The stress might have been too much for her. Oh God I don’t know what to do guys. Doc’s gonna kill me because a rock star with a baby never mind with a wife. Then my parents are going to flip and Mom’s gonna freak because Ellie already told me she’s band from seeing him.” Jon told them freaking out just a bit.

Richie and Dave just looked at each other then Richie asked him a bit surprised, “Whoa Jon you didn’t tell me you asked Ellie to marry you?” he asked him surprised as Dave looked on.

“Well no I haven’t yet but I’m sure she will seeing now we have the baby.” He said confidently.

Dave jumped in. “Um we are talking about the same girl right? Because she was pretty strong when I met her so I don’t think you can just go up to her and say ‘We’re going to get married and be a family so there’ I don’t think she’s going to go for it Jon. I mean you two just met again after what six years?” Dave asked him straight out.

“Yeah so?” Jon said not really understanding what Dave meant.

“Oh come on Jon you guys have been apart for what I said five /six years? You guys have a lot to catch up on. First and for most a nearly five year old kid. And then there’s her love life and oh your whole rock and roll life style. It was bad before when you guys were kids and you were more experienced than she was then but now? How the hell are you going to explain all those groupies you’ve fucked?  Or worse telling her about Dot ever think about that?” Dave asked him.

All of a sudden Jon felt really sick and jumped up and ran to the bath room where the guys heard him retching in there. “Well that doesn’t sound good now does it?” Richie said to David as he just looked at him making a gross face.

“Do you think we should go in there and check on him?” David asked him.

“Are you kidding me? If I go in there I’ll be doing the same thing. Can you do it pleaseee?”  Richie asked him.

“Yeah sure why not I’ve been doing it since we were kids why stop now.” Dave said as he headed off to the bath room.

While Dave was taking care of Jon he was going thru his bag and pulled out the aspirin from his bag. He then pulled two bottles of water out of the mini frig and put two of the aspirin on the table for Jon for when he came out of the bath room. Taking two himself he settled himself on his bed and waited for them to come out.

Finally after ten minutes went by they both finally came out and Jon looked like hell. “Don't say it just don’t say it.’ Jon said to Richie as he was sitting there smiling.

“Hey Kidd I know how you’re feeling I’m feeling the same way. By the way I put your aspirin on the table over there next to your water.” Richie told him.

“Thanks and no you don’t you didn’t just puke your guts up.” Jon told him as he downed his aspirin. Just then as he sat down the phone rang. Jon started to shake his hands in front on him saying he wasn’t here. Both of them just chuckled as Richie picked up the phone.

“Hello Bonjovisamboro Massage Parlor.” Richie answered as the guys just laughed their asses off.

“Richard is this you?” Carol Bongiovi asked confused.

“Mrs. B. oh Hi yes it is how can I help you?” Richie asked her as he shrugged his shoulders at the guys as Dave fell off the end of Jon’s bed laughing uncontrollably and Jon trying hard not to laugh out loud himself. “Yes he is he’s right here just a sec.” covering the receiver “She wants to talk to you, here.” Richie said handing the phone over to Jon.

He reluctantly took the phone to talk to his mother. “Hello Mom.”

“Hello Honey I just wanted to know how things were going and if you and the boys need anything? Your Father and I can have anything sent to you if needed.” Carol told her son.

Jon had to breathe before he said the next thing to her. “Well Mom there is something you can send to me.” Jon stated.

“Well that’s great what it is dear?” she asked him thrilled that he actually needed something from her.

“You could send out the letters Ellie had sent to me when we were apart. I know you had withheld mine to her but will talk about that later. I just want to read hers.” He told his Mom trying to stay as calm as he could.

Carol trying to be oblivious as she could, “Honey I don’t know what you’re talking about?”

“Mom stop that bullshit will you! I talked to Ellie you do know she lives here right? Well we talked and guess what? She told me what you told her and don’t try and deny it. Because I believe her.” He told his mother pissed.

“But Jon she’s lying why would I…” Carol was trying to get out her explanation when Jon yelled into the phone.

“Mom just STOP! I’m tired of your lying and I could have been with her all this time.” He told her but Carol just wouldn’t have it.

“And if you did you wouldn’t be where you are today now would you.” She told him sternly.

“Yeah that’s right and I wouldn’t have known I have a son either Mom.” He told his very shocked Mother.

Born To Be My Baby

Five years later:

Ellie was working at a retail store called Zayre’s and she was the department manager of the fabric department. She started there after a year of being home and in nine months of just being a part-time fabric clerk her manager and sales manager saw something in her that they thought she had the potential of being a department manager herself at such a young age. She had shown them that she knew how to put in the hard work, leader ship, works well with others and with the customers, new how to order and fill out the re-orders, just about anything to do with this job. Carol her manager was very proud of her. So she was transferred to the second largest store in Worcester. But on this day she had no idea what was about to happen to her.

Down at the snack bar she was having her break with her girlfriend Cyndi. “So are you coming over to my house this Saturday or not? It’s just a little get together.” Cyndi asked her excitedly.

“I don’t know are those two going to be there? Because if Bob is going to be then definitely no. Steve maybe yes.” She told her undecidedly.

“I didn’t ask Bob because he’d be either staring at me or you and I can’t have that. Besides didn’t you tell him you were seeing someone?” she asked her.

Laughing, “Yeah I did but I don’t think I can have David come with me Saturday.” She told her.

“Why not?” she asked intrigued.

“Because he doesn’t know were going out. That’s why. Dave’s my adopted brother, Chick’s best friend. He lives down the street from us. They’re glued at the hip, best friends anyway I use him for things like this. Chick’s the same for his family. I just haven’t told him yet. Besides I’d have to make other arrangements if you know what I mean.” She explained to her.

“Fine I understand but you need to get out more and have fun.” Cyndi told her when they heard this announcement over the intercom.

“WOULD SOMEONE FROM FABRICS PLEASE COME TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR CUSTOMER HELP.”

“What the hell! Shirley is down there for crying out loud. I can’t be gone for five freaking minutes.” Ellie exclaimed.

“Come on I’ll go with you I should be getting back to receiving anyway.” Cyndi said as they got up and started walking back.

Receiving was just behind the Fabric Department so Cyndi didn’t have far to go. Cyndi went back to work as Ellie saw Shirley working with some girl at the fabric table. She looked around and there was no one else in the department. Typical. Walking over to Shirley she asked, “Hey Shirl was there anyone here that was looking for help because we just got paged.” She asked her annoyed.

“Oh I’m sorry that was me and my associate’s. I didn’t see her at the time so we had her paged so I do apologize for that.” The young lady explained.

“Ok what can we do for you?” Ellie asked her.

“Are you the manager?” she asked Ellie.

“Yes I am.” Ellie told her hoping this wasn’t going to be one of those days.

“Oh well then what I need from you is your help. I’m a costume designer with a rock band and what I do is I design their costumes and repair and clean them. Well they want is some new looks for their upcoming tour and someone from the Centrum recommend coming here to check out your fabrics. Apparently they’ve been here before and have gotten really great deals and fabric from here and said the customer service was really outstanding so we thought we would give it a try.” She told Ellie.

“Well thank you we do try our best. So again what can we help you with?” Ellie wanted to know.

“Well I don’t know where my two guys went but they should be back in a minute but we can start. I was looking over at your satin fabric. Do you have any more of the white and black in stock because if you do I’ll take the whole bolts.” She told Ellie.

“Really? The whole bolts? That would be great. Actually I do have the white and the black if you wait right here I’ll get them for you.” Ellie told her and she went out back to fetch them.

In the meantime her two rock stars came back with a few items from the Health and Beauty Department as they were both almost in tears. “Hey Spanky can you put these items in your carriage for us” Richie asked her.

As Jon jumped in, “Yeah we don’t need anyone thinking that their ours.” He told her laughing his ass off.

“You two are like little children now I have someone getting the satin that I want. If there are any other colors you want other than black and white let me know now.” she told them annoyed at their antics.

“Oh come on Spanky now don’t be mad at us you know you love us.” Richie said to her as Jon was giggling along. Just then Ellie walked out with the satin bolts but didn’t see them as she walked over to the table to put them down.

“Ok here they are we can just take the measurements off of the bolts and charge you for them because they’re pretty accurate.” She told them as she lifted her head to become face to face with Jon. Jon was laughing as the girl came out of the office carrying the bolts but as she started to talk there was something familiar with her voice. When she looked up and he saw her face he was staring into the past as his heart skipped about a million beats. He couldn’t believe he was looking at his long lost love. They both stood there speechless. Spanky and Richie just looked at them and then each other.

“Ellie Hi. I um didn’t know you worked here.” Jon said surprised.

Coolly she replied, “Yeah I’ve worked here for years now. So what are you doing here?” she asked him just as surprised.

“Oh we have some shows we’re doing here for the next month.” He told her awkwardly.

“So you forgot that I lived here.” She said calmly.

“Yeah I…I guess I did.” He answered a little nervously.

Just then one of the security guards came out of the receiving doors into fabrics and got Ellie’s attention. “Um would you excuse me someone seems to need me at the moment.” She told him and walked off to him.

“Steve what the hell is wrong?” she wanted to know.

“Who the hell are they? I’ve been keeping my eye on them ever since they entered the store.” He told her. Steve was this young kid a year or two younger than her who had a complex on being a cop of sorts and kind of looked like Scott Baio. Also he thought he was the store heart throb. And it was bad enough she had attracted two of the security guards as it was. She liked Steve but Bob just pissed her of to know end. He was just icky in her own words.

“Look they’re ok they are just buying some fabric for a show they’re doing at the Centrum ok? They shouldn’t be much longer and besides they’re buying me out so shut the hell up will ya. Now go bother someone else.” She told him. He went off but didn’t like it. He didn’t trust these long hair dudes.

As Ellie was talking to this kid as Jon put it Richie asked him, “So you seem to know her I take it?”

“Yeah I did. Long time ago she was my girlfriend for a summer and I was crazy for her. We were supposed to stay in touch with each other but she never called or wrote me. So we lost touch. But now I’m sure as hell going to find out what the hell happened.” He told his best friend. A light bulb went off in Richie’s head.

Walking back over to them, “So did you all find what you’re looking for because Shirley seems busy with other people and she might need help.” Ellie told them.

Spanky spoke up. “Jon, Richie any other color you guys wanted?” she asked them as she was getting antsy with them.

“Yeah do you have any red?” Jon asked her.

“Yes I have a red, yellow, medium blue, kelly green and a pink in the back and that’s the last I have back there. As you can see we are almost out and I was going to put what I had out back and do re-wraps because we had a sale two weeks ago on our satin but as you can see we don’t sell a lot of it. But because it’s near the holidays we did so I just got a shipment in so you lucked out. So if you want any other colors I’ll take care of it. So?” she asked them.

“Can you give us a minute?” Jon asked. Jon took the two of them over to a corner and talked to them as Ellie was looking over the department. She so wanted to go over there and punch Jon in the nose for what he had done to her. It only took about a minute then he came back.

“Yeah we’ll take the medium blue and the red if that’s ok with you.” Jon asked her as he got as close to her as he could.

Ellie could have kicked him in the shins, or higher. “Fine just give me a few minutes to write it up for you.” She told him.

“Um you don’t deliver do you?” he asked her smiling.

She looked at him like he had two heads. She got as close to him as she could because she didn’t want the other customers to hear her. “Are you fucking kidding me Bongiovi. Does this store look like we deliver? You can wait just like everyone else.” She told him.  He stood there smugly as he knew he got to her. Richie just stood realizing that had to be the famous Ellie that he had heard so much of.

They had finished up getting what they needed and before they were ready to leave Richie looked at him and said, “Don't do it man. You’ll be sorry.”

“I know what I’m doing Rich, now I’ll be with you in a sec.” he told him as he walked over to the back room. Sticking his head in he made her jump a little. “Hey just wanted to say thanks and that it was good to see you again. You know I would really like to talk to you about what happened with us and why you never called or wrote to me like you promised.” He said to her finally needing to know why.

She turned around slowly looking at him like he lost his mind. “Are you kidding me?” she asked him.

“What would I be kidding you about?” he asked her like she was the one who was crazy.

“You need to get the hell out of here right now before I call security do you understand me?” she spat at him.

“Why what the hell did I say?” he asked not knowing why.

“Look John if you’re trying to put the damn blame on me for what happened well you have another thing coming. You fucking lied to me. You told me that you loved me and that we were going to be together well pal does it look it? I loved you more than anything on this earth and you spat in my face. And when I tried getting in touch with you all I got for my troubles was that I wasn’t good enough and that you were glad you figured it out before it was too late. And if I didn’t stop bothering you that you would get a restraining order on me. So now you stay the hell out of my life do you understand me because if you don’t my Dad and my brothers will beat the ever loving shit out of you. Bye!” Ellie said to him as he just slowly moved away and back to Richie.

“Hey are you ok Kidd? You don’t look so good.” Rich asked him concerned.

“No we…we got to get the hell out of here and I need to make a phone call and it’s not going to be good.” He told him.

Ellie was shaking like crazy after they left. She didn’t think that she would ever see him again. She couldn’t wait til five p.m. to get here so she could get home and fast. She so needed to talk to her parents.

*********************************************************************

When they got back to the hotel Jon was upset at seeing Ellie and what she said. Jon started pacing trying to figure his next move as Richie was watching him. “Jon? Jon? KIDD! What the hell is wrong?” he screamed at his friend.

Finally stopping in his tracks and turning to face him he said to him, “It was something Ellie said to me that’s bothering the crap out of me. All this time when she left we had a plan on what we were going to do. We exchanged phone numbers and address’s well I wrote her and she never wrote back to me. The first time I never thought anything about it you know maybe it got lost in the mail or something so I wrote her another one and again nothing. But then I tried calling and her telephone number was out of order. I mean what the hell right? She gave me not only a bad address but a bad phone number? Why? I just never understood it. My Mom thought maybe with everything that was going on that she just couldn’t handle being apart or the long distance thing. I don’t know. Or maybe she didn’t break it off with that guy in Massachusetts and knew when she was going back and wanted to try and go for it.” Jon explained to Richie.

Richie thought about it for a minute then added, “Ok but now don’t get pissed at me alright but like your Mom tells the truth right?” he carefully said to him.

Jon looked at him knowing that he could be right but she was being so great when they were separated that he can’t see why she would do that to him. “I don’t know Rich she was really being great to me back then she knew I was hurting and was going thru a hard time. I mean she was going above and beyond man she was even mailing my letters to her.” He told him.

That set off a red light to Richie. “Jon didn’t you say Mama B. didn’t like Ellie for the longest time?”

“Yeah it took her a while to warm up to her only because she was afraid of the thing happening that did which was Ellie leaving early and tearing us apart.” He told him.

“Exactly, and what other way to get you on her side than to start acting like she was on yours. Jon sometimes when it comes to your mom you’re blind as a bat. Look Mama B. doesn’t like any girl that you hook up with you know that. Especially since she thinks that you’re her golden child. And you told me the only one she ever liked is Dorothea for some reason who by the way is a pip!” Richie told him.

Jon just shook his head at him. “So what you’re telling me is that my Mom played me? You don’t think that went thru my mind. But she was just so helpful at the time it just never hit me that’s all. Then my parents got me in with my cousin at the Power Station and well I was working my ass off there and the living conditions sucked plus I wasn’t making enough to support two people never mind one. I guess I just well you know life went on you know?” Jon explained to him.

“Yeah I get it Kidd life goes on and I’m sure it did for her. What you have to do now thou is just go to her and explain what happened to her and get her side of it. You know suck it up and be a man. That is if you want to and if you want closure. Because man she was pissed at you. You two definitely got your wires crossed. Look go get her side of it then tell her yours then maybe the two of you can figure what happened and then maybe both of you can walk away friends.” Richie told him.

Jon seemed to like that only because he seemed to really need to know what did happen and why they never corresponded with one another. Jon called Rich Bozzett he worked with them as an assistant to their manager Doc McGhee. He called him to get Ellie’s home address and telephone number and gave him all the info he had so he could find what he needed. He had threw out what he did have seeing that at the time he was very angry with her when he didn’t get any answer from her after six months.

*********************************************************************

Five O’clock finally came around and Ellie just wanted to get the hell home. She was so glad that it was Friday. She told Cyndi that she wasn’t going tomorrow after who popped in today. She just couldn’t handle it. So she just got the hell home as fast as she could. She pulled into her driveway, got out and booked it into the house. Her Mom was just finishing up dinner and was getting it on the table when she was walking in the door.

“Well Hi Honey your home early don’t you usually go to the bank on your way home on Fridays?” her Mom asked her.

“Oh yeah huh I totally forgot. I had the day from hell actually. You’ll never in a million years guess who the hell came in my department today.” She was telling her Mom.

Her Mom just looked at her and for the life of her couldn’t imagine. “I’m sorry Honey I can’t imagine who but whomever it was got you all worked up.” Cecelia told her daughter.

“They sure did because I thought I would never see him again.” She told her.

“Him? By any chance was it Herbie?” she asked her.

“It wasn’t Herbie Mom but you’re getting warmer.” Ellie told her.

Cecelia thought about for a minute or two then it dawn on her. “Oh no it couldn’t be he doesn’t even live around here or even in this state.” She told her.

“Well apparently that doesn’t matter because he’s on tour now. He’s doing what he‘s wanted to do for a long time now. Anyway he came into the store and they were looking for some satin fabric I don’t know and SURPRISE! The funny part is he accused me of not getting in contacted with him. How funny is that? After his Mom told me everything he told her to tell me what he said to tell me? Whatever? He had some nerve Mom. I just told him to get out and not to bother me again.” She explained to her mother. “Plus I told him if he didn’t I’d sic Daddy and the boys on him.” She told her smiling evilly.

Cecelia felt bad for her knowing how much she was in love with him and what she went thru with him.  “Well Honey do me a favor and tell your Dad dinner’s ready. He’s downstairs with the kids.”Cecelia told her. Ellie went downstairs and got everyone upstairs to eat dinner. Chick came home around six when he was finished with his job as he worked with they’re cousin Paul who worked at the Parks department. But Chick’s allergies were really acting up so he didn’t know how much longer he was going to be able to work there. After dinner Cecelia was cleaning up as the others were in the den watching t.v. as she and Paul were in the kitchen. Paul was watching t.v. in there as this was his domain. He read his newspaper and watched television in there and everyone knew basically not to bother him. Like that never happens in this house. First of all the kitchen was the main entry way to get into the house and Ellie had the living room since she was eight when her migraines hit and as everyone would tease them she was the little Princess of the house.   

It was nearing eight p.m. and Ellie was getting someone ready for bed. Just as they were going in the kitchen to say goodnight there was a knock on the door. “Who could that be at this time of night?” Cecelia asked surprised.

“Probably one of Chickie’s girlfriend’s.” Ellie said laughing.

Cecelia just looked at her daughter and gave her a half smile. Reaching for the door knob she opened the kitchen door and there standing before her was the young man she had met some six years before. He was dressed in a nice long sleeved dress shirt in the color royal blue and a nice pair of blue jeans with a pair of black cowboy boots. Cecelia didn’t know what to do or say and she knew the shit was about to hit the fan.

“Hello Mrs. Anderson I was wondering if Ellie was home?” Jon asked her.

Ellie could hear every word that was being said because she was only five feet from the door. But unfortunately the little person she was putting to bed ran to the door to see who was there.

“Hi!” the little boy said.

“Well hi there and who are you?” Jon asked the little boy.

But before the little boy could answer Cecelia said, “Oh Honey come on you need to go to bed. Ellie I’ll do it, Paul do you want to come with us?” Cecelia asked her husband.

“Well I think I’ll stay down here…” Paul was saying until Cecelia jumped in.

“No I think you need to come with us, Now!” she demanded. Paul knew he was over ruled. He got up and helped his wife take the little boy upstairs to bed.

Ellie walked over to the door with her heart in her mouth. “What the hell are you doing here?” she asked him annoyed. 

“Well I came here to see you and to straighten out what happened. Ellie who’s that little boy?” Jon asked her as he tried to look inside the house.

“Why? What’s business is it of yours and you didn’t answer my question why are you here?” Ellie asked as she was trying to change the subject.

“Well first can I come in?” Jon asked her.

“No I told you I don’t want to see you and neither do my parents so just leave.” Ellie told him angrily.

“Look I’m not leaving until you talk to me and then you can tell me why that kid looks like me. Ellie is there something you want to tell?” Jon asked her.

Ellie just looked at him pissed. “Look Jon anything that I wanted to tell you was about five years ago and you didn’t want anything to do with me what so ever, so what you see here right now you lost that right.” She told him straight out.

“Look I told you I tried to get in touch with you. I wrote to you but you never wrote me back. Then when I tried calling you, you gave me a wrong number. Ellie was that summer just a joke to you? I thought you loved me?” he asked her sincerely.

“Are you freaking kidding me? I loved you more than anything John and for your information my Mom said nobody tried calling here and there were no letters addressed to me either. They would have given them to me only because I cried for a solid month and a half and I was driving them crazy. So if I had gotten something from you they would have welcomed it. Plus I was calling you and finally your mother told me that you went to your cousins to get away from me calling and that you were going to take out a restraining order out on me if I didn’t stop calling the house. You felt that a long distance relationship just wasn’t going to work and to leave you alone.” She explained to him.

Jon listened intently and then, “Well one of us isn’t telling the truth now so which one is it?” he asked.

“Well I say it’s you. Now I have things to do and you need to leave.” She told him as she grabbed his arm and escorted him to the door. “You know if you really want to know what happened I’d ask your mother. She may know exactly what happened because for some reason I don’t think you got my letters or phone messages. Did she ever tell you I called?” she asked him with a smug look on her face.

“No…no she didn’t.” Jon told her but wanted to know what was going on.  

“Well there you go.” She told him feeling like she wanted to tell him ‘I told you so.’

In the meantime Paul and Cecelia had gone into the living room and were trying to listen the best they could. When the little boy came running down the stairs.

“Mommy! Mommy! There’s something in the closet!” he was yelling as he finally hit the last stair and ran right to Ellie and clung to her.

Bending down to his level, “Hey little guy I told you there’s nobody in the closet. Remember Grandpa already checked it out with you. Besides they’re all afraid of him ok?” Ellie told her son.

Jon stood there in shock. Ellie stood up to look at John. “Ellie is that, I mean it that our…” Jon was stammering.

Picking him up, “John I want you to meet James Paul Anderson. Jimmy this your Daddy.” Ellie told them.