Checking In

 Back with Ellie she was stressed out taking care of Jimmy and her Mom as she was starting not to feel so great herself either. But she wasn’t going to tell anyone because her Mom never complained when taking care of her or anyone of them when she was sick. She was having one of her migraine attacks and she knew why. She had got her period and was hurting pretty good. But she knew she couldn’t just shut down she had Jimmy to take care of. If she didn’t have her parents and sibling to help out when she moved in with Jon then she’d have to do this anyway so she better get used to this now.  So she took her med’s and went to see if her Mom wanted anything for lunch as she was going to make Jimmy something.

“Hey Mom you want some soup and tea I’m going to make some for Jimmy and see if I can get him to eat.” She asked her.

“Oh thank you Honey that would be nice. I want to get up and try and eat at the kitchen table if you don’t mind. Ellie are you alright you look awfully pale.” She asked her daughter.

“Oh Mom I’m fine really I’ll let you know when everything is ready ok?” she told her. Cecelia knew better and knew when her daughter was lying. It didn’t take her long to get things ready and she got her Mom taken care of first. Jimmy was thrilled that Grandma was eating with him so he ate up all his soup as long as Grandma ate hers as well. Ellie just made herself some tea and toast as well and that right there nailed it for her Mom.

“Ok Ellie what’s wrong?” she asked her.

Ellie looked at her and smiled weakly. “Ok I have a migraine no big deal plus my period so I want to curl into a ball but I can’t. The only good thing about this is I don’t have to work so I can lay down when I want to Mom. Jon did have the right idea about this not working thing and if you tell him I said this I will never speak to you again!” she said to her laughing.

“I promise I won’t say a thing. It’s not like when your Father did the same thing to me?” she winked at Ellie smiling.

“What is it about men and having their women not working? I mean come on.” Ellie asked her.

“It’s not that they don’t want us working Honey it’s that they want us either at home when they get home or at home raising the kids. And that they are making the living and they don’t need they’re women working. At least with your Dad is concerned. He wanted to make it easier for me because I worked my entire life taking care of Grandma and your Uncle and he wanted me to be able to relax and not worry about it anymore. “she said trying not to cry.

“That’s because Daddy’s the best.” Ellie said trying not to cry also.

“Yes he is. Jon he’s trying to make up for everything that’s happen in the past. Plus he wants you to be with him which there’s nothing wrong with that. But you guys have a little guy that needs the both of you and he just wants you guys to be with him.” Cecelia told her.

“But Mom Jimmy’s in school now I can’t just rip him out and have us tour with him. Especially in THAT environment. Jimmy needs a stable environment you know that. Oh I don’t know what to do.” She said to her Mom.

“Yes you do Sweetheart. You love them both so you’ll be able to work this out. We’ll take Jimmy any time that you need us too. So the summers we can keep him here with us if you want to be with him during those times. During the school times I’m sure you can work things out Ellie.” She told her.

“Well we do kind of have a plan. Richie’s folks said that they’ll take care of him for a few weeks at a time so I can visit them on tour so he can stay in school in New Jersey for us and make sure his parents don’t go near him while I’m gone. “she explained.

“So you are going to keep him away from them then?” she asked her.

“Well for now anyway. I mean I don’t think Jon even has told them that we’re engaged. But I would love to be a fly on the wall when he does.” She said laughing. They were talking for a while til Cecelia needed to go lay down again and so did Ellie as she went and took a nap when Jimmy did.

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

The guys were having a great time sightseeing for the afternoon and then went out for dinner. Then they found a bar that they could jump up on stage and have an impromptu concert. It helped that they were pretty much half in the bag when they went up there so they could really chill out and have some giggles. Jon was careful not to scream the songs even thou he was feeling good because they were playing songs that they really wanted too. And this is where Richie always lets go.

Meanwhile Ellie had promised that she would call Jon with a progress report about Jimmy and the reception desk told her that he wasn’t in so they took a message for her for him to call her back. She thought that was strange as he told her that he would be in later to take her call.  But knowing Jon she blew it off figuring he had forgot like he was so busy anyway.

It was sometime around two a.m. when they had came crawling in and had passed out in their respected rooms.  Jon didn’t even bother to get undressed he just flopped in bed and passed out.  They all slept til late morning when they all had gotten a late morning wakeup call from Richie B. to make sure that they would get up so they would be up and running for their sound check by late this afternoon. Jon just crawled out of bed and into the bathroom. First he grabbed the aspirin then he stripped down and went into the shower. The hot water felt good on his body. He stood under it for a good few minutes as his head was foggy from last night. He needed to wake up and fast if he wanted to be alert for sound check. He finished up and dried off and got dressed as there was a knock on his door. Jon just shooked his head as he was going to bite Rich’s head off. He had plenty of time before sound check and he was going to get something to eat before they left. When he opened the door thou it was the wrong Rich.

“Richie?” he said surprised.

“Yeah who the hell did you think it was Kidd?” he asked him.

“I thought it was Bozzett he’s been calling here bugging me. You want something to eat I’m about to call room service.” He asked him.

“Yeah sure thanks. (sitting down) so how’s Jimmy doing? Is he feeling any better?” Richie asked him.

Jon looked surprised as he got off the phone. “What?” he said confused and shocked.

“You know Jimmy your son. Is he ok? You said you were going to call him when you got back to the room last night. Did you?” he asked him.

“Oh shit! I totally forgot. I must have passed out because I woke up still wearing my closes. Ah shit. I need to call Ellie and find out how he’s doing.” He said feeling terrible that he didn’t call like he said he would.

“Jon I’m sure she knows that you were probably busy cut yourself some slack will you.” Richie told him.

“Rich she knew we had nothing to do yesterday and probably wondered way I didn’t call her. She probably thinks I blew her off, which I did. What kind of Dad am I if I can’t follow thru on my promises.” He asked him feeling horrible now.

“Jon you’re being too hard on yourself. Look if Ellie wants to be with you then she’s going to have to understand when and why you can call her when you’re on tour. She’s cool so don’t sweat it.” Richie told him.

“Look I need to call her will you look out for the room service cart for me?” he asked him. Richie told him he would so Jon went into the bedroom and called her and hope that she would pick up.

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

 Ellie had just put Jimmy to bed and she was settling herself with her tea as Beth and Sean were with her watching t.v. Both her parents were sleeping as Dad had to get up at one a.m. to get ready for work and Mom was still feeling crappy so when the phone rang Sean jumped up and grabbed it so it didn’t wake them up. “Hello? Oh Hi yup she’s here I’ll go get her.” Walking into the den, “Ellie telephone it’s Jon.” Sean told her.

Ellie got up and went to take it. “Jon? Hi Hon what’s up.” She asked him.

“Hi Baby I’m so sorry I didn’t call you yesterday I totally forgot.” He told her feeling guilty.

“That’s ok didn’t you get my message?” she asked him.

“Message? What message?” he asked her confused.

“The message I lefted you yesterday when I called you. I left it with the reception desk. I just told them to have you call me when you get in I didn’t want to leave how Jimmy was doing just in case someone else would get it and use it you know. But he’s doing better and can get solid foods in him. For dinner he got a peanut butter sandwich down so that was good. How are you Honey you sound weird.” She said to him concerned.

“I’m ok now I was afraid you’d be mad at me for not calling yesterday.” He stated.

“Why would I be mad? You’re a busy man Jon I know you said you had the day off but with you that can change at a drop of the hat.” She told him.

“Yeah well it didn’t the guys wanted to go out and explore the town and they kept bugging me to go with them so I finally caved and went. Then we found this out of the way little tavern and well we kind if closed it last night and I got loaded so EL don’t be mad ok?” he hoped she wouldn’t be to pissed at him.

There was a pause then she said, “Jon why would I be mad? Did you do something that I should be mad at? Because right now you’re scaring me Jon.” She told him.

“Oh no Baby no it’s just that well (chuckling) I guess we both have our baggage. I’m so used to apologizing for getting drunk after the fact and raising a little hell with my guys and having Dotty scream at me about it I forgot sometimes. You know like you do with Michael. I’m sorry.” He explained to her.

“That’s ok Honey you know you are allowed to have fun. Just not that much fun ha ha. I love you so much and I want you to be you ok? Just loyal to me that’s all and I’ll always be yours I promise. So what’s the matter you feeling guilty about going out yesterday?” she asked him curious.

“Well yeah kind of. Where I didn’t call you back I thought you might be mad at me. Plus I didn’t remember til Richie reminded me just now. Again I’m so sorry Babe.” He said again.

Laughing now, “Jon I told you that it’s ok. But stop apologizing before I think you did something ok.” She told him still chuckling.

“Ok, ok I will. No wonder I love you. OK is Jimmy still up can I say goodnight to him?” he asked her hoping.

“Oh Honey no I put him to sleep about a half hour ago. If I knew you were going to call I would have kept him up. But he was falling asleep as it was. This flu bug has him strung out. But he does want to know when he’s going to see you again. I told him soon. When you get back from Europe and we can visit you. He seemed ok with that.” She told him.

“Well I guess I’ll have to be ok with that. (just then he heard Richie yelling to him from the living room) Babe I’ve got to go Rich is yelling for me. I’ll call you when I can. Hey do you think you can come over before we leave?” he asked her with his fingers crossed.

“Well don’t you only have a little over a month left? I don’t think so Hon between Jimmy and Mom by the time this flu bug finishes you’ll practically be home. Look you’ll be fine I’ll see you when you get here ok?” she told him.

“Why there should be enough time for you to be here.” He whined.

“Jon I can’t I have some things to do I’m sorry. I have some doctors’ appointments and I can’t just drop everything for you. The time will go by quickly you’ll see. Now I love you go see what Richie needs I’ll talk to you later Bye.” She told him and hung up.

Jon just stared at the phone and then hung it up a little annoyed. He walked back into the living room and Richie was setting up the service cart. “Hey so how is Ellie and Jimmy doing?” Richie asked.

“Fine, Jimmy was sleeping but he’s getting solids into him which is good. Ellie was ok with me going out which was great I’m not used to that. You know being yelled at by Dot and shit.” Jon said kind of strange that Richie had caught on too.

Sitting down as both of them had poured themselves their coffee Richie had to ask him, “Ok Kidd so what’s wrong then? Ellie isn’t pissed that you went out with us last night and that she didn’t yell at you for it. So what’s got you so down? That’s she didn’t yell? Because if that’s it I think that there is something really wrong with you.” Richie told him as he took a bite out of his croissant.

“Fuck you! No I’m fine with that I asked her if she would come out one of the last few weeks before we go home and she told me she couldn’t because of Jimmy and her Mom still being sick.” He told him.

“So what’s wrong with that?” Richie wanted to know.

“Rich we still have about a month left on tour right?” Jon said as Richie shooked his head yes. “Ok then why can’t she still come out? She said she couldn’t because she had other things to do like doctor’s appointments and such. And that she just can’t drop everything because of me. I thought we had made these plans ahead of schedule so she could come out and visit me as the tour went on so what the fuck?” Jon complained.

“Well maybe she has to take Jimmy to the doctors Jon? You know with the flu and everything he probably needs a checkup ever think of that?” Richie explained to him smirking.

“Yeah I thought of that but still enough time to come out dumbass. But it sounded like she had to go to the doctor’s too. Why wouldn’t she tell me why she would have to go I mean she has always before?” Jon asked out loud.

“Maybe she’s pregnant and doesn’t want to tell you until she knows for sure.” Richie said to him as straight face as possible. Jon sat there as he went white as a ghost. “Jon. Jon. Jon! Are you ok? Because I was teasing. You look like you’re going to be sick.” He said to him wanting to laugh.

Sitting there wanting to vomit what if that is exactly what she is seeing the doctor for. “Oh God Rich what if that’s exactly what’s going on. What if she is pregnant and doesn’t know how to tell me.” Jon asked his best friend.

“Jon I was fucking kidding. Oh My God! You’ve told me she has migraine headaches for crying out loud you ever think that’s what she going for? You are so easy man.(laughing hard now) Oh you should see your face. You need to chill. And she did tell you that she is going to see her doctor so if you want to piss her off anymore yeah ask her if she’s pregnant.” He told Jon still chuckling.

“You know you’re a jerk. You put the pregnant idea in my head and you think it’s funny you Jackass. I’m a wreck and it wasn’t nice Rich I wasn’t around the first time and believe me what I wouldn’t give to be around for the next one.” He told him.

“Jon you will but give it time. At least wait til you’re married I think her parents will appreciate it much more this time. And this time you’ll get to experience everything with her you’ll see.” Richie told him smiling.

“Yeah I know I just feel guilty that I wasn’t there the first time.” Jon said sadly.

“Well that wasn’t your fault now was it. Hey by the way did you ever tell your parents that you’re engaged?” he asked him.

Jon just sat there looking at him with another guilty look. “No I just don’t want to hear it Rich. I mean Pop will be ok with it, in fact he will even thrilled with it. But you know Mom she’s going to go thru the roof as it is so I thought I’d just tell them when it happens.” Jon told him as he finished his coffee and almost choked on it.

“You are so chicken shit Bongiovi. All you have to do is call them and make your Mom feel like shit by telling her that basically she didn’t win and that you’re going to marry the girl of your dreams. How hard is that?” Richie asked him.

“Are you fucking me? You know my mother right?” Jon asked him surprised.

“Yeah so? You have the upper hand don’t you?” Richie asked him.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Jon wanted to know as he was getting confused now.

“Jon you have Jimmy right? She’ll want to see him after you guys get married. Ellie can’t keep saying no forever can she? I mean Jimmy will have a say in it eventually so you two might as well talk about it now and come to an arrangement and if you guys want more kids you’ll have her right where you want her.” Richie explained to him.

Jon thought it over and knew Richie was right. But now he had to try and explain it to Ellie. The guys finished up and went to sound check and made sure everything was doable. It took them a couple of hours to get things the way they wanted them (ok mostly Jon) but everytime they stored their instruments it took them a bit to get them back to exactly how they wanted them. They had quite a few hours before they had to go on stage so they headed to get something to eat they headed back to the hotel to unwind before the concert. This left Jon to call his folks to tell them with the good news or his doom.

He picked up the phone and held his breath when he dialed their number. As it was ringing all he could think of was Ellie and Jimmy and the life he couldn’t wait to have with them. “Hello?” his Dad said.

“Hi Dad It’s me Jon how are you?” he asked him.

“Jon fine son are you ok? You sound funny.” John Sr. asked him concerned.

“No Pop I’m fine I have some good news to tell you and Mom. Is she there?” he asked his Dad.

“Yeah she is she’s in the kitchen making some tea for the two of us. We couldn’t sleep.” John Sr. told him.

“Oh Pop I’m sorry I totally forgot about the time there. Why can’t you two sleep?” he asked him.

“Well your brother is out and your mother is worried about him because he got himself into some trouble last week so we’re letting him have a second chance. It was a little simpler with you we always knew where you were.” He told him as Carol walked in with their tea.

“John is that Tony? Is he ok?” Carol started to babble.

“Carol it’s fine it’s only Jon he has some good news for us.” he told her.

“Really? Well we could use some good news. Oh wait don’t tell me he got her pregnant again? Oh Lord please tell me he didn’t get her pregnant again!” Carol yelled as Jon could hear her thru the phone.

Jon nearly screamed. He had to bite his tongue so he didn’t say something he would regret. “Pop tell her that I didn’t get Ellie pregnant again. And to stop that. NOW!” he told his Dad angrily.

“Carol your son and I for that matter want you stop this. He has some good news and for you to bash Ellie is not going to help. Now whether you like it or not she is in your son’s life and is the Mother of your Grandson and if you ever want to see him knock it OFF! Go ahead Jon what is your good news.” He asked his son.

“Well I don’t want to hear any crap about this ok but I proposed to Ellie a while ago and she said yes.” There he said it and now he’s just waiting for the backlash.

“Jon that’s wonderful. Congratulations Son.” John Sr. told him happily.

“What? Why are you congratulating him John?” Carol was nagging him about.

“Carol he proposed to Ellie a while ago and she said yes and do not…” but of course she exploded like she would.

“HE DID WHAT!!!! Give me that phone John right now.” She screamed.

“No I won’t. He’s a grown man and knows what he wants Carol and you should be proud of him stepping up and finally righting what you wreck. He’s been in love with this girl since they were teenagers and if you let them run their path who knows what would have happened between them but oh no you couldn’t do that you had to interfere in that. But guess what life stepped in and they found each other again and not only that but fell back in love with each other. So now you stay out of this because I want to see that beautiful Grandson of mine and any future Grandchild they have and if you don’t fine then you can stay home while I go visit them. Jon are you still there Son?” he asked him.

“Um yeah Dad I’m right here.” He told him kind of in shock after what he just heard him say to his Mom.

“You tell Ellie congrats for me and that I’m thrilled that she’ll be part of our family. And that I would love to see her and if I could visit with my Grandson if she’ll allow it on her terms. Oh I hear Tony driving up look I have to go I love you Jon and you take care of your little family til I see you ok?” John Sr. told him.

“I will Pop and I love you too.” Jon told him and hung up.

Missing You

The next few weeks were interesting. Colton got back to them and they were not happy to find out that the cocaine amount in the supplements were triple the amount. That sent Jon off. But luckily Ellie was able to calm him down and they all talked it out so that they kept all the evidence and shipped it out to Tom to hold so they could build a case against him.

Morning had arrived and it was a day off for them seeing they had just played three straight days in a row and they were exhausted. They were able to stay one more night where they were but tomorrow they had to take off for God only knows where, they just went where they were told. The only good thing he knew was that Ellie was able to extend her visit for another week and he was ecstatic over that. He thought maybe he could get thru the next two months if she could get away one more time before the tour ends. He reached over next to him and could feel her warm soft back as she was lying sideways almost on her stomach. Her long sandy brown hair lying on her back. He gently took his hand and started to caress her back up and down as she started to move. Smiling, he moved closer and wrapped one arm around her and then nuzzling her neck and licking her ear. Finally opening her eyes and groaning as he was massaging her breast and feeling his erection on her backside she turned on her back so she could face him.

But before she could say anything he capture her mouth with his and explored hers while his tongue gently kissing hers. Finally coming up for breath he looked into her hazel greenish eyes, “Morning.” He said breathlessly.

“Morning to you too. How am I ever going to be able to go home when you have me so spoiled.” she asked him smiling like a goof.

Looking at her so lovingly he asked her, “What? What do I have you so spoiled at?”

“Well I usually don’t get waken up like this unless I’m with you. Usually I get stomped on by a six year old who wants his breakfast or to see if Grandpa is up yet so they can have breakfast together.” She laughed.

Jon just looked at her kind of solemnly. “What is it Honey?” she asked him worried all of a sudden.

“Nothing it’s nothing really.” He told her ready to roll off of her but she wouldn’t let him.

“Oh no you don’t. We told each other no more secrets so what’s up?” she wanted to know.

“Ok (pause) I should know that. I should know those things about my son. And I should be the one that he wants to do those things with.” He told her.

She understood how he felt. She kissed him and told him, “Jon you know you can’t because of your schedule. Even if we do have more kids it’s still going to happen because you’re going to be on the road we know that to so don’t beat yourself up about it. You will have your time with him and he does have special moments with you he already told me he can’t wait when your home so you two can have your breakfast together and watch your cartoons he said. He wanted to tell you he can’t wait to watch Bugs Bunny and the Duck with you when you come home.” she told him.

“Wait he really said that?” he asked her smiling.

“Yeah why?” she said giggling.

“That’s great Baby! I mean…” he kissed her hard and rolled totally on her as they were kissing passionately and he showed her just how much he loved her. When they decided to come up for air they both were hungry and need water badly. So Jon called down to room service. At least this Hotel had better room service than the previous ones had.   

Jon was still feeling horny and was still grabbing at Ellie as she was squealing when the phone rang. “Ah SHIT! Don't answer that!” he said to her.

“Jon you know you have to. I don’t want you to either but you know you do.” She whined right back at him.

Rolling over her and growling and her giggling he answered the phone, “Hello?” he answered pissed off. He just heard Doc going off into the phone at him as he mouthed ‘Doc’ to her. She just shooked her head and flashed him by taking the blankets and fanning herself off and on with them. He took his index finger and just shook it at her with his lips in sucker look. She knew she was in trouble. Finally he was able to get a word in, “Doc yes we’ll be ready tomorrow like we have been the last three and a half months. We haven’t been late yet have we? No. And yes she’s still with me and will be til the end of the week so get over it. She hasn’t been in the way the whole time she’s been here. So see you late tomorrow morning Bye!” and he hung up. “Oh my God he’s an idiot. He hasn’t really checked up on us this whole time until you got here. Or should I say everytime you get here.” He said really annoyed.

  “Well he just wants to make sure his money train is still running that’s all. Plus he also wants to make sure I’m not the Yoko in his Jon.” She told him as she giggled over that.

“Oh you just think you’re so damn funny don’t you?” he asked her crawling to her on the bed.

“If I say yes will you do that thing again that you did with your tongue?” she asked him smiling and giving him her puppy dog eyes.

“Oh I should spank you that’s what I should do.” he told her as he leaned in and kissed her lightly.

“Maybe if you’re a good boy I’ll let you do that too.” She told him when they parted as she winked at him.

“Oh God you are trying to kill me aren’t you?” he asked her as he collapsed on her with a smile a mile long. She laughed her head off at his theatrics. God she so could get use to this with no problem. She loved him so much.

“So Bongiovi what are we going to do now?” she asked him running her hands thru his hair.

“Oh I can think of a few things.” He told her as he turned quickly and grabbed her as she squealed. He certainly wasn’t going to waste his day off worrying about Doc or anything else for that matter until he had too.

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

 The week went by too fast for Jon. He couldn’t get enough of Ellie as it was and didn’t know when she could get back again. They were in the car saying goodbye when finally Rich B. had to knock to tell them that the plane was getting ready to start entry to the plane. “Crap I so don’t want you to leave Baby.” He told her holding her tight.

“I know I don’t want to leave either and we do this everytime I leave. It’s getting harder and harder Jon.” She told him trying hard not to cry.

“You’re telling me?” as he looked down.

“That’s not funny!” she told him as she hit his arm as he laughed.

“That’s better thou at least I got a smile on your face. It will be ok I promise. Just give Jimmy a big kiss and hug from me and tell him I’ll see him soon. I love you El.” He told her and kissed her like she would remember it all the way home.

Smiling when they parted, “I love you too Jon. Don't worry I’ll tell Jimmy Daddy loves him” she said as Rich B. was now banging on the window.

“We hear you she’ll be right there!” he screamed. “You better go Babe before they take off without you. Call me when you get home alright I don’t care what time it is here.” He told her.

Looking at each other she got out of the car as Rich had her carry on and they made a beeline for the plane. Jon just watched them go into the terminal as his heart went with her.

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

 Another month went by and Jon just his usual self, grumpy. But he was doing what Colton told him to do except for the stimulants. But when Doc asked Colton for a report Colton did tell him that he was giving Jon them and with Jon’s attitude with Ellie gone Doc didn’t know the difference. They were now touring the last half with Kiss now and couldn’t wait for this tour to finish. A little over a month to go and they were going to take a month off despite what Doc said. If he wanted them to go into the studio and start recording some of the songs he and Richie already have and having to write with Desmond Child then he was going to have to let them do this or there wasn’t going to be a third album. He didn’t care they would do it on their terms when Tom would get rid of him after all the tie up’s in court would be done.

The tour was going even better as they were head lining with Kiss and they were getting better exposure on this the last leg on this tour. At least Jon was happy about that. It was one of the guys days off as they had the night before just got in from some interviews and photo shoots they had then they rushed to the airport from Paris so they could head out to Cannes where they were playing for five days with only one day off in between. Jon was exhausted so he slept in til eleven which when he woke to use the bathroom he couldn’t get back to sleep. So he called down for room service to get his caffeine fix fast. Lighting a cigarette he sat back and thought about what Ellie and Jimmy would be doing. God he missed them. He waited for room service to come and then he finished his cigarette. Pouring his coffee he took the phone and hoped someone would be up to answer the phone.

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

 Beth and Sean were up getting ready for school seeing that both of them were in high school. Beth got up a little earlier than Sean because she had to catch the bus seeing she went to Vocational School because she wanted to be a hair stylist/cosmologist. Sean went to the local High School in town. So when the phone rang Beth answered it.

Sean was eating his cereal when it rang. “Who is calling at this time?” he asked his sister curious.

“How do I know but I better answer it before the whole house wakes up…Hello? Oh Hi Jon yeah but she’s sleeping. Ok but it’s your head.” She told him when she put the phone down and went up to her sisters room to get her.

“Ellie wake up…wake up there a call for you.” She shooked her sister hard.

Rolling over and not looking happy, “What!”

“I said there’s a call for you just go pick it up ok it’s Jon I need to get ready before I miss the bus.” She whispered to her so Jimmy wouldn’t wake up.

Ellie slowly got up still half asleep. She walked down the stairs and took the phone. “Hello?”

“Hey Babe sorry I had Beth wake you but I really just needed to hear your voice.” He told her.

“Huh? Jon? K.” was all she could get out at the moment as she was trying to wake up.

“Babe are you ok?” he asked her.

“Yeah I will be. Are you?” she asked him.

Sighing, “I’m sorry I woke you up I shouldn’t have called this early.” He told her feeling guilty now.

“No it’s ok Honey just give me a second to wake up. I was really under that’s all. I’ve been up for a couple of nights now Jimmy’s been sick so when he’s sick I don’t sleep and last night was the first night I got any sleep in two nights that’s all.” She told him.

“What did he have? Why didn’t you call me?” Jon blurted out concerned.

“Hey calm down will ya. He had the flu and I didn’t call you because what could you do? Plus I was a little busy with him throwing up and diarrhea for two days. He’s just been able to get food into him like soup and crackers which is a good sign. But if you think you could have handled that I’m sure next time I’ll be glad to let you handle it.” She told him giggling.

“No, no that’s ok I’ll let you handle the sick part any time Dear. But he’s doing better right?” he asked concerned for his son.

“Yeah he’ll be fine. But unfortunately it’s been going thru the house too. We’ve all had it. Mom is the last one with Jimmy that is to have it and I’m just praying I don’t get it again. It doesn’t last long about four to five good days but that’s enough. Ok then so what’s up with you? Why are you calling?” she wanted to know.

“It will sound stupid.” He told her.

“Jon it won’t sound stupid to me just tell me what’s the matter? You wouldn’t have called me if you didn’t have a reason.” She told him concerned for him.

“Ok I just wanted to hear your voice I told you that. I’m sitting here and well I just started to think about you and Jimmy and I really needed to hear you. I really need to touch you but since I can’t I’ll take the second best thing which is your voice. But I’d give anything right now to hold you, touch you, kiss you.” He told her in his deep whiskey voice.

Looking around the room Sean had gone downstairs to his room to get dressed and Beth ran up to hers to. “Yeah I know I feel the same way Sweetie. But it won’t be much longer now and we’ll be together. The nice part is I won’t have to look around and see who’s looking to see if I’m going to talk dirty to my Fiancé on the phone.” She told him giggling.

“Why do they do that to you?” he asked her kind of shocked.

“Are you kidding me? I don’t know whose worse the kids or the parents. I just wonder if we’ll be like them in say twenty years.” She was laughing when Beth came down the stairs.

“What’s so funny?” Beth asked.

“Nothing mind your own Bee’s wax.” Ellie said to her sister as Beth stuck out her tongue to her.

“You see what I mean they listen in on everything here.” Ellie said pissed.

“Well I have the same problem here to Babe. I swear to God every time you and I tried to kiss, hug or when we were holed up in the hotel they would tease the living hell out of me something fierce.  They didn’t want to do it in front of you just yet and scare you off.” He said chuckling.

“Well good I’m glad I’m not sure I could take it because it was bad enough when you were passed out they were giving me crap.” She snicker.

 “What kind of crap? Do I have to talk to them?” he asked her curious.

“Oh God no Honey we’re all fine trust me. And trust me that they love you very much. I never saw a bunch of guys go to bat for anyone like they did for you. They really protected you and I think you need to know something.” She said.

“What Babe?” Jon asked not knowing what the hell it could be because the guys usually tell him everything.

“Well something happened when you were under that stimulant and well you accused Richie and I of something but I think you really hurt his feeling more than you hurt mine.” She told him.

“Oh God what was it El what the hell did I say?” he asked her as his stomach dropped.

“Well Richie was trying to get you to calm down I forgot exactly, but then you wanted me because you were angry at me and well Richie didn’t want me anywhere near you and like a caveman you started screaming Well she’s my Woman then something about Oh My God you wanted to fuck her don’t you, you always wanted to fuck her. Then I think that’s when Tico and Dave walked in and the look on Richie’s face was well…I’ll never forget it because the hurt that you well… would think he would try and take me from you, he wouldn’t do that. Then you made a beeline for me and well Tico he grabbed you and you went down and hard. One punch too Honey. Anyway they put you on the bed and I sat with you til you woke up.” She explained to him.

Jon sat there feeling like a heel. Running his hand over his face then his hair as he took a deep breath he asked her, “Tell me I really didn’t say that?”

“Yeah you did. And the look in your eyes Hon all I can say is Wow you were really pissed at him. Well you were really pissed at the two of us. For some reason you thought that Richie and I were fooling around on you. Can I ask why?” she wanted to know.

“Yeah I think it stems back with Diane and him and the funny thing is I really can’t blame Richie. It was the Fahrenheit tour and well we were all kind of wild back then and I had broke it off with Dotty for one of the hundredth times so she was a rebound and I was extremely busy doing what I normally do anyway and she wanted me twenty four hours and I couldn’t give that to her. So apparently the time I wasn’t with her she found someone to keep her busy. He fended her off for quite a time so she found others to keep her busy I found out but Rich was the last guy I guess because when I found him with her I showed her the road home. I guess when I was juiced up I was taking out my frustration out on him thinking he was going to take you from me too. I’m sorry Babe.” He told her quietly.

“Jon it’s ok but maybe you need to talk to Richie about this? Clear the air with him. You guys have been thru too much to let her come between you two.” Ellie told him.

“Thanks Babe you know how much I love you?” He was telling her when they both heard…

“Mommieeeee! Mommieeeee!” Jimmy was crying out. 

“Is that Jimmy? Is he ok?” Jon franticly was asking.

“Jimmy Mommy will be right there Honey. Yes it’s him and calm down. He’s just woken up ok? I just need to go check on him and give him his morning meds. Oh and hopefully be able to get some breakfast in him without him throwing it back up. I gotta go Sweetheart I’ll call you later?” she asked him.

“Please I want to know how he’s doing ok?” he told her concerned.

“Will do Love you bye.” she told him and hung up.

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

Jon sat there even more upset now not knowing how Jimmy was or how Ellie was dealing with everything. He felt he should be there with her helping out. He thought that Ellie was going to be able to come back out one more time to be with him before they headed home but now with Jimmy sick and her Mom it doesn’t look that way. He finished his food and his coffee and then went to take his shower. He hated so much to take his pleasure out this way but he had no choice. Hearing her voice and daydreaming of what they had the last time she was there well he got himself off which didn’t take long and he well he was glad for that. He didn’t want to spend all day in here. Once done he cleaned himself off good and finished up so he could get dressed and see what the others were going to be doing. It was still a little early for the rest of them to be up so he grabbed his guitar and note pad and sat on the couch and just let the music flow thru him.

A few hours had gone by and as Jon was working by himself when there was a knock on his door. He wasn’t too keen to jump up at the moment so he let it go until there was banging finally on the other side.

“KIDD! YOU UP?” Richie yelled.

“YEAH I”LL BE RIGHT THERE!” Jon yelled back. He put his guitar down and went to answer the door. “Hey Rich come on in.”

“So what’s up for today we have the whole day to ourselves. No interviews, no photo shoots, no nothing. So whatcha you wanna do?” Richie asked him rubbing his hands together.

“Oh I don’t know Rich I was goofing around writing for a while. You want to go grab your guitar?” he asked him blaise.

“First of all no and second of all what’s up with you? We have the fucking day to ourselves and you want to stay indoors?  Come on the guys want to go out and see the sites. Where in freaking Cannes so let’s go see the sites and um Alec’s got the name of a strip club not too far from here so what the hell right. I’m mean Ellie should be ok with it as long as you look and not touch right?” Richie laughed.

“A strip club Rich? Come on look I need to call Ellie back in a little while so I need to stay here and work on a few things but if you want to go be my guest.” Jon told him rolling his eyes.

“What? Are you pussied whipped already? It’s one day Kidd come on let’s go. Let’s have some fun like we used to huh?” Richie said as he was teasing him.

“Look Rich Jimmy is sick and I want to know how he’s doing ok? She had to get off the phone with me earlier because he woke up and she needed to tend to him. The flu has been going around their house and I’m just hoping that she doesn’t get it again. Her immune system if I remember isn’t that great and I want to spend a lot of time with her when we get home. (pause) Oh don’t look at me like that. Yes I’m being selfish ok big fucking deal.” He said giving Richie a look.

Looking at Jon with a smile on his face and then chuckling, “I didn’t say anything other than if you wanted to go out with us and that your pussied whip which was a joke. Jon I know Ellie and I know she wouldn’t care if you went out with us as long as you don’t get drunk and be stupid that’s all.” He said to him with a leer of a smile.

“Really Rich? We bringing that up again?” Jon asked with the stink eye.

“No I’m not I’m just reminding you not to get blisted that’s all.  Now come on come out with us and let’s have some fun?” Richie whined to him while making a puppy dog face.

“Fine if I go will you guys stop bugging me about it?” Jon asked him.

“Yes.” He told him.

“Fine then I’ll go ok.” He told Rich as he let out a holler and left to tell the other guys.

Bad Medicine

“Back off Rich!” he told him not that happy.

“No!” Richie said firmly. Ellie didn’t know what to do. She knew Jon would never hurt her but in the condition he was in she wasn’t sure and she knew Richie wasn’t sure either. Tico and David were just opening the door when they saw what was going down.

“Richie I said move! She’s my woman and I asked her a question. Or do I believe you want to play Sir Galahad to her is that it? I always knew you had a fucking crush on her. How bad do you want to fuck her?” He asked his best friend.

Well that was all Tico needed. “Ok Jon that’s enough. You need to sit down and shut the fuck up right now.” As he went to grab him Jon went to swing at him but Tico defended himself and swung back and knocked Jon out cold.

“TICO!” Ellie screamed.

“I’m sorry Ellie but he swung first. I had to defend myself didn’t I?” he asked the guys. They all told her that he had to do what he did and picked him up and put him on the bed.

“Nah he’ll be fine Ellie trust me it’s not the first time that one of us hasn’t punch the other out.” Dave told her shaking his head.

Ellie just looked at them like they were crazy. “You got to be crazy. Should we call a doctor?”

“No Ellie Colton is on his way up. He’s going to take blood from Jon so I guess this will be easier now seeing he won’t say no to it. I should of thought of this before.” Richie said shaking his head.

“Richie! Knocking Jon out was not an option.” She told him upset.

“Ellie we didn’t know what he was going to do. He was upset with both of us and he started to get into your face. There was no way I was going to let him hurt you.” Richie told her unsure of what his best friend was capable of under these circumstances.

“Richie he would never have hurt me it’s Jon.” She told them.

“We know Honey but he’s under stimulants so we really don’t know what he could have done. And Colton told me one of the things in it is cocaine. He doesn’t know how much but he does know that there is some and Jon has been taking two pills in the morning and two at night now for a week. And his personally just started to change I would say the day before you got here because he was going off on the road crew more than usual. “Richie told them.

“Yeah that’s true he was wasn’t he. I just thought it was because he was missing Ellie and he was horny.” Dave said as Ellie rolled her eyes.

“Look let me call Colton and see if he left yet and if he hasn’t I’ll tell him to get his ass here fast.” Richie said as he walked over to the phone. Ellie was sitting on the bed running her hand thru Jon’s hair. She was looking at him so lovingly. She knew deep in her heart that he would not have hit her she just knew it. He wasn’t Michael where she knew he would have and would have been scare to death. But not her Jon. She knew she didn’t have to run from him. She laid down beside him as she could see him face to face and study each feature. She traced his lips, his nose, his eyes, his mole and did it over again as the guys watched her doing it. They smiled at each other as they watch this because they thought if he didn’t appreciate this then they were really going to kick his ass. Then there was a knock at the door Tico went to answer it as Ellie gave him a sweet kiss on the lips and got up.

It was room service that Jon had called for. Ellie had forgotten. It wasn’t much just Ellie’s tea and soda and some sandwich’s and Jon’s coffee and soda and some desserts. Tico tipped the guy and he went off. The guys helped themselves and would order more when Jon woke up. Another half hour went by and Jon was still out.

“Boy Tic you really knocked him out.” Dave said to him. Ellie just gave him the eye.

“Well Jon always did have a glass jaw. Plus I think what he’s taking isn’t helping him too much either.” Tico told them.

“You think that’s why he’s having a hard time waking up?” Ellie asked.

They all looked at her and didn’t know how to tell her this but they needed to. So Tico just did. ”Honey did he ever tell you about the time when he was just a kid when he experimented with drugs?”

“Yeah we met a couple of years after that why?” she asked.

“Did he tell you he tripped out really bad from them?” Tico asked her.

“Tico he told me everything. He wasn’t as secretive back then.” She told them.

“Ok then well then that’s not the only time he’s tried it. He’s taken it several other times when we first started out when we were hanging around in some not so nice clubs with some not so nice people and we were drinking really hard. And they were passing this shit around and he thought what the hell what could it hurt and that he was with us. Nothing that he would end up in the er or anything but he had some bad trips. You see you don’t dare Jon into anything but he won’t do that shit anymore I can tell you that and when he finds out that he’s been taking something with coke in it he’s going to freak.” Tico explained to her as she just sat there.

Finally she asked, “So he knew it could hurt him but he did it anyway?”

“Well Honey I know it’s stupid but when you’re touring the way we were and with the people we were with you kind of had to keep up with them or get your teeth kicked in. And you’ve seen Jon he’s small, wiry but small so he had to show them that he could handle anything that they threw at him. Plus he was a pretty boy too so we had to protect him from certain creeps.” He explained in a little more detail. “Ellie you can’t tell him the pretty boy comment or he’ll freak. That’s one of the things he likes to stay in Bon Jovi.”

“Yeah I get it I won’t say anything to him or anything you guys told me ok? I just want him to be ok.” She told them concerned.

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

Finally Colton arrived to see Jon. When he got there, there were four angry people staring at him as he settled his bag down on the table and as Richie introduced everybody. They all started in on him as Richie had to quiet them down.    

“OK look he knows how we all feel but can we just let him do what he needs to?” Richie asked them.

“Fine but what exactly is he going to do to Jon other than take his blood?” Ellie wanted to know. 

“Well that’s a fair question and yes once I’ll take a sample of his blood and analyze it to see exactly how much of the cocaine is in Jon’s system and only God knows what, we can go from there. Now where is the bottle that I gave him?” Colton wanted to know. 

“Oh I found it in his pocket. I guess he was carrying it in his pocket so he wouldn’t forget to take them.” Richie told him giving Colton the bottle.

“Ok I’ll take these back but just tell Doc that he’s still taking them. He doesn’t need to know anything yet. Ok roll up his sleeve so I can take his blood. (pause) He’s not going to be pissed at me for doing this is he?” he asked them.

They all looked at each other as Tico spoke up. “Look Doc it doesn’t matter whether he is or isn’t. We’re the ones that are ok’ing this so he’ll be pissed at us. So just take it and we’ll handle him.” He said confidently.

Colton looked at them and despite his reservations about this took Jon’s blood anyway. Once he was done he put it in a bag very carefully. “Well then if there’s anything else?” he asked them.

“Yeah he’s acting funny again and really not himself you know agitated what can we do to get him back to himself?” Richie wanted to know.

“I really don’t know it has to work its way out of his system I’m sorry to say. You said he already took two this morning? Well as long as he doesn’t take anymore today hopefully he should start to feel better by tomorrow and by the end of the week most of it should be out of his system, next week for sure. I’ll call you guys with the results.” He told them.

“Oh here these are our room numbers so just in case if you can’t reach me then try these other two ok? But whatever you do don’t call here.” Richie told him.

Colton left as the guys sat around and discussed their next move. They just hoped that when Jon finally woke up he would be a little more like the Jon they knew.

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

  About twenty minutes after Colton left Jon started to come around and Ellie was sitting right next to him and started to brush his hair back and caress his cheeks. The guys all moved in closed and were hoping he wasn’t going to be too mad at them for decking him. 

“Jon Honey that’s it come on wake up sweetie.” Ellie kept on repeating as Jon finally started to open his eyes slowly.

“Hey there he is he’s finally awake. See Tic you didn’t kill himmm.” Dave grunted as Tico slapped him in his stomach to shut him up.

“Wh…wha…what happ…pened?” he squeaked out and trying hard to adjust his eyes.

Helping him to sit up Ellie looked at the guys for support. “So how you feeling Kidd any better?” Richie asked him.

“Well…that depends… what happened?” Jon wanted to know really confused looking around at them and running his hands thru his hair. “God I have such a headache.” They all just looked at each other as their eyebrows went up and didn’t know how to tell him. “What…what it is it?” he asked them curious.

“Depends on how mad you’re gonna be at us?” Dave told him as he winced. Again Tico shoved him as did Richie as Ellie just gave him a look.

“Ok what the hell has been going on here?” he asked them getting angry.

Each finding a chair and Ellie staying at his side Richie started by telling him what happened last night and into this morning. Ellie filled him in on what Richie couldn’t then Tico told him what happened after that. Jon sat there in sheer shock at what they were telling him. He remembered when he woke up this morning and he didn’t find Ellie in bed with him so he did his thing and went out and grabbed a bite and then went and did a radio interview. When he got back she was sleeping on the couch so he woke her up. He tried to remember what happened after that but he can’t seem to and he doesn’t know or understand why.

So Richie decided he may as well tell him all of it. “Well I guess you’re blacking out. The meds that you’re taking are doing it Jon and we think anger is triggering it. And probably stress too.” Richie started when Jon cut him off.

“What the do you mean? I’m not taking anything?” he told them.

“Jon we know that you are.” Ellie told him as she put her hand on his thigh.

“What the hell are you talking about?” he snapped at her. She jumped a little bit but not enough to leave his side.

“Ok Jon that’s enough.” Tico told him.

“What’s enough? She’s my girl I can talk to her anyway I want.” He told him.

“I think we lost him again.” Dave said trying not to sound too nasty.

“What the hell does that mean?” Jon wanted to know. “I’m right here so talk to me will you. What happened?” he demanded to know.

“Ok you want to know?” Ellie said to him. “Fine you and I were fighting when Richie came to see me about what you and I were taking about. He saw Dr. Colton and he verified that you are on some supplement to help with your voice but actually it’s not helping at all. Doc told him to put you on it. Yeah, yeah a lot of other singers used it before you but did it really help them Jon? Or was it just another way of getting them hooked on cocaine? Doc knows exactly what’s he’s doing. And once you’re hooked he’s got you.” She told him as he cut in.

“Whoa! Cocaine? You’ve got to be shitting me! Right? Colton told me that was all herbal. Isn’t it?” he asked them. They all shooked their heads no. “I’m going to fucking kill him!” Jon yelled.

“Now calm down Jon we’ve got this covered. I went to see him and he came over just a little while ago when you were out and he took some blood and...”  Richie said as Jon was getting sick and tired of cutting in on them.

“He did what to me?” he asked them shocked.

“Yeah we didn’t think you were going to like that part.” Rich told him wincing, as all of them were wincing as Jon looked at all of them angrily.

“You let him take MY blood while I was out cold? Why was I out cold in the first place.” He wanted to know.

Tico now had to speak up and he was just pissed enough to tell him this part. “You little snot nose punk! I know you don’t remember why and that’s the only thing that has me sitting here and not slamming you against that wall!” he angrily said to him.

Jon didn’t know what to say or do. He couldn’t believe that Tico was that mad at him. “Why the hell are you yelling at me like that Tico?” he wanted to know.

“Because you have no fucking idea do you? You just assume that we were taking advantage of you right? And you have no idea what you almost did…”but he saw Ellie in back of Jon waving her arms trying really hard to get his attention so he wouldn’t blurt out that Jon had almost hit her.

“What Tico? What did I almost do?” Jon wanted to know. But Tico needed him to know.

“I’m sorry Ellie but he needs to know what he almost did.” Tico looked at Jon sternly as Jon then turned to Ellie with a what the fuck look.

Ellie just looked down as Tico went on. “Jon you had no idea what you were doing and we couldn’t let you continue so when you were yelling at Ellie, Richie got in-between the two of you just before Dave and I got in here. And when we did you were having just a fit Ellie was trying to break the two of you up that you well it looked like you were going to hit her so I decked you.” Tico told him.

Jon stood there shocked as hell. He looked at all of them then at the woman he loved. “El did I try to…hit you?” he asked her quietly and ashamed of himself.

Ellie walked over to him and put her hand on his cheek. “Jonny I know you would never hit me. I was never scared. You did come at me but I knew in my heart that you wouldn’t strike me. You just don’t have it in you to do something like that. If the guys didn’t let out a scream and you turned around and Tico belted you well you would have stopped. I now you would have. Even in the state you were in I could see it in your eyes.” She told him with all the love in her heart as she then wrapped her arms around him.

He then wrapped his arms around her and never wanted to let go of her. “But…but what if I did. What if I had hurt you Ellie, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.” He told her still clinging on to her as the tears started to run down his face.

“I told you, you couldn’t have. Now stop thinking that way.” She said as she clung to him for dear life.

“But what if…” Jon was trying to get out but Ellie was having none of it.

“Stop ok? You’re not Michael I know when someone is going to hurt me and you’re not like that. Now you’ve been on this stupid medication for about a week now and Colton said if you stop now it should take a good couple of days to see the results of it to show that you’re coming back to normal from it. And another week for it to be out of your system. But why he took your blood was he wants to know just how much Cocaine is actually in your system since taking it. Jon I saw the pills they’re like horse pills for crying out loud.” She told him.

“I know Baby and I’m sorry I didn’t mean to hide them from you guys but Colton told me they were just herbs and that they wouldn’t hurt me. So I didn’t think anything about it.” He told them honestly.

“Well we found out that Doc wanted him to give these to you Jon so he knew what was in them. We really can’t trust Doc for anything.” Richie told him pissed.

“Yeah he has it out for me that’s for sure.” Jon told them.

“He has it out for all of us Jon because with you there’s no Bon Jovi.” Dave said.

“You guys don’t need me you can start another band easily.” He told them.

“Yeah we could but we can’t find another friend like you now can we?” Tico told him smiling.

“Thanks guys.” He told them chocking up.

“Ok let’s knock off all the girly crap and try and figure out what we’re going to do about Doc?” Dave asked.

That sounded like a good idea to the guys. They were getting sick and tired of all the crap that Doc was pulling. They talked things over and decided before they confronted him that they would wait until they heard back from Colton. The guys were sure that he was feeling a little better but his head was still hurting him so Ellie told them that she was more than capable of taking care of him and she didn’t see where he was dangerous to her anymore. They looked at each other and then told her to call anyone of them if he reverts back. She told them that she would and not to worry.

After they left she asked Jon if he wanted anything to eat. “No Babe my stomach feels a little queasy.”

“Well you need to get something in it I don’t care. I’m going to call down and see if they can bring up some soup they should be able to do that and some tea.” She said as she picked up the phone. God he hated to be fussed over liked this. He wasn’t a baby, unless he was dying that is.

“El really I’m fine all I want is for you to come and comfort me.” He whined.

“I will as soon as room service comes with our food. Plus I’m hungry.” She told him smiling.

“Yeah well I’m hungry too but not for food.” He told her wiggling his eyebrows at her.

“I thought you said you had a headache and you were nausea?” she asked him as she had her arms crossed over her chest.  

“Oh, oh I am very sick really so hum come here and gimme a little TLC Baby.” He told her posing on the bed all sexy.

“Do you even feel sick or was that just to get rid of the guys?” she asked him smiling.

“Little bit of both. I do have a headache and my stomach is bothering me I’m not lying about that really. But I do remember one thing and that is when you first got here and what we did before I went all nuts. I’m really sorry for that El I didn’t mean to go off on you like that.” He told her really feeling bad at the whole situation.

Crawling on the bed up to him so they were face to face she gave him a kiss. “I know you didn’t but I’m not going to tell you that it wasn’t the greatest thing that I’ve been thru. Look you do need to relax for a while ok Hon so just do me this favor and try and get some sleep and then when you wake up get some food in your stomach. Then and only then if you feel better maybe if you’re a real good boy I’ll show you just how much I love you how’s that?” she told him as she nibbled on his ear.

“Babe you keep on doing that and I’m never going to last five seconds here.” He told her grabbing her around the waist.

“Uh uh uh. First sleep then eat then fuck. Ok?” she told him kissing him on his nose.

“You’re trying to kill me aren’t you?” he said to her whining again. She just smiled and giggled and went to get her book and wait for room service to arrive.