Surprise I'm Home

A couple of days had gone by and Ellie hadn’t heard from Jon which wasn’t unusually because if he was busy or annoyed with her he would do this. She and Sam were finishing one of the other bedrooms upstairs. The bathroom was done the way Ellie wanted it so she was very happy with that. She was just waiting on the shower stall for the master bathroom as it was a special order. They had the one for the one in the hall but not the one for that master bath which she was kinda bummed about. She really wanted to get that installed so she could use it. Carl Sam’s assistant was working on the downstairs and getting that ready for her and fixing the little things. Carl was running around with his head chopped off as he was checking his clipboard to see what else had to be done. The kitchen basically was finished as all the appliances were delivered and placed and Sam had made a list of all the proper silverware, plates, etc. to be added so she had all the enmities.

The same for the living room, den and dinning room when she picked all the furniture and accessories so if Jon did come home the house would be done. Samantha lived up to her name and certainly earned her commission on this job. In under a month and a half she had decorated this house to what Ellie wanted it to be.

A car drove up to the gate and plugged in the code to it and when it opened he drove up the driveway and parked his car. Meanwhile inside Ben saw the monitor go off and when he looked into it he saw the car driving in and watched at who could be entering the premises with the code and not letting him or Ellie know that they were coming over. He knew it wasn’t Jared because it wasn’t his type of vehicle. Who the hell did he know that drove a Porsche? I mean if it was Jon wouldn’t he have called Ellie to let her know that he was coming home? Well he got his answer and apparently not as Jon stepped out of the vehicle with his bag. Well Ben wasn’t very happy about this and he knew Ellie probably didn’t know anything about this either. So he headed on down to the front door to see why Jon didn’t call knowing that he knew what they were going thru here.

Walking up to the front door Jon tried the handle but found it locked. He reached in his pocket to take out his keys again to unlock the door when all of a sudden the door opened and Ben was standing there staring at Jon.

 “Well are you just going to stare at me or are you going to tell me what the hell you’re doing here Jon? Why didn’t you call first? You do know that we’ve got security all over the place right?” Ben scolded him.

Jon stood there staring back at him annoyed at being scolded. “Funny last thing I knew this is my house. I didn’t know that I had to call first before I came home to it. Now move.” He told him pissed.

Moving aside Ben then said to him, “You could have given Ellie a call telling her that you were on your way. She has been a wreck since the last time she talked to you.” He told him pissed.

Looking at him like he had some nerve to talk to him this way, “Who the hell are you? And why the hell is she talking to you guys about us?” he wanted to know.

“Well who else is she going to talk to she doesn’t have you or any other friends here. I mean I get it Jon but you know what she’s going thru and she’s scared and with you driving up like this and not telling her what were you going to do sneak up on her and scared the crap out of her?” Ben asked him angrily.   

Thinking for a second he knew Ben was right. “No I guess you’re right I wasn’t thinking ok? I just needed to see her plus we need to talk. So you guys need to stay out of this got it.” Jon told him. “So where is she?”

“She’s around I believe she’s upstairs with Sam.” He told him snickering.

 “Sam who the hell is Sam?” Jon wanted to know.

“The decorator that she hired I thought she told you?” Ben said to him smiling.

“No she told me that she hired one of the best decorating companying’s around but…” Jon nearly chocked.

“Yeah Sam and Carl the assistant. Carl’s been doing the downstairs as Sam has been doing the upstairs.” Ben just couldn’t help himself.

Jon just looked at Ben pissed and under his breath said “Like hell he is.” And went up the stairs in search of his fiance.

Sam and Ellie were back in the master bedroom because Ellie did have a question on the tables for the decks and wanted to get umbrellas for them but wanted to know if that would be a good idea or should they get a canopy instead.

“Well the sun doesn’t really hit the back of the house Hon so I don’t think you would need either. And I don’t think you would be sitting out here in the rain so no you wouldn’t need either.” Sam told her.

“Ok that sounds good to me. But I’m still going to need the backing for those dark curtains ok. I can’t have sunlight come thru them and the backing still hasn’t come in yet. I need them on the doors so I can open them if I want to or close them when I’m having one of my attacks. So if you can check on those for me I would appreciate it very much. Plus the windows those room darkening shades. I would love if you get them in black.” She told her.

“Don't worry those should be in day after tomorrow I had to special order them “she told her. “Oh by the way I have an idea I wanted to show you in the closet.” Sam told her as they entered it.

As they were in there Jon walked in looking around when he heard Ellie laughing from the walk-in closet. As he started walking over Sam walked out still laughing as she ran into Jon.

“Well Hello there handsome. I don’t think we’ve met I’m Samantha and you would have to be Jon.” She told him smiling and still trying to catch her breath.

Jon who is a little shocked at the moment asks her, “Are you Sam?”

“Well among other things yes, why?” she asked him curiously.

Shaking his head, “No reason other than I going to kill someone.” He told her smiling when Ellie came out.

“Sam are you talking to someone?” she asked when she froze in her tracks.

“Hey Baby surprise.” Jon said to her.

“Jon? What are you doing here?” she asked him surprised and not being able to think straight.

“I live here.” He told her confused.

“I’ll leave you two alone so I’ll be downstairs with Carl and see where he stands.” She told them and left the room.

After she left Ellie walked over to him and took his hand. “Jon I didn’t mean to sound so well…I’m so glad your home I really am.” She told him as there were tears starting to form in her eyes. “You just took me by surprise. Why didn’t you call me that you were coming home? I would have had the house empty when you got here.” She told him playing with his jacket cuff.

“Because I wanted it to be a surprise silly. I forgot you were doing the house over because my mind was somewhere else.” He told her as his arms wrapped around her waist.

“Yeah well I know where your mind was at. That’s why I would have cleared everyone out. You don’t think I don’t want you either?” she told him kissing him on his cheek.

“Well I wasn’t sure after the phone call we had. We didn’t exactly end the conversation on great terms Babe.” He told her as he drew small circles on the lower part of her back.

“Yeah well I wasn’t too happy with our conversation either but I’ve had time to think about it. I’m sorry I know it wasn’t your fault that she was a bitch and jealous that you have a girlfriend and couldn’t wait to tell me that you were fooling around on me. I guess I’ll have to get used to that huh?” she told him as she put her head on his chest.

Holding her tight and looking down towards the floor over her he just thought about the last few days as he listened to what she said. His conversation with Richie was also going through his mind as well. “Baby is there any way you can get rid of these people so we can just be alone until Jimmy gets home?” he asked her.

Looking up at him, “Give me five minutes and I’ll be right back.” She told him smiling and left to go down stairs.

While she was downstairs Jon walked around the bedroom seeing that he hasn’t seen it since he left for Vancouver. He did notice the shades of purple in the bedroom and he smiled, almost laughed. When he noticed the curtains were dark purple he just shooked his head smiling. He thought whatever made her happy as long as it wasn’t neon he didn’t care. He went into the walk-in closet and saw they put some extra selves in which he liked. Then he walked into the bathroom and saw that that shower stall wasn’t finished yet but everything else seemed done. He wanted to see the rest of the house but he had other ideas in mind. He came out as she came back into the bedroom.

“Hey Babe you really have done a great job with everything I’ve seen so far. But um when are they going to finish the bathroom stall?” he asked curious.

“Oh that in a few days hopefully because it’s on back order. I had to order it special.” She told him sitting in one of the chairs.

“Ordered it special? Why what’s so special about it?” he laughed.

“The design plus it’s smoked so you can’t see thru it why?” she asked him seriously.

“Oh I’m sorry El I was just teasing.” He told her seeing that she was dead serious.

“No it’s ok I just thought you gave me free range that’s all.” She told him looking a little down.

“No Baby I did I wasn’t making fun of you I’m sorry I love what you have done in here really.” He told her getting down on his knees and taking her hands in his. “Baby come on you’re doing a great job really. You know I love the color purple.” He told her kissing her hands.

“Well are you going to love it when I get the backing for the curtains and the shades for the French doors because I already have the shades for the windows. So when they get here It’s going to be like a morgue in here.” She told him not know how well he’ll like it that dark. 

“Ellie you know I don’t like light either so why are you worried that I would be worried about that? If we want the sun and light to come in we’ll just pull open the curtains ok? And if you’re not feeling good we’ll keep them closed. I really don’t see a problem with it. And what I seen downstairs so far everything looked great.” He told her.

“Well what did you see down there?” she wanted to know.

“Ah the entry way and the stairway up here?” he smiled as he moved his hands up and down her arms.

“That’s nothing Jon. So do you want to go around the house and see what’s done? It’s mainly done really except some of the little things and what’s on back order. So Samantha and her crew will still be around for a while.” She told him.

“Well about that can you not have them around for the say next three days.” He asked her smirking.

“Why?” she asked him completely not getting what he was asking her.

“Really El? Because that’s how long I got off from work this week. Desmond said I could have it off if it would stop me from being such a jackass to everyone.” Jon told her making an I’m sorry face.

“You were being a jackass to everyone why? You and I were fighting why were you being a jerk to everyone there? Oh wait a minute you said you weren’t taking those stimulants Jon.” she shot at him.

“I’m not I promised you I wouldn’t. You know how I get when I stew for sometime I may take it out on others.” He told her trying to look all innocent. “Or at least I’m told.”

“Really you?” she said trying not to giggle.

“Alright I get it. So before the guys lynched me I asked on Richie’s recommendation that I come here and see if we were ok. So are we ok that is?” he asked her with his puppy dog eyes.

“Jon we will always probably fight. Especially in the business you’re in and I’m going to have a lot of questions because I’m going to hear all sorts of stupid things and yes they are going to bother me and if I don’t ask you about them they’re just going to eat me up inside. So you’re going to have to understand that yes I have to question you about them and I’m sorry about that because it’s not that I don’t trust you but you have to put yourself in my shoes. If a hundred people keep telling you something about me wouldn’t you feel that you would have to ask me about it?” she asked him.

Jon thought about that for a moment and when he did he knew she had a good point on that. Yeah he would do the same thing but he may not be so nice about it. “Yeah Babe I would. I’m sorry I put you in this. This is my dream not yours.” He told her.

Smiling, “Jon anything you do is what I want you to do. And you’ve been doing this before well more professionally now before I came back into your life. But I knew this is what you wanted to do. I just need to get used to it and what comes with it. But when that girl told me where you were and what you were doing well it really hit home and like a slap in the face.” She told him a little defeated.

“So we do need to talk about this?” Jon asked her.

“Yeah we do.” She said as she put her head down.

“Ok when does Jimmy get home?” he asked her.

“Well he’ll be home in a couple of hours. Jared will be bringing him. Oh and that damn Principle so help me God.” She said.

“If you want I’ll talk to her for you and set her straight.” Jon said.

“No not yet I’ll let you know. You hungry?” she asked him.

“Yeah I am but I could go for something else first?” he told her.

“I don’t think so Jon.” she told him solemnly.

“You want to talk first ok. But um how are we going to talk with Jimmy here interrupting us constantly?” he asked her.

“Well I guess I could get the Sambora’s to look after him tonight. I’ll call Joan right now and see if she can take him for the night and have Jared sleep over.” She told him.

“Oh that’s right Jared is staying over I almost forgot about that.” He said sarcastically.

“Hey he’s been a life saver to us. I’d be a wreck if he wasn’t taking Jimmy to school Jon.” she told him as she got up.

“You know I know my Mom isn’t apparently all there right now and I’ll take care of her since I’m home but she would never hurt Jimmy.” He told her.

“Really? Well she would scare the hell out of him wouldn’t she?” Ellie asked him pissed.

“Ok I’m sorry again. I guess we’re not doing to good here are we?” he asked her.

“No I guess not. Look I’ll call Joan and have her take Jimmy tonight then we can start putting things right ok?” she told Jon. He agreed as he went down the hall to take a shower. It didn’t take her long to make the arrangements for Jared to take Jimmy over to the Sambora’s for the night. They loved to have him seeing they didn’t have any of their own and loved Jimmy as their own. She then made another phone call to Samantha and left a message asking her to wait a few days seeing that Jon was going to be home for a few days and they needed the time to themselves and she would need her back in three days. She then went upstairs to see what Jon wanted next to eat something or if he want to rest before dinner. But when she entered their bedroom there he stood in nothing but a towel wrap around his waist. She just froze and gulped as it had been a while since she had seen him like this and forgot how great he looked. ‘Oh Boy’ she said quietly.

He was over by the bed with his bag going thru it to find something to wear when he heard her walk in and mumbled something.

Turning around and looking at her, “Hey Babe what did you say?” he asked her.

“Me? Nothing so feel better now?” she asked him trying not to gawk at him like one of those stupid groupies.

“Yeah I do nice and clean.” He told her as he walked up to her. “What about you? Feel more relaxed about me being here?” he asked her.

Looking at him strange, “What do you mean by that?” she wanted to know.

“You’ve been how can I put this far away since I got home and I need to know how I can fix this.” he told her.

“Well stay in that towel may help.” She told him with a wide grin.

“Really now? Is that all I am to you is a piece of meat?” he asked her grinning.

“Well I didn’t want to tell you that was the real reason I was staying with you was because of your body but…”she giggled.

“And here I thought it was because it was going to be my fame and fortune oh and my money.” He said taking her in his arms.

“Nope sorry I go for looks Baby!” she told him and took him by surprise and grabbed the towel and yanked!

“Hey! What the hell!” he yelled as he jumped back and stood in front of her stark naked as she laughed hysterically.

“When did it bother you to be naked Dear?” she asked him all innocently.

“Oh so were going to play it this way are we?” he said walking again slowly towards her.

“No, no, no you need to put on your sweats and I need to know if you want something to eat or if you want to rest before we talk. So what will it be?” she asked him.   

“Are you kidding me?” he asked her all revved up.

“Nope.” She said shaking her head.

“So let me get this straight we’re not going to have sex until we talk right?” he asked her while he was putting on his sweats.

“Yeah that sounds about right.” She told him.

“Then why don’t we just get to talking before I burst ok?” he told her as he sat on the edge of the bed.

“You’ve got to be kidding me right? You think it’s going to be that easy” she asked him.

“No I don’t but whether it’s bad or good I just want it over with it ok.” he told her as he was now getting bored with this whole thing.

“Really now so you just came home to what fuck my brains out because you got bored with the bimbos in Vancouver?” she asked him.

“Oh for crying out loud. Are we really going to start this again Ellie? I didn’t screw anybody there. How many times do I have to tell you.” He said to her annoyed.

“I thought that you said on the phone that you want to talk about something and when you got here earlier so what happened Jon huh? I still want to talk still need to talk why do you all of a sudden feel that everything is fine?” she asked him.

“Because we were just coming on to each other so I thought well you know we could spend sometime getting reacquainted with each other is there anything wrong with that?” he asked her.

“No Honey there isn’t but when we had an argument like we did before you came home like we did we need to clear the air because I have some questions I need answered and I’m not too sure that I’m going to like it.” She told him not to happy.

                “Fine but you’re going to feel foolish you know.” He told smirking.

“We’ll see about that. How long have you’ve been going to the strip club Jon.” she asked him.

“A week after we started there ok. It’s just an outlet from being locked up in the studio all day Babe that’s all. The guys are the ones that interact with them alright. I just go with them for the shows and to drink and relax that’s it.” He told her which most of it was true.

“Really so you just sit there and just watch that’s it. No touching is that right?” she asked him doubtfully.

“Baby I told you yes I go and watch and talk with the girls, have a few drinks and then go back to the apartment and do it again the next day. Now why don’t you tell me about Ben and Jared here all the time ok?” Jon asked her as he was now questioning her.

Shaking her head no she told him, “No we haven’t finished with you yet. Because remember I told you that I called The Blue Lagoon asking about you. Well when I did Alec must of heard that I was on the phone and boy was he drunk because he grabbed the phone, well he told me you couldn’t come to the phone because you were in a private session with one of the girls and couldn’t get to the phone because you were in a compromising position and that you needed it badly because you were being such a prick to everyone and that this should help calm you down since sex always does. Oh and not to tell his girl she’s not to know. I told him not to worry my lips were sealed.” She told him as she stared him down.

He sat there not knowing what to say to her or what to do. He had to come up with something really fast.

Trust

They were still sitting when Richie said to him, “It’s nice to see you laughing Kidd.”  

“Yeah well it was a nice thought. But I know she’s not going to go for it.” Jon said sadly as reality set in.

“We need to get back to work. Do you think we can continue with things or do you want to call it a day? It’s up to you.” Richie told him.

“No let’s get back to work I can try her later. I really need to dive right into this and try to forget a few things right now. Let’s go.” Jon said as he got up and Richie followed. They worked until late that night then the other guys went off to the club as Jon went back to the apartment.

At the club the guys got settled and were watching the show when a couple of the girls joined them. Kelly the one that was hanging with Jon the most asked where he was.

Alec the gentleman he is came right out and told her. “He went back to the apartment. He had to call his girlfriend right? Had to smooth things over I guess he’s so pussy whipped it’s pathetic.” Alec laughed.

“Shut the fuck up Alec you no nothing.” Dave told him as the girls were giggling. Richie just glared at them.

“Well I don’t know why he’s so upset about the girl back home for. If she loved him why isn’t she here taking care of him instead of him here every night watching us? I mean granted I’ve been trying to get him in bed instead of doing high school crap with him. With his looks and bod I bet he’s a dyno mo in bed.” Kelly said smiling and almost drooling.

Looking at her and shaking his head Richie said, “He has his reasons and if he wanted you to know he would have told you.”

“Well what is she a dog or something?” she asked him.

Well Richie wanted to blow up at her but he didn’t. “No of course not. She‘s beautiful and she has the kindest most loving heart. She intelligent and strong, driven doesn’t put up with anyone’s crap especially his and she’ a great Mom.” He told her with this look in his eye as the guys just looked at him in shock.

“Ah Rich is there anything you want to tell us?” Dave asked him.

Richie just looked at them confused. “No why?”

“No reason.” Dave said.

“Um yes reason did you just hear how he described her or was I the only one?” Alec said.

“Shut up Alec will deal with this later not here.” Tico told him. Well Alec saw Tico’s face and shut the hell up real fast.

At first Richie didn’t catch on what was going on until Tico yelled at Alec then he realized what he had said. “Oh God Tico it’s not what you think I’m not…” but Tico cut him off.

“Not now Richie we will discuss this later!” Tico told him in a calming but stern voice. Richie shut right up seeing he didn’t want to make matters worse. But as far as he was concern he was not in love with Ellie. He wouldn’t do that again to Jon seeing what it did to him the last time. But the way Diane had put it to him she wasn’t in love with him and felt that he wasn’t in love with her and being high and drunk at the time didn’t help either.

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

Back at the apartment it was quiet so it would be easier to talk. Jon got a drink and sat by the phone and tried calling her number several times but never quite finished as he kept hanging up. He was never like this with any other girl before. Maybe because he never cared about another girl like this before. Finally he gathered up the courage to finish the whole number and let it ring and ring and ring. What he didn’t realize was it was real late there so when the phone did pick up there was a very tired voice on the other end of it. “Hello?”

“Ellie? It’s Jon did I wake you?” he asked her.

Looking at her clock it read one-ten a.m. “What the hell do you think?” she told him in an attitude.

“Oh Baby I’m sorry but we worked late into the night and then I came back to the apartment to call you.” he explained to her.

“Before or after the strip club?” she asked him.

“I didn’t go tonight. I just told you I came back to the apartment to call you.” He tried to sound calm.

“Well don’t I feel special then. What do you want?” she asked him now sitting up.

Taking a deep, “Well you hung up on me the last time we talked so I thought I’d try again.” He told her taking a gulp.

“Well you do know it’s very late and you woke me up so I really don’t feel like talking right now. So I’m going back to bed. So I suggest you do the same thing. Oh and tell whoever your sharing your bed with you like to sleep on the right.” She told him sarcastically.

“Ok you see right there we need to talk! I’m not sleeping with anyone Ellie! I’m here all alone right now. Where the hell are you getting all these ideas that I’m cheating on you?” he demanded to know.

“Oh I don’t know that receptionist for one. And then I call the Blue Lagoon and they told me that a bunch of American rockers have been in for about a month watching the girls and have been associating with them every night.” She told him pissed.

“The club told you that?” he asked her shocked.

“Yeah believe me I’ve learned a lot being around you Jon. And having the security team here. You learn a lot of tips.” She told him.

“El ok you want to know the truth? I’ll tell you but I’m not going to tell you over the phone ok? I want to tell you face to face are you ok with that?” he asked her.

She thought about it for a minute then said, “I don’t know Jon I’m not sure that I can leave Jimmy here with your Mom stalking him. I just don’t trust her.” She told him unsure.

“I get that believe me. Why can’t you bring him with you? The guys can babysit him while we talk right?” he asked her hoping.  

“Not that I’m that over protective Jon but are you nuts? They can’t watch themselves. No I’m not bringing him into that den of iniquity sorry I just can’t do that Jon.” She told him upset.

“Baby I get that but I can’t come home right now you do understand that right? I don’t want to talk to you over the damn phone about this because I need to see your face and your reaction so I can handle you when you hear me tell you everything.” Jon told her.

Well when Ellie heard him say handle her that didn’t go over that well. “Handle me Jon? You want to handle me? How are you going to do that Jackass! Please explain this to me.” She asked him.

Jon thought for a second. Did he say handle her? Oh shit! “Oh did I say handle you?” he asked her holding his breath.

“Yes you did.” She told him.

“That was a bad choice of words. I’m sorry for that. But I do need to see you when we talk Babe because it would be easier when I tell you why we’re going there and stuff. Please Baby I just really need you here ok?” he asked her.

“What about your Mother?” she asked him.

“What about her? Look Jimmy will be safe because he’ll be at the Sambora’s and Jared will be by his side the entire time right? So he couldn’t be in better hands Baby. And if she did try something Jared would be on her in two seconds. Look I thought this relationship meant something to you and because I can’t come home right now and you can come up here I thought you would want to clear this whole thing up?” he told her condescendingly.

She didn’t know what to say to that. She was a little speechless to say the least. Finally Jon asked her, “El are you still there?”

“Oh I’m still here I’m just trying to find the right words to answer you.” She told him as calmly as she could.

The way she answered him he knew he said something to piss her off again. “Ok now what did I say to upset you now?” he asked her annoyed.

“Jon if I listed everything that you have said tonight that has pissed me off tonight we would have to start this whole conversation over again. Now look it’s very late and I’m pissed so I’ll think about it ok? And I’ll give you my answer sometime in the next few days. But maybe I should start to do the same thing you’re doing seeing I’m missing you just as much as your missing me.” she told him.

Well that thru him for a loop. “What the hell Ellie! I just told you…” but just then he heard a knock on her bedroom door.

“Yes come in.” she said as the door open and Jared walked in, in nothing but a pair on sweat shorts on.

“Um Ellie not to intrude but I could hear you from all the way down my room. Is everything ok?” he asked her. Well Jon could hear a man’s voice in her room. And she could hear him yelling her name thru the phone.

“Everything is fine Jared it’s just Jon on the phone so don’t worry I’ll try to keep it down ok. If for some reason I wake Jimmy would you take care of him for me until I get off the phone?” she asked him.

“Sure no problem you try and have a good night.” He told her as she wished him the same.

Now she had to see if she could calm the raving lunatic screaming on the other end of the phone. “Jon, Jon stop shouting will you.” She told him trying not to yell.

“Who the fuck was that!” he wanted to know.

“That was Jared he heard me yelling and wanted to know why I was yelling and came in here so I wouldn’t wake Jimmy up.” She told him annoyed.

“Well fine but what the hell is he doing in our bedroom this late at night!” he wanted to know livid.

“Oh my God! He’s living here and staying in the room next to Jimmy’s you Twit. You would have known this if you were ever home or at the studio or if that girl ever gave you your messages to call me. I was trying to call you and tell you this when I got that fucking message Jon. It kind of threw me for a loop. But right now the only guy in my life that I give two shits about is Jimmy and his safety. So you can get your mind out of the gutter. Now I’m going back to sleep because I have a long day ahead of me tomorrow so if you don’t mind you can call me back at a decent hour.” She told him and hung up.

Again Jon just looked at the phone and this time he threw it but it didn’t go far because of the bulky base. Jon decided it was too late to go out so he decided to just go to bed too. He was just too tired to deal with anything else tonight.

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

They were sitting at the console as Jon was just staring at it and Richie could tell he was just not into doing anything today. The other guys were still watching Richie close because of the remarks he made last night. Finally it was getting to Richie as he was trying to put some notes to this one lyric and he just couldn’t seem to get it right as Jon was yelling at him that it was wrong. The other guys were looking at each other trying to figure out what the hell was wrong with him. Finally Derek called a time out and told them to take a break and go get something to eat and to chill out. The guys decide of course to go to the Blue Lagoon for lunch but Jon didn’t want to go he just thought he would order his lunch in. Richie told them that he would join him so he could find out what was going on and that he would give them a report later.

“Ok Kidd the others are gone so talk to me. What happened when you called Ellie last night?” he asked curiously.

Jon just stopped everything he was doing and turned around to face him. “Yeah well she wasn’t too happy with me last night. She’s convinced that I’m cheating on her.” He told his best friend.

“Ouch. Why?” Richie asked him.

“Well that Bitch of a receptionist told her that I’m constantly at the strip club and that the strippers are glued to our hips. And that’s basically why we’re not at the apartment to answer the phone. So I’m sure being home her little mind is going in over load at the moment.” Jon said pissed.

“Ok I’m going to let that one go for a minute (Jon just gave him a look) but you are at the club almost as much as we are and you are fooling with one of the strippers so aren’t you lying to her Jon? I mean I love ya brother but you are being a jackass and shouldn’t be pissed at her for being mad at you.” Richie told him just as mad at if for being mad at Ellie.

“I’m not mad at Ellie I’m mad at myself ok!” he told Richie.

“Why are you mad at yourself for getting caught?” he threw at him.

“What the hell is wrong with you? You know how much I love her. But you know how bad it gets here without her. So I’m mostly flirting with these girls and I’m not really doing anything wrong you guys said you agreed. I wouldn’t leave Ellie for any of them. They don’t mean anything to me. And I did ask her to come here so I can talk to her face to face and tell her everything but she won’t come.” He told Richie as he rubbed his face.

“Wait what do you mean she won’t come? Doesn’t she want to clear this matter up?” Richie asked a little surprised by that.

Pushing back his hair, “She doesn’t want to leave Jimmy because of my Mother even thou she knows he would be safe with your parents and the security company that’s watching him. She thinks that if she’s there well I just think it’s a mother thing that’s all. Or she could be that pissed at me and she’s making excuses. I don’t know.” He told him looking really tired. “But I just want to tell her to her face you know so I can see her expression not over the damn phone.” He said exasperated.

“Jon I get that and I’m sure she does too but right now she just needs to calm down and realize what you’re going thru that’s all. She loves you so much. You know when you were going thru that crap with the stimulants she told me just how much she loved you and when Tico had to take you down because he thought you were going to hit me and maybe even her Ellie blew a gasket. And told everyone that she knew that you would never in a million years hurt her even thou we told her that under the stimulants we weren’t sure we could trust you too.” He explained to him confidently.

Jon just looked at him and couldn’t believe that Ellie actually had that much confidence in him. “She really said that?” he asked him.

“Yeah she did and never left your side when you were out cold either.” He told Jon who was now feeling a little guilty that he ever doubted her.

“Ah Rich I feel like a creep.” He told him sitting there not knowing what to do now.

“Well I’m going to tell you what to do. First you’re not going to say a damn thing about anything we do at The Blue Lagoon got it? All you do is watch the girls and go back to the apartment and jerk off. I know you only goof around with them but you tell her that you’re getting lap dances then blow jobs afterwards and she’ll drop you so hard it will make your head spin. Girls consider that sex just as much if you jump in bed with them. At least my High School girlfriend did when she caught me with the cheer leader one night. Ugly scene. Anyway they say they want you to tell them but actually they don’t so don’t do it!” he stress to him.

“But if I don’t she’ll never trust me again Rich. And if I tell her this was my first time falling she just may forgive me.” Jon said hopefully.

“Jon are you nuts! She’s going to know that you’re lying! She’s not stupid. You’ve done it to other girlfriends and deep down she knows you’re doing it to her. And now with this innocent act it will just confirm it for her. No you have to come at it differently. We didn’t try to shut down Doc and those damn girls for nothing.” Richie told him heatedly.

“God your right Rich I don’t know what I was thinking. Besides It’s not like I was fucking any of them right?” Jon told him.

“Right you have to smart about this. And don’t worry we’ll back you up.” Rich told him.

“Yeah well I already tried that one and she told me that you guys would lie for me so that’s out the window. But thanks away.” He told him.

“Oh well yeah I guess she’s right on that one. Oh by the way I need to confess something to you.” Rich said to him and hoped he would take it with a grain of salt.

Jon just looked at him carefully trying to figure out what he wanted to confess to him. “Ok Rich what it is?”

“Well you might as well hear it from me before you hear it from one of the guys. Only because they are um not understanding the whole situation.” He told him.

“Rich just tell me ok” Jon told him getting antsy now.

“Ok It goes back to when you were under the damn stimulants and Ellie and I were trying to help you and well we were pretty close and that’s when you first accused us of cheating on you.” He told him.

“Yeah she told me that and balled me out for it so go on.” He said coolly.

“Ok well the guys noticed too and made some off handed comments which I just ignored but then last night they really came down on me for me about Ellie.” He told him trying not to look at him.

“What kind of comments Rich?” he asked him trying to stay calm.

“Well when you didn’t come back to the club with us the girls were asking why so Alec told them why and well of course he made a dumbass joke and the girls were laughing and then were saying nasty things about Ellie and why she wasn’t here taking care of you so I couldn’t take it anymore and jumped in and told them what a wonderful woman she is and kinda went with it and how much she loves you and then Tico told me to quiet down and if they should worry about me and Ellie and if I have to talk to them about it before I speak to you. Now I want you to know I like her as a friend Jon nothing more. She’s my best friend’s girl and that’s it. I would never do that again to you in fact I didn’t do that to you the first time you know that Diane wasn’t in love with you. You were with her but she wasn’t with you she was just riding you’re coat tails. She would have never gone after me if she was…”

“Rich! It’s ok I know we already sorted everything out with Diane ok? So chill we promised to forget that. And as for Ellie I already told you Thank you for being there for her during that time. Rich you’re my best friend and if she feels that she can go to you and talk to you if she can’t talk to me then I’m thankful for that I really am. I know she’s not in love with you but I do know she trusts you and loves you like a brother like I do. It’s you then the rest of the guys she loves all you guys and I’m so grateful for that. And what’s even better is that you guys love her too. And Jimmy has four of the best Uncles there are on this planet. I know I drive you guy’s crazy at times but I wouldn’t trade any of you in for anything.” Jon told him.

“Yeah well we feel the same way Jon. And thanks for not punching me. The way the guys were acting I really thought you were going to go ballistic on me.” Richie said in relief.

“Nah I guess I’m growing up or I’m just so in love with her and know her I’m just confident.” He told him.

“Well then that’s what you need to tell her Jon. Look we have a weekend coming up just go to Desmond and Derek and tell them that you have an emergency at home that you need to take care of. I’m sure they’ll understand.” Richie told him.

Jon thought about it and smiled. “Yeah I will Thanks Rich.”

How am I going to talk myself out of this one?

That night Ellie was still a little annoyed with what she had heard the receptionist tell her. But she would deal with that later. Jared had come over about six p.m. which was incredible seeing that she had just called over three and a half hours ago.

Jared was coming down the stairs with his little shadow in tow. “So did you find everything ok?” she asked him.

“Yeah I did and my little helper here was a big help. Oh Ben said that he would bring the security stuff over and set it up for you so if you could just show him my bedroom next to Jimmy’s room and an extra room down here so we can set up shop we can see the whole property and inside the house.” Jared explained to her.

“No problem and you guys can have free rein of the house just don’t mind the decorators ok? Oh or do you want me to postpone this I can you know.” She told him.

“No you just keep doing what you’re doing because then she’ll catch on to what we are doing. Besides it will give us a chance to see how the equipment is working.” He told her.

“Fine there’s food in the kitchen, Jimmy why don’t you take Jared in there and show him ok? And maybe Maria will give you a little treat before I give you your bath.” she asked her son.

“Come on Jared let’s go!” Jimmy said as he grabbed his hand and dragged him in there as Jared laughed.

Ellie then went to the den and even thou it wasn’t finished the phone was plugged in and she dialed the phone. She waited when the person on the other end finally picked up. “Hey Joe can you talk for a minute?” she asked her brother.

“Yeah I got a minute what’s up Sis?” he asked her.

“Um I tried calling Jon today and well oh God this is going to sound stupid but I need a guy’s perspective on this. The receptionist at the studio their recording at well she told me that they’re going to this strip joint everyday and the girls there that they are hanging with well…everyday too or as she put it they’re joined at the hip.” She explained to him sounding very concerned but he just started laughing.

“Wait they’re going to a strip joint everyday? Oh it must be so nice to be a rock star!” he laughed.

“Joey! It’s not funny. What if he’s well you know!” she said upset.

“I’m sorry Sis but every guy goes to a strip joint. I hate to tell you this but me and Chick have and so has Daddy. He’s probably just sitting there paying his dollar bills and watching and maybe getting a lap dance every so often. Don't sweat it ok?” he told her trying to calm her even thou he probably knew exactly what he was doing.

“Ok Joe what’s up? You don’t even like him so why are you trying to protect him?” she asked her brother.

“What do you mean?” he asked her trying to sound as angelic as possible.

“Very funny but if you don’t think I know what goes on at these things then you’re about as stupid as you think I am. Plus I know his rep. So just tell me If a guy who has money goes into one of these places and looks like Jon does would he get laid a lot?” she ask him.

“El he loves you right? So why would he do anything to hurt you right? Even thou he is living apart from you and you wouldn’t know what he’s doing and can lie threw his teeth and you wouldn’t know the difference the question is would he throw all that away for some stripper?” he asked his sister.

“You’re not helping. I can’t seem to reach him and that Bitch seemed happy about telling me what he’s doing Joe. And I don’t know if he would cheat on me knowing if he could get away with it. Isn’t that what cheating is all about?” she asked her brother.

“Well yeah it is I hate to tell you. Look El he’s with his friends and he doesn’t want them to think he’s a pussy ok? So he might try some stuff with them I don’t know. But I’m going to tell you something that you might not want to hear. Guys can’t go that long without sex plain and simple. We just can’t. And jerking off only takes us so far. That’s why we get married. Why do you think Mom and Dad have five kids for crying out loud?” he told his sister chuckling.

“You’re not funny. And do think if he gets married he’ll change?” she asked him wondering.

“Being a rocker no. Sis he’s on the road so much and alone without you he’ll want someone in his bed. Why do you think I don’t want you with him? He’s going to hurt you just like Michael did but in a different way. I love you and I don’t want you to be hurt by the jerks you keep picking. I want my nephew to grow up like we did, in a great loving home. You’re not going to get that with him. I know he loves his son and I know he thinks he loves you too but the thing is can he stay true to you? Look your one of Elvis’ biggest fans and I know he’s the only one you would let get away with this shit. Anybody else you would cut of their balls. What makes this guy any different?” Joe wanted to know.

“I never said he was any different Joe. I would cut them off. Oh God I don’t know what to do? I love him so much but if he’s cheating on me I don’t think I can handle that. At least you didn’t have any children I do.” She told him sadly.

“Yeah I know Honey. It was so much easier for me to walk away from Mary than it is for you to walk away from Jon. Why don’t you just talk to him first before you blast him I mean the girl could have been just jealous you know?” he told her.

“Yeah you think?” she hoped he was right.

“Yeah Jon is a good looking guy and according to Sean and Chick the band is really good. Not what I like but hey you never know. I mean Chick said they’re on MTV already right?” Joe asked her.

“Yeah they are and they’re doing their third album and Jon said that’s good.” She told him.

“Ok then and I’ve seen him with Jimmy and you he’s crazy for you guys but you still need to talk to him about all this. But don’t give him an inch ok? Guys who cheat have this thing down pat and they know how to lie so don’t let him sweet talk you give it right back to him I know you can do that.” He told her laughing now.

“Yeah, yeah ok look I have to give Jimmy his bath and put him to bed. Do me a favor and don’t tell anyone in the family we talked about this ok? Especially Mom and Dad or Chickie Joe I mean it.” She told him point blank.

“I won’t ok your secret is safe with me I promise. But if he hurts you or Jimmy that will be the last thing he does. Got it!” he promised his sister. She told him she understood and that she loved him and hung up the phone.

Taking her chocolate covered boy upstairs she gave him a bath and put him in his P.J.’s and then brought him to Jared’s to say goodnight. He was in the empty room next to what would be Jon’s office setting up some of the security cameras and computers. “Hey I see someone is ready for bed.” Jared said to Jimmy as he ran over to him.

“Yep are you going to stay here Jared?” Jimmy asked him smiling.

Looking at Ellie he told Jimmy, “Yes Jimmy I am. Your Mom has hired me to keep watch around the house for a while until your Dad gets back. Is that ok with you?” he asked him.

Jimmy looked at him Mom and then back at Jared. “It’s ok with me I like you.” He told him.

“Well I like you too. Now you don’t let the bed bugs bite.” He told him and started to tickle him as Jimmy yelped.

“I won’t! Come on Mommy!” Jimmy yelled as he ran out of the room.

“Hey slow down I’ll be right there! (looking at Jared) He does like you. Thanks.” She told him smiling.

“He’s a great kid Ellie and don’t worry I really don’t think she wants to hurt him about all she wants to do is get know her grandson.” He told her trying to put her mind at ease.

“Well don’t care she knows how we feel and as soon as I speak to Jon I’m getting a restraining order on her for that grandson.” Ellie told him angry as hell.

Finding Jimmy in his room she read him his nightly book and then gave him a kiss good night. She would go to hell and back for him and would never let anything happen to him. She then went down and told Jared that she was going to get ready for bed herself and watch t.v. in her room. If he needed anything it was fine to check with her.

Night was uneventful and everyone was able to sleep peaceful. By morning Jared had taken Jimmy to school with Ellie so she could talk to them and explain what was going on. They told them that they couldn’t let Jared stay with him during his classes which upset Ellie but Jared was able to calm her down and explain that was fine. They told the Principle that Carol Bongiovi was to never go near him or take him off the school grounds under any circumstances. At first they wanted to know if Jon had agreed to this but then Ellie told them that she was the one that had total custody of their son. Ms. Baker asked her to show her the proper paperwork and she pulled them out.

“Ms. Baker his name is James Anderson for one not Bongiovi. This is his birth certificate we gave you all this at the time we enrolled him here. We just didn’t give him my name for the hell of it. This is his legal name.” she told her getting a little angry now.

Looking over the paperwork, “This birth certificate, it says father unknown.” She asked Ellie with a quizative look on her face.

“Yes it does and it’s going to stay that way until I decide to change it. Jon is Jimmy’s Father but the rest is not your business. Now Mr. Contex here will be watching the school from his car. If there is a problem he will be in here within two seconds flat is that clear?” she told Ms. Baker outright. 

“Fine but I don’t expect anything to happen here in the school Ms. Anderson.” She told the both of them.

“It better not or I’ll have your license.” Ellie told her as she got up. “Good Day.” And they both walked out. Walking out to her car, “Jared the mike you have on Jimmy you sure it’s working?”

“Yes Ellie I told you I doubled checked it this morning. Ok? I knew they wouldn’t let me stay with him so I checked everything before we left so don’t worry ok? Now I’ll be out here looking for Mrs. B. so do you want me to confront her or just watch her and see what she does because we really can’t do anything yet unless she tries something.” He told her.

“Yeah I know. Just wait and see if she does something that way we’ll have her red handed and can get the restraining order out on her. She may still try something even if she knows that we know. But I’m not taking any chances we told her no contact. I’ll show her. Thanks Jared I really appreciate everything you guys are doing.” She told him as she put her hand on his arm.

“Hey that’s our job. Now you go home and don’t worry about a thing. You put Ben and me on the emergency list and pick up list so he’ll be fine.” He told her smiling. She got in her car and drove home a lot more comfortable knowing her son was in good hands.

Ben was setting up the security around the house with the aid of the company and putting in monitors in certain rooms where he knew they would be the most useful. He also knew Jon and would want to be able to see the outskirts of the property. Ellie was with Samantha trying to help her with going over some other samples and showing the delivery men where to put the next shipment of furniture. But her heart really wasn’t in it right now.

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

  It was a long day yesterday in the studio and a long night at the club. So the guys were hard getting up and were dragging themselves into the studio this morning. Carla the receptionist was sent out to get more coffee from the coffee machine because she had forgotten to bring it in this morning so that didn’t help the guy’s attitude very much and Derek and Desmond weren’t happy campers. But once she got back and then had made several pots and got them motivated again they were at least civil by lunch time. Derek decided that it was time to order lunch and had Carla take their lunch order and this time he told them no pizza.

As they were eating Carla decided that she would try and sit with the guys and see if she could shoot the bull with them which they didn’t seem to mind. So they all were talking when she brought up to Jon about his phone call yesterday.

“Oh Jon I’m such a blonde lately and with everything that’s going on with Derek and Desmond giving me all this extra work, I know they’re trying to hire extra help, well anyway I forgot to tell you some girl called here looking for you and before you say anything she said she was your fiance but they all say that…” but then Jon cut in.

“What do you mean she said she was my fiancé did she give a name?” Jon asked a little annoyed now.

“Well we get girls lately calling here for all you guys but this one just sounded different you know? Because when I asked her if she wanted to leave a message she said no.” she told him.

“Really I wonder why Ellie didn’t want to leave a message. She never tried the apartment.” He said wondering.

“Oh she said she did but you didn’t have a machine to leave one on that’s why she called here.” Carla told him smiling as she ate her sandwich.

“Carla what time did she call?” Jon asked her now getting a little bit peeved.

“Oh well you guys had already left for the day. So there was no way I could tell you yesterday anyway.” She said batting her eyes.

“No I guess not.” He said to her. Then reality hit him and hit him hard. “Oh Shit! Carla please tell me you didn’t tell her where we were?” He asked her as calmly as he could.

“Oh wasn’t I supposed too? I mean she seemed so down when she couldn’t reach you I mean she was really upset when she called here looking for you.” She told a very agitated Jon now.

“What! She was upset? And she didn’t say why? And you dumped more on her!” Jon’s voice rose as Richie put his hand on his arm.

“Calm down Jon not here ok? It’s not her fault where we were. Why don’t you try calling Ellie and see what’s going on ok?” Richie suggested.

Taking a huge breath he got up and went into one of the offices and took out a piece of paper it had his new phone number on it. Dialing he let the phone ring several times before someone picked it up.

“Ah Hello? Is Ellie there?” he asked the person who answered the phone.

“Yeah she’s in the bedroom I believe with Jared who is calling please?” he asked.

“This is her fiance who the fuck is this.” Jon asked rudely.   

“I’m Kevin and I’m with the Larsen Security Company. She has me answering the phone. If you’ll wait I’ll get her.” He told Jon.

Jon waited and wanted to know why she had the security company back and reworking what he already had done. He thought he had what was standard put in. A couple of minutes went by and now he was wondering what was taking her so long to pick up the phone.

Finally he heard a click then, “Hello Jon?”

“Babe what the hell is going on? Why did it take you so long to pick up?” he rambled on.

“Whoa what the hell Jon. Why are you calling?” she wanted to know.

“Why am I calling? Oh my God we were eating lunch and Carla told me you called yesterday looking for me.” He told her still excited.

“Yeah so I told her not to leave you a message I didn’t want to bother you during your busy schedule.” She told him sarcastically.

Jon listened to the tone of her voice and could tell that she wasn’t happy about something. “Babe is there something wrong? Did I do something wrong?” he asked her.

“No why would you think that. I’ve been just trying to call you that’s all and when I do I find out that you’ve been at a strip club every night with strippers that have been Oh how did that girl put it oh right they have been joined at your hip every night! (trying to cut in) No wait there’s more Jon and while you’re there get this your Mother has been stalking our son at school so I had to call the security company to step things up because if she goes near him I’m going to have her arrested and put a restraining order on her. So you go ahead and watch or play with the little whores while I think what I’m going to do. Because that bitch at the school was really rude to me today and I just might have him transferred to another one or back home where I know he’s safe.” And she slammed down the phone.

Jon just sat there with the phone in his hand as the buzzing of the phone was going off. He slowly hung it up. Damn first of all she knew he was going to the Blue Lagoon and was with them in a way he shouldn’t have been not sexual but close enough. And two what the hell was his Mother doing at Jimmy’s school watching his son in the first place. No wonder Ellie is pissed off. She is there all alone while his Mother is watching their child. At least she had the good sense to act fast and to take care of this situation herself. He sat there for a while thinking what he should do next when he heard a knock on the door.

“Yeah.” He said.

Opening the door and sticking his head in Richie asked, “Hey Kidd is everything alright?”

“No.” he told him as he just sat there staring into space.

Walking into the room and sitting next to him Richie then asked him, “Well you want to elaborate on that for me?”

“Well she knows what we’re doing here because that bitch Carla told her that we’re visiting The Blue Lagoon and the strippers and my Mom is stalking Jimmy at his school so which subject do you want to tackle first?” he asked Richie.

Now Richie just sat there in shock. “You got to be fucking me?”

“I wish I was and she sounded real pissed Rich. How the hell am I going to talk myself out of this one?” he asked him scared.

“But Jon you haven’t had sex with any of these girls have you?” he asked him to double check.

“Not intercourse no. But she does believe that blow jobs and fooling around naked and crap is and I don’t know about lap dances but that does lead to blow jobs. I’m fucked Rich because she’s going to ask me what this all entailed I know her she will. And if I lie to her she’ll know she knows me to well. Plus we promised each other no more lies. She’s going to leave me Rich and she’s going to take Jimmy with her and I’m never going to see him again am I?” he said almost in fear.

“Hey don’t do this to yourself Kidd. You need to talk to her first. Right now I think your Mom is pissing her off the most. You know how she gets when it comes to her. Actually it would be a lot better if the three of you could come to terms with everything.” Richie told him.

Jon looked at him like something hit him over the head. “That’s it. I need to sit both of them down and let them have it out once and for all.” Jon told Richie as his eyes went wide.

“Are you kidding me! They’ll kill each other.” Richie told him.

“Not if I get a mediator involved. Plus Pop will be there to handle Mom and I’ll take care of Ellie.” Jon said trying to look hopeful.

“Well why don’t you keep that as plan b. or z. Right now just concentrate on finding out how to keep her from killing you now and keeping your little family together.” He told Jon patting him on the back.

“Well there goes my plan on asking her up here for a week then because now she really won’t leave Jimmy alone with your parents. Not if Mom is lurking around.” Jon said with his hands in his hair.

“No she won’t that’s for sure. Unless she brings him with her and well that would just ruin your whole alone time with her now wouldn’t it?” Richie smirked.

Smirking at him, “Unless his Uncles would like to babysit him for us and be there just in case he wakes during the night?” Jon asked him smiling.

“Ahhh come on Jon you’ll be putting a damper on our social lives.” He whined.

“But just think you’ll be getting to know your nephew a lot more now what’s better than that? Or say keep your jobs?” Jon smiled at him.

“That’s blackmail!” Richie squawked at him.

“I know!” Jon laughed.