Here Come The In-Laws

Jon was pacing the kitchen trying to think where the hell she could be. Maybe she just went shopping. Yeah that’s where she is, she went shopping and should be back soon. She’s only been gone now for (he looked at the clock) oh crap she’s been gone what looks like four hours. Where the hell could she have gone for four hours? I mean I’ve been up for three so she would have to have been out at least an hour right before he got up, or a good half hour. I’m freaking out now he thought. He knew he had to calm down. She wouldn’t just leave him alone with Jimmy and take off on the two of them.

He was just about to call Richie and ask him what he would do or just talk him this thru when he heard the front door open. So he quickly walked to the front and sure enough Ellie was putting her coat away.

Scaring the hell out of her he loudly asked her, “Where the hell have you’ve been!”

Ellie must have jumped about a foot and yelped loudly as she hit the door frame of the closet with her head and shoulder. Jon quickly responded to grab her but didn’t get to her in time as she slammed into it. “Babe are you ok?” he asked her concerned.

She looked up at him with a dazed look. “Yeah I think so. I just hit my head that’s all.” She said sarcastically.

“I’m sorry if I scared you that wasn’t my intent.” He told her as he helped her up.

“I know I didn’t think I was going to be gone this long sorry. But I guess I had more on my mind than I thought.” She told him.

“Yeah well you did, scare me that is. You know if I don’t find you when I wake up especially if Jimmy is here and you’re not well…yeah things go thru my head and with security not here right now…” he was trying to tell her.

“I’m sorry ok I should have left a note I apologize ok? But I think what I have to tell you might make up for it.” She told him at least she hoped it did.

“Babe you have nothing to apologize for I do. I shouldn’t have jumped down your throat last night. I know it’s a touchy subject for you and well maybe for both of us and we do need to talk about it. And we will when this record is finish ok? But we’ll do it calmly and like grownups I promise.” He told her holding her tight.

“Jon you said those things for a reason because they were bothering you. Yeah we can wait til you finish your album but I’ll tell you what. Let’s compromise shall we. On changing the Birth Certificate  and Guardianship well we’ll wait till the album is finish because that will take a few to get the lawyers and have it changed in the system over to you. But we can work on one thing now and start to make amends with it. I’m still not thrilled with it but for you I’m willing ok?” she told him as she hugged him tight and could hear his heart beating fast.

“Ellie what are you talking about?” he asked curious. He was delighted that she had rethought about changing the Birth Certificate over and the Guardianship but what the hell could she be talking about that they could work on before he leaves tomorrow when all he wants to do is spend it with her and his son.

“Well I went out and had a long drive and thought about what we were well what you were angry about with me last night and I had to try to come to terms with it. And to tell you the truth Jon I’m still having reservations about it. I’m still very angry about it and I can’t help that. But for you and how much I love you I’ll put all that aside ok.” She told him as she looked him in his blue eyes as lovingly as she could.

Jon stood there with his mouth open. It took him a second to wrap his mind around what she just said. “Did I hear you right? You’re willing to let my parents see Jimmy? When did you decide this?” he wanted to know.

“I just told you when I was out riding around so you better get dressed because they’ll be over about five this afternoon.” She told him as she started for the kitchen.

Again Jon was in shock and grabbed her this time. “Ellie what did you say?” he asked her still in shock.

“I told you that they are coming over about five this afternoon why?” she asked him trying not to say something well that she would regret.

“And why you I mean how? Did you call them?” he wanted to know.

“No I went over there after I thought about it. I thought it was time that your mother and I had it out.” She told him as he almost had a stroke.

“Wait you did what? You went over there and talked to her. What are you out of your mind? Please tell me that my Dad was there to referee the two of you?” he had hoped.

“Yeah he was there. He was very nice to me and very grateful that I had gone over and offered for them to come over to see their Grandson. Your Mom on the other hand gave me trouble at first and blamed me for everything but I expected that.” She told him.

“Well of course she did but you still told them they could come? Why?” he asked her.

“Because I told you I love you and this is what you wanted. And that’s what I explained to them. I told her that if she could play nice on this visit and not stalk Jimmy at school or anywhere else for that matter I will rethink for them to continue to visit her Grandson. But only on authorized and supervised visitation. Then we’ll see by then what happens.” She explained to him.

Jon walked up to her and took her into his arms. “Just when I think I love you more than I could then you surprise me like this. I don’t even know what to say?” he told her as tears were forming in his eyes.

“You don’t have to I’m sorry that I was being selfish to you and that I was hurting you. You should have said something sooner if it was bothering you Jon.” she was saying as he was shaking his head no.

“No it really wasn’t that because it hurt me too and to see you hurting hurt me but I guess that when I was looking at Jimmy last night it…well it all just hit at once and I’m sorry and I should have talked to you about it instead of getting mad over it and for that I am sorry Baby. It’s just this whole album thing and with Doc and now with telling you what happened in Vancouver I just feel like everything was falling apart that’s all. I thought I was going to lose everything.” He said sadly.

“Jon if we’re honest and talk more openly about it we won’t lose anything even if it hurts we won’t lose anything I promise. For some reason I love you ya big dope.” She told him as she looked lovingly up at him.

“Ya well I love you right back Beautiful and I don’t want any actresses or models or any or singers that come my way. Just you Baby always remember that no matter what you hear just remember it’s always you.” He told her as he lent down and kissed her passionately. When they felt this thud at their feet and another bunch of footsteps running their way.

“Mommy, Daddy Hi. Buddy I thinks needs to go out. Can you help take him out?” Jimmy asked them.

“I got this Babe (turning to Jimmy) ok let’s go I’ll get Buddy’s leash.” Jon said as they headed towards the kitchen to head out the back.

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It was a little after five p.m. when there was a buzzing at the gate. Ellie was in the kitchen and looked into the security camera to see that it was Jon’s parent’s so she buzzed them in. She put the oven on low and went to get him. He was in the den with Jimmy and Buddy when she looked in.

“Hey your parent’s are here so do you want to get the door first?” she asked him.

Looking at her he answered that he would and that for her to stay here with Jimmy and the dog. He would be back with his parents in a few. So he headed off to the foyer and as he just got there they rang the bell. He took a deep breath and answered the door.

“Dad, Mom Hi come on in.” he told them as they entered the home.

“Oh Jon it’s so nice to see you Thank You so much for inviting us over Honey.” Carol told him as she hugged him tight.

Jon just looked at his Dad strangely as John Sr. just shrugged his shoulders and shooked his head.

Pushing his Mom off of him, “Mom I didn’t invite you here and you damn well know it. Ellie did so don’t give me this crap. I know what she did she told me when she came home. What you think she’d lie and say that it was all my idea?” Jon said to her annoyed.

“Well I was hoping when I got here that maybe you had something to do with us coming over here also.” Carol asked him.

“Nope it was all Ellie’s idea not mine. She did it because she loves me. She wanted to end this whole stupid feud between us because she knows how it’s wreaking havoc on me unlike you do.” He snapped at her.

“Don't you see Honey it’s just an act on her part.” She told him.

“Alright Carol that’s enough you heard Ellie when she came over if you pulled anything she wouldn’t let you see our Grandson. I on the other hand want to see him so you will be on your own. Ellie made a few good points and that Jon still has made it as a Rock Star and is a Father on top of things and a good one I take it. So either you play nice or you can go home now do you understand me Dear.” John Sr. said to her.

Carol thought over her options and knew she didn’t have many. So she sucked it up and told the both of them that she would play nice. So they headed towards the den as both the senior Bongiovi’s were excited to see their Grandson.

As Jon opened the door they saw a little boy playing with his little puppy and his Mom on the floor as the puppy was jumping all over him as he was giggling hysterically. “Watch out Honey he’s going to getcha ya.” Ellie told him as she was tickling him also when she heard Jon say her name.

“Ellie.” She looked up from the floor and there they were standing there staring at them like they were something new behind a glass window to gawk at. Jimmy turned to see who came in with his Daddy. He got up and went to his Mommy and sat on her lap as did Buddy.

“Hi glad you could make it. Come please sit down unless you want Jon to show you around the house first?” she asked them.

Carol just stared at her Grandson as John Sr. answered. “No um maybe a little later if you don’t mine.”

“Of course not would you like something to eat? As you can see I brought out some cheese and crackers and coffee if you want some. And we have wine and water I‘m sorry but we’d have more but we weren’t really expecting company you know?” she told them.

“No that’s fine Dear we’re fine really.” John Sr. said as Jon led them over to the couch.

Jon knelt down to his son so he could talk to him on his level. “Jimmy I want to tell you something ok?” he said to him as he shooked his head to his Dad. “I want you to meet my Mom and Dad ok?” again Jimmy shooked his head.

“Jimmy you know how my Mommy and Daddy are your Grandparents?” she asked him as he shooked his head yes. “Well Daddy’s parents are you’re other Grandparents too, and these two people here are them.” She told them.

Jimmy looked at them real good and then looked at his Mom and said, “But I don’t know them Mommy.” Which sank three hearts in the room.

“I know Honey and some day you and I will have a long talk about that ok? But in the meantime these are Daddy’s parents and they want to meet you is that ok?” she asked him.

Jimmy looked at her then at Jon then at them. “Well if Buddy says it’s ok then I guess so.” He said dead seriously.

Well Carol was about to say something when John Sr. put his hand on her knee. “Honey Buddy doesn’t know them either so this has to be your call. He’s just a baby you know a puppy so you’re going to have to make his decision for him you know until he gets bigger.” She explained to him.

“Oh ok like you do for me right now.” He asked her.

“Right. When did you get so smart?” she asked him as she hugged him tight and he giggled.

“Because I am Mommy I’m seven now.” He told her smiling. Well Jon was looking on during all this and he couldn’t have been more proud of either of them during this as his parents were also watching on. He was also watching his parents watching them as well and boy he wanted to say a few things on parenting.

Getting up and taking his hand and looking at Jon he took her lead and took his son’s hand and walked him over to his parent’s. Then kneeling, “Mom and Dad I would to introduce to you your Grandson James Paul Anderson. Jimmy this is my Mom Carol and my Dad John.” He said to them all smiling. Jimmy just gave them a weak Hello and clung to his Mom as Carol looked to Jon and said as she just couldn’t help herself.

“Anderson? Why isn’t his last name Bongiovi. He is your child right?” she asked as she glared at Jon.

“Yes Mom and we are not going to get into that right now. Do you understand me?” he said sternly to her. Ellie was just about grinding her teeth as Jon put his hand on her arm to try and stay calm and John Sr. just about put pressure on his wife’s leg.

“Fine we’ll talk about it later. My goodness look at how much he looks like you Jon. He even has your mole exactly in the same spot you do. And the blonde hair. I can’t get over it. He’s just so handsome.” She said trying so hard not to cry.

“Yes both of you he’s a very handsome young man. And very polite I like that.” John Sr. told them.

“Well we try Mr. Bongiovi.” Ellie said proudly.

“Ellie enough of this Mr. Bongiovi you are family Dear please call me Papa B. like the boys do.” he said happily.   

Looking a bit uncomfortable, “Well thank you Papa B.” she told him as she eyed Jon who was smirking.

   “Well Jimmy won’t you come see Nonni and Papa.” Carol told him with her arms outstretched as Ellie looked over to Jon and mouthed “Nonni” to him with this look on her face. Jon just gave her the stink eye and tried not to laugh at the same time as she was biting her tongue as well. Also Jimmy was cutting her circulation off in her leg as he was holding it so tight.

“Um why don’t I leave you guys to get to know each other while I go check on dinner alright? Mrs. Bongiovi, Papa B. would you like to stay we have enough.” She asked them as she headed to the door.

“That’s very nice of you but John said that he would take me out but thank you for asking.” Carol said as John Sr. looked at her curiously.

“Well fine then, Jon when I finish I’ll put everything on warm so just let me know when you’re ready to eat ok?” then she headed to the kitchen as she couldn’t get there fast enough. Once there she sighed a huge relief and boy she could really use a drink right now. Too bad she wasn’t a drinker but she felt once they leave she might just have one with dinner.

Back in the den Carol couldn’t wait to get her hands on her Grandson. “Well Jimmy I can’t tell you how much you look like your Daddy when he was your age.” She told him trying to get him to come to her but he wouldn’t leave Jon’s side.

Jimmy just shook his head and stayed by his Dad as Buddy walked over to her then Barked loudly at her startling her. “Oh my get that Mutt away from me.” She said loudly.

“Carol! All he did was bark.” John Sr. told her.

“Daddy don’t let her hurt Buddy!” Jimmy asked his Father afraid.

Jon picked up Buddy and gave him to his son. “Nobody is going to hurt him Honey ok? He just scared Nonni. I won’t ever let anyone hurt him or you ok? I promise you.” He told him as he gave him a kiss on top of his head. “Now won’t you go take Buddy and put him in his cage so we can talk to your Grandparents for a few more minutes ok?” he told him.

“But Daddy he doesn’t like it in there.” he whined to his father.

“I know but it’s only going to be for a little while I promise.” Jon told him.

“Fine.” He said as he picked Buddy up and brought him over to his cage begrudgingly.

“Thank You Dear I really can’t see how you can have that thing running around wild…” but Jon interrupted his mother.

“Don't just don’t Mom. You don’t have any right on how we run this house. If we wanted to have a dozen dogs running around this house wild we would. But we are trying to show Jimmy how to house train Buddy properly. But apparently he also has good taste because he doesn’t seem to like you.” He blurted out.

“John Francis!” she yelled out.

“What Mom you didn’t like that well too bad because you were just about to tell me what a bad Mother Ellie was weren’t you?” he said trying to keep it down so Jimmy couldn’t hear.

“Jon you think you know everything well you’re wrong. I wasn’t going to say that at all. I was just going to say that you do seem to let the dog run around wild thou.” Carol told him smugly as John Sr. just sat there shaking his head.

“Well for your information Mom I just got him, Buddy, yesterday so there. He’s only had him one day. So running wild for one day is no big deal. And we will raise Jimmy the way she was raised seeing that I’m on the road seventy to eighty percent of the time. I trust her with everything in my life.” He told them proudly.

John Sr. cut in, “Jon we can see that both of you are doing a wonderful job in raising Jimmy. He’s healthy, smart, polite, handsome I could go on. I’m sure your Mother knows that too don’t you Dear?” he asked his wife as she was trying ever so much to not interrupt him.

“Yes John you’re right as usual. I’m sorry Jon if I spoke out of line.” She told her son as she bit her tongue.

Jon knew that she really wasn’t sincere but at least it was a start. Looking at his Dad, “Dad like I said this is all Ellie’s doing I’m only here a quarter of the time. She’s wonderful with him. There’s not a day that she regrets that she made the right choice in keeping him.” He told them proudly.

“Well to be truthful I wouldn’t have expected anything less of her. She was always a good kid.” John Sr. told him.

“Well of course she picked me didn’t she?” Jon said laughing.

They talked and let Jimmy come to them when he felt a little more comfortable and then he showed them Buddy and what he was trying to teach him in just one day which was sit and lie down and that was too funny to them only because it seemed to be working more on Jimmy than Buddy. Even thou Jimmy was getting frustrated with Buddy he was being so gentle with him. So caring and loving with him as all three of them noticed.

“Jon he’s very patience with him for being so young.” Carol said to him very impressed about her Grandson.

“Again that has to do with Ellie.” He said but his Mother cut him off.

“Jon please not everything has to do with her. Somethings are to do with you.  You are a very kind and smart young man yourself so give yourself some credit please.” She told him as she was very annoyed now. “And stop telling us that you’re not here half the time and not involved in helping out with him. It’s clearly shows how close the two of you are.” She told him still annoyed with the whole idea that Ellie should take all the credit.

“Well Mom excuse me for being proud of her ok? She’s been thru a lot since I got her pregnant and wasn’t there for here thru those years.” He told his Mother with a bit of disdain.

“I thought we were going to put all that behind us.” She said as if she was hurt.

“Oh Mom don’t give me that. I missed over five years of my son’s life because of you. I’m sorry but I need to get this out. What if Grams did this to you? What if I didn’t forgive you of all the crap you put me thru in my teen years? No you could learn a few things from Ellie Mom. So as of now we can start over but if you ever say one more bad thing about her don’t think you’ll be welcome here again.  Now we can set up another time for visiting but it will have to be when I’m home again so I’ll call you the next time I’m home.” He told them.

They finished with their visit and Thanked Ellie for letting them come over and hugged and kissed Jimmy. The rules were still in place but things were a tad bit better they hoped. They would see how Carol would behave by the next visit.