Chapter 49

They sat together a while longer curled into each other. Words seemed unnecessary as they embraced and reflected on the bond they cemented that came from the trust associated with full disclosure.

After an hour or so Jon noticed the clock on the far wall, “Hey, Mel?”

“Yeah baby,” she said running her hands over his.

“I would love to stay like this all day, but we should probably get dressed at some point. And I’m sure I could probably use a shower too,” he said.

“How is it that when I’m with you time just seems to disappear,” she asked noticing the time.

“Time flies when you’re having fun,” he said giving her cheek a kiss from behind.

“Lets go,” she said getting off the couch.

“Lead the way,” he said standing next to her.

She turned to him to face him with tears brimming in her eyes. “Thank you,” she said searching his eyes. “Thank you for listening, for caring, for, for everything.”

He pulled her into a hug, “That’s what people do for someone they love,” he said.

She pulled back a little to look at him, “I love you, Jon.”

“I love you too, Melissa,” he said.

She smiled, “Come on, let’s get up stairs before we’re eating dinner in our pajamas.”

“You got it,” he said leading her out of the room and down the hall.

At the base of the stairs Melissa caught a flash of sunlight from the room next to her. “What’s in here,” she said walking over to the door.

“That, I think, is one room you’re really gonna like. Go ahead, go in,” he said.

Melissa opened the door and saw what looked like yet another formal living room, but this one had instruments scattered throughout the room. There was a piano in front of a bay window, a few guitar cases strewn around and notepads on most of the flat surfaces. “Is this where all the magic happens,” she asked.

“The magic,” he asked laughing. “This is where some of the writing happens. I can write pretty much anywhere, the car, the kitchen table, a hotel room, a plane. You name it I’ve written part of something there. But this is where the whole music to lyrics thing has been happening.”

Melissa looked around in awe. “Never in a million years did I think I’d ever get to see this.”

“Well now you can anytime you want,” he said as she walked around the room taking everything in.

She ran her fingers over the top of the piano, “Jon will you do something for me?”

“Anything,” he answered.

“I like the sound of that. Will you play something for me?”

“You really want me to,” he asked.

“Please,” she said turning to him.

“Who am I to deny a beautiful woman?”

He sat down on the bench and pulled her down next to him. “What do you want me to play,” he asked.

“Surprise me.”

He thought for a minute and then, using only his index finger, started to play Row, Row, Row Your Boat. “Like it,” he asked with a smirk.

“Nice try smart ass,” she said.

“How about this,” he said starting to play Bed of Roses.

“Perfect,” she said giving him a gentle kiss as she watched his fingers effortlessly dance over the keys. After a few measures Jon started to sing with the music, and she leaned over and put her finger to his lips. “Just play, please? There’s something so much more sensual about it that way,” she said and Jon complied.

“That was perfect,” she said as he played the final notes.

“Thank you. I think I’m gonna like you as an audience,” he said smiling.

“Good, because I think I like these private shows,” she said giving him a soft kiss.

“Oh, before I forget, Amalia said she’d start a load of laundry with your stuff in it and she said she’d leave me directions on how to use the drier if you wanted your own clothes,” Jon said.

“Wait, what did you say? She’d leave you directions for what,” Melissa asked.

“The drier, so your clothes would be dry,” he answered.

“You need directions on how to use a drier?”

“It’s never something I’ve had to figure out how to do,” he said.

“Come on it’s not that hard, I’m sure you can manage how to figure it out,” she teased.

“Are you making fun of me,” he asked.

“Never,” she said smiling.

“Come on, upstairs before you find something else to mock,” he said. He led her up to the laundry room where sure enough there was a note with step-by-step directions.

“Don’t even look at that it’s common sense,” she said. “First take the wet clothes outta the washer and put them in the drier. That will make them dry.”

“You don’t have to be mean about it,” he said following her directions.

“Take that and pull it out and wipe off all the lint,” she directed.

“And,” he asked.

“Throw it out,” she said gently. “Now add a drier sheet from up there, to make the clothes soft.”

“And just throw it in,” he asked.

“Yup, now check the settings. They look good, just hit start,” she said.

“That’s it,” he asked.

“Yes Mr. Bon Jovi, you have just done your first load of laundry. I’ll alert the press,” she teased.

“I think you’ve had more than enough fun at my expense, come on,” he said taking her hand and taking her back to his bedroom.

“I’m just gonna take a quick shower, but help yourself to whatever you want while your clothes dry,” he said walking to the bathroom.

Melissa set to work looking through his drawers for a pair of sweat pants that didn’t fall off of her. Eventually she found a well-worn pair that fit her a little better than the rest and grabbed a nearby shirt. She dressed and climbed back onto the bed and reached for her phone on the nightstand. She saw a half dozen missed calls from Richie, Angela and Tommy, and a dozen or so text messages. She started to read through them when Jon, dressed only in a towel, hung low on his hips, came back into the room.

“So you found something that fit,” he asked heading to the closet around the corner.

“I don’t know if it fits, but it fits better for sure,” she answered.

“You know I’m sure Steph wouldn’t mind if you borrowed something of hers,” Jon offered as he looked for a pair of jeans.

“I can’t just borrow something without asking. Its part of the girl code,” she answered.

“Hey I meant to ask if you wanted to stay tonight,” he called.

“I dunno babe, I’d love to but I’ve gotta check a couple of things out first,” she said as his cell phone vibrated on the bed. “Baby, Richie’s calling do you want me to get it?”

“Go ahead,” he called.

“Hey, Richie,” she answered.

“Melissa? You’re still there?”

“Yeah I’m still here,” she answered.

“I’m glad. How are you,” Richie asked.

“I’m ok, I didn’t think I would be, but I am,” she answered honestly as Jon listened to her candidness.

“You told him then,” Richie asked.

“Everything, I think it was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do,” she said.

“It was the right thing you know, for so many reasons.”

“I know, but that didn’t make it any easier. I’m scared,” she said.

“I know darlin’ but things are gonna get better now,” he reassured her.

“God I hope so. Don’t mind me babbling on over here, why did you call?”

“Just to check up on you guys, see how everything went. I know we were supposed to record today but I called Shanks and canceled thought you too could use some time together, but I wanted to see if I could do some work anyway in the studio.”

“Before I forget I owe you a huge apology,” she said.

“For what?”

“I know Jon kicked you out, I am so sorry. I never meant to cause anything between you two, I felt horrible when I heard,” she said.

“Hey, I’m an adult, I made my own decisions. I promised you I wouldn’t tell him, so I didn’t. Gotta learn to trust me darlin’, I’ve got your back. Besides it’s a lot more relaxed over at Dave’s there’s not nearly as many rules when April’s got the kids.”

“Still, I’m so sorry.”

”No worries, I didn’t even think twice about it.”

“You sure,” she asked.

“Positive. But is Jon around, can I talk to him for a second?”

“Yeah, he’s around here somewhere, he disappeared around the corner in a towel,” she said. “Baby,” she called.

“You better be calling me that not Richie,” he called.

“Of course I’m talkin’ to you. Richie wants to talk to you a second,” she said.

Jon came back into view in jeans drying his hair with a towel. “Thanks baby,” he said.

“Do you mind if I have a little bit of time to myself? I have a couple calls to make, in private if I could? I’ve gotta call Angela and Lindsay’s family,” she said still holding the phone.

“What ever you need,” he answered.

“Thanks,” she said giving him a kiss then handing him the phone.

“Hey, Rich,” Jon said taking the phone.

“Hey, I know you probably can’t talk, but if everything is good with you work the word bed into your sentence,” Richie said.

“You never cease to amaze me. Yes we’re in the bedroom,” Jon answered as he looked for a shirt.

“That’s close enough for me. Listen I was gonna see if I could do some studio work but if you wanted to talk instead you know that’s what I’m here for,” Richie said.

“You know that sounds like a good idea,” Jon said.

“I’m about to pull you in the driveway, I’ll meet you at the pub?”

“Awesome,” Jon said hanging up the phone. “Since you’ve got some stuff to take care of I’m gonna go out with Richie for a little while.”

“You don’t have to leave,” she said.

“I’m supposed to be working today, but a beautiful woman’s been distracting me. I have my cell when you’re done,” Jon said.

“I’ll call you in a bit,” she said.

“Help yourself to whatever,” he said giving her a kiss before leaving her in the middle of his bed.

Jon left her with her thoughts as he made his way outside. He didn’t know what to think about anything really and was looking forward to being able to bounce his thoughts off of someone. Jon walked out to the bar and saw Richie grabbing a beer from behind the counter. “You don’t mind do you,” Richie asked holding a bottle.

“No take it. Grab me a bottle too,” Jon said having a seat at the counter.

Richie grabbed a bottle of wine and joined Jon. “You wanna talk about it,” he asked handing Jon the bottle.

“Shit man, I don’t even know where to start,” Jon said taking the corkscrew off the bar.

“You guys are gonna be ok, you just need some time,” Richie said.

“I don’t even know what to think. I was so happy when I saw her yesterday; it was like everything was ok again. But now, I just don’t know what to do,” Jon said taking a swig from the bottle.

“Do you feel any differently about her right now, than you did when you woke up,” Richie asked.

“Of course not,” Jon said.

“And you still love her,” he asked as Jon nodded. “Then I really don’t see a problem. You love her and she loves you.”

“I just don’t know how to be with her,” Jon said.

“Don’t you fucking do this. Don’t make this about you, not after all she went through. This is about both of you, the sacrifice that she made for you. I didn’t think you could be such a selfish ass,” Richie said, his voice rising with each word.

“Not like that, I’m not going anywhere.”

“You better not,” Richie scowled.

“I just don’t know how to help her.”

“Don’t try to fix her, that’s the last thing she needs. Just love her,” Richie said.

“I don’t know how. I don’t know what she needs, or what she needs me to be,” Jon said at a loss.

“What she needs is you to be the man that she fell in love with and nothing else,” Richie said firmly.

“I meant what I said, I don’t know how to be with her. What to do with her without making her feel uncomfortable. And what I can do so that she doesn’t feel that I don’t want her,” Jon said.

“That’s between the two of you. I’m here if you need me, but those are boundaries that you have to establish with each other,” Richie said.

“I just don’t want to her to push me away or the other way around,” Jon said.

“That’s why communication has to be the key,” Richie said.

“When did you become the voice of reason,” Jon asked.

“What are you talking about? I’ve always been the voice of reason you just never listened to me before,” Richie teased.

“Thanks,” Jon said.

“That’s what brothers are for. Does this mean I can move back,” Richie asked.

“Dave’s isn’t what its all cracked up to be?”

“Well he doesn’t have as many rules as you do when April has the kids. But that means that him and Lex are all lovey dovey. There’s only so much a guy can take,” Richie said.

“Your suite’s all yours,” Jon said.

Having known Jon more than half of his life he knew that was as close to an apology as he was gonna get. “Awesome, besides your sheets are nicer than Dave’s.”

***

Melissa made her way down the upstairs hall as she heard the front door open. “Baby is that you,” she called.

“No, Melissa, its Steph,” the voice floated up the stairs.

“Sorry, I thought you were you’re dad. Aren’t you home early,” Melissa asked.

“We went to an early movie,” Steph said from the bottom of the stairs.

“Was it good? I was thinking of seeing it,” Melissa asked as she made her way down the stairs.

“It was ok, nothing great. Where’s my dad,” Steph asked.

“He’s with Richie, they’ve been gone a bit, I thought they were heading in,” Melissa said.

“One thing you’ll be quick to learn is never to believe them when they give you a timetable when they’re working,” Steph said.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Melissa said. “Do you have a minute? Can I talk to you?”

“Sure, I can take this up later,” Steph said dropping her overnight bag.

“I still don’t know my way around, so you lead the way,” Melissa said smiling.

“We can go right in here,” Steph said gesturing to the door that they had left open earlier. She sat down on the couch and moved a notepad from the cushion. “I don’t know how but these seem to multiply everyday. Was there something specific you wanted to talk about?”

“Yeah, and if its ok with you I’d like to talk to you as an adult, not just Jon’s daughter, like a kid,” Melissa said.

“Really, why?”

“Because I think that you’ve proved yourself to be quite intuitive and it would be an insult to your intelligence if I treated you like a child,” Melissa said.

“Thank you,” Steph said quietly.

“You know your dad and I are dating and I wanna keep the line of communication open between us. If you ever need to talk about something your dad wouldn’t get or you want another opinion, you know you can always ask me. With that being said I wanted to talk to you about your dad and I and feel free to tell me if it’s a little TMI,” Melissa said.

“Uh-oh.”

“Come on its nothing bad. I just want to make it perfectly clear to you that I don’t want to do anything to make you feel even the slightest bit uncomfortable, especially here. This is your home, and I am just a guest. Now you’re dad asked me to stay here tonight but I told him that I would think about it. I don’t want you to be weirded out in your own house. My mom dated a little but when I lived at home so I kinda get it,” Melissa said.

“Really?”

“Yeah, my mom raised my sister and I because my dad left when I was really little,” Melissa said.

“I didn’t know that,” Steph said.

“It was a crazy house with the three of us,” Melissa said smiling.

“I bet, with three brothers I’m always outnumbered,” Steph said.

“But your dad has a special place for you apart from the boys,” Melissa said.

“I know. And as far as you and my dad, I try not to think about it, ever. I have three little brothers so I know what it means when the door is shut,” Steph said.

“Are you sure, because if you didn’t want to see me in the morning or anything like that, I’d understand, just let me know,” Melissa said.

“Hey as long as you’re both decent when you leave the bedroom and you keep your PDA PG-13 when I’m in the room, it’s a million times better than at my mom’s,” Steph said.

“I know there’s a bunch of bad blood there and I’m not asking for the details. I don’t want this just to be better than your mom’s, I want it to be perfectly comfortable for you. And I’ll respect your comfort zone, I just need to know what that it,” Melissa said.

“My dad’s pretty good with that kinda stuff. Except sometimes they didn’t always shut the door all the way and my rooms right next to his. I’ve heard some things I probably shouldn’t have over the years,” Steph said squinting her face.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Melissa said.

“Thanks.”

“You know before this gets any more uncomfortable why don’t we go see if we can find your dad and Richie,” Melissa said.

“That sounds like a wonderful idea,” Steph said standing. “You know it’s nice to have a woman to talk to that doesn’t work for my dad.”

“You’re dad’s not good with the girl stuff? I kinda always imagined that he would be. I mean he was married forever,” Melissa said following her to the door.

“He tries, but I think tampons and stuff still make him a little embarrassed in the grocery store,” Steph said laughing.

“Really,” Melissa asked laughing as they entered the foyer.

“It’s a sight to see,” Steph said as the door opened and Richie and Jon entered.

“What’s so funny,” Jon asked.

Melissa and Steph looked at each other and continued laughing until Melissa composed herself enough to answer. “Oh nothin’ we’ve just been talking about you.”

“Better watch it Jon, it sounds like they’re having a lot of fun at your expense,” Richie teased.

Ignoring him, Jon turned to his daughter, “When did you get home?”

“A little while ago. Me and Melissa were just gonna look for you,” Steph answered.

“But you beat us to it,” Melissa said.

“Perfect timing. Are you two ready for dinner,” Jon asked.

“I’m starving,” Steph said.

“Lets go check out the take out menus,” Jon said.

“That sounds like my cue to leave,” Richie said.

“Absolutely not. Stay for dinner,” Melissa asked.

“Are you sure I wont be crashing your night,” Richie asked looking first to Melissa then Jon.

“We really didn’t have any plans. If you want to stay you’re welcome too,” Jon said.

“As long as you don’t mind,” Richie said.

“Not at all,” Jon said.

“But no takeout, you’re gonna make something,” Melissa said.

“Like what,” Jon asked.

“I dunno, why don’t you two go pick something out,” Melissa said.

“Come on kiddo, lets see if we can find something French for your dad to make. The harder the better,” Richie said putting his arm around Steph’s shoulders.

Once they were out of view Melissa leaned in a kissed Jon deeply. When they broke apart Jon searched her eyes for an explanation. “What was that for,” he asked.

“Because I can,” she answered with a smile. “And if the offer still stands, I’d love to stay here tonight.”

“Of course it still stands. You’ve got an open invitation. Did you do everything that you needed to take care of?”

“Yeah. There’s a memorial service Monday afternoon and the funeral is Tuesday. They left me their home number for you and asked me to ask you to call them,” Melissa said.

“I’ll do it as soon as I get dinner started. I hear I’m cooking,” he said.

“Yes you are. This is a big day of firsts for you. First the laundry, now dinner,” she teased.

“You’re merciless,” he said.

“Damn right,” she said leading them to the kitchen.

“Its about damn time, I was afraid you weren’t up to the challenge that is Velveeta mac and cheese,” Richie said holding a box.

“Hand it over,” Jon said reading the directions.

“Where did Steph go, Richie,” Melissa asked looking around.

“To put her stuff away,” Richie answered.

Jon took out a pot, filled it with water and put it on the stove. “This has to boil,” he said confidently. “I’m gonna go make that phone call, do you have the number?”

Melissa took a piece of paper from her pocket and handed it to him. “I’ll hold the fort down while you’re gone,” she said with a kiss.

Once Jon was gone Richie looked at Melissa who seemed to be lost in her own thoughts. “Mel, are you ok?”

“Yeah, I’m ok,” she said.

“Come here,” he said opening his arms and pulling her into a strong hug.

“Richie, I don’t know how to thank you for everything. You’ve been such a good friend to me,” she said.

“Darlin’ that’s what friends do, I’m just glad to see you happy again and the two of you together,” Richie answered.

“Me too, on both accounts,” Melissa said stepping back.

“There’s still something bothering you though,” Richie prompted.

“He was drinking wasn’t he?”

“Jon? Why do you ask,” Richie asked.

“I could taste it, don’t lie to me,” Melissa said.

“Red wine,” Richie answered.

“How much?”

“Why does it matter, Mel? I don’t know where you’re going with this,” Richie said.

“Please Richie, how much?”

“The better part of a bottle,” he said softly.

“Its because of me isn’t it,” she asked.

She didn’t wait to hear his answer, her mind was made up. I can’t do anything right with him. I leave and I break his heart, I come back and I drive him right into a bottle. What the hell am I supposed to do?