Seven months later
“I love you Mrs. Sambora.” Richie kissed her softly.
Kris smiled with closed eyes. Mrs. Sambora. She still had problems with the name, even though it was nearly six month since their wedding.
Richie had asked her again to marry him a couple days after this first really poor proposal. When she came home, she could hear soft music coming from the living room. Rose petals were showing her the way and hundreds of candles were lit the room. It was very romantic and exactly what she always dreamt of.
When Richie kneeled down in front of her, she couldn’t hold back the tears any longer. Actually she was crying all evening. Richie was holding her in his arms and told her that this would be normal from now on, because her hormones were completely up side down. She hated it.
But he was right. At their small wedding in her parent’s house just two weeks later, she had to fight for every single minute without tears. It all was so beautiful.
Outside in the backyard was a white arc over and over decorated with red roses. The few white seats were framing a white silk path from the terrace to the arc. Before Kris walked down the aisle with Jon, Steph, Ava and Jesse walked to their seats, followed by Jake and Romeo, who were throwing red rose petals on the white silk…well and on some of the guests. Dot had to rush by and stop them.
While walking down the aisle her old school band played, the guys were so excited for her it was really cute, but Kris had only eyes for Richie. She didn’t hear the music or realized that Jon was walking next to her. Her mind only had one thought: Richie. He looked great in his suite…even though he wasn’t wearing a tie. But that was fine with her. She could see his gorgeous chest breathing heavily under the white dress shirt. His tongue wet his lips, while his eyes were travelling over her body. She shivered under his intense look. God, she wanted to bed him down right now, but they had to wait. Get yourself under control, Kris.
When Kris stepped out of the house Richie held his breath. She was so beautiful. The world around him didn’t exist anymore; he only had eyes for her. He watched her while she walked towards him with Jon, his eyes wandering over her gorgeous body and stopped shortly at the small guitar pendant around her neck. She never took it of since he gave it to her all those years ago.
His lips went dry when she came closer to him and the deep V-cut of the dress showed her cleavage. He couldn’t wait to get her out of this dress, he wanted to feel her full breast in his hands, wanted to show her how much he loved her. Looking at her belly for a second, he could swear that there was a hint of a baby belly. But that would have been too early right? Maybe he just saw what he wanted to see. He couldn’t wait to see her belly grow and feel his baby move around in her.
“I love you, darling.” Richie repeated and touched her face. With a sleepy smile Kris opened her eyes
“I love you too, Richie. Aren’t they beautiful?” She looked over at her babies.
A couple month ago they figured out they were having twins. A girl and a boy. Richie was over the moon and so was Jon when Kris told them the names of the twins. Katherine Victoria Rose and John Richard Adam.
When she told Richie, he wasn’t very happy with his son’s first name. Kris told him that she wouldn’t call him Adam as a first name. It just would have been ridiculous. Adam and Ava. Even though the spelling was different. No way.
Richard as a first name wasn’t working either. “Just imagine me screaming your name at night and that little guy walks into our bedroom.” After that thought Richie was very happy with John.
“Of course are they beautiful. They are our kids.” Richie said with a smile. Kris laughed.
There was a soft knock at the door and when it opened Jon’s head popped in. “Hi, sweetie. How are you feeling?” Jon and Dot walked over to the bed and both kissed Kris.
“I’m fine dad.” She smiled. “Just a bit tired.” Jon nodded with a smile. It took a couple weeks till she finally called him “Dad” and it still sounded wonderful to him.
“That’s normal, baby.” Dot said while giving Richie a kiss on his cheek “Believe me; I know what I’m talking about.” Jon grinned at her.
“Can you still remember? Care to go for the next one?” He pulled his wife in his arms.
“JON! Go away from me…!” Dot pushed him away with a lightly shocked expression on her face. “Five kids are more then enough.”
They all laughed, but suddenly they were interrupted by the soft cry of one of the babies.
“Shhhh, darling, don’t cry…we are already quite.” Richie was at the small bed immediately. Kris smiled how fast he calmed Katherine down.
“Can I have a look at my grandchildren too?” Jon tried to push Richie away from the babies.
“Don’t you dare to make them cry!” Richie snapped. Jon looked at him for a second.
“Sorry.” Richie mumbled.
“It’s ok, brother.” Jon slapped Richie’s back.
He knew Richie would protect his kids like a lion. He even decided that he wouldn’t bring them that much in the public like Ava at that age. Well, actually it was always Heather, who wanted to show Ava around like an accessory.
Kris was strictly against. From her point of view there were enough idiots running around, who only wanted to get a hold of the kids of Richie Sambora and Kris Bongiovi. She wouldn’t put them into that danger.
“Just remember you don’t have to protect them of me.” Jon said.
Richie nodded and sat down on the bed next to Kris. She patted his hand.
Jon looked at his grandchildren. “Hello there, Katherine and John.” he softly took one of each babies hands. “I’m your grandpa.”
Kris smiled. “I know you will probably be as stubborn as your mom….” He glanced at his daughter and she rolled her eyes. “…but I tell you one thing: I’ll be there for you, … even if you don’t want it!”
The End.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Epilogue - Part Two
“You are back, darling.” Richie’s voice let her snap out of her thoughts. She smiled and walked over to the couch.
“I didn’t want disturb you in your play.” Kris kissed him softly and sat down next to him.
“You can always disturb me, darling.” He said, pulling her in his arms. Kris sighed and closed her eyes. This felt just so right.
“Are you ok, darling? What did the doctor say?” she could hear the concern in his voice. She looked at him.
“I’m fine Richie.” He still looked concerned. “But…”
“BUT!” he straightened his back. “There’s a But!” Now he was really worried.
“Honey, please calm down. It’s nothing to worry about.” She assured him and Richie relaxed a bit.
“But we need to do some changes in the next couple month.” Kris said, trying hard to keep a normal face.
“Changes? What kind of changes? And why? Do you need to do some kind of therapy?” Richie fired at her.
“Darling, would you please talk to me!” He added a bit angry.
“Richard!” Kris’ voice was stern. “If you would calm down and just listen to me, you would already know what’s going on!”
Richie frowned, but leaned back and looked at her expectant. He knew her temper was close to explode when she used his full first name. It only got worse when she called him Richard Stephen Sambora. She could scare the shit out of him with that. Brrr!
“Well, I have to slow everything down a bit the doctor said, be more relaxed.” Richie had to hide his laugh; the doctor obviously never met a Bongiovi before.
“And the first big change will be that I have to stop working.” Richie nearly felt from the couch.
“WHAT?!” he couldn’t believe it. It wasn’t a problem for him though, he always told her that she didn’t need to work, but the point was that she loved her work. She studied music and was now teaching at a local school and kindergarten, even Jake and Romeo were her students.
“The doctor said working with small kids wouldn’t be such a good idea in the next couple month, because we will reach a point where I’m no longer allowed to carry things around. And you know that I do that every often at work and God forbid one of the kids get hurt and I have to carry it….so, if I tell my boss now, they’ll have enough time to find someone new till Christmas.” Richie still looked at her in shock.
“You aren’t allowed to carry things around? Is something wrong with your back, darling?” his hand wandered gently down her back as if to make sure she wasn’t wincing when he touch her.
“Rich!” Kris said. He sighed.
“And then we have to re-decorate one of the guestrooms.” She added.
“WHAT?” he jumped to his feet.
“You will not move out of our bedroom, it doesn’t matter what happened, how bad you’ll feel, I’ll stay with you and help you. I won’t leave you alone, Kristin.” He stared at her in disbelieve.
Did she really think he would let her move to the guestroom? Or he would move there leaving her alone in their bedroom in pain, suffering? In no fucking way! What ever it was, they would go through it together and she would be fine again, he would not lose her, not her…he couldn’t.
“Well, that’s really sweet of you darling, but we need the room!” Kris had problems to hide her laughter now and she knew she had to bring it to an end. If he was calling her by her full name, he was really angry.
“Why?” Richie growled.
“Because our baby needs its own room.” Kris replied with a huge smile.
Richie just stared at her, his eyes blinking a few times. What did she say? Baby? But how? When? He must have misunderstood her.
“Could you repeat that?” he barely whispered.
Kris stood up from the couch and put her arms around his neck. “We are having a baby.”
Richie let out a loud laugh and took her from her feet, spinning her around. Why didn’t he think of that? She was so damn tired and her mood was changing so often, she even ate things that taste awful together from his point of view. How could he not see that?
“Let, me down Richie….let me down, you make me sick!” she could barely breath of laughter. Richie sat her down immediately.
“I’m sorry, darling…Are you okay?” he looked at her worried, steadying her.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” She still couldn’t control her laughter.
“That’s great, baby. That’s so great! I love you, I love you.” Richie pulled her in his arms again and kissed her. Suddenly he stopped and looked confused.
“How did that happen?” Kris looked at him stunned for a second and then erupted in laughter again.
“NO! That’s not what I mean. Damn, Kris…” Richie had to laugh too.
When they calmed down a bit, he asked again “I thought you are taking the pill?”
Kris nodded. “Well, I do. Now I can obviously stop with it. It seems I forgot it one or two days, maybe more…probably when you were just back from the Tour. Do you remember that time?” she smirked.
He grinned. Hell yeah! They had just finished the Lost Highway Tour. Kris and he were together a little bit over a year at that point and when he came home mid July, somehow, somehow…they couldn’t get out of the bedroom for a couple days. Fortunately Ava was with his Mom that time.
“That means we are…” he started counting “…at week 8.” Kris smiled.
“Well, I am at week 8 or 9. The doctor wasn’t really sure about that. We’ll figure out later.” She reached for his hand and squeezed it.
“Don’t you dare to tour in April next year.” Kris said with a smile.
“I will talk with my boss. Something’s telling me he’s fine with it.” Richie answered. “I’m sure he wants to be here as well, when the little Sambora will be born.” Softly he caressed her still flat belly.
“Well, right now it’s still Bongiovi!” Kris corrected him softly. Jon legally adopted her a couple years ago. The only way that she could use his name. The day she dropped off her mother’s name felt like finally being free.
“What do you mean?” Richie frowned.
“Well, dear Richie, I don’t see a ring on this finger…” she wiggled her ring finger “…and as long as there is no ring, the last name will be Bongiovi!”
“Over my dead body, I would never hear the end of it from Jon.” Richie snapped. “Will you marry me?” he added.
Kris looked at him a second, her right eyebrow raised. “No.”
“NO?” he was shocked.
“What do you mean with no? You can’t say no” Kris eyes narrowed dangerously. Oh, shit!
“I mean…” Richie stuttered. “You just said that you want to, right? And now you say no!” he really looked confused and unsure.
Kris stood up and smiled at him. “Well, honey I said no, because it was probably the poorest proposal ever. I know you can do much better, be romantic Richie.” She started walking towards the door.
“Oh, and honey” he looked at her again. “I will not marry you when I look like a wale, so you better go ring shopping.” She winked at him and left for the kitchen to make cookies with Ava.
Richie shook his head. Damn, he just loved her. He actually had to admit that she already caught his eye when he met her the first time. Not many sixteen year old girls were able to make him feel that way. But she was just something special…she still is. He really needed to control himself, told her that he was married, that he couldn’t do it. His marriage was already complicated at that time, but Jon would have killed him, hell he nearly killed him when he realized that he was sleeping with his daughter last year. He shuddered lightly.
The famous Bongiovi temper showed and was completely directed at him. That moment when Jon pressed him against the wall he was sure he wouldn’t be able to use his hands for a while, but somehow he managed to assure Jon that he was serious about this relationship, that Kris’ wasn’t a quick lay for him. He sighed deeply.
So many people were telling them that this wouldn’t work out. Well, watch us now you idiots! Who cares about 24 years of age difference? Who cares about it that she’s Jon’s daughter? He certainly didn’t.
Back to the thought “romantic”, I think I can handle that…and ring shopping, darling you have no idea what’s already waiting for you upstairs in my nightstand drawer. He smiled.
“I didn’t want disturb you in your play.” Kris kissed him softly and sat down next to him.
“You can always disturb me, darling.” He said, pulling her in his arms. Kris sighed and closed her eyes. This felt just so right.
“Are you ok, darling? What did the doctor say?” she could hear the concern in his voice. She looked at him.
“I’m fine Richie.” He still looked concerned. “But…”
“BUT!” he straightened his back. “There’s a But!” Now he was really worried.
“Honey, please calm down. It’s nothing to worry about.” She assured him and Richie relaxed a bit.
“But we need to do some changes in the next couple month.” Kris said, trying hard to keep a normal face.
“Changes? What kind of changes? And why? Do you need to do some kind of therapy?” Richie fired at her.
“Darling, would you please talk to me!” He added a bit angry.
“Richard!” Kris’ voice was stern. “If you would calm down and just listen to me, you would already know what’s going on!”
Richie frowned, but leaned back and looked at her expectant. He knew her temper was close to explode when she used his full first name. It only got worse when she called him Richard Stephen Sambora. She could scare the shit out of him with that. Brrr!
“Well, I have to slow everything down a bit the doctor said, be more relaxed.” Richie had to hide his laugh; the doctor obviously never met a Bongiovi before.
“And the first big change will be that I have to stop working.” Richie nearly felt from the couch.
“WHAT?!” he couldn’t believe it. It wasn’t a problem for him though, he always told her that she didn’t need to work, but the point was that she loved her work. She studied music and was now teaching at a local school and kindergarten, even Jake and Romeo were her students.
“The doctor said working with small kids wouldn’t be such a good idea in the next couple month, because we will reach a point where I’m no longer allowed to carry things around. And you know that I do that every often at work and God forbid one of the kids get hurt and I have to carry it….so, if I tell my boss now, they’ll have enough time to find someone new till Christmas.” Richie still looked at her in shock.
“You aren’t allowed to carry things around? Is something wrong with your back, darling?” his hand wandered gently down her back as if to make sure she wasn’t wincing when he touch her.
“Rich!” Kris said. He sighed.
“And then we have to re-decorate one of the guestrooms.” She added.
“WHAT?” he jumped to his feet.
“You will not move out of our bedroom, it doesn’t matter what happened, how bad you’ll feel, I’ll stay with you and help you. I won’t leave you alone, Kristin.” He stared at her in disbelieve.
Did she really think he would let her move to the guestroom? Or he would move there leaving her alone in their bedroom in pain, suffering? In no fucking way! What ever it was, they would go through it together and she would be fine again, he would not lose her, not her…he couldn’t.
“Well, that’s really sweet of you darling, but we need the room!” Kris had problems to hide her laughter now and she knew she had to bring it to an end. If he was calling her by her full name, he was really angry.
“Why?” Richie growled.
“Because our baby needs its own room.” Kris replied with a huge smile.
Richie just stared at her, his eyes blinking a few times. What did she say? Baby? But how? When? He must have misunderstood her.
“Could you repeat that?” he barely whispered.
Kris stood up from the couch and put her arms around his neck. “We are having a baby.”
Richie let out a loud laugh and took her from her feet, spinning her around. Why didn’t he think of that? She was so damn tired and her mood was changing so often, she even ate things that taste awful together from his point of view. How could he not see that?
“Let, me down Richie….let me down, you make me sick!” she could barely breath of laughter. Richie sat her down immediately.
“I’m sorry, darling…Are you okay?” he looked at her worried, steadying her.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” She still couldn’t control her laughter.
“That’s great, baby. That’s so great! I love you, I love you.” Richie pulled her in his arms again and kissed her. Suddenly he stopped and looked confused.
“How did that happen?” Kris looked at him stunned for a second and then erupted in laughter again.
“NO! That’s not what I mean. Damn, Kris…” Richie had to laugh too.
When they calmed down a bit, he asked again “I thought you are taking the pill?”
Kris nodded. “Well, I do. Now I can obviously stop with it. It seems I forgot it one or two days, maybe more…probably when you were just back from the Tour. Do you remember that time?” she smirked.
He grinned. Hell yeah! They had just finished the Lost Highway Tour. Kris and he were together a little bit over a year at that point and when he came home mid July, somehow, somehow…they couldn’t get out of the bedroom for a couple days. Fortunately Ava was with his Mom that time.
“That means we are…” he started counting “…at week 8.” Kris smiled.
“Well, I am at week 8 or 9. The doctor wasn’t really sure about that. We’ll figure out later.” She reached for his hand and squeezed it.
“Don’t you dare to tour in April next year.” Kris said with a smile.
“I will talk with my boss. Something’s telling me he’s fine with it.” Richie answered. “I’m sure he wants to be here as well, when the little Sambora will be born.” Softly he caressed her still flat belly.
“Well, right now it’s still Bongiovi!” Kris corrected him softly. Jon legally adopted her a couple years ago. The only way that she could use his name. The day she dropped off her mother’s name felt like finally being free.
“What do you mean?” Richie frowned.
“Well, dear Richie, I don’t see a ring on this finger…” she wiggled her ring finger “…and as long as there is no ring, the last name will be Bongiovi!”
“Over my dead body, I would never hear the end of it from Jon.” Richie snapped. “Will you marry me?” he added.
Kris looked at him a second, her right eyebrow raised. “No.”
“NO?” he was shocked.
“What do you mean with no? You can’t say no” Kris eyes narrowed dangerously. Oh, shit!
“I mean…” Richie stuttered. “You just said that you want to, right? And now you say no!” he really looked confused and unsure.
Kris stood up and smiled at him. “Well, honey I said no, because it was probably the poorest proposal ever. I know you can do much better, be romantic Richie.” She started walking towards the door.
“Oh, and honey” he looked at her again. “I will not marry you when I look like a wale, so you better go ring shopping.” She winked at him and left for the kitchen to make cookies with Ava.
Richie shook his head. Damn, he just loved her. He actually had to admit that she already caught his eye when he met her the first time. Not many sixteen year old girls were able to make him feel that way. But she was just something special…she still is. He really needed to control himself, told her that he was married, that he couldn’t do it. His marriage was already complicated at that time, but Jon would have killed him, hell he nearly killed him when he realized that he was sleeping with his daughter last year. He shuddered lightly.
The famous Bongiovi temper showed and was completely directed at him. That moment when Jon pressed him against the wall he was sure he wouldn’t be able to use his hands for a while, but somehow he managed to assure Jon that he was serious about this relationship, that Kris’ wasn’t a quick lay for him. He sighed deeply.
So many people were telling them that this wouldn’t work out. Well, watch us now you idiots! Who cares about 24 years of age difference? Who cares about it that she’s Jon’s daughter? He certainly didn’t.
Back to the thought “romantic”, I think I can handle that…and ring shopping, darling you have no idea what’s already waiting for you upstairs in my nightstand drawer. He smiled.
Epilogue - Part One
Kris was driving home. Every once in a while she shook her head, if someone ever told her how dramatically her life would change from that moment she entered the Bongiovi house nearly nine years ago, she would have laughed. All of a sudden she had a family. A huge family, which really cared. Of course they had their ups and downs, especially in the first couple weeks, but actually it all went more or less smoothly. And now…and now THAT!
She still couldn’t believe it. All she wanted to know was why she was so damn tired in the last couple weeks. She was barely able to stay awake during the day and mostly went to bed by 7 pm. He was really starting to worry and actually she just went to the doctor today to make him stop saying “This ain’t normal, darling!”
She shook her head again while stopping her car in front of their house close to one of New Jersey’s beaches. He would be very happy, she knew that. Why didn’t she think of this possibility before? Still smiling she got out of the car and walked to the door. She had just entered when she felt two small arms around her waist.
“You are finally back. Can we make cookies now…please, Mom, please.” Kris had to laugh. She looked down at the beautiful blond girl, who called her “mom” even though she wasn’t her mother and was as fanatic in cookies as her dad.
“Let me just talk to your dad for a minute, ok sweetheart?” Kris said and ran her hand softly through the blond hair. Ava pouted.
Kris gave her a kiss. “It won’t be long….why don’t you look for all the stuff we need, we don’t have much time, because we are going to my parents place later, remember?”
Ava’s face lit up. She loved it when they were going to the Bongiovi house, because she had someone to play with. “Ok.” was her only answer before she ran off into the kitchen.
Kris walked into the living room and found Richie sitting on the couch playing guitar. He looked so relaxed these days. Nothing remind of the drama in his life anymore. He had some rough years; first Heather filed for divorce, then his dad died and after that the rehab.
Well, the beginning wasn’t easy for them, because Richie was in the clinic and Kris wasn’t allowed to visit him for the first two weeks. She thought she wouldn’t survive and all that during her exams at college. But she had her family and even her dad came around after he realized that Kris and Richie really wanted to give this relationship a try and weren’t just looking for someone who kept them warm at night, after both their previous relationships went so terribly wrong.
Kris had to chuckle. He really tried to act like it would be the 'normalest' thing in the world that his daughter was together with his best friend. In return Kris and Richie tried not to make out directly in front of him. Kris could see how uncomfortable Jon felt when she and Richie were only kissing. No need to let him see those clever fingers of her boyfriend wander over her body.
But one night during the Lost Highway Tour after an absolutely great show, Richie couldn’t control himself. When he came backstage the adrenaline was still rushing through his veins and he kissed the hell out of her while his hands where gliding over her body.
She thought she was in heaven until she realized her dad was staring at them open-mouthed. Finally it seemed to kick in that they were doing more than just holding hands or kissing. Not easy for him to accept, especially because he knew so much of Richie from the ‘80. Just the thought that his little sweetie would participate in some of this things made him feel sick.
She knew she had to talk to him and when she walked over to him and gave him a hug, he held her tied and mumbled in her ear “But you’re my sweetie.”
She smiled “I’ll always be your sweetie, but I love him, daddy!” She whispered in his ear. Jon sighed deeply and glanced over at his wingman.
“If he hurts you, I’ll kill him…best friend or not, band or not.” He whispered back.
“Don’t worry, he’s as protective as you, dad.” Kris smiled at him, feeling that he finally accept their whole relationship.
She knew, she loved Richie, but she also knew that it wouldn’t be easy. Denise was still calling, couldn’t accept it was over. When she even showed up at their place in Jersey Kris lost her temper and told her she would dump her into one of New Jersey’s famous swamps if she would ever contact them again. Richie laughed his ass off about her stupid face. And even if Kris didn’t find it funny at all, she had to admit it was great to hear him laughing again. He did it rather rarely that time. He was still working through the death of his dad and he missed Ava like hell and all the time the press was following him.
After his dad’s death they went out a couple times. Just to talk at the beginning. Kris seemed the right person to talk to, for him. First they had lunch, then dinner and one night she actually made him go with her in a club and dance. They had such a good time that night, even though he wasn’t really into dancing, but he couldn’t leave her alone on the dance floor, because the other men would circle her the minute he left. That night he realized that he couldn’t stand the thought of her being together with someone else! Something she already knew with sixteen. It still amazed him.
How did we get together and the press didn’t notice, it’s a miracle.
She grinned. Well, actually it wasn’t. So many people were helping them to keep it a secret. She discovered that the ‘inner circle’ was working and even the road crew, at least those people who were working for the band nearly all their life, helped.
When Richie and Kris were kissing or hugging and someone who didn’t belong to the circus was coming their way, they always got the warning “enemy” from one of the crew. They always seemed to know where they were, Kris was sure that Jon had arranged that. He just needed to control something.
The warning was only topped by “ultimate enemy” when a reporter was close. In those moments Kris found herself in the middle of several security men while Richie had to deal with the reporter on his own.
“They like you more than me…that’s unbelievable after all this years!” he said pouting.
And then another miracle happened, Richie got full custody for Ava.
Heathers new husband didn’t like Ava and asked Heather to choose.
Actually, she just wanted Ava to live with Richie and Kris part-time and have her back in L.A. for a visit when she had time. Richie was telling her that he would never send his daughter back into a house where she wasn’t welcome and that it wasn’t good for to be pushed around like that.
If Heather wanted Ava out of her house, she had to agree to give him full custody for his daughter. Ava could visit her when she wanted, but he wouldn’t force her to see her mother. Kris still couldn’t understand how you could give up your child for a man, but lucky for all of them Heather did.
Ava was really sad about it the first days, but then her anger became visible. Everytime someone mentioned Heather she asked dryly “Who’s that? Do I have to know this person?” Needless to say that she didn’t want to see Heather. Maybe someday she would be able to, but Kris wasn’t counting on it. Ava was deeply hurt by Heather’s action.
She asked Kris if it would be fine for her to call her “mom”, because she was there for her and her mother didn’t bother. “A mother fights for her kid.” she said. Didn’t I hear that before, Kris wondered? “She didn’t, she’s not worth it to call her mom!”
The logic of a nearly 12 year old girl. Kris was more then fine with it, she loved Ava, like she was her own daughter.
She still couldn’t believe it. All she wanted to know was why she was so damn tired in the last couple weeks. She was barely able to stay awake during the day and mostly went to bed by 7 pm. He was really starting to worry and actually she just went to the doctor today to make him stop saying “This ain’t normal, darling!”
She shook her head again while stopping her car in front of their house close to one of New Jersey’s beaches. He would be very happy, she knew that. Why didn’t she think of this possibility before? Still smiling she got out of the car and walked to the door. She had just entered when she felt two small arms around her waist.
“You are finally back. Can we make cookies now…please, Mom, please.” Kris had to laugh. She looked down at the beautiful blond girl, who called her “mom” even though she wasn’t her mother and was as fanatic in cookies as her dad.
“Let me just talk to your dad for a minute, ok sweetheart?” Kris said and ran her hand softly through the blond hair. Ava pouted.
Kris gave her a kiss. “It won’t be long….why don’t you look for all the stuff we need, we don’t have much time, because we are going to my parents place later, remember?”
Ava’s face lit up. She loved it when they were going to the Bongiovi house, because she had someone to play with. “Ok.” was her only answer before she ran off into the kitchen.
Kris walked into the living room and found Richie sitting on the couch playing guitar. He looked so relaxed these days. Nothing remind of the drama in his life anymore. He had some rough years; first Heather filed for divorce, then his dad died and after that the rehab.
Well, the beginning wasn’t easy for them, because Richie was in the clinic and Kris wasn’t allowed to visit him for the first two weeks. She thought she wouldn’t survive and all that during her exams at college. But she had her family and even her dad came around after he realized that Kris and Richie really wanted to give this relationship a try and weren’t just looking for someone who kept them warm at night, after both their previous relationships went so terribly wrong.
Kris had to chuckle. He really tried to act like it would be the 'normalest' thing in the world that his daughter was together with his best friend. In return Kris and Richie tried not to make out directly in front of him. Kris could see how uncomfortable Jon felt when she and Richie were only kissing. No need to let him see those clever fingers of her boyfriend wander over her body.
But one night during the Lost Highway Tour after an absolutely great show, Richie couldn’t control himself. When he came backstage the adrenaline was still rushing through his veins and he kissed the hell out of her while his hands where gliding over her body.
She thought she was in heaven until she realized her dad was staring at them open-mouthed. Finally it seemed to kick in that they were doing more than just holding hands or kissing. Not easy for him to accept, especially because he knew so much of Richie from the ‘80. Just the thought that his little sweetie would participate in some of this things made him feel sick.
She knew she had to talk to him and when she walked over to him and gave him a hug, he held her tied and mumbled in her ear “But you’re my sweetie.”
She smiled “I’ll always be your sweetie, but I love him, daddy!” She whispered in his ear. Jon sighed deeply and glanced over at his wingman.
“If he hurts you, I’ll kill him…best friend or not, band or not.” He whispered back.
“Don’t worry, he’s as protective as you, dad.” Kris smiled at him, feeling that he finally accept their whole relationship.
She knew, she loved Richie, but she also knew that it wouldn’t be easy. Denise was still calling, couldn’t accept it was over. When she even showed up at their place in Jersey Kris lost her temper and told her she would dump her into one of New Jersey’s famous swamps if she would ever contact them again. Richie laughed his ass off about her stupid face. And even if Kris didn’t find it funny at all, she had to admit it was great to hear him laughing again. He did it rather rarely that time. He was still working through the death of his dad and he missed Ava like hell and all the time the press was following him.
After his dad’s death they went out a couple times. Just to talk at the beginning. Kris seemed the right person to talk to, for him. First they had lunch, then dinner and one night she actually made him go with her in a club and dance. They had such a good time that night, even though he wasn’t really into dancing, but he couldn’t leave her alone on the dance floor, because the other men would circle her the minute he left. That night he realized that he couldn’t stand the thought of her being together with someone else! Something she already knew with sixteen. It still amazed him.
How did we get together and the press didn’t notice, it’s a miracle.
She grinned. Well, actually it wasn’t. So many people were helping them to keep it a secret. She discovered that the ‘inner circle’ was working and even the road crew, at least those people who were working for the band nearly all their life, helped.
When Richie and Kris were kissing or hugging and someone who didn’t belong to the circus was coming their way, they always got the warning “enemy” from one of the crew. They always seemed to know where they were, Kris was sure that Jon had arranged that. He just needed to control something.
The warning was only topped by “ultimate enemy” when a reporter was close. In those moments Kris found herself in the middle of several security men while Richie had to deal with the reporter on his own.
“They like you more than me…that’s unbelievable after all this years!” he said pouting.
And then another miracle happened, Richie got full custody for Ava.
Heathers new husband didn’t like Ava and asked Heather to choose.
Actually, she just wanted Ava to live with Richie and Kris part-time and have her back in L.A. for a visit when she had time. Richie was telling her that he would never send his daughter back into a house where she wasn’t welcome and that it wasn’t good for to be pushed around like that.
If Heather wanted Ava out of her house, she had to agree to give him full custody for his daughter. Ava could visit her when she wanted, but he wouldn’t force her to see her mother. Kris still couldn’t understand how you could give up your child for a man, but lucky for all of them Heather did.
Ava was really sad about it the first days, but then her anger became visible. Everytime someone mentioned Heather she asked dryly “Who’s that? Do I have to know this person?” Needless to say that she didn’t want to see Heather. Maybe someday she would be able to, but Kris wasn’t counting on it. Ava was deeply hurt by Heather’s action.
She asked Kris if it would be fine for her to call her “mom”, because she was there for her and her mother didn’t bother. “A mother fights for her kid.” she said. Didn’t I hear that before, Kris wondered? “She didn’t, she’s not worth it to call her mom!”
The logic of a nearly 12 year old girl. Kris was more then fine with it, she loved Ava, like she was her own daughter.
Chapter thirty-three
Why do women always need so much time to get ready?
It was New Years Eve. Their guests would arrive in less than thirty minutes and his three girls weren’t ready yet. They locked themselves into the master bedroom over three hours ago and still no sign that they would come out of it soon.
“Dot! What the hell are you doing in there so long?” Jon knocked on the bedroom door impatiently.
“We’ll be ready in a few minutes, Jon. Is Jesse dressed?” Dot’s voice came slightly muffled through the door.
“Yeah, he loves the blue shirt. The guys are making sure he doesn’t make a mess on it….and before you ask…the buffet is set up as well as the bar and the champagne fountain. All we need is you three girls!” he assured her.
“Good! Why don’t you go downstairs and wait for us?” she suggested. Jon sighed deeply. He could hear Steph and Kris giggle in the background and wondered what they were up to.
“Ok, ok! But in ten minutes I will break that damn door open!” he shook his head when he only heard the girls giggle even louder.
Downstairs the guys looked at him questioning, but Jon only shook his head no.
“What are they doing so long?” Richie asked.
“I have no fuc…uhm…no idea!” Jon replied stopping the swearing when he saw Jesse watching him with huge eyes.
Just when they wanted to go back into the living room Steph slowly walked down the stairs.
“I think the fashion show starts now.” David said and whistled with twinkling eyes when the girl reached the end of the stairs. Smiling he extended his arm to Steph and lead her through the hallway once, so anyone could admire her beautiful dress. After all he had a daughter as well. He knew what those little girls wanted. She beamed and a huge smile was on her face when the men applauded lightly.
Jon had to smile when he saw her walking together with David. His baby girl looked so cute in that light pink dress with a tiered flouncy skirt that ended at her knees. The top had no sleeves and was shining silver and she was wearing equally shining silver ballet flats with it.
“You look beautiful, Steph.” Jon said and made her spin around once.
“Thank you, daddy.” Steph’s eyes were shining with excitement.
“So, where is your sister?” Richie asked a bit nervous. Jon watched him surprised.
Richie shrugged his shoulders. “I’m just curious. When the little lady here is already looking that beautiful, well…think about it.” He didn’t finish his sentence. Jon swallowed. Dammit, Richie was right! His baby girl already looked spectacular then the other two…oh, god…He wasn’t able to continue his thought when he saw Kris walking down stairs.
She was wearing a deep purple halter dress with a black beaded detail around her slim waist. To his relief it didn’t have any plunging neckline. But that wasn’t necessary. She simply looked stunning it that sleeveless dress with the bell-shaped skirt stopping shortly above her knee.
“You look great, sweetie!” Jon said and looked at the others.
“Yeah, absolutely.” Tico and David assured him immediately.
“Thank you.” She softly swept one blond streak out of her face and turned to Richie. He was just staring at her. She smiled lightly and her deep blue eyes with the shining purple eye shadow were sparkling with joy.
“You look amazing.” He finally stuttered and ran his hands nervously through his hair.
“Thanks, Rich.” She ran her hand softly along the neckline of her dress and he could see the silver guitar pendant blinking up shortly. His eyes met hers and he knew she would never take the necklace off again.
They were both interrupted in their thoughts when Tico whispered “Madre mia!”
Kris turned around and grinned when Dot walked down the stairs. She glanced at her father and knew he was completely captured by his beautiful wife.
Jon blinked rapidly when Dot showed up. Her hips were swaying seductively with every step she took. She logged her eyes with his and he could feel his dress pants getting uncomfortable tight. Her beautiful curves were hugged by a roman red dress; covered all over with sequin silver flowers and red jade stones. It has a round neckline out of jade stones and a nice cut-out that showed a hint of her full breast. The dress fit her like a glove and he wondered shortly why he couldn’t see any hint of her underwear. But then it hit him, she wasn’t wearing any!
He sucked in his breathe when she stopped right in front of him. With her five inch red heels she was nearly as tall as he was. Her eyes sparkled when she leaned into him and felt his semi erection.
“Do you like the dress?” she asked in a low voice and pushed her gorgeous dark hair out of her face.
Jon only nodded and pulled her close. “I will keep my hands on you all night. I don’t wanna see any other guy close to you.”
“That was the idea.” Dot laughed. “So, how about you get us ladies some drinks, gentlemen?” She asked.
“I will bring you one, mommy. You look beautiful.” Jesse said and walked over to the bar.
“Thanks baby.” Dot laughed and then turned to her husband. “Jon…”
“Sure, babe.” He rushed after his son before he got a chance to spill the cocktail all over the carpet and his shirt.
***************************************
A little while later all the guest had arrived and the party was in full swing. The kids were running around happy that they could stay up so long and eat and drink what they wanted. Steph and Jesse showed their cousins and David’s kids really fast were to get the best candy and their parents were sure they wouldn’t get them to sleep tonight.
Richie sighed deeply while dancing with Kris. She looked at him and followed his gaze over to the kids.
“You miss Ava, right?” she asked softly.
“Yeah, she would have liked it her with her friends. She’s always totally excited when she meets them.” He said with a sad smile.
“I don’t understand why Heather didn’t let her go with you. You are her father. You can look after her as well and it would have been more fun for her than to sit around with three adults.” Kris said with a little anger in her voice.
Richie looked at her surprised. She blushed furiously.
“I’m sorry. It’s none of my business.” She mumbled and looked down on the floor.
“No, it’s not. … But you are right.” Richie said with a smile. She looked up surprised. “Sometimes Heather isn’t seeing that Ava is a kid…you know she’s mainly focused on herself and her career. I think I should remind her more often that our daughter is only two years old and wants to play with her friends.” Kris nodded smiling and they continued their dance.
Jon wasn’t kidding when he told Dot he wouldn’t let her out of his side. His hands were travelling constantly over her body and anybody who was watching them was sure they would celebrate the New Millennium with a very intimate party as soon as everyone had left.
Shortly before midnight everybody was stepping outside on to the patio. They were all counting down the last ten seconds from the old year and welcomed the New Millennium with a huge firework Jon had organized. When the clock struck midnight and the first fireworks illuminated the dark sky, most of the couples were captured in a long lingering kiss. Richie was simply holding Kris in his arms, pressing her close to his body and together they watched the fireworks.
“Here comes the champagne!” Tico interrupted the kissing with his deep voice. Everyone laughed, but took a glass of champagne from the tray.
Jon handed one to Kris and she looked at him surprised. “Just this one and just tonight…if you want.” She smiled happily.
“To a New Millennium, may it be as great and successful for us as the last one!” Jon said loudly and everyone joined him in the toast.
“And now the much more important one.” He said and gathered his family and close friends around him. “To my beautiful daughter and the good fortune that brought her finally into our life.” Kris had tears in her eyes when they toasted on her.
Jon put his arms around her shoulder and pulled her close. With a voice trembling she said: “To the New Millennium and the beginning of a brand new life!”
It was New Years Eve. Their guests would arrive in less than thirty minutes and his three girls weren’t ready yet. They locked themselves into the master bedroom over three hours ago and still no sign that they would come out of it soon.
“Dot! What the hell are you doing in there so long?” Jon knocked on the bedroom door impatiently.
“We’ll be ready in a few minutes, Jon. Is Jesse dressed?” Dot’s voice came slightly muffled through the door.
“Yeah, he loves the blue shirt. The guys are making sure he doesn’t make a mess on it….and before you ask…the buffet is set up as well as the bar and the champagne fountain. All we need is you three girls!” he assured her.
“Good! Why don’t you go downstairs and wait for us?” she suggested. Jon sighed deeply. He could hear Steph and Kris giggle in the background and wondered what they were up to.
“Ok, ok! But in ten minutes I will break that damn door open!” he shook his head when he only heard the girls giggle even louder.
Downstairs the guys looked at him questioning, but Jon only shook his head no.
“What are they doing so long?” Richie asked.
“I have no fuc…uhm…no idea!” Jon replied stopping the swearing when he saw Jesse watching him with huge eyes.
Just when they wanted to go back into the living room Steph slowly walked down the stairs.
“I think the fashion show starts now.” David said and whistled with twinkling eyes when the girl reached the end of the stairs. Smiling he extended his arm to Steph and lead her through the hallway once, so anyone could admire her beautiful dress. After all he had a daughter as well. He knew what those little girls wanted. She beamed and a huge smile was on her face when the men applauded lightly.
Jon had to smile when he saw her walking together with David. His baby girl looked so cute in that light pink dress with a tiered flouncy skirt that ended at her knees. The top had no sleeves and was shining silver and she was wearing equally shining silver ballet flats with it.
“You look beautiful, Steph.” Jon said and made her spin around once.
“Thank you, daddy.” Steph’s eyes were shining with excitement.
“So, where is your sister?” Richie asked a bit nervous. Jon watched him surprised.
Richie shrugged his shoulders. “I’m just curious. When the little lady here is already looking that beautiful, well…think about it.” He didn’t finish his sentence. Jon swallowed. Dammit, Richie was right! His baby girl already looked spectacular then the other two…oh, god…He wasn’t able to continue his thought when he saw Kris walking down stairs.
She was wearing a deep purple halter dress with a black beaded detail around her slim waist. To his relief it didn’t have any plunging neckline. But that wasn’t necessary. She simply looked stunning it that sleeveless dress with the bell-shaped skirt stopping shortly above her knee.
“You look great, sweetie!” Jon said and looked at the others.
“Yeah, absolutely.” Tico and David assured him immediately.
“Thank you.” She softly swept one blond streak out of her face and turned to Richie. He was just staring at her. She smiled lightly and her deep blue eyes with the shining purple eye shadow were sparkling with joy.
“You look amazing.” He finally stuttered and ran his hands nervously through his hair.
“Thanks, Rich.” She ran her hand softly along the neckline of her dress and he could see the silver guitar pendant blinking up shortly. His eyes met hers and he knew she would never take the necklace off again.
They were both interrupted in their thoughts when Tico whispered “Madre mia!”
Kris turned around and grinned when Dot walked down the stairs. She glanced at her father and knew he was completely captured by his beautiful wife.
Jon blinked rapidly when Dot showed up. Her hips were swaying seductively with every step she took. She logged her eyes with his and he could feel his dress pants getting uncomfortable tight. Her beautiful curves were hugged by a roman red dress; covered all over with sequin silver flowers and red jade stones. It has a round neckline out of jade stones and a nice cut-out that showed a hint of her full breast. The dress fit her like a glove and he wondered shortly why he couldn’t see any hint of her underwear. But then it hit him, she wasn’t wearing any!
He sucked in his breathe when she stopped right in front of him. With her five inch red heels she was nearly as tall as he was. Her eyes sparkled when she leaned into him and felt his semi erection.
“Do you like the dress?” she asked in a low voice and pushed her gorgeous dark hair out of her face.
Jon only nodded and pulled her close. “I will keep my hands on you all night. I don’t wanna see any other guy close to you.”
“That was the idea.” Dot laughed. “So, how about you get us ladies some drinks, gentlemen?” She asked.
“I will bring you one, mommy. You look beautiful.” Jesse said and walked over to the bar.
“Thanks baby.” Dot laughed and then turned to her husband. “Jon…”
“Sure, babe.” He rushed after his son before he got a chance to spill the cocktail all over the carpet and his shirt.
***************************************
A little while later all the guest had arrived and the party was in full swing. The kids were running around happy that they could stay up so long and eat and drink what they wanted. Steph and Jesse showed their cousins and David’s kids really fast were to get the best candy and their parents were sure they wouldn’t get them to sleep tonight.
Richie sighed deeply while dancing with Kris. She looked at him and followed his gaze over to the kids.
“You miss Ava, right?” she asked softly.
“Yeah, she would have liked it her with her friends. She’s always totally excited when she meets them.” He said with a sad smile.
“I don’t understand why Heather didn’t let her go with you. You are her father. You can look after her as well and it would have been more fun for her than to sit around with three adults.” Kris said with a little anger in her voice.
Richie looked at her surprised. She blushed furiously.
“I’m sorry. It’s none of my business.” She mumbled and looked down on the floor.
“No, it’s not. … But you are right.” Richie said with a smile. She looked up surprised. “Sometimes Heather isn’t seeing that Ava is a kid…you know she’s mainly focused on herself and her career. I think I should remind her more often that our daughter is only two years old and wants to play with her friends.” Kris nodded smiling and they continued their dance.
Jon wasn’t kidding when he told Dot he wouldn’t let her out of his side. His hands were travelling constantly over her body and anybody who was watching them was sure they would celebrate the New Millennium with a very intimate party as soon as everyone had left.
Shortly before midnight everybody was stepping outside on to the patio. They were all counting down the last ten seconds from the old year and welcomed the New Millennium with a huge firework Jon had organized. When the clock struck midnight and the first fireworks illuminated the dark sky, most of the couples were captured in a long lingering kiss. Richie was simply holding Kris in his arms, pressing her close to his body and together they watched the fireworks.
“Here comes the champagne!” Tico interrupted the kissing with his deep voice. Everyone laughed, but took a glass of champagne from the tray.
Jon handed one to Kris and she looked at him surprised. “Just this one and just tonight…if you want.” She smiled happily.
“To a New Millennium, may it be as great and successful for us as the last one!” Jon said loudly and everyone joined him in the toast.
“And now the much more important one.” He said and gathered his family and close friends around him. “To my beautiful daughter and the good fortune that brought her finally into our life.” Kris had tears in her eyes when they toasted on her.
Jon put his arms around her shoulder and pulled her close. With a voice trembling she said: “To the New Millennium and the beginning of a brand new life!”
Chapter thirty-two
The next two days were packed with family visits. Kris wasn’t really looking forward to it. Something was telling her Carol wouldn’t be happy with Kris’ Christmas presents. And she was right. When her grandmother found out that Jon got her a car for Christmas she told him he didn’t have to give her anything she asked for.
Jon lost his temper and told his mother that Kris never asked for a car that she didn’t even have a driver’s license and that it was his decision. Carol didn’t talk with Kris or Jon for the rest of the day and told Jon once more that it was not appropriated before they left.
Kris was rather happy when Richie, Tico and David showed up two days before New Years Eve. They wanted to talk with Jon about the touring next year and would all stay for the New Years Party in the Bongiovi house.
“So, where is our new talented singer?” David asked when he and Richie walked into the living room. Kris laughed and greeted them both with a hug. She tried not to stay in Richie’s arms for too long, but it wasn’t easy for her. She felt so extremely comfortable in his embrace. Like she would belong there.
“Ok, here comes the little second Christmas…” Richie announced and was rewarded with excited squeals from Steph and Jesse. Kris chuckled. They could never get enough presents.
David handed out his presents as well and while the kids ribbed the paper apart he handed Kris a heavy box. She looked at him surprised.
“You didn’t have to…” she started, but he interrupted her.
“Of course, I had to.” He said. “You are family.” Kris smiled and Jon put his arms around her shoulders.
“Yep. She is.” He smiled. “Open it! I wanna know what he gave to you.” He told Kris laughing. She put the box down and opened it. She gasped surprised and glanced at David.
“You get the rest from the new songs of this album when your father decided on the final tracks.” David said. Jon looked at the box curious.
“You gave her piano note sheets to all of our songs so far?” Jon asked shocked.
“Yep! She told me that she tried to find them for a while now and even tried playing be ear while listening to our songs, but you guys are singing and playing guitar so stupidly loud that you can’t hear my perfect piano play.” They all erupted in laughter.
“Thank you very much, David.” She hugged him briefly.
“You are welcome, babe. And you have to practise those songs. Who knows when I get close to a circular saw again, we need a second piano player for those occasions.” She all looked at him shocked.
“You, my dear friend will not even touch a single tool in your house anymore.” Jon said as calm as possible. “Hire a craftsman, I will pay the bill.”
David laughed. “Oh, great! You know we were planning on re-doing all the bathrooms and…” Jon gave him a stern look and David stopped. Richie shook his head.
“This is from me….well and Heather…sort of.” Richie handed her a small red box.
“Thanks…uhm, where is she?” Kris wondered.
“She’s in LA.” Jon looked at his friend surprised. He shrugged his shoulders. “She doesn’t feel very well, caught a cold a couple days ago. She told me to come here; she and Ava will spend New Years Eve with her parents.” Richie explained.
Jon looked at him doubtful. “Yeah, yeah, I know sounds weird. Honestly, I think she’s afraid that the rumors about the Millennium virus are correct and all computers will crash in two days and she would be stuck with us her in Jersey for a while.” David and Jon laughed out loud. Kris watched them confused.
“Doesn’t she like it here?” she asked.
“Nah, not really. She’s a California girl. She needs the sun 24/7 for 365 days a year.” Richie said chuckling. Kris grinned and toyed with the box in her hand. “Open it.” Richie said smiling.
Carefully Kris opened the small box and found a silver necklace nestled in white paper. “Richie, that’s sweet.” She smiled.
“Take it out.” He instructed her. She glanced at him shortly. When she took the necklace out of its box a delicate silver guitar pendant became visible.
“Oh, Richie. It’s beautiful.” She ran her fingers softly over the shining surface. You could even see the thin strings on it.
“Turn it around.” Richie whispered closely to her ear. She shivered and looked shortly over at her father and David, but they were both occupied with Steph and Jesse. With shaking hands she turned the pendant and gasped when she read. For the sexiest guitarist ever. Love. R.
“Oh, Richie.” She whispered. He kissed her cheek softly.
“Merry Christmas, darling.” He whispered equally low. She turned and looked at him softly. He cleared his throat. “Come here, let me help you put it on.” He took the necklace gently from her hands and brushed her long soft blond hair out of the way, so he could put his gift around her neck.
“Thank you.” She said and turned around to face him again.
“You know how I mean it, right darling?” he asked. Was that regret in his eyes, she wondered.
“Yes, I do.” She answered and hugged him softly. Maybe it was a good thing that he was married. Things would be much more complicated when he wouldn’t be. She would never be able to destroy a marriage. She sighed. At least she now knew that he liked her a bit too. It was probably not as much as she loved him, but it was at least something. Maybe someday she would be able to get over him, but she doubted it.
“Hohoho…anybody home?” they were interrupted by Tico’s deep voice coming from the hallway.
“We are in the living room.” Jon shouted and Tico entered the room with two huge bags. One in red and one in blue.
“Look at this, Steph and Jesse. Santa Clause dropped those two bags for you at my house.” They ran to him all excited and Tico had a huge smile on his face when they ducked into the bags, fishing for their presents.
Jon shook his head. Tico loved kids and ever since Steph was born he was spoiling them when ever he had the chance to do it. He was doing the same with David’s kids and with Ava too. Hopefully he would have kids on his own some day, but Jon doubted that Tico’s present-wife Eva wanted kids. Actually it looked more like they would go for divorce soon.
Tico walked over to Kris and hugged her. “Feliz Navidad, nena.” Kris smiled. He was the only one who was allowed to call her baby girl.
“Feliz Navidad, Tico.” she said and he smiled.
“So, you gotta do me a favor. Close your eyes, so I can bring your present in.” he told her and motioned to Jon to make sure her eyes are closed.
Her father put his hand over her eyes and pulled her over to the table.
“Dad, not so fast.” She said and stumbled on unsure legs over to the table.
“Ok, here we go.” She heard Tico say and Jon removed his hand from her eyes. She blinked at the sudden light and gasped when she saw her present.
It was her old guitar. Tico had arranged it on a deep blue background with some note sheets and a beautiful painted red roses. It didn’t hurt anymore to see the guitar broken in three pieces, you had the feeling it belonged that way when you saw the art piece, also the neck was pointing into one direction and the body into a complete other one. Tico had captured the beauty of the instrument in a perfect way.
“Oh, Tico…it’s perfect.” Kris had tears in her eyes. “Thank you, thank you so much.” She put her arms around his neck and hugged him strongly. He smiled and let his hand ran soothing over her back.
“You are welcome, nena.” He said with his deep voice. Kris touched the guitar body softly.
“Do you help me to find the perfect spot for it in my room?” she asked him.
“Sure.” He said and carefully took the art piece off the table. “We need some anchors, pitons and a drill.”
“Oh, great. We are doing it ourselves.” David clapped his hands excitedly.
“Joker…” David looked at Jon. “…Stay with the kids!” Jon said before he walked down into the basement to get the necessary items. David pouted, but sat down on the couch.
Jon lost his temper and told his mother that Kris never asked for a car that she didn’t even have a driver’s license and that it was his decision. Carol didn’t talk with Kris or Jon for the rest of the day and told Jon once more that it was not appropriated before they left.
Kris was rather happy when Richie, Tico and David showed up two days before New Years Eve. They wanted to talk with Jon about the touring next year and would all stay for the New Years Party in the Bongiovi house.
“So, where is our new talented singer?” David asked when he and Richie walked into the living room. Kris laughed and greeted them both with a hug. She tried not to stay in Richie’s arms for too long, but it wasn’t easy for her. She felt so extremely comfortable in his embrace. Like she would belong there.
“Ok, here comes the little second Christmas…” Richie announced and was rewarded with excited squeals from Steph and Jesse. Kris chuckled. They could never get enough presents.
David handed out his presents as well and while the kids ribbed the paper apart he handed Kris a heavy box. She looked at him surprised.
“You didn’t have to…” she started, but he interrupted her.
“Of course, I had to.” He said. “You are family.” Kris smiled and Jon put his arms around her shoulders.
“Yep. She is.” He smiled. “Open it! I wanna know what he gave to you.” He told Kris laughing. She put the box down and opened it. She gasped surprised and glanced at David.
“You get the rest from the new songs of this album when your father decided on the final tracks.” David said. Jon looked at the box curious.
“You gave her piano note sheets to all of our songs so far?” Jon asked shocked.
“Yep! She told me that she tried to find them for a while now and even tried playing be ear while listening to our songs, but you guys are singing and playing guitar so stupidly loud that you can’t hear my perfect piano play.” They all erupted in laughter.
“Thank you very much, David.” She hugged him briefly.
“You are welcome, babe. And you have to practise those songs. Who knows when I get close to a circular saw again, we need a second piano player for those occasions.” She all looked at him shocked.
“You, my dear friend will not even touch a single tool in your house anymore.” Jon said as calm as possible. “Hire a craftsman, I will pay the bill.”
David laughed. “Oh, great! You know we were planning on re-doing all the bathrooms and…” Jon gave him a stern look and David stopped. Richie shook his head.
“This is from me….well and Heather…sort of.” Richie handed her a small red box.
“Thanks…uhm, where is she?” Kris wondered.
“She’s in LA.” Jon looked at his friend surprised. He shrugged his shoulders. “She doesn’t feel very well, caught a cold a couple days ago. She told me to come here; she and Ava will spend New Years Eve with her parents.” Richie explained.
Jon looked at him doubtful. “Yeah, yeah, I know sounds weird. Honestly, I think she’s afraid that the rumors about the Millennium virus are correct and all computers will crash in two days and she would be stuck with us her in Jersey for a while.” David and Jon laughed out loud. Kris watched them confused.
“Doesn’t she like it here?” she asked.
“Nah, not really. She’s a California girl. She needs the sun 24/7 for 365 days a year.” Richie said chuckling. Kris grinned and toyed with the box in her hand. “Open it.” Richie said smiling.
Carefully Kris opened the small box and found a silver necklace nestled in white paper. “Richie, that’s sweet.” She smiled.
“Take it out.” He instructed her. She glanced at him shortly. When she took the necklace out of its box a delicate silver guitar pendant became visible.
“Oh, Richie. It’s beautiful.” She ran her fingers softly over the shining surface. You could even see the thin strings on it.
“Turn it around.” Richie whispered closely to her ear. She shivered and looked shortly over at her father and David, but they were both occupied with Steph and Jesse. With shaking hands she turned the pendant and gasped when she read. For the sexiest guitarist ever. Love. R.
“Oh, Richie.” She whispered. He kissed her cheek softly.
“Merry Christmas, darling.” He whispered equally low. She turned and looked at him softly. He cleared his throat. “Come here, let me help you put it on.” He took the necklace gently from her hands and brushed her long soft blond hair out of the way, so he could put his gift around her neck.
“Thank you.” She said and turned around to face him again.
“You know how I mean it, right darling?” he asked. Was that regret in his eyes, she wondered.
“Yes, I do.” She answered and hugged him softly. Maybe it was a good thing that he was married. Things would be much more complicated when he wouldn’t be. She would never be able to destroy a marriage. She sighed. At least she now knew that he liked her a bit too. It was probably not as much as she loved him, but it was at least something. Maybe someday she would be able to get over him, but she doubted it.
“Hohoho…anybody home?” they were interrupted by Tico’s deep voice coming from the hallway.
“We are in the living room.” Jon shouted and Tico entered the room with two huge bags. One in red and one in blue.
“Look at this, Steph and Jesse. Santa Clause dropped those two bags for you at my house.” They ran to him all excited and Tico had a huge smile on his face when they ducked into the bags, fishing for their presents.
Jon shook his head. Tico loved kids and ever since Steph was born he was spoiling them when ever he had the chance to do it. He was doing the same with David’s kids and with Ava too. Hopefully he would have kids on his own some day, but Jon doubted that Tico’s present-wife Eva wanted kids. Actually it looked more like they would go for divorce soon.
Tico walked over to Kris and hugged her. “Feliz Navidad, nena.” Kris smiled. He was the only one who was allowed to call her baby girl.
“Feliz Navidad, Tico.” she said and he smiled.
“So, you gotta do me a favor. Close your eyes, so I can bring your present in.” he told her and motioned to Jon to make sure her eyes are closed.
Her father put his hand over her eyes and pulled her over to the table.
“Dad, not so fast.” She said and stumbled on unsure legs over to the table.
“Ok, here we go.” She heard Tico say and Jon removed his hand from her eyes. She blinked at the sudden light and gasped when she saw her present.
It was her old guitar. Tico had arranged it on a deep blue background with some note sheets and a beautiful painted red roses. It didn’t hurt anymore to see the guitar broken in three pieces, you had the feeling it belonged that way when you saw the art piece, also the neck was pointing into one direction and the body into a complete other one. Tico had captured the beauty of the instrument in a perfect way.
“Oh, Tico…it’s perfect.” Kris had tears in her eyes. “Thank you, thank you so much.” She put her arms around his neck and hugged him strongly. He smiled and let his hand ran soothing over her back.
“You are welcome, nena.” He said with his deep voice. Kris touched the guitar body softly.
“Do you help me to find the perfect spot for it in my room?” she asked him.
“Sure.” He said and carefully took the art piece off the table. “We need some anchors, pitons and a drill.”
“Oh, great. We are doing it ourselves.” David clapped his hands excitedly.
“Joker…” David looked at Jon. “…Stay with the kids!” Jon said before he walked down into the basement to get the necessary items. David pouted, but sat down on the couch.
Chapter thirty-one
When the kids were asleep Jon and Dot had their own little Christmas party in their bedroom. They’d exchanged nearly all their presents this morning, but there were just some things they wouldn’t open in front of the kids.
“Merry Christmas, darling.” Jon said and placed a small bag with the inscription La Perla on the bed. Dot smiled and when she opened it, she found a black lace negligee which was nearly completely see-through. Only the part for the breast was completely dark and the small string would cover her curls.
“It’s beautiful, Jon.” she said while running her fingers over the small bows and ribbons that where incorporated into the thin lace.
“Will you wear it tonight, darling?” Jon asked and nibbled her neck softly. She sighed and he pulled back surprised.
“What?” he wondered.
“Actually I planned on wearing something else.” She said and watched him with a smug smile. He raised his eyebrows.
“Oh, really? Will I like it?” he asked smiling.
She laughed. “Yeah, I think so. And….it requires that you wear this.” She handed him a small dark green box.
Curious Jon opened it and found a red bow tie nestled in white paper. He chuckled softly and looked at Dot with already darkening eyes.
“Ok, baby. How much time do you need to change?” He was starting to open the buttons of his shirt. Dot laughed.
“Give me half an hour ok?” Jon pouted lightly. “Oh, and lock the door before you undress, Jon.” She added and laughed when he rushed to the bedroom door.
After Dot vanished into the bathroom, Jon stripped off his clothes and put on his bow tie. He shook his head and wondered what she was up to. Waiting anxious he lit some candles and dimmed the light. Why do women always need so much time?
He heard the bathroom door opened and turned around. Oh, shit!
His eyes travelled over his wife’s body and he didn’t mind anymore that it took her so long. She was wearing red leather boots, which stopped shortly before her knee, a red corsage with white soft fur at the edge like you knew it from a Santa Claus outfit. It sparkled and pushed her breast nearly out of the outfit. It all was matched with the ‘tinniest’ string he’d ever seen, deep red lipstick and a red whip.
A whip? Jon’s eyes grew wide when he realized what she’d planned. “Wow, honey. You look…hot!” Jon said and wet his already try lips.
“Well, thank you, but I don’t think this is the correct way to address Mrs. Claus, right? You better stand up.” She moved the whip lightly and Jon hurried to get off the bed. Dot hid her grin when she saw his already proud erection. I knew this would turn him on.
“So, …” Dot walked towards Jon and he gulped when she let the whip ran over his naked chest, over the shoulders and down his back. “…have you been a good or a bad boy last year?” she asked with a stern voice.
“Uhm, well I would say that depends on…” Jon started. Smack. He growled and tried not to move. The whip had hit his ass.
“That doesn’t answer my question.” Dot said and smiled about his darkening eyes and his clenched fists. He was trying hard not to grab her.
“So, good or bad?” she asked and let the whip trail over his now rock hard cock. Jon tensed and a tremble ran through his body. The touch already caused sensation, but when she would hit him there, he would probably collapse. His jaw tightened and he tried to focus on something else. Dot watched him carefully. Was he really thinking she would hit him with the whip there? Why should she damage the merchandise?
“Good or bad?” she whispered close to his ear and Jon growled when her hot breath tickled him.
“Good or bad?” she asked again and cupped his member with her hand.
“Jesus Dot!...” she gave him a stern look. “…bad.” He finally admitted. She smiled.
“That’s what I thought.” She said just seconds before the whip hit his ass again. He inhaled sharply surprised by the sudden pain, but had to admit that it also turned him extremely on. The whip hit him again and he growled low in his throat.
“That’s what bad boys get.” Dot said, but before she could smack him another time, Jon grabbed her wrist and pulled her close to his hot body. His hand connected hard with her ass and Dot gasped surprised when she felt a sting which was immediately soothed by Jon’s hand softly caressing her butt.
“Let me show you why you want a bad boy and not a good one.” He hissed before his mouth crashed down on hers. Dot moaned when his tongue invaded her mouth. His arms pressed her so hard against his body that she could hardly move. One hand was on her ass and held her firm in place. He looped her right leg around his waist and moved his hips so she could feel his erection pressing into her wet flesh. The other hand was placed between her shoulder blades and pressed her breast to him. She moaned loudly when he let go off her lips and kissed, licked and bite her so well exposed breasts.
“God, Jon.” She let her head fell back and gave him better access to her throat and jaw line. With rough fingers he started to open the small hooks of the corsage and Dot was glad she didn’t buy one with cording, because he would have probably taken a knife or scissors and cut it off her body. He did that once almost twenty years ago. When he wanted her skin to skin nothing was allowed to get in his way.
Finally he had opened all the hooks and tossed the corsage on the floor. His mouth attacked her nibbles and she clung helplessly to him while he licked and sucked on them. When he gently bit one, she screamed and her legs went limp. His strong arms held her in place and he continued his sweet torture. When he felt her moving her hips into his erection he stopped and laid her in the middle of their bed. His hands found the soaked little string and he ripped off her body. She gasped and watched him with hungry eyes.
Jon parted her legs wide and crawled on top of her.
“The boots?” Dot asked confused.
He shook his head. “You will wear them for me.” He said and entered her wide open pussy in one long trust. Dot screamed surprised when an orgasms rushed through her body immediately, she didn’t expect that at all. Jon didn’t move. He watched her body tremble and her head tossed from side to side while the waves controlled her. When he felt her relaxing her started moving hard.
“Oh, God, Jon!” Dot grabbed his shoulders and tried to get him to slow down, but he just grinned. “You have a bad boy here, darling.” Dot moaned and her hips moved involuntarily in the same fast rhythm then his. It didn’t take long till a second orgasm washed her senses away.
When she came down to earth again she realized Jon was still pounding in and out of her. She groaned when the familiar tingle started again. White stars were dancing in front of her eyes and when Jon bent down and sucked hard on one of her nipples. She screamed out her next release.
“JON!” Her body shuddered and this time she squeezed him so hard that he followed her. Still breathing heavy he looked at her and realized that she’d passed out. Gently he slipped off her and took of her red boots. Then he pulled her into his arms and touched her face softly.
“Dot. Dotty wake up darling.” He kissed her cheek and after a few minutes Dot opened her eyes. She blinked confused.
“Jon?” she asked when she was able to focus on him. “What happened?” she tried to sit up.
“You passed out, honey.” He kissed her softly. Her eyes grew wide.
“Wow! It’s been quite a while since that happened.” She said surprised. Actually it had happened long before Steph was born. Jon nodded.
“So, tell me?” he looked at her with gleaming eyes. “Do you want a good or a bad boy next year?” Dot chuckled.
“Hell, a bad boy.” She said. Jon laughed out loud.
“See I told you.” He pulled her close and within minutes they were both asleep exhausted from their celebration.
“Merry Christmas, darling.” Jon said and placed a small bag with the inscription La Perla on the bed. Dot smiled and when she opened it, she found a black lace negligee which was nearly completely see-through. Only the part for the breast was completely dark and the small string would cover her curls.
“It’s beautiful, Jon.” she said while running her fingers over the small bows and ribbons that where incorporated into the thin lace.
“Will you wear it tonight, darling?” Jon asked and nibbled her neck softly. She sighed and he pulled back surprised.
“What?” he wondered.
“Actually I planned on wearing something else.” She said and watched him with a smug smile. He raised his eyebrows.
“Oh, really? Will I like it?” he asked smiling.
She laughed. “Yeah, I think so. And….it requires that you wear this.” She handed him a small dark green box.
Curious Jon opened it and found a red bow tie nestled in white paper. He chuckled softly and looked at Dot with already darkening eyes.
“Ok, baby. How much time do you need to change?” He was starting to open the buttons of his shirt. Dot laughed.
“Give me half an hour ok?” Jon pouted lightly. “Oh, and lock the door before you undress, Jon.” She added and laughed when he rushed to the bedroom door.
After Dot vanished into the bathroom, Jon stripped off his clothes and put on his bow tie. He shook his head and wondered what she was up to. Waiting anxious he lit some candles and dimmed the light. Why do women always need so much time?
He heard the bathroom door opened and turned around. Oh, shit!
His eyes travelled over his wife’s body and he didn’t mind anymore that it took her so long. She was wearing red leather boots, which stopped shortly before her knee, a red corsage with white soft fur at the edge like you knew it from a Santa Claus outfit. It sparkled and pushed her breast nearly out of the outfit. It all was matched with the ‘tinniest’ string he’d ever seen, deep red lipstick and a red whip.
A whip? Jon’s eyes grew wide when he realized what she’d planned. “Wow, honey. You look…hot!” Jon said and wet his already try lips.
“Well, thank you, but I don’t think this is the correct way to address Mrs. Claus, right? You better stand up.” She moved the whip lightly and Jon hurried to get off the bed. Dot hid her grin when she saw his already proud erection. I knew this would turn him on.
“So, …” Dot walked towards Jon and he gulped when she let the whip ran over his naked chest, over the shoulders and down his back. “…have you been a good or a bad boy last year?” she asked with a stern voice.
“Uhm, well I would say that depends on…” Jon started. Smack. He growled and tried not to move. The whip had hit his ass.
“That doesn’t answer my question.” Dot said and smiled about his darkening eyes and his clenched fists. He was trying hard not to grab her.
“So, good or bad?” she asked and let the whip trail over his now rock hard cock. Jon tensed and a tremble ran through his body. The touch already caused sensation, but when she would hit him there, he would probably collapse. His jaw tightened and he tried to focus on something else. Dot watched him carefully. Was he really thinking she would hit him with the whip there? Why should she damage the merchandise?
“Good or bad?” she whispered close to his ear and Jon growled when her hot breath tickled him.
“Good or bad?” she asked again and cupped his member with her hand.
“Jesus Dot!...” she gave him a stern look. “…bad.” He finally admitted. She smiled.
“That’s what I thought.” She said just seconds before the whip hit his ass again. He inhaled sharply surprised by the sudden pain, but had to admit that it also turned him extremely on. The whip hit him again and he growled low in his throat.
“That’s what bad boys get.” Dot said, but before she could smack him another time, Jon grabbed her wrist and pulled her close to his hot body. His hand connected hard with her ass and Dot gasped surprised when she felt a sting which was immediately soothed by Jon’s hand softly caressing her butt.
“Let me show you why you want a bad boy and not a good one.” He hissed before his mouth crashed down on hers. Dot moaned when his tongue invaded her mouth. His arms pressed her so hard against his body that she could hardly move. One hand was on her ass and held her firm in place. He looped her right leg around his waist and moved his hips so she could feel his erection pressing into her wet flesh. The other hand was placed between her shoulder blades and pressed her breast to him. She moaned loudly when he let go off her lips and kissed, licked and bite her so well exposed breasts.
“God, Jon.” She let her head fell back and gave him better access to her throat and jaw line. With rough fingers he started to open the small hooks of the corsage and Dot was glad she didn’t buy one with cording, because he would have probably taken a knife or scissors and cut it off her body. He did that once almost twenty years ago. When he wanted her skin to skin nothing was allowed to get in his way.
Finally he had opened all the hooks and tossed the corsage on the floor. His mouth attacked her nibbles and she clung helplessly to him while he licked and sucked on them. When he gently bit one, she screamed and her legs went limp. His strong arms held her in place and he continued his sweet torture. When he felt her moving her hips into his erection he stopped and laid her in the middle of their bed. His hands found the soaked little string and he ripped off her body. She gasped and watched him with hungry eyes.
Jon parted her legs wide and crawled on top of her.
“The boots?” Dot asked confused.
He shook his head. “You will wear them for me.” He said and entered her wide open pussy in one long trust. Dot screamed surprised when an orgasms rushed through her body immediately, she didn’t expect that at all. Jon didn’t move. He watched her body tremble and her head tossed from side to side while the waves controlled her. When he felt her relaxing her started moving hard.
“Oh, God, Jon!” Dot grabbed his shoulders and tried to get him to slow down, but he just grinned. “You have a bad boy here, darling.” Dot moaned and her hips moved involuntarily in the same fast rhythm then his. It didn’t take long till a second orgasm washed her senses away.
When she came down to earth again she realized Jon was still pounding in and out of her. She groaned when the familiar tingle started again. White stars were dancing in front of her eyes and when Jon bent down and sucked hard on one of her nipples. She screamed out her next release.
“JON!” Her body shuddered and this time she squeezed him so hard that he followed her. Still breathing heavy he looked at her and realized that she’d passed out. Gently he slipped off her and took of her red boots. Then he pulled her into his arms and touched her face softly.
“Dot. Dotty wake up darling.” He kissed her cheek and after a few minutes Dot opened her eyes. She blinked confused.
“Jon?” she asked when she was able to focus on him. “What happened?” she tried to sit up.
“You passed out, honey.” He kissed her softly. Her eyes grew wide.
“Wow! It’s been quite a while since that happened.” She said surprised. Actually it had happened long before Steph was born. Jon nodded.
“So, tell me?” he looked at her with gleaming eyes. “Do you want a good or a bad boy next year?” Dot chuckled.
“Hell, a bad boy.” She said. Jon laughed out loud.
“See I told you.” He pulled her close and within minutes they were both asleep exhausted from their celebration.
Chapter thirty
On Christmas morning Dot and Jon woke up with Steph and Jesse running into their room. They were jumping on the bed and tried to wake their parents. Jon caught a glimpse of the alarm clock and groaned when he saw the red numbers. 6:52. Shit!
Steph attacked Jon with a rather bad tackle and just because he knew what was coming, because she was doing it every year, he was able to shield the family jewels and her knee rammed into his stomach. What wasn’t really better, he realized.
Dot grinned at Jon’s stifled “Uff!” and shoed the kids out to of the room and told them to put some clothes on otherwise they wouldn’t open the presents.
Smiling she turned to Jon and placed a kiss on his lips. “Merry Christmas, honey.” Jon pulled her on top of him and kissed her deeply. Dot moaned when his tongue slipped past her lips and the kiss grew more passionate.
“Merry Christmas, darling.” He said and hugged her tight. He could hear Steph and Jesse running around in the hallway. “I don’t think we have time for your Christmas present now.” He sighed.
Dot laughed. “No, I don’t think we have. But I’ll show you my present tonight.” She whispered in his left ear and nibbled his earlobe. Jon groaned and pulled her closer, but before he could do anything else the door opened again and Jesse and Steph raced in. Dot jumped off him immediately.
“Mommy, Mommy we are ready.” Steph announced.
“So, am I.” Jon mumbled. Dot shot him a look and rushed into the bathroom to get dressed as well.
“Go and wake, Kris.” Dot told him when she left with the excited kids. “We’ll wait in the kitchen.” Steph and Jesse protested loudly. They wanted to check the living room for presents now. Jon shook his head and crawled out of bed. After a short visit in the bathroom and dressed in some lose fitting cargo pants and a Giants sweater, he knocked softly on Kris’ door.
“Good morning, sweetie.” He said when he entered the dark room. Kris groaned protesting and snuggled deeper into the covers. Jon smiled and opened the blinds to let the morning sun into the room.
“No!” Kris pulled the covers over her head. Jon laughed she was definitely not a morning person. He sat down on one side of her bed and touched her soft blond hair.
“Merry Christmas, sweetie.” He said close to her ear. Kris stirred, and then opened her still sleepy blue eyes.
“Christmas?” she asked irritated. “Oh, yeah.” She rubbed her eyes. “But why so early?” she asked shocked when she looked at the watch.
“Because your siblings can’t wait to get their presents.” Jon caressed her head.
“You are doing that in the morning? Wow, in Germany you have to wait till evening.” She said stretching lightly.
“Really? Well, I’m not sure we would be able to control them so long.” Jon laughed.
“Probably not.” Kris tried to look out of the window. “Do we still have snow?” she asked worried.
“Yes, sweetie.” Jon said and pulled her into a hug. “Merry white Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, dad.” She whispered and pressed herself closer to Jon. Her hands cramped into his sweater and she was trying hard to hide the tears.
“Kris?” Jon wanted to push her back, but she shook her head.
“It’s just…” she stuttered with a voice thick of tears. “I never had such a great Christmas morning. Normally I left the apartment and walked around, maybe sat in the church for a while and then in the evening I could see the lights coming from the trees, shining down on the streets. I always wanted to know how it would feel to be inside and…and…” she was sobbing uncontrollable by now. Jon closed his arms around her protectively.
“It’s ok, sweetie.” He could see Dot showing up at the door. “Today you won’t stay outside and watch the other families.” Dot looked at him shocked. Jon swallowed hard. “Today you have a family to celebrate with.”
“Yeah.” Kris nodded and looked up. “Thank you.”
Jon kissed her forehead. “Not for that sweetie.”
***********************************
About half an hour later they were all sitting in the living room. Three of them armed with huge mugs of coffee and watched Steph and Jesse open their presents. Kris had to smile about their flushed faces of excitement, the shining eyes, and the loud squeals when they opened a present and it was something they really wanted.
Dot nudged her softly. “I think you should start as well, Jesse is already eyeing your presents.” Kris looked surprised at the pile of colorful boxes and bags.
“This is all for me?” she was stunned.
“Sure. Or do you know someone else with the name ‘Kris’ in this house?” Jon asked her amused.
With trembling hands she set down the coffee and glided down on the floor next to her siblings. She picked out a small dark red box with a silver bow and opened it with shaking hands. Inside was a pink flacon with perfume. Her eyes gleamed.
“That’s…that’s…” She looked at Dot.
“That’s the one you liked so much when we were in the mall the other day. I…uhm…told Santa Claus.” Dot said smiling and very obvious to the fact that her six year old daughter was watching them with interest.
“Mommy has his phone number, you know. She’s very good in telling him what to give us.” Steph explained with a serious look on her face. Jesse nodded corroborative. Kris needed all her control not to laugh out loud.
“I bet, she is.” She said with only a slight grin on her face. Dot lips twisted treacherous and she started to cough while Jon simply took a long sip of coffee.
Kris continued to open her other presents. Some clothes, cool new boots, books, CD’s and inline skates with helmet and pads showed up. She was all excited now. She never skated. When she opened one of the bigger boxes a bright yellow beach bag cotton toile was revealed.
“You two are nuts!” she said when she read the label. It was a Birking bag by Hermes. Even though she never saw one of them before, she knew how expensive they were and she knew how much the girls in school wanted those bags. Alex had educated her rather fast.
“Well, I think he is nuts.” Dot said laughing when she opened her box and found the same bag in it, but in deep blue.
“Well, Santa Claus knows what women want, so I don’t think he’s nuts.” Jon rejected with a smug smile and grinned like a fool when Dot and Kris each placed a kiss on his cheek.
“What’s that?” Kris asked irritated after she opened a really small box and found a key in it.
“Well, that’s something special, sweetie.” Jon said and pulled her up next to him. “I know you don’t have a driver’s license yet. But I promised I will show you everything so you will pass the test. I simply don’t want you to learn on one car and then you have to get used to a new car, so…” Kris’ eyes grew wide when realisation sank in.
“Oh, no you didn’t!” she whispered.
“Oh, yes I did!” Jon said with a huge smile. “Check it out.” Kris raced out of the house. A scream echoed back into the hallway.
“Are you wearing a jacket?” Jon yelled and ran after her. Of course she wasn’t wearing a jacket and boots neither. Jon shook his head and took the key from her to open the car. “Get in there! It’s fucking cold out here!” Kris jumped into her new ride.
It was a brand new Chevy Tahoe in a deep red cherry color and with shining silver accents.
“You are crazy. That’s…that’s …Dad. That’s too much.” Kris said with a trembling voice and tears in her eyes.
Jon hugged her and rubbed her shoulders. “Nothing is ever too much for you…or Steph, Jesse or Dot.” She looked at him sniffing.
“But why couldn’t you buy me an old car. I will probably make scratches in this. And why an SUV? I…” he stopped her.
“I wanted a car you can also drive in the winter and I don’t have to worry you got stuck in a bit too much snow, I wanted you to be save in it. You have a better position to look around when you sit a bit higher and when another car hits you, hopefully it won’t happen, but who knows, you’ll be safe in here.” Jon explained. “And scratches, sweetie, scratches don’t matter as long as you are fine. I can buy a new car, but not a new Kris.” She nodded still sniffing and pulled him in a huge hug.
“Thank you, dad.” Jon smiled happily.
“You are welcome. And now give me the key.” He said. Kris laughed. “You get it back when you have your license.” He promised smiling.
Back inside Steph and Jesse didn’t show much interest in the car, but Jesse found another present under the tree.
“Hands off!” Jon barked when his son tried to pick up the huge box. Jesse stopped immediately and hurried over to Dot. The speech he got from his father two days ago after he broke the guitar was more than enough.
“That’s your last present, Kris.” Jon said.
“But I have the car and…more?” she asked confused.
“One more.” Dot said smiling while Jesse was sitting on her lap. “Go ahead, open it.” She encouraged Kris.
Kris opened the box and gasped. In front of her lay a beautiful black Takamine TF341DLX Bruce Springsteen Model with cutaway and a huge engraved lion’s head. Carefully she ran her hands over the dark shining wood and traced the outlines of the lion. She looked at Jon questioning.
“Well, first of all it’s your zodiac sign...“ She nodded. “…and second a lion is a fighter…” he paused and looked her deep in her blue eyes. “…just like you.”
Steph attacked Jon with a rather bad tackle and just because he knew what was coming, because she was doing it every year, he was able to shield the family jewels and her knee rammed into his stomach. What wasn’t really better, he realized.
Dot grinned at Jon’s stifled “Uff!” and shoed the kids out to of the room and told them to put some clothes on otherwise they wouldn’t open the presents.
Smiling she turned to Jon and placed a kiss on his lips. “Merry Christmas, honey.” Jon pulled her on top of him and kissed her deeply. Dot moaned when his tongue slipped past her lips and the kiss grew more passionate.
“Merry Christmas, darling.” He said and hugged her tight. He could hear Steph and Jesse running around in the hallway. “I don’t think we have time for your Christmas present now.” He sighed.
Dot laughed. “No, I don’t think we have. But I’ll show you my present tonight.” She whispered in his left ear and nibbled his earlobe. Jon groaned and pulled her closer, but before he could do anything else the door opened again and Jesse and Steph raced in. Dot jumped off him immediately.
“Mommy, Mommy we are ready.” Steph announced.
“So, am I.” Jon mumbled. Dot shot him a look and rushed into the bathroom to get dressed as well.
“Go and wake, Kris.” Dot told him when she left with the excited kids. “We’ll wait in the kitchen.” Steph and Jesse protested loudly. They wanted to check the living room for presents now. Jon shook his head and crawled out of bed. After a short visit in the bathroom and dressed in some lose fitting cargo pants and a Giants sweater, he knocked softly on Kris’ door.
“Good morning, sweetie.” He said when he entered the dark room. Kris groaned protesting and snuggled deeper into the covers. Jon smiled and opened the blinds to let the morning sun into the room.
“No!” Kris pulled the covers over her head. Jon laughed she was definitely not a morning person. He sat down on one side of her bed and touched her soft blond hair.
“Merry Christmas, sweetie.” He said close to her ear. Kris stirred, and then opened her still sleepy blue eyes.
“Christmas?” she asked irritated. “Oh, yeah.” She rubbed her eyes. “But why so early?” she asked shocked when she looked at the watch.
“Because your siblings can’t wait to get their presents.” Jon caressed her head.
“You are doing that in the morning? Wow, in Germany you have to wait till evening.” She said stretching lightly.
“Really? Well, I’m not sure we would be able to control them so long.” Jon laughed.
“Probably not.” Kris tried to look out of the window. “Do we still have snow?” she asked worried.
“Yes, sweetie.” Jon said and pulled her into a hug. “Merry white Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, dad.” She whispered and pressed herself closer to Jon. Her hands cramped into his sweater and she was trying hard to hide the tears.
“Kris?” Jon wanted to push her back, but she shook her head.
“It’s just…” she stuttered with a voice thick of tears. “I never had such a great Christmas morning. Normally I left the apartment and walked around, maybe sat in the church for a while and then in the evening I could see the lights coming from the trees, shining down on the streets. I always wanted to know how it would feel to be inside and…and…” she was sobbing uncontrollable by now. Jon closed his arms around her protectively.
“It’s ok, sweetie.” He could see Dot showing up at the door. “Today you won’t stay outside and watch the other families.” Dot looked at him shocked. Jon swallowed hard. “Today you have a family to celebrate with.”
“Yeah.” Kris nodded and looked up. “Thank you.”
Jon kissed her forehead. “Not for that sweetie.”
***********************************
About half an hour later they were all sitting in the living room. Three of them armed with huge mugs of coffee and watched Steph and Jesse open their presents. Kris had to smile about their flushed faces of excitement, the shining eyes, and the loud squeals when they opened a present and it was something they really wanted.
Dot nudged her softly. “I think you should start as well, Jesse is already eyeing your presents.” Kris looked surprised at the pile of colorful boxes and bags.
“This is all for me?” she was stunned.
“Sure. Or do you know someone else with the name ‘Kris’ in this house?” Jon asked her amused.
With trembling hands she set down the coffee and glided down on the floor next to her siblings. She picked out a small dark red box with a silver bow and opened it with shaking hands. Inside was a pink flacon with perfume. Her eyes gleamed.
“That’s…that’s…” She looked at Dot.
“That’s the one you liked so much when we were in the mall the other day. I…uhm…told Santa Claus.” Dot said smiling and very obvious to the fact that her six year old daughter was watching them with interest.
“Mommy has his phone number, you know. She’s very good in telling him what to give us.” Steph explained with a serious look on her face. Jesse nodded corroborative. Kris needed all her control not to laugh out loud.
“I bet, she is.” She said with only a slight grin on her face. Dot lips twisted treacherous and she started to cough while Jon simply took a long sip of coffee.
Kris continued to open her other presents. Some clothes, cool new boots, books, CD’s and inline skates with helmet and pads showed up. She was all excited now. She never skated. When she opened one of the bigger boxes a bright yellow beach bag cotton toile was revealed.
“You two are nuts!” she said when she read the label. It was a Birking bag by Hermes. Even though she never saw one of them before, she knew how expensive they were and she knew how much the girls in school wanted those bags. Alex had educated her rather fast.
“Well, I think he is nuts.” Dot said laughing when she opened her box and found the same bag in it, but in deep blue.
“Well, Santa Claus knows what women want, so I don’t think he’s nuts.” Jon rejected with a smug smile and grinned like a fool when Dot and Kris each placed a kiss on his cheek.
“What’s that?” Kris asked irritated after she opened a really small box and found a key in it.
“Well, that’s something special, sweetie.” Jon said and pulled her up next to him. “I know you don’t have a driver’s license yet. But I promised I will show you everything so you will pass the test. I simply don’t want you to learn on one car and then you have to get used to a new car, so…” Kris’ eyes grew wide when realisation sank in.
“Oh, no you didn’t!” she whispered.
“Oh, yes I did!” Jon said with a huge smile. “Check it out.” Kris raced out of the house. A scream echoed back into the hallway.
“Are you wearing a jacket?” Jon yelled and ran after her. Of course she wasn’t wearing a jacket and boots neither. Jon shook his head and took the key from her to open the car. “Get in there! It’s fucking cold out here!” Kris jumped into her new ride.
It was a brand new Chevy Tahoe in a deep red cherry color and with shining silver accents.
“You are crazy. That’s…that’s …Dad. That’s too much.” Kris said with a trembling voice and tears in her eyes.
Jon hugged her and rubbed her shoulders. “Nothing is ever too much for you…or Steph, Jesse or Dot.” She looked at him sniffing.
“But why couldn’t you buy me an old car. I will probably make scratches in this. And why an SUV? I…” he stopped her.
“I wanted a car you can also drive in the winter and I don’t have to worry you got stuck in a bit too much snow, I wanted you to be save in it. You have a better position to look around when you sit a bit higher and when another car hits you, hopefully it won’t happen, but who knows, you’ll be safe in here.” Jon explained. “And scratches, sweetie, scratches don’t matter as long as you are fine. I can buy a new car, but not a new Kris.” She nodded still sniffing and pulled him in a huge hug.
“Thank you, dad.” Jon smiled happily.
“You are welcome. And now give me the key.” He said. Kris laughed. “You get it back when you have your license.” He promised smiling.
Back inside Steph and Jesse didn’t show much interest in the car, but Jesse found another present under the tree.
“Hands off!” Jon barked when his son tried to pick up the huge box. Jesse stopped immediately and hurried over to Dot. The speech he got from his father two days ago after he broke the guitar was more than enough.
“That’s your last present, Kris.” Jon said.
“But I have the car and…more?” she asked confused.
“One more.” Dot said smiling while Jesse was sitting on her lap. “Go ahead, open it.” She encouraged Kris.
Kris opened the box and gasped. In front of her lay a beautiful black Takamine TF341DLX Bruce Springsteen Model with cutaway and a huge engraved lion’s head. Carefully she ran her hands over the dark shining wood and traced the outlines of the lion. She looked at Jon questioning.
“Well, first of all it’s your zodiac sign...“ She nodded. “…and second a lion is a fighter…” he paused and looked her deep in her blue eyes. “…just like you.”
Chapter twenty-nine
The next day Kris woke up close to noon. She yawned while she walked downstairs. It had been really late last night or better this morning and she was sure Jon would freak out when she’d come home. To her surprise he was sitting completely calm in the living room, playing guitar and asked her whether she had a nice evening. She shook her head. She would never understand parents.
“Morning. Sleepy head.” Jon greeted her when she entered the kitchen.
“Morning.” Kris mumbled and reached for the coffee pot. Jon grinned. Talking to her before she had at least one cup of coffee was impossible. She was very much his daughter in this point.
“So, any plans for today?” he asked her when she sat down at the table with her second cup of coffee and some pancakes she warmed up in the microwave.
“No. I thought I’ll spend some time with my family.” She winked at him. He grinned. “Mom said something about baking cookies. Where is she btw?”
“She took Jesse and Steph to see Santa Claus in the shopping mall, but they should be back in a little while.” Jon smiled. “How about we build a snowman later?” He asked sipping his coffee.
“Snowman?” Kris looked at him surprised. “Don’t you need snow for that?”
“Well, sweetie, what do you thing is that white stuff coming from the sky out there?” he laughed.
Kris’ head snapped up and she stared out of the kitchen window. Thick white snowflakes were falling from the sky and hit the ground silently. “Oh my God!” she screamed and ran out of the kitchen.
“Uhm…sweetie?” Jon got up and followed her irritated. When he entered the hallway a cold gust of wind hit him. “What the…? KRIS!” he yelled after her, but she didn’t react at all. He grabbed Kris’ and his coat and walked through the open front door.
“Come here and put the jacket on.” He yelled again. But Kris didn’t listen she was standing in the middle of the front yard and stared up in the sky, the soft flakes were landing on her face.
Jon shook his head and walked over to her. “Put that on!” Without even looking at him Kris got into the coat and let Jon close it for her.
“It’s so great, dad.” She whispered. He watched her fascinated. She had such a dreamy and relaxed expression on her face and she looked so cute with some snowflakes stuck in her hair. Carefully he put his arms around her and pulled her close. She leaned back against his warm body and together they watched the snow fall silently covering the trees and the house.
“It has something really peaceful.” She said after a while. Jon nodded and brushed the snow of her head.
“Yeah, it does. But it’s also freaking cold. Come on let’s go inside again. You aren’t wearing boots but only your slippers.” He pulled her softly with him.
“But dad it’s so beautiful.” She pouted and tried to get out of his embrace. He shook his head. There was the little girl again and not the sixteen year old young woman.
“Kris, we can go out later again with Steph and Jesse, but right now we need to warm up.” It seemed the logic wasn’t quite working for her right now, because she pulled back again. He shook his head again and scooped her up easily. She screamed surprised when Jon picked her up in his arms.
“DAD!” she finally seemed to come back to reality. “Let me down.” Her hands pushed at his shoulders.
“Uh, uh…” Jon said and laughed when she tried to get down. But he was much stronger than her. Finally she gave up and put her arms around his neck. He kissed her cheek softly. Over his shoulder she watched the white landscape a little longer while he carried her back into the warm house.
******************************
A while later Dot and the kids returned home. Kris greeted them in the hallway and jumped around all excited.
“Mom! It’s snowing. Can we go out? Can we? Please.” Dot watched her surprised. Her stepdaughter didn’t act like a sixteen year teenager, but a six year old girl.
“How about we make the cookies first and go out while they cool off.” Dot suggested and watched confused when Jon put his arms around Kris’ waist and pulled her back from the still open front door.
“Later.” He said with a stern look on his face. “And with coat and boots, please.” Kris pouted and joined her siblings in the living room who wanted to tell her everything about Santa Claus.
“What was that about?” Dot asked when she shrugged off her coat. Jon grabbed it and placed a small kiss on her cheek.
“Well, she don’t like wearing shoes in December…” Jon said. Dot laughed.
“Well, don’t we know that from another little lady?” She turned to her husband and shook her head about this special dreamy expression on his face. Dot sighed and grabbed a notepad and a pencil and handed it to him.
“Write it down, honey.” She said and shook her head again. The two sisters were more alike than she thought so far.
“Uh? Yeah.” Jon started scribbling on the pad.
“Ok, who wants to make cookies?” Dot asked when she entered the living room.
“ME! ME! ME!” Steph screamed and bounced around on the coach. Kris laughed. She was as excited as her little sis about the cookie baking, but tried to control herself, even though she’d never made cookies before.
“Ok.” Dot looked around. “Where’s Jesse?”
“He went upstairs. I go and get him.” Kris said and walked upstairs, past her father who was deep in thoughts about this new lyric.
“Jess? Jesse, where are you? We wanna make the cookies now.” Kris walked through the hallway and stopped at his room, but he wasn’t there. She frowned. “Jesse?” A sound came from her room and she walked closer. “Jesse?”
She entered her room and stared at her brother. In the next second her scream echoed through the house. Dot and Jon stared at each other for one moment then dropped whatever they had in their hands right now and raced upstairs.
“KRIS?” Jon yelled and ran into her room Dot right behind him. The picture that was present to him was a shock. Kris was staring at her little brother who stood in the middle of her room and had her guitar in his small hands. Well, parts of it. The instrument was broken into three pieces. The neck was separated from the body; only connect with it through the strings. The body itself was crashed; a huge crack was visible on the back of it.
Kris wasn’t able to speak. She opened her mouth, but no sound was coming out. She wasn’t even sure she screamed, but it must have been her, she was the only here. “Wha…” the words weren’t coming out, but slowly the shock subsided and Dot could see her hands clenching to fists.
“Jesse, come here.” Dot told her son in a strict voice. He put the neck down and walked past Kris to his mother, looking at her with huge sad eyes. Dot knew Kris’ temper would show in the next minutes and she wasn’t sure Jesse should be around then. Jon looked at his wife and nodded.
“Kris, I’m sorry.” He said after Dot and Jesse left. He kneeled down and picked the neck up carefully. A creaky sound could be heard. Kris winced.
“Can…can …can we fix it?” she asked with a trembling voice.
“I don’t think so, sweetie. The body is broken; it would never sound the same again.” Kris kneeled down beside him. Her hands ran softly over the dark shining body.
“I can’t throw her away.” Tears were streaming down her face now. “I worked more than two years to buy her. Some days I even saved the money and didn’t eat. I can’t throw her away. I can’t.” Jon watched her shocked. He had no idea what she’d done to get the guitar. That explains her reaction.
“Maybe we can make a piece of art out of it?” Jon suggested. “You could put her on your wall.” Kris nodded and grabbed the neck carefully. She gripped the strings and strummed them softly with her right hand, but the sound was awful. She winced again and dropped the neck.
“What the fuck was he doing in here?” she asked her father anger suddenly in her voice. “This is not his room. Why was he in here?” She got up and wanted to leave her room. Jon jumped up as well and grabbed her right arm.
“Kris. Wait!” She turned to him with darting eyes. “Calm down, first.”
“Why? Why should I calm down? He messed things up. I wanna know what he was doing in here. Why the hell should I calm down?” She nearly screamed.
“Because he’s three.” Jon said as calmly as possible. He knew it wasn’t easy for her. It wasn’t easy for him either, but he learned a couple years ago that yelling at a small kid wouldn’t help at all.
Kris ran her hand through her hair and pinched the bridge of her nose. She sighed deeply, her shoulder slumped. Jon let go of her arm.
“You are mad, I can understand that, and please believe me we will talk with Jesse, actually I’m sure Dot is already doing it, but there’s no use in it when you yell at him now. He will be scared and start crying and you will feel bad later for making him cry, believe me, I know what I’m talking about.” With horror he remembered the day he lost his temper and yelled at Steph when she was three, because she dropped a PB&J sandwich on his note sheets.
Kris nodded and leaned her head against his shoulder. He pulled her into his arms and held her tight when she started sobbing. He could understand her. It saddened his heart everytime he saw a broken guitar and considering what she did to get it, it was only understandable that she was more than upset. He sighed. And all that two days before Christmas.
“Morning. Sleepy head.” Jon greeted her when she entered the kitchen.
“Morning.” Kris mumbled and reached for the coffee pot. Jon grinned. Talking to her before she had at least one cup of coffee was impossible. She was very much his daughter in this point.
“So, any plans for today?” he asked her when she sat down at the table with her second cup of coffee and some pancakes she warmed up in the microwave.
“No. I thought I’ll spend some time with my family.” She winked at him. He grinned. “Mom said something about baking cookies. Where is she btw?”
“She took Jesse and Steph to see Santa Claus in the shopping mall, but they should be back in a little while.” Jon smiled. “How about we build a snowman later?” He asked sipping his coffee.
“Snowman?” Kris looked at him surprised. “Don’t you need snow for that?”
“Well, sweetie, what do you thing is that white stuff coming from the sky out there?” he laughed.
Kris’ head snapped up and she stared out of the kitchen window. Thick white snowflakes were falling from the sky and hit the ground silently. “Oh my God!” she screamed and ran out of the kitchen.
“Uhm…sweetie?” Jon got up and followed her irritated. When he entered the hallway a cold gust of wind hit him. “What the…? KRIS!” he yelled after her, but she didn’t react at all. He grabbed Kris’ and his coat and walked through the open front door.
“Come here and put the jacket on.” He yelled again. But Kris didn’t listen she was standing in the middle of the front yard and stared up in the sky, the soft flakes were landing on her face.
Jon shook his head and walked over to her. “Put that on!” Without even looking at him Kris got into the coat and let Jon close it for her.
“It’s so great, dad.” She whispered. He watched her fascinated. She had such a dreamy and relaxed expression on her face and she looked so cute with some snowflakes stuck in her hair. Carefully he put his arms around her and pulled her close. She leaned back against his warm body and together they watched the snow fall silently covering the trees and the house.
“It has something really peaceful.” She said after a while. Jon nodded and brushed the snow of her head.
“Yeah, it does. But it’s also freaking cold. Come on let’s go inside again. You aren’t wearing boots but only your slippers.” He pulled her softly with him.
“But dad it’s so beautiful.” She pouted and tried to get out of his embrace. He shook his head. There was the little girl again and not the sixteen year old young woman.
“Kris, we can go out later again with Steph and Jesse, but right now we need to warm up.” It seemed the logic wasn’t quite working for her right now, because she pulled back again. He shook his head again and scooped her up easily. She screamed surprised when Jon picked her up in his arms.
“DAD!” she finally seemed to come back to reality. “Let me down.” Her hands pushed at his shoulders.
“Uh, uh…” Jon said and laughed when she tried to get down. But he was much stronger than her. Finally she gave up and put her arms around his neck. He kissed her cheek softly. Over his shoulder she watched the white landscape a little longer while he carried her back into the warm house.
******************************
A while later Dot and the kids returned home. Kris greeted them in the hallway and jumped around all excited.
“Mom! It’s snowing. Can we go out? Can we? Please.” Dot watched her surprised. Her stepdaughter didn’t act like a sixteen year teenager, but a six year old girl.
“How about we make the cookies first and go out while they cool off.” Dot suggested and watched confused when Jon put his arms around Kris’ waist and pulled her back from the still open front door.
“Later.” He said with a stern look on his face. “And with coat and boots, please.” Kris pouted and joined her siblings in the living room who wanted to tell her everything about Santa Claus.
“What was that about?” Dot asked when she shrugged off her coat. Jon grabbed it and placed a small kiss on her cheek.
“Well, she don’t like wearing shoes in December…” Jon said. Dot laughed.
“Well, don’t we know that from another little lady?” She turned to her husband and shook her head about this special dreamy expression on his face. Dot sighed and grabbed a notepad and a pencil and handed it to him.
“Write it down, honey.” She said and shook her head again. The two sisters were more alike than she thought so far.
“Uh? Yeah.” Jon started scribbling on the pad.
“Ok, who wants to make cookies?” Dot asked when she entered the living room.
“ME! ME! ME!” Steph screamed and bounced around on the coach. Kris laughed. She was as excited as her little sis about the cookie baking, but tried to control herself, even though she’d never made cookies before.
“Ok.” Dot looked around. “Where’s Jesse?”
“He went upstairs. I go and get him.” Kris said and walked upstairs, past her father who was deep in thoughts about this new lyric.
“Jess? Jesse, where are you? We wanna make the cookies now.” Kris walked through the hallway and stopped at his room, but he wasn’t there. She frowned. “Jesse?” A sound came from her room and she walked closer. “Jesse?”
She entered her room and stared at her brother. In the next second her scream echoed through the house. Dot and Jon stared at each other for one moment then dropped whatever they had in their hands right now and raced upstairs.
“KRIS?” Jon yelled and ran into her room Dot right behind him. The picture that was present to him was a shock. Kris was staring at her little brother who stood in the middle of her room and had her guitar in his small hands. Well, parts of it. The instrument was broken into three pieces. The neck was separated from the body; only connect with it through the strings. The body itself was crashed; a huge crack was visible on the back of it.
Kris wasn’t able to speak. She opened her mouth, but no sound was coming out. She wasn’t even sure she screamed, but it must have been her, she was the only here. “Wha…” the words weren’t coming out, but slowly the shock subsided and Dot could see her hands clenching to fists.
“Jesse, come here.” Dot told her son in a strict voice. He put the neck down and walked past Kris to his mother, looking at her with huge sad eyes. Dot knew Kris’ temper would show in the next minutes and she wasn’t sure Jesse should be around then. Jon looked at his wife and nodded.
“Kris, I’m sorry.” He said after Dot and Jesse left. He kneeled down and picked the neck up carefully. A creaky sound could be heard. Kris winced.
“Can…can …can we fix it?” she asked with a trembling voice.
“I don’t think so, sweetie. The body is broken; it would never sound the same again.” Kris kneeled down beside him. Her hands ran softly over the dark shining body.
“I can’t throw her away.” Tears were streaming down her face now. “I worked more than two years to buy her. Some days I even saved the money and didn’t eat. I can’t throw her away. I can’t.” Jon watched her shocked. He had no idea what she’d done to get the guitar. That explains her reaction.
“Maybe we can make a piece of art out of it?” Jon suggested. “You could put her on your wall.” Kris nodded and grabbed the neck carefully. She gripped the strings and strummed them softly with her right hand, but the sound was awful. She winced again and dropped the neck.
“What the fuck was he doing in here?” she asked her father anger suddenly in her voice. “This is not his room. Why was he in here?” She got up and wanted to leave her room. Jon jumped up as well and grabbed her right arm.
“Kris. Wait!” She turned to him with darting eyes. “Calm down, first.”
“Why? Why should I calm down? He messed things up. I wanna know what he was doing in here. Why the hell should I calm down?” She nearly screamed.
“Because he’s three.” Jon said as calmly as possible. He knew it wasn’t easy for her. It wasn’t easy for him either, but he learned a couple years ago that yelling at a small kid wouldn’t help at all.
Kris ran her hand through her hair and pinched the bridge of her nose. She sighed deeply, her shoulder slumped. Jon let go of her arm.
“You are mad, I can understand that, and please believe me we will talk with Jesse, actually I’m sure Dot is already doing it, but there’s no use in it when you yell at him now. He will be scared and start crying and you will feel bad later for making him cry, believe me, I know what I’m talking about.” With horror he remembered the day he lost his temper and yelled at Steph when she was three, because she dropped a PB&J sandwich on his note sheets.
Kris nodded and leaned her head against his shoulder. He pulled her into his arms and held her tight when she started sobbing. He could understand her. It saddened his heart everytime he saw a broken guitar and considering what she did to get it, it was only understandable that she was more than upset. He sighed. And all that two days before Christmas.
Chapter twenty-eight
After the show was over most of the parents tried to get backstage to see their kids. Jon wasn’t an exception, but he didn’t think of all those people who wanted to tell him how great his daughter was tonight.
Richie had more luck and was the first person backstage at the wardrobe of the girls. He knocked softly.
“Come on in.” Kris yelled and he carefully opened the door.
“Are you all dressed, girls?” He asked with his right hand clapped over his eyes. Kris laughed.
“I’m dressed and I’m the only one here, Richie.” He looked around surprised. “The others already changed while I was on stage and as I’m the only girl in the band…this is all mine now.” Richie laughed.
“You were absolutely amazing, Kris.”
“Thank you.” She blushed lightly. “Where’s dad?”
“He got caught up by all those people who want to tell how amazing his daughter is. He’ll be here soon.” Richie assured her…or maybe himself?
She nodded and walked closer to him. “Did you like it how I played your song?” she whispered and placed her hands on his chest.
Richie swallowed hard and grabbed her hands. He needed to control the situation. “Yeah, I liked it. I liked it a lot.” She smiled at him with happy eyes. “Kris…I’m flattered, but…” her eyes lost the happiness immediately.
“…but you are married.” She continued his sentence. He nodded softly and pulled her into his arms.
“I’m sure you’ll find some else. You are beautiful young intelligent woman; you will need to beat them off with a stick.” She nodded sniffing. He didn’t say anything about the age difference on purpose. Something was telling him that she wouldn’t accept that argument. The way she acted around boys her age and around men showed him that she was probably going for someone older in her life.
“Aww, darling don’t. You should be happy, you just rocked the house.” He kissed her head softly and rubbed her back. He hated it that he had to disappoint her. He hated it that she was crying because of him.
“Yeah.” She pulled away from him and dried her tears just in time before Jon rushed into the room.
“There she is. What are you already doing here?” He asked Richie, but didn’t wait for an answer and pulled his daughter in his embrace. Richie silently moved to one corner of the small room. Why was it so damn hard to tell her that this couldn’t work?
“The show was great, Kris. You were great. You kicked their ass. I’m so proud of you. I love you.” All these words came out of his mouth while he hugged, kissed and squeezed her tight. She laughed.
“I love you too, dad.” Jon sighed happily and pressed her even closer to his body. Finally. Finally she said. God, he was so happy.
“Come on Jon, let her breath.” Dot pushed him away and hugged Kris herself. “A great show, baby. You looked amazing in that outfit.”
“Thanks mom.”
“You really focused on your breathing.” She turned to the door and could see David and the rest of her band with Alex and Michael standing in the hallway.
She laughed. “Yeah, I think I drove Daniel crazy in the last couple days.”
“Nah, just a bit. I like scales.” The keyboard player hugged her tight and they all entered the room. The small room was now loaded and they could hardly move around.
“The outfit. Simply amazing.” Michael rushed to her. “Believe me, not a single guy in the room didn’t want to bed you down when you were up there.” Jon groaned. Kris laughed. “What?” Michael turned to Jon. “She has that all from you, so stop complaining.” They couldn’t help it and laughed out loud. Jon shook his head. It seemed he got over the first shock after he met me.
“Well, well, well…is there a party going on here?” a voice asked from the door. They turned around and saw the guy she nearly slept with standing in the door frame with three guys, who always followed him around, behind him. They were all wearing leather jackets and black jeans. Kris clenched her fist, if she could only wipe this smug grin out of his face.
“So, Kris how about we go out and party a bit?” he asked chewing his gum.
“No, thanks.” She said with a hard edge in her voice. It seemed he didn’t see Jon and the other adults, who were standing in the right corner of the little room and couldn’t be seen from the doorway. Otherwise he wouldn’t had the balls to ask her, she was sure about that.
“Aw, come on baby.” He took a step towards her and tried to pull her close. Teddy stepped in front of her immediately and pushed her into Daniel’s and Steve’s arms. The other boys were forming a circle around her to make this idiot couldn’t get close to her.
“Back off Anderson. Find someone else for your list.” Teddy growled. Kris flushed deeply. Now she knew that this bastard was having a list on which all the girls and their sexual abilities were listed. He wasn’t hiding it, but showed it around proudly.
Kris was holding her breath. Would he go? It would be suicide to fight against Teddy and she was sure Jon and the rest of the guys were only so quite, because Dot was keeping them down. One wrong move from that bubblegum chewing idiot and he had to deal with an uncontrolled father and more importantly with an angry mother who had a black belt in karate.
“I wanna be on your list.” Michael stepped around Teddy and walked close to the boys with the leather jackets. Kris hid her laughter. Sometimes Michael just did the funniest things to relax a situation. She hadn’t figured out yet whether he was doing it on purpose or he simply was so stupidly naïve.
“Uhm, no thanks.” Anderson paled and took a step back, so Michael couldn’t touch him.
“Aww, why not.” Michael pouted. “I thought you fuck everyone who’s coming your way?” Steve chuckled lightly. He loved girls too, but he had at least the decency to remain silent about the girls he slept with. The others could push as much as they wanted his credo was “A real gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell”.
“Yeah, uhm…well not everyone.” Anderson stuttered with a flushed face and rushed off; his fellows right behind him.
Daniel put his arm around his boyfriend’s neck and pulled him close for s kiss. “He has no idea what he’s missing.” He said dryly after they parted again. They all laughed.
“So, how about we got and get something to eat?” Teddy asked.
“Again?” Kris shook her head. The others chuckled.
“What do you mean ‘again’? We had lunch, now it’s late evening and I worked my ass off up there. I’m hungry!” Teddy said lightly pissed.
“And you were great.” Kris rose on tip toes and waved him down. Curious he leaned down and was rewarded with a kiss on his cheek. He straightened immediately and blushed furiously. Jon tried to hide his laugh. That huge guy seemed to have a crush on her.
“So, how about burgers?” Alex asked and looked around. They all nodded, except Kris. She looked at Jon unsure.
“What? Go! Go and celebrate.” He shoed her out of the room. They would watch out for her; they'd just proved it again. She smiled.
“We will take her home, Mr. Bongiovi.” Daniel said.
“It’s Jon. And thanks.” Now, it was Daniel’s turn to flush.
“See you later, dad.” Kris hugged him tight and kissed him shortly.
“I wait till you are home, sweetie.” He whispered in her ear.
She shook her head smiling and rushed off with her friends and band mates.
Richie had more luck and was the first person backstage at the wardrobe of the girls. He knocked softly.
“Come on in.” Kris yelled and he carefully opened the door.
“Are you all dressed, girls?” He asked with his right hand clapped over his eyes. Kris laughed.
“I’m dressed and I’m the only one here, Richie.” He looked around surprised. “The others already changed while I was on stage and as I’m the only girl in the band…this is all mine now.” Richie laughed.
“You were absolutely amazing, Kris.”
“Thank you.” She blushed lightly. “Where’s dad?”
“He got caught up by all those people who want to tell how amazing his daughter is. He’ll be here soon.” Richie assured her…or maybe himself?
She nodded and walked closer to him. “Did you like it how I played your song?” she whispered and placed her hands on his chest.
Richie swallowed hard and grabbed her hands. He needed to control the situation. “Yeah, I liked it. I liked it a lot.” She smiled at him with happy eyes. “Kris…I’m flattered, but…” her eyes lost the happiness immediately.
“…but you are married.” She continued his sentence. He nodded softly and pulled her into his arms.
“I’m sure you’ll find some else. You are beautiful young intelligent woman; you will need to beat them off with a stick.” She nodded sniffing. He didn’t say anything about the age difference on purpose. Something was telling him that she wouldn’t accept that argument. The way she acted around boys her age and around men showed him that she was probably going for someone older in her life.
“Aww, darling don’t. You should be happy, you just rocked the house.” He kissed her head softly and rubbed her back. He hated it that he had to disappoint her. He hated it that she was crying because of him.
“Yeah.” She pulled away from him and dried her tears just in time before Jon rushed into the room.
“There she is. What are you already doing here?” He asked Richie, but didn’t wait for an answer and pulled his daughter in his embrace. Richie silently moved to one corner of the small room. Why was it so damn hard to tell her that this couldn’t work?
“The show was great, Kris. You were great. You kicked their ass. I’m so proud of you. I love you.” All these words came out of his mouth while he hugged, kissed and squeezed her tight. She laughed.
“I love you too, dad.” Jon sighed happily and pressed her even closer to his body. Finally. Finally she said. God, he was so happy.
“Come on Jon, let her breath.” Dot pushed him away and hugged Kris herself. “A great show, baby. You looked amazing in that outfit.”
“Thanks mom.”
“You really focused on your breathing.” She turned to the door and could see David and the rest of her band with Alex and Michael standing in the hallway.
She laughed. “Yeah, I think I drove Daniel crazy in the last couple days.”
“Nah, just a bit. I like scales.” The keyboard player hugged her tight and they all entered the room. The small room was now loaded and they could hardly move around.
“The outfit. Simply amazing.” Michael rushed to her. “Believe me, not a single guy in the room didn’t want to bed you down when you were up there.” Jon groaned. Kris laughed. “What?” Michael turned to Jon. “She has that all from you, so stop complaining.” They couldn’t help it and laughed out loud. Jon shook his head. It seemed he got over the first shock after he met me.
“Well, well, well…is there a party going on here?” a voice asked from the door. They turned around and saw the guy she nearly slept with standing in the door frame with three guys, who always followed him around, behind him. They were all wearing leather jackets and black jeans. Kris clenched her fist, if she could only wipe this smug grin out of his face.
“So, Kris how about we go out and party a bit?” he asked chewing his gum.
“No, thanks.” She said with a hard edge in her voice. It seemed he didn’t see Jon and the other adults, who were standing in the right corner of the little room and couldn’t be seen from the doorway. Otherwise he wouldn’t had the balls to ask her, she was sure about that.
“Aw, come on baby.” He took a step towards her and tried to pull her close. Teddy stepped in front of her immediately and pushed her into Daniel’s and Steve’s arms. The other boys were forming a circle around her to make this idiot couldn’t get close to her.
“Back off Anderson. Find someone else for your list.” Teddy growled. Kris flushed deeply. Now she knew that this bastard was having a list on which all the girls and their sexual abilities were listed. He wasn’t hiding it, but showed it around proudly.
Kris was holding her breath. Would he go? It would be suicide to fight against Teddy and she was sure Jon and the rest of the guys were only so quite, because Dot was keeping them down. One wrong move from that bubblegum chewing idiot and he had to deal with an uncontrolled father and more importantly with an angry mother who had a black belt in karate.
“I wanna be on your list.” Michael stepped around Teddy and walked close to the boys with the leather jackets. Kris hid her laughter. Sometimes Michael just did the funniest things to relax a situation. She hadn’t figured out yet whether he was doing it on purpose or he simply was so stupidly naïve.
“Uhm, no thanks.” Anderson paled and took a step back, so Michael couldn’t touch him.
“Aww, why not.” Michael pouted. “I thought you fuck everyone who’s coming your way?” Steve chuckled lightly. He loved girls too, but he had at least the decency to remain silent about the girls he slept with. The others could push as much as they wanted his credo was “A real gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell”.
“Yeah, uhm…well not everyone.” Anderson stuttered with a flushed face and rushed off; his fellows right behind him.
Daniel put his arm around his boyfriend’s neck and pulled him close for s kiss. “He has no idea what he’s missing.” He said dryly after they parted again. They all laughed.
“So, how about we got and get something to eat?” Teddy asked.
“Again?” Kris shook her head. The others chuckled.
“What do you mean ‘again’? We had lunch, now it’s late evening and I worked my ass off up there. I’m hungry!” Teddy said lightly pissed.
“And you were great.” Kris rose on tip toes and waved him down. Curious he leaned down and was rewarded with a kiss on his cheek. He straightened immediately and blushed furiously. Jon tried to hide his laugh. That huge guy seemed to have a crush on her.
“So, how about burgers?” Alex asked and looked around. They all nodded, except Kris. She looked at Jon unsure.
“What? Go! Go and celebrate.” He shoed her out of the room. They would watch out for her; they'd just proved it again. She smiled.
“We will take her home, Mr. Bongiovi.” Daniel said.
“It’s Jon. And thanks.” Now, it was Daniel’s turn to flush.
“See you later, dad.” Kris hugged him tight and kissed him shortly.
“I wait till you are home, sweetie.” He whispered in her ear.
She shook her head smiling and rushed off with her friends and band mates.
Chapter twenty-seven
Kris took a deep breath when she heard their music teacher announce them and stepped at the stage together with Steve. Eric, Daniel and Teddy were taking their places from the other side.
To Jon’s surprise Kris wasn’t standing in the middle but on the left, directly in front of them and was holding an electric guitar in her hands. And what in hell was she wearing?
“Are you responsible for that outfit?” Jon whispered at Dot. She smiled at him and nodded.
“She needed something to feel comfortable in; something that pushed her self-confidence.” Jon frowned. “Oh, come on Jon. It doesn’t reveal too much.”
Jon looked back at the stage, well at least that was right. Kris was wearing tight black leather pants with four inch heels and a black top shining with silver and purple patterns. Her hair looked wild and was falling freely over her shoulders and it seemed she’d put much effort in creating smoky eyes. Jon couldn’t help it. She looked freaking hot!
“Holy shit! She’s hot!” he heard Richie mumble next to him.
“Hey! You are talking about my daughter.” Jon hissed.
“I know that’s why I keep the rest of my thoughts to myself.” Richie shot back. Jon swallowed hard and focused on the stage.
Steve stepped to his mic in the middle. “Good evening. I hope you enjoyed the show so far.” The people applauded shortly. “Well, some of you…” he looked in Jon’s direction. “…may wonder why I stand here in the middle and our lovely new singer Kris is armed with a guitar.” Kris smiled when she could see Jon nodding furiously. “It’s quite simply; this song we choose to play first makes more sense when I’m singing it. Don’t worry; she’ll kick your ass later.” The audience laughed and Jon sighed relieved.
Kris’ laughing could be heard over the microphone. “And I thought I’m only standing here, because you can’t play the lead guitar in the song.” Laughter could be heard from the other band members and Steve gave her the finger, what earned him a stern look from the principal, who was sitting in the first row.
“Ok, let’s get this thing started.” Steve said. “Teddy!” David smiled. They really learned.
They started to play and the familiar sounds of a song waved through the auditorium. Jon’s head snapped to Richie who was staring at Kris playing an intro he wrote. “River of love.” He whispered without even looking at Jon.
In your river of love, deep in your river of love
Steve whispered in a low voice into the mic.
Hot
Was Kris equally low whispered answer.
In your river of love, deep in your river of love
Let me tell you a story
About body and blood, yeah
Richie’s jaw dropped. That kid was extremely close to his on voice.
There’s a fire below
Deep in the river of love
Hey pretty mama I’m just trying to be polite
Steve glanced shortly at Kris and she fired her guitar up. From that second on Richie was captured by her play, her movements with the guitar, simply by this beautiful view.
I wanna make you feel the rhythm of the river tonight
And when the story is over
You’ll be satisfied
Honey, honey, honey don’t you understand
To make you feel like a woman
Makes me feel like a man
Let me take you down to the river of love
Baby pull me under Make me drown in your flood
Baptize my body in your river of love
Won’t cha take me down
I wanna drown
In your river of love
If you’re little lovesick
Woman I got the cure
Let me be your preacher
Steve turned and looked at Kris
And you can be my whore
Smiling she shook her head no.
I feel your heart pumping, honey don’t say not
I wanna dive in your river
Take you down real slow
And then your body will quiver
And the river will flow
Honey, honey, honey don’t you understand
To make you feel like a woman
Makes me feel like a man
Kris stepped up to her mic and the next lines of the chorus her and Steve’s voice blend together perfectly. Jon couldn’t believe it. They sounded great together.
Let me take you down to the river of love
Baby pull me under
Make me drown in your flood
Baptize my body in your river of love
Won’t cha take me down
I wanna drown
In your river of love
Steve played a short solo on his guitar supported by the full sounded of Kris’.
Move that thing
Steve whispered and Kris hips rolled and set the guitar to a lovely dance. Eric turned his bass up and for some seconds the bass line was clearly hearable for everyone, then Teddy showed all his passion on his ‘Lady’ and gave the signal for Kris’ guitar solo. Her hands flew over the strings, her eyes were unfocused, she only listened to the music, her body moved even though she didn’t know it, she was completely captured by the music. The rest of the band and the audience were forgotten.
Down, down, down let me take ya
Down, down, down I wanna take ya
Down, down, down let me take ya
Down, down, down I wanna take ya
Down, down, down
Steve pushed them once again up to the chorus and Kris joined him at the mic again.
Let me take you down to the river of love
Baby pull me under
Make me drown in your flood
Baptize my body in your river of love
Take me down
I wanna drown
In your river of love
Take you down to the river of love
Baby pull me under
Make me drown in your flood
Baptize my body in your river of love
Take me down
I wanna drown, yeah
In your river of love
Teddy spoke with his deep low voice and sent shivers down the women’s back in the audience. Kris was still captured in her play and drew soft sounds from the guitar with closed eyes.
Move that thing
In your river of love
Deep in your river of love
In your river of love
Steve whispered again while he watched Kris playing the last chords of the song. He had to admit it was more than a turn on to watch her play and he was rather glad he had a guitar itself to cover significant parts of his body.
When the music died the audience was silent for some seconds, but then erupted in applause. Kris blinked shocked. The noise brought her back to reality. She smiled and searched Richie’s eyes. He was staring at her. He never saw a woman playing guitar sexier. God, he needed to control himself. When he felt her graze, he smiled and gave her both thumbs up.
Before Jon and Richie could exchange some words Kris and Steve had changed places on stage and they started with the next song. Kris voice filled the air and Jon simply stared at her. Her voice was amazing.
The lights are on
But you’re not home
Your mind
Is not your own
Your body sweats
Your body shakes
Another kiss
Is what it takes
You can’t eat
You can’t sleep
There’s no doubt
You’re in deep
Your throat is tight
You can’t breathe
Another kiss
Is all you need
She opened her eyes and faced the boys sitting in the front row. Is that the idiot who was in my house a couple weeks ago, Jon thought and tried to get a better look of him.
Oh, you like to think that you’re immune to the stuff, oh yeah
Closer to the truth is
You know you’re gonna have to face it
You might as well face you’re addicted to love
Her hands ran seductively over her body and she shook her rear end to the beat. Jon gasped. Maybe he should consider changing his stage performance when she would add those moves to her own show.
You see the signs
But you can’t read
You’re running at
A different speed
Your heart beats
At double time
Another kiss
She put all her heart and soul in the lyrics and sang the next lines with a deep voice.
And you’ll be mind, one track mind
You can’t be saved
Another young love is all you crave
She looked Richie directly in the eyes. He swallowed hard. Now he was sure, he wasn’t imagining those little signs in the last weeks.
And if the sun
Left you
You don’t mind
It feels blue
Oh, you like to think that you’re immune to the stuff, oh yeah
Oh, oh, oh, oh closer to the truth is
You know you’re gonna have to face it
Gonna have to face it
You’re addicted to love
Might as well face it
You’re addicted to love
She clapped her hands and encouraged the crowd to get up and join her in the chorus. Jon jumped up immediately and she smiled.
Might as well face it
You’re addicted to love
Might as well face it
You’re addicted to love
Might as well face it
You’re addicted to love
A guy with a saxophone entered the stage and Kris motioned him to come closer to her, to stand in the spotlight with her while he was playing a fantastic solo.
Might as well face it
Might as well face it
Might as well face it
Yeah, Might as well face it, you’re addicted to love, whoa
She leaned back and it looked like she was falling over, but Jon only laughed about the worried look on Eric’s face. He’d done this move more then once; it’s much easier than it looked like. Kris was completely into the song by now and paced the stage like it was her second home.
The lights are on
But you’re not home
Your mind
Is not your own
Your body sweats
Your body shakes
Another kiss
Is what it takes
You can’t eat
You can’t sleep
There’s no doubt
You’re in deep
Your throat is tight
You can’t breathe
Another kiss
Is all you need
She’s nearly speaking those words, only the drums can be heard clearly; she walked to the beat working the crowd and flirting with Steve who smiled encouraging.
Oh, you like to think that you’re immune to the stuff, oh yeah
She turned away from the crowd and eyed Steve. Like a panther claiming his prey she walked towards him swinging her hips seductively to the beat. Jon could see Steve blink rapidly. Seemed this wasn’t planned. The poor guy nearly lost the beat.
Closer to the truth is
You know you’re gonna have to face it
When she’s standing directly in front of him, she put her right hand firmly around his neck and smiled with gleaming eyes.
You might as well face you’re addicted to love
Singing the line she slide down his body and used him as a pole. The guys in the front row yelled with pure lust. Kris smiled and turned again to the crowd, giving Steve some time to catch his breath.
You might as well face you’re addicted to love
You might as well face you’re addicted to love
She’s dancing with the saxophone player and the whole audience was clapping their hands and joining the chorus.
Might as well face it
Might as well face it
Might as well face it
Might as well face it
When the music stopped the crowd applauded loudly.
“Whew. Thank you.” Kris smiled happily. She looked over her shoulder and could see Daniel sitting ready at the piano. “Ok, the next song is for a great person. He showed me that I’m not alone, that there are people I can trust on, that there are people who love me. The song is for my father.” She found Jon’s eyes in the audience and could see them shining lightly.
Daniel started playing. You could only hear the piano when Kris started to sing in a low voice.
When I was young
I never needed anyone
Making love was just for fun
Those days are gone
She looked at Jon and he smiled.
Living alone
I think of all the friends I’ve known
When I dial the telephone
Nobody’s home
The band started to play. Somehow it fits, David thought. She was always alone and now she has those guys from the band.
All by myself
Don’t wanna be
All by myself
Any more
Jon watched her in awe when her voice echoed through the room. He never expected her to hit such high notes. David smiled approvingly. She took his critic by heart and practised the breathing.
Hard to be sure
Sometimes I feel so insecure
And loves so distant and obscure
Remains the cure
All by myself
Don’t wanna be
All by myself
Anymore
All by myself
Don’t wanna live
All by myself
Anymore
Kris stepped away from the mic and gave Daniel the opportunity to play a little solo.
When I was young
I never needed anyone
Making love was just for fun
Those days are gone
You could hear the band stop playing. Kris looked at Daniel unsure, who was still holding the last note and nodded at her encouragingly. David held his breathe. You can do it, babe. She closed her eyes and sang the lines without any music.
All by myself
Don’t wanna be
All by myself
Anymore, oh, oh
Wow! Jon jumped up before he even knew it. The guys and Dot followed him suite. She really went beyond herself tonight. Absolutely amazing. When the band set in again, Kris took a moment and watched her father. She smiled when he clapped frenetically and realized that he was proud of you. She didn’t embarrass him.
All by myself
Don’t wanna live
Oh
Don’t wanna live
By myself, by myself
Anymore
Oh
All by myself
No! Don’t wanna live
By myself anymore, by myself anymore
Kris is standing in the middle of the stage when the music faded. “Thank you.” She bit her bottom lip and took a breath before she turned to the mic again.
“I love you, dad.”
Jon’s face lit up and she could see tears spring into his eyes. I love you too, he mouthed back.
To Jon’s surprise Kris wasn’t standing in the middle but on the left, directly in front of them and was holding an electric guitar in her hands. And what in hell was she wearing?
“Are you responsible for that outfit?” Jon whispered at Dot. She smiled at him and nodded.
“She needed something to feel comfortable in; something that pushed her self-confidence.” Jon frowned. “Oh, come on Jon. It doesn’t reveal too much.”
Jon looked back at the stage, well at least that was right. Kris was wearing tight black leather pants with four inch heels and a black top shining with silver and purple patterns. Her hair looked wild and was falling freely over her shoulders and it seemed she’d put much effort in creating smoky eyes. Jon couldn’t help it. She looked freaking hot!
“Holy shit! She’s hot!” he heard Richie mumble next to him.
“Hey! You are talking about my daughter.” Jon hissed.
“I know that’s why I keep the rest of my thoughts to myself.” Richie shot back. Jon swallowed hard and focused on the stage.
Steve stepped to his mic in the middle. “Good evening. I hope you enjoyed the show so far.” The people applauded shortly. “Well, some of you…” he looked in Jon’s direction. “…may wonder why I stand here in the middle and our lovely new singer Kris is armed with a guitar.” Kris smiled when she could see Jon nodding furiously. “It’s quite simply; this song we choose to play first makes more sense when I’m singing it. Don’t worry; she’ll kick your ass later.” The audience laughed and Jon sighed relieved.
Kris’ laughing could be heard over the microphone. “And I thought I’m only standing here, because you can’t play the lead guitar in the song.” Laughter could be heard from the other band members and Steve gave her the finger, what earned him a stern look from the principal, who was sitting in the first row.
“Ok, let’s get this thing started.” Steve said. “Teddy!” David smiled. They really learned.
They started to play and the familiar sounds of a song waved through the auditorium. Jon’s head snapped to Richie who was staring at Kris playing an intro he wrote. “River of love.” He whispered without even looking at Jon.
In your river of love, deep in your river of love
Steve whispered in a low voice into the mic.
Hot
Was Kris equally low whispered answer.
In your river of love, deep in your river of love
Let me tell you a story
About body and blood, yeah
Richie’s jaw dropped. That kid was extremely close to his on voice.
There’s a fire below
Deep in the river of love
Hey pretty mama I’m just trying to be polite
Steve glanced shortly at Kris and she fired her guitar up. From that second on Richie was captured by her play, her movements with the guitar, simply by this beautiful view.
I wanna make you feel the rhythm of the river tonight
And when the story is over
You’ll be satisfied
Honey, honey, honey don’t you understand
To make you feel like a woman
Makes me feel like a man
Let me take you down to the river of love
Baby pull me under Make me drown in your flood
Baptize my body in your river of love
Won’t cha take me down
I wanna drown
In your river of love
If you’re little lovesick
Woman I got the cure
Let me be your preacher
Steve turned and looked at Kris
And you can be my whore
Smiling she shook her head no.
I feel your heart pumping, honey don’t say not
I wanna dive in your river
Take you down real slow
And then your body will quiver
And the river will flow
Honey, honey, honey don’t you understand
To make you feel like a woman
Makes me feel like a man
Kris stepped up to her mic and the next lines of the chorus her and Steve’s voice blend together perfectly. Jon couldn’t believe it. They sounded great together.
Let me take you down to the river of love
Baby pull me under
Make me drown in your flood
Baptize my body in your river of love
Won’t cha take me down
I wanna drown
In your river of love
Steve played a short solo on his guitar supported by the full sounded of Kris’.
Move that thing
Steve whispered and Kris hips rolled and set the guitar to a lovely dance. Eric turned his bass up and for some seconds the bass line was clearly hearable for everyone, then Teddy showed all his passion on his ‘Lady’ and gave the signal for Kris’ guitar solo. Her hands flew over the strings, her eyes were unfocused, she only listened to the music, her body moved even though she didn’t know it, she was completely captured by the music. The rest of the band and the audience were forgotten.
Down, down, down let me take ya
Down, down, down I wanna take ya
Down, down, down let me take ya
Down, down, down I wanna take ya
Down, down, down
Steve pushed them once again up to the chorus and Kris joined him at the mic again.
Let me take you down to the river of love
Baby pull me under
Make me drown in your flood
Baptize my body in your river of love
Take me down
I wanna drown
In your river of love
Take you down to the river of love
Baby pull me under
Make me drown in your flood
Baptize my body in your river of love
Take me down
I wanna drown, yeah
In your river of love
Teddy spoke with his deep low voice and sent shivers down the women’s back in the audience. Kris was still captured in her play and drew soft sounds from the guitar with closed eyes.
Move that thing
In your river of love
Deep in your river of love
In your river of love
Steve whispered again while he watched Kris playing the last chords of the song. He had to admit it was more than a turn on to watch her play and he was rather glad he had a guitar itself to cover significant parts of his body.
When the music died the audience was silent for some seconds, but then erupted in applause. Kris blinked shocked. The noise brought her back to reality. She smiled and searched Richie’s eyes. He was staring at her. He never saw a woman playing guitar sexier. God, he needed to control himself. When he felt her graze, he smiled and gave her both thumbs up.
Before Jon and Richie could exchange some words Kris and Steve had changed places on stage and they started with the next song. Kris voice filled the air and Jon simply stared at her. Her voice was amazing.
The lights are on
But you’re not home
Your mind
Is not your own
Your body sweats
Your body shakes
Another kiss
Is what it takes
You can’t eat
You can’t sleep
There’s no doubt
You’re in deep
Your throat is tight
You can’t breathe
Another kiss
Is all you need
She opened her eyes and faced the boys sitting in the front row. Is that the idiot who was in my house a couple weeks ago, Jon thought and tried to get a better look of him.
Oh, you like to think that you’re immune to the stuff, oh yeah
Closer to the truth is
You know you’re gonna have to face it
You might as well face you’re addicted to love
Her hands ran seductively over her body and she shook her rear end to the beat. Jon gasped. Maybe he should consider changing his stage performance when she would add those moves to her own show.
You see the signs
But you can’t read
You’re running at
A different speed
Your heart beats
At double time
Another kiss
She put all her heart and soul in the lyrics and sang the next lines with a deep voice.
And you’ll be mind, one track mind
You can’t be saved
Another young love is all you crave
She looked Richie directly in the eyes. He swallowed hard. Now he was sure, he wasn’t imagining those little signs in the last weeks.
And if the sun
Left you
You don’t mind
It feels blue
Oh, you like to think that you’re immune to the stuff, oh yeah
Oh, oh, oh, oh closer to the truth is
You know you’re gonna have to face it
Gonna have to face it
You’re addicted to love
Might as well face it
You’re addicted to love
She clapped her hands and encouraged the crowd to get up and join her in the chorus. Jon jumped up immediately and she smiled.
Might as well face it
You’re addicted to love
Might as well face it
You’re addicted to love
Might as well face it
You’re addicted to love
A guy with a saxophone entered the stage and Kris motioned him to come closer to her, to stand in the spotlight with her while he was playing a fantastic solo.
Might as well face it
Might as well face it
Might as well face it
Yeah, Might as well face it, you’re addicted to love, whoa
She leaned back and it looked like she was falling over, but Jon only laughed about the worried look on Eric’s face. He’d done this move more then once; it’s much easier than it looked like. Kris was completely into the song by now and paced the stage like it was her second home.
The lights are on
But you’re not home
Your mind
Is not your own
Your body sweats
Your body shakes
Another kiss
Is what it takes
You can’t eat
You can’t sleep
There’s no doubt
You’re in deep
Your throat is tight
You can’t breathe
Another kiss
Is all you need
She’s nearly speaking those words, only the drums can be heard clearly; she walked to the beat working the crowd and flirting with Steve who smiled encouraging.
Oh, you like to think that you’re immune to the stuff, oh yeah
She turned away from the crowd and eyed Steve. Like a panther claiming his prey she walked towards him swinging her hips seductively to the beat. Jon could see Steve blink rapidly. Seemed this wasn’t planned. The poor guy nearly lost the beat.
Closer to the truth is
You know you’re gonna have to face it
When she’s standing directly in front of him, she put her right hand firmly around his neck and smiled with gleaming eyes.
You might as well face you’re addicted to love
Singing the line she slide down his body and used him as a pole. The guys in the front row yelled with pure lust. Kris smiled and turned again to the crowd, giving Steve some time to catch his breath.
You might as well face you’re addicted to love
You might as well face you’re addicted to love
She’s dancing with the saxophone player and the whole audience was clapping their hands and joining the chorus.
Might as well face it
Might as well face it
Might as well face it
Might as well face it
When the music stopped the crowd applauded loudly.
“Whew. Thank you.” Kris smiled happily. She looked over her shoulder and could see Daniel sitting ready at the piano. “Ok, the next song is for a great person. He showed me that I’m not alone, that there are people I can trust on, that there are people who love me. The song is for my father.” She found Jon’s eyes in the audience and could see them shining lightly.
Daniel started playing. You could only hear the piano when Kris started to sing in a low voice.
When I was young
I never needed anyone
Making love was just for fun
Those days are gone
She looked at Jon and he smiled.
Living alone
I think of all the friends I’ve known
When I dial the telephone
Nobody’s home
The band started to play. Somehow it fits, David thought. She was always alone and now she has those guys from the band.
All by myself
Don’t wanna be
All by myself
Any more
Jon watched her in awe when her voice echoed through the room. He never expected her to hit such high notes. David smiled approvingly. She took his critic by heart and practised the breathing.
Hard to be sure
Sometimes I feel so insecure
And loves so distant and obscure
Remains the cure
All by myself
Don’t wanna be
All by myself
Anymore
All by myself
Don’t wanna live
All by myself
Anymore
Kris stepped away from the mic and gave Daniel the opportunity to play a little solo.
When I was young
I never needed anyone
Making love was just for fun
Those days are gone
You could hear the band stop playing. Kris looked at Daniel unsure, who was still holding the last note and nodded at her encouragingly. David held his breathe. You can do it, babe. She closed her eyes and sang the lines without any music.
All by myself
Don’t wanna be
All by myself
Anymore, oh, oh
Wow! Jon jumped up before he even knew it. The guys and Dot followed him suite. She really went beyond herself tonight. Absolutely amazing. When the band set in again, Kris took a moment and watched her father. She smiled when he clapped frenetically and realized that he was proud of you. She didn’t embarrass him.
All by myself
Don’t wanna live
Oh
Don’t wanna live
By myself, by myself
Anymore
Oh
All by myself
No! Don’t wanna live
By myself anymore, by myself anymore
Kris is standing in the middle of the stage when the music faded. “Thank you.” She bit her bottom lip and took a breath before she turned to the mic again.
“I love you, dad.”
Jon’s face lit up and she could see tears spring into his eyes. I love you too, he mouthed back.
Chapter twenty-six
Three days before Christmas the show took place in the school auditorium. The whole day Kris wasn’t able to focus on anything at school. Not that she was nervous about playing. It was more the fact that Jon and the rest of the guys would be there as well. She hoped she wouldn’t embarrass them.
They stayed at school all day long and made their sound check in the early afternoon. When the music teacher told them that they would be the last band of the evening, they started to discus their set list again. Set list, my ass we are talking about three songs. Kris shook her head.
“I still think we should keep it the way we rehearsed it.” She said. “The guys from the lights are now trained to that order too. We would risk standing in the dark when we change it.” And we would risk that I sing the wrong song, she added in her mind.
“Maybe you are right.” Daniel sighed and looked at the other boys. They only nodded. “Ok, we keep it that way.”
“Great! Can we now eat something?” Teddy asked in a cranky voice. They laughed. He asked that a couple times in the last two hours.
“Let’s go and get some burgers.” Steve said.
3 hours till Showtime, Kris thought when they were driving down the street to a diner.
*************************************
Across the town Jon was as nervous as Kris. Everything was planned. The little ones were with his parents; he made sure the guys were here in time, especially Richie. They were actually sitting in the living room right now, but Dot wasn’t ready yet.
“Dot!” he yelled upstairs. “Dot! Are you ready?”
His wife came down the stairs with an angry look on her face. Her hair still dripping wet and her body only covered with a huge towel.
“You are asking me that for the third time now. Does that look like I’m ready? We have nearly three hours left till it starts. Would. You. Please. Calm. Down!” she stressed her last words.
“I just wanted to be there earlier. Maybe she needs help.” Jon said eyeing her angry.
Dot sighed. “You will only make her nervous. She needs to go through it on her own. You can only sit in the audience tonight and applause…” he wanted to say something. “…nothing else Jon!” she stopped him.
He frowned. “This is not your show, Jon. You can’t control it.” Dot said while pulling the towel closer around her body when it started to slide down. Jon’s eyes travelled up her long legs over her body and lingered at her breast that were only half covered by the towel.
“Can’t you wear a bit more, when you are coming down here? The guys are in the living room.” Jon hissed. Dot rolled her eyes at his comment.
“David, Richie, Tico come here.” She yelled. Jon froze. In the next second the three men raced through the door into the hallway. When Dot had that sound in her voice you better hurry and don’t ask twice what you should do.
“Keep him busy or you need to release the next album without him.” She ordered and turned on her heal, cursing something about stupid men when she walked upstairs. Jon tried to get after her, but David and Richie stopped him and pulled him out of the house over to the pub.
“We will not drink. I don’t wanna miss a single minute of her performance tonight.” Jon told them and Richie set the glasses back on the counter.
“Let’s play pool till Dot calls us to come back.” Tico said and handed Jon a billiard cue.
**********************************
About half an hour before the show started they arrived at the school. And Jon had to admit it was early enough. The auditorium was not even half filled yet. Parents and students were standing in the hallway chatting and wishing each other merry Christmas.
“Ok, where are our seats?” he asked when they entered the auditorium. Kris told him that she would reserve enough seats for them.
“I don’t know. Didn’t you ask her?” Dot wondered. Jon frowned and he could hear Richie trying to avoid laughing. He eyed his wingman angrily.
“Mr. and Mrs. Bongiovi?” Dot and Jon turned around.
“Alex. Nice to see you.” Dot greeted the girl with a warm smile.
“Kris asked me to bring you to your seats. They are really busy backstage.” Alex explained and guided them down the aisle and stopped at the fourth row. “These five seats here are yours.”
“Shouldn’t we sit a bit more in the middle?” Jon wondered. They were placed to watch the left side of the stage. Dot pushed him with her elbow in the rips. He pouted and rubbed his chest.
Alex smiled and shook her head. “She really knows you well.” Jon watched her confused. “Kris said you would say that.” His band mates laughed and sat down. “Believe me, you want to sit here.”
“Thanks Alex.” Dot said and pulled Jon down in his seat. The girl nodded and hurried backstage again. She needed to help Kris with her outfit.
“Jon, your daughter is as organize as you. Do you really think we get these seats without any reason?” Dot asked him smiling.
He sighed. “Yeah, you are right.” He grabbed the program. “Hey, they are the last ones to play.” He announced excitedly. “Remember the show in Moscow when we were the last…” he turned to the guys and Dot rolled her eyes. Oh, please not again! She was more than happy when the show started and Jon had to stop talking.
First the principal held a little speech and was welcoming them to the show. Afterwards the choir performed some songs and then the theatre group showed a little piece. It wasn’t overwhelming, but you could see that the kids put a lot of effort in it. But Jon wasn’t really interested in it. He was moving anxious in his seat, couldn’t wait till Kris would take the stage. Dot shook her head. Now I know where Jesse has it from.
After another performance of the choir, this time a medley of Christmas songs, the other school band took the stage and Jon calmed down a bit. He turned to David and his keyboard player shook his head at the unspoken question of his friend. Jon grinned. Of course, they weren’t better than his daughter’s band.
When the theatre group once again took the stage after the band’s performance, Jon groaned in frustration. He wanted to see his daughter now. Dot leaned over and told him to stop acting like a little kid. He just snorted and leaned back into his seat.
Finally the music teacher announced: “Ladies and Gentlemen… and now the last performance for the evening…”
They stayed at school all day long and made their sound check in the early afternoon. When the music teacher told them that they would be the last band of the evening, they started to discus their set list again. Set list, my ass we are talking about three songs. Kris shook her head.
“I still think we should keep it the way we rehearsed it.” She said. “The guys from the lights are now trained to that order too. We would risk standing in the dark when we change it.” And we would risk that I sing the wrong song, she added in her mind.
“Maybe you are right.” Daniel sighed and looked at the other boys. They only nodded. “Ok, we keep it that way.”
“Great! Can we now eat something?” Teddy asked in a cranky voice. They laughed. He asked that a couple times in the last two hours.
“Let’s go and get some burgers.” Steve said.
3 hours till Showtime, Kris thought when they were driving down the street to a diner.
*************************************
Across the town Jon was as nervous as Kris. Everything was planned. The little ones were with his parents; he made sure the guys were here in time, especially Richie. They were actually sitting in the living room right now, but Dot wasn’t ready yet.
“Dot!” he yelled upstairs. “Dot! Are you ready?”
His wife came down the stairs with an angry look on her face. Her hair still dripping wet and her body only covered with a huge towel.
“You are asking me that for the third time now. Does that look like I’m ready? We have nearly three hours left till it starts. Would. You. Please. Calm. Down!” she stressed her last words.
“I just wanted to be there earlier. Maybe she needs help.” Jon said eyeing her angry.
Dot sighed. “You will only make her nervous. She needs to go through it on her own. You can only sit in the audience tonight and applause…” he wanted to say something. “…nothing else Jon!” she stopped him.
He frowned. “This is not your show, Jon. You can’t control it.” Dot said while pulling the towel closer around her body when it started to slide down. Jon’s eyes travelled up her long legs over her body and lingered at her breast that were only half covered by the towel.
“Can’t you wear a bit more, when you are coming down here? The guys are in the living room.” Jon hissed. Dot rolled her eyes at his comment.
“David, Richie, Tico come here.” She yelled. Jon froze. In the next second the three men raced through the door into the hallway. When Dot had that sound in her voice you better hurry and don’t ask twice what you should do.
“Keep him busy or you need to release the next album without him.” She ordered and turned on her heal, cursing something about stupid men when she walked upstairs. Jon tried to get after her, but David and Richie stopped him and pulled him out of the house over to the pub.
“We will not drink. I don’t wanna miss a single minute of her performance tonight.” Jon told them and Richie set the glasses back on the counter.
“Let’s play pool till Dot calls us to come back.” Tico said and handed Jon a billiard cue.
**********************************
About half an hour before the show started they arrived at the school. And Jon had to admit it was early enough. The auditorium was not even half filled yet. Parents and students were standing in the hallway chatting and wishing each other merry Christmas.
“Ok, where are our seats?” he asked when they entered the auditorium. Kris told him that she would reserve enough seats for them.
“I don’t know. Didn’t you ask her?” Dot wondered. Jon frowned and he could hear Richie trying to avoid laughing. He eyed his wingman angrily.
“Mr. and Mrs. Bongiovi?” Dot and Jon turned around.
“Alex. Nice to see you.” Dot greeted the girl with a warm smile.
“Kris asked me to bring you to your seats. They are really busy backstage.” Alex explained and guided them down the aisle and stopped at the fourth row. “These five seats here are yours.”
“Shouldn’t we sit a bit more in the middle?” Jon wondered. They were placed to watch the left side of the stage. Dot pushed him with her elbow in the rips. He pouted and rubbed his chest.
Alex smiled and shook her head. “She really knows you well.” Jon watched her confused. “Kris said you would say that.” His band mates laughed and sat down. “Believe me, you want to sit here.”
“Thanks Alex.” Dot said and pulled Jon down in his seat. The girl nodded and hurried backstage again. She needed to help Kris with her outfit.
“Jon, your daughter is as organize as you. Do you really think we get these seats without any reason?” Dot asked him smiling.
He sighed. “Yeah, you are right.” He grabbed the program. “Hey, they are the last ones to play.” He announced excitedly. “Remember the show in Moscow when we were the last…” he turned to the guys and Dot rolled her eyes. Oh, please not again! She was more than happy when the show started and Jon had to stop talking.
First the principal held a little speech and was welcoming them to the show. Afterwards the choir performed some songs and then the theatre group showed a little piece. It wasn’t overwhelming, but you could see that the kids put a lot of effort in it. But Jon wasn’t really interested in it. He was moving anxious in his seat, couldn’t wait till Kris would take the stage. Dot shook her head. Now I know where Jesse has it from.
After another performance of the choir, this time a medley of Christmas songs, the other school band took the stage and Jon calmed down a bit. He turned to David and his keyboard player shook his head at the unspoken question of his friend. Jon grinned. Of course, they weren’t better than his daughter’s band.
When the theatre group once again took the stage after the band’s performance, Jon groaned in frustration. He wanted to see his daughter now. Dot leaned over and told him to stop acting like a little kid. He just snorted and leaned back into his seat.
Finally the music teacher announced: “Ladies and Gentlemen… and now the last performance for the evening…”
Chapter twenty-five
The music faded softly in the room and they all looked at each other expectant.
“So, how was it?” Kris asked finally.
“I still think you focus too much on the piano for the rhythm. But Eric and I make sure we keep the beat.” Teddy said with his deep voice sitting behind his drums.
“The song is very heavy on the piano; I need to listen to Daniel.” Kris said frowning lightly. She turned to Daniel.
“You are still holding back. It’s like you are not sure, you can reach and hold the high notes. You can put much more power behind it. You simply have to try it.” He learned really fast, that Kris was still a bit unsure about her talent. If he only could make her try it once, then she could see that she can do it and she would surprise them all during the Christmas show.
“I’m not able to reach those high notes.” She answered back.
“Yes, you are.” Steve and Eric said in unison. They grinned. Kris smiled shortly and looked at Michael and Alex. They were both with them the last days and didn’t seem to be bored at all. Maybe because they could watch their partner all day long without getting stupid comments. Michael told her that nothing was sexier then seeing Daniel play piano and Alex was so happy that Eric and her were an item now, she could watch him sleep and would still be over the moon.
“Michael?” she asked.
His head snapped away from Daniel. “Huh? Oh, you know I have no idea about music, but I know that Danny has and when he thinks you can do it, you can.” Daniel grinned and placed a short kiss on his lover’s lips. Kris sighed deeply. That’s not what she wanted to hear.
“Alex?”
Her best friend looked at her nervously. “I think you can do it, Kris.” Kris rolled her eyes. “Maybe when someone else is listening to it, you will be convinced enough to try it.”
“You mean one of the guys upstairs?” Kris asked surprised. Alex nodded.
“Hm, good idea.” Steve said. “What about your dad?”
Kris shook her head. “I wanna surprise him with this song, you know that. And I’m not sure I would get a word out when he would be here.” She admitted nervously.
“How about David?” Alex suggested. “You already played piano for him. He actually showed you some nice little tricks. You shouldn’t be so nervous with him around and I’m sure he won’t tell anything about it when you asked him.”
Kris nodded and glanced at Daniel. He looked at her for a second. “Yeah, why not. Asked him to come down.” Kris smiled thankfully. She could see Daniel tried not to show how nervous he was about playing in front of one of his idols, who actually studied at the Juilliard. The school he wanted to study at so badly in two years.
“Ok, I’ll be right back.” With sweating hands Kris walked upstairs. She had to make sure Jon would understand why she didn’t want him to listen to it. He would be really hurt otherwise.
When she entered the living room it was empty except of David who just closed his cell phone. She bit her bottom lip and stopped at the door. He looked up.
“Hey, Kris.” Why was she so nervous? Did they damage something down there?
“Hey. Uhm…where’s Jon?” she asked kneading her hands nervously.
“He, Rich and Tico are outside playing football with Steph and Jesse. I just wanted to join them.” He pointed through the huge patio doors into the back yard.
“Oh, ok…David?”
“Kris, what’s wrong? Come on sit down here.” He patted the couch next to him. “Did you damage something in the basement?”
“What? No!” she looked at him shocked. “It’s just…I wanted to ask…” She closed her eyes briefly. “Can you come down and listen to one of the songs?”
He looked at her surprised. “Are you sure you don’t wanna ask your dad?” Jon would freak when he found out that she asked him.
“I wanna surprise him with that song during the Christmas show. He can’t listen to it prior.” She sounded desperate.
“Oh, I see.” He watched her a second. “Ok, but you have to explain it to him. When you don’t do it, he would be very hurt.” David said.
She nodded. “I know.”
“Good. How about you go outside and tell him and I go downstairs and talk with the boys?” Kris paled. She should tell him now.
“Now?” she asked shocked. David got up and walked into the hallway. She followed him looking for an excuse.
“Now.” He said and handed her her coat. She wanted to say something, but David pointed with a stern look to the door. She sighed and walked outside.
“Hey, sweetie. Did you see David?” Jon yelled as soon as she was outside.
“Yeah.” She whispered. Jon frowned. Did she say something? Concerned he walked over to her.
“Are you ok, sweetie?” he put his hand on her forehead. Maybe she was getting a cold again. Kris moved her head away.
“I’m fine.” She took a deep breath. “David is down in the basement. I asked him to listen to one of the songs.” She said and hoped he wouldn’t freak too much.
“Oh.” Jon was surprised. She could hear the disappointment in his voice.
“Jon...it’s because…” she started.
“It’s ok sweetie. You can ask whoever you want to.” He turned and wanted to walk back to the game, but Kris blocked his way.
“Wait!” her voice was hard and he was taken aback of it
“I didn’t ask you, because I want to surprise you with this particular song during the show. It just doesn’t sound right by now and… and…” tears were filling her eyes. Jon’s expression softened.
“Oh, Kris.” He pulled her into his arms and rubbed her back. “It’s ok. I’m sorry, sweetie. I’m sorry.” He kissed her head softly and smiled. She’s planning a surprise for me.
“Everything ok?” Richie walked over to them and saw Kris tears.
“Yeah, everything is fine.” Jon said and watched Kris. “I just have a great daughter.” Kris smiled and leaned her head against his shoulder. “Hey, no time to rest. Go back inside again and listen to your teacher. Sometimes he really knows what he’s doing.” Kris laughed.
“Only sometimes?” she asked with a grin. Jon winked at her and pushed her towards the door.
While Kris was outside with Jon, the boys had told David about their problem. They agreed that he would listen to them once before he would tell Kris what she should change.
“Ok, here I am.” She said and walked back into the room. David didn’t miss her red eyes and looked at her questioning.
“Everything’s fine. But only because I didn’t let him run away.” She answered his unspoken question.
He nodded smiling. “I see. Ok, show me what you got.” He stepped aside and Kris sat down on her stool. That’s problem number one, David thought, but didn’t mention it now.
The kids nodded and started to play the song again. David was impressed. This song wasn’t easy, especially not for the singer. At some point she had to sing without any instruments, in other parts she had to focus on the piano only. That was definitely not easy and he knew Jon would be really surprised about her choice.
“So, what do you think?” Kris asked after the last tones faded.
“Well, you are very ambitious to choose that song. It was good…but you can do much better.” They all looked at each other rather shocked.
“First of all…” he pushed Kris off the stool. “… this is a song were you have to stand as a singer. And you should do it anytime you sing, because you don’t have so much routine like your father by now.” Kris nodded.
“Second, you have to focus on the piano. That’s good, but only in that part where you two are playing alone. All the other time he…” David pointed at Teddy. “…is your barometer of truth.” Teddy grinned.
“Teddy tried to tell you a couple times that you were too fast, but you didn’t react at all.” Kris bit her bottom lip and nodded. David could see that it was hard for her to accept the critic. Just like Jon.
He looked her in the eyes and could see her fighting for control. “Kris, these guys are already playing together for a little while, it takes some time till you fit in completely.” She bowed her head. David tilted her chin up again. “But I can tell you, you already sound great together. I can only hear it, because I do it for a living. Nobody will guess that you only play for a couple weeks together. Ok?” She nodded.
“Good. Go and blow your nose otherwise you can’t sing.” Kris chuckled and watched when he told the rest of the band to listen better at each other.
“How long are you guys playing together?” he asked Steve.
“Uhm…about five years.” He replied.
“I see. You are getting lazy. You think you can do it and don’t have to listen to each other anymore. Well, I tell you something you still have to do it after 16 years.” The boys exchanged a look and nodded.
Kris watched David talking with the band. He didn’t mince his words. Everyone of the guys got a featback. When he turned to Daniel Kris swallowed hard. When he would give him a roasting Daniel would probably never play again.
“You are one talented guy.” Daniel released the breath he didn’t know he was holding. David smiled. “There are some little things you can change, that will also make it a bit easier for Kris, but we can talk about that later.”
“See, you won’t have a problem to be accepted by Juilliard.” Kris said and grinned at Daniel.
David nodded. “No, you won’t…when you continue to practise this way.”
“Oh, I will…you can be sure of that. I will.” Daniel promised and stared at the keys. He was a bit overwhelmed by the compliment. David smiled. Kris isn’t the only one here who doesn’t know how good she really is.
David turned to Kris. “We will do the middle part again. Focus on your breathing; you need a lot of air for that part.” She nodded and faced the mic.
Teddy counted them in and Daniel started to play the piano solo. Kris closed her eyes and sang. A smile reached David’s face. She was good; she was really good considering that she never had singing lessons.
“Ok, stop.” They all stopped and looked at him surprised. He stepped behind Kris. “I want you to sing alone.” She nodded. “Teddy, count her in.”
She started again and when she reached the part where she always lost her breath and her voice lost the power, David pressed his hand on her belly. She stopped shocked and looked at him unsure.
“You have so much air left, but you simply don’t use it. Kris touched her belly and frowned. “You need to sing with your whole body; you can hold the notes much longer and make them louder when you use your abdominal membrane.”
“How can I train that?” she asked confused.
“Simply by singing scales. Try it.” He encouraged her. Kris took a deep breath and sang. It worked. David nodded approvingly.
“Good. And now try the song again. Teddy!” he said and the band continued their rehearsal.
“So, how was it?” Kris asked finally.
“I still think you focus too much on the piano for the rhythm. But Eric and I make sure we keep the beat.” Teddy said with his deep voice sitting behind his drums.
“The song is very heavy on the piano; I need to listen to Daniel.” Kris said frowning lightly. She turned to Daniel.
“You are still holding back. It’s like you are not sure, you can reach and hold the high notes. You can put much more power behind it. You simply have to try it.” He learned really fast, that Kris was still a bit unsure about her talent. If he only could make her try it once, then she could see that she can do it and she would surprise them all during the Christmas show.
“I’m not able to reach those high notes.” She answered back.
“Yes, you are.” Steve and Eric said in unison. They grinned. Kris smiled shortly and looked at Michael and Alex. They were both with them the last days and didn’t seem to be bored at all. Maybe because they could watch their partner all day long without getting stupid comments. Michael told her that nothing was sexier then seeing Daniel play piano and Alex was so happy that Eric and her were an item now, she could watch him sleep and would still be over the moon.
“Michael?” she asked.
His head snapped away from Daniel. “Huh? Oh, you know I have no idea about music, but I know that Danny has and when he thinks you can do it, you can.” Daniel grinned and placed a short kiss on his lover’s lips. Kris sighed deeply. That’s not what she wanted to hear.
“Alex?”
Her best friend looked at her nervously. “I think you can do it, Kris.” Kris rolled her eyes. “Maybe when someone else is listening to it, you will be convinced enough to try it.”
“You mean one of the guys upstairs?” Kris asked surprised. Alex nodded.
“Hm, good idea.” Steve said. “What about your dad?”
Kris shook her head. “I wanna surprise him with this song, you know that. And I’m not sure I would get a word out when he would be here.” She admitted nervously.
“How about David?” Alex suggested. “You already played piano for him. He actually showed you some nice little tricks. You shouldn’t be so nervous with him around and I’m sure he won’t tell anything about it when you asked him.”
Kris nodded and glanced at Daniel. He looked at her for a second. “Yeah, why not. Asked him to come down.” Kris smiled thankfully. She could see Daniel tried not to show how nervous he was about playing in front of one of his idols, who actually studied at the Juilliard. The school he wanted to study at so badly in two years.
“Ok, I’ll be right back.” With sweating hands Kris walked upstairs. She had to make sure Jon would understand why she didn’t want him to listen to it. He would be really hurt otherwise.
When she entered the living room it was empty except of David who just closed his cell phone. She bit her bottom lip and stopped at the door. He looked up.
“Hey, Kris.” Why was she so nervous? Did they damage something down there?
“Hey. Uhm…where’s Jon?” she asked kneading her hands nervously.
“He, Rich and Tico are outside playing football with Steph and Jesse. I just wanted to join them.” He pointed through the huge patio doors into the back yard.
“Oh, ok…David?”
“Kris, what’s wrong? Come on sit down here.” He patted the couch next to him. “Did you damage something in the basement?”
“What? No!” she looked at him shocked. “It’s just…I wanted to ask…” She closed her eyes briefly. “Can you come down and listen to one of the songs?”
He looked at her surprised. “Are you sure you don’t wanna ask your dad?” Jon would freak when he found out that she asked him.
“I wanna surprise him with that song during the Christmas show. He can’t listen to it prior.” She sounded desperate.
“Oh, I see.” He watched her a second. “Ok, but you have to explain it to him. When you don’t do it, he would be very hurt.” David said.
She nodded. “I know.”
“Good. How about you go outside and tell him and I go downstairs and talk with the boys?” Kris paled. She should tell him now.
“Now?” she asked shocked. David got up and walked into the hallway. She followed him looking for an excuse.
“Now.” He said and handed her her coat. She wanted to say something, but David pointed with a stern look to the door. She sighed and walked outside.
“Hey, sweetie. Did you see David?” Jon yelled as soon as she was outside.
“Yeah.” She whispered. Jon frowned. Did she say something? Concerned he walked over to her.
“Are you ok, sweetie?” he put his hand on her forehead. Maybe she was getting a cold again. Kris moved her head away.
“I’m fine.” She took a deep breath. “David is down in the basement. I asked him to listen to one of the songs.” She said and hoped he wouldn’t freak too much.
“Oh.” Jon was surprised. She could hear the disappointment in his voice.
“Jon...it’s because…” she started.
“It’s ok sweetie. You can ask whoever you want to.” He turned and wanted to walk back to the game, but Kris blocked his way.
“Wait!” her voice was hard and he was taken aback of it
“I didn’t ask you, because I want to surprise you with this particular song during the show. It just doesn’t sound right by now and… and…” tears were filling her eyes. Jon’s expression softened.
“Oh, Kris.” He pulled her into his arms and rubbed her back. “It’s ok. I’m sorry, sweetie. I’m sorry.” He kissed her head softly and smiled. She’s planning a surprise for me.
“Everything ok?” Richie walked over to them and saw Kris tears.
“Yeah, everything is fine.” Jon said and watched Kris. “I just have a great daughter.” Kris smiled and leaned her head against his shoulder. “Hey, no time to rest. Go back inside again and listen to your teacher. Sometimes he really knows what he’s doing.” Kris laughed.
“Only sometimes?” she asked with a grin. Jon winked at her and pushed her towards the door.
While Kris was outside with Jon, the boys had told David about their problem. They agreed that he would listen to them once before he would tell Kris what she should change.
“Ok, here I am.” She said and walked back into the room. David didn’t miss her red eyes and looked at her questioning.
“Everything’s fine. But only because I didn’t let him run away.” She answered his unspoken question.
He nodded smiling. “I see. Ok, show me what you got.” He stepped aside and Kris sat down on her stool. That’s problem number one, David thought, but didn’t mention it now.
The kids nodded and started to play the song again. David was impressed. This song wasn’t easy, especially not for the singer. At some point she had to sing without any instruments, in other parts she had to focus on the piano only. That was definitely not easy and he knew Jon would be really surprised about her choice.
“So, what do you think?” Kris asked after the last tones faded.
“Well, you are very ambitious to choose that song. It was good…but you can do much better.” They all looked at each other rather shocked.
“First of all…” he pushed Kris off the stool. “… this is a song were you have to stand as a singer. And you should do it anytime you sing, because you don’t have so much routine like your father by now.” Kris nodded.
“Second, you have to focus on the piano. That’s good, but only in that part where you two are playing alone. All the other time he…” David pointed at Teddy. “…is your barometer of truth.” Teddy grinned.
“Teddy tried to tell you a couple times that you were too fast, but you didn’t react at all.” Kris bit her bottom lip and nodded. David could see that it was hard for her to accept the critic. Just like Jon.
He looked her in the eyes and could see her fighting for control. “Kris, these guys are already playing together for a little while, it takes some time till you fit in completely.” She bowed her head. David tilted her chin up again. “But I can tell you, you already sound great together. I can only hear it, because I do it for a living. Nobody will guess that you only play for a couple weeks together. Ok?” She nodded.
“Good. Go and blow your nose otherwise you can’t sing.” Kris chuckled and watched when he told the rest of the band to listen better at each other.
“How long are you guys playing together?” he asked Steve.
“Uhm…about five years.” He replied.
“I see. You are getting lazy. You think you can do it and don’t have to listen to each other anymore. Well, I tell you something you still have to do it after 16 years.” The boys exchanged a look and nodded.
Kris watched David talking with the band. He didn’t mince his words. Everyone of the guys got a featback. When he turned to Daniel Kris swallowed hard. When he would give him a roasting Daniel would probably never play again.
“You are one talented guy.” Daniel released the breath he didn’t know he was holding. David smiled. “There are some little things you can change, that will also make it a bit easier for Kris, but we can talk about that later.”
“See, you won’t have a problem to be accepted by Juilliard.” Kris said and grinned at Daniel.
David nodded. “No, you won’t…when you continue to practise this way.”
“Oh, I will…you can be sure of that. I will.” Daniel promised and stared at the keys. He was a bit overwhelmed by the compliment. David smiled. Kris isn’t the only one here who doesn’t know how good she really is.
David turned to Kris. “We will do the middle part again. Focus on your breathing; you need a lot of air for that part.” She nodded and faced the mic.
Teddy counted them in and Daniel started to play the piano solo. Kris closed her eyes and sang. A smile reached David’s face. She was good; she was really good considering that she never had singing lessons.
“Ok, stop.” They all stopped and looked at him surprised. He stepped behind Kris. “I want you to sing alone.” She nodded. “Teddy, count her in.”
She started again and when she reached the part where she always lost her breath and her voice lost the power, David pressed his hand on her belly. She stopped shocked and looked at him unsure.
“You have so much air left, but you simply don’t use it. Kris touched her belly and frowned. “You need to sing with your whole body; you can hold the notes much longer and make them louder when you use your abdominal membrane.”
“How can I train that?” she asked confused.
“Simply by singing scales. Try it.” He encouraged her. Kris took a deep breath and sang. It worked. David nodded approvingly.
“Good. And now try the song again. Teddy!” he said and the band continued their rehearsal.
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