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.