FLA 3

Dot heard the bottle shatter against the wall, she stepped into the room and looked at him. Torn between two options, lacing into him again about being careless with the breakable object what if the kids were home or two ignoring it and bringing him upstairs. "Are you coming to bed?"

His eyes stayed closed while leaning up against the wall not saying anything.

Dot sat down next to him and touched his arm. "I don't know what's wrong with you right and honestly its not the top thing on my priority list to find out. I've always put you first Jon, YOU not me or my career or our kids but YOU. I need you to return the favor at least once in our lifetime. What you said in the shower took all the security and closeness we've built up over the last few days away from me. It made me feel like giving you that tonight didn't mean anything to you. I have no where else to turn Jon. I need something and I'm turning to my husband for it like I'm supposed to but if you can't give it to me I'll find what I need Jon. Which do you want?"

She asked and then got up and exited the room. Not returning to their bedroom because she hated fighting there but she went to sit in the family room upstairs.

A tear fell from his eye as she walked out of the room, he knew that what he had said was wrong and the fact that it hurt her was eating him up inside. Over the years she had put him in his place but this time was different she gave him a choice, it was either him or she would go outside their marriage for what she needed. "Shit." he said softly as he stood up and stumbled through the kitchen holding onto anything he could.

"Fuck I need to quit drinking." he closed his eyes tightly in hopes that the world would stop spinning just long enough for him to find his wife. "Dorothea?" he yelled as he walked down the hallway.
"where in the hell is she at?" he looked into all the rooms as he stumbled down the hallway, finally he saw her in the family room. "Thanks for answering me when I said your name."

"NO problem thanks for insulting me by rubbing your affairs in my face." She snapped back.

"You don't have to be such a smart ass." he replied hastily as he walked over toward the couch.

"Yes I do or I'll kick your ass. So what did your drunk ass decide Jon.'

He shrugged his shoulders. "You didn't give me much of a choice did you?"

"Sure I did. I gave you the same choice I gave you 3 days ago and you told me to choose you. Its not seeming like that's really what you want so I'm giving you another option. I can find a few guys to satisfy my urges since its to much of an chore for you to do." She said feeling hurt and betrayed. All the built up frustration of being taken for granted and neglected from him for the last 30 yrs is rearing its ugly head.

"I'll be damned if I let another man's hands on you!"

"Well then fucking shape up."

"Why should I shape up? I didn't do anything!"

"You wanna think that through and try again." She challenged him.

"Not really."

"Ok, then I'll be back when I feel like it because you obviously aren't ready to be the man I need." Dot stood up to walk out of the room.

"Wait!"

"Why?" She turned, her face in tears.

"Will you get me a beer before you go upstairs?"

"Fuck off!"

He stood up a little to quickly and almost fell right back down. "Dot wait....seriously."

"Why, give me one good fucking reason Jon because I'm out of them."

"I'm ready to be that guy you need me to be."

"I give you 2 minutes to break the promise." She has lost almost all faith in him tonight. She was so confused and so emotional that it felt like the bottom had fallen outof her world. Jon should be that anchor for her, she should be able to hold on to him until all was right with the world again but she doesn't feel that way. She felt like shewas sinking into a endless pit of confusing and lonliness.

"I give you my word on one condition."

"What?"

"That you help my old drunk ass up to the bedroom."

"You wont' even remember promising me anything in the morning and you don't even know what you're agreeing to now."

"Yes I will and yes I do."

"Really what did you just agree to?" Again a challenge to him.

"To be your rock, somebody you can lean on when you need to. Somebody that will allow you to explore everything sexual with them. And more importantly somebody totreat you the way you deserve to treated."

"And how's that Jon? Do you even know how to treat a lady right? You've never been forced to do it."

"You haven't complained up until now so imagine I was doing an okay job before."

"No I just didn't put myself first before. The world's always revolved around you Jon. Do you have any idea what it feels like to not be the most important person in the room."

"Yes I do as a matter of fact."

"really?"

"Yes really."

"How'd you find that out?"

He sat back down on the couch because he was starting to feel light headed. "The day that Stephanie was born."

"Ever had to take that step back when it wasn't a child taking the limelight. When it was just you realizing that maybe you hadn't taken other people into consideration."

Dot leaned against the door jam.

"Yeah that day that we were at Elton's place, that was the worst moment of my life."

"So when I get hit by a car you care and put me first. Do you think you can manage that for more than a moment in time."

"Yeah but just don't get any more cars involved." he laughed. "You scared the shit out of me that day."

"I didn't do it, I was just waiting on you." She answered, again it was about Jon. Damn that man is the center of the universe and most days it doesn't even bother her.

"I know you were and that's why I felt guilty. I told you to wait on me."

"That's the thing Jon I always have put you first, its my turn for a while ok?"

"Okay."

"Lets go to bed Jon." Dot came over to him and held out her hand.

"Damn I don't even know if I can make it up the stairs." he smiled as he took her hand.

"I'm not carrying you. If you can't make it up the stairs you can crawl or sleep on the stairs."

"Gee I love you to Dot."

"Yeah prove it, get your ass to bed."

"You know that attitude on you is kinda sexy." he smirked as he grabbed onto the rail of the steps.

"You always like me confident and strong." She said knowing that's not how she feels right now.

"That is you baby, it always has been and always will be."

She reached the top of the stairs and headed for their room without another word.

A few minutes later Jon finally made it up their room and his wife was already in the bed. "I'm sorry for everything I said earlier."

"We've covered that Jon. Are you gonna be ok or are you gonna throw up the minute you lay down."

"I'll be fine." he tossed the towel on the chair beside the bed then crawled in beside his wife.

"Goodnight Jon." She said and curled up facing away from him.

"Dorothea." he said softly as he propped himself up on his elbow facing her back.

"Yes Jon." She said rolling onto her back.

"I don't want you to have to go outside our marriage for anything okay."

"I don't want to have to either."

"From now on I will play by your rules....do whatever you need me to."

"Are you trying to remind yourself or what?" She didn't understand why he's saying this all again.

"No I'm telling you that."

"You said that before what makes this time so different."

"This time I mean it."

"Ok Jon. Goddnight.

With that she rolls back over facing away from him.

"I've taken you for granted to long Dot. I've been an ass for the past 30 yrs and I truly am sorry."

"Good prove it." She said still not facing him. If she looked at him she's want to make love to him. She hated fighting but he needed to know she's hit her limit of understanding.

"Dorothea will you please look at me?" he asked as his hand rested on her upper arm.

She reluctantly turned over, tears still staining her cheeks, her eyes still showed the strain. "What Jon?" Her voice void of any fight.

"Do you regret marrying me?"

"I don't know if I can answer that the way you want me to Jon." She replied honestly.

He bit on his bottom lip as his eyes became glassy. "I deserve that." he said softly while moving her wedding ring around her finger. "Do you think we could start over?"

"I'm not sure Jon. I'm just so tired of always feeling like I only matter when its convenient."

"You matter to me Dot. Damn it what can I do to get you to understand that?"

"Well for starters be married 100% of the time. Wear your fucking ring - always NO exceptions."

"You know I can't do that."

"Bullshit. You won't do that, there's 1000% difference between the two. You are JON BON JOVI you can do any damn thing you want."

"Dot you know that I can't wear my ring when I'm on stage! The one time I do it's going to slip off and I would prefer not to lose it."

"You'd prefer to still let 20,000 girls a night get wet panties thinking they have a shot cos you don't look married. Bono wears his ring -
Bruce wears his, just be carefulJon. I know its trivial but it hurts, when you were young and trying to make it I let it slide, but now, NO MORE I'm tired of not mattering I'm tired of not being equal. IF I
agree to renew our vows thats a rule because if that's not going to change I'm not planning a wedding. I'll plan a divorce."

"Dot this rings symbolizes a lot to me baby. I'm sorry but I can't chance it slipping it off during a concert, it's a hell of a lot safer locked up in my dressing room."

Dot gave up. "Fine." She rolled over and faced away from him.

"Not it's not fine!" Jon got up from the bed and walked over to her side of the bed and sat down.

"What do you want from me Jon, I've given you everything what else do you want." Dot asked him simply out of energy to fight with him.

There had to be something wrong, she never gives in this fast and she just had nothing left.

"I want you to know that I'm crazy about you and couldn't imagine my life without you."

"Ok Jon."

"That was so not convincing Dorothea."

"Jon I don't have anything left to give you. What do you want, what the fuck do you want Jon I've given you everything I have."

"Forget it Dot." Jon's face saddened as he got up from the bed and walked over the dresser, pulling out a small box. "Here do what you want with it." he was almost in tears as he tossed it on the bed and walked downstairs.

Dot didn't even look at what he through on the bed, she got up and got dressed, throwing a few articles of clothing in a bag and grabbed her purse. Dot walked downstairs not caring where Jon is, she just grabbed her car keys and walked out the front door. She just couldn't take anymore of her feelings not mattering, she needs more and if he can't or won't give it to her she had to survive. As she took two steps towards the garage she smelled cigerette smoke, knowing he was standing close and smoking she ignored it and continued on to the cars.

"What the hell?" Jon looked around the garage and saw his wife putting a bag in the trunk. He tossed the cigarette aside before walking over to her. "Baby where are you going?"

"To a hotel, obviously we are over."

"What? I think it takes two people to make that decision."

"Jon I don't have anything left to give you and you've proven you can't or won't pick up the slack right now. We can't survive this because I can't be the strong oneanymore." Dot told him softly as she closed the trunk.

"You are one of the strongest people I know baby." he took her by the arm making her face him. "I know that your hormones are all screwy right now but...."

"No but Jon. I don't have anything left to support your fame and your charity work and be left at home all the time and forgotten and to make sure the kids know where daddy is and that daddy's sorry he missed another birthday or another play. Jon I don't have anything left inside me and you won't fill it back up so where do we go from here?"

"I don't want to fight you with you Dot." he said sincerely. "And I'm not going to stop you from leaving but I do hope that you will step
inside the house with me before you make a decision."

"You won't stop me? Jon the fact that you won't try to stop me hurts even more. What could you possibly say inside the house that you can't say here?"

"Just come inside okay."

"Ok." She said as she started walking in the house.

Jon had her sit in the family room while he ran up to the bedroom.

"I'll be right back Dot."

Dot quietly looked around the room, in a house that they built with what she called love. Before she realized it was very one sided. It
may have taken her 30 yrs but she's finally noticed things about Jon that she's not so sure she can continue to deal with.
Jon came back into the room and noticed how lonely she looked sitting on the couch. For the first time he saw how unhappy she was and knew he had to step up and be the strong one. He walked into the room then sat down beside her hoping he wouldn't get smacked. "I'm ready."

"Ready for what?"

"To step up and be a man....the man that you deserve."

"Jon forgive me if I don't believe you, you've said it 3 times in the last 3 days and so far failed to prove it."

"I'm trying Dot. Honest to god I'm trying."

"What have you done that you think is trying?" She pushed him to dig deep inside himself.

"For one I made love to you on the beach....in public Dot. Do you know how risky that was? But I did it for you."

"What else?"

"I let that Mike guy know that you were mine."

"That was for your ego Jon not for me."

"Well yeah." he smiled "But you said it was sex right?"

"What?"

"I meant sexy baby." he laughed. "You see where you make my mind wander off to."

"How can you laugh, do you not realize I have a bag packed and in the car to leave you?"

"Yeah I do realize that which is why I'm talking to you because my world will crumble if you leave you know that. Look I want to make things right with you okay not only for our sake but for our kids."

"So how are you going to make it right Jon?"

"Apologize for the hundreth time." he sighed as he moved closer to her. "I've always taken you for granted Dot."

"Yes you have."

"I always just assumed you were okay with taking care of the kids and being home all the time. But you weren't were you?"

"No, I was married but alone. I felt like I was a hired hand many times, like I was the nanny you sometimes slept with but weren't loyal to."

She admitted that which was probably the hardest thing for her to voice in the last two days.

"Dot.." he almost whispered as he pulled her down so that her head was on his shoulder. "I had no idea you felt that way baby. And I'm sorry that you did....that I made you feel like that."

"Jon that's why I said I have nothing left. Its been 30 yrs and I need something to look forward to not more of the same."

"Things WILL change around here. From now on you are relinquished from your duties." he smiled. "It's my turn as a husband to help you in any way I can."

"What else Jon?"

"This." he pointed to his wedding band. "This will never come off this finger."

That shocked her, she turned quickly and looked at him. "Really?"

"Yeah but I just want you to remember this if it slides off in somebody's hand I'm not responsible." he winked as he placed a small kiss on her cheek.

"Then if it does you have an excuse not to wear it." She told him.

"I guess." he smiled. "So are we okay?" he asked softly as he reached for her hand.

"Yes, but I'm not sleeping in our bed tonight."

"Why not?"

"Because I want you to know how it feels, I want you to reach for me and not have me there, because honestly Jon if you go back on
these promises to me that bed will get very lonely for you."

"I'm not going to believe me."

"As far as sleeping alone, don't you think I do the same thing when I'm gone? You don't know how many times I've pulled a pillow close
during the night thinking it was you."

"Honey its different when its our bed, the bed we've made love in a million times, the bed we've made our children in. Goodnight Jon."
She kissed him then walked upstairs to a guest room. Stripping naked she crawled in bed.

Jon opened the door slightly and saw that her eyes were closed. He walked across the hardwood floor as quiet as possible over to the bed and placed the small box on her pillow before leaning over to kiss her cheek. "I love you baby." he smiled then walked quietly out of the room.

Dot opened her eyes as he left and finally opened the box that he left for her. She hadn't shut all the lights off so when she opened the box she saw the breathtaking diamond ring. The spectacular square diamond with the high step-cut crown cut.

The presentation was stunning. She had no idea how big the diamond is but when she took it out of the ring box she could tell there was some weight to it. What shook her to the core however was the engraving, 'For my brown eyed baby.'

Dot wanted so bad to go to him, she wanted even more to put that ring on her hand but she couldn't. She had to be strong. If Jon really wanted to keep her he had to step it up and leaving a ring on her pillow is no way to truly give her that once in a lifetime love she's wanted. Putting the beautiful ring inside the ring box she set it on the nightstand and turned the light off.

Back in the master bedroom Jon had been tossing and turning for a good hour. He had been without her before but she was right, being in their bed was a completely different experience. One that he never wanted to do again. As he laid on his back he looked up at the ceiling wondering what she was doing and if she missed him asmuch as he missed her. It was pure hell without her beside him. "Fuck I'm not doing this." he kicked the covers off and put a pair of boxers on before he headed down the hall to the spare bedroom.

"Hey Dorothea...are you awake?" he shook her gently.

"Not now Jon in the morning." She moaned and rolled over.

Jon laughed softly as he watched her, then noticed the box on the night stand. "I guess I'll give this to her later." he smiled as he placed it in his hand. He knew that she would probably kick his ass for doing this but he refused to be without her. "Time to go to our bed." he said in a normal tone as he picked her up into his arms.

Dot wrapped her arms easily around his neck. Jon's home. Was the only thought on her mind.

Once back in their room, Jon placed his very sleepy wife onto the bed. "Now this is where you belong."

He slipped off his shorts and climbed into the bed beside her. He wanted to give her the ring tonight but saw how tired she was.

"Tomorrow" he whispered before turning off the light and wrapping his arms around his wife. "Goodnight brown eyes."

Chapter 6

Dorothea stirred just a bit, fighting with the morning not to disturb her sleep. In her dreams Jon was home and he was holding her tight.

"Mornin' baby" he mumbled sleepily as he pulled her back into his chest.

Without opening an eye she instinctively cuddled closer to his body. "Morning lover."

Jon smiled as he kissed her shoulder while looking at the clock. "You realize it's already 11:30?"

"uh huh" She moaned and cuddled closer.

"Yes." She smiled kissing him again. Then under hooded lashes her eyes caught the ring box.

Jon followed her eyes "So did you look in the box?"

"Yes." She said meekly.

"Does that earn me a spanking?" She asked hoping to let him know she's putting last night behind them.

"Hell yeah!" He smiled releasing her for a moment to grab the box.

"Dorothea I know I've been an ass for god only knows how long." He
motioned her to the edge of the bed. "And I know you never got that perfect proposal." he smiled as he took her left hand into his and
got down on one knee. "Will you Dorothea Rose Hurley do me the honor of making me the happiest man in the world and marry me?,,,,,Again"

A tear fell from her eye. God she hoped like hell he could be the man she needed this time around. "Yes Jon. I'll marry you again."

He smiled as he slipped the ring on her finger. "Did you see the little thing I had engraved?" he asked as he sat down beside her.

"Yes. I loved it. When did you get this I've been with you since we started fighting."

"Before the shows in NY. I was wandering around and looked in the window at Tiffany's and immediately thought of you."

"I like it when you wonder around by Tiffany's." She smiled and kissed him.
"Do you realize what this ring is?"

"A symbol of my love for you?"

"The first diamond you've ever given me. You've bought me emeralds, sapphires, rubies but never diamonds."

"Well you deserve it. Actually you deserve the whole damn store."

"So buy it for me." She smirked knowing if she truly wanted it he would.

"Let's go." he smiled back.

"honey I think that no other diamond will compare to this one so lets just stay in bed." She kissed him. "After I run to the ladies room." She got up and ran out of the room.

"So happy she almost pissed herself." Jon started laughing as he crawled back in the bed.

She returned to the bedroom a few moments later, hair brushed, teeth brushed and other needs resolved. "That bed looks too big for just you, mind if I join you?"

"Don't you look quite prettiful." he teased. "Come on over honey."

"Will your wife mind?" She asked to see his reaction.

Jon just knew this was a trick question and would get an ass kicking if he got it wrong.

"MY wife would kick me in the rear."

"So you still want me to come over there?" Dot played with him again.

"Nope." his feet were moving nervously under the sheets, of course he wanted her but it was a test and he knew it.

Dot walked over to the dresser and dug around inside of it for a second. "Hey sexy husband?" She asked letting him know she's not playing fan anymore

"Yes ma'am"

She walked over to the bed and straddled his legs. "After all this time I've never gotten your autograph." She handed him a box of body markers and then took her shirt off over her head. "Can I have your autograph?"

He took one of the markers out of the box and wrote on both of her breasts 'Jon's' then went right under her belly button and made an arrow pointing down. Above the arrow he had written 'also Jon's. He gave her a boyish grin "How's that?"

"Possessive much?" She smirked.

"Not much no."

"Good." She took the marker and wrote right over his heart.
"Dorothea's"

He smiled lovingly at her "Always baby."

"So should we allow the kids to come home before we ditch them again?"

"Ahh the kids." Jon laid his head back against the head board. "Let's just run away from them." he joked.

"We can't" She sighed, "Not completely anyway we made them."

"And had a lot of fun doing it if I recall."

"I seem to recall that too. Have you made us any reservations yet or did you forget?"

"Not yet, I was going to do that today. But I kind of need to know where you wanna go."

"Maui."

His eyebrow arched "Maui?"

"Yep, its July, Independence Day Month I want to stay in America but bask in the beauty of paradise."

"Okay, I'll see what I can find."

"I know you can do this for us baby."

"But you know what"

"It's going to be perfect anyway because we will be together."

"And no kids." Dot smirked. "Clothes optional."

"Yeah clothes are bad." he smirked as he pulled his wife in for a kiss.

Dot settled against him enjoying the closeness to him she now felt.


Chapter 7

Richie heard an alarm on a cell phone going off but didn't remember setting on. "Baby did you set an alarm?" He asked Hannah with a kiss
to her shoulder.

"Umm yeah I did." she yawned. "If I'm late for work one more time my boss will kick my ass!"

"Shit, I know your boss, want me to write you a note?" Richie smiled as he nibbled on her neck.

"No I don't think that would work." she laughed. "But damn I do hate leaving." she smiled enjoying his lips on her.

"OH woman its so hard letting you out of bed." Richie moaned and wrapped his arms tight around her waist.

She closed her eyes and wondered how she had gotten so close so fast. "You should try being on the receiving end of these arms."

"Hey think that evil boss lady will you let you take a lunch today."

"Depends on how her night went with Jon." she joked.

"Ah shit I'm fucked." Richie laughed.

"That confident huh?" she laughed.

"Jon has a tendency to be a shit head to that woman so I'm saying we take lunch anyway." She kissed him on the cheek before getting out the bed. "Ok and if plans change I will call you."

"Ok sweetheart, if I don't hear from you I'll see you around noon ok."

"Ok." she smiled as she walked out the bedroom door then turned back around. "Uh you kind of brought me here yesterday so I have no
car." she laughed.

"OH shit angel. Hold on." Richie crawled his ass out of bed and grabbed jeans from the floor pulling them on. Grabbing a shirt and sliding
his feet into flip flops. Shades and keys are picked up as he opened the door.

"Well aren't you the speedy one" she joked. "I'm guessing you sleep in alot and have to get dressed faster than the speed of light."

"You can tell huh?" Richie slides the shades in place as he opened the door to his BMW for her.

"Just a guess."

"Right on baby." Richie got in and drove her home with limited talking. As he pulled up to her house he smiled. "Sorry for not talking much, I'm just not a morning person."

"Neither am I but it's my turn to open up the dojo so what can you do?" she shrugged her shoulders and leaned over the console to kiss his
cheek. "I'll see you at noon."

Richie grabbed her wrist. "After last night all I get is a kiss on the cheek?"

"If I kiss you then I will never get to work."

"I don't care." Richie pulled her into his chest hard and captured her mouth with his. "I like kisses."

"I can't argue with you about that." she kissed him back but felt her phone buzzing on her side.

"Hey I got you to vibrate." Richie laughed.

She smacked him on the chest before looking at the display. "It's Dot." she laughed.

"I'd better take this or I will be job hunting later."

"Go ahead angel." Richie smiled.

Hannah answered the phone and chatted with Dot, telling her that she was on her way to work now. She looked at Richie and shook her
head the entire time. She snapped her phone shut after the call. "Well she seemed like she was in a good mood at least for now!"

"Good that means either Jon said he was sorry or actually pleased the woman." Richie laughed and kissed Hannah again letting her get out
of the car and head off to work.

@@@

"Hello I have a delivery." A young gentleman walked into the dojo later that afternoon with a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

Dot smiled thinking that Jon was so sweet. "Sure I can take them."

"Are you Hannah Browning?" The delivery man asks reading off the card.

"No I'm not but I'm her boss I can sign for them." Dot quickly signed and tipped the guy setting the flowers on the front counter. Feeling
major disappointment but not letting it on she called for Hannah. "Hey Hannah you best get out here I'm tired of covering the counter."

Hannah was in the office but heard the tone of voice from her boss and figured shed better go out. "I'm coming!" she shouted as she
walked over towards the counter. "What did Jon do wrong?"

Dot didn't say anything just looked at the flowers then back to Hannah.
She was puzzled with her bosses actions. "Judging by those beautiful flowers, Jon either did something wrong or you did something
right!" she laughed.

"I'd have to agree if they were for me. They are for you though so tell me did he do wrong or did you do right?" Dot echoed her previous comment.

"I would love to tell you but I prefer to keep bedroom secrets in the bedroom." she winked as turned to admire the flowers.

"To bad I might learn something that Jon can use." Dot laughed and walked off to prepare for the next class.

"Maybe" she smirked.

Back at the Bongiovi house, Jon was in the family room looking for his notepad when he saw Richie's sunglasses lying on the table. He took
the phone out of his pocket and glanced at the clock "He should be up by now." Jon scanned the phone finding his friends number.

"Is someone needing a hug?" Richie answered thinking it was Hannah.

"Uhh not from you bro." Jon laughed.

"Shit you're not a beautiful red head. What's up bro?" Richie mumbled while he unfolded himself from the bed.

"No sorry Rich I'm not! I was just calling to see if you missed your prized sunglasses?"

"Not yet. I was still in bed, where'd I leave them?" He asked putting the coffee on and moved to take a seat on the deck.

"In the family room on the stand beside the sofa."

"Must have had other things on my mind." Richie laughed.

"And I'm betting that other thing is Hannah." Jon joked.

"She is not a thing Frank haven't you learned anything about your word
choices? So are you still in trouble?"

"Me trouble? I don't know the meaning of that word!"

"Yeah sure. She whip you're ass last night?"

"Hell yes." Jon sighed as he sat down on the sofa.

"Oh seriously? Did you get her jewelry? You know she likes that." Richie got up and poured himself some coffee and moved back to the
deck. Settling into a comfortable chair he knew this was going to be a long story.

"Yeah I did actually, it was that ring I bought before the last show."

"Shit did she like it? I think my roses are going to fail in comparison now."

"Yeah she loved it." Jon smiled. "And what roses are you talking about? Are you hitting on my woman." he laughed.

"Hell no I'm hitting on mine. I sent Hannah flowers this morning, that's why I answered the phone like I did, expected it to be her."

"Tell me you didn't Rich!"

"OF course I did. She spent the night last night for the first time I wanted to make her smile again."

"You know you just screwed up my day of peace and quiet right?"

"How? I didn't do a damn thing to you."

"Yes you did! You sent Hannah flowers at work.....she work's with my wife!"

"And you're in the doghouse again?" Richie laughed. "Frank put roses on the bed and go pick her up telling her you need her so bad you can't write. Bring her home and romance her - damn I'd think after damn near 3 decades you'd figure out how to make your woman love you."
Richie had no idea how his words affected Jon.

"I stay in the doghouse man." he laughed but deep down had a sick feeling hearing what his friend had just said because he was right.
After 3 decades he should know how to treat her.
"Hey Rich let me call you back later I need to run a couple of errands."

"Ok no problem man. I'll pick up the shades later."

"Alright....see ya." Jon snapped his phone shut and laid his head back on the couch to think about some of the things he could change to make his marriage stronger.

Jon went upstairs to grab his favorite black acoustic guitar and brought it back down to the family room. If there was one thing that put him at ease it was writing a song, not to mention he wanted to show Dot how much he cared about her. After a few minutes, he picked up his notepad and the words just began to flow onto the paper.



Chapter 8

Ever since lunch all Hannah could think about was Richie and how she couldn't wait to see him. There was only one other man that she had ever wanted to be with as much as him, she wasn't quite sure how she had became this attached in just a few short days.

Knowing that the dojo hadn't been busy and the last class had already had a few people cancel she went back to Dot's office.

"Hey Dot, since it's not busy can I leave for the day?"

"Sure Hannah have fun." Dot answered, she was going to be heading home in a bit too.

"Thanks! I'll see ya tomorrow!"

Dot looked up and smiled at her friend. She truly hoped Richie didn't hurt her or she'd kill him. Richie had made some dumb choices in women as of late and Hannah is just a regular woman who wants love. Hopefully that's what Richie finally wants.

Hannah smiled back but didn't waste anytime running out to her car so that she could drive to her place, change into something else then go over to Richie's.

She didn't understand what intrigued her so much about him, maybe it was the fact that she could be herself around him or maybe it was because they had both been through a similar experience of losing a loved one. But one thing she knew is that she was really starting to fall for him. While pondering her question she went through her closet grabbing a pair of jeans and black top that revealed her mid section. "I think he will like this." she smiled as she put on the clothes then headed toward the car. About thirty minutes later she found herself nervously walking up to his door step.

Richie had been going crazy waiting for Hannah, he'd played everything he imagined on his guitar and then broke some strings. Grabbing his keys and his hat he opened the front door to go get more but to his surprise he say Hannah on the other side. "Hey beautiful." Richie pulled her into his arms and then backed up a half foot to bed down and kiss her.

"Hey yourself handsome." she looked down and saw the keys in his hand. "Were you going somewhere?"

"Just to get more guitar strings but I'd rather be in your arms."

"Well how about we go pick up those strings, then you have no excuse not to play me a song later."

"You're on beautiful. Wanna put that bag in the house before we leave?" Richie eyed what he hoped was an overnight bag in her hand.

"Sure." she smiled as she sat it on the chair inside the door.

"Fantastic beautiful lets go." Richie smiled locking the door and then wrapping his arms around her bare midriff. "You're so sexy." He smirked kissing her neck.

"I know." she laughed as she broke their embrace. "Let's go."

"Oh arrogant I like that." Richie laughed opening the car door for her.
As Richie got in on the other side and started the car he smiled to her taking her hand and placing it on his thigh. "How was work?"

"It was okay....especially the flower delivery, but I think Dot was a little disappointed they weren't for her."

"Yeah Jon yelled at me that I got him in trouble. Too bad, I'm glad you liked them."

"He should step up and be a man." she smirked. "Maybe you should teach him manners.

"I think his wife kicking his ass is going to teach him. Jon's a great guy don't get me wrong but he is self absorbed. Not self centered
don't get me wrong, he's just always in his own head and sometimes he doesn't realize what his actions say to others." Richie explained wanting Hannah to get the correct view of Jon.

"I think I know what you mean. Dot loves him so much and he just doesn't seem to return that sometimes....or at least like she wants him too."

"Well Dots needs have changed drastically lately, she's always been ok with him up until a little bit ago, which is cool as life moves on people have different needs and its up to Jon to fulfill that in his wife. He's gotta be her everything. He's gotta be what she needs that's a husbands job." Richie commented as he pulled up to the guitar shop.

"Very true and Dot is like a sister to me. And like all siblings if she's not in a good mood everybody's life including mine will be miserable." she laughed.

"Jon'll figure it out trust me." Richie got out of the car and hurried around to open her door helping her out. "After 30 yrs he has to be doing something right."

"You would think so wouldn't you." She replied as her fingers intertwined with his.

"Its always a little rough when we first get home." Richie explained as he grabbed a few packages of his favorite strings and moved to
pay for them.

"What do you mean exactly?"

"Well when we are gone our women have a life of their own, Dot has the kids and her work and then suddenly Jon is home and she has to fit him back in to her life and its an adjustment period- it happens to all of us in the band."

"Makes sense I guess. She goes from being a single mom to being newly married in a way."

"Kind of and we have the same problem on our side, we go from being alone and lonely to trying to fit into a family again and find our place. It ruins the best of marriages."

"That's horrible." she said before she realized it. "I didn't mean it quite like that but I mean..."

"That's ok sweetie you didn't know. Come on lets go home."

She hopped into the passengers side of his car, eager to go back to his place. "Did you want to grab some dinner before we go back to your place? Or if you like I could cook for you." she smiled.

"Oh you can cook?" He laughs.

She smacked him playfully on the arm. "Yes as a matter of fact I can Sambora."

"OH cool you can cook for me then. How about lobster?" He laughed.

"Sure."

"Are you serious? We have to stop at the grocery store again then?"

"Yes I'm serious why does that surprise you?" she laughed

"Cos I have no idea how to cook the things and if you do then you just went up in the brownie point category." Richie laughed pulling into the grocery store parking lot.

"Did I forget to mention that I'm from Maine and knowing how to fix lobster is a must!"

"OH the likability factor is going up." Richie smirked pulling her tighter to his side as they walked towards the seafood area.

"So the saying is true huh?"

"You lost me angel." Richie looked at her not understanding the comment.

She placed her hand on his stomach. "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach."

"Guilty." Richie laughed. "Ok how do we even pick these out?" He said looking at the lobsters.

"For starters you don't want any of the really big ones they get really tough. Your best bet are the medium sized lobsters. They are so tender it almost melts in your mouth."

Just then Richie's cell phone rings. "Sounds great angel." He smiled to Hannah as he opened his phone.

"Hey who are you calling Angel I thought I was your angel." Ava smiled in to the phone.

"OH you are baby girl, now and forever. Whats up?"

"Gran is bringing me home, she says I'm high maintenance like you. Are you home?"

"No sweetie but I will be in about 15 minutes. Does gran want me to pick you up?" Richie asked almost forgetting Hannah was standing next to him.

"No she has events she says." Ava laughed. She loved her daddy and gran but she really wanted to be with daddy.

"Ok hey sweetie do you eat lobster?"

"Yes why?"

"Because my girlfriend is cooking us dinner and wanted to make sure if I needed to get you something else or not."

Ava didn't know he had a girlfriend. "Why is the daughter the last to know these things - I'll see you soon pops." She giggled as she hung up.

"Baby it looks like we'll need enough for 3. Ava is on her way home." Richie explained to Hannah his eyes showing the love he feels for that little girl.


Hannah could see how much he cared for his daughter but she wasn't quite sure how Ava would react towards her. "If you want we can do this another night." she said sadly as she looked back into the tank. "I mean I know it will be awkward for her."

"No sweetie its fine. Ava knows I'm dating and she knows there's no way her mom and I can get back together its fine." Richie pulled her tighter. "I want you to meet her and get to know her, and I want her to meet and get to know you. I like you, I already told you I'm keeping you."

She sighed in relief as she wrapped her arms around him. "I really want her to like me."

"Here's the deal, Ava generally likes anyone who makes me happy."

"Good to know." she smiled. "Now let's grab three lobsters so we can eat before midnight." she joked. "Or can you eat more than one?"

"How about I just eat you if I'm hungry." He whispered in her ear to see her reaction.

She smacked him on the arm. "Uhh not with your little girl there!"

"What?" Richie was shocked she said that. "Are you honestly telling me I'll get no action when Ava is around?"

"How would that make her feel? Don't you think she would be a little uncomfortable knowing what her daddy is doing in the next room?"

"She doesn't know anything. Her room is on the opposite side of the living room she can't hear us sweetheart." Richie laughed. "Have you ever been with a guy with a kid?"

"No I haven't."

"Ok honey, when kids go to sleep normally they are down for the count and don't hear a thing. Ava is one of those kids, she is mature for her age and not naive about the fact that adults do some strange stuff with each other."

"Let's just see okay." she smiled while she picked out the lobsters for dinner.

"Ok." He smiled. Taking the lobsters from her after she picked them out and took her hand walking towards the checkout. "Do we need anything else like a special thing to cook them in?"

She laughed and shook her head. "Do you have water and a large pot?"

"Yep." He laughed with her.

"Then you don't need anything else. Except for butter anyway."

"Awesome then we're out of here." Richie took her hand and navigated the aisles quickly leading them to freedom. Once back in the car her apprehension rubbed on Richie the wrong way but he figured he'd let it pass, knowing it was her first time meeting Ava she must be a little nervous. Knowing Ava is Daddy's angel. "OH baby I can't call you angel anymore."

She pretended to pout but knew why. "Why not?"

"That's Ava's nickname I got scolded."

"I figured as much. But she has earned it." she smiled. "She's definately a daddy's girl isn't she?"

"Yes and I love it." Richie smiled pulling up to his place again. "Ok baby lets get inside and make out for a while." he laughed.

"You don't waste anytime do you Sambora?!"

"Well no. I wanna get my hands on that body of yours. You tease me looking like that." He got out of the car and opened her door for
her.

"I don't have a clue of what you mean." she smirked as she reached over for the bags.

"I got them baby, you take the keys." Richie refused to let her carry the bags, he was the man here.

"Thanks." She stood up and walked over toward the door to unlock it while he walked up behind her.

Richie smirked he loved having someone to spend time with like this.

"What time was Ava coming over?"

"She should be here in about 45 min. Mom always has her call long before they leave so she's got time to find an alternative if I'm not
home.

"Well it takes about 20 minutes for these to cook." she took the bags and walked toward the kitchen.

"Oh can we put them in the fridge and just hang out for a while, are you hungry right now?"

"Not right now no. Let me grab my bag near the door. Do you mind if I take that up to the bedroom?"

"Not at all." Richie smiled to her allowing her to go alone so he doesn't push her. He walked into the kitchen and got them each a water and moved back to the couch.

Once she was upstairs she placed her bag onto the floor beside the dresser, but once she stood she saw photo of Ava and Richie there. She stared at it a few moments wondering if she could really do this, granted she had always wanted kids but what would happen if Ava didn't like her. The thoughts raced through her mind as she stood there staring until deciding to walk back down to the room that Richie was in. "No use in worrying about it Hannah, if she likes you she likes you and if she doesn't she doesn't." Hannah spoke softly before exiting the room.

"Hey beautiful, my arms are empty and I don't like that." Richie laughed.