Chapter Thirty-nine

       

            Ellie had put Jimmy and his bodyguard on the plane. She still didn’t want him to go but she trusted Jon’s instinct in this, so she let him go. She took a deep breath when the plane took off and tears ran down her face. She credited it to hormones. 

Turning, “Ok Harv let’s get home before I really lose it.” she told him blowing her nose. Harv just took her arm and led her out of the terminal. 

When she got home, she called her parents to let them know that Jimmy was on his way. When she had called earlier, they had a lot of questions as to why she was sending him and the bodyguard to them when they had one already there. She told them what Jon had told her and to not question why all of this security was going on because she didn’t need the stress. She hoped that would do it so they would accept her excuse. If she told them what was really going on she thought, they would freak out that they were working with a hooker and trying to get the goods on Jon's ex-manager who is trying to black-mail them. 

When she was finished with that call, she tried to call Jon but all she got was his message machine at the reception desk. “Hi Sweetie, I just wanted to let you know that Jimmy is on his way to my parents. We just left the airport. I’ll let you know when my Mom calls when he gets to the house safely. Give me a call when you can, Love you.” she hung up the phone wondering what he was doing. She was scared that he was working with that woman that had those pictures taken with him. She was also afraid that she was trying to lead them into a trap. She told the guards to be on extra alert, but their boss advised them already, but she just felt more comfortable also telling them. She knew today was going to be a very long day.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile the guys were outside of Doc’s hotel going over their plan. “Ok Cheri you know what you’re supposed to do right?” Jon asked her nervously. 

“Hey, I’m going to hail a cab and get the hell out of here.” she shot back scared as hell. 

Jon shot Richie a look and he shook his head and put up his hands to his mouthed ‘I got it’ to calm him down, 

“Now darling, we talked about this. You can do this, right? You just go in there and just talk to him and maybe come on to him a little. Try and see if he starts talking to you about why he wants to set Jonny up. Oh, and when he isn’t looking, put this in his drink. I had to call Al to get one of his contacts to get this. You wouldn’t believe what they wanted me to do for it.” he said as Jon and Cheri just looked at him. “What...Yeah right, well Jon, you owe me so make sure you put the whole thing in his drink. He will tell you everything you ask him then should pass out and shouldn’t remember anything.” he told her, handing the vial to her. 

Looking at it then looking at Richie, “When this is all said and done you have to tell me what you had to do to get this, Baby.”  as she gave him a smirk. 

Jon just rolled his eyes and told her to get going. “Now handsome if you want me to do this right don’t get all nasty with me got it.” she told him as she huffed and got out of the car. She patted herself down and made sure she looked perfect. She didn’t want to go in there and not look great. She walked into the hotel and straight to the elevator as she didn’t want anyone to stop her and telling her that she couldn’t work at the hotel. She didn’t think she was dressed that trashy anyway. Jon and Richie did make sure she looked nice but still hot at the same time. So, she couldn’t be mistaken for a high-class call girl she thought. But of course, it had been a long time that she had dressed nicely or classy as one would put it. 

 She reached Doc’s floor and found his room. She took a deep breath and knocked on his door. About a minute went by and then the door opened and there he stood. He was dressed in nothing but a robe and holding a glass of something. 

“Well Cheri don’t you look beautiful. Please come in.” he told her as he stood aside and let her in. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As Cheri got out of the car the guys waited about a couple of minutes then decided to follow her inside. They didn’t see her, so they knew she had already gone up to his room, so they got into the elevator. 

As Richie pushed the up button, he looked behind him and saw Jon bouncing on his heels. He just sighed. “Jon are you alright?” he asked him and knowing what was coming next. 

“You know we could have taken the stairs Rich?” he said very uncomfortable.

Saying to himself, ‘I knew this was coming.’ “No Kidd, it's twelve flights up. I’m not climbing twelve flights of stairs. Now if I have to pick you up I will but you are getting in that elevator?” Richie told him not mincing his words. 

Jon just snarled at him and said fine. “You know you really have to get a hold on this elevator thing of yours.” Richie said under his breath. 

“Well Ellie has it too you know.” Jon said too quietly.

“Not as bad as you do. I’ve watched her all she does is grab the back of the wall and holds on if it’s a rough ride or she holds on to you. You well, you look like you’re going to pass out half the time. What the hell happened anyway? Did you get stuck in one or what?’ he asked him, annoyed. 

“No, I just don’t like these things. I get claustrophobic in these things that’s all. So does she. And maybe the fear of them dropping.” he said quietly again. 

Richie wanted to laugh but he knew that this was a real fear, and he didn’t have time too. Plus, he didn’t need Jon to punch him right there and then. They finally reached the floor and when they got there as the doors opened, they just saw her walking into Doc’s room. 

“Whoa that was close she just walked in there. What took him so long to answer the damn door? Jon asked.

“He probably had to wax his Stache.” Richie said giggling

Jon just looked at him and smiled. “Ok we need to keep an ear out because if she screams, we need to bust in there in case things don’t go as planned.” Jon reminded him. 

“Fine but what if anyone walks by and just sees us standing by the door then what do you want to do Sherlock?” Richie asked, looking around.

“What about that closet over there?  It’s close by and I think we can still hear things from there. Plus, we can peek out.” Jon observes.

“Sounds good.” he agreed with his partner in crime. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

. “So, what can I get you to drink Cheri?” Doc asked her as he walked over to the bar and poured himself another brandy.

“I would like some wine. Do you any white?” she asked as she looked around nervously.

“White it is. So, what do you really want from me Cheri?” Doc asked cautiously 

“What do you mean by that, Darling? I just came here because I can’t get anywhere with your boy Jonny. So, I thought if I talked to you, you could give me something that would help me get something on him or help me move things along a little faster. Philip is really starting to push me on this. He is just so hung up on his pregnant wife, well even that picture that I have of us in bed isn’t doing it anymore. I need something more to push him towards me. So do you know anything that he likes in a woman?” she asked him as she was sitting there with her legs crossed and kicking her leg up and down. Well Doc almost swallowed his tongue. 

He finished with the drinks and walked over to her and handed one to her. Looking her up and down he gave her a sneer and sat down next to her. Cheri got nausea as she could smell the God-awful cologne that he had on. It smelled of musk and piss to her. She tried to just breathe thru her mouth but that wasn’t helping. 

Draping his arm on top of the sofa and crossing his legs he said, “Well Sweetheart Jonny can be a pain in the ass at times, but he does know how to get the woman. So does Sambora and Bryan. But Jonny has those androgynous looks that all the girls go for, men too. Don’t get me wrong he’s straighter than a ruler but you can get him on maybe fooling around with Sambora, I know there were rumors that they had a thing going while on tour so you could black mail them on that or even on the many parties they threw and had a special phone lines for the girlfriends and wives so when they called they would have strict instructions from each member to give them what they wanted to tell them where they were or what they were doing if they were...well you know involved at that moment. Plus seeing Jon had to take care of a lot of Reps and they wanted special favors done, he had to make sure that they were fulfilled so to speak.” he told her while swigging his drink. 

Cheri just listened and couldn’t believe what she was hearing. The Holier-than-thou rocker wasn’t so perfect after all. Doc went on telling the things that she might be able to use. She found them very amusing. She would definitely use these when he started up on her again. Doc got up and asked her if she wanted another. Cheri declined and asked if she could use his bathroom. 

“Why of course but are you sure you don’t want me to pour you another?” he asked as in hoping he could get her just drunk enough to take her to bed. 

“I’m sure Sugar, I’ll be right back.” she said as she went to the bathroom. Entering, she really needed to breathe. She needed to get away from that terrible cologne that he was wearing. She did her business and as she washed up, she was trying to think of a way to get out of there without her two bodyguards busting in to try and save her. Luckily, she thought of one, but it was so sexist, but there was no way she could breathe that crappy cologne another minute longer.

She left the bathroom and looked around, but Doc was nowhere in sight. Maybe she could make a break for it. But just as she was about to split, Doc walked back into the living.

“Well, that didn’t take you long. Oh one other thing I didn’t tell you. Jon really can’t hold his liquor.” he told her snickering. 

Shaking her head, “Well I kind of know that, especially if it’s laced. But I’ve seen him drink and he looked like he was holding his own.” she told him with a very confused look.

“Yeah well, those so-called friends of his will look out for him but if he’s alone anything can happen which I told Philip, how do you think you got to him. You see Jon can drink wine or beer and watch him very closely, but if you throw in anything harder like jack, vodka or tequila or mix it up forget it he’s gone. We were so counting on that. Look just make him feel really guilty about what he did or what he is doing to his perfect little family and to cough up the dough. That should be enough for him to give you what we want, or what you want.” he told her leaning over and pulling at her neckline. She gave him a look that was very subtle. “So would you like to take this into the bedroom?” he asked her.

“Well, I don’t want to be a party pooper Doc, but that cologne you have on is giving me a really bad headache. Would you mind washing it off first?” she asked him.

“Really? I guess not. If you don’t mind washing my back afterwards.” he grinned. 

“Whatever you want, baby.” she smiled.

He got up and went into the bathroom to quickly wash up. While out in the living room she poured the drug into his drink before he came out again. It took about fifteen minutes, but he came out smiling. “Well, I smell of just soap and water so hope you approve.” as he turned around. He didn’t know that what she really wanted to do was vomit. 

“Well let’s have one more drink and we’ll be off.” she said as she handed him his and they toasted each other before heading to the bedroom. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

While in the closet it was tight quarters. “Will you stop moving and let me look out please.” Jon said annoyed.

“Why do you get to look out and get the cooling air?” Richie whined. 

“Because one it’s my case and second, I’m the shortest. I’ll suffocate back there.” he shot back at him.

“Well, I bet this is the first time you’re glad that you’re short.” Richie shot right back at him.

Turning his head, he looked at him and said sarcastically, “Well I don’t think you remember back in eighty-five when we were at The Monsters of Rock in Donington now do you?” he smiled. 

Richie looked at him and thought for a moment when it hit him, “Oh God you mean when that really tall, gorgeous Amazon hid in our dressing room and when you walked in first, she grabbed you and your face was right in her boobs. Oh God if Ellie had seen that...oh that would have been the first time a boyfriend and the Amazon would have died that day as the band members died laughing to death.” Richie tried catching his breath as Jon looked at him with his stink eye. “I bet that’s the first time you never cared about being short.” he was now trying to catch his breath real hard and coughing. 

“Ok asshole, knock it off. You’re just jealous.” Jon smiled as he turned back to check the hallway. 

“Yeah, I’m jealous that you have to keep your damn mouth shut that you took her to bed also huh and made us all keep our mouths shut.?” Richie said unapologetically.

Now that made Jon pissed. Turning around he looked Richie right into his eyes. “What did you just say to me? You fucker!” Jon tried not to yell so Doc couldn’t hear him. 

Richie knew he blew it. “It came out all wrong. I didn’t mean that you don’t love Ellie Jon. I know how lonely it gets on the road. I didn’t care about lying to Dot. I really didn’t because I knew you didn’t love her. But does Ellie know what it's like at all out here? She really hasn’t been out on the road with us. Someday she’s going to find out. I think she knows because she has asked me several times. I just keep lying to her. And know this. Maybe you should have a talk with her.” Richie suggested to him. 

Jon looked at him and sighed. “She’s always known Richie. She isn’t stupid. Everyone thinks that I’ve hidden it and she has known from day one. And I just lie to her saying that the girls or other people are making it up because they don’t like seeing celebs happy. But deep down I know she knows and then we have had it out. One time when I went home, I think you may remember when I came back around her birthday during Slippery, I was quiet and didn’t say much. Well, she threatened me with divorce. I said I couldn’t handle it right now and I left her with Jimmy, and it took us a few months to work things out.” he told Richie sadly.

“You never told me this? Why not?” he asked him surprised. 

“I just didn’t want you all to know how I was fucking up my marriage that’s all.” he told him and turning back to check the hallway.

Richie just stood there stunned. He wanted to say more but he knew Jon didn’t want to say any more about this subject. He knew how much they loved each other and for them to be still together that meant they really went thru a lot to stay together. They stayed quiet for about over forty-five minutes when Jon realized it was getting late. 

“Rich, how long have we been in here?” Jon wanted to know.

Richie couldn’t see his watch. “Well, you’ll have to open the door a little because I can’t see my watch, can you?” he asked.

“No but she isn’t back yet. You don’t think she is well; you know? Screwing him? Or worse, killed him?” Jon asked him worried now.

“Nah she wouldn’t have, right? I mean she needs that info too. Should we go see if everything is, ok?” Rich asked him, a little scared now.

“Well, I hate to say this, but I think we better.” So, Jon opened the closet, and they walked out very quietly and over to the door to see if they could hear anything. Looking at each other Jon tried the door, but it was locked. They weren’t sure what to do next. They could call down to the reception area and give them some excuse that they were locked out and to wait for their manager but he wasn’t here yet and they didn’t want to wait either downstairs or by his door so if they would take pity on them and let them in so no fans would mob them. Richie said he liked that idea, and they were going to use the hall phone to call them. But just as they were about to call downstairs Doc’s door started to open. 

“Oh, Crap it’s Doc!” Richie shouted thru gritted teeth and grabbed Jon by the arm. Well Cheri stepped out and she tried very hard not to laugh because it looked like Abbott and Costello trying to hide when the Mummy just snuck up on them. 

“Well Hello Boys whatcha doing?” Cheri asked, trying hard not to laugh at them.

“What the hell are you doing? You scared the shit out of us!” Jon tried very hard not to yell.

“I was coming to get you two bozos. What the hell was that?” she was laughing.

“We thought you were Doc Darling. What the hell did you do to him” Richie asked, peeking into his apartment. 

“Well, you did tell me to give him that crap, didn’t you? Well, I did now come inside before anyone sees us.” she said as she went back inside.

The guys just looked at each other and shook their heads.” Stay calm, will you please.” Richie whispered to Jon as he saw that he was getting more and more aggravated with her by the minute. Once inside they looked around and wondered where Doc was.

“Cheri, where is he?” Jon asked, confused.” I thought he would be passed out here on the couch?” 

“Well things got a little touch and go there, and I had to think quick on my feet.” she told them and said,” Now well he’s out I think we should be looking for those papers you wanted? Right?” she asked as she started to go through some of Doc’s drawers on the desk by the phone.

Richie shrugged his shoulders and started to look through one of the closets as Jon was still a little dumbfounded that she just blew off his question.

So, he walked over to her and grabbed her by the arm and said.” Look I asked you where Doc was. Why is he in the bedroom and not out here?” he demanded as Richie quickly turned around and went over to them both.

Looking at him straight in the eye, she broke free of his grip and said in an icy tone, “Don’t you ever grab me like that again. I don’t care how you treat your wife but me, don’t you dare touch me like that again!” she angrily told him through gritted teeth, that shocked the hell out of Jon and Richie. Jon just stood there not sure then if he should ask her the next question. 

“Look Cheri I’m sorry but I really need to know what happened and why is Doc in the bedroom?” Jon asked much softer and calmer. 

Looking at both of them She took a deep breath and said, “I’ll tell you everything once we get back to the hotel, ok? But I don’t know how long he’s going to be out, so we need to find what you're looking for now. Now you guys look around here and I see if there is anything in his briefcase.” she told them as she started back to the bedroom. 

Jon quickly said, “Wait. You're going back in there? What if he wakes up?” he asked as he was really concerned about getting caught.

She slightly shook her head and said, “Because I was in there all this time so if he does wake up, he won’t question why I’m in there, but he will if you’re in there now won’t he?” How stupid can he be she thought.

Jon huffed and was looking down to try and keep his cool. After a few seconds he lifted his head and asked, “I get that. But there was no way you could have dragged him in there so, did you? You know? Did you screw him to death or something?” he wanted to know but not be kicked in the nuts because he cared enough to ask her.

“Jon let go right now and we'll talk about it later but right now we'll just search for the paperwork so we can get the hell out of here or I'm Leaving now.” she told him flatly. 

“Fine but we will discuss it back at the motel.” Jon told her strongly. 

They searched top to bottom, but the guys didn’t find anything that had to do with them. Now Jon was getting really frustrated. He didn’t know what to do now but maybe just go to the press and tell them how he is being blackmailed and hope his fans and family won’t criticize him too harshly because he tried to protect them. He sat down in the big plush chair and maybe if he throws himself at Doc’s feet, he could get him to stop this whole ridiculous shit storm.

Richie walked over to him and asked, “You, ok?’ 

Looking up at him, "Do I look ok?” he said snarky.

“Hey, don’t be pissed at me. We tried” but just as he was to finish that sentence Cheri walked quietly out of the bedroom.

Smiling, she asked, "Well I hope this is what you’re looking for because I’m not doing this again. So now can we leave?” she asked them.

Jon stood up and took the papers that she had in her hand and started to look them over. Richie looked over his shoulder and it didn’t take too long for their heads to pop back up again.

“Where did you find these?” he asked her, shocked.

Smiling, “Well I looked into the back of the closet because a lot of my Gentlemen acquaintances when I went to their rooms would sometimes keep their briefcases and luggage in the back of the closet.” she told them as she was proud of herself that she found the papers that Doc had stashed away.

Jon and Richie looked at each other then at her and just grabbed her and hugged the hell out of her. But then Jon backed off fast. They all looked at each other and Jon Said “I’m sorry I got a little carried away there. We better get out of here before Doc wakes up.” he shook his head and turned for the door. Cheri went to say something, but Richie stopped her. She realized he was right, and they all got out of there as fast as they could.  

When they finally got back to their hotel Jon drew himself a drink and sat down with the paperwork. He started to look thru it and when he did it let out a howl! “Yes! It’s right here Rich. Everything we needed. It has the bank account numbers where he withdrew money from us and where he put it in a Bank in L.A. under the name Jack Dobson.” he looked up to them both when he saw Cheri looking funny at him. “Cheri what’s the matter?” he wanted to know. 

“That’s Philip’s uncle. Why would he have him involved in this” She wanted to know also

“You don’t know?” Jon asked her.

“No. I mean I have seen him around. He’s a very good-looking guy. I know he worked in the stock market, but I don’t know why he would be involved with Doc or his nephew in something like this.” she told him honestly. 

Richie was standing there listening intently to everything when he finally put his two cents in. “Jon, I think it’s time we bring in the cops. This is getting too big for just us to handle.” he told him, getting really nervous now.

Cheri was also listening to everything as her head was reeling from trying to understand everything that has happened within the last few weeks. Jon looked at him also trying to put things together but also feeling like his team was abandoning him. 

“So, you just want to give up?” he asked them, defeated.

“Well come on they are bringing in thugs Jon and they have real guns. Plus, you have bodyguards with Ellie and Jimmy for crying out loud not to mention the ones over there standing by the door. I’ll tell you I’m scared and so is Cheri. I think it’s time we cry Uncle, don’t you?” Richie asked him hoping that he would agree.

Jon thought about it for a few minutes then he told them, “No, we can’t. If they know what we know then it’s all over. We need to make sure that they have no idea that we don’t have any idea that we are onto them. Cheri can call Philip and let him know that I’ll pay the money he wants. But first I’m going to call Ken and we’ll fill him in on what’s going on and he can go to the police. How's that?” He asked them hoping that would satisfy them.  

They looked at each other and Richie chimed in first. “Now you’re talking. I’m in. Cheri, what about you?” he asked her, relieved.

She wasn’t sure about anything because she still had one thing on her mind. “Well all that sounds just fine. But y'all are for getting one thing.” she told them anxiously. 

“What’s that?” Jon wanted to know.

Looking back and forth to each of them, she told them straightforwardly “My son.”

Chapter Thirty-Eight

        

   “Yeah, well calm down and I’ll be down with a with a clean shirt, and we’ll figure this out when I get there. Fine.” then Jon hung up. Looking at his wife and Daughter. 

“Well?” Ellie asked, pissed.

“Heather stuck again. Didn’t like what Richie had to say and threw hot coffee on him.” he told them shaking his head and starting to walk out of the den.

“Hey wait!” Why the hell did she do that for?” Ellie demanded as Stef looked on.

“Fine. Dylan walked in on Ava and him and told them that Heather was downstairs in the front because we have been going thru the back and she has set up a little press conference to announce her Grandson. Richie broke in and told them that he would make an official one when the kids were ready too. Then he took her to the café to talk to her. Apparently, she didn’t take well to Richie telling her that she needed help and that she needed to go to rehab or whatever, so she threw hot coffee on him. So, I’m going to bring him a clean shirt. Oh, and she ran away from him. He couldn’t find her by the way. She lost him amid the Paps. So, he went back upstairs to a crying Ava. Stef you want to come with so you can help Dylan calm her down and help with the baby.” Jon asked his daughter as Ellie stood there staring daggers at anyone.

Ellie followed Jon to Richie’s room so they could find him a clean shirt and maybe a piece of mind. 

“So, what are you going to do when you get there? Try and talk some sense into who Jon?” Ellie asked him as Jon was going thru Richie’s closet. 

“I don’t know Baby, whoever wants to listen. I’m just bringing Rich his clean shirt, is that alright?” he replied snarky.

“Don’t get all pissy with me. There is a nutcase on the loose and we don’t know what she’ll do.” she told him concern. 

“Turning around with the shirt in hand, “Babe don’t you know that I know that. I think I can handle her. I’m just going to make sure that everyone is fine and hopefully bring them back here where it’s safe. We’ll be back shortly.” Jon more or less told her abruptly. 

Ellie stood there shocked that he blurted it out like that, but she knew when he did, he really didn’t want to talk about things. He didn’t want to start an argument when he knew he had to solve a problem and have her harp on him. But she also knew that he knew that she was still mad at him for last night. So, this wasn’t over. 

Jon and Stef left for the hospital, and she was alone, so she was going to take advantage of it. She made her tea and was going to try and relax and watch one of her old shows without any distractions when she walked in the den and there was someone sitting in her favorite chair. 

Putting her tea down she said in a very firm voice, "How the hell did you get in my house Bitch!” 

Getting up, Heather replied, “Your security guards are so easy to manipulate. I just told them that I was one of the new Nannies that was going to take care of the new baby. So, they let me in. I’ll have to thank the kid that did up my new I.D. of course.” she told Ellie being smug as can be. 

“Can I see the picture you used?” she asked her.

“Why?” Heather wanted to know. She thought that was strange of Ellie to ask.

“Because you must really look old and not yourself for them to not know it’s Heather Locklear on the picture” Ellie giggled.

“You fucking bitch! You think you look that great now? Jon has cheated on you since day one and with me to boot. So don’t go calling the kettle black Bitch.” Heather was so mad at her. But Ellie was willing to take her chances. 

“Sit down so I can keep an eye on you. I don’t want you calling Loverboy now.” Heather told her. 

Ellie sat and just watched her. Heather was pacing up and down and Ellie knew she was strung out. 

“Heather, why did you come here?” Ellie had a feeling but wanted to hear it from her.

“Why? Why do you think? You stole my kids from me. And the only way I can see them is to come here. Richie proved he wouldn’t let me see them at the hospital, so I had to come up with a plan to see them here. When I threw the coffee on him that was when I came up with this plan. I knew he would call Jon and I knew Jon would never take you to the hospital. It’s Oh My God everyone walks on eggshells with you. We can’t do anything to harm you now can we. So, when I saw him drive off with one of your rats, I just waited a few more minutes and then decided to put my plan in effect. Oh, you may want to call a locksmith if you don’t want anything to happen to you in the next few hours so to speak.” she laughed.

Ellie sat there and just rolled her eyes. “You do know if anything happens to me Richie and Ava will never forgive you and Jon will have you put away for the rest of your life if he doesn’t kill you.” she told her very calmly.

“Maybe and maybe not. We’ll see.” she told her as she finally sat across from her. 

       ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jon and Stef got to the hospital and up to Ava’s room. 

“Jon oh thank God I’ve got to get out of this wet shirt.” Richie told him as it was unbuttoning all the way down.

“Why, you have it almost off anyway. Remember how the girls loved it that we wore our shirts that way." Jon smiled as Richie put on the clean shirt. 

“Daddy please, you two have innocent children in the room.” Stef said as they all laughed. Richie was glad to see Ava finally laugh today.

“Richie, you see how our children respect us.” Jon told him, shaking his head.

“It’s shameful, just shameful Jon.” then they busted out laughing themselves. 

Stef asked Ava, “So how are you doing really?” 

“Better now thanks. But you didn’t have to come.” she told her,

“I know but I wanted to. Look I’ll take care of Little Richie while you try and get some sleep. And if he needs to be fed, I’ll wake you up. But you need to get your rest, ok?” Stef told her. Then looking at Dylan, “So do you. You both have been put thru the ringer. Just cuddle up together and we’ll take care of everything.” she told them. They looked at each other and really liked that idea.

Jon and Richie told her that they were going to the café to get some coffee and if she wanted any. They took one of the back booths  

Jon was fiddling with his coffee when Richie asked him, “Ok what the hell is wrong with you?” 

“I snapped at Ellie before I left the house.” he told him looking really upset.

Richie couldn’t believe what he was hearing. "What is wrong with you? You have the best girl in the world and you're trying to do what? Drive her away? You know I told you I’d take her in a heartbeat.” he told him trying to tell him that he is being a jackass.

“Rich, I don’t know what’s wrong with me lately. I’m scared. Ever since we brought her home from the hospital all I can think is this is it. I’m afraid to touch her. Because if I do, I’m not going to stop and then…” Jon just shook his head and looked at Richie like he wanted to cry.

“I know Kidd. But don’t you think she feels the same way too? I have been jealous of the two of you for so damn long now. The way you guys look at each other. I thought I had that with Heather or at least I did for a while. But what you have to do is sit down with your wife and tell her this Jon, so she knows what is going thru your head. She isn’t a mind reader.” Richie stressed to him.

“Why is it that you and Ellie know each other better than I know her? That is exactly what she would have said." Jon told him uneasily.

“That’s easy, Heather used to say that same damn thing to me all the time. Plus, Ellie talks to me hoping that the two of us tell each other what is going on in our lives and that I can knock some sense into your stubborn head.” Richie chuckled.

Jon sat there running his hand thru his hair. “She’s smarter than the two of us, isn’t she?” he said.

“You said it not me.” Richie laughed while sipping his coffee. “You know this taste so much better going down than on me?” again laughing.

“Well at least you have a good sense of humor about it.” Jon told him, also sipping his.

“Believe me if I didn’t, I would probably be going to jail for murder you know?”  he told his best friend.

“Oh, believe me I know. I still don’t know how you two stayed married as long as you did.” he told him back when his phone rang. “Oh, this is Ellie. Here we go. Hey Baby. I’m sorry for the way we left it when I left but…” he was cut off by Heather.

“Oh, you mean the Great married couple had a spat. (looking at Ellie) This is just too Yummy. Is my dear ex there Jonny?” she asked him.

“Heather? What the hell are you doing at my fucking house! Where’s Ellie?” Jon demanded.

“Look Good Looking. You don’t make the demands. Now if you want to see that wife of yours, you’ll put my so-called ex on the phone.” she demanded.

“Not until you tell me where Ellie is!” Jon was almost at a scream. Richie was trying to get Jon’s attention whispering, ‘is that Heather?' Jon shook his head yes. Richie couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He put up his hands to his mouth and was dragging them on his face as Jon was trying to get information from Heather, but she wasn’t having it. All she wanted was to talk to Richie. "Fine!” Jon finally told her. “She wants to talk to you.” he said and handed Richie the phone.

“HEATHER! What the hell is going on?” he said angrily. 

“Well, you won’t let me see my kids, so I’ll wait here with the Bitch till you come here with Ava and the baby and get checked out. And if anyone tries anything like trying to get to me, Bitch here gets it. Do you understand me, Richie? I don’t want to see anyone from the police or a sanitarium.” she told him, hoping deep down that they would pull something just so she could scare Ellie. Heather then hung up the phone as Ellie watched her carefully.

 Looking at Ellie, she asked her uncomfortably, “What are you looking at?” she blurted out at her.

Shaking her head, Ellie replied, “Nothing. Why would you think I’d be staring at you Heather?” she asked her, trying to make her feel uncomfortable.

“Well just stop staring at me.” she whined at her.

“Well then get out of my house.” she replied back as calmly as she could.

“You wish. Not until I see my kids. You are not going to get the last straw on this Ellie. Ava and Little Richie are my flesh and blood not yours! Do you understand that? Believe me I’m not going anywhere until I see them, and Ava knows that I love her.” Heather explained to her as she paced the floor as she was uneasy.

Ellie could see just how uneasy she was. She just had to stall until Jon and Richie got to the house. She just hoped they weren't foolish enough to bring Ava with them. 

“So Heather, do you have any idea what you’re going to do when they do get here?” she asked her, trying to distract her enough so when the guys do get here, they could sneak up behind her. 

Stopping, she looked at Ellie again and asked her, “What? No, I don't. I guess I’ll just ask her if she wants to stay here or come home with me.” sitting in the chair across from Ellie, “Do you think she’ll want to leave with me?” she asked Ellie curious.

Pointing at herself, “You’re asking me?” Ellie was really confused by this turn around.

“Well, who the hell do you think I’m talking to? Of course, I’m asking you. Everyone seems to ask The Great Ellie questions. Why shouldn’t I?” Heather asked snottily to her.

“Well, I wasn’t sure that you wanted my opinion, that's all.” she replied, trying to stall. “Ok well I think if you two sit down and we all give you some time to talk, she may just do that. I told her that it would benefit Little Richie if she and you would be on the same page.” she told her. 

“You really did? How can I trust you?” Heather asked her.

“You can’t. But when you see her, and she tells you then you’ll know.” she told her hoping that she buys it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jon was watching Richie talk to Heather when Richie put down the phone.

“Well Rich, what the hell is going on?” Jon wanted to know as he was scared to death,

“Apparently, she’s at your house Jon. She has Ellie and says that if we bring the cops in or anyone else, she’s going to hurt Ellie.” Richie told him standing up as he looked at his best friend.

Jon sat there and was white as a ghost. He was staring into space which scared Richie. So, he grabbed Jon’s shirt sleeve and tugged at it but still nothing. So, then he grabbed his hand and really tugged. 

“Jon! Jon! Come on I need you right now.” he calmly and in a higher voice that he could so he wouldn’t attract attention.

Jon slowly looked at him and said, "Yeah sorry I’m here. I was just trying to think of how I’m going to kill your ex.” Jon told him calmly also.

“Yeah, I hear you. We have to figure out how we are going to get to the damn house and get Ellie out. I was thinking we could call in David and he could try and go around the back…” But Jon stopped him.

“No, I don’t want to get him involved in this. The less people the better. Besides, I don’t need to have David in her sites. She never liked any of us, so I don’t need her to go after his family too.” Jon was trying to be reasonable and safe, but he really meant it.

“Yeah, you’re right about that. We have no idea what she’ll do. Ok then what do you want to do?” he asked him ready to go.

“Well first thing is we don't tell our kids. I have to make sure Stef stays with Ava or she’ll want to come with us.” Jon said scared for his family.

“Oh God that’s right and Ava will feel this is all her fault too and want to come also. Heather has really dug herself in a hole, hasn’t she? Ok we’ll have to give her a call when we get to the house but she’s going to be pissed when we show up without Ava and the baby Jon.” Richie told him as he started to stand again.

“I know but that is something we’re going to have to handle when we get there. We’ll just have to play it by ear, because we are not going to put anyone else in danger. Our main concern is to try to get Ellie out of there first before we deal with your nutcase of an ex.” Jon said, pissed. 

They first went upstairs to tell the kids that they were going to run some errands and that they would call them before they came back and not to talk to anyone from the press. Stef asked her Dad if she should wait for them to get back. Jon told her that again he would call her and let her know what they would be doing and not to leave Ava and the baby till she heard from them. Stef was a little leery, but she would do what her father told her to do. He always had a reason. 

It took them about twenty-five minutes thru traffic as it wasn’t that bad around ten-thirty in the morning. When they pulled up to the house, Jon parked a little down from it so Heather couldn’t see it.

Getting out, Richie asked him, “Ok so how are we going to get inside without Heather knowing?”

Jon smiled and told him. “Well, when Stef and Jesse were of age they would come into the house via a secret way. Well of course that piqued Ellie’s interest and it bugged her to no end. Of course, they just kept lying and telling her they were coming in thru the front door and that she was sleeping thru it, which when she thinks she’s right you don’t argue with her. So, she actually sat up one night and saw them come thru the back sliders that they had unlocked before they left. So that was one clue. So, she told me and said she could either lock the sliders and see what they would do or call security and set up a camera to see where they were coming from. She chose the security company and they found out where they were coming from.” Jon chuckled as Richie stood there shaking his head and also chuckling. 

“Yeah, you really don’t want to piss off Ellie. What the hell happened when she caught them lying to her.” He asked Jon curiously. 

“Well, what do you think? She grounded them for two weeks each. They tried to con her out of it, but she told them if they didn’t stop it, it would be more than a month, so they did. Also, if they ever did that again they would never see daylight.” Jon told Richie giving him the Bon Jovi sneer.

“Wow I didn’t know she was that strict.” Rich said, surprised

“Well taking care of the kids alone the way, she has, she had to be. I always felt so guilty about that. I guess I have a lot of guilt about a lot of things, Rich.” he told him looking at him sadly.

“Yeah, we put that stuff behind us Kidd and I’m sure Ellie has too. So, let’s just make sure that she is safe and get my ex the help she needs. I can’t stand what this is doing to Ava and if she hurts Ellie, I don’t know what I’ll do…” Richie stopped there.

“I know King, we’ll get her out. So, what we are going to do is go around to the back. All we have to do is walk around thru my neighbor's yard here. Let’s go but the wife is a big fan, so she has a little crush on us. Do you think you can handle it?” he asked Rich.

“Watch me Kidd. Remember I can charm a cobra if I have too. I was married to Heather.” he winked. Jon grinned and off they went. 

They went up to the gate of neighbors and rang the bell. One of the maids answered and let them up. Luckily the owners weren’t home which they were relieved. Jon was able to explain that he had locked himself out of the house to the maid and pretend that he couldn’t understand her. She didn’t speak that great of English so she just let them out the back so he could let them in the back. They both said thank you to her and kissed her hand which made her blush.

As they reached the gate that Jon had his security build, he had the password and key that went to it. It was also covered in brush and if you didn’t know it was there you wouldn’t have known. Once in, they carefully stuck to the inside of the bushes so most of the cameras wouldn't see them. Hopefully. They didn’t want Heather to see them coming in thru the back.

But as Ellie was in the kitchen and Heather was standing in the door’s archway watching her every step, Ellie turned to her and asked her, “Well while I’m making myself some tea would you like some?” Heather shook her head no and when Ellie went back to grab her sweet n low from the cabinet, she saw on the camera two men running towards the back of the house. She was shocked to see that it was Jon and Richie, and she knew exactly what they were up to. She made sure that she didn’t give herself away so that Heather didn’t know something was up. 

Heather went on to tell her, “You try and throw that on me Ellie and that will be the last thing you do." she said angrily at her. 

“Oh Heather, why would I do that? You know I can’t run from you. My heart wouldn’t stand for it. Now if I was younger that would be a lot different. You remember that right?” she tried to get her mind off of her seeing or maybe hearing anything if the boys tried to enter the house. 

“You are such a Bitch Ellie. I slipped and you know that.” Heather spit out.

“No, I don’t think so. I saw you kissing Jon and I went up to you and belted you right in the mouth. I also had to stop Richie from killing Jon but luckily David had seen the whole thing and told us the truth. You just wanted me to see what a cheating, lying scum Jon was and you also wanted Richie to beat the crap out of him while I left him for good. The only thing you didn’t count on was how close the guys were and how much I love my husband and how I didn’t believe you.” she told her while she could see how much she was pissing her off. 

“You do know that Richie told me all of Jon’s whoring around, right?” she shot out.

“Probably but I also know all of Richie’s and how Richie had a major crush on me and how you hated that. How you must have felt when he must have dreamt how he would make love to me in his dreams.” Well, that sent her over the edge and just then the tea kettle started to whistle as she lounged herself at Ellie. Just then Jon and Richie entered the upstairs thru the basement when they heard the argument.