Chapter Twenty-two

Ellie got settled in the downstairs room even thou she wanted to be in her own bed in her own room. She felt that was the reason they put in the elevator in the first place. Nothing was in their place either. She wanted to scream. She came to the conclusion that she was going to have to hurt some feelings and tell them that she wanted to be back in her bedroom and that was going to be that. She laid back to try and relax when there was a knock on the door.

‘Oh God who the hell could it be now?’ she asked herself. “Come in.” she said loudly.

Jon walked in to check on his wife. “Hey Babe how are you doing?” He wanted to know.

She lifted her head to look at him then put it back down and said, “Just peachy.” She told him upset and disgusted.

Jon looked at her and felt bad. So he went to her and sat next to her. “Ok what’s the matter Babe?” he asked.

“You really want to know?: she asked him?” as he shook his head yes. “Well I want to know whose bright idea it was it have me down here where I have a perfectly good bedroom upstairs and an elevator to get to it. All my stuff is there at my fingertips and I get the girls tried but they only got a few things and put them down here. But everything is upstairs. And my bathroom is in our room. I don’t have to walk anywhere to get to it.” She told him all wound up.

Jon sat there knowing she was right. Again. “I’m sorry. It was my idea. I thought you being downstairs would be easier for everyone to get to you especially if we had to call an ambulance again that’s all. Again I’m sorry Babe.” He really knew he was in the doghouse but he really wanted to make sure that he and everyone involved could get to her fast if something did happen to her again.

She looked at Jon knowing he was scared that at anytime something could happen to her. But she didn’t want to be treated special just because. “Jon, Honey I get it I really do. But we talked about this. I don’t want to be treated with kid gloves. I love you and just wish you would respect my wishes.” She basically pleaded with him.

Jon took her hand in his. “I’m trying I really am. But you scared the hell out of me and I won’t apologize for that. But I’ll compromise ok?” he told her.

“Yeah? I’ve heard that one before.” she smiled at him.

“Ok, ok. You can stay where you want for now but as soon as you really get bad I want you down here where I can really take care of you got that? I don’t care how much you bitch and moan at me but we stay here where it’s easier to get to you. Alright?” he told her meaning every word he said. 

“Oh fine I promise to let you know when things get worse. Does that make you feel better?” she asked him.

“Yes if you mean it?” he bent down and gently kissed her lips.

“Yes I mean it but if you keep kissing me like that you can forget it.” She told him making a face.

“Oh, oh you really are a brat aren’t you?” he told her as he leaned in and giving her a more breath-taking kiss. “So is that better?” he asked her.

“Much and see I didn’t die. Now I might if you don’t get the girls to make up my room Handsome.” She told him winking at him.

“Damn when did we get old Babe?” he asked her as he stood.

“In a blink of an eye.” She replied sadly.

Jon left to go tell his girls that Mom wanted to stay upstairs in their room and that he had made a mistake. But to keep the downstairs room just in case. They smiled and told him it was ready any time Mom wanted it only because they knew her just as well as they knew him. He chuckled and gave them each a kiss on their cheeks. They both were so much like her. He couldn’t be any more prouder of them. He walked into the kitchen where he found Richie making himself a sandwich.

“Don’t you ever stop eating?” Jon asked him.

“No it’s a way of life. You know it would do you good to get some food into you too you’re looking a little on the thin side. I’m surprised Ellie hasn’t said anything to you yet.” Richie said as he took a bite of his sandwich.

“Nah I’m not hungry I’m just going to make Ellie her tea while the girls get our bedroom set for her.” He said as he put the water on.

Richie chuckled. “So she talked you into going back up stairs huh?” Richie said as he went into the frig to get a soda.

“Shut up will ya. I would rather have her comfortable and happy then have her pissed off at me. I just thought…” he trailed off while wringing his hands thru his hair.

Looking at him, Richie could tell he has been thru the ringer. They all have. “Yeah I know Kidd and so does she. It’s hard and with the emotions going everyone is on edge. Why don’t you find out what she wants to eat and you two can have a little something together in the bedroom just the two of you. How’s that?” Richie asked him.

“Sure why not. I’ll bring up her tea and text you what she wants. If you could get the girls to make something that would be nice.” He said tiredly.

“I’ll be on it. Go to your lady.” Richie said smiling.

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Jon had checked the downstairs room and Ellie wasn’t there. He figured she talked their daughters into helping her get upstairs. He went to the elevator and just used that. He wasn’t going to fight with her anymore. Walking down to their room, sure enough there she was as she changed out of her clothes and into a fresh nightgown and robe.

“Hello Dear. Oh thank you for my tea and I didn’t even have to ask.” She said smiling.

Rachel walked over to her Dad, “Sorry but she asked us to take her here and she looked like she wasn’t kidding.” She told her Dad as she was smiling.

“It’s ok we all know how stubborn your Mother can be.” He said as he brought her tea to her.

“Oh poo. I’m not stubborn I’m cute.” She said to all of them as they just stood there with grins on there faces.

“Your just lucky we all love you Mom.” Stef said as she gave her a kiss. “Ok Rachel and I will go make you something to eat.” She told them as she started to walk out.

“No, no that’s ok I’m not very hungry guys.” Ellie tried to tell them.

“No Mom you need to eat. BOTH of you do.” Stef said to them.

“Wait I haven’t said anything to you about eating. Did Richie rat me out?” Jon wanted to know?’

“Go sit with Mom and we’ll whip something up. Love you both.” Rachel told them as they were giggling all the way down the hall.

Looking at Ellie, “I’m so going to get Richie.” Jon told her.

“Why? For telling on you too. Get used to it. Now at least I know why Rachel went into the bathroom to answer her phone she was looking at it too much.” Ellie told him.

“Well I just want you to keep up your strengthen.” He said as he sat on the bed next to her and put his arm around her.

“You always used that line on me but for other reasons.” She giggled.

“I remember the first time you passed out it was at your cousins house and she yelled for me to come and carry you into the house. I think that was the first time I felt something for you. My heart skipped a few beats that day when I held you in my arms. I really didn’t know what hit me.” He told her as he looked loving at her.

“Really? Well I remember waking up and seeing you sitting next to me and all I could think of was ‘What the hell is he doing here?” she laughed. “I mean I really didn’t think you liked me and I had the biggest crush on you but I wasn’t going to let you know.” She smiled at him and putting her head on his shoulder.

“Yeah I had a feeling you did.” He smiled and chuckled.

Furrowing her borrow, “What do you mean ‘You knew?” she asked him.

Chuckling, “Well it was easy. Every time we were around each other you would look away when I looked at you. Or when you were out in Marcia's backyard you would look up at my bedroom window.” He told her squeezing her.

“I wasn’t looking at your bedroom window. I was showing the kids the different birds that were around flying and landing. Ok? Had nothing to do with you. I don’t even remember which window was yours.” She told him playing dumb.

“Oh right. Is that why the kids would yell up to me when they would come out so I’d know it.” He told her looking down on her to see her reaction.

“What do you mean they use to call up to you?” she wanted to know.

“I’d have them call up to me so I’d know that the three of you were coming out to the backyard so I could watch and know the perfect time to wonder on over.” He started to laugh.

“You mean you got those little ones in on your plan to use them as spies?” she asked him curious.

“Of course I did. Plus it helped when I knew my Mom wasn’t going to be around. Mom had it in her head that if Dot saw me with you she would get jealous enough and come crawling back to me. But as you know it didn’t work that way. I didn’t want Dot back I just wanted you and well the rest…you know.” He told her.

“Yeah I know. We did pretty good thou didn’t we?” she asked him.

“Yeah we really did.” He told her wondering how he was going to get thru this when it does happen.

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After they ate Stef came back to get their dishes and wanted to ask them a question.

“Mom, Dad we were all thinking that since Mom is home we would really like to know if it was ok to have your birthday party. It might help taking a lot of stress off of us and it would give me and Rachel something to do. So PLEASE!!!!!” Stephanie gave them the sad eyes.

“Does it really mean that much to all of you?” Ellie asked her.

“It really does Mom. I mean Richie came home especially for it. We all did. So please let us do this for you.” She asked her Mom.

Looking at Jon who gave her a wink, she turned back to her daughter. “Fine but just the family ok. Pizza and snacks then a cake nothing big. Just like we used to do when Mom and Dad were here. Those were the best times.” She told them smiling.

“Ok I’ll let everyone know. I remember those. They were fun. I miss Gram and Gramps. If you need anything else just let me know.

When Stephanie left Jon had changed into his sweats and got into bed with Ellie and they were reading when he put his book down. Ellie turned to him. “What’s the matter Jon. You look like you’ve been thinking too much.” she smiled wide.

“I was thinking what Stef said about those days. When we actually got serious and your Dad told me I had better be in this for the long haul. He sure as hell didn’t care who the hell I was or if I could take care of you financially you know. He just wanted his little girl taken care of. I get that now. I guess being a Dad myself is when I got it.” He told her as he held her tight.

“Well I’m sure he felt the same thing when he became a father. But he sure didn’t know what he was in for with me. Instead he got an instant family with Mom then five kids with one of them sick. Boy if he wanted to run he sure could have but he didn’t. Especially how he was raised. I think that’s why he wanted his own family, a loving family.” She told him.

“Well he got that. I’m just glad both of them can’t see it now thou. They would be very disappointed on how no one is talking to one another.” Jon said sadly.

“Well we did it to each other but they started it. Everything they said about me…I proved them wrong didn’t I?” she said starting to get upset.

“Hey calm down I’m on your side remember. I know. They were just upset because we were on tour and they couldn’t reach us to help out. And when things went missing you weren’t even there during those times. You blew her story that’s what pissed her off. I don’t know why your sister did that.” Jon stated.

“Neither do I. But at least we are talking now, That’s something. Right?” she asked him.

“Well having daughter’s myself I would say yes Dear. Because I have never seen anything like it. You guys fight then if I come in-between you they jump down my throat if I interfere unless asked. I don’t know how the hell your Father did it.” Jon chuckled.

“Well he was going to separate us but then I went to live with Marcia and Michael for a while and met this real cutie but wasn’t a great role model. Because when I came home I came home with a little bundle. So they had to figure out living arrangements. Oh then I became even more “Special” Just what I freaking needed.” she told him rolling her eyes.

“Couldn’t catch a break huh?” Jon asked her placing a kiss on her forehead.

“Nope. I mean everything was fine with my siblings in the beginning it was later in life when they all got married that it wasn’t cool what I put them thru because of their significant others told them. I just don’t want our kids to ever go thru that.” She told him.

“Babe they won’t. They don’t have a reason too. We have never put them in a position to feel like one of them have to take the reins or any of them don’t want to help out. Besides you already told them that if anyone of them don’t want to help out that it’s ok they don’t have to. We have the money to hire help. You don’t want to put the burden on them. So don’t worry, you gave them the lecture They’ll be fine.” He told her again as he bent down and kissed her.

Parting, “I hope so Sweetheart. The last thing is, I don’t want them to hate us too.” She told him looking down into her book.

Jon taking her chin in his hand and gently pulled her face up so he could look her in her eyes. “Baby they love you so much. There is no way they could ever hate you. So get that thought out of your head. I mean look at how much they love you. They want to throw you a birthday party even thou you still don’t want it. They need this so much more than you do and you are going thru it because you adore them. Don’t think they don’t know that.” He told her holding her hand and squeezing.

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A few days went by and everything seem to go well. Jon hated it when he knew Ellie was right and she was right in she was so much better off in her own bed. Her mood changed as she was happy again and she seemed to be doing fine. That’s all he could ask for. The girls were bringing food to the house so they could cook for their large family at the end of the week. Jon and Ellie were happy that the house was hustling with excitement in a long time and the best part was Jon and Richie were getting along. That’s what made Ellie smile the most. To be honest she really didn’t think in her lifetime she would see this again. But to see them smiling and laughing again she really thought she felt her heart mend. Wouldn’t that be a miracle.

It was now the day before her party and Richie had headed out to the airport to collect his daughter and son-in-law.  Lori, Debbie, Julie, Angie, Ben, Adam were all there to support their spouses. Jon always kidded Ellie that they would have probably ended up in the poor house if they had four girls instead of the two they had. Four girls and two boys? He didn’t think he could had lived through that at all. It was bad enough the two they had gone at it at times but four of them? That would have definitely kept him out on the road all the time not just part-time especially when he got older, and to pay for four weddings that would have made them poorer than dirt he told her. All Ellie would do was remind him that he was the one that jumped on her in the first place. And that damn sneer he gave her would come out and he proudly would tell her “Damn Right!” while she would have to run before he‘d catch her and carry her to their bedroom.

Ellie walked up to him, “Hey penny for your thoughts.” She said as she put her arms around his waist.

Smiling, he turned around in her arms so he could see her beautiful face. “I was just thinking about the good times. Our playful times.” He grin widely.

Giggling, “Yeah well that’s why we have so many kids smart ass.”

“You think so huh?” he said bending and kissing her.

“Well thank you for always making me happy, loving me, for always making my heart flutter and in the best way.” She said looking at him as if he could move the moon.

“You see? Right there when you look at me like that I know I can do anything.  That’s why I loved when you would come on tour with me. Because when I needed that extra kick only you could give that to me with a look. I knew I could fly when you were with me. I’m so sorry when I did hurt you. I really am Baby. I never meant it out of…” but Ellie cut him off.

“Jon look you have explained yourself over and over for what happened and why. All that happened a lifetime ago and we both apologize for things that happened. We don’t have to go into the bad again. It’s over and done with. Let’s just concentrate on the here and now. That’s all that matters. Agreed?” she asked him.

Shaking his head yes, “Yeah agreed.”

“Good now I’m hungry why don’t we go into the kitchen and someone can make us a little something for breakfast. How does that sound?” she ask slipping her hand with his.

“Sounds great I could really go for a coffee.” As he leads the way to their kitchen.

Walking into their kitchen they couldn’t believe their eyes when the whole family was there even Richie with Ava and Dylan.

“Surprise Mom! We didn’t want to scream it because we were afraid you might well you…” Stef said as they were all smiling at her.

Turning to his wife. “Are you surprised or upset Baby?” he asked as he gave her a wiry smile.

Smirking at first she let out a huge smile. “I’m very and happily surprised. Thank You. All of you. But my birthday isn’t til tomorrow.” She told them still smiling as Jon hugged her close. We have a great spread for breakfast and then we can get to your presents.” Rachel told her.

“We know Mom but the girls thought you would be expecting something on your birthday so we all arranged to be here the day before.” Romeo told her.

“So dig in because we have a great spread for breakfast and then we can get to the presents.” Rachel told her.

Ellie looked at all of them, “I told all of you that I didn’t want presents. I just wanted my family.” She started to scold them.

“We know what you said Mom, but I think you’ll be very happy so just come sit down and have something to eat and we’ll see what you have to say afterwards ok?” Jesse told her.