Chapter Twenty-four

  

 After breakfast they all settled in the den. They all sang Happy Birthday to her and she blew out the cake. The kids handed her, her gifts as she smiled when she opened them. She got lovely tops with pants and some Elvis cups that she had seen on his site that she had wanted and some of his jewelry as Jon just shooked his head. All he could think was his girl when he was seeing her and to make her happy wasn’t that hard was to get her anything that was Elvis. Now all these years nothing had changed. But now Stef had handed her Richie’s Card. She opened the card and read it. Tears formed in her eyes as everyone looked on. It wasn’t romantic just sentimental. Looking at her Jon didn’t know what to think as Richie walked over to her and kissed her on the cheek as Jesse and Jimmy stood on each side of their Father just in case he decided to lunge at him. They could feel him tensing up and making fists in both of his hands.

“Oh Richie that is so sweet. Thank You.” She told him glancing over to her husband to make sure that he wasn’t about to jump Richie.

“Well you are welcome Darling and I mean every word. Ava, Dylan if you could bring Ellie’s gift over here please. I got wind of this from a friend of mine and I went to see if this was the real deal. So Happy Birthday Darling.” he told her as she looked at the big box.

“What could be in here?” she asked him.

“Well open it silly.” He told her with a big smile on his face. Everyone was looking on not knowing what could be in that box. Jon walked over behind her as Jesse and Jimmy still weren’t far behind him. Ava and Dylan were next to Richie But Dylan was more worried about Ava,

So Ellie started to rip the paper off of the box and Stef took it away. Rachel helped hold it when Ellie opened it and took the tissue paper away to reveal the colorful studs that were on the cape. Ellie ran her hands on it as her heart pounded trying not to think that this was what she thought it could be. She looked up at Richie with tears in her eyes then at Jon then the kids. All that could come out of her mouth were squeaks or nothing as she tried to talk. Jon couldn’t believe either what he was seeing. This wasn’t a gift for a friend to give HIS wife. This should be a gift that a family member or a spouse should have given her. He could feel his rage rise through his body.

Stef bent down to see if her Mom was ok. “Mom are you alright?”

All Ellie could do was shake her head yes.

Finally one of the boys asked what was it?

Ava spoke up. “It’s the cape that Elvis threw into the audience at his Aloha From Hawaii concert. Dad figured that a family member found it or thought they finally get some money for it so they put it up for auction and a friend of his saw it and called him and asked if he still wanted it. When he said yes he bought it immediately because if Daddy bought it, it would have cost him a mint where his friend not so much.” Ava explained to everyone. Ellie was still in a trance when finally Jon let everything out.

“Of course he bought it! He bought it for his Fucking Girlfriend! Didn’t you Rich? Just couldn’t help yourself! You couldn’t get her a doll or a coffee mug, t-shirt or anything like that. Nope! You had to get her the one thing nobody in this world could especially her Fucking Husband. You know you’re a Fucking Piece of Work Sambora.” Jon scream louder and louder.

That got her out of her trance fast. She turned around to look at him and she was none too happy. “JON FRANCIS! You calm down this instance!” She yelled she meant business either way she was mad.  Well everyone knew that when you middle name someone you mean business. But in this case Ellie didn’t have to she meant it because she was so over Jon and Richie’s fighting. Deep down she knew it wasn’t about the kiss or her. It had to do with the fact that Richie had left Bon Jovi. No she knew it had to do with him leaving Jon. “Why don’t you kids go into the kitchen with the cake and cut it up while your Uncle, Father and I talk.”  She told them rather sternly to get her message over to the two dumbasses.

The kids got the cake and all left for the kitchen and mainly tripping over themselves as they left. They really wanted to stay so they could see her slaughter them when they went after each other. When it was only the three of them left she turned to them and went after them.

“Ok everyone is gone. So Jon what the hell? Richie got me a beautiful and thoughtful gift that he was able to find because it was made available finally and HE was able to get it before you were. Or even think of getting it before you or say your contacts could get their hands on it. So what the hell is wrong with THAT! HUH!” She loudly said. Well Jon started to say something but she jumped in again. “And who really cares which one of you got it for me. It’s Elvis’ fucking cape! Do you even comprehend that? It’s the one thing I would Kill for, ok maybe not the one thing but it’s right up there of his things that I would so who the fuck cares who got it for me. The thing is I have it now. And now I have to add it that I get buried with it. GOT THAT BONGIOVI! It’s coming with me!!!!!!”

As she was talking very loudly because she knew if she yelled she would go into cardiac arrest again and they would kill her anyway. So she was trying to keep it at a level she could handle but these two were not making it easy for her. But she did out of the corner of her eye could see Richie smiling a very smug smile. So turning to him.

“What the hell are you smiling at Sambora? You started this knowing damn well that Jon was going to react the way he did. You could of gave him or one of the kids a heads up. I’m sure Ava and Dylan knew right?” she asked him. All Richie could do was shake his head and look down at the floor.

“I was right I have two extra children. Look you two I can’t do this anymore and neither can the kids. You both need to settle this once and for all. I love you both. Richie You have always been a dear and close friend of mine. I don’t know what I would have done without you and your help when Jon would get into one of his moods. You have always been a special friend to us and I’ve always known what a special friend you have been to Jon. Not only his righthand man or best friend and brother but well you know companion and I have always been alright with that.” Jon now spoke up.

“Now wait just a minute, Richie and I never had anything like that Ellie.” He said when he saw Richie’s face.

“Jon, Honey maybe this is why he left. I don’t think he cares that we’re together. Hell if we ever did divorce who knows maybe I would have gone for you Rich. Heather was real stupid to let you go. Maybe if I met you first. But I didn’t. I met this handsome, wild eye Italian who wanted to be a Rock and Roll Star so badly. Just lucky for us we had a second shot at it. But this has got to stop and stop now. I want to die in peace and know that you two are friends. I don’t want to leave here still knowing that there is tension before you. So if you don’t fix this and fix this now I’m coming back and haunting the two of you got it. And you both know that I can.” She got up and left them to figure this out between themselves.

Jon and Richie just sat there for minutes but it seemed liked hours before one of them spoke. So Richie thought he’s start knowing Jon was to stubborn.

“Well you know she’s right. There was no reason for you to get that upset over the gift.” As he started it off.

Jon just looked at him like he had to be kidding. “Are you out of your fucking mind! You bought the one thing that you knew she would go nuts over. The one person she has loved her entire life and has put first everyone and I mean everyone in her life above and beyond and if you asked her that one question who would you save first and only, Elvis or a family member drowning and only one now she would choke it out but it would always come out ELVIS! You freaking moron! That even means YOUUUU.  But getting her that fucking cape the one thing in the world that means I Love You to her mind you, you tracked it down instead of telling me, oh no you get it for her yourself so she would  fawn all over you for it. And the funny thing about this whole thing is that you knew I was going to flip over it when I saw it knowing damn well she was going to be mad at me but love you. But I hate to tell you Rich she’s going to grab the cape and tell the two of us to go take a flying leap off of the damn roof. Because like I said Elvis always come first! As you heard her she wants to be buried with the damn thing!” Jon screamed at him.

While all this was going on Jesse and Jimmy had their ears up against the doors so they could listen in so if they had to they could bust in and break up any fights that the two of them got into too. They hadn’t heard Jake come up behind them. He poked Jimmy on his shoulder and he jumped.

“What the hell man!” he tried quietly to say as to not alert them in the den.

“Sorry but what’s going on everyone wants to know.” He asked them anxiously.

“Dad is yelling at Uncle Richie about Elvis drowning? Is that what you got?” Jesse asked Jimmy.

Jimmy just looked at his brother and said, “Yeah right Jess. I’ll explain it to you later. But I think Uncle Richie understood Dad exactly what he was getting at and just wants to pull his chain. We’ll keep listening because if he keeps doing it Dad is going to pop him one and we’ll need to break it up before someone gets hurt and Mom has another heart attack over it.” He explained to his brothers. “Hey where’s Mom by the way?” he asked Jake.

“I think she went to the kitchen where the others are.” ” Jake told them.

“Ok then stay with her and don’t let her down here, I don’t care what you have to do but keep her in the kitchen or living room. Anything happens to her Dad won’t forgive himself. You saw him a couple of weeks ago he really thought…well you know and I didn’t help.” Jimmy told them then turned around and got back in position as Jake went back to the kitchen. Jesse was going to ask him a few more questions but then thought better of it. He saw that his big brother was going thru a lot so he would ask latter maybe when things calmed down a little.

Back in the den Jon and Richie were still going at each other. “You knew she would just love that gift and you just had to give me that dig.” Jon yelled.

“Are you done or do you still need to yell at me some more?” Richie asked him smugly.

“You know you’re a Son Of A Bitch!” He yelled and turned around and wanted to punch him so bad but he knew if he did Ellie wouldn’t talk to him for God only knows how long. He walked over to their French windows and looked out but really didn’t see anything but what was going thru his head. It was like his life was flashing before him. He started mumbling about meeting Richie and playing for the first time with him and then running from boyfriends who would chase them from their girlfriends and laughing hysterically when they got away safely. When they were at bars and they were drunk and this one time when a biker spotted Jon from the back and was hitting on him and started to really come on to him to the point he cornered him and started to feel him up and he screamed for help then Richie came up from behind him and put his hand on his shoulder and twirled him around, picked him up and threw him several feet at their drummers feet who took him and finished him off while telling the biker that he was feeling up a Dude!!! And All Richie could do was try and calm Jon down and get him the hell out of there.

Richie was listening intently and was also remembering those memories and that one especially. “Yeah I remember that. I think you drank the whole bottle of whisky I gave you when we got back to the hotel and I also talked you out of shaving your head. You were so weirded out by that biker thinking that you were a girl you just wanted your hair cut off. I knew if you did it when you woke up..(shivers)…you would have gone nuts. You still went nuts thou. It took you a while to get over that whole ordeal. Remember?” Richie asked him getting up from his chair and walking over to him.

Jon turned around. Looked and smiled at his friend. “Hey I do. That’s burnt into my memory alright. You told me what happened after that wasn’t either of our faults and it didn’t mean we were or should I say labeled. Just two friends expressing our feelings.” Jon said smiling at him. “And what happened when we were drunk or high because we got dumped or lonely you know things just happen on the road and they stay on the road. But right now I have to worry about Ellie and my kids Richie and you come in here thinking what? Giving her that gift was just so inappropriate I just can’t seem to tell you. You say you want to be friends but yet you give her gifts that say I love you.” Jon tried to explain to him.

Richie felt defeated. Two of his best friends and it seemed only one got it. “Jon I gave her that gift because it became available and she loves Elvis so much. That’s it. Thats all it was. Nothing more. Believe me I could have bought her diamonds or diamonds on gold or something like that. But you know her she doesn’t like that shit. Plus she doesn’t need anything like that because what? Is she going to take it with her when she goes? Ok she may take the cape but her jewelry I doubt it. You know she never liked that stuff. All she ever wanted was you. She made that perfectly clear and what I don’t get is you were never jealous of anyone you ever dated not even Ellie until you found out my feelings for her.” He told him wearisome.

Jon really didn’t know how to answer him. Richie was right. He trusted Ellie but he knew Richie. He knew Richie could talk a snake into what he wanted and if Ellie was pissed off enough at him well he was scared. “Rich maybe I should have told you this when it happened but my pride was hurt and I didn’t want to show anyone that I really gave a damn. But when I was dating Diane I really liked her Rich.” He started to tell him.

“I…I didn’t know that you did. I thought that you guys were just fooling around. I mean you always told me things like that.” He told him feeling kinda hurt.

“Well with everything that went down with Dorothea and her telling me what to do every minute of the day and you guys reminding me how pussy whipped I was, I really didn’t want to say to much about her you know. So anyway we just kept things quiet.” He explained to him.

“Oh Jon I’m sorry and then I go and get drunk and she comes on to me because she got jealous you were flirting with the girls in the audience and backstage. I tried to explain to her that it was just business and that it really didn’t mean any thing to you but she heard David and Alec go off and well that was it. Then one thing led to another and…I’m so sorry Jon.” He felt real bad but he wasn’t going to say he should have told him as he was one that teased him too. “You loved her didn’t you? Then you went back to Dot. Now I’m real sorry. Does Ellie know any of this?” he asked him.

Jon looked at him like he thought he was born yesterday. “Are you kidding me? I’ve told Ellie everything. For some stupid reason I can’t seem to keep too much from her. She says I have a tell and she won’t tell me what it is. I really don’t know how lucky I was to have her come back into my life. When I finally got rid of Dot and I could really have fun because I was always saddled down with someone or I should rephrase that the wrong someone. I could let go you know. You and me out there and we did we had fun. For that year we had a ball and then she walked back into my life and I thought I won the damn lottery. I knew Rich. I knew Ellie was the one.” Jon told him as tears ran down his face. Wiping them away he sat back down and took a sip of his drink.

“Look Jon I never wanted to come in between the two of you. I couldn’t if I wanted too. Besides she’s already told me if I tried to take you from her she was going to kick my ass real good.” Richie told him looking for his reaction.

Well Jon nearly spit out what was in his mouth. Looking at Richie, “WHAT! She did not.” He exclaimed thinking Richie had about enough to drink.

“Yeah she did. She came right out and told me. She said it was hard enough to fend off those models and groupies that hang around him but I don’t need to fend off no pretty boy guitar player either. She thought I was pretty.” Richie told him smiling from ear to ear.

“You’re a nut case.” Jon said as he finished his drink.

“Yeah, yeah but you love me all the same.” He laughed as Jon threw a pillow at him.

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

The girls put the kids in bed as the others were in the living room talking  or watching some tv. Ellie was sitting there smiling as she watched her children and she understood why her parents would sit back and smile at them and just laugh when people gave them flack for having five kids. Because it certainly did pay off in the end to have them around you.

Jim walked up to his Mom and asked her, “Mom would you like another cup of tea?”

“Thank You Sweetheart that would be nice.” She told him.

“Ah he just wants to go check on Dad and Uncle Richie and see if they both are still standing.” Jake said laughing as Romeo backhanded him laughing too.

“Ok you two knock it off. (turning to Jimmy) you know it wouldn’t hurt to check on them for me.” Ellie asked him sweetly.

“I’ll do that Mom.” Jim said as he left the room.  

“Mom you really think they killed each other?” Romeo asked her.

“Oh of course not. They fought before and they’re still here aren’t they.” She told them rolling her eyes.

Jake spoke up, “We’re going to have to hear those stories.” He laughed.

“No” was all she said.

“We’ll have to ask Uncle David.” Jake whispered to Romeo as their Mother tried to give them her stink eye.

Jim was in the kitchen finishing up his Mom’s tea when his Dad and Richie walked in. Turning around to see them and smiling, “So you guys didn’t kill each other that’s good. Mom was worried about that.” Jim told then as he got his Mom’s tea ready.

“Well let’s just say we barely didn’t. Where is your Mom?” Jon asked his son.

“She’s in the living room with everyone else. I think she’d like to know if you two are still standing.” Jim told them chuckling.

Richie turned to Jon and then outstretched his arm and said, “Well Mr. Bongiovi would you please accompany me to the living room.” As Jim just rolled his eyes.

“Why yes Mr. Sambora I would be delighted.” As Jon went first and Richie followed with his head held high .

As Jim followed behind he said to himself, ‘Mom’s going to kick their asses.’