Water Ch. 103 - If I Could Make A Living Out Of Loving You

Quiet enough for only Beth to hear, Jon whispers "Hey."  Placing his hands on her face, he pulls her in, parts her lips with his tongue and gives her the hello kiss of hello kisses.   She throws her arms around his neck, and kisses him back.

Lip to lip, she mumbles, "I've missed you."  

Breaking the kiss, he puts his lips on her forehead and says, "I missed you too baby." With his hand, he pulls Romeo into the huddle and he stands there with her in his arms and Romeo at his side. He doesn't want to let her go, and she doesn't want to be let go of.  After a few moments, Matt walks up to Beth and gives her a hug, while telling her thank you for coming to his birthday celebration.

Beth couldn't lie and she needed to give credit where credit was due, "Miss Stephanie called me and invited me on your moms say so."  They all turn their heads in Mrs B's direction and she's standing next to dad, wiping tears from her eyes. Matt is happy, Jon is happy and Tony is always happy. Her boys are at good points in their lives.

"Let's go have some cake and ice cream guys." suggests Matt.  And they do. The small Bongiovi huddle finds their seats and have cake and ice cream to celebrate the birth of Matthew Bongiovi.  The party is a lot of fun.  There are many people that Beth knew of and most of them handing her one drink or another.  She would politely accept the drink and wait for the right time to set it down. 

Jon made several introductions and Beth is glad she came across country to see everyone. She had discussions with football players, singers, models and just plain Jane everyday run of the mill people.  Keeping an eye on Tammy, Beth was pleased that she brought her with her. Her assistant needed some fun, and this way Beth knew that she was safe.  Tammy has been loyal and dedicated to Beth and bringing her was the least she could do to ever repay her.

At one point Beth found herself looking for Jon, whom was nowhere to be found. She spotted Jesse and asked him if he had seen his dad. Jesse said, "Yeah. He went out to the studio. Said he'd be right back." And he excused himself.  He seen friends he wanted to mingle with, so Beth heads out towards The Shoe Inn.  She knocked on the door and while waiting for Jon to open the door, she noticed all the fans and paparazzi on the street.  She even heard a few yell, "Beth!"  But she knows not to looks now.

Jon opens the door, "Hey!"

"Hey to you.  What are you doing out here?" Beth asks, hoping its not an issue with her being there.

"Just came out to get this." And he holds up his Takamine.

"You're going to play?"  She asks with the biggest smile on her face.  "I would love to hear you play acoustic."  

Closing the door behind them, guitar in one hand and the other around Beth's waist, they head back to the party.  They go to their table and Beth sits down, next to Mrs. B and Jon heads back up to the makeshift stage.  Microphone in hand he says, "Excuse me, ladies and gentleman, can I have your attention please?"  And the place goes quiet with all eyes on JBJ.  It's dark now and the glow from the candles and the lights give the area a calm and tranquil feel, with the river right there; one couldn't ask for a better setting to hear Jon Bon Jovi play acoustically. "You all know who I am, and I just want to take a moment to introduce you all to the women you all have read about these last few months. Beth can you come up here please?"

She wants to disappear, she wants to be one of the fireflies that have been dancing around all night; she is very embarrassed but she does what Jon asks and she joins him on the makeshift stage.  "Friends and family, this is Beth Adams.  We met months ago at a show and I can honestly tell you, she stole my heart.  Please make her feel welcome as she will be a permanent part of this family, soon. Very soon."  The crowd clapped a little bit and Beth could hear people saying Hello and Welcome. She still felt about an inch high.  All she could do was smile and give a small playful wave.  Jon put his arm around her and planted a branding kiss on her.  A kiss that showed everyone that was watching that he truly loved her and believed they would be together forever.  Then he continues with, "I wrote a song that I'd like to play for Beth, would any of you mind?  Richie and I finished it a few days ago, and it was written with Beth in mind.  It's a song that will transcend time and may even apply in all of your own lives."  The guests clap again and there were even a few whistles heard.  So Jon sat his lady in a chair on the stage and took his position.  As soon as he started to play, the place went quiet and all eyes were fixed on Jon, as he played Seat Next To You with the passion that he puts in every song.

Beth's embarrassment and shyness faded away quickly.  She didn't have room for that right now, she was crying as she listened to the man that she adores with every ounce of her being singing a song that was as beautiful as first sunrise, the birth of a child or the coolest of sun sets.  His lyrics came from the heart and the strumming comes from his soul.  When he finishes, all guests stand and clap.  A few of them were even teary eyed, and that told Jon that the song would be a success.

Beth makes her way over to Jon, with tears rolling down her cheeks.  He smiles at her and with one finger catches both tears making their way to her jaw line.  With her tears on the tip of his finger, he kisses it and flicks them away. "Good tears?" He asks her.

She puts her head on his chest and he kisses the top of her head.  At this point, in their world, they are the only two people at this party.  "Of course they're good tears.  That was beautiful, Jon". With her arms around his waist, she gives him a little 'thank you' squeeze.

With his lips kissing the top of her head again, he asks, "How's the baby? How have you been?"  

She looks up at him, and smiles. "Baby is fine, and so am I.  How have you been?" He leads her off the stage and the head into the house, he just wanted a few minutes alone with her. That's all.  So he escorted her into his office, leading her to sit on the couch.  She takes a seat and he sits next to her.

Beth motions to the picture behind his desk, "Where did you get that? I love it." 

Jon grabs her hands, that's the last thing he wants to talk about, he hasn't seen her for days and he still thinks they need to talk about the night he stayed at Dots house but he answers her question.  "That's actually from Dorothea's lawyer.  She had a private investigator following me for quite a while.  She says", and he emphasizes says, "that's one of the prettiest pictures she's even seen.  So she framed it and had it sent to me. I love it too."  He watches for some expression on Beth's face and right now she's pretty stone faced. 

"How long we're you followed, and are you still being followed?" Beth doesn't like that. She doesn't need Dot knowing her every move. Dot has no right to know her every move.

Jon tells her, "The investigator stopped following me a couple of weeks ago when Dot couldn't pay his fees.  She's blowing through money left and right and is neglecting her responsibilities.  Like the kids and the households that she asked for in the divorce.  But I don't want to talk about her."  Jon leans back on the couch and pulls Beth to him.  She leans on him and they sit there and cuddle.

She knows she NEEDS to be the one to bring it up, so she does. "Jon, I'm sorry about not trusting you and running off like a child.  I just woke to an empty bed and naturally I assumed the worst. I know nothing happened, I never thought anything did. I was just hurt and angered that you didn't even call. And to hear Dorothea answer your phone, that was it for me.  I've had enough of her in my life" she pauses, thinking back to how hurt she really was. "I never wanted to talk to you again and when I flew home, all I could think about was raising this baby on my own.  I was livid."

Jon interjects, "Babe, you should know me by now.  You should know I would never do anything to hurt you. Never.  If you would have taken my calls, I could have explained all of it to you." He takes a breath, but doesn't let her talk. "I was exhausted, I sat on that couch and that's the last thing I remember, until Dot woke me at 9:00.  I swear on everything I hold dear, nothing happened. I slept, got up really pissed off and went home.  She did it on purpose, I know she did."

Putting her finger to his lips, as to tell him sssshhh, she says, "I know nothing happened, but you need to know what it was like for me waking up and you weren't there.  It may have felt different if I woke up and you had gone for a run, but when I see you never came home how could I not expect, or even think the worst possible? I was thinking that having a baby was too much for you and you got scared."  

Shaking his head no, he said, "Having a baby is the best thing that's happened to me since Romeo, with the exception of you of course. I'm thrilled that we are having a baby, please know that. I'm not scared, I simply fell asleep."  And he ends the conversation. There isn't any point in re-opening the wound, it's best to just acknowledge and accept the outcome.  He knows to never do it again and Beth knows that no matter what, he can be trusted.

 

As the night went on, Beth could feel herself getting tired and went to find Jon.  They had parted ways and were enjoying themselves at the party.  She found Jon, sitting with his band mates on the waters edge.  Slowly walking up, not wanting to barge into their conversation, Tico called to her, "What are you doing back there?  Get over here."  And he signaled her with his hand.

 

"Hi guys, I didn't want to interrupt, but Jon, I'm tired.  I think I'm gonna head to the hotel."   She stops to where she is standing next to Jon.  She rests her hand on his shoulder and he looks over at her hand.  Grabbing it, he pulls her down into his lap and she sits there with the guys.  She on the edge of the Navesink River with Bon Jovi.  She smiles.

 

"How have you been Beth?"  David asks with a different tone, one that she's not familiar with.

 

"I've been good Dave, how about you and the family?"  Beth responds, knowing that his kids are okay because they were running around with Jon's kids; but she noticed that the Mrs. Bryan wasn't  there. 

 

"Everyone is good.  How long are you in town?  We should get together before you leave."

 

"I'd like that.  Sounds like a plan.  I'll call you?  Or Jon can."  She looks back at Jon.  He nods his head yes.  She tires to get up, she's pretty tired and she wants to get out of her party clothes, but Jon's not letting her go.

 

"Where are you going to go, Beth?  Relax, hang out with us boys."  Says Richie.  "It's a weekend and we're at a party, and you want to go to bed?  I wouldn't think that the pregnancy would make you tired this early in?"  And his hand goes over his mouth.

 

Jon and Beth both tense up and wait for the other 2 to question them.  They know that it's coming....

 

"What did you just say, Richie?" questioned Tico.

 

David perks up, "Yeah, did we just hear what I think we heard?"  And he smiles his gorgeous smile.

 

"Ok, it's true.  We just found out a couple of days ago, and we've only told my parents, her friend Amanda and no you guys.  Please don't share the news with anyone.  If Dorothea finds out, it will be all bad.  My divorce is final in a couple of weeks, so please guys, keep it to yourself?"  Explains Jon, with the authority in his voice that he uses when he's in CEO mode.  The guys all agreed to keep it quiet and congratulated the both of them.

 

"Now that my secret is out, boys I'm calling it a night."  Beth announces to them.  Again, she tries to get up and Jon still isn't letting her go.  "Babe, I'd like to lay down."  Looking back at her rockstar, he winks at her. 

 

"I'll go with you.  But we're staying here.  You don't need to go to the hotel."

 

"My stuff is there, and so is Tammy's.  I can go to the hotel, no big deal.  I didn't want tot try to get into the city today, that's why we got the room.  And with the way I feel right now, the trip back into the city tonight would have been a nightmare."  She plops her head back on Jon, "I just want to sleep. Ugh." 

 

Jon releases her so that she can get up.  She gets up and he follows.  The guys get up and give her hugs and kisses and she tells them all goodnight.  As her and Jon walk away, Richie hollers, "Don't do anything I wouldn't do."  And they look back at him, and laugh.

 

Jon asks, "What would that leave us with?"  And they walk to the house.  Beth searches for Tammy and Jon looks for the kids.  Seeing none of them, Jon looks for his mom.  Mrs. B is sitting at a table with several people her age, and Jon can recognize a few faces.  He leans into his mom and asks, "Mom, where are my kids?"  He's assuming they are in the house asleep.

 

"Your father took them home about an hour ago dear, why?"  His mother informs him that his dad took the kids back to grandma's house, leaving Jon and Beth alone for the night.

 

"Thanks.  Beth and I are calling it a night.  You behave out here, keep the noise down."  Jon jokes with his mom. 

 

Mrs. B stands to give Beth a hug and she whispers in her ear, "Thank you!"  And she kisses Beth cheek.

 

Beth hugs mom back and tells her, "Good night.  Thank you for what?"

 

"For coming to Matt's party and putting that smile back on my sons face."  She reaches up and brushes Beth's cheek.  "Welcome to the family dear, it's official now."  Mrs. B kind of chuckles, knowing what the headlines will be tomorrow.

 

"Good night, ma."  Jon wraps his arm around Beth and guides her towards the house. 

 

Stopping on the way to talk to Tammy, who is just having a fantastic time with Matt.   Jon tells her, "The room at the top of the stairs on the right is all set for you, Matt, please show her the way when she is ready.  And you, Matt - you can crash on the couch in the family room."  Jon hugs his little brother and tells him Happy Birthday.  Matt thanks his big brother and Jon and Beth head off to bed.

 

In the master bedroom, Beth looks around and sees that the whole room has been redone and the furniture is brand new.  She is shocked by such a grand gesture, all she can do is hug him.  She loves the bed, the dressers, the night stands and even the walk in closets have been redone.  There is no sign of Dorothea anywhere in the master bedroom.  "Jon, this place is beautiful.  Thank you so much."

 

Pointing to an unfurnished part of the room, he softly tells her, "That's where the crib will go, as soon as you pick one out."  That really makes her smile, the thought of baby shopping makes her heart race.  She can't wait to do it, she can't wait for the world to know.

 

Jon walks into the walk in closet and turns a light on, telling Beth that he had taken the liberty of going to her place in the city and grabbing a few things for her, so she'd have them here - when and if she ever came back.  She was surprised by that, another grand gesture that she didn't know how to take.  Initially, she was a little pissed, but she needed to see what he did and why he did it.  She needed to change her way of thinking, she needed to see and accept that Jon will do things from the kindness of his heart, with no motive.  Beth was entering a whole new world and she anticipated that it was going to be great.

 

When Jon was done giving Beth the condensed version of a tour, he walked up to her and grabbed her hands.  "Come on, let's shower before bed.  I feel like I've just played for 3 hours straight."  Leading her into the remodeled master bathroom.  She is stunned by what he had done in there.  The marble was gorgeous and the bathtub was big enough to fit a family of 8.  It had his and her sinks, as well as his and her towels.  Jon made sure that there was ample toothpaste and flossers for her, since she was a freak about her teeth. 

 

Stripping in front of her, he says, "Last one in is on top."  And he heads into the shower.  Beth doesn't care that he beat her into the shower, she loved being on top.  Dropping her dress and panties to the floor she joins her rockstar in the shower.  She loves the way the water rolls off his chest hair, she loves the way he looks soaking wet.  She loves him no matter if he's wet or dry, dressed or naked - she was going to be with him forever. 

 

She moves in close and he holds her.  The two of them stand in the stream of water and neither says a word.  They are together, they are alone and they can take a deep breath.  Jon, rubbing her back gently, gentle enough to almost tickle her, loves to feel her wince and tense up.  Getting tickled makes Beth want to retaliate, so she runs her fingernails over his ass cheeks and that tickles Jon.  He winces and wiggles into her and the game is on.  The two of them play so well together, Beth can hardly believe that she almost let him go.  She knows, with every ounce of her being, that she is exactly where she is supposed to be.