Chapter 63

When Fran woke up a couple hours later her head was pounding. Groaning she sat up and found the bed empty. Where was Richie?

Unsure she looked around and found a couple aspirins with a glass of water on her bedside table. After taking some and brushing her teeth, she put on some comfy clothes and headed over to the kitchen to find Richie.

He was standing with his back to her pushing scrambled eggs around in a pan.

“Good Morning.” She wrapped her arms around him. He tensed and didn’t turn around.

“Morning.” His voice was hard. She frowned.

“Rich? Is everything ok?”

He turned around and looked at her with squeezed eyes. She still looked pale, but her eyes were back to normal. It seemed she was finally herself again.

“Do you remember anything from last night?” he wanted to know and put the eggs on a plate.

“Uhm, no not really.” She admitted. He nodded lightly, but didn’t say anything. Fran watched him worried and wait for him to continue, but he didn’t say anything.

“What did…what did I do?” she finally whispered. His eyes searched hers and he could see fear in it. He sighed and leaned against the kitchen counter before crossing his arms in front of his chest.

“Let’s just say you get mean when you are drunk.” He said without looking at her.

“What?” it wasn’t more than a whisper and she sank down on a kitchen chair. Rich didn’t look at her, but stared out of the window.

“Richie, please tell me what happened.”

“Why? It wouldn’t change anything.” He said still with no smile on his face. Her eyes got teary. She had never seen him like this before. He was cold and emotionless.

“But I need to know why you wanna separate.” She said with tears streaming down her face now.

“What? Separate? …Why should I..?” shocked he looked at her.

“Fran, Frannie…” he kneeled down in front of her and took her hands in his.

“Darling, I don’t want us to separate. I just need some time to come to terms with it. I know you were drunk and didn’t mean it, but it hurt a little.” He admitted.

“Oh my god, please tell me what I did.” She pleaded. He sighed and pulled her in his lap before reluctantly telling her.

“God, Richie…I’m so sorry. I should have never….you know, I love you…I’m sorry….” She stuttered over and over again after he told her about last night.

“I know, darling. I know.” He kissed her temple softly.

“I’ll never touch alcohol again.” She said after she’d calmed down a little.

“Fran, I don’t think that’s necessary. You just need to make sure you don’t drink too much.” He tried to assure her.

“No, I’ll stop with it. You know my background. Who tells me I’ll not turn into such a monster as my father did. Just imagine, my poor baby. No! No more alcohol!” she said determinant.

“Also when you are with Kim?” he wondered.

“Yep, no more…means no more. It wasn’t fair anyway. She doesn’t get a hangover.” Fran told him. He looked at her surprised.

“No hangover! Wow! That must be great!”

“Yeah, I think so too.” Fran moaned and held her head.

***************************************

The next morning Jon woke up alone in his bed. A little worried how Kim might feel after her ‘talking party’ with Fran yesterday he first checked the bathroom before wandering into the kitchen.

To his surprise Kim was standing behind the kitchen counter preparing breakfast and looking absolutely stunning. Well, she was only wearing some lose comfy pants and an oversized grey sweatshirt, but in his eyes it made her even more beautiful. Her hair fell in soft waves down her back, her eyes were sparkling and she was humming softly along to the radio.

“How are you feeling, honey?” Jon wanted to know. She turned around a smiled at him.

“Me? I’m great.” Kim smiled and wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed him sweetly. Actually it was the first night since they ran into Nigel a couple weeks ago that she didn’t have nightmares and woke up shaking at night, but she couldn’t tell him. Not now! He would be too concerned while he was away.

“Really?” he looked at her sceptical.

“Yeah, why shouldn’t I?” she flipped the pancakes.

“Well, you were a little drunk last night.” Jon pointed out carefully. She wrinkled her nose.

“Was it bad?” she had to admit her memory was a bit clouded. She knew where she was and with whom, but she couldn’t remember any conversation.

“Nah, you were kinda fun, didn’t leave my side all night and didn’t wanna go to sleep.” Jon told her chuckling. “But I was sure you would have one hell of a hangover this morning. You took something already, right?”

“Nah, I never have problems with  hangover.” Jon stared at her.

“You gotta be kidding!”

“No. Never had one and I wasn’t a saint at college even though I was just 16 years old when I started. I simply don’t get a hangover.” She explained.

“I can’t believe it.” He shook his head in disbelieve. She laughed.

“Maybe it’s because I only drink the good stuff.” She giggled when he pulled her close and checked her face more closely for any signs of pain or hangover.

“Believe me that’s not it hon, I started with the bad stuff in the old days, but today I drink the good stuff and I still get a hangover.”

“Well, I’ll try to remember that when I wake up after a party night with you. I shouldn’t turn on my favorite rock radio station then, right?” She teased him. Jon groaned.

“No, please…don’t. But you could make such a great breakfast like this one here.” Jon’s gaze wandered over the pancakes, fresh fruits, scrabble eggs, toast and fresh baked muffins.

“What did I do to deserve this?” Jon asked smiling.

“Oh, it’s nothing.” Kim turned away from and busied herself with the pancakes.

“Kimi?...Hey…” he gently turned her around.

“What is it?” he asked softly.

Kim sighed. She didn’t really wanna tell him. She didn’t wanna seem clingy.

“Well, it’s just…it’s just that this is actually our last day together before you’ll be leaving.” Jon smiled softly.

He wouldn’t leave tomorrow; he had a couple more days in New York, but he had to do some preparation for his trip and Kim needed to work during the next week, besides he wanted to visit the kids before leaving for the first promotion work.

“I know, honey.” He pulled her close and kissed her temple.

“I’ll call you every day…I promise.” Kim looked up at him.

“Don’t promise it, Jon…you know there are tons of things that can come up and make you forget calling me…” Jon wanted to protest. “…and that’s ok, Jon…really. You’ll be working, this won’t be a vacation trip……Just call me from time to time, ok?”

He smiled. How did he get so lucky? She really seemed to understand his whole crazy lifestyle and he prayed she would still be this understanding and supportive when he was really gone. He knew it would be hard on her.

“I promise.” He whispered and leaned down to softly kiss her.

Kim moaned when his tongue lazily danced with hers and his hands found their way under her oversized sweatshirt. Gently his fingertips teased her fast hardening nipples. She nearly screamed at the loss of his touch when he pulled away from her shortly, only to grab her waist and sat her down on the counter top.

“Jon?”

“Yeah, honey?” he asked in an husky voice while tossing his shirt aside and reaching for hers.

“Uhm…here?” she looked around nervously. He smirked.

“Why not? We are alone, Kimi.”

“Yeah, I know...I just…ohhhhhhhhh…” Whatever comment she had on her mind vanished when Jon’s mouth lashed down on her breasts. Her hands clenched into his hair and tried to guide him a little, but she soon realized that he was in control this time and she didn’t mind at all.

He slowly pulled down her pants and made her lean back onto the counter. She hissed shortly when her heated body hit the cool stone surface, but she was immediately distracted by the gorgeous man in front of her who was kicking off his jeans.

God, he was just amazing. These strong arms and this hard, but yet soft chest and this small trail of hair that was leading down to his now proud standing erection.

“Do you like what you are seeing?” her eyes found his face and she could see a mixture of a self-confident and naughty smile. She nearly moaned loudly. This smile had her wet and ready in seconds.

Kim nodded and he carefully positioned himself on top of her. She was pretty happy that he had to fight for balance and not her in this unfamiliar space.

She softly caressed his cheek and looked deep into his beautiful eyes. She didn’t wanna hurry. She wanted to savor their time together, it would be their last for a long time.

He smiled when she kissed him gently and let his finger ran over every inch of her body. She started to tremble uncontrollable and hoped he would sooner than later get to the spot where she really needed him.

Jon started to place soft kisses on her neck, down her shoulders to her breast, deeper to her belly and finally down to her core. But just when she thought her would touch her, he pulled back.

“No!” she screamed in frustration. Jon chuckled.

“I thought you wanted it to last a little.” Her eyes focused on him.

“I need you, Jon.”

“Oh, god Kim.” He groaned. Her pleading nearly made him come without any help. Pushing aside his idea of prolonging this whole sweet torture, he entered her in one fluent motion.

“YEEEEEESSSSS!” Kim moaned loudly. She crossed her legs behind his back and met his slow trusts.

Their eyes locked and it seemed as if time would stand still while they were slowly rocking themselves closer to their release. When he felt her being close, Jon changed his position lightly and went for a faster pace. It didn’t take long until Kim screamed his name while her walls were squeezing him incredibly tight and made him join her in her sweet release.

Still breathing strongly Kim wrapped her arms around his back as well and held him close. She wanted to remember this feeling when he was gone. Thinking about the next couple months brought tears to her eyes and she tried her best not to let him see them, but she couldn’t fool him.

“Honey, what’s wrong?” Jon asked concerned and softly swept the tears away from her cheeks.

She looked at him sniffing. “I just love you so much, Jon.”

“Oh, Kimi…I love you too.” He pulled her close and hid his face in her gorgeous long hair, hoping she wouldn’t see his own tears in his eyes. She smiled softly and pressed herself closer to him when she felt something cool and wet tickle on her naked shoulder.

Chapter 62

In his sleep he reached for her, but all he could feel were cold sheets. He frowned and slowly opened his eyes. A little confused he looked around.

Right, they were in Philly!

He sat up and glanced at the alarm clock. It was shortly after 3 AM. But where was Fran?

He pushed the sheets away and put on his boxers before shuffling over to the bathroom door.

“Fran, are you in there?” Rich knocked shortly and only heard a low mumble.

“Franny?” he tried the doorknob and found it unlocked.

“Darling, I’m coming in.”

He pushed the door open and had to control himself from laughing out loud. Fran was sitting on the floor next to the toilet. Her head was resting on her arms, which were placed on the edge of the toilet. She was dozing, her long hair was all tousled and half covering her pale face.

It seemed she had problems putting on her robe, because it was not tied and only her right arm made it into the sleeve. He knew it wasn’t nice to laugh about someone else’s misery, but it was really funny seeing her like this. He sighed and kneeled down next to her.

“Fran? Frannie?” He softly ran his hand through her brown long hair.

“Darling, wake up.” She stirred slightly and every slow opened her tired eyes.

“Did you throw up, darling?”

“Not yet.” She mumbled and put her head back on her arms.

“Fran? Babe?” he shook her shoulder to get her attention.

“Go away!” she snarled and tried to push his arm away.

“Don’t you know you better leave a drunken woman alone?”  

“Jesus!” he pulled back lightly when he smelt her heavy breath. Since he wasn’t drinking anymore alcohol smelt disgusting to him. Richie closed his eyes briefly and sighed.

He’d hoped the alcohol would have already been reduced in her system, but it seemed she was still too drunk to realize what she was doing or saying. She sure wasn’t easy to handle when she had too much.

It took him about one hour to get her to bed, because she was padding on unsteady legs through his apartment and was looking for more champagne so they could keep the party going. He had to admit her behaviour scared him a little and he wondered if alcohol could become a problem for her in a couple years like it had been for her father.

“Come on, darling. I’ll help you back to bed and place a bucket next to it. Just in case.” He tried to get her to her feet.

“No!” she grabbed the toilet when he tried to pull her to her feet. He sighed deeply.

“Frannie, come on. It’s too cold on the floor.” He tried to stay calm. If he had been anything like this when he was drunk he needed to apologize again to his brothers.

“I said go away, you jerk! You should know best how I feel!”

Rich stood there like thunderstruck. He had no idea what to say. In a million years he’d never expected her to say something like this. This wasn’t his Fran anymore; this was a complete different person.

Shocked he took a couple steps back and pulled the door close behind him. He took a deep breath when he was standing in the dark bed room. His mind started to wander back to the time when he was drunk.

Had he been as bad as her? Did he become another person as well?

He swallowed hard when he realized the answer was yes. He buried his head in his hands. For the first time since he was sober, he realized what a monster he had been when alcohol had been running through his veins.

“I’m so sorry.” He whispered even though his brothers weren’t here to hear him.

His brothers! They were there for him. They helped him. Rich straightened his back and opened the bathroom door again.

Determined he walked over to her and shook her lightly.

“Fran, wake up!”

“Go away you jerk!” she snarled at him again.

“Fran, it’s enough!” his voice echoed loudly back from the walls and he was grateful that Jason was with his mother in Jersey.

Fran looked at him and saw the anger in his deep brown eyes. Her bottom lip started to tremble and big tears fell from her eyes.

“You don’t love me!” she sobbed loudly.

“Oh, wonderful.” Rich mumbled to himself and took a deep breath.

“Of course, I love you Fran.” He pulled her into his arms. Why do you think I’m doing this? He added in his mind.

“Don’t cry, darling.” He picked her up in his arms and wanted to carry her back to their bed. Just when he was about to step out of the bathroom she turned her head to the side and threw up on the floor.

“Great! Just great!” he cursed and held her hair back while she emptied her stomach.

When she was done he helped her brush her teeth and finally put her to bed. With a deep sigh he re-entered the bathroom and opened the windows.

The smell was disgusting. He pulled a bucket and some rubber gloves from a cabinet and started to clean the floor.

“Rockstar, my ass! Look at this Rockstar now! Sweeping vomit from bathroom floors at 4 a.m.!”

Chapter 61

“I can’t believe they both ain’t answering their phone!” Jon told Richie frustrated.

“I know, what the hell in going on there?” Rich wondered shaking his own mobile lightly as if it would change something.

Fran and Kim should have been at the Stadium over an hour ago, but nobody had seen them. So just minutes away from show time Jon and Rich started to get a little worried. Especially after Jon told Rich about Kim’s plan to drive over to his apartment and talk to Fran.

They wouldn’t really fight that long, right?

“Maybe they need more time.” Tico said calmly. “You know how women are. When they start talking you can barely stop them again.”

“Yeah, maybe but they could at least give us a short call.” Jon dialled Kim’s number again and cursed when he only got the voicemail.

“I know you are worried, but don’t you think you should focus on the show now.” David pointed out gently. Both shot him an evil look.

“Ok, ok…I was just asking.” The keyboard player said defensively.

“We played those songs a million times, Lema. Are you worried I might forget the words.” Jon told him angrily.

“We never played ‘Follow’ before.” David couldn’t keep the comment to himself and got the stink-eye from Jon.

Suddenly Jon’s mobile vibrated. He frowned and opened the short message.

“What the fuck?” he held up the phone, so Rich could read the text.

‘WE R HEER. STRAT SOWH NOW! WANNNA DNACE!’

Rich chuckled. “I would say, someone is a little tipsy.”

“Kim’s never tipsy or drunk.” Jon told him confused and left the dressing room.

“Come on, let’s see what the ladies are doing.”

As soon as they entered the stage and the first notes of ‘Who says you can’t go home’ filled the air Jon and Rich spotted their girls in the first row, each with a backstage pass around their neck and a goofy smile on their faces.

Rich couldn’t help it and laughed out loud when Fran pointed at him and whispered something into Kim’s ear which made them giggle like school girls.

“Oh man, I think we will both have an interesting evening.” Jon said to him before turning to the mic.

*********************

 

“Come on, Kimi. Let’s go to bed.” Jon tried to pull her along with him, but she easily slipped away from him…giggling.

“Awww, is old Johnny tired? You are such a party-pooper!”

“Are you calling me old? Smartass?” Jon asked grinning. She was really cute when she was drunk. He already feared she might get a little mean when she had some alcohol running through her veins, but apparently she was a happy drunk.

During their short performance at the Stadium Rich and him watched their two girls dance and sing along to their songs. When Kim and Fran finally made it backstage after the show they were so jazzed up that they launched themselves at their men with such a speed that Rich and Jon nearly ended up on their asses.

They figured out rather fast that Kim and Fran emptied more than one bottle of champagne during their little talk and totally forgot to eat the cake with it. The end result were to very funny women who were totally focused on their men.

“Well, you are older than me.” She said and tipped her index finger against his chest a couple times. Jon chuckled softly.

“I would say you are younger.” Jon told her and tried to pull her into the direction of his bedroom.

“Older, younger…who cares, it’s way too early for bed.” She tried to get away from him again.

“Oh, no honey…you stay with me.” He wrapped his arms tightly around her waist and carried her into the bedroom. Kim only commented his actions with giggles.

“And what do you wanna do with me now Mister Bon-jol-vi?” she asked with a husky voice.

Jon laughed out loud. “Bon-jol-vi? Oh, Kimi you really need to sleep.”

“No.” she sounded like a petulant child turned away from him. He sighed deeply and decided to change his tactic.

“Well, then we could do something else…” he said in a low voice and let his fingers ran softly over her arms. She shivered.

“Yeah? Like what?” she asked and turned to him.

“Like this…” he leaned forward and kissed her deeply. Kim moaned into his mouth and wrapped her arms around his neck faltering strongly.

Jon steadied her with his arms and pressed her closer to his body. Carefully he walked backwards with her to the bed not breaking the kiss. He pushed her down onto the mattress and had to fight a little to keep the upper hand, because she wanted to turn his little action into a pillow fight.

“Uh, uh…my turn.” He whispered while pinning her down lightly and kissing her again, softly this time. After a while he could feel her body relaxing and her kissing getting less responsive as it had been a couple minutes ago. Slowly he pulled back and saw that she’d fallen asleep.

“Thank God.” He mumbled.

He was really beat and needed a good night’s sleep desperately. Maybe she was right, maybe he was getting old, he thought while undressing and stripping off her clothes as well. Hopefully she didn’t mind having a relationship with such an old ass like him. When he lay down next to her again his worries were washed away, when he felt her snuggling closer to him in her sleep.

Chapter 60

“I’m not sure I’m ready for this?” Fran whispered nervously and tugged on her dress to make sure it was sitting right.

“I know what you mean.” Kim answered in a low voice and watched Jon and Richie talking with David and Tico a couple meters away.

They were at the Band’s Premiere of “When we were beautiful” and they would walk down the red carpet with them. For Fran it was the first time in the public eye while Kim was scared about the things the reporters maybe found out since her first appearance with Jon at the charity gala in Central Park. Besides the lack of sleep was getting to her.

“Ladies, you look great!” David told them when they joined them.

“Thanks.” Kim mumbled while Fran only blushed. Both took extra care of their outfits and make-up today, but to Jon and Richie’s surprise they didn’t went shopping together or spend the day in Kim’s apartment to get ready for the night, but only met a couples minutes ago here at the venue.

“Honey, is everything ok between you and Fran?” Jon whispered into her ear.

“Sure, baby. Everything is fine.” She told him with a forced smile. He nodded, but didn’t believe her. This wasn’t the place to discuss it though.

During the last couple days you could see and feel that things weren’t fine between the two friends. Jon already noticed it in the hospital and even Dorothea asked him, if something was wrong, because she didn’t get the feeling that Kim and Fran were really getting along when she finally arrived from D.C.

Coolness was ruling between them that hadn’t been there before. It worried not only him, but his best friend. They both knew that the girls would need each other’s support in the next couple months, especially with the Tour starting and the press following each of their moves because of the new relationships. They needed each other…desperately!

“You look gorgeous, darling.” Rich kissed Fran softly on the cheek and let his eyes travel over the deep red dress that was covering her body like a glove.

“Thanks.” She smiled shyly at him. He gave her his credit card and told her to go and buy whatever dress she wanted. She reminded him of the conversation about bank accounts and money they had a little while ago.

They decided that for now everything would stay the way it was. Secretly he hoped she would agree to get the access when they would live together in California, but for now he had to stop himself from spoiling her and Jason.

Of course, she told him so immediately when he held up his credit card, but he turned on his irresistible smile and said it was only one dress and she wouldn’t have bought when she wouldn’t be together with him. So it was his responsibility. She couldn’t argue with that.

So, for the first time in her life she went shopping in the expensive boutiques and shops in New York and felt totally lost. She knew she could have called Kim and asked her for help, she grew up in those stores after all, but somehow she couldn’t bring herself to do it. Since their last little argument they’d barely talked. She couldn’t bring herself to make the first step though. She simply had the feeling Kim was no longer able to understand her and her fears anymore.

“Ok, everybody ready?” Jon asked and got nods from his band mates.

“Good. Let’s do it.” He grabbed Kim’s hand and squeezed it softly when he walked onto the red carpet with her.

“Remember Franny, you ain’t alone. I’m with you. Just smile and don’t listen to the shit they might shout at you.” Rich told her before leading her into the sea of flash lights, which started as soon as Jon and Kim entered the red carpet.

Fran swallowed and forced a smile on her face. Shortly she glanced at Kim and could see that her best friend was way more relaxed than she was right now. She was posing self-confident next to Jon and let him guide into the right position for the different photographers easily.

God, I’ll embarrass him in front of everyone.

She started to tremble and just wanted to runaway from here.

“Franny…” she looked up when Rich said her name and saw him smiling at her. Slowly he leaned down to her and placed a kissed on her half open mouth. The clicking of the cameras got faster. She closed her eyes and focused on him.

“I love you.” He said in a low voice, so only she could hear it in her left ear.

“Forget those idiots, focus on me. Remember last night.” He added with a smirk. She blushed, but couldn’t hide the wide smile that was spreading across her face.

Richie chuckled and pulled her close to him and turned his attention back to the photographers.

**************************************

“Kim? What are you doing here?” Fran looked at her surprised.

The Band would play at the New Meadowlands Stadium in a couple of hours and announce the opening of the Stadium in May. She thought they would meet there, but now Kim was in Philly at Richie’s condo.

“Well, I think we need to talk, don’t you?” Kim said softly.

“Yeah, you are probably right. Come on in.” Fran sighed.

“Nice place.” Kim said while checking out the living room. “But you need to put your touch in here, girl.”

Fran laughed. “Yeah, I know. I have the feeling he plays it rather save with the colors. How is Jon’s place?”

“The same.” Kim said grinning.

“Will you re-decorate it?” Fran wondered. Kim shrugged with her shoulders.

“Don’t know, we haven’t talked about it yet. We were a little busy dealing with Romeo lately.”

She was very happy that the boy could be released from the hospital after three days and that he was doing fine with the medication she gave him. As soon as Dorothea realized how well even her youngest son was reacting towards Kimberly she suggested being their regular pediatrician.

Kim hesitated a little when she got the offer, wondering how things should go if Jon and her ever split up. He pouted at her comment.

“Are you planning to leave me?” he asked grinning.

“No, geeh Jon, don’t say things like that.” She told him shocked.

“Well, I can tell you one thing Kimberly, you being the kids’ doctor wouldn’t change. It could be really funny…we both could team up against him.” Dot eased her worry.

“I thought we are already doing it?” Kim wondered grinning. Jon groaned when the two women laughed about his shocked face, but inside he was doing a little happy dance that they were getting along so well.

She remembered that evening smiling lightly, while looking around.

“Jason still at school?” Kim asked Fran.

“Yes, and Richie’s Mom will pick him up afterwards. They are spending the day together.” Kim looked at her surprised.

“Really? Well, it’s great that they get along so well.” She paused and pulled something from the bag she was carrying.

“Then it’s no problem that we have this.” She held up a bottle of expensive champagne and a cake box from Starbucks. Fran groaned.

“Oh no, you didn’t!”

After their first big fight as teenagers, Kim ‘borrowed’ a bottle of champagne from her parents and bought a double chocolate cake from Starbucks, just to show up at her doorstep and apologize. Somehow a tradition started that day and every time they’d had a fight over the years, they would end up with champagne and chocolate cake and try to fix things.

“Sure, I did…we always did that when we needed to talk.” She pointed out.

“Or when we just wanted to have some fun.” Fran added with a smirk. They both laughed out loud.

“I get the plates.” Fran said and left for the kitchen.

“I open the bottle.” Kim agreed and popped the cork like a pro.