Chapter 93

Hi everyone,

I'm sorry about the delay of posting, but I was in the hospital for surgery and my recovery wasn't going as fast as I had it in mind from five years ago. Be assured that there'll be more chapters to come. I hope to post every sunday from now on again.

~ Kris ~

“You have reached your destination.” The stoic voice of the navigation system told them when they turned into the driveway of a house at the beach in New Jersey.

“Wow, this really looks nice.” Kim said and let her gaze wander over the two story building which was built in a Mediterranean-style with extensive loggias and balconies framing the warm yellow colored house.

“Well, did you think Rich would invite us to a little hut somewhere?” Jon asked laughing and was glad she smiled lightly at his comment. The last two days were tough. Of course, the incident with Nigel hit the fan and soon their phone wouldn’t stop ringing. Jon only answered the calls from family and close friends.

Dorothea was still very concerned when she dropped off the kids at their place this morning, but Kim assured her that only the training she had done with her probably saved her. She would have never been able to move without Dot’s voice in her head.

The kids were extremely sweet. Steph hugged her and asked if there was anything, she could do for her and Jake and Romeo gave her their two toy walkie-talkies. Telling her, she could call for help if someone tried to hurt her again. Even though they didn’t know the whole reason for the attack, Dot made sure they understood that someone tried to hurt Kim.

Jesse was very reserved though. He wouldn’t look at her or hug her. Actually, he barely talked to her on their drive to Richie’s rented beach house. Jon sighed when he glanced in the rear mirror and saw his oldest son staring out of the window. He sure needed to talk to him later.

“Daddy, look…Hector is already there…hurry.” Romeo yelled excited while Jake pointed out of the window. Tico and his family as well as David with Lexi and his kids were just leaving their cars.

“Ok, ok…stay in your seat and don’t open the door before the car stops.” Jon ordered his sons who were about to loosen their seatbelts.

As soon as the car came to a halt, the two boys were out of the car. Kim smiled and shook her head. All the kids really loved to spend time together.

“Are you ok, honey?” Jon wanted to know and pulled her into his arms before they would walk towards the rest of the group.

“I’m fine, Jon. Don’t worry.” She didn’t meet his eyes though. Carefully he lifted her chin and looked at her concerned.

“Ok, I’m not…” Tears shimmered in her eyes. “…but I know I’m save here with my friends and my lover and his kids. Maybe some family time at an outlying waterfront house is exactly what I need. And as long as you are with me and keep me from thinking about it too much…I’ll be ok.”

“I love you.” He kissed her softly and she melted against him. She felt very save when he was holding her in his arms.

His band mates watched the couple worried. Jon assured them on the phone that Kim was all right, but they could see now that she was really trying to keep it together. Kim only talked to Fran the last two days, revealed everything about the attempt rape now, and back ten years ago. Fran listened and tried to support her. She was the first now who pulled Kim in her embrace and just held her for a while.

The men watched worried and fascinated how their four women and Joan were standing together in a huddle talking quietly and giving Kim a feeling of protection as well as understanding. When Richie’s mother pulled Kim close for a hug Kim started to sob.

Jon wanted to walk over to her, but Lexi and Alejandra shaking their heads no stopped him.

He sighed deeply. Maybe all this wasn’t a bad idea. Maybe talking with other women about it was just what his girl needed. He was there for her, no doubt about it, but he knew he would never really understand the fear and feelings she went through two nights ago.

“Where is that bastard now?” David asked angrily. Seeing Kim like this was nearly too much for him.

                                                     

“He’s in prison and they’ll keep him there until the trial. He could easily leave the country because of his parent’s money.” Jon told him in a low voice.

“What a shame.” Tico growled and fisted his hands a couple times. If that guy wouldn’t be in jail, he would happily pay him a visit. Rich nodded agreeing before taking a deep breath.

“Ok, where is everybody.” he clapped his hands together and tried to get everybody’s attention. It was time to lift the dark cloud that was hanging over them.

“The little boys are outside.” Steph informed him only looking up shortly from her conversation with Gabby and Ava.

“Jason too?” Fran wanted to know and walked towards the huge patio doors. Steph nodded.

“See, I told you they would be fine.” Rich told her and wrapped his arms carefully around her waist. Fran had been worried how Jake, Romeo and Hector would react on Jason. They had never met before, but it seemed they connected immediately.

“Can we tell them now, Dad?” Ava asked him excited when everybody was situated in the huge open living room. He laughed and looked at Fran.

“Shall we?” she nodded and smiled about Jason grinning from ear to ear and Ava jumping anxious from one foot to the other. Joan just sat there and watched her son lovingly.

“Well, you probably wonder why we asked you to come out here.” Rich started and got nods from everybody. “I mean, I love you all dearly, but the times where we were spending out precious free time together are long over.”

“Hear, hear…” Jon chuckled.

“Nevertheless…we wanted to have you with us…” he paused dramatically and David rolled his eyes. “… when we get married tomorrow afternoon.”

There was dead silence in the room for about ten seconds. Kim stared at Fran who was very calmly holding up her hand and let her diamond engagement ring blink in the sunlight.

“Oh, my God!” Kim, Lexi and Ali nearly screamed at the same time and rushed over to Fran followed by Steph, Gabby and Lily. The men laughed and walked over to Rich.

“I already wondered if you gonna ask her before the baby would arrive.” Jon told him and gave him a short hug and slap on the back.

“Well, we needed to talk to Ava and Jason first.” Rich said and watched how the boy looked at the excited giggling group of women and girls confused. He had never seen his mother like this before.

“Jason, buddy…why don’t you come over here?” Richie called. The boy nodded and pressed himself close to Richie. He still was a little shy with all those new faces around.

“Will they stay this crazy?” he asked confused. The men laughed.

“Nah, don’t worry buddy. They’ll calm down after the wedding.” Rich assured him and hugged him shortly.

“Ok, can we go outside again, Rich?” he looked at him with his big brown eyes.

“Sure, just don’t go to the pool, ok?” Jason nodded. Jon and David looked up at him when he mentioned the pool. Tico was already on his way to the patio checking on his son.

“It’s fenced. They can’t fall in there.” He answered the unspoken question and stopped the drummer’s motion. Slowly he walked over to his future wife.

“And you are sure everything is done? Dress, flowers, music, food, priest, hair and make-up?” Kim asked her best friend disbelieving.

“Yeah, don’t worry. Everything will be delivered tomorrow morning, they’ll set everything up outside, my dress is…” She stopped when she saw Rich sneaking towards her.

“Why do you stop, darling? Where is your dress?” he asked all innocently.

“None of your business. You gotta wait till tomorrow.” She told him, laughing about his pout. He tried to figure out how it looked like for days.

“Oh, come on…” he begged, giving her puppy dog eyes.

Joan shook her head and gave him a light slap on the back of his head.

“Ouch! Mom!” he rubbed the spot. It always amazed him how she was able to reach that high.

“Behave yourself Richard!” she told him. His band mates laughed out loud.

“Sorry, Momma S., but that will never happen.” Jon said and gave her a hug. Rich only rolled his eyes.