Chapter 16

The guys were getting irritated, they had been at the party for over an hour, mingling with a few friends and some of the crew while they waited for the record executives to show. Slinging back another beer, David went to get another round. Tico and Bobby, with a couple of guys from the crew, were playing pool. Jon, Richie, and Hugh sat at a table waiting for Paul to show up with executives. Finally Paul came over to the table with three men dressed in suits.

“They’re wearing suits? Are they kidding? This isn't some boardroom meeting. Lord, this oughta be fun,” Richie muttered and rolled his eyes. Jon just smirked at Richie.

When the introductions were made, Jon almost choked on his beer. One of the executives, Scott Reynolds, obviously the youngest of the bunch, kept calling him ‘sir’. It was starting to get on Jon’s nerves. Paul, reading the look in Jon’s eyes, took a deep breath, silently begging the kid to shut up.

“So would you mind telling us why you called a meeting tonight? A meeting you are over an hour late to. Our families flew in today as a surprise. So if we could just get to the point, please...” David's voice clearly showed his irritation.

Leaning his elbows on the table, Scott Reynolds nodded his head up and down, his excitement evident on his face. “As you all know the tour has been a great success... More than we had originally anticipated.”

Toying with the handle of his beer mug, Bobby laughed. “Gee, that sounds like you had a lot of faith in the band. Not to mention their fan base." Realizing he said the words out loud, Bobby shot a look at his dad.

Jon chuckled at his son’s comment. “That’s what it sounds like to me too, son.” Squeezing his son's arm, Jon conveyed to Bobby he wasn't angry at his outburst.

Scott knew he needed to correct his mistake, and fast, if he had any chance of getting the band to agree to his proposal.

“Sorry, that didn’t come out right. What I meant was the demand for you guys is growing faster than we anticipated. The fans want more. Right now Bon Jovi is the number one top selling concert tour of the year.”

Richie shot Jon a look, they both knew what was coming next. Wanting to stall the young man, Jon excused himself to use the restroom. Walking to the back where the restrooms were located, Jon pulled his cell phone out of his back pocket.

Joanne was getting ready to change her clothes when she heard Jon’s ringtone. This should be interesting. Joanne grinned answering her phone.

“Yes, my love. What can I do for you?” Her voice held a hint of laughter.

“Hey, Jojo. What I want you to do to me will have to wait a little longer. But right now I need you to do something for me.”

Sinking down on the bed, Joanne listened to what her husband wanted. “Give me fifteen minutes.”

Hanging up the phone, she punched a few text messages out. Done with that, Joanne walked over to the closet. Fingering Jon’s shirts, she pulled a dark blue dress shirt off the hanger. Putting the shirt on, Joanne went into the bathroom to retouch her make up.

Ten minutes later, a light knock on the door told her the girls had arrived. Three minutes later, they were in the elevator on their way to meet up with their husbands. Exactly fifteen minutes later, Joanne and the girls strolled into the after party. Security at the front door recognized all five women standing in front of them. Stepping aside Leo and Steve let them in. Glancing around the room, the women could see the guys sitting in a corner booth with three men dressed in suits.

“Come on, girls, let’s get a drink first,” Isabel said. Tucking her arm in with Joanne’s, she led the way to the bar.

When the bartender took their order, the ladies turned around in their seats so they could watch the crowd.

“The guys look bored,” Lani commented, taking a sip of her Long Island Iced Tea, nudging her chin towards the table the men were sitting at.

“I say bored is an understatement. Try irritated." Isabel took a healthy gulp of her Seven and Seven, observing the look of annoyance on Richie's face.

Tracy grabbed her beer. “I think it is time we made ourselves known.”

Melissa and Joanne both agreed, each holding a Jack and Coke in their hand. "Well, then, ladies, let us go collect our husbands," Melissa stated with a grin.

Chapter 15

Once again, the backstage area was bustling with activity as the road crew went into overdrive. While part of the crew were tearing down sections of the stage not in use, other crew members were packing up the band’s equipment. Anna and Joyce, another assistant, were busy packing up the room next to the stage, throwing dirty towels, and a few of the bands shirts into a laundry bag, unplugging the blow dryers, and loading the clothes left on the racks into their respective trunks.

While the band was taking its final bow for the night, the families were getting settled in the room originally reserved for meet and greets. Tonight there would be no meet and greet, instead the band would be joining their families for a little downtime before leaving for the hotel, where they were expected to make an appearance at an after party.

When Paul received the phone call informing him of the after party, he did everything in his power to get the guys out of it; unfortunately, he was not able to do so. Paul was told that a few of the record executives wanted to speak with the band. Luckily for Paul, the guys took it in stride saying they would make the requested appearance, but only for a little while. After all, they had their families here and they would rather spend their time with them and not some stuffed shirts.

In the hallway, the sound of the guys yelling could be heard. The closer they got, the louder they became. Within minutes, the band entered the room laughing and slapping each other on the backs for a great show. Standing inside the doorway, the guys looked around the room; everyone that they loved the most was there. The kids ran to greet their fathers, talking at once. Splitting up, each guy headed to where their wives were seated in various areas around the room.

David went to cuddle with Tracy in the corner. She was watching a comedy on Caleb’s laptop. Tico sat on the couch next to Lani, putting his arm around her shoulders. Sam playing a game on his PSP next to his feet, Tia coming to sit on her Papa’s lap.

Richie walked over to Isabel with Joseph in his arms. “Would you like some help getting this monster into his PJs, honey?” She handed her husband Joseph’s pajama bottoms with a grateful smile. Together they were able to get the little wild man dressed.

Hugh and Melissa sat in the two chairs next to the couch, the kids just hanging around their dad.

Setting his sights on his family, Jon strode over. Sitting across from Tico and Lani, he plopped himself down next to his wife, winding his arm around her shoulders, his fingers lightly touching her bicep. He could smell Joanne’s perfume, a light vanilla scent filling his nostrils. Glancing around, he could see the kids were occupied with their cousins, watching some movie with David and Tracy. Leaning his body close to his wife, Jon kissed her on the cheek.

“Have I told you how beautiful you look?” he whispered against her skin.

Resting her head on his shoulder, Joanne just sat there enjoying the feel of being close to her husband once again. As much as she wanted Jon to take her back into his dressing room and fuck her until she couldn’t walk, Joanne knew they would have to wait since the band was expected at the after party back at the hotel.

“No, but thank you.” She kissed his shoulder.

“You know, honey, as much as I love you, right now I think you need to go take a shower.” Lani wrinkled her nose.

Laughing, Tico pecked Lani on the cheek then picked Tia up and sat her down on the couch next to her mom. Winking, Tico made his way to the showers. One by one the guys followed suit.

With the men taking care of their hygiene, the women helped the kids gather their stuff so they would be ready to leave once the guys returned.

Paul came to check on how long the band would be.

“Are they in the showers now?” Paul asked Tracy, walking past her to grab a water off the buffet table in the corner. He was anxious to find out what the record executives wanted to talk about, he had an idea, but he wasn’t sure.

“We’re out, man.” Slapping Paul on the arm, Richie walked past him freshly showered. He wore a pair of tight black jeans with a white silk shirt, the two buttons on the bottom the only thing keeping the shirt from falling off his toned body. Tico emerged next, decked out all in black, as was Hugh. David was in blue jeans with a dark grey button up.

When Jon came back from his shower, his phone was pressed to his ear, a scowl on his face. Trying to dry his hair one handed with a towel, he finally gave up, throwing it in the pile of laundry waiting to be collected. Wearing a caramel colored button up with black jeans, Jon winked at Joanne when his eyes settled on her. “We are on our way. Shit, man, give us a break, we just got off the fucking stage.” Sliding his thumb across the screen, he hung up and stuffed the phone in his back pocket. Looking around the room, Jon could see everyone was ready.

“Let’s go.” He held his hand out to his wife. Together with their families, the band left the arena.

Due to the families being with them, the band climbed into different cars. Jon and his family, along with his parents, took the first one. Richie climbed into the one behind Jon with his family, including Paul. David, Tico, and Hugh took the next three vehicles. Pulling up to the hotel twenty minutes later, Jon groaned at the sight of all the fans waiting outside.

“Baby, why don’t you let the car drop me off, then Sal can drive you and the kids around the back entrance?”

Carol witnessed the look of disappointment cross Joanne's face.

“Jon, why don’t you and Joanne get out here, distract the fans so your father and I can take the kids in through the back entrance.”

When Joanne agreed with Carol, Jon tapped on the glass, letting the driver know he was ready. Jon stepped out first, reaching inside the car, he gently pulled Joanne from the vehicle.

"Come on, beautiful." Laying a soft kiss to her lips, Jon shut the door. He slammed his palm against the door, letting the driver know he could leave. When the fans spotted him, they went nuts. Keeping a firm grip on Joanne’s hand, Jon waved to the fans as he followed security inside the hotel.

Safely inside the foyer of the hotel, the couple went to meet the kids by the penthouse elevator. A few seconds later the hotel doors opened and the rest of the band emerged surrounded by security.

“I don’t care how long I have been married to you, David, crowds like that scare me.” Tracy shivered.

David just wrapped his arms around her. “I will keep you safe.”

Giving her husband a look of disbelief, Tracy chuckled. "That is really sweet, honey. But who is going to protect me from you?"

Everyone had a good laugh over Tracy and David's playful teasing.

After the kids arrived with the senior Bongiovi’s, the dads said their goodnights, promising the younger ones they would come and kiss them goodnight when they came up. Carol and John Sr. took their grandkids, and Ava held her siblings close to her as she followed the senior Bongiovi’s up. Lani and Tracy did the same.

Joanne stood next to Jon while observing their eldest child. Bobby held the look of excitement on his face.

“Bobby, do you want to go with your dad and uncles for a bit?” Bobby’s eyes lit up, the smile on his face was her answer.

“Is it okay?” Bobby asked his dad.

With a smile on his lips, Jon nodded. “Sure, you’re old enough to drink here. We can share a beer together.”

After promising his wife he would let Bobby only have a few, Joanne and Isabel, along with Melissa went upstairs.

Slapping a hand on his eldest son’s back, Jon had a smirk on his face. “Come on, boys, let’s go have a few beers with my son. Then we’ll see what the stuffed shirts want so we can get the hell out of here.”

Chapter 14

Richie glanced over to the side, seeing Isabel and Joanne taking a shot of something. Looks like a rather interesting night, he thought while reaching for the guitar Lou held in his hands.

Hearing the first notes of “In These Arms” had Joanne stopping mid-sentence in her conversation with Isabel. She stood there listening to her husband sing the song he had written for her after spending yet another lonely night in an empty hotel room far from home.

Walking across the stage to where his wife was standing, Jon took her hand in his as he led her out to join him onstage. Joanne was completely mesmerized by the sparkle in her husband’s eyes; they were so clear and bright, she could see all the love he had for her written in his eyes. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from his even if she wanted to.

Jon could feel her trembling as he held her hand, and using his thumb, he gently stroked the palm of her hand, hoping to ease some of her nervousness. Feeling Jon’s thumb caress her palm, Joanne knew he was trying to soothe her; however, what he didn’t know was instead of soothing her, he was stoking a fire that lay simmering inside her since he had first kissed her.

The senior Bongiovis would alternate between watching the band surrounded by the kids, to the wives dancing on the side of the stage. John Sr. and Carol found both were quite amusing to watch. John Sr. slid his arm around his wife’s waist . “I think I hear the pitter patter of another grandchild in our future, sweetheart.” He nodded his head to where Jon was leading Joanne out to the stage.

Carol shook her head in agreement. “I agree, honey. Question is, who will be first?” She pointed to Richie, who was watching Isabel. “Judging by the looks being passed back and forth, I would say a lovefest is in the works tonight.”

Directing his attention back to the stage where the band was performing “We’ve Got It Goin’ On”, John Sr. was watching Richie and Isabel instead of his son and daughter in law.

Richie knew how much his Izzybel loved to dance to the song, so he waved her out. As much as she detested being onstage in front of all the fans, Isabel couldn’t pass up the opportunity to join her man and dance for him. Moving her hips to the beat, she slowly danced her way over to where Richie was, stopping directly in front of him. Not once did she break eye contact with him.

Doing his best to concentrate on the music and not his delicious wife, Richie was having a difficult time keeping himself focused. His eyes followed her hips as they swayed from side to side, the material of her dress rising a little higher up her thighs when she moved. Her long hair would swing back and forth across her face while she bounced her head to the beat, and he could see the swell of her breasts move against the fabric. His mouth began to water as he continued to watch his wife. Richie’s mind was conjuring all kinds of images in his head. So far his favorite one had his Izzybel laying under him with her legs thrown over his shoulders as he pounded into her. Giving himself a mental shake, Richie tried to get his thoughts under control before Jon or anyone else noticed his distraction. Unbeknownst to Richie, his actions had already been observed and noted.

“Honey, I don’t think what will be taking place back at the hotel would qualify as a ‘lovefest’, I think the word you are looking for is ‘Fuckfest’ with a capital F,” John Sr replied, chortling at the look on his wife’s face.

“JOHN!!” shouted Carol, shoving him in the chest.

Pulling Carol back to him, John Sr couldn’t keep the laughter from spilling out. “Sorry, sweetheart. But you and I both know it’s true. Just look at them!”

Even though Carol agreed with John didn’t mean she was going to tell him so. Instead, she leaned into his embrace as she watched their family having fun. Yes, it would be wonderful to have another baby, or two, around again. Carol smiled at the thought.

When the guys had begun to play “We’ve Got It Goin’ On”, Joanne had given Jon a quick kiss on the cheek before running off to pull Lani and Melissa onstage with her. Grabbing both women’s hands, Joanne led them over to where Isabel was. It wasn’t long before all four women were having a blast. Seeing their moms dancing onstage, Sabrina and Ava, along with Gabby and Savannah, joined them.

Jon was busy shaking his moneymaker for Leigh Anne, Rae, and Katie, his dance partners. He shook it even more just so he could hear the girls laugh. Meanwhile, Bobby, Max and Caleb were doing their best to make Uncle Richie mess up, they made faces at him, stuck their tongues out, and nothing was working.

Richie just shook his head. “Amateurs.”

Eddie and his sister, Tabitha, were hanging out with their dad by the keyboards. The three of them were attempting to do the bump. Michael and Eric were over by Uncle Hughie pointing out girls they thought were cute.

Joseph was dancing with his mommy, laughing at her when she got down on her knees to dance with him so he wouldn’t have to keep looking up at her.

Sam and Tia were perched on their papa’s knees, each one had a hand over his assisting him with keeping the beat.

Smiling at Jon, Joanne hadn’t felt this happy since her husband walked out their front door six weeks ago to resume the tour. Her heart was overflowing with love and joy. Her spirit felt free. She was ecstatic and it showed.

David watched Tracy dancing with the other wives, and from what he was seeing, it looked like she was having a good time. Not to mention she seemed a little tipsy, which was always a benefit for him.

As soon as the song was over, Richie put his arm around his wife’s slender waist, dragging her to him. “You are going to pay dearly for teasing your husband, Mrs. Sambora,” he growled, nibbling on her earlobe.

Leaning her back against his broad chest, Isabel laid her head against his shoulder as she gazed up into her husband’s chocolate brown eyes. “I have no idea what you are talking about, Mr. Sambora. I was merely dancing with my girls.” She tried to stifle the giggle that was making its way out of her mouth.

“Yeah, right, Izzybel. Just remember that paybacks are a bitch sometimes.” Giving her a soft kiss on the shoulder, he watched as her and the kids left the stage.

Lani collected the kids from their father, who didn’t want to let them go. Giving Tico a steamy kiss seemed to help him let the kids leave. The kiss held a promise of what was to come after the children were in bed. Neither Tico or Lani could wait.

Running across the stage, Tracy flew into David’s arms, kissing him with all the pent up desire she had inside her. Wrapping his arms tightly around his wife, David crushed her to him as his mouth and tongue went on an expedition, seeking out every corner of Tracy’s mouth. He had missed her more than he could ever show her or tell her. When they finally came up for air, neither one was breathing normal. “I missed you, Davey.”

Giving Tracy another kiss on the lips, David looked at her. ”I missed you, too, Trace. Now get out of here so we can finish this damn show.” He slapped her on the ass to usher her off. With a giggle, Tracy ran off to rejoin the family.

Jon pulled Joanne off behind the curtain. “See you in a few, baby.” Kissing her gently on the lips, he continued, “Keep those lips warm for me.”

Melissa was trying to wrestle herself free from the strong grip Hugh had around her waist.

“Face it, Mel. You are not leaving this spot until I get a kiss.”

“I already gave you a kiss, Hughie.” She squirmed again.

“I mean a real kiss, Mellie.” His lips were close to her ear.

Cocking her head to one side, Melissa licked her lips. “A real kiss, huh. Fine. Just remember you asked for it.” Putting her hands on the lapels of his jacket, Melissa yanked her husband against her chest as she slammed her lips hard against his in a brutal kiss. The kiss was not what he was expecting, not by a long shot. As long as he had known Melissa, she had never kissed him like she was now.

The kiss was on the verge of spiraling out of control when they heard a discreet cough. “Sorry to bother the two of you, but may I remind you that this isn’t that kind of show,” commented a rather amused Jon before walking away.

In the distance, you could hear David and Richie’s protest. “Aww, come on, man, let them finish.”

“You two are just a couple of sick fucks,” laughed Jon.

When Melissa let go of Hugh’s jacket, the poor guy almost fell over. With a satisfied look on her face, Melissa sashayed off the stage receiving high-fives from the wives.