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.”