Chapter 20

Together the five of us headed to the dance hall. I had to button up my coat a bit as the wind was blowing a bit. Jon opened the car door to the SUV and helped me inside he gave me another warm smile it made me feel off. I wasn't used to this but I gave him one back. He shut the door while Richie got in the back with Anna and Jake. He helped Anna inside and we headed to the dance. The wind was a bit brisk but not too bad when we arrived. I had to swallow as Jon parked the car and got out opening the door for me while Jake did the same for Anna. He took my hand putting it in the crook of his arm. He whispered softly. “it will be okay... you look beautiful ignore anyone who says different...” I just gave him a soft smile how had this guy got beyond my barriers I had no clue but he had. The only who had ever got this far was my mom and family. Speaking of which I heard a shout of “Auntie!!!!!!” I stepped away from Jon to embrace my niece. She hugged me around the middle with all her might. I brushed a hand through the dark curls down her back. “hi sweetie ..”

She stepped back smiling looking up at me. “I am so glad you came you never come and it gets boring sometimes .. but now that you here....” She stopped when she noticed a couple strangers with me. Then her eyes widened “grandpa was right … you have THEM with you....” She looked up at me her eyes wide “IS HE with him...”

I had to smile as Richie was beyond Jake so he was slightly hidden in the shadows so she didn't see him clearly. “Yes sweetie pie ..he's standing over to the left...do you want to meet them...”

Kam nodded enthusiastically. If it was one thing she wasn't it was shy. She held out her hand to Jon who crouched down so he was eye level with her. “Hi its nice to meet you Mr Bongiovi....”

“well its nice to meet you.. but call me Jon hey Rich come here..” His grin got bigger and I wondered what he was up to. His friend came over smiling at him.

“So where's my date bud.... all these pretty ladies....” He looked around towards the dance hall were music was pouring out of.

“Richie meet Kam...” Jon's face bore a wide smirk.

Richie's face froze in mid smile “Kam...” he looked down at the little girl with blue eyes that matched mine. He knelt down and held out his hand “well its nice to meet you Kam...” He gave Jon a dark look

Kam's eyes widened to the size of saucers “Its short for Kamillia but no one calls me but that grandma Cassia grandpa calls me Kammi or Kam.. you can call me Kam ...oh its nice to meet you Mr Sambora … can I call you Richie?”

“You sure can … “ He shot Jon another look.

Jon kept the grin on his face “Say Kam... can you do me a favor … ya see my friend … he just came to town he don't know anyone but your aunt.... and well your aunt's MY date but he doesn't have one … would you be my friends date....”

I had to hide the snicker behind my hand with a cough so this what he was doing. I watched my little niece stare at Jon with wide eyes then at Richie. “really?

Jon nodded “Sure … “ he nudged Richie “right bud...”

Richie cleared his throat I could see the wheels turning in his head he was going to get Jon for this later. “Sure why not … you can show me around..” he held out his hand to Kam who quickly latched on and pulled him forward. This time I couldn't' hold back a laugh as Richie was tugged into the dance hall without us by my now over the moon niece.

Anna couldn't stop herself either and was laughing holding her belly. “Oh Jon that was priceless you have just made Shanna's niece's night hell world … with what you did though I think your buddy is going to get you for it later...”

Jon shrugged “eh .. he'll get over it shall we..” he offered me his arm once again and I took it gripping tightly as the nerves hit again as we were going inside. I could do this I kept thinking in my head. I could do this it was just a dance. Jon held the door open and escorted me inside with Jake and Anna right behind us. Just as we stepped inside the whole room stopped. I swallowed HARD. I felt eyes boring daggers into me when I saw Karianne standing by the refreshment table with her date. The minute went on forever it felt like before the chatter started up. I took a deep breath and tried to push my resolve not to bolt from the room. I felt Jon squeeze my hand in the crook of his.

“its fine just take a deep breath ...” He gave me another smile when we heard my name. I turned to see my mother headed towards me her face alight with a smile.

“momma..” I moved forward and hugged her as soon as she reached us. I didn't care who was looking. Her arms wrapped around me tightly and kissed my cheek. She smoothed the hair back from my face looking me over. Her eyes widened with delight.

“OH baby you look so pretty …. “ She smiled and hugged me again. “I am so glad you came … I don't see you as near as much as I like...” She sighed then stepped back she squeezed my hand when we could still hear the chattering. She shot a look at the girls who quickly looked away. One thing my mom was not was a push over. “now then..” She clasped her hands in front of her. “who is this handsome gentlemen I see escorting my baby to the dance...” I had to bite back a giggle as Jon's face flushed slightly pink, then smiled.

“Its a pleasure to meet you Mrs Reed....” He held out his hand to her “My name is Jon...”

“tsk tsk .. my name is Kali... short for Kalalili ...” She took his hand and shook it before giving him a hug. She whispered something in his ear but I didn't know what it was. Whatever it was made him smile. She stepped back and embraced Jake and Anna behind us before we walked further into the dance. So far the experience hadn't been so bad besides the stares. Something I would just have to ignore. 

 

We met my brother and Richie finally got to meet my mother which was an experience in itself. Kam was over the moon with the amount of time Richie spent with her. I told him about four times he didn't have to but he said he was enjoying himself. He would be a good dad sometime he even danced with some of Kam's friends which made her a hit of the dance.

There was one upset when Karianne moved over to the punchbowl and asked Jon if he and Richie would please play a couple songs for them. When Jon just gave her a cold look and told her no. She was not too happy giving me a dark look as I stood over to the side with my mom talking. When one of the other girls asked he told them quite politely even if he didn't look happy that he and Richie were here relaxing and neither of them brought a guitar with them so they were worry they could not do as they requested before heading over towards me with a cup of soda in his hand. I apologized to him when I heard what it was about but he told me quickly it wasn't my fault. He was there as my date AS FRIENDS and he didn't really want to. The band was quite good and we did dance a couple songs though he had to teach me to how to do a few of the steps as I was not a dancer nor neither was he. It was nice to slow dance with him though and his arms wrapped around my waist with my head against his shoulder felt wonderful as if something out of my most secret dreams. I watched my mom dance with Jake and then even Richie stepped in to dance. When it got too hot and stuffy we headed out into the courtyard where the fountain was.

I looked up at him and gave him a warm smile ignoring the butterflies in my belly and the other people outside. “Thank you for bringing me Jon I am having a nice time surprisingly.”

“is the surprisingly because of me or …..” he joked.

“I didn't think I'd have as much fun as I am … thank you for changing my mind... thank you for the dress,,, and everything.. including this morning you made my friend Anna's day... she loved being pampered...” I joked.

“well it gave you some girl time ..” Jon laughed “Jake, Richie and I just hung out and talked....played some cards and talked about places we been.. Jake's been around a lot and seen some of the places we been so it was nice..” He shrugged. He rubbed his neck. “You thirsty..” He set on the fountain edge by me.

“a little...” I smiled.

“You stay right here I'll get us some punch..” he headed inside. I nodded and relaxed where I sat.

“OH Auntie you look so happy..” I heard my niece say as she came out. For once she didn't have Richie by the hand. She looked happy in her blue dress with her hair done in ringlets. She bounced over to sit by me on the fountain. We didn't hear anyone else come out.

“I am sweetheart .. I am actually having fun.. I bet you are too... are you enjoyihg spending time with Richie...” She nodded her head vigorously. “I Figured as much well Jon's nice too... “ I sighed I Was just going to move when I heard someone say opps and something hit me. I looked down to see a large red stain on my dress. Looking up I saw Kari with an empty glass in her hand. “what ...”

Jake and Eric were to the left laughing their asses off shoving each other. Kari stood with her hand on her hip. Tawny to her left and the rest of her clique behind her. “sorry I must have tripped. “ She smirked.

I took a deep breath and shook my head. “its okay … easy mistake..” I stood up “I'll just go get some water to wash it off hopefully it won't stain.”

Just as I stood up Jason who was near me shoved Eric a bit harder. I moved to get out of the way but not fast enough. Eric hit into me full force knocking me backwards. I felt my feet lift off the ground and let out a scream as I fell backwards into the fountain.

 

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