Chapter 25 Welcome Little One

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For the first couple days after Jon left I walked around in a daze and I didn't even know it. I worked I did my schoolwork but my thoughts weren't completely on either. I had messed up three orders in one day it was something I never did. My friends even started to notice , Anna asked me countless times if everything was okay if I was still being bothered by the idiot clique. However surprising was that Kari and her ilk had stopped bugging me once I got into her face that day. Jason and Eric even walked to the other side of the street if they saw me coming, but I think that was more they were afraid of Jake who told them he had Jon and Richie on speed dial. 
 

I knew I had to snap out of it when my mom started to notice but it was hard. I couldn't stop thinking about the kiss it had felt like my whole body had woke up from a daze. My whole body felt like it was on fire after that kiss as if everything was just different. I felt like that proverbial sleeping beauty though I was no beauty. I had sat in my room countless times staring down at the number in my hand three times I had started to dial it when I had hung up before the last number, the last time I had gotten to the last number when his voice mail picked up. I quickly hung up not sure what to say or do. Thankfully my number was restricted so he probably didn't know it was me as I hadn't left a message. Little did I know my mom had a plan up her sleeve my mom can be sneaky as can be.

It started the night that her and I had one of our girls nights just her me and Anna. Right now with Anna on bed rest it was just her and I. I had gone out to get more ice cream for a treat leaving her there in my apartment. When I came back she had the look like the cat that had ate the canary. I wondered what she was up to but I really didn't want to know. We had our girls night painted our nails and just had our mother daughter time. It was something we hadn't done in awhile and I enjoyed it. 
 

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Kali watched her daughter the last few weeks something was defiantly up. So when they had their girls night in she had done some snooping. She hadn't found out anything but a number on the fridge had her interest peaked. It was Richie's so she had called it while her daughter was out.

A rich velvet voice answered “Sambora ...”

“how is my favorite guitarist ….” Kali said with a smile.

Richie's voice was shocked to say the least. “Kali?” he sat down on the couch. “how did you ..” he smirked “you got the number off the fridge and does your daughter know you called..”

“pshh... she's not here she went out for ice cream .. how is my sexy Sambora …and the blonde boy that stole my daughter's heart...” She set on the couch making sure she kept an eye out for her daughter.

“ahh I see she's got it as bad as he does then ...” Richie laughed.

“considering she walked in a daze for the few days after he left .. I think so …. add in she won't answer what happened when he left...she was just standing outside when he left not saying anything but she told she was fine... so what did he do to my little girl...” Kali's voice turned stern protective instincts kicking in.

“easy Kali....” He knew not to call her Mrs Reed the few days he had been in Madison she had made that clear. “he didn't do anything well... okay he did but its not what you think..” He wasn't used to having to defend his buddy. “he kissed her Kali... “ he grinned. “and now he can't think about anyone BUT her .. he's got it really bad....” He snickered.

“oh..” Kali grinned herself. “Richie can you give me his number I don't want to get it from Shanna she'll think I am up to something...”

“aren't you?” He laughed “speaking of which can I have hers he said he don't have it ….and I want to remedy that..”

“sure...” She ran off the numbers while Richie gave her the other set. “okay I better go before she catches wind .. we need to do something soon.. Richie ...I don't think I've ever seen my daughter like this .. she tells me she's fine but now I know why she looks dazed sometimes. Must be thinking of that kiss..” She grinned hearing him laugh on the other end.

“we'll figure something out Kali we will be in New York in a couple weeks for a show .. maybe we can figure something out there....” They hung up before Shanna came back in.

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Life went back to somewhat normal after Jon left. I worked, spent time with my great niece who told me that she got letters from both Jon and Richie which I was grateful for her. It was nice I hadn't thought they really would write her but they had kept their promise. I worked on my school work and did a few photo shoots for a couple expecting mothers. That all went to hell in a hand basket a week and half later.

I was sitting with Anna who was laying back against her pillows when she grimaced. “Anna?” She breathed out a couple times and shook her head telling me she was fine. Yet I knew that look, had seen it on my sister in law's face. “Anna you aren't fine … are you in pain?” She took a deep breath her hand resting on her large stomach and nodded. “you're in labor honey I'll get Jake..” I rushed down the stairs nearly knocking myself down the stairs. About an hour later we were in the hospital waiting for the birth of my god daughter. If I had known what my mother was up to I wouldn't have been so relaxed.

While I was waiting for word on my best friend my mom had disappeared to make phone calls for Jake she said. She looked like she was up to something but maybe she was just making phone calls. As Jake couldn't make them cause he was in the maternity room with Anna.. When she came back she had a smirk on her face but I ignored it concentrating on thinking on my best friend and hoping for the best. We knew it was going to take awhile as this was Anna's first child. The first always seemed like it took forever at least that's what my mom said. I was pacing back and forth in front of the seats when someone said something. I had set back down on the chair when I heard someone say “Penny for your thoughts...” I was sure I was hearing something because that could not be who I thought I heard.

Yet when I turned around there standing in their glory was Richie and Jon. I rubbed my forehead then looked at my mom who looked like the cat that ate the cream. I gave her the evil eye she so had something to do with this somehow I didn't know how but somehow. “Jon what, what are you doing here?”

He gave me a crooked a grin. “I got a call...” 

 

*******FLASHBACK*******

Jon was sitting in his hotel room bored out of his mind. He didn't want to play gin rummy with the guys, he didn't want to work on his guitar and it was itching at him that he was in New York close enough to her but not close enough. He sighed letting his head drop against the pillows staring at the ceiling when he felt his phone vibrate. “Hello?” he didn't recognize the number but then again the restricted number he found on his phone didn't help him either.

“well well .. Mr Bongiovi what are you up to?” A voice came over the phone that sounded very familiar.

He sat up “Mrs … I Mean Kali...how did you … get my number did Shanna give it to you...is everything okay?” He wondered why she called him instead of Shanna.

“oh everything's fine … and don't worry about where I got the number.. I heard you are in the state oh about an hour to two hours away from us ...plan on making a stop? Also I am calling to tell you that Anna is in labor so I am supposed to be calling you anyway for Jake..” She added as a side note.

“She is .. is everything going okay..” He grabbed his coat, he did promise that if he was near when Anna went into labor to Jake he'd try to be there. He had gotten to be quite good friends with Jake. As Jake had no family he had taken on the role of older brother on the phone when they talked. He headed out of the room grabbing his keys knocking on Richie's next door. They had nothing to do for today and the show wasn't until tomorrow night as they had sound check this morning. Richie's head peaked out

“what?”

“Kali I am on my way when you see Jake tell him on the way bringing the big dork with me...” He turned to Richie “Anna's in labor you coming?” He didn't have to wait long as Richie grabbed his coat left a note for the others in the band and followed him out.

“can't wait to see you we are at St Christian's Hospital oh.. and Jon .. you and I will be having a talk about kissing my daughter and then just leaving her there in the street...' She hung up leaving Jon flabbergasted

**********End Flashback*************

I stared at him. “You got a phone call...” I looked back over at my mom who blinked innocently at me. I folded my arms across my chest what the hell was going on. I took a deep breath. “oh she probably called you to tell you about Anna .. we don't know anything yet … Jake's in with her...” I felt awkward right then. Jon looked good better than good as did Richie. I moved to the side “you can sit if you want...”

Jon nodded as he set down taking his jacket off he wore a dark blue shirt and jeans. “yeah...”

Richie shared a look with my mom and I gave him a look wondering what he was up to. I pushed a hair behind my ear I felt very put on the spot but no idea why. “How's the tour going...I didn't even know you were in the state...” Okay that was a lie I had kept an eye on the tour dates just cause I felt like it and that was the story I was sticking to.

“yep … we are up in Albany for a couple shows “ He set closer to me while Richie sat next to my mother. He put his hand on mine pulling it out of my mouth so I would stop chewing on my nail. “you okay?”

I looked up at him “Sure I am fine..just worried about Anna... that's all.” I took a deep breath. We sat there in silence for a few minutes. We waited on word for Anna and Jake came out a few times to keep us updated. His face broke into a grin when he saw Jon and Richie sitting there with us. I didn't realize just how close Jon had gotten to Jake I was actually happy for the guy. He didn't have any family besides Anna's. He went back in to let Anna know that she had more there for her. The time seemed to stretch and the silence was a bit awkward to say the least as I didn't know what to do or say to Jon. It hadn't been like this before he left we could talk about anything but since he left and well that kiss I felt very odd when it came to Jon Bongiovi.

We were sitting there for awhile when someone came into the waiting room. I turned to see Mr Williams walking in. I thought he had come over to see my mom before he saw his wife boy was I shocked when instead he walked over to Jon.

“Jon Francis Bongiovi Jr. .. I didn't know you were in town...” He held out his hand to Jon who looked up.

He stood up and shook his hand with a grin. “ Mr Williams .. uh Sargent sir ...” he rubbed his neck “uhm yeah … we are in Albany for the shows .. and a friend of mine's wife is having a baby..”

“Ahh.. I talked to your pop the other day heard you were in town … a couple or more weeks before .. in our little town why didn't ya stop by the store...” He set down next to Jon talking to him as if he'd known him forever.

“your store?” Jon actually looked confused.

I bit my lip feeling bad now and feeling very wary. “he owns the hardware store Jon..with Jason and Eric.” I stated quietly. “he's Jason's father...” I didn't have to even look at him to know he had suddenly tensed up. I didn't want to cause a problem so I kept quiet after that revelation.

Mr Williams turned to look at me. “I didn't see you there Shanna Leah.... sorry... and Yes I am Jason's father … what does that have to do with anything..” he sounded a little offended. Then he noticed Jon sitting quiet stiff. “Jon Francis?”

“I met you son while I was in town Sir...” Jon was very polite “we didn't hit it off really well... you can say ...” He looked at me. “Mr Williams is an ex marine friend of my father's Shanna I didn't know he lived here I've only seen him once or twice when he's met up with my pop ...” I just nodded my head and felt his hand on mine.

Mr Williams looked at his hand on mine and both eyebrows raised. “I see … does this have anything to do with the accident that happened at the dance I heard about?”

I got up. “please Mr Williams its okay don't worry about it lets not talk about that .. we are here cause Anna's here to have the baby ...”I so didn't want this to be brought up now. Especially not with Jason's father who never thought his son did wrong. I didn't think he would ever take my side not even when I was 13 years old and Jason had lobbed a rock at my head as a joke or rather he thought it was. I still had that scar on my temple.

Jon looked between me and then to his father's friend. He looked torn, here was his chance to make sure that Jason didn't hurt me again yet I didn't want to bring it up now. Yet he knew Mr Williams to be a fair guy. “yeah it kind of does … Mr Williams ..and Sir … it wasn't an accident neither was them tripping her in the coffee shop the first day I was here....I don't want to cause problems but … that day she got splashed with hot coffee and almost got cut with the glass from the pot because Eric thought it be funny to trip her...” I stared at him in horror He could NOT be doing this.

“Jon please..” I shook my head.

Mr Williams held up his hand “No Shanna Leah let him continue ...” He looked back at Jon. “and the dance Jason just said he was rough housing with Eric and they hit into her accidentally?”

“From what Kam which is Shanna's little niece said … Kari dumped a whole cup of punch on her .. then Eric and Jason basically knocked her into the fountain she ended up with a sprained ankle and the dress I had bought her was ruined...” He shook his head “from what was said and I believe the little girl she had no reason to lie to me or her grandfather it was not an accident at all... and even IF it was an accident they found it hilarious that it happened and I know I wasn't raised to mistreat a woman like that.. and I know you are the same Sir...”

Mr Williams looked at him then looked over at me then my mother “is this true … Kali.. has my son really been tormenting your little girl.. all these years?” He looked like he was thinking of all the so called accidents between his son and I.

My mother looked at me as I gave her a shaking of the head pleading for this line of questions to just stop. This was not the place to talk about it. Anna was in the room having a baby. Much to my horror she nodded “Yes it is Hank... but my daughter refused to let us discuss it completely... and your wife when I did dismissed it..as boys being boys.....and any time I would step in either in school or even talking to Jason, Eric or Kari and her group just made my daughter's life worse...”

He nodded then turned to Jon who was now watching me. “You have my promise Jon I will be taking care of this .. it's gone on too damn long....” He looked back up at me where I was standing. “and from my heart Shanna Leah. .I am sorry.. I will take care of this .. and they won't bother you again … you have my promise of that …. I didn't raise boys to be abusive bullies I don't know where they got it .. but it's going to stop NOW!”

I shook my head “Please Mr Williams … its okay … they don't bother me anymore ...they haven't since the dance when Richie tore them a new one … told them to grow up .. you don't have to do anything....” I closed my eyes folding my arms across my chest. When Jake came out I turned to him hoping this discussion would be over. He had a big grin on his face.

“Claudette Shanna Marie Hayes has just arrived... “ His face was a hug grin. “All ten pounds and eight ounces...” He grabbed me in his arms and danced around in a circle with me making me laugh forgetting the tense moments before. He turned to the others in the room with his eyebrows raising.

Mr Williams looked at Jon before he left. “She might not want me to but you have my promise I will take care of this ..” he shook his hand before he left. He had been there to check on his wife who was there with a broken leg that I knew has Mrs Williams had broken it a couple days earlier.

After those tense moments everyone forgot it but I still was bothered by it but had gotten quite used to hiding what I was thinking or feeling to those around me or close to me. We celebrated the new baby. I got to hold my new god daughter who was the spitting image of her mom. I didn't hear Jake whisper something to Anna who nodded. My mom got to hold her and then much to Jon's surprise he was the next to hold the little girl. He looked down at her in his arms stroking her soft cheek..

“Jon … Shanna is her god mother .. I don't have any brothers .. you know I don't have any family... to speak of but Anna's and well..” he indicated the few people in the room with them. “you and I got to be pretty good friends … I know I've only known you what is it been a month?” Jon just nodded “but hell we talk all the time when we can... I think we talk more than Anna and Shanna sometimes ….” He joked.

Jon laughed “yeah we do ...” He rocked the baby in his arms humming softly to her. He looked at Jake “what is it Jake?”

Jake looked back at Anna who nodded again. “I was wondering hell hoping if you would be Claudette's god father …. “ He gave Jon a hopeful look. “cause man you are the closets thing I got to a brother  no matter how short a time its been...”

I stared shocked at Jake not expecting that, yet I didn't know how close he and Jon had gotten. It looked like Jon had been just as shocked. He was looking from Anna to Jake and then to the baby and back. He kept the rocking motion with his arms. His buddy Richie standing there with a shit eating grin. “I .. wow .. man .. I'd be honored to be little Dia's God papa...” He looked down at the little girl in his arms. “more than honored...' he gave them a mega watt grin. “hell yeah I would love to...” he kissed the baby's forehead before giving her back to her momma. “thank you..” He gave them another grin I was shocked to see the tears in his eyes.

“No, thank you, man...” Jake gripped his hand in his as they hugged. He laughed “guess she's already got a nickname ….” He stroked the baby's cheek. “welcome to the world little Dia...” Soon we were told that we had to leave as visiting hours were over. We left the happy family together a bright spot in a day that had some really rough spots to get through.

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