Chapter 27 Thank you for loving me

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The next morning I got up early so I could see Anna. Last night had been something out of one of my secret dreams. When I woke up I had thought I had dreamed it. Yet when I got up and went downstairs there was a vase of flowers setting on my coffee table. I stared at it not sure where it came from. I walked over to it taking the card from inside it. It might be from one of my customers or even one of the ladies I just did the portraits for. I stared at the card in soft cursive letters. “Shan.... my love … I can't wait to see you tonight... I know you don't like roses … but I hoped the wild flowers fit. Jon. “ I looked at the vase leaning over and smelt them softly. I was surprised to receive them knowing Jon's problems with Hay fever. Maybe he just had his publicist order them, he did have one. I looked at the card again Shan.... My eyebrow raised but I said nothing as I set the flowers in the window. Before I got ready for the day.

When I went to see Anna she had a smile on her face, I had a great visitation with her though between her and Jake they tried their best to get any and all information why I had a smile on my face. I got to hold my god daughter Dia. She was dressed in a purple dress with ruffles which I found out was sent by her god papa just that morning. He had also sent along a warning that he was going shopping for more when he had the time. I had just shook my head at that. Jon definitely was different than any guy I had ever known. I also had to tell Anna and Jake what happened in the waiting room cause no one had told Jake as he had walked into the middle of it. Anna told me not to be angry with Jon over it and I had to admit though I told her I would deny it that I couldn't stay mad at him.

I found out that it was Anna who told Jon I didn't like roses so she wasn't surprised that I found the vase of wild flowers on my coffee table. My mom must have set them there after they had been delivered. She had stayed with me the night before after she brought Richie to the house so he could head back to Albany with Jon. I had felt bad that Jon and I had left him there with my mom okay I felt bad Jon had found it hilarious. It was not like the hospital was that far from where I lived yet it was not fair just to leave him there. I was sure he let Jon have it alter for it. The other information they got out of me was that Jon and I had kissed that it was again was not a surprise to Anna. She had figured something out when I had been acting so strange after Jon left.

I tried to get out of going to the concert t, Jake put the quick kibosh on it telling me that the shop was closed for a couple days so I had no reason not to go besides being nervous as hell. So here I sat in my apartment going through my clothes with my mom trying to figure out what the hell to wear. I know everyone told me that a sweatshirt and jeans was fine but for some reason I actually wanted to look nice not that he would notice his eyes would be glued to the thousands of fans screaming his name. I went through my whole closet when my mom brought out a bag she had setting next to her. Bringing out a blue shirt with velvet and sparkles. I gave her a doubtful look but tried it on, it actually fit me so I gave into her wants and decided to wear it. By the time Four o clock hit when Jon told me the ride was coming I had my hair done and actually wore makeup. I wasn't too keen on that aspect after wearing it for the dance and I knew how that whole thing turned out. My mom brushed my hair and let it fall down my back then we headed down the stairs. My foot froze on the last step as a stretched limo stood outside my apartment.

I stood there staring at it when I heard a voice that I hadn't heard in a couple days because she was avoiding me most of the time. “now what the hell is going on? first I find out my sister gets a visit from him AND he's the god father. I am not even the god mother that damn bitch is … now she's got some damn stretched limo outside her damn door..” I looked over at her I knew the peace was too good to be true Kari never could quite keep her opinions to herself. I shook my head before heading towards the car, the door opened two black boots stepped out followed by long legs encased in jeans then a blue shirt till Jon slid out of the car with almost cat like grace. In his left hand he held a Kalalily Flower which he held out to my mom.

“a Kalalily Flower for a Kalalily....” He winked at her. “Do I have the permission to court your lovely daughter?” He put his hand on his chest over his heart. “ I promise to return her in perfect condition before one am in the morning … “ He gestured towards the limo. “I will make sure she is returned safety “ He was definitely taking this relationship slow. That he actually asked my mother for permission to court me like when my mom was younger kind of threw me off completely. I had not expected this when I told him yes the night before. .I hope he wasn't making a joke about this but from the look on his face he was completely serious.

My mom took the flower in her fingers smelling it gently then gave Jon a warm smile. “You have my permission …. Jon....” She looked over at me “have fun baby...” She hugged me then hugged Jon who took my hand. “I'll see you later you can tell me how everything went.” She bent down and looked into the limo “and hello to you too Richie ….” I could hear his laugh inside the limo along with two others. She gave me another kiss on the cheek before heading home to her place.

Jon turned back to me a smile on his face holding onto my hand. “you look beautiful Shan.... “ He kissed my cheek causing my face to flush slightly with a blush. His arm wrapped around my waist leading to me the limo. When I heard her voice again, I tried hard to ignore it, however it was like nails on a chalkboard.

“what the fuck does she have that is so desirable …. that Jon Bon Jovi wants her .. she's a nobody … an ugly fat nobody...” Kari snarled the venom dripped from her words.

Jon's head snapped up and his eyes narrowed when I put my hand on his arm. He shook his head and turned to look at Kari's group standing outside on the street. “its called class Karianne... and beauty inside and out which you just don't have...” He helped me into the car shutting it after he got in. He set next to me as we drove off. I looked at him.

“You shouldn't have done that...”

“Fuck yeah he should have .. stupid fuckin cow...she needs to get a clue” Richie stated “hey darlin... you look really pretty … she been bothering you a lot...” He asked. He set on the other side of me. Across from me sat Tico Torres and David Bryan. Jon quickly introduced us as we headed towards Albany. I didn't say much as we headed there my nerves were still bothering me. Jon's arm around my waist kept most of them down. The guys talked about the upcoming show and Richie asked me about my great niece. By the time we got to the venue I knew David had a ranch and Tico was an artist.

We arrived a little over two hours later in front of the Pepsi Arena in the back area. Jon slid a laminate over my head before kissing my cheek. “this is your pass it means you can go anywhere you want in here without any problems.” He pulled me inside the large door and introduced me to Paul and Obie. “Paul this is Shanna … “ he winked at me. “I want her setting as close as you can get her by the stage..” he leaned over to press another kiss to my lips. “I'll show you around later right now ..” he pulled me towards the back. “I have to get ready but you can hang out with me in my dressing room ..”

I just nodded my head as I was wrapped in his arms heading back to the backstage area. I could hear some fans screaming their names. I was still dumbstruck that I was actually here. I let him lead me anywhere he wanted to I was too flustered to do much of anything else. We set in his dressing room as his assistant helped him get ready. He went into the back after and got changed. I watched him walk around getting his boots on. Then I was escorted out but not before I got another kiss. I felt like I was walking on air every time he kissed me. I must have had a goofy smile on his face cause when I saw Richie out in the hall. He laughed and told me that I had it bad. The guys were all heading back into the meet and greet room to get ready to put on the show. I waved at Jon then followed one of the security to the seat I was given. A tall security guy walked over to me and checked my pass. He looked at the guy standing next to me. “this her?”

“yep Mr B said first stool by the bar ...wants clear view..” He winked at me before the other man walked me over to the side of the stage where a couple other people I didn't know sat. He indicated the stool. “this is your seat ma'am enjoy the show..” He left. I sat down putting my hands in my lap trying not to twist the bracelet around my wrist in a circle. I was nervous sitting up there looking at the other fans setting in seats out in the audience. I knew this was the VIP area at least that's what it looked like. Why had Jon sat me there and why did they ask if I was her. Who was her. I turned to the side to see a bottle of water appear in front of my face. I turned to see a pretty dark haired lady sitting next to me. “uhm thanks...”

She smiled “you're welcome....” She winked at me. “so which one do you like the most....” She sighed “Richie is cute .. but Jon makes most of the girls heart beat fast...” She seemed to be quiet interested in talking to me while the other girls were moving around waiting for the show to begin.

I smiled “uhm.. I guess Jon... though Richie seemed really nice..” I didn't know what to say to that. I felt very uncomfortable why did he make me sit here. Were these girls in the seats the guys girlfriends or were they just fans.

“is this your first concert..” She drank from the water she had in her hand.

“uhm no ...” I sighed “actually my second ….” I fiddled with my bracelet again. She leaned over to look at it. “the first one I was just a kid ...” I really didn't know what to say to this girl and the others looking at me. I wished the concert would start or maybe I could get up and move. Yeah I could do that, this was such a bad idea when the lights went out. I froze on the stool. The whole venue erupted in screams of joy as the first strains of Prayer started. I took a deep breath as the lights came up. My eyes were fixed on the figure in the middle of the stage. They blew me away. I couldn't stop watching him as he ran around that stage like a mad man. Where he had that kind of energy I'll never know. Watching him dance around had me laughing a few times shaking my head. He shook his whole body sometimes winking and flirting, the girls dancing around me ate it up like honey off a spoon. I was watching him dance around when they started to sing One wild night. I set back down on the stool. When I looked up I was shocked to see him singing this close. He started to dance around me trying to get me to join in. I raised my eyebrows at him and shook my head slowly. When he tried again I laughed before he kissed my cheek and bounced back to center stage. My face flushed and the girl next to me winked at me. Jon continued to dance around even dancing around Richie who was shaking his head at his buddy.

After awhile I relaxed again as the girls next to me tried to get me involved and dancing around. When I looked over my shoulder as I was finally dancing with them, I caught Jon with a grin on his face. The show went on like it seemed forever but yet it didn't. I watched him interact with his fans, the adoration they showered him and the guys with was astounding. He danced with all kinds of women from old to young. The slow songs were wonderful to watch as you could see the passion on his face as he sang about love and heart break. Watching him on stage, you could see how much of a star this man was, he was adored by thousands. I swallowed how could I compete with this Compared to what I came from and where he was from how could a relationship like that work. He was so out of my league … especially after watching him on this stage. I swallowed hard as a tear hit my hand. Why had I told him yes yesterday or last night. I was so out of my depth right then, I needed to leave and I needed to do it now as Jon was in the back of the stage switching to whatever outfit he was going to come out in now. I got up and started to leave. The woman with the dark hair was standing in front of me blocked my way. “excuse me ...” I said loud enough so she could hear me. When the strains of the next slow song started to play.

She shook her head and pointed behind me. “I don't think you are supposed to go anywhere..” I looked at her confused when she pointed back towards the stage again. “I suggest you turn around..” She had a smile on her face like she knew a secret.

I turned around to see Jon standing there with the mic in his hand. Dave was still playing. He looked into my eyes and beckoning to me with his index finger. When I just looked at him he started forwards the mic lifting to his mouth, “Its hard for me to say the things... I want to say sometimes .. there is no one here but you and me and a broken old street light... lock the doors.. and leave the world outside..... all I got to give you is these five words tonight...” He moved closer holding his hand out to me. I bit on my lip but didn't move from the spot till he reached out to take my hand. He tugged slightly and I slowly walked with him to the center of the stage as he sang. “ thank you..... for loving me.... for being my eyes …. when I couldn't see... for parting my lips when I couldn't breathe thank you .. for loving me...” When Richie started his solo he put his arms around my waist and started to slow dance with me. I stared up at him into his blue eyes. When the song finished he bent his head down to mine and pressed his lips to mine. When he kissed me it felt the whole world just melted away like it was just he and I standing there. I didn't care that there were a thousands of fans watching us or the other band members were there. It was JUST he and I when Richie finished his solo he cleared his throat with a grin. I felt my body blush hot red hearing the cat calls from the fans. He brushed the strand from my face and whispered. “thank you...” He handed me a white lily.

I blinked up at him “for what...” my voice was breathless.

“Loving me...truly loving me … not the man on this stage but the man you see..” He kissed my cheek and led me back to my seat. I sat down in complete and utter silence. The girl smiled at me while the others just stared at me. She looked like she had seen something that made her incredibly happy. I sat next to her while we enjoyed the rest of the concert we both got up to dance when Jon started Wanted. The rest of the concert was magical but what was the most was those moments when it had felt like it was just us there. At the end of the show I said goodbye to my new friend though I had not gotten her name when Obie came to get me. I turned to get her name but she was gone. I left with him to meet Jon back in the dressing room.

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