Chapter 86

Elena leaned her head against the bathroom wall and fought back the urge to cry. Even his parents were mad.

Kate pushed inside of the bathroom slowly. "Lains?"

Elena twisted around and took in the blotchy face of her best friend. "Katydid. I'm.... I'm...." The tears she'd been fighting finally began to flow over her eyelashes. "I'm sorry."

"Aw babes," Kate folded her into her arms. "I admit I was hurt and mad, but I wanted to try to get over it before I talked to you. I'm just worried, that's all."

Elena buried her nose into Kate's shoulder. "I know you don't get it Katy, hell I don't think I can explain it, but, it was just right." Her mind skittered over the days before and she reigned in the tumbling fear that always managed to rise when she thought of that night. "It's just.. he’s so...."

Elena sighed softly and pulled back to look into her friends eyes, "I wish I could explain.."

"I understand that he makes you have a lot of feelings, Lains, but marriage? Sugar...you've only known him for a handful of days. You don't even know the real Richie yet. Couldn't you have just gotten engaged?" she said trying to soften the censure.

Elena managed a laugh, "It's like stopping a runaway train Katydid. The feelings, they're just so intense. I NEED him, not just physically either, there's just something, I dunno, he couldn’t stand to wait, and well neither could I... Didn't mean to hurt anyone, especially you. I'm so sorry girl, but it was something I had to do."

Her soft voice whispered shyly, "He won’t let me get lost anymore Katie. I don't have to worry bout turning the wrong way anymore."

Kate sighed. How on Earth could she combat something like that? "Well, not like we can do anything about it now anyway. I'm sure you consummated the hell out of that marriage."

A vivid blush stained her cheeks as a grin started playing on her lips. "Before or after the wedding girl?"

"Oh hell," Kate shut one eye in a wince. "I so don't want to know. I mean, I kinda do," she waggled her eyebrows and slung an arm over her shoulder. "Well, let's go toast to your good news at the bar; then we can go back and see if the rest of them left at least a shred of Richie behind in the stripping of his hide."

"And such a fine hide it is too sister girl." Elena began to sparkle as Kate begin to relent. "He's just umm," She giggled as they made their way from the bathroom to the bar.

"Just umm what, hussy?"

Elena tipped towards Kate's ear and whispered, "Let’s just say a moose has nothing on my Richie and leave it at that girlfriend."

Kate laughed and dragged her toward the bar. "Well, good to know he's proportionate and then some." She waved at the bartender. "Champagne my good sir."

"Knows how to use it too Katydid.. ohhh god does he know how to use it." Elena winked at the tender as he sat a glass of champagne before them. Lifting her glass to Kate she intoned seriously, "To sisters!"

"To sisters," she said and clinked her glass gently against Elena’s. "Do I get to borrow my brother in law?"

Elena laughed softly, "For changing light bulbs or moving furniture, hell even for a song, but for anything else I don’t thinkkkkkkkkkk so....." She winked at Kate and grinned, "Besides, looks like you and Mop Top are getting sorta friendly."

"Oh God, no," Kate snorted and coughed as the bubbles went up her nose. "But he has this way of needling his way into your life whether you want him to or not." She took another sip. "I keep him around for the entertainment."

Elena grinned, so he was entertaining. That was a good thing to know, most guys weren't even that to Katydid. "I see. Well that’s a start. Birds of a feather and all that ya know."

"Well I can definitely see that Richie has a strong influence in his sense of humor." She rolled her eyes. "They obviously hang out together way to much."

"Honey you haven't seen humor yet. If Jon's is as warped as Richie's we are both in for a long funny life."

Deciding that didn't need an answer at all, Kate just laughed. Long and life and Jon just shouldn't be put in a sentence together. "Yeah well they have their uses I imagine."

"Other than great sex? Well yeah, I'm still figuring it all out. I didn't get lost once in two weeks. That's gotta be a record for me. Right ?" Elena grinned and shook her head. "Great for roadmaps, Number 1 on the ‘what men are good for list.’"

"Well he does have that little compass needle that's always heading in your direction now doesn't he?"

Elena snorted her champagne and laughed, "Oh god yes, not like I can miss that when it’s pointing in my direction."

"Ohhh man!" Kate's head tipped back. "Not right, that's so not right."

Elena placed her hands on the counter in an approximate length and grinned widely, "bout that far and hanging to the right sister girl."

She looked over her shoulder and down at the bar, then up to her eyes, then back down. "Liar," she said and sipped.

Elena shook her head and grinned, "Nope, not lying, want me to prove it? All I have to do is brush up against…….."

This time she did choke on her drink. "Oh man, Elena! Not sure Richie would like to be on display like that."

Elena took a sip of her drink and grinned, "Katy, I've seen some of the clothes he bought for the stage, he puts it out there as it is, I seriously doubt he'd be embarrassed."

"Oh man, I've seen some of Jon's. It's like they want a little neon sign saying look at me!"

"Exactly girlfriend." Elena grinned, "And its all mine, no matter how they look." She sighed dramatically, “All that gorgeous skin and its all mine."

"Boy, I just don't know how the fans are going to react to all of that off the market."

Elena shrugged, "Fantasize about me dying a horrid death most likely." She started to laugh, "But what a way to go!"

"Classic," she said with a grin. Flicking her red hair over her shoulder she flagged down the bartender again. "Hey Sugar, how about a couple of Coronas."

"It's on me," came an oily voice from Elena's right side.

Chapter 85

Kate heard the door behind her and groaned. Part of her wanted it to be Elena, but she knew it was Jon. "Jon, what are you doing?"

He walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her tightly, "Feeling the same damned way you do babe, betrayed by a best friend."

"I-" she swallowed against the anger and the tears. "How could she? Just like that? Without her family or anything. I mean what was she thinking?" She held herself very still, not wanting to lean on him. Not wanting anything but to get away from the entire scene.

He rested his head on top of hers and sighed, "I don't know Katie. Can't figure out where Richie's brains went either. Man they've only known each other a couple of weeks. Fuck, he doesn’t need a wife right now."

He paused a moment, "I guess they just weren't thinking on how it would affect everyone when the made their little announcement, eh?"

Her hand came up to clutch at his arm, her fingers digging into the supple muscles of his bicep. "She's going to be mad that I'm not happy for her," she whispered. "I-" She tried to drag in a breath, but it came out in a hitched hiccup. "Dammit, Jon."

He twisted her around and cupped the back of her head, pulling it into his chest, "I know baby. I don't know how to act happy for them either. But what can we do?"

She fisted her hand into the thick, worn leather of his jacket, the zipper biting her skin, but cutting back the emotions a bit with the pain. "She's caught up in the moment, just like Elena does with almost everything in her life...but marriage? I mean Jesus Jon we're barely twenty-four for fuck's sake! She hasn't even finished her thesis. She's going to throw it all away for-" Cutting herself off she pulled back to look at his face. "I'm sorry. I'm-I," she growled. "I like Richie, don't get me wrong, but your life it's..." She looked up at him, tears still shimmering in her eyes.

"It's crazy, non stop insanity." He reached up to brush a tear away, "In some weird way I can almost understand though. The road it gets so fucking tiring, so boring, no one but the guys to keep you sane. He found someone he thinks can fix that and he grabbed for it. Too fucking soon yeah, but..." he sighed softly then continued, "I told him to take her with him, have a fucking relationship, but shit I just meant let her travel with him."

Blue eyes gazed down into tear filled green. "No matter what they're our best friends right? We might not be happy for them, but when it falls apart on them they're gonna need you and me. We can get our ‘we told you so's’ in then."

She looked down, the last of her tears rolling down her cheeks. "Right. I told you so's." She laughed, but it was a hollow one. "Let me just go clean up my face and we'll go back in there. I don't want her to face the firing squad alone, no matter how mad I am."

She slid away from him, smiling back at him for a second when he caught her hand in a firm grip. "I'm fine. I just got so angry I couldn't see straight."

"Me too babe, Me too, Thanks for letting me vent before I actually went in and put my fist through his face." Jon's smile was tight, his eyes still glittering with the threatening tears.. but he shoved them down, Kate needed his calmness, and hell the band was gonna need it too. "Ready when you are Katie"

She let her fingers slip away and headed to the ladies room. She grabbed some paper towels and wetted them down. She winced as she caught her reflection in the mirror. Damn redhead skin. She was all blotchy from her almost tear fest. "Shit, Elena," she sighed into the mirror. "Okay, don't yell at her, that won't solve anything," she told herself and patted her face down one more time. She stupidly didn't bring her purse with her for corrections. She swung the door open and sure enough, Jon was waiting.

Leather and denim. She was coming to expect the uniform in its various forms, but for the most part a leather duster or leather bomber jacket was his preference whenever she did see him. His hair was growing out and his bangs were constantly in his eyes, his ever watchful and observant blue eyes that always gave her pause. She was never quite sure what was going on in that head of his. "C'mon before everyone thinks we ran off too."

He managed a soft chuckle and wrapped his arm around her waist. "Naah, let the gruesome twosome get killed, you and me we got better sense." He took a deep breath and began to escort her back into the room, his mind tripping over possible ways to react to his loony friend and his equally as insane new bride.

They opened the door to a huge volume of voices all talking at once. "Richie, you have to understand this is a shock," said Adam. He turned to Elena. "I'm sure you're a nice woman, Elena, but how else are we supposed to react?"

Elena straightened; her soft brown eyes shining with the inner strength she rarely let show. "I dunno Mr. Sambora, happy?? Happy that your son is happy? Glad that he's found someone who loves him because he's Richie and not the damned famous guitarist for Bon Jovi?" Her eyes swept the room, resting on Kate and Jon a moment before moving back to Adam "I’d have expected his family and friends to be happy for him, whether they liked me or not."

Joan Sambora's brow arched slightly, well wasn't she the little spit fire? "But honey, you both cheated us all out of sharing the happy day, out of watching my son stand at the altar. And what about your family? You cheated them too." Her gaze swung to Richie, her voice soft in that Richard your ass is in a sling tone, "Explain yourself Richard."

Richie pulled Elena closer, his arm surrounding her, drawing her into the shelter of his arms. He knew people would be a little upset, but he hadn't expected this. Not at all. "Mom, we can have a big party with all the relatives before we go back on the road-" he started.

"And that's supposed to make it all better son?" She shook her head, "You're not even bothered by how upset everyone is? I gave you more credit. I know you’re a scatter brain at the best of times, but SON, did you even think?" Joan stood there, her eyes pinning him to the spot. "This time you won’t get to dance around what you've done."

Richie's chin lifted. "I thought my family would be happy for me." He sighed. "I realize that it's not exactly the most ideal circumstances, but I love her." He hugged her tighter. "I love her with everything in me and couldn't wait to put it to God and the skies. I'm perfectly willing to do another wedding. But that was for us, for the moment and what we were feeling right then."

Joan managed a laugh, her gaze steady, "That's kind of like shutting the barn door after the animals escaped Richard. It may calm down people, but it won't erase that you went and did it without us all."

She turned her gaze onto Elena, "I'm sure you're a very sweet girl, and I'm glad you claim to love him because of who he is, and not for his job, but missy, you should have thought and put a halt to my son's over eagerness."

Elena gasped softly, a single tear slipping down her cheeks. "You just don't understand, you were young once. Sometimes things are just right, and you don't have to wait for a crowd to give you their approval." She glanced up at Richie then slipped from his arms and walked swiftly to the bathroom. She wouldn't break down and cry in front of them all, not for all the gold records on the planet.

"Awww fuck," Kate muttered. "I gotta go after her," she said to Jon and ran to the door. "Lains!"

Richie moved to go after her, then saw Kate making a beeline towards the door. Dammit he wanted to be the one to make it better, but she’d hit the ladies room and he couldn’t go there. Hopefully Kate could help. He sighed as he turned back to his mother. This wasn't working at all like he'd expected. He knew his mom would be a little mad, but nothing like this. "Ma, seriously I just couldn't go another day without her being mine." He stepped toward his parents. "I admit it was impulsive, but I almost lost her once and all I could think about was making sure it wouldn't happen."

Joan's gaze intensified with her curiosity, "What do you mean son?"

"I screwed up. When we first met, I screwed up and nearly lost the best thing that's ever happened to me. I let this stupid business and lifestyle get to me and I almost lost her. When she gave me a second chance, I just couldn't-" he huffed out a frustrated breath. It wasn't like he could explain every bit of it to his mother. Not the longing and the loss, not the way his body needed her as much as his heart. "I had to show her in every way that I was hers and she was mine. I'm sorry if that hurt you guys. I really am."

Joan studied her son quietly, and for the first time in his 27 years she saw a maturity that wasn't present in his eyes before. There was a fierce protectiveness lurking in those brown eyes, a strange new strength she'd never seen before. "She means that much to you Richie?"

"Yes." He stepped closer to his mother, putting both hands on her shoulders. "She means everything."

Joan sighed, bewildered at the suddenness of his change. Just a bare month before he was screwing everything with two legs, and now he had committed to one. "Well son," she looked up at him, relaxing slightly for the first time that night, "Pull out your wallet, because we will do a wedding and party for the family. It MIGHT go a little way to soothing ruffled feathers, we'll see. And if that little spitfire really is the reason for the new Richie, then I guess I’m gonna have to love her, because honestly I never thought I’d see a woman mean anything to you other than a .." She didn't finish the sentence, she didnt have too.

"Ma!" Richie had the good grace to blush. "I do. I didn't think it would ever happen for me, but she did. In one day. I'm surprised I was able to stop myself for almost a month to NOT marry her."

Joan's brow winged into her hairline as she bit back a retort. "I see. So you've known her that long.. "

Richie winced. "I've known her for a month or so, but I screwed up for most of it. I only got her back a couple of weeks ago."

Joan’s voice was soft, her gentle gaze twinkling, "Richard?"

He sighed, "Yeah, Ma?"

"Shut up while your ahead son." She smiled to take the sting from her words. "You really need to learn that."

He hauled her in. "I love you," he said into her hair, drawing in the White Shoulders and powder he associated with his mother. "I know you're going to love her too."

Joan wrapped her arms around her son and smiled. "I probably will son. I probably will."

"You won't be able to help it," he said with a grin.

Chapter 84

Richie unfolded himself from Elena's small compact car. It'd taken them a good twenty minutes to find her car when they'd finally made it to the airport. Man, he loved his wife to pieces, but she couldn't remember the difference between left and right or fourth and fifth floor when it came to a parking deck.

She watched as he literally unfolded himself from the car and forsaw a new car in the future, or at least hers being put out to pasture. "This the place baby?"

"Yup, Mom and Dad used to take me here at least once or twice a month. We followed the tradition as we got older." He rounded the car and clasped her hand in his. "You ready, darlin'?"

She slipped from the car and took a deep breath, before looking up into his eyes and feeling settled immediately."As ready as I'm going to get babe."

He opened the front door for her, twisting his wedding ring with his thumb as he walked through the familiar restaurant. Every big moment in his life had started at Joanie's it just seemed fitting that he let almost every important person in his life in on his news here too.

He felt a little twinge that he hadn't stopped at his parents’ house first. Because seriously, with the level of gossip that happened at the bar, he'd be in deep shit if he didn't get the news to his mom before the grapevine did.

Elena moved closer to Richie, her slender arm wrapping around his waist with the slightest tremble. Looking up at him she saw a slight gleam of worry in his gaze. "You ok there Pony?"

He smoothed his hand down her back reassuringly."I'm fine, Lains. Just a little nervous. Not everyday you tell your buddies you ran away and got married."

She giggled softly, "If they get uppity I'll just deal with them like I did Mop Top." She winked his way. "Time to face the lions." She wasn't going to turn loose of his waist though, her nerves were feeling like King Kong sized monkey's had been set free in her belly.

"They already like you, it only takes a minute to love you," he said and bent down to kiss her softly. "Here we go," he said and pushed open the door.

The rattle of silverware and plates, talking and boisterous laughs came to a halt as he and Elena stood in the entry way. And just like that, they all started talking at once as they rushed them.

Well wishing and hugs everywhere, Richie laughed and hugged everyone, and when his mother made it through the line of leather jackets he couldn’t hold back the smile at the surprise.

Elena watched quietly as the hug fest started, her gentle brown gaze centering on the older lady who walked up and pulled Richie into a big hug. She wondered which family member she was as her husband’s face split into a huge grin.

"Welcome home Son." Joan Sambora smiled.

"Ma! I didn't know you were going to be here."

Joan tilted her head with a grin, "Well Jonny called, I couldn't resist a chance to see my wandering son you know."

"Well, I'm really glad you're here. Saves me a whoopin' tomorrow."

Joan's brow arched slightly, "Oh really now? What have you done this time Richard?"

He looked around the room. Nearly everyone was there that meant anything to him. He frowned as Al was missing, but he shrugged it off. "Ma," he motioned to his father who stood and enveloped him in a hug. "Pop," he smiled then looked out at the rest of the room. "Everyone...I'd like you to meet Elena, my wife."

Elena's eyes flickered over each person in turn, her worried gaze raking over each face and noting everything from stupefied shock to stunned amazement. As her gaze flickered up to Richie, she saw his happiness and pride and smiled slightly before again watching the room.

Where they happy about what he said? She couldn't tell, for the briefest of moments no one was saying anything, they were simply staring at Richie like he had grown a second head. Well this wasn't expected. Her small hand reached back for Richie's and tightened. Why wouldn't someone say something?

"Heeey! Will you look at that? Only Richie would go off on vacation and get married!" David stood first and crowded in on the couple. "Welcome to the crazy family, kid." He hugged Richie first then enveloped Elena in a hug. "Be strong babes this is gonna be a shocker," he whispered into her ear.

She turned her head, her brown eyes shining with a bit of relief when at least one of the crew welcomed her. Giving David a brilliant smile she whispered back, "Maybe you’re not such a junkyard dog after all. Thank you."

Turning her out to the people gathered he whacked her on the ass. "At least Richie picked a pretty one," David said with a big grin.

She blushed to the roots of her hair and fought back the slight twinge of fear at the friendly smack. Shaking her head she laughed softly, "Ok I rescind that statement about you not being a junkyard dog."

"Oh yeah," David said with a sly smile. "She totally likes me."

Tico stood and strode forward wrapping Elena in a bear hug. "Congratulations little one; welcome to the family." Turning to Richie he gave him a quick jab to the shoulder. "Sly dog, Find the prettiest and keep her for your self. I see how you are." He winked at Rich then grabbed his hand shaking it. "Congratulations to you too bro."

Elena brightened as Tico hugged her, "thank you Tico."

Richie hauled Tico in. "Thanks, man. Really, she's everything I could want." He slapped Tico on the shoulder and said to him quietly. "I appreciate the support."

Tico nodded, "Well if you're as happy as you look man, then all's well. That's what brothers are for.”

Elena gazed out over the room wondering why the four most important people had yet to say a word. A puzzled brown gaze swept over Kate, Jon and Richie's parents with concern. She didn't want Richie hurt, and by the shell shocked looks on all four remaining faces she couldn't help but worry.

Kate stood up quietly. The hurt and the shock were running an even race. She'd just blurted it out. Just like that? She was already the odd man out when it came to this group, but...just wow. She gave Jon's hand a quick squeeze and headed for the door.

Elena trembled as she watched Kate head for the door, her eyes shadowing as she read the hurt and shock within her gaze. "Katydid?"

She stopped at the door. "I'm just going to the bathroom. I'll be back in a minute," she said without turning around to face her friend before slipping out the door.

Stay or go, the need to talk to Kate warred with her need to stand by Richie. She'd hurt her best friend, she hadn't meant too, hadn't considered the consequences at all in fact. She took a deep breath and twisted, preparing to go after her friend, but before she could even take a step she saw Jon moving towards the door.

Jon watched Richie a moment, shock and anger flickering in his crystal blue gaze. They were supposed to be brothers, best friends, and he had kept this from him? How could he go off and do something this spontaneous and not even call. And Elena, how could she do this to sweet Kate? Teensy was an idiot, there was no doubt too it. With a soft growl he muttered an ‘excuse me’ and quickly headed towards the door Kate had slipped out of.

Chapter 83

She couldn't believe she'd slept the whole car ride. She remembered maybe the first two songs into the ride, then it was all a blur. She lifted her head, realizing she'd curled toward Jon in sleep. For the love of Mike what was it about him and sleep?

She sat up, and looked around. The sun was just starting to disappear behind the row houses and business that mixed along the street they'd parked on. She smiled at Jon. "Joanie's I take it," as she nodded at the large old fashioned sign on the brick face.

He nodded and smiled, his gaze taking in her sleepy eyes as she stretched. He had to behave, but the urge to just yank her into him was strong. "Yep, Joanies. Sleep well babe?"

"Actually, it was just what I needed." Following instinct she pressed a quick kiss on his cheek and tugged on a lock of his soft hair. "Thanks for letting me sack out."

He pulled the key from the ignition and opened the door. "Anytime babe, anytime at all." Stepping from the car he made it around and opened the door for her and grinned, "Prepare yourself for the insanity of my world Katie."

"Am I going to get trampled by Jersey natives ten deep?"

He grinned before starting to laugh. "Naah, but you'll feel that way once Lema and the crew get going good. They ain’t right, every single one of them is touched somehow. But experiencing is believing babe. So come on and welcome to my world."

"Lema? Is that a girl or a guy?"

Jon laughed softly, "Lema is David, our keyboardist. Julliard trained and insane to boot. You'll wanna have him committed before the night is over."

"Lema is David. Do I want to know?" She asked him with an arched brow.

"No Katie you don’t, trust me on that one." Jon grinned and opened the door to the restaurant and headed inside. "You really don’t."

"Gotcha, I'll be sure to watch out for him." She followed him in and was instantly teleported back to Italy. A large mural took up the far wall and she decided Tuscany was more like it. Small pillars glowed from sconces on the walls and the tables were swathed in white base table clothes with burgandy toppers that draped in a diagonal. The settings were clean and simple enough for a family, but dressy enough to make it a nice evening out too.

A large bar took up the back of the main restaurant with deep dark wood and a roster of regulars filling the stools that were already well into happy hour. A balding man with a loosened tie recognized Jon and waved like crazy. "Jonny! You decided to come see the little people, ah?"

A slight blush flooded Jon's cheeks as he grinned, "Yeah and I aint coming alone. I hope you have enough room for the entire gang tonight."

"What, you think I don't have space for my best customers?" He clasped his hand on Jon's shoulder. "Ma would kick my ass if I turned you guys away anyway. She loves you more than me." He turned to Kate. "And you bring a looker to class up the joint. Helluva lot prettier than Sambo, that's for sure."

Kate held out her hand. "I'm Kate."

The man clasped her hand and tugged her forward into a hug. "I'm Bobby. Come away with me, I'm a better man than this joker."

Jon's brow arched slightly as he grinned, "Well prepare for them all Bobby. King is bringing a girl, Dave, Teek, Alec and King's mom and dad. He's throwing a welcome home party tonight."

He hugged Kate closer. "Quick we'll run out the back." He let her go and Kate laughed good naturedly. He glanced at her boobs briefly, but had the good grace to go straight back to her eyes.

Damn boobs would be the very death of her, she thought darkly. "We'd appreciate whatever you guys can do to accommodate everyone. We realize it's quite an imposition."

Bobby snorted. "Baby, the Bon Jovi clan is always welcome. Besides, we're just glad they didn't become traitors." He laughed at his own joke. "We got the back room available. No other parties tonight, so you can have the space to yourselves."

"Traitors?" She mouthed to Jon.

Jon snorted and shook his head. "They’re just glad I’m still a Jersey boy, that fame didn’t go to my head.” He slipped his arm around her waist, "Bobby get the wine and drinks set, ya know what they all like. Me and Katie will go get a seat."

The door chimed and Kate looked over her shoulder. "The real party has arrived. I knew that you were all waiting for me!" A man strolled through the door, wild streaks of blonde stuck out everywhere from a frizzing mass of brown hair. Tight jeans and a t-shirt were molded to his lean body, while a calf length duster floated out behind him.

"Hey!" Bobby said with a laugh.

"Hey!" David answered in kind as he came up behind her and Jon. "Did you miss me? I know that you did!" he said and dropped an arm around each of them. His voice changed, deepened a little, as he turned to her and bright blue eyes twinkled. "I know you don't know me, but seriously, you should. I'm much more exciting than this guy."

Jon flicked the finger towards his friend and laughed, "Katie babe, I'd like you to meet David, our resident idiot savant."

David glanced at her red hair and the sweet curve of her body. "Aye Katie m'darlin' I've been waitin' for ya all my life," he said in an atrocious Irish accent.

She laughed. "Dr. Kate to you," she said with a teasing grin.

The bell over the door tinkled again as a cool night breeze entered along with a shorter dark haired man, dressed all in black and sporting a perpetual grin. "Hola Amigos!"

All of them at once said "Teek!" and Kate smiled again. He was sexy in a way that never could quite be explained. His dark eyes were quiet and wrinkled at the corners as if he spent his time smiling a lot. A cigarette cupped into his hand as he opened his arms wide. Jon turned to the older man and a quick bear hug was shared.

David dropped Tico low with a noogie and was tossed through the back door for his trouble.

Teek grinned as he was greeted by his friends, his dark eyes taking in the fine looking redhead standing by Jon. That had to be the one called Kate, the one Richie claimed Jon was so knotted up about. "And you must be the famous Kate I've heard so much about. Nice to meet you lovely Kate." He dipped low over her hand before standing.

Kate grinned. "There's a gentleman in the lot, good to know."

Dave called from the back room. "Are you really a doctor, Katie? Cause I think Tico just broke my ass."

Jon groaned, "Did I mention he can be quite the hypochrondriac at times?" His gaze moved up as the door tinkled and Richie's parents entered. "Ahh teh gang's almost all here."

"I'm almost afraid to go back there," Kate said with a smile to the older couple that made their way back to the bar.

Joan Sambora smiled, "Ahh honey, You'll get used to it, their just a bunch of big kids. I’m Joan Sambora by the way and you are?"

"Kate Morrison." She shook the older woman's hand. "Pleased to meet you Mrs. Sambora. My roommate is dating your son."

Joan’s brow arched slightly, "You mean hes settled into dating just ONE girl? Praise the Lord."

"He seems to be pretty taken with my best friend, Elena." Kate said with a quick glance at Jon. God, was she digging a hole?

Jon walked up and gave Joan a big hug. "Yeah Ma, he's taken with just one girl now, ain’t that something?" Stepping back he smiled at Kate. "Don't worry babe, Ma here understands her son a lot better than most mothers."

"She's a really nice person. Just graduated from SUNY," she said helpfully.

Joan smiled gently, "I'm sure she’s a very sweet girl if my Richie is that taken with her. She'd have to be to hold his scatter brained attention." Joan laughed softly, "He has the attention span of a gnat unless it involves that guitar of his."

Jon laughed out, "See told ya Katie, she knows her boy." Wrapping his arm around Kate and

Joan both he escorted them into the back room. "Hiya Pops, how’s it hanging?" He glanced over at Adam Sambora who was walking along side Joan quietly.

"Oh you know, Jon. It's always a good day if we get to see Richie." He shook a smoke out of his pack and lit it.

As the rest of them filed in, Dave met them at the door with a big hug for Joan. "Hey Mama Sambora."

Joan reached out and pulled David into a hug, "Well hello there sweetie. How are you today?"

"Much better now," Dave said with a tongue wag at Tico. "At least someone loves me."

Teek punched David in the arm. "Amazing aint it Dave?"

"Ma, tell him to quit it, I'm fragile."

Joan glanced at Teek and winked, "Just hit the other arm next time Teek, so he has matching bruises, but not too hard, ok?" Joan turned to smile at David a moment, "If you want to play in the big leagues Davie ya have to roll with your punches."

"Awww man! No respect, I tell ya. No respect even from one of the moms!" David turned to Kate. "Do you see what I put up with?" he asked.

Kate laughed. "You're on your own."

Jon glanced towards the doors then back to the group around him, "Figures he'd be late to his own damn party."