The hot sun was shining on his skin. He could feel the heat penetrate his skin, heating it up and bronzing it.
He could hear his wife chuckling and his son laughing. Slowly he opened his eyes and looked over the beach until he spotted them.
Sarah was sitting on the beach with Daniel between her open legs. They weren't in the water but with every wave the water would come up to Daniel's feet, which made him laugh his adorable laugh.
She looked happy playing with Daniel and for now he wanted to just watch. Sarah still looked gorgeous in her bikini. She always looked gorgeous, that's why he couldn't keep his eyes off or her and why he was so happy to just watch her. He loved how her body swayed as she moved.
He watched her get up, pick Daniel up and walk over to him.
As Sarah came back, Richie sat up in his lounge chair, wanting to hold his son.
Sarah passed Daniel over and Richie sat him in his lap.
"He's so big." He was amazed every time he held his son.
Sarah smiled at him as she sat down. "He's really growing."
Richie turned him around to look at him. The boy was cute, even in his swimming outfit. Match swimshorts and shirt and a hat to protect him from the sun.
"We should probably go back to the house soon. He'll be hungry and then he needs to nap." Sarah suggested. "His cold is getting better but don't want to make it worse by messing up his schedule."
They had been on the beach all morning so Richie didn't mind going back to their beach house. Being out in the sun wasn't so healthy for Daniel anyway. Soon the sun would be even warmer and sunburn would be even more possible.
Quickly he scanned the beach for the other children. They could stay longer if they wanted but they should be informed before they left.
He easily spotted Ava and her friend. More difficult was getting their attention. There was too much noise and distance for them to hear so they decided on the frantic wave until Ava noticed.
A little while later they were back at the beach house. Richie took Daniel as Sarah went to make lunch.
Carrying Daniel, he walked passed the family room, noticing Noah still on the couch where they had left him in the morning. Instead of going upstairs to change, he went to join his son.
"Everything okay?" He asked, again holding Daniel in his lap.
Noah looked up after a few seconds. "Yeah, fine."
"You didn't go to the beach."
He looked out of the large window with ocean view. "No."
"Why not?"
Noah shrugged. "Not really my kind of thing."
"Why didn't you go with Caleb then? You like surfing."
He shrugged again. "Caleb doesn't like when I tag along all the time. It's fine, found a marathon on TV."
"Why don't you take a book to the beach tomorrow?" Richie suggested. "Looking pale, no one will believe you went to Hawaii."
"Who?" Noah asked confused.
"I don't know, your friends, kids in your class."
Noah frowned at him, even more confused. "I don't have friends."
"So come to the beach with me tomorrow then." Richie tried again. "We can go surfing."
Noah shrugged.
"Your mom's making lunch if you want something to eat." Richie gave up and got up with Daniel, continuing his way upstairs.
Daniel was changed quickly and only a little while later the struggle of solid foods started again. The small boy definitely was not a fan.
After lunch, Richie got to spend more time with Daniel. His whole time off of work, Daniel had been his focus.
Taking him back upstairs, to the only room with a baby crib and changing table, he gently laid him down, changed his diaper and picked him up again to hug.
He had no idea how he was going to leave his son again next week.
They had a few more days to spend in Hawaii, just like the days before, he was goig to make the best of it. The rest of the day he'd spend with Daniel and tomorrow he was going surfing with Noah.
Friday, February 7, 2014
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Chapter Seventy-two
The end of the road was finally there.
For now, at least but a two week break was exactly what he needed right now. To be with his beautiful wife and his wonderful children. Spring break would be soon and another family trip to Hawaii was unavoidable.
He was looking forward to it but there was one more show to play.
"Rich." Jon walked into the dressing room without being invited. "After Bed of Roses, you need to sing so I can take a break."
"What?" Richie asked surprised. "Really?"
"Yeah, just sing I'll Be There For You again. You're good at that one."
"Great." Richie agreed.
Jon handed over the a piece of paper with the setlist on. "Here and... well... Sorry about a few weeks ago."
Richie waved it off. "No problem, you were right. I am your guitar player, not the singer."
"Alright. See you on stage then."
An hour to go before the show, he was getting worked up quickly. The show would take at least 2 and a half hours. Tomorrow morning they would all fly home again.
After a few seconds of thinking, he got up from his chair in the dressing room. The past six weeks had been different from other tours. For some reason there was a lot of tension and even though Jon had apologized, Richie didn't believe it.
He walked out of the room and went to knock on Jon's door.
"It's open." Jon said from inside.
Unlike Jon had, Richie had at least waited for an answer. He opened the door and walked in. "What's going on?" Richie asked bluntly.
"What?" Jon asked confused.
"All of this, it's different from what it usually is. We don't hang out, we don't talk it's like we're avoiding each other."
Jon looked at him confused.
"Even before the tour started. Are you mad at me?"
Jon didn't answer, Richie kept staring at him, wanting an answer. Something needed to be explained.
"Well?" He asked again. "Are you?"
"No." Jon finally answered.
To Richie that didn't seem very honest but he took it, it was better than nothing. "So want to hang out? Talk some?"
"Sure." Jon agreed.
Richie took one of the bottles of water that were standing on the coffee table and sat down in a seat.
"So, how's the wife and kids?" Jon opened the conversation.
Richie looked up and frowned. "Daniel's got a cold."
"The first one?"
"Yeah, Sarah's pretty worried about but it's just a cold, you know. Happens all the time."
Jon nodded, agreeing. "Do you have more pictures of him?"
Confused Richie looked at him. Then realized, "right, you haven't even met him yet." He reached for his phone from his jeans pocket and went to the gallery to find Daniel's most recent pictures.
His phone was full of pictures of Daniel. Just Daniel or the boy with every family member. He passed the phone over to Jon.
"He's grown so much." Richie said as Jon was swyping his phone to see all the pictures.
"Yeah, I bet. I can remember Romeo being that little. Can't believe he'll be 9 at the end of the month."
Richie was amazed too. He too could remember Romeo being a baby. Time really went too fast.
"He's cute." Jon passed the phone back. "Poor kid got your looks." He teased.
Richie smiled, he was very proud Daniel looked like him.
Like he had hoped, Daniel's eye had darkened and were now a dark brown. His hair was still short but it was also darker than when he was born.
"Why don't you make a detour tomorrow and come visit us. You could finally meet him." Richie suggested. "You're the only one that hasn't met him yet."
"Good idea." Jon agreed.
The next morning, Richie wasn't flying home alone. For once, he had company. He also had the luxary to fly with Jon's private jet instead of a commercial airline.
"Richie?" Sarah asked from the living room as she heard the front door open although it was hard to hear over Daniel's cries. Who else could it be? She stoof up with Daniel and carried him. By the front door she met Richie and Jon. "Please get him to sleep." She passed Daniel over and took Richie's bag instead. "He hasn't slept all night, he's exhausted."
"I'll get him to sleep." Richie assured her, hugging his son, who finally calmed down.
Sarah finally noticed Jon and walked them both back to the living room.
"Why don't you go get some sleep?" Richie suggested, noticing how tired Sarah looked. If Daniel hadn't slept all night, she hadn't either.
Sarah smiled, so relieved by the idea itself. She kissed her husband. "I'm so glad you're home now." She said honestly. "I missed you."
"I'm home now, don't need to miss me anymore. Go get some sleep."
Daniel didn't slepe but was quiet as he laid with his daddy.
"Wanna hold him?" Richie suggested to Jon.
"Yeah sure." Jon said all too gladly. Who could resist babies?
Richie passed his son over but as soon as Jon was holding him, Daniel started crying all over again.
Jon tried to calm him, patting his back, rocking him but Daniel continued to cry. "Don't think he likes me." Jon said, sounding disappointed.
Then Richie realized. "No, he doesn't like strangers. I completely forgot, he does that every time when someone new holds him. After a few times he gets used to it."
"He knows who's holding him?" Jon asked but moved Daniel back to Richie.
He hugged his son again and he stopped crying. "I guess. He'll get used to it eventually."
After spending the whole day together, Richie was sure he had his best friend back. The tension seemed to have gone and they could finally talk again, simply hang out with each other.
For now, at least but a two week break was exactly what he needed right now. To be with his beautiful wife and his wonderful children. Spring break would be soon and another family trip to Hawaii was unavoidable.
He was looking forward to it but there was one more show to play.
"Rich." Jon walked into the dressing room without being invited. "After Bed of Roses, you need to sing so I can take a break."
"What?" Richie asked surprised. "Really?"
"Yeah, just sing I'll Be There For You again. You're good at that one."
"Great." Richie agreed.
Jon handed over the a piece of paper with the setlist on. "Here and... well... Sorry about a few weeks ago."
Richie waved it off. "No problem, you were right. I am your guitar player, not the singer."
"Alright. See you on stage then."
An hour to go before the show, he was getting worked up quickly. The show would take at least 2 and a half hours. Tomorrow morning they would all fly home again.
After a few seconds of thinking, he got up from his chair in the dressing room. The past six weeks had been different from other tours. For some reason there was a lot of tension and even though Jon had apologized, Richie didn't believe it.
He walked out of the room and went to knock on Jon's door.
"It's open." Jon said from inside.
Unlike Jon had, Richie had at least waited for an answer. He opened the door and walked in. "What's going on?" Richie asked bluntly.
"What?" Jon asked confused.
"All of this, it's different from what it usually is. We don't hang out, we don't talk it's like we're avoiding each other."
Jon looked at him confused.
"Even before the tour started. Are you mad at me?"
Jon didn't answer, Richie kept staring at him, wanting an answer. Something needed to be explained.
"Well?" He asked again. "Are you?"
"No." Jon finally answered.
To Richie that didn't seem very honest but he took it, it was better than nothing. "So want to hang out? Talk some?"
"Sure." Jon agreed.
Richie took one of the bottles of water that were standing on the coffee table and sat down in a seat.
"So, how's the wife and kids?" Jon opened the conversation.
Richie looked up and frowned. "Daniel's got a cold."
"The first one?"
"Yeah, Sarah's pretty worried about but it's just a cold, you know. Happens all the time."
Jon nodded, agreeing. "Do you have more pictures of him?"
Confused Richie looked at him. Then realized, "right, you haven't even met him yet." He reached for his phone from his jeans pocket and went to the gallery to find Daniel's most recent pictures.
His phone was full of pictures of Daniel. Just Daniel or the boy with every family member. He passed the phone over to Jon.
"He's grown so much." Richie said as Jon was swyping his phone to see all the pictures.
"Yeah, I bet. I can remember Romeo being that little. Can't believe he'll be 9 at the end of the month."
Richie was amazed too. He too could remember Romeo being a baby. Time really went too fast.
"He's cute." Jon passed the phone back. "Poor kid got your looks." He teased.
Richie smiled, he was very proud Daniel looked like him.
Like he had hoped, Daniel's eye had darkened and were now a dark brown. His hair was still short but it was also darker than when he was born.
"Why don't you make a detour tomorrow and come visit us. You could finally meet him." Richie suggested. "You're the only one that hasn't met him yet."
"Good idea." Jon agreed.
The next morning, Richie wasn't flying home alone. For once, he had company. He also had the luxary to fly with Jon's private jet instead of a commercial airline.
"Richie?" Sarah asked from the living room as she heard the front door open although it was hard to hear over Daniel's cries. Who else could it be? She stoof up with Daniel and carried him. By the front door she met Richie and Jon. "Please get him to sleep." She passed Daniel over and took Richie's bag instead. "He hasn't slept all night, he's exhausted."
"I'll get him to sleep." Richie assured her, hugging his son, who finally calmed down.
Sarah finally noticed Jon and walked them both back to the living room.
"Why don't you go get some sleep?" Richie suggested, noticing how tired Sarah looked. If Daniel hadn't slept all night, she hadn't either.
Sarah smiled, so relieved by the idea itself. She kissed her husband. "I'm so glad you're home now." She said honestly. "I missed you."
"I'm home now, don't need to miss me anymore. Go get some sleep."
Daniel didn't slepe but was quiet as he laid with his daddy.
"Wanna hold him?" Richie suggested to Jon.
"Yeah sure." Jon said all too gladly. Who could resist babies?
Richie passed his son over but as soon as Jon was holding him, Daniel started crying all over again.
Jon tried to calm him, patting his back, rocking him but Daniel continued to cry. "Don't think he likes me." Jon said, sounding disappointed.
Then Richie realized. "No, he doesn't like strangers. I completely forgot, he does that every time when someone new holds him. After a few times he gets used to it."
"He knows who's holding him?" Jon asked but moved Daniel back to Richie.
He hugged his son again and he stopped crying. "I guess. He'll get used to it eventually."
After spending the whole day together, Richie was sure he had his best friend back. The tension seemed to have gone and they could finally talk again, simply hang out with each other.
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Chapter Seventy-one
A few days later, his two day trip home proved to not be beneficial for him. Now more than ever he missed home. Those two days had showed him how wonderful being at home was and tody he realized how far away he was from that.
Trying to get distracted, he turned on the radio in his quiet hotel room. Some music would easily cheer up his mood, music always did that and if it didn't, at least it wasn't so quiet.
Sitting down on the bed, a gentle tune started playing. He thought right, it was relaxing.
I'm sending this letter
I'll mail it today
There's so many things I've been wanting to say
Your mom sent some pictures
And my how you've grown
Rock n roll fathers are never at home
The relaxing mood was gone as his mind started realizing the truth in the song. He wanted to tell them all about his day, his shows, how great everything was. Just like the singer's wife, Sarah also sent daily pictures or tried to and Daniel had grown in every single picture. It was true, he was never at home. Right now he hadn't missed that much but looking to the rest of the tour... He wouldn't be home.
I'm writing this letter
I made you a song
I promised your mom that I'd write while I'm gone
You say daddy come home
Well you'll just have to wait
I hope when I get there that it won't be too late
The way Ava used to ask him when he was going to be home for her. The last line touched him most, he hoped he wasn't too late for Ava.
Skylar I just missed your first step today
I have no excuses and nothing to say
I live on a bus with a rock n roll band
I hope when your older that you'll understand
He chuckled, glad he wasn't on a tour bus anymore. With Ava in mind, he was glad that she understood, even at a young age she had already understood. Would Daniel? Did he want to risk missing Daniel's first step in a couple of months?
I'm coming home soon
This tour's almost through
I promise I'll try to spend more time with you
You say daddy come home
You'll just have to wait
I hope when I get there that it won't be too late
Soon, only a few more days. He'll be there for Ava and spend more time with her. Every day she was home, until he figured out what to do.
Now Madison Blue you know I love you too
Not a single day passes that I don't think of you
I'm running on empty and a mountain so high
I can pull out your pictures and look in your eyes
The lyrics reminded him of the photobook in his suitcase. Photos of his family, school pictures, Daniel's first picture. They were all with him.
I long for the day when your old man comes home
It kills me to hear you say daddy don't go
You say daddy come home
You'll just have to wait
I hope when I get there that it won't be too late
He could surive another two days. Two days wasn't much, very soon he'd be home.
Daddy's at work now he's trying to pay bills
Ego's and assholes are part of my deal
I make some money and I have some fun
The tax man he cometh and I'm back to square one
The song made him laugh unlike the rest had. Again they were very true, it was an endless circle. Even if this tour was after, he'd be going back on tour when the next album came out, although he could wait for that. Some time off, is what he needed.
Don't worry 'bout your daddy
You girls be good
Give a kiss to your mother
I sure wish I could
This life has it's moments
I'm not always sad
Take care and I love you
Your rock n roll dad
In a flash, he picked up the phone and called home immediately.
Trying to get distracted, he turned on the radio in his quiet hotel room. Some music would easily cheer up his mood, music always did that and if it didn't, at least it wasn't so quiet.
Sitting down on the bed, a gentle tune started playing. He thought right, it was relaxing.
I'm sending this letter
I'll mail it today
There's so many things I've been wanting to say
Your mom sent some pictures
And my how you've grown
Rock n roll fathers are never at home
The relaxing mood was gone as his mind started realizing the truth in the song. He wanted to tell them all about his day, his shows, how great everything was. Just like the singer's wife, Sarah also sent daily pictures or tried to and Daniel had grown in every single picture. It was true, he was never at home. Right now he hadn't missed that much but looking to the rest of the tour... He wouldn't be home.
I'm writing this letter
I made you a song
I promised your mom that I'd write while I'm gone
You say daddy come home
Well you'll just have to wait
I hope when I get there that it won't be too late
The way Ava used to ask him when he was going to be home for her. The last line touched him most, he hoped he wasn't too late for Ava.
Skylar I just missed your first step today
I have no excuses and nothing to say
I live on a bus with a rock n roll band
I hope when your older that you'll understand
He chuckled, glad he wasn't on a tour bus anymore. With Ava in mind, he was glad that she understood, even at a young age she had already understood. Would Daniel? Did he want to risk missing Daniel's first step in a couple of months?
I'm coming home soon
This tour's almost through
I promise I'll try to spend more time with you
You say daddy come home
You'll just have to wait
I hope when I get there that it won't be too late
Soon, only a few more days. He'll be there for Ava and spend more time with her. Every day she was home, until he figured out what to do.
Now Madison Blue you know I love you too
Not a single day passes that I don't think of you
I'm running on empty and a mountain so high
I can pull out your pictures and look in your eyes
The lyrics reminded him of the photobook in his suitcase. Photos of his family, school pictures, Daniel's first picture. They were all with him.
I long for the day when your old man comes home
It kills me to hear you say daddy don't go
You say daddy come home
You'll just have to wait
I hope when I get there that it won't be too late
He could surive another two days. Two days wasn't much, very soon he'd be home.
Daddy's at work now he's trying to pay bills
Ego's and assholes are part of my deal
I make some money and I have some fun
The tax man he cometh and I'm back to square one
The song made him laugh unlike the rest had. Again they were very true, it was an endless circle. Even if this tour was after, he'd be going back on tour when the next album came out, although he could wait for that. Some time off, is what he needed.
Don't worry 'bout your daddy
You girls be good
Give a kiss to your mother
I sure wish I could
This life has it's moments
I'm not always sad
Take care and I love you
Your rock n roll dad
In a flash, he picked up the phone and called home immediately.
Friday, January 31, 2014
Chapter Seventy
The next day Richie had mixed feelings about being home for a few days.
Mostly because he needed to leave again. He'd rather stay home with his family at the moment. Daniel's doctor appointment had gone smoothly which was reassuring to Sarah. What made him furios was why Ava wasn't staying at her mother's house. He didn't mind she was staying with him but would have liked it like that in a happier way.
After talking to Ava, he had to talk to Heather too. There was no way around that. Ava wasn't going to do it so it became his responsibily. Having promised Ava not to tell the reason, made it hard to explain to Heather why her daughter didn't want to come home but in the end Heather agreed. Ava would stay at home with Sarah until he got back from the tour next week. Only a week left in the tour and they'd have a break.
Other than that he arranged their trip to Hawaii. Daniel would be old enough to play in the water. Toys. They needed toys for him before they left.
He spent the entire day with Daniel, teenagers were at school and Sarah was resting as he had told her to. She deserved a little time off and he simply wanted time with Daniel.
He was having great fun, simply playing peek-a-boo with Daniel but the baby boy wasn't as excited or just wasn't interested.
Then he remembered everything Sarah had told him. Putting Daniel in his playpen so he was safe, Richie quickly left the room.
Once he returned with his guitar and put it down safely, he looked at his baby boy and noticed a cat curled up right next to him while Daniel was trying to move around, the cat didn't mind. Thinking about Daniel's safety, he picked up the cat, stroked it's back and put it down on the floor. It looked at him with a questioning gaze and walked away.
Daniel was still moving around. It was great to see his son roll over to his belly, back to his back seemed more difficult. He was making so much progess. It sucked that he hadn't seen him do it the first time. He wanted to see his son reach all his milestones, rather than hearing about them over the phone.
He sat Daniel down in his chair and sat down on the couch with his guitar. Sarah had said that Daniel liked music, so why not give it a try. He strummed a cord and Daniel looked over at him immediately. The tone had caught his attention.
As he continued to play, the change in Daniel became obvious. He loved it.
So amazed that a baby could enjoy music that much, he continued playing.
Sure, he had hoped one of his children would inherit his love for music but didn't think it would be at such a young age. Ava wasn't interested until she was five or six. Daniel wasn't even close to that. Amazing.
Softly Sarah tapped on the door frame, making Richie looked up at her with a smile.
"He loves it." He said as happily as he was amazed.
Sarah smiled back, happy to see him so happy. "I know. He likes when you dance with him too."
Richie looked back at Daniel. "Does he?"
"Yeah, I put on a nice calm song, hold him and just move around like slow dancing." She explained as she sat down next to her husband. "It relaxes him that way."
"I didn't know he liked it this much."
"Maybe you'll get to teach him to play guitar in a few years."
"Oh yes." Richie said excited. "I can get him one of those little guitars, that'd be the perfect size. Then he could really learn to play. He would love that so much."
"Honey, he's hardly five months old. It'll be a while."
Richie smiled. "I know. I can't wait for that part."
He continued his fatherly duties throughout the day, feeding Daniel, getting him to sleep for naps and playing with him.
It wasn't comparable with what he did on stage because it were two very different things, but it made him just as happy.
In the evening he did ask for Sarah's help. Daniel needed a bath and he wasn't so sure if he could do that on his own.
After getting Daniel to sleep, he dedicated his evening to his other children. Noticing how all of them were growing up too fast but Ava most of all. Now even more than ever, he realized how his little girl wasn't so little anymore or at all.
Once in bed, he snuggled close to Sarah, not believing he had to leave her again the next day, he kissed her lips softly but soon got distracted by the rest of her body. He had missed every inch of her beauty.
His lips covered almost every inch of skin he could kiss while he travelled down to her chest, wrapping his lips around a nipple and gently sucking it.
Sarah gasped in delight as he did and her fingers disappeared into his hair, holding him there.
Richie only moved to get to her other breast, his hand cupping the one he had just left, making sure it would still get attention, he played with her nipple so it stood erect the entire time.
Soon enough he could feel something else starting to stand erect too, lying so close to Sarah he was sure she could feel it too.
Richie was right and Sarah's hand snaked down between them, wrapping around his semi-hard cock, playing him until he stood up straight.
"I love you." He said as he rolled her to her back and moved above her, getting in place.
"I love you too."
With that he carefully moved inside her until he was fully within her walls, already she tensed around him. He thrusted slowly, feeling her tremble with every stroke he made.
Sarah tried to keep it off, with him an orgasm felt even better, she wanted to go at the same time as Richie did. She held his shoulders and pulled him down on top of her, kissing him passionately, not wanting it to end again.
Richie's thrusts sped up as he kissed Sarah, he tried to keep it slow but with Sarah trembling underneath him he couldn't hold back either, her kiss made it even harder.
A few more thrusts and they both found their releas.
When they caught their breath, Richie rolled off of her and pulled her close next to him to hold and cuddle.
The next morning came much too soon.
Mostly because he needed to leave again. He'd rather stay home with his family at the moment. Daniel's doctor appointment had gone smoothly which was reassuring to Sarah. What made him furios was why Ava wasn't staying at her mother's house. He didn't mind she was staying with him but would have liked it like that in a happier way.
After talking to Ava, he had to talk to Heather too. There was no way around that. Ava wasn't going to do it so it became his responsibily. Having promised Ava not to tell the reason, made it hard to explain to Heather why her daughter didn't want to come home but in the end Heather agreed. Ava would stay at home with Sarah until he got back from the tour next week. Only a week left in the tour and they'd have a break.
Other than that he arranged their trip to Hawaii. Daniel would be old enough to play in the water. Toys. They needed toys for him before they left.
He spent the entire day with Daniel, teenagers were at school and Sarah was resting as he had told her to. She deserved a little time off and he simply wanted time with Daniel.
He was having great fun, simply playing peek-a-boo with Daniel but the baby boy wasn't as excited or just wasn't interested.
Then he remembered everything Sarah had told him. Putting Daniel in his playpen so he was safe, Richie quickly left the room.
Once he returned with his guitar and put it down safely, he looked at his baby boy and noticed a cat curled up right next to him while Daniel was trying to move around, the cat didn't mind. Thinking about Daniel's safety, he picked up the cat, stroked it's back and put it down on the floor. It looked at him with a questioning gaze and walked away.
Daniel was still moving around. It was great to see his son roll over to his belly, back to his back seemed more difficult. He was making so much progess. It sucked that he hadn't seen him do it the first time. He wanted to see his son reach all his milestones, rather than hearing about them over the phone.
He sat Daniel down in his chair and sat down on the couch with his guitar. Sarah had said that Daniel liked music, so why not give it a try. He strummed a cord and Daniel looked over at him immediately. The tone had caught his attention.
As he continued to play, the change in Daniel became obvious. He loved it.
So amazed that a baby could enjoy music that much, he continued playing.
Sure, he had hoped one of his children would inherit his love for music but didn't think it would be at such a young age. Ava wasn't interested until she was five or six. Daniel wasn't even close to that. Amazing.
Softly Sarah tapped on the door frame, making Richie looked up at her with a smile.
"He loves it." He said as happily as he was amazed.
Sarah smiled back, happy to see him so happy. "I know. He likes when you dance with him too."
Richie looked back at Daniel. "Does he?"
"Yeah, I put on a nice calm song, hold him and just move around like slow dancing." She explained as she sat down next to her husband. "It relaxes him that way."
"I didn't know he liked it this much."
"Maybe you'll get to teach him to play guitar in a few years."
"Oh yes." Richie said excited. "I can get him one of those little guitars, that'd be the perfect size. Then he could really learn to play. He would love that so much."
"Honey, he's hardly five months old. It'll be a while."
Richie smiled. "I know. I can't wait for that part."
He continued his fatherly duties throughout the day, feeding Daniel, getting him to sleep for naps and playing with him.
It wasn't comparable with what he did on stage because it were two very different things, but it made him just as happy.
In the evening he did ask for Sarah's help. Daniel needed a bath and he wasn't so sure if he could do that on his own.
After getting Daniel to sleep, he dedicated his evening to his other children. Noticing how all of them were growing up too fast but Ava most of all. Now even more than ever, he realized how his little girl wasn't so little anymore or at all.
Once in bed, he snuggled close to Sarah, not believing he had to leave her again the next day, he kissed her lips softly but soon got distracted by the rest of her body. He had missed every inch of her beauty.
His lips covered almost every inch of skin he could kiss while he travelled down to her chest, wrapping his lips around a nipple and gently sucking it.
Sarah gasped in delight as he did and her fingers disappeared into his hair, holding him there.
Richie only moved to get to her other breast, his hand cupping the one he had just left, making sure it would still get attention, he played with her nipple so it stood erect the entire time.
Soon enough he could feel something else starting to stand erect too, lying so close to Sarah he was sure she could feel it too.
Richie was right and Sarah's hand snaked down between them, wrapping around his semi-hard cock, playing him until he stood up straight.
"I love you." He said as he rolled her to her back and moved above her, getting in place.
"I love you too."
With that he carefully moved inside her until he was fully within her walls, already she tensed around him. He thrusted slowly, feeling her tremble with every stroke he made.
Sarah tried to keep it off, with him an orgasm felt even better, she wanted to go at the same time as Richie did. She held his shoulders and pulled him down on top of her, kissing him passionately, not wanting it to end again.
Richie's thrusts sped up as he kissed Sarah, he tried to keep it slow but with Sarah trembling underneath him he couldn't hold back either, her kiss made it even harder.
A few more thrusts and they both found their releas.
When they caught their breath, Richie rolled off of her and pulled her close next to him to hold and cuddle.
The next morning came much too soon.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Chapter Sixty-nine
Instead of returning to the hotel and staying there like the rest of the band, Richie packed up his things into his suitcase. Laptop, phone and book all went into his leather shoulder bag.
A few minutes later, he was outside the hotel waiting for a driver. He was going home. Only for two days but nevertheless, going home. By trying to catch a flight now, he hoped to win some time. This way he'd be there when everyone woke up instead of the afternoon.
When the car arrived, he quickly put the suitcase in the trunk and pulled the shoulder bag along into the back seat.
"There are no flights to Los Angeles anymore tonight. The earliest in the morning is at 7:15 am."
Richie sighed. "That's not early enough, I need it now."
"I can only help you with a flight in the morning, sir. Perhaps another company still flies."
He looked around, there were tons of different airline companies. He prefered using the same one each time but now he had to trust another company. "Thanks anyway." He grabbed the handle bar of his suitcase and went to look at the flight schedules. There had to be something to L.A.
After a long while of trying to read the schedule, because they kept changing screens, he finally found one that said LAX. He looked around for the airlines logo to check in.
His watch read 0:28 and the schedule had read 1:09. He had until 0:39 to be checked in on time. Eleven short minutes.
Finally he spotted the right company and hurried over to the desk.
"I need to get to LAX now." He stated.
"Alright, I'll see what I can do." The lady smiled up at him and started typing.
Instead of waiting quietly, he continued talking. "I've been away from home for a month so Im gonna surprise my wife and kids. We just had a baby in October, he's only 4 months old. Bet he missed me."
The lady smiled back up at him. "I bet he has. There's a flight at 1:09, check in end in six minutes so you'll need to hurry."
"Sure, get that." He said quickly, already looking for ID and a credit card while she typed. He handed it over and she typed the information.
"There's only two seats left in econemy."
He frowned. There was no other way. "Sure."
She continued typing and checked him in, along with baggage and handed him his boarding card and a tag for his carry-on. "Have a nice flight."
"Thank you so much." He said relieved.
By the time he arrived at the gate, boarding had already started but at least he was on time.
Once he sat in his seat with hardly any leg room, he could relax. Only three hours and he would be home. If he'd sleep some now, he'd still be able to sleep with Sarah and wake up at a decent time in the morning.
"Sir?"
He woke up to someone shaking his shoulder.
"Sir? We've landed."
Feeling stupid for sleeping that long, he thanked the stewardess and gathered his stuff to follow the rest of the passengers.
Not having called for a driver, he took a taxi home. Just like flying in econemy class, he didn't like it but right now it was his only option.
Seeing his house gave him a very happy feeling. Home.
He left the suitcase by the staircase, dropping his bag on top of it. He kicked off his shoes and started up the stairs, excited to be home.
Before going to bed, he quickly peeked into Daniel's room. The boy was sound asleep in his bed. He had perfectly adjusted to sleeping the entire night. His son looked peaceful, his hands as fists at either side of his head, his face turned to his stuffed animals on the side.
A few minutes later, he was finally able to go to sleep like everybody else in the house.
Morning came too early. Daniel was up and it had to be heared.
Next to him Sarah got up to get the baby. Richie pulled the sheets tighter around him.
Sarah got back in bed and started feeding Daniel his breakfast. She looked over at Richie. "I'm glad you came home early."
"I missed you." He answered honestly.
"I scheduled a doctor's appointment for Daniel in a few hours so now you can come with me." Sarah explained.
Richie frowned. "More shots?"
Sarah shook her head gently. "Think he's got a bit of a cold. I'm not sure but something is bothering him."
Richie nodded, it wasn't the perfect way to spend time with his son but he'd gladly be there for him.
Again he was happy he had spend most of the night travelling. He could take his son to a doctor's appointment rather than just being informed about it afterwards.
After school he would be able to talk to Ava to try and figure out what was wrong. He needed to know what was bothering his little girl so much that she didn't want to stay at her mom's.
Being home, he could give Sarah a day off so she could relax and he could be daddy for a while. Something he loved to do but had missed out on during the last few weeks.
The tour only had a few more days before a break. He'd be able to finalize their vacation plans to Hawaii and get everything in order. That way it would be a breeze in two weeks.
It would all be worth missing a few hours of sleep but it would all be over too soon.
A few minutes later, he was outside the hotel waiting for a driver. He was going home. Only for two days but nevertheless, going home. By trying to catch a flight now, he hoped to win some time. This way he'd be there when everyone woke up instead of the afternoon.
When the car arrived, he quickly put the suitcase in the trunk and pulled the shoulder bag along into the back seat.
"There are no flights to Los Angeles anymore tonight. The earliest in the morning is at 7:15 am."
Richie sighed. "That's not early enough, I need it now."
"I can only help you with a flight in the morning, sir. Perhaps another company still flies."
He looked around, there were tons of different airline companies. He prefered using the same one each time but now he had to trust another company. "Thanks anyway." He grabbed the handle bar of his suitcase and went to look at the flight schedules. There had to be something to L.A.
After a long while of trying to read the schedule, because they kept changing screens, he finally found one that said LAX. He looked around for the airlines logo to check in.
His watch read 0:28 and the schedule had read 1:09. He had until 0:39 to be checked in on time. Eleven short minutes.
Finally he spotted the right company and hurried over to the desk.
"I need to get to LAX now." He stated.
"Alright, I'll see what I can do." The lady smiled up at him and started typing.
Instead of waiting quietly, he continued talking. "I've been away from home for a month so Im gonna surprise my wife and kids. We just had a baby in October, he's only 4 months old. Bet he missed me."
The lady smiled back up at him. "I bet he has. There's a flight at 1:09, check in end in six minutes so you'll need to hurry."
"Sure, get that." He said quickly, already looking for ID and a credit card while she typed. He handed it over and she typed the information.
"There's only two seats left in econemy."
He frowned. There was no other way. "Sure."
She continued typing and checked him in, along with baggage and handed him his boarding card and a tag for his carry-on. "Have a nice flight."
"Thank you so much." He said relieved.
By the time he arrived at the gate, boarding had already started but at least he was on time.
Once he sat in his seat with hardly any leg room, he could relax. Only three hours and he would be home. If he'd sleep some now, he'd still be able to sleep with Sarah and wake up at a decent time in the morning.
"Sir?"
He woke up to someone shaking his shoulder.
"Sir? We've landed."
Feeling stupid for sleeping that long, he thanked the stewardess and gathered his stuff to follow the rest of the passengers.
Not having called for a driver, he took a taxi home. Just like flying in econemy class, he didn't like it but right now it was his only option.
Seeing his house gave him a very happy feeling. Home.
He left the suitcase by the staircase, dropping his bag on top of it. He kicked off his shoes and started up the stairs, excited to be home.
Before going to bed, he quickly peeked into Daniel's room. The boy was sound asleep in his bed. He had perfectly adjusted to sleeping the entire night. His son looked peaceful, his hands as fists at either side of his head, his face turned to his stuffed animals on the side.
A few minutes later, he was finally able to go to sleep like everybody else in the house.
Morning came too early. Daniel was up and it had to be heared.
Next to him Sarah got up to get the baby. Richie pulled the sheets tighter around him.
Sarah got back in bed and started feeding Daniel his breakfast. She looked over at Richie. "I'm glad you came home early."
"I missed you." He answered honestly.
"I scheduled a doctor's appointment for Daniel in a few hours so now you can come with me." Sarah explained.
Richie frowned. "More shots?"
Sarah shook her head gently. "Think he's got a bit of a cold. I'm not sure but something is bothering him."
Richie nodded, it wasn't the perfect way to spend time with his son but he'd gladly be there for him.
Again he was happy he had spend most of the night travelling. He could take his son to a doctor's appointment rather than just being informed about it afterwards.
After school he would be able to talk to Ava to try and figure out what was wrong. He needed to know what was bothering his little girl so much that she didn't want to stay at her mom's.
Being home, he could give Sarah a day off so she could relax and he could be daddy for a while. Something he loved to do but had missed out on during the last few weeks.
The tour only had a few more days before a break. He'd be able to finalize their vacation plans to Hawaii and get everything in order. That way it would be a breeze in two weeks.
It would all be worth missing a few hours of sleep but it would all be over too soon.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Chapter Sixty-eight
Richie frowned at the incoming call on his phone. Sarah was calling him but usually he was calling her. He answered the call and held the phone by his ear.
"What's wrong?" He asked straight away.
"Why do you think anything's wrong?"
"Because I know you don't want to bother me while I'm working so you usually wait for me to call. Is everything okay?"
Sarah chuckled. "You know me well."
"I do." Richie agreed but noticed Sarah had avoided the question twice now. "So there is something wrong?"
"I'm not sure." She sighed deeply.
"Tell me." He was starting to get worried now.
"Ava showed up a little while ago."
Richie frowned, confused. "At home?"
"I don't mind her being here but she just showed up and went to her room, she hasn't come down to talk. I don't know." Sarah tried to explain to him.
More worried, he continued with questions. "How did she get there? Did Heather drop her off?"
Sarah shook her head. "No, Caleb left a while ago and when he came back Ava was with him. I guess he picked her up."
"But neither has said anything?" Richie guessed.
"I asked Caleb but he says he can't tell because he promised Ava he wouldn't."
Richie nodded even though he was getting more worried by the second. "Wait, does Heather even know she's there?"
"I don't know." Sarah sighed. "I don't know what to do. What if they had a fight and Ava just doesn't want to see her or what if Heather really doesn't know Ava's here? You need to talk to her." She sighed again, she had no clue what to do. Ava didn't want to talk and if anything was wrong, the last thing Sarah wanted to do was pushing her stepdaughter into talking.
"Yeah, I'll phone her." Richie agreed. "I'll call you back afterwards?"
"Thank you."
After saying goodbye and ending the phone call, Sarah looked at the staircase, hoping Richie was phoning his daughter at the moment.
The fact that Ava wouldn't talk, had her very worried. She knew all too well how bottling every emotion up could end up badly. Even if it was unpleasant, it was better to talk about the matter so somebody could support and help, and possibly prevent.
Two more weeks and Richie would be home. Hopefully those weeks would fly by. The last month had been harder on her than she had expect. Now with the added worrying about Ava, she wanted her husband home as soon as possible. Two weeks seemed far too long.
A while later, she heard footsteps on the stairs. Turning around to see who it was, she saw Ava walking into the room. The girl was beautiful, her ever present smile was her best accessory but it seemed to have gone lost.
Ava sat on the couch next to Sarah, reaching out to stroke Daniel's darkening hair.
"Want to hold him?" Sarah suggested as she watched her stepdaughter's tender gesture.
A little smile formed on Ava's lips. "Sure."
Sarah carefully passed Daniel over.
After she had made sure she had a firm hold on him, Ava looked up. "You called dad?"
Sarah nodded. "Yes." She wasn't going to lie about it. If she wanted Ava to trust her with problems, she couldn't lie.
"I thought so. It's okay, we talked."
"Did that help?" Sarah wanted to know.
Ava shrugged and looked down at her baby brother laying in her lap.
"You don't want to tell me?" Sarah tried again.
Ava looked away. "I'm sorry."
Sarah looked up at her. "Don't be. I understand but you told your dad about it?"
"Yeah but I don't want you to ask him about it."
"I won't. As long as I know, you talked to somebody about it, I know you're not bottling it up."
"Okay." Ava agreed. "Can I stay 'til dad gets home?"
Sarah frowned. "You want to stay that long? You can always stay here but your mom needs to know. That's all, if it were up to me, you could stay here as long as you needed." She hoped Ava understood she was trying to be supportive. She only wanted Ava to be happy and if staying here made her happy, she wouldn't send Ava away.
Just as Richie loved her sons, she loved Ava just as much. A daughter she didn't have herself. Unlike Richie she wasn't able to adopt but that didn't mean she loved Ava any less.
"Have you had dinner?" Sarah asked, changing the subject completely.
Ava shook her head. "But I'll help making it." She offered.
The next half hour Sarah spent in the kitchen with Ava and Daniel. Ava helped preparing dinner as Daniel sat in his bouncer chair, laughing every time he bounced.
Letting Ava help, gave her a secure feeling that everything would be alright. She was a teenage girl, it was most likely she had had a fight with her mother and wanted to be out of the house for a while to cool down.
By tomorrow she'd probably want to go home again. There wasn't anything to worry about.
"What's wrong?" He asked straight away.
"Why do you think anything's wrong?"
"Because I know you don't want to bother me while I'm working so you usually wait for me to call. Is everything okay?"
Sarah chuckled. "You know me well."
"I do." Richie agreed but noticed Sarah had avoided the question twice now. "So there is something wrong?"
"I'm not sure." She sighed deeply.
"Tell me." He was starting to get worried now.
"Ava showed up a little while ago."
Richie frowned, confused. "At home?"
"I don't mind her being here but she just showed up and went to her room, she hasn't come down to talk. I don't know." Sarah tried to explain to him.
More worried, he continued with questions. "How did she get there? Did Heather drop her off?"
Sarah shook her head. "No, Caleb left a while ago and when he came back Ava was with him. I guess he picked her up."
"But neither has said anything?" Richie guessed.
"I asked Caleb but he says he can't tell because he promised Ava he wouldn't."
Richie nodded even though he was getting more worried by the second. "Wait, does Heather even know she's there?"
"I don't know." Sarah sighed. "I don't know what to do. What if they had a fight and Ava just doesn't want to see her or what if Heather really doesn't know Ava's here? You need to talk to her." She sighed again, she had no clue what to do. Ava didn't want to talk and if anything was wrong, the last thing Sarah wanted to do was pushing her stepdaughter into talking.
"Yeah, I'll phone her." Richie agreed. "I'll call you back afterwards?"
"Thank you."
After saying goodbye and ending the phone call, Sarah looked at the staircase, hoping Richie was phoning his daughter at the moment.
The fact that Ava wouldn't talk, had her very worried. She knew all too well how bottling every emotion up could end up badly. Even if it was unpleasant, it was better to talk about the matter so somebody could support and help, and possibly prevent.
Two more weeks and Richie would be home. Hopefully those weeks would fly by. The last month had been harder on her than she had expect. Now with the added worrying about Ava, she wanted her husband home as soon as possible. Two weeks seemed far too long.
A while later, she heard footsteps on the stairs. Turning around to see who it was, she saw Ava walking into the room. The girl was beautiful, her ever present smile was her best accessory but it seemed to have gone lost.
Ava sat on the couch next to Sarah, reaching out to stroke Daniel's darkening hair.
"Want to hold him?" Sarah suggested as she watched her stepdaughter's tender gesture.
A little smile formed on Ava's lips. "Sure."
Sarah carefully passed Daniel over.
After she had made sure she had a firm hold on him, Ava looked up. "You called dad?"
Sarah nodded. "Yes." She wasn't going to lie about it. If she wanted Ava to trust her with problems, she couldn't lie.
"I thought so. It's okay, we talked."
"Did that help?" Sarah wanted to know.
Ava shrugged and looked down at her baby brother laying in her lap.
"You don't want to tell me?" Sarah tried again.
Ava looked away. "I'm sorry."
Sarah looked up at her. "Don't be. I understand but you told your dad about it?"
"Yeah but I don't want you to ask him about it."
"I won't. As long as I know, you talked to somebody about it, I know you're not bottling it up."
"Okay." Ava agreed. "Can I stay 'til dad gets home?"
Sarah frowned. "You want to stay that long? You can always stay here but your mom needs to know. That's all, if it were up to me, you could stay here as long as you needed." She hoped Ava understood she was trying to be supportive. She only wanted Ava to be happy and if staying here made her happy, she wouldn't send Ava away.
Just as Richie loved her sons, she loved Ava just as much. A daughter she didn't have herself. Unlike Richie she wasn't able to adopt but that didn't mean she loved Ava any less.
"Have you had dinner?" Sarah asked, changing the subject completely.
Ava shook her head. "But I'll help making it." She offered.
The next half hour Sarah spent in the kitchen with Ava and Daniel. Ava helped preparing dinner as Daniel sat in his bouncer chair, laughing every time he bounced.
Letting Ava help, gave her a secure feeling that everything would be alright. She was a teenage girl, it was most likely she had had a fight with her mother and wanted to be out of the house for a while to cool down.
By tomorrow she'd probably want to go home again. There wasn't anything to worry about.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Chapter Sixty-seven
The tour was going amazing. A few shows into it, he was feeling incredible. The audience loved every performance, even the new songs were accepted wonderfully.
Not all the songs were exactly what he liked but they were good songs. With his solo album he had been able to go all out, create every feeling he wanted to express and he thought that had been very successful but this was a band's album, where he didn't have as much power. Jon had the last word on every song. That's how it always was and how it would always be. He didn't mind it. The album was good but if it were up to him, he would have handled it a different way.
Next month they'd see what the audience thought about it. Soon enough they'd find out how good the music was by how well it sold in stores.
His first single was as a bonus on the new album. Hopefully that would lead to people buying his solo album after liking Every Road. For now, he waited until he could finally play it during a concert. The band had agreed on doing so but so far Jon hadn't allowed him yet. Another case of wait and see.
After talking to Sarah and talking to Daniel without a reaction, Richie got ready to leave to the venue. He had talked to Sarah about what was bothering him and Sarah had convinced him to just ask Jon. Just ask. Nothing bad could happen from asking, the worst would be if Jon said no. Again.
As usual on tour, he shared a dressing room with everyone except Jon. Jon had his own private room. They didn't mind as much anymore as when Jon first got his own dressing room. Now they had some peace and quiet before a show instead of their boss telling them to make sure they played right, did everything right and were preparing for the concert in a correct way. It was huge stress reliever to have Jon in a different room.
But today, with the question on his mind, it became a lot more stressful.
"What's up?" David plopped down on the couch next to him.
"Thinking."
"About?" David inquired.
Richie sighed. "I want to ask Jon again if I can play one of my songs."
David frowned. "Why?"
"Cause I like my song?"
"I know, it's a great song but you know he'll say no."
Richie waved it off. "Nah, I got to play my other solo songs too."
"Ages ago." David pointed out kindly.
"Exactly, been ages, so why wouldn't he let me play my song? Just during the time he goes backstage to change. Just like on the last few tours where I sing a song anyway."
"Go for it."
Richie nodded and got up from the couch. He needed to ask, it was the only way to find out and he needed to know now so he could prepare himself. On previous tours he had been allowed to play one of his solo songs once in a while so why wouldn't he now? He'd been singing during Jon's break on the last two tours. Instead of singing a Bon Jovi song, he could just sing his own song. Easy as that.
He knocked on Jon's dressing room door and waited for Jon to let him in.
Surprisingly, Jon came to open the door. He had only expected Jon to call that the door was open but this worked just fine too. Following Jon's invitation, he sat down on the couch.
Jon sat down in a chair, leaning back and putting up his feet on the coffee table.
Richie decided to ask the question straight forward.
"I wanted to know when I get to sing again."
"What do you mean?" Jon frowned. "You got to sing at one of those shows in Canada."
"Yes but during the last two tours you let me sing while you went backstage to cool down and change."
"So?"
Richie frowned at his carelessness. "I kinda assumed we'd still be doing that." He wasn't so sure about it anymore.
"Why would we?"
A little dumbstruck, he didn't know what to say for a few seconds and had to thought about an answer. "Because we've been doing it like that for years and the fans love it?"
Jon stood up from the chair and looked down at Richie. "You had your solo stint, now is the band's time. You need to focus on the band more instead of thinking about yourself."
"I am thinking about the band and you. You'd get to take your break and I sing a song like it's been for years."
"Yeah..." Jon paused. "We can't do that anymore."
"Why not?"
"Why should we, you're a guitar player after all. Just do what you do with Bobby, see who plays guitar best. That's what we used to do in the 80s when Alec was still around."
"So I don't get to sing at all?" Richie asked.
Jon shook his head. "No and it's not like I let you sing that often before either."
Richie got up from the couch, ready to leave. "Often enough." He said disappointed but didn't let on. "We'll do it your way, that's probably better anyway. I gotta go get ready."
Without waiting for Jon to answer him again, Richie walked out of the room. He didn't agree with Jon's way but he wasn't about to argue about it with his best friend. It wasn't worth it. Maybe it was but it wasn't that important. After all, it was his job to play guitar and do background vocals. They had never agreed in a contract that he got to sing one song every so often. Jon was right, the shows would be just fine the way they were. His fans loved to hear him play guitar and that's what he was going to do, along with Bobby.
He went back to the dressing room to get ready for the show and go over the setlist with everybody else.
Back in the dressing room, he noticed David waited for an answer but didn't ask about it.
Richie went to his own little corner of the room where he got ready, picking out what to wear.
He'd just do a guitar battle with Bobby at the end of Keep The Faith, that's what the setlist said and by now it was too late to change that. He had been able to sing one song, a few days ago. If he was just patient, Jon would most likely let him do that again later in the tour. They were only starting out, everything still needed to unfold until they figured out the best way to use the new songs and still use the hits and the popular songs. Patience.
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