Chapter 97

He watched as the lovebirds damn near coo'ed themselves silly and shook his head, his eyes scanning for Geena. As she entered the room, he straightened and motioned her over. As she settled beside him he turned, his eyes searching hers. Here you go Jonnny boy, time to bite the bullet. She's a nice woman, it can't be that bad, and it's your kid, what else can ya do?Offering a smile to the woman who now held the future in his hands he questioned, "How'd you like the show baby?"

"There were definitely some surprises, nice ones too." Geened returned the smile. "The crowd rocked -- I have no words for the rest. Tell me, what was that at the end of Sin? Were my eyes playing tricks on me? "Geena rambled in her nervousness. It couldn't be him proposing, that was just her imagination because Richie proposed to Bri. Right?

He watched her jitter on the small couch and shrugged, "Why don't you tell me baby, I aimed that at you."

"Yea I noticed that, you've done it before though. I know it wasn't a serious proposal to me though. You have a pretty big aversion to the C word these days, much less the M word."

He leaned into her, his gaze centered on her face. Fuck. She's gonna play hard to get? "I see, I need to speak them direct? Marry me."

Geena sat there for a moment in shock. She should say no for simple reason she knew deep down he was only asking because she thought she was pregnant. When she looked into those startling baby blues she she opened her mouth to say no, only to hear her mouth saying exactly the opposite. God she was hopeless when it came to him. Where the fuck is your backbone girl? "Yes, ok, I'll marry you. "

He pulled her close and nodded. "Good thing you said yes, Richie has an aversion to guns."

"Ah yes not used to the no word being spoken to you."

"Course not." He managed a chuckle and stood. Give me ten baby. Gonna shower then we are outta here." He had to get her a ring and make arrangements before she changed her mind. She looked damned skittish. She has a reason to be fucker, she can sense how reluctant you are.

Geena didnt know what to do scream, shout, bolt , even cry so she did the only she knew. She jumped up and grabbed Bri by the arm. "Sorry Rich only be a moment but I need my girl asap, " she chittered as she pulled Bri off to the side.

Richie chuckled as his wife to be was literally pulled from his embrace. "Its cool darlin ' go ahead"

She felt herself being pulled away and glanced back to see Geena. Geena whose eyes had that god help me look screaming. "What's up girl?"

"OH God Bri! He asked me, well kinda asked, ok more like told. OH hell! " Geena continued her ramble, " I don't know if he means it if he is doing it just cause I might be pregnant. Help me! " Geena knew she wasn't making any sense at all, but she had to get it all out before he got back.

"Breathe G." she watched her friend pull in a deep breath and held back the laugh. "Have you EVER known of him to say shit he didn't mean?"

"Well no but I don't think he really wants to do this. I don't want him to have regrets. I'm scared Bri. I love him so much. " Geena cried out in frustration, "Damn these emotional out bursts. " She cursed.

Bri pulled her friend into a hug, "Shhhh, any woman in her right mind would be worried, but honey I doubt he'd ask if he didn't mean it, at least somewhere deep inside."

Jon shoved his head under the heated spray, one fist punching the wall lightly. There was no other way to handle this. If there were he couldn't see it, and he always saw a way, knew the answer. When he didn't he could find a way to find it. This time he was lost, lost in a mass of confused emotions and his own italian family driven nature. He cared for Geena, but dammit they hadn't had that much time together yet, he wasn't sure he was ready for all a marriage entailed. Nothing he could do about that now though, she kept looking at him with those beautiful eyes, eyes full of worry and fear and everything his dad taught him rose to the fore with ruthless intent. It's a man's job John, to take care of what's his, even when it seems impossible. You think it was easy to stay with your mom some days? It wasn't, but thats what we do, we take care of our own.

His palm flattened on the shower wall. His own, thats what she'd become, her and that tinier than a pea person growing inside of her. Like it or not, they were his. It was time to play grown up outside of the arena and take on the mantle again. He could do it, he did care after all. Now all he had to do was make sure they didn't see the doubts, the fear. He was good at hiding that, he'd been hiding it for years as it was anyhows.

Bri glanced up suddenly to see Jon emerging from the bathroom and snorted. Her next statement was full of dry wit."I don't think God himself could get his Royal highness to do something he didn't wanna do."

"I hope you're right " as she wiped away the fresh fallen tears away

She sighed and pulled Geena back into a hug. "Look, ya know he cares about ya, and sure maybe he's said in interviews shit about kids, but I can tell he cares about you. Being the kinda man he is, he'll love a kid too. It might take him some time to adjust, to get used to the idea, but he'll love the kid you KNOW that, so dry the tears G. you're getting married to Jon Bon fuckin' Jovi, the royal highness of rock."

She glanced back at Richie a moment as it all finally hit. Turning back to Geena her smile went crooked as she tried to lighten the moment. "Fuck, G?"

"Yea Bri ? "

"I'm gonna be the Queen of Swing? God help me."

Geena couldn't help it, she snickered "You can keep the King in line. Hey does that make me Queen of His Royal Hotness then? "

"We are so in trouble G. You know this right?"

"God help us, if we are gonna wake up we better do it now. Cuz I think we are in for a bumpy ride. "

"Well bumpy for sure." She laughed as Richie sidled up behind her. "Definite bumpy in the future."

"Wait til Carly hears! Oh fuck the board ! What we gonna do now? How am I gonna keep that going? "

Richie wrapped his arms around Bri and winked at Geena. "Welcome girls, officially to the Inner Circle, "

She leaned back against his chest and smiled. She could thnk of no other place she could ever want to be. "Well G. lots of time on the road, wireless cards and the same care we been having with secrets. Board will damn near run itself."

"Its kinda hard to hide this, "Geena retorted as she made the motions of a future bigger belly, unless I become a recluse. "

"G?"

Geena sighed, "Yes Bri ? "

She swatted her friend's head slightly, "How many of those girls have ever seen ya? I mean seriously, you think they can see your belly through the computer?? Come on."

"Did ya forget we are at all the shows and these girls will be at the shows ? "

"Did you forget they've never met you for the most part so wont konw you're out there unless you tell them?"

"You know what, you're right. I ain't gonna worry about it. If they find out they find out. I got more important things to worry about right now." She grinned bashfully as a blush arose. "Sorry, my emotions are all over the place right now."

"It's understandable girlfriend really." She glanced back at Richie who was standing there arms crossed and shivered. "I think I'm being paged."

"Go on celebrate your upcoming nuptials, and girl I am really happy for you. You deserve it. " Geena hugged her tightly.

She returned th hug smiling, "Not the only one with stuff to celebrate lil mama.. Go, teach that stubborn man a thing or two about how its like to be with you on the best of days."

Geena chuckled "Yea I just had to pick the stubborn one didn't I?"

She snorted. "No you didn't, remember me? the one who did without hugs, kisses, or conversation for 2 days so he could prove a point?? I think we have a new Mr. Stubborn."

"I have to say he overtook the stubborn spot until the original Mr Stubborn number decides to regain his position, " Geena laughed even harder.

She laughed, that is until Richie's hand slid into her hair at the nape of her neck and lightly tugged. Her brow flicked up at the damn near urgent feel of the tug. "I guess thats a good night for now G. We'll do break..." at her friends green look she snorted, "Uh Lunch ok?"

Geena grinned. "No more breakfast for awhile I don't think. "

"Just be thankful we know Carly!" She yelled it as she was pulled towards the door and out, "and that it dont last that long!"

"Yea thank god for Carly. " Geena slid down on the couch as the room started to spin. " Please let this be over soon, " as she placed her head between her legs.

He quickly moved to her and scooped her into his arms, his lips whispering over her hair. Amazing that even the thought of her pregnant, no matter whether he liked it or not, or was ready or not, was spurring the ages old protective instincts. He smiled as her arms went around his neck, her little coo of appreciation warming him slightly. If there had to be a good part in this it was the idea that she'd allow him to do this, take care of her. Although normally he was more attracted to the woman who was too independant, for the moment, he appreciated her allowing him the chance to show his gentlemanly side. "We'll get you something to settle those busy nerves ok?"

"Anything? I am sick to death of being sick, " Geena groaned.

He slipped into the car, her still in his arms and nodded, unable to hold back a small grimace at the idea of every morning waking to the sound of retching. He didn't do vomit that well, not his own or especially anyone elses. "All a normal part of the procedure baby. It gets better, don't you worry about it."

Geena scooted down, leaning her head against the the head rest. "I sure hope so, cuz this ain't cool. Oh and please no eggs in the mornin', " she begged.

He chuckled at her sad sounding voice and agreed. "No eggs in the morning, Promise."