Chapter 108

He walked in from rehearsal wondering exactly who he would find in his suite. His head shook as he thought over the two weeks since Denver. Two weeks was such a short amount of time, but in those few days he'd learned that still waters ran deep. His beautiful wife had so many qualities he loved, but of late? He'd seen the less attractive side. Oddly enough it only made him love her more.

The two weeks had flown by, which was understandable. They'd settled into a routine, on a day then off a day. The day off was usually spent on the road with Bri curled in his lap or sitting beside Geena as they scoured the laptop for news. She always came back with a "They haven't found out about the weddings yet." That was fine by him, it was how he wanted it for a while.

Hell he'd been living in a fishbowl all his life, everything about him caught by camera and plastered in news rags and any other odd internet or publication that wanted to make a buck. Having her totally to himself, well as to himself as you could get on a tour, was perfect. He was beginning to like this privacy thing she rated so highly.

Fuck if things weren't just blissful for them all. He shook his head and snorted. The only one who didn't seem blissfully happy was Geena, poor girl, who seemed to be experiencing morning noon night and bedtime nausea. That lead to a snarky Jon who kept getting more and more short tempered by the day. He hoped that Geena would feel well enough soon to give the man a little loving before he had to hit him with a guitar. Not that he'd do it of course, damned if Kidd's head wasn't fuckin' hard, it might would hurt one of his babies.

Taking a deep breath he opened the suite door and glanced over at his wife. She was standing before the balcony door, her eyes on some distant horizon only she could see and she looked odd. Something off with her, and had been for the last two or three days, but he couldn't figure out what the hell it was. as well but Wasn't she happy ? He had done his best to make her happy but lately she seemed almost like someone else. .

He walked up behind her quietly, his arms going around her as his head tipped so he could murmur in her ear. "The Palace is set up babe. We'll have to go back in a couple of hours." At her quiet nod he groaned, "Baby, you sure you're okay?"

She startled from her thoughts, her head going back to rest on his chest. "I'm fine Rich, really." She closed her eyes and held back the sigh. She was okay. She was married to the most wonderful guy, her best friend was, even nauseaus 24/7, around all the time. She had friends that were there for her. Hell even the guys in the band were becoming steadfast friends, and yet she felt a bit off. As her stomach rumbled threateningly she finally groaned. "It had to be that late night supper is all. I'm just feeling ehhhh."

"Maybe you should just stay here and rest?" Richie threw the suggestion out blithely as his hands caressed her arms slowly.

She twisted to look up into his brown eyes, worry starting to rear its head. "Is that what you want me to do? I feel fine honest. " She nibbled at her lip a moment, "You're not upset with me are you? I'm sorry I haven't felt like.. well.. doing more than sleeping the last few days."

Richie turned her to face him "No baby, I'm not upset. I'm just worried 'bout you thats all . If you feel like being there then yes I want ya there," Richie said re-assuredly. Damn Sambora you gotta be more careful with you're words He mentally scolded himself as he hugged her closer. You keep forgetting what she's been through you gotta remember.

She brightened immediately and leaned in to kiss his cheek. "I'm ok really. My tummy is upset is all. It's probably all that spicy sushi you and Dave foisted on me."

Richie chuckled along with her smile, but he didn't know if he completely believed her. Opting to let it slide for now he teased, " I did try and warn you about it though, and.."He lifted his hands to make air quotes, "you said, quote, I can handle spicy bring it on boys, unquote. "

She winced slightly, "Well I can dammit. Sushi aint nothing but fish right? Besides it was a couple days ago, and I doubt bowling did it to me. Maybe its just all the changes from place to place? I'm not as used to it as you."

"That could be it Darlin'. Road life plays havoc on the body, " Richie agreed. "Just take it easy and if you feel you need to lie down then please do it. "

Her fingers started the walk up along his chest and up into his hair that was finally getting a tad longer. "Gonna lay down with me?"

"As long as its not during show time darlin'. I don't think Jon would appreciate his guitarist crashing during show time," RIchie chuckled.

"Might make for a interesting show baby. Bet the fans would just be watching you though."

"Maybe part of the fans, but most have their eyes on the man there."

She started to laugh, she couldn't help it. "You havent seen all the tweets I've seen about the moose guard. Baby, you get raunchy I can guarantee more eyes will be on you."

"Is that so huh? " Richie shook his head. He still couldn't believe girls named his body part. " Wonder how many will still be watching when they learn we got hitched? It amazes me the press hasn't caught on yet. Have you seen anything on the net about it today?"

"Havent seen anything yet, thank God. Kinda like that. I'm sure they'll find out soon enough though. But Rich, even when you both were married it didn't stop the fans. They loved ya anyways. Hell they just wrote the wives into non existance in the stories."

"Yea, I noticed that how is it gonna feel for you to be written like that once its known? "

She chuckled, "Hella better than if they try to write about US... I still shiver about the stories some wrote about the marriages."

"That bad huh? I only skimmed over everyone elses. Yours though, I read throughly. You sure didn't care for Heather much did ya?" His voice was teasing as he tweeked her nose.

"I still dont. She did you wrong Rich." She glaned up brows waggling, "Come to think of it maybe I should love her for it, means I ended up with you."

He grinned. " Should I call her and thank her for you?"

She took a step back, her head tilting, "You wouldn't?"

"No, but I do have to talk to her about it . There is Ava. " Richie's tone was serious as he brought up his princess. He'd not told even her yet. He wanted to do it in person dammit. She deserved no less.

Her eyes rolled as she laughed, "You better, especially about her, Daddy work is very hard work, rewarding too. I just meant don't call her about ME." She shivered a moment, "I"m scared to death what she'll do when she finds out."

"I need to talk to Ava too, she likes you though so I think she will be happy. As for Heather don't worry about her."

She nodded and tucked back into his hug as she felt her tummy rumble again. "I'll trust you on that."

"Heather has no room to talk she is happy with Jack. No need to worry Darlin'." Richie tried to reassure her, his hands in constantly massaging her lower back. She did love that small circle rubdown on the small of her back.

She whimpered slightly as his big hands circled her back, the knots seeming to melt away. "I'll try to not worry Rich."

"No need to worry. I promise you. Mistake or not, Heather made her decisions. Even if she wanted to change her mind it's too late now.All she wants is what's best for me and besides I'm sure my little girl has already informed her about you. "

She nodded silently. She had her own opinions of America's little darlin, and they didnt equate with anything he said, but she'd never say that to him. "Ok Rich."

RIchie sighed. What can he do to convince her? Actually he wasn't sure how Heather was gonna take it, but she would have to deal with it. Bri was the best thing for him and she would make a good stepmom to Ava, he was sure of it. " I think we better get to the arena, maybe pick you up some chicken noodle soup on the way too. "

She grimaced at the words, just the idea of any kind of soup, especially noodle had everything inside of her screaming no. "Nah thats ok honey, don't need any," she swallowed hard to force back the idea of what soup looked like."Soup."

Richie pulled away slightly watching her face turn paler. Hell it was almost as green as.... His mind went straight to Geena who had been looking this way for awhile now. Could she be? Is it fuckin' possible? He knew it could be a lot of things, from a virus, to travel, to her monthly. His brow furrowed as he counted the days as his idea firmed up. Hell wasn't that supposed to have been a couple weeks ago? He'd definitely need to have her get checked out. "Ok baby, no soup. Why don't we go and you can relax backstage while we set up. "

She nodded and smiled, wishing they had more time considering how touchie feelie he was being. "Sounds like a plan husband." She shivered at the words. Two weeks and it was still hard to believe, sometimes she had to pinch herself to know she wasn't dreaming.

He slipped his arm around her waist guiding her out the door biting back a smile. God please let her be, that would just be the icing to the cake of life you've given me. " Love when you say that dear wife."

"Still having problems believing it is all. That you'd actually..." Her voice trailed off as he tugged her in closer. God he was a hugger. He kept her close all the time, she loved it.

"Well believe it darlin' cuz its very real or do I have to remind you just how real?" He waggled his eyebrows, as his voice dropped an octave. "I have all sorts of ways to show you how real it is."

She laughed as they made their way to the elevator. "Yes you do, and often. No complaints if you do."

'I might have too just so you know. " Richie grinned. "Maybe after we get to Montreal, we got a few days there I'll have plenty of time for lessons in Sambora Reality."

She stopped in her tracks and pulled away from him and squeaked, "No sex until Montreal?"

A deep laugh resanoted from his throat. " No darlin just saying we have a day off tomorrow two days in Montreal and then 2 more days off before Philadelphia so plenty of time for reminding you that you are my wife "

The sigh of relief whipped through her. "Oh well thats ok then."

Richie stepped off the elevator and into the awaiting car to take them to the arena. "You think I could honestly go that long without it?"

She settled herself into the seat beside him muttering. "You did once before, for a few days."

"Yea and it was pure torture. " He groaned as he relived those few days Bri had been gone. He never EVER wanted to go through that one again. Torture was too mild a word for the emptiness he'd felt.

She leaned back, "I thought you'de given up on it before you met me, should be used to doing without."

"Well darlin its different going without it because you choose to then having it then losing the best thing you have ever had."

She leaned against him eyes closing and couldn't stop the smile. "Well no dispute you're the best thing."

"Do we have to have our first argument on who is the best thing for whom," Richie retorted pulling her close and placed a kiss to the top of her head.

She pressed closer and forced the butterflies from her tummy, "better to argue over whose best, then something important like Whose right."

"Very true . What can I say my wife is always right -- most times." He tilted her head, his lips pressing against hers sweetly.

She snuggled closer almost groaning when the car stopped. "I guess we're here."

"Damn. We'll take this up later tonight after the flight, unless you wanna join the mile high club. " Richie grinned as he stepped out of the car turned and helped her out.

Her hand slipped to his ass as they walked towards the arena and through the doors. "You mean update our membership?" She waggled her brows, "But if David opens the door again I'm gonna kill him."

"Oh yea, how could I forget that? The look on Lemma's face was priceless, " he roared with laughter for a moment before promising,"Darlin' next time we lock the door. "