61 - The Circle

November 3, 2009

 

They had arrived at the BBC unscathed from the litany of reporters and fans who had undoubtedly heard the news or seen the photos. While getting out of the car, there were the usual catcalls for Jon; look over here, how long have you been together and what's your name? They just kept their heads down as they were ushered into the theater. Jon had explained how obscene things could get before they left the hotel, knowing she wasn't accustomed to things like this. All in all, Ari seemed to handle it just fine.

 

Once inside, a runner, a young male in his mid-twenties, announced into the radio that they had arrived, and they were on their way down. The theater itself was not big, but the narrowed darkened corridors managed to go on forever. As they weaved in and out, and even under the stage, Ariana's eyes beamed as she took it all in. This was where she felt the most at home. Her life, her love.

 

The stage itself wasn’t much. It was a modest setup, just the band's equipment and a few light beds here and there. A few of the crew busied themselves with last-minute checks while Obie and Sooner talked near the production board. She caught a glimpse of Takumi and gave him a quick nod. Dave and Tico were off in the corner, having what looked like a debate over something. Richie was leaning against the wall talking to the redhead from the restaurant last night.

 

Obie called Jon over at the same time Ari was making her way towards Richie. The tug of their joined hands pulled them in different directions. Ari let hers slip away first, giving him a quick wink and a smile. She walked up beside Richie, and he greeted her with a sweet embrace. Whispering in her ear he asked if she was okay.  With a simple ‘yes’ she pulled away and turned to the woman at his side.

 

“Hi. I’m Ariana.” She extended her hand to her.

 

“Hello. I’m Frankie. Nice to meet you.”

 

A few of the crew stopped by to say hello to Ariana as the three chatted. Some asked if she was along for the long-haul others passed on their condolences about Lili. From the corner of her eye she saw Obie was making his way down off the stage and Jon was pulling his guitar strap over his head.

 

“Hey Sambo, mind if we interrupt you.” Jon called over.

 

“Sure Boss.” Richie rolled his eyes jokingly and excused himself while he went to work.

 

Ariana also excused herself and set off to find Jon’s dressing room where she could sit and wait. She was not in the mood for small chit-chat or any other conversation which might have come up if she stayed to talk with Frankie. Keeping herself occupied, Ari tried to get her little ‘doodler’ up on the never-ending platforms without falling off. Unfortunately, she wasn’t very successful, and it showed as she yelled at her phone. Not hearing the knocking, the young pager from earlier cleared his throat as he opened the door.

 

“You’re needed in the hospitality room, Ms. Moretti.”

 

Ari jumped at the sound of his voice “Oh! Okay. Thank you.”  

 

“Would you like me to show you the way?” He asked as his back leaned against the door.

 

“If you wouldn’t mind.”

 

“Right this way.” He pointed left and guided her down the hall. She noticed Jon already at a table with Bobby and Teek when they reached the room. Ari thanked him and made her way over to the food. Making herself a plate she joined them. Bobby kept them laughing with stories of times way back when, but she could see Jon’s mind wandering off. The little nudge of his foot against hers was all she needed to know that he was ready to escape to the sanctuary of his dressing room. She knew all too well of his pre-show rituals and even though this is not quite the same, he would disagree and say, whether it was two hundred or sixty thousand, he still wanted to go out and give his all.

 

Once in the privacy of his room he pulled her close and placed a chaste kiss upon her lips. Forehead to forehead she looked deep into his blue eyes, her hand reaching up to touch the prominent high cheekbone he had, down to his jawline as her fingers lingered upon his lips.

 

He kissed the tips of her fingers softly then gently wrapped his fingers around her wrist and slowly brought her hand down to her side. Jon covered her lips with his and placed a longer kiss upon them. Slowly deepening it, he left her breathless when he finally broke the kiss. She wiped the corner of his mouth with the pad of her thumb and lead him to the couch then motioned for him to sit. When he sat she placed her right hand on his left shoulder balancing herself before stepping up on the cushion. In one swift motion she kicked her leg up and around his back and took a seat on the back edge of the couch.  

 

With Jon between her legs, she pushed up the sleeves of her oversized sweater and pushed his head forward. Using her elbow, she applied pressure at the base of his neck.

 

"God!” there was an intake of air “That feels so good." The emphasis on his words had her digging deeper.

 

"It's supposed too." She moved a little along his shoulder blade. "Wanna talk about it?"

 

"Just pre-show tension."

 

"You sure?" Ari changed elbows and worked the other side.

 

"Positive. You of all people should know how I get." He rolled his neck in a circular motion causing a rippling of cracks.

 

"I do. It just seems like a little more than that."

 

"Well, it's not."

 

"Jon, I don't want things to change just because we are together. We’ve always talked, from the very beginning. That's what brought us here." She stopped and rested her chin on the back of his head. "Friends first. Remember. "

 

"Always." He bounced his shoulders up and down. "Don't stop, it's almost gone."

 

"Good." A peck into his hair and she was back to his massage.

 

"Did you catch any of sound check?"

 

"No. I wanted to be surprised." Ari’s thumbs now kneaded the length of his neck.

 

"You're gonna have to get used to watching from the front of the stage. You do know that?"

 

"Who says?" Her hands now worked the planes of his back.

 

"Me."

 

"Yeah, well I can see just fine from backstage." She poked her finger into his side.

 

Jon reached his arm over his head pulling her into his lap. "Yeah, well I can't."

 

He was just about to tickle her but the ringing of his phone saved her. “You need to answer that." 

 

"No, I don't.” His hands hovered over her stomach.

 

"It's Jesse. Answer it." She reached for his phone.

 

"How'd you know that?" He swiped his finger to accept the call. "Hey Jesse, hang on a second." He looked to her for an answer.

 

"La Pinsonniere." She whispered.

 

“What’s up buddy?” Ari tried to get up but he shook his head no, so instead she slid off his lap and into the corner of the couch leaving her legs stretched out over his. Giving him some privacy, she pulled out her phone to continue her Doodle Jump quest to nowhere.

 

"Are you busy getting ready yet Dad?" Jesse asked.

 

"Nah. Not yet."

 

"I saw the pictures."

 

Jon ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah, figured as much. I know we haven't had a chance to talk not like I have with Stephanie. How do you feel about this?"

 

"I guess okay. I mean I know things haven't been okay between you and mom for a while. Steph and I kinda had a feeling this was gonna happen. It just feels weird that we were right."

 

"You know this had nothing to do with you or any of you. People change, things happen.”

 

“Yeah Dad, I know. So, what's she like? Does she at least like sports?”  

 

Jon was relieved to have his son opening up to him like this. His standoffish manner during earlier talks had concerned him.  Ariana’s throaty gruff of annoyance brought Jon’s attention back to the conversation.

 

“Let’s see, what’s she like? I think you’ll like her,” Jon tickled under her knee. “and yes, she likes sports, she just doesn’t root for the right teams.”

 

“When can we meet her?” Jesse's tone was uplifting after hearing what his father just said.

 

“Probably not until we tell your brothers.”

 

“S’okay.”

 

“Jess, we good here?” Jon asked his son.

 

“Yeah Dad, for now we are.”

 

“Cool. S’alright buddy I gotta go get ready. I’ll see ya in a few days.”

 

“Me too. I have practice. Love ya Dad.”

 

“Love ya too.” Jon tossed the phone to the side and pulled on hers to see what she was doing. “What are you playing?”

 

“Stoooop.” she whined. “You just made me die.” She clicked her screen off and scooted closer to him. “Everything good?”

 

He curled his finger around a single lock that had fallen from her clip. “We're getting there.”  

 

“Baby steps.” Ari hopped off the couch. “Now, I’m gonna go play with the fun kids. You need to be getting ready.”

 

Jon took her in as she walked to the door. After all these years, all the ups and downs, they were finally getting their chance. Though the road ahead would still have some bumps they would ride them together now.

 

“Ariana.” Emerald green eyes widened at the sound of her full name. “Be careful.”

 

An involuntary smile crept to her face. “Promise.”

60 - Control The Flame

‘’Ariana Liliane Moretti! Pourquoi tu n’as pas répondu à mes appels? Tu as vu les nouvelles? Il y a des photos de toi et Jon partout. Est-ce que c’était prévu que ce soit mis au grand jour tout de suite? Y’a des paparazzis en avant de votre hotel?’’

 

Ariana Lilliane Moretti! Why haven’t you answered my calls? Have you seen the news? There are pictures of you and Jon everywhere. Was it supposed to be out so soon? Are there paparazzi in front of your hotel?

 

“Are you finished?” Ariana asked.

 

“Yes.”

 

“Good. Now it’s your turn to listen.” Ari laughed. “Think you can do that?”

 

“Shut-up and talk.” Cara replied.

 

“There’s really not that much to say. Someone must have taken the photos of us at dinner and leaked them to the press. Jon’s already working on damage control with his publicist to release a statement, he just has to run it past Dorothea.” There was a hint of something in Ariana’s voice as she said her name that Cara didn’t miss.

 

“Now, why don’t you tell me what’s really going on with Dorothea?” Cara knew her friend better than she knew herself sometimes. She could hear it in her voice.

 

“Jon took my phone to the gym this morning instead of his, which is the reason I haven’t returned your calls. Anyhoo, long story short, I answered his and it was Dorothea.”

 

“You spoke with her?” Cara questioned.

 

“Uh-huh. I didn’t say much. She was crude and snarky. Some of the rudeness I understand, but there is no need for the other. We will probably never be friends, which is fine by me. I never expected us to. But we are all grown adults and should at least act like it. I said what I needed to say and hung up on her before I said something I really would’ve regretted.”

 

“Wow. How’s Jon dealing?”

 

“You know him, he apologized excessively then went into protector mode. She really is the least of our troubles. He’s on the phone with her now so we’ll see.”

 

“What do you mean by that?”

 

There was no other way to tell her than to just say it. She knew her friend would be happy for her, so it wasn’t that that worried her. What worried her was if she said it out loud to someone else, it would make it more real. She knew she wouldn’t be able to hide it forever. Running a hand through her hair Ari let a long wistful sigh.

 

“I’m pregnant.”

 

“No way!”

 

“I found out when I got here. After that morning in Toronto and a long list of events that followed, I put two and two together. When I checked in, I took a pregnancy test. Et voila, I’m pregnant.”

 

“Sweety I know you must have a ton of things going on in that head of yours, but this, this is a good thing. You know that. It means it was meant to be, after all these years. You are where you belong. It’s a blessing from Lili.”

 

“You’re right about one thing, my head is spinning. It was a shock that’s for sure. Then this happened, with the photos, but I thought the same thing, Lili’s way of telling me to move on.”

 

“Have you told Jon?”

 

“Of course, I told him. He was shocked at first, but he’s excited.” Ari paused for a moment. “Cara, you can’t tell anyone. Not even Jonas or Max. Do you understand? We want to keep this as quiet as possible. Especially with this latest news.”  

 

Ari still had a hint of worry in her voice, but she knew Cara wouldn’t say a word to anyone.

 

“I won’t say a word. Promise. So, what happens now?”

 

“What do you mean? I’m still going on tour. I’ll just be a little fatter.”

 

“That’s three months away. Where do you go till then?” Cara knew what Ari needed to do. She was hoping her friend knew it too.

 

“Jon wants me to go with him.”

 

“Jon is right. You need to, you belong with him now more than ever.”

 

“If it makes you happy, I will be going back with him when we leave London so we can find a doctor. That’s as far as we’ve discussed.”

 

“It’s a start. Listen honey, I don’t mean to cut this short, but a customer just walked in. I love you and will talk to you in a few days.”

 

“Love you too. Ciao for now.”

 

Ari looked at the clock on the nightstand and the door that separated them. All seemed quieted over there and she didn’t want to interrupt him. If they were going to make sound check on time she needed to jump in the shower. She grabbed her stuff and headed into the en suite. Jon would come find her when he was done.

♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱

“Goddamnit, Jon, what the fuck were you even thinking?” Dorothea’s voice screeched through the phone.

 

“Calm down. It was bound to come out eventually.”

 

“Tell me you just didn’t say to calm down. I will not calm down. You’re a bastard, you know that. We had one agreement. You were not to embarrass me.” Dorothea was yelling, but Jon was not about to give in to her and yell back.

 

“I told you I wouldn't hide her anymore.” He calmly stated.

 

“You didn’t have to go straight into the paparazzi den.”

 

“I didn’t." He firmly stated. "Someone at the restaurant must have called them.”

 

“Whatever. Now what dumbass? How are you going to explain this one?” His calmness was irritating her beyond belief. How could he be so calm about this? Didn’t he see what this has done? Of course, he didn’t, he was thinking with his little head, not his big one.

 

“If you can’t be civil then we can talk at a later time. I have already spoken with Ken and Mr. Yetterman. We have come up with something that I think will work.”

 

“Is that so?” Dorothea practically sneered it and Jon could imagine the scowl on her face “and what is this little plan the king has drudged up?”

 

“Promise to hear me out, without interrupting.”

 

Dorothea huffed out a terse “Fine. Go ahead.”

 

“Ken feels we can minimize most of the questions if we make a statement to the press saying we have been separated for a few months, maybe more and are in the process of divorcing, amicably. As for the divorce papers, they’re already drawn up all you have to do is sign them.”

 

“Okay and are you going to answer any of the billion questions that are going to get thrown at our family?”

 

“Haven’t I always answered the questions? That won’t change.”

 

“What about the kids?” She asked point blank.

 

“We have kept them away from the kids thus far, it shouldn’t be a problem now. Have the kids even seen the news yet? Stephanie and Jesse already know, we can still keep it from the little ones until after Christmas.”

 

“What do you think? Of course, the older ones have seen them and so have their friends. Makes for a fun day at school, doesn’t it?”

 

“So, keep them home, one day won’t hurt them.”

 

“Sure. You have an answer for everything.”

 

“Whaddya want me to say? I’ve told you what we should do. Once we make a statement, things will calm down.  As for their friends, they can handle them, we are not the first set of parents to get divorced.”

 

“You know Jon this is all easy for you. You’re not here... again.”

 

“Dorothea, I’m not going through this again. What’s done is done. I can have Ken draw up the statement and release it or we can wait till I get home in a few days and make it together.”

 

“I don’t think you want me near the press. Let Ken do it.”

 

“Please. You wouldn’t say a damn thing.” He knew she wouldn’t talk to the press.  

 

“Really now.” The sureness in his voice irked her.

 

“Really. I know you have your panties in a twist because of what’s happened today, but that’s not enough for you to go to the press or even what you did today. There was no need for you to talk to Ariana like that. She doesn’t deserve it.”

 

If there was anything she despised more was how he was so quick to come to her defense. She couldn’t remember him ever being like that with her, maybe in high school.

 

“Are you telling me I don’t have a right to be angry, mad as hell or even hurt?”

 

“No, I’m not. What I’m saying is you’re better than that and what you said was uncalled for.”

 

“Aw, were her feelings hurt? Did she come running to tell you?” Jon heard the bitterness in her voice.

 

“Cut the crap. As a matter of fact, no she didn’t. She was more concerned with the photos than what you had to say.”

 

“Well, what a surprise. Is she worried that her image will be tarnished?”

 

“Is this really how you want to do this? We are all adults; can’t we find some way to be civil if nothing else to each other? She isn’t going away.”

 

“Funny. That’s exactly what she said.” The line went silent for a moment. “Listen Jon, I will not apologize for how I acted today and maybe in time this will be different but as of right now this is how it's going to be. Have Ken draw up the statement and send it to me so we can get this over with. As for the divorce papers, I will have my lawyer look at them as soon as possible. That is the best I can do.”

 

“That’s all that I ask. I will give Ken a call now. Do you need me to talk to the kids?” Jon asked.

 

“Nah. If they want, I will have them give you a call. Goodbye Jon.”

 

Dorothea hung up before he had a chance to say anything else. He gave Ken a quick call telling him it's ‘a go’ once Dorothea looked over the statement. Looking at his watch he realized the time, if he didn't jump in the shower, they would be late. He hoped Ariana had done the same.  

 

59 - The Telephone Rings

Ari groaned at the sound of the constant ringing of her phone.  She tried ignoring it but it didn’t stop.  Sighing, she rolled over reaching her hand out to the nightstand feeling around until she found the phone.  Without looking, she put the phone to her ear.

 

“Yeah?”  She asked groggily into the phone.

 

“Nice to see you didn’t waste any time taking over the role of personal assistant too.”

 

Ariana startled when the woman’s voice reached her ears.  Pulling the phone from her ear she saw, that she had answered Jon’s phone not hers.

 

Shit!

 

“Ariana?”  the woman asked.

 

“Yes,” Ariana managed to croak.  She didn’t need to ask who it was.

 

“If my husband could get his face out from between your legs, I’d like to talk with him.”  

 

“Excuse me?”  The shock from Dorothea’s words had Ariana jolting out of bed.  

 

“Did. I. Stutter?  Put my husband on the phone.”

 

“He’s not here.”  Ariana shot back.

 

“Isn’t that convenient.”

 

“I’d be happy to...”

 

Dorothea interrupted her.  “What?  To help?  Don’t you think you’ve done enough?”

 

“I was going to say, before you rudely interrupted that I’d be happy to give him a message.”

 

“So, you have replaced Jeanie too.  Was that always your plan?”

 

Ari had had enough.  This was bound to happen.  Maybe it was a good thing it happened now.

 

“Listen.  Why don’t you stop beating around the bush and tell me what it is you really want?  This way we get it out in the open and over with.”

 

“Ha!”  Dorothea laughed out loud.  “Funny you should say that.  You see, while you were busy fucking my husband last night, the press was busy publishing stories about him and his whore.”

 

“I’ve had just about enough of your name calling.  Grow up.  While you don’t have to like me, you might want to tone down your inner bitch because she doesn't scare me. I’ll let Jon know you called.”

 

Ariana didn’t give her a chance to respond.  She just ended the call and tossed the phone on the bed.  Looking around the room she spotted what she was looking for.  Her laptop.  She needed to find out what Dorothea was talking about.

 

Her knee bounced impatiently as she waited for her computer to power up.   Typing Jon’s name in, she paused letting out a deep breath and pressed enter.  She didn’t have to scroll down, there it was, a photo of Jon squeezing her ass as she got into the car in front of the restaurant.  Ari clicked on the link;

 

“International Rockstar Jon Bon Jovi seen here putting the squeeze on last night in London.  The Band is here to perform at London’s BBC2 Theater tonight to promote their new album and upcoming tour.  No news as to who the woman might be or how well she knows them, but apparently, he knows her well.  Calls to the singer’s management have not been returned.”

 

Ari rubbed her hands over her face and up through her hair.  This is not good.  Jon is not going to be happy when he sees this.  Speaking of Jon, where was he?  Obviously, she couldn’t call, she rose from the chair and walked through the rooms looking for a note and her phone.  Finding neither.  If this had made the news she was sure Cara would be calling.  

 

She flipped the television on and climbed onto the middle of the bed.  Sitting crossed legs, she held the remote in her lap flipping through channels.  It was just eleven in London making it six back east.  She stopped when the image of herself accepting a spoon full of zabaglione off of Jon’s spoon appeared in a little box at the top of the screen along with one Ms. Josie Johnson.  Ari had such a dislike for her before, this was not going to change that. It was going to make it stronger.

“Josie Johnson reporting here....  New Jersey’s prodigal son Jon Bon Jovi was seen last night with an unidentified female companion and his band mates dining at London’s Zafferano.  The Band is in town to promote their new album and upcoming tour ‘The Circle’.  The band’s front man seen here in this photo, looks to be sharing some of his dessert with the woman.  Wonder if he shares anything else with her?  The Rocker has been married to his high school sweetheart Dorothea Hurley for twenty years and have four children.  The couple have always prided themselves as being very happily married.  Could this be the end?

“Good Morning, beautiful.”  Jon leaned against the door frame of the adjacent room.

 

Ariana turned off the television. “Where the hell have you been?

 

“Whoa!  Did someone wake up on the wrong side of the bed?” Jon moved to the bed.  “I went for a massage.  Our little -” he walked his fingers along her thigh. “ya know, did a number on my back.”

 

Ari slapped his hand away. “And your phone?”

 

“Oh, I took yours by mistake.  By the way, Cara’s been calling you all morning.  I didn’t answer it though.”

 

“You should have, you would have gotten an earful.”  Ari unfolded her legs and slid off the bed.  She walked over to the table to retrieve her laptop.

 

“Did I miss something?” Jon laid across the bed propping himself up on his elbow.

 

“Your wife called.”  She crawled back on the bed.

 

“Aw baby, I’m sorry.  You answered my phone, didn’t you?”

 

“Yup.  I was half asleep.  But that’s the least of our troubles.”  Ari turned her computer so that he could see the photo of the two of them.  “That’s not the only one either.”

 

Jon took it from her hands and began clicking through the images.  There were a few of them in the restaurant, some of them waiting outside for the car.

 

“What did Dorothea say?”  He put the computer down on the bed.

 

“That when you’re finished between my legs to give her a call, oh and she called me your whore.”

 

Jon grabbed his phone from her hands, but she stopped him before he had a chance to swipe the screen.  “Jon, listen.  She really is the least of our troubles.  It’s made the news.  Josie whatsherface already reported about it, which means the big networks will have it soon enough.”

 

“Fuck!  I will straighten her out, but first I need to call Ken and Jeanie.  Would you call Richie and tell him what is going on and that we will meet them at the Theater for soundcheck.”

 

“Yes.  Go. Go.”

 

Jon leaned in and kissed her.  “I love you.”

 

“I know.  Now go.”

 

♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱

 

It had been an hour since Jon disappeared into the other room to run damage control.  For the most part he seemed pretty calm, she had only heard him raise his voice a few times.   As for her, she still had a slight surge of adrenaline rushing through her.  After speaking to Richie, she replayed the conversation with Dorothea over in her head.  Ari knew that their paths were bound to cross eventually, she just assumed it wouldn’t happen this soon or like this.  But what’s done is done and there’s no going back now.  Her thoughts were interrupted by a knocking at the door.

 

“Who is it?”  She asked slowly.

 

“Room service,” a male voice answered.

 

She hadn’t ordered room service, but maybe Jon had, before opening the door she looked through the peephole to make sure.  Seeing the waiter and his rollie cart with silver domed plates she reached for the handle and pulled the door open.

 

“Can you put it over there?”  She motioned for him to come inside.

 

“Yes ma’am.”  He set the cart in front of the window next to the table.  

 

“Thank you.”  Ari scribbled her name and showed him to the door.

 

Ari gave the door a soft knock and poked her head through and mouthed the words ‘lunch’.  Jon raised one finger at her motioning one minute.

 

“Yes. It just got here.  And Jeanie, thank you” Jon chortled.  “You got it. Bye.”  This time he ended the call and shoved his phone into his pocket.

 

Jon stopped in front of Ari and leaned into her hand as she cupped his cheek.  “You better send her on a nice long vacation.”

 

He kissed the inside of her hand. “Funny, she just said the same thing.  Let’s eat.”

 

Over lunch they discussed what Jeanie had found out and what information the press had.  As of now they were only speculating and did not know who Ariana was.  Which was a good thing, but it would be only a matter of time before they found out.  This is why they needed to put a plan in motion and where his publicist and lawyers came in.  Jon explained to her what Ken and his lawyers had suggested.  It was a solid plan and could work, but there was one exception.  Dorothea.  She might have agreed to it before but under the current circumstances he wasn’t sure.

 

Ari was in the middle of telling Jon about her conversation with Richie when she was interrupted by the dueling rings of their cell phones.  Both of them very familiar with the distinctive tones by now.  They simultaneously swiped their respective screens and brought the phones to their ear.

She listened as Cara excitedly rambled on in French, which she often did when she was both worried or excited.  Jon on the other hand, did the speaking first.