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.”
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