Chapter Eight - Richie's Story

This is a fucking nightmare. I’ve got Jilly, with the aid of my darling Pippa, on one side and Jon on the other. Neither are talking to each other. This is just getting fucking ridiculous. All Jilly wants to do is study and all Jon wants to do is be in the Studio. Neither one of them is willing to give way. I know it’s really getting to Pip and now she’s six months pregnant I’m damned if I’m gonna have her get stressed out by two immature adults who ought to know better. Hell, even Libby’s acting more mature than they are at the moment.

Steph moved out last week which I know is upsetting Jon but him being who he is won’t talk about it. You’d think after the debacle ( see, Pip’s teaching me long words LOL) of Dot he’d have learned that to keep a relationship going you need to communicate but no, the writer of some of the world’s greatest rock songs is totally dry when it comes to his own life. God I just wanna smack his, and hers, let’s not forget about Jilly here, heads together.

Oh no let’s not forget about Jilly. She is not entirely innocent in all this at all. I think if she’d just come out and told Jon about her wanting to study at the time instead of hiding it from him then they wouldn’t have the trust issue that they obviously have at the moment.

I look over at the love of my life ( sorry, second love of my life, next to Ava) and smile at her. She smiles wryly back at me, through her fringe. She had her hair cut and invested in a pair of straighteners last week and I’m still trying to get used to shorter, straighter hair. Her hairdresser told her it would be easier to manage once the baby arrives and she’d be better off getting used to it now than later. That’s all right for the hairdresser to say but he’s not the one who misses running his hands through her glorious mane of curls.

I have had enough of this shit.

“Ok you two, start talking or me and Pip are going home and you two can fucking get divorced for all I care.” I say, vehemently

Jon looks up at me, all startled blue eyes and pouty mouth.

“Jon you’re the eldest you start. Spill it man.”

He looks at me and knows I am serious. Hell he’s known me for how long now? He ought to fuckin well know when I’m being serious, still 25 years and only one major argument isn’t bad ya know.

“I never see you anymore.” Jon says quietly, but to this crowd it’s a fucking explosion.

“And who’s fault is that then?” Jilly counters, anger evident, “You’re in that bloody studio from sun up to sun set. Libby’s not even sure you still live here.”

“Don’t you fucking bring Libby into this.”

“And why not Jon? What am I supposed to tell her when she asks if Daddy’s coming home tonight and I haven’t the foggiest idea. Hmm?”

“What about you then? I’m surprised you take your head out of those books for long enough to realise you’ve got a fucking daughter.”

“I spend three hours a day studying! How dare you insinuate that I put that before Libby!”

I catch Pippa’s eye and she looks worried. This isn’t going the way I thought it would.

“I’ve only got your word for that. How the fuck do I know it’s only three hours? Huh?”

“Well maybe if you dragged your sorry arse out of that studio more often then you’d be able to see it for yourself wouldn’t you? But oh no, Jon Bon Jovi would never put his family before his fucking career, would you? Given half a chance between having a family and staying at home or losing the family and touring all year, you’d fucking tour wouldn’t you? Go on admit it.” Jilly half shout as Jon looks at her with a stubborn, mulish expression.

“Half the time I have no idea whether you’re really in the studio or what. Or should I say who? Don’t think I don’t know about those texts you’ve been getting late at night.”

“Oh for fuck’s sake Jilly, most of those texts are from Stephie and the others are from Dot asking about Stephie.”

“Well at least one of your daughters knows her father’s interested in her at least.”

“What the fuck? Lib knows I love her.”

“Really? You ought to be here when she’s crying her eyes out convinced you don’t love her anymore cause you’re never here.” Jilly yells, angry tears making their way down her face.

“It’s not her I don’t love anymore.” He replys softly.

Jilly gasps, looking as if he’s just physically slapped her before her eyes well with tears. I can see she’s about to dart off and try to catch her to comfort her but she’s too quick for me. I can hear her sobbing as she runs off towards the house.

Jon lights a cigarette and looks out over his land.

I turn back to him and just stare at the worlds best exhibit of sheer stupidity.

“You stupid fuck.” I say in disgust, holding my hand out for Pippa to take to help her out of her seat.

I stand over from him as Pippa goes up to him to see if he’s ok. Fuck him. I don’t care anymore. And he wonders why his relationships don’t work out. Fucking prick.

“Pippa.” I say, sharper than I normally would, holding my hand out to her.

She kisses Jon on the cheek and walks to my side.

We walk back to the house in companionable silence, my arm round her waist. Although she’s six months gone it doesn’t show at all and she’s only just having to wear maternity clothes. I know Jilly laughingly said she hated her for it.

I love Pippa with all my heart and I know that no matter what happens we will never go the way of Jon and Jilly. Pippa may have her faults, and there are many lol, but she will tell me when something is wrong. Usually about 30 seconds after she’s discovered it, mind you. She is certainly not backwards in coming forwards.

As we walk through the house I can hear Jilly crying in the study. I keep hold of Pippa’s hand and she tries to break free to go to her friend.

“Pip, honey, let’s go home. I’m not having you get stressed out by all this bullshit. Jilly’s a grown woman, she has to learn to deal with this by herself.”

I can see Pippa’s not happy but she acquiesces and comes with me.

We reach our SUV and wearily climb into it. She is just so damn beautiful, she really is, even when she’s looking for the seat belt buckle and getting slightly flustered, with her tongue sticking out between her teeth slightly.

I lean over and kiss her forehead, buckling the seat belt for her.

She looks at me, a wide dazzling smile on her face.

“I love you Pippa.” I say, smiling, glad she’s mine.

“ I love you too Rich, what’s brought this on, you’re not usually this soppy out in public.”

“I just wanted you to know that no matter what happens I will never treat you like that.” I jerk my head back to indicate what had just transpired.

“ I know you wouldn’t, “ she smiles, “cause I would track you down and whomp your ass.” she continues, laughing.

“Jon’s such a fucking ass at the moment. I am so glad I’m the only male in our family. Me you and Ava, and bump, of course. Means I don’t have to deal with any male bullshit.”

I start the engine but Pippa puts out a hand to stop me from driving off.

“Erm Rich, I didn’t have a chance to tell you this earlier but I got the sex of the baby this morning. Erm, get ready for some male bullshit.”

I can’t help it, I let out a whoop of joy and I smile broadly all the way home