Chapter 220

Tori awoke the next morning with the fire warming her face and Richie’s hard chest warming her back, her head pillowed on his arm, the rug a soft mattress underneath them. Wanting to wallow in her contentment for awhile longer, she didn’t move, hoping that by remaining still she could hold off her usual morning rush to the nearest bathroom. It worked for about fifteen minutes before she had to jump up and bolt or risk creating a mess on the living room floor. She didn’t even feel her elbow connect with Richie’s stomach as she struggled to her feet.

Richie grunted when she poked him and cracked his eyes open in time to see her bare butt disappear into the hallway. Yawning, he dragged himself to his feet and followed her. After her reaction yesterday morning he didn’t even attempt to greet her, he just held her head and silently handed her a glass of water when she’d finished. While she rinsed her mouth he went down to their bathroom to get her toothbrush. When she’d rinsed her mouth again he took the chance of speaking. “Bed or rug?”

She debated between their cold bed or the soft rug in front of the warm fire. It wasn’t much of a debate. “Rug.”

He nodded and followed her back to the living room, waited until she’d laid down again, covered her with the blanket, joined her and curled his body around hers. The arm pillowing her head bent so that he could trail his fingertips over her bare shoulder. The other hand settled over her stomach. He kissed her neck. “I love you angel.”

“Mmmm. Love you too Rich.” She answered sleepily, one hand moving to grip his forearm that laid across her upper chest, the other to cover his on her abdomen.


When they awoke again – and after Richie had provided the service she required – and Tori was in the shower, he thought about her concerns from the night before. He had an idea for something that would help, but neither one of them could get it without spilling the beans. He reached for the phone to call L.A. and ask Rosa for a favour.

They opted for a nearby diner for brunch before heading for the airport for the short hop to Cleveland. Richie hoped he could keep down his meal as he watched his wife devour her club sandwich dipped in maple syrup. Tori hoped she could keep hers through take off. Both were successful.

Tori was surprised when they met Les Paul for dinner before the show. For a man of his advanced years, he was still quite agile, his mind was sharp as a tack and he had a wonderful sense of humour.

“Well, well, well. How did an old man like me get so lucky to have such a beautiful young dinner companion?” Was his greeting after Richie introduced them. He held out his arm for her. “Sambora, you can go find a table somewhere else. I have all the company I need right here.”

Tori laughed. Richie snorted. “Not on your life man. I know how you work. There’s no way I’m leaving you alone with my wife!”

Dinner passed in a frenzy of stories and jokes – mainly at Richie’s expense, and heavy flirting between Les and Tori. Richie knew they were only teasing, but his inner caveman was on alert as he watched his old friend charm his wife.

“Seriously sweetheart, he might have some skill, but these old fingers still have plenty of magic left in them. I haven’t taught him everything I know.” Les waggled his brows at her. Beneath the teasing Tori could sense his real appreciation of Richie’s talent.

“You’d never be able to keep up old man. She’d kill you. Believe me.” Richie retorted.

“RICHIE!” Tori flushed bright red.

Les laughed and patted her hand. “I don’t doubt that he’s right, but what a way to go!”

Richie’s only really uneasy moment came when he heard Tori order salmon. His insides quaked at the thought of what she might do with it, until he read the description and realized that there was maple already in the sauce. Hopefully it would be enough to satisfy her craving.

“Come on beautiful, let’s go set the gossip’s tongues wagging. Will you be my arm candy this evening?” Les mock leered at her as they prepared to leave the restaurant.

“I’d love to. I always like walking in to a party with the most handsome man in the room.” Tori agreed and took his arm.

“Hey!” Richie protested.

Tori reached up and patted his cheek. “Don’t worry Rockstar, we’ll let you tag along.”

Les sighed. “Bit of a third wheel, but I guess, if we have to. Just make sure you stay back out of the camera shot Sambora, we don’t want your ugly mug taking away from this gorgeous vision at my side.”

Tori chuckled and kissed his cheek. Richie frowned, shoved his hands in his pockets and grumbled all the way out to the car. When they got to the Hall of Fame, Les and Tori led the way with Richie following behind. He had to force a smile as the reporters spotted them.

After the show, the adrenaline of performing, followed by fulfilling his job as his wife’s stud against the wall in his dressing room – he told himself that it was safer there than on the plane, but the caveman knew better – restored his good humour. Even Les’ parting shot didn’t dampen his mood.

“Sweetheart, you ever get tired of the rockstar here, just say the word and I’ll take you away and show you how a man really treats a beautiful woman right.” He took Tori into his arms and kissed her.

When he released her she waved a hand in front of her face. “Whew! You’ll be the first one I call.”

Richie wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her tight against his side. “Not freaking likely! Get your own old man. This one’s mine!” Then the two men hugged and Richie and Tori left to catch their flight back to Philly.

When they settled into their seats on the plane, Tori glanced at her husband and smirked. “He’s quite a character. I really like him.”

“Uh huh.” He shot her a look. “He really likes you too.” She grinned. He snorted. “He’s a good man, a hell of a musician….and a great judge of women.” He acknowledged. Her eyes shone as he leaned over and kissed her gently.


Back in L.A. the next day, Tori was very proud that she’d managed to control herself the entire flight back. Of course she’d put Richie through his paces very thoroughly before they’d left the condo, and was planning on doing it again as soon as they’d settled in. Rosa met them in the foyer with a package, which she handed to Richie.

“Thanks Rosa.” He held it out to Tori. “Here. I think this might help you understand what’s happening and prepare for what’s to come. We can read it together.”

Curious, Tori reached into the bag and pulled out a book. What to Expect When You’re Expecting. “I’ve heard about this. Thank you.” She frowned. “But how did you…..?”

“After our….conversation….the other night, I thought it might come in handy, but I knew that neither one of us could walk into a book store to buy it without it becoming tabloid headlines. I thought about asking Henry to get someone to get it for us, but I knew you didn’t want to tell anyone. Then I realized that Rosa was perfect. No one would think anything of her buying the book and she already knows.”

Tori nodded in agreement with his reasoning. She turned to Rosa. “How did you figure it out anyway?”

Rosa chuckled. “Oh, Mrs. Tori! I have six children and twenty-five grandchildren. I see signs of bebe coming many times. But no to worry. I no tell anyone. You tell when ready. Is only right.” She hesitated, then waved at the book. “You have questions, I can help.”

Tori hugged her. “Thanks Rosa. I will remember that.”