Chapter 222

Thanksgiving Day got off to a great start. Joan had come in the night before and Richie had picked her and Ava up and brought them home. Tori could see how happy he was to have his family all together. She had high hopes that the day would go smoothly. Even the baby was cooperating. She’d awakened feeling only a slight twinge of nausea, but hadn’t been sick. For a brief moment she debated about waking Richie to… celebrate, but he’d been so good getting up with her and sharing the more unpleasant aspects of early pregnancy, that she decided he deserved to sleep in. She almost lost it watching Ava eat a fried egg for breakfast, dipping her toast in the runny yolk. Quickly averting her eyes, she managed to suppress the urge to hurl, and was even able to finish her own breakfast – she’d opted for waffles so that she could get her maple syrup fix without raising any eyebrows. Although she turned a little green around the edges, Ava didn’t notice, and if Joan – who had joined them – did, she didn’t say anything.

“You’re letting Richie sleep in?” Her mother-in-law asked. She remembered the year before and Richie grumbling about being awakened to help with the dinner preparations.

Tori smiled. “Yeah. He’s been doing a lot of running around for me lately, helping prepare for today and Christmas, so I decided to let him sleep.”

“You spoil him.”

Tori shrugged and grinned. “He’s worth spoiling. Besides, he spoils me too.”

Ava nodded. “He’s good at spoiling.”

Tori reached out to stroke the shining blonde head. “Yes, he is.”


By the time Richie joined them it was almost noon, the turkey was in the oven, the rest of the meal was under control and the women were taking a break and discussing possible lunch menu items.

“Morning.” He greeted them.

His mother glanced at the clock and snorted. “Barely.”

He ignored her comment, winked at Ava and moved to where Tori was surveying cupboard and fridge contents. Standing behind her, he wrapped his arms around her middle, one hand coming to rest low on her stomach.

“I didn’t hear you get up this morning.” His murmur was for her ears only.

She turned her head slightly and grinned. “That’s because someone apparently decided to take a break and give me another reason to be thankful today.”

“That’s a Sambora for you.”

She snorted and shook her head. “What do you want to eat, goof?”

“You mean besides you?” He nuzzled her neck.

She sucked in a breath. “Ooh, that’s cruel to tempt me when we both know it’s going to be a long….” She glanced at the clock. “Eleven or twelve hours before we can….indulge.” A concerned frown creased her forehead. “I hope I can hold out that long.”

His chuckle was a low rumble in his chest. “Oh I think you’ll make it. Ava will help distract you.” He squeezed her, then let go. “How about Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches? Or, at least a variation of them? We have some left over roast beef from last night don’t we?”

“Mmmhmmm. I’ve never made them before, but I’ll give it a go.” She pulled the beef out of the fridge.

He took it from her hands. “You go sit down. I’ll make lunch.” She stared at him in disbelief. “What? You know I’m fully capable.”

“I know, it’s just that you do it so rarely that I’d assumed that you cooked only when threatened with starvation.”

“Or when he’s sucking up or trying to impress a woman.” Joan added.

“Or to avoid Uncle Jon’s cooking.” Ava chimed in.

“None of that’s true! Well, except avoiding Jon’s cooking, but that’s survival instinct. If you’re all going to gang up on me, I won’t ever cook again, since you obviously think that my trying to do something nice for my family is a cover for wanting something.” He sniffed indignantly.

Tori felt horrible, but before she could apologize, Joan stopped her. “Don’t fall for it! He’s playing you.”

“Ma!” Richie protested.

Tori had been looking at her mother-in-law in surprise, but at his outburst, turned to study her husband and the chagrined look on his face. She crooked a brow at him. His lips twitched and he wouldn’t meet her eyes. She snorted.

“Daddy, you are sooooo busted!” Ava giggled.

He wrinkled his nose at her, sighed and focused on his cooking.


When Jack and Heather arrived a few hours later, Tori was surprised to be greeted with a hug from Jack.

“Thank you for this.” He murmured. When her brow rose, he explained. “She didn’t want to spend the holiday apart from Ava, but Ava really wanted to be here.”

Dinner went as smoothly as Tori could hope for. Conversation was a little stilted at the beginning, but Richie, and even Jack exerted themselves to keep it flowing. And of course with Ava around, lulls were quickly filled.

Richie watched Tori stifle a sigh and suppress a grimace as she took a mouthful of food. He fought back a grin. When she headed into the kitchen to refill the mashed potato bowl, he followed her with the gravy boat.

“Here.” He reached into his pocket, pulled out his hand and offered her what was in it. “Maybe you could break them up and suck on them when you get the urge.”

“Maple sugar! Where did you get that?”

“At one of the airport stores when I was waiting for Ma. I thought it might come in handy.”

She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tight, squeezing her eyes closed against the tears threatening. “I love you!”

He chuckled. “I love you too angel.”

Stepping back, she took a bite of the candy. “Mmmmmm.”



“This pie is great Tori.” Jack complimented. “I haven’t had pumpkin pie this good in a long time.”

“I made it.” Ava informed him. “Tori taught me how.”

Tori smiled at her and winked.

“Well you did an excellent job.” Jack assured her.

Heather frowned slightly, then her expression eased and she started to play ‘remember when’ about past holiday’s with Richie. Tori forced a smile on her face while she listened. Richie set his hand on her leg and squeezed reassuringly, hoping to diffuse the bomb he could sense ticking in the tense body beside him.

Finally, it became too much. She couldn’t take it anymore. She felt like she was going to explode. To avoid making a scene, she stood and began clearing the table. In the kitchen, she set down the dishes she was carrying, gripped the counter and struggled to keep her temper – and her hormones - under control. A noise behind her had her turning to see that Jack had followed her with an armload of dishes.

“Sorry about that.” He gestured towards the dining room.

She shrugged. “It’s got to be as hard for you to hear as it is me.”

He nodded. “Yeah.” He hesitated, then shrugged. “She can be a bitch, but I love her. And she’s not like that all the time. Just where you and Richie are concerned. I’ve tried to get her to stop with the dog in the manger routine, but…..” He shrugged again. “I’d like to know your secret though.”

“What secret?”

“How you get her to change her mind and do what’s right.” Tori just looked confused. “Like Ava’s birthday. She was determined to stay in bed and have the party cancelled, but you changed her mind. And today. When I suggested a week ago that we all spend the holiday together, she shot me down, then she spoke to you, and here we are. How do you do it?”

Tori smiled wryly. “She doesn’t want to come off looking petty and spiteful and….second best…compared to me. Especially if it’s something that will make her look bad in court.”

He nodded. “That would explain it. She certainly is afraid that you’re going to try to take Ava away from her.”

She looked at Jack for a minute. “She should be. As long as Ava is happy and healthy, well cared for and loved, not put at risk, and she wants to be with her mother, I’ll leave it alone. But if any of that changes, you can be assured that I will push Richie to sue for full custody. And let’s be honest, how hard do you think I’d have to push?” He snorted. “Exactly. Her little stunt after her DUI was her free one. She let us keep Ava after Richie’s, so it was only fair. I don’t want to be on bad terms with Heather. I’d like us to get along – for Ava’s sake if nothing else, but I won’t stand by and see that beautiful girl used as a pawn in some game her mother wants to play for her own benefit.”

Jack’s brows rose. “You’re not just another pretty face are you? There’s a brain and a spine of steel under that soft exterior.”

She shrugged. “I’m a Bongiovi. It’s in the genes.”



When she returned to the dining room she found that she had another ally in Joan. When Heather finished with her latest trip down memory lane, Joan turned to Tori and asked about the redecorating that she was planning to do. Everytime Heather tried to talk about the past, Joan managed to change the subject to the future. Tori wanted to hug her. Even Richie realized what she was doing and shot her an appreciative glance. After a while Heather gave up.

“Thank you so much for letting us all be together today Mom.” Ava hugged her mother as Heather and Jack were preparing to leave.

Tori and Joan exchanged glances. Maybe Ava was more aware than they gave her credit for.

“Of course sweetie. We’re all family after all.” Heather replied.

Tori resisted the urge to snort and roll her eyes. In full actress mode I see. Jack caught her eye and winked. When the door closed behind them, Tori let out a relieved breath. She turned to find Ava watching her.

“Thank you for today.” Her eyes were shining. “I love you Tori.”

Her eyes filled as she pulled Ava close. “I love you too Bean.”