Chapter 262

The next morning when the doctor released her, Tori was ready to run home. Richie watched in amusement as she ran around the room throwing items in a bag . “A little anxious to get out of here angel?”

“Are you kidding? I’m bored out of my mind! Not to mention, these beds are the most uncomfortable I’ve ever tried to sleep on!” Suddenly she stopped and stared at him in horror. “Car seat!”

“What about it?”

“We don’t have one. How are we going to get Stevie home? They’ll never let us leave without one. You need to go get one. Right now!”

“Angel relax.”

“How can I? I want to go home, but we don’t have a car seat!”

“Yes we do.”

“And we need diapers and wipes and…what do you mean ‘yes we do’?”

He grinned. “The day of the induction when you sent me home to have a nap, I picked up your car and took it to have one installed. I think you’ll like it – it’s Winnie the Pooh. So as soon as you’re ready we can leave. We can stop at the store for diapers and whatever else we need on the way. Everything’s under control.”

Dropping the clothes in her hands onto the bed, Tori walked over to the chair he was sitting in, perched in his lap, framed his face with her hands and kissed him soundly. “I love you!”

He chuckled and squeezed her. “I love you too.”

Calmer now, she stood and resumed packing. With her few clothes taken care of, she turned to the many gifts they had been given and sighed. “This is going to take awhile.”

Richie nodded. “I’ll go bring the car around and start loading.”

“Here, start with this.” She handed him the massive basket that had come from BJM filled with diapers, wipes, baby lotion, shampoo, a little brush and comb, diaper rash cream, towels, wash cloths, bath toys, rattles, teething rings, and stuffed animals…everything you needed for a new baby.

While Richie went to get the car, Tori continued packing. When Helen had heard that they might be getting out today, she’d brought up a small suitcase – again in the Winnie-the-Pooh theme. Tori set this on the bed and laid Stevie’s clothes in it. She had to lean on it to get it closed. She made a mental note to get thank you cards. That ought to keep me busy until we can travel.

It took the better part of an hour to load the car and settle things at the hospital. Tori thanked the doctor and the nurses, tucked Stevie into his car seat, and settled into her own with a sigh. Richie closed her door and walked around to slide into the driver’s seat. He turned the key in the ignition and hesitated. “Where to?”

“Your mom’s. After we stop for baby supplies. Carol’s going to pack up my things and wants you to pick them up.”

He nodded. “We can stop on the way.”

She shook her head. “No, I think she wants you to go alone. I think they want to talk to you.” He took a deep breath, but nodded his acceptance.

At the store, Tori had to chuckle. She was pushing the cart, while he carried the baby and threw things into the cart. “Rich, we’re only going to be here another week or so. We can get some of this stuff in L.A. rather can cart it all across the country you know.”

“I know, I’m just getting what we’ll need while we’re here.”

She looked up from the bath chairs to see him set a mobile in the basket. “We have one of those.”

“Yeah at home, not here.”

She gave up and let him get what he wanted. When they reached the clothing section, she found a couple matching t-shirts – I love my big sister and I love my little brother – that she couldn’t resist. She showed them to Richie who nodded as he tossed a pair of little purple running shoes in. “No clothes! He’s got more than he can wear out before he outgrows them now!”

He sighed. “You’re no fun.”

“Just trying to be practical. When we get home we can go shopping and you can pick out some clothes in some bigger sizes.”

When she reached the checkouts she looked around for Richie. Luckily, with his height, it wasn’t to hard to spot him. He was walking with a store staffer who was carrying a box. Richie had something that looked like a basket under his free arm. She raised a brow as they neared. “What’s that?”

“It’s a bassinet that comes with a stand. This part…” He gestured with his arm. “…comes off so it’s portable.” He watched her take a closer look. “He needs a bed to sleep in until we get home.”

“You mean you’re actually going to put him down?” The staffer smiled. Richie pouted. Tori laughed. “Actually, that’s a very good idea. It can go upstairs at night and in the living room during the day.” She looked around. “Are we done?”

“Yeah, I think we’ve got everything.”

At the checkout, Richie set the bassinet on the belt, then stood at the end while Tori unloaded the cart. Glancing up, she snorted to see Richie surrounded by three women – two of whom obviously worked there – cooing over Stevie. She frowned slightly as the third woman shifted closer to Richie.

“Ooh, isn’t he adorable!”

“He looks just like Daddy!”

“How old is he?”

“What’s his name?”

“Stephen, and he’s four – almost five days old.” Richie told them. His chest couldn’t puff out any further if he tried. Tori caught his eye and raised a brow. It took him a minute before he glanced at the woman next to him and shifted away from her. “Here, honey, you take Stevie while I load the car.” Tori traded the cart for the baby.

“He’s beautiful.”

“Thank you.” Tori smiled at the women.

Richie was quiet on the way to his mother’s. Tori kept waiting for him to say something, then decided to speak up herself. “Spit it out Rich. I know what you’re going to say, but I want you to say it. We need to talk about these things.”

He frowned. “Were you really concerned about that woman and me?”

“No, but that’s exactly the types of scenarios that we both need to work on. I need to work on not getting upset and concerned about seeing you close to another woman, and you need to be aware of how body positioning may appear - to me as well as others.” He nodded and sighed. “I told you it wasn’t going to be easy.”

“I know.” He reached over to squeeze her hand. “But you’re definitely worth it.”


By the time they finally arrived at Joan’s, Tori was tired – more so than she’d expected. Ava came running out to meet them. “Where’ve you been? I’ve been waiting for hours!”

Tori laughed. “We had to stop and get some supplies. Do you think you could help carry some bags in for us?”

“Sure.” After kissing Stevie hello, she grabbed a couple bags and headed for the house. “NANA! They’re here!”

“Don’t need a doorbell when she’s here.” Joan commented from the doorway. “Hi. How are you feeling today? Glad to be out of the hospital?”

“I’m a little tired, but absolutely thrilled to be out of the hospital.” Tori assured her as she carried Stevie’s carrier into the livingroom. She inhaled deeply. “What is that heavenly smell?” Her stomach growled in appreciation.

“I’m making chicken parmiagiana for dinner.” Joan responded.

“And hotdogs for lunch, right Nana?” Ave added.

Joan nodded. “Right.”

“And perogies?” Richie was sniffing as he dumped the bags he was carrying. Joan nodded.

Tori’s mouth watered. “How long until lunch?”

“As soon as the car’s unloaded. We can get you all situated after.” Joan herded them all back to the car.

After lunch, Richie headed for the Bongiovi’s to pick up Tori’s things, while she fed Stevie and started organizing all the items they’d bought and had been given. Pulling into the driveway, Richie sat for a minute, then took a deep breath and braced himself for what was waiting for him. He thought he was going to get off easy when he saw her suitcases by the door. No such luck.

“Richie, come on in and sit for a minute. We’d like to talk to you.” Carol waved him towards the living room.

When he followed her in, he saw John Sr. waiting for them. “Hi Rich. Have a seat.”

Feeling like a teenager about to be scolded by his girlfriend’s parents for bringing her home late, he sat in a chair and waited to see what was going to come flying at him.

Carol started. “First of all, I want to say that we’re happy that you both are going to give your marriage another try.”

“Provided that you make her happy and there’s no repeat performance of your earlier behaviour.” John qualified. Richie nodded.

Carol glared at John, then turned back to Richie. “I know that you regret what happened and that you want to make this work. I’ve already talked to Tori about what has to happen for you to be successful, but I wanted to talk to you about what you need to do and give you some idea of what’s going on in her mind. The biggest obstacle to repairing a marriage is trust, and it’s not easy to earn back. You’re going to have to be very careful, especially at first, of how you look at other women, how close they get to you – whether they’re friends or not.”

He nodded. “We’ve already had a discussion about that.” He described what happened at the store.

Carol nodded. “Exactly what I’m talking about. I’m glad that she recognizes her role in dealing with that part. Next, when you leave the house you need to tell her where you’re going, when you expect to be home, what you’re doing and who you’re going to be with. When you get home you need to tell her everything, no matter how minor, that happened and if anyone showed up that you hadn’t mentioned to her before you left.”

“In short, you now need to account for every minute of your day to her. I know this is going to drive you crazy, but believe me, it’s the only way.” John advised him. “And if things go well, it will ease over time.”

“She’s going to feel vulnerable when you’re away from her, wondering what you’re doing and what you’re thinking, so anything you can think of to let her know you’re thinking of her even when you’re not together – even if it’s only for an hour – will help. I’ve talked to her about what she needs to do, but reassurance from you will go a long way towards bolstering her confidence in you and your marriage. As I told Tori, communication is the key. I know it’s hard for men, but if you need to talk to her about everything. Every…little…thing. You need to forge a new bond with her. Do you think you can do all this?”

Richie nodded. “If that’s what it takes, yes. I’ll do whatever I have to earn back her trust and make her happy again.”

“Good.” John stood up. “Come on, I’ll help you carry her bags out to the car.”

“Oh, and Richie..” Carol waited until he stopped and turned back to her. “Hold off on the physical side of things for awhile. Let her tell you when she’s ready.”

He could feel his face heating, but he nodded his understanding. John clapped him on the back and led the way to the door.

Outside, Tori’s bags loaded into the car, John had one parting comment. “The first six months to a year is the toughest. You have to have a lot of patience. If you have any questions or need any advice, give me a call.”

“Thanks John, I appreciate that.” Richie climbed behind the wheel, waved and headed back to his mother’s.