Chapter 263

Back at Joan’s Richie walked into the house to find his mother and Ava in the living room watching T.V. and looking over Stevie’s clothes. He was sleeping in the bassinet near his grandmother. “Where’s Tori?”

“She went upstairs to get things organized and she hasn’t come back. I think she may have fallen asleep.”

“She’s probably pretty wiped out after all our running around today.” Taking her suitcases upstairs he found Tori in his – their – room, lying crosswise on the bed, a baby afghan over her shoulders, a blue teddy bear clutched under her chin. Smiling, he quietly set her bags down, went and got a full sized blanket and settled it over her. With a gentle kiss to her temple, he left her and returned downstairs.

“Is she sleeping?” Ava asked.

“Yep.”

“Hope she wakes up for supper. Nana made it special.”

“Oh I’m sure she’ll be awake by then. Stevie will want to eat again in another hour or so.” Joan eyed her son. “How were the Bongiovi’s?”

Richie sat down on the couch beside her, leaned over to check on Stevie, then leaned back and sighed. “They’re fine. Gave me some pointers and some good advice and told me to call if I had any questions or needed anything.”

Joan patted his hand. “See, with all this support you’ll do just fine. You’ve never been afraid of a little hard work. Not when the goal was worth it.” He smiled and nodded.

After supper, they all sat down for a couple games of cards, then Tori helped Ava with some homework that her teachers had sent with her that she was having trouble with. She tucked Ava into bed, then settled on the couch beside Richie to watch T.V., Joan taking the armchair beside them. Within an hour, her head drooped to lean on his shoulder and her eyes drifted shut.

“Poor thing’s exhausted.” Joan noted. “She needs to learn to sleep when he does as much as she can until he sleeps through the night.”

“We’ll figure it out. I’m going to take her upstairs. I’ll come back and get Stevie in a minute.” He stood and scooped his wife into his arms. She frowned and murmured in protest. “Sssh angel. I’m just taking you to bed.”

Settling her on the bed, he quickly undressed her, hesitated, grimaced and put her nightgown on before pulling the blankets up around her. He went back downstairs and returned with Stevie in his bassinet, which he placed near Tori. With a last look around to make sure everything that would be needed in the night was close at hand, he rounded the bed, stripped off his clothes and slid in beside her. Curling his body around hers, he sighed in contentment, and drifted off for the best sleep he’d had in months, even with Stevie’s regular feedings.


Jon and Dorothea decided to hold a get together before Tori’s parents headed back to Canada. Tori had finished bathing Stevie, and was trying to decide what to put on him when Ava came running into the room. “Can we wear our matching shirts? Pleeeease?”

Tori chuckled. “Okay Bean. Will you hand me those little jeans then please?”

“And the purple shoes Daddy picked out?”

“I’m afraid that they’re a little big for him just yet. He has purple socks though. What’s Daddy doing?”

“Helping Nana pack up the cooler.”

“Do you have your bathing suit and sunscreen packed?”

“Yeah, but I can’t find my sunglasses.”

“I saw them on the table by the back door. Have a look there.”

Ava hugged her. “Thanks!”

“Angel?!” Richie yelled up the stairs.

“Yes?”

“Will you bring down my bathing suit please? It’s in my black bag.”

She rummaged, until she found it, adjusted the shoulder strap of her sundress and sighed. All she had with her were maternity clothes. Not that she could wear regular clothes yet anyway, but her stomach had begun to contract and her clothes were a little big. She’d planned on going shopping, but now it just seemed to be a waste of money with all the clothes she had in L.A.

“Here.” Tori handed Richie his suit when she reached the bottom of the stairs.

“Thanks.” He bent to kiss first her then Stevie. “Where’s yours?”

She snorted. “Even if I had it with me, I wouldn’t wear it.”

“Why not?”

“Because this body is not ready yet to be put on display.”

“Don’t be silly.”

“Thank you, but I wouldn’t be comfortable.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes. Maybe in a few more weeks.”

“Daddy, Tori, let’s goooo!” Ava was bouncing in the doorway.

“We’re coming.” Tori settled Stevie in his carrier, handed it to Richie, picked up the diaper bag, and Richie’s beach bag, and led the way out the door.


“Aunt Tori! MOOOOMMMY! Aunt Tori, Uncle Richie, Grandma Joan, Ava and baby Stevie are here!” Romeo announced from the front door.

“No kidding Romeo. I think the whole neighbourhood heard you.” Jesse chided his brother.

“So?” Romeo retorted.

“Where’s Stevie?” Steph nudged both brothers aside and made her way to the car where Tori was lifting out Stevie’s carrier, and took it from her.

“Here.” Richie handed Jesse the beach bag. “Make yourself useful.”

“Where is everyone?” Tori asked as she watched Steph carry the baby inside. The boys glanced at the baby, but since he couldn't walk or talk yet, he didn't hold much interest for them.

“Out by the pool. I think Mom’s in the kitchen though.” Jesse answered.

“Jesse, Uncle Richie, come on! We’re going to play football!” Jake informed them.

“Can I play?” Ava asked.

“Girls don’t play football.” Jake answered.

Tori’s brow rose. So did Ava’s. Richie laughed. “Don’t let your mother or your sister hear you say that. Come on Bean, let’s show them how it’s done. Sambora style.”


An hour later Tori glanced around the gathering, frowned and stood up. “Anyone know where my son is?”

“Desiree had him.” Matt responded.

“No, Carol took him from me.”

“No, Helen took him from me.” Carol shook her head.

“Dorothea took him inside to change his pants.” Helen offered.

Tori looked at Karin and sighed. “I guess someone will let me know when he’s hungry.”

Karin laughed. “At least they can’t take that job away from you, and if you’re lucky, Dot got the dirty one.”

Richie sank into the chair beside Tori, reached for her Coke with one hand and wiped the sweat off his face with a towel with the other. She smiled. “Half time?”

He swallowed and nodded. “Yeah. Where’s Peanut?”

“Not sure, but the last sighting has him with Dorothea for a diaper change.”

“So when are you guys heading back to L.A.?” Bill asked.

“We’ll leave in another week or so, and take about a week to get there.” Richie replied.

“You sure you want to drive back? We can ship your car out and you can fly.” Jon offered.

Tori shook her head. “We appreciate the offer, but I don’t want to take a newborn on a plane.” She looked at Richie, who took her hand and squeezed. “Besides, we could use the time alone without any distractions.”

The adults nodded in understanding. Ava frowned as she joined the group, her shorts grass stained having shown Jake that girls can indeed play football. “How come I can’t stay here and go back with you?”

“Because you have school.” Her father reminded her. “You’ve already missed a week.”

“You can come spend the weekend with us a soon as we get home.” Tori promised.

Richie ran into Dorothea on his way back from the bathroom. “Rich? Can I talk to you for a minute?”

“Sure Dot. What’s up?”

“I know you’ve been bombarded with well meaning advice, but can you take a little more?”

He sighed. “Would it matter if I said no?” The twinkle in his dark eyes took any sting from his words.

“No, I just thought I’d be polite first and ask. All I wanted to say was make sure you remember to pay appropriate attention to your wife and not just your son.”

He frowned. “What do you mean?”

“We all know how happy you are about the baby, and it’s great that you’re helping with him so much, but do you remember one of her concerns? That you only wanted her to get a baby?”

“Shit!” He raked his hand through his hair.

Dorothea nodded. “Yeah, it’s going to be a fine line. I just wanted you to be aware and think about it.”

“Thanks.”

He’d no sooner stepped out the door when first Helen, then Carol stopped him with suggestions and advice on where to stop on their way back to L.A. He listened and nodded and promised to take their comments into consideration.

When he passed them Jon and David chuckled. “Did you listen like a good boy Chuck?” David couldn’t resist.

“Ha ha.” Richie muttered. “You try having two mothers-in-law Shirley, then you can talk.” Settling back into the chair, leaned over and nuzzled Tori’s ear. “I love you.”

She smiled and stroked his cheek. “I love you too.”