Chapter 35

“Taffy! We home!” Stevie called as he ran through the door into the foyer.

A loud ‘yip’ and the scratching of nails on the floor were his answer. A few seconds later, Taffy came bounding in and rushed to greet Stevie with sniffs and licks.

Tori set her purse and keys on the table smiling at Stevie’s giggles as he tried to pet the puppy and calm her down.

Tearing away from Stevie, Taffy ran up to Tori, stopped and wagged her tail, dancing in place. Tori leaned down to pet her. “Hi Taffy. Happy to see us? Have you been a good girl?”

With a little ‘wuf’, Taffy ran back to Stevie. Then back to Tori. Then back to Stevie again. And around and around again, faster and faster.

“Uh oh! Mama!”

Tori glanced at the puddle Stevie was pointing at. “Better tell Daddy.”

“Better tell Daddy what?” Richie stepped through the door, Lauren – and Elmo – in his arms.

“Taffy peed on the floor.” Stevie informed him.

“She got over excited to see us.” Tori explained.

Richie sighed, set Lauren on her feet, gave Taffy a pat and went in search of cleaning supplies. Before he got out of the foyer, his daughter’s outraged scream had him spinning around and he almost tripped over the puppy as she ran by him, Elmo in her mouth.

Lauren pulled herself up from where Taffy had knocked her down and started after the dog and her toy.                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

“Do you get the feeling she really doesn’t like that muppet?”

Tori chuckled. “Can’t say that I blame her.”

They’d barely gotten settled when the door was opened and slammed shut. They looked up from their seats in the living room to see Ava storm in.

“Boys are so.....stupid!” Spinning on her heel, she stalked down the hallway towards the studio.

“I not toopid!” Stevie argued. “Am I Mama?”

“No Peanut. You’re not stupid. Bean wasn’t talking about you. I think she was talking about a boy at her school.” Tori looked at Richie who raised his hands in a defensive gesture.

“Don’t look at me, this is your area. Just let me know if I have to have a man to man talk with anyone.”

Struggling to her feet, Tori followed her stepdaughter. She entered the studio to find Ava sitting at the piano, blonde head bent dejectedly, fingers idly pressing keys. “Do you want to talk about it?”

Ava sighed. “I wish I understood guys.”

“Usually they’re not that difficult to figure out. We just make it that way because they don’t think ore react like us.” Tori sat down on the bench beside the teenager, who moved over to give her room. “What’s the problem?”

“Most guys who act like they like me are either walking hormones who want to meet Mom, or wanna be rockstars who want to meet Dad.” She grimaced. “I thought Tyler was different.”

“What makes you think he isn’t?” Tori had heard a bit about Tyler, enough to know Ava had a bit of a crush on him, but she hadn’t met him yet.

“Because he can’t remember any important dates and always does stuff that he knows is going to pi...er..tick me off.”

“Honey that just means he’s a male. They all do that. Just like we do stuff that drives them nuts too.”

“But why do they do that?”

Tori debated her answer. “Guys don’t look at things the same way we do. They don’t necessarily have the same priorities as we do or think the same things are important. They don’t remember dates...unless they’re history teachers.”

“But Dad remembers dates.”

“He’s old enough to know that remembering dates is important to us, so he makes the effort. And he has a calendar on his phone to remind him.”

Down the hall in the living room Richie stared towards the studio wondering what had upset Ava. The thought of some hormonal punk hurting his sweet, beautiful daughter had all of his parental outrage on high alert.

“Ow!” Stevie hollered.

“Sweetpea don’t sit on your brother’s head. You’ll hurt him, and it’s not nice.” Richie shook his head. He wouldn’t have to worry about his youngest daughter. If any boy upset her she’d probably deck him. Unable to resist, he stood and snuck down the hallway to hover outside the studio door and listen.

“Honey, you can’t expect to find Mr. Perfect. There isn’t one. Everyone has faults. You need to find someone whose life goals and core values match yours and whose faults you can live with. And hope that he can live with yours.”

“What goals and values of Dad’s made you choose him?”

“Your Dad is all about family. He will do anything within his power to make sure that his family is safe and happy.”

Ava nodded, then frowned. “We can all see how much he loves you, but he still does things that he knows you don’t like.” Just then, Taffy wandered into the room to sit at Tori’s feet and provided a perfect example. “Like the puppy. You told him you didn’t want one, but he bought her anyway.” She shook her head. “I don’t get it.”

Tori smiled and scratched Taffy behind the ears. “Your Dad has a very big, and very soft heart. Peanut asked for a dog, and he felt sorry for her all alone while her siblings played together.”

“But he knew you’d be mad.”

“Yes, but he also knew that it wasn’t something that would damage our relationship. Sure I’d yell at him and make him do penance, but what we’ve built is too good and too strong to throw away over something like a badly timed pet. It’s not a deal breaker for me and he knows that.”  

“You sound like Dr. Phil.”

Tori chuckled. “Yeah, well, I don’t agree with everything he says, but he’s got a point with that one.”

“So what are your deal breakers?”

“Cheating, abuse,” she hesitated. “And letting alcohol take control again.”

Ava was quiet for a few moments while she thought about everything she’d just heard. “Okay, but....how can you just ignore it when he does stuff that makes you mad?”

“I don’t ignore it. I let him know how I feel. But then I forgive him and move on. And he does the same when I do stuff he doesn’t like. Usually we find a compromise.”

“What’s the compromise with Taffy?”

“We keep her, and he looks after her.”

Ava’s smile quickly faded. “But I still don’t see how you can just forgive so easily.”

“If you want any relationship to work you have to learn not to hold grudges and let the small stuff go.” Seeing Ava’s sceptical disbelief, Tori smiled and shrugged. “That’s love. That’s life.”

In the hallway, Richie had been listening, amazed as always, at his wife’s intuition and ability to explain relationships to his eldest daughter. God knew her mother wasn’t the best role model for that. The fact that Tori knew him so well, he’d long ago come to accept. Hell, he didn’t understand half of what she’d said himself. He never thought about it that much. He just did what he thought was right and tried to make her happy.

But at her last  words, he stiffened, his creative instincts on full alert. Chord progressions and various possible lines of lyrics swirling through his head, he turned around and stepped into the office in search of pen and paper.

Tori put her arm around Ava’s shoulders and hugged her. “Don’t worry, you’ll figure it out.”

“Why does life have to be so complicated?” Ava sighed.

“That’s what makes it interesting. Keeps us on our toes. Otherwise we’d be bored to death.”

“I thought Uncle Shirley was put here to keep us from getting bored.”

“Well, that’s one explanation for him.”

After dinner, Tori, at the request of her husband and son, was in the kitchen making cookies. She was standing at the counter, stirring chocolate chips into the batter when two strong arms slid around her.

“Have I told you lately what a wonderful woman you are and how much I love you?”

She twisted her head to see his face. “What have you bought now? A drum kit or a playmate for Taffy?”

That got her a low chuckle and a squeeze. “Neither. I haven’t bought anything. I was eavesdropping on your conversation with Ava earlier. Pretty smart there Mrs. Sambora.”

“Yeah, well what I didn’t tell her was that it’s easy to know what you should say and do, but when you’re pissed off, all that tends to fly out the window.”

“Yeah, but the make up sex is fantastic!”

Tori swatted his arm, but a soft smile curved her lips.

“But what I was getting at was that you’re really good with her, explaining all this stuff. I’m glad she’s got you to talk to.” He squeezed her again.  “Thank you.”

“Of course. I’ll always be here for her and try to help her if I can.”

“I  know, and that’s just one of the many reasons why you’re wonderful and I love you so much.” Tilting her head, he kissed her. “That and your cookies. Are they going to be ready soon?”

“Ten minutes. You can pour the milk.”

Chapter 34

Richie added another log to the fire, watched the flames lick around it and bite deep, then stood and moved to sit in the large recliner a few feet away. Movement out of the corner of his eye caught his attention and he turned his head to watch his wife walk towards him. She looked tired, but happy after their long day. When he saw that she was in her nightshirt, he was glad he’d lit the fire. Her growing stomach raised the hem higher on her thighs than usual and it was a cool night. 
 

Tori shivered and rushed to curl up with her favourite source of warmth – her husband. When she settled onto his lap, his arms wrapped around her to hold her close. She laid her head on his shoulder and gazed into the flames with a sigh.

“Kids asleep?”

“Mmmhmmm.”

“You okay?”

“Mmmhmmm. Just tired.” Her hand lifted to slide inside his shirt and toy with a patch of chest hair.

“It was a hell of a day wasn’t it?” His large hand rubbed her thigh. “I’m a little surprised that David didn’t come up with a more....unique name.”

Tori shook her head. “You heard Karin. She told me that these kids have enough to deal with having famous parents, there was no way she was going to let her child be saddled with a name that could in anyway make him the butt of a joke.”

Richie frowned and was silent for a moment. “He doesn’t mean it that way.”

“I know that, and you know that. Now did you want to try to explain it to a hormonal woman in full protective mama mode?”

“Ahh....no.” His hand moved to stroke her stomach. “Have you decided on any favourite names for this one?”

“Well, if it’s a boy, I’d like William John for middle names. I haven’t picked a favourite first name yet.”

He nodded. “That’s sounds fair. Peanut’s named after my father, it’s only right that this one be named after yours – both of them. What if it’s a girl?”

“There’s too many mothers to name her after them.” She shrugged. “I like Serena or Rebecca.”

“I like Serena.”

They sat in comfortable silence, watching the dancing flames. Tori opened his shirt further so that she could reach all of his chest. Richie let his cheek rest on the top of her head and drank in her scent as her fingers stroked him. These days she often wanted closeness and cuddling rather than lovemaking, so he tried to ignore the effect that teasing touch had on his body until he saw which way the wind was blowing tonight.

Tori’s mind wandered over the events of the day and the impending birth of her own child. While her mind roamed, so did her fingers. Up and down his torso from collarbone to waist, palms smoothing over his pecs, nails scraping lightly over his ribs. She wasn’t even really aware of what she was doing.

But Richie was and his body was reacting predictably despite his best efforts to control it. All he could do was hope that she wasn’t going to tease him and leave him high and dry.

While most of her mind was filled with thoughts of babies and family, a small part of it was aware of his condition. Her hand dipped lower to deftly open his pants and release him. Gentle fingers stroked up and down his length, lightly, almost absently.

Richie bit back a groan but couldn’t hold back the shiver that ran up his spine . He didn’t know which was getting to him more....her teasing touches or the fact that she didn’t even seem to be aware of what she was doing.  Even distracted she knew how to drive him crazy. But when her thumb swept over the sensitive tip, he couldn’t take anymore. “Angel, if you don’t stop teasing, I won’t be responsible for what happens.”

The gravelly, almost hoarse voice, and its note of near desperation, more that the actual words brought her attention back to her surroundings. Releasing him, she slid off his lap and rose to her feet.

Richie closed his eyes, his senses howling in disappointment. That quickly changed to anticipation when it became clear she was merely changing position. Some of what he felt must have shown in his face.

Tori climbed back onto his lap, this time facing him, straddling his thighs. “What? Did you think I could resist this?” She waved towards his manly display. Leaning forward, she brushed her lips against his. “I haven’t been able to resist since that moment in the hospital when I opened my eyes and saw you sitting in the chair beside my bed.”

“Well, don’t start now angel.”

Her husky chuckle assured him there was no chance of that happening. His body hardened even more.  Setting his hands on her knees, he slid them slowly up her thighs and over her hips, pushing her nightshirt out of way as he went. He paused to stroke her stomach soothingly before moving on to cup her breasts.

“Mmmmm.” She sighed into his mouth as her tongue explored. His taste was intoxicating, his touch drugging. But this was just a tease. And like any addict, she wanted more. Breaking the kiss, she sat back and pulled off her nightshirt. Her hands slid into his hair by his temples and tugged. “Kiss me.”

Richie understood that she didn’t mean her mouth. So she wants to be in charge tonight. I can go along with that....for now. Obeying her urging, he bent his head to nuzzle her soft breast. At the touch of his lips, her nipple hardened. Locking his gaze on her face, he swirled his tongue around the taut tip, then sucked it into his mouth. He alternated between toying with it with his teeth and rolling it around with his tongue and watched the expressions drift across her face.

“Mmmmm.” Tori looked down at him and held him closer. “Suck it.”

Brown eyes twinkled up at her as he obliged. Large hands gripped the top of her ribcage so that she couldn’t escape as he devoured her. Lips, tongue, teeth were all brought into to play. Back and forth he moved between her breasts, pleasuring her.

“Oh! Mmmm.” Shudders racked her body as sensation bombarded her. But as good as it felt, she wanted more. She wanted him. When he lifted his head to switch sides, she tugged on his hair until his face lifted to hers. Bending her head, she captured his lips did some licking, nibbling and sucking of her own. While her mouth ate at his, her hands released his hair to smooth down his strong neck and wander over his chest and stomach. When she brushed against his erection, her hand automatically closed around it. As she pumped him, her hips shifted restlessly.

Richie sat back and let her play. Even after all their time together, although she had no problem telling him what she wanted, she didn’t often take control like this. It was......hot. He swelled even more and twitched in her grip.

Finally, she couldn’t take any more. Breaking the kiss, Tori rose up on her knees and guided his swollen tip to where she ached to feel him. She started to sink down, but her stomach made it a little difficult to get as close as she wanted.

“Hang on angel.” Gripping the arms of the chair he pushed until the back of the chair started to recline. “Better?”

“A little more.” A moaning sigh came from her throat when she finally had all of him.

“Like that do you?”  He grinned despite the blood pounding in his head.

“Mmmm.” She squeezed her internal muscles and watched his face contort with pleasure. “Like that do you?”

Richie had to swallow heavily before he could speak. “Not sure. Do it again.”

Her throaty chuckle almost pushed him over the edge, but he managed to hold on.  Then she started to move and he was forced to think about icebergs and blizzards and New Jersey winters. When that didn’t work he started counting backwards from a thousand....by threes. But the sight of her riding him was still almost too much for his control.   Her flushed face and chest, breasts swaying slightly with her gyrations, sapphire eyes dark and sparkling as she looked down at him....was one of the most beautiful views he could ever hope to see.

Tori rocked against him, swivelling her hips, trying to find the position and motion that created the most intense sensation. Finding it, she worked it for all she was worth. “Mmmm....yes. God I love how you fill me!”

Richie brought his hands up to her hips to keep her from sliding off,  his teeth clenched as he prayed she broke soon or this was going to be a short night.

As her passion rose, her eyes closed and her head dropped back. The speed of her motions increased. “Yes...mmmmm. Oh! Oh God!”

Feeling her body squeeze him and shudder, he knew she’d reached her first peak. He didn’t give her a chance to recover. Large hands reached to massage and knead her full breasts, nimble fingers tugging and pinching the hard nipples.

“Oh! Tori leaned back a little, her back arching, offering her sensitive breasts for his ministrations.

While he played, Richie shifted his hips, encouraging her to keep moving.

“Mmmm... God that feels good!” Gripping the arms of the chair, she leaned back a little further, making sure she didn’t go so far that Richie couldn’t reach her. “Harder baby.”

Not sure what she wanted, he thrust harder, squeezed harder and tugged harder. Apparently, that was what she was after. It only took a few minutes before she peaked again, squeezing him so tight he thought he was going to go with her. But he managed to hold on.

“Oooh shit! Mmmm....yes!” As her spasms subsided, Tori realized he was still hard and raised a brow at him.

Richie grinned. It was time to take back control. “My turn, my way. Hang on tight.”

That was the only warning she got before he started to stand up. Wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs – as best she could – around his waist, Tori trusted him to keep her safe as he carried her into the bedroom.

At the edge of the bed, Richie stopped and lowered her to the mattress. “Keep your legs around my waist. This is going to be fast and hard.”

“Mmmm. Promise?” Tori purred as she let go of his neck and settled onto the bed.

Richie stripped off his shirt, kicked off his pants and leaned over her, bracing himself on his arms and kissed her briefly. “Promise. Ready?”

He didn’t wait for her nod before he started moving, thrusting deep, setting a hard, driving rhythm.

“Oh God! Yes! Like that! Just like that!”

It was Richie’s turn to close his eyes and focus on the sensations created by their joining bodies. “God baby, you feel so damn good!”

For long minutes the silence of the room was broken by sawing breaths, soft moans and the slap of flesh on flesh. But soon it was too much and they couldn’t hold back any longer.

“Yes, yes, yes, RICHIE!”

Feeling her go over again, Richie let his head fall back onto his shoulders, and with a flurry of thrusts joined her in paradise.

He sucked in a deep breath, withdrew from her body and climbed into the bed properly, helping his still panting wife do the same.  “You know, I never asked you where you got the itching powder.”

“Jesse.”

“One of these days your partner in crime is going to get caught and find himself in big trouble.”

“Naw. He chooses his victims very carefully. No innocent ones.”

Chuckling, he curled around her, one hand on their growing child, he kissed her neck. “Night angel. Love you.”

“Love you too.” Tori yawned. “Night.”

Chapter 33

The phone on the table beside their bed woke Tori at four am. Her hand patted the smooth wooden surface until she found the source of the offending noise. “Hello?”

“Tori, Karin’s in labour.”

The fact that he used her name told Tori how uptight David was. She was instantly wide awake. “How far along?”

“The contractions are twelve minutes apart...and her water just broke. We’re on our way to the hospital. Can you meet us there? I know it’s late or early or whatever.” He was babbling in his nervousness.

“Take a deep breath Dave. Everything’s going to be fine. It’s going to be awhile yet.” Out of the corner of her eye she could see Richie climbing out of bed and pulling on clothes. “Why are you so uptight? You’ve been through this before.”

“I know, but there’s a higher risk because of Karin’s age and she seems to be in a lot of pain.” He paused to swallow. “She’s really scared Tori and I don’t know how to help her.”

“Just hold her and comfort her as best you can. She needs to feel you close. That’s she’s not going through this alone. We’re on our way.”

Hanging up the phone, Tori rose and quickly dressed.

“Dot must have had a feeling when she insisted we leave the kids at the main house last night when they fell asleep watching the movie.” Richie commented.

“That was part of the payback for Jon. I hope Lauren kept him up all night.” Tori was still pissed at him. “I guess we should let them know where we’ve gone.”

“I’ll send a text to Jon’s phone. He’ll get it when he wakes up.” Picking up his phone, Richie thought for a moment, then started typing, a smirk curving his full lips. Gone to hosp. Munchkin coming. You’re babysitting.

At the hospital they hurried to Karin’s room. The nurse that directed them gave Tori –or more accurately, her stomach - an assessing look. “It’s okay, I’m not due for another six weeks or so.”

“Mmmhmm.” Was the nurse’s non committal reply.

In the room, Tori immediately moved to Karin’s side while Richie said hello, then went to get comfortable in the waiting room with the twins and Lily. He was there to support his wife....and David if he needed it.

“Okay Karin where are we at?” Tori pulled up a chair and got comfortable.

Karin glanced at David.

“Anywhere from ten to twelve minutes apart.” He answered.

Tori studied Karin’s face. “Stop fighting it. It’ll only make it hurt worse.”

“I’m not.”

“You are.”

Karin snorted between clenched teeth. She had to wait for the contraction to ease before she could speak. “Do you remember when Lauren was born Mrs. Do As I Say Not As I Do?”

“Yes. Pant through the contractions. But I was fighting it to wait for my husband to arrive. Your husband is already right beside you. And do you remember how much faster and easier it was when I stopped fighting?” She paused. “Now, do you want some ice chips or go for a walk or something?” She glanced at David. “Do you want to take a break and get a cup of coffee or something? I’ll stay with Karin. Richie can go with you.”

David cast a glance at his wife. “Naw, I’m good.”

A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door and Richie entered, a tray in his hands. “Breakfast is served.” He handed David a cup of coffee. “For you Court Jester.” A cup of ice chips went to Karin. “For you and the munchkin milady.” Turning to Tori he passed over juice and a breakfast sandwich. “For milady and the seedling.” He dropped the nasal accent. “You need to eat angel.”

“How come she gets a sandwich and I don’t?” David pouted.

"Do you really want anything to eat?” Richie had been in David’s shoes more recently than David had before this and doubted his stomach would handle food well.

David thought about it for a moment, then shook his head. “No.” His eyes widened. “The kids...”

“I fed them. They’re fine. Anxiously awaiting their new sibling.”

Tori reached up to cup her husband’s cheek. “Thank you honey.”

The shininess in the blue eyes concerned him for a moment, but closer scrutiny assured him they were happy tears. He pressed his lips to hers briefly. “You’re welcome angel.”

For the next several hours David and Tori coached, encouraged, and badgered Karin through the childbirth process. Every five minutes, David thanked God for Tori. If he’d had to do this on his own, it would take the curl out of his hair. He’d never realized how stubborn his wife could be.

“Push!”

“I can’t. I’m too tired.”

“Yes you can.”

“No.”

“YES!” Even the nurse and the doctor joined in that one.

In the waiting room Richie dozed, half listening to the conversation of Colton and Gabi across the room. Lily was sleeping in the chair beside him. The buzz of his phone jerked him awake. It was a text from Jon.

How come I always end up with your kids?

Richie snickered. ‘Cause your wife loves me.

Naw she just feels sorry that those kids have the devil for a father.

Richie snorted. Well your sister loves her horny devil.

Ew! Her bad taste must come from her mother’s side. Tell Shirley we’re on our way.

Okay, see you in a bit.

Finally, Tori appeared in the doorway and was immediately surrounded by the Bryan offspring as well as David’s mother and sister who had arrived about an hour before.

“Is the baby here?”

“What is it?”

“Is Karin okay?”

“Did Dad pass out?”

Tori held up her hands. “It’s a boy and everyone is fine.”

“Can we go see them?”

Tori waved them down the hallway and went into her husband’s arms. Richie rubbed her back. “You okay?”

She nodded her head and breathed in his scent. “Yeah, just tired.” She tipped her head back to look at him. “He’s beautiful.”

“Do they have a name for him yet?”

“They were arguing about that when I left to get the kids.”

Richie bent to kiss her. “Come on angel, show me the newest munchkin.”

When they walked into the room, they found the name argument still going.

“We are not calling this baby Morty!” Karin shot down David’s suggestion.

“Saul?”

“No.”

“Vincent?”

Richie couldn’t resist. He leaned down to stroke the baby’s cheek where he lay in his grandmother’s arms. “Yo, Vinnie.”

Karin pinged one of her husband’s curls. “Honey, you may be from Jersey, but you’re not Italian.” She pointed at Richie and Tori. “They could get away with that, you can’t.”

“Luke.”

“And have you – or him” she pointed at Richie again, “do the Darth Vader voice every time you get near him? No way.”

David sighed in defeat. “What do you suggest then?”

Karin considered for a moment. “Joshua Edward Bryan.” She glanced at Flo, who nodded, her eyes filling with tears of joy...and a little sadness.

How could he argue when she wanted to name the baby after his father? David smiled and kissed his wife. “Yeah. Okay. That’s a good name.”

“At least one of us gets a normal name.” Gabrielle rolled her eyes.

“Charlie must have named him then.” Jon commented from the doorway. “Shirley doesn’t do anything normal.”

David lifted his hand to flip him off, but caught the look from his mother and just waved instead. “’Bout time you got here. Where’ve you been?”

“Dealing with the Devil’s spawn and an annoying muppet.”

Tori’s eyes narrowed, but before she could react, Dorothea swatted her husband. “Thanks Dot.”

“What he means is that he wouldn’t leave until he’d finished feeding Lauren her breakfast.” Dorothea explained. “Now, where is the newest member of the clan?”

Chapter 32

“Where did everyone go?” Karin asked as she joined Tori on the bench after her umpteenth trip to the washroom. She was so tired of feeling like a beached whale and waddling instead of walking!

“Lauren was getting fussy, so Gabi and Steph took her for a walk. Dot and Lily went to scope out a restaurant. The rest are in the Build-a-Bear for boys.” Tori gestured to the Ridemakerz store behind them.

And Jon was staying away from his sister – at least without lots of witnesses, the younger the better. The look she gave him when they arrived warned him she wasn’t thrilled with him and he didn’t want to hear it. 

“Great. We won’t see them again until Christmas!”

Ridemakerz was a place to create your own model car. It was the perfect place for car enthusiasts to get lost for hours. Needless to say for the males in their families it was heaven on earth.

“Remind me to thank Obie for telling Jon about this place.” Tori’s voice dripped sarcasm. “Whoa! Take it easy Hazelnut.” Her hand automatically rubbed where a tiny foot had kicked hard.

“Hazelnut?”

Tori shrugged. “Nothing’s really stuck yet. We just keep trying different names.”

“Ah. David’s calling this one Morty.” Karin stroked her own swollen stomach.

“Why?”

“Who knows? I was afraid to ask.”

They sat in silent contemplation of their offspring and waited for their mates.

They were still waiting when the other girls returned.

“Are they still in there?” Dot didn’t know why she was surprised. “Steph, go get them please.”

Inside, Stephanie tracked down her father and the others. “Are you guys just about done? We’re hungry.”

“Yeah, we’re almost done. Just waiting for Jake to pick a colour.” Jon assured her.

“What’s going on?” David joined them.

“Feeding time for the mama bears.” Colton replied.

“Here’s a tip son.” David clapped a hand to Colton’s shoulder. “If you want to see Thanksgiving, you’ll want to be a little careful of what you say around your stepmother about her mood swings.”

“Naw, she doesn’t scare me, she loves me.”

“Hormones trump love.”

“What about Aunt Tori?” Steph asked with a smirk.

 The men – of all ages – shuddered.

“Yeah, okay, she scares me.” Colton admitted.

“Me too.” Richie agreed. “Come on Peanut, let’s check out, Mommy’s hungry.”

“Her always hungy.”

“Don’t tell her that either.” His father advised.

“Mama, mama, look what me got!” Stevie ran up to his mother waving his tricked out Lightning McQueen.

“That’s really cool!” Tori smiled.

“Better keep it away from Taffy, or she’ll chew it.” Jon warned his nephew. “How is the newest addition to the Sambora household Tori?”

“Ask Richie. She’s his responsibility.”

Richie grimaced at his brother-in-law who obviously found the situation hilarious. “She’s fine. Rosa’s grandson is looking after her.”

“I got Mater.” Romeo brought the conversation back to the matter at hand – or rather in his hand - and held the tow truck up for inspection.

“I got a Chevelle, just like Daddy’s.” Jake informed them. “’Sept mine’s got skulls on the tires!”

“Wish they made them life size.” Jon pouted.

“Jess, what did you get?” Dot asked her eldest son.

“A viper. It’s the closest I can get to one since Dad ditched his.” Jesse gave his father a baleful look.

“Your mother told me it was either you or the car. You’re lucky you won the coin toss.” Jon retorted.

“Colton, what about you?” Karin asked.

“RZ-X.” He lifted the black sports car and tilted it to show off the red and yellow racing stripes.

“Nice.”

Tori tilted her head back to look at her husband. “And what did the big boys get?”

“Dodge Challenger.” Jon smirked. “And it’s remote control.”

“Ford Super Chief.” David displayed the tricked out truck proudly.

“Richie?”

“Scion SB.”

“Always gotta have the tank, don’t you.” Tori sighed and shook her head.

“Go big or go home baby.”

“Right now, I just want to go eat.”

“Lily and I found a place that looks good just down the block.” Dot offered.

“Okay. Let’s go.” Richie and David moved to stand in front of their wives to lend a hand to help them stand up.

“Wait a minute, let me call for the crane.” Jesse urged.

“Beep, beep, beep.” Colton made the sound of a large truck backing up. “Uh oh! We forgot the wide load signs.”

On their feet and stable, Tori and Karin stepped up to the snickering teenagers.

“Ow! Ow! Ow!”

“I’m sorry!”

Under the painful pressure being exerted on their ears, both boys bent over.

“I didn’t mean it!  You look great!”

“You do! Honest! You’re both...glowing!”

“And beautiful!”

Exchanging a look, Tori and Karin nodded and let go. “That’s better. Now let’s go eat.”

Standing backstage at the fundraiser waiting to go on, Tori gave her brother a baleful glare. “Seriously Jon, one of these days you and I are going to have a serious problem.”

“Why?”

She got right in his face and glared at him. “Because you continually booking gigs, expecting me to be there...without discussing it with me first...when I’m as big as a house....is PISSING ME OFF!”

“But it’s a fundraiser...for the Kidney Foundation.” Jon argued.

The smirk he couldn’t hide almost made her control snap. She fought the urge to take a swing at him. She had to settle for a growl. “That’s the only reason I’m here! But stop using the family to manipulate me!”

“Yes dear.”

The snide tone did her in. “That does it!” She lunged for him, but Richie caught her at the last minute.

“Ignore him.” Richie advised, nudging her onto the stage. “Focus on the cause.”

Blowing out a breath, Tori nodded and stepped out.

Jon was in as good a mood as Tori was in a bad one. While she tried to hide her mood, Jon took delight in pointing it out.

“My sister’s a little...annoyed at me tonight for blackmailing her into performing when she’s, as she put it ‘as big as a house’.” He glanced down at the crowd. “And judging by the look I’m getting from my wife, she’s a little annoyed at me too.”

While the crowd laughed, Tori shook her head. “I can assure you that this organization and the work it does is one of the very few that could get me up here at this point.”

“You look fine.” Jon assured her.

“I look like a beached whale!”

“You look beautiful.” Richie argued.

“You’re biased.”

“But I’m also honest.”

The crowd chuckled at their bickering.

“What do you think Pistachio?” Jon bent and put his ear against Tori’s stomach.

The baby kicked him.

“Ow!” Jon stumbled away dramatically, holding the side of his head.

“Ain’t that a kick in the head.” Richie sang in his best Dean Martin voice.

“Must be a boy.” David commented. “Girls don’t abuse him like that.”

“Unless they’re related to him.” Tico noted.

The crowd howled.  

“Guess he or she doesn’t like that name.” Tori couldn’t help but laugh.

Jon eyed her stomach speculatively, then approached her again. This time he set his microphone against her. The rhythmic ‘thump thump’ was loud enough that even the crowd could hear it. Jon’s head bobbed in time. “Hey Teek, I think we might have a drummer here!”

“We were bound to get another smart one like Hector in the bunch sooner or later.” Tico responded with a grin.

Tori pushed Jon away. “You’re all nuts. Can we get on with the show please?”

Ten minutes later, Jon frowned and pulled at his pants, scratching discreetly. But it didn’t help. The itching only got worse and spread up and down both legs, and up to his waist – and everywhere in between.

“Problem Johnny?” Tori asked – into the microphone so everyone would be sure to hear her.

He spun to stare at her, blue eyes icy. “What did you do?”

“Little itchy?” Identical blue eyes twinkled as she smirked at him.

The crowd – and the rest of the band – roared when they realized that Jon’s discomfort may have had some help getting started.

Jon groaned, but wisely kept quiet. It could have been a lot worse than itching powder, but it was going to be a long night.

She slammed the laptop closed. So that’s where he is! It had taken some time, but she’d finally gotten the right job, now it was time to put the finishing touches on her plan. Time was passing quickly and she had to be ready to act when the time came. Come home to me soon baby.

Chapter 31

A week later, Richie came out of the pet store after replenishing their supplies – he couldn’t believe how much a puppy could eat! – to find another flier on his windshield.

Feeling stuck in a loveless marriage?  Looking for a way out? The one you’ve been longing for is just around the corner. The love and family you deserve is waiting for you.

Richie snorted and tossed the note into the passenger seat. Must be some movie or a play....or maybe a dating service. The only love and family I want is waiting for me at home.  I may not deserve them, but I want them.

He ran a mental check list of what he was supposed to pick up. Food, treats, chew toys – so Taffy would have something other than their shoes to chew on. Actually, she never touched Tori’s shoes. The puppy’s behaviour around Tori was very....surprising. While she played with the kids – and him – sometimes roughly, she was very careful with Tori. After that first day, she never jumped on Tori again, but would often lie quietly beside her. She also tended to follow Tori around from room to room, particularly when the kids were napping. It was almost as if she was watching over Tori.

As for Tori....he’d been afraid that she didn’t like dogs and would ignore Taffy as much as possible. He should have known better. Judging by the affection she doled out on the pup, her beef really was with the time and effort required to look after a dog. Not that she did any of it, other than the occasional brushing. No, it all fell on him. She was making a point. But he had no room to argue. He’d been warned and he’d brought it on himself. A glance at the dashboard clock told him he’d better get a move on. Taffy would need to be walked soon.

“So, are you speaking to him yet?” Karin asked even though she knew the answer.

“Yeah. You know I can’t stay mad at him for very long.” Tori considered her own words for a moment. “Not over something like a dog, anyway.”

“You just like the make up sex too much.”

“What can I say?  My husband is a sexy stud.”

“I believe the animal he’s compared to is a moose, not a horse.”

“He’s a bull alright.”

“TMI Tori!”

Tori chuckled. “Jealous?  How is Shirley anyway?”

“Hey! Don’t be knocking my Chia Pet! Besides, it’s not about the size, but how he uses it. And David definitely knows how to use it.”

“Mmmmhmmm. Lucky for me, I get both size and skill.” Tori opened the fridge in search of a bottle of water.

“Stop bragging!”

Tori’s laugh was cut off by Lauren’s scream followed by crying.

“What was that?” Karin had heard the scream.

“Lauren. Hang on.” Tori rushed into the living room to see Lauren sitting on the floor, her face scrunched up and red as she voiced her unhappiness, Stevie and the puppy sat nearby. “What happened?”

“Taffy knock her over.”

“Is she okay?” Karin asked when Tori came back on the line.

“Yes. Collision of puppy and toddler. I think she’s more mad than hurt.”

“Never a dull moment around your house, is there?”

“Nope.  It’s a regular circus around the Sambora house. Don’t pull on Taffy’s ears Sweetpea, you’ll hurt her.”

“So, what does that make you? The ringmaster?”

“Ringmaster, lion tamer, juggler. Don’t give her too many treats Peanut. She’ll get sick and Daddy won’t be happy if he has to clean up another mess.”

“Clown? No, that would be Richie’s department.”

“Actually, that’s more your house than mine. Richie’s more like a comedian...and then not as bad as Shirley. His impersonations are hilarious though.”

“Our lives sure are different than how we pictured them ten years ago, aren’t they? I mean instead of your average white collar husbands and three bedroom houses with maybe a pool if we were lucky, we live in mansions, get to travel all over the world and we’re married to rock stars.  They may act like big kids a lot, but they love us and treat us like princesses.” She sniffed. “And they make beautiful children.”

“Hormones Karin.” Despite her warning to her friend, Tori felt her own eyes fill.

“I know. It’s just that it’s all so wonderful, like something out of a fairy tale.” Karin’s voice hitched. “We couldn’t have dreamed anything any better, could we?”

“No.”

Richie walked in to find his wife on couch, phone to her ear, tears streaming down her face. “Angel? What’s wrong?”

She shook her head and waved to signal everything was fine.

Richie frowned and bent to scratch Taffy’s ears. He looked at Peanut. “Who’s Mommy talking to?”

“Tant Charlie.”

“Ah.” Hormone convention. Best to stay out of that. “Come on Taffy, let’s go for a walk. Peanut, you want to come?”

“Uh huh!”

When they got back, they found Tori and Ava in the kitchen helping Rosa with dinner, Lauren and Elmo on the floor in the middle of the room. Richie walked up behind her and slid his arms around her waist, palms rubbing her stomach. “Everything okay with Charlie?”

“Yeah, why do you ask?”

“Because you were in tears talking to her on the phone. That usually means something’s wrong.”

“Oh, that.” Tori turned in his arms and looped her own around his neck. Her eyes searched his, then she reached up to kiss him. “I love you.”

“I love you too angel. I’m not complaining, but what brought this on? Did Charlie say something?”

“She just pointed out how lucky she and I are to have you guys in our lives.” Tori leaned against him.

Richie rubbed her back. “Shirley and I are the lucky ones angel. And we know it.”

Lauren’s scream jerked them apart in time to see Taffy take off towards the living room...with Elmo in her mouth.

“Guess she can’t stand the noise anymore either.” Tori commented.

Lauren used a chair to pull herself to her feet and set off after the puppy.  

“The girls are fighting Rich. Better go break it up.”

“I’ll go.” Ava offered.

But Tori shook her head. “No, let your father deal with it. This is his show.”

She may have forgiven him, but she obviously wasn’t going to let him off the hook completely. “Yes dear. Taffy, come here girl.”

After dinner they were relaxing in the living room watching TV while the kids – human and canine – played on the floor.

“What do you think of me taking flying lessons?”

Tori didn’t look up from the magazine she was reading. “If you want to. Just promise me you’ll be careful. Of course, you realize that Jon will have you flying the jet.”

“Then maybe I’d get more say on where and when we go somewhere.” He chuckled.

“Not likely.”

“Speaking of your controlling brother, he called me earlier.”

“Yeah? What did he want?”

“To let us know that since we’re going to be in Jersey next month for the arrival of the newest Bryan munchkin, he’s booked us a gig.”

That got her attention. “He did, did he? What happened to post tour down time?”

“It’s a fundraiser.”

She frowned, then shrugged. “As long as he doesn’t expect me to participate.”

“It’s for the Kidney Foundation.” He’d let her draw her own conclusion. He didn’t want to be the bearer of bad news.

“Son of a....I’m going to kill him! No wonder he called your cell instead of the house! Why does he always do this to me when I look like I’ve swallowed a beach ball? And without even discussing it with me!”

“You look beautiful.” He leaned over to kiss her neck and rub his hand over her swollen stomach.

“You’re biased.”

“I’m honest.” He countered.

Tori smiled at him in gratitude. Her hand rose to caress his cheek and she kissed him. “Thanks, but I’m still going to kill him. Or maybe I’ll just call Dot and let her kill him.”

“Whatever you need to do angel.”