Chapter Sixty

Jon stirred as the hum of the washing machine floated through the apartment. His legs were crumpled up on the couch where he'd been asleep for the last couple of hours since had Callie left for school. He rubbed his eyes and raked his nails down his throat. When he swallowed it felt like glass was lodged in there, god he hoped he wasn't getting sick. He lifted himself off the couch and padded into the kitchen to fix some juice. Thank god she'd let him back into her life. He hadn't realized until she was gone how much it sucked without her. He sunk into the chair and rubbed the bottom of the glass along his belly. The flat was messy, no thanks to him. Maybe he should clean for her. He snorted, him clean? And for a girl? Stranger things had happened.

He changed the sheets over into the clothes dryer, did the dishes and put his things away before he crashed onto the couch again with the TV blaring. He tried to settle, god he wasn't used to just doing nothing but he needed to, for his body and his sanity. His parents would be happy to see him especially with all the shit that had been going on with Doc. They were worried but they were comfortable that Callie was handling the situation. And so they should be, god she was amazing. While he’d straightened up the table tops he'd found her latest medicine essay, with a giant red 'A' smeared on it. Fucked if he could understand what it was about, medical jargon did his head in at the best of times.

His head hit the cushion and the next thing he heard was the click of the door. "Hey," he mumbled sleepily stretching his legs as she came in. Wrapped tight in her winter coat, her dark hair was up in a complicated twist thing, that only women knew how to do. She kicked off her ankle boots and popped her jacket open.

"Hey yourself dreamer. Glad to see you were getting some sleep."

He sat up and patted the couch beside him, "lots of sex is always a good cure for lack of sleep." He dragged her down, her sweet scent swimming around him as his mouth found hers. He kissed her slow and long, savouring the taste of her. She wound her fingers up into his hair and he groaned as her nails grazed his scalp.

"You need a lot more sex then." Their teeth clicked as she laughed against his mouth.

"See me complaining?" He cupped her jaw and sipped from her a little longer, "have a good class?"

She sighed and closed her eyes. "Yeah, really good. Another assignment to do but I don't mind them. What time are we going to your parents?"

"What's time time now?" He nipped her chin playfully.

She checked her watch and leaned back laughing, "Jon, stop it. It's four-thirty."

"Can't, I need a shower," he ran his fingers down her shoulder to her breast. "I bet all that lecturing makes you very dirty," he grinned as he touched her breast and was rewarded by her nipple hardening under his fingers.

She moaned into his mouth, "oh yes---very dirty." Her fingers curled around his shoulders and she slid into his lap.

He groaned and his cock stirred under her. Were they finally in the honeymoon phase of their relationship? Even if it was all backwards, it was so right. He didn't want to keep his hands off her for more than a second when they were in the same room. He needed to lose himself in her. His fingers tunnelled into her hair, loosening pins until it floated around his wrists. She lifted his tee and up his chest and clever little nails scraped up to his nipples. "Jesus Callie," he hissed as he swivelled her around to straddle him. He dragged his finger down her jaw and ran it across her lips, his eyes widening when it disappeared into her mouth and her tongue swirled around the tip.

"Shower." He cupped her ass and lifted her up, she giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck. He took two steps when the shrill of the phone stopped him, "ignore it?" he mumbled against her mouth.

She reached over his shoulder for it, "hello?" Her lips curved into a smile. "Sure Doc, he's right here."

Jon groaned and dropped her gently back on the ground. He took the phone and pressed it into his chest, "this will wait--go and get all cleaned up." He plucked a kiss on her forehead and took a moment watching her as she left the room. Damn, he was a lucky man.

"Hey. What's up?" He leaned back against the wall and rubbed his face.

"Hey Jonny, I've secured us an interview with one of the biggest magazines in America Jon, and they happen to be in town tommorow."

Jon closed his eyes, "I thought this was our break Doc. I'm tired as shit here." It wasn't performing but christ if he couldnt' be bothered pulling out the fake smiles and laughs this week.

"I know, I said that Jonny but this one came up at the last minute, and we'd be stupid not to take it."

"Stupid like getting involved in drugs stupid?" He closed his mouth, he didn't meant to be so fucking blunt but, hell.

"Jonny you know what this means to the band."

Jon closed his eyes and sighed. He swore to god... He tucked the phone under his chin and reached for the chunky pad and pencil Callie had on the counter. "Where, and when? Will you tell the guys?"

"Yes, I'll call them next." Doc gave him the directions and then wheeled into talking about the next album. By the time he hung up the phone, he wanted to jam it into it's cradle. The shower was running, but he needed a couple of minutes to calm down so he grabbed his cigarettes and slipped out to the small balcony to clear his head.

~

Callie bundled herself into a thick towel and slathered body cream down her arms. In the pit of her stomach, she was still a little nervous that Jon's parents would be weird towards her. Even though the last time she saw them, when they had just got married, they were a lot better about the situation than her parents. She pulled on some jeans, a snug navy cahsmere sweater and started to fix her hair. The apartment was awfully quiet so she slipped on her shoes and went out to the living area. "Jon?"

He hadn't heard her as he leaned over the balcony flicked his ash. His jaw was tight, and his stance was stiff. He was a million miles away. She sighed and crept up behind him, wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her cheek against his back. "You ok?"

He didn't turn back around but he covered her hand with his against his belly. "Yea, just Doc's scheduled a last minute interview tomorrow, a long one. I'd just turned myself off from all that." He rubbed the butt of his boot against the concrete. "I'm just pissy, sorry baby."

"You can be pissy, but don't let it ruin your time off. Things will get better soon. Trust me." She squeezed her arms and then released them, heading back inside. He'd be back in a few minutes. She had learnt Jon brooded, and when he did, he just needed a little space and he always came back. She collected her purse, keys, money and fixed her make-up. She at least needed t look respectable for Mr and Mrs Bongiovi. Jon returned into the living room and grabbed his denim jacket, he smiled and pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

"Ready?"

She smiled and tucked her arm into his. "I am ready."

The ride to his parents was uneventful as they blended in with commuters making their way home from the city. Her belly flip flopped as they pulled up to the sunny painted split-level house. He took her hand and she paid the driver.

"Just relax, my home is your home." Her shoes clicked on the cobblestones and the door swung open before they had made it up to the porch.

"Angel!" Mrs Bongiovi wearing a shiny teal pantsuit came rushing out and flung her arms around Jon's neck.

He smiled and hugged her back, "hey mom."

"God it's so good to see you, and it's nice to see you again Callie." She popped her head over his shoulder and smiled warmly.

"You too Mrs Bongiovi."

Her blue eyes sparkled, "Call me Carol. I hear you've been looking after my Angel?"

Jon snaked his arm around her waist, "She sure has."

Callie smiled, "it's been no trouble really."

"Ok, why don't you two come inside? I've made lasagne, just the way you like it baby." Callie's shoulders eased, so far so good. Carol didn't seem too bothered that she was here. She followed them inside to the living room where John Francis Snr was flipping through the newspaper. He got to his feet when Jon and Callie both walked in.

"Son, Jesus Christ you look like shit!" He wrapped his on in a bear hug and Callie watched on amused.

"Gee thanks Pop, nice to see you too."

John Francis winked at Callie and leaned in and kissed her cheek. "Good to see you sweetheart. Least someone in the room apart from my wife looks lovely." Callie's cheeks flushed and she laughed, the resemblance from the cheeky grin and the same kind eyes was uncanny.

"Thanks, nice to see you both as well."

Carol clapped her hands together, "Ok why don't you two boys go and have a catch up, and Callie can come and help me set up for dinner." Callie raised her brow. She'd be alone with her? She didn't know if that was a good or bad thing, but so far it didn't feel bad.

"Sure. Happy to help."

John slapped his son on the shoulder, "time to break open the whiskey son."

"Not too much," Callie and Carol said in unison, and everyone dissolved into laughter.

Carol hooked her arm in Callies, "oh yes. You and I have a lot to discuss."

Jon winked at her as Carol dragged her off into the kitchen. In a way she was scared what the hell Carol was going say, or issue a warning against her son. And in the other, it was oddly nice to feel like part of a family. She just hoped it was the latter.