Chapter 47

Katie arrived in New York to sleet and freezing rain. Luckily Christoph had the car waiting as they stepped off the plane. Jon was finalizing plans for the New Years Eve show so was unable to meet her at the airport. After helping her into the car, Christoph headed the car toward the penthouse. The sleet still fell when they arrive at the penthouse, so Keith met them at the car with an umbrella and escorted her into the building.

"It's nice to see you again, Ms. McKenzie." Keith greeted her.

"It's good to see you again, Keith. How was your holiday?" Katie inquired.

"Yes, Ma'am. It was very nice. Thank you." he acknowledged.

She couldn't wait to see Jon. Once she was in the elevator she pressed the button for the penthouse floor waiting impatiently for the doors to open. Jon could hear the ding of the elevator. Opening the door, he was met with her beautiful smile, she then proceeded to throw herself into his arms, devouring his mouth in a deep kiss.

Pausing for a breath Katie looked up at him, "I have missed you so much, cowboy." She said.

Kissing the tip of her nose, he then replied, "I missed you too, baby. More than you know."

They walked into the penthouse and Jon took her suitcase for her. After putting it in his bedroom, he took her into the kitchen where he had lunch already laid out. He had ordered from the little deli down the street and it had arrived just before Katie. They sat in the breakfast nook nibbling on their sandwiches and talking about the show. The rest of the afternoon they spent lying around the penthouse. Neither of them wanted to venture out in the weather. preferring to catch up on lost time by snuggling and making love. The ping of ice pellets could be heard hitting the windows well into the evening.

Monday kept Jon very busy as he finalized plans for the upcoming show. Katie didn't mind, as she was just happy being in the same room with him. She caught up on some reading and watched a movie. Later in the afternoon they decided to venture out for dinner. Since the weather was still unfavorable they stayed close by dining at a small Italian bistro around the corner. After a leisurely dinner they headed back to the penthouse, took a bath together and cuddled in Jon's bed, both content to be in each others arms.

Becca flew into the airport on Tuesday. Katie, with the help of Christoph, picked her up at the airport and they headed out to shop for New Years Eve attire. Jon and the band spent the better part of the day in Time Square preparing for the show. After a final run through they headed back to Jon's penthouse for dinner. Katie and Becca arrived back before them, and went through their packages. They were sitting at the bar drinking Coronas when the boys arrived.

"Kat! Becca! Where are ya?" Jon called from the living room.

Becca noticed how Katie's eyes lit up at the sound of Jon's voice. "We're in the kitchen." Katie yelled back.

"You really love him, don't you?" Becca said, her voice low.

"Yeah. I do." Katie admitted, blushing slightly.

The boys came into the kitchen, Jon heading to Katie's side giving her a kiss.

"Kidd, come on! You two can do that any time. I need something to drink." Richie teased, winking at Katie.

She winked back at Richie and proceeded to pull Jon back down for another kiss. Jon rolled his eyes at both of them, as he went to the fridge and pulled out drinks for everyone. He opened a Corona for himself and put in the lime that Katie handed to him, then straddled the stool next to her.

David came into the kitchen last and heading straight for Becca's side giving her a warm hug. "It's good to see you again, Becca. I'm so glad you could make it." he said.

Becca returned the hug, saying, "Me, too. I can't wait for the show. Although I can't say that I'm excited about these temperatures." she laughed.

Richie, noticing them gazing intently at each other, stepped over next to Becca. "Don't worry, darlin.' I'll keep you warm." he said with a smirk and put his arm around her.

Chuckling at his teasing, Becca asked, "And just how do you plan on doing that when you are suppose to be working, hot shot?"

"Well, then I will just have to warm you up after the show." he said with a wink.

Dave lifted Richie's arm from around Becca's shoulder and stepped in. "I have it covered there, Rich. Don't you worry."

Jon laughed at his friends banter. "Becca is a big girl. I think we can let her decide just who she wants warming her up later." he suggested, winking at Becca.

Just then the doorbell rang and dinner was served. After dinner everyone moved to the living room, drinks in hand. While the others were sharing holiday stories, David asked Becca to join him on the deck. Noticing them walk out together, Katie couldn't help but smile, feeling very happy for her friend.

Grabbing their coats on the way out, David put Becca's around her shoulders, then put on his own. Once outside and out of view, he pulled her into his arms. Becca went willingly, enjoying the warmth his arms offered. Despite the time they had spent together in New York and Boston, this was the first time he had initiated this kind of contact. Becca was happy to oblige. She put her arms around his waist and looked up at him. He looked down at her, smiling, then lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her softly on the lips. She slid her hands upwards on his back, running her fingers through his hair as she pulled him closer, deepening their kiss. It was all the encouragement he needed as he brought her closer into his embrace, devouring her mouth with his. Drawing back after a few moments, he looked down into her eyes..

"I have been wanting to do that for a while, now." he whispered.

She sighed, laying her head on his chest. "I am glad you did. It's about time." She said, looking at him with a sassy grin.

David laughed heartily. "Well, I couldn't let Richie make his move when I have my eye on you." he said earnestly. " I would love to see more of you, Becca."

"Mm, I would love that." She said, pulling him down for another kiss.

They stayed outside a while longer until they were chilled to the bone. They walked back inside hand in hand, sitting down opposite of Katie and Jon after removing their coats. Katie raised her eyebrows at Becca when she noticed the sparkle in her eyes. Becca smiled at Katie's inquisitive look. Katie then laid her head down on Jon's chest. Jon noticed her sigh and suggested perhaps it was time they call it a night so they were all well rested for the show tomorrow. The boys all filed out, David going last. Before he walked out the door he pulled Becca into his arms for a quick kiss and hug.

"Good night, Becca." He said, smiling."I will see you tomorrow."

"Night, Dave. I can't wait." Becca responded.

David walked out whistling. Becca turned around to see both Jon and Katie looking at her.

"What?" she asked as a slight blush rose to her cheeks. Jon laughed as he turned around, waving at Becca, and went to his room. "Night!"

Katie walked over to Becca, giving her a hug. "Oh my God." She gushed at her. "I am so thrilled for you."

"Kat, he wants to keep seeing me. Oh my God." Becca blurted. "I need to sit down."

They walked back into the room, sitting down on the sofa. Katie had to hear all about the conversation on the deck. Becca was more than happy to bring her up to speed, but did admit they didn't talk very much. They talked for another hour until Katie couldn't keep her eyes open any longer. She said good night, and Becca retired to the guest room. She tiptoed into Jon's room, undressed quietly and slipped into bed beside him. Jon stirred feeling her warm body against his back. He rolled over taking her into his arms, realizing she was naked. She smiled as she grabbed his ass pulling him closer. He growled as he tasted her sweet mouth. The made slow, sweet love before falling asleep in each others arms.

Luckily, New Years Eve day dawned bright and sunny, the temperature even up from the previous frosty night. The three of them had breakfast in the kitchen before Jon left to practice for the show. Katie and Becca were going to meet them about an hour before the show. Since it was still pretty frigid, they decided to watch the show from backstage where it was a bit warmer. It was going to be an interesting perspective and they weren't sure they would like it, preferring to be out front. But they figured they could always watch from side stage.

Christoph was waiting outside with the car running when the exited the building. After arriving at the show, he handed them their "all access" passes as he helped them out of the car. Having instructions to deliver them to the boss he walked them to the artist tent. They hung out there with the band until it was time for them to go onstage.

The band went on at 11 p.m. They played until it was time for the ball to drop. Deciding to brave the cold air, Katie and Becca moved to the side stage. Dancing and singing along to favorite songs, they didn't even notice the cold. Jon saw them standing off to the side and sang in their direction often. David sang and "danced" with Becca as well. A few minutes before the ball was scheduled to drop, Jon ran over pulling them both out onto the stage. Becca turned around and looked out at the sea of people unable to move. He led her over next to David by the keyboards. He then pulled Katie into his arms just as the countdown started, dancing with her under the city lights in front of thousands of people. Katie held his gaze and hung on tight, not wanting too look out over the enormous crowd.

The crowd yelled, "5! 4! 3! 2! 1! Happy New Year!" Just as Jon ravaged Katie's mouth with his, kissing her in front of the crowd and TV cameras, possibly in front of millions.

Katie clung on to him as he whispered, "It is going to be the most amazing year, baby." he whispered in her ear. Katie nodded in agreement. She noticed a similar exchange taking place over at the keyboards.

He then pulled away and lifted their hands above their heads towards the sky and yelled into the mic. "HAPPY NEW YEAR, NEW YORK!" Katie finally found her wits about her and kissing Jon on the cheek, went over to take Becca's hand, exiting the stage as the band played a couple more songs before ending the show.

After the show they headed back to Jon's penthouse, David and Becca making plans to see each other in the morning.

The next few days flew by. Becca spent a great deal of time with David, so Jon and Katie didn't see much of her, only at night when she came back to sleep. She flew back to Boston on Friday. David had made plans with her to visit Boston again in the next few weeks.

Katie and Jon spent some time exploring the city and even more time exploring each other back at the penthouse. Friday night they went to a Broadway show, the flashes of the paparazzi going off in their faces as they entered. Storm warnings were in effect and a ten inch blanket of snow was left covering New York by the morning. After breakfast they decided to check out the city in it's new white layer. They ended up at Central Park. While walking through the park, when Jon was distracted looking at something, Katie reached down and scooped up a handful of snow. Jon didn't notice that she had stopped, so he kept walking. Katie called his name, and as he turned around she let the snowball fly, hitting him square in the chest. She covered her mouth with her gloved hands, laughing.

Jon raised his eyebrows at her in challenge, "Oh, I see you. You want to play that game, do you?"

Keeping his gaze on her he reached down for his own snowball. With his megawatt smile shining, he let his own snowball rip. He missed her as she had taken off running as soon as she saw him reach down.

They continued pelting each other with snowballs until Jon finally put his hands up in the air, laughing "Ok, I surrender. You win."

"I win! I win!" Katie laughed as she danced circles around him. She stopped to give him a hug to console him. She didn't see what he held behind his back, the final snowball. Just as she reached her arms around him, she realized he was up to something as she tried to back away. She wasn't fast enough and he grabbed her easily, showing his final weapon. A big sly smirk spread across his lips.

"No!! JON!!!" Katie squealed as he put the snowball down the back of her jacket, down her shirt. In retaliation she put her hands on his chest and pushed him down into the snow, swearing she would get even as she fell on top of him kissed him deeply. Returning her kiss, Jon decided they should get back to the penthouse before things got too heated. He stood up and took her hand, pulling her into his arms before they headed back.

Chilled to the bone by the time they got back, they took a leisurely bath in the whirlpool tub. Once out of the tub, they rested on Jon's bed, making love. Since it was Katie's last night in New York, they decided to stay in. Jon helped Katie make homemade chili that they ate by the fire. Katie had brought a couple of books she thought it would be fun to read to each other. After dinner they curled up on the sofa and read an erotic tale, which ended with them making love on the sofa. Finally ending up back in Jon's bed, they fell asleep wrapped in each others arms.

Late Sunday morning Jon had Chrisoph fly Katie back to Boston. At first she had argued with him, but they were predicting sleet that day, and Jon had pointed out there would be delays on a regular flight. She had reluctantly agreed. After she left for the airport, Jon spent the rest of the afternoon organizing himself for the coming week. With the New Year came a few new projects on the horizon. The band was going to hold a concert along with a fan club trip for the fan club members over Valentine's week. Even though she had stepped down from the fan club a few years ago, Jon's mom had volunteered to help plan the fan club trip. Then they would be gearing up for the release of the greatest hits album in April. A mini tour was planned to promote it, hitting a few major cities in the United States. Jon planned to do a few appearances in amongst the tour dates to promote his album that was also due out in April. Jon finished setting up a couple of meetings for the coming week. He decided to grab a quick workout before he ate dinner. After changing he headed to the fitness room. He took a detour into the kitchen for a bottle of water and just as he closed the fridge he heard his phone ring. He went into the living room to answer it, seeing Becca's number on the caller ID.

Confused as to why she would be calling him right then, he answered, "Hi Becca, what's up?"

"Jon? Jon, I need tell you something." Becca said, anxiously.

"What is it? Is everything ok, Becca?" Jon said, worried at the tone of her voice.

"Jon! There's been an accident! Jon, it's Katie!!....."

Chapter 48