Chapter 85

Family and friends trickled in on Friday afternoon. Katie, Becca and the kids arrived early that morning. Jon had secured the Inn for the weekend, knowing it would be watched like Fort Knox. He didn’t want any peepers or paparazzi to get wind of their day. While she knew they had taken over the entire Inn, Katie had no idea to the extent Jon had went to make sure their wedding day would be private.

Since it was a small wedding, they would not be having a rehearsal dinner. Neither Katie nor Jon though it was necessary. Becca and Sophia would stand up with Katie. Matt and Richie would be next to Jon. No one would give away the bride. Katie had come a long way with forgiving her dad, but she wanted to walk down the isle by herself. She had always been her own woman and it symbolized two adults choosing this life they were about to share. Tony, Jon’s other brother, had not been the least bit upset at not standing up with Jon. He knew how close Richie and Jon where, closer than most real brothers ever would be.

To keep things hush around town, Carol had arranged hair stylists and make up artists to come to the Inn. So all the wedding party had to do was relax and enjoy a nice dinner, then wake up and start the process of getting ready. True to her word, Carol had taken care of everything. All those years of running the fan club, organizing many events, had trained her flawlessly for situations like this one.

Katie found herself alone in her room in the middle of the afternoon. Her dress hung from the back of the closet door, covered in plastic. She walked over to it, running her had over it gently, her mind thoughtful. She turned to look out the window overlooking the expanse where the wedding would take place, past it to the ocean bordered by rocks. She saw the kids, hers and Jon’s, frolicking around on the rocks. She saw Stephanie and Sophia mothering little Romeo, making sure he didn’t propel himself over the rocks into the cold water below. She smiled, loving the sight of them all together. She could see in her mind, holidays, birthdays, the house filled with the voices of so many children. The happiness she felt overwhelmed her as her eyes misted a bit. She heard a quiet knock at the door. Quickly wiping her eyes with her hands, she went to the door, gently opening it. Jon’s smiling face greeted her. She opened the door wider, letting him in. He closed the door behind him and drew her into his arms. Not saying a word he just held her close, listening to her breathe. She let her body melt into his, thinking how perfect they fit together. When he held her like that, their crazy life seemed as perfect as any life could seem. His touch calmed her in a way nothing else could.

Pulling back after a couple of minutes, Jon looked down at her, a gentle smile on his lips. He brushed her hair back on her temple, and planted a soft kiss there.

“Baby.” He whispered, still smiling.”I can’t wait to make you my bride. I have waited for this day for what seems like forever.”

Katie met his intense gaze, “Good thing, cowboy. Because you ain’t gettin’ away now.” She teased, feeling the need to lighten the mood before she was overcome with emotion.

She loved him so much, the intensity of her feeling still shocked her at times. Not to mention the intensity of his. Jon was not a man that hid how he felt. She had never met a more passionate man. Good thing for him, since that was the same passion that had fueled so many hit songs over the decades, causing millions of women to swoon over and over again.

The door flew open behind them, as Becca flew into the room. “Ok, you two lovebirds. Enough! Jon, get out of here.” She said, literally swatting at him to leave.

Katie stifled a giggle at the sight. “Becca, whaaa....” Jon attempted to protest.

“No! I said get on out of here! You have the rest of your life to to deal with this one. Right now I have business with bride.” Becca scolded as she pushed him out the door and shut it right smack in his face.

Jon stood staring at the closed door, not quite sure what to think or do. Shrugging his shoulders he shoved his hands in the tight pockets of his snug jeans and left to find someone else to bug. He felt rather useless and he wasn’t used to feeling that way. He found Richie and David in the restaurant, that while wasn’t open, a few people sat around the tables, conversing.

“Hey, Kid.” Richie greeted him, David nodding.

Jon pulled a chair up to the table and sat down. “Hey.”

David chuckled, “You look a little bored, Jon.”

He nodded, “Yeah, I just got tossed out by the maid of honor. What exactly is there to do around here?” He knew they couldn’t really leave or they would surely draw attention to themselves around town.

“Yeah, I tried to hook up with Becca a bit earlier, and she just brushed me aside. She said they had too much work to do to goof around. Women are weird.” David stated.

Richie looked thoughtful for a moment, then got up and walked out to the check in desk where the Inn keeper was working, returning a few minutes later. He brought back a deck of cards and a box of poker chips.

“Well, who says we can’t have a little fun anyway, eh, boys?” he said, nodding to Jon and David.

The trio spent the remainder of the afternoon engaging in a serious poker tournament. Tico joined them once the sun set, having spent the afternoon painting out by the rocky shore.

Later, the bride and groom mingled with the rest of the guests in the dining room, enjoying an award winning menu from the kitchen of the Inn chef. Becca made sure Katie went up to bed at a reasonable hour. She didn’t argue. Despite a pretty calm week, her anticipation and nerves had worn her out. Katie cuddled under the cool down of the comforter, letting out a long sigh, she let sleep claim her.

Not as restful, just a few doors down, Jon paced in his room. As much as he was looking forward to tomorrow, he had a lot on his mind. He had to give up control and let his staff, and the staff of the Inn, handle things. He was mostly preoccupied with thoughts of security and anyone finding out about the wedding and location. As much as he felt, and acted, like a regular guy, he was in fact, one of the biggest rock stars in the world. And one of the most desired by millions of women. News of his wedding would be highly sought after. Likely, magazines and tabloids already had bids out on the first pictures, he had no doubt. It was his goal to make sure not one picture escaped anywhere. He had made sure of this by employing many security people and even helicopters to patrol the skies tomorrow. All while instructing them to remain invisible to Katie and the guests. He wanted the day to seem perfect and effortless to her. Finally deciding he should try to sleep, he peeled his t-shirt off and tossed it aside, then left his jeans in a puddle on the floor. Settling down into the soft feather bed, he ran fingers through his disheveled hair and stared at the ceiling.

Katie woke as the sun peeked over the ocean, promising a bright, happy fall day. Becca was still asleep in the other double bed next to her. Katie padded quietly over to the window and pulled back the lace curtain. Already the Inn staff was bustling around in the back lawn, arranging chairs and pruning the greenery. The ceremony was to take place at 1 p.m. giving them plenty of time to get ready. Becca stirred under the covers, cautiously peeking out as she shielded her eyes from the light.

Katie turned around, smiling “It is going to be a beautiful day. I couldn’t hope for better. “

Becca sat slowly up in the bed, pulling the covers up with her. After rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she patted the edge of the bed, gesturing for Katie to sit down.

Katie sat down, turning toward her dear friend. Becca responded with a sleepy smile and reached over giving her a quick squeeze. “Kat, I am so happy for you.” She looked through the window and out toward the ocean. “This is going to be the perfect day. It will be everything you have ever wanted. Everything you have dreamed about since you were 15.”

Katie nodded in agreement, “I sometimes still don’t believe it. That I am about to marry Jon Bon Jovi. My Jon, is Jon Bon Jovi. That is so far from my mind most days now. He is just Jon, you know?”

Becca nodded, “I know, sweetie. And he is just your Jon. That is all he needs to be to you, nothing more.”

Katie nodded, then said, “Well, whoever he is doesn’t matter right now, I need some coffee.”

Becca nodded as she let out a huge yawn. “Ok. Alright. You relax. I will call down for some.” Becca let out one more yawn and impressive stretch before she fumbled for the phone.

Shortly after the girls showered, voices and knocks could be heard at the door. Becca opened it as Sophia and Brandon tumbled into the room. They attacked Katie at the vanity, throwing their arms around her. She squeezed them both back as best as she could, looking at their smiling faces in the mirror.

Becca let them have a moment, but then proceeded to shoo them out. “Ok, kidlets, out. Your mom has to get dressed very soon. We have a lot to do! Sophia, back here in 45 minutes, be ready to get dressed.”

Sophia saluted her, “Yes ma’am!” then grabbed Brandon as she marched out the door.

Before the door could close, the hair stylist was in the room. Not taking long, she did Katie’s hair in a partial up do, pulling the sides back, securing it with a diamond clip. Then she curled the rest, letting the curls gently fall over Katie’s shoulders. Make up was next, with a gentle touch, light liner and mascara, soft pink lipstick and a gentle rose blush, finished off with a pearly finishing powder that made Katie’s skin glow. After the makeup artist left, Becca spun her around in front of the mirror, and leaned down next to her, looking over her shoulder.

She gave Katie’s shoulders a squeeze, “You make the perfect bride of a rock star.”

Katie couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “My life’s ambition, right?” Becca nodded, letting out a chuckled. “Exactly!”

Katie stood up and Becca went to fetch her dress. Once removed from the plastic she unzipped it and held it for Katie. Katie took off her robe and stepped gently into the slim dress, already pretty in her ivory lace boy shorts and plunging push up bra. Becca helped her ease it up over her hips, then slipped the dress over her shoulders, and zipped it up the back. The dress fastened with one pearl button above the zipper. The beaded, lace neckline skimmed her chest, giving just a hit of swell above her breasts. The beading continued down to just past the waistline where the skirt gently hugged her hips and legs, finally falling into a gently flare of lace to the ground. Becca rushed to grab her shoes, ivory, open toe pumps. Katie lifted the skirt of her dress as she stepped into the shoes, then walked over to the full length mirror. Even she had not seen herself fully made up in the dress. She wasn’t prepared for the vision she saw. Holding her breath for a moment, she finally let it out when Becca came up behind her, admiring her friend.

“You are simply the most beautiful bride that ever lived, Kat. You look amazing.” Becca exclaimed. She always thought her friend was a beautiful woman. But today, she was beyond stunning. She was quite sure it had a more to do with how happy Katie was, than the outfit and hair.

After a few minutes Becca retrieved her own dress from the closet, a slim, floor length, deep red dress. Sophia knocked on the door just as Katie zipped Becca up. Sophia’s dress was similar. Once they were all dressed, Carol knocked, right on cue. Looking out the window they could see the guests were being seated.

She looked over the three of them, stopping longer on Katie, “You ladies look stunning. Now we have to get going.” Carol gently ordered.

As they left the room, Carol took Katie’s hand and squeezed it gently, “Darling, Jon is the luckiest man in the world.”

Katie looked at her warmly, her eyes a bit damp, “I just hope he thinks so.”

“He knows so.” Carol said, seriously, and ushered her forward.

Once downstairs she led them into a small side room. The men were just gathering near the front, the priest, Father Ted, a family friend for years, joined them. The commotion started to settle down as the time neared. A gesture from Father Ted quieted the guests as piano music, at David’s hand, filled the air. It took Katie a second to recognize the tune. Her favorite, I’ll Be There For You.” She gasped when she realized it. He had thought of everything. How fitting, she thought. Carol nodded to Sophia as she opened the door, gesturing for her to go. Sophia exited the front door of the Inn, descended the steps and walked through the lawn to take her place up front. Becca followed, slowly, in time to the music, taking a moment as she caught David’s eye. He gave her a wink and openly admired her as she took her place next to Sophia. Katie clutched her bouquet tightly in her hands, slightly shaking. Carol led her to the door and almost pushed her through it. Katie hesitated a minute as she looked outside and saw all the eyes of her beloved friends and family on her. She looked even further and saw him. She forgot to breathe as her eyes locked into his. He looked more incredible than he ever had, in a black tux. Not that she had never seen him in one, but there he was. Waiting for her. Her. He was waiting for her...

He forgot to breathe when he saw her in the doorway. He was not one that had his breath taken away easily. But her beauty at that moment paralyzed him.

Without another thought, her feet seemed to propel her forward. She almost felt like the world disappeared as she moved forward, the notes of the music sounding far away. All she could see was him, pulling her forward, forward, until she found herself standing next to him. Becca managed to save the bouquet as she dropped it, his hands reaching for hers. Feeling his warm fingers wrap around hers, strong and sure. She looked up into the bluest eyes, eyes full of promise, promises of a wonderful life. Their life.

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