Chapter 169

January 2008

Tessa peeked into her office—no, not her office. Not as of today. Half of the office space had been transformed into a cotton candy pink oasis of little girl things. The Rock Star Baby stroller, thanks to Tico, was stowed in the corner, pink and cream baby blankets dripped off every spare surface, and a ridiculously high end diaper bag hung off the office chair thanks to Richie. Only he would think to get Nic a hand tooled leather bag with Caroline’s name stitched into it. Nic, of course, showed it off to every person who stood still long enough.

The quick in drawn breath, followed by a perfect baby gurgle filled the silence. The baby monitor flashed. David had built the thing to hear even the slightest coo. “I’ve got her,” she said to the little mic, knowing it would go directly to Nic’s headset. She wanted a minute with her niece.

Caroline’s baby blue eyes opened, eerily sharp even with just a few seconds of wakefulness. She was the perfect baby. Not just because she was her niece, but because it was quite simply the truth. She scooped her up, letting her warm little body snuggle in. She immediately turned her face into Tessa’s hair.

“Oh no you don’t.” She flipped her hair behind her shoulder. “I’m not a chew toy.”

Caroline simply giggled.

“You definitely didn’t take after me,” she said and nuzzled her cheek. Caroline woke in a good mood, hell—er, heck. No swearing, Aunt Tessa. Heck, the kid was even tempered through her first tooth for God’s sake. “Mommy lucked out in the baby lottery.” She lifted her up over her head. “Yes she did.”

The delighted laughter caused a trill of her own, even when a line of drool slipped under her collar. “Teething again, huh? Aunt Tessa doesn’t have a single shirt without your drool on it.” Her belt rang. Making a quick change of arm, hand and baby, she tucked the phone to her ear. “Yeah?”

“Hey, can you watch Caroline for a few minutes? I’ve got a bit of a situation out here.”

“Do you need help?”

Distracted, Nic yelled over to her assistant manager, Mike, then realized she was still on the phone with her. “Nah, I got it.”

“Right.” The phone clicked in her ear. She dropped in the chair “Mommy’s store now,” she reminded herself out loud and tucked Caroline close into her, snagging a rattle off the desk. Her curious little fingers grasped and pulled the little bit of plastic straight to her mouth.

It hadn’t even taken a weekend to convince Nichole to take over Chapters. Of course with Caroline’s arrival and the Christmas season coming directly after that, it had been a bit hairy. Somewhere in the middle of it all, they’d used Jon’s lawyer to draw up papers that worked for both them.

She’d officially sold her baby to her best friend on January 2^nd but today was her last day at the store. She looked around the room. Baby explosion aside, it really had become Nic’s space. Binders in an array of crayola shades lined the top shelves for easy navigation. It was pretty much the only shelf with any sort of order. The rest of the bookshelves included artfully arranged pictures of Adam and Caroline, ARC’s, construction paper drawings, and the latest picture of Nic’s family for Christmas.

Lifting the heavy silver frame, she smiled back at the picture. How could she not? She and Jon, Nic’s entire family, even Richie and Ava were mugging for the camera.

Christmas Eve had been their first event as a couple at the new apartment with Jon’s kids and Jon’s parents—oy, she didn’t want to repeat that again until next year. John Sr. was lovely, his shrew of a wife on the other hand…well, she just hoped the next time she had to spend time with Carol, she could bring the laser beam stare down a few notches below kill.

They dropped the kids and his parents off at Dorothea’s for Christmas Day. Things with Dorothea were still a little tense so she and Jon, with Richie and Ava in tow, had traveled out to the Bouchet’s colonial house for the holiday.

Mary had taken Richie under her wing, erasing the pain that had been lurking in his eyes for the last few months. Two days of celebrating, exalting the new baby, food and laughter had gone a long way to rounding out the crazy year on a high note.

She set the frame back on the shelf. It didn’t take long for the restlessness to return. Once the holidaze were over and the store settled back into its normal routine, the days leading up to the exchange of hands went by in a blur. Unsure if it was the idea of losing Chapters…no, that wasn’t right.

She wasn’t losing anything. She was looking forward to starting a new life with Jon in a new space. New memories in their house and—chubby little fingers grasped the wide, square cut diamond ring on her left hand, dragging her out of her thoughts. “Pretty isn’t it?” She said into Caroline’s cheek, nuzzling in the aroma of baby and Johnsons & Johnsons.

It still caught her by surprise to see it there on her finger. Not that she’d had much time to get used to it. Jon had slipped it on her finger just the night before. Nothing would please her more than to have that man as her husband, but the changes had tumbled so fast.

Selling the store—check.

Moving to SoHo—check.

Agreeing to go on tour for a month with him—check.

Marrying Jon—check.

She set Caroline in the center of her crib, tucking a wide, colorful puzzle ball between her legs. She slapped at the side, twisting her little fingers into the holes with a shrieking laugh. Centering the diamond on her finger, she watched it flash in the light.

It wasn’t like it had been a surprise. He’d been threatening to marry her for months now. In fact, she’d nearly forgotten about that little forward thinking reality in the midst of selling her house and adjusting the sheer size and grandeur of living in a luxury condo. They already lived together, they were committed in every way…she supposed it was the next normal step in a life that had been far from normal.

Maybe that was what had her all itchy in her own skin—balancing the normal with Jon’s abnormal life. The store kept her busy while Jon was on tour. She’d been grateful for the distraction and the time to think about what she wanted to do now. Selling Chapters to Nic ended up being a no-brainer. She was well suited to taking over as head of the store. Mike had been eager to take Nic’s spot, developing into her second in command as seamlessly as Nichole had once done with her.

They were a good team…no, a great team. Nic had already changed the layout of the store, adding a small café with a local bakery’s cakes and pastries.

All the things that Nic had dreamed about doing over the years were becoming a reality for her friend. A family, Adam’s permanent placement as a teacher at the community college, and the store had finally given Nichole everything she’d ever wanted.

She was even still a little hung over from the New Year’s/New HBIC celebration last weekend. Even Jon had made it in for the party to toast to the New Head Bitch In Charge, as Nic liked to call herself.

The restlessness had magnified with each day since the sale. She knew she was going to start a new project, but she didn’t want to rush into anything. She liked the idea of traveling with Jon for a bit.

Talking about time apart with the tour was different than the actuality of it. She’d gotten very used to him sleeping beside her. She had to settle for the sound of his voice instead of a touch, the big, empty, silent space when he was gone instead of his chirping phone and endless troupe of friends and get togethers.

The first part of the tour had been easy. Ten nights in New Jersey’s new Prudential Center was right in their back yard. The only tricky thing had been dealing with her friends in the Bon Jovi fanclub circle. She’d sort of fallen off the map in that regard. Rumors and her all access lanyard had certainly made for a few exciting moments. When you were in a fanclub, you really didn’t go into last names.

When you were dating Jon Bon Jovi and tour time came around people made connections. She and Jon had spent one night laughing and deleting posts on Backstage when the fan and girlfriend connection had been made. She could only imagine the bedlam when their engagement made the rags. BON JOVI FRONTMAN MARRIES FAN. She gave a disgusted laugh and sat in her seat, one last time.

The months he’d been away made her realize that she did need something more than the store. She needed a challenge, something new and just hers. She loved sharing her life with Jon, but he had his career. She needed to find something that drove her as passionately as the music and philanthropy drove Jon.

Reaching over, she flicked on her iPod, letting the music seep into her and even out the rough spots. She knew she was doing the right thing. Since she’d been back, Chapters seemed less and less like home and more like something she dragged out of her closet that didn’t quite fit anymore. She knew books would always be a part of her life, but she didn’t know if she just wanted to start a new store to keep her busy or if it was really what she wanted.

Her hip rang again. “Hey, Tessa, could you come out here? I have someone who wants to see you.”

“Sure,” she sighed. The entire neighborhood had been in to say goodbye in the last few days. Unclipping the phone, she put the phone on Nic’s desk with the holster. Letting her fingers drift over the sleek wood, the battered blotter with its endless cycle of appointments and scribbles in each square, the drawer pulls she’d chosen so carefully. This desk, this office had been the first thing she’d ever built for herself.

She sniffed. She would miss this place, this first start. She tucked her iPod into her bag and threw it over her shoulder.

“Well little mama, you ready to go out and see the people?”

Caroline cooed and reached up for her. Swinging her up onto her hip, she bopped with the baby through the door making her laugh. The quick jolt of laughter and hum of voices made her realize just how soundproofed the office was. The sound of a guitar strumming and screeching feedback echoed down the hallway quickening her step. Caroline’s eyes widened, her smile told her that she recognized the sounds. “Think Uncle Richie’s here?” she asked the little girl.

Tables were cleared and tucked into corners, shelves stacked back and the Kids Reading corner had been transformed into a small stage with wide, black amplifiers and a pair of guitar stands. A man stood with his back to her, flipping dark hair shot every which way from his head and a silver nose ring caught the overhead lights.

People milled around the store and sat Indian style and on every available surface. Café chairs were lined up and filled with chattering people from every age group, both female and male. She frowned, scanning the room for Nic. Since when did they have live music? A twinge of an idea pulled at her, but she filed it away for later.

“Where’s your mommy?” She asked Caroline and navigated down the main aisle that was also littered with people.

Nic stood at the cashwrap with her arms folded, a smug smile on her face. “Like you thought we wouldn’t do something special for your last day at the store.”

Tessa laughed. “I was expecting a night of drunken debauchery tonight actually.”

Caroline reached out for her mom, and Nic took her gladly. “Hi baby girl, were you good for Aunt Tessa?”

“Yup, as always,” Tessa answered and scanned the room again. “What are you doing?”

“Surprise.”

She grinned. “Is Jon coming in to play in my—uh, the store? You know there will be a riot.”

“Nope.”

“No?” She looked over her shoulder and laughed outright as she recognized the man leaning on the amp. Battered jeans with a crazy white belt and layered t-shirt over long sleeve thermal reinforced her guess and the smile wouldn’t quit. “You didn’t.”

“Well, I wish I could take credit.”

“Excuse me everybody!”

Tessa’s eyes swung to the mic. Somehow between the time she’d walked to the front of the store and transferred baby to momma, Jon had gotten behind the mic. The clapping was thunderous as well as choruses of, “Sing! Sing! Sing!”

“No, it’s my day off.” Jon’s now dark hair was nearly as spiky as their guest’s.

“It’s mine too, actually.” The man said.

Jon laughed, clapping him on the shoulder. She slowly walked back to the children’s area until he spotted her. “Today’s my Tessa’s day. C’mon up here, babe.”

Tessa shook her head, wrinkling her nose at him. “Hell no, I don’t do microphones!” she called back to him. God, her heart was going to just burst out of her chest. He’d gotten Matt Nathanson to play on her last day. She’d been enamored with his music ever since New Year’s Eve.

“Don’t make me come out there and get you!”

Matt leaned into the mic. “He’ll do it. You have no idea what he did to get me here.” He grinned at Jon. “I totally want to have a Jovi Jet just like yours, man.”

The crowd of people laughed and she melted back a few steps as Jon jumped off the small stage. “Oh no,” she shook her head.

He grasped her hand and tugged. “C’mon. You know you want to meet, Matt.”

“I’ll meet him after,” she wiggled her hand free and he caught it again.

“Don’t make me throw you over my shoulder.”

Her jaw dropped. “Just try it—“ she broke off as he pulled her closer, bending down. “No!” Jesus, she couldn’t stop laughing. It would never be a dull moment with this man. “Okay, okay! I give.”

She let him pull her up the one stair. Matt, stood there, his guitar hanging off his back with a wide goofy grin. She couldn’t help but smile back at him. The familiar silver nose ring and utterly kind eyes crinkled at the corners when he leaned down to kiss her cheek. “I hear you’re a fan.”

“I’m going to kill him,” she muttered and nodded. “We’re big fans. We saw you last year at Elton’s bash for New Year’s. You just haven’t been around here for us to try and sneak into a show.”

“Jon Bon Jovi’s girlfriend wants to come to my show with her boyfriend.” He slung his arm around her shoulders. “I am now your biggest fan!”

“His fiancé,” Jon said into the mic. The entire room gasped and clapped, murmurs flooded through the room.

“Sweet baby Jesus,” Tessa’s mouth dropped open. “Well that’s one way to tell people,” she said away from the mic.

Matt laughed. “I didn’t know I was playing at an engagement party and a going away party!” He turned to Jon, kissed each cheek and did the same to her. “Congrats you crazy kids.”

Jon laughed into the mic. “Today’s Tessa’s official last day with Chapters. The ever lovely Nichole Wexler is your new proprietress.”

Nic blushed, waving with Adam at her side and Caroline in his arms.

“Make sure you treat her right, people. She’s practically my sister-in-law.” Again, the crowd of people laughed and a battalion of phones came out of pockets.

“Jon, you do know that the news will be clear across the continent in about five seconds.”

Jon looked down at her, sliding his hand around her waist. “Tessa just has to get used to a little spotlight,” he grinned at Matt then kissed her cross eyed. She leaned against him. God, she had to be eight shades of red. He tucked the mic back into the stand. “Enough of us, enjoy the show. Matt was kind enough to come out and play for us on his day off.”

“Hey, you want to send a jet for me, I’ll play anytime.” He shrugged, his grin infectious. “I’m not proud, people!”

Tessa laced her fingers with Jon’s drawing her down the step. The chattering only increased as she and Jon found a corner. Matt scanned the crowd until he found them, nodding to her.

“Hot damn, people, let’s party!” Matt swung his guitar forward and his voice rang out with a quick strumming accompaniment.

Jon swung around behind her, his hands loose at her waist, his nose in her hair. His fingers tapped at her hips as Car Crash’s lyrics filled the store.

“He’s quite good,” Jon murmured in her ear.

She looked up at him, her brain whirling. The fact that he’d done this for her. That he’d known how perfect this kind of gift was for her, the songs that she loved, that spoke of their relationship. Here in a voice that was as passionate as Jon’s could be, in a moment as perfect as she could have envisioned, she found the little bit of peace she’d been lacking.

“I love you madly.”

“I love you crazy right back,” he said rubbing his chin over her shoulder.

She turned her cheek into his, her smooth against his scruff. Excitement for the future, for Jon, for the moment—it all threatened to buzz her right out of her boots. “I know what I want to be when I grow up,” she said and looked back at the little stage.

He nuzzled her neck, his lips at her ear. “And what will that be?”

“I’ll tell you all about it tonight, after I get you naked.”

Jon’s laugh rumbled through her, around her as their song came on. As Matt teased the crowd about making the romance to. He enthralled the crowd with his humor, catching Jon drag his mouth down her neck.

“You guys look like you’re plotting amongst yourself.”

She blushed and Matt kicked up the humor again until the crowd forgot about them.

Jon’s husky voice in her ear again. “It’s working for me.” He circled his hips against her back. “I can’t wait to pull you down hard and drown inside of you.”

Tessa laughed, turned on and tuned up as Matt moved into another song. He played to the crowd, amusing and full of fun. It seemed to spur Jon into a sexy mood as well. Whispering all the things he was going to do to her on the plane. What he’d show her in Japan and Australia when she traveled with him.

By the time Matt finished his set she was squirming to go home. She turned in his arms, pushing him against the C’s through D’s in the corner of Children’s Fiction and kissed him for all to see. Jon held onto her, sunk into her just as she melted around him. God, this man brought her every happiness and through every sadness.

And here without even knowing it he’d brought her future into check as well. As she pulled away and the small crowd of people roared, she heard the song and laughed against Jon’s mouth. Irreverent and with his tongue firmly in his cheek, Matt brought the house down with Livin’ on a Prayer.

Everyone sang, the entire room laughed and the applause was thunderous. She laughed and held onto him. “Take me home and let me tell you about our future.”