Chapter 107: Wedding Week

The beginning of the week had been a flurry of activity. Hath and David drove all over creation, paying the florist, caterer, and DJ. He ferried her and her mother to the seamstress’ place several times, to make sure the gown fit just right. As she was growing more every day, the dressmaker added a bit more fabric in the deep pleats, and Hath was just ecstatic at the way the gown draped her body. She made David stay in the car for these appointments, because she didn’t want him seeing the gown before the wedding.

Starting Thursday, Hath and David’s friends started arriving in Boston. Tico and his family arrived just after breakfast. Hath, David, and Ang met them at the airport, and when Alejandra saw Hath, she smiled. “Amiga look at you!” she said, giving Hath a warm hug. “You look radiant!”

Hath laughed. “You mean I look like I swallowed a watermelon.” She returned Ali’s hug and kissed her cheeks. “You on the other hand, look positively gorgeous.”

Tico kissed Hath’s cheek and checked with her before put his hands on her abdomen. He was rewarded with tiny kicks, and a wide smile split his face. “Mijo,” he said to his son. “Venga aquí. Hay bebes!” Hector approached and tentatively put his little hand on Hath’s distended abdomen. He felt a little push and giggled, looking up at Hath.

She smiled at Tico’s son. “Esta bebe es Laura,” she said, putting her hand over Hector’s. “Y el otro se llama Juan.”

Hector’s eyes went wide. “Dos?” Hath nodded. “Whoa,” he said, making the adults all laugh. Ang snapped pictures of the whole exchange after getting her own hugs and kisses.

“Congratulations, Angel,” Tico said to her, kissing her cheeks. “Pregnancy suits you. You look wonderful.”

“Aw, you say the sweetest things,” Ang said, batting her eyelashes at him. David drove everyone back to the hotel and he and Hath got the Torreses settled in their suite while Ang went to go sort through her pictures. The group got some curious looks in the lobby, but nobody approached them.

While David and Tico chatted, Hath squatted down with some great effort, and talked softly to Tico’s son. Soon, he launched himself into Hath’s arms, and they toppled over. “Hath!” David exclaimed. “Are you okay?”

She was laughing, and getting her cheek kissed over and over. “Yeah, we’re fine. I just asked this gorgeous little man if he wanted to stand up with you and Teek at the wedding tomorrow. I think he likes the idea.”

David smiled. He and Hath wanted to involve all the kids in the ceremony in some small way, to make it special for them. Colton and Jesse were going to be ushers with Hath’s brother’s frat brothers (and she already warned them NOT to teach the boys any new words). Ava, Gabrielle and Stephanie were going to pin the boutonnieres on the men and hand out little bags of birdseed to the women as they arrived. Lil and Jacob were going to hand out the programs that the chapel made up for the occasion. Joanna, Hath’s niece, was the flower girl, and Romeo was just going to look cute.

Hath, Sam, Lucy, Alejandra, April, Heather, and Dot had one of the most uncomfortable, surreal conference calls when they were talking about the kids taking part in the wedding. Hath told the ex-wives that the children were important to David and he wanted to include them all in the wedding. She said that they hadn’t said anything to the kids because they wanted to make sure all the mothers and almost step-mothers were going to be okay with that.

“This is the only time I’m getting married,” Hath had said, “and I want it to be perfect. If any of you are gonna fuck it up, let me know now.” The other women laughed and assured her they could act like civilized people for one day.



By lunchtime on Thursday, Stephanie, Matt, and Michael were ensconced in their suite in the hotel. Michael had them in the pool a half hour after that. Hath, David, and the Torreses joined them in the water, and they had a fun time watching the kids play. Ang was taking her job as photographer seriously, and was clicking away. David splashed at her legs and told her to put the camera down and to come and have some fun. Ang obliged, sinking into the water with the rest of them.

Michael was really good with Hector, the older boy keeping a watchful eye on the younger, though both could swim like fish. The adults had a nice conversation, and they stayed in the water until they all got pruney and the pool started to get crowded. People were starting to stare at the group, and it didn’t help matters that David and Tico were waving at the gawkers.

Ang and the three families went to Hath’s mom’s for dinner. Pauline was ecstatic. She loved cooking for large groups and rarely got to do it. She had a pasta feast laid out. Everyone ate until they were stuffed, and there were still leftovers. Stephanie had brought some of her special cookies with her, and a pound of her coffee, and Hath’s dad was over the moon. The conversation was lively and spirited, and Pauline spoiled Hector and Michael shamelessly. By the time they left, the boys were completely comfortable in her home, and called her “abuela” which brought a tear to her eye.


Lucy, Richie and Ava arrived on Friday at the same time as Jon and Sam. David and Ang went to get them in the van while Hath stayed behind at the hotel. She didn’t want to make another trip in the van, and besides, she was content to be relaxing in the pool, letting the water soothe her. She hung on the side of the pool with her eyes closed and let her legs float up. She was getting lots of looks and stares because she wasn’t hiding her pregnancy. She had on a very modest tankini, but her belly was pushing out from under the fabric of the bathing suit. She didn’t care. She was happy and healthy and getting married the next day to the most wonderful man on the planet, after her father, of course.

The only warning Hath got was a childish giggle that had to have come from Ava, but could just as easily come from Lucy. Hath shrieked as got drenched; Richie and Jon doing cannonballs on either side of her. She sputtered and cursed, and scraped the wet shanks of hair off her face. When the men came up for air on either side of her, grinning like idiots, she laughed. “You two are worse than a couple of kids,” she said. “Come here and kiss the bride.”

“You sure about that, Jeeves?” Jon asked, a little leery.

Hath tapped her cheeks. “C’mon, you sissies. If I can handle it, you can handle it.” The two men leaned in to kiss her cheeks, and she saw a flash go off. Annoyed, she turned to yell at someone, but it was just Ang. She had a big-ass grin on her face and winked at Hath before setting her camera down. The girls all joined the fun in the pool, splashing around and just being goofy.

When a young woman with three small children came into the room, she stopped dead and stared. “Sorry,” she said, and started to steer the kids away, under loud protest

David laughed and called over, “Don’t leave on our account,” he said. “Please, come on in. We’ll behave.”

“Are you sure?” she asked. It didn’t escape her notice who they were.

“We’re sure,” David confirmed. Come on.”

The woman and her kids stayed in the shallower water, while the others were playing where it was deeper. Hath begged mercy and swam awkwardly to the stairs and sat, leaning back on her elbows. “How far along are you?” the other woman asked.

“Not far enough,” Hath said. “I’m only 4 and a half months pregnant, but there are twins in there.” She laughed when she felt the babies moving around vigorously. “And apparently they are part fish because they are annoyed that I stopped swimming.” The two women chatted amiably about everything and nothing, as women have a knack to do, and only stopped when David swam over.

“Hey, mama, everything okay?” He kissed her cheek and sat next to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

“We’re fine, baby,” she said. “I’m just resting. David, this is Elizabeth. Liz, my fiancé, David.”

“Nice to meet you, Liz,” David said, extending a hand.

The two shook, Liz a little shocked. “Likewise,” she said. “These monsters are Alex, Greg, and Jamie,” she said, tapping each boy’s head in turn.

David made a scared face. “You-you’re MONSTERS?” he said, quaking his voice, and making the boys smile. “Hath, darlin’ save me!” He started to climb up into Hath’s lap, and she laughed and shoved him off, sending him splashing into the water, and making the boys giggle. He stood spitting water. “You are going to pay for that, woman,” he said.

“ANG!” Hath called. “HELP ME!” Ang shot over, Ava in tow.

“You distract him, Lady A,” Ang said, “And I’ll drown him.”

“If you’re drowning David,” Richie called over, “I wanna help.” Liz stared as Richie swam the length of the pool underwater, and upended David. He stood, towering over Liz, and extended his hand. “Hey,” he said. “I’m Rich.”

Liz just stared, and Richie winked at her and joined the battle again.

Ava got the boys to help “distract” David when he finally was able to stand up, and Ang and Hath pushed him underwater again. The kids had a good time, and soon were dunking Richie, too. “Hey!” he called indignantly. “Isn’t anyone gonna be on my side?”

Jon looked over and laughed. “Against Jeeves, Ang, and Ava? And their reinforcements?” He shook his head. “Sorry, bro, you’re on your own.”

After a little while, Richie and David cried ‘uncle’ and they all made their good byes, going up to their rooms to get dressed for the wedding rehearsal.

Hath and David met Ang in the lobby once they had changed. Hath was dressed elegantly, in a sleeveless sheath of deep burgundy. She wore low-heeled sling-back pumps and her Christmas jewelry. She and David met her family and the priest at the chapel at her college, and they walked around the nave. The priest explained the ceremony to David, and they all sat in the front row of seats.

“I just want to stress,” Father Dan said to David, “that this is a religious ceremony. I know you and your friends are celebrities, and that brings with it some level of publicity, but…” he trailed off when David smiled.

“We have been very careful to not talk about the wedding except in general terms,” David said. “I don’t think it’ll be a problem. We do have a photographer coming, but she’s one of our close friends. That should be it.”

Father Dan nodded. “That’s fine, I just wanted to remind you that this is not a media event, but a sacred ceremony, and proper reverence must be shown.”

“Knock, knock,” Richie said, as he led a big group into the chapel. Richie, Jon, Tico, and Matt arrived with their women, and Ava and Hector. As they got settled, the door opened again, and a gaggle of children came in, with April and Dot trailing behind. There were genial hellos and David and Hath went to greet the children.

Once they got through the rehearsal, Hath and David led a caravan of cars and vans to the rehearsal dinner. They were going for barbecue; Paul had closed the restaurant for them. Hath’s girlfriends were already there with their husbands, as were the ushers and their women, and when the group arrived, conversation in the restaurant stopped. Every woman in the room widened her eyes, and every man rolled his. Then Hath stepped forward, and announced, “Yes, yes, Bon Jovi has arrived. You have fifteen seconds to gush then you’ve gotta cut the crap. Your time starts. . . .NOW!”

“Jesus, Hath,” David said, rolling his eyes at her. Everyone laughed and was properly introduced, then the food came out.

Paul brought a platter of ribs over to Hath, Ang and Sam. “You pregnant ladies just give a holler when your tray gets empty,” he said with a wink. “I’ll take care of you.”

The time went by quickly, amongst much chatter and laughter. A little after eight, the door opened, and Hath smiled. “James!” she called, and went over to give the man a hug. “I didn’t know Paul roped you in to playing tonight.”

James Montgomery was a local blues legend, and Hath had met him several years ago at a festival Paul was hosting. The two clicked, and had remained friends. “I wouldn’t miss it, Jenilee,” he said with a soft drawl that made her name not sound so bad.

“Come and have something to eat,” Hath said, as David came up behind her. “Baby, this is --”

“Jim?” Richie said from across the room, before Hath could finish. “You old sonofabitch, what are you doing here?” The two men shook hands.

“I’m here for Jenilee,” James said. “What about you? Who invited your sorry ass here?”

“Same,” he said laughing. “Man I haven’t seen you in a dog’s age.” The two men went off chatting, and Hath called after them.

“Don’t keep him too long, Rich, he has to sing for his supper.” The men laughed and waved back over their heads. Inevitably, James took the stage, and Richie was right up there behind him with his guitar. They stayed late, far later than they should have, but they were having too much fun to leave. Finally, as the younger kids were drifting off and curled up on the benches, the party broke up.

Hath and David shared a kiss in the parking lot. “Until tomorrow, my love,” Hath said.

“Why aren’t you coming back with me again?” he whine.

Hath laughed. “We’ve been through this, baby, it’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding on her wedding day. Now, you go take a cold shower and go to bed,” she said, sneaking a pat to the part that needed the cold shower, “and I will see you at the church tomorrow.”

“Eleven thirty, right?” David asked, a twinkle in his eye.

“Ten, you ass,” Hath answered back, laughing. “I love you, Sweet Papa.”

“I love you more, Sexy Mama.”

Chapter 106: Naming the LJs

Monday, Hath was still feeling out of sorts, and got on the boards to talk to her friends. She knew she should talk to David, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. How did she tell the man she loved that she enjoyed it when his best friend and boss kissed the shit out of her, and she was reluctant to crawl into bed with another friend for a joke because she was afraid not of him but of what she would do? She couldn’t talk to her mother or her other friends about this, because they wouldn’t understand. The jokes that were played were harmless ones, but you had to really know the guys and their dynamics to know that.

Otherwise, it looked like they were a bunch of moral-less heathens.

She felt awful, guilt-ridden that she had these visceral, sexual reactions to Jon and Richie, and talked to Lucy and Stephanie about it. They told her that it was a normal reaction to those particular two guys; Richie because of Hath’s 20-year crush on the man, and Jon because well, he was Jon, and damned near irresistible. They were quite convincing, and Hath felt much better for having talked to them. Stephanie and Lucy asked if they were going to find out about the genders of the babies, and Hath smiled. It was that moment that David started into the office.

His heart swelled when he saw his love looking and acting more like herself. She was talking to the computer as she typed, and he chuckled softly, knowing she was on the board. David went down to the studio and got on the board himself. He thanked Lucy and Stephanie for whatever it was that they were saying that made Hath smile. Lucy told him that she just needed reassurance, and the smile fell from his face.

“Reassurance?” he typed. “She isn't having second thoughts about the wedding is she? Is THAT why she's been so sad this week? Dammit!!! Why the hell wouldn't she tell ME about this?” His heart was pounding and he felt sick. Lucy backpedaled fast, saying no, nothing like that, but it was a girlfriend thing, and she didn’t feel comfortable telling him about it. David was frantic. He wanted to believe her, but it must be bad if Lucy wouldn’t say anything about it.

Then Stephanie responded, saying Hath just needed some cheering up, and he spilled to her that he was freaked out because of what Lucy said. Stephanie thought about it for a couple minutes, then reluctantly told him what was going on.

PM FROM NINERGIRL TO I_HEART_THE_GIANTS
I swear to god you tell her you heard this from me I'll stop sending you treats!

She's upset about what went down with Jon and Richie and your seeming lack of reaction to what she did to Jon in your hallway. She was mortified by her reaction to both guys as she loves you and figures she shouldn't be having those kinds of reactions to anyone but you.

We told her it was normal and I reassured her that it was mostly the raging hormones going on that brought all this about. She doesn't feel she can talk to you about any of this though as they are your brothers.

We calmed her down and she seemed better. She loves you and can't wait to become Mrs. Jennilee Hathor Rashbaum. Don't doubt that.

David sat back, amazed. He had no idea that this was bothering her so much. Hell, he knew it didn’t mean anything, that it was just the kind of messing around with each other that the guys do. They’d been doing stuff like this for the last quarter-century, and Hath had seemed okay at the time. He shook his head, and replied to Stephanie.

PM FROM I_HEART_THE_GIANTS TO NINERGIRL

Is THAT what this is all about? Jesus.

Did she not notice that I couldn't stand to watch her getting hot and heavy with one of my best friends? I know it was just a, hell I don't know what it was, but I know it didn't mean anything. That doesn't mean I didn't want to put my fist through Jon's face though. I had to leave the room before I did something stupid. And I didn't think the thing with Richie was any big deal. Hell, I was closer to Lucy in bed than Richie was to Hath.

And hell, it's just biology. I saw Jon when he was leaving. Let me tell you, he isn't attracted to Hath "that way" but you'd never tell from looking at him. Hell, when Lucy and I were cuddled up in bed, I had to keep from stroking her arm, like I would Hath. Just natural reaction to the situation.

And I got to reap the full benefit of Hath’s reactions, thank-you-very-much.

Sigh. I wish she could talk to me about what's bothering her, but I won't let on that I heard anything from you. If she's feeling better, I won't bring it up. Thanks for telling me, though.

I can't wait until she's my wife, either.

Thanks, Stephanie.

~ D

He heard the doorbell and signed off the board, and went to the door. Hath met him in the hallway, and he hugged her fiercely and kissed her deeply before they opened the door together.

“Ang!” Hath shouted, and put her arms out to embrace her friend. “How are you and the bump?” She peered around Ang’s shoulder. “Where’s your baby’s daddy?”

Ang rolled her eyes. “Forgetful git, he’s meeting us in Boston on FRIDAY!” she shouted. “I only told you that a hundred times, sweetie.” She looked at David. “Hello,” she said coyly.

“Come here,” he said, and swept her into his arms. He spun her around and kissed her soundly on the lips before letting her go. He looked at Hath, and saw she was smiling. See? She knew it didn’t mean anything.

Ang followed Hath upstairs. “You stay here,” she said to David. “We girls need to catch up properly.”

“Well, don’t believe anything she says,” David said to Ang. “She’s hormonal. I’ve been nothing but absolutely perfect all the time.”

Whooping laughter floated down the stairs as the girls went to get settled.

“So,” Ang said when they got to her room. “You look awful. What’s the matter?”

“Gee, thanks, Ang,” Hath said sardonically. She sighed and spilled everything; everything about the encounter with Jon, and her rampant, evil thoughts when she was in bed with Richie, and her guilt over those feelings. Ang hugged her friend closely while she sobbed.

“You done, honey?” Ang asked. When Hath nodded, Ang flicked her forehead. “Listen you silly girl,” she went to the door and peeked out, making sure David wasn’t standing there. “I’m only going to tell you this once because it’s embarrassing as hell.” She sighed and came to sit next to Hath on the bed. “Just now? When David kissed me and picked me up and twirled me around?” Hath nodded. “Well, I got a little hot and bothered.” Hath’s expression must have been shock because Ang laughed loudly. “What, you’re the only one who lusts after someone who’s not your intended?” She was blushing furiously. “Look, you got to do what million of women have wanted to do for years. In the span of twenty four hours, you made out with Jon Bon Jovi not once, but twice, had steaming sex with David Bryan, and crawled into bed with Richie Sambora.” She shook her head. “Damn, girl, I want your life.”

Hath burst out laughing. “But I feel so guilty…”

“Don’t make me flick you again,” Ang said. “Did it mean anything?” Hath shook her head ‘no’. “Then forget about it. File it away, and relive it sometime when David’s not around. And call me when you do,” she said. “I want to live vicariously through you.”

Hath hugged her friend. “Have I told you today that I love you?”

“No,” she pouted. “But you can make it up to me, and name your daughter after me.”

“Will you name yours after me?” Hath asked, twinkle in her eye.

”Fuck no,” Ang said. “You have a weird name.”

After lunch David and Hath left for their appointment. Hath wanted Ang to come with them, but Ang refused. “This is your time,” she said. “Go, find out about the babies, then come home and tell Auntie Ang all about it.” So they did.

Hath fidgeted nervously in the waiting room with David. “It’ll be fine,” he said to her.

“I know, they’re moving around so much I know they’re ok,” Hath said. “I just hope they’re being cooperative.”

David laughed. “Even if they aren’t it’s no big deal. We can do another scan when we come back stateside in July.”

“I know,” Hath said, looking into David’s eyes. “But I wanted to do this for you.”

“And I appreciate that,” David said, “but if they’re not cooperating… well let’s face it, these are OUR kids here, they may be troublesome just for the hell of it.”

Hath smiled, and rested her head on David’s shoulder. When her name was called, they smiled and followed the nurse back to the examining area. She weighed and measured Hath, then took her blood pressure, frowning at the reading. “Your BP is a little elevated,” the nurse said. “Have you been under any undue stress lately?”

Hath slid a look at David. “Some, but it’s okay now. It shouldn’t be a problem anymore.”

The nurse nodded. “Still, I want you to come back next week to get it rechecked.”

“Uh, I can’t do that,” Hath said. “We’re getting married Saturday and are leaving for…” she trailed off and looked at David.

“Nice try, babe. ‘Somewhere tropical’ is the best you’re getting.” He looked at the nurse.

“Well, the stress of planning a wedding could be doing it.” She noted something in Hath’s chart. “When are you back?”

Hath rolled her eyes. “We’re back for a day around the 22nd, then are off to Germany.”

“You’re traveling?” The nurse was surprised. “You really think that is a good idea?”

Hath looked at David, concern in her face. David covered her hands with his. “We are traveling with a doctor and nurse,” David said. “I’m sure they can handle anything that comes up. And if they can’t, we’ll fly home right away.”

The nurse was still unconvinced, but knew all she could do was make a recommendation. “Fine. Leave the doctor’s information with Sherry at the front desk, and I’ll make sure Hath’s doctor calls him. Her. Whatever. Now,” she said, closing Hath’s chart, “let’s get you in to see the doctor.”

Hath and David followed the nurse across the hall to the examining room. Her doctor greeted them with a warm smile. “How are my babies today?” she asked.

David smiled. “They’re fine.” He put his hand protectively on Hath’s abdomen. “They’re doing great. Moving around a lot and Hath is getting so BIG!”

Hath elbowed him hard in the ribs. “Thanks a lot, babe,” she said sarcastically. “Help me heave my massive bulk up on the table, if you don’t mind.”

David chuckled and helped Hath get situated. The doctor took more measurements, squirted gel on the babies, and went to work. She looked at the babies’ growth and head size; looked at the fluid levels and generally making sure everything was as it should be. “Looking good,” she said. “Now, the million dollar question. Do you want to know?”

David and Hath looked at each other. “We do,” Hath said, taking David’s hand and squeezing.

The doctor nodded and moved the want around and squinted and peered at the baby on the left. “It looks like this one is a girl,” she said, pointing out how she could tell.

Hath looked at David. “TOLD you there was a girl in there. And if Lucy and Richie have kids and one is a boy, our daughter is NOT going to have anything to do with him.”

David laughed and kissed Hath’s forehead. “Yes, dear,” he said, and they turned back to the screen.

“And this one…” the doctor said, looking closely. “Yep, he’s a ‘he’.”

As they watched the screen, they saw their daughter punch her brother, making them laugh.

“Already with the fighting,” David said.

“What do you expect?” Hath said. “He’s hogging all the room! Just like his father.”

“Do you have names picked out yet?” the doctor asked, smiling at their bickering.

“We do,” David said, “but out mothers would slaughter us if we told anyone before we told them. I’m sure you understand.”

When they got home, they went up to the nursery and hugged for a long while. Hath looked at the two little bassinets, the two little dressers, two little everything. “Should we call our moms?”

“Whose first?” David asked.

Hath laughed. “You’re kidding, right? We have to conference them together. We would never hear the end of it if we didn’t tell them at the same time.” They got both moms on the line.

“Are you ready?” Hath asked.

“YES!” both grandmas-to-be shouted.

Hath laughed and looked at David. “There are one of each,” Hath said, and she could hear the two older women sobbing with joy.

“And their names?” Flo asked.

“Our son, we are naming ‘John Edward’ for our dads,” David said quietly, and they could hear Flo’s sniffle.

“Our daughter,” Hath said, “we are calling Laura Jean.”

They talked for a few minutes more, then went on the boards to let everyone there know the good news.

Chapter 105: Home At Last

Hath was glad to be home. She loved Lucy and Richie, but it’d been a tough few days. Whenever Richie came into the room, if Hath was by herself, she’d make some excuse to leave. She didn’t feel comfortable being alone in the room with him. She felt sure that he could tell he had some effect on her, because he wasn’t razzing her about it , and she didn’t want to deal with that. He was being so polite and kind and accommodating, and it made her sick to her stomach. She felt like such a fraud. She wasn’t overtly rude, but she knew that Lucy noticed something was wrong. Hath was grateful her friend chalked it up to pregnancy hormones.

The whole plane ride home, she was subdued, and actually slept most of the flight. David looked over at her several times, all curled up against the wall of the plane. When he tried to gather her into his arms, she stiffened, so he let her go. She feigned sleep in the car on the way home, so she wouldn’t have to talk about what was bothering her. “This is what depression feels like,” she thought.

When they got home Saturday afternoon, Hath wanted nothing to do with anything. Not even David. No amount of coaxing, joking, or cajoling could get a smile from her. David was distraught. He didn’t know what was wrong, and she wouldn’t tell him. She told him she was tired, and he wanted to believe her, but there was no light in her eyes.

That night, she curled up and went to sleep before David even came into the room. He sat on the side of the bed and stroked her hair back from her face. He loved her so much, and it was killing him that she wouldn’t talk to him about what was bothering her.

He got on the boards for a little while and talked to the girls. Stephanie asked if he had plans for Mother’s Day for Hath. David smiled, thinking about the jewelry he had purchased.

I_HEART_THE_GIANTS:
I've actually got a plan for her. Breakfast in bed (yeah, I can do eggs, and she likes eggs so....) I got her beautiful diamond pave earrings. They're white gold hearts, four of them cascading in a line. They're really pretty. She's having a leisurely day if it kills her.

NINERGIRL:
That sounds like you planned the perfect day for her and the earrings sound lovely. I'm sure she'll love it!

I_HEART_THE_GIANTS:
Christ I hope so. She hasn't been herself for a couple days. I think the
stuff with Jon and Richie overwhelmed her a little. Did she tell you about that?

NINERGIRL:
Oh she told me. I thought the prank was hysterical. I just didn't figure it would get to her like it did. Was she okay for the rest of your visit?

I_HEART_THE_GIANTS:
Lucy and I thought so, too, and Hath came around, but she wouldn't look at Richie the whole day after the prank. She avoided him like the plague. Like, if he came in the room, she "wasn't feeling well" and had to go lie down.

She was never so happy to get on a plane as she was today.

NINERGIRL:
Must come from her being a long-time Richie girl and now she's with you and her dear friend is engaged to him. That's the only reason I can think why it would have bothered her so much. She'll be okay. Just give her some time.

David’s heart stopped. Is this what it was all about? She was a RichieGirl (the thought turned his stomach; his beautiful Hath with his friend) and she maybe thought she was “settling”? He never thought about that before. Shit, he wanted to cry.

I_HEART_THE_GIANTS:
Do you think she regrets that? That it's me and not him she's with??

NINERGIRL:
Not at all and I didn't mean to insinuate that. I'm sorry. Hath loves you fiercely, don't ever doubt that.

Do you remember when we met backstage last November and Richie kissed her? She said it was more "oh my god Richie Sambora kissed me" feeling but then there was nothing after that. With you, something just "clicked". She feels that "oh my god" thing, all the time.

He felt a little better, hearing, well seeing, Stephanie say that. He smiled, remembering back to that night in November.

I_HEART_THE_GIANTS:
Yeah, I remember that night. Rich doesn't let me forget he got to kiss her first. It was an "oh my god" thing for me, too. Do you know I badgered Rich for like an hour to get Hath's room number? I just kept calling him until he told me just to shut me up. Lucy was ready to slaughter me. *sigh*

OK, I choose to believe you, because the alternative is just too scary to think about. I just hope you're right...

NINERGIRL:
I know I'm right. She loves you David, don't ever doubt that. You can see it every time she looks at you.

An hour, really? I didn't know that. I'm surprised Richie didn't kill you himself.

I_HEART_THE_GIANTS:
Ha ha ha, yeah, he was NOT happy with me, but I wasn't leaving him alone until he told me. Best thing I ever did.

Stephanie, as usual, was very helpful and wonderful, and David wanted to do something really nice for her. She listened to all his shit, even back before he and Hath were engaged. She listened to him whine and complain and gave great advice, and never once made him feel like an idiot. She was a very special woman, and wanted to figure out a way to repay her generosity of spirit. He’d have to think on that one.

A little after midnight, David crept into their bedroom. Hath was sleeping, huddled on the edge of the bed. Whatever was bothering her, was even plaguing her in her sleep. She was a cuddler, and usually, if she fell asleep before he came to bed, she’d be curled up with his pillow. Not tonight. Sighing, David shucked his clothes and climbed into bed next to his almost-bride.

He stroked her hair, smoothing it down her back and murmured to her, “Hath, my love, I wish you’d talk to me.” He wrapped an arm around her expanding waist, cradling his children, and sighed. Unseen by him, tears leaked from Hath’s eyes. A few minutes later, Hath felt David gently shake her. “Sweetheart,” he whispered in her ear.

“Mmmm?” Hath said, glad her tears had dried.

“Happy Mother’s Day, my love,” he said, and nuzzled her neck.

Hath turned, fresh tears shining in her eyes. “Thank you, baby,” she said, and kissed him tenderly. The electricity from his kiss went through her body, and she sighed. David slowly and gently made love to this mom-to-be, and when his name slipped from her lips on a breath as she came, he kissed her lovingly as he exploded inside her.

“I love you so much,” David said to her, brushing the hair back from her face.

“I love you more,” Hath said with a sad smile.

“Are you okay?” David asked.

Hath nodded. “I’m fine, baby.” She laid a hand on David’s cheek. “I love you.”

David smiled, then ruined it by yawning. Hath giggled, and David’s heart lightened. He knew his girl was in there somewhere, he just had to draw her out again.

Hours later, Hath woke to the smell of coffee and eggs. She opened her eyes and saw David standing there in the doorway with a tray laden with breakfast things. Hath hadn’t been hungry much lately, but seeing David standing there with that goofy grin, and the lone rose in a bud vase tucked in between the eggs and fruit, she found herself suddenly ravenous.

“What is all this?” Hath asked.

“This, my dear, is breakfast,” he answered. He cocked his head. “Why, what does it look like?”

Hath smiled. “It looks wonderful. Come here, you.”

David came into the room and set the tray down on the night stand. He sat next to Hath on the bed and gathered her into his arms. She went willingly, and he cradled her head against his heart. “Hear that?” he asked her. When he felt her nod against him, he said, “That’s for you. My heart. It beats only for you. I love you.”

Hath’s arms tightened around his waist, and she turned her head to kiss his heart. “I love you too. More than anything in this world.” At that moment, the babies kicked, making them laugh. “Well, maybe not more than the LJs.”

David rubbed Hath’s abdomen, saying good morning to his children. He took a small box out of his pocket and handed to Hath.

“Oh, you didn’t have to do that,” she said.

“I wanted to. Open it.”

Hath opened the box. Inside were diamond earrings, nestled in a bed of white satin. The earrings were four hearts strung together with delicate links. The top and bottom heart were covered in pave diamonds. “They’re gorgeous!” she exclaimed and immediately put them on.

“They’re for us,” David said. “The two big hearts, the one on the top and bottom, that’s us. The little ones in the middle are the LJs.”

Hath’s eyes teared up, and she wrapped her arms around David’s neck. “How on Earth do I deserve you?” she said, sobbing.

“Hey now, no crying,” David said, rubbing small circles on Hath’s back. “You are a wonderful person. I have no idea what I did right to deserve you, but I thank the stars every day that you’re here.”

They kissed tenderly, then David laid Hath’s breakfast tray across her lap. She suddenly wasn’t hungry anymore.