Chapter 120: Weddings

Goddess’ Note: The part about Stephanie’s wedding was actually written by Steph. I changed the POV and added some, but the details are hers 

The rest of the summer passed in a blur. David shuttled between NYC and home, and Hath spent lots of time at Chez Bongiovi. Whenever Jon would have to leave for something or another, Hath would pack a bag and go stay with Sam and Lyndsay. Sam told Hath stories about Jon taking care of the baby, and just how wonderful he was in making sure that she had everything she needed.

"I'm sure David will be just the same," Sam said, handing her daughter to her friend. Hath cuddled the little baby close, inhaling the sweet smell of the innocent.

"He'd better be twice as good as Jon," Hath commented. "There are two of them to help with!" The two women shared a laugh. "Seriously though," Hath said, "David's been great. He's been dealing with his stuff in the city, and coming back home to take care of me. I don't think my feet have EVER been rubbed quite so much."

Sam laughed. "I remember that," she said.

Lyndsay started to fuss, and Hath handed her back to Sam. "I think she's hungry," Hath said.

Sam took the baby and expertly put her to breast. Hath sighed, and Sam frowned. "What's wrong, Hath?"

"How the hell am I supposed to nurse two babies?" she asked. "I am not that coordinated."

Sam had to laugh at her friend's expression. "Hath, don't worry. You just do one at a time. Have David take the other for a while, then switch. It'll be fine, I promise."

That's how the weeks went through the rest of July. Hath worked from her house, but with the tour wrapped, there wasn't much for her to coordinate. There were a few stray appointments and appearances to deal with, but for the most part, she was left to her own devices. She spent a lot of time out in the yard getting sun and relaxing, and napped far more than she wanted to. To stave off the boredom, she called Tico and tried to talk him into letting her do work for his Rock Star Baby line, but he said no way.

"Querida, I would love to have your help, but David would kill me. You just rest."

Hath had grumbled something about if one more person told her to just rest, she would kill someone.

In August, Hath spent quite a bit of time on the phone with Lucy, who was getting more and more excited by the minute -- she and Richie were getting married in the middle of the month, and she was counting in hours rather than days. She was concerned about Hath traveling, though.

"Are you sure that you should be flying across the country?" Hath could practically see her friend's worry lines form between her eyebrows.

"Luce, it'll be fine, I promise," Hath said. "The doctor said I can travel, and hell, it won't be any worse than jetting all over freaking Europe."

"Yeah, but you're so close to being due!"

"Bite your tongue, woman! I still have a couple of months to go. Anyway, it'll be fine. So, how are YOU coming on the baby thing?" Lucy had confided to the other girls that she and Richie were trying for a child of their own.

Lucy started laughing. "Nothing yet, but we are having a hell of a lot of fun practicing. He's really, uh, shall we say committed to making a child."

"I'll just bet he is," Hath said.

"So when are you coming out?"

Hath checked her calendar. "We're flying out the Tuesday before, so we can relax a little before the wedding. Are you sure you don't need us to do anything?"

"Positive. Ava and Joan have just been wonderful in helping me get things done, and now there's nothing left to do except wait for the honeymoon!"

"Hah!" Hath said. "Sounds like you're already on your honeymoon, what with all the 'practicing' going on." She sighed. "I wish D and I had had the chance to go on a longer trip together."

"Oh I'm sure you'll manage to get away."

"Yeah, in another eighteen years!"

Lucy laughed. "Oh shut up. You're so excited to be a mother you can't stand it. You're not fooling anyone."

"Yeah, I know." Hath paused for a moment. "Alright, Lucy, I need to go. John is sitting on my bladder again."

Lucy chuckled. "You know, when you talk about your son, I always think you're talking about Jon."

"That'll make interesting conversation once we're talking about nursing and poopy diapers and his cute little winkie."


Three weeks later, Hath and David were on their way to LA to watch their friends get married. The flight was uneventful if not uncomfortable, and every time she had to go to the lav, Hath blushed as she remembered the last time she and David had flown together. "No chance of that now," she said to herself as she tried to maneuver around the little cubby. "We both wouldn't fit this time around!"

Richie and Lucy absolutely refused to let their friends stay at a hotel, so their house was full. Lucy’s mother, David and Hath, Stephanie, Matt, and Michael, Jon, Sam, and Lyndsay, and Tico, Alejandra, and Hector were all in residence by Thursday afternoon. Friday afternoon, the group loaded up into vans, cars, and SUVs and headed out to the beach for the rehearsal. Lucy had always wanted to get married on the beach, and Richie indulged her. They met the minister who told them what was going to happen and where and when. They had opted for a small wedding; just family and close friends. Neither wanted a huge splashy Hollywood 'do.

Saturday morning was beautiful. Not a single hint of a cloud dared mar the beautiful blue sky. Hath woke up with David wrapped around her, his arms cradling their children. His fingers were laced together, and Hath had to wake him up in order to slip from his grasp.

"D, let go," Hath said, turning her head to kiss her husband's cheek. "I need to get up."

"Don't wanna let go," he mumbled, nuzzling her hair.

"You have to let me up. Your daughter is seeing to that."

“Tell her to knock it off,” he muttered, kissing her neck.

Hath laughed. “Yeah, like she’s gonna listen to me.” She kissed David. “She’s totally going to be a Daddy’s girl. You tell her.”

David chuckled and shifted until his mouth was against Laura’s tiny fist which poking out. “Sweetheart, get off Mommy’s bladder. I want to kiss her for a while.”

Hath waited a minute before shaking her head. “Nope, she’s not listening to you either.”

“Laura, honey,” David said, “If you stop, I’ll buy you a pony…”

“Cut that out!” Hath said swatting at her husband’s head. “Nice lesson you’re teaching her. Now get off me before I pee the bed.”

She managed to get herself out of bed, and lumbered into the bathroom. After finishing her business, she drew on her robe and went back to the bedroom. “When are you guys leaving?” The men were going to a hotel for the day. Lucy had insisted that Richie not see her before the wedding, so he had spent the night at a nearby hotel. The rest of the men refused to leave their women, so after the rehearsal dinner, Richie headed off to the hotel, and the rest of them headed back to Richie’s house.

Now, the men were gathering their stuff and spending the day with Richie while the girls took care of whatever they had to do. David looked at his wife, and wished he didn’t have to go. He checked his watch. “We’re leaving in an hour or so,” he said. “Plenty of time for a little see-ya-later-sex.” He threw back the sheet and climbed out of bed. As he crossed the room, there was a pounding on the door.

“You up yet?” Jon called through.

David laughed. “Yeah, yeah.”

“You decent?”

“She is, I’m not,” David called back.

The door cracked open an inch. “Hath, Lucy is looking for you, and sent me to collect you.”

“Gimme a minute to get dressed, boss, and I’ll be right out.”

“Don’t make me come back for you,” Jon warned. “I won’t knock next time.”

Hath chuckled. “How does he do that?” she asked.

“You mean have the worst timing ever?” David shook his head and took his wife in his arms. “Years of practice.” He kissed her soundly. “You’d better go see what Lucy wants, and I should get dressed and go rescue Richie from his loneliness.”

They showered and dressed, and came down to the sitting room hand-in-hand.

“’Just a minute’, Jeeves?” Jon said, raising an eyebrow. “That was way more than just a minute.”

“What can I say,” Hath said, leaning into David. “He distracts me SO well.” She tilted her head up for a kiss. The twins chose that moment to start to fight. “Oh!” she said, breaking the kiss and putting her hands on either side of her belly. “They’re fighting again.”

Lucy came over to feel the children bumping and pushing in there. “Doesn’t that hurt?” she asked.

“Only when they get their fingers stuck in my ribs,” Hath answered. “Otherwise, it just feels a little weird, that’s all. Where’s Sam and Lyndsay?”

Lucy stayed with her hands glued to the twins until they settled down. “They’re in the sunroom, I think. Jon, Dave, you guys better get going. We have girly stuff to do, and Richie needs some company.”

David laughed. “You’re not going to get anything done with your hands wrapped around my kids,” he said.

“Yeah, yeah,” Lucy said, smiling. “Just go.”

When the men were gone, the women went to take their showers and get dressed. Lucy had arranged for them to have their hair and makeup done at Ava’s favorite salon, and once Ava and Joan arrived at the house, the girls all set out. They spent the morning laughing and talking, getting manicured, pedicured, primped and prettied. They had lunch brought into the salon, and by the time they were done, they all looked like they were ready for fashion magazines.

They got back to Lucy and Richie’s house by mid-afternoon; in plenty of time to dress for the early evening beach wedding. Hath struggled to get into her dress and had to have Stephanie zip it for her. “I can’t believe how freaking BIG I look in this thing,” she groused. “Seriously, this was NOT made for a pregnant woman.” The gray silk sheath was darted generously in the front to leave room for her abdomen. It hung to the floor and looked great -- from the back. “Ugh, and look, my boobs are practically falling out of this thing.”

Stephanie clucked and patted Hath’s shoulder. “Now you know damned well you look like a beautiful pregnant woman, and this dress is fine. It is not too revealing, though David will surely appreciate the generous cleavage. Now suck it up. This is Lucy’s day.”

“I know, you’re right, I’m just being silly.” She squared her shoulders, thrusting her ample chest forward. “Let’s go wait with the others.”

The bridesmaids were all together in the foyer, waiting on Lucy. “Aunt Hath, the twins are so big!” Ava said shyly. Her eyes got wide. “And they’re moving!”

“Want to feel?” Hath asked. At Ava’s nod, Hath put the girl’s hands on her stomach.

A few minutes later, Lucy’s mother called down to them. “Here she comes, ready or not!”

The women all sucked in a breath as Lucy descended the staircase. Her dress was a simple sheath like theirs, but of the purest white. It had a short train in the back, and drifted down a few steps behind her. Her hair was piled on top of her head, and her veil floated around her shoulders like a delicate cloud. Around her neck was a simple string of pearls; a wedding gift from her soon-to-be husband. Lucy’s mother trailed down the stairs behind her, gently blotting a tear from her eye.

“Lucy, you look stunning!” Alejandra called to her. “Simply beautiful.”

Ava smiled. “Daddy won’t know what hit him.”

And he didn’t.

When Richie, resplendent in a dove-gray tuxedo, saw his bride-to-be walking down the beach toward him, his heart stopped. He couldn’t believe that this gorgeous creature agreed to be his. He thought he was the luckiest man on the planet. When she said “I do”, and he slid the diamond-crusted band on her ring finger, and accepted a matching band on his, he thanked every god he’d ever prayed to for the day Lucia walked into his life.

That night, as David took the pins out of Hath’s up-do and brushed out her hair for her, she wistful. “It really was a gorgeous day.”

David swept Hath’s hair to one side and kissed her shoulder. “You were beautiful today.”

Hath rolled her eyes. “I was bloated and swollen, and looked like a frump next to Steph and Sam.”

“You looked pregnant and glowing and MINE,” David gently corrected. “Like I said; beautiful.”

Hath stood and wrapped her husband in a hug. “Have I told you today that I love you?”

“Only a dozen times, I think it’s time for another one.” He smiled and kissed her lips softly.

“I love you,” Hath said, closing her eyes and drawing him deeper into the kiss.

In September, it was Stephanie and Matt’s turn. If Hath thought she was huge before, by the first week of September, she was enormous. She was worried that she was going to be too big for anything, much less standing up for one of her closest friends. But Hath was up in Stephanie’s room, helping her thread small white flowers through her curls. The last one in, Hath had Stephanie turn for her, to make sure everything was perfect.

“Well?” Stephanie said. Stephanie’s pale silver dress shimmered in the late afternoon light that was streaming in through the window. She had matching peep-toe sandals that poked out from under the dress’ hem. “You look gorgeous,” Hath proclaimed. She leaned in to give her a peck on the cheek. “You’re going to knock Matt on his ass.”

Steph laughed. “That was my intention,” she said. Stephanie ran her hands over Hath’s swollen belly, “I’m so glad you could be here Hath. I wasn’t sure you’d want to travel so far given how close to your due date you are.”

Hath smiled and took Steph’s hands again, “I wouldn’t have missed this for the world, Steph.” They hugged again. “Besides, David keeps telling me he can’t wait to kiss the bride.”

Smiling, Stephanie moved to the window and looked out over the lawn. Lucie and Richie, Jon, Sam and Lindsay, David; she had been surprised when they all said that they would come. David had given her such a pout. “We always take care of family,” he had said, making Stephanie tear up. The guys looked so handsome in their suits and the girls were stunning in their summer dresses. It was the perfect late summer day; blue skies and sunshine and most importantly, not too hot.

A knock at the door startled Stephanie from her musings, and she watched Hath walk slowly across the room to open it. Hath had chosen a pale peach dress with tiny flowers along the hem and was barefoot; shoes were simply too uncomfortable to her now. It was Michael, ready to escort her mother down the aisle. Hath blew Stephanie a kiss and went back to join David on the lawn.

“Ready mom?” he asked. Stephanie wondered when her little boy had gotten to be all grown up.

“I’m ready, are you?”

Michael nodded and took her hand, “Let’s go.”

“Is that the last one before the babies come?” Hath asked later that evening, holed up in their hotel room. “I don’t think I can stand squishing into one more fancy dress. It’s huge t-shirts and baggy maternity shorts from here on out.

David laughed. “That should be it for now,” he said. “When we get home, you can wear whatever you want. Hell wear nothing if you want.”

Hath chuckled. “Yeah, you’d like that, wouldn’t you. Not gonna happen.”

David took Hath into his arms. “Can’t fault a guy for trying,” he said.

“No, I surely can’t.” She kissed his mouth. “I just wish they’d hurry up and come already.”

David put his hands on her abdomen. “Me too,” he said. “I can’t wait to meet them.”

Chapter 119: Welcome Lyndsay!

Goddess’ Note: Most of this post was lifted directly from the Football Forum fanfic on [the old] T’s Place. I made some modifications to make it fit into my view of the story, but the Sam/Jon stuff was written by T.

When Jon got to the hospital, he was happy to see that Hath had been in true Goddess form. Upon arrival, she had informed the hospital staff just exactly whose baby they were delivering, explaining the need for extra security, private waiting rooms, and the discretion of every member of the staff. She had known that Jon would be extremely pissed if paparazzi managed to reach Sam or the baby. A concerned staff member hurriedly led him to the labor and delivery room where they had put Sam. He heard her long before he ever actually reached the room. She was screaming that she was going to cut off a piece of his anatomy that he was kind of fond of. At his ashen face, the nurse told him not to worry, that lots of women threatened that during labor but that they seldom meant it.

"Oh, she means it," Jon said, grinning. "She rarely says anything she doesn't mean. But, I'm sure I'll be forgiven before the morning."

"Somehow, I'm sure you're right," the nurse told him, flashing a knowing smile and opening the door. "Here ya go."

Sam was in the bed, sitting up with Hath wiping the sweat off her forehead and Lucy sitting by the bed holding her hand. However, after closer inspection, he realized Lucy wasn't holding Sam's hand, Sam was squeezing Lucy's.

After the contraction had passed, Sam yelled, "I want an epidural!" that's when her eyes focused on Jon. "Jon, get me an epidural!"

Lucy quietly moved away from the bed so that Jon could take Sam's hand and sit in her chair. Jon wrapped Sam's small hand in both of his. "Baby, you said you wanted to do this naturally, without any drugs," he calmly reminded his wife.

"I lied," she said quickly, "no, actually, I've just changed my mind. In fact, I've changed my mind about all of this. I've decided I don't want to be a mom; I don't want to have a baby." She said the words with such determination that for a brief second he almost thought she could accomplish that.

"I think it's a little late for that now, baby," he told her. Hath and Lucy nodded in agreement.

"Don't you tell me it's too late," she demanded. "I'll do whatever the hell I want to."

"Okay, baby," he placated. "Do what you want," he told her that just as the next contraction hit. Her grip on his hand almost cut off the circulation. He wouldn't have been surprised to find out she'd crushed bones. He waited until the contraction had faded away, before asking her, "Sam, baby, are you sure you want the drugs? I don't mind going and getting someone to give you something." He didn't say it out loud, but he actually would prefer if she'd take some sort of drugs. He couldn't stand to see her in this much pain.

Both Hath and Lucy watched Jon closely. They could see his struggle to remain calm for Sam's sake. Hath jerked her head toward the door and Lucy got the message. The two women quietly left the room, leaving the couple alone. They made their way to the private waiting room that had been arranged for them and found Richie, David and the others already there.

Richie stopped his pacing at their entrance. "Any news?"

"Not yet," Lucy answered, moving into his arms.

Through the long hours of Sam's labor, Hath, Lucy or Stephanie would quietly enter the labor room and sit on the opposite side of Sam's bed and hold her hand, or just get news to take out to the others.

Several threats, pleas and screams later, at 3:36 am EDT, Lyndsay Katherine Bongiovi screamed her first cries. Her father was the first to hold her, holding her down close so that her mother could see her beautiful face. Jon was barely able to tell Sam how much he loved her before she was falling asleep in exhaustion.

When Jon went out into waiting room, the grin on his face told the occupants of the room that their wait was over. "All's fine. Sam's sleeping, and Lyndsay's being taken care of. They've said that you could all go to the nursery and see her through the glass. The name on her bassinet is Sinclair, just to try and avoid the paparazzi getting a picture."

There were loads of handshakes and hugs and kisses, and backslapping going on, with Jon taking it all in stride. Everyone was just happy that mother and baby made it through it all okay.

When Hath and David went to the nursery to visit Lyndsay, Hath’s eyes teared up. “They’ll be looking in on our babies next,” she said.

“Hopefully you won’t go into labor at a show.”

Hath laughed. “Hopefully Jon won’t schedule anything for this fall,” she countered.

“But there’s Joe,” David said. “We have that musical...”

Hath flapped a hand. “I can handle Joe,” she said. She wrapped her arms around her babies. “Another couple months, kids,” she said softly, “and you can meet your cousin.”

*****************************

The next morning, standing at the nursery window, Lucy was wrapped in Richie's arms looking at the beautiful addition to the Bongiovi family when a flash went off startling them both and a voice called out, "Richie, which one is the newest Bongiovi?"

Richie didn't even have time to react before Lucy had snatched the camera, slammed it against the wall and told the reporter to send Richie the bill. Security guards appeared quickly to drag the guy away.

"Let's go see Sam," Richie said, trying not to laugh, as he pulled his little spitfire away from the nursery.

Later, in Sam's room, Lucy was surprised when Sam asked if she wanted to hold Lyndsay, but gladly took the baby from her mother's arms. Staring down at the baby in awe, Lucy began to tear up. This was what it was all about. Love. Love of the unconditional variety. She made her decision then, but decided to wait until they were alone to tell Richie. She wanted to get started immediately on a baby of their own.

After Richie and Lucy left, Jon sat on the side of Sam's bed while she held their sleeping daughter in her arms. "I love you," he told her, the emotion pouring out of him.

"I love you too," she answered. "Do me a favor?"

"Of course, anything you want."

"Go on the forum and tell anyone that might not already know that Lyndsay is finally here."

"Sure thing, baby. As soon as I get back to the hotel."

"Baby," Sam began, "It's almost 3:00. You need to get back to the hotel now. You have another show tonight."

"Yeah, I guess you're right," he reluctantly agreed. "I hate to leave you two."

"We'll still be here tonight when you're done with work," she said, smiling up at him.

“And we’ll be here with her,” Hath said, coming into the room. “D’s outside waiting on you, Boss.”

“Thanks for everything, Hath,” Jon said, crossing the room to give her a brief hug. “Sam told me you took charge at the venue, then here until I arrived.”

“Isn’t taking care of you part of my job description? I don’t know of anything that’s a bigger part of you than Sam and Lyndsay,” she said. “Congratulations, she’s beautiful.”

Jon looked at his daughter, now returned safely to her mother’s arms.

“Yes,” he said. “She is. Both of them are.”

Chapter 118: No, Jon, It’s Not A Joke

Goddess’ Note: Most of this post was lifted directly from the Football Forum fanfic on [the old] T’s Place. I made some modifications to make it fit into my view of the story, but the Sam/Jon stuff was written by T.

Stephanie, Lucy, and even Hath got up and danced for most of the show, but Sam just wasn't quite up to it.

The guys rocked through several songs and had just finished Whole Lot of Leavin' when Jon stepped up to the white mic stand and began to talk to the crowd.

"How we doin' so far, okay?" The crowd roared in response. "This next song wasn't a song that we did very much live, but it happens to be my wife's favorite song." The crowd let out another round of screams, even though they had no idea which song he was talking about. "Well, okay, it's her favorite Bon Jovi song, and since she's here tonight...." he finished the sentence after nodding to David, "Gimme some keys please!"

David began to play, and Sam smiled as Jon began to sing In These Arms. She stood up for that one and just swayed slightly as Jon sang to her. There had been many nights they'd talked on the phone with him in some anonymous hotel room somewhere else in the world, and he would sing the chorus of that song to her.

"And, I would give anything, my blood, my love, my life,
if you were in these arms tonight.
I'd hold ya, I'd need ya,
I'd get down on my knees for you, and make everything all right,
if you were in these arms....

I'd love ya, I'd please ya,
I'd tell ya that I'd never leave ya,
And love you 'til the end of time,
If you were in these arms tonight"

Jon had barely finished the song, when Sam grabbed Hath's arm with her left hand and Lucy's with her right. Stephanie, who stood on the other side of Lucy, didn't realize anything was amiss; she just continued clapping and screaming.

In unison, Hath and Lucy asked, "What's wrong?"

"My water just broke," Sam exclaimed.

"Holy shit," Hath cried.

"FUCK!" Lucy yelled at the same time.

Stephanie's head jerked around at their expletives. "What's wrong?"

Lucy quickly explained, while Hath took charge.

"Stephanie, go to the side of the stage,” she said. “On the way, if you encounter any security people send one to help Lucy and I get Sam to the cars in back. Have the next one get you to Jon as quickly as possible. Then meet us at the hospital. Massachusetts General is the closest."

Sam interrupted Hath's litany of commands. "No! Don't tell Jon. He'll freak."

“Relax, he won't freak," Hath said calmly, "he's been through this four other times."

"Stephanie," Sam commanded, "find someone to tell Richie. Let Richie tell Jon. Make sure that they tell Jon I said for him to finish the show, then come to the hospital. I'm sure Lyndsay will still be a few hours before making an appearance."

"Are you sure?" Stephanie asked. At Sam's nod, she turned to go, but Lucy's hand on her arm had her spinning back around.

"Find Takumi, Richie's guitar tech. Tell him," Lucy told her. "He'll handle the rest."

Stephanie took off at a run. Slowing down only slightly when other fans blocked her path.

Hath and Lucy each held one of Sam's arms and followed behind Stephanie more slowly. They were almost to the metal barrier between the crowd and backstage area when one of the security guys came running up to them.

"I've got one of the golf carts waiting just beyond the barrier, we'll get her to the backstage exit quickly. Paul's already called for an ambulance. It should be waiting there when we get there." He bent down and scooped Sam up in his arms, before he'd even finished talking and walked away with long strides, leaving Hath and Lucy to follow along behind. "I'm sorry about this Mrs. Bongiovi," he told Sam.

"For what, my daughter's lack of timing?"

"No, for just picking you up without asking first."

"No worries, OWWWW!" she finished on a scream.

"Hang on, Mrs. B, please don't have that baby in this arena, the boss'd kill me."

When they got to the golf cart, he put her down gently, and Hath and Lucy quickly got on the seats on the back. At the back door, the guard seemed relieved to hand Sam off to the paramedics, and Hath and Lucy had a minor argument with the paramedic that tried to tell them that only one of them could ride with Sam. He only acquiesced when Hath subtly suggested that she might be in labor as well; so, technically they were taking two patients and only one passenger.

Once Sam was up in the ambulance, she pleaded with the driver not to run the siren, at least not until they were well away from the arena, because she didn't want any of the reporters that might be hanging around to get noisy enough to follow them to the hospital. The driver agreed, but only because they weren't that far from the hospital, and could be there in just a few minutes, with or without the siren.

******************************************

After sending a security guard back for Sam and the others, Stephanie determinedly went in search of Matt. She knew he would be just to the side of the stage with his eyes on the fan pit on Richie's side of the stage. His job was to make sure that none of those women 'attacked' Jon and to pry any off that got that brave. When she got to her fiancé, she quickly told him the problem, and he took her by the hand and practically dragged her to Takumi. When they reached the guitar tech, they were actually under the stage. He had just come down the ramp from handing Richie the guitar for It's My Life and was putting the other one back on the long rack of guitars. It only took Stephanie a minute to explain the problem, while Takumi kept at his job. He had only been half listening to her excited chatter until she got to the phrase 'her water broke'. Then he realized just how important of a job she was asking of him.

"Are you shitting me?" he asked. "You want me to tell Rich instead of Jon? Why?"

"Sam wanted Rich to tell Jon so that he wouldn't freak out. She doesn't want him to interrupt the show."

"Gotcha. I can handle this," Takumi told her. He decided to wait and tell Richie right after I'll Be There For You while Jon was making his way to the platform. Richie could tell the boss when he made it back to the stage.

That wasn't exactly the way it went down though. After Takumi told Richie, the guitarist made a beeline for the platform. Jon didn't even bat an eye when his friend joined him during the first verse of Make a Memory. Rich had been joining him every so often; it just depended on how the show was going and Richie's mood.

Jon noticed that when Rich joined him at the mic, his friend was wearing a smirk like he knew something Jon didn't. During the bridge, Jon found out just what that was.

Richie leaned over and yelled in Jon's ear, "Sam's having the baby."

It took a three count for it to sink in. Jon's eyes went wide and with his mouth still at the mic, he yelled, "You mean, now?"

Being the professionals that they are, the rest of the band never missed a beat. When Richie nodded, Jon's eyes scanned the section where he knew Sam had been sitting while he continued to sing the song. He was really hoping this was one of Richie's sick practical jokes. But, when he couldn't find Sam where she was supposed to be, he began to worry. When the song was over, Richie quickly told him about Sam's wishes that he continue the show. Jon took a moment to explain to the crowd that his wife was in labor, told them about her wishes that he continue the show, and apologizing in advance if he seemed distracted for the remainder of the concert.

During the break before the encore, Jon explained to the other band members what was going on, and told them there would only be a two song encore. He was dropping Mercy and only going to do Wanted and Prayer. He wanted to get to the hospital as soon as possible. Their bows were brief, with Jon being the first to leave the stage instead of the last as usual. He ran straight to the exit where Obie was waiting to take him to the hospital.