I very nearly didn't post this alternate ending.
In fact, it took me all of two days to write the original ending; this one took me more than four months. See, I didn't want the Happily Ever After.
But, as many of you have reminded me, there's enough "real life" out there in the real world. These stories, be they mine or someone else's, serve to let you escape from the reality for a little while.
Some of you begged for Richie and Jen to have a happy ending.
And because I love you, I wrote you one.
Now, I will say, I like the other ending better. Lots better.
BUT, this one's okay too. I hope you like it.
Love,
Hath
One: Nightmare
“NO!” Jennifer screamed, sitting straight up in bed.
When Jen screamed, Stephanie bolted upright next to her. “Jesus, Jen!” she said loudly, frightened by her friend’s outburst. “What’s wrong?” As she fumbled for the light on the nightstand, she could feel the waves of fear emanating from her friend.
All Jennifer could see was smoke and fire. All she could hear were screams and prayers. She smelled thick smoke, and the acrid fumes of something burning stabbed at her eyes. She could even taste the thick clouds in the back of her throat. Jennifer wiped at her eyes, but her vision wouldn’t clear. She couldn’t see through the smoke. The screaming diminished as the roar of the flames grew louder. Straining her ears, Jen thought she heard someone calling her name, but she couldn’t quite make it out. Her heart raced as she cocked her head from side to side, trying to find the voice. She sobbed when she couldn’t. She had to find the voice. She’d be safe if only she could reach the voice. The voice had to be Rich. He had come to save her.
“Jen, it’s me, Steph. Jen. JEN!” Stephanie could tell that her friend heard her, but there was something wrong. Jennifer turned her gaze toward Stephanie, but Steph could see that Jen didn’t really see her.
“Rich?” Jennifer called, her voice high and shrill. “Richie, is that you? I’m so scared, and I can’t see you! Where are you? Please help me! HURRY!”
“What the fuck?” Gail said, running into the room. “Jennifer, what the hell is going on?”
Stephanie looked at Gail, then back at Jen. “I don’t know what’s wrong. I think she’s still asleep. She’s having some sort of freaking nightmare.” She waved a hand in front of Jen’s glazed eyes to illustrate her point.
When they girls heard Jen’s call for Rich get more frantic, they mobilized. One sat on either side of her, grabbed her arms, and yelled loudly. “JEN! Wake up!”
Slowly, Jen’s eyes focused. When she saw where she was, she cried. “Oh God,” she said, bursting into tears and flinging herself into Gail’s arms. Stephanie crowded in close and hugged her from behind. They sat like that for a long time while Jennifer got herself under control.
When Jen started to push back, the girls straightened. “That was some dream, honey. You wanna talk about it?” Gail said, wiping the tears from Jen’s face with the sheets.
“No,” Jen said, shaking her head to try to clear the images. She could still smell the smoke, and felt warm, as if she were still close to the flames. “I have to call Rich. There’s no way I’m getting on that plane in the morning. I can’t. I’ll never make it to L.A.”
“Why?” Stephanie said, as Jen slid out of bed and slowly crossed the room to the desk. “What happened?”
Jen was just shaking her head as she sat down and picked up the phone. With shaking fingers she dialed Richie’s number. “Pick up, pick up, pick up, pick up, pick up,” she said, the words a mantra as she rocked herself in the chair.
By the third ring, Richie was sitting up in bed, the sheets sliding down his bare chest, wondering who the hell would be calling him at – ugh – two in the morning. He’d barely gotten to sleep. “What,” he groused into the phone.
“Rich?” a small, scared voice trembled on the other end. “It’s me, are you awake?”
Richie shook the sleep from his head like a dog with rain. “I am now, darlin’; what’s wrong? Are you okay? What’s happened?”
Jennifer burst into fresh tears. “Oh, Rich, it was awful. There was this big noise, then plane was on fire and it was falling, and people were screaming, and there was something burning, and oh God, that smell, and I heard you calling my name, but couldn’t find you, and all I could think about was not being able to spend my life with you and not being able to carry your children and ...”
Gail and Stephanie watched as their friend chattered manically before finally crumbling in her chair. They were by her side in an instant, Stephanie gently taking the receiver from her friend. “Rich, she had one hell of a dream,” she said into the receiver. “Jen woke up screaming, and Gail and I had a hard time bringing her out of it. She said she wasn’t going to be flying out. She’s really freaked out.”
Richie held the receiver close to his ear. He could hear Jen crying softly in the background, and it broke his heart. “Damn, Stephanie, what does she want me to do? Does she want me to come there? I can be there in a few hours.” He was out of bed and pulling on last night’s jeans before he had his answer.
Stephanie passed Richie’s question on to Jen, who shook her head. “All my stuff is on the way to LA, I’ll find another way out there. I don’t want him on a plane either. Or you guys. Not for a few days at least.” She sniffled and took a deep, shaky breath. “I’m alright,” she said, reaching for the phone. “Rich, I’m okay. You don’t need to come all the way out here. Please don’t. Promise you won’t.”
“Are you sure Jen? I can fly out to you, and we can come back here together. We can take a leisurely drive across the country, or take a train or something.”
“A train!” Jen answered, smiling. “Why don’t we do that? Yes, a train, that’s perfect, absolutely perfect. Why don’t we meet halfway, though? You take the train from LA and I’ll leave from Boston. It’ll be like a junior high school math problem.” She knew she was babbling, but she didn’t care. “We can catch up in Chicago or something, and travel the rest of the way together. I don’t want to wait to see you, Rich, not one more day than I have to. But I just can’t get on a plane, and you can’t either. Not yet. Swear to me you won’t get on a plane for a few days.”
“Okay,” he said, yawning widely.
“Swear to me, Rich. This is important. I need the words. Tell the guys, too. No planes.” Richie didn’t say anything. “Promise me, dammit!”
Richie took a deep breath. She was going off the deep end. “Alright, I swear to you, Jen, I won’t get on a plane. Okay?”
“Okay.” She sniffled and took a deep shaky breath. “You’ll call the guys, too, and tell them?”
“The guys too,” Richie confirmed. “Are you alright now?” he asked gently.
“I will be,” she answered. “I’ll call you later with the train information. I love you.”
“I love you too, sweetheart. Talk to you soon. Can I talk to Stephanie again?”
Jennifer handed the phone to Steph and disappeared into her bathroom. After making sure the door was closed, Stephanie put the call on speaker phone so Gail could hear, too.
“Richie, I’ve never seen her like this; what do you want us to do?”
“Call her mother in the morning, stay with her as long as you can. She scared the shit out of me, I don’t mind telling you. What was all that about a smell?”
Gail shook her head. “We don’t know. I came into the room, and she was screaming like a fucking banshee. Then she started panicking, calling out for you to save her, and it damned near broke my heart.”
“She wouldn’t wake up, Rich,” Stephanie said. “It took both me and Gail shaking her and yelling in her ears to get through to her. I’ve never been so scared in my whole life.”
Stephanie heard the toilet flush and the tap run. “Rich, she’s on her way back.”
“We’ll take care of her,” Gail said. “You can make damned sure of that. And we’ll call Ma first thing.”
Richie sighed. “I guess that’ll have to do. Would she kill me if I flew out there anyway?”
“After you promised her you wouldn’t?” Stephanie said. “What do you think?”
“You’re right,” Richie reluctantly answered. “Okay, take care of my girl.
“We will. Good night,” Stephanie said.
“Good night.”
Jennifer was still asleep when Ma arrived. “How’s my baby?” she asked Gail, tears in her voice. “Is she really okay?”
“She’s fine, Ma,” Gail answered, hugging the older woman. “She had an awful dream, said she couldn’t get on the plane, and called Richie in the middle of the night to tell him. Steph and I convinced her to take one of her Xanax, and she fell into a fitful sleep around five.”
They headed upstairs to Jennifer’s bedroom. When they opened the door, they saw Stephanie still sitting on her side of the bed, with her laptop across her legs. “How is she,” Gail whispered.
“Out for the count,” Steph answered. “But I didn’t want to leave her alone.”
“Thank you, Stephanie,” Ma said, coming to the bedside. “She’s lucky to have such good friends as you.”
Stephanie smiled. “We’re all lucky,” Stephanie said. “Look at this.” She turned the computer around, and Gail and Ma sucked in a breath. The plane allotted to an early morning flight out of Logan had developed mechanical problems, and the flight had been canceled.
“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,” Ma said, crossing herself. “That was her flight?”
Stephanie nodded. “Yep, seems our girl has a touch of clairvoyance,” she said.
“No,” Ma said, shaking her head. “It just wasn’t her time, and God was letting her know. I’ll stay with her.”
“Of course,” Stephanie said. She climbed gingerly out of bed, and padded from the room. As she was closing the door, she heard Ma speaking softly in Italian to her daughter. She peeked back to see Ma sitting on the bed, stroking her hair and murmuring, her fingers worrying well-worn rosary beads.
“Now what?” Gail said, blowing her hair out of her eyes.
“Now we see about getting something to eat. Jen stored away all her EVERYTHING, and...”
Gail laughed. “Ma came with a grocery sack full of stuff,” she said. “Let’s see what she brought.”
Hours later, Jennifer woke up with a start. She saw the familiar nightstand and lamp and was momentarily confused. The evening’s dream slammed back into her full-force, and she sat up abruptly, only to be scooped into the embrace of her mother.
“Mama,” Jen said softly. “I’m so glad you’re here. It was terrible.” She told her mother everything. About the sights, sounds, and smells of her dream. She kept a steady voice until she came to the part about never knowing her mother’s advice as she went through pregnancy, then she lost it.
“Ah, cara, don’t cry, you are alright.” Ma rocked her daughter, whispering the same words over and over until she felt her daughter relax in her arms. Jennifer sat up, and Ma framed her face with soft hands. “You are alright. It was just a dream.”
“I know, but it was so real,” Jennifer answered. She sighed. “What time is it?”
“A little after three,” Ma answered. “Richard has been calling every hour or so, to see if you were awake yet.”
“He is a good man,” Jennifer answered. “I should call him back, let him know I’m alright.”
Ma handed her the phone just as it started to ring.
“How do you do that?” Jennifer said by way of greeting. “I was just going to call you.”
“Sweetheart, how are you?”
“Feeling a little silly for getting all worked up over a dream,” she said bravely.
“But are you okay?”
“Yes, baby, I’m okay. I miss you, though. If I hadn’t had that stupid dream, I could be there with you right now.”
“Uh, darlin’, is there someone with you?”
Jennifer frowned into the phone. “Yeah, Ma’s here. Why?”
Richie blew out a breath. “The flight you were supposed to be on was canceled today.” He heard Jennifer gasp on the other end of the phone. “Yeah, I know. There were mechanical problems, and the maintenance crew tried to fix them, but couldn’t. They scrambled for a different plane, but the flight didn’t leave until almost noon. At best, you’d still be somewhere over the Midwest. At worst...” Richie trailed off, not wanting to say it out loud.
“Damn,” Jennifer said, growing cold. “That’s – that’s – just – ”
“Eerie?” Richie supplied, helpfully.
“Yeah, wicked eerie.” She sighed. “You still aren’t flying out, right?”
“A promise is a promise,” Richie said. “I wish to hell you’d let me come out to you, but I’ll honor your wishes. I went ahead and took care of the train, though.”
“You didn’t have to do that,” Jennifer protested.
“I had to do something,” Richie said. “This way, I felt useful. I emailed your itinerary, but basically, tomorrow at lunch time, you get on the train in Boston, and the next day, I’ll meet you in Chicago, and we can travel the rest of the way together.” He chuckled. “Ava’s pissed that I won’t let her come with me, but we’ll see her when you get here.”
“Rich, thank you,” she said. “Thanks for taking care of all that, and for keeping your promise. It means a lot to me.”
“I love you, sweetheart,” Richie said, his voice low, grumbly, and full of promise.
Casting a sidelong look at her mother, she answered, “I love you too, baby. More than you know.”
“Hi, Richard! We will see you for the wedding,” Ma shouted, making Jen giggle.
“Tell Ma I said hi,” Richie said, laughing. “You, I will see in a few days, alright?”
“Absolutely.”
“And if you’re really good, I’ll have a surprise for you when I see you.”
Jennifer’s thoughts immediately turned raunchy, and she smiled. “Oh you will, will you? You promise?”
“Of course. And you know me, I always keep my word.”
“You sure do, Rich. I need to go get something to eat. Stephanie made me take a Xanax, and I slept through breakfast and lunch.”
“Okay, baby, go have lunch or a snack or whatever. I’ll see you soon, and talk to you later.”
“You betcha,” Jennifer said, smiling. “I love you, Rich.”
“Love you too, Jennifer.”
“Bye.”
When Jen screamed, Stephanie bolted upright next to her. “Jesus, Jen!” she said loudly, frightened by her friend’s outburst. “What’s wrong?” As she fumbled for the light on the nightstand, she could feel the waves of fear emanating from her friend.
All Jennifer could see was smoke and fire. All she could hear were screams and prayers. She smelled thick smoke, and the acrid fumes of something burning stabbed at her eyes. She could even taste the thick clouds in the back of her throat. Jennifer wiped at her eyes, but her vision wouldn’t clear. She couldn’t see through the smoke. The screaming diminished as the roar of the flames grew louder. Straining her ears, Jen thought she heard someone calling her name, but she couldn’t quite make it out. Her heart raced as she cocked her head from side to side, trying to find the voice. She sobbed when she couldn’t. She had to find the voice. She’d be safe if only she could reach the voice. The voice had to be Rich. He had come to save her.
“Jen, it’s me, Steph. Jen. JEN!” Stephanie could tell that her friend heard her, but there was something wrong. Jennifer turned her gaze toward Stephanie, but Steph could see that Jen didn’t really see her.
“Rich?” Jennifer called, her voice high and shrill. “Richie, is that you? I’m so scared, and I can’t see you! Where are you? Please help me! HURRY!”
“What the fuck?” Gail said, running into the room. “Jennifer, what the hell is going on?”
Stephanie looked at Gail, then back at Jen. “I don’t know what’s wrong. I think she’s still asleep. She’s having some sort of freaking nightmare.” She waved a hand in front of Jen’s glazed eyes to illustrate her point.
When they girls heard Jen’s call for Rich get more frantic, they mobilized. One sat on either side of her, grabbed her arms, and yelled loudly. “JEN! Wake up!”
Slowly, Jen’s eyes focused. When she saw where she was, she cried. “Oh God,” she said, bursting into tears and flinging herself into Gail’s arms. Stephanie crowded in close and hugged her from behind. They sat like that for a long time while Jennifer got herself under control.
When Jen started to push back, the girls straightened. “That was some dream, honey. You wanna talk about it?” Gail said, wiping the tears from Jen’s face with the sheets.
“No,” Jen said, shaking her head to try to clear the images. She could still smell the smoke, and felt warm, as if she were still close to the flames. “I have to call Rich. There’s no way I’m getting on that plane in the morning. I can’t. I’ll never make it to L.A.”
“Why?” Stephanie said, as Jen slid out of bed and slowly crossed the room to the desk. “What happened?”
Jen was just shaking her head as she sat down and picked up the phone. With shaking fingers she dialed Richie’s number. “Pick up, pick up, pick up, pick up, pick up,” she said, the words a mantra as she rocked herself in the chair.
By the third ring, Richie was sitting up in bed, the sheets sliding down his bare chest, wondering who the hell would be calling him at – ugh – two in the morning. He’d barely gotten to sleep. “What,” he groused into the phone.
“Rich?” a small, scared voice trembled on the other end. “It’s me, are you awake?”
Richie shook the sleep from his head like a dog with rain. “I am now, darlin’; what’s wrong? Are you okay? What’s happened?”
Jennifer burst into fresh tears. “Oh, Rich, it was awful. There was this big noise, then plane was on fire and it was falling, and people were screaming, and there was something burning, and oh God, that smell, and I heard you calling my name, but couldn’t find you, and all I could think about was not being able to spend my life with you and not being able to carry your children and ...”
Gail and Stephanie watched as their friend chattered manically before finally crumbling in her chair. They were by her side in an instant, Stephanie gently taking the receiver from her friend. “Rich, she had one hell of a dream,” she said into the receiver. “Jen woke up screaming, and Gail and I had a hard time bringing her out of it. She said she wasn’t going to be flying out. She’s really freaked out.”
Richie held the receiver close to his ear. He could hear Jen crying softly in the background, and it broke his heart. “Damn, Stephanie, what does she want me to do? Does she want me to come there? I can be there in a few hours.” He was out of bed and pulling on last night’s jeans before he had his answer.
Stephanie passed Richie’s question on to Jen, who shook her head. “All my stuff is on the way to LA, I’ll find another way out there. I don’t want him on a plane either. Or you guys. Not for a few days at least.” She sniffled and took a deep, shaky breath. “I’m alright,” she said, reaching for the phone. “Rich, I’m okay. You don’t need to come all the way out here. Please don’t. Promise you won’t.”
“Are you sure Jen? I can fly out to you, and we can come back here together. We can take a leisurely drive across the country, or take a train or something.”
“A train!” Jen answered, smiling. “Why don’t we do that? Yes, a train, that’s perfect, absolutely perfect. Why don’t we meet halfway, though? You take the train from LA and I’ll leave from Boston. It’ll be like a junior high school math problem.” She knew she was babbling, but she didn’t care. “We can catch up in Chicago or something, and travel the rest of the way together. I don’t want to wait to see you, Rich, not one more day than I have to. But I just can’t get on a plane, and you can’t either. Not yet. Swear to me you won’t get on a plane for a few days.”
“Okay,” he said, yawning widely.
“Swear to me, Rich. This is important. I need the words. Tell the guys, too. No planes.” Richie didn’t say anything. “Promise me, dammit!”
Richie took a deep breath. She was going off the deep end. “Alright, I swear to you, Jen, I won’t get on a plane. Okay?”
“Okay.” She sniffled and took a deep shaky breath. “You’ll call the guys, too, and tell them?”
“The guys too,” Richie confirmed. “Are you alright now?” he asked gently.
“I will be,” she answered. “I’ll call you later with the train information. I love you.”
“I love you too, sweetheart. Talk to you soon. Can I talk to Stephanie again?”
Jennifer handed the phone to Steph and disappeared into her bathroom. After making sure the door was closed, Stephanie put the call on speaker phone so Gail could hear, too.
“Richie, I’ve never seen her like this; what do you want us to do?”
“Call her mother in the morning, stay with her as long as you can. She scared the shit out of me, I don’t mind telling you. What was all that about a smell?”
Gail shook her head. “We don’t know. I came into the room, and she was screaming like a fucking banshee. Then she started panicking, calling out for you to save her, and it damned near broke my heart.”
“She wouldn’t wake up, Rich,” Stephanie said. “It took both me and Gail shaking her and yelling in her ears to get through to her. I’ve never been so scared in my whole life.”
Stephanie heard the toilet flush and the tap run. “Rich, she’s on her way back.”
“We’ll take care of her,” Gail said. “You can make damned sure of that. And we’ll call Ma first thing.”
Richie sighed. “I guess that’ll have to do. Would she kill me if I flew out there anyway?”
“After you promised her you wouldn’t?” Stephanie said. “What do you think?”
“You’re right,” Richie reluctantly answered. “Okay, take care of my girl.
“We will. Good night,” Stephanie said.
“Good night.”
Jennifer was still asleep when Ma arrived. “How’s my baby?” she asked Gail, tears in her voice. “Is she really okay?”
“She’s fine, Ma,” Gail answered, hugging the older woman. “She had an awful dream, said she couldn’t get on the plane, and called Richie in the middle of the night to tell him. Steph and I convinced her to take one of her Xanax, and she fell into a fitful sleep around five.”
They headed upstairs to Jennifer’s bedroom. When they opened the door, they saw Stephanie still sitting on her side of the bed, with her laptop across her legs. “How is she,” Gail whispered.
“Out for the count,” Steph answered. “But I didn’t want to leave her alone.”
“Thank you, Stephanie,” Ma said, coming to the bedside. “She’s lucky to have such good friends as you.”
Stephanie smiled. “We’re all lucky,” Stephanie said. “Look at this.” She turned the computer around, and Gail and Ma sucked in a breath. The plane allotted to an early morning flight out of Logan had developed mechanical problems, and the flight had been canceled.
“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,” Ma said, crossing herself. “That was her flight?”
Stephanie nodded. “Yep, seems our girl has a touch of clairvoyance,” she said.
“No,” Ma said, shaking her head. “It just wasn’t her time, and God was letting her know. I’ll stay with her.”
“Of course,” Stephanie said. She climbed gingerly out of bed, and padded from the room. As she was closing the door, she heard Ma speaking softly in Italian to her daughter. She peeked back to see Ma sitting on the bed, stroking her hair and murmuring, her fingers worrying well-worn rosary beads.
“Now what?” Gail said, blowing her hair out of her eyes.
“Now we see about getting something to eat. Jen stored away all her EVERYTHING, and...”
Gail laughed. “Ma came with a grocery sack full of stuff,” she said. “Let’s see what she brought.”
Hours later, Jennifer woke up with a start. She saw the familiar nightstand and lamp and was momentarily confused. The evening’s dream slammed back into her full-force, and she sat up abruptly, only to be scooped into the embrace of her mother.
“Mama,” Jen said softly. “I’m so glad you’re here. It was terrible.” She told her mother everything. About the sights, sounds, and smells of her dream. She kept a steady voice until she came to the part about never knowing her mother’s advice as she went through pregnancy, then she lost it.
“Ah, cara, don’t cry, you are alright.” Ma rocked her daughter, whispering the same words over and over until she felt her daughter relax in her arms. Jennifer sat up, and Ma framed her face with soft hands. “You are alright. It was just a dream.”
“I know, but it was so real,” Jennifer answered. She sighed. “What time is it?”
“A little after three,” Ma answered. “Richard has been calling every hour or so, to see if you were awake yet.”
“He is a good man,” Jennifer answered. “I should call him back, let him know I’m alright.”
Ma handed her the phone just as it started to ring.
“How do you do that?” Jennifer said by way of greeting. “I was just going to call you.”
“Sweetheart, how are you?”
“Feeling a little silly for getting all worked up over a dream,” she said bravely.
“But are you okay?”
“Yes, baby, I’m okay. I miss you, though. If I hadn’t had that stupid dream, I could be there with you right now.”
“Uh, darlin’, is there someone with you?”
Jennifer frowned into the phone. “Yeah, Ma’s here. Why?”
Richie blew out a breath. “The flight you were supposed to be on was canceled today.” He heard Jennifer gasp on the other end of the phone. “Yeah, I know. There were mechanical problems, and the maintenance crew tried to fix them, but couldn’t. They scrambled for a different plane, but the flight didn’t leave until almost noon. At best, you’d still be somewhere over the Midwest. At worst...” Richie trailed off, not wanting to say it out loud.
“Damn,” Jennifer said, growing cold. “That’s – that’s – just – ”
“Eerie?” Richie supplied, helpfully.
“Yeah, wicked eerie.” She sighed. “You still aren’t flying out, right?”
“A promise is a promise,” Richie said. “I wish to hell you’d let me come out to you, but I’ll honor your wishes. I went ahead and took care of the train, though.”
“You didn’t have to do that,” Jennifer protested.
“I had to do something,” Richie said. “This way, I felt useful. I emailed your itinerary, but basically, tomorrow at lunch time, you get on the train in Boston, and the next day, I’ll meet you in Chicago, and we can travel the rest of the way together.” He chuckled. “Ava’s pissed that I won’t let her come with me, but we’ll see her when you get here.”
“Rich, thank you,” she said. “Thanks for taking care of all that, and for keeping your promise. It means a lot to me.”
“I love you, sweetheart,” Richie said, his voice low, grumbly, and full of promise.
Casting a sidelong look at her mother, she answered, “I love you too, baby. More than you know.”
“Hi, Richard! We will see you for the wedding,” Ma shouted, making Jen giggle.
“Tell Ma I said hi,” Richie said, laughing. “You, I will see in a few days, alright?”
“Absolutely.”
“And if you’re really good, I’ll have a surprise for you when I see you.”
Jennifer’s thoughts immediately turned raunchy, and she smiled. “Oh you will, will you? You promise?”
“Of course. And you know me, I always keep my word.”
“You sure do, Rich. I need to go get something to eat. Stephanie made me take a Xanax, and I slept through breakfast and lunch.”
“Okay, baby, go have lunch or a snack or whatever. I’ll see you soon, and talk to you later.”
“You betcha,” Jennifer said, smiling. “I love you, Rich.”
“Love you too, Jennifer.”
“Bye.”
Two: Cross-Country Train
The train station was teeming with people at mid-day. In addition to train and bus lines, South Station hosted an assortment of restaurants that did a booming business at lunchtime. Local businessmen in their suits and power ties, vied for seats on the concourse with students, travelers, and mothers bringing their kids into the city for the day. Stephanie and Gail found seats in the waiting area and sat while Jennifer approached the ticket window, and turned over her license.
“I have a reservation for Petruzzo,” she said to the ticket agent. Jen noted the ID badge hanging on a lanyard around the agent’s neck: Steve. “I have my reservation number right here, Steve.” She handed the email from Rich over to Steve.
“Thank you, Ms. Petruzzo,” Steve answered, grinning. He punched a few buttons on his keyboard and his smile widened. “I see special arrangements have been made for you in Chicago,” he said. “You will be meeting a second party and traveling together?”
Jen frowned. “Yeah,” she said, hesitantly. “What do you mean, ‘special arrangements’?”
“You have a deluxe sleeper berth on this ride,” he answered. “Quite comfortable.” He printed out her ticket and handed it, along with her license and itinerary, back to her. “Location ‘E’ on track seven. Do you have luggage?”
“Just my laptop and a duffel.”
“That’ll be fine. Once the train is underway, the steward will be by to take your lunch and dinner orders. Instructions on how to use the television and sound system will be in a pouch to the side of the sliding door. Anything else you need, there’s a call button for the steward on the wall above the sink.”
Jennifer was shaking her head. Leave it to Richie to find the most obnoxious accommodations on the train and get them for her. “Thanks, Steve. I’m sure it’ll be perfect.”
“Boarding in fifteen minutes. Location ‘E’. Track seven. Have a good trip.”
Jennifer rejoined her friends, holding up her ticket. “Richie reserved me a sleeper car,” she said, smiling.
“Yeah, like once he meets up with you in Chi-town, you’re gonna do any sleeping in that car,” Gail said, making Jennifer blush. “Oh don’t give me that blushing virgin shit, Jen, you know I‘m right.”
“Gail!” Jen protested.
Stephanie started laughing. “Oh get over it. You know you’re a huge slut when it comes to Richie.”
The fifteen minutes felt more like fifty, but soon, the announcement came over the public address system:
Good Morning, may I have your attention please. Now boarding on track seven is the 11:55am Lake Shore Limited. Station stops in Springfield, Mass., Pittsfield, Albany, New York, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, Erie, Pennsylvania, Cleveland, Ohio, Sandusky, Toledo, Elkhard, Indiana, South Bend, final destination Chicago, Illinois, with several other intermediate stops. Club car is at location ‘B’, quiet car, location ‘H’. We thank you for traveling Amtrak, and wish you a pleasant journey to your destination.
“This is it,” Jennifer said to Stephanie and Gail. “Thank you so much for staying with me, and humoring me. You can fly home tomorrow, or stay at my place long as you want.”
“Are you sure it’s okay for us to fly?” Stephanie asked, hugging her friend.
“Yeah,” Jen answered, blushing. “It should be fine. Of course it will be fine. Thanks for humoring me. You guys are the absolute best.”
“Well we have to go home,” Gail said, “we ate everything Ma left for us.”
“If you’re in no hurry to leave, I’m sure she’d set you up,” Jen said, laughing.
“Yeah, she would,” Gail agreed. “I’ll let you know. I kinda like it here, may visit a bit longer.”
Jennifer hugged her English sister. “As long as you want. My house is your house.”
The trio of women turned heads as they made their way out to the platform. As the train approached the station, its headlight shining like a beacon, even in the bright noontime sun, Jennifer’s excitement grew. She was on her way to the future.
She boarded and quickly found her seat, laughing at the absolutely absurd compartment. It had a bunk that folded down from the wall, and had to have at least a queen-sized mattress. There were two plush chairs and a table, on rails on the floor. They’d slide back toward the wall and bolt into place when the bed was lowered. The décor was tasteful shades of cream and rose, and as she stowed her bag in the closet, someone stopped outside her open door.
“Good afternoon, Ms. Petruzzo,” the steward said. “I’m Chet, and I’ll be taking care of you on this leg of your trip. Anything you need, you just press the little button over the sink, and I’ll do my best to help you.”
“Thanks, Chet; I appreciate it. So, what do I do when I get to Chicago? I’m continuing on to LA, and need to change trains.”
“Not a problem,” he answered. “We’ll get in around ten tomorrow morning. You have several hours until the next leg, and I can recommend some area restaurants if you’re looking for some way to pass the time.”
Jen smiled. “I have someone meeting me in Chicago, and I’m sure he’s got something arranged already,” she said.
Chet returned the smile. “Alright then; before you disembark, we’ll let you know your connecting train information.” He consulted a timetable he pulled from his inside jacket pocket. “You’ll have about four hours from the time we arrive until the Empire Builder leaves for LA. You’ll travel for two days with a few short stops, and have a four hour break in Portland before heading out for the final leg.”
Jen smiled. “Fantastic.” She shut the closet door and turned to Chet. “When does the club car open? I’d like to get some lunch.”
“I’ll be happy to take your order and bring you something when the train gets underway,” Chet said.
Jennifer gave her order and closed the sliding door behind him. She tested the small color television that was built into the wall, then turned it off, sat in one of the deep green chairs, and called Richie.
“Hey, darlin’,” Richie said when he answered the phone.
“Hey yourself,” Jen answered. “Could you find a more obnoxious seat for me?”
He just laughed. “Hey, that was the best I could do on short notice. Anyway, I need you to be well rested when we meet up in Chicago, baby. Can’t have you all tired. That’s just like being loopy and I know how you feel about that.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Jen said. “Anyway, I’m going to be more than comfortable.” She sat by the window and looked out at the people hustling up and down the platform. “I can’t wait to see you. Thank you for humoring me with the flying thing. The guys stayed on the ground too, right?”
“Yes they did. Is the moratorium lifted?” He hoped to hell it was, as he was at the airport, waiting for his flight to Chicago.
Jen chuckled. “Yeah, I don’t have any of those weird hinky feelings anymore. I still can’t believe there was something wrong with that plane.”
“Well, you don’t have to worry about it; you’re safely on the ground.”
A knock on the door interrupted their conversation. “Rich, that’s Chet with my lunch. Can I call you back in a little while?”
“Like you have to ask. I love you,” he said.
“I love you more,” Jen answered, rising to answer the door.
“Impossible,” Richie said. “I’ll talk to you later.”
“You bet. Bye.”
She opened the slider and Chet brought a tray into her berth, setting it on the table.
“Can I get you anything else?” he asked as he straightened from the table.
“No, that’ll do it.”
“Fine. When you’re ready to have the tray collected, just flip the little switch here by the door,” he showed her an unobtrusive toggle. “That’ll ring in the club car, and someone will be right down. Same if you need anything else from there.”
“Thank you, Chet,” Jen said, salivating at the smells coming from under the silvery dome on her table. She must be starving; train food just wasn’t that good.
When the steward had left, and Jen had settled into her chair, she lifted the lid, inhaling the aroma of a lovely beef stew. The French bread alongside the bowl was hot and smelled fresh, and a small crock of whipped butter all but beckoned to be spread on the skinny loaf. She looked out the window while she ate, watching the scenery pass her by. In a little under 20 hours, she’d be in Richie’s arms again.
She spent a peaceful afternoon reading, talking with Richie and her girlfriends, and assuring her mother for the hundredth time that she really was okay. Dinner was just as good as lunch was, and the subtle back-and-forth motion of the train on its tracks had her sleepy long before she was ready to retire. She didn’t want to go to bed too early, or she’d be up far too early in the morning. Still, Jennifer wanted to make sure she was well-rested for when she met up with Richie, so maybe bed wasn’t the worst thing. She smiled, wondering how he planned for them to spend the nearly four hours they’d have together between trains.
Jennifer used the small fold-down sink in her berth to brush her teeth, and used the shared restroom at the end of the car before returning to her compartment. After struggling with the furniture, getting it bolted properly, she folded down the bed and climbed in. Sighing against the pillows, she reached for her phone.
“Hey there,” Richie said, smiling when he saw the number come up. He was propped up on the bed in his hotel room, waiting for her call. The hotel he had chosen was only about ten minutes from the station. He wanted to spend about an hour just holding her, and making sure she was really alright, then the rest of the time he wanted her naked and horizontal. He also didn’t want them to miss their train. He had another surprise in store for his Jennifer.
“Hey yourself,” Jen said stretching. “Whatcha doing?”
“Missing you,” Richie answered. “I can’t wait to see you tomorrow.”
“Me either. You know we have a long time between the time I get in, and the time we have to leave, right?”
“Baby, I already have plans for each and every one of those minutes.” His voice lowered, and the timbre of it sent shivers through Jen’s body.
“Ooh, I’ll just bet you do,” Jen agreed. She lowered her own voice to a mere rasp. “Care to share any of those plans with me? You know, to make sure I agree with what you want to do?”
Richie chuckled. “I suppose I could share a thing or two with you.” He slid down a little further on the mattress. “But I guarantee you’ll be totally on board.”
“Mmmm,” Jen purred. “Arrogant tease. So give me a for instance. Make sure I approve.”
“Oh you’ll approve.” He sighed contentedly. “But first, I need to just hold you. I have to see for myself that you’re okay.”
Tears pooled in Jen’s eyes. That wasn’t what she was expecting at all. “Oh, Rich, I’m alright. I’ll be better when I’m with you tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that...but I’m fine. I promise.”
“Tell me what you’re wearing tomorrow.”
Jen laughed. “Why? You forget what I look like already, you gotta find me by my clothes?”
“No, I need to plan how to strip them off of you.”
“I have a reservation for Petruzzo,” she said to the ticket agent. Jen noted the ID badge hanging on a lanyard around the agent’s neck: Steve. “I have my reservation number right here, Steve.” She handed the email from Rich over to Steve.
“Thank you, Ms. Petruzzo,” Steve answered, grinning. He punched a few buttons on his keyboard and his smile widened. “I see special arrangements have been made for you in Chicago,” he said. “You will be meeting a second party and traveling together?”
Jen frowned. “Yeah,” she said, hesitantly. “What do you mean, ‘special arrangements’?”
“You have a deluxe sleeper berth on this ride,” he answered. “Quite comfortable.” He printed out her ticket and handed it, along with her license and itinerary, back to her. “Location ‘E’ on track seven. Do you have luggage?”
“Just my laptop and a duffel.”
“That’ll be fine. Once the train is underway, the steward will be by to take your lunch and dinner orders. Instructions on how to use the television and sound system will be in a pouch to the side of the sliding door. Anything else you need, there’s a call button for the steward on the wall above the sink.”
Jennifer was shaking her head. Leave it to Richie to find the most obnoxious accommodations on the train and get them for her. “Thanks, Steve. I’m sure it’ll be perfect.”
“Boarding in fifteen minutes. Location ‘E’. Track seven. Have a good trip.”
Jennifer rejoined her friends, holding up her ticket. “Richie reserved me a sleeper car,” she said, smiling.
“Yeah, like once he meets up with you in Chi-town, you’re gonna do any sleeping in that car,” Gail said, making Jennifer blush. “Oh don’t give me that blushing virgin shit, Jen, you know I‘m right.”
“Gail!” Jen protested.
Stephanie started laughing. “Oh get over it. You know you’re a huge slut when it comes to Richie.”
The fifteen minutes felt more like fifty, but soon, the announcement came over the public address system:
Good Morning, may I have your attention please. Now boarding on track seven is the 11:55am Lake Shore Limited. Station stops in Springfield, Mass., Pittsfield, Albany, New York, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, Erie, Pennsylvania, Cleveland, Ohio, Sandusky, Toledo, Elkhard, Indiana, South Bend, final destination Chicago, Illinois, with several other intermediate stops. Club car is at location ‘B’, quiet car, location ‘H’. We thank you for traveling Amtrak, and wish you a pleasant journey to your destination.
“This is it,” Jennifer said to Stephanie and Gail. “Thank you so much for staying with me, and humoring me. You can fly home tomorrow, or stay at my place long as you want.”
“Are you sure it’s okay for us to fly?” Stephanie asked, hugging her friend.
“Yeah,” Jen answered, blushing. “It should be fine. Of course it will be fine. Thanks for humoring me. You guys are the absolute best.”
“Well we have to go home,” Gail said, “we ate everything Ma left for us.”
“If you’re in no hurry to leave, I’m sure she’d set you up,” Jen said, laughing.
“Yeah, she would,” Gail agreed. “I’ll let you know. I kinda like it here, may visit a bit longer.”
Jennifer hugged her English sister. “As long as you want. My house is your house.”
The trio of women turned heads as they made their way out to the platform. As the train approached the station, its headlight shining like a beacon, even in the bright noontime sun, Jennifer’s excitement grew. She was on her way to the future.
She boarded and quickly found her seat, laughing at the absolutely absurd compartment. It had a bunk that folded down from the wall, and had to have at least a queen-sized mattress. There were two plush chairs and a table, on rails on the floor. They’d slide back toward the wall and bolt into place when the bed was lowered. The décor was tasteful shades of cream and rose, and as she stowed her bag in the closet, someone stopped outside her open door.
“Good afternoon, Ms. Petruzzo,” the steward said. “I’m Chet, and I’ll be taking care of you on this leg of your trip. Anything you need, you just press the little button over the sink, and I’ll do my best to help you.”
“Thanks, Chet; I appreciate it. So, what do I do when I get to Chicago? I’m continuing on to LA, and need to change trains.”
“Not a problem,” he answered. “We’ll get in around ten tomorrow morning. You have several hours until the next leg, and I can recommend some area restaurants if you’re looking for some way to pass the time.”
Jen smiled. “I have someone meeting me in Chicago, and I’m sure he’s got something arranged already,” she said.
Chet returned the smile. “Alright then; before you disembark, we’ll let you know your connecting train information.” He consulted a timetable he pulled from his inside jacket pocket. “You’ll have about four hours from the time we arrive until the Empire Builder leaves for LA. You’ll travel for two days with a few short stops, and have a four hour break in Portland before heading out for the final leg.”
Jen smiled. “Fantastic.” She shut the closet door and turned to Chet. “When does the club car open? I’d like to get some lunch.”
“I’ll be happy to take your order and bring you something when the train gets underway,” Chet said.
Jennifer gave her order and closed the sliding door behind him. She tested the small color television that was built into the wall, then turned it off, sat in one of the deep green chairs, and called Richie.
“Hey, darlin’,” Richie said when he answered the phone.
“Hey yourself,” Jen answered. “Could you find a more obnoxious seat for me?”
He just laughed. “Hey, that was the best I could do on short notice. Anyway, I need you to be well rested when we meet up in Chicago, baby. Can’t have you all tired. That’s just like being loopy and I know how you feel about that.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Jen said. “Anyway, I’m going to be more than comfortable.” She sat by the window and looked out at the people hustling up and down the platform. “I can’t wait to see you. Thank you for humoring me with the flying thing. The guys stayed on the ground too, right?”
“Yes they did. Is the moratorium lifted?” He hoped to hell it was, as he was at the airport, waiting for his flight to Chicago.
Jen chuckled. “Yeah, I don’t have any of those weird hinky feelings anymore. I still can’t believe there was something wrong with that plane.”
“Well, you don’t have to worry about it; you’re safely on the ground.”
A knock on the door interrupted their conversation. “Rich, that’s Chet with my lunch. Can I call you back in a little while?”
“Like you have to ask. I love you,” he said.
“I love you more,” Jen answered, rising to answer the door.
“Impossible,” Richie said. “I’ll talk to you later.”
“You bet. Bye.”
She opened the slider and Chet brought a tray into her berth, setting it on the table.
“Can I get you anything else?” he asked as he straightened from the table.
“No, that’ll do it.”
“Fine. When you’re ready to have the tray collected, just flip the little switch here by the door,” he showed her an unobtrusive toggle. “That’ll ring in the club car, and someone will be right down. Same if you need anything else from there.”
“Thank you, Chet,” Jen said, salivating at the smells coming from under the silvery dome on her table. She must be starving; train food just wasn’t that good.
When the steward had left, and Jen had settled into her chair, she lifted the lid, inhaling the aroma of a lovely beef stew. The French bread alongside the bowl was hot and smelled fresh, and a small crock of whipped butter all but beckoned to be spread on the skinny loaf. She looked out the window while she ate, watching the scenery pass her by. In a little under 20 hours, she’d be in Richie’s arms again.
She spent a peaceful afternoon reading, talking with Richie and her girlfriends, and assuring her mother for the hundredth time that she really was okay. Dinner was just as good as lunch was, and the subtle back-and-forth motion of the train on its tracks had her sleepy long before she was ready to retire. She didn’t want to go to bed too early, or she’d be up far too early in the morning. Still, Jennifer wanted to make sure she was well-rested for when she met up with Richie, so maybe bed wasn’t the worst thing. She smiled, wondering how he planned for them to spend the nearly four hours they’d have together between trains.
Jennifer used the small fold-down sink in her berth to brush her teeth, and used the shared restroom at the end of the car before returning to her compartment. After struggling with the furniture, getting it bolted properly, she folded down the bed and climbed in. Sighing against the pillows, she reached for her phone.
“Hey there,” Richie said, smiling when he saw the number come up. He was propped up on the bed in his hotel room, waiting for her call. The hotel he had chosen was only about ten minutes from the station. He wanted to spend about an hour just holding her, and making sure she was really alright, then the rest of the time he wanted her naked and horizontal. He also didn’t want them to miss their train. He had another surprise in store for his Jennifer.
“Hey yourself,” Jen said stretching. “Whatcha doing?”
“Missing you,” Richie answered. “I can’t wait to see you tomorrow.”
“Me either. You know we have a long time between the time I get in, and the time we have to leave, right?”
“Baby, I already have plans for each and every one of those minutes.” His voice lowered, and the timbre of it sent shivers through Jen’s body.
“Ooh, I’ll just bet you do,” Jen agreed. She lowered her own voice to a mere rasp. “Care to share any of those plans with me? You know, to make sure I agree with what you want to do?”
Richie chuckled. “I suppose I could share a thing or two with you.” He slid down a little further on the mattress. “But I guarantee you’ll be totally on board.”
“Mmmm,” Jen purred. “Arrogant tease. So give me a for instance. Make sure I approve.”
“Oh you’ll approve.” He sighed contentedly. “But first, I need to just hold you. I have to see for myself that you’re okay.”
Tears pooled in Jen’s eyes. That wasn’t what she was expecting at all. “Oh, Rich, I’m alright. I’ll be better when I’m with you tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that...but I’m fine. I promise.”
“Tell me what you’re wearing tomorrow.”
Jen laughed. “Why? You forget what I look like already, you gotta find me by my clothes?”
“No, I need to plan how to strip them off of you.”
Three: Meeting up with Richie
Jen’s breath caught in her throat. “I was planning on jeans and a t-shirt, but I can certainly find something shall we say, ‘easier’ if you want.”
“No, no,” Richie said softly, “that’s fine. I can pull the t-shirt up and over your head. Slowly, so my fingertips drag across your skin. Will you be wearing a bra?”
Jen swallowed. “Uh, no?” she said in a small voice.
Richie growled. “Good, baby. That means that after I back you against the wall, I’ll be able to take your nipple in my mouth right away. I like that. Would you like that?”
“Oh yes,” Jen breathed.
“Are you okay, darlin’?”
“Mmm, more than okay,” she answered. “I’m starting to feel all throbby.”
A deep chuckle answered her words. “And just where are you feeling throbby?”
“Where you said you would take me in your mouth.”
“The word, Jennifer. Say the word.”
“My nipples,” she said softly.
“Are you in your bed?”
“Mm-hmmm,” Jen said, burrowing further under the covers. “And it’s so lonely here with out you.”
“Touch your nipples,” Richie whispered into the phone. “Pretend I’m with you; pretend my mouth is on you. Pull gently on first one, then the other. Feel me with you. Can you do that for me?”
The train’s whistle blew long and loud, but Jennifer didn’t hear it. All she could hear was Richie’s voice on the other end of the phone.
She tentatively pinched one nipple between her fingers, and a soft gasp escaped her lips.
“That’s right, baby,” Richie cooed. “And while my mouth’s occupied, I’ll undo the button of your jeans, slide the zipper down slowly, and slide them over your hips. Will they be loose?”
“N-no,” Jen said. “My jeans tend to be snug.”
Richie made a “tsk” noise. “Then I’ll have to interrupt your pleasure to slide them down your legs. But I suppose I can lick my way down your body. Will that be alright?”
“Oh, yes,” Jen whispered, lost in his voice; wrapped up in his words.
“When I strip your jeans off, will your panties be wet?”
“Yes,” Jen said, unable to add any more to that.
“Are they wet now? Check for me.”
“I don’t have to check, I can tell. Yes.”
“I don’t believe you. Check for me. C’mon, Jennifer, darlin’, slide your fingers inside your panties, and let me know if they slide all over you.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Jen did as he asked. “God, Rich, I’m so wet.”
“Good. Now, I’ve got your jeans off, and have to decide, do I tear your panties away and bury my face in your pussy? Or go back to sucking your nipples? Which one do you think I should do?”
Jennifer moaned as a bolt of desire pierced her clit. “Either one, Rich. Either will do it for me. But, I think you should come back up to my nipples so I can open your pants. I want to feel your hard length in my hand. I want to feel it in other places, but in my hand first.” She heard Richie’s quick intake of breath on the other end of the phone, and was sure he was smiling.
“Will you just hold it?”
“No, I’ll push your pants down over your hips, and stroke up and down, tightening my hand around you with each stroke. I want to feel the silky soft skin over the hard rod I know is just for me.”
“Ah, darlin’, it is all just for you.” Jen heard him unzip and re-settle on the bed. Or what she presumed was the bed. At this point, she didn’t care where he was, as long as he was as turned on as she was.
“Are you imagining my hand on you?” she asked him. “Can you feel my skin on yours?”
“God, yes, baby,” Richie grunted as he stroked. “But be careful, I don’t want to cum all over you. I want to cum inside you. I’d better make sure you’re ready for me. Tell me, are you ready for me?”
“Yes, oh God, yes, Rich.”
“Prove it. Slide two fingers inside yourself. Do they go easily?”
Jen did as he bid. “God, y-y-yes, they do.”
“Well then, add a third,” he said. “Now,” he added, when she didn’t answer right away.
“But Rich,” she panted, “I don’t want... Not by myself… I want you to...”
“Do it, darlin’. Cum for me. I love pressing into your body when you’re just over the edge of your first orgasm. You squeeze me so tight, it’s – ” he broke off on a gasp, quickly pulling his hand away from himself. Just a few moments more, and he can have his release, he thought.
“Mmm, and I just love the way that your hardness pushes into me. That my body’s clenching and tightening and closing up and you open me back up. It shatters me.”
“Did you add the third finger?” Richie asked softly.
“I did,” Jen whispered.
Richie took himself in hand again. “Pump yourself hard,” he said. “Imagine they’re my fingers inside of you. You know how I touch you, how I reach deep inside you. Can you feel me?”
“I... You... are you...”
“C’mon, baby,” Richie urged. “Just a little faster. I can’t hold myself back much longer; your hands on my body are magic.”
“God, Rich, I love you.”
“I love you too. I can tell, you’re close, aren’t you?”
“Mmm…”
“Let it go, baby, let the waves take you. Tell me when you’re on the verge...”
“God, Rich, I’m, oh God, I’m – ”
“Pump harder baby, just a little harder. You’re almost ready for me to drive into you. Almost. Come on, baby,” his words were a soft mantra in her ear, urging her forward, speeding her release.
When her orgasm hit, her back arched hard, and the phone fell to the floor. She could hear Richie’s groans through the little speaker as he peaked. She flailed around at the floor, trying to find her phone, and managed to tuck it under her head.
“God, Rich,” she breathed.
“Just think how much better it will be when we’re together,” he answered, his voice thick.
They spoke for a while longer, not really talking about anything, while their heartbeats returned to normal. After a long while, and with her body still humming, Jen said “Good Night” to Richie, and drifted off to sleep.
When she woke up, she was in Ohio. She couldn’t tell of course just from looking out the window, but it was the first thing she asked the steward when she ventured out to get her breakfast. After a much sounder sleep than she thought she would have, thanks to Richie’s call, she was refreshed and ready to be in Chicago.
“Only a few hours to go,” she muttered under her breath as she made her way back to her compartment, breakfast in hand. No sooner had she sat down than her phone started singing.
“What are you doing up so early?” she said by way of greeting, smiling into the phone.
“Just wanted to be sure we woke up together, darlin’,” he answered. “I can’t wait to see you,” he rumbled, shifting in his bed.
The closer they got to Chicago, the antsier Jen became. Finally, the train slowed to a stop, and Chet was knocking on the door. “All set, Ms. Petruzzo?”
“All set, Chet.”
“Great.” He picked up her bags and led the way to the platform. “Excuse me,” he said to a tall man blocking the door.
“Rich!” Jennifer squeaked, and launched herself into his arms. He held her tight against him, squeezing her so hard she couldn’t breathe, but she didn’t care. She was here with him, and that’s all that mattered.
“I see you found your party,” Chet said to her, laughing. “Your train will leave in approximately four hours from platform C.”
Richie unwound one arm from around Jen, slipped some money from his pocket, and pressed it into Chet’s hand. “Thanks for taking such good care of my girl for me.”
“My pleasure, sir,” Chet answered, discreetly sliding the money into his pocket without looking at it. “Have a pleasant journey to LA.”
“Oh,” Richie said, pulling Jen to his chest again, “we will.”
“No, no,” Richie said softly, “that’s fine. I can pull the t-shirt up and over your head. Slowly, so my fingertips drag across your skin. Will you be wearing a bra?”
Jen swallowed. “Uh, no?” she said in a small voice.
Richie growled. “Good, baby. That means that after I back you against the wall, I’ll be able to take your nipple in my mouth right away. I like that. Would you like that?”
“Oh yes,” Jen breathed.
“Are you okay, darlin’?”
“Mmm, more than okay,” she answered. “I’m starting to feel all throbby.”
A deep chuckle answered her words. “And just where are you feeling throbby?”
“Where you said you would take me in your mouth.”
“The word, Jennifer. Say the word.”
“My nipples,” she said softly.
“Are you in your bed?”
“Mm-hmmm,” Jen said, burrowing further under the covers. “And it’s so lonely here with out you.”
“Touch your nipples,” Richie whispered into the phone. “Pretend I’m with you; pretend my mouth is on you. Pull gently on first one, then the other. Feel me with you. Can you do that for me?”
The train’s whistle blew long and loud, but Jennifer didn’t hear it. All she could hear was Richie’s voice on the other end of the phone.
She tentatively pinched one nipple between her fingers, and a soft gasp escaped her lips.
“That’s right, baby,” Richie cooed. “And while my mouth’s occupied, I’ll undo the button of your jeans, slide the zipper down slowly, and slide them over your hips. Will they be loose?”
“N-no,” Jen said. “My jeans tend to be snug.”
Richie made a “tsk” noise. “Then I’ll have to interrupt your pleasure to slide them down your legs. But I suppose I can lick my way down your body. Will that be alright?”
“Oh, yes,” Jen whispered, lost in his voice; wrapped up in his words.
“When I strip your jeans off, will your panties be wet?”
“Yes,” Jen said, unable to add any more to that.
“Are they wet now? Check for me.”
“I don’t have to check, I can tell. Yes.”
“I don’t believe you. Check for me. C’mon, Jennifer, darlin’, slide your fingers inside your panties, and let me know if they slide all over you.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Jen did as he asked. “God, Rich, I’m so wet.”
“Good. Now, I’ve got your jeans off, and have to decide, do I tear your panties away and bury my face in your pussy? Or go back to sucking your nipples? Which one do you think I should do?”
Jennifer moaned as a bolt of desire pierced her clit. “Either one, Rich. Either will do it for me. But, I think you should come back up to my nipples so I can open your pants. I want to feel your hard length in my hand. I want to feel it in other places, but in my hand first.” She heard Richie’s quick intake of breath on the other end of the phone, and was sure he was smiling.
“Will you just hold it?”
“No, I’ll push your pants down over your hips, and stroke up and down, tightening my hand around you with each stroke. I want to feel the silky soft skin over the hard rod I know is just for me.”
“Ah, darlin’, it is all just for you.” Jen heard him unzip and re-settle on the bed. Or what she presumed was the bed. At this point, she didn’t care where he was, as long as he was as turned on as she was.
“Are you imagining my hand on you?” she asked him. “Can you feel my skin on yours?”
“God, yes, baby,” Richie grunted as he stroked. “But be careful, I don’t want to cum all over you. I want to cum inside you. I’d better make sure you’re ready for me. Tell me, are you ready for me?”
“Yes, oh God, yes, Rich.”
“Prove it. Slide two fingers inside yourself. Do they go easily?”
Jen did as he bid. “God, y-y-yes, they do.”
“Well then, add a third,” he said. “Now,” he added, when she didn’t answer right away.
“But Rich,” she panted, “I don’t want... Not by myself… I want you to...”
“Do it, darlin’. Cum for me. I love pressing into your body when you’re just over the edge of your first orgasm. You squeeze me so tight, it’s – ” he broke off on a gasp, quickly pulling his hand away from himself. Just a few moments more, and he can have his release, he thought.
“Mmm, and I just love the way that your hardness pushes into me. That my body’s clenching and tightening and closing up and you open me back up. It shatters me.”
“Did you add the third finger?” Richie asked softly.
“I did,” Jen whispered.
Richie took himself in hand again. “Pump yourself hard,” he said. “Imagine they’re my fingers inside of you. You know how I touch you, how I reach deep inside you. Can you feel me?”
“I... You... are you...”
“C’mon, baby,” Richie urged. “Just a little faster. I can’t hold myself back much longer; your hands on my body are magic.”
“God, Rich, I love you.”
“I love you too. I can tell, you’re close, aren’t you?”
“Mmm…”
“Let it go, baby, let the waves take you. Tell me when you’re on the verge...”
“God, Rich, I’m, oh God, I’m – ”
“Pump harder baby, just a little harder. You’re almost ready for me to drive into you. Almost. Come on, baby,” his words were a soft mantra in her ear, urging her forward, speeding her release.
When her orgasm hit, her back arched hard, and the phone fell to the floor. She could hear Richie’s groans through the little speaker as he peaked. She flailed around at the floor, trying to find her phone, and managed to tuck it under her head.
“God, Rich,” she breathed.
“Just think how much better it will be when we’re together,” he answered, his voice thick.
They spoke for a while longer, not really talking about anything, while their heartbeats returned to normal. After a long while, and with her body still humming, Jen said “Good Night” to Richie, and drifted off to sleep.
When she woke up, she was in Ohio. She couldn’t tell of course just from looking out the window, but it was the first thing she asked the steward when she ventured out to get her breakfast. After a much sounder sleep than she thought she would have, thanks to Richie’s call, she was refreshed and ready to be in Chicago.
“Only a few hours to go,” she muttered under her breath as she made her way back to her compartment, breakfast in hand. No sooner had she sat down than her phone started singing.
“What are you doing up so early?” she said by way of greeting, smiling into the phone.
“Just wanted to be sure we woke up together, darlin’,” he answered. “I can’t wait to see you,” he rumbled, shifting in his bed.
The closer they got to Chicago, the antsier Jen became. Finally, the train slowed to a stop, and Chet was knocking on the door. “All set, Ms. Petruzzo?”
“All set, Chet.”
“Great.” He picked up her bags and led the way to the platform. “Excuse me,” he said to a tall man blocking the door.
“Rich!” Jennifer squeaked, and launched herself into his arms. He held her tight against him, squeezing her so hard she couldn’t breathe, but she didn’t care. She was here with him, and that’s all that mattered.
“I see you found your party,” Chet said to her, laughing. “Your train will leave in approximately four hours from platform C.”
Richie unwound one arm from around Jen, slipped some money from his pocket, and pressed it into Chet’s hand. “Thanks for taking such good care of my girl for me.”
“My pleasure, sir,” Chet answered, discreetly sliding the money into his pocket without looking at it. “Have a pleasant journey to LA.”
“Oh,” Richie said, pulling Jen to his chest again, “we will.”
Four: Reunion
“So,” Jen said, nuzzling Richie’s neck. “What now?”
By way of an answer, Richie captured Jen’s mouth with his. Long minutes later, he leaned back. “Are you really okay?”
Jen nodded. “Yes, baby, I’m really okay. I’m sorry for making such a fuss, but – ”
“No buts,” Richie said. “As long as you’re okay.” He grabbed Jen’s duffel and slung it over his shoulder. She took her laptop bag and her purse, and they set off up the platform.
“Where are we going?”
“I have a suite at La Quinta, about 10 minutes away.” He hugged Jen to his side. “Is that okay with you?”
She tilted her head up to whisper, “I’m not wearing a bra, what do you think?”
They made their way through Union Station and out to the cab stand. Richie signaled to someone up the block, and watched as a sleek black sedan pulled away from the curb and made its way toward them.
“How’s your knee?”
“Nearly back to normal. It’s still weak, but more physical therapy will help. Did you find some recommendations for me?”
Richie nodded. “Yep, got a couple guys for you to meet. Next week. This week is all about us.”
“I can live with that,” Jen said, smiling. The car glided to a halt, and the driver popped the trunk before getting out to take Jen’s bags. Richie opened the back door and ushered her into the backseat. As the trunk slammed, Richie was pulling Jen into his arms, and kissing her soundly. He kept her tucked under his arm for the short drive to the hotel.
La Quinta was a lovely glass building ringed with trees. The lobby went past in a blur as Richie and Jen hurried to the elevators. Luck was with them, and the doors slid opened just as they came to a halt in front of them. As soon as the doors slid shut behind them, Richie pounced, pressing Jennifer against the wall of the elevator and kissing her senseless.
“Seems like we’ve done this elevator thing a time or two before,” she panted, once Richie let her up for air.
He chuckled and pulled her in to his chest, the hard points of her nipples pressing hard against him. When the doors slid open on his floor, he led her down the hall and into the suite. As soon as the door was closed, Jennifer found herself pressed up against it, with Richie pulling at her t-shirt.
“Shirt...Off...” he said, pulling at the tight cotton. Jen raised her arms so he could take the shirt off of her and Richie’s mouth was latched onto her inked breast before the tee hit the ground.
A throaty groan tore from Jennifer’s throat as Richie gently pulled and tugged on her nipple with his lips. He lavished attention on both breasts equally, and found he had to hold Jennifer up to keep her from falling at his feet. He kissed his way back up her chest to her neck, nibbling up to her ear lobe. When he captured her mouth, Jennifer’s knees gave out, and she sagged against him.
“God I missed you,” she said, when they broke the kiss. She fumbled with the buttons of Richie’s shirt, and snarled when they wouldn’t do what she wanted. When she finally got them undone, she smoothed her hands down his pecs and stomach, and gripped his belt.
Their eyes locked while Jennifer undid his buckle. When she unzipped him and reached inside to take him in her hand, Richie’s eyes closed. “Damn, darlin’,” he said, helping her shove the pants down over his hips. He knelt before her then, naked save for his socks, and worked the button of her jeans.
“They are tight, just as you said,” he said as he started to peel them slowly down her hips. She leaned back against the door so he could remove the denim completely, taking her shoes and socks with them. He urged her legs apart, and kissed his way up one long, lean leg. He breathed in her scent, leaning in close to, but not touching, her obviously ready sex. He kissed his way down the other leg and sat back on his heels for a moment, before peeling off his own socks.
When Jennifer moved away from the door, Richie pushed her gently back against it. “I think I want to change the game plan we talked about last night.” He spread her woman’s lips with nimble fingers, exposing her hard clit. He drove his tongue into her, and curled it up, licking at her. He let his teeth graze her clit each time he dipped into her, and could feel her legs trembling from pent up passion.
His fingers replaced his tongue, and he flicked Jen’s piercing up with it instead. He sucked her clit into his mouth, getting in close to nibble on it with his teeth. Between that and his fingers bending and twisting slightly inside her, she exploded with a scream. Richie hurried to replace his fingers with his mouth, and drank from her until she couldn’t stand anymore.
Richie held her against the door with one strong hand as he used the other to lever himself up off the floor. He picked her up like she weighed no more than a child, and brought her through the living room and to the bed. The covers were already turned down, and the lights dimmed to a soft glow. He laid her close to the center of the bed, and climbed up after her.
Jennifer reached for him immediately, his hard cock a thick heavy weight in her hand. She urged Richie to lay next to her, and she rested her head on his stomach while she played with him. She stroked him from root to tip slowly, firmly, loving the way the thin skin felt over the hard ridges just beneath. She let his rod go to play with his balls, testing their weight and rolling them, one at a time, gently in her palm.
Beneath her ear, Jen could hear Richie’s heart pounding. He was stroking her hair and shoulders, and when she turned to look at him, she saw his eyes were closed, and his other arm flung across his forehead. She turned back to his erection, wrapping her fingers around it again. Richie groaned and shifted on the mattress. Smiling, Jennifer raised up onto her knees and licked just the tip of him, scooping up the drop of pre-cum that had oozed from his small slit.
Richie bucked when her tongue made contact, and Jennifer chuckled huskily at his reaction. She shifted around so she was sitting on his calves, and waited until he lifted his head and locked eyes with her. She took the tip of him in her mouth, sucking hard, and swirling her tongue around him. Slowly, she lowered her head, taking as much of him as she could into her mouth and throat. She wrapped her fingers around the base of him and squeezed him hard to keep him from coming. She worked her mouth up and down the length of him, letting her hair tickle his thighs with each dip and pull.
“Fuck, Jen, I can’t hold off much – damn, baby, I want to be inside you.” Richie’s voice was thick and low, and his fingers flexed as he tried to reach for her. She let herself be caught, and he drew her up his body.
Their mouths met, mingling their flavors together. Jennifer raised her hips and settled them over Richie’s cock, lowering slowly onto him. Her breath hitched as he stretched her; that wonderful full feeling almost enough to send her over the edge. She pushed back on his chest so she was kneeling upright, and she started undulating her hips against him. She didn’t raise and lower on him like she wanted to, but ground her clit into the thatch of dark hair as she let her internal muscles squeeze him.
Richie’s neck arched, and Jen leaned forward to scratch her nails lightly down his neck. She continued to his pecs, flicking over the hard little nipples, and down his ribs. Over and over she ran her fingers down his body. Each time she leaned forward, she eased off him just a little. Each time she got to his ribs, flexed her hips, taking him in all the way to her womb.
“God, Jennifer,” Richie groaned, grabbing onto her thighs with his big hands. Jennifer leaned over to braced her hands on his chest, and raised herself nearly all the way off of him. She lowered quickly, taking him hard and fast inside her. She did that again and again, and felt the tingly fingers of her next release gathering low in her belly.
“Richie,” she panted, “I’m so close.”
“Cum for me,” he said, raising up on his elbows a little to watch her.
Jennifer leaned back, gripping his calves, and letting hair tickle over his legs. She rode him hard, grinding her clit into him with every downward stroke. She could feel him tensing within her, could feel his balls under her ass tightening. She surged forward, bracing her hands on Richie’s shoulders, and pinning him to the mattress. She rose and fell on him harder and harder, driving him deep within her.
Suddenly she stopped. “Wha—” Richie said, his unfocused eyes seeking hers out. He was on the brink of explosion. Her head tilted slightly to one side, and she could see her eyes roll behind their closed lids. A split second later, her pussy tightened, clamping down on him. He could feel the ripples of her orgasm along his entire length.
Growling, he flipped them so Jennifer was underneath him, and he pounded his way through her orgasm, drawing it out for long minutes. When he would ordinarily have slowed to let her rest for a minute, he redoubled his efforts, pulling himself from and pushing himself into her body hard and fast. Her eyelids sprung open, and her mouth froze in a silent scream. The tendons on the sides of her neck stood out as her entire body tensed.
Still, Richie rode her hard.
When the next orgasm hit, Jen’s world dimmed, and she went almost completely slack on the bed. She still had an iron grip on Richie’s cock, and he leaned slightly sideways to free up a hand. He pinched her nipple gently, making her yell out. He kept up the pressure on the tender peak when he felt her next orgasm engulf him. He pinched a little more firmly when her waves started to recede, and was rewarded with a scream of approval. He pounded into her, unrelenting, until his vision went hazy and his cock grew even harder.
As he came, Richie twisted Jen’s nipple just a little, and she bucked beneath him, her own orgasm coursing through her, and drawing his out longer then he thought possible. He collapsed in a heap next to her, bringing her over onto her side. Still joined, he trailed gentle fingertips up and down the length of her spine, sending shivers down her body. He gently disengaged from her, reaching under his pillow for the towel he had stashed there. After cleaning them up a bit, Richie eased Jennifer over onto her back.
Her eyes refused to focus, but she could tell Richie was smiling at her. His smile turned wicked as he lowered his head and took her nipple into his mouth and sucked.
Hours later, Jennifer was snuggled in under Richie’s arm. “Mmmm,” she purred. “You smell yummy; like sex and sandalwood.” Every inch of her body felt loved and cherished, and there was a delicious soreness at her nipples and between her legs. Richie had spent a lot of time trying to get Jen unconscious.
He succeeded twice.
Richie pulled Jen in closer to him, mashing her to his side. “We should probably clean off the sex smell before we go back to the train station.”
She sighed in response. “Yeah, you’re probably right. How much time to do we have to get back to the station?”
“About an hour,” Richie answered.
“Hmmm, that’s not quite enough time, but it’ll have to do.” She planted a kiss on the closest nipple, and slid from the bed.
Once the water was good and hot, they stepped under the stream, groaning appreciatively. Richie turned Jen so the water cascaded down her hair and back. She tipped her head back to wet her hair, and Richie let his fingers graze her cheeks, skim down over her throat, and settle around her breasts. He rubbed his thumbs over their peaks, and reveled in the mewling noises that slipped through her lips.
Jennifer brought her head back up and met Richie’s eyes. She licked a drop of water from her lips and urged them to switch positions so Richie could stand under the spray. When he was good and wet, Jen reached for the soap.
“Not yet,” Richie said. “Turn around.”
Heart pounding, Jennifer did as she was bid. When she felt a gentle pressure at the small of her back, she bent forward, bracing her palms against the cool tile. Her knees bent and her back arched of their own accord, and Richie swallowed hard at the sight of her glistening sex. He dipped a finger between her thighs, and swirled it around her clit. Jennifer hissed and arched harder, exposing more of herself to him.
Richie grasped Jen’s hips and brought himself into her, sliding in an inch at a time; easing into her. Slowly he stroked out then back in, relishing the feel of her around him. He kept up the teasing pace until Jennifer started to slip over the edge. When he felt her clench hard around him, he pulled out and slammed home once. Just once. That’s all it took for her to take him over with her.
Long minutes later, when Jennifer was able to stand upright again, Richie reached for the soap and gently, lovingly, washed every inch of her body. She returned the favor, lingering over spots that made him twitch and hiss. They slowly washed each other’s hair, being sure to rinse away every last bit of suds.
When they were dried and dressed, they sat close together on the sofa, chatting about all the things Ava wanted to do once Jen was settled. Soon enough, though, it was time to get a move on.
By way of an answer, Richie captured Jen’s mouth with his. Long minutes later, he leaned back. “Are you really okay?”
Jen nodded. “Yes, baby, I’m really okay. I’m sorry for making such a fuss, but – ”
“No buts,” Richie said. “As long as you’re okay.” He grabbed Jen’s duffel and slung it over his shoulder. She took her laptop bag and her purse, and they set off up the platform.
“Where are we going?”
“I have a suite at La Quinta, about 10 minutes away.” He hugged Jen to his side. “Is that okay with you?”
She tilted her head up to whisper, “I’m not wearing a bra, what do you think?”
They made their way through Union Station and out to the cab stand. Richie signaled to someone up the block, and watched as a sleek black sedan pulled away from the curb and made its way toward them.
“How’s your knee?”
“Nearly back to normal. It’s still weak, but more physical therapy will help. Did you find some recommendations for me?”
Richie nodded. “Yep, got a couple guys for you to meet. Next week. This week is all about us.”
“I can live with that,” Jen said, smiling. The car glided to a halt, and the driver popped the trunk before getting out to take Jen’s bags. Richie opened the back door and ushered her into the backseat. As the trunk slammed, Richie was pulling Jen into his arms, and kissing her soundly. He kept her tucked under his arm for the short drive to the hotel.
La Quinta was a lovely glass building ringed with trees. The lobby went past in a blur as Richie and Jen hurried to the elevators. Luck was with them, and the doors slid opened just as they came to a halt in front of them. As soon as the doors slid shut behind them, Richie pounced, pressing Jennifer against the wall of the elevator and kissing her senseless.
“Seems like we’ve done this elevator thing a time or two before,” she panted, once Richie let her up for air.
He chuckled and pulled her in to his chest, the hard points of her nipples pressing hard against him. When the doors slid open on his floor, he led her down the hall and into the suite. As soon as the door was closed, Jennifer found herself pressed up against it, with Richie pulling at her t-shirt.
“Shirt...Off...” he said, pulling at the tight cotton. Jen raised her arms so he could take the shirt off of her and Richie’s mouth was latched onto her inked breast before the tee hit the ground.
A throaty groan tore from Jennifer’s throat as Richie gently pulled and tugged on her nipple with his lips. He lavished attention on both breasts equally, and found he had to hold Jennifer up to keep her from falling at his feet. He kissed his way back up her chest to her neck, nibbling up to her ear lobe. When he captured her mouth, Jennifer’s knees gave out, and she sagged against him.
“God I missed you,” she said, when they broke the kiss. She fumbled with the buttons of Richie’s shirt, and snarled when they wouldn’t do what she wanted. When she finally got them undone, she smoothed her hands down his pecs and stomach, and gripped his belt.
Their eyes locked while Jennifer undid his buckle. When she unzipped him and reached inside to take him in her hand, Richie’s eyes closed. “Damn, darlin’,” he said, helping her shove the pants down over his hips. He knelt before her then, naked save for his socks, and worked the button of her jeans.
“They are tight, just as you said,” he said as he started to peel them slowly down her hips. She leaned back against the door so he could remove the denim completely, taking her shoes and socks with them. He urged her legs apart, and kissed his way up one long, lean leg. He breathed in her scent, leaning in close to, but not touching, her obviously ready sex. He kissed his way down the other leg and sat back on his heels for a moment, before peeling off his own socks.
When Jennifer moved away from the door, Richie pushed her gently back against it. “I think I want to change the game plan we talked about last night.” He spread her woman’s lips with nimble fingers, exposing her hard clit. He drove his tongue into her, and curled it up, licking at her. He let his teeth graze her clit each time he dipped into her, and could feel her legs trembling from pent up passion.
His fingers replaced his tongue, and he flicked Jen’s piercing up with it instead. He sucked her clit into his mouth, getting in close to nibble on it with his teeth. Between that and his fingers bending and twisting slightly inside her, she exploded with a scream. Richie hurried to replace his fingers with his mouth, and drank from her until she couldn’t stand anymore.
Richie held her against the door with one strong hand as he used the other to lever himself up off the floor. He picked her up like she weighed no more than a child, and brought her through the living room and to the bed. The covers were already turned down, and the lights dimmed to a soft glow. He laid her close to the center of the bed, and climbed up after her.
Jennifer reached for him immediately, his hard cock a thick heavy weight in her hand. She urged Richie to lay next to her, and she rested her head on his stomach while she played with him. She stroked him from root to tip slowly, firmly, loving the way the thin skin felt over the hard ridges just beneath. She let his rod go to play with his balls, testing their weight and rolling them, one at a time, gently in her palm.
Beneath her ear, Jen could hear Richie’s heart pounding. He was stroking her hair and shoulders, and when she turned to look at him, she saw his eyes were closed, and his other arm flung across his forehead. She turned back to his erection, wrapping her fingers around it again. Richie groaned and shifted on the mattress. Smiling, Jennifer raised up onto her knees and licked just the tip of him, scooping up the drop of pre-cum that had oozed from his small slit.
Richie bucked when her tongue made contact, and Jennifer chuckled huskily at his reaction. She shifted around so she was sitting on his calves, and waited until he lifted his head and locked eyes with her. She took the tip of him in her mouth, sucking hard, and swirling her tongue around him. Slowly, she lowered her head, taking as much of him as she could into her mouth and throat. She wrapped her fingers around the base of him and squeezed him hard to keep him from coming. She worked her mouth up and down the length of him, letting her hair tickle his thighs with each dip and pull.
“Fuck, Jen, I can’t hold off much – damn, baby, I want to be inside you.” Richie’s voice was thick and low, and his fingers flexed as he tried to reach for her. She let herself be caught, and he drew her up his body.
Their mouths met, mingling their flavors together. Jennifer raised her hips and settled them over Richie’s cock, lowering slowly onto him. Her breath hitched as he stretched her; that wonderful full feeling almost enough to send her over the edge. She pushed back on his chest so she was kneeling upright, and she started undulating her hips against him. She didn’t raise and lower on him like she wanted to, but ground her clit into the thatch of dark hair as she let her internal muscles squeeze him.
Richie’s neck arched, and Jen leaned forward to scratch her nails lightly down his neck. She continued to his pecs, flicking over the hard little nipples, and down his ribs. Over and over she ran her fingers down his body. Each time she leaned forward, she eased off him just a little. Each time she got to his ribs, flexed her hips, taking him in all the way to her womb.
“God, Jennifer,” Richie groaned, grabbing onto her thighs with his big hands. Jennifer leaned over to braced her hands on his chest, and raised herself nearly all the way off of him. She lowered quickly, taking him hard and fast inside her. She did that again and again, and felt the tingly fingers of her next release gathering low in her belly.
“Richie,” she panted, “I’m so close.”
“Cum for me,” he said, raising up on his elbows a little to watch her.
Jennifer leaned back, gripping his calves, and letting hair tickle over his legs. She rode him hard, grinding her clit into him with every downward stroke. She could feel him tensing within her, could feel his balls under her ass tightening. She surged forward, bracing her hands on Richie’s shoulders, and pinning him to the mattress. She rose and fell on him harder and harder, driving him deep within her.
Suddenly she stopped. “Wha—” Richie said, his unfocused eyes seeking hers out. He was on the brink of explosion. Her head tilted slightly to one side, and she could see her eyes roll behind their closed lids. A split second later, her pussy tightened, clamping down on him. He could feel the ripples of her orgasm along his entire length.
Growling, he flipped them so Jennifer was underneath him, and he pounded his way through her orgasm, drawing it out for long minutes. When he would ordinarily have slowed to let her rest for a minute, he redoubled his efforts, pulling himself from and pushing himself into her body hard and fast. Her eyelids sprung open, and her mouth froze in a silent scream. The tendons on the sides of her neck stood out as her entire body tensed.
Still, Richie rode her hard.
When the next orgasm hit, Jen’s world dimmed, and she went almost completely slack on the bed. She still had an iron grip on Richie’s cock, and he leaned slightly sideways to free up a hand. He pinched her nipple gently, making her yell out. He kept up the pressure on the tender peak when he felt her next orgasm engulf him. He pinched a little more firmly when her waves started to recede, and was rewarded with a scream of approval. He pounded into her, unrelenting, until his vision went hazy and his cock grew even harder.
As he came, Richie twisted Jen’s nipple just a little, and she bucked beneath him, her own orgasm coursing through her, and drawing his out longer then he thought possible. He collapsed in a heap next to her, bringing her over onto her side. Still joined, he trailed gentle fingertips up and down the length of her spine, sending shivers down her body. He gently disengaged from her, reaching under his pillow for the towel he had stashed there. After cleaning them up a bit, Richie eased Jennifer over onto her back.
Her eyes refused to focus, but she could tell Richie was smiling at her. His smile turned wicked as he lowered his head and took her nipple into his mouth and sucked.
Hours later, Jennifer was snuggled in under Richie’s arm. “Mmmm,” she purred. “You smell yummy; like sex and sandalwood.” Every inch of her body felt loved and cherished, and there was a delicious soreness at her nipples and between her legs. Richie had spent a lot of time trying to get Jen unconscious.
He succeeded twice.
Richie pulled Jen in closer to him, mashing her to his side. “We should probably clean off the sex smell before we go back to the train station.”
She sighed in response. “Yeah, you’re probably right. How much time to do we have to get back to the station?”
“About an hour,” Richie answered.
“Hmmm, that’s not quite enough time, but it’ll have to do.” She planted a kiss on the closest nipple, and slid from the bed.
Once the water was good and hot, they stepped under the stream, groaning appreciatively. Richie turned Jen so the water cascaded down her hair and back. She tipped her head back to wet her hair, and Richie let his fingers graze her cheeks, skim down over her throat, and settle around her breasts. He rubbed his thumbs over their peaks, and reveled in the mewling noises that slipped through her lips.
Jennifer brought her head back up and met Richie’s eyes. She licked a drop of water from her lips and urged them to switch positions so Richie could stand under the spray. When he was good and wet, Jen reached for the soap.
“Not yet,” Richie said. “Turn around.”
Heart pounding, Jennifer did as she was bid. When she felt a gentle pressure at the small of her back, she bent forward, bracing her palms against the cool tile. Her knees bent and her back arched of their own accord, and Richie swallowed hard at the sight of her glistening sex. He dipped a finger between her thighs, and swirled it around her clit. Jennifer hissed and arched harder, exposing more of herself to him.
Richie grasped Jen’s hips and brought himself into her, sliding in an inch at a time; easing into her. Slowly he stroked out then back in, relishing the feel of her around him. He kept up the teasing pace until Jennifer started to slip over the edge. When he felt her clench hard around him, he pulled out and slammed home once. Just once. That’s all it took for her to take him over with her.
Long minutes later, when Jennifer was able to stand upright again, Richie reached for the soap and gently, lovingly, washed every inch of her body. She returned the favor, lingering over spots that made him twitch and hiss. They slowly washed each other’s hair, being sure to rinse away every last bit of suds.
When they were dried and dressed, they sat close together on the sofa, chatting about all the things Ava wanted to do once Jen was settled. Soon enough, though, it was time to get a move on.
Five: Time To Hit The Road
“Ready, darlin’?” Richie asked.
“Absolutely.” Jen pulled her laptop to her shoulder and Richie hefted her duffel. They held hands all the way down the hall to the elevator, and Richie smiled at their loosely clasped fingers. It felt so natural; so comfortable.
Once the elevator doors slid shut, Richie tensed, waiting for Jen to crush his hand. When it didn’t come, he chuckled. “Jen, darlin’, you’re not breaking my fingers; everything okay?”
It took Jen a moment to process what Richie had asked. Then she looked around at her surroundings. “I didn’t even realize we were in an elevator.” She gave him a gentle squeeze. “Guess I’m too weary from all the sex to feel nervous.”
“I guess we’ll always have to have sex before you get into an elevator, then. Keep the stress levels to a minimum.”
They left the hotel laughing, and the same car was waiting to take them back to the train station. Jen and Richie made their way to the platform, and started down the long expanse of concrete, Richie leading the way. “I know where our seats are,” he said, as he pulled Jen along behind him.
Jen’s heart raced as they approached the last car in the train. “Oh Rich, you didn’t!” she exclaimed.
Richie just pressed a kiss to her temple. “Sure did, baby.”
The car he had led them to was straight out of the 1950’s.
Yards of gleaming brass and distressed wood loomed in front of them. The windows were all covered with what looked like delicate lace curtains, and the sides of the car were polished to a high shine. Jen craned her neck and could see a brakeman’s balcony on the back of the car.
“How – where – ” Jen stammered. “Who do you know that has one of these?”
“Baby, I know everyone,” Richie laughed. “I wanted us to be comfortable, and this guy owed me a favor.”
When the butler, for the only thing you could call the liveried man that hovered just inside the door waiting for them was a butler, opened the door, the opulence of the car literally took Jen’s breath away. He ushered them in, taking Jen’s bags from them. She could mutter only a distracted “thank you”, for she was stunned at what she saw. Dominating the car, about halfway down, was a gorgeous, white marble fireplace with burgundy veining.
“Seriously, a fireplace?” Jen squealed. “This is just too much!”
She ran past the fully stocked kitchen area into the living area, trailing her hand across the back of the deep, plush sofa. Everything was done in white and wood-tones, with burgundy accents to tie in to the fireplace. The expanse virtually screamed elegance, and over-indulgence. A chandelier swayed gently overhead, the discrete wires holding it to the ceiling barely visible.
Jen sat on the couch and looked around, waiting for Richie. The tables were all mahogany, with thick, heavy legs. The table centered in front of the sofa was flanked on the other side by a pair of wide wing-backed chairs. The artwork on the linen-covered walls was tasteful and softly lit. The windows were, indeed, covered by white lace curtains. Jen crossed the car to finger the heavy lace.
Richie watched Jen taking it all in, and tipped the butler, saying, “Thanks, I’ve got it from here.” The other man nodded, and closed the door behind him as he left. Richie joined Jen on her little tour of the luxurious car, stopping her when they came to the sleeping compartment. He smiled at her gasp of surprise. The entire width of the car was taken up by mattresses. The massive sheets covering them could only be hand-made, and a veritable mountain of pillows was piled all around the walls, making an inviting nest.
“This is absolutely amazing!”
“I’m glad you like it,” he said, leading them back out to the sitting area. “Are you still hungry? I could maybe make you something.”
“I would love something to eat. Whatcha got?”
“You go sit. I’ll bring it over when it’s ready.”
A hiss and sizzle had Jennifer coming into the kitchenette. Richie had sliced peppers and onions, and was sautéing them in a large, cast iron pan. A second pan had thinly sliced steak drizzled with Worcestershire sauce, and was sizzling nicely. He had long hoagie rolls under the broiler, and was mixing Jen a fruity cocktail.
“My, my,” Jen said. “You are quite at home here, aren’t you?”
Richie smiled. “I’ve been a guest here before,” he said. “As long as you’re here, you may as well get some plates down from the cabinet over there.”
Jen did as she was bid, and set the small table with two plates, linen napkins, and heavy silver. “I just can’t believe how beautiful this is. And how utterly decadent.”
“It is over the top, isn’t it,” Richie laughed. “But man, we’re going to be SO comfortable on our trip to LA, and we don’t even have to get out of the car when we get to Portland.”
Jen blushed. “Yeah, that’s what I thought too,” she said.
The train whistle blew two short bursts and a long one, and with a little lurch, they were underway. “Here we go,” Jen said, smiling as she took a bite of her lunch. She reached across the table to give Richie’s hand a squeeze. “I love you so much,” she said.
“I love you too,” Richie said around a mouthful of steak, pepper, and onions. “So, uh, after lunch, you wanna try out the bed?”
“Absolutely.”
As soon as the dishes set into the sink, Richie swept Jennifer up into his arms, making her squeak. He strode to the bed and swung her over the expanse of mattress.
“And a one,” he said, swinging her out.
“No!” Jen said, laughing.
“Oh yes,” Richie answered. “And a twooooo,” he sang, swinging her out again.
Jennifer looped her arms around Richie’s neck, holding him tightly. “You go, I go,” she said.
“Oh, I don’t think so,” Richie said, tickling Jennifer as he swung her out again, causing her to drop her arms. “And a THREE!” He tossed his giggling woman to the middle of the bed, and followed after her. He sprawled next to her, his eyes twinkling and dimples flashing with his laughter. Even with the two of them in the bed, they didn’t come close to filling it.
Jen turned to him with a look of pure, unadulterated lust, and his laughter dried up. The shift to a positively possessive look in her eyes had him hard in an instant. “Damn,” he said. “You bewitch me. I should be too worn out for this.”
Jennifer’s eyes flicked down to his belt then back up to his eyes. She smiled, quite pleased with herself, and reached for him. “That’s nothing compared to what you do to me.”
They worked quickly to unfasten each other’s clothes, bunching and pulling and throwing until they were both naked. Richie slid in between Jennifer’s legs, and braced himself up on his hands. “That look in your eyes drives me crazy.”
“And what look is that?” Jennifer asked, grabbing for Richie’s distended cock.
“The one that says ‘mine’,” he answered, as he let her guide him to her core.
He stayed where he was for a moment, relishing the feel of his thick head against her wetness. Jennifer raised her hips, taking him in just a little. “You are mine,” she said. “Now gimme.”
Richie smiled and slid slowly into her, stretching her until he was fully seated again. He groaned with pleasure when she started to flex her hips a little. Richie flexed his as well, his strokes working against the rocking of the train, causing him to push deep into her with every thrust. He felt her walls slacken then tighten as she rushed to her orgasm.
“What’s the hurry, darlin?” he asked, stilling his hips.
Jennifer cried out in frustration, and tried to push Richie over so she could ride him, but he wasn’t going anywhere. “Please,” she begged. “I’m so close; please don’t stop.”
Richie chuckled and withdrew so only the very tip of him was inside her. Then he thrust hard, making Jennifer arch off the bed with a scream. “Again!” she gasped, grabbing his forearms.
He complied, pulling and thrusting until Jennifer’s knuckles were white from the force of her grip. When her eyelids fluttered closed, he gently shook his arms free of her grip and rose up to his knees. He raised Jennifer’s legs, gripping her calves and spreading her wide. He braced his hands under her hips, letting her legs drape over his arms, and held her steady as he pounded into her. Jennifer’s entire body went slack for a split second before every muscle her body contracted and her orgasm exploded from her.
Richie felt her walls ripple and clench, and when the rush of wetness came, he redoubled his efforts, sliding his flesh in hers until she exploded again; gripping him so tight it almost hurt. Only then did he let his release come, pulsing endlessly until he collapsed beside her, sweaty and spent.
Sated and exhausted, they cuddled together, pulled blankets over them, and let the gentle rocking of the train lull them to sleep.
Hours later, Richie woke, forgetting for a moment where he was. He felt his woman shift in his arms, and he smiled, gently holding her closer. “I love you,” he whispered to her, kissing her temple.”
“Mmmm, I love you too, baby. What time is it? Where are we?”
“I have no idea,” Richie answered, softly, “on either question”. When he felt Jennifer’s hand traverse his flank and drop around to the front, he chuckled and gently grabbed her wrist. “Definitely not time for that. Not yet.”
“Then what should we do instead?” She pushed up to her elbows and looked at Richie through heavy-lidded eyes.
“We could have something to eat, maybe watch a move or something?”
Jennifer smiled. “Whatever you want, sweetie.”
“I already have what I want,” he said. “You.”
“Yep, and now you’re stuck with me for-EVAH!” she retorted, sounding like a cartoon villain.
“I can live with that.”
With much difficulty and laughter, they climbed out of bed. Richie pulled on his jeans while Jen wrapped the sheet around her like a sarong. The train abruptly switched tracks, jostling Jen and Richie as they made their way to the living area. Jen let out a yelp and collapsed into one of the wing-backed chairs, and Richie had to catch himself before he fell into the coffee table. Their eyes met as their hearts were returning to normal, and they burst out laughing.
“Almost forgot we were on a train, and not in some hotel room somewhere,” Jen said, wiping her eyes.
Richie turned the chair so he was kneeling between Jen’s legs. He leaned in to kiss her, and hugged her close, resting his head on her breasts. Jen stroked his hair, letting the silky soft locks slide through her fingers. Jen felt Richie fidgeting around, and stopped what she was doing. “Everything okay down there?” she asked.
“Just fine,” Richie said. He straightened away from Jen and dug into his pocket. “You know I love you, right?” he asked her, locking eyes with Jen.
“Of course I do,” she answered, tracing the laugh lines around his eyes with gentle fingertips.
“Do you know how much I love you? That I don’t feel whole unless I’m with you? That I miss you when we’re apart something awful? That you made me the happiest man in the world when you said you would give up your life and join mine?” He captured Jen’s hands and kissed her knuckles.
“You make me so happy,” Jen answered. “I can’t remember a time when I’ve been this full of joy. I love you with my whole heart and soul.” She pulled Richie in for a kiss. He obliged, sliding his tongue between her lips. She eagerly stroked his tongue with hers, and slid forward in the chair so she could pull Richie closer in to her. Chest to chest, they each wrapped their arms around the other as their tongues danced. When Jennifer let out a contented sigh, Richie pulled back and kissed the tip of her nose.
“I have something for you,” he said.
“What more could I possibly want?” Jen answered. The look she caught in Richie’s eyes made her heart beat wildly. “You’ve given me so much already.”
“This is something that Ava and I picked out together for you,” he explained, as he pulled a small blue box from his pocket.
“Oh my God,” Jennifer breathed. Her gaze dropped to the box, then back up to Richie’s face. He smiled at her and cracked open the lid. Nestled in a bed of deep blue satin was the most beautiful ring she’d ever seen.
Jennifer’s eyes moved to see the ring. “Oh, Rich...” she said.
A one-carat emerald cut diamond was flanked by half carat stones. The diamonds sparkled in the light. When Richie took the ring from the box, she saw red flecks embedded in the platinum.
“It’s so beautiful,” Jen said.
“The tiny stones in the band are chips of rubies and opals, my and Ava’s birthstones,” Richie said. “It was Ava’s idea to put both of us in the ring for you. She wanted us to give it to you together, but I told her there are some things a guy has to do on his own. Jennifer,” Richie said, his voice cracking, and unshed tears pooling in his eyes. “I love you more than I thought it was possible to love another person other than my daughter. I want us to share our lives together, however long or short that may be. I know it’s soon, but will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
The train lurched again before Jen could answer, sending Richie sprawling. He still had hold of Jen’s hand, and when he fell, he pulled her from her chair. They lay on the floor, giggling while Richie slid the ring onto Jennifer’s finger.
“It’s a perfect fit,” she said, smiling.
“Just like you are for me,” Richie answered. “But you didn’t answer my question.”
“Yes, of course I will marry you,” she said. “I will share my life, my heart with you.” She kissed him deeply, rolling him so he was on top of her.
“Absolutely.” Jen pulled her laptop to her shoulder and Richie hefted her duffel. They held hands all the way down the hall to the elevator, and Richie smiled at their loosely clasped fingers. It felt so natural; so comfortable.
Once the elevator doors slid shut, Richie tensed, waiting for Jen to crush his hand. When it didn’t come, he chuckled. “Jen, darlin’, you’re not breaking my fingers; everything okay?”
It took Jen a moment to process what Richie had asked. Then she looked around at her surroundings. “I didn’t even realize we were in an elevator.” She gave him a gentle squeeze. “Guess I’m too weary from all the sex to feel nervous.”
“I guess we’ll always have to have sex before you get into an elevator, then. Keep the stress levels to a minimum.”
They left the hotel laughing, and the same car was waiting to take them back to the train station. Jen and Richie made their way to the platform, and started down the long expanse of concrete, Richie leading the way. “I know where our seats are,” he said, as he pulled Jen along behind him.
Jen’s heart raced as they approached the last car in the train. “Oh Rich, you didn’t!” she exclaimed.
Richie just pressed a kiss to her temple. “Sure did, baby.”
The car he had led them to was straight out of the 1950’s.
Yards of gleaming brass and distressed wood loomed in front of them. The windows were all covered with what looked like delicate lace curtains, and the sides of the car were polished to a high shine. Jen craned her neck and could see a brakeman’s balcony on the back of the car.
“How – where – ” Jen stammered. “Who do you know that has one of these?”
“Baby, I know everyone,” Richie laughed. “I wanted us to be comfortable, and this guy owed me a favor.”
When the butler, for the only thing you could call the liveried man that hovered just inside the door waiting for them was a butler, opened the door, the opulence of the car literally took Jen’s breath away. He ushered them in, taking Jen’s bags from them. She could mutter only a distracted “thank you”, for she was stunned at what she saw. Dominating the car, about halfway down, was a gorgeous, white marble fireplace with burgundy veining.
“Seriously, a fireplace?” Jen squealed. “This is just too much!”
She ran past the fully stocked kitchen area into the living area, trailing her hand across the back of the deep, plush sofa. Everything was done in white and wood-tones, with burgundy accents to tie in to the fireplace. The expanse virtually screamed elegance, and over-indulgence. A chandelier swayed gently overhead, the discrete wires holding it to the ceiling barely visible.
Jen sat on the couch and looked around, waiting for Richie. The tables were all mahogany, with thick, heavy legs. The table centered in front of the sofa was flanked on the other side by a pair of wide wing-backed chairs. The artwork on the linen-covered walls was tasteful and softly lit. The windows were, indeed, covered by white lace curtains. Jen crossed the car to finger the heavy lace.
Richie watched Jen taking it all in, and tipped the butler, saying, “Thanks, I’ve got it from here.” The other man nodded, and closed the door behind him as he left. Richie joined Jen on her little tour of the luxurious car, stopping her when they came to the sleeping compartment. He smiled at her gasp of surprise. The entire width of the car was taken up by mattresses. The massive sheets covering them could only be hand-made, and a veritable mountain of pillows was piled all around the walls, making an inviting nest.
“This is absolutely amazing!”
“I’m glad you like it,” he said, leading them back out to the sitting area. “Are you still hungry? I could maybe make you something.”
“I would love something to eat. Whatcha got?”
“You go sit. I’ll bring it over when it’s ready.”
A hiss and sizzle had Jennifer coming into the kitchenette. Richie had sliced peppers and onions, and was sautéing them in a large, cast iron pan. A second pan had thinly sliced steak drizzled with Worcestershire sauce, and was sizzling nicely. He had long hoagie rolls under the broiler, and was mixing Jen a fruity cocktail.
“My, my,” Jen said. “You are quite at home here, aren’t you?”
Richie smiled. “I’ve been a guest here before,” he said. “As long as you’re here, you may as well get some plates down from the cabinet over there.”
Jen did as she was bid, and set the small table with two plates, linen napkins, and heavy silver. “I just can’t believe how beautiful this is. And how utterly decadent.”
“It is over the top, isn’t it,” Richie laughed. “But man, we’re going to be SO comfortable on our trip to LA, and we don’t even have to get out of the car when we get to Portland.”
Jen blushed. “Yeah, that’s what I thought too,” she said.
The train whistle blew two short bursts and a long one, and with a little lurch, they were underway. “Here we go,” Jen said, smiling as she took a bite of her lunch. She reached across the table to give Richie’s hand a squeeze. “I love you so much,” she said.
“I love you too,” Richie said around a mouthful of steak, pepper, and onions. “So, uh, after lunch, you wanna try out the bed?”
“Absolutely.”
As soon as the dishes set into the sink, Richie swept Jennifer up into his arms, making her squeak. He strode to the bed and swung her over the expanse of mattress.
“And a one,” he said, swinging her out.
“No!” Jen said, laughing.
“Oh yes,” Richie answered. “And a twooooo,” he sang, swinging her out again.
Jennifer looped her arms around Richie’s neck, holding him tightly. “You go, I go,” she said.
“Oh, I don’t think so,” Richie said, tickling Jennifer as he swung her out again, causing her to drop her arms. “And a THREE!” He tossed his giggling woman to the middle of the bed, and followed after her. He sprawled next to her, his eyes twinkling and dimples flashing with his laughter. Even with the two of them in the bed, they didn’t come close to filling it.
Jen turned to him with a look of pure, unadulterated lust, and his laughter dried up. The shift to a positively possessive look in her eyes had him hard in an instant. “Damn,” he said. “You bewitch me. I should be too worn out for this.”
Jennifer’s eyes flicked down to his belt then back up to his eyes. She smiled, quite pleased with herself, and reached for him. “That’s nothing compared to what you do to me.”
They worked quickly to unfasten each other’s clothes, bunching and pulling and throwing until they were both naked. Richie slid in between Jennifer’s legs, and braced himself up on his hands. “That look in your eyes drives me crazy.”
“And what look is that?” Jennifer asked, grabbing for Richie’s distended cock.
“The one that says ‘mine’,” he answered, as he let her guide him to her core.
He stayed where he was for a moment, relishing the feel of his thick head against her wetness. Jennifer raised her hips, taking him in just a little. “You are mine,” she said. “Now gimme.”
Richie smiled and slid slowly into her, stretching her until he was fully seated again. He groaned with pleasure when she started to flex her hips a little. Richie flexed his as well, his strokes working against the rocking of the train, causing him to push deep into her with every thrust. He felt her walls slacken then tighten as she rushed to her orgasm.
“What’s the hurry, darlin?” he asked, stilling his hips.
Jennifer cried out in frustration, and tried to push Richie over so she could ride him, but he wasn’t going anywhere. “Please,” she begged. “I’m so close; please don’t stop.”
Richie chuckled and withdrew so only the very tip of him was inside her. Then he thrust hard, making Jennifer arch off the bed with a scream. “Again!” she gasped, grabbing his forearms.
He complied, pulling and thrusting until Jennifer’s knuckles were white from the force of her grip. When her eyelids fluttered closed, he gently shook his arms free of her grip and rose up to his knees. He raised Jennifer’s legs, gripping her calves and spreading her wide. He braced his hands under her hips, letting her legs drape over his arms, and held her steady as he pounded into her. Jennifer’s entire body went slack for a split second before every muscle her body contracted and her orgasm exploded from her.
Richie felt her walls ripple and clench, and when the rush of wetness came, he redoubled his efforts, sliding his flesh in hers until she exploded again; gripping him so tight it almost hurt. Only then did he let his release come, pulsing endlessly until he collapsed beside her, sweaty and spent.
Sated and exhausted, they cuddled together, pulled blankets over them, and let the gentle rocking of the train lull them to sleep.
Hours later, Richie woke, forgetting for a moment where he was. He felt his woman shift in his arms, and he smiled, gently holding her closer. “I love you,” he whispered to her, kissing her temple.”
“Mmmm, I love you too, baby. What time is it? Where are we?”
“I have no idea,” Richie answered, softly, “on either question”. When he felt Jennifer’s hand traverse his flank and drop around to the front, he chuckled and gently grabbed her wrist. “Definitely not time for that. Not yet.”
“Then what should we do instead?” She pushed up to her elbows and looked at Richie through heavy-lidded eyes.
“We could have something to eat, maybe watch a move or something?”
Jennifer smiled. “Whatever you want, sweetie.”
“I already have what I want,” he said. “You.”
“Yep, and now you’re stuck with me for-EVAH!” she retorted, sounding like a cartoon villain.
“I can live with that.”
With much difficulty and laughter, they climbed out of bed. Richie pulled on his jeans while Jen wrapped the sheet around her like a sarong. The train abruptly switched tracks, jostling Jen and Richie as they made their way to the living area. Jen let out a yelp and collapsed into one of the wing-backed chairs, and Richie had to catch himself before he fell into the coffee table. Their eyes met as their hearts were returning to normal, and they burst out laughing.
“Almost forgot we were on a train, and not in some hotel room somewhere,” Jen said, wiping her eyes.
Richie turned the chair so he was kneeling between Jen’s legs. He leaned in to kiss her, and hugged her close, resting his head on her breasts. Jen stroked his hair, letting the silky soft locks slide through her fingers. Jen felt Richie fidgeting around, and stopped what she was doing. “Everything okay down there?” she asked.
“Just fine,” Richie said. He straightened away from Jen and dug into his pocket. “You know I love you, right?” he asked her, locking eyes with Jen.
“Of course I do,” she answered, tracing the laugh lines around his eyes with gentle fingertips.
“Do you know how much I love you? That I don’t feel whole unless I’m with you? That I miss you when we’re apart something awful? That you made me the happiest man in the world when you said you would give up your life and join mine?” He captured Jen’s hands and kissed her knuckles.
“You make me so happy,” Jen answered. “I can’t remember a time when I’ve been this full of joy. I love you with my whole heart and soul.” She pulled Richie in for a kiss. He obliged, sliding his tongue between her lips. She eagerly stroked his tongue with hers, and slid forward in the chair so she could pull Richie closer in to her. Chest to chest, they each wrapped their arms around the other as their tongues danced. When Jennifer let out a contented sigh, Richie pulled back and kissed the tip of her nose.
“I have something for you,” he said.
“What more could I possibly want?” Jen answered. The look she caught in Richie’s eyes made her heart beat wildly. “You’ve given me so much already.”
“This is something that Ava and I picked out together for you,” he explained, as he pulled a small blue box from his pocket.
“Oh my God,” Jennifer breathed. Her gaze dropped to the box, then back up to Richie’s face. He smiled at her and cracked open the lid. Nestled in a bed of deep blue satin was the most beautiful ring she’d ever seen.
Jennifer’s eyes moved to see the ring. “Oh, Rich...” she said.
A one-carat emerald cut diamond was flanked by half carat stones. The diamonds sparkled in the light. When Richie took the ring from the box, she saw red flecks embedded in the platinum.
“It’s so beautiful,” Jen said.
“The tiny stones in the band are chips of rubies and opals, my and Ava’s birthstones,” Richie said. “It was Ava’s idea to put both of us in the ring for you. She wanted us to give it to you together, but I told her there are some things a guy has to do on his own. Jennifer,” Richie said, his voice cracking, and unshed tears pooling in his eyes. “I love you more than I thought it was possible to love another person other than my daughter. I want us to share our lives together, however long or short that may be. I know it’s soon, but will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
The train lurched again before Jen could answer, sending Richie sprawling. He still had hold of Jen’s hand, and when he fell, he pulled her from her chair. They lay on the floor, giggling while Richie slid the ring onto Jennifer’s finger.
“It’s a perfect fit,” she said, smiling.
“Just like you are for me,” Richie answered. “But you didn’t answer my question.”
“Yes, of course I will marry you,” she said. “I will share my life, my heart with you.” She kissed him deeply, rolling him so he was on top of her.
Six: Wedding Day
The next two months were a happy blur. Christmas with the Samboras was amazing and fun, with Ava claiming to not believe in Santa, but becoming indignant when Richie was going to ‘forget’ to leave out the milk and cookies. “It’s tradition,” she said. Heather and Jack had arrived late morning to collect Ava for the afternoon, but not before the new little almost-family exchanged gifts. Richie had bought Jennifer a heart-shaped diamond-and-platinum pendant on a long chain. Suspended from the top point of the heart was a tiny scripted ‘R’. When Richie slipped it around her neck, the pendant nestled in the hollow between Jen’s collar bones.
Jen had gotten Richie a second disc for his chain; this one with her name on one side. “The other side is where we’ll engrave our first child’s name,” she said, as she strung it onto Richie’s birthday necklace. When the couple kissed for the third time in as many minutes, Ava got impatient.
“It’ll be Easter before we finish if you keep that up,” she huffed, sitting between them. She had made black beaded bracelets for her father and Jen with each other’s initials mixed in with the jet beads. Ava had a pile of gifts from Richie, Jen, Joan, and Jen’s mother, who was looking forward to having another granddaughter to spoil.
As the new year dawned, Jen and Richie started making their wedding plans in earnest. Richie had explained what he wanted to do, and Jen thought it was perfect: no frills, no fuss, no muss, and just family and close friends. By the time Valentine’s Day came around, the whole affair was planned. Now, all they had to do was wait until the end of May.
By St. Patrick’s Day, Jen was going batty. With nothing to occupy great portions of her day, she didn’t know what to do with herself. Richie was working with Jon on new music, and she flew back and forth with him as much as she could – so much, that she was starting to get used to flying without pharmaceutical assistance. It still wasn’t passing the time when she was home. Ava was in school, or at her mother’s most of the time, and there were only so many times she could impose on Denise and Lucia. Sitting on the beach all day held no appeal; Jen felt as if her brain was melting – and not just from underuse. She accompanied Richie most of the time when he had things to do, but sometimes, like when he was messing around with new music, or handling band things, she stayed behind to let him work.
“Darlin’,” Richie had said, one night over dinner, “what is it you want to do? If you want to find a job, take a class, join a club – do whatever you want to do.”
“I kind of like not having to go to work,” Jen answered, sheepishly, “but you’re right, I’ve gotta do something.”
She talked to Heather about volunteering in Ava’s school district, but Richie’s ex-wife thought that wasn’t appropriate yet. “When you’re married, that’s one thing. But I’m just not comfortable with that right now.” Jen had to defer to the girl’s mother on that decision, and opted not to tell Richie. In the fall, she could try again.
When Richie had mentioned taking classes, Jennifer’s thoughts immediately turned to her discarded dream of getting her doctorate so she could enter the world of collegiate academia. Would she really want to be in class all the time, though, especially when Richie was touring? She looked into part-time programs, and found some that were actually reasonable, in terms of requirements. When she talked to Richie about it, he gave his unconditional support.
The next month was filled with applications, essays, phone calls and interviews, and by the end of April, she had applications in to UCLA, UCSB, and several other schools. Every time the phone rang, or the mail was delivered, she felt like a high school girl again; waiting to see if she’d been accepted.
Before she knew it, her family and friends were arriving for the wedding. Two weeks before the ceremony, Krissy, Stephanie, Gail, and Cheryl came out. Her parents and her brother and his family arrived a week later. “I can’t believe I got on a plane,” John-the-father groused
Richie’s brothers streamed in the week before the wedding as well, and the night of Richie’s bachelor party, they left their various wives and girlfriends at the Sambora manse.
“Have fun, boys,” Jennifer said; waving as the men left the house. “Remember, you have my father and brother with you; don’t do anything you don’t want to see on YouTube later, and for heaven’s sake, don’t get my daddy arrested!” As soon as the men were gone, the margaritas were mixed, and the hen party began. There was much laughter, sometimes to the point of tears, as Joan and Ma told stories of Richie and Jen from when they were younger. Before they knew it, the front door was opening, and the men were returning.
“We’re just here for a minute,” Jon called out, as he led the pack into the foyer. “Richie needs a bag, then we’re outta here. Are the strippers gone?”
“Please, Ava’s here. The strippers aren’t coming until she goes to sleep,” Jennifer called out, coming to greet them. “Surprised you didn’t see them waiting out in the driveway! Is Richie okay?”
“I’m fine,” he called from the front door. “Are you sure this is necessary? I kinda want to sleep in my own bed.”
The other women had followed Jennifer from the living room, and stood in a group, none of them too steady on their feet. “Richard,” his mother said to him, “we have this house taken over with women. It’s just for a couple nights. Tomorrow we have all manner of girly things arranged, and you’ll see Jennifer at the rehearsal. Now scoot!”
“Yes, ma’am,” Richie said, dejected.
The women kissed their respective men before they left. Then they went back to their margaritas. Ava’s eyelids started to droop, and Ma and Joan put her to bed. When they returned, it was with bags of gifts the girls had brought, but thought were inappropriate to open in front of a young girl. Jennifer received all sorts of slutty lingerie, some even from her mother and soon to be mother-in-law, which made her blush.
It was several more hours before they put down the frosty glasses and found beds to crash in. None of them stirred much before eleven the next morning, and they barely made it to the spa on time. They all were pampered and primped, and Jen could hardly contain her excitement. “I’m getting married tomorrow!”
That evening, the wedding rehearsal and subsequent dinner went off without a hitch, and all too soon, it was time for Jennifer and the girls to head back to the house for some much-needed sleep. “Are you sure an early-morning wedding is going to work for you, Rock Star?” Jen teased, as Richie walked her to the car.
He kissed her deeply, leaning into her as she braced herself on the car door. “Well it’s too late now if it won’t,” Richie answered.
“Just make sure you’re there on time,” Jen answered. “Don’t let David talk you into playing THAT joke on me.”
Richie laughed. “Never.” He kissed her again, and held her close. “The next time I kiss you, you’ll be Mrs. Richard Sambora.”
“I can’t wait,” Jen answered, snuggling into his chest.
Shortly before dawn, Jennifer could hear alarm clocks going off, followed by muted cursing. She broke into a huge smile as she climbed out of bed. This was her wedding day!
“I can’t believe Richie, RICHIE, wanted a sunrise wedding,” Gail said, grumbling from across the hall. “It’s not bloody natural to be up this early.”
“You’ll feel better after having some coffee,” Jennifer said. “Besides, I think it’s going to be romantic, being married on the beach at day break. Now hurry up; we only have a couple hours to get everyone ready. And be glad I didn’t care about being a June bride or you’d be up even earlier!”
“That would have been way too fucking early,” Gail said.
“Gail,” Ma intoned from behind Jen. “Language.”
“Sorry, Ma,” Gail said before shutting her door.
Jennifer turned to her mother. “Mom, I can’t believe I’m getting married again. Today.”
“My darling daughter,” Ma said, hugging Jen close. “I’m so happy to see you getting married again. I have a good feeling about this one.”
“Me too,” Jennifer answered.
By 6:30, the girls were all waiting for Jennifer down in the foyer. Her mother and Ava were helping her put the finishing touches on her wedding ensemble. Jennifer caught Ava’s eye in the mirror. The girl was a gorgeous vision in a long burgundy sheath with her hair upswept and held back by chopsticks. Jennifer’s attendants all had simple, long sleeveless gowns done in jewel tones, and the deep purply-red suited Ava’s coloring perfectly.
Ava smiled at her soon-to-be-second-mom. “I’m so excited for you to join our family,” Ava said to Jen, hugging her.
“I’m excited too, Sundrop,” Jennifer answered sliding a hand down Ava’s arm to take her hand. “I love you and you father very much.”
One final pat of her own up-do, and Jennifer was ready. Ava left first, calling out, “I’ll tell the girls you’re on the way down!” as she ran down the hall .
Jen’s mother followed at a more stately pace after giving her daughter a brief hug. “Don’t take too long,” she admonished. “You’ll never live it down if Richard is on time, and you are late!”
Jennifer laughed. “I’ll be along in a minute,” she said. “I just want to make sure my makeup is perfect.”
When her mother left, Jennifer turned to the mirror. She examined her reflection from a dozen different angles, and sighed. “This is it,” she said to herself. As she turned to leave, the phone on her dressing table rang. Smiling, she picked it up.
“You look perfect,” Richie said in her ear.
“How did you know I was looking in the mirror?” Jen asked.
“I’m attuned to you, baby,” he said, laughing. “Are you leaving yet? We’re almost there.”
“I’m on the way, my love,” she said. “I can’t wait to see you.”
“Me either. I love you.”
“Love you too.”
Jennifer was still smiling when she came to the head of the stairs. She picked up the long, flowing hem of her own simple sleeveless gown, and made her way carefully down the stairs. She stepped into a pair of white flip flops, and followed her girlfriends out to the waiting limo.
When they arrived at the beach, the sky was just starting to brighten. “Perfect,” she thought to herself.
A few wispy clouds floated across the dark sky, and she could tell it was going to be a beautiful day. The women got themselves in position behind a tulle-covered wall that had been erected, and Ava leaned around it to take a look at the rest of the wedding party. The men were all standing in a line, with their backs to the ocean. A breeze was toying with their hair, and she watched her father check his watch. “Jen, they’re all here, and they’re ready. Your dad just said something to my dad, and he and your brother are on the way over.”
“OK,” she said to her friends and family. “Let’s do it.”
When John-the-father came around the wall, he got tears in his eyes. “You are absolutely beautiful,” he said, kissing her cheek. “Are you ready?”
She nodded, and John-the-son took his mother’s arm to bring her to a place of honor among the celebrants. Her arrival was the pre-arranged signal to the trio of violinists, who then started Pachelbel’s Canon in D-Major. The girls all kicked off their flip-flops, digging their toes into the warm sand. Ava set out first, followed by Stephanie, Gail, Cheryl, and Susan. Krissy, Jen’s matron-of-honor waited a moment for the girls to get part way to the men, and turned to her best friend. “I want to hear ALL about the wedding night,” she said, winking at Jen’s shocked face.
After she had left, Jennifer tucked her hand into the crook of her father’s arm. “I love you, Daddy,” she said to him.
“I love you too, baby girl,” he answered. “Now, let’s get you married.”
The first glimpse she got of her husband-to-be was of him smiling. Their eyes locked and she could only see him as she walked through the sand to her future. When she arrived in front of the priest, he waited for a moment until both Richie and Jen looked at him.
“Who gives this woman in marriage?” the priest asked.
John-the-father answered, “Her mother and I do.” Then he kissed his daughter’s cheek, shook Richie’s hand, and went to go stand with his wife.
As the opening prayers were read, the sky lightened. By the time Richie and Jennifer exchanged their vows, the sun was peeking over the horizon. When Richie took the rings from Jon, and slipped Jennifer’s on her finger, the sun’s rays lit their joined hands. By the time they were pronounced man and wife, the sun was smiling down on them.
“I love you, Mrs. Sambora,” Richie said.
“And I love you, dear husband,” Jennifer answered.
The reception was a festive affair. The caterers and decorators had turned Richie’s whole downstairs into a world of white. The place was decked out in acres of white tulle, and white balloons covered the ceiling. Furniture had been moved, and tables were spread across the gleaming heart-of-pine floor, and the glass doors that lined the back of the room were all thrown open to the spring air.
Richie’s grand piano had been moved to a place of honor in the foyer, with the head table set up alongside it. After the requisite best man’s and maid of honor’s toasts, it was time for the first dance. Richie stood and held his hand out for his bride. He nodded to David, who winked at the couple and seated himself at the piano. The music began as Jennifer took her husband’s hand.
“This is beautiful,” she said, as she was spun around once and settled against Richie’s chest. “But I don’t think this is the song that we picked out.”
“Nope,” Richie said, dipping his head for a brief kiss. “This is something special; Dave’s gift to us. He wrote it especially for today.”
They twirled and spun around the dance floor, David’s playing the only sound in the room.
When they finished their first dance and sat down, Jennifer’s mother went up to the dais to have her say. She stood there looking at her brand new son-in-law. “Richard, I didn’t want to say anything in case I couldn’t find it, but I have a letter from Jennifer from the very first time you two ever met.” She pulled an envelope from her bag. “She always wrote to us; was open and honest with us about everything.”
Richie could see Jen’s handwriting on the front of the envelope and his heart squeezed. He turned to her bride, who was blushing slightly. “What is this, my love?”
“Ma’s never ending quest to embarrass the hell out of me, apparently.”
Richie laughed and pulled Jen onto his lap as Jen’s mom began to read.
November 16, 1991
Hi Ma and Daddy!
This was the best birthday EVER! What a way to turn twenty-one! San Diego is gorgeous, the weather is perfect, and I don’t want to come home. Before you have a heart attack, Daddy, I’m just saying. I’m still coming home to finish school, don’t worry, ha ha ha.
But the concert was ABSOLUTE perfection. I was sitting so close, I could see his eyes sparkle under the lights, and when he was leaning away from the microphone to say something to his traveling band, I could still hear the rumble of his voice. The music was amazing, HE was amazing, and I was so bummed to see the evening end, but you’ll NEVER guess what happened after!!
I MET HIM!
After the show, he was hanging around meeting the fans and posing for pictures and signing stuff, and I waited forever to get up there with this whole little speech prepared in my head just to freeze up. I’m twenty-one for God’s sake, not some star-struck teenager. Well, tonight, I was a star-struck teenager. Then he smiled and I forgot my name, and I think I’m in love.
I can practically see you shaking your heads. Don’t worry about me; this is just a harmless crush, and I’ll save the gory details for Krissy, but damn (yes, damn) if he isn’t the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen close up. He was really nice too. He saw I was all goofy, and didn’t make fun of me. In fact he was all fun. He recognized my accent as being East Coast and called me on it.
I said, “Yep, flew out from Beantown this morning just for you," then turned eighty-seven different shades of red.
What I remember clearly is that he took my hand and leaned in to kiss my cheek. I swear to God, I swooned (ha ha) and you KNOW that isn’t my style. Anyway, he said, "well thank you, darlin', that was real nice of you."
Then I made him laugh which was the best sound I’d ever heard. I said, "anytime, just let me know where you'll be, and I'll be there will bells on." Then some bimbo pushed me out of the way. Yeah, sure, like he was trolling. The man dates Cher for cryin’ out loud. Anyway, I looked at this woman and said, "relax, sweet-cheeks, it's not like he's leaving with me," and winked at him, making him laugh again.
I'm surprised I got that many words out without sounding like a bleeping idiot. I threw up when I got back to the hotel. It was just a fabulous experience, and I’ve got a special memory that will last me forever.
I know I’m coming home in a couple days, and will probably arrive home at about the same time this letter reaches you, but I had to write as soon as I got to the hotel. I had to tell you what a fantastic time I had. How do you feel about long-haired rock-n-rollers? Ha ha.
Love you guys.
See you soon!
Love, Jen
When she was done, she folded the letter back up and handed it and the envelope to Richie. “You keep this. Keep this and always remember that she loved you from the start, even if it was just a crush back then. You are a very special man, and you make her so happy,” Ma’s eyes were tearing up. “Thank you for putting light into her eyes.” She kissed his cheek. “And for the record, we like long haired rock-n-rollers just fine.”
Jen had gotten Richie a second disc for his chain; this one with her name on one side. “The other side is where we’ll engrave our first child’s name,” she said, as she strung it onto Richie’s birthday necklace. When the couple kissed for the third time in as many minutes, Ava got impatient.
“It’ll be Easter before we finish if you keep that up,” she huffed, sitting between them. She had made black beaded bracelets for her father and Jen with each other’s initials mixed in with the jet beads. Ava had a pile of gifts from Richie, Jen, Joan, and Jen’s mother, who was looking forward to having another granddaughter to spoil.
As the new year dawned, Jen and Richie started making their wedding plans in earnest. Richie had explained what he wanted to do, and Jen thought it was perfect: no frills, no fuss, no muss, and just family and close friends. By the time Valentine’s Day came around, the whole affair was planned. Now, all they had to do was wait until the end of May.
By St. Patrick’s Day, Jen was going batty. With nothing to occupy great portions of her day, she didn’t know what to do with herself. Richie was working with Jon on new music, and she flew back and forth with him as much as she could – so much, that she was starting to get used to flying without pharmaceutical assistance. It still wasn’t passing the time when she was home. Ava was in school, or at her mother’s most of the time, and there were only so many times she could impose on Denise and Lucia. Sitting on the beach all day held no appeal; Jen felt as if her brain was melting – and not just from underuse. She accompanied Richie most of the time when he had things to do, but sometimes, like when he was messing around with new music, or handling band things, she stayed behind to let him work.
“Darlin’,” Richie had said, one night over dinner, “what is it you want to do? If you want to find a job, take a class, join a club – do whatever you want to do.”
“I kind of like not having to go to work,” Jen answered, sheepishly, “but you’re right, I’ve gotta do something.”
She talked to Heather about volunteering in Ava’s school district, but Richie’s ex-wife thought that wasn’t appropriate yet. “When you’re married, that’s one thing. But I’m just not comfortable with that right now.” Jen had to defer to the girl’s mother on that decision, and opted not to tell Richie. In the fall, she could try again.
When Richie had mentioned taking classes, Jennifer’s thoughts immediately turned to her discarded dream of getting her doctorate so she could enter the world of collegiate academia. Would she really want to be in class all the time, though, especially when Richie was touring? She looked into part-time programs, and found some that were actually reasonable, in terms of requirements. When she talked to Richie about it, he gave his unconditional support.
The next month was filled with applications, essays, phone calls and interviews, and by the end of April, she had applications in to UCLA, UCSB, and several other schools. Every time the phone rang, or the mail was delivered, she felt like a high school girl again; waiting to see if she’d been accepted.
Before she knew it, her family and friends were arriving for the wedding. Two weeks before the ceremony, Krissy, Stephanie, Gail, and Cheryl came out. Her parents and her brother and his family arrived a week later. “I can’t believe I got on a plane,” John-the-father groused
Richie’s brothers streamed in the week before the wedding as well, and the night of Richie’s bachelor party, they left their various wives and girlfriends at the Sambora manse.
“Have fun, boys,” Jennifer said; waving as the men left the house. “Remember, you have my father and brother with you; don’t do anything you don’t want to see on YouTube later, and for heaven’s sake, don’t get my daddy arrested!” As soon as the men were gone, the margaritas were mixed, and the hen party began. There was much laughter, sometimes to the point of tears, as Joan and Ma told stories of Richie and Jen from when they were younger. Before they knew it, the front door was opening, and the men were returning.
“We’re just here for a minute,” Jon called out, as he led the pack into the foyer. “Richie needs a bag, then we’re outta here. Are the strippers gone?”
“Please, Ava’s here. The strippers aren’t coming until she goes to sleep,” Jennifer called out, coming to greet them. “Surprised you didn’t see them waiting out in the driveway! Is Richie okay?”
“I’m fine,” he called from the front door. “Are you sure this is necessary? I kinda want to sleep in my own bed.”
The other women had followed Jennifer from the living room, and stood in a group, none of them too steady on their feet. “Richard,” his mother said to him, “we have this house taken over with women. It’s just for a couple nights. Tomorrow we have all manner of girly things arranged, and you’ll see Jennifer at the rehearsal. Now scoot!”
“Yes, ma’am,” Richie said, dejected.
The women kissed their respective men before they left. Then they went back to their margaritas. Ava’s eyelids started to droop, and Ma and Joan put her to bed. When they returned, it was with bags of gifts the girls had brought, but thought were inappropriate to open in front of a young girl. Jennifer received all sorts of slutty lingerie, some even from her mother and soon to be mother-in-law, which made her blush.
It was several more hours before they put down the frosty glasses and found beds to crash in. None of them stirred much before eleven the next morning, and they barely made it to the spa on time. They all were pampered and primped, and Jen could hardly contain her excitement. “I’m getting married tomorrow!”
That evening, the wedding rehearsal and subsequent dinner went off without a hitch, and all too soon, it was time for Jennifer and the girls to head back to the house for some much-needed sleep. “Are you sure an early-morning wedding is going to work for you, Rock Star?” Jen teased, as Richie walked her to the car.
He kissed her deeply, leaning into her as she braced herself on the car door. “Well it’s too late now if it won’t,” Richie answered.
“Just make sure you’re there on time,” Jen answered. “Don’t let David talk you into playing THAT joke on me.”
Richie laughed. “Never.” He kissed her again, and held her close. “The next time I kiss you, you’ll be Mrs. Richard Sambora.”
“I can’t wait,” Jen answered, snuggling into his chest.
Shortly before dawn, Jennifer could hear alarm clocks going off, followed by muted cursing. She broke into a huge smile as she climbed out of bed. This was her wedding day!
“I can’t believe Richie, RICHIE, wanted a sunrise wedding,” Gail said, grumbling from across the hall. “It’s not bloody natural to be up this early.”
“You’ll feel better after having some coffee,” Jennifer said. “Besides, I think it’s going to be romantic, being married on the beach at day break. Now hurry up; we only have a couple hours to get everyone ready. And be glad I didn’t care about being a June bride or you’d be up even earlier!”
“That would have been way too fucking early,” Gail said.
“Gail,” Ma intoned from behind Jen. “Language.”
“Sorry, Ma,” Gail said before shutting her door.
Jennifer turned to her mother. “Mom, I can’t believe I’m getting married again. Today.”
“My darling daughter,” Ma said, hugging Jen close. “I’m so happy to see you getting married again. I have a good feeling about this one.”
“Me too,” Jennifer answered.
By 6:30, the girls were all waiting for Jennifer down in the foyer. Her mother and Ava were helping her put the finishing touches on her wedding ensemble. Jennifer caught Ava’s eye in the mirror. The girl was a gorgeous vision in a long burgundy sheath with her hair upswept and held back by chopsticks. Jennifer’s attendants all had simple, long sleeveless gowns done in jewel tones, and the deep purply-red suited Ava’s coloring perfectly.
Ava smiled at her soon-to-be-second-mom. “I’m so excited for you to join our family,” Ava said to Jen, hugging her.
“I’m excited too, Sundrop,” Jennifer answered sliding a hand down Ava’s arm to take her hand. “I love you and you father very much.”
One final pat of her own up-do, and Jennifer was ready. Ava left first, calling out, “I’ll tell the girls you’re on the way down!” as she ran down the hall .
Jen’s mother followed at a more stately pace after giving her daughter a brief hug. “Don’t take too long,” she admonished. “You’ll never live it down if Richard is on time, and you are late!”
Jennifer laughed. “I’ll be along in a minute,” she said. “I just want to make sure my makeup is perfect.”
When her mother left, Jennifer turned to the mirror. She examined her reflection from a dozen different angles, and sighed. “This is it,” she said to herself. As she turned to leave, the phone on her dressing table rang. Smiling, she picked it up.
“You look perfect,” Richie said in her ear.
“How did you know I was looking in the mirror?” Jen asked.
“I’m attuned to you, baby,” he said, laughing. “Are you leaving yet? We’re almost there.”
“I’m on the way, my love,” she said. “I can’t wait to see you.”
“Me either. I love you.”
“Love you too.”
Jennifer was still smiling when she came to the head of the stairs. She picked up the long, flowing hem of her own simple sleeveless gown, and made her way carefully down the stairs. She stepped into a pair of white flip flops, and followed her girlfriends out to the waiting limo.
When they arrived at the beach, the sky was just starting to brighten. “Perfect,” she thought to herself.
A few wispy clouds floated across the dark sky, and she could tell it was going to be a beautiful day. The women got themselves in position behind a tulle-covered wall that had been erected, and Ava leaned around it to take a look at the rest of the wedding party. The men were all standing in a line, with their backs to the ocean. A breeze was toying with their hair, and she watched her father check his watch. “Jen, they’re all here, and they’re ready. Your dad just said something to my dad, and he and your brother are on the way over.”
“OK,” she said to her friends and family. “Let’s do it.”
When John-the-father came around the wall, he got tears in his eyes. “You are absolutely beautiful,” he said, kissing her cheek. “Are you ready?”
She nodded, and John-the-son took his mother’s arm to bring her to a place of honor among the celebrants. Her arrival was the pre-arranged signal to the trio of violinists, who then started Pachelbel’s Canon in D-Major. The girls all kicked off their flip-flops, digging their toes into the warm sand. Ava set out first, followed by Stephanie, Gail, Cheryl, and Susan. Krissy, Jen’s matron-of-honor waited a moment for the girls to get part way to the men, and turned to her best friend. “I want to hear ALL about the wedding night,” she said, winking at Jen’s shocked face.
After she had left, Jennifer tucked her hand into the crook of her father’s arm. “I love you, Daddy,” she said to him.
“I love you too, baby girl,” he answered. “Now, let’s get you married.”
The first glimpse she got of her husband-to-be was of him smiling. Their eyes locked and she could only see him as she walked through the sand to her future. When she arrived in front of the priest, he waited for a moment until both Richie and Jen looked at him.
“Who gives this woman in marriage?” the priest asked.
John-the-father answered, “Her mother and I do.” Then he kissed his daughter’s cheek, shook Richie’s hand, and went to go stand with his wife.
As the opening prayers were read, the sky lightened. By the time Richie and Jennifer exchanged their vows, the sun was peeking over the horizon. When Richie took the rings from Jon, and slipped Jennifer’s on her finger, the sun’s rays lit their joined hands. By the time they were pronounced man and wife, the sun was smiling down on them.
“I love you, Mrs. Sambora,” Richie said.
“And I love you, dear husband,” Jennifer answered.
The reception was a festive affair. The caterers and decorators had turned Richie’s whole downstairs into a world of white. The place was decked out in acres of white tulle, and white balloons covered the ceiling. Furniture had been moved, and tables were spread across the gleaming heart-of-pine floor, and the glass doors that lined the back of the room were all thrown open to the spring air.
Richie’s grand piano had been moved to a place of honor in the foyer, with the head table set up alongside it. After the requisite best man’s and maid of honor’s toasts, it was time for the first dance. Richie stood and held his hand out for his bride. He nodded to David, who winked at the couple and seated himself at the piano. The music began as Jennifer took her husband’s hand.
“This is beautiful,” she said, as she was spun around once and settled against Richie’s chest. “But I don’t think this is the song that we picked out.”
“Nope,” Richie said, dipping his head for a brief kiss. “This is something special; Dave’s gift to us. He wrote it especially for today.”
They twirled and spun around the dance floor, David’s playing the only sound in the room.
When they finished their first dance and sat down, Jennifer’s mother went up to the dais to have her say. She stood there looking at her brand new son-in-law. “Richard, I didn’t want to say anything in case I couldn’t find it, but I have a letter from Jennifer from the very first time you two ever met.” She pulled an envelope from her bag. “She always wrote to us; was open and honest with us about everything.”
Richie could see Jen’s handwriting on the front of the envelope and his heart squeezed. He turned to her bride, who was blushing slightly. “What is this, my love?”
“Ma’s never ending quest to embarrass the hell out of me, apparently.”
Richie laughed and pulled Jen onto his lap as Jen’s mom began to read.
November 16, 1991
Hi Ma and Daddy!
This was the best birthday EVER! What a way to turn twenty-one! San Diego is gorgeous, the weather is perfect, and I don’t want to come home. Before you have a heart attack, Daddy, I’m just saying. I’m still coming home to finish school, don’t worry, ha ha ha.
But the concert was ABSOLUTE perfection. I was sitting so close, I could see his eyes sparkle under the lights, and when he was leaning away from the microphone to say something to his traveling band, I could still hear the rumble of his voice. The music was amazing, HE was amazing, and I was so bummed to see the evening end, but you’ll NEVER guess what happened after!!
I MET HIM!
After the show, he was hanging around meeting the fans and posing for pictures and signing stuff, and I waited forever to get up there with this whole little speech prepared in my head just to freeze up. I’m twenty-one for God’s sake, not some star-struck teenager. Well, tonight, I was a star-struck teenager. Then he smiled and I forgot my name, and I think I’m in love.
I can practically see you shaking your heads. Don’t worry about me; this is just a harmless crush, and I’ll save the gory details for Krissy, but damn (yes, damn) if he isn’t the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen close up. He was really nice too. He saw I was all goofy, and didn’t make fun of me. In fact he was all fun. He recognized my accent as being East Coast and called me on it.
I said, “Yep, flew out from Beantown this morning just for you," then turned eighty-seven different shades of red.
What I remember clearly is that he took my hand and leaned in to kiss my cheek. I swear to God, I swooned (ha ha) and you KNOW that isn’t my style. Anyway, he said, "well thank you, darlin', that was real nice of you."
Then I made him laugh which was the best sound I’d ever heard. I said, "anytime, just let me know where you'll be, and I'll be there will bells on." Then some bimbo pushed me out of the way. Yeah, sure, like he was trolling. The man dates Cher for cryin’ out loud. Anyway, I looked at this woman and said, "relax, sweet-cheeks, it's not like he's leaving with me," and winked at him, making him laugh again.
I'm surprised I got that many words out without sounding like a bleeping idiot. I threw up when I got back to the hotel. It was just a fabulous experience, and I’ve got a special memory that will last me forever.
I know I’m coming home in a couple days, and will probably arrive home at about the same time this letter reaches you, but I had to write as soon as I got to the hotel. I had to tell you what a fantastic time I had. How do you feel about long-haired rock-n-rollers? Ha ha.
Love you guys.
See you soon!
Love, Jen
When she was done, she folded the letter back up and handed it and the envelope to Richie. “You keep this. Keep this and always remember that she loved you from the start, even if it was just a crush back then. You are a very special man, and you make her so happy,” Ma’s eyes were tearing up. “Thank you for putting light into her eyes.” She kissed his cheek. “And for the record, we like long haired rock-n-rollers just fine.”
Epilogue
~*~*~ TWO YEARS LATER ~*~*~
Richie heard the toot of a horn outside and called to his wife, “Ava’s here, darlin’!” He stepped out the door and into the California sunshine. He grinned as his daughter came running up the driveway, and waved as his ex-wife and her husband pulled away. “Daddy! Today’s the day, right?”
“Well, I don’t know...” Richie said, laughing at his daughter’s pout.
“You PROMISED that when I turned thirteen, you’d take me!”
“Rich,” Jennifer said, standing in the doorway, textbook in hand. She pressed her hand to the small of her back, trying to stretch the kinks out of it. “Don’t tease her.”
“You alright, my love?” Richie asked, concerned.
“We’re just fine,” Jen said. “Your son wants to ride too, I guess,” she said, rubbing her abdomen. “Either that, or he’s tired of doing math homework.”
Ava waved to Jen. “You’re getting HUGE! How’s school?”
Jennifer laughed. “I know I’m getting big your father tells me all the time. Another ten weeks, and you’ll have a little brother to spoil. School’s just fine, though I hope your brother waits until after exams to make his arrival. For now, we’re good; go have fun.”
“You take it easy, young lady,” Richie said. Leaning down to kiss Jen’s abdomen, he added, “and you be good for Mommy; let her finish studying.” He straightened, kissed his wife briefly on the lips, then turned to his daughter, who was practically bouncing with anticipation. “Okay, c’mon, princess. Let’s go.”
Richie led Ava around to the garage. There, tucked in between his BMW and the GMC truck was a beautiful Harley Fatboy: Jennifer’s Harley. He handed his daughter Jen’s jacket, the one with his Who Dares tattoo replicated on the back, and was surprised to see it wasn't as large on her as he thought it would be. He threw his leg over the seat of the bike and ran a hand over the "Hath" that was written in an elegant script across the tank. His wedding ring glinted in the afternoon sun as he traced the name of the woman he loved.
Ava donned her helmet and climbed on the bike behind her father, wrapping her arms around his waist.
“Lean the way I lean,” Richie said to her. “You’ll be perfectly safe.”
“I know, I know; you told me a zillion times. Let’s just GO already, Daddy!” an impatient Ava insisted.
With a whoop of laughter, Richie kicked the Harley to life. The engine roared, and they took off down the driveway, waving to Jennifer as they passed.
Richie heard the toot of a horn outside and called to his wife, “Ava’s here, darlin’!” He stepped out the door and into the California sunshine. He grinned as his daughter came running up the driveway, and waved as his ex-wife and her husband pulled away. “Daddy! Today’s the day, right?”
“Well, I don’t know...” Richie said, laughing at his daughter’s pout.
“You PROMISED that when I turned thirteen, you’d take me!”
“Rich,” Jennifer said, standing in the doorway, textbook in hand. She pressed her hand to the small of her back, trying to stretch the kinks out of it. “Don’t tease her.”
“You alright, my love?” Richie asked, concerned.
“We’re just fine,” Jen said. “Your son wants to ride too, I guess,” she said, rubbing her abdomen. “Either that, or he’s tired of doing math homework.”
Ava waved to Jen. “You’re getting HUGE! How’s school?”
Jennifer laughed. “I know I’m getting big your father tells me all the time. Another ten weeks, and you’ll have a little brother to spoil. School’s just fine, though I hope your brother waits until after exams to make his arrival. For now, we’re good; go have fun.”
“You take it easy, young lady,” Richie said. Leaning down to kiss Jen’s abdomen, he added, “and you be good for Mommy; let her finish studying.” He straightened, kissed his wife briefly on the lips, then turned to his daughter, who was practically bouncing with anticipation. “Okay, c’mon, princess. Let’s go.”
Richie led Ava around to the garage. There, tucked in between his BMW and the GMC truck was a beautiful Harley Fatboy: Jennifer’s Harley. He handed his daughter Jen’s jacket, the one with his Who Dares tattoo replicated on the back, and was surprised to see it wasn't as large on her as he thought it would be. He threw his leg over the seat of the bike and ran a hand over the "Hath" that was written in an elegant script across the tank. His wedding ring glinted in the afternoon sun as he traced the name of the woman he loved.
Ava donned her helmet and climbed on the bike behind her father, wrapping her arms around his waist.
“Lean the way I lean,” Richie said to her. “You’ll be perfectly safe.”
“I know, I know; you told me a zillion times. Let’s just GO already, Daddy!” an impatient Ava insisted.
With a whoop of laughter, Richie kicked the Harley to life. The engine roared, and they took off down the driveway, waving to Jennifer as they passed.
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