Chapter 29

"So, the next day, they were all so hungover the interviews were reduced to yes and no answers and it was a good thing they didn't have to do sound check, 'cause I think their heads would have exploded! Luckily by show time they were mostly recovered. After that it was decided that on nights before work days I would be on call for Jon, and the guys would take the non work ones." Brianna finished regaling Dorothea with the guys' way of keeping Jon distracted. They had a couple days between shows and Dot had once again insisted Brianna stay at their house so that they could continue to document her memories. 

Dorothea just shook her head and leaned forward from her position on one end of the couch to pick up her mug of tea and sipped. "Those guys still haven't grown up! They used to pull that shit 20 years ago, except then they were young enough to be able to drink that much and still function the next day. I had hoped that they would have gotten smart in their old age, but apparently not."

"Hey!" Jon scowled as he passed through the room. "We're not old."

The women watched him leave the room, looked at each other and burst out laughing.

"That's what he objected to?" Brianna wiped tears from her eyes.

Dorothea grinned. She'd been waiting for just such an opportunity. "I caught him checking out his crow's feet in the mirror this morning." She paused. "Let me fill you in on one of Jon's little secrets - or at least what he thinks is a secret. Despite his protestations about how much he hates all the talk about his looks, he knows what side his bread is buttered on, and will play it up as much as he can if it will help the project he's working on. But it has to be on his terms, otherwise he'll just get mad."

"So, how does he handle it when you comment on his looks?" Brianna was curious. No woman alive could deny Jon was a good looking man, but even the fans knew it was a taboo subject - at least in his presence, so she wondered how his wife dealt with it, especially since she'd seen with her own eyes that they were an affectionate couple.

"I don't usually...unless he looks like shit. He gets enough adulation from the public, his ego doesn't need boosting in that area. My job is to keep him grounded. So I focus more on the charitable projects he gets involved with." She glanced at her watch. "We’d better get dinner started."

Brianna watched her stand, prepared to help if she needed it, and followed her into the kitchen. "What's on the menu tonight?"

The two women worked side by side in comfortable companionship.

One of the things Dorothea liked best about Brianna was that she didn't treat her like an invalid. Instead of trying to do everything for her, Brianna would help her, making sure she didn't over do it without making a big fuss. She had help with the kids and around the house when Jon was gone, but sent them away when he and Brianna came home. She still had much to teach Brianna and not a lot of time to do it.

While they worked, Dorothea would tell Brianna stories, not only about the kids, but also about Jon and their life together. They were usually amusing tales, but also gave insight into Jon's personality and the workings of his mind. If Jon was in the room, he just rolled his eyes, or occasionally gave his version of events. What had Dorothea feeling smug and chuckling to herself was that neither one realized what she was doing. She didn't know how long that would last, but in the meantime it made her job a little easier.

After dinner and a movie, Brianna helped Dorothea put Jake and Romeo to bed, then settled into her own room with her laptop to continue transcribing the recordings Dorothea had made. About half an hour later, there was a soft knock on her door. "Come in."

Stephanie stuck her head in the door. "Am I interrupting?"

"No, come on in. What's up?"

Closing the door behind her, Stephanie climbed onto the bed. Sitting cross legged, she watched her hands toy with the hem of her pant leg. "Mom seems to be doing pretty well, don't you think?"

Brianna set aside her laptop and shifted until she could face her visitor and focus her full attention. Dorothea had confided that she was concerned that Stephanie wasn't coping well and still wouldn't talk about her illness. "Yes, she is. She tires easily, but her pain seems to be controlled." It was an adult topic, and Stephanie was a smart girl. If she was finally reaching out, Brianna wasn't about to crush her attempt by talking to her like a child.

Stephanie nodded, but didn't look up from her hands.

Silence filled the room, but Brianna didn't push, she just kept quiet and let Stephanie find her words in her own time.

"What's.......what's going to happen to her?"

Oh God! How did I get chosen for this conversation? It was Brianna's turn to take her time before answering. "Well, as the cancer spreads, she'll get weaker and she'll need more meds to control the pain." She hoped that would satisfy her curiosity.

No such luck.

"But, when she......how will it happen?"

Shit! "She'll probably just go to sleep."

"Will she be in a lot of pain?"

"She'll have morphine to make her as comfortable as possible."

"How long......when...." Stephanie blew out a breath, unable to get the words out. Her eyes filled with tears.

Brianna moved closer, reached out and squeezed her hand. "No one can say for sure. But it won't be tomorrow or next week. Just appreciate each day that you have with her....and let her know how much you love her."

Stephanie gripped Brianna's hand tightly, nodded and stayed silent for a few moments. Sniffing, she made a visible effort to pull herself together. "So, how's the tour going? The uncles driving you nuts yet?"

Brianna accepted the change of subject and laughed. "No. They're fine."

"Mmmmm. Watch out for Uncle Tico. He seems like the calm, serious one, but he's the king of practical jokes. And they won’t be anything you’d expect. Keep an eye out."

"Really? Okay, good to know."

"Well, I'm going to bed."

"Nite Steph, sleep well."

"You too." Stephanie slid off the bed but stopped at the door. "Bri....thanks."

"Anytime sweetie." Brianna stared at the closed door for several moments after Stephanie left, running their conversation through her head before sighing and turning back to her laptop. Her armor may have cracked, but that girl is still in a world of pain. But at least it looked like the denial was gone.

An hour later, there was another knock on her door. "Come in."

"Hey." Jon entered and closed the door behind him.

"Hey." Once again Brianna set aside her laptop. While he often contacted her at night when they were on the road, he never had before here at the house. Something must be bothering him, but she knew to stay silent and wait for him to speak. Like father like daughter.

Jon paced around the room. "Are you comfortable enough here?" He frowned at her laptop on the bed. "We could bring a desk in here."

"It's fine. I'm quite comfortable." She assured him.

He paced to the window and stared out, but Brianna had a feeling he wasn't really seeing the view. "She's doing pretty well, don't you think?"

Deja vu! She had to smile. "Yes, she is."

"What are you smiling about?" He could see her reflection in the window.

"As much as you say Steph is like her mother, she's a lot like you." When he turned his head and raised one eyebrow, she explained. "She was here an hour ago and said pretty much the same thing."

A second eyebrow joined the first. "She's talking?"

"Starting to anyway." Brianna knew what he needed to hear. "She's beginning to accept it. I think she'll start to open up a little bit more now."

Jon nodded. "Good. One down. Can you work on Jesse next?"

“I think you may have better luck there than I would. Man to man might get farther at his age.”

Jon gave her a considering look. “When do you think the little ones will clue in?”

“Jon, I’m not a grief counselor or psychologist.”

“I know, but you have good instincts about people. What does your gut tell you?”

She thought for a moment. “Romeo probably won’t until…after… and then he’ll have a pretty rough time for awhile. But he’ll probably also rebound the fastest. Jake will notice near the end when she gets really weak, but won’t really understand until after.”

He nodded and turned back towards the window.

Silence filled the room again.

"Jon, is there something..."

"I want to thank you," He interrupted, "for all you've done for Dorothea and my family.......for me." He acknowledged. "I know this is above and beyond your job description and a lot to dump on you. You've been a great help. I know I don't say it enough, but I wanted to make sure you know how much I appreciate it." He finally turned his head to look at her and she could see the unshed tears shining in the blue depths. "Really. We all do."

Brianna felt her own eyes start to burn. "I'm happy to help. Really. Whatever any of you need."

He nodded curtly. "I'll let you get some rest. Nite."

"Nite." For the second time that night, Brianna found herself staring at the closed door and contemplating a Bongiovi's state of mind. This family's in a lot of pain and the worst is yet to come. It was a good thing the guys were willing to help out. She had a feeling it was going to take everything they all had to get them through.