Chapter Five

Mary went over to the Hostess’ desk, “Hello Diane right?” she asked reading her name tag.

“Why yes can I help you?” she asked.

 “I hope so I was the one that you gave those Lilies to the waiter to give to me.” She told her.

“Oh yes did you like them?” she asked Mary.

“They were very pretty but what I need to know is who brought them?” she asked Diane.

“What do you mean?” she asked Mary not quite sure of the question.

“I need to know who brought those flowers to the restaurant to give to me. What the person looked like.” She said.

“Oh I’m sorry I thought that he was delivery boy from a flower shop?” she said.

“Do you know which one?” Mary asked her.

“No I’m sorry I just assumed.”  She told her.

“What did he look like?” she asked her hoping.

“A young man maybe in his twenties, blondish hair, blue eyes, about six feet, maybe one hundred and sixty pounds or so.” As Diane best described him.

 “What was he wearing?” Mary asked hoping she could remember.

 “Jeans and a blue tee-shirt, nothing special about it no logos. Why all the questions?” she asked.

“These flowers weren’t from my boyfriend and he’s pissed so I just wanted to get an idea maybe who would send them to me that’s all.” Mary explained to her.

 “Oh well I sorry but you should be worried about him.” She told Mary.

“Really why?” Mary wanted to know.

“Well I don’t want to start anything.” Diane told her.

 “You won’t.” Mary told her.

“Well that girl you’re having dinner with, he’s been seen with her for the past several weeks in her company just saying.” Diane told her squinting her face and body.

 “Well thank you I’ll take that under consideration.” She said and headed for the elevator where she saw Jon pacing.

 “Hey did you get the information that you wanted?” he asked her try to wrap his arms around her and give her a peck on the lips, but she moved away to push the up button on the elevator instead. “Okay are we to talk about this?” he asked her.

“Talk about what?” she shot back.

“What’s got you so pissed off at me?” He said trying not to take any of her bullshit. She could sense that he was getting agitated now.

But she really didn’t care. The elevator doors open and they got in.  She always got a kick out of how he hated to be in them. He tensed right up. She just left him alone knowing he didn’t like his phobia being mentioned or him being coddled. When they reached the floor and the doors finally opened he rushed out and headed for their room with Mary behind. Once inside he went to the bar to get a drink and pouring himself a Jack. Walking inside he asked, “You want anything?”

“Just a diet coke.” She said walking over to the phone.

Watching her he asked, “Who are you calling?”

 “My brothers.” She told him. Walking over to her he took the phone from her as she look shocked and hung up the phone.

“What the hell!” she asked.

“We need to talk first.” He said sitting down beside her.

“Okay what’s the matter?” she asked him.

“Shouldn’t I ask that of you? Why are you mad at me?” he asked.

She just shook her head. “Really Jon. Fine I thought you wanted to leave early and you not only order dessert and you get into this conversation with your ex and praised her for her karate skills but said nothing about me, ignored me and then freak out when I get flowers like you own me.” She said angry.

“Okay so we are pissed. I’m sorry okay; I got caught up reminiscing and lost myself. Tell me that hasn’t happened to you?” he said apologetic. She just looked at him. It really was hard to stay mad at him with those damn blue eyes of his. But she sure as hell was going to try.

 “Of course it happens Jon I understand that but we had a damn plan to get the hell out of there and back here if you freaking remember. It was your idea if I remember. And I won’t even get into your Mother!” she said as Jon grabbed her and kissed her hard and passionately. After about a couple of minutes they finally parted as a dazed Mary just looked at him and said. “That’s not fair.”

 “I didn’t say I played fair.” He said with a sly grin on his face.

 “Well I still need to call my brothers. Wait a minute how do you know about the flowers?” she asked him.

“What do you mean?” he asked innocently.

 “You got pissed at the flowers being Lilies.” She said curious.

“Well of course I did. They were fucking Lilies Baby and I didn’t send them to you. Who would send you flowers first of all and to a family event.” He said hoping she bought it.

 “Oh right I’m sorry I didn’t think of that.” She said.

 “It’s okay it happens. Now call your brothers so we can you know make up.” He said wagging his eyes at her sexily.

“Why is it that I can’t stay mad at you?” she asked him.

“Because I’m terrible sexy, you’re madly in love with me…” he started listing as she hit him on the arm.

“Okay, okay I get it! You’re irresistible.” She said as she pretended to faint on the couch.

“Oh you think that’s funny do you?’ he asked as he started to tickle her merciless.

 “Jon! Jon! Stop please! You’re going to make me pee! Stop! Uncle!!!!!” she screamed pleading as she fell off of the couch. Sitting now on top of her he bent down kissing her hard and she could feel his attraction building up in him. She had totally forgot about her phone call to her brothers. He usually did that to her, making her mind go to mush. She had fallen asleep next to the couch so he slowly got up to reach to the back of the couch to get the afghan that was on there and the pillows and carefully put the afghan on them and gently lifted her head to put the pillow underneath. He carefully cuddled next to her and drifted off himself.

During the night they had moved to the bedroom because the floor of the living room was a little hard on the knees and back. They had made love throughout the night off and on. They had slept late and made love again. As usual by twelve noon the same knock came at the door then the banging. Jon just groggily sat up as Mary just mumbled something and pulled the blankets over her head. “Baby it’s no use she’s not gonna go away unless I answer the damn door so you might as well just get up away because I have sound check in a couple of hours.” He gripped. “And you need to call your brothers remember?” he reminded her as he got up, put on his jeans to answer the door.

“Yeah, yeah I remember.” She grumbled. As she was trying to get out of bed Jon went to see if he could get rid of his folks. Opening the door,

“Hi Mom, Whoa there just a minute did you forget I have someone here with me.” Jon said as his mother tried to barge in on them.

“No I didn’t I need to speak to you. And where is she in the bedroom I suppose.” Carol said sarcastically.

“Yes she is and where is Dad and everyone?” he asked her.

 “They’re back in the room. She’s not going to come out in nothing is she?” she asked disapprovingly.

“Ma stop it right now or you can leave. Now just ask what you came here to ask.” Jon asked her pissed.

“What went on last night? Why did you get all upset about those damn flowers and why did she storm off like that?” Carol wanted to know.

 Jon really didn’t want to tell his mother anything so he would just tell her a little white lie. “Mom it’s because I didn’t send her those flowers. Okay? We found out some fan probably sent them to her to get the exact reaction out of me that they did. Shame on me. And I don’t blame her for storming off on me for one: me getting jealous like that and two: my mother acting like a bitch to my girlfriend.” He told her in no uncertain terms.

“JON FRANCIS! Don’t you dare talk to me like that!” his mother told him.

“Mom I’m just telling the truth. You insulted her what was she supposed to do? Give you a hug and a kiss?” Jon shot back. As all this was going on in the living room Mary finally was making her phone call to her brothers. Luckily A.J. had picked up.

“What do you mean you got them last night? Why didn’t you call us then?” A.J. asked her.

 “Do you really need me to spell it out for you A.J.? Jon and I got into a fight over it. Plus his family were there so put two and two together. Then when we got home you know how things get…” she was telling him as he cut her off.

 “Hey I don’t need to gory details okay. So you didn’t get anything else substantial?” he asked her.

“Unfortunately no. What about you guys?” she asked.

“Rick is tracking something down he thinks he may have something.” A.J. told her.

“Like what?” she asked him.

 “Not sure so why don’t we just let Rick get what he needs to then I’ll call you okay?” he asked her. She let it go knowing if her brothers weren’t ready to tell her then it wasn’t a sure deal yet. She got dressed after her phone call was finished and finally decided to swallow her pride and go into the other room. She took a deep breath and opened the door and walked through. She saw Jon and his Mom in a somewhat heated conversation which stopped when she entered.

“Hi is everything okay?’ she asked as she walked over to Jon and went to hold his hand.

Holding her hand back and kissing her lightly on her lips he replied. “Ya Baby everything is fine, in fact Mom was just leaving weren’t you.” He said to her sternly.

 “Yes I need to get back to John and the boys. It was nice seeing you again dear. Jon please call me later?” Carol said as she made her way to the door escorted by her son.

“Mom I have a concert tonight so it probably won’t be sometime until tomorrow.” He told her.

“Fine.” She gave him a kiss on his cheek and left.

Mary sat on the couch and started to laugh. Turning around Jon gave her a stern look and asked “Why the hell are you laughing?”

 “Because if I don’t laugh I’ll go insane.” She told him.

“Yeah I know how did the call with your brothers go?” he asked as he went to sit next to her.

“Well A.J. said that Rick might have something but he didn’t want to say anything as of yet.” She told him.

 “How come?” he asked a little confused as to why they didn’t want to say anything to her.

“Sometimes when they’re not sure what it is they don’t want to share it means they’re not sure of the lead or in my case it could be someone I know or you know or they just don’t want to get my hopes up.” She explained to him.

“Well that sucks.” He said.

“So are you going to tell me how things went with your mom?” she asked.

“Same crap as last night. Wanted to know what all the fuss was about the flowers and I told her I was being a jerk about them because I didn’t send them. Then she started up about you and I set her straight. Like I said same crap.”  He told her.

“I’m sorry.” She said kissing him on his cheek.

 “Sorry for what Baby?” he asked.

“For causing you all this crap, because I’m not your ex.” She said but Jon stopped her.

“Hey stop that right now. I’m glad you’re not my ex. Okay. I fell for you being you. I Love You! She’ll just have to accept it I know I have.” He said wrapping his arms around her.

“Hey I thought you said you had sound check.” She asked him smiling.

 “I do and the guys should be here shortly. Argh! Okay but later Baby later your all mine!” he told her.

“You got it so let’s get going before I jump you.” she said.

“Oh oh come on before I…” he said getting up shaking his head chuckling with sexual frustration. 

They went to sound check and everything went off just fine. They all went to catering and when they entered there were flowers all about the service and they were Lilies. Jon screamed out, “WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS! PAUL! RICH! GET THE HELL IN HERE!” he screamed at the top of his lungs. Mary just stood there staring and in shock. Someone was now gas lighting her that she now figured.

 “Jon what the hell is wrong!” Richie asked now very concerned with his friend and brother.

“Richie it’s hard to explain but these are fucking Lilies everywhere.” He said upset.

 “So?” he didn’t understand and neither did the others.

 “Her ex used to send her these stupid flowers all the time. Especially when all that shit was going down.” He said going over to her “Baby are you okay? Baby?” he asked her as she just stood there staring.

So he started to shake her. “Wh What? Oh yeah I’m fine.” She said shakily.

 “Come on sit down.” He said.

The guys just looked at each other as Rich B. came in. “Hey Jon what’s all the screaming for?” he asked.

 “Who the hell brought all these flowers in here?” Jon demanded.

“The caterers I guess. Why?” Rich B. told him.

 “Well I want to know who ordered them you got that!” Jon demanded.

“Yeah sure I’ll get right on it.” Rich B. said.

 “Honey I need to call my brothers and let them know about this.” She told him.

“Yeah Baby ok but first I need to know if you’re alright?” he said holding her hand in his.

 “Yeah I told you I was. I’m not going to let who ever this is scare me.” She told him.

 “But it seems it’s scaring the hell out of you.” He told her. “I have every right to be scared with what that asshole did to us. I’m not going to let anyone ever do that to you again do you understand me?” he said meaning every word he just told her.

She looked at him in those deep blue eyes of his. “Yeah I hear you Sweetie. I couldn’t go thru that again either. To see you strung up like that, seeing you being…” she started to choke up.

“It’s okay nobody will ever touch you like that again I promise.” He said kissing her temple.

She tried calling her brothers on their office phone and A.J.’s house phone but no one picked up so she left a message on each answering machine. She really needed to talk to her brothers right now. Jon was talking to Rich B. and he found out it was a different catering company that delivered the flowers. Rich B. called the company and they don’t even exist. He gave Jon the manifest back to Jon so he could give it to Mary’s brothers but he didn’t know what good it would do. He told Mary that the company didn’t exist and she kind of knew deep down. Now she hoped that either Rick or A.J. would call or either show up but fast. Jon asked Paul to keep an eye on Mary while the concert was going just to keep his nerves in check. But told him not to tell her what he was doing, that would only piss her off. Paul said he would do his best not to blow his cover. The concert actually went off without a hitch. Jon only stayed for an hour for the after party just to show his face and to make nice with some of the honcho’s. All he wanted to do was to get his girl back to their hotel suite where he felt safe and where they could be alone. It was about one thirty in the morning when they got back to the hotel and they were exhausted. They were just about to strip off their closes and get into bed when there was a knock on their door. “Oh you’ve got to be freaking kidding me.” Mary said to Jon.

 “It’s okay Baby I’ll get it.” Jon said as he sauntered over to the door only wearing his jeans and barefoot.

Opening the door there was his mom. “Ma what the hell?” Jon said.

“May I come in?” she asked him.

“Ma we were just about to go to bed. Can this wait til morning?” he asked her.

She shook her head no. “No Jon it can’t please it’s important.” She told him.

“Ummm Fine.” He showed her into the room.

“Jon honey who was at the door…oh Carol hi” Mary said as she has one of the hotel robes on and well nothing on underneath it.

“Mary hello.” Carol returned her reply.

“I’ll just leave the two of you alone.” She said as she retreated into the bedroom.  

Jon sat down next to his mother. “Okay Ma what’s up?’ he asked her.

 “Dear I know you probably won’t care but Dorothea isn’t in her room and your father and I haven’t seen her all day.” Carol told him.

“Ma maybe she went home. She probably felt uncomfortable and just left.” Jon told her.

“I thought of that and your father went to the airport to check but there was no sign that she was ever there. And she would of left me a note. I think something’s happened to her. I’m worried honey.” Carol told him wringing her hands.

Jon just sat there shaking his head. “Ma do you ever think maybe she’s just trying to get attention?”

“Jon Francis she wouldn’t do that.” Carol said upset.

“Look Ma Mary‘s been thru all of this already and now Dot’s missing as well? Come on it’s a little strange isn’t it? Her disappearing at the same time this is all happening.” Jon said annoyed.

 “Jon why would she do that?” Carol asked him.

“Maybe because she wants my attention Ma, did you ever think of that?” he said to her getting kind of pissed now.

 Mary was listening at the door. She couldn’t help herself. She did think it was odd that Dorothea was now missing as well. She decided to walk out there and suck it up. She walked into the living area and walked over to the two of them. “Hi I couldn’t help but over hear the two of you.” she said.

Jon looked at her as Carol huffed at her. “I’m sorry Baby are we keeping you from sleeping?’ he asked as he got up and put his hands on her shoulders.

“No you’re not. But I do want to ask your mother a question if you don’t mind sweetie?” she asked Jon.

“No go right ahead if you think it will help.” He said. “Mrs. Bongiovi when was the last time you saw her?”

 Carol looked at her and said “Well we haven’t seen her since breakfast. She said she was going to do a little shopping and that was the last time we saw her. We thought we would see her for dinner but she didn’t show and then when we decided to call it a night she wasn’t in her room. So we waited for you to get back from the auditorium to talk to you.” She told them.

 “Ma you waited til now, you couldn’t wait til morning to let us know.” Jon asked.

“Jon your mother is worried. If that was me you would be waking the whole city. Now Mrs. Bongiovi she wasn’t in her room at all today?” Mary asked her.

 “No we asked the desk clerk if she ever came back and he said no.” she told them as she gave Jon the famous Bongiovi stink eye.

Mary wanted to laugh out loud. Now she knew where he got that from. “Do you have a key for her room by any chance?” she asked Carol.

“Better she has an adjoining room with us.” Carol told her.

Mary just looked at Jon and smirked. Of course she does she thought. “Good do you mind if I take a look at it?” she asked her.

 “Well what do you think you’re going to find?” she said kind of sarcastically to her.

“Well I’ve been trained to spot things that the average person wouldn’t notice. So I just might see something you and Mr. Bongiovi might just not see. Plus we don’t want to many people in there so I’ll be the only one going in there okay sweetie we don’t want anyone touching everything and getting prints all over things that they shouldn’t.” she told them.

 “Ok whatever you say but can we do this in the morning? Like the cops said we can’t file a missing persons report until forty eight hours anyway and tomorrow only makes twenty four. So can we please get some sleep because I’m exhausted and we’ll be able to think better with a good night’s sleep.” Jon was almost pleading at this point.

Carol wasn’t to please but had to agree with her son. “Well fine we’ll do it in the morning I’ll come get you around…”

Jon interrupted her. “Ma we’ll come to you. I need sleep. Do not come get us. We’ll be there as soon as we can but it might not be until after noon time okay?” Jon stressed. Carol wanted to object but Jon was adamant on this subject. 

Carol had left not happy but at least satisfied that her son was willing to help.  Jon turned to Mary “Well what do you think about that?” he asked lifting his eyebrows.

 “Well it could be legit or like you said she’s trying to get your attention. But we’ll find out tomorrow when I can get into her room. You know though I almost died when your mother said that they had connecting rooms. No freaking way if we ever vacation or even go out on the road with them will we ever have connecting rooms do you understand me.” She said grabbing the only thing she could which was his hair and yanked it towards her. He moved so close that you couldn’t put a piece of paper between them and he wrapped his arms around her.

“Oh really and why not? Don’t you want my mom to coming flying in on us when she hears you screaming and thinking that maybe you’re either in pain or you’re being attacked and it’s actually me fucking your brains out.” He told her waggling his eyes at her.

“You do know that you’re incorrigible right?” she told him.

 “Who me?” he said innocently.

She just smiled lovingly at him and chuckled. “Oh and Thank You for volunteering your help with finding Dorothea. That means a lot Baby and I think that meant a lot to my Mom too.” He told her still holding tight.

“Really couldn’t tell. But thanks. I’m doing it mainly for you and your family. Jon I know she wants you back. Some of them told me they keep in touch with her. I basically came out and asked them so I hope you’re not mad at me.” She asked him.

Kissing her on top of her head, “Baby I’m not mad at you; you wouldn’t be human if you weren’t a little jealous. You’ve seen me and you’ve never gotten mad at me.” He told her.

Smiling “There’s no reason to be jealous over me. I’ve got the best guy around why would I even look at another one?”

 “Well not to get a big head but seeing I know you and I know you wouldn’t do anything like that to hurt me but it’s those guys that keep trying to take you away from me that pisses me off.” Jon said just to clarify it for her.  

“Stop it will you, having a freak of an ex-boyfriend stalking you doesn’t count Jon and you know it.” She said trying now to push him away.

“Hey.” He said trying to get to her.

“What I want is to go to bed.” She said as they parted. Jon came up behind her and started to nibble her neck and moving up to her ear. “Jon I thought we were going to try and get some sleep?”

 “My second wind kicked in when we were so rudely interrupted.” He said as he threw them on the bed as Mary let out a yelp.

“JON!” she yelped giggling. They went at it for a couple of hours before they gave in to sleep. Mid-morning came and they were finally up and after they ate and had gotten dressed much to Jon’s chagrin they went to Jon’s parents room.