That Thing You Do! (Multiband Fan Fic)

Chapter 43 - Family Means Nobody Gets Left Behind

Eddie's P.O.V - Three Days Later

Stevie was lying on the sofa, smoking a blunt. It was like nothing had changed.
"You good, Stevie?" I lay on the other side of the couch, so our heads were together.
"Y'ah..." He smiled, a long stream of smoke trailing from his lips.
"You really scared us, bud. I'm glad you're home." I told him.
Maria walked out the kitchen and over to us, holding two mugs of coffee.
She placed them on the coffee table and sat in the corner, on the floor.
"I did ask to goh ouh..." Stevie slurred some.
"I know... I thought Dylan went with you..." I sighed.
"He told meh t' geh lost... I were ohkay though..." Stevie didn't want to make a deal out of it. He knew it was bad, and as long as he knew that, then I'm happy to move forward from it.
"Frank tolh me ta hang on..." Stevie added.

"What? Who?" I propped myself up on my elbows, looking back at him.
"Frank? Honey, who's Frank?" Maria asked, looking at Stevie.
"Uncle Frank... He were there... Next to Katie... He tolh me t' hang on..." Stevie rubbed his eyes, tiredly.
"Did he say anything else? What did he look like?" I asked.
"Eddie..." Maria shook her head at me.
"Frank is Monroe's dad. Stevie said he saw him. Was he watching over Monroe?" I turned from my girlfriend to my best friend.
"Y'ah... He was... Frank." Stevie smiled, closing his eyes.
He put his right arm behind his head and took a puff of his blunt with his right hand. "He came back..."

. . .

Dylan's P.O.V

I looked at my suitcases, all packed and ready to go. One large one, one medium. I took a shot of my insulin, sitting on my bed.
I lay back, with a sigh, and looked up at the ceiling.

Monroe is my best friend. She has me doing things I'd never thought I'd do... She's an underrated guitarist and she doesn't know shit, but she makes up for that. She's a keen learner and so much fun to be around. I'm glad I have her.
Eddie's high up on my list too, but not like Monroe. I love the man, yes, but he's such a mom! Always keeping us in check, but I guess we do need it. He's very loyal, but also dependable. He promised not to tell Monroe of my diabetes and he didn't.
Stevie is something else entirely... I mean, what a guy! He had nothing going for him, going as far as damaging his mind to just fit in. He's a god! He's a king. The King! He's funny and fascinating to talk to. I should of gone with him, to the deal. I told him to get lost. What is wrong with me?

I have a secret from my best friend.
I have a bad attitude.
I'm a dickhead... Stevie almost died...

I know I can make this right. I know the guys all love me. That isn't just in my head, it's the truth. We're an amazing team.
I looked at Ohana, sat on my bedside table. She was mine, and as the van wasn't anymore, I brought her inside.
"'Cause 'Ohana' means family, and it's what we are." I whispered, reciting what Stevie said to me, the day he gave her to me.
I smiled at her and like the Grinch, I felt my heart grow three sizes.
"Ohana means family. Family means no one gets left behind."

. . .

We all sat around the table eating pizzas. Monroe sat on my left, Eddie on my right, Maria opposite him, Vikki next to her, and Stevie opposite Monroe.
We were just hanging around the kitchen, when Vikki and Monroe came through with pizza boxes. They went out this morning, to go find Todd, but he's a no show.
Gov told him what happened. He sent Stevie a get well soon card, but hasn't spoke to any of us in a few days... I don't know what is going on with the man, but I'm tired of his shit.

The doorbell rang and Billie answered it.
"Guys, it's for you!" She called out to us. "Go on through."
"Thanks, Billie." We all heard the gov.
"Gov'nor!" I looked back at the kitchen door, from the hallway.
He walked through. "Man, smells great in here!" He smiled, dressed as funky as always!
"Wan' a slice?" Stevie offered him.
"What we all got?" Gov started going round the table.

"Hawaiian, meat feast, and an OPP, which is onions, peppers, and pineapple, with extra cheese! Monroe's usual order." I pointed them all out, from Eddie and Maria's to Stevie and Monroe's. We were sharing between two, the person opposite us, so it worked out well for our seating arrangement.
"I'll try the OPP." Gov grabbed a slice. "I have news." He took a bite. "Stevie, how are you feeling?"
"Goodh... Quit worryin', man.." Stevie smiled at him, making us all smile.
"Back to normal. Perfect! I've had words with everyone I know. You guys still have a chance here. I've just come from Todd's place and got no reply. Thought him and I could take a drive up here and tell you all together, but no... Anyone heard from him?" Gov asked.
We all shook our heads.
"Me and Katie called round just earlier and got nothing from him." Vikki spoke up.
"Y'know, I've met Axl Rose... I've met Ozzy Osbourne, David Bowie, Joe Elliott, Steven Tyler, James Hetfield... I've met them all! I've never met someone so... Houdini like Todd is. He just ups and disappears, comes back, like he never left. Axl did that back in the '80s, but not anymore. He's on time. He communicates. He's very encouraging to those around him. Todd is a whole new specimen." Gov leaned back on the kitchen counter, eating his slice of pizza.

"Anyway." He swallowed. "I have you another tour. How would you guys like to open for AC/DC?" He smiled.
We all stopped eating.
I looked at the gov and he was smirking at us.
"AC/DC?" Monroe asked. "Def Leppard opened for them..."
"Yeah, they did. And look at where they are now..." Gov smiled at her. "Starts tomorrow. I need you all on a plane in..." He checked his watch. "Three hours... I have some people out hunting for Todd, as we speak. You'll be on after a band called 'Hell Hounds'. A new band, signed to Capitol. I don't know them, but it doesn't matter. What do you say?" Gov asked us.
We all looked at each other, before Eddie, Stevie, Monroe, and I, bolted out of our seats and ran upstairs to grab our shit.
"I'll just tell Billie..." Gov called out, with Vikki and Maria laughing.