Love isn't always enough A Jordan Knight/ Joey McIntyre fanfic

Chapter 71: Hanging Tough

Joe had been gone for two weeks already, and Steph was missing him like crazy. He called her several times a day. 

They had already performed in Belfast, Dublin, in Ireland, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham, London, in England, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Switzerland. 

They are now in Germany. They have five shows in Germany, and then they are off to Denmark. His life is full of so many travels, and yet the only time I have left the United States is with him for trips. 

Jordan never took me out of the country for our vacations. Joe makes sure we go on vacations every year for our anniversary, and then when we can, we go on vacation with our children. 

Joe says spending time with his family is what he has to do because it makes him happy. We have gone to California, Florida, and Rhode Island with the kids. We are getting them passports for them to be able to go out of the United States. 

Joe wants to take them to Ireland bad thing is he is on tour in the summer and off the road during school. He asked me last night about bringing Michelle and Stefan on the cruise so he can see them. He even talked about Judy and Jean flying in with Griffin and Kira so he can see them. 

He is really worried because he won't be able to spend much time with Michelle with her not joining us for the tour this year because of cheer camp. 

I'm just not really sure the cruise is a good place for the kids. Jordan said we would have security with them, and he thinks it would be fine they aren't babies anymore. 

So, I am going to talk to the kids and see what they want to do and how they would feel about joining us on the cruise. Jordan even said they could share his room. Stefan could sleep with him so Michelle could have her own bed. 

There are only seven hours between Joe and me now. So, he calls after sound check, and the kids have gone to school. He calls before the show and then after the show. A few times, he called in the middle of the night; he said he missed my voice. 

Just then, my phone rang, and I smiled; it was my hubby. "Hey, sweetie."

"Hey, sexy, how's your day been?"

"Okay, I guess. I have just been lying on the couch watching tv and missing you. How is your day going?"

"I miss you too, darling, so much. It's as good as can be, we finished sound check a few minutes ago, but I miss you so damn much. I don't think we will be doing many overseas tours. I can't handle being so far away from my family."

"I know, babe; I feel the same way."

"I know you do. I have had several little birdies tell me you aren't sleeping well and have huge bags under your eyes."

"Damn those nosy birdies. Let me guess, Dave and Judy."

"Oh, sweetheart, you forget we are together. All the birdies you have seen since we left have reported it to the guys and me."

"I have only seen Sharon, Allie, Dave, Judy, Jean, Carol, and Alma. Oh, and I saw Chris."

"Yep, and you ran into Danny's sisters, Beth and Pam. They all said you looked exhausted and like you haven't been sleeping well."

"I'm not sleeping, but maybe two or three solid hours a night. I am missing you, and the bed feels so empty without you."

"Baby, do I need to come home? I will right now because I worry about and if you aren't sleeping and looking rough enough that people are calling to tell us, then I need to be home."

"Babe, you can't do that. I love you so much for saying you will come home, but you can't. You have fans who bought tickets to see all of you, and you can't do that to them. No matter how much I miss you, you have a job to do."

"Steph, I am telling you right now, if this time next week you aren't looking better rested, I am coming home. No, if, and, or buts about it. I will be on the next flight coming home."

"Joey."

"Yes, baby."

"I love you so damn much. It's just been hard without you, but I want you to know actually I need you to know just how much I love you."

"I know how much you love me, baby girl, and I feel the exact same way. You and our kids are my entire world."

"You are mine and our kid's entire world with Jordan for Michelle and Stefan. We all love you very much. They are all so happy when they get to talk to you."

"That makes my day when I hear your voice and their voice. I need to always know my family is okay. Dave and Sharon are going to bring dinner by and keep you company this evening."

"Thank you, sweetie. I appreciate them, everyone has been great. They call and drop by just to check on me. Get on to me for sitting in my pajamas all day."

"Well, we are all worried about you, love. You are my wife, and we knew this was going to be rough. Only four and a half more weeks until I see you. I can't wait to wrap my arms around you and kiss you."

"I know, don't remind me that we haven't even hit the halfway point of this separation."

"Maybe I can get our family to watch the twins, and you can join us after the cruise for the Argentina portion of the tour. It's only two weeks."

"Yea, but three, I would be away from Griff and Kira if they don't come to Miami. Judy and Jean are flying to Miami with them if you agree. You all can fly in; they will stay at the hotel until we dock and then fly back to Boston when we fly out to Argentina."

"I just hate asking our family to babysit our kids."

"I know, baby, but they are family, and they both told me how rough you look."

"Oh, gee, thanks."  

"You know what I mean? You look rough from not sleeping well. Not that you look horrible because, baby, you are sexy." 

"I know what you mean. I do look horrible, and I feel horrible because I haven't been sleeping well. Listen, tonight I am going to take some sleep medicine to help me sleep."

"I don't want you having to drug yourself up just to sleep."

"You know, even when you were touring here, the first few weeks were always rough, and I finally got to where I could sleep without you, not well, but at least six hours a night. I am a mom and a redhead, so six hours is good for me."

"I know, baby, I know. Alright, I have to go get dressed and ready for the show. I love you, darling, so much, and I miss you. Try and get some rest and enjoy your visit with Sharon and Dave."

"I will try. I love and miss you so much, too, baby. Have fun tonight, and don't stress about me. I am okay."  

"Okay, bye, baby girl. I love you."

"Bye, babe. I love you." She hung up and sat there, missing him. 

The next few weeks flew by, she was finally able to catch up on some much-needed sleep. Joey would land in Miami in two days, they were all flying out tonight. Stefan and Michelle were going on the cruise with them, and Griff and Kira were going to stay at the hotel with Judy and Jean. Joe would board his flight tomorrow morning and would arrive the next day.

Michelle will return for camp the day after we return from the cruise. Joey wants me to tour the next leg of the tour, but I can't. I need to take Michelle to camp. Sadly the cycle is going to start again, being with him for the next six days, then he leaves again. 

After he returns, he is done other than a couple of shows in August for the mixtape festival in Hershey.