A Second Chance at love

Chapter 18 A New Year, A New Beginning

"GOODBYE AND FOR THE MOST PART GOOD RIDDANCE 1990- HELLO 1991!!!" I thought as we prepared to ring in the New Year with guys.

"Did you get that thing with your mom straightened out?" Donnie asked me quietly.

"Sure did" I said. "We've got a restraining order on her saying she can't come within 500 yards of us or our property or she will be arrested immediately AND she can have not contact with us via phone or mail either. It also being strongly suggested she gets some psychological testing and counseling." I told him.

"That was the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life." I added "after all she is my mother"

"But I did what I had to do to protect Myself, Emma and Jon from her." I continued.

"HERE IT COMES!" Jordan hollered from across the room.

"10....9....8....7....6....5....4....3....2....1....HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" We all shouted. Jon wrapped his arms around me and pulled me in for a kiss.

"Looks like someone plans on staying together forever!" Joey yelled over the noise. The room got quieter as we broke the kiss and whispered "I Love You."

"Man, she's got ya whipped already!" Donnie laughed adding "but, as long as you two crazy kids are happy, that's all that matters."

Before long they were back on the road touring and Emma was growing like a weed. she and I met up with Jon on the road right before her first birthday so we could celebrate it together with her.

"I can't believe she is going to be 1 tomorrow" Jon said

"I know" I replied "it seems like it was just yesterday that she was born."

We had a little party for her the next day at the hotel and in typical 1 year old fashion she really got into the cake and it was EVERYWHERE!!

Donnie's mom Alma even graciously offered to give me her seat and watch Emma that night at the arena so I could enjoy the show since somebody goofed and their weren't enough seats set aside for family members to begin with.

"But, But I'm not family" I protested "I'm just the mother of Jon's daughter."

Hearing me, Jon walked over and said "You are also my girlfriend, and as far as I am concerned, you're family."

"Then its settled!" Alma said with a laugh "Chrissy can have my seat, and I'll watch the show from back here with Emma and a couple of the younger ones since it will be too loud for them.

"Now you know why it is absolutely pointless to argue with my mom." Donnie laughed "she always wins no matter what." alma just shook her head at him and playfully gave him a swat on the rear.

The crowd was totally into the show and it was very loud in the arena, so I was glad Emma was backstage. The concert was great!

Emma slept very well back at the hotel that night--Jon and I however?--not so much. The obnoxious fans outside the window were driving us batty and wouldn't shut up!- I wanted to get the fire hose and point it out the window and just douse them even though it was only early march and still quite chilly. Jon vetoed that idea.

We actually saw the sunrise that morning as we only got about 2 hours of sleep thanks to the fans. Somehow we manage to collect our bags, and Emma and stumble our way to the bus feeling totally exhausted right down to our bones.

"Are you guys o.k.?" Joe asked looking up from the history paper he was working on with his tutor Mark "you both look totally wiped out."

"There was a huge group of fans outside our window last night and they screamed and yelled and sang way off key ALL night long!" Jon yawned. "I wanted to douse them with the fire hose but Jon wouldn't let me ." I added sleepily.

"I guess maybe I should have." he said with a tired laugh "I can't believe hotel security and/or Maurice didn't go out with the bodyguards and try and break it up a little." Jordan said looking up from his keyboard.

I could see Joe talking to Mark and he nodded and went to get on the bus with the bodyguards.

Joe walked over and put his hand on Jon's shoulder- "I just had a talk with Mark and he is going to wait and continue my lessons for today once we get to the next hotel." he said. "now, if you don't mind, I'll take Emma and keep an eye on her so you guys can get some much needed rest--you look like zombies!" he added taking Emma from me.

"Are you sure Bird?- I mean what does a 17 yr old know about kids?" Jon asked.

"With all my sisters and brother being older than me I have had practice with my nieces and nephews." he said.

"If he needs help, I'm here too" Jordan laughed "so are Danny and Donnie."

"Ok, Ok we'll go get some rest!" I laughed "you talked us into it." Jon and I made our wearily to his bunk at the rear of the bus and slid the door shut, within seconds of hitting the bed we fell fast asleep and slept soundly until we got to the next state some 9+ hours later.

We both started to wake up just as the bus stopped. "Where are we?" Jon mumbled trying to clear the sleepy cobwebs from his head. " I think we may have just gotten to the hotel" I yawned stretching and trying to clear my own head.

"Jon? Chrissy? Its time to wake up!- we're at the hotel" Jordan called from the other side of the door. "Thanks for the warning baby brother." Jon laughed. We shared a couple quick kisses before we left the room.

The guys went straight from the hotel after dropping their things in their rooms to the arena to do a sound check and I called the airport to confirm my flight to Boston the next morning.

Biscuit took Emma and I to the arena for the show and we met up with the guys. "Are you sure you guys have to head back tomorrow? Jon said as we sat in the dressing room.

"unfortunately, we do- Emma has her check up on Wednesday morning." I said. The show rocked.

Early the next morning Biscuit and Jon took Emma and I to the airport for our flight "I'll call you once we get home" I told Jon as we stood in the terminal. "I promise" our flight number was called and we got ready to board.

"Have a safe flight" Jon said,. Then he hugged Emma and gave her a kiss and told her he loved her and would be home soon. " "Em love da da" she said hugging him back.

"I am going to miss you guys like crazy" Jon said softly drawing me close to him while Biscuit held Emma We shared a long hug and a tender kiss as we parted he whispered "I Love You" "I Love you too" I said. As I gathered my carry-on and the diaper bag and Emma and headed to get on the plane.

Our flight home was uneventful and once we got home I called Jon and he was glad we got home safe. We talked a bit and then he had to leave to head for a photo shoot.

Maurice was being a total taskmaster when it came to the guys constantly taking away scheduled days off and replacing them with-interviews, photo shoots, ETC ETC ETC. so we were lucky to see each other a couple times a month.

It did take its toll on our relationship, but, we vowed to make it work- no matter what.