Can't Stop (Frusciante fan fic)

Part 21-Good Time Boys

John's POV

I head backstage, looking to get a cup of green tea, but not knowing what fans have managed to get their way back there. So far, it seems to be mostly Anthony's cousins and their friends, which is how Flea and Chad told me it usually has been the last 11 years, while Josh was the guitarist. Flea's wife Melody and his kids from his first two marriages didn't come up for this festival because it is so close to home. Chad's wife and son, and Anthony's son, are similarly at home in L.A. 

Tony's cousins and their friends are all taking a bunch of pictures with him and Flea and Chad while I pace, waiting for more people to come back. I know I've invited someone, and I don't know whether or not she will show. I hope she does, but with a kid who isn't coming to the festival and this peevish boyfriend, I don't know if Ellie will. I pour myself a cup of tea and sit on the couch. A few random people approach me with a bunch of stuff for me to sign. I'm happy to be touring again, although it still doesn't feel real for me, so I cheerfully sign what they have to give me and take a few pictures. At this point, I'm not too concerned about what ends up on social media or not.

I see the security guard push a pretty dark-haired woman forward into the backstage area, and my heart rate increases. It's HER. All alone, but I can't believe she's here after all these months. "Ellie?" I call out, wanting to make sure it's really her. "John?!" she calls out. We run toward each other and I give her a bear hug and pick her up in my arms. She kisses my cheek, and as I put her down, she holds on to me. "John, I..we.. missed you so much. What you did out there was amazing. What all of you did was amazing.." She starts to tear up. "Shhh.. none of that," I say. "It's so good to see you," I graze her cheek with my lips.  

Ellie's POV

I can't believe I'm seeing John again. He looks great. A little thinner, but that smile and pretty hazel eyes haven't changed a bit. I cling onto him instinctively, as if I will never see him again. Just then, a very tall, large person comes over and wraps both of us in a bear hug. 

"Hey, I hope I'm not interrupting anything! But you must be the mother of the little girl who won over this guy!"I am now aware of Chad Smith about 8 inches taller than I am and taller than John by a good bit too. I pull away from both of them, and grin ear to ear.

"Nice to meet you too Chad!" I exclaim. "The pleasure is all mine, Ellie (I can't believe he remembers my name)" he grins. And yes, he does look just as much like Will Ferrell in person as he does on TV. "John showed me your picture, but it doesn't do you justice," he says, bending and kissing my hand. I giggle. Chad is just as sweet as he is rumored to be.

John smiles even more broadly. "Well, there is a big couch over there so you can all get acquainted. Let me bring you some tea." I like how they aren't smoking a bunch of pot and drinking a bunch of beer anymore. We all have to grow up at some point. "Sounds great, John," 
I say, beaming at him. 

Chad puts an arm around me and walks me over to the couch where Flea is sitting, chatting with some people. He grins and taps Flea on the shoulder, "Hey this is the mom of that little kid who for some reason worships us!" 

"Ellie?!" Flea exclaims, seeming to know me right away. "Oh, my goodness, John showed us you and your little girl, she's precious!" he hugs me. "Just like her Mom," like an old friend. I hug him back tightly.

"Flea, I can't begin to thank you for how much your music has changed my life. Our lives, actually.." I worry I'm going to start tearing up again. These guys are even cooler than I thought they were before I met them.

Both Flea and Chad sit next to me on the couch. "Well, let's see this kid, we have kids too you know!" says Chad. I smile. "Yes, Chad, I am aware!" I say. "And you have to show me yours too, both of you." John comes over with 2 cups of tea, for which Chad and I thank him, and signals he'll be right back.