Chapter twenty-three

Monday morning Richie was off to the gym again, leaving Sarah alone in their room. She had asked if she could use his laptop and was currently browsing on YouTube.

She had typed in his name, curious at what she’d find. There were quite a few videos from the past concerts, watching from the crowd brought on a complete different point of view, wanting her to be in the crowd to experience how it was meant to be experienced.

Other videos showed him in the studio, goofing off a lot and she couldn’t help but laugh at his antics. He was cute and funny and she spent more time watching videos labeled BJTV.

She was still laughing when Richie walked in, unnoticed by her.

“What’s so funny?” He asked.
A little startled Sarah looked up at him. “You.”

He looked at her confused, wondering what she was talking about while he walked over to her.

“I’m watching videos of you in the studio; I think it’s from a while ago.” She explained as Richie looked over her shoulder.
“Yeah, that’s about ten years ago.” He agreed with her.
“Do you always have that much fun in the studio?" Sarah continued to ask.
“Pretty much.” He smiled, remembering the moments. “You have to come hang out when we’re recording.” He suggested.



After Richie’s shower they had to get ready to leave again. Tomorrow was another concert in yet another city.

So far Sarah had enjoyed it, mostly because she could be with Richie, everything still seemed better with him around but she should go back to her own life, she still had her own things she needed to do, figure out a job or something else to do. Her family, her sons, she needed to see them too. Her time with Richie was amazing and all she wanted but in a few days they’d be home and what would happen then?

They joined the rest of the band on the plane to Bristol; inside the United Kingdom the flights weren’t very long.



Their last plane ride with the whole band brought them to Dublin. Even though Ireland was one of the countries Sarah wanted to visit, the two of them were at the airport an hour after the concert was over.

With Richie around Sarah was much more comfortable at a busy airport. Checking in went much easier than when she was alone and afterwards they got to wait in a private lounge. There were only three other people with them in the room.

The couch they sat on was very comfortable. Sarah was touched when Richie took her hand and held it in his lap. Soon it would be the two of them, with much less people to worry about. Worry, should she tell him about what she wanted to know, how would he react? No, he would agree, he’d like the idea. It wouldn’t be her original plan but it would still be close and just as good for her, she knew that and he would agree.

“What are you thinking about?”

She turned her head towards the left and saw Richie with a wondering look on his beautiful face. “Nothing.” She quickly said.
“Seemed like you were doing some deep thinking.” He tried again, hoping she would tell him anyway, instead of worrying herself.
“Really, nothing.” She tried to assure him that nothing was wrong.
“Okay, but tell me if it’s something bad.” His worrying made her smile.
“I promise it’s nothing bad.”

It didn’t really convince him but he decided not to worry more about it. If she needed to tell him, she would, at least he hoped so.

Not much longer they were called to start boarding the plane. It was well past midnight and the flight wasn’t very busy.

They easily found their seats and as usual Richie sat by the window, which was still fine by Sarah. She followed him and sat down with an appreciative sigh, the seats in business class were definitely worth the money.

“I’m gonna fall asleep as soon as we are in the air.” Richie said as he relaxed into his comfortable seat.
“I couldn’t sleep when I flow over.” She didn’t think she’d be able to sleep this time either.
“You slept on the Jovi jet.” He pointed out.
“It’s not as noisy there.” Sarah told him.

The engines were always noisy enough to be heard but on their private jet it seemed quieter and easier to relax.

“We’ll see, maybe I can get your to relax enough. I learned some thing during all my years of flying.” He smiled comforting at her, he’d feel bad if he slept and she wouldn’t be able.
“You learned some things? Like what?” She asked a little confused about he possibly could have learned.
“I love flying but Jon’s chicken shit.” He smiled again before continuing. “Our flight attendants used to help him relax. I’m sure I still know some things.”
“Really? You can just sleep ‘till we get there.” She suggested

Richie just shook his head and held her hand as they watched the safety instruction video.



An hour later he was still holding her hand while they watched a movie on their tiny screens. He stuck to his decision, if she wasn’t going to sleep, he wasn’t going to either, even though he was tired, at home he could sleep with her.

The plane was dark except for the essential lighting that illuminated the path. Almost everyone in the cabin was asleep, snoring rather than talking.

“What are you doing on the fourth?” Sarah asked after a while, their movie had brought her an idea.
Other than going out with you, he thought, but decided to see where she’d go. “I don’t really have plans, why?”
“Maybe we can go out, watch the fireworks or something.” She suggested a little unsure.
“Are you asking me out on a date?” He teased and watched Sarah blush, then smile a little.
“I just want to watch the fireworks with you.” She still sounded a little uneasy about asking him.
“Of course we can watch the fireworks together.” He finally answered and a feeling of relief washed over Sarah, making all uncertain feelings disappear.
She knew he didn’t avoid the question to be difficult but to help her.



Sarah was watching the little plane that represented them on the little screen in front of her, next to her, Richie was listening to some music. The animated little plane was moving so slowly but at least they were above the United States now, just a few more hours until they would land.

Richie was almost asleep while listening to the music, according to the time on Sarah’s screen it was almost 6 in the morning in the UK, at home on the other hand it would be 10 at night. He was exhausted and wanted to sleep, it was only three more hours now.

He turned the music off and put his headphones away, then twisted in his seat so he could face Sarah and took her hand so she was turned to him too.

She could see how tired he was and wondered why he wouldn’t just go to sleep.

“You have to sleep.” She told him.
“So should you.” He still insisted.
“I can’t, it’s too noisy.” The passengers might be quiet but the engines definitely weren’t.
“Try?” He asked gently, almost pleading.

Sarah sighed and reached for her blanket, got it out it’s plastic wrap, it was big enough so she could tuck it around him and it still had space for her.

She pulled the blanket over her own shoulder after she had tucked him in. Under the blanket she found his hand to hold again, his eyes looked so tired.

“Close your eyes.” Richie told her.
“You’re the one that needs sleep, close your eyes.” Sarah said back.
“Just close your eyes.” He insisted. “Try to relax, think of a relaxing place and concentrate on deep slow breaths.” He instructed.
“Richie, just go to sleep.”
“No, I want to sleep with you. Try it.”

Sarah sighed again and finally closed her eyes and did as he had instructed. She imagined them being in his comfortable bad, with his solid form behind her, his arms around her in a tight embrace. It was the most perfect place she could imagine. Soon, she could feel his grip on her hand loosen, assuring her he was asleep.



She woke up to a soft tap on her shoulder, followed by, “We’ll be landing shortly.”
Sarah nodded and woke up fully.

Richie’s hand had slipped away while they slept and carefully she moved to sit up so she wouldn’t disturb him yet.

He looked peaceful and relaxed, making her regret she had to wake him.

How was she even going to do that? Softly, of course, gently.

Carefully she reached out her hand and caressed his cheek, already she could feel a light scruff; making her finger tips tingle just like the pit inside her belly.

He stirred at her touch but didn’t wake up.

“Sweetie, we’re landing, you need to wake up.” She whispered close to his lips as she leaned into him and continued stroking his jaw, enjoying the feel of the scruff against her fingers. “Honey?” She tried again, he must have been really tired to sleep this deep.

Finally she could feel a rumble against her hand as he moaned and at last opened his eyes.

Seeing how close she was, he leaned in for a short kiss. “We there yet?” He asked a little disorientated.
“We’ll be landing in a few minutes.” She answered his question.



Not much later they were sitting in a taxi, Richie gave the address to the driver and sat back. He pulled Sarah close next to him.
“Can you just stay over at my house? I’ll drive you home in the morning.” He was too tired to drive her home and this time he wanted to sleep with her in his arms.



The drive wasn’t very long in the middle of the night.

Richie left their bags by the front door and lead Sarah up to his bedroom.

He undressed to his boxers and watched Sarah take off her jeans and was a little disappointed when she pulled her bra from under her t-shirt.

He pulled away the sheets for Sarah and got in on his side of the bed. As soon as he laid down he pulled the sheets over them both and wrapped his arms around her. “Good night.” He whispered, ready to go back to sleep.