Chapter 37

*A few months after the birth*


                                                    *Melody POV*


Daddy snored. I felt my eyes burning as I started to cry, it stung badly. I couldn't sleep either, I kept on tossing and turning. I can remember seeing dad's face, it looked worried as he shouted for mummy, he walked over to me , he was very tall, but he spoke in a gentle tone - he meant no harm. Then, he picked me up, one hand cradling my head, and the other, on my back. I stopped crying at this point. Dad smiled. He held me close to his chest, and sang a sweet song, his strong arms making me feel safe as he continued to sing. Mummy came over to daddy and kissed him, I could see the affection in her eyes. I tried to kick mum away from daddy, but my little legs wouldn't reach. Daddy chuckled and looked down at me. "Daddy's girl" he whispered, smiling. Truth be told, dad was my favourite parent and mummy knew that. Dad's chest was warm and soft, I buried my head into his chest and I could feel, and hear, his soothing heartbeat, so much so, that it finally sent me drifting.


~~~~~~~~~~


I can remember opening my eyes, daddy was staring at me again, and placed down in my playpen, and started to build a house from some bricks. He wasn't tired and I knew that, he then started to sing and it relaxed me, as he wandered over to the kitchen. I could see him getting a drink out of the fridge, it wasn't a normal drink. Daddy poured a little into a small glass. He took that glass in his hand, walked over to the sofa, and placed it down on a side table. Daddy came over to me and picked me up, he held me close to him again. I liked that. Daddy sat down, I buried my head in his chest, and, he sang the same sweet song to make me fall asleep, but, I wasn't tired - I wanted this moment to last forever. Daddy saw in my eye that I didn't want to sleep, so, he stopped singing and placed on the lamp. A dim light came on. "You don't wanna sleep?" he asked me, in response, I buried my head in his chest once again and looked at him. He nodded. He took a sip of his drink, which was a gold colour, my icy-blue eyes string up at him. He turned on this box that plays cartoons. I like them.




Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck came on. Daddy's soft thumb caressed my creamy and fine jawline as he sat me upon his lap my body leaned against his hard and warm body, his strong arm across my stomach. We stayed like that for a few hours - I never felt tired because I'd slept for most of the afternoon and some of the night. Dad finished his drink and switched off Road Runner. "I'm gonna sleep down here tonight, sweetie" he told me, before he laid down and pulled me onto his chest. His steady heartbeat soothing me to sleep and we both drifted off.


*Third person POV*


Evie smiled. Richie and Melody were still asleep, and she opened the curtains, which made Richie hiss at the sunlight that poured, and flooded the room. She frowned. There was a empty whisky glass on the table, and she immediately knew that Richie had whisky. Richie opened his eyes and sighed as Evie met his eyes, she took Melody off his chest as he sat up; his head thumping and throbbing against his skull. Evie took Melody upstairs, and laid her down in her cot, then strolled back downstairs.


*Melody POV* 


I didn't want to fall asleep, and, I was taken away from daddy - which I didn't like one bit. I started to have a nightmare, mummy went downstairs and I started to cry because no one was there to protect me. I hated being alone. My eyes stung, and were all red and swollen, as the tears streamed along my small face. I heard footsteps  coming along the hall. It was daddy.  Daddy came over to me again, a worried expression on his face. His large hand patted me on the back as I coughed, my lungs felt heavy and horrible. Mum was by my cot, they both looked at each other. "A nightmare" mum told dad, he nodded. A 'nightmare' was scary and it frightened me half to death. Daddy then replied to mum, saying that he had to meet Jon at the 'studio'. I have no clue what that means, but if daddy leaves me, then I'm not going to be a happy bunny.

Dad picked me up again, and held me tight and close to him, and gently kissed my forehead and patted my back. Mum smiled softly, and gave dad his boots and jacket. Oh no, daddy's gonna leave. I can't let him do that. He kissed the top of my head once again, and smiled softly at me as he placed on his Stenson and his boots. Mum took me from daddy's arms and he kissed her passionately on the lips. I hated to see him leave, I buried my head in mum's chest.


I could hear daddy leave. 


Mum took me downstairs, I was hungry. Mum and I got onto the sofa as mum let me drink; dinner was nice and tasty. After lunch, I became sleepy and mum took me upstairs and placed me back in my cot. I couldn't get to sleep. Dad wasn't here and I hated it, though, as the hours passed, I was bored and slowly became even more exhausted. I couldn't dream of knights in shining armour saving damsels in distress; daddy was my knight. Finally, a short while later, as it was getting dark, I heard the rumble of a car engine coming from outside. I didn't like the rumble, so I started to cry and laid my body down on the bed, tears of sadness falling down my cheeks; silently. The door closed downstairs. Nevermind, I carried on crying. I shut my eyes, the same nightmare wrapped me tightly in it's cloak of darkness and despair. I started to sweat as I cried louder than I had anytime prior. I need daddy I thought to myself. He'll come. Then, a loud thunder of footsteps rush down the hall as I twist and turn.




My head starts to hurt. It throbs, I feel a pair of warm and strong hands picking me up - it's dad. I can see him, but he's all blurry, my whole body is soaked in sweat and it feels real wet. My body's exhausted, dad rushes downstairs with me in his arms. "Another nightmare, and a cold sweat" daddy told mummy, who was at a loss for words. "Give her a bath, now" mum told dad, daddy nodded and took me upstairs, into the bathroom. Dad ran the taps, and then undressed me. Daddy sighed, I could tell that he was worried and so could mummy, who was also worried. I was placed into the warm bath, dad covered my body in water, I liked dad giving me warm baths; his gentle hands washed my hair with shampoo and gently massaged and rubbed it in. It was very relaxing, I relaxed and so did daddy as he smiled at me. He washed out the shampoo. Then repeated it with the conditioner. I almost fell asleep, I was really warm and relaxed, but, exhausted.


Dad knew that I was as he rubbed in the soap on my body. He washed it off and grabbed a towel from the rail. Dad grabbed the towel and wrapped me in the fluffy towel. I giggled as the soft towel tickled my soft skin, dad laughed and held me close, he strolled over to the door and we headed down the hall, to my bedroom. Dad laid me down on the changing table and I squirmed and squiggled. Daddy managed to put me in a new nappy, then put me in a light pink babygrow with Winnie The Pooh on the front. I was happy. Daddy then picked me up and gave me a kiss on the cheek, his mouth was warm and wet. He smiled. I giggled and smirked. Dad picked me up once again and carried me downstairs, his strong, tanned arms wrapped around me.




Mum was busy making dinner for her and dad, that reminds me; that bath made me hungry. "Dinner's ready Richie" mum tells dad. Daddy puts me down on his lap when he sits down and I lean my head on his warm body, mum gave him his dinner. I started to feel woozy. I leant against daddy more, he stopped eating and placed his dinner on the table. The room started to swim in and out of focus, and my head started to thump against my skull. Dad looked at me; he placed his large hand on my forehead and shook his head. "Evie, Melody has a temperature" he told mum, sighing. Mum got some liquid stuff, it over to daddy. Dad gave it to me on a spoon, it was really yucky. I cringed and daddy handed back the liquid stuff (medicine), and I laid my head against his warm, strong chest, and I could feel and hear his soothing heartbeat in my ear, I finally felt relaxed as the liquid, whatever it was, was having an effect on me and the thumping started to slow down and stop. Daddy carried on eating, checking on me all the while.



I started to drift, until I start to cough as my lungs felt heavy, dad had finished dinner by now, and he gently patted my back, which helped. Though, my small body needed sleep and I wasn't going to let exhaustion set in. After I gave my parents a heart attack with my horrendous coughing fit, daddy sang me the sweet song that sent me to sleep, with a soft hand wrapped around me, I felt warm and protected; I finally had some sleep in what seemed to be a very long day.
I can remember being carried up to my room, not long after I had fallen asleep. Daddy was tired too. A pair of strong hands placed me down and then I felt my blanket over the top of me. I opened an eye, daddy sang a lucious, sweet symphony to me, quiet enough so that only I could hear. I closed my eyes and wished the world goodnight as I finally dreamt of knights in shining armour saving the day.



~~~~~~~~~~~~


When I awoke, dad was there, and he had another man with him, one with crystal blue eyes that pierced and light brown hair. I didn't know him, but daddy did. The stranger smiled and I felt uncomfortable, being stared at like a piece of art. "Jon, meet Melody Abigail Sambora" daddy told the man, dad picked me up, I felt at ease with dad normally, but because of this man's staring, I felt uncomfortable and I hated it. I tried my hardest to not look how I felt; daddy frowned. The man, or 'Jon', tried to take me from daddy and dad let him, as much as I tried with all of my might, it was no use. Jon smiled. I started to cry - daddy was there, and he rescued me from the terror of Jon. He quietly patted my back and let me bury my face in his chest. Away from Jon. Away from the world. Daddy soothed me and handed me back to Jon, who I was beginning to trust; I need to learn to trust.
Jon held me in his arms, in fact, I almost fell asleep. Only, I didn't, bit I tried to fight fatigue. Daddy's friends arms were too comforting, and the  whole world closed in.




When I did wake up, daddy was looking at me, and softly smiled. I didn't know where I was. Daddy, Jon, and some more of dad's 'friends' were there as well. "I can't believe that you passed out on us, you were out for some time" dad told me, I was dazed and confused, and we were outside? Mummy was there too, I could see the house behind us, and dad smiled. Dad was always there. He stood up, smiling, and handed me to another of his friends, this one had curly hair and a tattoo on his chest, daddy had tattoos. This man was gentle, his right hand cradling my head and the other, on my back. I was safe. His arms were protective, and far too warm and comforting, until sleep overcame me in it's cloak.
~~~~~~~~


I opened my eyes and I was alone. Where's dad? I can't see him, I start to panic and cry. Loudly. I don't think that they can hear me from out there. Daddy's not here to hold me, to comfort me, and to protect me. I could feel that my small cheeks were wet, my eyes burning and swollen. Exhaustion comes over me again as the world gets darker.


I must have cried myself to sleep, because when I woke up, my voice was hoarse from screaming and I could feel a warm hand across my cheek. It was Jon, I was dissapointed at that. Then again, I hope that he takes me to daddy. I lean my head against his shoulder, and look at where he's taking me, I'm not sure where. At the end of the hall, dad's stood there and my face lights up with joy as daddy takes me from Jon's grasp. "You really don't like being away from me, do you?" dad asked, he stared at my face and shook his head and then smiled. He held me tight; close to his warm chest, I buried my head, but, for it's this moment that I'll cherish forever.


(The sweet song)
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home

I looked over Jordan, and what did I see
Coming for to carry me home
A band of angels coming after me
Coming for to carry me home

Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home

If you get there before I do
Coming for to carry me home
Tell all my friends I'm coming, too
Coming for to carry me home

Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home

I'm sometimes up and sometimes down
Coming for to carry me home
But still my soul feels heavenly bound
Coming for to carry me home

Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
The brightest day that I can say
Coming for to carry me home
When Jesus washed my sins away
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home

If I get there before you do
Coming for to carry me home
I'll cut a hole and pull you through
Coming for to carry me home

Chapter 36

*a few months later*
Richie wrapped his arms around Evie, she smiled and felt his soft, muscular  and warm body beside hers. It made her feel safe and comforted, just being in the arms of her husband. "Richie?" she asked, opening her crystal-blue eyes, and turned over to meet deep, chocolate ones staring back at her. "Yes Evie?" he replied, his soft, calloused thumb stroking her forehead gently. "What are we going to name her?" Evie retorted, biting her lip. "Melody. That's a good name" Richie replied, gently peeling back the covers, and swung his legs over the side of the bed.
Evie nodded and softly smiled to herself. She sat up, her head thumping and buzzing with thoughts, she did like the name Melody, Melody Sambora. Evie stood up, and wandered to the window, her gaze fixed on the sea of translucent blues and greens, the beach's soft sand and the hazy, scarlet sun, that was flooding the sky with morning light; she softly smiled as she felt the soft, warm and comforting arms around her waist.

Richie placed his hand on the baby and felt it softly kick against him; she was strong - like her father. Rich kissed Evie's forehead and smiled softly down at her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Evie could smell the delicious smells of breakfast and it made her hungry even more, so was Richie, who was busy preparing breakfast - eggs, bacon and sausages, and this would fill the gap in his stomach after the night before. He stacked his plate high, smiling gently as he prepared Evie's and the delicious smell made his stomach rumble that much more. He poured orange juice, to quench his ever-growing thirst and placed the plates and glasses on the table. Evie licked her lips. "Breakfast is served" Richie told his wife as Evie took a bite, and, out of that one bite, took pleasure.

After they finished, and Evie's and Richie's hunger was satisfied, Richie placed the dishes in the sink. "We'll get dressed and then we can go baby shopping!" he told her with brute enthusiasm in his tone, Richie may not have had the son that he originally wanted, but a daughter would suit him just fine, and would teach him how to dress 'properly', considering that he's colour blind, and that would suit him just fine. Richie was too distracted to realise the by now, Evie was halfway up the stairs and cleared her throat. "Come on Rich, my dear" Evie stammered, Richie rushing upstairs, only to take Evie by the waist and have her in his embrace; and carried her off to their bedroom, her head buried in his soft, inviting and warm chest. She was too safe to care.

He gently placed his wife down, and smiled, stretching and perhaps the odd groan escaping as Evie chucked his clothes at him. He opened his eyes and looked at her, a solid smirk on his face.
He grabbed some clean pants from his Chester drawers that were hidden in the corner of the room and proceeded to get dressed - it was at this point, that Evie checked him out and felt the overwhelming desire to need, and want him - only, that could happen once the baby's been born and even then, it would be difficult to have alone time together; as man and wife. Evie's head was full of powerful incarnations about the baby, she was only alerted back to reality by Richie's tender touch, and soothing voice in her ear. "You alright Evie?" he asked, his chocolate pools of desire lighting up with concern.  "Yeah, I was just thinking that's all" she replied, placing on a t-shirt. Richie nodded and sat down on the bed, placing on his boots as Evie was placing on hers, he stood up and grabbed his Signature Stenson and plopped it on his head. He held the door open for Evie, she strolled through and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek as a loving gesture.


He smiled, his cheeks going as rosy-red as the sun at dusk and, Evie couldn't help but giggle  as he blushed. Richie smiled once again, and closed the door behind him, and eventually made his way out to the car. He grabbed Evie's hand and started the engine, it sprung into life, roaring.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Richie took Evie's hand in his and strolled through the mall, he finally found the baby shop and fumbled in, Evie had a soft smile on her face. None of the staff really took any notice of the multi-million dollar rockstar; they were just customers and Richie wanted it that way. Evie oohed and ahhed over the cribs, and Richie pondered what his little girl would look like, have brown eyes like him or a crystal, icy blue like her mothers? With only a few weeks to go, Richie was excited for his first child, but he'd want Melody to have siblings and wanted a second child. A son. After a while, him and his wife had chosen a light pink crib - today was going to be very long and expensive, but, he'd do anything for his wife and new child.

Chapter 35

Evie's stomach was full of butterflies and Richie's was making little flips inside of him, a feeling of passion and warmth in his veins. Richie softly smiled. Evie smiled gently, walking up the aisle as the music began to play, only, she never thought that this day would happen, only it was and she felt more beautiful than she had ever felt before. Finally, she made it to the altar, Richie was to the right, and the bridesmaids were to her left. "We are gathered here for the the marriage of Evie and Richard Sambora" the vicar spoke, smiling gently at them as Richie's grip on her hand increased, his thumb gently rubbing on her hand as Richie announced his vows, repeating them after the vicar.

"I, Richard, 

Take you, Evie, 

To be my wedded wife, 

To have and to hold, 

From this day forward, 

for better, for worse, 

for richer, for poorer, 

in sickness and in health, 

to love and to cherish, 

till death do us part,

and hereto I pledge my faithfulness"

Richie told Evie, placing the ring on her wedding finger, gently smiling, and a look of honesty in his eyes. Evie then repeated the vows to Richie, slipping the ring onto his finger. "I now pronounce you man and wife, you may kiss the bride" the vicar announced as Richie took Evie close to him and kissed her passionately on the lips, Evie melting into the kiss. Short but sweet. They let go of the kiss, Evie looked up into Richies' honest, chocolate brown eyes and held his hand, increasing her grip; to never let go again. The guest cheered and clapped, Jon following behind the husband and wife as they left the church, to head off to the reception for dinner and an evenings' worth of partying and dancing. The sun shone down that day, it's rays seeming to reflect the happiness and joy of the occasion. This really was Evies' best day of her life. 

~~~~~~~~~~

Later that day, once the dance was done, the reception and speeches were over. Richie burst through the door, carrying his wife in his arms, her head buried in his chest as he smiled down at her. "Richie?" she asked, a small smirk playing on her lips. "Yes darlin'?" he replied, laying her down on the sofa, collapsing onto it himself. "Could we just cuddle tonight? It's been a brilliant day but I'm shattered" she retorted, stretching her tired muscles. Richie nodded, lifting his arm up and held her close to him, protecting and loving his wife was all that really mattered. 

I'm sorry....

I'm sorry that I haven't updated in two weeks, I simply haven't had time, nor the right mindset- to write, or read for that matter. I've been stressing so much that I've had my first, awful cold sweat in a fortnight, since......dad's birthday. I almost broke my foot (caused by my 350kg horse) and, I'm just so down at the minute.

Let the stress be over.....

(Hooray for Florida in July!)

Chapter 34

 Richie was a molten mess of a man, closing his eyes as the ambulance raced along the road, its' sirens blaring. The paramedics were constantly checking his statistics: blood pressure, oxygen levels and heartbeat. He felt like a shell of a man, dead inside, even Jon had to be scrambled from his home in New Jersey to help out Evie. His eyes closed once again, his ears filled with the bleeping noise and rattle of the heart monitor and the thumping, throbbing pain in his head, like he was going to be sick. His arms and body limp as his head went into a deep state of thought.

~~~~~~~~

Evie stressed and sighed; Jon was impatient now, and raced through the busy road, jam-packed with lovesick holiday makers, trying to get to their hotels and various other locations. Evie had a thousand incarnations as she pondered twizzling the engagement ring on her finger. Jon looked at her, sweat evident on his brow. Finally, Jon reached the hospital; he slammed the door shut and dragged Evie behind him, he was worried about his best friend.

Richie breathed slowly and deeply as the dirty-blonde haired, Spanish consultant took yet another sample of blood. As if he was in a parallel universe, the world seemed slow and surreal somehow. Perhaps it was the pain relief drugs? If anything would keep him here, it would be Evie. He heard running, and laboured breathing, coming from down the hall, and it was getting closer.

Jon breathed heavily, and opened the door, exhausted after climbing way-too-many stairs; he looked directly at Richie, who, unknown to him, had his fiancé coming in to see him. "Richie? Is that you?" Evie asked, looking at the IV in his arm, and various other tubes, wires and cables in him. Evie wanted to cry. To weep and bury her head in Richie's chest, only he was the cause of sadness. Remarkably, Richie looked somewhat better than

what he did the previous day. His face was a little less pale, but, he was still very sick. Evie stepped forward, Richie smiled weakly her gaze was sometimes on his face, the other, on him.  Jon pulled up a chair next to the bed, patting on it to indicate that he wanted Evie to sit down. Nervously, she sat down hastily, taking Richie’s hand and stroking it gently.  His heartbeat sped up, to a normal rhythm and pulse, she smiled then. Though, a collection of doctors, a nurse and other various medical staff, stood at the foot of the bed, the lead doctor with a clipboard and a look of dismay on his face.

He shook his head and handed the clipboard to Richie. Diaphoresis. Richie looked shocked, the doctor started to speak: “It’s excessive sweating with a large decrease in weight”. Evie nodded. The pieces of the puzzle fitted together now, Richie’s loss in weight after the tour, his constant night sweats.  Jon pulled up a chair and sat by Evie as the medical crowd dispersed to take care of their various patients.  The dirty-blonde consultant still stood there.

“There are treatments” he replied, turning over a page and looking up. “Drugs, surgery or electrical impulses through the skin? Your choice, Richard”. Richie whimpered at the term ‘electrical impulses’. “Drugs” Richie replied hastily, his voice quiet and shrill, full of worry and fear. Evie held his hand tightly; Jon’s piercing blue eyes looked at Evie’s. Of course, since the drugs were prescription, the doctor with a Spanish accent, signed the paperwork to allow Richie the drugs.

When, he did come back, Jon and Evie were stood up, Jon’s hands stuffed in his pockets and he gave Evei the papers, and told her to pick them up from the pharmacy downstairs.

Evie nudged Richie; he sat up and rubbed his eyes. He put on his normal clothes, and they all shuffled down the stairs, Jon lead, then Richie and Evie last. Once they reached the pharmacy, Jon handed in Rich’s prescription, the chemist told them to have it: after every meal, one tablet three times a day and seven days a week.

~~~~~~~~~~

Richie looked at the pill, it was strange, he twizzled it around on his calloused fingers. “Go on, have it, if you want your health to improve” Evie told him, filling up his glass with water. Richie sighed and placed the pill at the back of his mouth, taking a massive gulp of water and washed it down. He licked his lips. 

Chapter 33

Richie had become like a sick dog, helpless and needed medical attention.
Evie sighed and picked up the phone, she dialed the hospital. "His name is Richard Stephen Sambora, his age is twenty eight" she told them, her fingers tapping as Richie lay still under the covers, other than the occasional grumble. To go on with the treatment and have to go to America, or stay here and have the wedding with Richie as sick as a dog. A tough decision. She then decided to call Jon. "Hello" said a deep, shrill voice. "Sorry to wake you up so early but it's Richie". "What's wrong?" he asked, his voice raw and full of worry. "I'll come right now, you obviously need my help". She put down the phone and paced the room. Richie started to stir and grumble; she sat by him on a chair, holding his hands.

"Evie" he managed to whisper to her. "Richie, go to sleep, Jon's coming right now in the plane. Don't worry, I've already phoned the hospital" she replied, giving him a sip of water to satisfy his thirst. He lay back down, his skin was wet and clammy and he had a temperature. Evie stood up and pushed some of his hair out of his face. "Sleep tight my King, Jon will be there when you wake up, we'll decide what to do with you then" she told him, opening the door and switched off the light. Richie groaned, rolled over and slept, he slept for all he was worth.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jon sat on his private plane, reading Rolling Stone magazine. He looked at his watch; his plane was landing in five minutes. Gran Canaria was beautiful, though he was only going to help his brother from another mother out. The plane landed with a thud, it taxied to the terminal, Jon rushed down the steps and rushed through security, passport control and baggage claim to his truck and sped off towards Richies' villa. Jon jumped out of his truck, and ran towards the front door, knocking frantically on the heavy, dark oak door. Evie opened the door. "He's upstairs, door on the right, come in" Evie told him as he strolled in, running upstairs with Evie behind him. Jon opened the door gently, his face drained, Richie looked like death itself.  Evie came up behind him.  "He was like this last night, I phoned up the local ER, I don't know whether to send him to the hospital in America or here" Jon turned around and looked at Rich. "Here" he replied, sighing. "I think we should call an ambulance, don't you think?"

"Yes, we shall, you keep him company and gather up his things and I'll dial the ambulance". Evie went over to his wardrobe and bundled some clothes together in a small sports bag. Jon told the Spanish-speaking operator Richies' name, age, height, nationality, weight, parents and other necessary details including his symptoms. Now it was evident they were sending paramedics. It was time for Richie to re-gain consciousness, Evie sat by him. She heard sirens outside, they blared, waking him up.  Richie groaned and grumbled as the paramedics banged on the door, Evie let them through. Jon managed to pick up Richie and carried him down to the living room. Richie lay limp in Jon's arms, his arms were limp and his eyes rolled back, his skin was no longer tanned, it was white, pasty and pale, his eyes rolled back.

Jon held Richie close to his chest and laid him down on the paramedics stretcher, Evie ran next to him, crying. They put an oxygen mask onto his face and put a heart monitor onto his index finger, his right index finger. Evie ran to go to Richie, who was now being rushed into the ambulance. She felt arms grab her, and pull her back. It was Jon. "No! I have to go with him" she yelled, trying to fight against him, kicking and screaming. "Shhh, it's alright. Richie's in the best possible hands, we can go to the hospital in the car" Jon replied, Evies' face was clammy and bright red, tired, she leant against him for support. He groaned and grumbled. Her legs felt weak, he head pounding as the only thing that was stopping her from falling, was the man by her side. He made his way to the car and helped her get in, made his way to the drivers side, clambered in and sped to the hospital for Rich.

Chapter 32

*A couple of days later*

"Richie, why are we at the airport?" Evie asked, as Richie pulled into the terminal. "We are going on holiday, a very special holiday" Richie replied, smiling and turned off the engine. He opened the door and clambered out, grabbing his suitcases out of the back of the car, Evie got out as well and shaded her eyes from the sun. "Where exactly?" she asked, taking her suitcase into the airport, quickly followed by her soon-to-be husband. "It's a surprise" he replied, strolling up to the check-in desk and the lady scanned the bags. Added a tag and put them on the carrier. Richie smiled as they travelled towards security, past a bunch of bustling tourists and some children.  Richie kissed Evie on the lips as they passed through security- Richie was overjoyed. “Ready to go?” he asked as they went up the steps towards Richies’ private plane, Evie smiled and sat down in a comfortable seat, with a cocktail in her hand, Richie followed and sat down opposite her.

Evie nodded. The engines rumbled, the planed rolled forward and began to taxi to the runway. Evie fastened her seat belt, the plane stopped. The engines roared as she blew out a deep breath, Richie held her hand tightly as a sign of comfort and she began to relax. The speed grew faster and faster, the plane then soared into the sky, Richie took off his seat belt and took a white wine from the bar. Richie sipped slowly; Evie was captivated in an action novel, her eyes scanned the page eagerly. Richie sighed; he grabbed his notebook, and decided to write down some lyrics after his newly-found inspiration. As time wore on, hour by hour, Richie grew more and more tired. Finally, he lugged himself to a bed at the back of the plane, he snuggled himself under the covers, Evie was wide awake and was enjoying having some coffee, cake and a book.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

By early morning, after ten or so hours on the plane, the plane was coming in for landing. Richie was awake and fastened in, Evie was asleep.  He nudged her slightly; enough to stifle her senses and make her open her eyes.

“Morning beautiful” Richie told her, she groaned and stretched, popping her back. Richie winced at the sound. “Top of the morning to ya” she told him, letting go a bit of her British ancestry, he nodded and smiled gently. He told her that they were landing in a few minutes, she done up her belt and looked out of the window. “Welcome to Gran Canaria, my darlin’” he replied, suddenly, he felt the back wheels touch the ground with a thud, then, the front. The plane slowly rolled around the bottom corner and taxied to the private gate, it stopped.

Richie grabbed his belongings from the overhead cabinet, Evie did also, he took her hand and they both walked down the steps to the airport. Once they were inside the airport, Richie wrapped Evie in a tight hug, and quickly gave her a passionate kiss. She chuckled, strolling down towards passport control, Richie by her side. Finally, after avoiding paparazzi, probably because they hadn't told anyone, the airport was quiet. Richie liked it better that way, less autographs to sign and much less hassle. Richie gave in his passport, the worker checked; peering to make sure that is was a genuine document. He nodded and gave it back, Evie gave hers in, and once again, he peered at everything.

With the passports done, they moved to get the luggage, because Richie had a private plane, his luggage was waiting for him at the departure part of the airport.

Richie chucked his, and Evies' suitcases into the boot of his car. Once done, he sat next to Evie in the back seat. The chauffeur started to drive to the hotel; Evie gazed out of the window, all of the sights and smells. Richie smiled. The drive to the villa was short and sweet. When, the car reached the villa, Richie plopped on his baseball cap and gave the chauffeur a sincere thank you. They were given their suitcases, guitars and assortment of hats and strolled to the front door; it was painted a dark oak with a glossed finish. Richie opened the front door, Evie gazed at the amount that was in here: a kitchen with cutlery, cupboards, a marble worktop, a lounge with sofas, a state of the art television, (colour nevertheless) and a range of guitars were in the corner, from Kramers to Ovations. Richie carried the bags up to the bedroom, it was a creamy white with a King sized bed tucked neatly in the middle; a bay window sat looking the ocean and beach, and a wardrobe. Richie chucked them down on the floor and crashed on the bed, and most probably, passed out.

Evie, too busy looking at the grounds, kitchen and music room, never noticed Richie going to bed. She ran upstairs, and opened the bedroom door, revealing a unconscious Richie with all of his clothes on. Evie sighed; she took off Richie's hat and shoes, putting his baseball cap on the side table. "Sweet dreams Richie" she told him before kissing him on the forehead, and strolling to the door; she quietly shut it, careful not to awaken him, and made her way downstairs.

The room was a deadly silence, she gazed at the guitars, one was a cherry red Kramer, and another was a deep shade of blue, not navy. She noticed a piano in the corner; she stepped over there and sat down. She started to play She Is Always a Woman to Me by Billy Joel. She sung with grace and such emotion:

She can kill with a smile; she can wound with her eyes

She can ruin your faith with her casual lies

And she only reveals what she wants you to see

She hides like a child, but she's always a woman to me

Richie heard sweet piano music coming from downstairs, Billy Joel, if he was correct. He stood up, waited to get his balance and rushed downstairs. Evie was singing sweetly, with pure grace and emotion in her voice, she didn't notice Richie; he sat down and watched her play. She finished, Richie sat in awe of her. "Can I join?" Richie asked, grabbing an old Ovation off the wall. "Richie? I thought you were sleeping". "I was, until I heard this and had to join in". Evie nodded as Richie pulled up a chair alongside the piano, Richie started to tune his guitar, when done, and he started to sing the lyrics as Evie played the piano. Richie joined in with the guitar and it was a luscious duet between the two instruments.

Soon enough, the time flew by and the sunset was appearing on the private beach behind the house.

Richie put his guitar back on the wall and Evie stood up, tucked her chair in and grabbed Richies' hand.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I love the sunset" Evie told Richie before she yawned. Richie smiled. "You seem tired, let's go bed. Shall we?" Richie replied, drinking his pint of beer, Evie nodded, he finished his beer. He picked her up, and carried her to the bedroom, placing her gently on the bed. She nuzzled under the covers and drifted into a sound sleep. Richie took of his clothes and hopped in as well, said goodnight and passed out.

1:26 AM.

Richie tossed and turned, groaned and grumbled as the sweat once again washed over him. Another cold sweat. The bed was soaking, Evie woke up, and she mumbled something and looked at Richie, shocked. "You're having cold sweats? Richie, this isn't good" she told him as Evie stood up and dragged him to the shower. Evie switched on the shower, with boiling hot water coming out. Richie stripped down, in front of his fiancé. “Get in” she told him, her voice was soft yet firm, it was clear she was worried about Richie. He stepped in, so did Evie, as she had already stripped down. She washed Richie’s hair for him; he had a ghostly pale face and looked stressed.

 Evie sighed and washed him, her fingertips were soft and relaxing, once done, she done herself.

Evie turned off the shower; they both stepped out and wrapped in fluffy towels, Richie looked extremely sick now, and looked like he was going to throw up. Evie would have to wash the sheets in the morning; Richie was currently her main priority. Evie dried his hair, helped him get into the spare room and laid him down. Evie wrapped him in a couple of blankets, and gave him a couple of sleeping pills to knock him out; he needed a good night’s sleep.