Looking Back


Turning over in the king size bed, Lena could hear the rain coming down outside, the wind howling. Seeking the warmth of her husband's body, she rolled over towards him. Instead of finding the man she loved sleeping beside her, she found an empty spot. With the palm of her hand, she caressed his pillow; it was cold which meant he had been up for some time. Flipping back the blankets, she slid from the bed. Sliding her feet into the slippers next to her nightstand, she reached for her robe lying at the foot of the bed. Once her robe was on Lena tied the belt around her waist. Despite the rain pouring outside, there was still a full moon out casting enough light for her to walk from the bed to their bedroom door without turning on any lights. As quietly as she could she shut their bedroom door. Walking down the long hallway she passed the kids bedrooms, stopping to peek in on each one of them she was thankful they were sound asleep. Closing their youngest son's door, she continued down the hall. Descending the stairs, Lena tried to think of where her husband could be. She knew he wasn’t in the studio since he was having it remodeled. Reaching the bottom stair, she started to turn towards the kitchen when music coming from the direction of the living room hit her ears. She decided to follow the music.


“There you are?” She greeted her husband, leaning against the door framewith her arms folded.


Jon had been so absorbed in what he was looking at; he jumped when he heard Lena’s voice. “Hey, babe," looking up he greeted her with a smile.


Striding over to where he sat on the floor surrounded by books, Lena sat down next to him. “What’s all this?” Picking up a book with a burgundy cover, she opened it. “You are looking through the bands photo albums?”


Jon nodded his head. “Yeah, I couldn’t sleep.”


She eyed him for a moment, and then went back to the photo album in her hand. “Wow, I know some fans that would give their first born to see these pics.” Pointing to a couple photos of when they first started performing as a band under the name, Bon Jovi.


Jon chuckled. “Those are our baby pics. Here let me show you something.” Leaning over a small stack sitting next to him, he pulled a rather old, and well-worn, album out from under another pile next to hit foot. Setting the book on his lap, he flipped it open. “Check these out.”


Moving closer so she could see better, Lena tucked her legs under her, her arm resting on his shoulder. “I don’t think I have ever seen this album.” Her eyes gazing over the photos as he turned the pages.


Jon gave her a warm smile. “Mom dropped it off after we got back from vacation last summer. We have been so busy that I forgot all about it until tonight.” His blue eyes settled on a picture of him and Richie. “See this one here.” Pointing to the photo with his index finger. “This one was when we were writing for 7800." He thought for a second. "If I am not mistaken, we were writing Tokyo Road.” he shook his head, snickering. “We were arguing over the bridge when Mama Joan took the picture.”


Tracing the outline of his chiseled jaw with the tip of her nail, Lena tipped her head. “So all these are photo albums of the band?”


Nodding his head, yes, Jon reached for another album. “All the moms started an album for each of us once we got together. Everything we have ever done as a band is in these albums.” His arms stretched wide indicating the books spread out around him.


“How many are there?”


Shrugging his shoulder, Jon shook his head back and forth, his cheeks turning pink. “There is one for every year we have been around.”


Leaning closer she put her hand under his chin, turning his head towards her. “I think that is one of the sweetest things your mom has ever done for you.” Brushing her lips over his ever so softly, she broke the kiss. “Will you show me more pictures?”


“You want to see more pics of us?" He was genuinely surprised she wanted to look at more albums with him.


“Of course I want to see more. Why does that surprise you?”


Leaning back against the couch, his lips pursed together, Jon tilted his head to gaze at his wife. “There are pictures in some of these albums from back when Dorothea and I were together. Wasn’t sure you would be comfortable seeing those.”


Picking up the photo album laying open on his lap, Lena sat it down on the cushion behind his head. Climbing into his lap, she straddled him, her knees now resting against his hips. Putting his hands around her waist, Jon pulled her down for a kiss. It was a slow, sensual kiss that left them both a little breathless when they pulled apart. Sitting up so she could see his face, a tender smile on her lips, she spoke. “Honey, I know that you and Dorothea share a past, which I am fine with, but she is the former Mrs. Bongiovi. I am the present and future Mrs. Bongiovi. Okay?”


“Okay.”



Giving him one last kiss, she climbed off his lap. “I am going to make us some coffee. You want anything besides coffee? How about some double chocolate chip cookies?”


“Cookies sound good.” While his wife was in the kitchen fixing them a late night snack, he picked up the photo album she had set behind him. Flipping through the pages, he couldn't stop smiling as he looked over the photos. When he had formed the band it was only supposed to be for a short time, but now almost thirty years later they were still together and sounding better than ever. The bond between them was strong, especially with him and Richie.

His eyes rested one of the first promo shots of the band. They were all dressed in spandex and ripped shirts, their hair long and out of control. In the photo, Jon was standing between Richie and David, Tico and Alec behind him. All five of them had their arms folded across their chests trying to do their best mafia impression. Turning the page was a shot of Jon and Alec taken on the former bass player’s birthday. They each had an arm slung over each other’s shoulders, a beer in their other hand mugging for the camera. Even though it had been almost twenty years since he had to let Alec go, for Jon it felt like yesterday. He missed his old friend. A few pages later, Jon came across a picture of him and Dorothea taken while vacationing in the Bahamas. He smiled as his eyes stared at the happy couple smiling for the camera. They really tried to make their marriage work, but too many nights left home alone while he was on the road with the guys, took its toll on their marriage.


Pouring them each a cup of coffee, she grabbed the bag of cookies she kept hidden from her husband out of the cupboard. Carrying the tray into the living room, she set it down on the coffee table. “Here ya go, honey.” Handing Jon his cup, she sat back down next to him.


“Thanks, baby.” Taking a sip from his mug, he sat it down on the end table next to him.


Once Lena was settled next to him, Jon went back to the photos. As they sat there together going through one photo album after another it touched Lena's heart to watch her husband point out a picture to her and then tell her the story behind it. “Wow, sounds like I like missed out on a good time.” Chuckling as Jon told her about the incident backstage with Motley Crue at the Moscow Music Peace Festival.


Jon gave a hearty laugh. “No, baby, you came along just in time. Don’t get me wrong, we had some crazy nights onstage and off, but I am happy where we are today, musically, and personally.” Swiping his lips over hers, he deepened the kiss.


Giving his chest a playful push, she pointed to the stack by his foot. “Quit trying to distract me and show me what’s in those albums.”

Laughing, Jon shook his head. "Yes, dear."


As the wind continued to howl outside, leaves flying everywhere, rain poured down from the sky beating down on the roof, the couple inside were oblivious to all of it. Inside the house while their children slept, Jon and Lena sat snuggled together going over thirty years’ worth of pictures as a warm fire heated up the room.


Jon was proud of the band, his brothers/bandmates, for the accomplishments they had made in the music industry. The loyalty their fans had shown them through the years overwhelmed him and touched him deeply. Looking back on the past thirty years, would he change anything? Nope. Nope. Not a damn thing.


Well, maybe he would change one thing. He would have never worn those pink spandex pants.