Chapter 86

Jon walked closer, his heart pounding in his ears, his hands felt clammy, he was sure the smile on his face looked more than a plastered grin but he tried his best not to frighten the child.

“Hey buddy. You didn’t make the visit to us so I thought I’d come to you instead.”

The adults picked up on the slight tremble in his voice, they coiled back as he moved closer. The excited boy didn’t see anything except Jon Bon Jovi the rock star walking his way.

“Wow! You are really here!”

He tried to sit up but a cry slipped from his lips.

Megan jerked forward to rush to his aid, but a hand held her back. She understood immediately what Richie meant and stood still, watching in anticipation as Jon reached forward.

“Whooaaa steady sport. Wait let me help you up.”

Father’s hands touched his son’s slender waist for the first time, lifting him gently to a sitting position.

“Dunno if you know that but my mom is one of your biggest fans. She has all your cds and she knows every song.”

Jon and Richie’s laugh broke the thickness in the room and Megan blushed ferociously.

“Jaden! You’re not suppose to tell things like that!”

“Well mom its true!” the mischievous twinkle in his eyes had a familiar look.

Jon turned slightly to catch her gaze.

“I know she is a Bon Jovi fan. She doesn’t even realize it but she is always humming or singing one of our songs.”

“Aaaww mom. BUUUSTED!”

The tinkle of a child’s laughter rang in the air.

Jon stared in awe at the face that was so much his own. Innocence prevented that he realize he was facing his own flesh and blood. She did a good job raising his child, well mannered, balanced kid.

It was late before the boy settled down for the night. Megan was dead on her feet and only Jon’s insistence did she accept his offer to take her home.

“Tomorrow at 9 then?”

“Let me give you the address and then we’ll meet each other there. I want to go to the hospital early.”

“Make it 7 and we’ll both go.” The look in his eyes told her not to argue.

“See you at 7 then. Goodnight you two.”

~~

Megan woke up with a pounding headache. She tossed and turned all night, replaying the pain and hatred she saw in Jon’s eyes the night before. Would he ever forgive her for keeping him in the dark all these years? Would he love Jaden as she loves their son?

Maybe in time she would be able to tell him the reason why she kept his existence a secret. Her father just recovered from his heart attack, she couldn’t let Jon loose on him. It could just trigger another one.

She needed to hear her mom’s voice and punched in the numbers. The news that Jon knew about his son was met with silence. She could hear her mother’s breathing on the other side.

“Mom? You ok? Please don’t upset daddy. I don’t want anything to happen to him.”

“How did Jon take it?”

Telling her he was shocked would be an understatement, but she couldn’t let on how upset and angry he was with her.

“Well, he is shocked. But he met Jaden and I think it went well.”

“Does Jaden know already.”

“No mom. I’ll wait until he is released from hospital. I have Blaze’s future hanging in the balance as well. I don’t want to give Jaden a double blow. “

The conversation steered towards the pony and it was a while later that Megan said her goodbyes and ended the call.

One look at the clock and Megan flew out of bed. She had a half an hour to get ready before Jon arrives.