Chapter Eighty-One: If I Should Fall Behind...

“I can’t believe you’re leaving me in charge of this place.” Jonathan exclaimed as he pulled her in by the shoulders and hugged her tightly.

“You’ll be great.”

“Man, you are just coming in leaps and bounds since all that crap went down.”

She smiled and shrugged. “I bounced back but it was only because I had good people in my life. Like you. Seriously thank you Jonathan for sticking with me, you’ve been so good to me since we’ve known each other.”

“Oh stop-this is not a goodbye, you’re just leaving your baby with me and starting a new one. I’ll be ringing you every day and I expect to be invited to the mansion.”

She laughed. “Of course you will and soon once we get in there and sorted we’ll have you guys over for dinner.”

“You better. Ohh I’m so happy for you Devon.”

She checked her watch. “Me too - I need to go and get ready we’re heading to some benefit concert Bruce is doing tonight.”

Jonathan snorted. “Of course you are. Welcome to your new life.”

“They are truly kind people. I wouldn’t have done all this without them as well. I know that.” She collected her folder and keys. “So we’ll talk tomorrow and start getting some ideas what we could convert my loft into above the shop, maybe some extra tanning booths?”

“I have a list of ideas so yes, let’s do coffee tomorrow and talk. Maybe downtown?”

“Deal.”

She closed the door to Allure behind her and smiled as she walked back to the penthouse along the cobblestones. Sometimes it was still a dream that this was all happening. Five years ago she was trapped in a relationship that sent her down a spiral of disaster only to come out here at the other side with more than she could ever dream possible.

The doorman tipped his hat to her as she walked into Mercer Street. So much was happening, they’d signed for the space in Redbank and it was being fitted for purpose for her salon and the beauty school next door. She’d already had several meetings with Jon’s lawyer and their new business manager Jon had worked with for years.

It was coming together perfectly as well as her planned move to Redbank into Jon’s house. They’d told the kids and Dorothea last night and it had been received better than she thought considering she was moving into the home where they had all once been a family.

Stephanie had already begged her for a job in the salon when it opened and she’d compromised with Jon that she could in the holidays. Hell, Jesse even wanted to help out when he could so things were really coming together. She felt like she was exactly where she needed to be.

She quickly showered. Jon would pick her up within half an hour as he had been recording downtown. She was excited about seeing Bruce perform tonight and it was a good excuse to dress up. She wore a clingy teal dress that showed off enough leg to be classy and paired it with pearled siver strappy sandals. She teased her hair a little and let it flow out over her shoulders.

The phone in the apartment rang and it was downstairs advising Jon was ready for her with the car. She pinned in two diamond earrings and grabbed her purse. She jumped when she swung open the door to the lobby and Jon was standing there with a bunch of blue gerberas.

“Jesus!” She exclaimed as her heart raced in her chest. “I thought you were downstairs.”

“Wow.” Jon wolf-whistled as his eyes ran over her. “You look amazing. Appropriate.”

“Are they for me?” She asked innocently fluttering her eyelashes as she leaned forward to smell the flowers.

“They might be.”

“They’re gorgeous.”

“Ditto.” He smirked as he leaned in to kiss her. The spicy smell of his cologne drifted over her a she reached up and slid her fingers up the v of his chest through the soft downy hair. The kiss went from sweet to smoking in minutes.

“If that’s how I’m going to get greeted for throwing on a pretty dress. Consider it done.” She joked.

He growled as she stood back and wiggled his eyebrows. “Deal. Now come on we’re going to be late.” He followed her to the kitchen so she could pop the flowers into a vase.

“Where is this thing anyway?”

“At the Apollo. Tiny theatre.”

“And it’s benefit, right?”

Jon nodded as he held his hand out for her. “Yeah, some friends of Bruce so he’s just doing an informal thing to raise some money.”

“As you guys do, right?” She teased.

He chuckled as they left the apartment and pressed his finger on her nose. “You got it.”

They arrived at the Apollo theatre and Devon expected to be seated but Jon in the theatre walked around the back entrance after they left the car. “We’re not going in the front door?”

He snickered. “No we’re sitting side stage - unless I’m on the bill to perfirm I don’t like to draw attention. This is Bruce’s thing.”

She lifted her brow as they walked up the back steps. “I never thought of it that way. That’s very noble of you.”

“Nah, it’s just something we do. Bruce insisted we sit out in the audience but I’m just as happy to sit side stage with you. We can sneak a kiss or two that way.”

“Oh.” She liked the idea of having Jon to herself. He had to be used to things like this so she was happy to take his lead on what he thought was best. This was a whole new world to her.

Two seats were tucked away behind the roof to floor length red velvet drapes on the right wing with a bucket of champagne in the middle of them. “I didn’t know we had the VIP package?” Devon teased as they took their seats. The buzz out in the theatre was electric as people began to fill their seats.

“Only the best.” Jon winked as he poured her a glass.

“Hey here they are! So any requests tonight boys and girls?” Bruce came out with his guitar slung behind his back.

“Why don’t you play Hearts of Stone, God I haven’t heard those in years?” Jon said.

“I wasn’t talking to you. I was talking to the little lady. And Stone can stay Southside’s he does a better job than this old man.”

Devon laughed and held her hand up. “Well no pressure when Bruce Springsteen asks you what you want to hear.”

Jon rolled his eyes. “Oh god.”

She jabbed him in the ribs. “It’s a serious decision.”

“So, what will it be?”

“I love Atlantic city.”

“Atlantic City I can do. Enjoy the show.” He winked as he disappeared and Jon handed her a glass.

“I would have taken you for a Drive all night or Hungry Heart kind of girl.”

“Well actually. The Rising is my favourite album but they’re such sad songs and this isn’t a sad occasion.”

“Damn right it’s not.” He said with a knowing grin.

“What?” She asked suspiciously.

“Nothing - we’re here because we made it. This is our life Devon. You better get used to it.” He clinked her glass with hers.

“Well if you keep serving me this kind of wine you’ve got yourself a deal.”

“Baby, I could buy you the vineyard.”

She snorted. “Show off.”

“You love it and you know it.” He whispered as he kissed her temple.

“Shhh the lights are going down.” She hissed excitedly.

“Good grief.” Jon commented. “You were never this excited for me.”

“You’ve never invited me to watch you play properly.” She shot back with a grin.

He leaned back and crossed his leg over his knee. “Well we’ll have to see about that.”

Bruce entertained his crowd effortlessly with rousing renditions of Badlands, Glory Days back down to a stripped down Born in the USA. The seats were long forgotten as they made use of the space for a casual dance. He hooked his arm around her waist as Thunder road played and the entire theatre sang every word back.

Jon swung her and dipped her. They laughed like teenagers and she loved every minute of it. His eyes never left hers as they danced as she felt his heart beat under her hand when he swept her in for the quieter numbers.

“Whew” She applauded with the rest of the theatre as they stopped for a minute.

“Now, I’ve had a special request from a very good friend of mine for this song and I’m honoured to play it for them.”

She expected Atlantic City to start but the familiar beginning of another song started. “This is for your Jonny B.”

We said we'd walk together baby come what may
That come the twilight should we lose our way
If as we're walking a hand should slip free I'll wait for you
And should I fall behind Wait for me

Jon stood behind her and wound his arms around her middle and swayed her gently in time to the beat. The harmonica and its haunting song rang out into the silenced Apollo theatre. She hadn’t heard anything more beautiful before. It dawned on her. This wasn’t just any song.

This was a song for her. The light was low and a single spot was on Bruce.

We swore we'd travel darlin' side by side
We'd help each other stay in stride
But each lover's steps fall so differently But I'll wait for you
And if I should fall behind Wait for me

Tears swelled to her eyes as she gripped his hands on her belly and gave them a squeeze. She wanted to burst.

The low whisper of his voice tickled in her ear as he sang the song a long softly with Bruce. She closed her eyes and took the moment. He had waited for her. They’d been through hell and back and he’d waited for her. Just like he said he would.

I’ll wait for you. Should I fall behind wait for me too.

It was going to be ok now. It really was going to be ok now. They’d come out the other side and they really could start to plan a life together. It seemed unreal and she never thought she’d feel so free being able to think like it.

Now there's a beautiful river in the valley ahead
There 'neath the oak's bough soon we will be wed
Should we lose each other in the shadow of the evening trees
I'll wait for you And should I fall behind
Wait for me Darlin' I'll wait for you
Should I fall behind Wait for me

He strummed the last note and Devon smiled but looked down when she realized Jon’s arms were gone. She turned and her heart caught in her throat as Jon stood there and her eyes dropped to the pink square diamond ring in his hand.

“So should I fall behind, will you wait for me too?” He asked gently. His eyes were shining and tears threatened the strong face that she always saw.

“I-I” She stumbled over her words and took a deep breath and looked him straight back in the eyes.

“Marry me Devon.”

Her heart beat loudly in her chest and she wanted to explode. Her hands covered her mouth as she nodded. “Yes. Yes.”

He took her hand and slid the diamond onto her ring finger. It was the biggest freaking diamond she’d ever seen and she was sure in less than three seconds she was going to faint.

“So is she going to wait for your sorry ass Jonny B?” A voice said behind them.

Jon did the thumbs up as he dragged her in with both hands and kissed her squarely on the lips and held her just moments from his lips. “You have no idea how happy you have just made me.”

She flung her arms around his neck as he lifted her and twirled her into a tight embrace.

“Folks - can I get a round of applause for Jonny B and his new fiance Devon!”

“Shit.” Jon chuckled as the crowd applauded as Bruce dragged them ontstage and kissed her cheek. She may as well be walking on marshmallows and she was tingling all over.

Devon laughed as Bruce busted into a guitar rift and Ten Avenue Freeze out started to play. Patti joined her side and kissed her.

“Congratulations Darlin. And welcome to the crazy life of being a rock star's wife.”

More of the band danced around them and Bruce dragged up some people from the audience so they blended in. Bruce dragged her to centre stage and twirled her around laughing. The rest of the theatre blurred out until it was just her and Jon dancing again.

He wrapped his arms around her waist and dragged her in. “So, we’re going to be on the front of every paper in this town tomorrow.”

She shrugged and pushed back his hair as her fingers ran across his jaw. “I don’t care. Do you?”

He grinned broadly. “Nope.”

“We’re really going to do this?” She asked. “I feel like all my dreams are coming true.” Her fingers wound around the lapels of his jacket.

“That’s impossible. Dreams are never over and you can count on that as long as we’re together Dev.”

“I love you Jon. Truly.”

He grinned. “I love you too darlin. Till my dying day.”

She closed her eyes are they kissed again and couldn’t help the smile that broke out on her face.

She was finally home. And as long as they did this together she’d make sure sure she’d never lose him. He’d breathed life back into her and she would love him for the man he was and the man he still wanted to be.

Forever.

The End.





Authors Note: It is with great sadness I bring Devon and Jon to an end but it felt right. There will be an epilogue posted in the coming days to give you an idea of what happens in the future with our favourite couple. I had a blast writing this story and I hope you all did as well following their story. You've all been incredible with comments or feedback and seeing your enjoyment has made it all worth it.

Apologies for sometimes being late posting, I'm in a busy role that's been mind-blowing this year on the work side with responsibility and stress it's almost killed me at times. I have many plans for new stories so if you have some patience I'll make sure to get the word out when I'm ready to do-over all again! Can't wait!

Kiwi
xx