Chapter 41: Diamond Ring

"Land finaly...." Zeta said as soon as they walked out of the plane. "Come on Zeta is not that bad. Look where are we..." Pauline answered showing the beautiful beach next to the Bahamas airport. "And what i can do if i'll die here?" "Zeta please stop saying bullshit. We're here two minutes and i want to kill you...." Pauline teased her little sister.

"Girls enough..." their father spoked from behind. "Fine..." Pauline answered annoying. She looked back and saw that Jesse was walking next to his family. Behind them was David and behind David was Tico. "Hey guys welcome to Bahamas...." Richie said with a smile ear to ear. "Where is Ava?" Pauline asked feelling boring without her. "She stayied in the hotel with Adam." Tori answered. "Great. So when we go there?" "When everyone is here. And from what i can see from behind we leave soon." Richie said while they turned back.

A large group of people with their suitcases was walking to their side. "Oh man! We are more than i thought..." Pauline said looking one more time to them. "Yeah, we are. But the hotel is very big and you can easily be lost so watch out..." Richie informed them. "Why you always leave the best parts in the end? Anyway..." Pauline added and laughed a little bit.

Twenty minutes later they arrived at the hotel. Richie had already took care of their rooms.It was an exusted day and everyone was so tiried. They will meet again in the restaurant for the dinner. Tommorow is the wedding and they must be full of power because that day will be very full from the morning till the night.

Costas opened the door of their room and walked in followed by his wife and daughters. The room was more larger than they thought. "Well at least he knows to choose nice hotels...." Zeta said and looked around the living room. "Yeah, he does!" Katerina answered. "Hey Pauline look our room...." Zeta yelled from one of the rooms.

"I'll take the bed next to the window..." Pauline said and sut. "Fine..." Zeta answered as she walked out to the balcony. "Pauline must must see than view...." she yelled from the balcony. Pauline got up from the bed and joined her sister in the balcony. She was right the view was more than great, it was amazing. Palm trees were everywhere matching perfectly with the lighted pool of the hotel.

"Wow! I must go and see this! I would be long...." Pauline said and walked back in the room. "Mum, Dad i'm going for a walk.... see you at the dinner...." Pauline yelled but she didn't wait for an answer, she had already left.

As soon as she closed the door she pulled her phone from the pocket. "Hey, where are you?" she asked Jesse. "In the room. Where are you?" he asked back. "I'm going to the central pool. Meet you there." she told him and hung up leaving Jesse on the other line puzzled.He got up from the couch and walked to the door. "Going somewhere?" Stephanie asked him. "For a walk. You know to explore the hotel. I'll see you at dinner, okay?" he answered to his sister and left the room.

Walking down the stairs to the pool he found Pauline sitting on a table looking to the sea. "Hey, what are you doing here?" he asked and took a seat next to her. She turned her look and looked at him while she kissed him. "I saw the view and i kind miss you. You i'm very romantic sometimes. And sure a view like this in a place like that helps a lot." she answered when the broke apart.

"Yeah, i can agree with that. So, how are you feeling?" "A lot of better when you're around." "I already know that sweetheart! I'm talking about the wedding. You're going to see you idol getting married tommorow. If i was you i will propably sit in my room the whole time." Jesse asked and looked at her.

"Well, if you want to know. I feel so fucking amazing.... i've never been to a Catholic wedding before. I'm a little nervous but i'm going to be fine." "Well, is not a big deal but has nothing to do with weddings in Greece. I'm sure you'll like it." Pauline was looking up to the sea as she answered. "Hope so." "Whar are you going to wear?" Jesse asked. He really wanted to know.

"Tori wanted all the girls to wear while dresses, so i'll wear a while dress." "I can picture this time. Is going be the most awesome wedding, you'll see..." "I know.. Plus i promised Maria a picture of Richie. Since the wedding is a secret... she's calling me all the time...." "And that bothers you?" "Not at all, i'm the lucky bitch, as they called me..." she answered and laughed.

Jesse checked the time on his phone. "I think is time to go Paul. if we're late they are going to ask questions like where we were etc, and i'm not in the mood..." he said and stood up. "Why are you okay?" Pauline asked him back. "Of course and i am. I'm in one of the most romantic islands with my girlfriend, what else can i ask?" he answered and put his amr around her waist.

"Yeah, you're right. But you know i prefere Hawaii, for some reason i don't even know." "Mmm! I better remember this for the next years..." "You should..." she answered and kissed him.

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Pauline and Jesse had knocked to Ava's room. Hopefully Ava answered the door. "Wow gilr you look awesome..." Ava said with rolled eyes when she saw pauline wearing the white dress. "Thank you. Why are you not ready yet? The wedding is in an hour." Pauline said as she and Jesse walked in the room.

"We are trying to dress Adam first. Tori just finished showering him. Jess what are the men doing?" Ava asked back. "Nothing. They are sitting. Uncle David is in a very good mood tonight, poor us..." he joked. "Is this bad? Because he's always in a good mood." Pauline asked and sut on the couch. "Yeah, very bad. He will never stop dancing..." Jesse told her as the older one and the one who knows how is David in a very good mood.

"Well guys i must go to get dressed. Adam will be here in a few seconds..." Ava said and disappear in the room. "And is this bad? I love kids..." Pauline said looking to Jesse. "Well, you know how are 6 year old kids." "I don't really remember. But if you say so, we better watch him." Pauline answered. But as soon as she finished her sentence the door opened and Adam walked out running.

Both Jesse and Pauline turned their heads to see him. "Hey, Adam you look gorgeous..." Pauline told him when he stopped in front of her. "Thank you. You too." "Oh, you're so sweet." Pauline answered. "Where is my Dad?" Adam asked looking around but he couldn't find him. "He's in uncle Jon's room, do you want to take you there?" "Yes, please." Adam answered and held out his hand.

Pauline took it and stood up from the couch. "Jess do you wonna come? Tori will be ready in a few and we put help her. I'm sure you'll get bored as Hell." "You know me very well." "Yeah, but Adam is in your hands now..." she said when they exited the room. "Don't worry! I'm a great big brother." Jesse answered with the proud smile of his. "We'll see that." Pauline answered and knocked the door of Jon's room.

Jacob opened the door and let them. "Guys what are you doing here? Tori is almost ready and you're sitting there watching TV?" Pauline yelled when she entered the living room. All the men inclouding her father were watching TV. "You know that you're getting married, right?" she added and looked at Richie. "Of course and i know that. But is different this time..." he answered and hugged his brand new son.

"Yeah, i know. Now put your suit on, because you're going to get married and you must be there too." "Yeah, i think is time not to be single anymore...." Richie answered. "Well, we're going to hate you for that but we can survive..." Pauline answered and laughed as she looked down to her feet. "Anyway, i said enough, see you in the pool." she added and left the room.

Pauline opened the door and the room was full of women. They are all sitting on the living room waiting for Tori to come. She found Ava and asked her. "Where is Tori? Richie is ready and heading to the pool." "I have no idea... she's ready but locked in the room of the past 15 minutes. Do you think she's having seconds thoughts about the wedding?" Ava asked a little consered.

"Nah, i don't she has. She's just trying to understand who she's going to be married with. And trust me on that it will take a very long time..." "Just because she's a fan?" "Maybe, jugding from me, i don't even remember how long took me to get used to it. Propably 6 or 7 months..." "What? Why you didn't say a thing?" Ava asked suprised. She thought that they had passed that departement.

"What should i say? Hey Ava i'm having problems to get used to being your friend and hanging in your house?" "No. But i can help you..." "I'm fine now and is feels normal now but don't tell me friends that, okay?" "Okay." Ava answered and checked the time on her phone. It was getting late and Tori must go.

She walked to the door and said. "Come on Tori this is the time. Come on, you can't live there for the next of the night. Your future hasband is waitng down for you.... And to be honest he's nervous, very nervous. And because i know you're too is time for you to go there and marry that guy... and..... be the mother i always wanted." Ava said nixt to the door.

While she was talking everyone stopped and were listening to her. The door opened and Tori came out waering her wedding dress. She hugged Ava. "Okay, time to be the Queen, right Princess?" Tori said and wipped her tears. She looked down to Ava who was smiling. "Right." Ava answered.

Tori's father and big brother took her hands and left the room following by the rest. As they were walking to the pool the more nervous everyone was getting. And there they were standing 20 feet away from him. She was trying not to cry again but when Jon touched his showlder and he saw her, it was reaaly hard.

"Here, take me only daughter. Take care of her." Tori's father said to Richie. "I will." was the only thing he could answer and took Tori's hand. Father and brother left the couple and sut on their chairs. The ceremony started.

Richie took the diamond ring he had chosen for his wife and said. "I, Richard Stephen Sambora, take you, Victoria Caroline Adams, to be my lawfully wife, my constant friend, my faithful partner and my love from this day forward. In the presence of God, our family and frineds, I offer you my solemm vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise you to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and cherish you for as long as we both shall live." he finished and put the ring to her finger and looked her in the eye.

Tori took the ring and grabbed Richie hand as she said. "I Victoria Caroline Adams, take you Richard sStephen Sambora to be my husband, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our union and love you more eaxh day thatn i did the day before. I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regadless of the obstacles we may face together. I give you my heart, my love and my soul from this day forward for as long as we both shall live." she placed the ring in Richie's finger and both turned to the pritcher.

"From now on, i named you husband and wife. May God bless you and family. You may kiss the bride." the pritcher said and Richie was more than willing to do what he ordered. Their family stood up and start clapping their hands. While were trying  to wipped the tears from their eyes.

Chapter 40: I Couldn't Miss Your Birthday

"I want to stay away from him." Jesse broke the silence while he was playing with her soft hair. Pauline looked up at him "From Mike? Why?" "Because he's the reason...." "You're wrong here Jess. Mike was in love with Jennifer but she learn that she was using her. So he came to me knowing that i'll be alone. We got drunk and you know the rest...." Pauline explained.

"That doesn't change anything. I still don't trust him. What if we didn't walk in that moment?" Jesse asked. "I don't know what could had happend. Can we please change the subject? Because the more we talk about it the more i want to kill Jennifer." "You don't have to go to jail for her... Just let it go, please for me?" he asked with the voise of a 5 year old.

"Mmm! I'll think about it. Come here." she said and kissed him. "But i can't show up and say 'hey Mike you must stay 100 feet away from me because Jesse is jelous.'" she added when the broke the kiss. "I didn't say that he'll stay 100 feet away from you. And i'm not jelous...." "Yes, you are. Don't forget that i'm not the one who cheated with his ex-girlfriend....."

"You'll have to remind me that?" "Always and forever. But i'll do my best....." they both laughed a little. "I will hate what i have to say but i have to go..." she said as she looked at him with sadness written all over her face. "No, stay just a little longer.... please...." Jesse said and grabbed her arm before she could get up from the bed.

"Just because i forgive that doesn't mean i trust like i used to. Plus i'm here more than 2 hours." she said and got up from the bed. "I know that but there is no time limit. Please stay." Jesse begged and walked behind her. "Are you still mad?" he asked a few seconds later. He was watching putting her clothes on. "I'm not mad, Jesse. I'm dissapointed. But to be clear, you have lots of work to earn my trust back." she said and wore her jacket. "Yeah, i know. I'll do my best. But please stay a little longer." she turned and looked at him. "No. See you around." she answered and blew him a kiss as she opened the door and left.

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Pauline was walking in the hallway the next morning. At the end of it she saw Mike taking some books from his locker. She smiled and walked closer to him. "Morning to you!" Pauline said. He closed the door of his locker and said "What are you doing?" "I'm talking to you." she answered and start walking with him. "Why? I kissed you and was on the top of you when Jesse and Ava walked in." she stopped walking and looked at him.

"Well, at least we didn't have sex like he did." she said and laughed. "Really? And what did you do?" Mike asked back suprised. "The same..." "Yeah?" "Whhat you thought that i'll leave things like that? He was so out of his element when i started it..." "You didn't kill her didn't you?" Mike asked knowing that pauline's temper wasn't that good.

"Of course not. I don't want to be in the jail for the rest of my life. We have all the time we need to do the things we like. And for some reason i want to go to a luna park..." she answered. "Yeah, we can go there but..." Mike started. He knew that this time would come. "I need to tell you something first...." "Okay, what is it?" "They fired my Dad." he said.

"Oh Mike i'm so sorry.... if there is anything i can do you know i can do it. You want me to give you some cash? if we go now we can find the Bank open. Come on...." Pauline started but Mike stopped her by grabbing her arm. "You don't have to do any of these.Plus.... oh damn.... Why is this so hard?" he asked himself almost yelling.

Pauline walked closer to him. "Mike is everything alright?" "No, nothing is alright. We're going back to Michigan." "No you can't move. Not right now. I'll tell my Dad to find a job for yours in the company." she said in a hurry. She doesn't want him to leave.She pulled her phone from the jean pocket. "It's okay Pauline. These anything you can do." "But i can't let you leave Mike. You can't leave in the middle of the school year." "My uncle back in Michigan had already take care of that. I'm sorry." he said. It was hard for him too. He liked it here and he doesn't want to leave. But he has to.

"Pauline i'm sorry. I should have told you earlier. But after what happend with Jennifer slipped out of my mind." "Is not your fault Mike. But i'm not that good on saying goodbyes." she said and both laughed. "I think the bell had already rung." "What we have now?" "English." "Suriously? Oh my God! She's going to kill me." she said in a hurry and start walking faster. "Mike move your money maker. Don't look at me like that. That bitch is a darksider and she doesn't like me since the first day. So we better hurry because i want to live my life." she said while she was wlking next to Mike. He always liked the way she is saying things. That will be what he will miss the most.

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"Happy birthday!!!!" Ava yelled when Pauline opened the door. Without even know it Ava was hugging her. "Mm! Ava she need to breathe remember?" Alex said from behind. Ava broke the hug and looked at Pauline. "Yeah, sorry. Where is everyone?" "Back in the pool..." Pauline answered as she closed the door. The three of them walked to the pool. "Where is Richie?" Pauline asked. "He and Tori went to the city for a job. Don't worry my little Darksider he wouldn't miss your birthday....." Ava joked.

"Haha. Very funny Sambora. Alex you should keep her home with a tape on her mouth. I could picture it!" Pauline said and laughed. "And i can picture you in the bottom of this pool...." Ava answered back she doesn't realized the she was standing next to the pool. It was too easy for Pauline to push her into the water.

Zeta along with Romeo and Jacob couldn't stop laughing. Ava was looking at Pauline with the devils look while she was getting out of the pool. "Never mess with a Darksider darlin'!" Pauline said and went to the table.

She seat next to Jesse. "What's wrong?" she asked. Jesse didn't seem to be in a good moood today. "Nothing. Maybe is the sun. Is too hot today...." "Well, we can take care of that.  Come..." she said and held out her hand. Jesse was more than willing and took it. They walked together and jumped into the cold water of the pool.

They were fooling around in the pool for more than an hour. They were happy and this is all what matters. Jesse was the first who jumped out of the pool and handed to Pauline her towel. She wrap her towel around her waist and sut on the table.

Pauline's parents and Jesse's were sitting to the table next to the pool. "Pauline sweetie when do you want to blow your candles?" her mother asked as long as she sut on the chair. "Not yet. Richie, Joker and Tico are not here." Pauline answered and took a sip from her coke. "Okay, whatever you want, is your birthday after all." her mother answered and smiled with pride.

"I'm going to have an another drink." she said and jumped out of the chair. "I'll come with you!" Jesse said and followed her. When they walked in the living room Jesse wraped his arms around her. "Jess they'll see us!" "Don't worry they won't." he said and kissed her.

His hands on his cheeks and his lips on hers. He was kissing her slowly like she wanted. "That was only the 1% of your birthday present." he said when the broke apart. "Wow. if that was only the 1%, i can't wait!!" she said and took from the fridge two cokes.

With them on her hands the bell rung. Pauline opened the door. "Happy birthay!" the whole Rashbaum family said. "Oh thank you. Come in." she answered with a smile. "Now, where is the cake and where is the party? Is been a while since i let the Joker out?" David being David asked. "You must a little for the cake Joker. Bit the party is outside...." Pauline answered and tried to close the door but a hand stopped it.

"Hey, Angel we are here too......" Tico said. "Oh Teek i'm so sorry! I didn't see you.." she apologized. "Happy birthday Pauline!!!!" Hector said with the beautiful smile of his. "Oh thank you very much Hector....... Come on give me your t-shirt Romeo is in the pool and he's waiting for you." she said and walked with him on the pool.

A few minutes later all the kids were in the pool and they were playing around. They were throwing waters to each other. While the kids were on the pool their parents were in the table and were talking. It was that momment when Richie with Tori walked in.

"Why the door is wide open?" Richie asked Katerina. "I don't know. Pauline was the last who answered the door." she answered and lookedto Pauline who was in the pool. As soon as Pauline notised that Richie and Tori were here it was time for the cake.

"Hey guys! I'm glad that you came." Pauline said and left the towel back to its place. "Happy birthday Angel!" Richie said and hugged her. "Thank you! Now that were are all here is time for the cake don't you think?" she answerd when she broke apart and looked to the little ones. "Yeah...." Romeo and Hector said with one voise.

"Not so soon. Tori and i want to tell you something first." Richie started. All eyes were looking at these two. "Is everything alright?" Jon asked his 'brother'. "For the first time after all these years finaly everything is fine..." Richie answered and took Tori's hand. "Daddy what's going on?" Ava asked worried.

"Don't worry princess! The four of us we are going to be a great family!" "Four what four? Is Tori pregnant?" Ava asked with her eyes rolled. "I'm you ng but i'm not that young." Tori answered back and laughed. "These is someone i want you to meet." Richie said and disappear.

He came back a few seconds later. Next to him was a little boy who was holding his hand. "I want you to meet Adam Zachary. Adam from now on this is your family...." he said to the little boy. Adam looked up at his brand new father and mother.

They were all lost their words. They didn't see this coming. Ava took some steps and stopped in front of the little boy. "Hey Adam. I'm your sister Ava." "Nice to meet you Ava.... Can i hug you, please?" her new brother asked her. Who would say no to a 6year old? "Of course you can!" she said and opened her arms.

Ava stood up having her little brother in her amrs. She looked to her father and Tori who were happy more than ever. She could see that her father is happy, she had missed his old self. But now he's back and he wil never leave again.

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Pauline came back from the kitchen with two bottles of beer. She smiled when she walked in tot he pool area. Jesse was sitting there with his legs it, like Adam did this morning. Jesse as soon as he heard the sound of her flip flops he turned. "Here." she said and gave him his beer. "Thanks." he answered.

She sut down next to him and put her legs to the pool too. "Unique birthday huh?" Jesse asked and took a sip of his beer. "Yeah, every year i'm more and more suprised in my birthday, i got used to it. But the adoption thing, i didn't saw that coming...." she answered. "Me too either...He's unpredictable." "He didn't say it to your Dad?" Pauline asked suprised. She thought that Jon will know about it. 

"Nope, you saw how suprised he was. How suprised we all were." "Yeah, Ava was most suprised than anyone. She was all the time next to him." Pauline answered remembering that she was like that with her little sister. "She never had any siblings Paul. She's not like us...." "But she is now.... Man Adam is so sweet... I want to take him in my arms and never let him go...." she answered and took an another sip of her beer.

"And that whole name thing. Do you think is fated? I mean they didn't named him at this age..." "Nothing is fated babe. He was made to be their baby..." Jesse said and smiled. "And you were made to be mine..." Pauline answered and pulled him closer for a kiss.

While they were kissing next to the pool with the moon light for the backround the bell rung. Pauline rolled her eyes. "Come on. Suriously? Who the fuck is now?" she cursed and stood up. Jesse folllowed. Pauline opened the door and faced a bucket of white roses.

Behind that bucket Mike was hiding. "Did i miss anything?" he asked. "Oh my God!! Mike!!!!" Pauline said and hugged him. Mike hugged her back and looked to Jesse who was nodding his head. "What are you doing here? How did you come?" she wanted to ask him  a million questions right now. 

"Jesse called me. Plus i couldn't miss your birthday..." he answered and smiled. "Oh my God!! I can't believe you're here. We have lots of catch-up to do. I'm going to bring some beers. You guys go to the pool i'll be right back....." Pauline said super exited and disappear in the kicthen.

"Thanks man for coming. She needed it." Jesse said to Mike. "I must be the one who must thank you Jess. And i'm sorry about what happend that night. I didn't have the chance before." "It's okay Mike. This belong tot he past now. All i want is to make her happy. I'll do anything to make her happy..." Jesse said as they both sut on the ground next to the pool.

"I know. I'm happy that she has a man like you by her side." Mike said. "Thanks." Jesse answered and nodded his head. He knew that Mike was right and his was his bad of blaming him for what happend that night. It wasn't his fault. but he didn't care now. he and Pauline were better than ever and deeply in love with each other. He couldn't ask for anything else.

Chapter 39: Living In Sin

Jesse walked in the bar. He didn't even look around he went straight to the bar and ordered a drink. It didn't take too long for the drink to come. He drunk his first drink with one long sip. He couldn't deny that it was feeling very good.

He knew that the last time he got drunk he woke up in a hospital bed. He had promised to himself and to Pauline that he will never get drunk. But for some reason he wanted to forget what he saw a few minutes ago. An another man was kissing her. It was too much to handle. He knew that since he left he and Pauline didn't go too well.

But she has no right to cheated on him, but she did. He wanted to forget it and he ordered one more drink. When he finished the second drink he felt a hand on his showlder. He had a feeling that was Pauline's hand. It has to be Pauline's hand. Jesse turned with a smile on his face knowing that Pauline will be behind him.

The smile on his lips froze when he saw Jennifer. "Hey. What are you doing here?" He didn't want to show her how dissapointed he was and he turned his look away. "I'm just drinking. What are you doing here?" he asked. "Just drinking." Jennifer answered.

Jesse looked at her and studied her face. He left his drink and got up from the chair. "Goodnight Jennifer. Take care." he said simply with voise like ice. Jennifer stood there watching him walking away. As Jesse was walking away he stopped and looked at Jennifer.

He walked quickly to her side and kissed her passionately. Jennifer had no idea what was going on but she didn't say no to him. She pulled him closer. Jesse broke the kiss and took her hand. He lead her to his car and sut on the driver's seat.

Jennifer was more than lost. "Where are we going?" she asked him. "You'll see." he answered and put the machine forward. Jesse was driving for a little while and it didn't take too much to Jennifer to understand where he was driving.

Jesse parked the car in the parking lot of his house. He took Jennifer's hand and they both walked to the main door. He opened the door. "Don't make a sound. My parents are here and they don't need to know that you're here too. You understand?" Jesse talked like a sereal killer. Jennifer knew him her whole life and he never talked like this before. The only thing she could do was nodd.

As soon as Jennifer nodded Jesse grabed her hand and walked up the stairs and arrived to his room. Jesse closed the door and kissed Jennifer. While they were kissing they walked to the bed. Jesse lyied Jennifer to the bed. He pulled out her coat and threw it to the floor.

He kissed her again while Jennifer was pulling out his jacket from behind his back. It didn't take long for both of them to be naked on his bed. They made love after one year and a half. Jennifer took full advantage of it and enjoyed herself more than Jesse did.

She has no idea why they made love but only this was enough. Jesse was sleeping having her in his arms like the old times when they were together. But Jennifer was a smart young woman and she knew that something wasn't right.

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Pauline woke up in the next morning with a head weighting ten tons. She wanted to forget what happend last night. She made a mistake, a terrible one. She doesn't even knbow how Mike and her came to this point. She had chated on him. She did the thing she was blaming Jesse for. She will never forgive herself for that. She walked down the stairs and to her mind came what happend last night. She closed her eyes and run to the kitchen. 

"Goodmorning Pauline." her mother said with a smile. "Morning Mum." she answered and sut on her seat on the kictehn table. "I heard noises last night. Did Ava passed by?" Katerina asked her daughter. "No, Mike passed. But he didn't stay too long." Pauline couldn't lie to her mother. She just didn't tell her all the truth. 

Pauline start eatting her cereal and her mother was watching her. Once she was finished with her breakfast she left the empty bowl in the sink. "I'll go a walk in the town." she informed her mother. The more she stays the more she remembers the last night.

"You miss him don't you?" her mother asked before she exited the kitchen. "Miss who?" she asked and turned. "Jesse!" "Yeah, Mum of course and i miss him. I have to go now." Pauline said and left.

A few minutes later she was ready to go. Dressed in jeans and a jacket she left the house. She didn't know where she wanted to go. The farther the better. She sut on the drivers seat in her car. She needed a little time for herself. Pauline was driving for almost an hour now. She had left Red Bank for good. She was about to the highway to New York City. She was so far away. On the next traffic light she took the way back home.

After a few more driving minutes Pauline arrived at Red Bank. It was lunch time so she stopped to her favourite Grill to have lunch. Jesse and her were having lunch there all the time. It is their favourite Grill. She walked in and found a table to sit. A waitress came and took her order.

The Grill was almost full, it was Saturday noon after all. She doesn't even realized how much fats time passed and her eaiterr came with her lunch. Once the waitess left Pauline start eatting and enjoying the company of herself. She had almost ate the half of her food when she sut opposite of her.

Pauline looked up at Jennifer and sighed. "What do you want Jennifer?" Pauline asked. "I have everything i want. I'm wondering about you my poor girl." Jennifer answered and Pauline raised her eyebrow. "And since when you are carying about me?" "Since last night." "Oh yeah. Great." Pauline answered with a little sarcasm in her voise.

"Look Jennifer i'm not in the mood to deal with your bullshit right now." she answered and looked at her. "I already know that sweetie. That's why Jesse was so good in sex last night. Tell me something when it was the last time you two had sex? It must have been a very long time." Jennifer answered with the winners look and voise.

Pauline's heart sink on the opposite seat. Jesse will never do that, she knew him very well. That night he left very soon and she wasn't able to explain what happend with Mike. Her love turned to hate in the matter of seconds. How could he do something like that with someone like Jennifer?

"Jennifer i told you i'm not in the mood." "I'm not lying.... I'm saying the truth. I slept with him last night in his house in his bed." "No, i don't believe you Jesse will never do something like that." "You better change your mind about him Pauline. I must admit though that your relationship lasted more that i thought. But anyway he's back to me now. Enjoy your lunch!" Jennifer answered and got up from the chair. She gave her a fake smile as she walked away.

Pauline was trying to understand what just happend. She couldn't believe it and she didn't want to. She wanted all this to be a bad dream and she will wake up. And when she does all these will be over. Her emotions were like a volcano ready to expload. Seconds thought filled her mind. Jennifer sure has lots of reasons to lie but why right now? It's been a while that they don't even come across with her on the road.

She couldn't stay in the Grill any longer. She needed to know what happend last night. She has the right to know what happend last night. They are still together.

She payied for her lunch and left the Grill furious. She arrived at her car and put the engine on and drove away of the parking lot. It didn't take too long for her to arrive at the Bongiovi house. The big gate was open so Pauline didn't have any problem to walk in.

She rung the bell and waited. The door opened and Pauline faced one of the best smiles in the world. "Hey Angel! Come in....." Jon said and took a step back to let her in. "Am i interupting something? Is lunch time...." she answered feeling a little nervous. "You're always welcome here any time of the day." Jon answered with that gorgeous smile of his.

"So, you slept good last night?" he said and winked at her. She really didn't see that coming. She didn't know what to do. It all depence of how she will answer this question. She knew that if she tells Jon he'll get very mad and she doesn't want that. Jesse and her can work that out without any help.

"Yeah, i slept very good. What about you?" she asked him. "Great!" Pauline smiled while she asked "Is Jesse upstairs?" "Yeah..." "Thanks. tell the boys i said hi!" "Will do...." Jon answered and looked to pauline walking up the stairs.

With every step Pauline took was getting more pissed. Jennifer was right, she was there last night. She arrived at his door and knock hard. Jesse opened the door with his eyes rolled. "What are you doing here?" she asked while Pauline had already walked in.

"What am i doing here, or what did you do here with Jennifer last night?" she asked. Her hands were on her waits and her foot was teeping on the floor. "What are you talking about?" "Don't play fool with me. I know everything. Jennifer found me and told me what you did last night with her right here! How could you Jesse?" she asked looking at him.

"Like you did with Mike." "I didn't had sex with him like you did with Jennifer." "So? I was drunk. We're even." he answered and turned to face her. Pauline looked in his eyes. She couldn't believe that he meant these words.

She walked to his side and slapped him in the face. "Now we're even." she said and walked away. Jesse followed her and grabbed her arm. "Don't you ever do this again or..." he said to her with almost devils look. "Or what? You'll go and fuck Jennifer again?" she yelled. She couldn't control herself anymore.

She looked down to her arm, he was still holding her. "Let me go." she said trying to free herself. "No. You need to calm down." "I was calm down until she came to the Grill and told me what you did. Now, let me go before i start yelling and the whole Red Bank will come here." she said slowly and Jesse let her free.

He let her free and walked to the other side of the room. He couldn't look at her. "So, this is it?" he asked a few seconds later. "I never wanted this to happen. It was your choise." she said, she was one foot out of his door.

She looked back to him but the only thing she saw was his back. She guessed is better this way. She knew if she sees him it will be a lot harder. She doesn't want to leave him one more time. But it was again the bad choises he made. And he knew he was going to pay for them soon or later.

"I have to go. Take care Jesse." she said with almost crying voise. She knew if she stays a little longer she will start crying in front of him. Jesse didn't mov a muscle. She shaked her head and walked out of the room.

Jesse heard her steps walking away. His eyes rolled. "No, she can't leave." he said and run after her. She had already crossed all the hallway. "Hey Pauline wait!" he yelled when she left his room. But she didn't, she kept walking.

"Wait!" he yelled when he was behind her. "What do y..." was all she tried to say before he kissed her deeply. His hands were on her neck while he didn't stop kissing her. At first she fight him but she couldn't help herself and melt with his kiss.

"You can't leave. I won't let you walk away. You know what happend the last time i let you leave. I love you Pauline. That was the stupiest thing i've ever done in my whole life. I shouldn't have take her here in my room. I know that this means the world to you and i fucked it up...... again." he said while his hands were on her face.

"You have no idea how that make me feel? You made me hate you like i've never hated a person in my life. I know what i did with Mike was wrong. But when you were away we never talked. I was lying to everyone even at Ava when she asked me how you are doing. When you send me the text i was in the line and had already picked your birthday present." she answered looking at him.

"I know, i know. It's all my fault. But can we put our two hearts  back together and leave the broken pieces on the floor? Please, i almost died when you were away from me. I need you. I can't imagine life without yoo because you are my life...." he said meaning every word.

He couldn't live without her, he will be nothing. And deep down he knows that she can't live without him either. If she walkes away he must learn live without his heart, because Pauline has it and she always will.

"We can do this." she said and smiled. Jesse blow out the sigh of rielef. He hugged her close. "You know your heart is bigger than the Earth." he said when they broke the hug. "Well, maybe. But my love for you is bigger than the Universe." she smiled.

Chapter 38: Sipping Wine, Killing Time

As the days roll by Pauline and Mike got closer. In just five days she had opened to him like she knew him for years. Their personalities didn't really match, but they were good friends. Mike knows everything between Pauline and Jesse. Pauline couldn't believe that she could open up to a starnger. Because he is a a stranger. She only knows him for a week and he knews everything that happend to her life.

Pauline walked in the classroom and sut on the chair. The day she was afraid that will come, is today. Ava saw her and said "Goodmorning!" but Pauline wasn't in the mood of answering. "What happend now?" she asked and sut next to her. Pauline looked at her. "You have no idea what today is right?" "Is Wednesday as far i know. What else is today?" "Jesse's birthday." Pauline said and buried her head to her hands.

"And what are yoo going to do about it?" Ava asked and pauline lifted her head. "Nothing." "Have you talked to him?" "A little on the phone. He told me he found an apartement with a great view on a small lake. He said that i will love it." "Did he told you when he'll come here for a visit?" Ava asked. "No, he didn't." Pauline answered and looked to the teacher that he just entered the class. "I'll tell you the rest on the break." Pauline told Ava.

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Pauline walked to her room and threw the bag on the floor. She just came back from a trainning. She needed a shower and she did it. After she showered she wore her pj's and lyied on the bed. She looked to the desk and saw her laptop. It's been a while since she opened it.

Pauline got comfortable on the bed with her laptop and turned it on. She log in in her Facebook account. lots of messages that they must be answered. The most were from her friends in Greece. She was more than happy to see news from them. She was missing them very much.

Once she answered to her friends messeges she was just killing some time. Until she saw a picture with Jesse wishing him happy 19th birthday. She rolled down the page and every single post was about him. All the Bon Jovi pages she had liked on facebook were wishing Jesse happy birthday.

She stopped to one. It was a collage with pictures of him since he was a baby until now. It was the point that she couldn't fight it anymore. She cried not because she was mad. Just because she was missing him. She will give anything she ever had to be next to him on this bed. She will give anything to hold his hand. She will give anything to taste his kisses again. But she knew that this will never happend. He's in Indiana and she has no idea how he is doing for his birthday. Is he missing her, just a little? She wiped the tears of her eyes and closed the laptop screen with power.

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Mike walked in the bar where she was haning out. He knew that she will be there. Is like her seocond home. He met there. The first day he came in town. Pauline offered to show him around in town. They came here and Mike saw Pauline's biggest enemy and fall in love with her. Mike said that she loves him but Pauline knew that Jennifer stopped loving people the day she took Jesse. She never told him that. She has a hope deep in her mind that Jennifer will change in the future.

Mike saw Jennifer sitting on a table with her best friend Emily. He walked there and stopped when he heard. "Why should i be with Mike?" "I thought he is your boyfriend." Emily said. "Yeah, he is." "I thought you loved him." "I stopped loving men when that little bitch Pauline took Jesse from me." Jennifer said and anger filled her voise. "So you don't like him." "No, but he is very good to kill your time ." Jennifer said and Emily rolled her eyes.

Mike was standing behind Jennifer. "What?" she asked suprised. She turned and saw Mike. She was looking him in the eyes. She doesn't even tried to explained to him. Mike was feeling sick to his stomack. The girl he loved from the first time he saw her was lying to him. He was broken hearted. He doesn't want to her anymore. Looking at her one more time, he left.

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Pauline was sitting on the couch in the living room. She was sitting there with her memories for company. She wanted Jesse to be there just for a minute. She sighed knowing that this will not happen.

The bell rung. Pauline looked at the door suprised. She has no idea who will be. She got up from the couch and opened the door. "Mike what are you doing here?" she asked with eyes rolled. Mike was in the doorstep holding two bottles of wine and a large pack of chips. "He was his birthday! We should celebrate a little." Mike said and walked in the house.

"You know Mike i appreciate what you doing, i really do. But i'm not in the mood today." Pauline answered while she closed the door. But Mike had already sut on the couch. "That's why i'm here. As your friend i should be there when you're down. So, go to the kitchen and bring two glasses and one big bowl." Mike said and left his coat on the other couch. "You have a good movie to watch?" he asked while Pauline was in the kicthen.

She returned with the two glasses and the bowl. "Nah, i checked before." she said. "Oh, you bought with chips with BBQ flavour, my favourite!" Pauline said and sut next to Mike. "I know is your favourite that's why i bought it. You know that i eat everything." Mike answered and purred them one glass of red wine.

"To Jesse." he said and raised his glass. "To Jesse." Pauline answered and took a sip of the wine. "Great wine." he said. Pauline sut back on the couch. "Hey, what's wrong?" "This is wrong Mike. All this is wrong. You supposted to be with Jennifer and i supposted to be with Jesse. But we're here instead drinking wine and eatting chips!" Pauline answered. She was getting a little pissed at herself. Why she let things take this way?

"Jennifer and i broke up. Well, not exuactly." "Why? What happend?" Pauline asked while Mike finished the second glass of wine. "She was at the bar with Emily. And i heard her saying that she never loved me and that i'm good to kill her time." he answered and drunk the whole glass with one sip.

"Oh Mike i'm so sorry. I should have told you sooner about her." Pauline said and drunk the wine. "I was the reason why Jesse broke up with Jennifer. We had a fight at school one day, she punched me. When Jesse had the accident i told you about she came four days later pretending that she just heard about it. We had a fight again but i could lay my hands on her because Richie and Jon were there." she paused to take a sip.

"She said that she will destroy me for what i have done to her even she doesn't see the light of the sun again. I knew that she couldn't love anyone like she loved Jesse. her mind is stucked with him. You have every fucking right to be mad at me. But i thought that after all this time she had overcomed it. I'm so sorry about this Mike." she added and looked at him.

"Thank you for telling me this. My love for this girl ended tonight. I don't want to see her or talk to her." Mike said and anger filled his voise. With one long sip he drunk all th wine in the glass. "I don't want to talk about her anymore, please." he said and purred them a glass of wine.

"Okay." Pauline said and runk a sip. "I miss him like crazy. We haven't talked since he left. I don't know why is that. What am i doing wrong?" she asked with raised voise. She filled her glass with wine and drunk it. "We were very good. But when i told Richie what i saw that night he got pissed. The funniest part is that he was the one who wanted to tell Richie in the first place." she paused and drunk a sip. She started crying.

Mike was feelling badfor her and pulled her closer to his body. "You didn't do anything wrong..." Mike tried to make her feel better. He was telling the truth, he has no idea whose fault is. "I just feel sometimes that he doesn't love anymore. the first months were perfect. And now after almost one year and a half we are like this." she told him the biggest complain. The complain she never told anyone else.

"When i saw her in the bar i fell in love with her. She was so beautiful and funny.... at first. But no matter what happend i still love her, Pauline." Mike said and looked down to Pauline. "I love him too, every second even more." she answered to Mike.

Their eyes locked several seconds. By looking to each other they will understand each others pain. Mike moved closer to her and Pauline did the same. They met for a sof kiss. They paused and looked each other. Their lips met again but this time with more passion and fire.

Mike hand traveled to Pauline's neck, he was holding while he was kissing her. Pauline's right hard was in Mike's back. Mike paused the kiss and took off his jacket and Pauline did the same. Once they were both wearing only a t-shirt Mike layied her to the couch. He was on the top of her and started kissing her again. He was traveling with his fingers to whole Pauline's body. Mike hit Pauline's favourite spot, that made her moahed.

The door of the house opened suddenly and left both Jesse and Ava froze. Mike was on the top of the girl Jesse will give his life. An another man was kissing the girl he will do anything to be with. As soon as they heard the door opened Mike and Pauline turned their heads.

Pauline without even look at Mike she left. She wanted to go there and hug him so badly. But her mind was trying to prosess what she had did with Mike before. She looked around like lost. Mike was sitting on the couch, the i'm so sorry look was written all over his face. Two empty bottles of wine were on the living table. She was drunk.

She looked to the door. Jesse was holding a bucket of red roses. He threw the bucked to her as he said "Happy birthday to me." was the words he said before he left. Ava was still standing in the doorstep trying to understand what Pauline was doing with Mike and what just happend. She failed to both of them. "You should be shamed." she said and left.

Chapter 37: These Five Words I Send To You

Pauline was waiting Jesse on their bench. It's been a while since they had that little fight they had in the court. Pauline needed some time to understand why Jesse reacted like that this day. But she wasn't able to come to a conclusion.

"Hey!" Jesse said and sut next to her. "Hey!" Pauline answered back and kissed him. "How are you doing?" Jesse asked. "A little buzy with the trainnings and school but i'm okay. You?" "Nothing important. Just hanging out with Cody. How is Louis? I missed him." "Louis is great. You can't believe how much he grew up. He's responcing now to his name. And also to 'sit down' and 'come here'." Pauline answered to Jesse.

"I'm so glad to hear that." Jesse answered and smiled. Pauline was looking to the lake when she turned to Jesse. "Do you want to break up?" she asked suddenly and left Jesse speechless. "No, i don't want to break up with you. I just need some time, Paul. I'm really pissed at you for what you did." Jesse tried to answer calmy. He was really suprised by her question.

"I understand that. I should have told you that Richie knows." "At least Ava is back with him in the house and Heather will be behind bars for a long time." "Yes, that's right. Do you want to go for coffee, my treat?" Pauline offered.

"Actually, i have to go to the gym. Maybe an another time." he told her without making an eye contack with her. Pauline froze for a second, he wasn't really saying that to her. She didn't want to show him how hurted she was by his words. "Yes, of course. And is getting late, i better go home." Pauline said and stood up.

"Goodnight Jesse." she said and walked away without turning back to face him. She was hurt, she was than hurt, she was broken hearted. He never had said no to her before. From what it seems there is always first time for everything.

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A few days passed. Jesse's birthday was in about a week. This year Pauline wants to find the best present for Jesse. She didn't want to remember how things were one year ago, when she didn't know who he is. But all these belong to the past. They must move on to the future.

Pauline was at the Mall trying to find the best birthday gift for Jesse. She had already checked some stotes but she didn't find what she had in mind. As she was walking something caught her attetion. She stopped and saw the most beautiful camera she've ever seen.

Jesse loves taking pictures. He had a file on his laptop with more than five thousand picture of them together. She smiled knowing that Jesse will love it. Without having seconds thought Pauline walked in the store and found that camera.

Having that silly smile in her face she walked to the cash desk to pay for his birthday present. She was standing on the line when her phone buzzed. She pulled it from the pocket and saw that she had a text from Jesse.

I am heading to Indiana. 

These five words he send were good enough to pissed her off. She walked off the line and left his present. Pissed but as well disapointed she left the store. Walking in big and quick steps she arrived at her car. A few minutes later pauline arrived at her house.

She walked straight to her room without talking to anyone. She locked the door of the room. She layied to bed. She was free now to let the tears roll down to her face. She pulled the phone from her jean pocket and turned it off. She wasn't in a mood of hear anyone.

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"Come on Pauline where the Hell are you?" Ava asked while she had the phone on her ear. She was in a hotel in Nwe York City with her Dad and her future Mum. After what they all been through a little trip in the City was everthing they need.

Ava didn't hear Pauline's news for 3 days. They were supposted to go ut on Saturday night but Pauline didn't show up. She thought that she has a game that hour, but the Tournament was over since the last month. She was starting to get worried. She knew her. When she's shoutting down her phone something is going on. The last she did, she learnt who Jesse was. What is this time?

Ava walked in the room and threw the phone on the bed. She sut on it and tried to think why Pauline doesn't answering her calls. "What the Hell is going on?" she asked her self when Richie walked in. "Hey, we're going to see the Statue of Liberty. See you in 30 minutes." Richie said but Ava doesn't even looked at him.

"Ava is everthing okay?" he asked and walked closer to her. "Is Pauline. She doesn't answering my calls. Please call her too. Maybe she will pick it up if is you." Richie pulled the phone from his pocket. "It says that her phone is turned off. What happend?" "I don't know Dad. I didn't hear or see her since Friday. Her phone is turned off and the last time it was it wasn't good. I'll go to her house." Ava said and stood up from the bed.

"Okay, but be very carefull on the road Ava." Richie said and looked at her with his surious father look. "I will Dad. I'll call you when i'm at her house." Ava answered to him. "Can i take your car? Please Daddy?" she asked him when she realized that they are in New York. "You can take it. But be carefull." he said one more time to her. "I will be carefull Dad. I promise." these were the last words she said to him before she left the room.

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Pauline was in her bed, crying. The whole scene is very familiar to her. She kind missed the last year. Of course she didn't has any idea what Jesse was hiding from her but at leasthe was there with her. In her mind memories from the past flashed back to her when a hard knock on the door scared her.

"Come on Pauline, open the damn door!" Ava yelled in front of the closed door. "Don't make me tell my Dad to come over here. There are lots of steps, he's an old man." Ava said this lie. She knew if she was pissed, she wasn't going to open that door, not even in the next 100 years. She didn't really like using the obssesion Pauline has with her father, but she couldn't think any other way.

Pauline's head lifted when she heard Ava's voise. She thought that she was in New York. She knew how stuborn Ava was. So, she opened that door. "Finaly! Do i have always use the D word?" Ava said when she entered the room. "D word?" "Dad. My Dad." "Is he here?" "No, i knew that you were going to open the door. So, what is going on with you?" Ava asked and hut on the Pauline's bed.

"You were supposted to be in New York." "Don't change the subject! Now, tell me what is going on." Ava said and waited for an answer. Pauline sighed. "You will not leave until you get an answer, right?" "That's right. So, spil it up." she saod and crossed her arms.

"Is Jesse. I had found the best birthday present for him until he texted me these five words." "I'll be there for you?" "No, i wish there were these five words. I am heading to Indina, he texted me." "Jesse send you these words? Without even call?" "No." Pauline was tried to hold back the tears in her eyes, but she lost that fight.

"Oh Pauline i'm sorry! I didn't know." "It's alright Ava. And all these because this fucking night!" "Which night?" "The night that you're thinking. I told Jesse first, and had a very good fight with him about it. And now she's mad because i didn't let him know when i told your Dad." Pauline explained. "Yeah, Dad told me. How did you hide it for so long?" "I don't Ava. But really can we talk about this an another time, please? I'm not in the mood." Pauline begged a little.

"Sure. You guys were good together?" Ava asked a few seconds later. Pauline looked at her and answered "I asked him to broke up." "You did what? But why?" Ava asked her more than suprised. "He's not himself anymore Ava. And i don't know why. The other day i asked him to go out with me and he said he must go to the gym with Cody. He's not who he used to be and i don't know the damn reason." "Maybe he needs some time." "That's what he told me. I bet he'll have all the time he wants. He's in Indiana now." Pauline answered feeling pain coming from her heart.

She's hating saying these words, but it's the truth. "You love him, don't you?" "With every beat of my heart. But there are times that i don't understend him." "Men. We will never understand them." Ava answered and shaked her head. "Maybe you're right. But i want to understand him." "You will someday, you will. But until you did we must go out. Come on my treat." Ava stood up from the bed and walked to Pauline's side.

"No, i'm not in the mood." "So, while Jesse is gone you'll stay here trying to understand him?" "Yeah, until i feel okay with him being i don't know how many miles away from me." "So, now you're jelous?" "I'm not jelous! I trust Jesse, i don't trust the others." "Okay, got it. Is the time you say every bullshit crosses your mind. If you're going to be like this tommorow on school you better stay home." Ava answered.

"Look, Pauline i understand that this weird to you but you can't do nothing about it. You must learn to live your life with him in Indiana. He's not going to stay there forever. I know that he's an ass of sending you this text, but that's his way and you must deal with that. This is your opportunity to show all of us but mostly to yourself that you can be together even when you're in Red Bank and he's in Indiana. In the dintanse relationships you try how much you love the other and in your case i'm sure you'll make it." Ava finished.

Ava felt Pauline's arms all around her. "You're very good at it. You should talk more like that." "I've been told that before." Ava answered and they both broke the hug. "Thank you for being there for me." "Don't forget i own you that i'm here with you and not in this place. I'm the one who must thank you. So, thank you." Pauline smiled. "God is good to see your smile!" "Can we please leave the Jovi lyrics out of here?" "Yeah, sure. So, is my time to go. Remember what i told you." Ava said and walked to the door. "Will do Dr Sambora. See ya tommorow at school." "That's my girl. Goodnight." Ava said before she closed the door behind her.

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Pauline got out of her car. She wasn't really in the modd of going to school today. But Ava was right she must learn to live with it. She looked up in the sky. The sky was blue and there weren't any clouds. The birds had already singing their songs. 

She sighed and walked to the entrance of the school. Walking in the hallway she found Ava. "Hey there!" Pauline said. "Goodmorning! You see is not that bad." "No, is not. I think i will survive this!" Pauline answered and smiled. Ava's phone buzzed. Ava looked at the screen and smiled. "Well, i got to go somewhere. See you in the class!" "Okay, tell Alex i said hi." Pauline answered knowing from who was the text. "I will. Bye!" "Bye!" Pauline said and saw Ava walked away.

"Alex better be careful... I don't want to see Richie mad." she told to herself and smiled. 

She walked to her locker. She wanted to take a notebook. Once Pauline took the notebook she wanted, she closed the door of the locker. She turned left and felt like she lost the ground down to her feet. A tall brown haired boy with the most beautiful pair of green eyes scared the hell out of her.

"I'm sorry, i didn't mean to scare you. Are you okay?" "Yeah, i'm fine." "I'm Mike by the way." he said and held out his hand and Pauline shaked it while she answered. "I'm Pauline." "Nice to meet you Pauline. I'm looking for the Biology class, i have this in the first hour." "I have Biliogy too. You must be new. Come on, i'll show you." Pauline said and walked with Mike to the class.

The bell rung and Pauline sut in her seat waiting for Ava. She didn't take long and Ava sut next to her. "New guy?" was her first question. "His name is Mike and yes he's new." "Don't tell me, you just met him." "Yes, and so what's the problem?" Pauline asked. "Because he's starring at you..." Ava said and Pauline turned her head. Ava was right, Mike was looking at her. 

Pauline waved at him and smiled. "What are you doing?" Ava asked with a little pissed voise. "Making new friends." Pauline answered calmy. "Make new friends but not new lovers. I will not let this happen!" "Ava, relax. I don't like him. You know that i love Jesse and i will not cheat on him, EVER. Did i make myself clear?" Pauline said meaning every word. "You did." Ava answered. She knew that Pauline was telling the truth. She will not cheat on Jesse.

Chapter 36: Hearts Breaking Even

Pauline was on the doorstep of the Sambora house. It wasn't late at night but she couldn't keep it to herself for anymore. She was at her house when she remembered the fight she had with Jesse about it. He was right. Richie must know, he has to know. She couldn't wait until the meeting. She must tell him now. She nneds to put away that weight of her showlders.

Richie opened the door and said suprised. "Angel, what are you doing here at this hour?" "I need to talk to you. Can i come in?" "Yeah, sure." Richie answered and took a step back to let her in. He closed the door behind him and said "Is everything okay?" Pauline turned and looked at him. "No. I need to tell you something."

Richie looked at her puzzled and answered. "Have a sit." He knew that she wouldn't be there if it wasn't something important. Pauline took a deep breath and started. "Is about Heather." "What about her?" Richie asked a little annoying this time.

"When we were at her house one night i was thirsty and went to the kitchen to drink some water. When i went there i heard her talking with someone." "Who?" "Peter. You know him?" Pauline asked. "Conitnue, i'll explain later." "Okay. I don't know how to say it right now." "Just say it. I will not be suprised."

"She wanted to poisoned you so she will get Ava's full castody. I also hear, she's a drug deeler." she finally told him. "She wanted to poison me? Why she didn't?" "Because when she was ready to put the poison in your Coke i walked in and took the drinks instead of her." Pauline explained.

"I can't belive what she did! That woman is crazy." "I know that. I didn't want to tell you at first. But the court is in a few days and i can't keep it anymore." "Angel, i'm sorry that we got you in this shit. I'm sorry that you hear all this bullshit. I really i'm sorry." "It's okay, Richie. I should have told you sooner." she answered to him.

"I'm glad that you told me. Does anyone know about it?" "No, you're the only one." she told Richie. She knew she had told Jesse bit that what he wanted. Jesse wanted to tell Richie and she did. "Look, i'm not sure if i will take full castody of Ava. So, if i have no choise i want you to tell the judges. You can do that?" Richie hoped and begged.

"I can do that. I think you'll get Ava back and she'll be behind bars for a long time." Richie shaked his head as he answered. "I hope that too Angel. I hope that too." "Okay, then. I have to go now. We have long few days until the court." Pauline said and stood up from the couch.

"Yeah, you better go before is get too late. I don't want you to drive back home late at night." Richie answered and walked Pauline to the door. She turned back and looked at him with the stink eye. "What? I'm a parents, is in my nature." "I know. I already have two telling me to be careful on the road." "So, you don't mind one more right?" Richie asked. "Not, i guess. Take care King. Goodnight." she told him and walked away.

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Pauline was in front of the mirron fixing her hear when her mother walked in. "Pauline are you ready, we must leave now." her mother said. Pauline looked at her and answered "Yes, i'm ready. Let's go." checking herself one more time on the mirror she left the room with her mother.

Mother and daughter walked down the stairs and meet the other two members of the Timson family on the car. On the route to the court Pauline has a lot of time to think about what she was going to say. She had talk with Richie's lawyer about it but it was diferent. She will face the judges as long as Heather, who had no idea what Pauline heard that night.

Pauline's father parked the car in the court's parking lot and walked out of the car. There they found Richie and the guys with their families. "Goodmorning. How are you doing?" Pauline asked with a smile, and tried to forget why they all are here. "We're good for now. We're the next." Jon answered her first. Pauline looked at Richie who wasn't at his best.

"Richie are you alright?" "Me? Yeah, i'm fine. I just can't wait to see Ava." "Oh yeah. She can't wait either. Don't worry everything is going to be alright." Pauline said trying to make him believe it, but also she must believe it too.

Just only a few minutes later they were sitting in their seats. Jesse was sitting next to Pauline. He knew that when her turn come to testify,she will need him. From the right door of the room Ava walked in. her face lighted up when she saw her fatrher and all the people she loved, Alex was also there.

The judges came in and said why they were there. Richie was the first one who testified. Next was his mother and after her was Jon. Pauline knew that when Jon will say his last word the judge will call her name. She looked next to her at Jesse. She took his hand in hers. Jesse looked at her and smiled. "You can do this." he whispered. "I know." she whispered back to him.

Jon walked back to his seat. The judge looked down to his papers and said "I'm calling to testify Miss Pauline Timson." Pauline took a deep breath and let Jesse's hand. Armed with the truth she was ready to face it.

She sut in a chair, she was ready to answer the questions. "Tell us Miss Timson how did you met Miss Sambora?" "Ava and i met last year in school and we became friends." Pauline answered.

"What do you have to say that you're a fan of the band that Mr Sambora is in it." "Nothing. This has nothing to do with why we are here. And i bet you want an answer in your question. Mr Sambora is a very good father, maybe one of the best i've ever met, so trying to get his daughter away from him will not work. Being a fan of his band doesn't mean that i will suport him with everything he says. But in this case Mr Sambora is the only one who must have the full castody of Ava." Pauline replied.

The croud start whispering, Pauline's answer wasn't the one that they exepted. Heather was starting to feel nervous. If Pauline will keep up answering like that, she will never see Ava again.

"We hear later that Miss Sambora invited you to spend the weekend with her mother in Los Angeles. While you were there you saw anything that is worth to be mentionted?" "No, everything was fine." Pauline simply answerd. She knew that if she say want she wants to answer she will give up the biggest weapon they had.

"I don't have another question for Miss Timson." Pauline stood up from the chair and winked at Richie, who nodded his head. Pauline took her seat next to Jesse again. "I'm very proud of you, Paul." he whispered. "Thank you." she answerded back and smiled.

They were outside ta the yard, waiting for the judges desision. "Why is that taking so long?" Richie finally said. "Rich man relax. We're here for 15 minutes only." Jon answered and tried to calm him down. "Yeah, Richie Jon is right. You must calm down. Is obvious who will get Ava back home." David said and touched his friend to his showlder. "Thank you guys for being here." "Hey, we couldn't leave you alone to this." Tico added.

That time Stephanie informed them that the judges were ready to announce their desision. For one more time they sut on their seats and waited for the answer. "We all agreed that the full castody of Ava Elizabeth Sambora will belong to Heather Deen Locklear." the judge said.

The whole room was silence. the only one who was happy about it was Heather. It was very obvious that no one was happy about their desision. Richie couldn't believe that he lost the castody of his daughter. He will never see her again in his whole life. He stood up from the chair and looked at Ava with 'i'm sorry' look. This time Pauline's voise came from behind loud and clear.

"Wait! I want to add something!" she said and walked to where the judges were. "I'm sorry Miss Timson but we have already took our desision." "I bet you'll change your mind if i told you a dirty little secret about Heather." Pauline answered to the judge.

"Objection!" Heather's lawyer yell.

"Please Miss Timson continue." the judge let Pauline go on.

"Mrs Locklear tried to poisoned Mr Sambora. While we were there one night i hear her talking with a guy about it. And from what i know drug deelres can't take a full castody, doesn't she. I know is hard to believe but why should i lie about it?" Pauline explained while Heather was looking down to her feet the all time Pauline was talking.

"Is that true Mrs Locklear?" the judge asked. All the eyes turned to Heather, who couldn't give them an answer.

"I'll take that as a yes. Mr Sambora you can take your daughter home with you." the judge said. Ava run to her father's hug. They were hugging so tight while heather was taking away.

Pauline looked back to her seat and saw that Jesse wasn't there. She walked out of the court and found him sitting on a bench. "How could you say it Paul? You promised me that we will never talk about it." Jesse said when he saw her coming.

"What did you exept from me Jesse to do? To let Heather take Ava?" Pauline answered to him, pissed. She couldn't believe that Jesse was pissed about it. "So, you just stood up and drop that bomb in front of everyone?" Jesse slapped back, he was really pissed.

"I talked first with Richie." Pauline answered. "Oh so you told him? After that fight we had, you just tolod him." "Jesse i didn't have any choise. I wanted to tell someone." Pauline said trying to ignore her raising temper.

"You told me Paul, remember?" "Yes, Jesse i rembered telling you. But Richie had the right to know. It was about his life. You saw how happy they all are? Everyone exept you. And i don't understand why you are so pissed. You were the one who wanted to tell Richie in the first place."

"I'm so pissed, Paul because you didn't said anything to me about it. And when the judge said that Ava will go with Heather i felt so fucking bad because i knew that you didn't say on one about that night." Jesse answered to her with agressive viose.

"Jesse i did this to safe the relationship Richie and Ava have." Pauline said and touched his knee. Jesse put away her hand. "You saved their relationship but you destroied ours." he said and walked away.

These words were like knivies all over Pauline's body. She couldn't understand why he acted like that. She thought that she was making the right thing. But from what it seems, she was wrong. She watched Jesse crossing the road and felt like an ass. She should have told him.

Chapter 35: Baby Baby Baby

Pauline almost spilled the water. "You're what?" she said and her eyes rolled. "I'm not sure if i am." Ava tried to answer calmy. "Ava are you sure about that? This is not fun." "Of course and is not fun Pauline. What are we going to do now?" Ava asked her best friend terified.

Taking some deep breaths she answered. "First, we must learn if you or not. If you're not we're great. But if you're we're fucked up." Pauline was sitting across from Ava. She was watching her cry. She stood up and walked to her side. "Shhh. It's okay, we'll get through this." Pauline said and pulled her in her arms.

"But what if i'm pregant? What Alex will say? What my Dad will say? He will regret that he took me from LA because if i was there nothing of this will ever happend. It's all my fault. It's all my fault." Ava said crying and buried her head in Pauline's sholder. "Ava that's not true. Richie loves you and he will never say that no matter what will happend." Pauline answered to her.

"He will not want to see me again. I don't want this to happen." "Nothing will happend Ava. Just don't rush things. Let's take a step at a time okay?" Pauline told her but Ava wasn't looking at her. "Ava look at me." she said and faced Ava's watered eyes. "Nothing of these will ever happend okay? We have to make sure that you're pregant with Alex's baby. Is Alex's right?" "Pauline what are you talking about? Of course and is Alex's." Ava answered.

"Alright. Do you want to tell him?" Pauline asked. "Yes. He has the right to know if he will be the father of my child or not." Ava answered and wipped the tears from her eyes. "Okay. I'll let him know tommorow at school." Pauline answered and stood up and sut on her chair next to Ava.

"How does he doing?" "Not too good. Since you left, he's not himself. Zack never saw him like this before. We don't know what to do. He's always asking me how are you doing." "Tell him i'm fine and i can't wait to get the Hell out of this fucking place." Ava answered. "Okay. I'll tell him." Pauline replied and looked the time at her phone.

"Look princess i have to leave you now. I'll come here tommorow with a pregnancy test." she paused for a second and looked at Ava. "You sure about that? We can wait a little more if you want." "No the sooner we know the better." Ava answered.

Pauline stood up from the chair while she said "Okay. See ya tommorow." "Pauline, please don't say Dad anything about it. Just give him the letter and leave okay?" "That was what i was going to do. I'm not sure if can i see him in the eyes right now." Pauline answered to Ava. Ava shaked her head and answered "Thank you." "Samboras have it with thank you these days. Anyway i have a letter to deliver. See you tommorow Ava. Sleep well." Pauline said and walked away. "You too Pauline." Ava answered from behind.

Pauline walked back to her car. She opened the door and sut on the driver's seat. She couldn't believe that Ava might be pregnant. Her mind couldn't prosses her words. At first she thought that Ava was lying to her. But how she could ever say such a lie and what will be the point of it. She knew that Ava was saying the truth.

What are they going to do now? They are alone at this fight. Pauline must tell Alex was is going with Ava.She can imagine his reaction but she must do what Ava asked her to do. But first she has to do something else first. She must give Richie the letter. She must pretend that nothing is going on. She hates when she lies to people she loves and care. But she can't do nothing to change that. Is better that way, at least for now.

She doesn't even want to cross her mind that Ava is pregnant. Her life will change forever and nothing will be the same after that. She doesn't want to think that option at all.

With her thoughts all over her mind Pauline reached one more time the Sambora house. She rung the bell and waited for someone to answer it. She faced the happy Richie's face. This is going to be harder than she thought.

"You brought it?" he asked. "Yeah, i brought it." Pauline answered and smiled at him. She must act natural. "Come in Angel." Richie told her whule the smile never leaving his face. Pauline walked in and closed the door behind her. She put the letter from her jean pockets and passed it to Richie.

"Here you go King." "Thank you Angel." Richie answered and nodded. "Do you want something to drink or to eat?" "No, thank you. I must go to the trainning. You know with all these happening i wasn't able to go." Pauline answered. She knew that the longer she stays here the more dificult will be for her.

"Sure. But can i tell you something first?" Richie asked. "Yeah, sure what it is?" "Look, the court day is on 15th of January and i was hoping if you could testify in the court in my favour." Richie said to her hoping and begging that she will agree.

"Yeah, i can do that but you must ask my parents first." Pauline answered more than suprised to him. "I already told them and they say is up to you." "You told them all?" Pauline asked with rolled eyes. "I didn't have any choise. They weren't going to believe me if i wasn't tell them the truth." "And they believed you?" Pauline asked.

"Yeah, they did. So is up to you if you want to testify. Look Angel i will not try to convinse you i never done that before and i won't do it now. I know that these are too much for you. And i will respect if you don't want to get involved." Richie told her while he was looking in her eyes.

Pauline's breath caught on her throat. Damn him. Why he has to do that with his eyes? She told herself. It was a weird moment for her. "If i testify in the court will help you take full castody of Ava?" she asked him suddenly. "If they believe what are you saying, you will." "And who else is going to testify?" "My Mum, Jon and you if you want to." Richie answered hoping she will say yes.

Pauline's mind was running in top speed. If she testifies in the court everybody will know what Heather was planning to do to Richie. She knew if she say that Heather will be behind bars for a very long time. But on the other hand who will beliebe a 17 year old girl? She must answer to him.

"I'll do it." "Really?" Richie asked happily, he wanted to hear it again. "Yes." Richie couldn't hide his smile or how happy he was right now. He hugged her tight, he almost caught her breath, but she didn't care she knew she was doing the right thing.

"I don't know what to say that day." "Don't worry about that. We'll meet on Monday afternoon in Jon's house to talk about that. Can you be there?" "Sure and i will be." "Great. And thank you again, Angel. You know i was right calling you Angel that day in the hospital." Richie said and smiled. "You know i'm not always the Angel you think, i can be Devil if you make me." Pauline answered and left him puzzled.

"What that supposed to mean?" Richie answered from behind. "Nothing. Just remember that don't mess with people i love. That doesn't goes to you but i want you to remember this, okay?" Pauline gave him a little warming of what is going to happen next. But will Richie be able to understand what she is saying?

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

Friday morning at school pauline rtying to find Alex. It was the time to tell him what is going on. Pauline was looking around at the cafeteria but he wasn't there. Then she remembered where he and his friends were hanging out. She went there and found him sitting on the bench.

She walked closer to him and his friends and said "Hey Alex can i talk to you? Is important." "Yeah, sure." Alex answered and excuse himself from his friends and follwed Pauline to an nother bench for away.

Pauline sut on the bench and Alex followed her. "So, what to do you want to talk about?" he asked when he sut. "I visited Ava yesterday." she started. "How is she?" he asked. "I want you to stay calm." "Pauline what is it. Tell me, i'm worried." "There is nothing to worry about exept one thing." she paused and took a deep breath. "Exept what?" "You might going to be a dad." she told him.

"What?" Alex almost yelled. "Ava is pregnant?" "We're not sure yet. We're going to find out today." Pauline tried to answer as calm as she could. Alex was running his fingers throught his hair. "This is not happening. This is not happening." "Alex we don't know if she is, maybe she is not." "And what if she is?" Alex asked her. "Alex let's find it out first and then we'll see what we can do." Pauline answered to Alex.

"Okay. She'll do the test today?" "The sooner we know the better. I'll let you know when we know okay?" Pauline said and stood up "Where are you going?" "I have a pregnancy test to buy Alex. Do you think it will be easy for me to go and buy it?" "Yeah, you're right. Don't forget to tell me, please." "I won't. Keep the faith okay? I'll text you." Pauline told him and walked away.

Going to school was the last thing she wanted to do right now. She went to her locker and took her bag with her. She left school in a hurry, she didn't want to be seen by anyone. She arrived at the car and drove away as fast as she could.

She is now outside of the drug store more than 30 minutes. She couldn't understand why she was so nervous about it. A pregnancy test is what she wants not cocain. But it still hard for her, but she must go and take it. Taking a deep breath she opened the door of the car and walked in the drug store.

Five minutes later she walked out relaxed and with a pregnacy test on the little bag. It wasn't that ahrd as she thought it would be. She got what she wanted and that is what that matters. Pauline out on the engine and drove away.

She arrived in Ava a few minutes later. She hide the pregnancy test in her jacket and walked to the building. As she was walking in she saw Ava sitting on a bench, she smiled and walked to her side.

"Hey, Ava." Pauline said. Ava lifted her head and faced Pauline. "I got it, are you ready?" "Yes, let's do this fucking test." Ava said confident and stood up from the bench. "Since when you start cursing?" Pauline asked suprised, she wasn't get used to Ava saying bad words. "Since i came to this fucking place. Now, give it to me." Ava said and held out her hand. "Are you nuts? In the middle of the garden? Let's go ot the restrooms." "Yeah, you're right. Let's go." Ava answered and lead the way to the restroom.

"Okay, i can't wait anymore. Give it to me." Ava said as she locked the door. Pauline pulled it out from her jacket. "Here you go." she gave it to her. "Did you tell Alex?" "Yes, two hours ago." "How he reacted?" "Better than i though he will. He's very worried about you. Oh and by the way the court day is on 15th." "On January?" Ava asked and eyes rolled.

"Yes, and guess who is going to testify?" "You are going to testify?" Ava asked more suprised than before. "Yeah, he asked it from me and i couldn't say no for many reasons. But i don't want to talk about it in the restrooms with the pregnancy test in your hands." Pauline replied and pointed the test. "I think you should go. It's time."

Ava nodded and walked in the toilet. The minutes she was there seems like forever to Pauline. The door opened and Ava walked out. "You did it?" "Yes. We must wait 10 minutes. One line negative, two lines positive." she explained and left in on the sink.

Pauline took a look at her, she was so scared. "Ava are you okay?" "I'm so scared, Pauline." she said and hugged her best friend tight. "Everything is going to be fine. You'll see it with your own eyes." "I hope you're right. I don't want to be pregnant, not now, not like this." "Trust me Ava, no one does." "Is it ready?" Ava asked and broke the hug.

Pauline looked at it and answered "Not yet." Ava sighed. The two girls were walking up and down to the rest room for the next 8 minutes. It was time to see. "Pauline could you please tell me what it is. I can't looked it." Pauline nodded her head. She understands Ava's situation.

She walked to the sink and took it in her hands. Eyes closed and a heart ready to break. It might is negative. It has to be negative. With a deep breath Pauline opened her eyes and faced the result. Holding it in her hands she turned to Ava.

"What is it? Am i pregnant?" she asked. Pauline couldn't answer and she gave it to Ava.

Reaching for her phone she texted to Alex.

She is not pregnant.