Chapter 43

Landing at home at the end of a long tour is heaven, but landing home after a tour riddled with issue after issue was a blessing and they all are very happy to be back in Jersey.  

As soon as they land, they need to head into the city for a meeting with the record company.  A post tour pep talk and they needed to put a pin into when they might start writing and recording again.  The wives and the families all got into their intended cars and were driven home, while the guys hopped into an Escalade that went into the city.  There isn't one in the Escalade that wants to go into the city, but business is business.

Olivia got into her car and was taken to the city as well, to her apartment.  Jon said he'd meet up with her there.  Her bed was calling her name, but before she could do that, she wanted to get an appointment for Jon to be seen as soon as possible; just for some simple blood work.  She needs to know the status of his health.   She tried the last few days to not hound him, but she kept a close eye on him.  She calls the lab at her old hospital and worked out a time for him to sneak in at night for some quick lab work.  She knows that he's not going to be happy, and she don't care.  She's made up her mind that before he even starts to write, he's going to exercise more, eat better, smoke less, stress less and get a clean bill of health from a doctor that isn't her.  No if, and or buts will work.  

She took a minute to look around and she sees the mail gathered on her foyer table, so she looks through it.  Her bills are due, she's missed an appointment of her own and she has a letter asking her to speak at an ER conference in just a couple of weeks.  She can't think straight, she's just as exhausted as Jon is, just mentally.  It's a lot of work getting one of the most sought after man in the world back to health when he refuses to see an issue or let anyone help - even though she knows that she's made leaps and bounds in just a few days.

She showers.  Waters her one plant and steeps a cup of tea.  As she sits at the kitchen counter she looks over at her suitcase and knows that she has to unpack and try to get back to a normal routine.  She can't help him, if she's a mess.

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Olivia is startled by the buzzer, for the door down at street level, as she's unpacking and tossing clothes into the washer.  She runs over and looks at the monitor.  When she sees it's Jon, she smiles and buzzes him in.  

A few minutes later she greets him at the door.  A quick kiss, "Well, how'd it go?"  She asks him, taking his duffel bag off his shoulder and sets it on the floor by the door, "You don't look happy."

"Same bullshit." he replies, scooping her into his arms and holding her tight.  His chin on her shoulder, "I really wish I was something other than what I am, some days."

She leans her head back and looks at him, "You mean, other than an asshole."

"Ha ha, smart ass."  he kisses her cheek and lets her go.  "They want us to get to writing, right away.  They want us to keep the momentum going."

Olivia never thought he'd come home with that news.  "What did you say?"

"We told them to go to hell.  We're taking some time off."

"Really?" she's pleasantly surprised by his news.  "That's great, that will give you time to heal and get back to 100%, Jon."

He gives her a grimace, "I'm fine babe, really." 

"Jon...."

He interrupts her, "What do you have to eat in this place?"  He makes his way into the living room and plops down on the couch, "Why do they treat us like machines?"

"Because you're amazing and your band is pretty kick ass!" she smiles, feeling a little like a fan girl.

She sits next to him, throwing a leg over him and she kisses him.  "Are you ready for another ride?  I mean, we could be back out on the road in less than a year."

"I could do it, but only if you are good to go, Jon."

"Babe, I'm fine, really."  he rubs his hand up and down her leg, slower on her thigh, inside.  He winks at her.  "I feel well enough to make love with you, Liv.  You are the absolute piece of me that's been missing and I am so happy that you are with me now and that you were with me when I was sick."

She grins at him in a coy little way, knowing that what she's going to say to him is going to piss him off.  "Before we make love again, Jon, I want you to have some blood work done.  Now don't get mad, but your color hasn't returned 100% and neither has you appetite."

"I could eat you right now."  he leans in and kisses her deeply and she knows this is a tactic of his.  She pulls back and keeps him at arms length.  "What?"  he asks.

"Blood work before booty." 

He leans his head back and knows it's a fight he won't win and she won't give up.  She is his doctor, after all.  "When is it?"

"My hospital will get you in anytime at night, I just need to call ahead."

"Can you do it?" he winces as he asks her.

"Do you think I'd let anyone else poke you?"

"Can we go now? I want to rip your clothes off right here and not leave this apartment until you're pregnant."

Olivia's mouth drop and hits the floor quite hard.