Chapter 23 - And He Shall Be Levon

 

 

"What do you say about going to see Elton John tonight?"  Jon questions Beth as he hangs up his cell phone.  They are on their way home from dropping the kids off with Dorothea for two weeks. 

 

They spent the last few days with the kids doing normal things in normal places.  Miniature golf, go karts, rollerblading and kayaking - just to name a few.  Beth's bond with the kids was getting deeper and her love for them growing. 

 

"That would be fun, where is he playing?" Beth asks.

 

"At the Garden."

 

Beth raises her eyebrow and says, "Yeah, why not.  We don't have anything else planned." she jokes with Jon, "We're starting to act like a married old couple."

 

"That's who was on the phone.  He asked me if I would join him for a song or two."

 

"Really?"  Beth looks at him with wonderment in her eyes.  "He wants you to sing?"

 

"Yeah.  Does that surprise you?" Jon pokes her in the leg.  "I've performed with him before.  I was drunk, but I did it."

 

"I bet that was fun."

 

He laughs, "The videos I have seen look like I had fun, but I remember very little of it."

 

"And he asked you back?"

 

"Shock, huh?  Do you wanna go?" he asks.

 

"I said yeah, didn't I?"

 

He knows he needs to ask the next question since they have been in a weird place lately.  "Are you okay with me singing?"  He slightly winces, knowing how her response was going to start.

 

She looks at him and says, "Why on earth would I mind, Jon?"

 

"I wanted to be sure.  I can put you up front or you can hang backstage."

 

She smiles at him and admits, "I've never seen him live, I would love to be up front."

 

Jon nods and says, "Ok. We need to get home, get ready and head back to the city.  Show starts at 7:30."

 

Beth looks at the time on the dash and sees that it's 4:00.  "Jon, that's not enough time."

 

He squeezes her leg and says, "Throw your hair in a ponytail, pull on clean jeans, a clean tshirt and you will still be the most beautiful woman in the place."

 

She shakes her head and smirks at him.  "You're bad."

 

They finish the trip home and they both hurry to get ready.  Beth hates being rushed, but this time she didn't mind.  She could see the glimmer in Jon's eyes when he talked about singing with Elton John so she did the best she could with the time that she had.  She dressed a little dressier than blue jeans and curled her hair.  In khaki's, a dress shirt and her hair done Jon says, "You look like you belong in the pages of a sailing magazine."

 

"Ahoy.  Let's go." she salutes her man. 

 

Jon is in black Levi's and a white cotton button up.  Beth thinks to herself that he looks absolutely gorgeous.  The time they spent with the kids, a lot of it was in the sun and his tan really popped against that white of the shirt.   They looked like a hip and happening couple on their way to an Elton John concert.

 

They finally arrive after a lengthy trip into the city.  Jon walks in the back door of the Garden and you'd think that God just walked in.  He knows his way around there like it was a second home, so with Beth's hand in his they make their way backstage.  On the way Beth whispers, "I'm nervous."

 

"Why?" he looks at her.  "What is there to be nervous about?"

 

"I'm going to meet Elton John." she admits, with a little shyness in her voice.  "I love his music and I have been a fan of his for years."

 

"Were you nervous when you met me?" he wonders.

 

"No."

 

"You weren't?" he can't believe what she just said.

 

"No.  I had no idea I was going to meet you, remember.  Plus, I didn't like your music."  They stop outside of Elton's dressing room.  Jon is looking at her with shock on his face, but he reaches up and knocks.  Beth looks at him wide eyed.

 

The door swings open and they are greeted by Bernie, Elton's husband.  He invites them in and they all say hello.  A few moments later they are greeted by Elton.  Beth's heart starts to race and then he does it, Jon embarrasses her like she has never been before.  "Elton, this is my better half, Beth.  Beth this is the Ivory King, Elton John." in between them he follows with, "She's nervous to meet you but couldn't give a shit when she met me."

 

Beth being so nervous, extends her hand to shake his.  He gently pushes her down and says, "Anyone that puts up with this man needs a hug."  And Elton hugs her hello.

 

Once the introductions are over and Elton has made them comfortable, he asks Jon "What do you want to sing tonight Jonny?"  Elton is on the couch next to Beth, so he asks her, "What should he sing?  Do you have a favorite or two?"

 

Instantly Beth smiles and says, "My favorite is Levon."

 

Elton and Jon start to laugh.  Elton leaning into and onto Beth says, "Last time we sang together, we did that.  That's Jon's favorite too."

 

Jon jumps in and says, "Let's do that and Rocket Man."

 

"Beth, have you heard Jon's version of Levon?"

 

Beth had no idea that Jon recorded that song, "NO, I didn't.  I didn't even know that he recorded it."  She looks at Jon, "You recorded Levon?"

 

He nods his head yes and smiles.  "Do you love me even more now?"

 

"Well that would depend on how bad you butchered Elton's song."

 

Elton laughs and says, "He did a great job.  And it's show time."

 

Jumping up, Elton pats Jon on the shoulder, "When you're ready, come on out.  But we can do Levon and then Rocket Man, if you have to leave right away."

 

Jon stands up and shakes Elton's hand, "She'd like to sit up front, is there room for her?"

 

"Absolutely.  Bernie, will you take care of that?"

 

Bernie nods, and says, "This way Beth."

 

She kisses Jon and off she goes to take her seat in the front row of Elton John at Madison Square Garden.

 

She's in her seat and waiting for the show to star.  No one knows that Jon is back there, until they see Beth in the front row.  She can hear a few people talking about her, but she pays no attention.  It was time for the house light so go down and the show to start. 

 

Elton does three songs and then introduces Jon, "Ladies and gentleman, I had a friend drop into my dressing room today and he asked if he could sing a song or two.  Would you mind if I had a friend come out here and sing a song for you?"

 

The crowd went crazy.  And the people in the front rows figured out who it was.  Beth was anxious to see Jon and Elton together and she was dying to hear Jon sing Levon.

 

"Please welcome my dear friend Jon Bon Jovi."  and the place was in an uproar.  Jon walks out, waves, blows kisses and hold his hand over his heart.  His first mission was to find Beth and once he knew where she was, he was ready to rock.  He looks back at Elton, and Elton counts it in.

 

The beginning of Levon on the piano was amazing to hear live and when Jon started to sing and not Elton, Beth had a mild heart attack.  He belted out Levon like it was his own, all the while making love to Beth from the stage.  He's up there in his tight black jeans and the sweat on that white cotton shirt made him very sexy.  She was all smiles.

 

When he finishes Levon, he walks up to where she's at, bends over and asks her, "Well, did I butcher it?"

 

She smiles and covers her mouth.  She couldn't speak, she just shook her head no and blew him a kiss.  He winks at her and blows her a kiss back.  Elton sees that and tells them, "Hey you two, go get a room."

 

The show goes on and Jon ends up playing with Elton for three songs.  He was on fire, him and Elton together were magic, for Beth.  She was more than impressed and she can't wait to get that man home and in bed.