Chapter 68 - Can't Let The Clouds Cover The Sun

As they arrived at the Met, Beth was amazed at how beautiful the place had been decorated.  Carol had every detailed covered, leaving nothing out. 

 Stands with flowers, elegant torches and the red carpet are way more than Beth ever expected.  She thought that the reception would be at her new firm, she had no idea that they had the Metropolitan Museum for the night.

The car stops at the curb, and the family starts to climb out, one by one.  The velvet ropes are holding back the plethora of photographers, reporters and camera men, waiting to capture a money shot or get a brief interview.  This is an invitation only event and Mrs. Bongiovi seen to it that security was the best of the best.  Jesse gets out first, turning back to help Romeo out.  They stand out of the way and then Jacob gets out, which is followed but his dad.  When Jon is out of the car, he turns back and reaches for his daughter’s hand.  She takes his hand and says, “Thanks dad.”  He smiles and winks at her, and helps her to the sidewalk, away from the curb. 

Back at the car, he leans in and kisses Beth, “Are you ready for this?”

She kisses him back and says, “Who are all of these people?”  She starts to work her way out the door, “There are so many faces that I have never seen.”  She takes Jon’s hand and exits the car.  As soon as she does, the paparazzi get loud and the flashes get brighter.  Beth smiles, gives a little wave and then both hands grab Jons arm and they all walk in as a family.  The Bongiovi/Adams family has made its first 'official' public appearance. 

“Beth, over here.” One photographer yells.  Beth has learned to ignore that stuff.  She’s been in the spotted limelight long enough, she can block it out.  “Who are you wearing?” was the big question of the night. 

Beth was stunning in her coral Versace gown, custom made to fit and conceal her baby bump.  She had just enough color from the sun and her hair was a golden blonde.  She takes Jon breath away, “You are stunning.” He smiles are her, “You’re glowing.”

She whispers to him, “I feel fabulous.  This is amazing.”

“It’s all for you, baby.  You deserve it.”

“The Met?  I can’t believe that my reception is at the Met.” She looks around, looking at all the lights, the flowing fabric from pillars that have her company logo on them and the people.  She has no idea who most of them are.

They make their entrance into the Met and her presence is applauded.  She is greeted by a room full of people, some with drinks and cute pastries in their hands. She is embarrassed, humbled and so appreciative.  She knows that her face has to be red.

The kids make their way to their grandmother, leaving their dad and Beth standing in the doorway.  Waiting for the applause to stop, Jon can’t help but kiss her in front of all of those people.  Well, that made them applaud even more, causing Beth to be even more embarrassed.  She wrapped her arms around him, with his lips on her forehead, she says, “You make all of my dreams come true.” 

He holds her tight, not wanting to let her go, but they have guests waiting.  “Are you ready?” he asks her, with the look of pure love in his eyes.  He sees her as the angel that saved him form a life on boredom, routine and a blah existence. 

“As I’ll ever be.  Your mother out did herself this time.”  They take each others hand and take the steps that lead down to the reception area. 

They are greeted by many of Jon’s friends, most Beth did not know.  She wondered why at one point and then just came to accept that she was the other woman and maybe his friends didn’t approve of the lifestyle that they were living.  He was still married to Dorothea and to many, that bond was sacred.  For him to live with and try to have a family with another woman may have been just too much for them.  Beth wondered why they were never invited to anything or anywhere, as a couple.  The things that they did away from home, they always did with family.  And that was okay with her.  She hurt for Jon, she knows that his friends are important to him.

One person that they both knew had finally made their way to them.  Beth sees her and smiles and ear to ear smile.  "Amanda, oh my God, how are you?"  The two old friends hug, Beth is shocked to see her.  Last she knew, she was over in Italy working.  "You came, how did they find you?"

Amanda hugs her friend and gives her a crooked smile, "Jon can find whoever he wants, he's got people."  Amanda steps back and looks at her dear friend, "You look amazing!"  She then moves in closer and asks her, "Are you pregnant?"

Smiling with a tear in her eye, she nods her head yes and puts a finger over her lips, "Please don't say anything, no one knows."

"Anyone that knows you can see it, it's written all over your face."  Amanda hugs Beth again and then turns her attention to the man that is always by her side, "Congrats, daddy."  She whispers in his ear.

"Thanks!  You look pretty great too.  Italy agrees with you."  Jon tells her. 

"I gotta say, you're looking pretty good these days - and I'm not one to like Italian guys."

They get a little laugh out of that and Amanda sees that she needs to move on.  There are a few other people that want to say hello to Beth and Jon.

After they greet all the guests that joined them for this special night, everyone sits down and has dinner.  Throughout dinner, guests would get up and speak -saying kind words and wishing Beth all the luck in the world, even though she didn't need it.  She's worked her ass off to get where she is, and she started from less than nothing. Homeless as a teenager, she worked her way through school and did leaps and bounds with her career.  She made history and ALOT of money at Deloitte.

Speakers included Warren Buffett, Donatella Versace, Jim Cramer, Brian Williams, Anderson Cooper, Suze Orman and many other people in their lives, in one way or another.  When the associates and friends were finished with their well wishes, it was time for dessert.   As the dessert was being served, Mrs. Bongiovi had something to say.  As she stood between Jon and Beth, she started to say, "This woman to my left is by far the most vibrant and active woman that I know of at her age.  She is tireless, dedicated, driven, loyal, honest yet most of all, she is very loving."  She reaches over and places her hand on Beth's shoulder, "Beth loves my son and his children like nothing I have ever seen before.  She doesn't put up with his ego, and that takes great skill."  There was a quiet laughter, "She is a breath of fresh air into our family and into our lives and we have welcomed her with open arms and all of our money.  She can rub two nickels together and get a dollar, you just have to trust her.  She took a great risk in opening her own firm, but if anyone can give the big houses a run for their money - she'll do it."  She takes the microphone and put it in her other hand, and rests her free hand on Jon's shoulder.  "Beth did this on her own, yeah sure, Jon helped her decorate her place but it was Beth's idea, Beth's vision and Beth's money."  Mrs. B looks around the table that she is at continues, "Everyone at this table has complete faith in Beth and what she is able to do, and we think you should too.  Thank you."  Carol sits down and the room gives her a round of applause, as she deserved it.  She usually keeps to herself and says very little in public, but she has total confidence in Beth and in what she can do.

There was a pause in speeches after dessert so that coffee could be served.  Jon got up and excused himself, telling the table that he needed to use table didn't bathroom.  The people at the table didn't care.  It was his parents, Amanda, Beth, his brothers and the kids. 

At the table, there is conversation to fill the void.  A few guests get up and mingle, but when they hear the familiar sound of a guitar, they take notice and take their seat.  Beth hears the strum of a guitar and know that it can only be one person.  The only person that needed to use the restroom.

Standing up at her seat, she sees Jon walk in with Richie at his side.  Richie was playing the guitar and the song she recognizes as their song.  Jon starts with, "It's hard for me to say the things I want to say sometimes."  And Beth starts to cry. 

Jon works his way to her, belting out the song, the best that she has ever heard it.  He's making her love the song even more.  When he reaches her, she takes his hand and squeezes it with tears rolling down her face for the entirety of the song.  As he says 'ah, for loving me' at the end - he hooks her neck with his left hand and brings her in for a kiss.  She's a hot mess right now, just because of that song and the way he JUST sang it to her.  Many of the guests were wiping their eyes too, Jon performance didn't leave many dry eyes in the place.  No one knew it was coming, but Jon and Richie.

Beth walks over to Richie and hugs him hello, with tears slowly running down her cheeks.  "Damn woman, look at you."

"I know, I'm sorry.  Do I have make up all over my face?"

"Beth you look amazing, I have never seen you more beautiful than you are right now."

"Richie, I have to look a mess."

He hugs her again, "You're gorgeous."

"Are you here alone?"

"Nope, Ava is here.  She's in back."

"Go get her and come join us, please.  We'll make room."  Beth nudges him to the door and he goes to get her.  Beth goes back to her seat.

Beth is back at the table with her family, and since they are all seated - all the guests sat too.  It was Jon's turn.  Standing up, he fixes his jacket and taps a knife on his glass, getting everyone's attention.
"Ladies and gentleman, family and friends, thank you for joining us tonight to celebrate Beth's new adventure, Beth's new life."  he steps away from the table.  "This investment firm has been an idea that she has toyed with for quite a while now and when she told me that she really wanted to do it - I told her, and myself that I would do whatever it took to make it happen."  Clearing his throat, he lets out a little giggle, "And it turned out that all she needed from me was my opinion on paint samples and fabric swatches.  I wasn't much help there."  Again, he chuckled, "She did this all on her own and there is no one in this room more proud of her than I am.  From blueprint to switch plate cover, she was there and it was her decision."  He walks up behind her, putting a hand on her shoulder and finishes with, "I can tell you that if you need someone to make your money make money - she's the one that could do it.  She has all my money."  Jon bends over and kisses the top of her head, mumbling, "I love you baby."

Beth puts her head back to look at him, "I love you, more than you will ever know." She stands up and takes the microphone from Jon, "Could you sit down please?" she asks.

He takes a seat and tells her guests, "Everyone, thank you so much for coming out and celebrating this with me and my family.  You have no idea what it means to us.  But I have to ask you to forgive me this next thing I'm about to do.  I look out and I see all of our friends and family here, and some people that I hadn't met until today, but Jon and I have some unfinished personal business to take care of, do you mind if we do it right here?"

The crowd says no and many shake their head no.

"Okay" she turns to look at Jon, and instantly the tears start again.  "Honey, there aren't words to tell you and your family how honored I am to be a part of it all.  I want to thank you and the kids for tolerating with the paint samples and the fabric swatches - Romeo, you're my little buddy and  I will work with you whenever I can.  Jake and Jesse - thank you for you sweat equity in the firm and for doing all that you did for the firm."  She turns to look at Stephanie, who is crying.  She's dabbing her eyes, "Rose, thank you for being my best friend.  Thank you for doing all the paperwork that we had to do, thank you for staying here in the city with me on the late nights but most of all, thank you for accepting me"  Now she looks over the table, "Thank you all for letting me into your family and helping me through the struggles and for sharing in my happiness.  I love all of you more than you could ever know."  Beth reaches into her clutch purse and takes out 9 envelopes.  Reading the name on the outside, she handed them to who they were for.  "As you open these, please know that this is just another way that I am saying thank you.  Each of you own a piece of B. Adams Investment, we all have equal shares, with mine being controlling."  She smiles.  She tells Matt, Tony, Carol, John, Jon, Stephanie, Jesse and Jake and Romeo that they are her partners.  The guest were in awe at that grand of a gesture, seeing Beth be the real Beth.  Looking at all of them and seeing that they were shocked, she simply said, "Thank you." and sat back down. 

As soon as her butt hit the chair, her nerves went into overdrive and she was feeling a little sour in the stomach.  It's not morning sickness, this is different.  Jon's envelope contained the envelope that the ultrasound technician sealed for them.  When Jon sees that, he looks at her, "You want me to open this?"

With a deep breath she says, "You deserve to know.  You have been so wonderful in all of your support, love, tolerance and will power - you have been my rock.  This is the least I could do for you, babe."

Beth can see that some guests were leaving and that was okay with her.  She met many new people, made great business contacts and had enough party for one night.  Having Jon sing to her, drained her mentally and emotionally - she just wanted to be with the family right now.

Jon slides his finger of the flap that's glued the envelope closed.  He works his way down the envelope and takes out the pictures.  An emotional day for everyone, what's one more monumental family moment.  Right there with their whole family and Jon's best friend - she couldn't think of a better situation to reveal that they were pregnant and what they were having.

The picture that he has in his hand is face down.  He looks around the table and Richie sees his concern, his hesitation, "What's going on?" 

Jon just says it, "Beth is 5 months pregnant." 

The gasps for air were a little quiet, but the look on everyone face was priceless.  Stephanie and Carol started to cry.  "Is that a picture?"  Stephanie asks her dad.

"Yes, but we haven't seen it yet.  This picture will tell us the gender."

"Is it a boy?  Jacob asks his dad with a little bit of excitement.

"We don't know, we haven't looked."

"LOOK!" his mother blurts out.

Beth is sitting there with her hands cupped in her hands, hanging on Jon's every word.  She wants to know what's growing in her belly.  There's a 50/50 change she may lose the life that has been growing in her.  She doesn't want to know.  She needs to know.  She looks at Jon and he can see the anguish in her face, he knows that he needs to do it now - get it out of the way.

He flipped it over and they looked at it.  Beth gasped for air and covered her mouth, as her eyes slammed  shut.  Two seconds pass and she is up out of the chair walking to wherever she can find.