Day 9

Cynthia woke up the next morning around 10:15. Stretching in bed she found it empty and blinked her eyes open finding a single rose on the pillow next to her. Smiling she sat up and leaned back against the deep mahogany headboard behind her. She yawned as she looked over at the clock, surprised to see the time. She had gotten nearly twelve hours of sleep but she was strangely tired. Not the terrifying fatigue and weakness she felt the day earlier, so she wasn’t concerned. She felt more like she hadn’t slept at all, and checked the clock again. Her throat was sore, and knowing it wasn’t that way when she went to bed ran her hand over her neck even though she knew it couldn’t possible soothe her throat. Confused she got up and made her way to the bathroom and took a quick shower, hoping to wake herself up. She changed for the day and grabbed her rose as she went downstairs looking for Richie.

Richie sat at the piano trying to put chords together to get this melody out of his head. Again and again her brought his fingers over the keys and scribbled in a notebook resting on top. He knew why this chorus was getting him nowhere. He was distracted. Half of him was working through the song, these lyrics that had seem to come to him in the last week. When you’re young, you always think the sun is gonna shine. There comes a day you have to say hello to goodbye. Damn if he didn’t know that firsthand. I made mistakes and caught some breaks but I’ve got no regrets. There’s some things I don’t remember, but one thing I don’t forget. Live before you die. It’s catchy if nothing else, and he meant it. With the whirlwind that the last year had been to him, that’s how he should live. With her that’s how he was living. There was just something missing.

The other part of him was mulling over his morning. Beginning at 3:30. That’s when he gave in and looked at the clock at least. It was a good half hour before that, that he was woken by Cynthia, unintentionally of course. She was coughing, a cough that sounded eerily familiar to his father’s final days. Shaking the thought out of his head he had stayed up with her, rubbing her back and coaxing her back to a sounder sleep. He didn’t think she had woken fully, because she didn’t respond to him completely. Just a murmur in her sleep or a moan as she curled into him. She finally settled back into a sound, quiet sleep around 7:15 when Richie finally got out of bed hoping to doze on the couch for an hour or so. His head had other ideas, spinning with worse case scenarios. She was really sick yesterday morning and now this cough, it doesn’t sound good. What if I’m getting sick, Jon’s coming out in a week and a half with the guys to try to record, he’ll have my ass if I’m sick. You asshole, you’re not even sick yet. Richie had paced a hole in the kitchen floor before he picked up the phone a little after 8:30 and called the doctor that they had on tour to come out later that day to check her. “I’m sure I’m overreacting, Phil, but something just seems off with this. I really appreciate it,” he had told the doctor. He was assured it was no problem and they planned to meet a little after noon. After he hung up and grabbed a much needed cup of coffee, he had retreated to his great room where he had been left alone with his mismatched song and a wave of distraction and frustration.

Richie had been lost in his thoughts when he heard her footsteps on the stairs. “I’m in here Cyn,” he yelled as he tapped on the keys. She appeared with a sleepy smile a minute later. “There’s teabags above the coffee maker and there’s honey in the pantry for your throat.”

“How,” she asked confused with a deep rasp to her voice.

“You were up all night coughing baby, your throat must be raw. I was gonna bring you up some tea in a little while anyway.”

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t even notice, that must be why I’m tired,” she rambled.

“Baby, it’s ok. Phil will be out around noon to take a look at you,” he smiled.

“Who? Phil, who’s Phil?”

“Our doctor on tour, one of them anyway. Jon’s ass is so old he travels with nearly an entire hospital. Phil lives about 20 minutes from here. I of course am in prime condition,” he grinned.

“What a doctor? I told you I was fine, probably just some bug I got on the plane,” she panicked.

“It’s ok,” he said pulling her on the bench next to him. “I just want to make sure you’re just as perfect as the day you picked me up at the bar. Phil is a great guy and I’ll stay with you the whole time.”

“I’m fine, I promise,” she pleaded.

“If you are then I can just feel like a hovering, worrying ass that Ava always tells me I am,” he said giving her a smile. “Besides if it’s just a cold or something he can give you something to speed it along or for the cough at least.”

Knowing she couldn’t win, Cynthia resigned and gave a mumbled, “Fine,” and a nod, which Richie took as a battle won, rather than surrendered. Richie stood and dragged her up with him and settled her in the kitchen while he made her a fresh cup of tea with honey, and Cynthia accepted it gratefully. Richie grabbed a carton of eggs from the refrigerator with loaf of bread, pack of cheese and carton of orange juice. Making his way to the pantry he pulled out potatoes and went to work making them a late morning breakfast. Richie sat next to her as they ate quietly as he watched the hoards of people on the beach and she desperately thought of an escape plan.

Cynthia pushed the food around on her plate for a little while as she ate. “Maybe after we finish we can go out in the sun for a while,” she said hopefully.

“As soon as Phil gives you the all clear and he should be here any-,” he started before he was cut off by the door bell. “Speak of the devil I’ll let him in,” he said kissing Cynthia’s head and walked to the front door.

The two men spoke for a few minutes in the foyer before they walked into the kitchen laughing. Cynthia looked up at the noise and saw Richie laughing with his arm around an older man carrying a black bag. Taking a deep breath she got up and walked over to the pair.

“And here is the lovely woman I’ve been talking about,” Richie beamed.

“Nice to meet you Ms,” he started looking at Richie who stammered as he thought.

“Fischer,” Cynthia interjected. “Cynthia please. And you’re a real life Dr. Phil?”

“Just Phil,” he laughed. “That’s the first time I think I’ve ever gotten that,” he smiled. “Where to Rich?”

“The living room is fine,” he started.

“Actually you have a text from Jon so why don’t you answer him before he gets cranky and I’ll just head up to one of the bedrooms,” Cynthia said hopefully.

“Are you sure, he can wait.”

“We tried that once and he didn’t like it too much. Go on see what the rock star wants and I’ll be back in a few minutes,” she said kissing his cheek.

“Only if you’re sure,” he said watching her.

“Positive,” she said forcing a smile. “Right upstairs Dr. Phil,” she said walking by him. “Boy those are words I wasn’t planning on saying this week,” she said leading them upstairs to one of the empty guest room with Phil following close behind.

“So Cynthia Richie told me you have quite a cough and you’ve been tired,” Phil started as Cynthia closed the door behind them.

“Stop,” Cynthia said looking up at him. “I don’t think there’s any way that I’m going to be able to get you to go and leave this alone is there?”

“Well I-“

“You’re already here, you might as well take a look, listen, whatever,” she said taking a deep breath. “From this minute on you are my doctor and I am your patient therefore evoking my privacy from doctor-patient confidentiality, is that correct.”

“Yes ma’am but I-“

“Which means anything I say from here on out you cannot disclose to anyone, right,” she asked.

“Right,” he nodded. “So are you experiencing any other sympt-“

“I want your word that what happens in this room will never leave it,” she said looking him in the eye.

“You have my word,” he said confused.

“Two and a half years ago I was diagnosed with Stage 3 lung cancer. I went through all the treatments, chemo, hence the hair, radiation,” she said slipping off her shirt. “See the scars from the burns. For the longest time my arms looked like I was a junkie from the IV’s. This is the scar from where my PICC line was. It was hell and I almost died. After a year I was given a clean bill of health. About two weeks ago I flew in to have my yearly screaning, I didn’t worry since everything was clean at the six month. It’s back worse than the first time, I wasn’t in pain I had no idea the doctor looked at me and told me I was certainly going to die. I had options; live through hell so I could prolong it for a few months. I chose to live my life and not the life that cancer and treatment would limit me to. I’m not in denial I know I have maybe a good two weeks before it takes over my body and I’m reduced to a weak and pained shell of who I am now, that’s begging for relief and I become incoherent. I’m not here to hurt Richie or use him, we met unexpectedly and this whirlwind of a two week relationship has been amazing for me and perhaps that is a bit selfish. I don’t want to tell him because I don’t want him to feel obligated with me, we’re not getting serious this is a casual thing. Now if you could just say that you examined me, which you have, and that you don’t see any reason why I can’t do whatever I feel up to and it won’t be a problem. Because I don’t think you will deny a dying woman a walk on the beach or a swim in the ocean. I am responsible and I know what my limits are and I have no intention of pushing myself and further shortening my life. I am in no way trying to put you in an unethical situation, if you would like to examine me you are more than welcome, but I don’t think my diagnosis has changed in the last two weeks. It has progressed perhaps but it hasn’t changed. Now for Richie’s sake, does this sound like something that you can agree to,” she asked without missing a beat.

Phil looked at her in shock for a minute as he tried to process how a seemingly healthy woman could be so close to death. After thinking through her request he nodded. “Get dressed I’ll tell Richie.”

“Really,” she asked surprised.

“You made a compelling argument, but please call me if you get any worse,” he asked.

“I will get worse but hopefully I can hold it together another five days and then I’ll leave and he’ll be none the wiser and I’ll die in peace.”

“This is my card, if you need anything please call me,” he said handing her a card.

“Sure,” she said taking it and slid it in her pocket. “I know you don’t know me from anyone, I do appreciate this,” she said sliding her shirt back on.

“Let’s go before I change my mind,” he said opening the door.

“Thank you,” Cynthia said locking eyes with him before she made her way downstairs. “Richie,” she called.

“In here baby,” Richie called from the living room as he hung up with Jon.

“Everything ok with Jon,” she asked with a smile as she walked in.

“Perfect. Phil,” he asked looking past her.

“I don’t see why the two of you can’t do whatever you had planned. Try to keep it low key,” Phil answered.

“Are you sure, it was one hell of cough,” he said warily.

“How many times have you come to me with a hacking cough and a little tea and a good night sleep cure it,” he asked. “Let’s not forget that you insist on going out and singing for three hours doing god knows what kind of harm.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Thanks for coming out anyway, Phil,” he said getting up.

“Not a problem, call me if you need anything, I can see myself out,” Phil answered.

“You got it,” Richie smiled pulling Cynthia close and Phil left.

“See, I told you I was fine,” Cynthia said leaning into his chest.

“That you did,” he said kissing her head.

“So, I’m thinking we get a sailboat and go be lazy in the ocean,” she smiled.

“Oh yeah,” he asked surprised.

“Unless the Jersey boy is afraid of boats,” she challenged.

“Oh you know that’s just asking for trouble. Go put on something sexy,” he said swatting her butt.

“Oh if you insist,” she laughed going upstairs and changing.

Richie made a few phone calls arranging a boat for the afternoon before he headed upstairs and smiled at Cynthia when he saw her. “Well you certainly did change into something sexy,” he said with a mischievous grin.

“Well, Mr. Rock Star, you wish is my command,” she giggled.

“I’m gonna take a quick shower and change, we have a boat down at the pier in 30 minutes,” he said pulling his shirt off.

“You just love to work your magic,” she smiled. “I’m gonna pack us a bag,” she said kissing his cheek. “Don’t be long,” she called heading downstairs.

Richie smiled to himself as he quickly showered and changed. He made his way downstairs seeing Cynthia waiting on the patio with a black sarong tied around her waist. He smiled as he made his way outside and wrapped his arm around her.

“Ready to go sailing my dear,” he asked leading her off the deck.

“As long as Captain Rich isn’t chicken anymore,” she teased.

“Not a bit, besides if I was it looks like you packed the world in that Mary Poppins bag,” he said looking at the bag over her arm.

“Well there’s towels and food and suntan lotion and a camera. It just looks like a lot,” she shrugged. “Gonna tell me how in 20 minutes you just happened to arrange for a boat? Secret connections?”

“Not if I told you all my secrets, what fun would that be,” he laughed.

“Yeah, yeah. Is this us,” she asked looking up at a boat rental.

“Looks right to me,” he said looking down the docks. “Yup this is the place,” he smiled pulling her down. He spoke to the attendant for a minute before they were lead down to a large boat at the end of the dock. “Ready,” he asked offering her his hand.

“Absolutely,” she said with a small giggle as she made her way on board. Richie followed her on and sat next to her holding her close as they made their way out to sea before they stopped. “This is like heaven,” she smiled laying their towels out.

“It’s nice out here. Quiet no press,” he said helping her.

“Yeah that damn press is always up my ass,” she teased sitting on her towel.

“I know, can’t take you anywhere,” he said sitting next to her and pulled her close.

“Occupation hazard of the unemployed world traveler,” she sighed leaned against his chest.

Richie wrapped his arms around her and let his hand trail over the scars on her chest. “Baby?”

“Hmm,” she said closing her eyes.

“Since were out on the heavenly ocean do you wanna talk?”

“Sure, about what,” she asked resting her head on his shoulder.

“Maybe you wanna tell me what happened. Here,” he said running his hand over the mark.

Cynthia took a deep breath. “You’re not gonna let this go are you,” she asked turning to look at him.

“I just want to know more about who you are, and this seems to be a part of you and-“

“Stop, if you want to know I will tell you. Not today, not tomorrow, after our two weeks are done. Promise,” she said looking up at him. And by that time I should be long gone, she thought to herself.

“Ok baby,” he said running his hand over her cheek.

“So, I’m not about to let you arms give me funky tan lines,” she said moving to her own towel. Smirking she untied her top and dropped it in his lap as she laid in her stomach. “In fact I don’t want any tan lines.”

“You are suck a tease,” he said watching her.

“Yeah, you’ve said that before,” she smiled as she turned her head away from him. Richie watched her for a few minutes before lying out next to her.

The spent the rest of the day on the water, coming back shortly after watching the sunset. Walking back up the beach to the house, they made their way inside and upstairs taking a quick shower to get the sea air from their skin. Cynthia pulled on one of his tee shirts as Richie pulled on a pair of swear pants and they settled on the couch with leftover take out. Cynthia fell asleep halfway through the movie they were watching and Richie carried her to bed when it was done. Holding her close her rubbed her back as he fell asleep, hoping for a quieter night.

Day 8

Richie awoke first the next morning and smiled at the woman in his arms. Kissing her head, he slipped from the bed and showered, getting the feeling of the plane off of him. Coming out in a towel he saw that she was still out cold, he pulled the blankets up over her all the way. He left her a note on his pillow and kissed her head. Feeling a smile curl on his lips as he watched her sleep, he headed down to the kitchen and fixed breakfast for himself. Settling in on his patio with a plate of eggs, toast and a mug of coffee, he watched the morning crowd on the beach enjoying the vast ocean in front of him. A little after 11 his cell phone rang and answered seeing it was his daughter.

“Morning cupcake,” he answered with a smile. He put his feet up preparing himself for a long conversation with a giggling 11 year old.

Cynthia woke around 10:45 and groaned when she looked at the clock. She had hoped it was before 7, even 6. The way she felt she couldn’t believe she had gotten almost 12 hours sleep. Weak, fatigued and a splitting headache, she slowly sat up in bed and leaned back against the headboard, pleading with the room to stop spinning.

“What is this? I haven’t felt like this in such a long time. This can’t be happening so soon,” she thought in a panic. “Not yet, this is going so fast, what is this? Fuck I flew, that must be what this is. The time change, the flight, and it was all so quick. Shit this is so bad, he’s gonna know. He’s gonna want me to tell him. I have to go. I can’t do this to him. This isn’t fair.”

Cynthia put her hand on her chest and closed her eyes laying back on the sea of pillows, slipping back to sleep. Around 12:30 Richie came back upstairs and sat on the bed next to her, brushing the hair off of her face.

“Wake up baby,” he cooed.

“Rich,” she mumbled.

“Well there better not be another guy in my bed talking to you,” he teased. “Now it looks like you got up halfway and then decided it was time to go back to bed.”

“Only you in your bed,” she said softly. “I didn’t mean to sleep so late, it was a long couple of days,” she rambled.

“It’s ok, I remember what it’s like. I just got worried about you and came to check on you. And as much as I love you in this dress, I’m sure you want to get out of it and a shower.”

“Actually I’m not feeling great, I think I’ll take a bath,” she said biting her lip.

“You’re not feeling well? What’s wrong, should I call a doctor,” he asked trying to read her face. “You are looking a little extra pale.”

“No! Don’t call a doctor. I mean I’m sure it’s just from all the travel, I’ll be fine tomorrow,” she added quickly. “Can you just help me to the bathroom?”

Richie thought for a minute before he answered. “If you’re not better in the morning I’m calling the doctor we have on tour, he’s right in LA. I don’t want to hear an argument from you either.”

“I’ll be fine in the morning, I’m feeling better than before. Promise. Just help me into the bathroom. Please?”

“Ok baby,” he said picking her up gently. “Bath or shower?”

Cynthia wrapped her arms around him tightly, feeling stronger than before. “Shower works, I’m feeling better than I did an hour ago. You even got the room to stop moving, you’re good Mr. Rock Star.”

“Uh-hu,” he said rolling his eyes. “Shower baby,” he said kissing her softly and started the water for her.

Cynthia gave him a weak smile as he walked from the bathroom and she let her dress pool at her feet. Stepping into the shower she let the water wash over her and she began to feel a little better. After as long of a shower that she could manage, she wrapped herself in a towel before going back to the bedroom. Digging through Richie’s clothes, she slipped on an old Giant’s tee shirt with a pair of her short shorts. She sat on the bed as she brushed out her wet hair and tried to come up with a plan for the day. When she had finished, and was satisfied with her plan she slowly walked down to the living room where she heard the TV on.

“Well there she is, Miss America,” Richie teased.

“Yeah, yeah, you know I’m worth the wait,” she smirked as she sat on the couch next to him.

“Oh I know it,” he said running his hand over her hair. “Felling better?”

“Much,” she said giving him a soft smile.

“Good, so what are we doing today? Sky diving? Scuba diving? Getting our pilots license,” he teased.

“No,” she said quietly biting her lip.

“What’s wrong Darlin’,” he asked watching her.

“Well I was thinking, maybe, now that you know that I know who you are,” she stammered nervously.

“Baby I’m still the man I was five days ago, don’t get all nervous on me,” he said running his hand over her cheek.

“I know, I’m sorry,” she said taking a deep breath. “Will you show me what you do?”

“You want me to dig out old bootlegs,” he asked confused.

“No, kinda. No, shit this isn’t coming out right. Will you play for me?”

“Music?”

“No I was hoping we could break out Candyland,” she said rolling her eyes. “Yes music you dope,” she said poking his chest.

“Umm, ok.”

“I mean you don’t have to if you don’t want to,” she said biting her lip.

“No, it’s ok. It’s just that no one has asked me that in a long, long time.”

“You’re kidding, right?”

Richie shrugged. “The women I’ve been with either leave at dawn, or like that fact that Richie Sambora has money rather than the fact that he can play a tune.”

“Well I like that fact that Richie make me feel special and he may be ok at this whole music thing.”

“May be ok,” he asked raising an eyebrow.

“Well I haven’t heard anything yet,” she said crossing her arms.

“Well than would like you like the guitar or the piano?”

“Seeing as I was a child prodigy on the keys, I think we’ll start there to compare.”

“Is that a challenge?”

“Well all I see is you procrastinating. What’s the matter, chicken,” she teased.

“That is it my dear,” he said picking her up carrying her into his great room and over to the piano bench.

“So Mr. Rock Star did we just relocate or are you actually gonna play me something.”

Richie smiled as he let his fingers run over the keys letting tedious scales echo through the large room. Once he felt he had warmed up sufficiently, he started to play Journey’s Faithfully. Cynthia smiled as she heard the opening notes and softly started to hum along. As the first verse started Richie began to sing softly and Cynthia looked up at him seeing his eyes closed, obviously lost in the music. Tripping over a few notes, he brought the song to a close and kissed her head.

“You remembered,” she said feeling tears come to her eyes.

“Hey, when a beautiful woman tells me her favorite love song I listen and remember so I can woo her mercilessly,” he smiled.

“You ass that was so sweet, ulterior motive and all,” she said resting her head on his shoulder.

“I know,” he teased. “So what did you think?”

“Eh, it was ok. Technically speaking of course.”

“Just ok,” he pouted.

“Well you did mess up, it ain’t perfect baby,” she smiled innocently.

“Then I guess you have to show me what you can do,” he said sliding over on the bench.

“Are you sure you can handle this genius?”

“Oh baby I can handle you, I think you know that,” he smirked mischievously.

“That’s just what I let you think,” she said closing her eyes seriously as she stretched out her fingers. Taking a deep breath she extended her right index finger and placed it over a high C on the piano. Keeping a straight face she played the upper part of Heart and Soul, lasting about 20 notes before she lost fingering and let out a dramatic sigh. “Your subpar performance has obviously thrown me off and I believe the damage is irrevocable.”

Richie sat, biting his tongue so he wouldn’t laugh. “Oh you don’t say.”

“I do, in fact I insist. You don’t win the preschool talent show for nothing. But now I am afraid that my talent is permanently damaged.”

“I’ll just have to see what we can do about that,” he said kissing her temple.

“I think you’ve done more than enough,” she sighed. “Better stick to the guitar.”

“Or I can just see if I can fix my mistakes,” he said pulling her on his lap and placed his fingers over hers on the keys. “Let’s start nice an easy.”

“You may need to,” she smiled.

“This masterpiece is called, Mary Had A Little Lamb,” he said playing over her fingers.

Cynthia leaned back against his chest and followed his lead sitting for hours the rest of the afternoon in his arms. Richie played for her and did the best he could to teach her is passion and by dinner time she was proving to be a fast learner.

“Just like riding a horse,” she had told him. “I had four years of formal training you see, just because it ended when I was 8 doesn’t make it any less meaningful.”

The music had lifted Cynthia’s spirits, for her scare that morning, and agreed to go for a walk on the beach with him after their takeout dinner. They sat and watched the sunset together before walking back to Richie’s house. Sitting on the patio for almost an hour, Richie led them back inside when the cool air became unbearable for their summer attire.

Cynthia heard the door close behind her and smiled to herself. “Come on Mr. Rock Star, one more time,” she paused. “With feeling,” she said and sauntered back to the piano sitting on the bench.

Richie rolled his eyes at her and sat next to her on the bench wrapping his arm around her. “What will it be this time?”

“Heart and Soul,” she said readying herself, using her whole hand as Richie showed her rather than her own technique.

Richie nodded and placed his left hand over the keys while he left his right around his waist. Counting them down they played it flawlessly and Cynthia squealed when she hit her last note.

“Nailed it! I told you I would,” she smiled proudly.

“I know you did and you again proved me wrong. It’s been so long since there’s been music in the house like this,” he said pulling her closer.

“There must be music in this house all the time.”

“There is, work music, but not this kind,” he said looking down at her as she looked at him puzzled. “It’s hard to explain, but it’s a very good thing baby,” he said kissing her gently.

“I’ll take the compliment I guess.”

“You’ll take it before I even give it to you,” he teased. “But thank you.”

“You are very welcome. Now I think there is a big bed waiting for us and I believe there was talk earlier in the day of bootlegs.”

“Bed I can do, but bootlegs? Seriously?”

“Come on, I wanna see you in action,” she whined.

“You’ll see me in action alright,” he smiled picking her up and running up the stairs with her putting her on the bed.

Cynthia closed her eyes, letting the uncertainty of the morning rush over her. Thinking quickly she opened her eyes, avoiding his. “Ok I get it, you’re embarrassed about the spandex and hair, I’ll google you in the morning.”

Richie sensed her hesitation and backed off her slightly. “The King of Swing doesn’t embarrass easily. I looked damn good,” he said kissing her cheek and left the room coming back a few minutes later with a DVD in his hand and popcorn in the other. “Ready to be in awe?”

“I’m ready to watch, maybe I’ll like what I see,” she said sitting up against the pillows.

Richie put the DVD in and put the bowl of popcorn on the night table. “Ok change for bed first, then movie time. We don’t need to fall asleep in clothes two nights in a row.”

“Yes Dad,” she teased.

“Hey, you know you were thinking the same thing,” he said pulling a tee shirt from his drawer.

“Yeah, yeah,” she said moving to the end of the bed so she could stand.

Richie stood in front of her and carefully pulled down her shorts tossing them with the rest of the dirty clothes in the corner. Cynthia raised her arms when Richie moved his hands to the hem of her shirt and Richie sent that across the room as well. He gently moved his hands over her chest, stopping slightly on the slightly darker patches and scars that were there. Sure he had noticed them since the first night they were together but he yet to feel this connected to her. Music was always the way to his soul, and he knew that. He opened himself to her in a way he hadn’t been able to for years. They, more or less, spent the afternoon bearing their souls to each other and were left connected in a way neither of them imagined they would.

Cynthia closed her eyes when she felt his hands and willed her body not to tense under his touch. “What happened to you baby,” he asked softly.

“That is a long, long story,” she said looking up at him, putting a fake smile on.

“See it’s just you and me in that big bed tonight. I got all the time in the world.”

Cynthia bit the inside of her cheek to keep from wincing at his words. “That is a story for another day.”

“Ok baby,” he said slipping the new shirt over his head. “It’s bootleg time,” he said stripping to his boxers before pulling her back into bed with him. “That works…for now,” he thought to himself.

Cynthia leaned back against him and settled herself between his legs running her hands over his thighs lightly. “Welcome to the Slippery Tour,” Richie smiled as he started the DVD.

They spent the next hour or so watching the DVD, stopping more than once so Cynthia could accurately and effectively taunt him, before Richie felt her fall asleep in his arms. Watching the remainder of the DVD himself before moving her next to him in bed he kissed her softly. He flicked the TV off and grabbed his phone quickly sending Jon a text. “I think I’m falling for her hard. Damn Johnny, I think I’m in love…”Richie turned his phone off, so it didn’t wake them in the morning and he pulled Cynthia close as he fell asleep.