Chapter 66 - Welcome To Wherever You Go

 

The details of the press conference were worked out, as well as all the travel plans that include Monica.  

Jon decided that once they told the world that she was pregnant, she was going with him as often as she could.  He didn't know how the fan base would take it, since this new found fame is just that - new.

 

The press conference is set to take place one hour before they board their plane for South America.  The room at the airport has on long table, draped in a table cloth, with place cards  for the guys.  There were about 100 chairs set up in rows, just enough for reporters and photographers to stand and ask their questions.

 

The band arrived at the airport as scheduled, with Monica is tow.  She believe that she is more nervous about the whole than Jon is, but she'd never let him know.  All of their luggage was wheeled away, they need to do this press conference and get the hell out of dodge.  Monica's doctors appointment set them back a day, but Jon wasn't missing it.  Even if it was routine and they learned nothing new.  He didn't care, he was going to be there.

 

Hair and make up are quick, they are 5 guys that require very little in the line of make-up.  Jennifer, their hair and make up gal, the one that travelled with them now, hurried the process along because she had Jon behind her barking, "Hurry, we need to get out there."

 

"I'm going as fast as I can.  Have you ever worked with hair like David's?" she barks back at him, while she sets up her station.  This is her second gig with the guys, she's nervous and doesn't want to mess up.

 

Monica over hears this and says, "Sit down babe, let me do your hair."  She reaches for a can of Aquanet and waits for him to sit in the chair.  "Come on, I can do your hair and Richie's hair, sit."  She points to the empty chair. 

 

He smiles at her and says, "I hope you know what you're doing.  If I look like a girl, I'm knocking you up again."  Monica laughs at that and then she feels a little silly.  Jennifer had no idea and when she heard what she did she smiled.

 

"Congratulations, you guys.  When are you due?"  Jennifer asks, knowing she shouldn't but she couldn't help herself. 

 

"In the Spring."  Monica says as she starts to heighten the hair on Jon's head, one Aqua can after another. 

 

"How exciting!"  Jennifer adds. 

 

As soon as she finishes her sentence, Jon is quick to add, "You tell no one."

 

Jennifer nods and yells for David to take his spot.  Lemma sits in the chair and laughs when he sees Monica doing Jon's hair.  "Now this is funny."

 

"Shut up, or you're next and she has no experience."  Jon spouts off, his nerves are raw and at the highest they have been in a while.  He's about to go public about his personal life and Bon Jovi 101 says that you NEVER talk about your personal life. 

 

"He's nervous Dave."  Monica says, "He's been a monster all day."

 

Jon looks up at her, "I have not!"

 

"Yes you have." she laughs, "Keep your head still or I will make you look like a girl."  She teases his long locks and spays it over and over.  When she's happy with the height, "You're done.  Can you holler for Richie.  He gets up and looks in the mirror.  Turning his head right, then left he smiles at the job that Monica did with his hair.  His dad has been the only one that has ever done his hair for a show, until he hit the road. 

 

The girls get the hair and make up done and the guys are lead out to the table, where they each take their spot.  The tour manager introduces who they are and gives a little bit of the bands history, leading them up to the success of their 2nd album.  The band is hitting the road for an 12 month tour to support their sophomore album, most venues are sold out.

 

The first reporter asks where they got their name.  Jon answers that.

 

The second reporter asks how long they all have been friends.  Richie answers that.

 

The third reporter ask them if they hang out, outside of the band.  Richie answers that.

 

The first reporter asks about the concept for the video of She Don't Know Me.  Jon tells everyone that the concept was Monica's and that she was given artistic freedom and that is what she came up with.

 

The fourth reporter asks if she is the one that came up for the concept for Silent Night.  Jon answered that one too.

 

The fifth reporter asks if the rumors about the band partying at all hours of the night was answered by Tico, the eldest of the band. 

 

The second reporter asks if the brotherhood that is shown on stage is the same off stage, they all answered that one.

 

The sixth reporter asks Richie if he has a love interest.  He simply answers that he loves women.

 

The seventh reporter was a plant, an employee of Bon Jovi to ask Jon the question about Monica being pregnant.  "Jon, there are rumors out there that your girlfriend Monica is pregnant, is it true that the two of you are expecting?"

 

Here's his opportunity to shine, set he record straight and set the stage for interviews that will follow this one.  He's going to let the world know that Bon Jovi is a band of brothers and that they intend to keep their private lives private and asking questions that aren't on the 'allowed' list will get the reporter ejected from the interview or the interview will be over. 

 

"Monica and I are expecting.  She's due in the Spring and with that being said, I need to ask everyone that watches this, listens to this or that reads this, please leave her alone.  She is off limits to interviews and reporters."  The cameras really started to click, catching the serious look on his face.

 

The questions keep being fired and the guys answer them as generically as they can - not giving all details or information.  They liked the mystery that surrounds them and the mystery just gets greater the less that they talk about themselves. 

 

Interview is over and they are ushered to the jet, that's running and waiting for them to board for the long flight to South America.  The whole crew was aboard, with a couple people that they didn't know.  Record company people, plus Jennifer.