I Am Your Child
Written by: Jess
Things began to move
a lot faster once Pete was fired and Phil was hired. The band
finished recording in September and started touring in mid to late
February. True to her word Maria packed up her things and went
on the road with the band. She helps Malvin (the
band’s new tour manager) out, by doing odd jobs at first, but then she
got a much more important job.
In 1985, the boys went
back into the studio to record their fourth album. Maria, of
course, net along with them. Things were going along just fine,
both with the recording and with Sav, when she arrived home early from
shopping and found Sav in bed with a local girl.
We’re home!"
Steve and Phil said, opening the door to the apartment. They
were greeted by silence.
"My son?" Phil said, his eyes asking a million questions. Maria
shook her head yes. "That week in Paris?" Again, she shook
her head. "But, you said it wasn’t mine."
The End
It seems that
over the months of recording Phil and Steve had grown quiet close and they
had a tendency to go out a drink excessively, so Malvin put her in charge
of watching them when they would go out on the town. And, boy, that
job was a handful and a half.
The guys were
infamous for their drinking and one of the roadies even gave
them a nickname "The
Terror Twins". She traveled with them everywhere, while they were
together, even when they weren’t on tour. Although, admittedly,
she sometimes got in on the act. She helped them change room numbers
on a hotel that was under renovation, and even rented the bicycle built
for two and took pictures.
@@@
"Mal, I don’t
feel like playing babysitter tonight! Sav’s been trying to
have a nice romantic
evening with me for weeks and it still hasn’t happened." Maria said.
"They are grown man, I think it’s time they take care of themselves."
"I guess your
right. Go enjoy your evening with Sav. He’s been looking a
little down lately."
Malvin replied, with a grin.
"Thanks Mal, they’ll be O.K." Maria said, running off to find
Sav.
@@@
"Hey babe, Mal
gave me the night off!" Maria said, hugging him from behind.
"That’s great!
It seems like forever since we got to spend some real time
together, where we weren’t
on a bus or a plane." Sav said. Turning around and hugging
her.
That night after
the show, they went back to the hotel. "Close your eyes!"
Sav said, opening the door to his room. "O.K. open them!"
He had the room
lit with candles, soft music playing, and roses everywhere.
"Sav this is wonderful!" Maria responded.
"I want tonight
to be special. Tomorrow we leave to go home, and shortly after that,
it’s back into the recording studio. So, come here." Sav said,
pulling her close.
They made love
until the early morning hours. Just as they were about to nod off
the phone rang.
"Savage here!" He answered.
"Is Maria there?" Malvin asked.
"Hold on! It’s for you!" Handing the phone over.
"Hello?"
"You better come to the elevator!" Malvin said.
"What’s wrong?" Maria asked.
"You’ll see when you get there!" Malvin said, hanging up the
phone.
They both quickly got dressed and meet Malvin just outside his room.
"What’s going on?" Maria asked again.
"Well, I got a
call from the front desk about 10 minutes ago, asking me to
remove these two from
the elevator." Mal answered. Showing Maria the two sleeping
beauties in the elevator.
"I should have
known something like this would happen. Damn it!" Maria said.
Stepping into the elevator.
"I knew you wouldn’t
have believed me if you didn’t see it for yourself."
Malvin said.
"Well, help me
wake them up and get them to their rooms! Come on you two
wake up!" Maria
started, shaking both of them at once.
"What’s going on?" Phil started. "Better yet where
am I?"
"Your in the elevator
stupid! And it looks like you’ve been here for as
while! Now get
your ass up! You too!" Looking at Steve.
"You missed a fun one Maria, you should have came with us!"
Steve said.
"Why, so I could
spend the night in the elevator with you? I don’t think so!"
Maria said, harshly. "I’m going to bed!"
Maria couldn’t believe
her eyes. She was under the assumption that things were fine between
the two of them. She quickly closed the door and ran to Steve’s room,
locking the door behind her.
"What’s wrong?" Steve asked.
"I just found Sav in bed with another girl." Maria cried.
"Maria! Come on, open the door. We have to talk about this."
Sav said, pounding on the door.
"What’s there to talk about?" Maria said, yelling through the
door.
"Come on babe. Let me in." Sav pleaded.
"I can’t see you right now." Maria said, laying on the bed.
"Sav, give her some time, she’ll talk to you when she’s ready." Steve
said.
Steve laid beside Maria and held her until she finished crying. When
she finally stopped, they talked and decided that the next day Maria would
go to the apartment in France until things cooled off and in about a month
Steve and Phil would come and bring her back to Ireland.
Steve made some phone calls and got her a flight, and made sure the apartment
was ready for her.
"I better go talk to Sav." Maria said.
"Do you want me to go with you?" Steve asked.
"No! I’ll be O.K., just keep an ear out!" Maria
answered.
"Babe!" Sav said, standing up and moving over to her.
"I’m so sorry. I don’t know what happened."
"I’m going to France for the next month." Maria responded, coldly.
As she threw her suitcase on the bed and began packing.
"What? Come on, Maria we can work this out." Sav
said.
"I need sometime for myself, to think about where my life is going."
Maria said. "You can call me. I’ll be at Steve’s apartment."
"What about us?" Save asked.
"Well, that’s up to you." Maria said. "I’m not the one that
fucked up." Closing the suitcase. "I leave first thing in the
morning."
@@@
Sav called Maria almost every night while she was in France. And,
true to his word Steve and Phil come over a month later. They stayed
for about two weeks, and then they brought her back to Ireland.
Upon her return to Ireland, Sav treated her like a queen. But,
she wasn’t going to let him to close to her right away, so she spent the
next month in Steve’s room.
About three months after her return she came running into Steve’s room.
"Phil can you excuse us for a second, I really have to talk to Steve alone."
"Sure, luv. I’ll be back." Phil said, taking his
leave.
"What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost."
Steve asked.
"I just got back from the doctor. I’m pregnant."
Maria said.
"That’s great! Did you tell Sav yet?" Steve asked.
"Um, according to the doctor, I’m three months long. It’s not Sav’s"
Maria said, looking at Steve.
"So, who’s is it?" Steve asked.
"Remember that night in France?" Maria questioned.
"You mean?" Steve said.
"Yes! I need you to take some tests." Maria said. "To
make sure the baby is yours."
"O.K." Steve said.
She told Sav the story of what happened and told him who the father was,
he was very understanding, even when she told him not to tell anyone who
that was. And, they decided that they would stay together as a couple,
at least for the time being.
The baby was born in the beginning of March, in Ohio, where Maria had gone
to live with her fathers family. Sav and Steve were both there when
the baby was born.
For the first year of Derek’s life she stayed at her Grandmothers and visited
the boys in Ireland very two months. Then they decided that it would
be for the best if she didn’t come around with the baby anymore.
He was beginning to take on the characteristics of his father, and she
still didn’t want anyone to know who that was.
Even when Steve died, she didn’t take Derek with her. It was hard
enough to deal with it, let alone having to answer questions about Derek.
Maria and Derek eventually settled down in a small town outside of Akron.
Steve had set enough money aside for them so that they could live comfortably
and so that Maria didn’t have to work.
Every time the band would play near her, she would go and occasionally
she would spend a week of two on the road with them. Leaving Derek
with her grandmother.
At the age of 10 Derek took up the guitar and took to it rather quickly.
Often he would ask about his father, Maria would just simply tell
him that when he was old enough she would tell him. It seemed like
everyday he looked more and more like his father.
@@@
Knock! Knock!
"I’ll get it mom!" Derek yelled, running to the door.
"Uncle Sav!"
"Derek! How are you? Is your mother going to let you go tonight?"
Sav asked.
"She is! I’m so excited!" Derek said.
"Hello stranger!" Maria said, appearing in the door way. She
was wearing an outfit very similar to the one she had on that night in
the pub, all those year ago.
"You look gorgeous!" Sav said, picking her up in his arms.
"I’ve missed you so much."
"I’ve missed you!" Maria said, kissing him on the lips.
"You’re letting Derek come tonight? Are you ready for this?"
Sav asked, putting her down.
"I don’t know if I’m actually ready, but it’s time." Maria answered.
"Let’s go!"
@@@
The concert was terrific, their seats were in the third row on Sav’s side.
After the concert they went backstage.
One by one Sav and Maria introduced Derek to the guys, first Joe, then
Rick and Viv. Then Maria went up to Phil.
"Phil!" Maria said, tapping him on the shoulder.
"Maria, how are you?" He responded, giving her a hug.
"What’ s new?"
"Derek come here!" She called over her shoulder. "Phil, I want
you to meet YOUR son!" Maria said.
"Where is she?’ Steve asked.
"In bed." Phil answered, pointing to the bedroom.
"We could climb in with her." Steve said, giving Phil a wink.
As they climbed into bed, Maria started to stir. "Steve, Phil you’re
here!" Maria exclaimed rubbing her eyes. "I’ve been so lonely."
"I bet you have sugar! We’ve missed you, too!" Phil replied,
giving her a kiss.
"That’s nice to know!" Maria responded, snuggling into Steve’s
embrace.
"Well, we’re here! And, we’re going to show you one hell of a time!"
Steve said, squeezing her tightly.
And, that they did. For the next two weeks they turned Paris upside
down. They hit every bar and music club within a hours drive of the
apartment.
One night, after dinner they decided to stay in and drink at the apartment.
They started with a bottle each of vodka and they went to whiskey.
"Would you like to dance?" Steve asked Maria.
"But, there’s no music." Maria replied.
"I’ll tune in the radio." Phil said, going over to the stereo.
Steve pulled Maria in close. They swayed to the music, as Phil came
up behind her and put hit body up against hers. He swept her long
blonde hair to the side as he started to nibble on her neck. At the
same time, Steve kissed her full on the lips.
A moan escaped her as their hands roamed her body. Before she knew
what was happening all three of them were naked. "Let’s move this
to the bedroom." She whispered.
Phil and Steve laid her down on the bed, one on either side of her.
As Phil kissed her and fondled her breasts, she felt Steve slide his hand
up her thigh, as his fingers entered her wetness she left out a whimper.
While he massaged her clit and worked his fingers in and out of her body,
she took Phil’s hard sex into her mouth.
She started by licking the tip, then she worked her way down his long,
firm shaft. With her left hand she played with his balls, delighting
in his moans. At the same time, she took Steve’s manhood in her right
hand. Just as Steve plunged his tongue into her wetness, making her
hips rock.
"I must be inside you." Phil stated, moving Steve aside and preparing
to enter her. He entered her with a quick thrust. "God, I’ve
wanted this since, I first laid eyes on you." He gasped.
As he continued to pump inside her, Steve began to passionately kiss her
all over he neck and chest. They were driving her wild, she felt
as if you could never get enough of the two of them.
Phil pulled her up on top of him, so that she could ride him. She
rocked on top of him in a wild frenzy as Steve kissed and bit at her back.
Phil grabbed her hips forcing her to go faster. She began to scream
with pleasure as she came. Her body contract around his sex, causing
him to explode inside her,
He pulled her head down to his chest and kissed her on the forehead.
"You are so beautiful" Phil whispered.
"AAHHH!!" Maria moaned, as Steve entered her from behind. He
put his arm around her waist, thrusting the full length of his manhood
inside her, the shear force of it caused her to ache.
"More! Please, I want more." She begged.
"Don’t worry my Luv. I’ll give you all you want." Steve answered,
playfully tugging on her hair.
He withdrew from her and placed her on her back. "I’ve always wanted
to make love to you." Steve said, slowly re-entering her.
They slowly moved together, as Phil came up to lay beside her. "I’m
so glad you are enjoying this." He said.
Phil and Steve each nibbled on one of her breasts as Steve started to go
faster. Their breathing became ragged, as they both reached their
peak.
She fell asleep that night laying in between both of them with their arms
around her.
The next morning when they woke, they we all a little shocked at what happened
the night before. They all decided that it would be their little
secret.
The rest of the visit went on like the beginning, except for one small
change, Phil spent every night in Maria’s bed.
"I know! Honey, can you give Phil and I a chance to talk? Sav?"
Maria asked.
"I’ll keep an eye on him." Sav replied.
"Is there somewhere we can talk?" Maria said.
"Sure, come this way!" Phil lead her out to the tour bus.
"I know you probably have a million question, so fire away." Maria
said, looking down at her hands.
"How come you told me he wasn’t mine, when I asked you? You know,
back when you first found out." Phil started.
"I was going to but you and Jacki were really hitting it off and I didn’t
want to ruin things for you." Maria answered.
"But, even after we split, you still didn’t tell me, why?"
Phil continued.
Maria thought about this for a long time. "I guess I just didn’t
want to lose him."
"What’s he like?" Phil asked.
"A lot like his father and his uncle. I like to think that he’s actually
a product of the three of us. He loves to play the guitar and is
really good at it. We gave him one of Steve’s old ones.”
"Does Sav know?" Phil asked.
"Yes."
"Who else?"
"The only ones who ever knew where Steve, Sav, and myself."
Maria said.
"Why did you pick tonight? You could have never told me?" Phil
continued with his questions.
"I couldn’t hide him forever. He’s been begging to come to a show
ever since he was five and I knew once the rest of the band saw him everybody
would know, he’s the spitting image of you." Maria responded.
"So, what do we do now?" Phil said.
"That’s up to you. We don’t need anything, that’s not why I’m here.
I just want my son, to get to know the man that fathered him." Maria
said. "Perhaps he can even get to know his half brother."
"Wow! I have a 14 year-old son! And you never told me!"
Phil said, getting up and walking over to her. "How could you?"
He was now screaming.
She stood up and looked him right in the eye. "Because, I love you
and I always have. I couldn’t stand to see you with him and know
that we weren’t together. That week in Paris was one of the best
weeks of my life before Derek. The love we shared can never be matched
by anyone else. That’s the reason that Sav and I didn’t make it as
a couple." She realized that not only was she shouting, but that
she was also shaking and crying.
"Oh my god. I never knew." Phil said, wrapping his arms around
her. "I tell you what, we are in town for the next three days, Sav
said you have a large house, so if it’s O.K. with you, why don’t I come
over and we could spend some time as a family."
"I think that would be nice." Maria responded.
"Now, take me to meet my son!" Phil, putting his hand on her back
and leading her to the back stage area.
"Where’s Derek, Mal?" Phil asked.
"He’s with Joe and Sav in the dressing room. Are you two O.K.?"
Malvin said.
"We will be, right?" Phil answered, looking at Maria.
"Come back with us, I want everyone there." Maria said, taking Malvin’s
hand.
"Mom! There you are!" Derek said, then he whispered in her
ear, "Is Phil really my father?"
"Yes, he is honey! Come here. He wants to meet you!"
Maria responded. "Hey everyone! I want you all to meet my son,
Derek! I mean our son Derek!" She said, as Phil put his arm
around her.
"Hi Derek! It’s nice to finally meet you." Phil said, sticking
out his hand. "Come on, let’s go grab something to eat."
Maria looked at the two of them together and smiled.
Maria felt a hand on her back. "Is very thing O.K.?"
Sav asked.
"I think its going to be." She said, hugging him tight. "Thank
you for helping me for all these years! I could have never done it
without you."
"My pleasure." Sav said.
"Hey babe!" She turned around to find Joe standing behind her.
"Hey! What’s new?" Maria asked, hugging her old
friend.
"I guess I should ask you that. How come you never said anything?"
Joe said.
"Some other time! It’s a long story!" Maria said
laughing.
@@@
The next three days, Phil and Derek spent time getting to know each other,
and Maria and Phil spent time getting back to where they were all those
years ago. The three spent hours playing guitar, and Phil and Maria
told Derek all about his Uncle Steve.
"Listen, why don’t the two of you come with me?" Phil asked.
"I don’t know, it’s sort of sudden." Maria responded.
"Come one. Derek doesn’t go back to school for a month. You
don’t work. I know you love to travel with the band. Rory will
be out with us, it’ll give the boys a chance to know each other, and us
time to get closer." Phil rebutted.
"Well, you’ll have to ask Derek." Maria said, knowing that he would
say yes in a heartbeat.
So, once again she was on the road with Def Leppard. This time was
a totally different, things were a lot more laid back, then they were in
the old day.
The real challenge turned out to be Phil’s other son, Rory.
"What do you mean, I have an older brother?" Rory screamed upon being
told the news.
"You remember Maria, right?" Phil asked.
"Uncle Steve’s cousing? Yeah." Rory answered, none
to pleased.
"Well, she has a son, his name is Derek, and he’s also my son." Phil
said, trying to remain calm. "They’re both here. They are gong
to be staying with us."
"What? How come you didn’t tell me before?" Rory
continued.
"Because I just found out. Come on, I’ll introduce you." Phil
said, leading Rory back stage.
"Rick, I’m so nervous! I need a drink." Maria stated,
as she paced back and forth.
"No, you don’t. I know it’s not going to be peaches and cream, but
it’s a cold hard fact and Rory will eventually get use to it." Rick
replied, trying to shed some light on the situation.
"I hope you’re right." Maria replied.
It took the boys a little under 2 hours to get use to each other, and by
the end of the day they were even calling each other brother. It
made Maria very happy to see that they were getting along so well.
But, Rory didn’t take to Maria that quickly. For the first two weeks
everything she said, he did the opposite. Finally, she could take
no more.
"Rory, we need to talk." Maria said, with Phil sitting next
to her.
"What?" He answered.
"I know this is all new and strange to you but you’ve got to cut me some
slack." She started. "I know I’m not your mother, and I don’t
want to be. In the past two weeks everything I’ve asked you to do,
you’ve turned around and did the complete opposite. And, last night,
you really scared us. That curfew I gave you was actually handed
down from you father."
Oh, I didn’t know that." Rory said, hanging his head.
"So, I’ll make you a deal. If you promise to listen to me, I promise
only to tell you things that are handed down from your dad. I really
just want this to work." Maria finished.
"I’m sorry. I have been a pain lately! I won’t fight you anymore!"
Rory said.
With that said, the last two weeks went along smoothly.
@@@
"We go home tomorrow." Maria said, looking at Phil.
"We’re on the road for another month." Phi responded.
"I know, I’ll miss you!"
"I’ll miss you too! Listen, why don’t you and Derek move to California
and stay with me?" Phil said. "He could go to school at there."
"I don’t know. That would be a really big change." Maria said.
"I’m afraid Derek wouldn’t adjust. And, I just can’t get up
and move. It takes some time."
"O.K. then after the tour is done I’ll come get you and Derek, and we’ll
go together. Derek and Rory will be going to the same school, they’ll
love it."
"O.K." Maria said, thinking that she gives in to easily.
And so it was done. Maria and Derek moved to California at the end
of September. Shortly thereafter Phil and Maria were wed in a candle
lit ceremony that was attended by their children and the guys in the band……