party

The next few days were busy getting ready for the party. Between caterers and everything else, all four of her friends had said they would come.

Now that  exams and school were done she has tons of free time on her hands. Most of the time when she wasn't at her friend's house she was at home or at the studio with her brothers. If she wasn't there she was with her friends at their houses. Barry had finally convinced her to help out doing some back up on some of the songs they were working on, she had even  helped some with a few of Andy's songs. It was nothing so big that anyone could tell it was her in the background. She was also the gopher going for things people at the studio need. That ran the gambit from grabbing some coffee,  to inter office memos. She really enjoyed doing things for her brothers..

Finally it was the night of the number one/ house warming party. Shanell went through with Andy checking everything. The band was set up and the caterer was established in the kitchen, the smells were enticing.

She was dressed in a simple dark blue shift dress with her hair pulled up at the back of her head. It was going to be a blast.

 She walked through the house and stopped looking out the balcony with her brother beside her. Her whole life had changed since moving here, she had friends she could count on, and someone she could confide in

In all her life had never dreamed she would be helping her brothers with their music. Granted it was only being backup on a few of their songs but it was something she had silently dreamed about when she was  little watching her brothers. She heard the door open and turned to see Ellen walk in with Jon.

With everything that happened, Barry bringing up Jon's music, he was now helping Jon work on it . Poor Ellen would end up sitting for hours with her while her boyfriend was locked with Shanell's oldest brother was working on music, going over harmonies and chord changes, with Maurice added into the mix Jon was hanging out with them more than he was his girlfriend. Shanell had apologized to El more than once when Jon had come to visit, only for Maurice to show up and snatch him away for a few more ideas.

After a couple days of this Shanell confronted her brothers about it: Jon felt quite ashamed he had been so happy, that they were helping he had been ignoring his girlfriend. He apologized thoroughly and took her out to dinner, on Barry's dime because he also felt guilty for taking over all of Jon's time. Soon they were back to speaking terms and he promised not to spend all his time with Shanell's brothers and make time for her.


Jon didn't know what to do or say. He was totally overwhelmed with the help the Brothers Gibb helped him. He had been so adamant to Ellen that he wouldn't infringe on Shanell's friendship but was shocked when Ellen had told him that she had brought it up or rather that her brother did.

He at first didn't notice that with each time he would disappear with the brothers that it was scaring Ellen. He didn't even know that she had confided in Shanell more than once that she was afraid she was going to lose him to his music. He found out when Shanell lit into her brothers about  taking up so much of his time and to him for neglecting Ellen.

 He felt Ellen tense next to him when they walked in because of all the people there all the well known people. He leaned close to her ear and whispered “I'm right here not going anywhere babe.... “ he wrapped his arm around her tightly. He kissed the side of her face by her ear.

Ellen looked at him “you have to mingle though ….”She said softly with a smile. “I'll be okay with Shanell … if you do...” She knew that Barry would probably introduce Jon to a few of the people in the business and even though she was nervous and afraid she was going to lose him to the music she did want him to make it.

The minute Shanell saw them come in she headed over to Ellen hugging her. “hey....glad to see you guys...” She noticed that Ellen looked a bit tense. “it will be okay El.... my brothers promised not to take all of Jon's time tonight.  “ 

Ellen just smiled at her.  “Thanks but we had a long talk. He's going to mingle and meet whoever Barry wants him to. I want him to make it here.....”  She was okay with it as long was Jon didn't ignore her the whole night. She also knew that Shanell would be there for her too.

About twenty minutes after they got there Cindy and Rick arrived. Shanell introduced them to others at the party. There were a few well known people there. Shanell's friends tried very hard not to get starstruck and weathered the introductions. Barry kept his promise and only stole Jon a couple times one to introduce him to Robert Stigwood and a couple people from the record company.

By the time he got back to Ellen and the gang, Andy was helping him to sit down with a grin on his face. He shook his head chuckling the poor kid was completely overwhelmed.

“Jon....” Ellen sat by her boyfriend tapping his face “what's wrong?”

“Nothing's wrong Ellen …..I promise. “ Andy answered for him  because it seemed he couldn't open his mouth. “Just Harry wants him and the band to come this summer and do a couple demos at the studio.” He patted Jon on the back before walking away to green a few more of their guests.

“Really.....” Rick grinned “Far out man congrats...” He shoved Jon a bit knocking him out of his shock.

“Yeah …. “ Jon shook his head “can't believe it ...” He looked at Shanell “thanks...”

“hey don't thank me I had nothing to do with it...” She grinned.. “this was all Barry and Mo...” She shrugged handing them some drinks “Lets make a toast to friends and Jon's demos....” They clinked glasses. The rest of the party was spent together with friends just talking.

 It was after 2 am when it all broke up. Shanell's brothers crashed in the rooms that they usually used when they visited. Shanell escorted her friends to her room while Rick and Jon got to share the room next to Andy's All it all it was a fantastic and very interesting productive party.