Chapter Sixteen:
“What happened in there honey?” Kevin asked Elenore when they were out in the hallway. He went to set her down but she screamed and flung her arms around his neck and she held onto him tight and continued crying.
“DON’TS put me down! PLEASE I DIDN’TS MEAN TO BE BAD! PLEASE DON’TS LEAVE ME!”
“Honey I need to put you down so that I can talk to you…I‘m not going anywhere I promise,” he explained, but Elenore only tightened her grip on him. He sighed. He thought for a couple of minutes, than he leaned his back up against the wall and slid down it so that he was sitting on the floor with his legs in the bending position and her rested comfortably against his chest. He rested his forehead against hers and held her close to him just letting her cry and he rocked her in his arms. After a long while when she was somewhat calm he looked down at her causing her to look up at him.
“Talk to me sweetie…what happened?”
“I didn’t’s mean to be bad…” Elenore answered softly. “I-I was only protecting Kota.”
“I’m not mad at you honey…it’s okay. So why don’t you tell me all about it?” He reassured her and he sat there and listened as she began to explain to him the whole story.
~*~*~*~*~
“Aren’t you going to get Elenore in trouble for pushing me?” Josh integrated Riley when he saw that she wasn’t doing anything about it.
“Usually I would… but in this case I think I’m going to let her slide. She’s new here and doesn’t know the rules and you shouldn’t have been harassing the girls anyway. You know better.”
“BUT-”
“-Maybe being pushed around by a girl will teach you something. Maybe now you will learn to leave Dakota alone.” Josh scowled and he turned around and stomped off toward his friends. Riley looked at Nick to find him sitting on the floor with Dakota standing in front of him with her arms wrapped around his neck and she was just standing there sniffling now. He rested his forehead against hers and looked into her watery eyes as he rubbed his hand over her back.
“You’re okay baby…everything’s fine.”
“It’s nots fair though, daddy! Everything I do, everything I own ends up getting ruined or taken away cause of him! I worked hard on that tower and then he just came a long and knocked it down!”
“I know it’s not fair honey…I know. But hey look at it this way…you’re pretty lucky to have such a good friend like Elenore huh? I have a feeling she’s not going to tolerate Josh picking on you and things are going to start changing around here…for the better. He may take your toys and ruin all of your things, but there is one thing he can’t take from you and she’s sitting right out in the hall with your uncle Kevin. For the first time in your life you have a real friend Dakota… and she really cares about you. Things are going to start getting better I promise. I can feel it… so just hang in there okay?” Dakota nodded.
“Kay…” Nick gently wiped away her remaining tears with his finger and she again wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his shoulder. He slid his arms around her waist and hugged her close. “I love you daddy…”
“I love you too honey,” he told her and she kissed his cheek. He then stood up with her in his arms and he brought her over to the rest of the guys and Ashley and Riley followed.
“Hey squirt…you okay?” AJ asked gently and Dakota nodded and reached for him. He gently took her from Nick and cuddled her close to him and he kissed her forehead affectionately. She rested her head against his shoulder and hugged him tight. She loves her uncle AJ so much. Suddenly Kevin walked back in with Elenore in his arms who was still slightly upset and not sure if she was in trouble or not even though Kevin reassured her over and over again that she wasn’t. Kevin walked over to the group and he looked at Riley.
“I promised her that she wasn’t going to get into trouble…she’s not is she?”
“Nah… I don’t see anything wrong with sticking up for a friend,” Riley answered and she gave Elenore a comforting smile that made Elenore feel safe. “However that doesn’t mean how she handled it was okay. Elenore if Josh is harassing you or Dakota I want you to come to me about it okay? And I will take care of it. Shoving people around usually lands those who are familiar with the rules in time out or up in their rooms and grounded. Today is your first day though and he did start it so I’m letting you slide just this once. Okay?”
“Kay,” Elenore replied softly. Dakota suddenly slid from AJ’s arms and looked up at Elenore. Kevin kneeled down in front of her and put Elenore down. Elenore kept a firm grasp on Kevin’s shirt but she looked at Dakota shyly. Dakota wrapped both her arms around Elenore and she hugged her tightly but not too tight to hurt her.
“I have the bestest new friend in the whole world,” she told her softly but everyone still heard her.
“Aww..” Riley said smiling and she looked at Nick who was wiping away a tear that had escaped from his eyes. For the first time in her entire four years of living his little girl is truly happy. She got a daddy and a new best friend all in one day. The two things she has always wanted. Elenore eventually let go of Kevin and she wrapped both her arms around her and returned her hug. Kevin grinned as he is happy that she finally feels safe enough to let him go but he made sure to stay right where he was just incase. Nick turned and looked at Ashley. He took her hand in his and gently squeezed it. After a few minutes Dakota eventually had talked Elenore into going back over to the blocks so they could continue to play and Kevin, Howie, AJ, Brian, and Riley went back to talking. Nick on the other hand kept a hold of Ashley’s hand as he brought her over to the small table with the paints. He sat down in the only chair left as there are a bunch of little kids at the table and he gently pulled her into his lap so she’s facing the table. She looked up at him curiously and he smiled at her.
“Paint with me?” he asked her and without waiting for an answer he grabbed a paper and a paint brush. She reached over and gathered all of the paints and she began to set it all up. He smirked and slid his arms around her waist and he rested his chin on her shoulder. When the paints were ready the two of them began to paint both of them not having a care in the world that they’re being watched by their friends.
“Is it too late to join in on your little bet, D and Aje?” Brian asked, turning to Howie and AJ. They raised their eyebrow.
“Why?” AJ asked and Brian shrugged.
“Because I have a feeling they’re going to be together a lot sooner then you two think is all.”
“Alright…what do you think then?” Howie questioned.
“By tomorrow.”
“What makes you think that?”
“I just have a feeling is all,” Brian answered, once again shrugging his shoulders. Howie raised his eyebrow and looked at AJ. AJ shrugged and then looked back at Brian. After an hour had gone by that they were in the playroom it was getting to be about that time when the kids were supposed to be starting to head upstairs. Riley told them all to clean up and do just that so they did. Dakota and Elenore cleaned up their blocks, than they got up. Elenore went straight to Kevin and Dakota to Nick who still sat at the paint table but he was now the only one painting as Ashley had turned sideways in his lap and slid her arms around his waist before resting her head upon his chest and falling asleep.
“Daddy did you and Uncle Kevy ever gets mine and Elenore’s toys out of the car?
“Of course sweetie. They’re upstairs in you rooms waiting for you. Kev and I got Elenore’s room set up right after dinner so it’s all ready for her.” Dakota grinned happily.
“Kay.” He then began to help all of the kids at the table clean up the paints and when he finished he stood up cradling Ashley in his arms and he went back to the group as did Dakota.
“Wow, she’s out.” AJ said while chuckling a bit and Nick smiled down at the sleeping beauty in his arms. Oh how he loves her. And she likes him too! That makes it even better.
“Yeah… I’m going to get her and Dakota in bed. I will see you all tomorrow right?” he asked, looking around at his band mates minus Brian. He knows he will see Brian.
“Yup,” they all replied in unison.
“You’ll be seeing me sooner then all of them. I don’t think I’m leaving tonight,” Kevin replied as he looked down at Elenore who was already half asleep in his arms and she’s got his shirt clutched tightly in her small little hands.
“Aww…” Howie laughed. “Nick and Dakota all over again…almost.”
“Yeah almost. No one can top the relationship between Nick and Dakota…no offense Kev.” Brian added.
“None taken cause I agree,” Kevin replied. “If there was a daddy of the year award Id definitely nominate him.” Nick blushed suddenly.
“Alright well anyway, like I said, I need to get these two to bed.” He replied and he looked down at Dakota who was standing there holding onto his pant leg.
“Come one sweetie,” he told her and he walked out of the room carrying his sleeping beauty and Dakota walked closely behind him. They got into the elevator and went upstairs. When they were up there they went into Nick and Dakota’s room, which was now Ashley’s room as well and he lay her on the bed and covered her up before looking at Dakota.
“Okay baby lets get you into your pajamas. Do you want to watch Little Mermaid before bed?”
“Yeah daddy, please!” Dakota replied eagerly. He smiled at her and then went and grabbed the bag of clothes that Brooke had packed earlier that morning when Dakota was almost adopted. He got out her pajamas and handed them to Dakota before shutting their bedroom door and she began to change clothes. When she finished she crawled onto the bed and sat next to Ashley being careful not to wake her.
“Daddy where are my care bears?” Nick went to the Kb toy store bags that he sat on the floor earlier and he got out her two care bears - Tenderheart that Elenore had given her and Good Luck Bear. He handed them to her and she happily hugged Tender heart bear close to her as he went and got her Little Mermaid DVD out and he began to put it in. Once Dakota was settled, Nick slipped into the bathroom to change into his pajamas, then he came back out and flopped down onto his bed. He was exhausted, though today had been mostly good - except for the whole Dr. Adams thing that morning. He sure hoped those results would be in tomorrow, so he'd know for sure just exactly what had happened to Ashley. He smiled over at Dakota, who flashed him a sleepy grin as she lay there next to Ashley watching The Little Mermaid, her Care Bears clutched tightly - especially Tenderheart. Nick glanced at the T.V. then, and watched The Little Mermaid as well until he too fell asleep - which wasn't too long after Dakota had. All was quiet for quite some time, as the trio slept - until finally one lone shrill scream woke them all up. Nick bolted into an upright sitting position, upon hearing the scream - seeing Dakota jump and scramble herself. It was then he realized that it was Ashley who was screaming. He immediately jumped up and hurried over to her side, and gently shook her awake.
"Ashley....Ashley, Honey, wake up. It's Nick." Ashley struggled with him for a few moments, even after she'd woken up, as it took her a minute or two to realize just who it was that was shaking her awake. Dakota sat on the foot of the bed, hugging her Care Bears tight, looking worried and frightened all at once.
"Nicky?" Ashley gasped fearfully, falling into his arms midst sobs as she realized it was indeed him who had her. Nick lifted her up and sat her in his lap, hugging her tight as he rocked her.
"Shhh...."
“Make him stop Nicky… make him stop hurting me…please.”
“Make who stop hurting you sweetie? No one’s hurting you…”
“D-Doctor A-adams…” She answered, trying to get her words out. Nick gently placed his hands to her cheeks and made her look him in the eyes.
“What’s he doing to you honey? I can’t stop him unless I know what it is he’s doing.”
“I cant t-tell you…h-he made me s-swear on my mother and fathers g-g-rave…”
“Honey nothing is going to happen to your mother and father’s grave I promise. They’re not going to mind if you break that promise. They want you to be safe as do I.” Ashley didn’t reply she only sat there sobbing uncontrollably and he placed soft kisses on her forehead as he kept his hands placed gently to her cheeks.
“It’s okay honey…calm down. I’m here…I’m right here.” He told her. She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face into his shoulder where she continued to cry and he rocked her in his arms like he would do to Dakota. When he had her calmed down he pulled back a bit and he once again looked into her eyes. He didn’t say a word he only sat there gazing into her eyes with so much concern in his own. She sniffled softly.
“Talk to me baby…what’s going on?”
“He…he…raped me…” Ashley confessed and she began to cry all over again. “H-h-e raped me…and tried to drug me up so I wouldn’t remember but I struggled and wouldn’t let him and he ended up spilling it all over the bed. He got angry with me and beat me up and then r-r-aped me. Then he cleaned me up when he was done and made me get dressed and pretend it never happened.” Nick sat there looking at her in shock and bewilderment for a moment. He never expected her to actually tell him.
“Is that all?” He asked when he was able to find his voice to speak.
“No…” Ashley whimpered and he brushed her hair from her face tucking it behind her ear as he looked her in the eyes waiting for her to go on. “He and the guy who nearly killed me have been best friends for years now…he was one of the guys who came over a lot and did horrible things to me… he…he and the guy drugged me up and made porn videos of me…”
“Oh god…” Nick replied softly. “Who is this guy Ashley? Who is it that put you in this hospital?”
“I can’t tell you…”
“Yes you can. Baby you can tell me and I will have that guy’s ass arrested so fast he won’t even have time to blink.”
“No…I-I can’t…” Nick sighed heavily and against his better judgment he let it go. He knows she will tell him when she’s ready he knows it just takes time with her but how much more time does he have? He gently wrapped his arms around her waist and hugged her close and she buried her face in his shoulder allowing him to slowly rock her in his arms. He held her close for a long while, then when he had her calmed down he looked over at Dakota who still sat at the foot of her bed holding her care bears.
“Are you okay baby?” Dakota nodded but Nick can tell that she is scared.
“Come here sweetie…” he told her gently and she crawled over to him and he pulled her into his lap as well. She too wrapped her arms around him and he kissed the top of her head.
“Everything’s going to be okay….she only had a nightmare Kota that’s all.” he reassured her and Dakota relaxed in his embrace. After a few moments he scooted back with them and placed Ashley beside him. She lay back against the pillows and Dakota crawled back into her spot between them. He crawled under the covers too and laid on his side facing them and he extended his arm out so it was wrapped around the both of them. He placed his finger to Ashley’s cheek and gently caressed it.
“Soon as we wake up tomorrow I will tell Riley sweetie okay? And Doctor Johnson took your sheets into a DNA person to get the proof. Soon as we have the proof we can throw Doctor Adams in jail and he won’t be able to lay another hand on you ever again. I Promise.”
“Daddy…” Dakota spoke softly.
“Yeah baby?”
“Will you sing to me?”
“Mm hmm,” he replied and he began to sing their song: Anywhere For You. By the time she was finished she had fallen back to sleep. He tucked her hair behind her ear and leaned down and placed soft kisses on her forehead as he watched her sleep. He watched her for a couple of minutes, than he looked at Ashley who lay there looking at him as she is afraid to go back to sleep. Afraid that the horrible images will come back to haunt her. He suddenly laid back against the pillows and he gently pulled Dakota so that she lay on top of his chest before looking back at Ashley.
“Scoot closer honey…” he told her gently. She did as he said and scooted closer before resting her head against his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her before covering the three of them up again and he rested his forehead against hers. She wrapped her arm around Dakota and kissed her cheek.
“I’m sorry I woke you two up…I’m sorry I frightened her,” she apologized softly.
“Not your fault baby…not your fault at all. It’s okay…” he reassured her. She snuggled close to him and closed her eyes but she didn’t fall asleep at all. She feels safe with him. She knows he means what he said but she can’t help but be a little scared. She’s said too much…way too much.
~*~*~*~*~
Kevin entered Ashley's old room, carrying a sleeping Elenore. She'd fallen asleep in his arms shortly after her and Dakota had finished cleaning up their block towers. He gently laid her down upon the bed - which had on brand new sheets and a new bedspread, all of which he'd gotten her that afternoon. All of which had Ninja Turtles on them - not exactly something you'd expect a little, fragile girl to have - though, she wasn't fragile while fighting with Josh. Once he had her set down on the bed, he searched until he found a pair of footie-pajamas, that had Care Bears on them, for her. He gently started to take her shirt off, only to have her wake up on him.
"NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!" Elenore shrieked, immediately beginning to struggle.
"Ellie, it's okay, it's me, Kevin," Kevin tried to assure the screaming and kicking little girl.
"NO!!! NO!!! NOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!" Elenore continued to scream, quickly managing to roll away from him and off the bed, onto the floor - where she immediately crawled under the bed to hide. Though, her screaming kept on and on - becoming quite loud and shrill. Kevin frowned some, highly concerned, as he knelt down to look under the bed.
"Elenore, it's okay, Sweetie. I promise." Elenore just kept on screaming, her hands over her ears and her eyes squished shut tightly. She screamed for so long and so loud, that finally Brian and Riley came to see just what the heck was going on.
“Kev man what’s going on?” Brian asked worriedly when they had come running into the room.
“I was just trying to change her into her pajamas since she fell asleep in my arms and she woke up an panicked on me!” Kevin answered frantically, not quite sure of what to do. Riley crouched down then, and peered under the bed.
"Elenore, it's okay, Honey. No one here is going to hurt you, you can come out now." She said this, as she reached under the bed and gently pulled Elenore's one hand from her one ear.
"Sweetie, c'mon. It's just Kevin, Brian, and I here. No bad people, I promise."
"Promise?" Elenore checked worriedly. She was scared they were going to hurt her like her mommy and daddy had.
"Cross my heart," Riley told her. "C'mon." After a bit more coaxing, Riley was finally able to get Elenore to come out from under the bed - still shirtless, as Kevin had managed to get her shirt off her before she freaked. "Come here, Sweetie," Riley said, patting her lap as she sat on the floor. Elenore cautiously and worriedly went and sat on Riley's lap, her body tense as she waited for someone to strike. Riley gently began to rub the little girl's back in soft soothing circles. "Shh....Now, what's wrong, Ellie? Hmm? Are Kevin's eyebrows really that scary?" Elenore sniffled softly, a death grip upon Riley as she slowly began to calm down some.
"I's don'ts wanna be in trouble," she whimpered. "I's in trouble if I's gots no shirt on....." Kevin's eyes looked pained upon hearing that - how in the world could someone hurt such a sweet child? Or any child for that matter. What was wrong with this world? Brian placed a hand on his cousin's shoulder in comfort, having had noticed the sadness in his eyes. He too felt horrible that the little girl had been hut so badly - but it seemed to affect Kevin the most deeply. Though Elenore had only been in the Orphanage a day, he could really see Kevin looking into adoption, once she warmed up to him and others a bit more.
"You're not in any trouble," Riley promised. "Nobody here will hurt you, and I'm sure if they tried too, that Kevin would scare them away."
"Wids his eyebrows?" Elenore asked curiously, cocking her head to the side a little. Riley laughed.
"Yes, with his scary caterpillar eyebrows." Brian chuckled softly, as Kevin faked a pout.
"My eyebrows aren't that bad!" Kevin insisted. Riley kept rubbing the little girl's back, feeling the little one's tension ease some.
"Now, why don't we get you into your jammies, and then maybe these two fellows will sing to you." Elenore looked up hopefully.
"Really? They're nots mad ats me?"
"Of course not!" Brian gasped playfully. "Who could ever be mad at such a cute little girl?"
"Mommy an' Daddy...." Elenore replied quietly, looking down at her lap once more. "I's bad alls the times, an' needs to be punished for its lots......I's don'ts means to be bad alls the times....."
"You're not bad, Ellie," Brian told her, as Kevin was too busy trying to control his emotions, despite his playful pout. He crouched down to look the little girl in the eyes.
"You may be naughty sometimes, but you're not a bad girl. You're a very sweet, loving, caring little girl whose worked her way into our hearts rather quickly. Not everybody can win over Kevin here - he picks his friends very carefully. And he definitely doesn't buy toys for someone he doesn't like." Elenore looked up at Kevin hopefully, her eyes still a little worried looking. She wanted to fully trust him more than anything, as he'd been her protector for so long without actually being there. And now that he was there, she wanted him to be it always - but she was still terrified he was either going to leave her behind and/or hurt her like everyone else always had. Kevin crouched down smiling.
"I don't sing for just anyone either - not privately, anyway. Now, how's about we get you changed and into bed, so Brian and I can sing you a song. Your choice; anyone you'd like, Ellie.” Elenore smiled softly, and reached up to hug him, allowing him to pull her into his strong, caring arms.
"Kay...." Kevin smiled more, and kissed her head. He then lifted her up and quickly changed her into her Care Bear footie-pajamas.
"You're gonna make a great mom some day," Brian told Riley as he helped her up off the floor, while Kevin changed Elenore. Riley shrugged.
"You know I love kids. This is something I do quite a bit, actually. Most kids are scared when they first come here - or they have monsters hiding under their beds or whatever."
"Yeah, but still," Brian said, squeezing her hand gently, though he was still jealous and angry about her husband - the husband he'd deemed evil and untrustworthy long ago.
"Alright, we're ready," Kevin stated then, as he sat down on the bed with Elenore - not that he'd much of a choice, as she'd a death grip on him once more. Brian smiled and took a seat next to them, making Riley sit on the bed as well.
"What song, Sweetie?"
"Never Breaks Yer Hearts," Elenore whispered. "An' Shapes of My Hearts when Nicky's here...." Kevin chuckled.
"Ah, a Nicky fan for that song. We better remember to tell him that - he loves singing his part for little girls. He's a lot of little wives your age here." Elenore smiled some, as she snuggled into Kevin. Brian and Kevin made eye contact, quickly deciding Kevin would sing A.J.'s parts.
"From the first day, that I saw your smiling face, Honey I knew that we would be together forever....."
"Oooh, when I asked you out, You said no, But I found out, Darlin' that you'd been hurt, you'd thought that you'd never love again....But I deserve a try Honey, just once. Give me a chance and I'll prove this all wrong...." Brian sang sweetly, looking into the little girls eyes. When they reached the chorus, Elenore glanced up at Kevin who looked back down at her, and into her eyes as he sang the chorus, meaning it with all of his heart.
"I'll never break your heart. I'll never make you cry. I'd rather die, than live without you. I'll give you all of me, Honey that's no lie...."
Author's Chapter Notes:
Here's the next chapter
It was co-written with Lenni
Enjoy =)
It was co-written with Lenni
Enjoy =)
