Chapter Two-Hundred-Thirty-Four
Meanwhile downstairs, everybody was hanging out, out on the playground. Brian has all of the kids – all of them as in most of the kids on the playground in a circle and he is organizing some kind of project that he won’t tell any of the other adults about. While he was doing that, Brooke, Riley, Kori, his cousin, and his three bandmates sat on the other side of the playground at the picnic table watching him, trying to determine what crazy scheme he is planning now. While they were doing that, AJ’s cell phone rang. Confused, he pulled his phone out of his pocket wondering who it could be when everybody he knows is surrounding him. He looked down at the caller ID as soon as he had it out and he narrowed his eyes.
“He can’t be calling me to bitch about what happened earlier. What happens to my sister isn’t any of his business…” Kevin raised his eyebrow and AJ flipped open his phone and placed it to his ear.
“Hey Lou, what’s up?”
“Have you seen the news today?”
“No, but let me guess. Some fans – or reporter witnessed the shooting of my sister earlier today and now it’s all over the news. Right?”
“You had to know that was going to cause questions, AJ. You and Nick – and that sister of yours seem to be making headlines a lot lately.”
“Look, it’s not my fault some psycho tried to kill her! I’ve been going through a really rough time today the last thing I need is for you to call me and bitch at me.”
“I am just trying to tell you that you need to be prepared. There are a lot of questions floating around. Especially about her.”
“I am well aware of that. And if you are going to talk about my sister I would appreciate it if you didn’t make it sound as though you are speaking of some kind of disease that needs to be fixed. She has a name – it’s Ashley. So use it.”
“Whatever. I also called to inform you, that I have a lot of Christmas stuff planned for you in the next upcoming weeks.”
“Okay, like?”
“You’ll be performing at the Kissmas Bash in Buffalo New York, and the Jingle Ball in California.”
“What days?” He questioned, looking over at Kevin who was listening dutifully.
“The Kissmas Bash is on the 8th, and the Jingle Ball is on the 11th.” AJ sighed heavily.
“Okay,” he replied, not even bothering to argue with him about how soon the dates are as he just wants to hang up the phone. “Is that all you wanted?”
“You also have another Ellen Show to do tonight. I’ve arranged it to clear up all of the questions and you’re singing Christmas songs on there. No kids this time.”
“You know what dude? You’re scheduling all of this stuff so close and expecting us to rearrange everything else important to us so that it will work, I think you don’t have a right to complain whether or not we bring our kids on the show or not.”
“Fine.” Lou replied in an icy tone.
“And anyway, I don’t know what your problem is. Doing all of this kind stuff for children like this only makes our group look good so quit your complaining.”
“I’ve gotta go.”
“Okay good, cause I’m tired of talking to you anyway.”
“Alex,” Denise spoke up in a warning tone. AJ looked at her innocently.
“No need for the attitude.”
“Goodbye Lou,” AJ replied in a false sweet tone in order to satisfy his mother but anyone who knows him would be able to tell the difference.
“Bye,” Lou replied, not even bothering to pretend to be nice and he hung up. AJ rolled his eyes and turned his phone off and he looked at his mother.
“You can’t blame me mom, he is a complete asshole.”
“He’s still your manager.”
“He doesn’t control us. We can dump him if we feel the need. We’re adults not children and the way he talks about Ashley makes me want to punch him that much more.”
“Oh yeah, that would really go well with your career.”
“Oh, I know plenty of fans who will be right there cheering me on.” Denise shook head trying to be the firm mom but it was hard to hide her amusement. She doesn’t like Lou just as much as the five of them do, but that doesn’t mean she needs to encourage her son to go off and treat him like a punching bag either.
“Before you go and punch our asshole of a manager, how about you tell us all what he has in store for us that we have to rearrange everything else important to us in order to make work?” Kevin spoke up, trying to keep his younger bandmate’s temper at bay.
“We have a Kissmas Bash to go to in Buffalo New York on the 8th, and then from there we have to drive to California to be at the Jingle Ball on the 11th. To top all of that off, we have an interview and performance to do tonight on Ellen – a Christmas performance.”
“You’re kidding me…” Kevin replied after a few moments when he recovered from getting the wind knocked out of him.
“Do I look like I am kidding you?” Kevin stared incredulously, contemplating on whether or not he should call Lou up and ask him if he is out of his mind.
“Okay…calm down people it’s all right. We’re the Backstreet Boys, we can pull it off” Howie insisted. “It’s not like we’ve never done things at the last minute before.”
“Pull what off? Brian asked curiously as he suddenly joined the group.
“Lou scheduled an Ellen interview for us tonight, The Kissmas Bash in New York on the 8th, and then Jingle ball in California on the 11th.”
“No way…”
“Yup. Totally serious,” AJ replied, clearly still annoyed.
“So we have two days to plan?” Brian asked incredulously and Howie nodded.
“But we can do it,” he reassured. “We’ll need to talk to Nick about it. He has the most kids on his hands, plus Ashley who isn’t exactly in the best condition.”
“Would I be completely out of my mind and laughed at if I suggested we leave the kids here? And Ashley with Denise?”
“Mhm, you would.” Kevin answered his cousin’s question without a second thought. “We can’t leave Ashley here without security but we need them ourselves if fans are involved. So leaving her here is out of the question. Plus have you seen Nick when we’ve tried to separate them? No, I would rather he be able to concentrate on the show with his whole heart. Plus Ellie will only scream and cry the whole time we’re gone. I’m not about to make Brooke put up with that.”
“Okay…you’re right. Dumb question.”
“Someone needs to go talk to Nick about this. Like I said, he has more responsibilities then us.”
“I’ll do it,” AJ immediately volunteered, as he’s been dying for an excuse to go check on his sister.
“I’ll go with him,” Brian added and the two of them headed for the door, but AJ only made it half way there when a familiar screech made him stop abruptly. He turned to see Laila sitting in the sand with a bucket in her hand and she was eyeing AJ every so often while playing, making sure she wasn’t forgotten. He chuckled and kneeled down.
“Come here sweetheart,” he told her gently as he held his arms out to her. She got up and ran into his arms and he stood up with her as she snuggled into him comfortably and he followed Brian into the building while placing soft kisses on Laila’s forehead. When they got upstairs to the right floor, they walked down the hall to Nick’s room and poked their heads in the room and they found Nick hanging up clothes that they recognize as Ashley’s. He noticed them there and looked at them curiously.
“Hey guys…what’s up? He asked quietly so he doesn’t wake Ashley up.
“We suddenly have plans for tonight,” Brian announced.
“And for the next few days,” AJ added grudgingly. Nick raised his eyebrow, hung the last shirt in his hand up, and then he turned and went over to Bella’s crib as he heard her fussing. When he approached her, he got her out of it before she started to really cry and he cradled her in his arms before going over to the bed and he sat down with her before sticking a warm bottle in her mouth knowing she’s hungry. Brian sat in a chair to the desk and AJ on the floor.
“What’s going on?” He questioned, and Brian explained.
“Oh man…”
“Yeah. And we figured since you have the most kids to worry about – plus Ashley who isn’t in the best condition, we’d come see what you think.”
“Well, I can already tell you I’m not going to be able to leave any of them here.”
“Yes we figured that much. Kevin has already pointed out the issues of that.”
“So…what? We just get two rented vans again? Or are we going by tour bus?”
“I think the quickest way we’re going to get anywhere is by airplane.”
“That’s going to be really tough on Ashley and her arm…”
“I know Nick, but what choice do we have? It’s either leave her here with my mom, or she toughs it out on the plane.” Nick sighed heavily and he reached over and gently rubbed his finger over the back of her good hand.
“I don’t like it anymore then you do. Believe me, Id gladly punch Lou if momma wasn’t standing in my way.”
“Well since we have two days from now planned, how about tonight? Aje told him he has no say when he tried to tell us we can’t bring our kids to the Ellen show, but I figured we’ve pushed him enough already. Any chances that we can talk them into staying here?”
“I know Ashley can easily talk Kota and Sarah into staying, but good luck with trying to leave Ellie and Laila behind.”
“You know what, let’s not even try it. We already have enough on our plate without an extra large tantrum on the side. Lou will just have to deal with it. He’s the one who informed us about it at the last minute – and with a crisis on our hands too,” Brian replied while indicating toward Ashley.
“I’m leaving Ashley here either way. I just want her to take it easy for the first two days. The last thing she needs is to be dealing with Backstreet stuff right now.”
“Good idea,” AJ replied as he reached up and brushed a few strands of her hair out of her face. “She can watch us on TV.”
“Is there anyway you could get your mom to stay with her?” Nick questioned.
“I won’t even have to ask her. She’s in worried mom mode right now as we speak. She’s ready and willing to take care of her daughter. I wouldn’t be surprised if she stays the night here.”
“Okay cool. I’ll ask Doctor Johnson to look in on her every now and then too. Or maybe Brandon…could come keep her company while I’m gone.” AJ gasped at his younger brother’s words and Brian reached out and placed his hand to his forehead.
“You did not just say that. Are you feeling okay Nick?”
“I’m fine, Nick replied while rolling his eyes. “I just promised her Id do my part and try as long as she does her part in being patient with me.”
‘Yeah, but still. Wow Nick…”
“I just want to prove to her that I trust her.”
“Well I’m proud of you.”
“Me too,” AJ agreed, though he still eyed Nick as if he had three heads or something.
~*~*~*~*~
Later on that day after dinner, Nick carried Ashley upstairs to their room and sat her in bed before propping her pillows and allowing her to lay back against them. Dakota and Sarah had followed him up there and were playing with the puppies.
“Are you sure you’re okay with staying here?” Nick double-checked.
“I’m very okay with it. I’m all for taking it easy for the next couple of days, especially if I am going to California and New York with you.”
“Okay,” Nick replied and he kissed her cheek.
“I’ll be watching you on TV.”
“I’ll be sure to give you a shout out,” He promised and he turned his attention on the girls.
“Sarah and Kota, what are your plans? Do you want to come or stay here with Ashley?”
“My Ashee needs company,” Dakota insisted as she crawled up onto the bed and over to Ashley and she lay back against her as she held Lily in her arms. “I stays with her.”
“Okie dokie,” Nick replied and he looked at Sarah questioningly. Sarah went to him and hugged his leg. Nick bent over and picked her up and he looked her in the eyes.
“Are you coming with me?” Sarah nodded and rested her head against his shoulder. Nick smiled at her and rubbed his hand over her back. Just then, AJ and Denise walked in. Denise has Bella in her arms.
“Are you ready Nick? It’s time to go,” AJ questioned.
“Mhm just a minute,” Nick replied and he walked over to Ashley and kissed her forehead softly.
“Hey now,” Ashley protested and she reached up, cupped his cheek in her hand and she brought his lips down onto hers for a deep kiss and he moaned softly at the intensity of it before kissing her back and Dakota giggled. AJ rolled his eyes in half amusement and half disgust. When they pulled apart Nick staggered slightly as she had left him completely breathless.
“Holy Jeez…can you make it any harder for me?” He asked and she giggled, as she knows exactly what he means. He shook is head and leaned over and kissed Dakota’s forehead.
“Bye sweetheart. You take very good care of our girl okay?”
“I wills daddy, I promise” Dakota reassured dutifully and he ruffled her hair before turning and walking out of the room before AJ grew impatient and dragged him out.
Author's Chapter Notes:
Here's the next chapter.
Enjoy =)
Enjoy =)
