Chapter Two-Hundred-Thirty-Seven
When Nick and Sarah got upstairs to their room, they found Ashley and Dakota sitting on the bed side by side with Little Bella lying in Ashley’s lap. Doctor Johnson is sitting on the edge of the bed, and Brandon is back in the lazy boy chair. He had been trying to keep a reasonable enough distance between him and Ashley, as he was informed she and Nick are back together and he didn’t want to ruin things for her again.
“DADDY!!!” Dakota cheered happily, and he smiled at her.
“Hi sweetheart,” he replied and he went over and kissed her cheek, before sitting next to Ashley and he pushed a strand of her hair back behind her ear. “Hi baby, how are you feeling?”
“Better now that you’re here,” She informed him, as she wrapped her good arm around him and pulled him closer for a hug. He slid both arms around her waist and hugged her back as he kissed her forehead softly.
“Are you in pain?” he asked as he looked her in the eyes concerned.
“No, but I just missed you.”
“I missed you too,” he informed as he rubbed his finger lightly over her cheek.
“And it made me sad to see you so upset on TV like that…when Ellen asked about the shooting. You looked like you needed a hug.”
“Mhm, I did. Where is Marcus?”
“He went to go find AJ to bug him about that coffee. Everybody but you and Alex has been up here to see me.”
“Aje will be up here soon. He’s down in the lobby talking to Denise.”
“About?”
“The interview,” Nick lied, and he immediately felt impressed with himself at how easily he did it. He looked at Doctor Johnson then, who was just sitting there quietly listening.
“So she doesn’t have to wear her sling anymore?” he questioned, indicating toward her arm that wore the cast. It is still rested comfortably on the pillows where Doctor Johnson had put it.
“No, she does. I came in here earlier to check on her and wanted to see how her arm was doing. She wanted me to keep it off of her for awhile, so I told her I would but she has to put it back on before bed.”
“Ah okay. You heard about our trip right? To California and New York?”
“Yes I did, and I will be stocking you up on painkillers before you leave, so be sure you see me before you do.”
“Got it,” Nick nodded, and he glanced at Brandon, acknowledging that he is there but he didn’t say anything. He knows he has to eventually talk to him and try to be his friend, but it’s going to take time.
“Well, Bran, I think it’s about time for Nick and Ashley to put the rugrats to bed, so we should get going.”
“Fine, but you’re going out with me for coffee, not working.”
“But –“
“-Steve...”
“Fine.” Brandon smiled in satisfaction that he had won. He thought it was going to be tougher then that. But then he frowned, as he noticed just how easy it was.
“What’s the catch?”
“You invite Peyton to come a long.” Brandon gaped at him for a few moments, and then he looked at Ashley with playful looks of accusation.
“No, she didn’t tell me. I just know you all too well.”
“I think it’s a great idea,” Ashley insisted while smiling.
“You would” Brandon scoffed playfully and she giggled.
“Go for it Brandon.” Brandon sighed, and then he looked to his brother.
“Fine. I’ll invite Peyton with us…but!”
“Oh, here it comes…”
“You bring Jennifer a long.” Ashley laughed amusedly.
“A double date! What fun!”
“Fine…” Doctor Johnson sighed. “I owe her an apology anyway. I think she’s royally pissed off at me at the moment for purposely ignoring her.” The two brothers got up then and they headed for the door after each taking turns on giving Ashley a hug.
“Bye boys! Have fun! And I’m gonna want all of the juicy details tomorrow, so be prepared for an interrogation!” Nick laughed and when Doctor Johnson closed the door behind him, he turned his attention on Ashley and his two girls.
“Kota, Sarah, its bedtime. I want the two of you in your pajamas right away,” he instructed. He got up then and he went and got each of their pajamas from the dresser and handed them out to them. While they were changing into their pajamas, Nick gently took a sleeping Bella from Ashley’s arms and he held her out to her.
“Give her a kiss good night,” he instructed gently, and Ashley did just that before Nick carried her over to her crib and lay her down. He covered her up with her blanket and stuck her pacifier next to her and then he continued to usher the girls into bed. Ashley reached over and turned the lamp handle so that the room was dim. When he and Ashley had both the girls in bed and they were sleeping, Nick gathered Ashley into his arms so he is cradling her. He brought her over to the lazy boy chair before sitting down with her and he put the leg rest up so he was lying back with her.
“Careful Nicky…we don’t have two girls and two dogs between us over here,” she teased, looking up at him and smiling and he chuckled.
“I think it’s a risk I’m willing to take,” he told her, as he shifted her so she was lying on her stomach on top of him. She lay her arm comfortably against his chest and he cupped her cheek in his hand before leaning down and brushing his lips lightly over hers.
“Guess what?” He asked softly, as he rested his forehead against hers when they pulled away.
“Hmm?”
“You promised me you would show me what you bought at the mall today.”
“You’re right, I did” Ashley agreed and she looked up at him while smiling innocently. He placed his hand to her cheek and leaned forward before brushing his lips over hers ever so delicately, as if he’s afraid of breaking her.
“So where is it?” Ashley lay there gazing up at him in silence for a few moments just contemplating on how she was going to tell him about her tattoo. She had originally planned on surprising him in the shower but Sean pretty much ruined that idea. Just then there was a knock on the door and Nick groaned in annoyance at the interruption, but Ashley on the other hand was very pleased with whomever it is for helping her stall.
“Come in,” she called, after shifting so she lay in the chair next to him with her wounded arm lying across his chest and her head rested against his shoulder. He slid his arms around her waist and kissed her forehead softly as the door opened and AJ and Denise entered.
“Hi sweetheart, I believe I owe you a little visit before I go settle in for the night,” AJ told her and she smiled at him.
“I was beginning to wonder if I was going to get one, or if Id have to come find you myself.” AJ chuckled and he went over and kissed her cheek.
“I see you aren’t wearing your sling,” he observed, as he knelt down beside the chair and he rested his chin on the armrest.
“For a while. Doctor J recommends that I put it back on before I go to sleep.”
“Well he’s a pretty wise man when it comes to that stuff, so you should definitely listen to him.”
“Yeah,” Ashley agreed.
“Do you have any plans for tomorrow, or will it just be another day of taking it easy?” He asked curiously, as he tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.
“Well I want to get at least an hour or two in Brandon’s studio,” Ashley answered as she looked up at Nick. “If that’s okay.”
“I think I can handle sharing you for a couple of hours,” Nick answered after making a playful look like he is thinking about it and he rubbed his nose lightly over hers. Ashley smiled up at him some, before looking at AJ who looked very pleased to see things are really patching up between the two of them. “And then afterwards I was thinking about going to my house for the day with just Nick and the kids. I haven’t been there in awhile.”
“That sounds good but Nick remember the Bucs and the Steelers game is tomorrow and you promised Kori you would go with Scott, Spencer, Kevin and Ellie.”
“Oh yeah…that’s right” Nick replied and he looked down at Ashley who looked up at him and he caressed her cheek lightly with his finger.
“Can we be back here by three baby?”
“Mhm I suppose I can spend time in Brandon’s studio while you’re at the game. I just want most of the day to be you, the kids, and me. It would mean a lot to me.”
“We’ll wake up bright and early before the kids are even awake and take them to your house and I’ll cook you all breakfast. Does that sound okay?”
“Sounds perfect. We should wake up before the sunrise Nicky so that we can watch it together.”
“If that’s what you want,” Nick smiled. AJ chuckled.
“You two better get to bed pretty soon then, you’ve got a long day ahead of you.”
“JAAAAAY…” they suddenly heard a lone wail from down the hall, and AJ chuckled. “And that’s my cue to go to bed also. I’m being paged.” Ashley giggled.
“You better go answer it then.” AJ smirked and leaned forward and kissed her cheek one last time.
“Good night sis. I’m glad to see you right back where you belong.”
“Good night,” Ashley replied softly and AJ got up and left the room.
“JAAAAAAAAY!” Laila wailed once more.
“Alright, Alright, sheesh” AJ called after her playfully and Ashley giggled once more before looking at Denise who went over and knelt down in AJ’s place.
“Thanks for hanging out with me tonight, Momma Denise…it meant a lot.”
“No problem sweetheart…that’s what mothers are for. I’m gonna go home for now but I don’t want you to be hesitant to call me at anytime, okay?”
“Kay, I won’t” Ashley promised, and Denise reached out and touched her cheek with her hand in an affectionate way, before getting up and leaving the room. Nick waited a couple of moments, and then he got up from the chair and went to the door and he shut it and locked it before going over to their little Christmas tree. He plugged in the lights, shut off the lamp and he turned and went back to the chair where he noticed Ashley had made it so it was lying all the way back and she was just waiting for him. He went over and resumed his spot next to her.
“There. No more interruptions – I mean it,” He insisted and Ashley giggled. When he was lying next to her, she crawled ontop of him so she was straddling him and she leaned down and brought her lips on top of his for one of her captivating kisses knowing it would distract him. He moaned softly and placed his hands to her bottom before kissing her back. She slid her one hand up and underneath his shirt rubbing her hand over his chest ever so slowly before bringing it back down to the hem and she started pulling it up to the best of her ability. Nick grabbed hold of his shirt as well and proceeded to help her. When they managed to get it off he dropped it to the floor and she bent down and placed tender kisses over his chest, neck, and shoulders. He lay there enjoying it for a few moments, before grabbing the hem to her shirt and he began to lift it up carefully. When he had it up and over her shoulders, she stopped her kisses in order for him to lift it over her head and he dropped it to the floor. He cupped her cheek in his hand and was about to kiss her when he caught sight of something on her shoulder blade.
“What is that?” he questioned and Ashley smiled at him nervously, before leaning forward so her head was rested against his shoulder and he could see her shoulder blade better. He gasped softly and slowly rubbed his fingertip over the numbers that need no explanation.
“What do you think?” she asked softly. “Do you like it?”
“I love it…but I think your brother needs a good kick in the ass for taking you to get it.” Ashley smirked.
“He had no idea that’s what he was taking me to do. I caught him completely off guard and he didn’t have much choice. I wasn’t leaving until I got what I want and was prepared for the argument.” Nick chuckled.
“Now I know where Kota gets it from – it’s not just Ellie after all.”
“He refused to let me brand your name on my body. He said he’d only give in if I obeyed that one rule. So I outsmarted him and got numbers instead.” Nick chuckled softly, and he kissed her forehead.
“Did it hurt?”
“Only a tiny bit, but otherwise no. I’ve endured worse.”
“And here I thought you were terrified of needles.”
“I didn’t look at it. I concentrated on Alex the whole time – and it was something that I really wanted.” Nick smiled some and he bent down and placed tender kisses on her tattoo.
“I wanted you to see just how committed I am,” she told him quietly and he tightened his arms around her.
“I love you,” he told her quietly in her ear. “But no more tattoos for awhile okay? Denise is going to throw the fit of the century when she finds out about this one. I don’t think Ellie’s fits could even top the fit she is going to throw.”
“For awhile. But when I’m eighteen I’m getting Dakota, Sarah, and Bella on me.”
“Even Bells? But baby she isn’t yours forever you know, what if someone adopts her?” Nick questioned, playing a long.
“Are you kidding me? No one’s taking my Bells from me. Its you and Kota all over again except I’m going to ask Brooke to keep her away from adoption so we don’t have any complications.” Nick chuckled softly, but otherwise remained quiet and he cupped her chin in his hand, tilted it up so she’s looking at him and he brushed his lips lightly over hers.
“When are you planning on adopting Sarah?” She asked quietly when he pulled away, and he gazed into her curious brown eyes.
“I plan on pulling Kota aside tomorrow and asking her for permission. Do you think she’s ready?”
“I think she’s as ready as she’ll ever be. I haven’t seen those two fight in ages and if they have it was a very sisterly act, it wasn’t out of jealousy. I think she’s learned to accept her.”
“Well we’ll learn the truth tomorrow.” Ashley nodded her agreement.
“Yes we will.”
~*~*~*~*~*~
Meanwhile in Kori and Wiley’s room, Kori and Wiley were standing at the window gazing out at it together. Kori standing in front of him as his arms are wrapped around her waist with his chin on her shoulder. They were standing there whispering amongst themselves, when they suddenly heard the sleeping five-year-old on the bed behind them, struggling in his sleep.
“No, no…” he whimpered, and the couple turned and looked at him concerned, to see him roll over slightly, reach for his teddy bear and hug it close to him before settling down. Kori and Wiley exchanged looks of relief before turning back to the window and continuing their whispering.
“I don’t want him to go tomorrow Wi…” she vented softly.
“I know but you have to.”
“I hate this.”
“I know…but he is good with him…he wouldn’t let anything happen to him.” Kori looked back at Wiley with a raised eyebrow.
“Intentionally.”
“I’m going to worry about him the whole time.”
“Kevin and Nick will be there.”
“I know, but still…”
“Kori, I have to side with Ashley on this one…I’m sorry. But he is a good father.”
“A good father would never have thought twice about wanting their kid.”
“I think he’s done a very good job at making up for that. You have to forgive him for this sometime.”
“He broke my heart Wi…I’ll never forgive him for that.”
“That’s not what I mean and you know it.” Kori crossed her arms over her chest stubbornly and looked straight out the window.
“He was a lousy boyfriend…and I’m not telling you to forgive him for that. But you need to forgive him for screwing up with Spencer because he is trying – really trying to make it up to him. Spencer needs his father.”
“He has you.” Wiley sighed.
“You know I love the kid to death honey and I’m always going to be here for him. Always. I will always love him like he was my own. But he deserves to know who his real father is. If you don’t get it over with now, he is just going to start asking questions later down the road.”
“So I’ll tell him the stork dropped him off on our doorstep.” Wiley laughed and Kori smirked, obviously very pleased with her joke.
“I’m sure that will quiet him down when he’s seven, but how about when he is thirteen and trying to find out who he is?” Kori shrugged.
“You have to tell him. It’s inevitable…you can’t run from it just as much as you can’t run from everything else.” Kori didn’t reply she only rested the back of her head against his shoulder comfortably. The two of them stood there in silence for awhile, and then when she was just about to open her mouth to say something, Spencer’s fit started back up again.
“No, no, no, NO!!!!!!!” He shrieked, and he shot upright in bed and began to cry bloody murder.
“Spencer? What is it honey, what’s wrong?” Kori asked with a start and she rushed over and sat next to him, before gathering him into her arms and she hugged him close and rocked him in her arms while he cried. Suddenly Scott came running into the room, sliding on the slick floor as he is in his socks.
“What is it, what’s wrong my so – my buddy?”
“He’s going to be okay, he’s just having a nightmare” Wiley reassured, slightly amused by Scott’s slip-up. Scott ignored him, and he went over and sat next to Kori and he rubbed his hand over Spencer’s back to let him know he is there. Spencer reached for him and Scott looked at Kori for permission. Kori nodded quietly and Scott gathered the distressed child into his arms and hugged him close as Spencer slid his arms around his shoulders and buried his face in his neck.
“It’s okay…shhh…you’re safe,” he reassured softly in his ear as he rocked him. At the sound of his father’s soothing voice, Spencer calmed down some. Scott waited a long while, very patiently, until he was calm. When he was, he looked down at him and saw Spencer peeking up at him, one eye revealed while most of his face was hidden.
“Hey…” he spoke gently as he ruffled his fingers through his hair. “Want to talk about it?” Spencer shook his head quietly.
“Are you sure?” Scott questioned and Spencer nodded. Scott looked at him for a few moments.
“Then how about we get you back into bed, huh?”
“I wants to sleep with you,” Spencer requested quietly. Scott looked at Kori then who raised her eyebrow. She was about to protest when Wiley placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
“I think that would be okay,” he insisted. “Don’t you Kor?” Kori gave him a dark look and then looked back at her son with more gentle eyes and she leaned forward and kissed his cheek.
“Don’t forget your teddy bear,” she told him quietly. “Or your blanket.” Scott grabbed the teddy bear that he had bought for Spencer and handed it to him while giving him a small smile. Spencer hugged it close and Scott grabbed his blanket before getting up with him and carrying him out of the room. Kori got up and followed. Wiley shook his head and followed also to make sure his overly protective girlfriend doesn’t intervene. Scott carried Spencer to his bedroom next door and Kori stood hidden in the doorway with Wiley right behind her with his arms wrapped around her. She watched her ex place their son in his bed and sit down next to him as the lights were already off and he covered him up.
“There, there…you are safe now. Do you think you can go back to sleep?” he asked gently. Spencer shook his head.
“I’m scared…”
“There is nothing to be afraid of, I’m right here. I’m not going to let anything bad happen to you.”
“What if you don’t have a choice? What if they hurteds you?”
“Who?” Scott asked concerned, and he brushed some of Spencer’s hair out of his face, before gazing into his eyes that are so much like his own.
“Those guys…”
“Is that what your nightmare was about?” Scott questioned, suddenly comprehending. Spencer hugged his teddy bear close to him and gazed up at the older man that he admired next to Wiley with frightened eyes. Scott sighed, and closed his eyes briefly, as he feels awful for what happened the other day. He would like nothing more then to beat those guys to a bloody pulp for scaring his son.
“Well you don’t have to worry about them, I promise you.”
“How come?” Spencer asked skeptically.
“Because they’re in jail, that’s how come”
“For goods?”
“For good. Detective Stabler would kick their butts if they even tried to escape. You’re safe.”
“Would you kick their butts if they escaped?” Spencer interrogated, raising his eyebrow some.
“Most definitely. There is no way I am letting them near you.” Spencer smiled up at him some and Scott smiled in return.
“All better now?”
“Kind of…”
“I bet you’d feel even more better if you went to sleep.”
“Nuh uhs…what if the nightmares come back?”
“Then I’ll be right here to scare them off again. I promise buddy.” Spencer stared up at him with a pout.
“We’ve got a big day ahead of us you know…do you know what tomorrow is?”
“Football!” Spencer exclaimed; suddenly smiling huge and Scott chuckled.
“That’s right. The Steelers baby! They’re gonna kick butt huh?”
“Yeah!”
“That’s right. But you need to get your rest so you can be awake to see them kick butt.”
“Kay,” Spencer agreed, nodding his head. Scott smiled at him and he sat there gently playing with his hair, and Spencer closed his eyes, as it relaxed him. After awhile, he closed his eyes and fell right to sleep and Scott lay next to him, before pulling the blankets up on the both of them. Wiley pulled Kori back into their own bedroom, and Scott lay there watching Spencer sleep, wondering how he could ever think of giving this kid up. What was he thinking?
Author's Chapter Notes:
Here's the next chapter.
Enjoy =)
Enjoy =)
