Chapter Twenty Six
Elenore and Dakota were fast asleep in bed, Kevin asleep in the chair that he'd had brought in for him. Dakota slept soundly, curled up next to her best friend, amazingly not being hit by Elenore's flailing fists. Elenore was trapped in a nightmare she couldn't get out of, and was fighting with everything she had in her. When she finally began to toss and turn too much, Dakota awoke and watched her friend for a moment, before trying to wake her.
"Ellie?" She whispered quietly, as not to wake Uncle Kevin. "Ellie?" Elenore kept writhing about on the bed, whimpering in her sleep. Dakota began to get worried, when she saw her friend start to cry in her sleep. Ellie was having an awful dream and she had to wake her up! She just had too!
"Ellie!" Dakota hissed, shaking her friend. "Ellie!" Elenore bolted at Dakota's touch, screaming as she flew upwards and scrambled off the bed and into the closet. Dakota sat wide-eyed, surprised, as Kevin jerked awake upon hearing Elenore's screams.
"What the....what's wrong?" He immediately looked to the bed where the girls were supposed to be sleeping. He spotted Dakota sitting there looking worried. "where's Ellie, Kota?"
"In the closet," Dakota said softly, trying not to cry herself. She hadn't meant to scare Ellie.
"What's she doing in the closet?" Kevin asked, getting up and stretching.
"I's scareds her," Dakota whimpered. "She havin' a bads dream an' I trieds to wakes her up, buts she gots scareds." Kevin hugged Dakota tightly.
"Hey, it's not your fault, okay?"
"Kay," Dakota sniffled, as she watched Kevin get up and head for the closet. When he got there he opened the door and peeked inside to find Elenore huddled up into the far corner underneath the shelf. She’s hugging her legs to her chest and whimpering quietly as she rocked slowly back and fourth. Kevin isn’t even sure that she is awake.
“Ellie,” he spoke gently, as he knelt down in front of her. She didn’t respond, she only continued rocking back and fourth and whimpering. “Ellie sweetie…” he spoke again and he cautiously reached out and touched her arm. That was a mistake. She shot up like a rocket and made to run quickly out of the closet but since Kevin was in her way she flew into his arms instead and she began to scream and cry as her little arms went flailing and she tried her very hardest to break free from his gentle grasp.
“I’S SORRY! I’S BE GOOD GIRL! I’S BE GOOD GIRL I PROMISE! I DIDN’TS MEAN TO COLOR ON YER PAPERS! I’S SORRY DADDY!” she cried.
“Ellie! Ellie honey wake up! It’s only a dream.” Kevin spoke gently, but loudly over her screams.
“No, No, No, No, NO, NO, NO! DADDY PLEASE NO! NO-”
“-ELENORE!” Kevin cut her off and he gently took a hold of her arms and made her stop struggling to get free. “Ellie it is only me, Kevin!” Elenore’s eyes shot open at Kevin’s voice. She looked at him wide-eyed, her eyes bloodshot and tears pouring from them fast.
“It’s only me sweetheart - Kevin. You’re safe, you’re completely safe. It was only a bad dream.” He reassured her. But Kevin was only half right. She may be safe now but it was NOT just a bad dream to her. It was a terrifying reality. She suddenly began to sob and she flung herself into Kevin’s strong and safe arms wanting and needing to feel safe. He hugged her close to him and he kissed the top of her head as he rubbed his hand over her back.
“I didn’ts mean to color on daddy’s important papers, I don’ts mean to be a bads girl! Please don’t punish me.” She cried.
“Shhh…baby nobody is going to punish you here…not like that, not ever. I promise. You’re safe, you’re very safe and you’re loved and I’m not going anywhere. I’m not going to let anything harm you.” He reassured her. She slid her arms around his neck and held onto him tightly as she cried into his shoulder and he stood up with her and brought her out of the closet to find Nick now sitting on the bed and cradling an upset Dakota who had explained to him what happened. He had come running in at Elenore’s screams leaving Ashley unattended in the next room as she is asleep. He just hopes to god nothing happens to her.
“Is she okay?” Nick asked worried, and Kevin sat in the lazy boy chair holding Elenore close to him as she cried.
“She will be as soon as I get her calmed down…” As Kevin tended to Elenore Nick looked down at Dakota who was both upset and scared for her best friend.
“It’s okay baby girl…Ellie will be okay. She just had a nightmare is all…Uncle Kevin is going to take care of it.”
“Abouts her mommy and daddy?” Dakota asked worriedly.
“Yeah…about her mommy and daddy. They did a lot of bad things to her and even though they aren’t around to hurt her anymore she still gets scared. She’s never ever been loved before in her entire life and it’s going to take her some time to feel safe. We’re all just going to have to bear with her okay? We all just need to be here for her and show her we love her.” Dakota looked up at Nick for a few moments confused. How could a mommy and daddy not love their kids? Sure, her own parents left her abandoned in the garbage can for three days to die… but she was just a small baby so she has no memory of it except for what Nick told her when she had asked him where her parents were. All she’s ever known is Nick and he has always been her daddy and he has always loved her unconditionally. Unlike Elenore she grew up surrounded by love and it saddens her that her best friend didn’t. She doesn’t understand.
“How can a mommy and daddy not love their kids?” She asked softly. “Why would any mommy and daddy wanna hurts their kids? And why Ellie? She’s such a nice friend daddy…why would anyone wanna hurts her? All I ever wants to do is hug her and tells her I love her.” A few tears welled up in Nick’s eyes at Dakota’s question and he thought about how innocent and precious his daughter is. He had always wondered the same thing - ever since he came across Dakota in that dark alley as an infant he has wondered and he still can’t come up with an answer. How could parents - or any adult for that matter be so cruel to a child? They obviously aren’t in their right minds. What makes a person like that? He can’t even imagine hurting Dakota - or any child for that matter. He could never even think about it. He loves and treasures Dakota and thanks god for her each and every day. She is so important to him. She is the cutest, most loving little girl ever and he doesn’t get how anyone could just give her up the way they did. And Elenore…she won the hearts of everybody in the Orphanage the very first day she arrived. She is one of the sweetest little girls ever. Why would anyone want to harm her? Nick moved Dakota back over to the pillows and he laid her down and covered her up. He blinked back his tears before lying down next to her and he wrapped a protective arm around her and pushed a strand of her blonde hair back behind her ear as she looked up at him.
“I don’t know baby girl…I really don’t. Some people…they’re just…plain mean. There are a lot of children out there going through what Ellie is…and it’s really sad. But Ellie is lucky to have been dropped off here where there are plenty of people who will love her…where she gets to have such a caring friend like you to let her know how special she really is. She really needs that…more than anything.”
“Daddy…” she spoke after a long while of just thinking about what he had said.
“Hmm?” Nick asked, as he gently rubbed his finger over Dakota’s cheek.
“Will you sing to me?”
“Why don’t we wait until Kev brings Ellie back over here and I will sing to the both of you?”
“Kay…” Nick looked over at Kevin who had just finished calming Elenore down. When he was sure she was going to be okay he got up and brought her over to the bed. He sat down and lay her next to Dakota so that the two girls were both lying between him and Nick and Kevin covered the two of them up.
“What am I singing ladies?” He asked gently.
“Shapes of my heart…please?” Elenore asked softly and Nick smiled at her gently before exchanging knowing looks with Kevin and the two of them began to sing to the little girls.
“Baby, please try to forgive me
Stay here, don’t put out the glow….”
By the time the two of them had finished both girls were asleep. Nick lay next to Dakota just watching her for awhile as he brushed her hair out of her face and he placed soft kisses on her forehead every few seconds. Kevin looked at him for a couple of minutes, than he patted Nick’s shoulder gently before getting up and going to stand between Dakota’s room and Elenore’s and he peeked in at Ashley making sure that she is okay. He stood there between the doors keeping an eye on her as he let Nick have a time to calm down from the emotional conversation he had, had with Dakota. He knows those questions have always been a very sensitive subject to his youngest brother for the past four years as he’s had to give him advice many times. After awhile when Nick gathered himself up again he leaned down and kissed Dakota one last time for the night, than he got up and walked out of the room where he found Kevin.
“Are you alright?” Kevin asked gently and Nick nodded.
“I’ll be fine… I just need to get some rest. It’s late.” Kevin pulled Nick into a hug.
“Well you know I’m here if you want to talk,” he reminded him.
“Yeah, I know…” Nick replied. “Thanks…” when he pulled away he walked into his room again and headed over to the bed to resume his place next to Ashley and Kevin walked back into the other room to crawl into bed next to the girls.
~*~*~*~*~*~
The next morning Riley woke up at five o’ clock in the morning and felt an arm wrapped around her. She looked next to her to find Brian lying there and suddenly the memories of last night came flooding back to her. She couldn’t help but smile a little bit even though deep inside she feels a little bit bad about cheating on her husband. She swore up and down that she would never do that. But god Brian is beautiful…just lying there naked during the aftermath of the love they shared last night. And oh does she love him…he is so good to her. He always knows the right things to say to make her happy and the most important thing is that he is always there for her when she needs him. But she loves her husband too. Even if he treats her like shit… she never would’ve held onto him this long if she didn’t love him. But she doesn’t know if she can take anymore of the heartache he gives her. Feeling horrible and confused about what it is she should do she got up and headed for the bathroom. She went in there and shut the door just a crack and she set up the shower water and got in. She moved under the warm water and let it cascade down over her body as she closed her eyes. She relaxed in the shower for a few minutes, her eyes closed as she tried so hard to think about things when suddenly pair of arms was wrapped around her waist. Knowing that they’re Brian’s arms she opened her eyes and smiled a little bit as she leaned back against him, rested her head against his shoulder and she looked up at him.
“Morning beautiful…” he murmured into her ear before placing soft kisses on her neck and shoulders.
“Morning…” she answered softly, as his kisses drove her crazy and she soon began to forget all about the war between her brain and her heart. She turned in his arms and looked up at him and she giggled a little bit as she saw that he had bed hair. Brian raised his eyebrow.
“What?” he asked curiously. She giggled again.
“Nice bed hair baby,” she told him and he smirked.
“Shush you…meanie.” He replied, pretending to pout. She giggled once again before pulling him under the pouring water allowing it to cascade down over him as well and she reached up and smoothed his hair back. He stood there watching her for a few moments, than he brought his lips down on hers in a soft kiss.
“Sleep well?” He asked her between kisses, as he wrapped both his arms around her waist and pulled her close to him. Holding her tight as he is almost afraid if he doesn’t he will lose her. He still wonders how in the hell he got so lucky and he fears that it’s all just a dream. That any moment now he will wake up and find that she is gone.
“Mm hmm….” she mumbled against his lips and he gently pushed her up against the shower wall before leaning down and attacking her neck with passionate kisses.
~*~*~*~*~*~
After their very intimate shower, Brian and Riley stepped out of the bathroom the both of them wrapped in towels.
“Brian…”
“Yeah baby?”
“Are my clothes done being washed yet?” She asked curiously, and she looked at him. She had him put her clothes in the washer machine last night before they had fallen asleep so that she would have clean clothes to put on in the morning.
“Mm hmm, they should be.” He answered, and he quickly pulled on some boxers and jeans, before walking over and kissing her lips one more time.
“I will go get them for you,” he told her, and he hurried out of the room leaving Riley standing there staring after him in a daze and looking like a teenage girl in love. She certainly felt like it. When he returned he had her clean clothes in his hand.
“Here you go honey,” he told her and he handed them to her. He kissed her cheek as he ran his fingers through her wet hair.
“I’ll be downstairs. I’m making you breakfast this morning,” he announced and he left the room again quickly before she even had the chance to tell him he doesn’t have to. He wants to. When he got downstairs he saw Tyke was just waking up. He perked up some at seeing Brian coming down the stairs and he got up and happily ran over to him.
“Hey little guy,” Brian greeted him in his best Donald Duck impression, and he bent down and pet him allowing the dog to give him enthusiastic kisses on his cheek.
“I bet you’re hungry huh? How about some breakfast?” Tyke perked up even more at the sound of that and Brian chuckled. He scooped the energetic Chihuahua up into his arms and he brought him into the kitchen. When he got in there he picked up Tyke’s dog dish and brought him and the dish to the pantry. He pulled out the big bag of dog food and he scooped some food into it before going over to the sink. He turned on the water and filled the other side of the dish up with some fresh water and he brought it back over by the counter where it belongs, before kissing Tyke’s little head affectionately and setting him down to eat and he dug right in. Brian smiled at him as he stood there and watched him a bit. He sure does love that dog. It’s almost like watching father and son sometimes. Riley thinks it’s the cutest thing ever. He feels bad though that he always has to go away to the Orphanage and spend the whole day there every single day…he wonders what Brooke and Riley would think if he decided to bring him a long one day. Boy would the kids love that! Tyke would love it too…more than anything. It has been awhile since he’s gotten to play with kids. The only time he ever gets to is when Dakota is over. After a few minutes of watching him, Brian resumed to getting breakfast ready. He decided he would make French toast, bacon, and eggs. By the time Riley came downstairs she was dressed and had done her hair up in a ponytail and she did her makeup too - she left some of her make up at Brian’s awhile back ago when spending the night at his house. The two of them had breakfast together and then afterwards it was time to go. Brian kissed Riley’s cheek and handed her the keys to his car.
“Go ahead and go out there baby, I will be right out. I just need to get a couple of things.”
“Kay,” Riley replied, and she walked out of the house. He watched her through the window and he waited until she was sitting in the seat to the passenger’s side with her door closed. He smirked and then went to the cupboard. He got out a Tupperware bowl that would be big enough for dog food and he put enough in there to last the entire day. After doing that, he stuffed it in his backpack. He ran into the living room where Tyke’s little bed is at and he gathered up some of his toys before bringing them into the kitchen and packing those too. Lastly, he grabbed his leash and when he did he looked at Tyke who sat there watching him with interest. It was almost as if he knew he was gonna get to leave the house. Brian put the leash in his bag too. After doing this he grabbed his hoodie and put it on. When he did he grabbed Tyke and held him close to his chest before zipping the hoodie up with him inside. He made it so he was hidden and Riley wouldn’t be able to see him. After doing this, he was all set. He grabbed his backpack and put it on him, than he walked out of the house with tyke hidden in his hoodie. He went around to the driver’s side, opened the door and got in the car and he looked at Riley who was staring out the window in a daze. Perfect. Let her be in daze for awhile. He shut his door, started the car and drove off to the Orphanage. When he got there and had the car parked, Riley looked at him. She suddenly noticed the bump in Brian’s hoodie and she raised her eyebrow.
“Brian…what do you have in your hoodie?” Brian looked at her with the most innocent look that he could muster.
“Huh? What are you talking about?” Riley didn’t buy into it at all. He can read her thoughts and emotions pretty well, and she can do the same for him. She scooted into the middle after moving his backpack out of he way and she unzipped his hoodie a little bit until she saw Tyke sitting inside it. She looked up at Brian in shock. Brian looked down at the dog in his hoodie with just as much shock.
“Li’l Tyke Littrell! What on earth are you doing in there?!” Riley laughed and shook her head.
“Brian you’re something else….” Brian grinned.
“Why thank you baby,” he replied and she rolled her eyes.
“Any idea how you’re going to get Brooke to allow you to keep him in that Orphanage, Mister?”
“Yup certainly. First I will let the kids see him, and if that doesn’t work, Tyke will turn on his little puppy charm and we’ll be good. Who can resist Tyke’s charm?”
“If you say so baby,” Riley replied, laughing at him and she opened the door and crawled out of the car. Brian smirked and then got out of the car as well after grabbing his backpack and he followed Riley into the building. When they got in there Riley went to clock her and Brian in and Brian headed for the elevator to go wake Dakota and Elenore up. When he was up on the right floor he went down to Elenore’s room to find it empty. He raised his eyebrow, than he went next to Nick’s room. When he did he found Nick and Ashley awake with Dakota in their arms and Kevin sitting on their bed holding Elenore in his lap.
“Ya’ll are awake mighty early,” Brian spoke as he walked in the room holding Tyke who was out of his hoodie now. Dakota’s eyes went wide at the sight of the puppy that she adores SO much.
“TYKE!!!!” She exclaimed happily. Brian chuckled a bit and he went all the way into the room and he brought Tyke over to the bed. He set him down and he ran into Dakota’s awaiting arms leaving slobbery wet kisses all over her cheeks and she giggled wildly.
“Brian…I know you love that dog to death and hardly go anywhere without him…but may I ask why you have him here at work?” Kevin asked, looking at his cousin like he is insane.
“Why yes you may! The answer is simple really. Tyke said he wanted to see the children today. Sooo I brought him to see the children.”
“I see. Tyke said that huh?” Nick asked, smirking.
“Yes. We had a very lengthy conversation this morning - him over a bowl of dog food and me while cooking me and Riley breakfast.” Brian answered, sounding a little too cheerful for his own good. Nick raised his eyebrow as he surveyed his friend very closely. He is acting different today. What is going on? Kevin seemed to have noticed it too.
“Brian? Are you on drugs?”
“Noooo why?”
“I don’t know…you just seem…happier than usual. You say Riley spent the night?”
“Mm hmm,” Brian answered, and he sat on the bed. “She and her husband got into another huge fight and she came running to me and I made it all better and let her spend the night.” Kevin and Nick exchanged curious glances, then suddenly they heard a squeal and then laughter. They looked at the kids to discover Elenore lying on the bed with Tyke on top of her licking her face and Dakota sat there giggling. The two of them were at the foot of the bed playing with the playful Chihuahua. Nick, Kevin, and Brian all smiled as they watched the scene before him.
“Just what she needed…” Kevin announced to no one in particular, a happy grin upon his face.
"A puppy is what everyone needs," Brian smiled. Elenore giggled like crazy, as Tyke continued to lick her face and neck relentlessly, as she lay their upon the bed, squirming about.
"Tickles!" Dakota laughed happily, glad to see her best friend so happy. After last night, she's been mighty worried about her Ellie. Kevin chuckled, as he watched Nick grab his camera that he always kept close by. He knows the younger man was trying to capture these moments for the both of them - they were just too priceless not to snap up forever.
"Are we goin' down to breakfast soon, Nicky?" Ashley asked, smiling as she watched the girls play with Tyke.
"Yeah! I'm hungry, Daddy!" Dakota exclaimed, as she showed Elenore how to scoop Tyke up carefully. Elenore watched Dakota, then reached for Tyke, wanting to give him a hug too.
"Are you hungry, Ellie?" Kevin asked. Elenore nodded, as she squished Tyke close to her.
"Uh-huhs."
"Well, its unanimous then!" Brian laughed. "We better go get some breakfast!" He took his little dog from Elenore, and tucked him safely into his hoodie pouch pocket. "He'll be nice and cozy in there." The girls giggled more, as Tyke poked his head out of the pocket and yapped - purposely sticking his wagging tail out the other end. Brian shook his head. "Lil' Tyke Thomas Littrell, you'd best keep quiet in there." He gently pushed the little dog back in, so that he'd be hidden - though the excited pup wanted out to play with the girls. Nick stood, scooping Dakota up, as Kevin did the same with Elenore. Ashley stood as well, taking hold of Nick's hand.
"I hope we're having pancakes today. I could really go for some," she commented, as the group walked out and took the elevator downstairs. The elevator reached the floor they needed, dinging as it did so, and opening the doors. They all stepped out, only to be halted by a small shriek, which came from Elenore. Everybody looked down at the little girl in Kevin’s arms to find her now holding on tightly to Kevin with a death grip and she seemed to be looking at something with fear in her eyes. They all followed her eyes to see the woman who dropped Elenore off at the Orphanage just a few days ago. Her so-called-mother. But this time there is a man with her and he is wearing a baseball cap backwards and he has a little bit of facial hair on his chin. He is wearing a white shirt, blue jeans, and a long black jacket. He’s about 6’2” and looks thin but not too thin and he is very built.
“What the hell are they doing here…” Kevin spoke softly, so only Nick and Brian could hear him. He assumes the man beside the woman is Elenore’s ‘father’. They went over to Brooke and she looked at them as they did.
“Kev as you already know…this is Elenore’s mother. And this man here is her father…they’ve come thinking that we’re going to let them take her back.”
“Over my dead body will they take her back!” Kevin demanded, and he held Elenore close to him and stepped back a little.
“She is our daughter! We have a right to have her back.”
“A daughter that you gave up and said you didn’t want anymore.” Brian replied, coming to his cousin’s aide. Nick would help too but at the moment he was a little occupied. Ashley seemed to have put a death grip on him too and she doesn’t want to go anywhere near those people. She doesn’t know why but the man standing next to Mrs. Ellerbee gives her the creeps.
"What's wrong?" Nick whispered to Ashley. Ashley just clung tighter to him.
"I-I don't trust - him," she managed to get out finally. "There's just - something about - him.....Please Nicky! Don't make me go over there!"
"Okay, shhh...." Nick soothed, hugging her close. "How about we go into the cafeteria and you can hang out with Doctor Jay, okay? I'd stay with you, but I've a feeling Kevin may need me out here." Ashley nodded her agreement even though she would much rather have Nick stay with her. She doesn’t feel safe at all. Nick turned and headed toward the Cafeteria, Ashley wrapped safely in one arm and Dakota rested on his hip in the other arm.
Author's Chapter Notes:
Here's the next chapter.
It was co-written with Lenni.
Enjoy =)
It was co-written with Lenni.
Enjoy =)
