Chapter Two-Hundred-Ninety-Eight
“Do you think I should go check on those girls in that tunnel?” Ashley asked Brandon as the two of them were still sitting out on the playground under their tree painting despite all of the children now outside running around. Bella is happy and content in her swing near by and has been the perfect little angel that she is the whole time. “They’ve been in there for a really long time and with Ellie the girl we all know and love you can never be too careful.”
“I’m sure they’re okay,” Brandon chuckled. “What trouble could they cause by sitting in a tunnel? They are probably just sharing secrets like all little girls do.”
“I guess so,” Ashley replied while still looking over at the tunnel. Her gut instinct practically screaming at her to go check on her babies. She was about to give into those instincts, when suddenly Sarah came out from under the tunnel and started directly for her.
“There, see? Safe and sound” Brandon told her as the other two came out shortly after. When Sarah approached Ashley, she slid her arms around her neck and hugged her tightly. Ashley pulled her into her lap and hugged her back affectionately as she leaned forward and planted a kiss on her forehead.
“Hey sweetie, what were you three up to?”
Secrets. Sarah wrote and she showed it to Ashley. Ashley looked at her for a couple of moments, but left it at that nonetheless. Sarah is being extra cuddly though, which makes her wonder like the worried mom that she’s become what exactly those secrets are. She looked back over at Dakota and Elenore and saw that they were now happily playing with Chance, Abbie, Lily, and Lil’ Rok. She smiled slightly, happy that Abbie is being played with. She hasn’t gotten the chance to pay attention to her yet that day and she’s been begging for it. Vowing that she will dedicate an entire hour to her puppy later, she returned her attention back on the painting in front of her.
“So I heard you guys are planning on doing a play after Christmas,” Brandon spoke up conversationally after awhile of eyeing Sarah over his painting every now and then.
“Yeah we are,” Ashley smiled. “Beauty and The Beast. And I’m hoping Sarah will try out for a part,” she added, looking down at her encouragingly. Sarah smiled some. “But now that you bring it up, I have a question for you” she announced while looking back at Brandon.
“What’s up?”
“Will you help create the set Mr. Artiste?
“Absolutely” Brandon chuckled. “I would be honored to help out. But before I even get started in that I need you to know that after Christmas I do have to go back to school. But I will be visiting every weekend for both Peyton and Steve’s sake.”
“I’m sure we can work around that. Maybe you could set up a crew and make assignments for them while you are gone?”
“I can do that. I’ll have to find me an assistant to run things while I’m gone.”
“Thanks Brandon, you are awesome.”
“No problem sweetie. You know I would do anything for a friend.” Ashley smiled some and continued to work on her project. “Who is running the auditions?”
“Jennifer agreed to do it. We needed someone who would judge fairly and not be biased about anybody.”
“So Josh and Dakota have to win the part as Beast and Belle fair and square then?”
“Mhm. But we’re hoping all of the kids will pick up on the fact that this is there story and let them have the part.”
“I’m sure they’ll do fine. Both of them have beautiful voices.”
“Mhm…my Kota especially – and I’m not being biased either. She was raised by Nick after all, she’s a natural onstage.” Brandon chuckled.
“I know, I saw her performance on TV when he let her sing. I couldn’t believe that was her first time.”
~*~*~*~*~
Later on that evening around four o’ clock it was time to go caroling. Nick had dressed his girls back into the outfits that they wore on the night they performed for the caregivers – Sarah in her pretty dress, and Dakota in her red shirt and black jeans just like the boys. All of the children put garland around their shoulders again, and some of the girls were wearing bells on their shoes and pretty Christmas ribbon in their hair. They divided groups of children up and put them into either a Littrell van or a Richardson van and like Brian had requested the boys are turning their cars into a free taxi service. When they arrived at Ashley and Kori’s neighborhood they parked the cars in the driveway and then started at the house to the right of them on foot and started working their way down. While they did that, Ashley, Kori, Denise, Riley, and Brooke stayed at Kori and Ashley’s house to get everything set up for afterwards. Nick took Bella caroling with them so that Ashley would have her hands free and he left her faithful Super Hero behind to look after her. Nick and AJ have begun to take full advantage of Marcus suddenly being emotionally scarred about leaving Ashley’s side. Sure they care very deeply about the man and are sorry that he feels so bad and is blaming what isn’t his doing all on himself, but at the same time, he’s been very helpful.
“You always dress Bella in the cutest outfits Ash,” Riley commented as she watched Nick walk down the street with the tiny baby in his arms like the natural father that he is. Secretly hoping that it will be Brian some day.
“Thanks,” Ashley smiled. “I have fun shopping for her. Especially since its Christmas time and it gives me a reason to dress her up,” She explained as she gazed at the outfit she had chosen for Bella fondly. It’s a little white onsie with the words Rock Star on it in pink fancy writing, and it has a cool guitar design on it. She also put a little pink skirt on over it and put a pink headband on her head. She even has little pink converse shoes on and everything. Brooke laughed.
“You and your converse shoes Ash. I swear you got all three kids wearing them.”
“Hey, Nick buys Kota and Sarah’s clothes not me” Ashley smirked.
“He buys them…you help Kota pick them out” Kori laughed.
“No, she sees what I like and insists upon having it too that’s what happens.”
“And you encourage her immensely” Kori replied while rolling her eyes playfully.
“Well hey, she’s my girl what do you expect?”
“Just wanted you to take credit for your doing is all,” Kori shrugged.
“Do you help Sarah pick out her clothes too?” Brooke questioned.
“Sometimes when she lets me. One thing both girls have in common is they love to shop but there is also a huge difference. Sarah is very girly and has no problem in deciding for herself what she likes. But sometimes she lets me help.”
~*~*~*~*~
When the boys led the children to the first house of the evening, Laney went up and knocked on the door. After a few short moments the door opened and an old woman appeared.
“Yes?”
“Hi ma’am, I’m sorry to pull you away from what looks like it might be a very good book,” Laney began, noticing she was holding a book in her hands – Two Little Girls In Blue By Mary Higgins Clark. “But I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind listening to a couple of Christmas Carols? We have a group of kids from Ramsey Orphanage here that would like to sing to you.” The old lady pushed the door open some more then so she could see who all is outside her house and sure enough there was a big group of excited children dressed to perform and they were standing among adults who all wore friendly smiles.
“Oh that would be lovely!” the old lady exclaimed whole heartedly, and Laney suspects that she must not get very many visitors. She stepped outside of her house then in a lovely floral gown and slippers and she walked over to sit on her porch swing and after quietly discussing things with his choir, Brian led them through Silent Night. Nick stood there holding Sarah on one hip and Bella in his other arm and he slowly swayed with them as he sang to/for them, rather then them singing themselves. Sarah isn’t singing…because well that would require her to talk, and Bella obviously can’t. But Nick’s angelic voice makes up for it beautifully and both children were positively transfixed. When they finished with Silent Night, they went right into Frosty The Snowman as Brian had promised Ellie that it would be one of the first couple of songs they sang that night. Next they sang Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, much to the delight of Nick, then Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, much to the delight of all the kiddies. After that, they sang Jingle Bells at the old woman's request. Once they were done singing, the old woman insisted on hugs from each of them, as she had enjoyed their little surprise immensely. After everyone - even security - had hugged the older woman, they waved goodbye and headed onto the next house. The Boys smiled as they listened to the children laugh and chatter away about how much fun that had been, and how great of hugs the older woman had given. The new few houses they went to welcomed them with open arms. It seemed so far, everyone was in the Christmas spirit. Laney knocked on the next door, and went through his spiel about how the orphanage kids were singing Christmas Carols to everyone, only to be yelled at by the man in the doorway.
"We don't want the urchins on our doorsteps!" The man roared. "Worthless little brats who can't keep their families or find any, don't deserve no damned attention!"
"Now you listen here," Raul piped up from the back of the crowd, seeing the crestfallen looks on the kids' faces. "These here kids are plenty worthwhile and are the best damned kids you could ever come across! If you don't want to hear 'em sing, all you hafta do is say 'no thanks' and not insult them!"
"And who're you to tell me what to do?" The man demanded. "You ain't got no right being on my property!"
“And who're you to tell these kids they're worthless?!" Drew shot back. "Only a cold-hearted, selfish man would say such things. Come, children. We will find someone much more deserving than this brute." The man gave an angry growl, cursed, and then slammed his front door in their faces. The grown-ups all shook their heads, as they turned and herded the children back to the sidewalk.
"Jerry? What're urchins?" Elenore's voice piped up, as they reached the sidewalk. She'd instinctively moved closer to her soon-to-be uncle when the man had started shouting; she'd also moved Dakota with her.
"Nothing you children need to be concerning yourselves with," Jerry assured her. "You're all great kids. That man has no right to judge you, as he doesn't know any of you."
"Urchin's Ariel's friend in her show," Dakota put in. "He's gots blond hair an' blue eyes, likes Daddy!" Jerry chuckled.
"Yes, well, that Urchin is a good urchin." Soon enough, they were on the other side of the street. No sooner had Laney knocked on the door and it'd opened, than did they hear a shocked, but delighted scream.
"Ohmygod! Ohmygod!" A girl about seventeen started screaming. "Ohmygod! Ohmygod!" The Boys all smiled, realizing they'd stumbled across a fan. "Becca! Becca!" She shrieked. "Becca! Come quick!"
"What? What is it?" Another voice called out from the living room.
"It's the Backstreet Boys!!!!!" The girl at the door shouted.
"What the...?" Becca trailed off, as she entered the hallway. "What would the Backstreet Boys be doing at your door?"
"I don't know! And I don't care!" The girl screamed, jumping up and down once more.
"Holy fuck!" Becca exclaimed, soon as she'd come close enough to lay eyes on the Boys. "You weren't shitting me!" The Boys cleared their throats at that, as there were little kids standing with them.
"Oh, sorry!" Becca apologized quickly. "I didn’t see them!" They watched as Becca nudged her friend. "Amber! Invite them in!"
"Oh!" Amber shook her head, as if to clear herself of the daze she'd been in. "Would you like to come in?"
"We were actually wondering if you ladies would like to hear some Christmas carols," A.J. smiled, looking at them overtop his sunglasses. "The kids from the Ramsey Orphanage wanted to spread some Christmas cheer."
"Yes! Yes! YES!" Amber shouted once more, blushing slightly. "I mean, yes, we'd love too." Becca snickered, though still amazed that she herself was as calm as she was at the moment.
"Anything in particular you'd like to hear?" Howie asked, chuckling softly.
"Christmas Time!" Amber and Becca exclaimed at once.
"Brian, we don't know that one!" Josh hissed, yanking on his father's arm. "How're we s'pose to sing it?"
"I think they meant for us Backstreet Boys to sing it, son," Brian smiled, reaching down to ruffle Josh's hair. "But I'm sure they want to hear you kids sing too." Both girls nodded their heads like crazy, causing the kids to giggle.
"How about we let the kids sing a couple songs, then we'll sing Christmas Time, alright?" Kevin suggested. "The kids are why we're here after all."
"Okay!" Becca and Amber squeaked excitedly. "Just - is it alright if I grab my video camera first?" Amber asked hopefully. "Just - you know - so I can show and prove to everyone that you guys really were on our doorstep."
"Sure, go right ahead," Brian agreed readily. Why not? They figured they'd run into fans anyways. Amber squealed once more, as she ran back inside to grab her camcorder. Once she had it, she came running back out, and soon as she was sure it was on and recording, the kids began to sing. They sang Jingle Bell Rock first, doing the dance moves Dakota had done when she'd sung onstage in New York. Then they went right on into Here Comes Santa Claus, O'Holy Night, and The Chipmunk Song. Soon as they'd finished singing, the Boys harmonized briefly then went right on into Christmas Time. The whole time the Boys sang, Amber and Becca squealed quietly, glad Laney had taken the camcorder to film everything for them - mostly, so their excited squeals wouldn't be drowning out the Boys on the video. Soon as the Boys had finished singing, they hugged the two girls, took a few photos with them, and signed a couple of things quickly. After that was over and done with, they waved goodbye and herded the kids onto the next house. They went all through out the neighborhood doing all four blocks and by the time it was nearly dark out they headed back to Ashley and Kori’s house. When they got there Kori was waiting outside for them.
“You can take the kids to the back through the side gate over there” She informed, indicating toward the gate and the boys did just that. Laney on the other hand went back to the old woman’s house next door and Kori watched him curiously. When he got there he knocked on the door and after a few moments when she opened it she looked at him curiously.
“More carolers?”
“No, but I thought maybe you would like to join us next door for a little Christmas party? The children are going to have pizza for dinner, watch Christmas movies out in the backyard, and roast marshmellows. What do you say?”
“Next door?” the old lady asked surprised. “Which house?”
“That one,” Laney answered while pointing to Kori and Ashley’s house on the right and he looked at her a little curious by her question. The old woman peered out her front door and saw Kori standing there and her eyes widened in shock.
“Oh my lord…is that…? But it couldn’t be…” Laney looked over at Kori.
“Do you know Kori Mortenson ma’am?”
“Know her? I was baby sitting her when she was just three years old. I used to change that girl’s diapers” the old woman explained, suddenly becoming all misty eyed. “Is her sister there with her too? Baby Ashley?” Laney chuckled slightly.
“Yes, but she’s not much of a baby anymore. Why don’t you come over? I’m sure they would love to have you.”
“I don’t know…I haven’t stepped foot inside that house sense…” the old woman suddenly trailed off and the expression on her face turned from shock to sadness.
“Mrs. Lane is that you?” Kori spoke up suddenly as she joined Laney’s side.
“Oh my…you have gotten so big!” Mrs. Lane exclaimed and Kori smiled some.
“Hi Mrs. Lane, how are you doing?” she asked and she walked up to her and pulled her into a warm hug as if she were family. And in a way, she kind of is. She was like the Grandmother she never had. Since her parents pissed both sets of her grandparents off by running away together she and Ashley didn’t have any. But this old woman made up for that plenty.
“You know better then to call me Mrs. Lane young lady…that’s Grandma to you!” Mrs. Lane lectured playfully. Kori laughed.
“So Laney is right you should come over. You have to meet my son and I know Ashley would love to see you. She’s been holding on with all her might to everything close to mom and dad. It would really make her happy to see you.”
“I don’t want to trouble you…” Mrs. Lane insisted, and by the look in her eyes Kori can tell she really does want to join them. But she also predicts that it’s been a very long time since she’s been around people.
“Nonsense you are family,” Kori insisted. “Please…I would really like it if you joined us.”
“Well okay, but just let me change out of my pajamas and slippers and I’ll be right out. I can’t very well go to your party dressed like this.”
“Ah, but you would be the hippest one there Mrs. Lane” Laney teased and she laughed.
“I’ll be right out” She promised before going back inside her house and shutting the door. Kori looked at Laney and smiled some.
“Any more neighbors you plan on inviting to the party Lan?” she teased. Laney chuckled.
“No just her. She just seemed so lonely ya know? Like she doesn’t get many visitors. I just thought it would be a nice thing to do. What can I say? I’m feeling charitable tonight with taking the children caroling and all that jazz.” Kori wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close for a bear hug.
“You are a sweetheart Laney. And you are right, I do think she needs this. I don’t know what could’ve happened…people loved going to her house. She had every child on the block at her door asking for her cookies and lemonade.”
“Kori??” they suddenly heard Scott call. Kori pulled away from Laney then and looked over at the house to see her ex looking around for her slightly worried.
“I’m over here Scott. Whats up?”
“Spencer is looking for you.” Kori looked at Laney again.
“Will you stand here and wait for her while I go see what Spencer wants?”
“Sure thing,” Laney replied and Kori walked back to her own house.
“Where is he?”
“In the back wanting a cup of soda. He insists that he wants you. He won’t let me help him.” Kori raised her eyebrow. That sounds a little weird. Usually it’s the other way around ever since he learned the truth about his father. She went inside then and Scott followed her through the house to the backyard where they found Wiley trying to offer Spencer his help and Spencer stubbornly refusing.
“Whats the matter Spence?”
“I want coke Mama.”
“And Scott or Wi couldn’t help you with that?”
“I wanted you.”
“Course ya did,” Kori replied while going over and ruffling the five year old’s hair and she grabbed his cup before filling it with ice and she poured coke into it before handing it to him.
“Aren’t you gonna gets some pizza now Momma?” Spencer asked expectantly.
“You have a plate. Why don’t you go sit down over on the blanket Scott spread out for the two of you?”
“I meant you.”
“I’m waiting on one more guest to arrive baby, I’ll eat in a little bit.” Spencer narrowed his eyes at her and Kori sighed before grabbing a paper plate and getting herself some pizza. When she did, she looked at her demanding son wondering what he might want next. Spencer smiled some and he took Kori’s hand before pulling her over to the blanket where Scott was sitting. When they got there he looked at her expectantly.
“Sit Momma.”
“But Spencer—“
“Sit!” Kori growled inwardly, but sat down on the blanket nonetheless and she looked at an amused Scott daring him to make fun of her and Scott looked back at her innocently. Spencer on the other hand beamed in satisfaction and he too sat down took his plate in his lap as he held his soda and Kori stared into Scott’s eyes as the two of them had a silent conversation together with their eyes.
You and him are conspiring against me.
You are being ridiculous.
Am I Scott?
I had nothing to do with it.
I don’t believe you.
Believe me Kor I am done fighting a useless battle.
So I’m useless to you then?
Don’t put words into my mouth – eyes. You know I love you but I’m done fighting for something that’s not going to happen.
I haven’t seen you fight for me yet. As far as I am concerned, you let me go the day Spencer was conceived and you made no indication that you wanted me back.
Did I not beg for you awhile back ago when we were in New York? What did you call that?
Lies. Things you think I want to hear. Not the truth. And anyway, you can’t really call that a fight seeing as how you gave up so easily. You obviously didn’t really want me that bad.
I’ve never once lied to you Kori. Not ever. And you are the one who asked me to let you go in the first place
And it must’ve been real easy for you since you’ve done it before huh?
It was the hardest thing I ever had to do. But I did it because I’m trying to be a grownup about the situation.
Well then don’t tell me you’ve fought for me because you haven’t. Not really.
What did you want me to do Kor? Get down on my hands and knees? Cry? Beg?
I did it for you.
I was under the impression that you wanted Wiley
I do.
Then why are you sitting here giving me a hard time about how I’m not fighting hard enough for you?
Because you’re making it sound like you’re fighting some huge fucking battle when you aren’t fighting at ALL!
Do you want me to fight for you Kori? Is that it?
No, I really want you to disappear off of the face of the earth and never show your fucking face again, but that would destroy Spencer. So please don’t.
I don’t believe that. Kori narrowed her eyes at him.
I think you don’t know the first thing about what you want.
I do so. I want Wiley. I love Wiley. I want to marry him and start a life with him and Spencer far away from you.
Far away from me so that you wont have to deal with the agonizing pain of being in love with two men right?”
I am not in love with you Scott.
You should really stop lying to yourself and make up your mind. It’s not healthy for you.
Fuck you.
Well if you want…but I don’t think Wi would be too happy about that. Kori glared at him.
“Asshole,” She spoke out loud and she stood up, dumped her coke on him, and stormed off. Scott turned his attention on Spencer then, fearing for his reaction to the situation only to find that he isn’t there. Scott laughed in amusement at this. The kid must’ve snuck off when he was sure his parents were deeply into each other and wouldn’t notice he was gone. He didn’t want the three of them together, he just wanted to get his parents together. His boy is a clever one that’s for sure. And what amuses him the most is he would’ve done the exact same thing. Meanwhile, Kori dumped her half eaten pizza in the garbage can and she furiously stormed into the house and a few moments later they heard a bedroom door slam, Ashley knowing right off that it’s Kori’s without even having to be in there to see. She’s heard Kori’s door slam many times growing up to not know the sound of it.
“What could he have possibly done to piss her off so much?” AJ asked incredulous. “I was watching them this whole time. I didn’t even see them talking.”
“Kori and Scott have that special kind of relationship where they don’t have to use words to communicate with one another” Ashley explained.
“Kind of like you and Nick” Brian replied amusedly.
“I guess so” Ashley replied not even paying attention anymore, as she was now looking over at her nephew who was over on the swings. She placed her soda down on the table and she went over and sat next to him, staring at him with her perceptive eyes.
Author's Chapter Notes:
Here's the next chapter.
It was co-written with Lenni.
Enjoy =)
It was co-written with Lenni.
Enjoy =)
