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Chapter Three-Hundred-Twenty-Six



“Okay, so this is what’s going to happen,” Kevin told Elenore as they all piled into the two vans and were headed for the ball. Elenore gave Kevin a sidelong glance from her spot in her carseat.


“You are going to attend the adult party for an hour and then Denise is taking you and the other kids into a room where there are tons more children and you will be having your very own New Years party.”


“But Kevy—“


“—Then when it becomes close to Midnight, I will come get you so that you and I can bring in the New Year together. Can you do that for me Ellie please? I’m going to be close by the whole time I promise. I won’t go anywhere without you and Q is going to be with you to make sure you stay in that room and most importantly, out of trouble.”


“You’ll come gets me near midnight?”


“Yes.”


“You promise?”


“I promise baby.”


“You won’ts forget me?”


“Sweetheart you are my brother’s entire world there is no way he would forget you. You are the only one he wants to bring in the New Year with.” Elenore smiled some as she glanced at her adoptive daddy.


“Kevy is my whole world too.”


“Aww…that’s sweet of you,” Jerald praised and Elenore beamed. “You look very beautiful – I like your mask it’s cool. Dark blue, black, and gold…pretty stylish Kiddo. Did you pick it out all by yourself?”


“Uh-huhs,” Elenore smiled. “It called to me Uncle Jerry.” Jerald and Kevin smirked.


“Oh it did, did it?” Jerald asked, sounding astounded.


“Yeah!”


“What did it say to you?”


“Picks me Ellie, Picks me!!!” Elenore answered in a high pitched squeaky voice in attempt to impersonate a mask. Kevin and Jerald laughed at this making the five-year-old in the back seat smile proudly. She likes to make everybody laugh. When they arrived at the Ball Kevin and the others parked where they were supposed too, then all climbed out of their vehicles with kids in tow. They were quickly ushered on inside by security, before any fans lurking about were able to take notice. They went inside and Dakota gasped as she took a look around and in her four-year-old point of view saw a castle.


“Daddy are we in the Beast’s Castle?” Dakota asked as she had her arm linked with Josh while her best friend stood on the other side of the six year old occupying his other arm. She looked up at her father hopefully and he chuckled amusedly.


“You can connect anything with Beauty and the Beast sweetheart can’t you?”


"That doesn't answer my question, Daddy," Dakota replied, still looking up at him hopefully.


“If you want it to be the Beast’s Castle baby, then so be it. It can be whatever your imagination wants it to be” Nick told her.


"Then its the Beast's Castle," Dakota nodded affirmatively. Nick chuckled and shook his head amusedly as he watched his baby take a look around the place admiringly. They’re standing inside a room with lots of tables set up so elegantly. There are a mixture of celebrities and lucky fans that managed to score tickets for this event in the room and there is a stage set up for the performances. The staircase across the way – which Nick assumes is where Dakota got the Beast’s castle idea from, leads up to the second floor. When you get to the top, the stairs go two separate ways – one way leading to the balcony, and the other way to private rooms and such.


"Where are we gonna be later?" Elenore asked, looking up at Kevin worriedly, not so sure she likes the thought of being separated from him for so long.


"You'll be upstairs, Honey," Kevin replied, smiling down at her. "There's a children's party going on up there, which you'll be joining in a little while. You’ll have lots of fun, I promise."


“Kay,” Elenore replied softly, still not so sure.


“Justin!” Dakota squealed suddenly upon seeing her hero Justin Timberlake across the room entertaining a couple of fans.


"Daddy! We hafta goes see him! We just haves too!" Dakota insisted, as she tried to drag her father and Josh along with her - and Ellie, who was still holding onto Josh. Nick scowled upon realizing whom her daughter is talking about.


“You can go see him if you want to baby,” Nick told her patiently. “Daddy and your Uncle Brian are gonna go find a table. Aren’t we Uncle Brian?”


"We are, are we?" Brian smirked; having a feeling he knew what this was about.


“Yes we are,” Nick insisted while swiftly placing himself between Brian and Riley, sliding his arms around each of their shoulders and guiding them off to a table. “We need a place to sit after all.”


"Alrighty then," Brian said, in his Jim Carey voice, causing the kids to laugh.


"Kevy will takes us over there, Kota," Elenore piped up. "Won'ts you Kevy?"


"Ellie, it's fine for you to go there so long as I can see you," Kevin told her, trying his best to un-cling her somewhat now.


"Nuh-uh! It's not!" Elenore argued. "My Daddy said nots to leaves you, so I'm nots gonna." Josh rolled his eyes.


"Since when do you do as you're told?"


"Since-Since-" Elenore stuttered.


"Since she doesn't want Kevin to leave her," Jerald piped up, chuckling.


“Yeah,” Elenore replied indignantly.


“Well, I’m going whether you peoples are following are not! This is Justin Timberlake we’re talkin abouts here,” Dakota insisted and she let go of Josh and made a mad dash for the man she adored after her father.


“Justin, Justin, Justin!!!” She cheered excitedly, causing the curious pop star to look at her and he chuckled in amusement.


“Kota, Kota, Kota!!!” He cheered in response and he held his arms open just on time for the excited four-year-old to dive into them crushing him with hugs.


“Aww…” the fans he was currently entertaining gushed at the sight. “That’s just so sweet!”


“This is my little buddy Dakota Ann Carter. We met at the Jingle Ball didn’t we?”


“Uh-huhs,” Dakota answered proudly.


“You’re looking extra lovely this evening, did you pick that dress out all by yourself?”


“Uh-huhs, I wanted to look likes my Ashee – She’s wearing red also”


“Ohh, I see” Justin replied, taking note of the beautiful southern belle across the room with Nick. Dakota beamed.


“Are you gonna be here all night?” she asked just as Elenore, Sarah, Josh, and Kevin caught up and Justin was hugging both Elenore and Sarah.


“Mhm, I am” Justin answered. “But, come here I want to tell you a secret,” he told her mysteriously. Dakota now very curious moved a little closer and he whispered in her ear.


“I’m gonna be busy entertaining fans all night and I have a performance to do but if you come find me just a little before midnight I just might save the New Years kiss for you.” Dakota pulled back and gaped.


“Buts…I’ma be in the kid party all night,” She told him, suddenly frowning. “Q isn’t allowed to lets me out unless daddy says so” she whispered.


“I’ll come find you then,” he promised, gently poking her in the nose and she smiled big suddenly.


“Really?”


“Really. If you are a good girl and do everything Q tells you to I’ll come find you.”


“I wills be good I promise,” Dakota insisted and she threw her arms about Justin for a hug. Justin smiled some and hugged her back before giving her an Eskimo’s kiss and she giggled. When he pulled back he noticed Nick looking toward them while talking to a waiter.


“You better go see your daddy, I think he’s missing you.” Dakota looked at her daddy and then back at Justin.


“Okay,” She replied. “Loves you Justin.”


“I love you too munchkin,” he smiled and Dakota turned and hurried off to her daddy. Justin hugged Elenore and Sarah once more and had a little chat with them and soon enough they were following Dakota’s lead with Kevin right behind them while Justin turned to the fans who of course found this whole thing very adorable.


“Daddy guess what’s!” Dakota began as she crawled into a chair next to Ashley.


“What?” Nick asked curiously as he gently gathered Sarah into his arms and gladly accepted a kiss on the cheek.


“Justin says if I’m a good girl an’ listen to Q the whole time at the party he’s gonna come find me before midnight an’ he’s gonna save the New Years Eve kiss for me.”


“And all of those fans that he has pining over him over there allowed him to make such a promise?”


“It was a secret they didnts hear it,” Dakota insisted, and Nick can tell she feels very special because of that fact. Nick smiled some at how obviously happy is four year old is, and though he can’t stand the man she chose to idolize, he can’t help but be grateful that he is being so good with his little girl. Especially since the moment he learns that he isn’t…well everybody knows how Nick reacts to such a thing. Nick hugged Sarah tighter to him upon remembering just exactly how he reacts and he kissed the top of her head affectionately.


“I’m glad that he makes you happy honey,” he told Dakota sincerely and Dakota smiled up at him. "But now that I have my two princess’s here, what would you like to drink? The waiter is going to be back shortly.”


“Chocolate milk,” Dakota answered instantly and Sarah nodded in agreement. Ashley laughed.


“We’re at a fancy place girls, how about some sparkling grape juice? Or punch?”


“Sparkling grape juice?” Dakota asked curiously. “Why does it sparkle?” The boys all laughed.


“Its pretty good, do you want to try it? You’ll like it I promise.”


“Okay,” Dakota answered readily.


“Sounds good” Sarah added happily as she nestled into Nick, content on staying like that the whole night if he would let her.


“Do you want sparkling grape juice too Ellie?” Kevin wanted to know.


“Uh-huhs,” Elenore answered distractedly as she looked around the place. “Where did Uncle Jerry go?”


“He just wanted to mingle a little,” Kevin answered. “He’s right over there,” he added while indicating toward his brother who had found some woman and started talking to her. She has on a white gown that poofs out around her like a Cinderella dress. She is also wearing a white matching mask. She has brown shoulder length hair which is done up in curls and Kevin has never seen that particular look on his brothers face before. Not since the first time he met his ex wife.


“I wanna goes an’ see him,” Elenore announced instantly, and she started for a run toward her uncle only to have Kevin’s arms lock around her waist and pull her up into his chest.


“Oh no you don’t princess. How about you come dance with me?”


“Buts—“


“Uncle Jerry spends a lot of time with you angel, and though he enjoys every minute of it he deserves to have sometime to himself, capeesh? He’s perfectly happy right now lets give him that happiness he deserves.” Elenore sighed.


“Kay…”


“Now how about that dance?” Kevin offered, resting his forehead against hers and giving her a goofy look causing her to giggle slightly.


“Okay,” She replied while sliding her arms around his neck and allowing him to carry her off toward the dancing floor. When he reached it he began to slowly sway with his daughter as the DJ played the song Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion. They have a DJ running the music until the celebrities are ready to start the concert but they’re all waiting until everybody arrives. As Kevin and Elenore danced, Elenore rested her chin on Kevin’s shoulder and she couldn’t help but let a lone tear slip down her cheek at the fact that she can relate so much to this song. She is everything she is because Kevin loves her. Kevin placed a soft kiss on the top of her head and hugged her close to him as he glanced over at his older brother and he couldn’t help but smile some. He’s glad to see him showing some interest in women again. It’s been a very long time and he deserves to be happy. He’s noticed Ellie has helped him see that life is worth living again – everybody has noticed. The moment he was introduced to the five-year-old he was smiling more and that alone was a huge accomplishment. Maybe now he will move on completely and start dating again. He definitely deserves that. Soon enough after mingling with other celebrities and of course the fans, the boys had to go backstage and prepare to go on and do their performance and Ashley was left in the care of Marcus. She smiled sweetly at her big strong protector and held out her arm as invitation to link his with hers. He did just that and leaned down some for her to talk to him over the music.


“Mingle with me?”


“Of course,” Marcus agreed readily. “Do you want to leave Bella with Laney or someone? I’m sure they wouldn’t mind watching over her, they all go weak at the sight of her after all.” Ashley giggled.


“No thanks, we need our bodyguards to be alert. I don’t intend on being held at gun point again.”


“We aren’t going to let that happen,” Marcus promised. “Not this time.” Ashley walked around talking to celebrities – and even with some of the fans that asked for pictures and stuff. She answered the famous ‘is it true you were held at gun point in Florida’ question over and over again with so much patience that Marcus couldn’t believe it. Even the boys tend to get a little impatient once in a while when having to answer the same question more then once within an hour. Suddenly a man walked up to her.


“Hello miss, you are looking beautiful this evening.”


“Thank-you,” Ashley replied with a blush and she felt Marcus who had been walking a few steps behind her move slightly closer.


“I know you’re dating that Backstreet Boy Nick Carter and all…but do you think he would mind if we danced?” Ashley glanced toward Nick who is just getting ready to go onstage and found that he just happened to be watching her. They made eye contact and she silently asked him the question. Nick gave her a nod of approval, she silently asked are you sure with her eyes and when he gave another nod, she looked back at the man.


“Nah he won’t mind,” Ashley smiled. “But first…what’s your name?”


“Oh sorry,” the man chuckled. “Diego Somers.”


“Nice to meet you Diego, I’m Ashley” She answered even though she’s sure he already knows that. She turned and smiled at Marcus some and Marcus held his arms out for Bella. Ashley handed her over and he gently cradled her before giving her a look that clearly said be careful. When she returned his look with an I will she turned around and linked her arm with Diego’s when he offered it and he brought her out to the dance floor. Marcus grabbed his walkie-talkie and spoke into it.


“Laney get over here.” Laney was there within seconds.


“Whats up?”


“Ashley is dancing with a stranger. Take Bella for me, I want my hands empty just incase.” Laney automatically did as he was told and gently gathered the precious infant that he’s developed a huge weakness for into his arms and he walked off with her making cooing noises and all. Marcus turned his attention back on Ashley though he never really looked away – he kept one eye on her the whole time and he began to pay very close attention. This Diego guy seems harmless and he isn’t getting too close to her in respect of the fact that she’s taken – and because he has to know that Nick is watching but you can never be too careful.


“So Ri…” Brooke began as she sat down at the table next to her best friend with Laila in her lap.


“So Brooke.”


“When are you and Brian planning on making the announcement to his fans that you’re pregnant?” she asked so quietly that it was pretty much a whisper in her ear.


“Tonight” Riley answered nervously.


“Are you okay with that?”


“Yeah, I’m fine with it, I mean he has to be honest with his fans right? They’re just going to be able to look at me and know in a couple of months anyway. I’m just really nervous about their reaction. He’s announcing our engagement too.”


“It’ll be okay honey, I’m sure they’ll be understanding about it. I mean everybody knows how much Brian loves you, we’ve all known long before you did. You make him happy and I know the fans see that.”


“I hope so,” Riley replied and Brooke reached over and wrapped a supportive arm around her friend. “When are the kiddies supposed to join their own party?” she asked curiously as she watched Josh, Chris, Dakota, Sarah, and Elenore play a couple of inches away from the table.


“After the boys do their performance.”


“Ohh.”


“How are you getting a long with the boys these days?”


“Pretty good,” Riley smiled. “Josh is definitely warming up to me so long as he has his daily Brian time and is reassured that I’m not going to steal him away from him. Chris on the other hand doesn’t need any reassurance at all because him and I have become oddly close since the engagement. It seems like Josh is Brian’s boy…and Chris is mine, ya know? I mean he loves Brian deeply anyone can see that but Chris and I have a relationship like Brian does with Josh.”


“That’s great I’m glad things are doing better. All they needed was sometime.”


“Yeah,” Riley agreed just as the Backstreet Boys walked onstage and everybody crowded around to hear them.