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Chapter Thirty Five



“Ellie,” Kevin spoke gently. “Come on honey, come out of there.” At the sight of Kevin coming into her closet Elenore whimpered and scooted even more into her corner. Kevin went over to the frightened little girl and he crouched down so that he could see her tear stained face. He reached out and gently placed his hand to her shoulder and she stiffened at his touch.


“Honey please…you know I would never hurt you,” He reassured.


“Promise?” Elenore asked weakly and she gazed up at him with fear-stricken eyes.


“With all of my heart baby…have I done anything to harm you at all in the time that I’ve been with you? Hmm?”


“Maybe you’re making me waits…so you could watch me gets scareds. Daddy liked it when I gots scareds of him…”


“Ellie I’m not going to hurt you honey…ever.” Kevin told her wholeheartedly, and she inched a little closer to him but remained cautious. She looked out at him skeptically.


“That’s right baby…come here,” he encouraged, and he offered her his arms. She looked at him for a few moments, than she crawled out from under the clothes allowing him to carefully gather her up in his arms. She figures if he was really going to hurt her he would drag her out of the closet kicking and screaming. That’s what her father would’ve done. Kevin sat down on the floor Indian style and he cradled her. He wiped away her tears and he sat there rocking her until he felt her tension loosen up some.


“Now…how about you explain to me why you said those mean things to Josh? When you know they aren’t true? You don’t like it when he tells you those hurtful things, so why do you do it to him?” Elenore scowled.


“He starts it Kevy.”


“Just because he started it, it doesn’t mean you need to finish it. Just because he wouldn’t let you play with Chance it doesn’t mean you should start saying hurtful things to him. You know how bad they hurt Ellie…so why do you do it?”

“Cause he’s a mean bully who deserves to knows how it feels for once!” Elenore insisted, her voice full of anger.


“Elenore I’m not talking to you like that, I would appreciate it if would lower your voice.” Elenore glared at him.


“I will NOTS lower my voice!”


“Then you can just forget about getting a puppy tomorrow, young lady.”


“THAT’S NOTS FAIRS!” Elenore shouted at him, suddenly starting to cry.


“Then I suggest you lose the attitude. I have not raised my voice at you I am just talking to you. So there is no reason at all for you to raise your voice at me. There is also no reason at all for your behavior toward Josh either. Just because he’s a mean bully it doesn’t mean you’ve gotta be one either. Two wrongs don’t make a right.”


~*~*~*~*~*~


Meanwhile in Josh’s room, when Brian walked in he found Josh lying in bed crying - yes crying. Brian went over and sat on the bed next to him.


“GO AWAY! STOP BUGGING ME!” Josh shouted at him through tears.


“I know you don’t really want me to go away, Josh.”


“Yes I do! I don’t want you bugging me anymore! I don’t want you pretending to like me because you feels sorry for me!”


“I’m not pretending, Josh. I really do care about you. I wouldn’t go and buy puppies for just anyone you know.” Brian replied, and he set Chance on the bed. Chance happily tackled Josh, licking his face lovingly.


“STOP it chance! Goes away!” Josh ordered, and he shoved the puppy away - but not too hard. He doesn’t ever want to hurt his puppy. He then rolled over the other way. Chance is not going to give up just yet though. He tackled Josh from behind licking his cheek and ear.


“He loves you,” Brian told him, grinning at the scene before him.


“He does not. No one loves me…I’m a mean ole’ bully and not loveable.”


“Well I love you,” Brian told him gently. “Whether you want to let me in or not I’m here for you. I’m not going anywhere.”


“But Elenore says you don’t.”


“Well guess what buddy…Ellie is wrong. She’s just angry because I’m bringing you home with me for Thanksgiving.”


“Really?” Josh asked softly, and he turned and looked at Brian for the first time. “You really want to spend thanksgiving with a mean bully like me?”


“Every minute of it. Maybe even Christmas too. I know for a fact my mom is going to love you. Cause Josh is very loveable when he wants to be.” Josh gently gathered the hyperactive puppy into his arms and he hugged him close affectionately. “But you know buddy…maybe this should be a lesson to you. Now you know how bad words can hurt someone…those things Ellie said to you were all the things you’ve said to her. They hurt her just as bad…and now you know. Maybe you will want to think twice about the things you say.”


“Yeah…” Josh answered softly, and he wiped his tears away.


“And I can’t let you go unpunished for your actions either. You know that right?”


“But what about her!?” Josh immediately protested. “She said all those hurtful things to me!”


“Yes while she said hurtful things to you, you also broke the rules by fighting with her. You’re just as guilty Josh and you know it. She is in her room with Kevin having the same talk. So don’t worry it will be completely fair.” Josh scowled.


“For your punishment you’re going to help us set up the cafeteria for lunch - you and Elenore both. Then while Dakota and Spencer will be enjoying their lunch at their very own kid table, socializing and having fun you and Elenore will be sitting at the table with me and the rest of the adults. After that, you will be going up to your rooms and you will sit there the entire day until it’s time for dinner. No toys, no TV, no nothing. The only company you will have is Chance here. You’re officially grounded for the entire day.”



~*~*~*~*~*~*~


“But THAT’S nots FAIRS Kevy! I will NOTS let you leave me!” Elenore cried, when she had heard her punishment. He knows she can‘t handle being separated from him. He knows she will have a panic attack without him. “I will Kick, and I will scream, and I will cries until somebody HAS to come back in here! I WILLS!”


“I am not going anywhere, Ellie. I will be bringing Nick’s chair back in here and I will sit there and read a book the whole day. I know you can’t handle being without me sweetie, I know. So just calm down.” Elenore clung tightly to Kevin as he still sat on the floor in her closet and she buried her face in his neck sniffling. He kissed the top of her head and held her close for a few moments, than he stood up with her.


“In the mean time, you’re in need of a bath. If you’re going to fight with Josh can you avoid doing it in the mud next time?” He asked, giving her a small smile as he decided to lighten the mood a little bit. Elenore smiled up at him slightly, and he wiped her tears away as he hugged her close. She hugged him back as he carried her into the bathroom.


~*~*~*~*~*~



“Daddy,” Dakota whined, as she walked over to Nick who was back to sitting under the tree with everybody minus Kevin and Brian. Ashley is sitting next to him with a sleeping Chihuahua lying comfortably across her lap.


“Yeah baby?” Nick asked gently, as he pulled Dakota over to him, his arms wrapped around her waist as she stands beside him. He is happy that Dakota wasn’t involved in the fight earlier so he doesn’t have to be upstairs punishing her too. He’s never had to punish Dakota and he hopes he never will because he doesn’t think he could handle it.


“Will I haves anyone to plays with today?”


“I’m sure whenever Kori and Spencer finish getting settled in their room Kori will bring him back down…and what about those girls Ashley helped you become friends with the other day. Hmm?”


“They’re nice an’ all but all they do is talks about you…” Howie chuckled a bit and Nick pretended to look hurt.


“And what is wrong with that?”


“No offence Nick, but I don’t think Dakota wants to sit and listen to a bunch of little girls talk about how cute her daddy is and how much they wish they were really your girlfriends. She’s had you her entire life so its not a big deal to her if you suddenly cast a smile in her direction or something.” Riley replied, laughing a little. “She doesn’t look at you in the eyes of a Backstreet Boys fan, she looks at you through the eyes of a daughter and niece.” Riley explained after laughing a little.


“Which if you think about it is a lot more rewarding. Don’t get me wrong I love our fans, and the love they give is amazing but one look in your daughter’s eyes as she looks at you like you’re EVERYTHING to her the feeling is a whole lot different. I love knowing my daughter is my biggest fan.” Nick replied, hugging Dakota close to him. Dakota smiled a little and rested her head against his shoulder as she still stood there. She loves her daddy’s hugs and kisses.


“And to think, just awhile back ago you were terrified of being a child’s everything.” AJ replied, watching Nick and feeling both proud and amused at him.


“Yeah but I realized I was being stupid because I’ve been the world to Dakota since she was just three days old so making it official was really no big deal at all.”


“Well I’m glad you’re able to admit you were being stupid,” Howie replied. Nick carefully pulled Dakota into his lap and he cradled her and placed soft kisses on her forehead. She closed her eyes as she made herself comfortable.


“When is she getting that cast off?” AJ asked curiously.


“Tomorrow night,” Nick answered as he rested his forehead against Dakota’s.


“Doctor J says it should be fine by tomorrow night.”


“Well that’s good,” Riley replied as she watched the little girl drift in and out of consciousness as she tried so hard to fight sleep. Lying in Nick’s arms all comfortable like that and his delicateness toward her is putting her to sleep.


“Someone is tired…”


“Yeah…a little nap before lunch will be good for her. She woke up earlier than usual this morning from a nightmare. I was really surprised too because she’s been doing very good for the past month that I’ve been home.”


“I was wondering why you three were up so early this morning,” Nick nodded and he sat there and watched as Dakota finally gave into sleep.


“I think I’m going to take her up to bed and Ashley and I both need showers. We’ll be down on time to help with lunch.”


“Okay,” Riley replied. Ashley stood up holding Lily and she looked at Nick who was still sitting there looking at her.


“Help please,” he whined as he shifted Dakota so she has her head rested upon his shoulder and he held a hand up for Ashley. She laughed a little and took a hold of his hand and she helped him up. Once he was standing he wrapped both arms around Dakota protectively.


“Thanks,” he told Ashley and he leaned over and gave her a quick kiss of gratitude before heading toward the Orphanage building and Ashley walked at his side holding Lily who is now awake. AJ smirked as he watched them go in.


“They look like one happy family. Daddy, Mommy, Child, and puppy.”


“Yeah…maybe one day when Ashley is at a decent age they will consider marriage. I can totally see them lasting that long.” Brooke replied. “They’re one of the cutest couples I’ve ever seen.”


“One of? Who is the other?” Riley asked curiously.


“You and Brian…duh.” Riley blushed suddenly, causing everyone to laugh.


“You really think so?”


“I know so. Honey we’ve all been rooting for the two of you from the very beginning.” Riley smiled happily.


“Well good because I love him…he makes me feel like a little girl in high school experiencing love for the first time. He even gives me butterflies sometimes and I’ve been his best friend for years. How does that work out?”


“Well, love does some pretty crazy things sometimes…you’ve gotta love it.”


“Pretty soon me and Brookie are going to be on the cutest couple list too,” AJ announced, a big goofy grin on his face as he looks at the woman he’s been after since Brian and Nick started working for her. Brooke rolled her eyes.


“Like I said McLean, not in this lifetime…you should really be saying pretty soon you’re going to be bald and goatee-less.”


“Okay just exactly what is going on between you two? You’ve been acting very weird all day.”


“I’ve been wondering the same thing myself,” Howie replied.


“We’ve got a bet going on about Brian and Josh. McLean over there thinks Brian will adopt him by the end of this month. I say by the end of next month because it takes time to get through to a traumatized kid. If he wins - which isn’t going to happen, I have to go on a date with him - which is also never going to happen. If I win he has to shave his head and goatee.” Riley laughed.


“AJ? No hair or goatee? Sorry Brooke, but I’m gonna have to be on AJ’s side for this one.” Brooke shrugged.


“Fine by me, but he’s gonna lose,” She insisted, avoiding eye contact with AJ. “I better get back to work. I’ve got paper work to finish,” she added and she got up and hurried to the Orphanage before anyone had the time to protest. Riley rolled her eyes and shook her head.


“Why does she act like that?” Howie asked confused. “At first I thought she was just playing hard to get because AJ is so cocky toward her but it’s been four years. No one plays hard to get for that long.”


“Unless she’s really not interested,” AJ replied softly, feeling hurt and defeated. He’s been in love with Brooke from the very beginning - he’s been determined ever since then to win her heart but every time he tries to get close to her she pushes him away. At first, that’s what made it more exciting to him because he wasn’t used to that kind of rejection from a girl, but then it hit him one day that he chases after her because he loves her and needs her. So now that exciting new feeling of rejection…actually hurts.


“No she is Aje…I know she is. I’m a girl I can tell these things. For her the answer is in her eyes. I think she is just scared…I’ve known Brooke since forever and she’s like that with all guys. She’ll be their friends, no problem – in fact she gets a long with them the most sometimes. But the minute they start hitting on her she builds a wall around her.”


“Why?” AJ asked curiously.


“I don’t know…whenever I question her about it she just tells me she isn’t interested in him that way.”


“Maybe something traumatized her in the past that made her not want to let guys too close to her. It would make sense. She’s really great with working with the kids here and most of them had a traumatizing experience. She’s an expert at it and very passionate about what she does. Maybe it’s because she can relate.” Howie suggested. “I don’t think it’s because she’s not interested in you Aje, I think she’s scared of you getting too close and hurting her in some way.”


~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Once Nick and Ashley got upstairs Nick went to go lay Dakota down and Ashley decided to see what Kori is doing. She walked across the hall to her room and walked in to find her and Wiley in there. He’s sitting on the bed propped up against the pillows and Kori is lying in his arms comfortably and he’s rubbing her temples gently. Spencer is lying at the foot of the bed drawing.


“Hey…” Ashley replied softly.


“Hi,” Kori greeted.


“What’s up?”


“Nothing really…Just have a headache.”


“Oh…”


“What are you up to?” Kori asked gently.


“Nothing…just thought I’d come in here and see what you’re doing…and also to tell you we might be going to Disney World in a couple of days - the whole Orphanage for a field trip. I thought maybe you and Spencer would like to go.”


“Yeah sure that would be fun,” Kori replied, smiling a little. “Spencer has never been to Disney World before. Unlike you and me who used to go all the time…remember that?” Ashley couldn’t help but smile a little bit.


“Yeah…I used to drive you insane with always wanting to go on space mountain a billion times. It was my absolute favorite ride.”


“Yeah and we would go shopping in almost every single store and would never come home empty handed either,” Kori added, smiling also. “If we go this weekend do you think Wiley could come? He’s going to be here until Monday morning.”


“Yeah sure,” Ashley replied. “I’m sure it will be okay…”


“Cool thanks.” Ashley nodded.


“Well I’m gonna go spend some time with Nick…”


“Okay, see you at lunch then.”


“Yeah,” Ashley replied, and she walked out of the room hugging Lily close and kissing her head. When she got into Nick’s room she set her down on the floor and Nick looked up from Dakota and smiled at Ashley. He had heard her entire conversation with Kori. He got up and walked over to her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close to him before shutting the door behind her. He brought his lips down on hers in a hungry kiss and she moaned softly while wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him back just as passionate.


“Weren’t…y-you…gonna...gonna…take a shower?” Ashley asked between kisses.


“Mm hmm,” Was all he said before leading her backward toward the bathroom never stopping their kisses once. He brought her in there with him, shut the door behind him, and gently pressed Ashley’s back up against the counter. She pulled back suddenly and he rested his forehead against hers.


“Nicky…Kota…in next room,” She told him as she tried to catch her breath.


“She’s not waking up anytime soon,” he reassured, and he claimed her lips for his own once again as he took hold of the hem to her shirt. She pulled back from his kisses once again.


“Nick…stop. What are your intentions?”


“To take you in that shower with me and love you,” He answered simply, as he placed his finger to her cheek and gently rubbed it. She gazed into his eyes with so much want and need. She never knew she could ever feel that again.


“How much Nicky…”


“As much as I possibly can without breaking the law anymore then I already am. As much as you will let me baby…” and with that being said, Ashley leaned up and kissed him hard on the lips. He kissed her back as he brought his hand up under her shirt and rubbed it slowly over her sides, sending chills through her body, and she shivered a little. Feeling this reaction from her he grinned against her lips and held her close to him as he took a hold of her shirt and lifted it up and over her head only breaking their kiss long enough to do so. As soon as they were both completely undressed, their clothing all on the floor Nick went and turned on the water. He set it to the right temperature and turned the shower on, than he looked at Ashley who was standing next to him, her arms wrapped around his waist as she kissed his neck and shoulders. He took her hand and pulled her into the tub with him. He placed his hands gently at her hips and he pulled her to him so they both stood under the pouring water and he brought his lips down on hers once again, continuing their make out session. He reached over and grabbed the bar of soap and he got a wash cloth all soapy before rubbing it over the beautiful body in front of him that he wants to explore every inch of. Ashley closed her eyes and whimpered softly as she leaned up against the shower wall. He brought his kisses down to her neck and shoulders and she tilted her head back a bit as she rubs her hand over his back and held him close to her, wanting him more than ever. She never knew a man could ever make her feel so good. She thought she’d never find one who could do this to her out of love and not hatred. She loves how delicate he is with her. He is driving her crazy and all they’re doing is making out. After a half n hour of showering and loving on each other when they were both washed up he shut the water off, lifted her up so he’s cradling her and he brought her out of the tub while placing soft kisses on her forehead. When they were out he set her down and wrapped a towel around her before grabbing his own. They dried off and got dressed. When Ashley had finished getting dressed into her Ramones t-shirt and blue denim skirt she walked out of the bathroom and went and lay on the bed that Dakota was still sleeping on. She stared up at the ceiling and tried to calm herself down from all of the mixed emotions Nick has given her. When Nick was dressed too he went over and lay on the bed next to her. She rolled over facing him and he smiled at her and tucked a strand of her wet hair behind her ear as he looked into her eyes. God why does that smile have such an effect on me? She thought to herself.


“I love you,” he told her softly. He loves me? Forget the smile, knowing that makes my heart itself do summersaults.


“I love you too,” She replied and he rested his forehead against hers as he lightly rubs his finger over her cheek and gazes into her eyes wondering what is on her mind. “I love you, and I love how you have the power to make me feel so beautiful…I never thought I’d feel that again.”


“You’re beautiful baby…the most beautiful girl I’ve ever laid eyes on…I never knew what real love was until I met you. And if that made you feel beautiful…wait until your 18th birthday. That was nothing.” He told her, and he brushed his lips softly against hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck and snuggled close to him and it wasn’t long until she was soon napping a long with Dakota.