- Text Size +
Author's Chapter Notes:
Here's the next chapter
Enjoy =)
Chapter Four-Hundred-Thirty-One



“Nicky do you have Bella’s changing table set up yet? We could really use it right about now,” Ashley asked from the living room of their new apartment two days later. They have transferred everything that they would need from her house and his beach house, to the apartment and after two days it was finally beginning to look like a home.


“Yeah sweetie, I just finished it” Nick answered as Ashley walked in with a crabby baby. She had just finished giving her a bath and she isn’t very pleased with her mommy right now. Ashley gently lay Bella on the changing table that Nick just assembled and put the pacifier in her mouth, which much to Ashley’s relief instantly soothed her. She opened up a drawer and got out a diaper and one of Bella’s many outfits – a pink shirt that reads Mommy’s Girl and a denim skirt. As she began to dress her she glanced over at Nick to see that he was putting shelves on the wall next so that Ashley could do as she pleased with them. They have Bella’s crib set up and eventually Ashley is going to put a little hammock up in the corner of her room where she can put her stuffed animals.


“How are Dakota and Sarah coming along with their room?” Nick wanted to know. While he’d been busy assembling and hanging things up in the baby room, Ashley had been incharge of the other two.


“They’re in there discussing business with Brandon,” Ashley answered, her eyes lighting up some upon mentioning his name and Nick grinned a little. He knows she is very happy that Brandon is visiting for the weekend and she was even more thrilled when everybody’s favorite doctor came back engaged of all things. He had shared the news with Ashley, Nick, and their little group but made them all promise not to let Jennifer catch wind of it as he felt that he needed to handle her and her bruised heart with special care. “They’re in the process of discussing Disney Princesses and how they would like them painted on their walls. Brandon says it would be easier for him if he did the painting first and then we can move their furniture and toys in.” She added and secretly thought about how glad she is that they had the people who built the apartment paint Bella’s room pink for them ahead of time, since it was just a simple job. She has a feeling Dakota and Sarah’s room is going to be a big project and she doesn’t want to make Brandon do more work then necessary.


“So you’re saying that we’ll have two munchkins in our bed for the weekend?”


“Well I was thinking that they might have fun in the living room. We could set up a slumber party for them on the couches since that room is set up and everything. Maybe Kevin will allow Ellie, Jesse, and Nathan to sleep over – and why not Julie? Steve really wants Julie to make friends with our kids…he says she doesn’t make friends very easily. I think a slumber party would be the best way to do that. Spencer might enjoy it too if we can pry him away from Scott.” Nick chuckled softly.


“That sounds good baby. Kota and Sarah will love that. And as long as our bed is kid free I’m okay with anything.”


“Does that mean you would be okay with Me, Marcus, Kevin, and Kristin taking the kids to the park in just a few moments too?” Ashley asked hopefully and Nick glanced at her curiously for a brief moment before going about his business.


“You, Kevin, and Kristin huh? Do I sense a new friendship in the making?”


“Maybe…” Ashley answered while smiling some and Nick chuckled.


“It’s a good idea sweetheart. The kids have been very good for the past two days with the move and everything. It would be good for them.” Ashley lifted a now very content Bella from the changing table and carried her over to her playpen, lay her down in it and she turned her lullaby music on before going over to Nick and sliding her arms around him from behind. She kissed the back of his neck softly and he set the hammer down and gazed at her lovingly.


“What about you my sexy handyman, huh? You’ve been working very hard lately…why don’t you come?” Nick gently cupped her cheek in his hand and pulled her lips down on his in a soft kiss.


“Just let me finish hanging these shelves first okay? Why don’t you go see how that ‘business talk’ with Brandon is going and get the girls in their shoes and I will be right out?”


“Kay,” Ashley smiled and she pulled back and headed out of the room while Nick continued what he was doing. By the time he had the shelves up and had gone over and gathered Bella up in his arms before coming out of the room he found Ashley and his two girls waiting for him as well as Kevin, Kristin and Ellie.


“What, no Jesse and Nathan today?” Nick asked curiously while helping Ashley put Bella in the baby backpack she was currently wearing.


“Nope, not today” Kristin answered as she stood there next to Kevin holding Ellie so she is rested on her hip. “Brad has them – I think he has some sort of plans for them or something.”


“What about later on tonight?” Nick asked while following everyone out of the apartment and shutting and locking the door.


“I’m not sure – why?” Kristin asked curiously and Kevin looked at his youngest bandmate with an identical expression on his face.


“Ash thought it would be fun to set up a sleep over in our living room for the kids tonight. Every kid in the Backstreet Group is invited – that includes your niece and nephew.” Kristin looked genuinely touched that she is considered part of the Backstreet Group that it took her a moment to answer.


“They would like that a lot. I will run it by my brother and sister and get back to you.”


“Yay! A sleepover!” Dakota cheered happily as Nick lifted her up into his arms. “Daddy can we go an’ rent movies?”


“Of course,” Nick chuckled. “You can’t have a sleepover without movies. We’ll order a pizza for you kids and everything so that we wont have to go down to the cafeteria for dinner – that way Ashley and I can continue to work on the apartment while you kids eat and chill.”


“Ellie you hafta bring your TMNT Movies over” Dakota insisted eagerly.


“I wills,” Ellie answered excitedly and Sarah scowled.


“No – Barbie. We watch TMNT and Beauty & The Beast all the time.” Ellie narrowed her eyes at her.


“TMNT, Dude. You are out numbered Sarah, don’t even try it.” Sarah glowered at her and then instantly looked up at Nick to settle this.


“Tell her we’re to watch Barbie daddy. Right now.”


“You can watch all of them, Sarah” Nick insisted gently. “There is no crime in that. While they’re watching their movies I’m sure one of the other kids wont mind playing a game with you or something. Be fair.”


“Yeah Sarah, be fair” Dakota added and Nick gently lifted her chin.


“Hey. Stop it. We don’t need your comments I’ve got it honey.” Dakota scowled and crossed her arms over her chest and Ellie shook her head and looked up at Kevin.


“Remember daddy – no brothers or sisters,” She reminded. Kevin chuckled.


“Don’t worry baby, I’m not planning on having more kids for awhile yet. You are all I can handle right now.”


“Cause I am special, right daddy?”


“Especially special,” Kevin agreed. “One of a kind,” he added before leaning over and kissing her cheek as Kristin still held her and Ellie beamed. When they arrived downstairs, they met up with Marcus who was standing in front of the elevator waiting for them – he had seen them coming down on the TV screen.


“Where are we headed?” he asked casually, his eyes on Ashley like a hawk.


“The park. Do you have any idea where are puppies are? We sent them down here with Chris and Ryan and haven’t seen them since,” Nick answered while glancing at Lil Rok who was lounging under Ellie’s shirt with his head sticking out of it. From the looks of it, she thought she was sneaking him out of the house and Kevin had decided to be blind to it. She is going to have to think of another sneaking technique though, because Lil’ Rok is going to be too big to put under her shirt pretty soon. Marcus thought about that for a moment, and then deciding rather then go to the TV screen to actually see where they are, he whistled and called out to them.


“PUPPIEEES…oh PUPPIEEEES…” they all looked around, and a second later a trail of puppies came running around the corner yapping. “Yup, they’re right there.” Ashley laughed at this and shook her head.


“Smart ass…” she insisted and Marcus just smirked. They stood there and watched as Chance, Lily, Abbie, and even Tyk came running toward them and Nick arched his eyebrow.


“What? It’s a new training technique I taught them. They come running when I whistle.”


“Good to know…” Kevin replied amusedly. “But what if we only want some of them and not all of them?”


“Then you call for those puppies individually and they’ll come. You didn’t specify which ones you wanted – you just said puppies. So I got all of them for you.” Nick rolled his eyes.


“Ashley is right, you are a smartass today,” he commented and then knelt down with everybody else to greet the overjoyed puppies. Just then, Chris came walking around the corner looking none too pleased.


“Okay, who called Chance away from me? I was trying to play Frisbee with him.” Marcus chuckled.


“Sorry buddy,” He apologized. “You can take him back if you want, we only wanted Lily and Abbie.” Chris whistled then.


“Chance! Come here boy,” he called out and Chance whirled around and raced toward Chris, allowing him to take him back outside.


“Can we take Tyke with us daddy? Please?” Dakota pleaded while gathering both him and Lily into her arms. Nick watched her as she loved on both puppies for a moment, and then nodded.


“Sure why not? We can never go wrong with having Tyke along,” he told her, thinking of all the times the little pup has saved the day. “I will just text Brian and tell him we have him,” he added while Marcus leashed all of the puppies, including Lil’ Rok for whenever Ellie decides to put him down. When they were all set they headed to the park.


“How did you guys manage to get Brooke to agree to have all of these puppies in her orphanage?” Kristin asked amusedly and Kevin chuckled.


“My goofy cousin Brian didn’t really give her much choice,” he answered, and then began to tell her the story of how they got each puppy. When they arrived at the playground the kids all ran off to play with the puppies – minus Abbie. Laney and Q stayed close to them and kept very strict watch on them. Nick slid his arms around Ashley, though being conscious of Bella between them and he gave her a brief but meaningful kiss.


“I’m going to play some basketball with Kev sweetie. What are your plans?”


“To sit here under this shady tree with Kristin and Bella and chat.”


“Okay. I won’t be far,” he promised and then kissed her forehead softly, shared a brief look of understanding with Marcus, and then he followed Kevin to the courts. Marcus leaned against the tree and sat down making himself comfortable just at arm length from where Ashley chose to sit and Kristin sat next to her as she lay Bella on the blanket in front of her. Abbie who Marcus still had on her leash settled herself next to Bella protectively, looking like she would snap at anyone who tries to touch her and isn’t supposed to. While the two women slipped into conversation, Marcus pretended to be interested in a book, though he was really scanning the park. He was very conscious of the young teen sitting under another tree appearing to be writing in a notebook but his trained eyes had seen her eyeing Ashley and Bella with unreadable emotions on her face.


He would keep an eye on her. She looks like she could just be an innocent fan – maybe, except that she didn’t show as much interest in Nick and Kevin being there as she seemed to have of Ashley and Bella. Or was he just being paranoid of his charge’s safety? No. He refuses to let that excuse him – it’s good to be a little paranoid. He learned his lesson from misreading Conner - he won’t let that happen again. Apparently Sean likes teens, therefore they could be the enemy too. Anyone could be the enemy. He is just thankful that Aaron isn’t here to fall victim to her…if she should be the enemy that is. What’s next? Trying to break him and Stacy up? God please no…as if the Angel and Conner disaster wasn’t enough. This teen looks a little older than Aaron though…fifteen? Sixteen? Or possibly seventeen…somewhere in that range. But certainly not a thirteen-year-old…so maybe he can rule out the Aaron idea. But he wouldn’t exactly put it past him to try and sleep with an older girl though.


But if she isn’t after Aaron…then what is her deal? She can’t be a fan – a fan would be over there sweet talking Nick and Kevin into giving them autographs and such, not sitting under a tree writing and pretending not to be interested in Ashley and Bella. What could possibly be her interest though? Not that Ashley and Bella aren’t interesting people or anything…cause they are. But she surely has to have a motive. As Marcus sat there racking his brain about the strange girl sitting not very far from them, Bella suddenly squealed happily, instantly earning Ashley’s undivided attention.


“Is that right?” she asked Bella while giving her an enthusiastic smile and she babbled in response. Ashley gently cradled her face in her hands and leaned down and placed feathery light kisses on her forehead and cheeks and Bella reached up and grabbed hold of her in return enjoying the attention.


“She’s so adorable,” Kristin insisted amusedly as she watched the mother and daughter moment and Ashley beamed and gathered Bella into her arms. “You hear that Bells? Mama’s baby is adorable, yes she is…yes she is,” she insisted while bringing her legs up and lying her gently against them and Bella smiled hugely. Ashley grabbed up one of her key rings and sat there playing with her. “I miss the days when Jesse and Nate were that young. It was fun having babies around the house.”


“Well, then, maybe you and Kevin should have one” Ashley teased and Kristin laughed.


“We just had our first kiss two days ago I don’t think either one of us are ready for a baby right now – Ellie looks like she would object to that.”


“A sibling would be just what Ellie needs,” Ashley snickered. “Having Sarah become Kota’s older sister did wonders. It was hard in the beginning but now they wouldn’t have it any other way – though they do fight still, but what sibling doesn’t?”


“I think Ellie ought to have a little more time to have Kev to herself honey,” Marcus insisted while chuckling. “Then maybe he can ease her into the idea of having a sibling, if Sarah and Kota don’t scar her for life in the mean time.”


“Yeah, I guess your right” Ashley replied while heaving an exaggerated sigh and Marcus chuckled some more while reaching out and running his fingers through her silky brown hair in an endearing way.


“That’s a really beautiful locket,” Kristin commented when she noticed the little heart locket around Bella’s neck and she reached out and gently took it in her hands, rubbing her hand over the engraving.


“That is a special gift that mama has given to her,” Ashley explained while planting a kiss on Bella’s forehead. “I wanted her to have something that would always make her feel like I am close to her heart. Even when we’re far apart.” Kristin opened up the locket and smiled some at the picture of Ashley and Bella inside. Suddenly Ellie approached them and she slid her arms around Kristin and hugged her, causing Kristin to envelop her in he arms and return it.


“Hey sweetie, what’s up? Why aren’t you over there playing with your friends?”


“Cause I wants you to pushes me on the swing,” Ellie insisted and Kristin smiled at her some and rested her forehead against hers.


‘You do huh?”


“Uh-huhs. Me an’ Kota wanna swing.”


“Well, then, lets go swing” Kristin replied while getting up with her and walking off with her and Ashley smiled some and looked down at Bella in her arms. Deciding that she would hand her over to Marcus for a bit so that she could push Dakota on the swing too, she wrapped Bella in her blanket and was going to hand her over when Q suddenly spoke up from over by the kids.


“Hey Marcus”


“Yeah?”


“Sarah has to go potty…do you think you could come help Laney keep an eye on the other two while I…go and stand just inside the bathroom door and wait for her?”


“Kind of busy here,” Marcus reminded him, feeling slightly annoyed that he has to remind him.


“I know that. But couldn’t you bring her with you?”


“Go Marcus,” Ashley insisted gently. “You can see me from there – I’ll holler if I need you.”


“No.” Ashley sighed.


“Then how about I take her to go potty because while you two are sitting here arguing, Sarah is going to wet her pants.”


“Right, and have a repeat of the last time we went to the park? No way.” Ashley rolled her eyes and got up and without waiting for him, she headed across the playground to take care of her six-year-old. Marcus scrambled to his feet and was at her side in a matter of seconds and when they got there, she gathered Sarah in her arms and headed for the bathroom.


“If either of you two are coming, I suggest you do it now cause we aren’t waiting.” Q started to follow her, but Marcus grabbed his arm gently and pulled him back before hurrying after her himself and Q rolled his eyes before turning his attention on Laney while muttering to himself. The only things Laney picked up on were paranoid and out of hand. Ashley waited for him to check the bathroom to make sure no one threatening was in there, and then she set Sarah down and told her she could go in and she did just that while Marcus stood in the doorway. While Marcus was stuck making sure Sarah stayed safe Ashley used the moment to walk away with Bella and Abbie who walked willingly at her heels.


“Ashley McLean!”


“Calm down Marcus, there are two other security guards in this park who are just as capable I promise. I will stay right here where either one of you can get to me if needed,” She reassured and she sat down under the nearest tree where she was smack dab in the middle of all three of them. Marcus let out an irritated groan and she smiled at him sweetly.


“Love you Super Marcus.”


“Yeah, yeah,” Marcus replied. He waited on Sarah to finish up and when she did and went to wash her hands, she discovered that she couldn’t reach.


“Marcus,” She called.


“Yeah honey?”


“I can’t reach the sink.” Marcus glanced at her, and then at Ashley. He looked back and forth between the two of them for a moment feeling torn and then sighed softly and went into the bathroom to help while muttering about idiot people who build playground bathroom sinks too high when they’re meant for kids in the first place. Ashley sat there quietly playing with Bella and petting Abbie who now lay comfortably at her side for a few moments until she suddenly noticed someone approaching her and looked up. It was the teenage girl that Marcus had been watching. She had waited all this time until Ashley was finally alone – simply because he intimidated her slightly.


“Hi,” she greeted casually and sat down at a safe distance that wouldn’t look threatening and Ashley gazed at her curiously, before bringing Bella closer in a protective way that just came natural to her.

“Hi,” Ashley replied and she glanced at Laney and Q in what she hoped was a subtle way and saw both of them inching closer to her protectively.


“I come in peace, I promise” the girl reassured not missing a single thing. “I’m not dumb enough to try and mess with Marcus or Q trust me.”


“What am I chopped liver?” they both heard Laney mutter and Q chuckled amusedly.


“Laney can put up a mean fight too if pushed,” Ashley insisted with a small smile, though she never loosened her protective hold on her daughter.


“I don’t doubt that, though I’ve only ever seen Marcus and Q in action before and Marcus looked as though he might rip the first person to come near you to shreds if he must,” the girl replied while smiling some too.


“So that must mean you’re a fan,” Marcus spoke up and both Ashley and the girl looked up at him to see him leaning casually against the tree with Sarah rested on his hip. “A very brave one at that…normally a fan would know better then to test me on that,” he added and his eyes bore into the girl’s, trying to determine if she’s lying about not being a threat.


“Sort of…I wasn’t really a huge fan up until the month of December. I promise you I don’t mean her any harm,” the girl insisted evenly.


“If you are a fan of the Backstreet Boys…then why aren’t you over there asking them for autographs?” Marcus interrogated, though his voice was a little gentler when he felt Ashley place her hand on his to calm him. The girl shrugged her shoulders.


“I like Ashley too. I figured I wouldn’t bother them just yet while they were looking for a good time – not to be bothered by fans right when they got here.” Marcus opened his mouth to respond when Ashley gently squeezed his hand.


“Marcus will you please stop trying to scare off one of the very few fans that I have, please? If you haven’t noticed, It’s a good thing when the boys fans don’t hate me.”


“I am sorry,” Marcus replied gently, his voice going polite now. “But if she is a fan like she says she is, she’ll know we’re a little edgy around here when it comes to you,” He reminded.


“If she wanted to hurt me, she would’ve tried it already” Ashley informed, and then looked at the girl. “Do I get to know the name of my supporter?” The girl thought about that for a moment.


“Carley.”


“Well Carley, it’s nice to meet you.”


“And it’s nice to meet you too. I’ve been dying to meet you for so long.”


“Since December?”


“Mhm.” Marcus arched his eyebrow, but otherwise said nothing. He stood there gazing at this girl in silence, just taking in her features. She has long thick brown hair that is pulled back in a scrunchie and chocolate brown eyes. She’s kind of tall and not thin, but not fat either. She looks pretty for her age. The boys her age must really like her.


“What made you suddenly become so interested in the Backstreet Boys in December?” He asked after a moment when he was sure he would sound kind this time. Carley was silent for a long moment, and Marcus watched her watch Ashley as she sat there quietly gazing down at Bella just lightly caressing her head and Bella was lying there cooing softly.


“I just saw the boys on Ellen and they really struck my interest is all.”


“I really wish I could’ve been to that interview,” Ashley replied, while finally tearing her loving gaze from Bella to look at her. “Everyone seems to have really liked that interview. But I had been shot in the arm so I had to stay behind.”


“I heard about that,” Carley replied sympathetically. “I remember Nick mentioning it…I felt…concerned. It must’ve been difficult trying to take care of a baby with a broken arm.”


“I had a lot of help,” Ashley replied while shifting Bella in her arms so that she is cradling her and she leaned down and kissed the top of her head while she was drifting off to sleep. “Nick hardly ever left my side if he could help it and if he had to, it was either Marcus, AJ, or my mom.”


“Well that’s good. Bella looks like she’s been loved every single minute since she was born,” Carley replied, and Marcus couldn’t help but notice how relieved and happy she sounds about that.


“Are you kidding me? The kid has so much love I’m surprised she knows what to do with it all.” Nick spoke up while suddenly sitting beside Ashley and gathering her into his arms despite the fact that he is all sweaty and he kissed the back of her head softly before leaning down to kiss Bella delicately. “I don’t think there is another baby in this whole wide world who is loved as much as this one here.” Ashley looked up at him then and scrunched her nose up playfully.


“Baby you smell.”


“Sorry,” Nick chuckled. “Your gonna have to deal with it till I go home and shower. Who are we talking to here?” he asked while turning his attention back on Carley.


“This here is Carley – and she’s been a Backstreet Fan since December and is one of my faithful supporters.”


“Proud President of an Ashley Support Team on the Internet and everything,” Carley admitted softly.


“I have a support team on the Internet?” Ashley asked intrigued.


“Quite a few actually. I have the biggest one though – it’s on MySpace and it’s pushing three thousand members right now.” Ashley gaped, and Nick chuckled amusedly.


“I could’ve told you that baby. I’ve been on some of them – might have even been on that one.” Ashley gazed down at Bella as she felt her face grow warm with a blush and she made a mental note to go looking around on MySpace when they got home. She still has yet to create that page she’d been talking about creating back in November anyway, with the picture she’d taken with Nick and AJ out in Jackie’s backyard. They sat there talking to Carley for a long while, and then Kevin insisted they should get back so he and Nick could have showers because Kristin too was teasing him about smelling of sweat. They said their good-byes and gathered up the kids and left. But not before Carley could get a couple of pictures of herself with Ashley and Bella – one where she’d actually gotten to hold her and then one with Kevin and Nick in it too and then they all headed for the Orphanage. Carley was left sitting there gazing down at the picture of her holding Bella as tears of happiness flooded her eyes and she wore a small smile on her face. Nothing makes her feel more relieved then knowing that her baby had found a loving home and was being taken care of. That she’d gotten a mommy whom was able to take care of her like she couldn’t. She will always love and respect Ashley for that.