Chapter Four-Hundred-Forty
Later on that evening - a couple of hours to be exact, Kori and Scott were walking all over Florida just holding hands and not really caring where they were going until they suddenly came across their old High School. They walked around the outside of the building just reminiscing with one another until Kori suggested they go to hers and Ashley's house.
"I never thought you would choose to come here voluntarily like this," he commented as Kori had just let them both in and turned the lights on so they could see. He squeezed her hand gently and Kori shrugged in a nonchalant way.
"It's getting easier to be in this house I guess. So long as I don't go into mom and dad's room I’m fine," she admitted. Scott brought her hand up and kissed the back of it softly before bringing her into the living room with the big screen TV.
"Lets watch a movie," he suggested and then went on over and looked through the collection of movies that have been there since Kori was just a baby with an addition of the ones that belong to Nick that he and Ashley never bothered to take. Kori however, went over and settled on the couch not even bothering to look. She knows the collection by heart. When they both agreed on the movie Die Hard he made popcorn, put the movie in, and then turned out the lights before taking his rightful place beside her and instantly cuddling. Kori slid her arm around his waist and rested her head against his shoulder comfortably as she waited on the movie to start. She had made it perfectly clear that she wanted an action packed movie, no fluff and he couldn't argue with that, though he would've agreed to any romantic movie she wanted if it came down to it.
"It's kind of nice to sit down and watch a perfectly good adult movie for once," she whispered quietly and he gazed down at her while idly playing with her hair just because he can. "It seems like we always have a kid with us and some Disney movie on. Do you think Spencer is okay? We never said goodbye to him and it's past his bedtime..."
"I'm sure he's fine. He's a tough kid...and anyhow, I think I heard something about Nick throwing the girls' a slumber party...I bet he doesn't even realize we're gone."
"Kind of surprising since he loves you so much and is practically attached to your hip these days," She commented, and as she looked up into his blue eyes he noticed the slight jealousy in them. He smiled down at her lovingly, lightly swept some of her hair to the side before leaning down and planting a kiss on her forehead. "While he constantly talks about everything you two have done together while he was growing up. You have all of these memories with him when I am just getting started on creating mine. He loves you so much Kor, you know that right?"
"Yeah I know," Kori replied softly, and right then the movie finally started and the two of them turned their attention on it.
~*~*~*~*~
Meanwhile at the Orphanage, Wiley and Chris walked into Nick and Ashley's apartment since the door like usual was already open and Nick who sat on the floor in the living room, which was lit only with the glow of the television, looked at him curiously as he sat there cradling Dakota while she slept. All of the other kids were either sleeping too, or on the verge of losing to sleep any minute. Ashley looked at them too as she sat on the couch feeding a cranky Bella who had woken up wanting a bottle.
"Hey Wi, what's up?" Nick asked quietly when the other men got close enough to have a whispered conversation. But Wiley however, looked at Ashley.
"Have you seen Kori around anywhere?" Ashley arched her eyebrow curiously upon hearing his question.
"No...sorry. I've been up here all night pretty much." Wiley looked at Nick then.
"Have you?"
"No...not in a few hours or so. Sorry..."
"Did she by any chance...in those few hours or so that you've seen her, give you any hints on where she might be going?" Wiley questioned, his eyes falling on Spencer who was subconsciously cuddling with Ellie who was cuddling right back as if she thought he might be her Donald Duck or something. He knows if Nick and Ashley have Spencer, he has to have some idea of where she might be. Nick darted his eyes down at Dakota then to avoid feeling guilty when looking into Wiley's eyes and that was all Wiley needed for the answer to hit him like a slap in the face. Chris who caught on too slid his arm around Wiley's shoulders and Wiley sighed, his face falling slightly.
"Nevermind then," he replied bitterly and then turned for the door and Chris went with him. Ashley looked at Nick then who was suddenly quietly looking at her waiting for the questions that he knows are going to come.
"Kori isn't here?" she asked in a whispered tone.
"No, she left just a little bit before Q saw you and Marcus heading down into the basement earlier."
"I never would've even known...how sad is that? I thought she was just being distant and hiding from everyone because of her mood."
"Oh she's hiding from everyone alright...just with Scott is all. He talked her into running off with him to be spontaneous."
"Poor Wiley," Ashley replied quietly and Nick looked into her eyes to see if she really means that, and to his surprise, she actually does. But he can still see the glow in them upon hearing she is out with Scott all the same. When she saw that he is analyzing her sympathetic words and feelings on the subject, Ashley narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Come on Nick, I’m not a bitch or anything I never wanted Wi to get hurt."
"I know you aren't a bitch baby," Nick replied and he couldn't help but be slightly amused by how defensive she suddenly got. He reached out and gently grabbed her hand and gingerly caressed the back of it with his finger.
"I just wish she would break up with him already instead of stringing him along like a fish on a hook. It's fine if she’s not ready to forgive Scott completely and needs time to figure things out, but that doesn't mean Wi needs to suffer any further. I've been telling her all along that this wasn't fair for him - fair for either of them."
"I know honey but there's nothing you or I can say or do about it. We just have to sit back and wait for Kori to come to her own senses." Ashley gently lay Bella down on the couch then before propping her bottle in her mouth with a pillow and placing another pillow beside her so she doesn't roll off and then she leaned forward and draped her arms over Nick's shoulders before resting her forehead against his and he kissed her softly.
"Can we put the baby to bed and go get in ours yet?" she whispered and she looked into his eyes seductively.
"Soon baby," He promised, though he made sure she saw how appealing that request sounds to him right now. "When I’m completely sure Kota isn't going to wake up with a night terror," he added while looking down at his daughter who still lay in his lap and he continued to rub his hand over her back gently. He had decided he would sit with her from the time her night terrors usually start till the point where they normally end and rub her back and keep her comfortable in hopes they could avoid the outburst all together. So far, it was working but they haven't reached the end point yet.
"I thought we were taking her to see a therapist for this Nicky?"
"Brian, Kevin, and I are taking Ellie, Josh, and Kota to see Anthony in the afternoon. Why don't you come? I think you should meet him too."
"Why?" Ashley asked suspiciously.
"Just because you are a huge part of Kota's life...practically a mommy. I think she would really like for you to be there for support. Besides...you want to work with troubled kids when you get older right? He would be a good person to learn from," Nick told her evasively. Ashley placed her hand to Nick's cheek and leaned forward and kissed his lips softly before pulling back and tending to Bella again while Nick took care of his daughter and eventually began to sing to her to add the extra comfort.
~*~*~*~*~*~
The next day in the late afternoon right after Dakota, Ellie, and Josh’s visit to Anthony’s for a therapy session Ashley and Nick decided to take their kids and go their separate way with Marcus because Ashley had things that she wanted to do before her date with Ryan.
“Have you spoken to Angel at all today Nick?” Ashley asked suddenly as the two of them headed into the public library that belongs to Ryan.
“Yeah,” Nick grumbled. “But it wasn’t a successful event.”
“She still handcuffed to Conner?”
“Yup,” Nick answered begrudgingly. “I paid Laney to sit in Conner’s room all night and make sure sleeping was the only thing they did last night.”
“I’m sure Angel loved that.”
“I am not her favorite brother at the moment we’ll just leave it at that.”
“Do you think they...?” Ashley began, letting that question trail off and she looked at Nick curiously.
“I know they did, but they are denying it and I don’t have the proof to back me up except that they were in an air vent for awhile. Angel claims they were just up there talking. I would like nothing more than to beat the shit out the kid but I just can’t get to him without hurting her too and it’s frustrating.” Nick shook his head. “If all they did was talk, she wouldn’t feel the need to turn herself into a human shield.” Ashley wrapped her arm around Nick though she kept her other wrapped protectively around Bella as she wore her in front of her in the baby sling. Dakota was wearing her backpack leash which Marcus was currently holding onto, and Sarah was holding Nick’s hand.
“She’s not going to detach herself from him until you’ve calmed down baby, so why don’t you concentrate on doing just that?” Nick grumbled, but otherwise didn’t argue with her as he knows she is right. But the very thought of his baby sister having sex is as about as painful as hearing nails on a chalkboard.
“Daddy, Ashee, can we goes an’ looks at the kids books?” Dakota asked eagerly when they got into the library and she instantly spotted the separate room that was the Juvenile Area.
“If Marcus is willing to take you baby…Ashley has come here on a mission.” Dakota looked up at Marcus then, who still stood there holding onto her leash protectively though he eyed Ashley with a wary look.
“She’ll be fine Marcus,” Nick reassured while pulling Ashley closer to him. “You know I won’t let her out of my sight for a second.” Marcus continued to stare at her for a few seconds, and then sighed softly and gave in. He reached for Sarah’s hand, who gladly allowed for him to take it and he led the girls into the juvenile area. Ashley on the other hand, followed them up until the point where they reached the Juvenile Chapter Books while Marcus took the girls to the easy section just across the way.
“I’m assuming whatever mission you are on has to do with Ryan, am I correct?” Nick questioned as he trailed behind her though he kept a firm hold on her hand as she read the alphabet labels on the side of the shelves that says where everything is at.
“Yup, you are.”
“May I ask what this mission is?”
“I’m looking for some new books for him to read.”
“And how do you know he hasn’t read this entire section by now?” Nick asked amused.
“Because I pay attention,” Ashley answered simply and Nick chuckled.
“Duh Nick,” he replied and Ashley smiled back at him and squeezed his hand in an affectionate way. “He pretty much finds his favorites and sticks to them. Treasure Island I can understand…that was his father’s favorite book and it’s his most prized possession, but I want to open his mind to some more really great literature that I know he’d enjoy.”
“Have any in particular on your mind?” Nick asked curiously.
“Mhm. I have a feeling he would really like Where the Red Fern Grows By Wilson Rawls,” Ashley began while picking up that book. “I enjoyed it myself when I was about his age.” He followed her through the shelves as she picked up a couple of others - The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien, The Adventures of Huckleberry Fin by Mark Twain, and she continued to search for more trying her best to stick with the classics and the adventure type books knowing Ryan really loves those.
“I can see him reading this one,” Nick spoke up while grabbing a book up off of the shelf and Ashley looked back at him to see him holding up Old Yeller by Fred Gipson.
“Oh man that movie made me sad when I was little…but yeah he would probably like it” Ashley nodded and he added it to the ever growing pile of books that he was holding for her while she grabbed them off the shelves and kept a protective arm around Bella too.
“He might feel the need to hug one of the puppies after reading all of these dog books,” Nick informed.
“Yeah I myself am thinking that I’m going to need some quality time with Abbie when we get home.”
“She would like that,” Nick agreed. “I’ve noticed her following you around lately, but with your whole separation anxiety with Bella and everything, you haven’t paid as much attention to her as she would like.”
“I’ve noticed it too,” Ashley answered guiltily. “I’m going to hand Bella over to you right when we get home. I don’t want her going far though Nicky please?” Nick gently slid an arm around her waist and kissed her forehead softly.
“I won’t go anywhere with her without you. Are you going to be able to leave her with me when you take Ryan out tonight?”
“I don’t have much of a choice, I’m going to have to suck it up,” Ashley shrugged.
“Any chance of you shaking off this anxiety anytime soon?” Nick asked gently, making sure he wasn’t sounding as though he were pressuring her.
“Probably not until my personal hell is caught and dealt with…”
“We’re going to catch him and have him dealt with very soon baby, I promise.” Ashley kissed the top of Bella’s head softly, and then walked off and continued to look at books with Nick following close behind her.
~*~*~*~*~
“Do you want to tell me where you were yesterday?” Trevor interrogated while coming down the stairs and joining his lover who sat on the couch with his laptop in front of him.
“Do you want to tell me where you were this morning when I woke up?” Sean shot back not even looking at him. Trevor paused then upon having that question thrown at him.
“Out taking care of you like I usually am,” he answered after a moment when he decided that was the truth. He was taking care of him – and having breakfast at the same time.
“How so?” Sean asked, turning to look him in the eyes so he would be able to detect a lie as soon as Trevor said one.
“You don’t need to know the details. Just know that I was and be grateful,” Trevor answered simply.
“Then you know what? I’m not going to answer your question either” Sean insisted stubbornly. “You be honest with me, and I’ll be honest with you right back.”
“The things that I do Sean are for good. You on the other do things that are going to get us in trouble so I think I have a right to know.” When Sean didn’t reply, Trevor scooted closer to him and cupped his face in his hands forcing him to look at him. “If you are planning on attacking today or tomorrow you best tell me so because it’s not fair to make me go into this blind. I’m NOT Shelly Sean, I refuse to be left out in the cold.”
“No you are right, you aren’t Shelly. Because you actually have the balls to try and stand in my way – hence the reason I’m not telling you a single thing.”
“You might as well,” Trevor informed while shrugging his shoulders. “Because I already know everything you are planning on doing.”
“No you don’t because I hid it from you – purposely.”
“I got on your computer and looked,” Trevor told him simply and Sean narrowed his eyes at him.
“You wouldn’t.”
“I would and I did – I’m not Shelly remember? So how about you tell me when all of this is going down huh?”
“You had NO right to go and look at my things!”
“I had EVERY right to do so, especially since it includes me!”
“It doesn’t have to include you! I told you time and time again that you could back down at anytime and I would let you! You brought all of this on yourself!”
“Do you honestly believe I could walk away from all of this and let you go and do something so incredibly stupid on your own and get yourself killed? NO. No way. You are not doing this alone I am going with you so that I can make sure you don’t fuck up. And if you do than I’m going down with you because we’re a package deal, Sean. We’ve been through this.” Trevor could suddenly feel the rage that Lindy has toward him now but he ignored it. She ought to know that there is no stopping this from happening. He could handcuff him down sure, but Trevor has a feeling that not even that could stop him from doing what he’s deluded himself into believing that he has to do. Sean looked away from Trevor then and took deep breaths as he waited for his anger to pass and Trevor sat there waiting with him for a long while. When he was sure that Sean got a handle on himself, he hid his sudden pride in him at the moment and gently took his hand and squeezed it.
“Where were you yesterday Sean?”
“I was watching Angel. I followed her from her house all the way to the Orphanage…nearly had her too when someone from the apartments across the street saw her and called her over.”
“Brooke? That’s where her apartment is.”
“No it was a man…with long hair.”
“That’s Jaime, Brooke’s brother. He’s a very nice guy…unless you mess with one of his sisters…and well that’s just not something a person in their right mind does we’ll just put it that way.”
“Doesn’t matter, he’s not important. All that matters here is that I was so close to getting her Trevor.”
“What do you plan on doing to her when you do get your hands on her? Are you going to drown her too Sean? You are wasting our time punishing Conner when you could be concentrating on getting Ashley.”
“It wouldn’t be just Conner I am punishing,” Sean answered patiently, silently keeping in mind that he’s kept Trevor out of the loop for so long and therefore he is not at his level of thinking yet. “I would be punishing Nick too. The one person standing in my way of getting what I want. I’ve been watching him with his siblings…they mean everything to him. He will be an emotional wreck if anything should happen to them.”
“Especially to the Twins,” Trevor mused, catching on quickly. It doesn’t take much for him to understand. He knows the way Sean’s mind works…better than anyone.
“And if we take what matters most to him away…it’ll loosen his defenses on Ashley a little bit and therefore make things easier on me. Plus, I might even be able to get Ashley where I want her too. In fact I’m counting on it. If there is one thing that plays on her emotions the most…it’s the people she cares about getting hurt – she’ll blame herself.”
“Okay, but baby there is just one very important thing you need to remember. There is Marcus too.”
“I know that, but the important thing is Nick is going to be so caught up in the safety of his baby sister and Ashley is going to be so consumed with guilt and that will make her vulnerable and create a loop hole for me in the little connection they have. We’ll deal with Marcus when the time comes.”
“And when is that time going to come? That is the only thing you didn’t include in your brainstorming.” Sean got up and quietly walked over to the window then and he peered outside contemplating on the answer to Trevor’s question.
“I’m hoping in the next couple of days or so. From the looks of things, that’s probably the case. This means I really need to get Angel before then in order for my plan to fully work. This also means that I am going to need your help Trevor.” Trevor felt fury inside him then that was not his own, and then suddenly it was gone. Lindy has taken her anger somewhere else – where does she go when she isn’t with them? He’s always wondered that. Shoving the thought to the back of his mind after deciding that it’s irrelevant he focused on the situation at hand. They’re going to need more people on their side. He’ll need to get started on that right away. But who will do it? Who do they have left? Damnit Sean…
Author's Chapter Notes:
Here's the next chapter.
Enjoy =)
Enjoy =)
