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Author's Chapter Notes:
Here's the next chapter.
It was co-written with Lenni.
Enjoy =)
Chapter Seventy


Meanwhile, in Josh's room, Josh had just finished getting into his pajamas and had crawled into bed. Brian and Riley walked in then from talking quietly to one another out in the hall.


"Are you sure I cant go and sleep in bed with Ellie?" Josh double-checked, making sure Brian hadn't changed his mind since the other 50 billion times he's asked.


"I'm very sure buddy. You will see her again tomorrow…I promise."


"But what if something bad happens to her and I'm not there to protect her? What if her father comes after her again?"


"Then Kevin will beat him senseless. If not Kevin, then Q most definitely."


"But-"


"-Josh, sweetie, Ellie will be fine. I promise," Riley reassured gently, as she sat on the bed next to him and covered him up. Josh scowled and Brian sat behind Riley, wrapped an arm around her waist and he took Josh's hand into his and gently rubbed his finger over it.


"You know, just this afternoon we couldn't even get you two to go five minutes without fighting. Now we can't get you two to go five minutes without being near each other."


"Things change…" Josh replied softy.


"Well I can't say that I'm not happy the two of you are finally getting a long…but do you mind sharing what made it happen?" Josh shrugged.


"We just realized we aren't so different after all…" he told him. "An' I needs to go and protect Ellie."


"She'll be just fine buddy I promise. She's just right across the hall."


"That's too far…" Brian sighed as he's afraid this is going to be a long night if they keep this argument up.


"If we let you go in there and see for yourself that she is okay, then will you come back in here and go to sleep?" Riley asked gently.


"Yes," Josh answered, nodding his head.


"Alright, lets go then." Brian replied. Josh got out of bed and walked out of the room with Chance following at his heels. Brian and Riley followed also. When they got into Elenore's room Kevin, AJ, Nick, and Howie all looked at them to see Josh standing there in his Spiderman pajamas. Kevin raised his eyebrow.


"Why isn't he asleep yet? It's way past his bedtime."


"He was concerned about Ellie…he wanted to come in here and make sure that she is okay so that he will finally be able to rest," Brian explained. Kevin couldn't help but smile a little bit.


"She's just fine Josh….see? She's asleep and everything." He reassured gently. Josh went over and crawled into bed with him and he leaned over and scooped Chance up with too. He pulled the blanket up on him too and laid down.


"I want to sleep in here with her." He insisted firmly.


"Josh that wasn't our deal," Brian replied.


"It's okay, he's fine. Ellie likes sleepovers," Kevin replied, as he looks down at the little boy beside him in amusement. "Though we're going to have a very full room tonight. AJ and Howie said they were staying the night in here also."


"Well, make room for two more then," Brian replied, taking Riley's hand and going to sit on the bed also. Kevin chuckled.


"This is good…its like how many Backstreet Boys can you fit into one bed?"


"Four of them because I'm not staying in here. I left Ashley and the kids in the other room with Laney." Nick answered.


"You might as well go and get them," AJ replied, laughing a little.


"I'll need help…they're all sleeping."

"D and I will help you," AJ replied in his usual bouncy mood and he hopped up off the bed and headed next door. Howie rolled his eyes.


"Well since he volunteered me and all." When AJ didn't see him following, he turned back and went over to him. He grabbed him by the hand and pulled him up and dragged him toward the door making him struggle to keep his balance at first.


"Of course I volunteered you, buddy oh pal!" Howie rolled his eyes again.


"Way too much Tigger, Aje." AJ just beamed as he continued to drag his best friend a long. Nick chuckled and then got up and hurried after them. When they got into the other room they found Laney sitting in the lazy boy chair. Laney raised his eyebrow at AJ and Howie as he isn't used to them being here so late.


"Hey Lan, we've decided we're having a sleepover in Kev and Ellie's room. So we're taking the kids in there." Nick explained.


"Will you be taking Sarah also?"


"Yup."


"Kay, I'll go get her for you then." He volunteered and he went next door. Nick went over to Ashley and he scooped her up into his arms cradling her. She felt him moving her and she opened her eyes slightly.


"Nicky? Nicky??"


"Shhh…baby its okay it's just me." When Ashley's eyes adjusted better and she saw that it was indeed him she calmed down some.


"What's going on?"


"Nothing honey, I'm just moving you into Kevin and Ellie's room. We're having a sleepover in there tonight." He explained gently. He looked over at AJ and Howie to see them carefully taking Dakota and Spencer into their arms, managing not to wake either of them up and they headed back to Kevin's room. Nick followed them out into the hall to see Laney just coming out also with Sarah who he managed not to wake up. They all carried the kids into Kevin's room.


"You're all going to sleep in one bed?" Laney asked amused.


"Yeah sure, its big enough." Kevin replied, grinning some. Laney chuckled a bit before handing Sarah over to Riley who had held her arms open for her. He then left the room again and Howie and AJ carefully lay Dakota and Spencer in the bed next to Josh.


"Kori still hasn't come back for Spencer yet?" Ashley asked sleepily as Nick sat on the bed with her, cradling her in his arms.


"No, her and Wiley are still out." Ashley rolled her eyes.


"Go figure…"


"Honey, stop." Ashley scowled.


"What time is it?"


"One thirty in the morning." Ashley snuggled into Nick a little more.


"Brian," Josh spoke up sleepily, as Brian lay there rubbing his back as he knows there are scars there from the belt.


"Hmm?"


"I want my Donald Duck…" he whined. Brian got up and went back to Josh's room. When he got there he got Josh's Donald Duck from his bed and he walked back out into the hall to find Abbie venturing out in the hall, most likely looking for Ashley. He scooped her up and held her close as she licked his cheek affectionately and sniffed him all over. He carried her into the bedroom and he set her in Ashley's arms.


"This little one was looking for you."


"Thanks Bri," She replied softly.


"Your welcome sweetie." He then brought the Donald Duck over to the awaiting six year old. He lay down next to him and handed it over and Josh hugged it close to him.


"Thank-you…"


"Your welcome buddy. Now go to sleep okay? You have Ellie, you have Donald, and I'm right here and not going anywhere." He told him gently. He tucked a strand of his long hair behind his ear and he leaned down and kissed his forehead. Just as he did he had closed his eyes and went right to sleep like he were just waiting for Brian's permission. Brian rested his head next to his on the pillow and he lay there watching him, just thinking about things. Everybody sat there talking for awhile, then they all fell asleep. The next morning when Elenore woke up she looked to the right of her and saw Kevin. She looked to the left of her then and saw Josh lying there next to her and everybody else is lying in the bed also. She looked back at Josh and she slid her hand into his and lay there watching him. He felt her touch and opened his eyes suddenly and he found her lying there looking at him.


"Hi…" he told her softly.


"Hi…" Josh looked into Elenore's questioning eyes for a moment, then answered her un-asked question.


"I wanted to protect you," he informed her quietly. "Brian said I could come check on you, but I climbed on in instead, and Kevin invited everyone in for a sleepover." Elenore gave him a genuine smile and kissed his cheeks.


"Thanks Leonardo.....I can use all the protections I can gets." Josh blushed slightly, still not used to all this affection - especially not from a girl.


"It's my job, Raph. I'm s'pose to look out for you younger ones."


"Oh....and Raph?" Josh continued.


"Yeah?"


"No more kissin' me, after callin' me Leo!" Josh declared. "If you gotta hug me, fine, I guess. But Leo and Raph don'ts kiss!"


"Kay," Elenore giggled quietly. "I'll try an' remember that, Leo."


"Good," Josh affirmed, squeezing her hand gently. He winced some, as he shifted, causing his back to throb.


"You okay, Joshy?" Elenore asked, concerned. Josh ignored the nickname and grimaced.


"My back hurts....an' my bottom....." Elenore gave him a sad smile.


"I know....mine does too....an' down - there......" Josh frowned.


"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you, Ellie."


"Buts you dids," Elenore told him. "You made me not be so scared, when yah said you were gonna be Leo. Leo cane save the day, no matter what. An' you gots me back to Kevy....My Kevy...." Josh shrugged ever so slightly, wincing again.


"It was nothin'."


"Yes it was - it was somethin'," Elenore insisted, then paused a moment. "I loves you, Josh.....you saved me when nobody else coulds."


"No you don't," Josh argued slightly. "An' they woulda found us a few minutes later."


"I do too! An' you don'ts knows that!" Elenore argued right back. "An' I knows you cares! Or you wouldn'ts have helped me!"


"Alright, alright," Josh gave in. "I love you too....But don't you dare tell nobody, or I'll throw you in the mud!" Elenore smiled as she giggled.


"Our secrets."


"Good," Josh told her, squeezing her hand again. Somehow, in the past twenty-four hours, she'd become like a little sister to him - and he'd be damned if he ever let anyone hurt her again! Elenore leaned forward some and rested her forehead against his. She was still sleepy, but she couldn't sleep - she'd a few nightmares, though she didn't bother anybody with them. Josh stared into her eyes, suddenly seeming to have a sibling-like connection with her.


"Yer still sleepy, aren't you?" He accused.


"No......." Elenore lied softly, stifling a yawn.


"You are so, Ellie; I just saw you yawn," Josh pointed out. "Why? Didja have a bad dream or somethin'?" Elenore nodded sheepishly, Josh frowning as she did so.


"Then go back to sleep," Josh insisted. "I'll keep you safe."

"Buts I can'ts," Elenore whimpered then. "Daddy'll come back an' gets me worse, an' Kevy will leaves me behind again."


"No Sean won't get you. I'll scream hysterically until somebody hurts him first," Josh assured her. "An' I won't let Kevin leave you, Ellie. I promise." Elenore gave him a grateful smile, then snuggled into him and closed her eyes. She fell back to sleep, while listening to Josh hum. A short while later, everyone else slowly began to stir - except Josh and Elenore. Josh because he was still up, and Elenore because she was fast asleep curled up into Josh - though, they both ached badly. Dakota woke up fully first, and eagerly dove for her best friend.


"Ellie! Ellie! C'mon! Wakes up so we cans play!" She chirped excitedly.


"Quiets, Kota!" Josh snapped somewhat. "You lets Ellie sleep! She had bad dreams an' needs to sleep!" Dakota frowned. It was HER job to protect Elenore - HER best friend - NOT Josh's job to do so! How DARE he just up and take over like that overnight! How DARE he! Though, she was still very glad to have them both back with her - safe and sound for good - least, she and everyone else hoped.


"Since when did you become Ellie's protector? She's MY best friend, it's MY job." Dakota snapped back.


"You didn'ts have to see Ellie get hurt. I did…a lot of things happened while we were with Sean, Kota…we became closer. Like brother and sister… I'm not out to take away your best friend, I would never do that. I know how much she means to you."


"I protects Ellie too?" Dakota asked, still somewhat jealous and she scooted closer to them.


"Of course…She needs all the protection she can get," Josh explained, not wanting Dakota to be jealous of him. He swore to himself he'd never hurt her again. No matter how impulsive he can be when he's angry. Suddenly Kevin sat up in his bed and he looked over at Elenore protectively.


"She's still sleeping?" he asked, somewhat worried. Elenore never sleeps long in the mornings, she's usually up before him and all ready to play with Dakota.


"She had nightmares an' Joshy protects her." Dakota announced, suddenly talking as if Josh is some big hero and he couldn't help but grin a little bit. He even doesn't mind it much when she calls him Joshy. Kevin stifled a laugh and looked around at everybody else who were sitting up one by one upon hearing the voices in the room. Ashley looked over where Spencer was lying before and was glad to see that Kori had come and got him after all


"We goes to gets breakfast now?" Dakota asked eagerly when she saw everyone was now awake. "I'm hungry, daddy!"


"We've got a little bit of time before breakfast sweetie. Why don't we go down to the cafeteria and us adults will get the cafeteria set up."


"Kay!" Dakota replied and she scooted over and hugged her daddy very tightly, despite the fact that he has Sarah wrapped in his arms and she is half asleep. She doesn't care. She's gotten very good at ignoring it. For now. Slowly everybody started to get up and Kevin scooped Elenore into his arms cradling her, not even bothering to wake her up. If she had nightmares, he wants her to sleep as long as she can, but he also wants to go downstairs and help set up breakfast. Josh crawled out of bed and he scooped Rok and Chance up into his arms. He knows Elenore will have a hissy fit if her puppy isn't down there with her when she wakes up. Kevin grinned upon seeing this. He could really get used to Josh helping him out now. He knows he is going to make a very good cousin whenever Brian finally decides to adopt him and when he adopts Elenore on Christmas. Maybe they will become as close as him and Brian are. He followed everybody downstairs, after grabbing a small blanket for Elenore and when they got down into the lobby they went into the cafeteria where they found Doctor Johnson already down there and helping Brooke as they already started on the cafeteria.


"Morning people! I heard you had a sleepover in Kevin's room last night," Brooke greeted, a small grin on her face.


"Yup, we sure did." Brian replied, ruffling Josh's hair and he immediately began to help.


"So…Bri…did you sleep on it?" Brooke asked, knowing Brian will be the only one who knows what he means.


"Huh? What's she talking about Bri?" AJ asked curiously.


"Yeah…actually I did. And I still haven't changed my mind."


"Changed your mind about what?" Nick wanted to know.


"Are you sure?" Brooke asked.


"I'm positive."


"But its such a big responsibility…and I'm not sure if he's ready yet…." She replied, trying her very hardest to stall.


"I think he's more ready then he's ever going to be. He's changed a lot Brooke…" Brian began. A grin was slowly forming on AJ's face as he was beginning to comprehend this conversation his best friend and the woman of his dreams seemed to be having in code. Brooke who noticed this looked at him in the corner of her eye warily. "And I feel that now is a perfect time. I want to make him mine now before anyone else has a chance of stealing him away from me." Now everybody understood - everybody except Josh, though he was trying, he really was. He some how sensed they were talking about him though.


"Oh my god no way…" Nick gasped, and he immediately looked at AJ grinning. Brooke sighed, suddenly feeling defeated. She knows by the determined look on Brian's face that there is no way out of losing this bet.


"Alright…do you want to tell him now or what?" Brian turned and looked at Josh to find him standing there hugging Chance close to him and looking at all of the adults confused. He had put Lil' Rok down and Dakota is sitting there playing with him instead.


"Now…" he replied softly and he went over to Josh and crouched down in front of him.


"Tell me what?" Josh asked curiously. He gently placed his hands on Josh's shoulders.


"Josh…how would you like it if I adopted you and became your father?"


"M-M-My father?" Josh stammered, not knowing if he heard him right or not.


"Yeah - that's if you want that. You would be my son and instead of sleeping here everyday you would come home with me to my house where you could have your very own room and stuff."


"Really?" Josh asked, tears rolling down his face. "You would be my dad?"


"Really," Brian replied, smiling at him sincerely.


"Why?" Josh asked softly. "Why me?"


"Because you're important to me and I want to make you officially mine before anyone else decides to try and steal you away from me. No one else can have you I want you all for myself…because I love you." Brian explained, never being anymore serious as he looks Josh in the eyes. That was too much for Josh to bear. He hasn't been loved by anyone in three whole years and to hear Brian tell him that makes him feel really good inside. So good, he could cry.


"Don't…" Josh replied, tears falling from his eyes and he shook his head. "Don't lie to me…"


"I'm not lying to you Josh. I love you. I love you with all of my heart."


"You promise?" Josh sniffled. Brian pulled Josh into his arms and he hugged him tightly.


"I promise Joshua," He whispered. Josh wrapped his arms around Brian and he suddenly broke down into sobs causing Brian to hug him tighter. He rubbed his hand over his back slowly as he sat there and let him cry it all out. Elenore who had woken up a little before Brian and Brooke began their conversation and was still being held by Kevin, had her head rested against his shoulder and she was smiling a little as she watched the scene before her. She knows Josh really needed that. She knows he is going to be very happy with Brian and that makes her happy. After a long while he stood up with him in his arms after making him set Chance down for now and he looked at Brooke.


"Brooke…I want to adopt Josh." Brooke nodded.


"Come with me to my office so you can sign the papers," She replied and she lead him out of the cafeteria after narrowing her eyes at AJ who was standing there grinning at her from ear to ear. He had won the bet! Two more weeks and he would have lost. Now he gets to take Brooke out! Something he has been dying to do since forever. Now if he could just get her to trust him...