Chapter Seventy Nine
When Nick walked out of the playroom he didn't have to go very far because he found Ashley sitting on the floor hugging her legs to her chest and Laney standing next to the door to the playroom, leaning up against the wall and giving her, her space. Nick went over and sat next to her and Laney went back into the playroom knowing that he will want to be alone with her. He knows she's safe as long as Nick is sitting there with her. Ashley stubbornly turned so that her back is too him and she wrapped her arms around her legs and rested her chin on her knee.
"Come on baby…don't be like this." Ashley didn't reply, she only continued to sit there and pout. He sighed and then turned so that he is facing her and he gently wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her back so that she is sitting between his legs and he gently made her rest the back of her head against his shoulder before leaning down and kissing her forehead softly.
"Go away…" Ashley pouted, wanting to be stubborn right now but he is making it very hard for her. He knows what kind of effect he has on her just with his arms wrapped around her like that. Nick chuckled a bit, as he also knows her and her stubborn ways very well.
"You and I both know you don't want me to go away."
"Yes I do," Ashley insisted, looking away from him and avoiding his luring blue eyes.
"You do not baby. If you wanted me to go away you would be screaming at me right about now and pushing me away. Believe me…I've been down that road one too many times. I know the difference." Ashley scowled as she knows she has been defeated - yet again. He smirked and leaned down and placed soft kisses on the back and side of her neck.
"Besides…if I go away you won't get to hear what I am about to say. And I know you want to hear it."
"So why don't you tell me then?" Ashley asked, pretending to not have any interest in it what so ever. Nick smirked yet again.
"I thought you wanted me to go away," He teased, and then made like he was about to get up. Ashley grabbed his hands and pulled them so that his arms are wrapped more around her.
"Noooo! Don't you dare!" Nick laughed.
"Oh, so you are interested after all then?" Ashley rolled her eyes and leaned back against him comfortably. She rested the back of her head against his shoulder and looked up at him, waiting to hear what he has to say.
"I'll make a deal with you," he began. "You stop being so stubborn and difficult like this…and just maybe I will take you on a date in two days."
"A date? Really Nicky? A real one?" Ashley asked eagerly.
"Really baby. A real one."
"But what about the fans? Aren't you worried about being seen?"
"Well, that's why I'm waiting two days to take you out. We'll be in Kentucky at the time…and Brian's parents live near some woods…and there will be snow on the ground too. I think I can plan something romantic for us by then…" Ashley smiled up at him then and he smiled back and brought his lips down on hers in a soft kiss.
"I love you," he announced between kisses, and he hugged her closer to him.
"Love you too," Ashley replied softly. The two of them cuddled together for a few moments, than she got up and took his hand, before helping him to his feet and he began to lead her into the playroom again. Once in there Dakota spotted them walk in as she plays with Elenore, Josh, Chris, and Spencer.
"Ashee! Comes an' plays with us pleeease?" She begged. Ashley smiled at her warmly, and then walked over to them as they await her patiently in the dress up area. Nick went over to the adults again.
"Everything better now?" Riley asked curiously.
"Mm hmm," Nick answered, looking at Howie.
"I haven't come up with anything yet. Have you?" Howie asked him.
"Not yet…all I know is I want to wait until we're in Kentucky."
"Why Kentucky?" Kevin asked, looking at Nick weirdly. He's grown up in Kentucky pretty much his whole life and he doesn't find anything spectacular about the place…other then the fact that, that's where his family lives.
"Actually, that's perfect Kev. The fans won't be expecting to find Nick and Ashley there…especially around thanksgiving. You and Bri maybe…but not them. So they won't be keeping a look out for them everywhere they go." Howie started. "If they avoid the mall and other crowded places like that…they should be fine."
"My parents live near the woods Frack and they aren't expecting snow until a week before Thanksgiving. Take her on a picnic…"
"And when there IS snow, you could always take her ice skating," Kevin added.
"And on a sleigh ride around Christmas time," Brian replied. "You know, at night, when all of the lights are turned on and stuff…"
"I wonder where you got that idea, Frick." Howie laughed.
"I've lived in Kentucky my whole life, D. I happen to know that sleigh rides are a good thing when you're trying to impress your girlfriend." Brian quickly explained.
"Uh-huh…Riiight," Howie laughed.
"Well at least he didn't break out into song. That would've been very corny," Kevin replied.
"Have you ever taken past girlfriends on a sleigh ride, Brian?" Riley suddenly asked, looking at her boyfriend curiously.
"No baby, I haven't." Brian replied honestly. "I've witnessed my brother Harold do it before though."
~*~*~*~*~*~
Meanwhile, at Brooke's house, Brooke is standing in the bathroom looking herself in the mirror with an insecure look on her face, wondering if she looks okay. She's dressed in a lightweight baby doll dress that features an all over print of turquoise polka dots on it, and some dark blue denim jeans. She also has on some black converse shoes. As for her dark brown hair, she chose to leave it down and straighten it, and she has on a matching turquoise headband. For her makeup she put on some black eyeliner, and a light shade of pink lip gloss. Not only is she unsure about if she looks okay or not, but she's also regretting ever agreeing to go on this date with AJ. Even if it is just as friends. What if she is too revealing? What if he thinks that she is a slut? What if he gets the wrong idea and tries to go too far with her? What if he thinks that she is completely ugly and she isn't at all what he expected her to be? She can't go through that kind of heartbreak again…no way. Not after she's worked so hard to protect herself from it. Brooke stood there, continuing to stand there staring at herself in the mirror with a blank look on her face for five minutes, a million what-ifs going through her mind at once until suddenly the doorbell interrupted her.
"Great…he's here." She muttered softly, and she nervously turned to head toward the door when she suddenly accidentally knocked her lip gloss off of the counter. She flinched and let out a little squeak and she let out a sigh of relief when she realized it was only her lip gloss…the stupid thing nearly gave her a heart attack. After bending over to pick it up, she placed it on the counter again and then walked out of her bathroom and over to her bed. She retrieved her purse and then hurried down the stairs. When she got down there, she went to the door and opened it up to find AJ standing there grinning. He's cleaned himself up rather nicely. He's dressed in a black t-shirt that reads 'THINK' in a rectangular box and underneath it, it reads 'It's not illegal yet', and some blue jeans.
"Hey…" she greeted him shyly.
"Hey, you look nice," he complimented.
"Thanks…." Brooke replied nervously, and she quickly darted her eyes away from him.
"Ready to go?" He asked gently, and he offered her his hand.
"Mhm," she answered quietly, before accepting it and he began to lead her out of her house. She shut her door behind her and locked it, then they went down the driveway to her car and Brooke looked across the street toward the Orphanage.
"So I take it you went home first?" She asked him, as he opened her door for her.
"Yup, of course I did." AJ grinned.
"So you wouldn't know how the Orphanage is doing then?" Brooke asked after he had gone around to the drivers side and got in as well.
"I'm sure it's doing fine, Brookie. You left it in very good hands," AJ reassured patiently. He knows she's not used to being away from the Orphanage. He's surprised she isn't permanently living in it like Nick and Kevin are. He started up the car then, and he headed toward the Olive Garden that he had arranged special plans at. When they got there AJ parked the car and turned it off. Brooke reached for her door to get out but was suddenly stopped.
"No, No, No!" AJ ordered gently and she looked at him confused. "Stay there," he told her.
"AJ what are you doing?" She asked nervously.
"Just stay there Brookie," he replied gently and he opened his own door, got out, shut it behind him and he hurried around to her side and opened her door for her.
"Now you may get out," he told her after making a mental note of her sighing with relief. What did she think he was going to do? In a failed attempt to hide her little moment of nervousness she smiled at him.
"Well aren't you quite the gentleman…very old fashioned to, might I add. I didn't know guys still opened doors for their dates…" She teased. AJ grinned at her very sweetly and reached his hand out to her. She took a hold of it and he helped her out of the car.
"Well, what can I say? I turn into a complete romantic fool when it comes to pleasing a beautiful woman such as yourself." Brooke blushed and suddenly began to avoid eye contact with him again.
"You better get your eyes checked then honey…because I'm not beautiful," She replied softly. He shut her car door then and he squeezed her hand gently as he began to lead her toward the restaurant.
"My eyes are perfectly fine. You are so beautiful…even if you choose not to believe it. You're the most beautiful woman I've seen in a long time…and believe me with my career choice, I've seen a lot of them."
"Yes…that I know…" AJ heard her murmur under her breath, though he had to strain to hear it. Is that what she's afraid of? Is that why she doesn't trust him? Does she think she's just another girl to him? Well he'll definitely prove her wrong on that one. Sure he's seen more women in his life then the average man, but little does she know…only one in this entire world has managed to capture his heart and not let go. When they got inside the restaurant they went up to the front counter where a man stood, waiting to usher costumers to their seats.
"Hello, can I help you?" the man asked politely.
"Yes actually, we have reservations."
"For?"
"McLean."
"Ah yes…are you Alex?"
"Yes, that's me."
"Alright, right this way Mr. McLean," the man told him and he began to lead the way to AJ's surprise. AJ kept a hold of Brooke's hand and followed as the man lead them outside to their porch where normally there are a bunch of tables set, but tonight all are gone except for one that is set for two. AJ had reserved the whole porch just for them. There is a candle in the middle of their table for later and another bouquet of red roses sitting there by one of the plates. It's very quiet out there except for the soft music that the restaurant has playing and the sound of the distant waves to the ocean that the restaurant is built on. Brooke looked out to the beautiful view of the ocean and she couldn't help gaping at it, it's so gorgeous right then. The sun is already starting to set so way out above the ocean the sky is painted of beautiful colors such as bright orange, pink, and purple. She looked at AJ and suddenly felt like she could cry right then. She can't believe he went through so much trouble to create such a romantic setting…just for her. Why? Why would he do that? The waiter went and pulled out the chair that is in front of the flowers, and he looked at Brooke.
"Would you like to have a seat Miss? Brooke nodded her head.
"Yeah…yeah thank-you," she told him when she found her voice to speak and she went and sat in the chair. AJ went over and sat in the chair across from her.
"Your waiter will be right with you," the host announced politely, then he walked away. AJ looked at Brooke and smiled at her then.
"Well? What do you think?"
"I can't believe you went through all of this trouble just for me…" Brooke replied softly.
"It was no trouble," AJ reassured gently. "I wanted to. Do you like it?"
"I love it…" Brooke answered, trying her very hardest not to cry. She knows how much of a sap she can be and she doesn't want to turn into one right there in front of him. She looked down at the roses and laughed a little.
"More roses Aje? How many are you going to give me?" AJ smirked a little.
"You never know with me," he answered mysteriously.
~*~*~*~*~
Meanwhile, back at the Orphanage, it was nearing dinner time and they had just finished setting the cafeteria up. When they were, Nick looked at Ashley who is sitting on the floor leaning against the wall and holding Elenore, Dakota, and Sarah in her lap and she's reading to all three of them. Josh and Spencer are sitting near by and watching Abbie and Chance play together, both puppies growling playfully at each other as they tackle one another and Josh and Spencer are laughing. Elenore let Chris hold Lil' Rok as long as he stays nearby where she can always see him, and Dakota has Lily rested in her lap comfortably. Nick looked at Riley and the guys then.
"Hey…you guys?"
"Yeah buddy?" Brian asked curiously.
"Do you think one of you could watch the girls for me tonight? I think I want to do something special with Ashley for dinner."
"Like what?" Howie asked curiously.
"I want to take her to my house for a few hours. I'm not a great cook or any thing, but I'm sure she won't mind having take out. It beats eating whatever I manage to cook. But I think tonight her and I should have a bonfire for two…" Riley smiled then.
"Aww, Nick, she'll like that a lot." Nick grinned. "And I figured since my property is fenced off and everything, the fans won't be a problem."
"Great idea, Nick." Howie praised.
"Yeah, so who is going to watch my kids?"
"I will," Kevin volunteered. "When are you planning on coming back though? Cause I've got Josh tonight too while Brian and Q take Riley to get her stuff from Chase's house. I'll be at his house until very late tonight."
"Can you take them with you? I'll come pick them up there around eleven-thirty, to twelve o' clock."
"Okay that sounds good." Kevin nodded.
"Thanks," Nick replied, and he went over to Ashley and the kids. When he got over there he crouched down in front of them and Ashley looked at him curiously. He smiled at her and leaned down and brushed his lips softly against hers.
"Take Laney upstairs with you to go get her bathing suit baby and then meet me in the lobby okay? I managed to get a baby-sitter for the night while you and I go have dinner for two at my house." Ashley smiled up at him.
"Really?"
"Mhm," He replied and he leaned down and kissed her once more, before letting her up. When she was she put the two kids down and went over to Laney. Nick looked at Dakota and Sarah then, and he began to explain to them what the plans are.
Author's Chapter Notes:
Here's the next chapter.
Enjoy =)
Enjoy =)
