Chapter Eighty-Two
"So how's this for a romantic date, hmm?" Nick questioned, as he sat there watching Ashley put silverware into the different containers of their KFC dinner. "It's not exactly like AJ and Brooke's but I tried." Ashley looked up at Nick and she noticed the slightly worried look in his eyes. She placed her hand to his cheek and leaned forward and brushed her lips softly against his.
"It's perfect. Just as long as we're out of the Orphanage for awhile and alone together and can actually call it a date, I'm good." The worried look in Nick's eyes disappeared and he grinned a little, before kissing her back and he ran his fingers through her hair.
"I love you," He announced.
"I love you more," Ashley insisted and she smiled at him. Nick chuckled.
"Not a chance baby girl. Everybody knows that I love you more," he argued playfully and he wrapped his arms around her waist before pulling her near and he kissed her cheek, before bringing his lips down to her neck and he placed soft kisses on it. Ashley giggled and placed her hands on his shoulders.
"This argument could go on forever you know," she informed.
"Or you could just give up," Nick pointed out and he rested his forehead against hers and gazed into her eyes and she narrowed them. He just laughed.
"No way, Mister." She told him and she pulled away from him before grabbing the spoon that belongs to the mac n cheese. She scooped some up and held it up to his mouth and he opened up and allowed her to spoon-feed him. He swallowed it before taking the spoon from her and returning the favor. They sat there spoon feeding each other mac n' cheese, and mashed potatoes w/ gravy, and eating chicken and when they both got full Nick moved everything to the table near by. When he turned around he found Ashley changing into her bathing suit - the bikini that she had picked out at the mall a long time ago. When she finished, he went over and sat in front of her in his spot again. She lay back on the lounge chair and he scooted closer to her.
"Comfortable?" He asked, smiling down at her and he pushed a strand of her hair back behind her ear.
"Mhm…very. I just want to lay here for a few minutes. I'm full," she answered. Nick didn't reply, he only placed his hand to her bare stomach and gently rubbed it as he leaned down and left light kisses on her closed eyelids.
~*~*~*~*~
Meanwhile, at Brian's house, as soon as Dakota led the children into Brian's game room they discovered a huge room with a big screen TV that has every video game system there is all the way down to Nintendo. There are loads of games to go a long with each one, and there is a shelf full of movies to watch on the big screen too. There is a couch and a lazy boy chair to relax on, and Brian also has two pool tables as well. Josh, Chris, and Spencer stood there gaping in astonishment at all of the video games. They haven't seen that many in their whole five or six years of living.
"I don't know about all of you, but I'm exploring those video games over there!" Josh announced, and he took off running over there, Chris and Spencer following. Elenore rolled her eyes.
"Boys," She said, and then turned to Dakota.
"So where are these board games you said there were?"
"This ways," Dakota answered, and she led the way. Kevin followed them, carrying Sarah in his arms. When Dakota got to the entertainment center where the boys were already starting some game on X-box, she opened up a cabinet and inside is basically every board game you could possibly think of down to Candyland.
"Oh, wow!" Elenore gasped, and Dakota grinned.
"What should we play? You can pick for us Ellie." Elenore went and sat on her knees in front of the cabinet and began to pull out all of the games: Candyland, Chutes and Ladders, Monopoly, Connect Four, Don't Wake Daddy, Mouse Trap, Trivia Pursuit, Checkers, Operation, Scrabble, UNO, Clue, Disney's Scene It, Regular Scene It, Sponge Bob Life, Regular Life, and that's just to name a few.
"How about checkers?" Elenore suggested.
"Yeah!!"
"Pick something that three can play Ellie...Sarah wants to play too." Kevin spoke up gently. Dakota and Elenore looked up at him to see him standing there holding the quiet little girl. She has her arms wrapped around his neck and her head rested against his shoulder and she is watching the two girls look through the games in bewilderment. She isn't stupid...she knows when she's not wanted. Elenore looked at Dakota sympathetically, as she heard her make the smallest sound of objection, then she looked back at the games to find a three-player game.
"Is Candyland okay then, Kota?" Elenore questioned, looking at her friend who she feels sorry for. She knows of her jealousy without her even having to tell her. She's just good like that when it comes to her best friend.
"Okay," Dakota replied reluctantly.
"Great! Lets play then," Kevin replied, grinning widely and pretending not to notice his niece's bitterness toward Sarah, though really he paid very close attention to it. He knows he has to be careful, he knows her jealousy is a time bomb waiting to explode and he really doesn't want to have to deal with that. Elenore picked up the game and followed Kevin and Dakota to a clear space on the floor and the three of them sat down, Kevin sitting Indian style with Sarah in his lap. He scooped Elenore into his lap also so that she is sitting beside Sarah as he noticed her eyeing the little girl that is sitting in HER Kevy's lap. Last thing he needs is for her to start feeling jealous too. He kissed her cheek and hugged her close to him and he watched as she and Dakota set up the game. After awhile, Howie, Kori, and Wiley walked into the room and everybody looked at them as they did. Spencer grinned at the sight of Wiley and he dropped his game controller and jumped up and ran toward him while Josh paused the game. As soon as the little boy got to him he tackled his legs. Wiley laughed and scooped the excited little boy up.
"Heeey buddy, what's up?"
"Weren't you supposed to go back to Jersey?" Spencer questioned.
"Yeah, but your mom changed her mind and made me come back. I got all the way there, wasn't even at the diner for thirty-minutes even when I got a call from her. Crazy huh?"
"Uh-huh. But that's Mama for you."
"Hey!" Kori whined, and Wiley laughed and set the little boy down.
"So what's going on here Spence? Are you playing video games?" He asked, and he went over there. Spencer grinned and followed.
"X-box!" He answered excitedly.
"Sweet!" Wiley replied, and it wasn't long before he was joining the boys in the game. Kori shook her head smiling and she looked at Howie who was headed over to Kevin. Kori decided she would follow him.
~*~*~*~
Meanwhile, at Chase and Riley's house, while Raul is downstairs harassing Chase who is getting angrier by the minute, Brian and Riley are upstairs in the bedroom that Riley and Chase had shared during their marriage. Brian is packing Riley's things, and Riley is sitting on her bed staring off into space.
"Is there anything else that you want packed, Ri?" Brian questioned after awhile.
"Hmm?" Riley asked, not even paying attention to him. Brian looked up at her and noticed her sitting there hugging her legs to her chest, her chin rested on on oe fher knees, and she has a depressed look on her face.
"Honey what's wrong?" He asked worriedly.
"Nothing...i'm fine..." Riley answered, a faraway look in her eyes.
"You don't look like you're fine..." Brian answered, and he went over and sat next to her, before placing his hand to her back and rubbing it in a slow circular motion and she looked up at him.
"Come on Ri...talk to me. What's on your mind?"
"This room...this house...Chase, and all of the good and bad times we've had in it..." Riley answered softly. "We lived here together in this house for a long time, Bri...so much has happened in it and i'm going to miss it," Riley vented, and she looked up at him while trying her very hardest not to cry.
"I know...I know..." Brian replied gently, andh e wrapped his arms around her and pulled her near. She turned so she's facing him and she buried her face in his chest. He kissed the top of her head and hugged her close.
"This is so hard Brian...I don't know if I can make it through this divorce..." She told him, and he could hear her voice trembling and he felt his shirt dampening a little.
"Sure you can sweetie...because you're strong. I know you can do this. Especially since i'm right here helping you through it every step of the way. I'm not going anywhere." Riley wrapped her arms around his waist and she rested her head against his hsoulder. He sat there on the bed just holding her for a long while, then when he was sure she was calmed down, he pulled back a bit.
"Come on baby...the faster we get this done the faster I can get you home to relax." He told her gently, and he got up before helping her up and the two of them continued packing.
~*~*~*~*~
When AJ caught up to Brooke, who still sat in the sand under the pier sobbing, he bent down to her level.
"Brooke..." he spoke gently, and he went to wrap her in his loving arms, only to have her swat him away.
"NO! Stay back, please! Don't touch me!" She sobbed.
"Brooke...honey...what's going on?" AJ asked helplessly.
"Just...l-leave m-me-me alone...please..."
"Baby please tell me what's going on...please...you're scaring me..." AJ begged, and he scooted close to her again, before enveloping her in his gentle, but firm arms.
"No! No! No! Let me go, let me go!!!" She shrieked, and she punched at his chest and struggled with him, trying her hardest to break free, but AJ only held tight.
"BROOKE! PLEASE! Just tell me what's going on!"
"PLEASE let me go! Please let me out of the car! I want to get back to the party!" Brooke begged.
"...What party? What are you talking about honey?" AJ asked worriedly.
"PLEASE Thadius let me go! Please don't do this!" She cried.
"...Thadius? Who is Thadius? Brooke its ME AJ! AJ MCLEAN!" AJ shouted loudly over Brooke's cries. He gently grabbed hold of her flailing arms and pulled back a bit so she is looking at him. "It's only me! Your friend AJ and i'm not going to hurt you!" He reassured her once again and he looked into her watery eyes sincerely. "I promise..." Brooke didnt reply, she only sobbed harder. He looked at her worriedly for a couple of minutes, then he pulled her into a gentle hug and he rocked her back and fourth slowly in his arms. "Shhh...it's okay, you're okay. You're safe and I would never ever hurt you," he whispered softly in her ear, and he rubbed his hand over her back. After a long while, she soon calmed down and he sat there staring out at the ocean. After a long while when the both of them were calm again he looked down at her, and he pulled back a bit before placing his finger to her chin and he carefully tilted her head back so she's looking him in the eyes. He wiped her tears away with his finger and stared into her watery eyes with so much concern in his own.
"Talk to me baby...what was that all about?" he spoke gently. "Who is Thadius?"
"A boy from my past..." Brooke answered softly. "From way back in senior year...a boy who I have no choice but to think about every day for the rest of my life...he won't leave me alone. He's in my nightmares at night, he's in my thoughts 24/7...he's everywhere," she explained.
"Why?" AJ asked softly, and he placed his finger to her cheek and gently rubbed it.
"He hurt me very badly...h-h-e raped me during a senior party," she confessed, her voice trembling as she struggled to explain to him the story.
"I-I was drunk...I had too much to d-drink...he talked me into going out to see his car...we got in it and then he trapped me inside...and he...and he forced me to have sex with him. I tried to stop him..but he wouldn't..."
"Oh god Brookie..." he spoke softly, and he pulled her into another hug. She wrapped her arms around his waist and snuggled close to him like a helpless little girl and she began to sob all over again. AJ kissed her forehead and hugged her close to him as he wants to help her feel safe. He wants her to know she's safe with him. That he isn't Thadius and he would never ever do what Thadius had done. He couldn't...
~*~*~*~
Meanwhile, at Nick's house, after spending thirty-minutes relaxing on the lounge chair and letting their food settle, Nick got up after scooping Ashley into his arms cradling her and he took her over to the hot tub.
"Should I bring out some music to listen to baby?" he asked, as he crouched down and placed her in the hot tub.
"Yes please."
"Okay, I will be right back then."
"No...please don't leave me out here by myself..." Ashley begged, as hse didnt remove her arms from around his neck.
"Honey I will just be right inside the living room. I'll leave the door open and everything. You will be fine..."
"Nick please..." She whimpered. Nick sighed, and then pulled her back out. He set her down after standing up and he took her hand, before leading her into the house with him. When they got in there he went and grabbed his stereo and he brought it outside with him and Ashley followed. When they got out there, he plugged the radio in and switched it to a good station. When he finished he looked at Ashley who stood there next to him. He lifted her back up so he's cradling her again and he placed soft kisses on her forehead as she wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head against his shoulder.
"Are you okay?" he asked gently, and he went over and sat at the side of the hot tub with her, while putting his feet in the water.
"I'm fine as long as you don't leave me alone..."
"I'm not going anywhere baby...you know I would never leave you entirely alone." He reassured, and he slid into the hot tub with her. She shifted herself so she's sitting up in his lap and facing him and he wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his forehead against hers as he stared into her eyes.
"Do you promise?" she asked softly and she stared back at him and he noticed the fear in her eyes.
"I promise with all of my heart. I was bound to you the very moment I met you. The first day I met you, when you nearly bit my head off...I just knew right then and there that I love you." Ashley couldn't help but laugh a little and she rubbed her hand over his chest.
"I was so horrible toward you, wasn't I?"
"Nah...you? Never!" He teased, and Ashley giggled.
"I'm sorry," she replied, and she leaned forward and delicately kissed his neck and shoulders.
"You have nothing to apologize for honey, nothing at all. You were scared, it's perfectly understandable." Ashley didnt reply, she only rested her head against his shoulder and he rubbed his hand over her back. They sat there in silence for awhile until Ashley broke it.
"I never thought that I would ever go near a pool with a man again for as long as I live..." she announced softly, as she stares at the pool that is near by. The wall to the hot tub is part of the wall to the swimming pool. Nick kissed her forehead softly and hugged her close protectively.
"This man would never even dream of hurting you baby. You're very special to me."
"Why? What makes me special?" She asked doubtfully, her insecurities taking over.
"Everything," Nick started, and he leaned down and left light kisses on her neck and shoulders. "You're beautiful, you're smart, you've got a big heart...you're caring, you're amazing with children...especially mine. You're the best thing that has e ver happened to me."
"Good," Ashley replied softly as she could feel her eyes becoming misty with tears. "Because you're the best thing that's ever happened to me too."
~*~*~*~
"What's going on Jeff? Did you follow them?"
"yeah and they led me to his house. They're out in his backyard. They ate dinner and are now sitting in his hot tub." Jeff, Sean's employee announced quietly as he hides in the bushes in Nick's backyard. "His house is fenced off so I had to climb over a wall to get back here."
"And they're alone?"
"Yes."
"Completely? There's no one there at all? Are you sure?"
"I'm positive. They're completely alone." Jeff confirmed. Sean laughed and rolled his eyes.
"How much easier can they make it for us?"
"What are you talking about Sean?"
"I want you to kidnap Ashley and bring her to me as soon as possible."
"But Sean...the Backstreet Boy is with her. You know he's not going to leave her out of his sight for anything."
"It's just one Backstreet Boy, Jeff, how hard can it be? Your my best spy I know you can do it."
"But..."
"Jeff you're a fucking criminal for godsakes! If you can't handle this job then what are you doing there? This is the perfect opportunity! They're all alone and unprotected...take advantage of that."
"I know but what if--"
"--If you don't fucking bring her to me, Jeff, I will kill you!" Sean demanded, and he hung up. Jeff sighed and then hung up his own phone, stuffed it in his pocket, and he continued to watch, waiting for the best opportune moment.
~*~*~*~*~
Meanwhile, at the beach, Brooke and AJ still sat together under the pier and Brooke was just beginning to calm down. She pulled away from him and hugged her legs to her chest and she stared out into the ocean quietly.
"Are you okay Brookie?" AJ asked softly.
"Yeah..." Brooke sniffled. "I'm sorry I freaked out on you like that..." She apologized, and AJ scooted closer to her and rubbed his hand over her back in a slow circular motion.
"It's okay...don't apologize." He sat there watching her for a few moments. "Is this why you refused to go out with me?"
"Yeah..." Brooke answered quietly, and she looked up at him. "It has nothing to do with you aje...i'm sorry if I made it seem that way. It's me...i'm terrified of the opposite sex. I'm fine as long as we're just friends...but the minute they start hitting on me I become scared and push them away. I've been like this ever since that night...and i'm sure Riley has told you that...right? It really frustrates her..."
"She doesn't know what's going on honey. I'm sure if you explained to her what happened..."
"I can't do that Aje...I can't tell her..." Brooke interrupted as tears fell from her eyes.
"Why not? She's your best friend and she loves you...and she's worried about you."
"She would think differently of me...she would think that i'm a dirty slut."
"That is not true Brooke and you know it. You're her best friend and she loves you so much. Riley of all people deserves to know the truth. She would never judge you like that. She has experience with rape victims honey look how she takes care of Ashley...and Sarah too. You shouldnt have to go through this alone."
"Why not? I've done it for years and i'm doing just fine."
"If you were doing just fine you wouldnt have had this break down a few moments ago. You need help Brooke and you can't keep this all to yourself. It isn't healthy for you...you of all people should know that."
"But..."
"What about Ashley? How can you encourage her to speak up if you can't even do it yourself?"
"That's not fair it--"
"--You're right it's not. You're on her case all the time when here you're carrying the exact same burden yourself. It's not fair to her and it's not fair to yourself, and I don't want to be mean or anything but if you ask me I think it's very hypocritical of you. How do you expect to help her if you can't help yourself?"
"I'm scared..." Brooke sniffled. "I'm scared and ashamed and dirty..."
"She's scared too honey, she's going through the exact same thing. The only differance is she's letting people help her get through it - slowly, but at least she's trying. You aren't even getting through it at all. Instead you're bottling it up and if you keep doing that it's only going to eat you up inside." AJ explained gently, and he gently turned her to face him. He scooted closer to her and he placed his finger to her chin and tilted her head back so that she is looking him in the eyes.
"There is nothing to be ashamed of. This was not your fault. You didn't deserve what happened and you have a ton of people who love you and would be more then willing to help you. You just need to let us in. You owe that much to yourself Brookie. If you get through this you will not only feel so much better but you will be able to help Ashley better and you will be able to help all of the other kids in the orphanage better, too."
"I've been helping the kids just fine now already," Brooke replied stubbornly.
"Yes I know that. You're amazing with the kids and thats why I love you. You're the most un-selfish woman I know. You put your heart and soul into those kids and into that Orphanage and it's amazing. But doesn't it get hard soemtimes? Helping all of those kids with their emotional problems...being a real hero in their eyes. But what about yours? Doesn't it get hard helping all of them when you can't even help yourself? You can only pretend that everything is okay for so long before you have another melt down like this. Even heros faulter."
"Will you help me?" Brooke asked softly, and she wiped her tears away. AJ couldn't help but smile a little.
"I would love to...I'll do anything to see that you get better."
"Why?" Brooke asked softly. "So you can date me?"
"No...because I reall yc are about you and all I want is for you to be happy. I'm in love with you Brookie...but it can wait. I want you to be able to trust me and feel safe with me...and now that I know what's going on I can see that its going to take sometime. I'm willing to wait a lifetime for you."
"A lifetime huh? Think you could handle a lifetime?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I know your reputation...everybody knows how big of a player AJ McLean is...you have a different girlfriend every week."
"You must not pay much attention to me then...for your information, I haven't been with a girl in a really long time...and when I was it was because I couldn't have you. You've been the only woman that I've ever wanted since the day you hired Nick to be Dakota's caregiver. I flirted with you relentlessly in hopes that you would finally give into my charm and go out with me...but you never once did. It frustrated me and the more I tried, the more depressed I became when you turned me down. Haven't you noticed that every girl i've gone out with in the past resembled you in some way? I knew I would never have you, so I tried my hardest to replace you. I tried to find a girl that looked exactly like you...who was beautiful like you...who was as perfect as you. But it never worked out because there is no one in this whole world who is as beautiful as you're...or as perfect. So the relationship never lasted long. There is no other woman like you. NO one could ever come close to taking your place...and when I learned that the hardway, I never went on another date again. You've been the only woman in my life ever since. I'm willing to wait forever if I have to." Even more tears spilled from Brooke's eyes as she listened to his explanation.
"I never knew that..." she replied softly.
"Well now you do..."
"It's going to take sometime Aje...i'm not ready for a relationship right now...but maybe if you prove to me that you're real...and that you really do care about me...maybe some day I will be able to trust you." AJ placed his finger to her cheek and gently rubbed it.
"I'm not going anywhere, Brookie. I'm one-hundred percent devoted to you. And like I said, I will wait forever for you to see that." Brooke didn't reply, she only slid her arms around his waist and scooted into his warm embrace and she rested her head against his shoulder. He smiled a little and enveloped her in his arms and he kissed her forehead softly.
~*~*~*~
Meanwhile, at Brian's house, Brian and Riley walked into the house and they looked around curiously when they didn't find anyone in the living room.
"They must be upstairs in the game room," Brian suggested. "Come on we'll put your things in our room on our way up there." He added, and he took her hand as he holds her suitcase in his other and he brought her upstairs. When they got up there they went to the bedroom that they now share. Brian set her suitcase on the bed and she put her purse and backpack next to it. When she did he took her hand and led her out of the room and down the hall. When they got to the end of it where the big game room is, they went in there to discover that everybody is indeed in there.
"We're back!" he announced, and everybody stopped what they were doing and looked at them.
"Uncle Brian!!" Dakota exclaimed, and she jumped up from the floor where she, Josh, Elenore, and Spencer were playing Sponge Bob Life and she ran toward him. Brian chuckled and crouched down to her level, before holding his arms out to her and she ran into them. He enveloped her into his arms and hugged her tight.
"Hi honey. Is my favorite little niece having fun?"
"Uh-huh, lots!"
"That's good," he replied, and he kissed her cheek. After a couple of minutes he pulled away and looked over at Josh.
"Hey Josh, come here." Josh did as he said and got up and he went over to him.
"What's up Brian?" He asked curiously and Brian stood up and lifted his little boy up onto his shoulders.
"Did Kevin show you your room yet? It's the coolest bedroom in the house." He asked, while looking up at him.
"Yeah I liked it lots," Josh answered.
"Cool, cool. Come show me what you want to do with it," He replied, and he began to take Josh to his room and Dakota happily followed her favorite Uncle.
"You mean I get to decorate it how I want it?"
"Of course you do buddy. That's what having a room is all about," Brian answered with a small grin upon his face. When they got to Josh's room he set him down on the floor. Josh looked around his new room thoughtfully.
"Can I paint my walls blue?" he asked hopefully.
"Absolutely. Did you know that blue is my favorite color?" Brian asked, looking at him. Josh smiled a little.
"Mine too," he answered shyly, not wanting him to find out that it's only his favorite color, because he learned it was Brian's too a long time ago.
"What shade of blue?" Brian asked, grinning widely.
"I don't know yet."
"How's abouts turqoise blue, Joshy? That's a cool color." Dakota suggested, as she stands at his side looking around the room also. Josh smiled at her and then at Brian who was standing there watching them.
"Turqoise it is," Josh answered. Brian chuckled.
"Okay. What else?"
"I want to hang posters up. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Star Wars, Superman...cool stuff like that!" Josh answered excitedly.
"Okay. You and I will go shopping tomorrow night how's that? we definitely need to get you some toys. You can never have too much of those." Josh went over to Brian and hugged him and Brian smirked and lifted him up into his arms and hugged him back as he looked at Dakota. He lifted her into his arms too and began to carry them back to the playroom.
"We'll get you a smaller bed that is more comfortable for six year olds too. And how about some cool superman bedsheets and stuff? Or TMNT? Or Star Wars?"
"TMNT would be cool," Josh answered, resting his head against Brian's shoulder. Brian rested his chin ontop of his head lightly and hugged him back affectionately as he is happy to see how loveable he's gotten since he adopted him. When they got to the playroom he set them both down on the ground and they ran off to play.
Author's Chapter Notes:
Here's the next chapter.
Enjoy =)
Enjoy =)
