Chapter Ninety-Nine
When everybody had a chance to use the bathroom they headed toward the vending machines to raid the snacks. When AJ had come out of the bathroom he noticed that Ashley has Laila and he assumes that Howie asked her to hold her because the last time he checked, he had her. He went over to her as she leaned against Wiley's van with Laney at her side.
"There's my little girl!" He exclaimed, a big goofy grin on his face that even made Ashley laugh. Laila smiled very big at the sight of AJ and he playfully snatched her away from Ashley, his hands placed carefully under Laila's little arms, and he spun her around with him, him holding Laila above his head making silly sound effects before bringing her down closer and blowing raspberries on her cheek, earning endless giggles from her. He smirked in satisfaction and cradled her in his arms. "Yes that's right your J's little girl aren't you?" he asked her, as he pretended he was going to drop her, only making her giggle even more.
"J's girl," she repeated, and she slid her arms around his neck and snuggled close to him.
"Aww…are you cuddling with me?" He asked her sweetly and he hugged her close to him as he leaned against Howie's van and kissed her cheek. Laney who had been standing there watching the priceless scene before him chuckled.
"I guess the saying is true," Denise suddenly spoke up, and AJ looked at her a little surprised. He didn't know she was standing there. Infact, he even forgot Ashley and Laney were standing there too. "If you want to see a man turn into a total softly, hand him a baby."
"A softy isn't even the right word to describe him with her. He's like a whole different person." Laney replied. AJ grinned widely and looked down at Laila whom was now sucking on her thumb. He had shifted her so that she was upright in his arms and her head was rested against his chest, and his arms are placed under her diaper-padded bottom for support. She's only wearing a t-shirt and diaper at the moment.
"Well I can't help it mom. I love her too much," AJ admitted. "I definitely can see why Nick insisted upon being Kota's caregiver. It's only been two days and I've already become attached."
"I know honey, I can see that." She replied, and even though she's worried about him she smiled at him anyway. She can't let him see it. She knows he already thinks of Laila as his own but she's not his. She's only his until her mother gets better. Sure, Detective Stabler thinks she won't, but what if she does? Will AJ be able to hand her over? He has to he doesn't have a choice. Denise just hopes he knows this. It would kill her to watch her son get his heart broken.
"Did you change that kid's diaper? I could smell her when we were in the car."
"Someone must have, because she's not wearing her overalls anymore and she's clean."
"I did," Ashley spoke up. "I changed her for you but she put up a fight with me the whole time so I didn't bother with the overalls."
"Nooo…this little angel?" AJ asked in mock-surprise, and he smiled down at her making Laila smile back because she knows he is talking about her. "Not this no-diaper-changing baby, it's un heard of!" Ashley giggled. Denise smiled as she watched AJ with the adorable little girl in his arms. Watching the two of them together is just priceless. AJ can't lose her no matter what. That's one thing she knows for sure. Laila must always be in his life always. And what about Howie? Denise turned and looked over at Howie who is sitting on a bench next to Ryan and he's giving him his snack and they're having what looks like a very deep conversation. He doesn't seem too keen on giving him up anytime soon either.
"I'm going to go and get Miss Laila some cookies," he announced, and he walked off with her. Denise waited for him to walk far enough away that he was no longer in hearing range, and then she became a worried mother. She looked at Laney and Ashley who could already see it coming by just one look into her eyes.
"I'm worried about him."
"Good so I'm not the only one then?" Laney questioned, and Denise shook her head.
"Him and Howie both. They are getting way too close to these kids…what are they going to do when their mother gets better and wants them back?"
~*~*~*~*~
Meanwhile, over by the railing that separates the rest stop and a very beautiful beach, Riley was standing there drinking a Dr Pepper while staring out at the ocean, as suddenly Brian walked up behind her and slid his arms around her waist. Riley leaned back against him, as she knows it's him without even having to look and he pushed her hair off her shoulder, before leaning down and placing light kisses on it.
"Penny for your thoughts?" he murmured in her ear and Riley intertwined their fingers together. She stared out at the beach quietly for few moments before finally answering
"I was just thinking about how badly I wanted you to hold me in your arms," she told him. It's not a lie really…it's just not the whole truth. Brian can tell she's not being entirely truthful with him without even having to see her face. Riley is usually pretty honest with him, and when she distances herself from him he knows it can only be about one person. Brian gently turned her around so that she is facing him and she leaned up against the railing as he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed the tip of her nose.
"Please don't let him ruin your thanksgiving. He's not worth it baby."
"I'm sorry…I'm trying not to think about him, I really am… I just…"
"This is the holiday to be thankful Ri…be thankful that you don't have to deal with his shit any longer."
"I just wish he'd sign the stupid papers already…he's doing this to me just because he wants me to suffer."
"Exactly…which is why you can't let him get what he wants," Brian replied gently. "You constantly hurting over him like this is exactly what he wants. You need to be brave and strong honey…and I know you can do that." Brian explained. He gazed into her stormy blue eyes, and he caught a falling tear with his finger. "Just erase him completely from your mind for now…okay? Don't even think about him at all during thanksgiving break because he is not worth the trouble. Later on tonight I will call Detective Stabler and he will take care of this. You've done all you can do, I don't want you communicating with him anymore."
"But what if he still refuses to sign them? Brian I can't stay married to him forever…" Riley sniffled.
"Like I said…don't worry about it. Detective Stabler can be quite persuasive."
"I love you…" Riley announced softly, and he flashed her a small smile as he once again wiped away her tears.
"I love you more," he insisted, and he brushed his lips lightly over hers, causing her to slide her arms up and around his neck. "Everything is going to be okay, I promise." He whispered reassuringly in her ear. Riley rested her head against his shoulder and he hugged her tight. As a big gush of wind suddenly blew by Brian felt Riley shiver and he pulled off his jacket and placed it over her shoulders, as she snuggled closer to him. He then brought his lips down on hers in a deep kiss and Riley kissed him back.
~*~*~*~*~
"Uncle Brian and Riley sitting in a tree…" Dakota sang out as she stood there with Josh and Elenore and she just happened to be watching her most favorite uncle like she always does. She's standing there with a big Nick-like grin on her face and she giggled as soon as she witnessed them kiss. Josh and Elenore both turned and looked where Dakota was looking and Elenore giggled too.
"K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" she added.
"First comes love, then comes marriage," Dakota chorused.
"Then comes Joshy in the baby carriage!" Elenore giggled.
"Er…" Dakota replied, as she stopped to think about that for a moment.
"In Uncle Brian's case it's first comes love…then comes Joshy, and THEN marriage!"
"Oh yeah that's right," Elenore replied. "First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes Joshy pushing the baby carriage!" Josh rolled his eyes.
"You girls are crazy. Brian isn't going to marry Riley," Josh insisted.
"Yes he is — duh!" Elenore replied while rolling her eyes some.
"No he's not! He isn't going to marry her." Josh replied, refusing to agree with them even though he knows it's very well possible. He knows Riley means a lot to Brian. He doesn't blame him…he likes her a lot too, but Josh is still trying to get used to having a father again. To add a mother into the picture…that would just be too much for him to handle all at once.
"He is too, I know Uncle Brian! He loves her," Dakota stated matter of factly. Josh opened his mouth to argue when suddenly Kevin's voice cut him off.
"Ellie, it's time to go!" he called for her, as he was over at the van with a shirt full of snacks for the remaining of the car ride. Elenore flashed Josh one last knowing grin, then she grabbed Dakota's hand and ran toward the van — Q who had been standing near by watching over the kids hurried after them. Josh looked over at Brian to see him finally pulling out from the very long kiss he and Riley were sharing, and he took her hand and began to lead her back to the van. They came across Josh on the way and Brian gathered him up into his arms and hugged him close.
"Hey buddy, we need to get going," he informed him. Josh didn't reply, he only wrapped his arms around Brian's neck as he hung from him and he held his Donald Duck by it's hand, as it hung over Brian's shoulder. He hugged Brian even tighter as he felt him kiss the top of his head. When they arrived back at their van they found AJ buckling Laila into her car seat and Kori helping Spencer buckle up also. Brian climbed into the van with Josh and he sat him in the seat next to him and buckled him up, before pulling Riley onto the other side of him. Everybody got into their vans and got back on the road again.
In Howie's van
Everybody was silent for a long while as they enjoyed the ride. Howie was driving, AJ was sitting in the very back next to Laila, Ryan and Spencer was sitting together and Denise was sitting in the front with Howie. After a long while when Riley had fallen asleep with her head on Brian's shoulder, and Josh was sure she was asleep, he spoke up.
"Brian?" he asked softly.
"Yeah buddy?' Brian asked curiously. Josh didn't answer. Brian waited for an answer and when he didn't get one, he looked down at him curiously and could see that something was really troubling him. "What's on your mind Josh?" he asked gently, and he ruffled his hair.
"Are you and Riley going to get married?" AJ, who was about to take a drink of his soda, immediately brought it away from his mouth again as to avoid spitting it out. He was now looking at Josh with a shocked and confused expression on his face. That came out of nowhere…
"Not at this point in time…" Brian answered, choosing his words very carefully. "But who knows what the future might bring."
"Oh…"
"Why do you ask? Do you want me to marry her?"
"No," Josh answered rather bluntly.
"Why not? I thought you liked Riley."
"I do!" Josh replied quickly. "I do like her."
"Then what's wrong?"
"I just don't want to share you…" Josh answered, his voice very soft. Everybody can tell that it took a lot for tough-guy Josh to admit that. Brian couldn't help but grin a little bit. It feels good to hear Josh say that.
"Well, she is my girlfriend buddy…so you have to share me just a little bit…you know."
"Just as long as you don't marry her — just yet."
"What even gave you the crazy idea that I was going to marry her in the first place? It's much too soon in our relationship to even be thinking about that. You have nothing to worry about right now."
"Ellie and Kota…" Josh answered bitterly. He hates it that those girls have such a power over him. Dakota especially. "And Kota…" Brian rolled his eyes while grinning.
"And how did they get that crazy idea in their heads?"
"They were watching you and Riley kiss. They started singing the song 'Brian and Riley sitting in a tree'…and Kota insisted that you are going to marry her because you love her."
"Well Kota watches too many fairy tales," Brian replied. "Just because we kissed it doesn't mean we are going to automatically get married." He explained.
"Yeah, Nick lets her watch too much Titanic," Howie chuckled. "Anything romantic fascinates her. She's a little girl."
"More like everything that Brian does fascinates her," AJ replied, rolling his eyes. "It's her favorite uncle that she watches too much of." Suddenly Chance jumped up onto the seat and he settled himself next to Josh with his head in his lap. Josh began to pet him.
"Anyway," Brian replied while shaking his head. "The point is Josh, I'm not getting married anytime soon so don't worry about it okay?" he reassured, and he rubbed his hand over Josh's back. "Yes I love Riley and nothing is going to change that. But right now all I want to concentrate on is being a good father to you. If I ever consider getting married to her you will be the first to know and it will be because you feel comfortable about it. I promise."
"Kay…" Josh replied softly, and he smiled up at Brian. Brian grinned back at him and wrapped an arm around him as he pulled Josh near. Josh rested his head against his shoulder and he looked down at Chance and continued petting him. Brian looked over at AJ and AJ grinned. He knows Josh means the world to Brian. He's proud of him for coming such a long way with him.
"And as for my little fan club owner known as Dakota Ann, I will take care of her and her devious ways later."
"I swear she is more like her father every day," Howie replied, while shaking his head.
"Yeah and for that reason I think we should all be very scared for the future," AJ joked. "One Nick is enough already." After at least 15 minutes on the road things were going pretty smoothly, music was playing from the speakers and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. But soon Spencer started to feel a little sick. He wasn't sure if he should tell someone, because he could handle it. He wasn't going to throw up and if AJ or Brian knew that he was feeling sick, he'd have to back in the other van and leave Ryan.
"Hey Brian you said that your parents had a big backyard right?" Ryan asked, laying his head on the seat in front of him, looking at Brian. Brian nodded.
"Yeah, it's nice and big. Why?"
"'Cause Spence and I are gonna play soccer. Right?" Ryan turned to Spencer, who was looking a little green around the gills. Brian turned and looked when Spencer didn't answer right away.
"Hey kiddo, you okay?" Spencer nodded shortly, keeping his mouth closed. Not believing him for a minute, Brian continued to watch him, noticing the sweat on his forehead.
"You gotta tell me if you're gonna be sick." Spencer shook his head again, leaning back in his seat. This time AJ was watching him and soon yelled up at Howie.
"PULL OVER! This kid is gonna BLOW!!!" Howie immediately complied, pulling off on the side and the door was thrown open, and Spencer was pushed out into the grass. The other van soon pulled off on the side also, and before the van was even stopped, Kori jumped out and ran to her son.
"Baby! Are you okay?" Spencer shook his head before leaning his head over, getting sick. "Oh man, can someone get me a wet rag? Or paper towels?" Brian looked at Howie who only shrugged.
"We don't have any in here." Nodding, Brian went to the other van.
"Hey Kev, do you guys have any paper towels in here? Spencer is car sick."
"No we don't." Kevin gave a sympathetic look.
"Is Spencer okay?" Ellie questioned, with a horror struck face. Brian nodded
"Just a little sick."
"How about using wet wipes? Laila has some in her diaper bag." Ashley suggested, getting out of the van herself. She wanted to see if she could help Kori any way she could. Brian turned and looked over at AJ who was standing outside of the other van keeping an eye on the rest of the kids who remained inside it.
"AJ get Laila's diaper wipes! We'll use those." AJ immediately climbed into the van and did as he was told. Ashley went over to Kori who was crouched down beside Spencer who was kept in the grass incase he wasn't finished just yet. Ashley crouched down beside her nephew also and she rubbed her hand over his back. She looked at Kori who still looks mighty worried about her son.
"I should've known that this could happen. Spencer has always been carsick. I should've been prepared." Kori looked at her sister half expecting her to agree with her since everything always seems to be her fault in Ashley's eyes.
"You can't beat yourself up over this Kor. It's not your fault its only carsickness. It happens," Ashley reassured. Suddenly Aj appeared at her side with the box of baby wipes. Kori took them and began cleaning up her son, but she also looked at Ashley confused.
"What?" Ashley asked, looking back at Kori with an identical expression.
"Nothing…I'm just surprised you are being nice to me is all." Ashley smiled a little bit.
"Yeah well…don't make such a huge deal about it or I will just deny it," Ashley insisted, and she grabbed some baby wipes and gently took one of Spencer's hands into hers and she began to clean those also. Kori watched her sister with a small smile on her face for a couple of moments, then she looked up at AJ who had rolled his eyes and was chuckling a little at Ashley's comment. When Spencer was all cleaned up and sure that he wasn't going to throw up anymore Kori handed the wipes back to AJ and stood up with her son now in her arms.
"Alright baby you are coming into the other van with me."
"Momma no…I wants to stay withs Ryan!" Spencer protested.
"But honey you are sick," Kori protested, as she gave her son a wary look.
"I'm fine now. I promise." Kori sighed and looked at everybody else for back up that didn't come.
"If he wants to ride with Ryan Kor then maybe you should let him," Wiley spoke up.
"But Wiley I want to be able to take care of him."
"There's room for two more people in our van…I've had an entire seat to myself. Ryan can come in our van if he wants to. I can either move to the passengers seat or if Wiley wants to rest I could even drive.
"Do you mind if Ryan rides with us, D?"
"Not at all," Howie smiled. "I think it's great that him and Spencer have become friends."
"Kay thanks," Kori replied. Howie went over to the van and peeked in at the remaining kids inside it.
"Hey Ryan, Spencer is going to ride in the other van with his mom. Do you want to go with him? There's room for two more kids."
"But then I will be lonely!" Josh immediately protested.
"Not necessarily, you'll still have Laila with you…" Brian tried to reason with his son.
"But she's a baby!" Josh whined. Brian sighed and then looked at everybody else.
"We can move another kid into this van in place of Josh…"
"Ellie and Kota will throw a fit if they have to be separated," Riley reminded.
"What about Sarah then?"
"Will she be okay without Nick or Ashley with her?"
"As long as she has someone paying attention to her she'll be fine. She might like it better with Laila anyway. She could really use a break from being left out," Nick answered as he stood next to Ashley and held onto her hand.
"Okay it's settled then. I'll trade you my Josh for your Sarah," Brian replied, purposely sounding like they are trading baseball cards or something because that's what it reminded him of.
"I suggest you all make that trade fast. Three cars at the side of the road isn't exactly a good thing — especially if it's full of Backstreet Boys," Marcus spoke up.
"Agreed," Brian replied and he looked at Josh.
"Come on Josh grab up Chance and we'll get you in the other van."
"Kay," Josh replied and he unbuckled his seat belt and got out with the golden retriever in his arms and he followed Brian, Nick, Ashley, Kevin, Ryan, and Kori who still carried Spencer back to the other van. When they got there the three new passengers climbed in and Nick unbuckled Sarah and gathered her into his arms causing Dakota to watch curiously — Why is her daddy taking Sarah out of the van and not her? Nick grabbed Sarah's box of crayons, her coloring books, and her bag of toys and he kissed her forehead and looked into her confused eyes.
"Brian is going to take you to go ride in his van for awhile okay?" Sarah eyed Brian reluctantly and Brian smiled at her lovingly and held his arms out to her.
"How about it sweetheart? You and I will color some pictures and stuff — we could put a movie of your choice in hows that sound? Is that a good idea?" He asked her gently. Sarah continued to eye him for a few moments, and then she nodded, and leaned toward him to allow Brian to take her. Nick grinned and kissed her cheek one last time.
"See you later honey," he promised her and Brian took her back to his van with him.
Author's Chapter Notes:
Here's the next chapter.
It was co-written with my friend Nikki.
Enjoy =)
It was co-written with my friend Nikki.
Enjoy =)
