Chapter One-Hundred-Fifty
Nick froze in his spot at her words. He had hoped she forgot all about wanting to get her ears pierced the last time she asked. She obviously did since she hadn't reminded him about it but all of the earrings in the store must have triggered her memory.
"Baby I already told you…I don't want you to get your ears pierced," Nick pointed out gently and he knelt down beside her.
"But I want to daddy!" Dakota insisted firmly and she held out a set of small heart-shaped earrings. "These are pretty an' I wants them but I can'ts have them because I don't have my ears pierced!"
"Honey I'm sure we can find some nice clip-on's similar to these…" Nick pleaded. Dakota frowned as he began looking at the earring rack in front of them for some safe clip-on's. He found a pink heart-shaped set and pulled it down and held it out for her to see. "There see?"
"I don'ts like them. They aren't the same, daddy!"
"No they're prettier. They would look beautiful on you," Nick insisted. Dakota scowled and knocked his hand away stubbornly.
"No!"
"Dakota Ann…" Nick spoke in a serious tone suddenly. "There is no need for you to act that way."
"Yes there is," Dakota replied firmly.
"Acting this way young lady does not get you what you want. I seem to remember a little girl being put in time out for having this kind of attitude with her father."
"Do you see any time out corners around here daddy? I don't." Dakota replied rather smartly as she glanced around the store. Nick narrowed his eyes at her.
"No but I will most certainly carry you out of this mall kicking and screaming and we'll sit in the van while everybody else has fun shopping." Dakota crossed her arms over her chest angrily as he put the earrings that he offered her back up onto the rack. Tears rolled down her cheeks and he noticed them despite the fact that she is looking away from him.
"Honey I just don't think you're ready…you're only four years old." Nick tried to reason. Dakota didn't answer, she only continued to look away. Nick reached his hand out to wipe her tears away but she again swatted his hand away and she turned and made a run for it in the direction of Ashley. Nick sighed and went after her. When she reached the jewelry rack where Kori and Ashley were, Dakota flung her arms around Ashley's leg and clung to it tight. Ashley looked down at her curiously and noticed she was crying.
"Kota what's the matter?' she asked concerned and Dakota held her arms out to her wanting to be held. Ashley handed Sarah over to Kori and then she gathered Dakota up into her arms.
"Don'ts let him take me to the van, Ashee please…" she wailed into her shoulder just as Nick caught up to her and Ashley looked at him confused.
"I threatened to take her out to the van if she didn't knock off the attitude," Nick explained.
"Why? What's going on?"
"Daddy wont's let me gets my ears pierced!" Dakota answered tearfully. "Makes him listen Ashee, makes him let me!"
"Honey I can't make your father do anything…he is the one incharge of you and he's going to do whatever he thinks is best for you," Ashley explained as she gently cupped Dakota's cheek in her hand and lifted her face so she is looking at her.
"But I want my ears pierced, I'm a big girl…"
"I know you want to sweetheart but crying like this isn't going to help you any. You need to calm down and talk to your daddy like a big girl."
"But he wont's listen to me…" Dakota sniffled.
"I will help you…but you need to help me out first and stop crying." Dakota slid her arms around Ashley's neck and buried her face in her shoulder all over again as she tried her hardest to calm down. Ashley hugged her close to her and rubbed her hand over her back as she looked at Kori.
"I will be right back." Kori nodded and Ashley gently took Nick's hand and pulled him out of Clare's. She led them over to a bench and the two of them sat down. Ashley turned sideways facing Nick while sitting Indian style on the bench with Dakota. She sat and held her in silence for a few moments until she had finally calmed down enough to talk.
"Are you ready to prove that you're a big girl now?" Ashley asked gently as she raked her fingers through her blonde hair.
"Yeah…" Dakota mumbled into her shoulder.
"Alright then…turn and look at your daddy." Dakota lifted her head and looked at Nick as left over tears spilled over her cheeks. Ashley wiped them away with her finger. "Tell him what you want – calmly. Big girls don't throw tantrums. It doesn't get them anywhere when they do that...trust me I would know. He's going to tell you what he thinks and you may not like it…but don't get upset. Big girls talk things over calmly…" Ashley explained gently.
"I want's to get my ears pierced," She announced, and with great effort she managed to keep her voice even.
"Well honey…like I told you before I don't think you are ready."
"I am ready daddy," Dakota argued and she managed to stay calm like Ashley told her to.
"I don't think so. You are only four years old…having a piercing is a very big responsibility. It hurts when you get it done and you're my little girl…I don't want you to be in pain…nor do I want you to have an ear infection if you don't take care of your ears properly."
"But I will takes care of them daddy…cause I'm a big girl – I can handle it an' it's what I want more then anything," Dakota explained as fresh tears fell down her cheeks.
"But you are not a big girl Kota, you're my little girl," Nick insisted as his own eyes watered up. Dakota opened her mouth to protest when Ashley suddenly cut her off.
"Kota why don't you go see Kori while I talk to your daddy for awhile? You did your part…and you did a good job...now it's my turn okay?"
"Kay…" Dakota replied softly and Ashley set her down. Nick looked over at Marcus and motioned toward Dakota. Marcus nodded in understanding.
"Kota, come here sweetheart," he called out to her and Dakota went over to Marcus. Nick and Ashley watched her, making sure she got to him safely and when he took her Ashley turned her attention on Nick who was still watching his little girl. She placed her hand to his cheek causing him to look at her and she wiped away his tears.
"This is something that she really, truly wants Nick…can't you see the desperation in her eyes? She loves jewelry, it is her passion…and it would mean a lot to her if she could actually wear all of the earrings that she collects."
"Can't you see that I am not ready yet?"
"It's not like she is going off to college, she just wants to get her ears pierced."
"She's not old enough yet."
"I'm sorry baby but I think she is. Kids younger then she is get their ears pierced all the time -–small babies even."
"Yeah well they aren't my kids are they?"
"Nick I know you're scared…trust me I get it. I know you aren't ready for her to grow up just yet and want to keep her innocent for as long as possible - especially since she was raped, but quite frankly…it's going to happen whether you like it or not. I'm not saying you shouldn't treasure these moments for as long as you can but it's just getting her ears pierced. It's not like you're walking her down the isle and giving her away to Josh or anything crazy like that…"
"She's not old enough to take care of her ears by herself – and what about how much it's going to hurt her? Am I supposed to just stand back and let that happen?"
"I can't make you do anything Nick…like I said, she's your daughter and in the end it's your decision that matters. But you told me you admire my opinion best and mine is that she's ready. It's something she really wants, it's important to her. It only hurts a second honey it's not like she is being raped all over again…or getting beat up she's asking for it. As long as she's aware that it may hurt then let her experience it. You can always stand next to her and hold her hand and be there to comfort her if she does cry…but let her go through with it. As for taking care of her ears…you were so eager to help me with my navel piercing…well now you can be there for your daughter and take care of her. She's still your little girl who needs taking care…" Nick didn't reply he only slid his arms around her waist and rested his forehead against hers as he gazed into her eyes.
"I think I'm going to need you to stand next to me and hold my hand incase I cry…"
"You know I always will be…I love you."
"I love you too," Nick replied softly. "I love it that you are in Dakota's life."
"I'll buy you both ice cream afterward if you go through with it - with your money of course…seeing as how I don't have any of my own right now." She teased and Nick couldn't help but laugh a little. Even though she is clearly joking he can hear the slight irritation in her voice.
"You'll have your own job and money some day soon…I just know you would be a great caregiver at the Orphanage."
"I just hate having to ask people to buy me stuff though…I want to work for it, I don't want to be that person that uses you for your money. I love you and I'm not like that – and if we ever do go public with our relationship, I don't want the fans to have an excuse to make me out to be like that either."
"I know you aren't like that. I know you love me there is no doubt in my mind that you do – and the difference between you and all of those money hungry girlfriends that I've had is you're seventeen years old, live in an Orphanage, and as far as we know…don't have anything. It's okay for you to rely on people until you turn eighteen and can get a job…you might get one sooner if you keep showing Brooke how amazing you are…" Nick explained. "And if we keep sitting in the middle of the mall like this being all lovey dovey…the fans are bound to find out." He added, as he suddenly came back from "Planet Ashley" and realized how much they're exposing themselves right now. It still surprises him how well she can suck him in and make him feel like they're the only two people in the room. He looked around the mall slightly nervous and wondered why he hasn't had any fan encounters – surely someone would notice him by now, with him sitting in the middle of the mall. Ashley pulled back from Nick and sat a reasonable distance. She hugged her legs to her chest as she continued to sit there facing him.
"We can pass this off as you just being a caregiver – we stopped to talk about my problems and stuff…we weren't being too lovey dovey…it could work. Or we could tell them the truth. We sat down so I could give you advice on your daughter…caregivers can receive advice from their kids can't they?" Ashley asked so quietly now that it would be impossible for anyone to over hear unless they were sitting right next to her.
"Yeah, sure, if they didn't listen in on our conversation. Or see me with my arms around you earlier. I did kiss you in Hot Topic too…man…It's a good thing Kevin isn't here, he would surely yell at me." Nick replied nervously and despite the situation Ashley couldn't help but giggle. Nick is just too adorable when he is nervous.
"It's okay Nicky…no one saw us or we would have known by now. We'll just have to be good for the rest of the time we're here – why don't we go back inside Claire's? Kota is going to want your answer."
"Are you sure she is going to be okay?"
"I'm positive…I got my ears pierced when I was Sarah's age. It only hurts a second."
"Did you cry?"
"No…but it's different for everybody." Nick nodded. The two of them sat there in silence for a few moments before getting up and going back into the store again where they found Dakota standing next to Kori who still held Sarah. Nick went over to her and sat down on the floor before pulling her close to him so she is standing between his legs. He gently took both of her arms into his hands and gazed into her watery eyes.
"If I let you get your ears pierced I want you to be very much aware that it may hurt a little bit – are you okay with that?"
"Yes daddy I am," Dakota answered so bravely that it almost made Nick cry all over again. "I can handle it."
"I also want you to know that you are my little girl and no matter how old you get you always will be. Always."
"I already knows that daddy…I love you an I don't ever wants to stop being your little girl," Dakota replied and she wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his shoulder. Nick smiled a little bit as a single tear rolled down his cheek and he kissed her forehead softly. After a few moments he got up with her and brought her to the front counter and Ashley and Kori followed him dutifully. The lady at the check out counter looked at Nick the moment he approached.
"Hi…my daughter wants to get her ears pierced," He announced.
"Okay, bring her over here sir," she replied and she led the way over to the chair you sit in when you get your ears pierced. He sat Dakota down in the chair before taking her hand into his and Ashley took Nick's other hand into hers and gently squeezed it as they watched the lady prepare for it and listened to her interact with Dakota. Dakota talked to the lady as if she were her very best friend and she's known her for years. Nick noticed that the lady made sure to keep the ear-piercing gun out of Dakota's view and Nick was very grateful to it. The last thing he wants is for her to see it and panic. Though at the same time…maybe it's not such a bad thing. Then maybe she would change her mind…
~*~*~*~*~*~
Meanwhile in Florida, After checking on Chris (who finally got over pouting over Josh and cooperated enough to be allowed to come out of his room and play with other kids) she went to the Hospital Wing where she knows Doctor Johnson has been all morning. When she got there she went to the front desk.
"Hey Sherrie do you know where Doctor Johnson is?"
"Yeah, he's in with a patient. Do you want me to page him for you? Is something wrong at the Orphanage?" Before Jennifer could answer, Brandon came walking out into the lobby from one of the hallways and he noticed Jennifer there.
"Oh hey Jenn," he greeted her cheerfully. "Are you looking for my brother?"
"Yeah, I need to talk to him."
"Oh you do, do you?" Brandon asked, wriggling his eyebrows suggestively. Jennifer rolled her eyes.
"About Thanksgiving."
"Mhm, Suuuure…" Brandon teased. "But I'll lead you to him anyway – if you come with me to get some soda from the vending machine first – Stevie sent me to get him some."
"Okay," Jennifer replied, and she looked at Sherrie for permission. Sherrie smiled knowingly and nodded. Jennifer turned around then to Brandon and Brandon linked his arm with her before dragging her off in the direction of the soda machine.
"So what is Doctor J up to anyway?" she questioned.
"Nothing too serious. One of his patience is in a coma and he's sitting in the room with her. Her whole situation seems to have a huge effect on him…I'm a little worried." He told her and Jennifer looked at him concerned causing Brandon to explain what's going on with his brother. Meanwhile, in the patient's bedroom where Doctor Johnson was sitting, he sat there watching over her and praying for a miracle. Watching her lay there quietly…the only thing keeping her alive now are those machines. Feeling completely helpless, a tear rolled down Doctor Johnson's face. Why this? Why a coma? Why couldn't he make everything better during surgery? Why couldn't he make his sister better? He sat watching her for ten minutes, and then suddenly the door opened. Doctor Johnson looked back at it to see his brother emerging from it with Jennifer at his side. Doctor Johnson quickly rubbed at his eyes, but it was too late – they both noticed.
"Hey…Are you okay?" Jennifer asked worriedly.
"Yeah, fine. Not that I am not happy to see you or anything…but what are you doing all the way over on this side of the building?" He asked, and he flashed her the best smile he could muster.
"I came to talk to you about Thanksgiving. It's almost Sunday, I think we should start making plans." Jennifer answered as she watched Brandon hand him a Dr Pepper.
"That's a great idea," Brandon piped up in a cheerful tone in attempt to bring his brother back from his memories of their dark past. "You've been working hard all morning Stevie…why don't we go back to the Orphanage and go outside and find a nice tree to sit under? We can discuss Thanksgiving and the kids…it would be a nice break for you."
"I really shouldn't…"
"I just saw Rachael talking to Sherrie. She'll come in and sit with Annabelle…"
"Rachael is here? Then I really need to stay so that I can talk to her…"
"Another doctor will do it. Steve please…you need a break." Brandon persisted. Steve sighed and held his hand up in surrender.
"Okay…okay…" he gave in. Brandon wrapped his arm around his shoulders then and smiled at him.
"Good…come on." He told him, and with that he and Jennifer began leading him out of the room. After allowing him to have a brief conversation with Rachael when they ran into her in the hall, after he had told her which Doctor she could ask for if she had any questions, they dragged him off to the Orphanage Wing.
Author's Chapter Notes:
Here's the next chapter.
Enjoy =)
Enjoy =)
