Chapter One-Hundred-Sixty-Three
As soon as Howie had finished waiting in the line to get him and Ryan a Mcflurry, Denise looked over at Nick who had finally gotten Ashley to loosen up and share the Mcflurry with him.
“Hey Ashley, it’s about time that we go and pick up your brother,” she announced in a natural tone as if AJ had been her brother her whole life.
“I’m not going unless Nicky and the Mcflurry gets to come with me,” Ashley insisted deciding that it would sound more real if she wasn’t too excited about picking up her brother.
“Oh Nicky and the Mcflurry are definitely coming,” Nick reassured and he looked over at Brian who was watching the two lovebirds in amusement.
“That is if the Frick is willing to watch my kids.”
“The Frack should know by now that the Frick always enjoys watching his kids.” Kori eyed the two of them as if fearing for their sanity.
“You two are dorks…”
“You learn to get used to it after the first few years,” Howie promised. Brian narrowed his eyes at his curly haired friend and he picked an M&M off of his Mcflurry and threw it at Howie, but Howie saw it coming and dodged it just on time. Ashley stood up then shaking her head in amusement and she took hold of Nick’s hand and helped him up. When she did he spoon fed her another bite of Mcflurry before the two of them and Howie and Ryan headed after Denise, and Marcus, who had already taken off toward the van without them. When they got out there they saw them already getting into the van.
“Wait for uuuus Momma Denise, you can’ts forget the kiiids,” Ashley insisted, as for some reason a burst of energy shot through her and she feels hyper. Must be the Mcflurry. Denise laughed.
“Well the kids had better hurry up and get in the van or we’re going to be late for picking up Alex.” When Howie, Ryan, Nick and Ashley had finally caught up Nick and Ashley crawled into the middle seat of the van while Howie and Ryan took the very back and Nick shut the door behind them before putting his seat belt on. When he did he looked at Ashley and slid his arms around her waist and he kissed her forehead softly.
“Did you and my sisters buy the pepper spray?” he questioned since they are in the safety of the van and Denise had drove off in the direction of the airport.
“Yeah, Momma Denise bought it for me. I’ve got it hidden in my pocket.”
“We should get you a purse…that way you don’t have to remember to put it in your pocket everyday,” Marcus suggested. Ashley made a look of disgust.
“Yeah, I’m not really a purse kind of girl…” Marcus raised his eyebrow.
“Really? I’ve never met a girl who wasn’t.”
“Well now you know one,” Ashley answered.
“How about a backpack?” Howie spoke up from the very back.
“That’ll work. I like backpacks.”
“I’ll buy you one the next time we’re out – or you could look online and let me know which one you want and I’ll order it for you.” Nick insisted.
“No you will not…you bought me enough stuff. I have a mom now Nicky…” Nick rolled his eyes.
“We’ll look on Amazon dot com when we get home.”
“Fine, but not with your credit card.”
“Yes huh...”
“Nuh uh…”
“Yes huh…”
“Oh gosh…not the never ending yes huh’s and Nuh uhs,” Marcus groaned.
“Just be thankful we are not on a long trip or they might start with the ‘are we there yet’ question.” Howie pointed out.
“Are we there yet?” Nick asked while smirking and Ashley giggled.
“Does it look like we’re there yet Nickolas?” Denise asked amused. Nick looked around him.
“Nope. Not yet.”
“Well…there you go.” Nick smirked and then turned his attention on Ashley again. He placed his finger to her chin and gently tilted her head back so she’s looking up at him and he brought his lips down onto hers for a soft kiss.
“When are you going to just accept the fact that I enjoy spoiling you rotten to the core?”
“Probably never. The fans…”
“So what?” Nick interrupted. “The real ones will stand by us no matter what.” Ashley shrugged and brought her feet up onto the seat and hugged her legs close to her chest and she rested her head against his shoulder as he wrapped his arms tightly around her and kissed the top of her head. “If you take the joy I get out of spoiling you each and every day away from me I just might cry. You hear me? Break down and cry.”
“Like a child?” Ashley teased and she looked up at him smiling innocently. Nick laughed.
“Exactly.”
“Well we don’t want that…”
“No we do not,” Marcus agreed, reminding the two that they aren’t alone. Nick jumped a little and Ashley looked over at Marcus weirdly and he laughed.
“What? Forget Denise and I were here already?”
“It’s how we got caught,” Ashley admitted sheepishly. “We forgot we were in the middle of the mall with a bunch of people around us.” Marcus laughed a little.
“Don’t worry about it, it’s what makes you two perfect for each other.” Ashley smiled up at Nick and she placed her hand to his cheek and gently caressed it.
“But I’m getting a job you hear me? A job…I am not going to rely on you for everything.”
“Fine…but you can rely on me for a little bit baby it’s okay.”
“Fine,” Ashley agreed and he grinned in satisfaction as she rested her head against his shoulder and he rubbed his hand over her back.
“I love you…” He whispered softly in her ear.
“Love you too,” She whispered back and closed her eyes. She sat that way for the rest of the ride to the airport that ended up taking forever because they got stuck in some mild traffic. But when they finally got there Denise found a parking place in the parking garage and the six of them all got out of the van and headed into the airport after Marcus had hidden Ashley’s pepper spray in the glove compartment.
~*~*~*~*~
Meanwhile on the plane to Kentucky, it is fifteen minutes until the plane lands and AJ had woken Laila up so that he could sit her down in her own seat and buckle her up. Laila sat there bleary eyed and groggy from her nap while trying so desperately to wake up.
“I know baby, I’m sorry I had to wake you up…” AJ told her as he rubbed his hand over her back gently. Laila looked up at him.
“I’s Hungwy J…”
“Yeah?” AJ asked and she nodded.
“How about some candy?” He asked her, deciding she could use a little bit of energy right now. He reached down for his backpack and he opened it up and pulled out the big bag of M&Ms and he opened it up and got out a handful of the multi-colored candy that Laila loves so much. When he did he held out his hand to her allowing her to pick the candy out of it one by one and eat it.
“I bet you are probably thirsty too. J will get you some soda when we get off of the plane. I promise.” As he sat there watching the little girl eat the candy from his hand he suddenly noticed a pair of eyes watching him. He’s noticed them since the beginning of the trip but now they are starting to get annoying. He looked across the plane and noticed a teenage girl sitting there – her mother is asleep and she is sitting there with her laptop in her lap. She was peering at AJ over the top of it but immediately looked down when he looked her way. AJ rolled his eyes grinning.
“Hi there…what’s your name?”
“Jocelyn,” the girl answered nervously.
“Hi Jocelyn, I’m Alex. Pleased to meet you,” he greeted, holding his hand out for her to shake it. Jocelyn accepted the handshake and smiled at him some.
“Is it true that you were almost arrested this afternoon?” AJ chuckled a little.
“Yes, unfortunately it is.”
“You really beat up those guys in Panda Express then?” Jocelyn questioned a look of shock forming on her face. Clearly she didn’t believe AJ would ever do such a thing.
“They were harassing my girlfriend…and I’m too much of a gentlemen to ever let anyone get away with that,” he told her and he winked at her causing her to giggle a little bit. He smirked, feeling glad that he hadn’t crushed her dreams. The last thing he would want is for her to think he is a horrible guy who starts fights in fast food places and suddenly not want to be a fan of him.
“And what about Nick? There’s an article going around the internet saying he’s dating the child he’s supposed to be caregiver to…and she is only seventeen.” The girl asked, and she turned her laptop around so he could see the article.
“Well he is dating her…but he is no longer her caregiver,” AJ confirmed. The girl looked confused.
“Really? Since when…Did he get fired or something?”
“No he didn’t get fired, he’s still working at the Orphanage. They love him too much to ever let him go. But my mom adopted Ashley a month ago just before we went on vacation and he started dating her shortly after that. She is my kid sister now,” AJ explained and the girl smiled at how proud he sounds.
“But I thought he was supposed to be protecting her from something…the guy who nearly killed her? That’s what you all said on The Ellen Show anyway.”
“Oh he’s still her protector. She stays in the Orphanage still even though she’s been adopted because that place is her home and she has no intention of leaving it at this time. Plus it’s the safest place for her. He’s just no longer her caregiver.”
“Oh…well that makes sense then…and you and Denise go and see her every day then?”
“Mhm…we practically live there ourselves,” AJ grinned.
“Cool.”
“So listen…the plane is about to land soon…why don’t we wrap up this game of 50 questions and I autograph something for you and we’ll get our picture together.”
“Okay,” Jocelyn nodded.
“Do you have a camera with you?”
“I have my cell phone…it has a camera on it.”
“That works.” Jocelyn pulled out her camera and she got up and set her computer down and she went over to take a picture with him.
~*~*~*~*~
Meanwhile, at the Airport, the minute they stepped inside the crowded place Nick and Howie could feel the familiar feeling of eyes all around them watching them. They looked around them to see that their feeling had been confirmed. What are the odds that the place seems to be swarming with teenage fans on the night that they were going to be there picking up AJ.
“Marcus…” Nick started.
“I’ve got her,” Marcus replied, and he lifted up Ashley and placed her up on his shoulder and wrapped his arms around her legs protectively so she doesn’t fall. “She’s safe.”
“Yes…that’s great and all, and very important but how are we going to ever make it to AJ’s gate without getting mobbed? There is only one of you and millions of them.” Howie pointed out.
“I’m thinking about it hold on…one problem at a time here,” Marcus replied, laughing a little and he looked around and saw airport security near by. They seemed to have noticed them making their entrance though at the number of girls suddenly getting very excited and pointing their way. They saw Marcus looking at them and headed on over to them.
“Backstreet Boys…right?”
“Yup…and very much lacking of the protection here. We didn’t anticipate on the fans showing up,” Marcus replied. The airport security nodded.
“Don’t worry…we heard you were coming from some of your fans and have worked up a plan already. We’re supposed to help you through until you get through the airport security and then we’re going to bring out yellow tape and not let the fans leave this area. By the time you get back to get to your car they will be blocked off and will be closely watched. So you should be fine.”
“Yeah, you don’t know Backstreet Fans,” Denise insisted. “Before we walk through this area I would block them off now. They’ll find a way past.” The airport security guard nodded and spoke into his walkie-talkie.
“We’re going to need the yellow tape now.” After announcing that he turned his attention on Howie.
“Are you getting on a plane or are you picking someone up?”
“We’re picking up a bandmate. His plane arrives in just ten minutes.” A minute
later a few security guards came into view holding yellow tape and Nick, Howie, Denise, and Marcus watched as they rounded up all of the fans and made them stay in one area and they blocked them all off.
“The Backstreet Boys have to be on the other side of the airport in just ten minutes. I’m sure they appreciate you all showing up here and showing your support but they ask that you please stay behind this yellow tape. If anyone disobeys you will be escorted out of the airport by one of us.” One of the airport security guards announced.
“Tell them if they’re good we may have time on our way out to give a few autographs,” Howie told the security guard and he did just that. When it was all clear they signaled for Howie, Nick, Denise, Marcus, and Ryan to go ahead and walk through. Marcus lifted Ashley up and put her down but he stuck close to her as he followed the others through the airport. Airport security closely monitored the fans incase one of them tried to dive under the yellow tape and run after one of the boys. They all yelled out to the boys of course, and held up signs and begged for their attention. Nick and Howie smiled and waved at some of them but they did not stop for anyone. Suddenly they heard a loud ear-piercing scream, as one fan just could not stand it.
“AHHH NICK, HOWIE, I LOVE YOU! MARRY ME! MARRY ME PLEASE!” She shrieked, and a second later she was out from under the yellow tape and darting for the boys. Marcus stood in front of them holding his arms out to block the fan but airport security managed to grab her before she could reach them.
“Alright miss, come with me,” he told her and he turned around with her and practically carried her out of the airport as she tried with all her might to wriggle her way free and get to boys. All the while begging and pleading for Nick and Howie to marry her. The other airport security guards looked at the rest of the fans who were now standing there shocked as they watched their fellow fan being escorted out.
“Does anyone else want to be carried out of the place and miss out on possibly getting an autograph later?” None of the fans said a word but they all took a step backward behind the yellow tape. They will not miss out on any autographs – no way. When the boys, Marcus, Ashley, Denise, and Ryan managed to get past the security sensors that checked their bags and pockets to make sure they weren’t carrying anything dangerous they hurried to the gate where the New York flight would be landing in just five minutes. When they got there they got there just on time to see the plane flying into view. Nick slid his arms around Ashley from behind and kissed the back of her neck as they stood at the window watching the plane fly in.
“Are you okay?” he questioned as he hugged her close to him.
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” Ashley asked indifferently.
“I know you didn’t like those airport security guys touching you. I saw the look on your face. You toughed it out though I’m proud of you…”
“They’re security guards…they are the safest people I will meet, right?”
“Right,” Nick reassured and he turned her around to face him and she slid her arms around his neck as he rested his forehead against hers and gazed into her eyes with that look that he gets when she knows he’s reading her.
“I love you,” he reassured. “You know that right?”
“Yeah…”
“Do you really?”
“Mhm.”
“You are lying to me,” he replied and he gently placed his hand to the back of her head and made her rest it against his shoulder and he kissed her forehead softly. “You can’t let this article get to you baby. There are always going to be people talking about you…that’s the price you have to pay for being a girlfriend to a Backstreet Boy. If you let this one bring you down you are not going to be able to handle anymore of the shit talking in the future it’s just gong to destroy you.”
“I’m sorry…I’m trying to deal with it the best I can.”
“I know you are…but just know you are not alone okay?”
“Kay…”
“I love you. I don’t care what anyone thinks. I think you are beautiful and amazing and the best friend I’ve ever had and nothing is going to change that. We’re going to get through this…together.”
“You’re the only best friend I’ve ever had Nicky,” Ashley pointed out and she buried her face in his neck as she hugged him tighter. Nick rested his chin lightly on top of her head and he looked out the window just as AJ’s plane was driving into the gate. When it came to a complete stop a woman who works in the airport went over and opened the door and a few seconds later people started getting off. Nick, still hugging Ashley close to him as she has her face buried in his shoulder, steered her over to where Howie, Denise, Marcus, and Ryan were standing.
“Is she okay?” Howie asked concerned and Nick nodded.
“She’ll be fine…she’s just still adjusting to all the craziness.” After what seemed like forever, AJ suddenly came walking out the door carrying Laila so she is rested on one hip, wearing a backpack on his back, and carrying Laila’s stroller.
“LAILA!!!” Ryan exclaimed, the first smile that he’s had in a long time forming on his face at the sight of his baby sister whom he’s missed terribly.
“RY-AN!!!” The little girl exclaimed also and AJ chuckled. He set the little girl down when they were only a few feet away from the small group waiting for them and she went running to her brother, throwing her arms around him and allowing him to hug her back.
“Wow…he smiles,” Howie joked and he went over and pulled AJ into a hug.
“Hey bro…good to have you back.”
“Yeah, what’s this I hear about you missing me?” AJ asked, pulling back and giving AJ a big goofy grin.
“Oh yes he missed you terribly. Was crying in his sleep and all,” Nick replied. Howie narrowed his eyes.
“I missed you kicking his ass, that’s for sure.”
“I’ll be sure to get on that as soon as possible, D.” AJ promised and he went over and hugged his mom next.
“Hi Momma,” he greeted as she hugged him back.
“Hi Alex…how is Brooke? Is she doing better now?”
“Uh-huh, much.” AJ answered and Howie noticed a secret look shared between mother and son.
“OKAY, what is it you two aren’t telling me I’ve been dying to know!” AJ grinned at his best friend and Howie suddenly understood because the only time he sees that grin is if Brooke put it there.
“Oh my god…you’re dating! Aren’t you?”
“Mhm, since yesterday evening.”
“That’s awesome! It’s about damn time,” Howie replied and he once again hugged AJ and Nick bit his tongue in order to suppress any jokes that want to slip from his mouth. He knows now that AJ is back he will not get away with it. When AJ pulled away from Howie’s hug he looked over at Ashley who was standing next to Nick. He grinned and took her hand and he pulled her into a hug next.
“I guess it’s time for me to start calling you my sister now eh?”
“Mhm,” Ashley answered and she couldn’t help but smile a little bit as she hugged him back.
“Especially since there are over a thousand fans on the other side of the airport waiting to greet you,” Howie replied.
“What?”
“Yeah…it’s starting to get really crazy.”
“But it’s nothing we can’t handle,” Nick replied quickly and he gave AJ a look that he understood immediately. AJ looked down at Ashley.
“Of course not. We’ll get through it sweetie I promise.” AJ reassured and he once again hugged her tight.
“Come on, we should get going. We need to get these fans off of the airport security guard’s hands…” Marcus reminded and they all headed toward the way they came after AJ had put Laila back in the ‘dreadful stroller’ and Nick wrapped an arm around Ashley protectively. He knows those security guards freaked her out. He’s just glad they don’t have to go back through them.
Author's Chapter Notes:
Here's the next chapter.
Enjoy =)
Enjoy =)
