Chapter One-Hundred-Sixty-Five
When Nick got upstairs and walked into Aaron and Angel’s room he found all four of his siblings in there. They have their radio turned onto KISS FM and Aaron’s stuff that he bought from Wal-Mart is all placed neatly on his bed. BJ, Leslie, and Aaron are all three sitting on the floor working on some kind of art project and Angel is sitting on her bed hugging her teddy bear close to her and not looking too happy at the moment. Nick frowned.
“I’m here Ange, what’s the matter?” he questioned and he went over and sat next to her on the bed causing her to lean over and rest her head against his chest and he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her.
“Nothing…I just miss you and wanted your attention all to myself for awhile is that okay?”
“Of course it is, I’m your brother.” Nick reassured and he hugged her even tighter. Angel snuggled into him some and he gently moved her so she was lying down on the outside of the bed while he lay near the wall and she turned so she is facing him as her head is rested against his shoulder and he rested his forehead against hers.
“Ash tells me you were helping Aaron with the Stacy Project earlier.”
“Yeah a little bit…” Angel replied sheepishly and Nick chuckled.
“Well I’m proud of you for putting your feelings aside and helping him. This is important to him you know.”
“Yeah I know…and I’m learning to accept it. She had better forgive him after this though or I’m going to go down to her house myself and tell her off because he’s working really hard for her – more then she deserves if you ask me.” Nick chuckled a little bit and he glanced over at Aaron who was half-annoyed at his twin’s comment and half-amused all at the same time.
“Man am I glad you seem to be okay with Ashley or Id be in big trouble.”
“I adore Ashley,” Angel reassured. “She’s the best girlfriend you’ve had yet Nick.”
“And she’s the last too. I’m in love with her…that person who wrote the article was right about one thing…in a couple of years from now she just may be the first Mrs. Carter…”
“She better be the last cause I will kick your ass if you break her heart,” AJ announced as he walked into the room and had over heard the conversation.
“Well don’t count on kicking my ass then because Id stick a knife through my own heart before I break hers.” BJ laughed a little.
“You’ve been her brother for what, ten minutes and you’re already protective of her?”
“You’re damn right I am,” AJ replied as he went over and sat down on Angel’s bed before leaning up against the wall and hugging his legs to his chest. He sat there watching as BJ glued a yellow flower that she had made out of yellow construction paper on the outside of a green construction paper that is folded over. “Not over protective though. Trust me I know what it’s like to deal with a girlfriend’s over protective brother.”
“So I take it Brooke’s brother is giving you a hard time then?” Nick guessed and AJ nodded.
“Yeah he’s having a hard time trusting me, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”
“In all honesty, I don’t blame him” Leslie replied. “Id be that way too if I were him and just found out my sister had been raped.”
“So would I,” Nick agreed as he hugged Angel close to him. “The guy who raped her would be dead. I’m still working on the bastard who hurt my girlfriend but when I finally get my hands on him he will wish I never did.”
“You just let Detective Stabler handle him Nick. The last thing we need is for you to get put behind bars for murder,” AJ warned.
“Oh I won’t kill him. But you can’t stop me from kicking his ass I’ve been longing to do so since the moment I met Ashley.”
“Yeah but considering how angry you are, I’m afraid once you start you won’t be able to stop.”
“Trust me I won’t go too far. I know how important it is to stay out of jail…both Ashley and Dakota would be devastated if that happened.”
“And the fans, and your family, and us.” AJ reminded.
“Yeah…but anyway where is Ashley? What is she up to? I’m kind of used to her being at my side at all times it’s weird that she isn’t.”
“Downstairs with Kori,” AJ answered with a small smile. “She just made Kori a very happy person a few minutes ago. She’s made plans for the two of them and Laney to go hang out tomorrow – no place in particular…the way it used to be.”
“Really?” Nick asked impressed and AJ nodded.
“Her exact words were that there are no boys allowed – except Laney or Nick will have kittens.” Nick chuckled.
“She’s absolutely right, I would. Well I guess I won’t be seeing her all day then. She’s made plans with your mom too to go and get their hair and nails done after breakfast. She wanted to spend sometime with her and get to know her. I guess that means I’ll have time to hang out with Aaron, Angel, BJ and Leslie for a little bit…and do Dakota and Daddy time. Maybe even some Sarah and Nicky time too.” AJ nodded his head in agreement.
“I need to spend sometime with mom too. Maybe when she gets back from being out with Ashley we’ll go do something.”
“Okay here Air…open it up and write what you want in it,” BJ explained while handing the homemade card that she and Leslie had put together over to her little brother. “As soon as you get done with that you’ll be done. What time is it Nick?”
“Almost eleven…oh shit I should probably go put the girls to bed.”
“Do you think when you get done with that it will be safe to go to Stacy’s?”
“I don’t know…if they are anything like us we should probably wait until after twelve,” Nick answered as he sat up and got out of bed. “I’ll be back in a little bit Angel okay?”
“Kay,” Angel nodded and Nick walked out of the room. When they got downstairs they discovered Ashley sitting on the floor with both Sarah and Dakota lying in her lap. Dakota has her thumb popped in her mouth and she is holding her doll close to her and Sarah looks as if she could fall asleep right there. Kevin, Jackie, Harold, Brian, and Kori are all gone so Nick guesses they must be upstairs putting all of the rest of the kids to bed. Nick grinned at the sight of his three girls sitting on the floor together.
“There’s my three girls…I almost forgot about bedtime. How lucky Kota and Sarah would have been if they got to stay up way later then everybody else.”
“Daddy we didn’t get to do daddy and Kota time today,” Dakota pointed out with a slight pout.
“Aww I know baby but I promise you that tomorrow we will spend extra time together to make up for it okay? Ashley is going out with her new mom and Kori for the day so we will have lots of time.” Nick promised and he went over and sat down with his legs spread apart so that Ashley who is sitting Indian style is sitting between them and he placed his hands gently to Dakota’s cheeks before leaning down and planting a kiss on her puckered lips. Dakota giggled.
“Kay.”
“So how about we go get your pajamas on and put you in bed okay? It’s getting late…daddy will sing to you and then you and Sarah both can pick out a movie to watch.”
“Okay,” Dakota nodded and Nick gently gathered her into his own arms before standing up and holding his hand out to help Ashley. She took his hand and allowed him to help her up and she shifted Sarah so that she is cradling her before following Nick up stairs. The two of them got the kids into their pajamas and then Dakota and Sarah both picked out a movie together and Nick lay them both in bed, sang to them, and then put Sleeping Beauty in and turned out the lights. Nick wrapped his arm around Ashley’s waist then and led her out of the bedroom before shutting the door just a crack. When he did he slid his arms around her waist and gently pressed her back up against the wall before resting his forehead against hers.
“What are we going to do about Sarah tomorrow? I’m not exactly sure when, but at one point tomorrow I am going to be spending time with Kota. It’s no secret that she doesn’t take to being separate from either you or me for very long.” He asked quietly.
“I don’t know…I was wondering the same thing.”
“I could con someone into baby-sitting but she would throw a big huge fit…who knows for how long.” Ashley stood there quietly thinking for a couple of minutes.
“Maybe Denise won’t mind if I bring her with me…”
“Baby I couldn’t do that to you…that’s your time to get to know your new mom.”
“Yeah but it’s fine…I don’t mind. I don’t want Sarah to scream for hours at a time…and it’s the sacrifice that you have to make when you have kids right?”
“But she’s not your responsibility, you shouldn’t have to worry about her.”
“But I do Nick…okay? And there is no way I am letting you take her with you and Kota…that’s Kota’s time with her daddy. So it’s going to have to be me…I can take her with me and Denise and when Denise and I come back afterward to get Kori will you be here to stay with her while Kori and I leave again?”
“Yes I think I can do that. How long are you going to be gone?”
“Well we’re doing both our hair and our nails…I’ll probably get both a manicure and a pedicure…so it will be at least three to four hours before we’re back.”
“Okay perfect…because I owe Kota for missing out on spending today together.” Ashley nodded.
“Sarah will be fine with me. I’m sure she would love getting her finger and toe nails done.” Nick grinned a little and placed his hand to her cheek before leaning forward and brushing his lips lightly over hers.
“What are you doing with your hair?” He asked between kisses.
“It’s a secret,” Ashley insisted and he smiled at her gently caressed her cheek with his finger.
“Well I’m sure that whatever you do with it, you are still going to be beautiful as always.” Ashley blushed.
“Liar.”
“Now why would I lie to you?” he questioned and he playfully lifted her up onto her shoulder causing her to shriek in surprise. He chuckled as he carried her down the hall to Aaron and Angel’s room.
“Shhh…there are kiddies sleeping,” he told her and when he walked in the bedroom everybody looked at them.
“Well, the kiddies are asleep and it’s eleven thirty. From what Aaron tells me it will only take ten minutes to get to Stacy’s house. Do you think we should chance going now or should we wait thirty minutes? What if they are night people like us?” Nick asked as he went over and placed Ashley gently on the bed and he sat next to Angel and wrapped an arm around her before kissing her forehead softly.
“I say we should dress in all black so that we will blend in with the night.” Leslie suggested
“YEAH, Black or camouflage outfits,” Angel agreed. Nick chuckled.
“Okie dokie…well whoever wants to do that…spend the next thirty minutes taking care of that. I’m going to go make sure someone will be here to keep an eye on the kids while we’re gone.”
“Right. I think we should put black lines on our face too – you know, for special effect,” Ashley insisted and she got up and left the room to go get her black eyeliner. BJ smirked and jumped up and ran after her to help. Nick shook his head smiling as he can sense a friendship growing between is sister and girlfriend already and he turned to look at AJ.
“Are you going with us to ‘flower’ Stacy’s front porch?” he asked while rolling his eyes some.
“Of course I am. If Ashley is going then I’m going” AJ answered as he got up and followed Nick out of the room.
“You know, Kori is your sister too…don’t forget to spend time with her also.”
“I will but she’s putting her son to bed right now – and spending time with Wiley. Unlike Ashley I know when to back off.”
“She knows when to back off too, she just chooses not to.”
“I’ll spend some time with her in the morning while Ashley and mom are gone.” AJ insisted as they walked downstairs to the living room and found Brian lying on the couch with Riley in his arms and they are talking quietly with one another. Jackie is sitting on the couch across from them filling out a crossword puzzle and Harold is sitting in the lazy boy chair with the leg rest out and he is watching TV. Harry isn’t there anymore and Denise is no where to be seen and neither are Howie or Kevin.
“Hey…where are D, Mom, Howie, or Kevin?” AJ asked curiously.
“Howie and Denise are upstairs trying to put Laila to sleep. She’s being cranky and not cooperating with either of them. Kevin is still with Ellie and Josh. He is lying in bed with them watching Disney Movies.”
“Laila is cranky? Why didn’t anyone come and get me?”
“Your mom said not to. You’ve had her for the past two days she figured you would want a break.” AJ shook his head and then turned and headed up the stairs again to go take care of his baby. Nick went over and leaned over the back of the couch at Riley and Brain who suddenly looked up at him curiously.
“I’m going to supervise my siblings and Ashley in this innocent act of ‘flowering’ Stacy’s front porch to make sure that they don’t get caught. My kids are asleep up in my room…is there any chance that I could get one of you two to look in on them every now and then while I’m gone?”
“Of course,” Brian answered dutifully.
“Thanks,” Nick replied. “I better get upstairs and change into black clothing so that I can…in words of Leslie ‘blend in with the night’.” Brian laughed amusedly.
“You go right on ahead and do that Frack.” Nick nodded and then turned and headed upstairs to get ready. By the time thirty minutes were up and everybody was ready to go AJ walked in dressed in black and he already has his black eyeliner on his cheeks and everything.
“Oh cool, your still going?” Nick asked and AJ nodded.
“Told you I was.”
“Well I just wasn’t sure if you still were seeing as how Laila was throwing a tantrum.”
“Nah, she cooperated just fine for me. She’s asleep and mom insists on watching her for me.”
“Okay well let’s go then,” Nick replied and he waited as Ashley, Aaron, and BJ all gathered up the stuff and they all headed out into the hall only to be joined by Q. Nick looked at him curiously.
“You all are crazy if you think you’re going out in those woods without me,” he informed them and Nick nodded.
“Lets go then,” he replied and Laney followed the group of Carter’s and McLean’s downstairs. They all said their good-byes to the people in the living room and then set off to Stacy’s house. It took ten minutes to get there just as Aaron said it would. When they got there Nick and Aaron both peered cautiously out through the trees as they remained inside the woods and they discovered that all of the lights were out in the house except one upstairs.
“Okay, there’s only one light on, it’s probably the girl’s room. If we’re going to do this we will have to be extra quiet.”
“We’re doing it,” Aaron insisted. “I’ve worked really hard on this just to give up now.” Nick nodded.
“You, Ashley, and BJ go on ahead. We’re right behind you.” BJ and Aaron pushed past Nick and quietly made their way to Stacy’s porch and Ashley looked at Nick a little nervous.
“Go on baby I’m right behind you. Nothing is going to happen to you,” he reassured and she went after BJ and Aaron. Nick stood there and waited as Angel and Leslie went next, then he and AJ went while Q stayed behind in the trees though he watched over them all very closely. As he stood there supervising he suddenly noticed two figures sitting up on the rooftop outside the window with the light on inside. Nick hadn’t seen them because they’re sitting in a dark corner, but Q who is trained to notice the little things does. He recognizes the two figures as Brianne and Jessica and they’re sitting there staring right back at Q in amusement and curiosity. Q placed his finger to his lips and gave them a pleading look and they both nodded and pretended to zip their lips and throw away the key to tell him they understand. They’re smart enough to guess that whatever Aaron is doing is to impress Stacy and they want more then anything for Stacy to be happy. Meanwhile over on the porch, Aaron and BJ opened up the bags of flower petals and spread them around all over in front of the door while Nick, Ashley, and AJ made sure to make it look nice and not such a big mess. After that AJ lay the bouquet of red roses in the middle of them and Ashley set the teddy bear that they attached to the heart shaped balloon down next to it. Leslie was holding the bracelet that she had placed in a small box and wrapped up with nice wrapping paper and attached Aaron’s homemade card with his full apology on it to the box. She put it down in the bear’s lap making it look as if the bear is holding it and keeping it safe for Stacy. When they all had finished making it look nice they all quietly headed back to Q and they went back to the Littrell House discussing how well their plan worked and how surprised Stacy is going to be when she sees it. Q decided to keep quiet about Brianne and Jessica as they were all very excited about not being caught and he didn’t want to ruin it.
Author's Chapter Notes:
Here's the next chapter.
Enjoy =)
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