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Chapter One-Hundred-Ninety-Seven



Later on that day, when everybody was starting to wake up and come downstairs – Denise included, she began to start on breakfast like she promised that she would do. When Elenore, Josh, and Kevin had entered the kitchen she looked at them.


“Everybody is to be extra quiet until breakfast is done. I don’t want any Ninjas running around the house like crazy this morning, got it?” she asked, looking directly at Elenore and Josh.


“How come?” Josh asked curiously.


“Your Grandmother is sleeping, that’s how come. And she’s had a rough night and was up until two so I don’t want her waking up until breakfast is done.” Josh stood up straight then importantly, as he does not want to wake his Grandma. He saw how bad she looked last night.


“Yes ma’am. We’ll be quiet. Right Ellie?”


“Right!” Denise laughed.


“Well thanks Josh, but please don’t call me ma’am. How old do I look to you?” she teased. Kevin chuckled and he took Elenore’s hand and squeezed it gently.


“Why don’t you sit at the table baby and I’ll get you some chocolate milk?”


“But Kota an’ Sarah are outside Kevy – Joshy an’ I wants to go play.”


“Why don’t you take some milk out to Sarah and Kota then? You can play until breakfast is done but I think Nick has other plans for Sarah and Kota later on.” Kevin explained and he got some chocolate milk out of the refrigerator for both kids.


“Wait Kev,” Detective Stabler and Brian both said in unison as they came into the kitchen.


“ELLIOT!!!” Elenore shrieked, suddenly forgetting about the one rule Denise had made at the sight of her hero walking in the door and she ran and flung himself at his legs.


“Ellie shhh!!!” Josh snapped as Detective Stabler scooped the excited five-year-old into his arms. “Gramma’s sleeping!”

“Sorry…” Elenore whispered and then immediately turned her attention on Detective Stabler, snuggling into his chest as if he were a teddy bear. He grinned some and planted a kiss on her forehead.


“What’s up Elliot? Brian?” Kevin asked curiously.


“I need to ask my buddy here a favor,” Detective Stabler answered while giving Kevin a serious look.


“What kind of favor?” Elenore and Kevin asked in unison.


“I need her to talk to a friend of mine.” Elenore raised her eyebrow in interest and Kevin narrowed his eyes.


“Elliot I…”


“Another detective?” Elenore interrupted.


“Well, not exactly. But he’s a big help to us detectives.”


“What’s he do?”


“He draws faces. He’s a sketch artist.”


“How does that help Detectives?”


“He draws faces of the bad guys so that we know who to find.”


“An’ why does he wants to talk to me?” Elenore asked, becoming more and more interested by the minute.


“He needs your help at drawing a particular face for him.”


“I’m nots a very good drawer…but I will try”


“Well that’s okay, he’ll do the drawing. He wants you to describe somebody for him…can you do that?”

“Maybe you should tell her who she’s describing,” Kevin spoke up and by the tone in his voice no one could mistake how annoyed he is. He does not like it in the least bit that they invited a sketch artist over without telling him until the very last minute. When Elenore was in the room so that they would spark an interest in her and he would have no choice but to sit back and listen. Elenore looked up at him curiously and Detective Stabler rubbed his hand over her back gently.


“How would you feel Ellie…if we asked you to describe your father for us?” He asked suddenly becoming cautious. At this question everybody saw how serious the once smiling five-year-old became and he could see a little fear in her eyes.


“Why do you wants to draw my daddy?”


“Because if we knew what he looked like, us Detectives would be able to catch him and lock him up for hurting you, Ashley, and Kori.”


“Wouldn’t that be telling on him? Daddy doesn’t likes when I tell on him…” she asked softly as she played with the zipper on Detective Stabler’s hoodie idly.


“It’s okay honey…it’s all right when an adult gives you permission. You’re allowed to tell on him all you want. You won’t get in trouble.”


“He’ll gets mad…an’ wants to hurt me. He’s already mad about the necklace Joshy gaves me…”


“You’re perfectly safe Ellie. You’re with me…if he comes near you I’ll kick his butt.”


“You promise?”


“I promise.” Elenore looked at him for a few moments skeptically and then nodded.


“I wants to help the detectives do their job. Cause I’m gonna be one somedays too.” Detective Stabler smiled down at her some and he playfully poked her nose with his finger.


“And a very great one too at that.” Elenore giggled some and he stood up with her then, as he had been down on one knee with her placed on his other. “I’ll be right here with you the whole time I promise. If you get scared at any time you can hold onto me. Okay?”


“I wants Kevy too. Kevy has to be withs me.”


“I’ll be there precious, don’t worry.” Kevin reassured, though he flashed Brian and Detective Stabler an infuriated look telling them that they’re going to be in for it later.


“Okay he is right in here,” Detective Stabler announced to Elenore and he carried her into the living room. Brian hung back with Kevin.


“It had to be done. If we told you, you would never have let us do it.”


“That is beside the point. She is my kid and I would like to be informed before you do stuff like this.”


“Would you have let us do it?”


“No!”


“Well that is exactly why we didn’t tell you.”


“I wouldn’t do this to you if the tables were turned,” Kevin growled and he turned and stalked out of the room after his soon to be daughter as she had requested he be there. Brian shook his head and started to follow when suddenly Kevin turned around making him jump a little.


“And if she is upset in anyway after this, I am blaming you.” He warned quietly, and then he turned and continued to go join Elenore who was seated in Detective Stabler’s lap as he sat on the couch. Brian continued to follow and so did Josh who knew very well that she would need him too. And anyhow, he’s seen Sean, why can’t he help? Elenore and Josh sat with Detective Stabler, Kevin, Brian, and the sketch artist for twenty minutes describing what Sean looks like, Detective Stabler asking questions in order to get more details out of both kids. After twenty minutes had gone by though, Ashley and Nick came downstairs, Ashley holding Abbie in her arms and Nick has Lily. Ashley went over and stood behind Brian peering over his shoulder at the sketch curiously and she jumped slightly not expecting to see her rapist’s face staring back at her. Nick walked up behind her and slid his arms around her waist as he too looked at the sketchpad confirming the reason she had jumped. He kissed her neck softly and hugged her close protectively.


“He has his lower lip and eyebrow pierced,” Ashley informed softly. “And the last time I saw him he had a little facial hair on his chin…but it was awhile ago, so I don’t know if he still does?” she asked while looking over at Elenore. Elenore nodded quietly as she snuggled into Detective Stabler.


“Didn’t you tell me he had tattoos as well baby?” Nick asked and Ashley nodded.


“What were they?” Detective Stabler asked gently. “All Jason is drawing is his face, but it would still be good to know what his tattoos look like.” Ashley gulped and leaned back against Nick and he tightened his hold on her.


“But you don’t have to tell us if you don’t feel comfortable doing so.” Nick reassured.


“I don’t know,” Ashley insisted, and she turned and walked into the kitchen before anyone could stop her and make her explain.


“Tell her I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to upset her.” Nick shook his head.


“It’s not your fault, she is already on edge.”


“Yeah, but I should have known that.”


“Don’t worry about it, she’ll be fine.” Nick insisted and he turned and went after his girlfriend. When he got in the kitchen he found her sitting on the counter next to Denise who was cooking bacon and scrambled eggs and he went over and slid his arms around her waist and she rested her forehead against his.


“Elliot says to tell you he is sorry. He didn’t mean to upset you baby…he’s just so anxious to finish this case he tends to get a little pushy.”


“It’s fine,” Ashley replied while flashing him a fake smile in order for her to keep strong. “I’m okay really.”


“You can’t pretend with me you know.”


“Maybe not, but you can let me think I can for a little while and let me feel better.” Nick didn’t reply he only hugged her close to him and she buried her face in his shoulder.


“Has Aaron, Angel, BJ, and Leslie woken up yet? They can’t possibly still be sleeping with those two rugrats out there making all that noise.” He asked after a few moments, looking at Denise.


“Yeah they’re awake. BJ and Leslie went up to their room to shower and Aaron and Angel are playing with the kids.” Nick chuckled and he looked at Ashley.


“How about we go out there and join them?”


“You can Nicky…I want to stay right here.”


“Ashley-“


“-Nick please,” Ashley replied in a somewhat snappy tone. Nick sighed.


“Okay,” he replied, and he kissed her cheek before letting go and going outside. Ashley hugged her legs to her chest as she remained on the counter and she looked at Denise who was looking at her concerned.


“It’s Thanksgiving honey…cheer up.


“It doesn’t feel like Thanksgiving,” Ashley shrugged in a depressed tone.


“Why not?”


“Too many bad things have happened.” She vented softly. “And I miss my mom and dad…”


“I bet it’s really hard for you on holidays,” Denise replied, understanding completely. Ashley nodded.


“I don’t know how I can even begin to feel thankful when I’ve lost so much…and after what happened to Jackie last night…and knowing Sean is here in Kentucky…how can I be happy?”


“Well I can name a few things that I know usually puts a smile on your face,” Denise insisted. “You have Nick who loves you so much and takes such great care of you. You have Dakota who can’t wait to call you mommy…and Sarah who looks at you like you’re the most amazing person in the whole world because you see her when she feels most invisible,” She began. “You have the rest of the BSB who love you like you’ve been part of their family for years, you have Alex who I know would already kill for you and he’s only been your brother for a short time. You have Kori back in your life and a wonderful nephew who adores you. And you have me…” She added and she moved over so she was standing in front of her and she wrapped her in her arms for a hug. “I know that I could never replace your real mother, and there is no way that I would ever want to but I sure do love you and I know I will always be here for you when you need me.” Ashley wrapped her arms around her in return as her eyes watered with tears.


“I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to complain…I’m just having a really hard time holding onto my faith these days…one minute I have it…and the next it seems like its hiding from me.”


“It’s quite okay. I can only imagine how hard it’s been not having a motherly figure to turn to in so long. Just know I’m here to help you find your faith again anytime you need me to.” She reassured and she pulled away from their hug. She took her hand into hers and looked down at her promise ring.


“You know I never got a chance to look at this last night,” she told her knowing it would make her smile. Sure enough a small smile formed on her face. “It’s very gorgeous. Nick did a great job picking it out.”


“Kota and Josh helped him,” Ashley replied and she rubbed her other hand over her eyes in hopes of making the tears go away. “But yes I love this ring so much…even though I don’t think he should have spent so much on me.” Denise couldn’t help but laugh a little and she turned her attention back on breakfast.


“Oh hush honey you deserve it.” She sat there quietly watching her second mommy cook breakfast for few moments until suddenly AJ walked into the room and he went over and wrapped his arm around Ashley and kissed her cheek before moving onto his mom for a hug and a kiss on the cheek as well.


“Morning Momma.”


“Morning Alex. Where is Laila?”


“Upstairs with Howie. She insisted that HE give her a bath today.” Ashley giggled.


“Jealous big brother?”


“Pshh…no, it gives me time to call Brookie.” AJ insisted. “And besides, I would rather he get all of that out of the way so that by the time he hands her over all I have to do is play with her. You see, he is the serious fatherly figure who gets everything important out of the way, and I’m all about play.” Ashley giggled again.


“Sounds like you two are one happily married couple. You have it all figured out,” she teased. AJ shook his head, as he is becoming very amune to their jokes.


“And where does Brookie fit into it all, hmm?”


“Well there has to be a woman in there somewhere otherwise you two would just be lost,” Ashley insisted and Denise laughed hysterically. “She is the glue to your marriage.” AJ narrowed his eyes at her and he moved over to her and suddenly began tickling her in the sides making her erupt in shrieks and giggles.


“Shhh!” Denise scolded and she grabbed hold of AJ’s hands to stop him. “You’ll wake Jackie up!” AJ shook his head.


“You’re lucky mom is standing there or it would be a full on tickle war.” Ashley stuck her tongue out at him playfully and he smirked and reached over and ruffled his fingers through her hair messing it up and he gently pushed her forward so he could kiss her forehead. When he pulled away he opened up his cell phone, turned it on and began to call Brooke.


“Tell Brookie I said hi and happy thanksgiving.”


“I will sweetie.” Ashley smiled at him some and she hugged her legs to her chest and sat there watching Denise cook dinner and her new brother sit at the table to call his girlfriend. It is almost as if it were just the three of them in their house getting ready for breakfast in the morning. The three of them as a family. Despite everything that’s going wrong, she has a family whom loves her. Maybe it was Thanksgiving after all.