- Text Size +
Author's Chapter Notes:
Here's the next chapter.
Enjoy =)
Chapter Two-Hundred-Sixteen



On the way to Frys, AJ sat in the front passenger’s seat while Kori drove and the kids sat in the back safely buckled in. The two siblings in the front sat quietly not saying a single word to one another. Kori kept her eyes on the road trying her hardest to pretend AJ isn’t there. It was working out quite well, until AJ started drumming his fingers on his door as he stared aimlessly out the window. Kori tolerated it in hope that he would stop, but when the drumming went on for ten minutes she became irritated.


“Stop.”


“Stop what?” AJ asked innocently.


“Drumming your fingers like that.”


“Sorry,” AJ apologized as he made his hand go flat against the door and he looked out his window to hide the smirk on his face. No such luck though…Kori saw it. She rolled her eyes and turned her attention back on the road, going back to trying so desperately to forget he is there. AJ sat there quietly for awhile until the silence became too much to bear and he turned on the radio. Once it was on he began surfing through the stations, every now and then stopping to hear what is playing, and then making a face and going on. After awhile Kori got annoyed.


“Okay, you’ve been through ALL of the stations on there. Just pick one already.”


“There is nothing good on,” AJ complained.


“If you don’t pick something I will. And I listen to punk rock/scremo kind of stuff,” Kori explained just as she pulled into a long line of traffic. AJ then came across the titanic theme song and he stopped there just for the hell of it. Kori made a face.


“Remind me to kill Ashley when I get home…” AJ ignored her and turned the radio up loud before singing a long.


“Love can touch us one time and last for a life time…and never let go till…we’re gone.” Kori rolled her eyes.


“Oh hell no,” she muttered and she reached over and pushed play on the stereo causing My Chemical Romance’s I’m Not Okay (I Promise)to start playing. AJ scowled and hit the off button causing Titanic to come through the speakers again


Love was when I loved you…one true time…I hold to. Kori hit the play button again.


I’m not okay, I’m not okay, I’m not okay, you wear me out… This went on back and fourth for a few moments, both of them earning weird looks from people in cars around them as they were still stuck in traffic. Spencer sat in the back seat completely amused and Laila curious. After a few moments, Kori had enough.


“WILL YOU STOP?!” She exclaimed, and she turned the radio completely off. “For Christ’s sake it’s like riding with a two year old. Just sit there! Don’t make a sound or I swear I’m buying you ADHD prescription.” AJ smirked amusedly as he crossed his arms over his chest.


“You’re the one who insisted I come.”


“Well I didn’t think you were going to act like you’re four.”


“Tell me something Kor, if you strongly dislike me as much as you say you do, why did you insist I come?”


“Because you opened your mouth and got on my nerves. I thought I was punishing you.”


“But instead, you punished yourself. Guess that plan backfired.”


“You’re a real pain, you know that?”


“Well, you aren’t so great to get a long with either.” Kori scowled.


“Why is that?” AJ demanded, seriously wanting to know.


“Well, you haven’t exactly been the most understanding person in the world, have you.”


“I’m really trying but you aren’t making it very easy on me.”


“Right. Saying hurtful things toward me is really trying.”


“You need to hear it from somebody.”


“You don’t know what I need.”


“Of course I don’t, because you won’t let me in to find out.”


“Well…here’s a thought…maybe it’s because I don’t like you.”


“I don’t believe that.”


“So I’m a liar then?”


“To yourself, yes. If you really didn’t like me, you wouldn’t have insisted I come a long.” Kori shook her head and fell silent. Just then the traffic finally began to break up. Relieved, Kori drove on going as quick as she can, as all she wants to do is get out of the car and distance herself from AJ.


“One of these days you’ll tell me why you’re clinging to your bitterness toward me,” he insisted, and he turned and looked out the window.


“Don’t hold your breath,” Kori replied coldly, though she rubbed at her watery eyes, feeling grateful that his critical eyes were no longer gazing on her. Or so she thought. Completely unknown to her, AJ never took his eyes off of her as he could see her through the rear view mirror on his side. This made AJ confused. Whatever grudge Kori had on him, he never imagined that it was an emotional one. What could he have done that has made her so hurt? Sure, he’s said a lot of hurtful things – to her face, but he didn’t think he was being that hard on her. He always thought she was tough and was handling it okay. Maybe she isn’t as tough as she lets on. Maybe a small part of her is like Ashley after all, fragile and sensitive. When Kori pulled into the parking lot the two of them got out of the car. AJ went and opened the back door and got Laila out of the car while Kori took care of her son. When both children were out of the car and the doors were shut and locked, they all headed into the store. AJ grabbed a cart before setting Laila in it and fastening the little seatbelt around her so she wouldn’t be able to crawl out if she suddenly decided to try.


“Stay close please Spencer…I either want you holding onto the cart, or me.” Kori insisted softly. Spencer grabbed onto the cart and walked a long side it while AJ pushed.


“Momma, can we go look at the toys?” Spencer pleaded.


“Maybe after we get everything we need first.”


“But momma I really—“


“Spencer buddy…listen to your mom okay? She knows what’s best.” AJ interrupted gently. Kori looked at AJ suddenly taken aback. She looked at him for a few moments, and then suspicion formed on her face before she looked away. Spencer scowled, immediately going into pout mode.


“How about you help me find the chocolate milk?” AJ suggested. “Ellie’s favorite. Do you know what kind that is?” He asked in attempt to cheer him up. Spencer grinned slightly.


“Nestle quick – with the bunny on the front. And Kota likes the shamrock kind that comes in the big bottles.” AJ nodded.


“Good job – you pay attention.” Spencer nodded.


“What kind do you like?” AJ questioned curiously.


“Nestle quick,” Kori and Spencer answered at the same time, Kori smiling some, as if she were remembering some memory from the past. AJ looked at Kori then amused.


“Do you like Nestle quick too, Kor?”


“It’s not so bad…but Scott was the one who drank it like it was the only thing keeping him running.”


“Careful Kor—“ AJ began, but it was too late. Spencer looked up at his mother curiously.


“Scott liked Nestle quick too?” Kori cringed at her mistake.


“Yes…yes he did…” She sighed. “Very much.”


“That’s so cool…how come we never see your friend anymore, Momma?”


“I guess he’s just been really busy…” Kori replied with a far away look in her eyes.


“He used to call all the time…” Kori nodded.


“Mhm.”


“So why hasn’t he now?” Spencer interrogated, obviously feeling very sad. “Did you and him gets into a fight?”


“Well we just had thanksgiving baby…he was probably really busy with his family.”


“I want to see him Momma. He promised me he’d take me to a football game.” Kori opened her mouth to reply when suddenly a familiar voice that came from behind her answered for her.


“That I did…and I never go back on my promises.” Kori whirled around then and found to her horror that Scott was standing right behind her. Spencer’s eyes grew big in excitement.


“SCOTT! YOU’RE HERE!” He exclaimed and he flung himself into his father’s arms. Scott grinned and wrapped his arms around the small boy and he hugged him back.


“Yes, Scott…you’re here. How odd…” Kori replied, still trying to catch her breath from him startling her.


“I just happened to be shopping when I saw the three of you enter the store,” Scott explained, indicating toward the red basket that he had set down on the ground so he could catch Spencer. Kori eyed the contents critically and to her surprise he had been telling her the truth. There was an entire basket full of contents there that he couldn’t have grabbed if he were following them, as the stuff he had gotten are in various places in the store. “So really, it’s kind of surprising that I should find the three of you here. Aren’t you staying in an orphanage?”


“Yeah we are…but it turns out that my parents left the house to me and Ashley…and Ashley has her heart set on bringing life back to it…so yeah. We’re all over there cleaning and Christmas decorating…and she volunteered us to go grocery shopping,” Kori explained softly, sounding very grudgingly toward the end about the grocery-shopping bit. Scott picked up on it right away and chuckled.


“She’s always had a way of getting under your skin, that’s for sure” He replied, speaking of Ashley with a hint of fondness in his voice. Ashley’s love for him has always gone both ways. Kori knows Ashley has always thought of him as part of the family and probably still does. Kind of annoying now though. “But I do think it’s great that you get to go back to your old house and stuff…that has to be really good for you.”


“Yeah…great,” Kori replied, trying to sound thrilled. “It’s good for Ashley…it’s really helped her out a lot.”


“That’s good,” Scott replied with so much kindness in his voice, like he truly meant it and this made AJ smile some and slightly loosen the grip that he didn’t even know he had on Kori’s shoulders. Guess his brotherly instincts are working on Kori too and not just Ashley. Scott’s eyes fell on AJ then, and the hold he has on Kori and he raised his eyebrow.


“I thought you were into that Wiley guy…who is this?” Kori looked up at AJ for a moment and then back at Scott as she leaned into AJ some; for once glad he was there for her support.


“My brother,” Kori answered and AJ grinned at being announced as that by Kori of all people. “It’s a long story,” She added when she saw how confused Scott looked. “The short version of it…his mom adopted Ashley so that she and Nick could keep their relationship and not get into trouble for it.”


“Oh that’s right…I heard that leaked all over the place.” Kori nodded.


“And he came shopping with me to spend sometime with me…we don’t exactly get a long.”


“You sure had me fooled.”


“Yeah well…” Kori replied and she looked up at AJ. “For someone who is used to being an only child, he sure can be pretty protective when he needs to be. At least I know Ashley isn’t the only one he cares so much about.” She then let go of AJ and pulled away from him. “Anyway…”


“Momma can Scott come back to the house with us?” Spencer suddenly spoke up again.


“I don’t think that’s such a good idea baby…he has milk in his basket, he should probably go home and put that in the fridge before it gets spoiled.” Spencer frowned.


“Momma please?”


“He can put his milk in the fridge at your house Kor,” AJ tried to reason, knowing this is important to Spencer – and anyway, she shouldn’t deny his kid the right to see his father. No matter how much of an asshole he was for leaving him in the first place – or that he doesn’t even know that he is his father in the first place. He’s here now. Kori gave him a dark look and then looked down at Spencer.


“Yeah Momma, he could!”


“I’m sure he wants to get home…”


“Actually I don’t mind at all…I would like to spend sometime with Spencer,” Scott replied while looking Kori directly in the eyes with a serious look. Spencer grinned.


“See Momma, he does want to come.” Kori sighed and then looked up at Scott.


“Okay…fine,” she surrendered.


“Yay!!” Spencer exclaimed, and he threw his arms about Scott’s neck and hugged him tightly. Scott chuckled and hugged him back, rubbing his hand over his back. Kori glanced at AJ with a ‘thanks a lot’ kind of look and AJ gently took her hand.


“Well, why don’t you and Scott pick out some chocolate milk, while Kori and I go down here a little ways to get some yogurt?”


“Sounds good,” Spencer replied, knowing perfectly well that they’re going to go and argue about him. He’s not stupid.


“Keep an eye on Laila for me?” AJ asked while indicating toward the two year old sitting in the cart. Scott nodded and AJ dragged Kori over to the yogurt section with him. When they were over there Kori spoke in a quiet tone.


“I know you and Ashley like annoying me but that was low, AJ.”


“Spencer wanted him to come very badly, anyone could see that.” AJ defended as he picked up various yogurts and checked them out indecisively.


“Spencer doesn’t know what he wants. He has no idea who that man really is.”


“And whose fault is that?”


“Scott’s!” Kori hissed, struggling to keep her voice low.


“The man makes mistakes Kor…just like everybody else, including you. Aren’t you in the middle of trying to fix yours? Doesn’t it mean a lot to you that Ashley forgives you and things go back to if not the way it used to be, then at least something better?”


“Yes but –“


“-Then why can’t he have that chance to fix things too? It’s obvious that he wants to, or he wouldn’t be this persistent.” Kori didn’t answer; she only crossed her arms over her chest. AJ looked up from the yogurt and at her, studying her expression.


“I can see that you’re still hurting over the fact that he broke your heart. That’s completely understandable and I agree he is an asshole for doing so…he missed out on being with a really great woman. But whether you like it or not, he’s part of Spencer’s life now. He wants him to be part of his life – he may not know who he really is, but he has a connection with him. That father and son connection is there you can’t deny that because everybody can see it when they watch the two of them together. You both were young and made so many mistakes when you were thirteen…if you’ve been given a second chance, then why can’t he have one too?”


“I…” Kori replied, not really knowing what to say. The bit where he called her a really great woman had taken her aback. That was quite a compliment coming from him, and she knows he meant it.


“Spencer deserves the right to get to know his father. You may not be ready to tell him the truth, but I think that some day you eventually should. This advice is coming from someone who was abandoned by his father too – and the kid is technically my nephew now, so it’s coming from a loving uncle too. He has the right to know some day.”


“You’re right…but how can I let him be apart of his life, when that means he is going to have to be apart of mine too? I can’t even stand to look at him…” Kori vented, her eyes watering up.


“I know it’s hard…but look at it this way. It’s for the sake of your son. It’s what’s important for him that matters the most. Sometimes you have to do what’s hard when it’s what’s best for your kid. I know for a fact Wiley will be able to help you through it…and even though you work so hard to push me away, I’m here too…” He told her. He looked into her eyes making sure she could see how sincere he is. “Cause yes, it’s not just Ashley I care about. Is that why you hate me so much? Do you think I care more about Ashley then you?” Kori shook her head and AJ eyed her for a few moments, seeing that she was telling the truth.


“Then why don’t you tell me why? Then maybe I could make it better.”


“Just forget it,” Kori replied, and then she turned and walked back to Scott, Spencer, and Laila. AJ grabbed up the yogurt that he had picked out a long time ago, but pretended to be looking just so that they could have that conversation and followed her over there. AJ glanced in the cart and saw that the milk was in there and he went and positioned himself at the front of it, so he could continue pushing.


“Hey Kor…Spencer really wants to go look at the toys. Can I take him to go look?” Scott asked hopefully. Kori eyed him at these words, narrowing her eyes at him protectively.


“Please momma?” Spencer pleaded.


“Fine…but if you aren’t back in ten minutes I am going to go looking for you and if you aren't where you say you’re, I am sending every police in Florida after your ass, Scott!”


“We’ll be back soon I promise. Here, you can even take my wallet with all my money and credit cards in it if that helps you to trust me. I wouldn’t leave that,” he told her, pulling his wallet out of his pocket and handing it to her. Kori took it still narrowing her eyes at him and she stuffed it in her pocket before crossing her arms over her chest. Scott turned then and walked out of the isle.


“What do you want for Christmas buddy?” she heard him ask Spencer, and Spencer broke out into a list of things at once.