Chapter Two-Hundred-Twenty
After spending a half n hour with Elenore and getting caught up with everything, and running Scott’s situation by Brooke, Detective’s Benson and Stabler both took off to go to the station and find out what Detective’s Tutuola and Munch had found out during their interrogation. When they were gone, Nick looked at Ashley and saw a sort of depressed look on her face. Knowing that it’s from all the bad stuff that’s happening, he got up and gently took her hand to pull her up with him and he wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her cheek.
“What do you say we go and pick out a Christmas tree?”
“Peyton, AJ and I are coming with you. I want to pick one out for the Orphanage now and get it over with,” Brooke replied.
“Okay,” Nick replied, as he slid both his arms around Ashley and gazed into her eyes trying to anticipate on how much damage Sean’s people have done to his hyper girlfriend. He was rather enjoying the good mood.
“Anyone else coming?”
“I’m coming daddy!” Dakota spoke up cheerfully. Nick chuckled.
“Well duh.” Dakota giggled and she bounded on over to Ashley, also being very perceptive of her sudden mood change and she tackled her legs in attempt to cheer her up. Ashley couldn’t help but smile some and she reached over and gathered her baby into her arms and she accepted her snuggling graciously. She loves it that Dakota gives her hugs at just the right moment.
“You’re going to need my truck with all these Christmas Trees – I’m also getting one for my house. So Josh, Riley, and I will come.”
“An’ Kevy, Jerry, an’ me – rights Kevy?” Elenore asked, turning and looking at Kevin pleadingly. Kevin chuckled.
“Right baby,” he replied as he gathered her up in his arms and snuggled her close, wanting very much to spoil her. He would be willing to give her anything she asked right about now, that’s how much coming close to losing her has affected him.
“Okay, but I don’t think it should be an event that involves the entire group. Someone should stay here and get the Christmas lights out. I think Brian pretty much cleaned the entire house by himself – though we’ve told him a hundred times he could take a break,” Riley replied.
“Hey I got into it – so sue me,” Brian shrugged.
“Wiley, Spencer, and I will stay here and get all of the decorations out,” Kori volunteered.
“I’ll help,” Howie added. “Ryan and me.”
“And so will I,” Riley added. She looked at Doctor Johnson and Brandon then.
“I kind of want to go looking at Christmas Trees – it’s been awhile since I’ve done that…” Brandon announced.
“I do it every year for the orphanage,” Doctor Johnson shrugged. “Mind if I stay here, or will that be considered wallowing to you?”
“As long as you’re joining in on the Christmas cheer, you’ll be fine,” Brandon replied, returning his brother’s sarcastic tone.
“Jaim, do I need to assume you’re tagging a long?” Brooke questioned, managing to hide the irritation in her voice. Jaime shook his head.
“Peyton is going with you, you’ll be fine.” Brooke looked slightly taken aback, but she did not argue with him, as time apart from her brother would be a good thing right now. Peyton rolled her eyes and shook her head and she turned and headed for the car, biting her tongue before she starts anything that she doesn’t want to get into. When everybody was clear on who was staying and going, Brooke turned and headed for Jaime’s car and she got into the driver’s seat and shut the door, before starting up the car and looking at her sister as she waited for everybody else to go so she could follow.
“Okay honey…what’s going on?”
“Nothing,” Peyton insisted, and she crossed her arms over her chest bitterly.
“Oh yeah…I can definitely see that,” Brooke replied sarcastically.
“Just forget about it. I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Well that’s too bad because I do. Why is it that everytime you and I have a conversation we have to talk about me? And my life and my problems? How about we turn the spotlight on you for once?”
“Because everybody prefers to worry about you, that’s why.” Peyton confessed rather bluntly. Brooke nodded, not allowing the words to sting her because she for one asked for it, and two, she some how deep down inside sensed her sister’s jealousy. She would rather her get it out in the open now, before it becomes an even bigger problem. She continued to concentrate on the road as she followed behind everybody to the Christmas Tree Farm, and she waited for Peyton to continue her rant. When she didn’t, she decided to prompt her.
“Everybody mostly means Jaime, right?” Peyton nodded quietly and she slid her arms around herself before turning her head and looking out the window glowering. “It’s not fair,” she insisted as she felt her eyes water up some. “Everything is always about you in his eyes. He could careless about me. Until the minute someone rapes me and then suddenly I’m noticed. Doesn’t he think that maybe for once, I would like to be protected like that?”
“Trust me honey, it’s no picnic,” Brooke insisted, as she reached over with her one hand and took Peyton’s into hers and she gently squeezed it. “I would give anything to get Jaim off my back most of the time.”
“Well I never got the chance to want him off my back. I’m pretty much invisible.”
“If you feel this way, why don’t you tell him? He’s a guy…if you don’t tell him how you’re feeling, or what you want and need, he is never going to know. Most of them don’t pick up on those things – unless of course you come across someone like Nick Carter, then maybe…”
“AJ picks up on your feelings without you having to tell him. AJ picks up on his sister’s feelings without her having to tell him. He is my brother…I shouldn’t have to tell him anything, he should just automatically know I am alive.”
“It’s not that he doesn’t know you’re alive…he just doesn’t see the bigger picture. That’s all…” Peyton looked back out the window and continued to pout. When they arrived at the Christmas Tree Farm, the two of them got out of the car and Brooke met her sister around at the back of it and she pulled her into a hug.
“If it counts at all, I know you’re alive,” she told her softly. “And if I could get you to shut up about me every once in awhile…then maybe I could get a question or two in about you. Don’t you think?”
“Your life is more interesting.”
“Pfft…says who?”
“Me. Not everybody’s sister dates a Backstreet Boy you know.”
“That’s the only highlight of my life, trust me. It’s the one thing I hold onto each and every day just to help me get out of bed every morning.”
“What about all of those children in that Orphanage of yours, that you touch the lives of every day, hmm?”
“Fine. The second thing that gets me out of bed in the morning.”
“At least you have that. I’ve been out of school for a year and up until I came home with you, I was still living with mom and dad. I’m un-employed and pretty much all I did was either stay home and lie around, or go shopping. But you…you’ve done so many great things for those children. Jaime loves you, mom and dad love you, and I’m the failure.” Brooke rolled her eyes.
“You’re not a failure.”
“Whatever…”
“You’re just a late bloomer, that’s all. Not everybody knows what they’re going to do with their life right after high school – and you were un-employed, but you aren’t now. I’ve hired you, remember? You can work at the Orphanage for me for as long as you want. If you decide to leave some day to pursue other things, well I’ll miss you, but you’re more then welcome to go do what you have to do. It just takes time.”
“Mom and dad don’t seem to share your opinion. They’re always on my case about doing something with my life.”
“That’s because they love you and just want what’s best for you. They’re just like any other parent out there…they just want what’s best for their child so bad that they don’t always see that maybe putting pressure on them isn’t exactly the best way to go. So you don’t know what you want to do right now…fine. Like I said, sometimes it just takes time and thinking…soul searching. You’ll figure it out some day. In the mean time…work at the Orphanage. At least you’ll be doing something, they can’t complain about that.” Peyton shrugged self-consciously.
“And maybe if you stopped fantasizing about my life as a Backstreet Boy’s girlfriend, and concentrated a little more on you it would help. You’ve been living in my shadow for way too long Pey…break out…fly.”
“It’s not that easy…”
“Maybe not…but I know you can do it. I believe in you. Jaime does too, I know he does. He’s just being a stupid boy who needs to be pushed a little. Fight for his attention.”
“Fight for his attention, huh?” Peyton asked, raising her eyebrow.
“Yes. Fight. Make him see you by any means necessary.” Peyton nodded the wheels in her head already turning. Brooke patted her on the back and she turned and looked around the parking lot only to find AJ standing at a distance waiting for them patiently. He didn’t come near, as he knows that he would be interrupting a sisterly moment if he did.
“Feeling better enough to join everybody?” Peyton nodded, and Brooke wrapped her arm around her shoulders and steered her toward AJ and Laila.
“Everything okay?” AJ asked concerned and Brooke nodded.
“Yeah, fine. Just a little sister bonding time…”
“That’s always a good thing,” AJ replied, taking notice of Peyton’s puffy eyes from her crying. He wrapped his arm around her as he stood on the other side of her and the three of them headed inside the Christmas Tree Farm where everybody else had gone. When they got inside they met up with everybody. AJ kissed Peyton’s cheek and then handed Laila over to Brooke before he let go of Peyton and he and ran up behind Dakota, swept her up into his arms playfully and he placed her up on his shoulders making her shriek and then giggle in surprise. Brooke shook her head smiling and she hugged Peyton close to her.
“I’m going to go buy some hot chocolate. Want some?”
“Yes please,” Peyton nodded, and Brooke walked off with Laila in her arms, asking her if she would like some chocolate milk. Peyton trailed behind everybody as they look at Christmas trees, still not all the way cheered up to join everybody. As she walked behind everyone, her eyes fell on Brandon. The one person she hasn’t been able to stop looking at since the moment they were introduced. She doesn’t want to be like every other girl who always seems to melt into a puddle at his presence, but she can’t help it. Brooke wasn’t kidding about him being irresistible. She wonders if he even notices all of the attention he attracts just by walking into the room. If he is even aware of what he does. She stood there staring at him in wonder for awhile, until suddenly Brandon began to feel eyes on him. He turned and looked at Peyton then, and Peyton quickly looked away, pretending to be examining the Christmas tree closest to her. If he does notice the attention…the last thing she wants is for him to assume she is another girl with a crush. Feeling curious, he backtracked so he was standing next to her.
“Why are you back here all by yourself?” he asked gently, and he couldn’t help but notice her puffy eyes and feel concerned for the girl he hardly knows. Peyton shrugged, her eyes fixed on the Christmas Tree, purposely avoiding his caring gaze that he obviously got from his brother.
“I’m a slow looker. I like to take my time,” she lied. Brandon nodded in agreement, going a long with her lie politely.
“I can understand that. It’s a lot easier to take in every detail when you take your time. That way you don’t miss anything, right?”
“Exactly,” Peyton agreed, finally tearing her gaze from the tree and at him, her stomach doing somersaults inside as she met his gaze – his gorgeous brown eyes. He is not going to make this pretending to be uninterested act very easy, is he? She then walked slightly ahead of him after everybody else so her back was turned to him and she wouldn’t have to look at his gorgeous features.
“So you live in New York then, huh? Brookie has told me quite a lot about you,” Brandon questioned, going up and walking beside her.
“Yeah…I lived with my parents for awhile…now I’m living with Brooke.” Managing to force herself to look at him, she raised her eyebrow. “And what has my sister been telling you about me, hmm?” Brandon chuckled.
“Just that you’re her best friend in the entire world and that you like taking pictures.” Peyton narrowed her eyes at him playfully.
“You’re being entirely way too nice to her and covering up for her, aren’t you?”
“Well she did say those things.”
“But you aren’t going to tell me anything else she said, are you?” Brooke who had started to come back with two trays of hot chocolates, and Laila at her side holding on firmly to her pantleg noticed her sister talking to Brandon. She smirked and hung back to listen, noticing only the things a big sister would notice.
“Trust me…it would be a bad idea to betray the woman who is providing me a place to stay during the holidays. I could stay at Steve’s house, but he’s never there…so yeah.”
“Were they good things at least?” Brandon nodded.
“Yeah, they were. But now that I’ve met you I can see that she was underestimating – a lot.” Peyton cocked an eyebrow and gave him a sidelong glance.
“Oh yeah?”
“Yup. She said that you are very pretty. Well I happen to think you’re beautiful.” Peyton looked completely taken aback, her heart fluttering inside her chest and she darted her eyes away from him and at the ground nervously. No one has ever given her such a compliment – ever.
“Well thanks – you aren’t…so bad yourself…” she replied softly.
“Hey Bran – come here a minute will ya? I need your opinion on something,” Brian spoke up suddenly.
“Coming,” Brandon called back to Brian and he looked at Peyton, smiled some and then hurried off to see what Brian wants to know. Brooke taking this as the best opportune moment to return with the hot chocolate guided Laila over to Peyton then. Peyton looked at her and Brooke gave her a knowing smile while raising her eyebrow.
“What?” Peyton asked innocently.
“Crushing much?”
“No…are you kidding me? I’m not going to be like all of those other girls who can’t keep their eyes off him…we were just having a conversation,” Peyton insisted and Brooke laughed.
“Well we were!”
“Oh please Pey…I’m your sister nothing gets past me – ever. You’re completely head over heals for the gorgeous artist.”
“I am not,” Peyton replied, though she could feel her face go warm and knows she is blushing. Brooke smirked and managed to rest an arm on her shoulder as she still held the two cup holders.
“Whatever you say sis. But you know…Jaime wouldn’t like it very much if you suddenly had a boyfriend,” she pointed out, and Peyton looked at her just on time to see her wink. “Especially one that is five years older then you.”
“Yeah, don’t think I haven’t thought about it,” Peyton smirked.
“You thought about dating Brandon?”
“No…no I mean thought about dating someone just to piss Jaim off and get his attention. I was thinking more a long the lines of Kevin though…” Brooke laughed.
“Oh honey I don’t think so…Kev is great and all, but that’s just going way too far – he’s too much older then you. I think I would have to put my foot down on that one.”
“It would piss Jaime off a lot though.”
“Mhm…you’re definitely right about that.”
“See?”
“But why go out with Kevin, when you’re completely head over heals for Brandon? Wouldn’t you rather be with someone you like? As long as you’re trying to piss Jaime off, you might as well be attracted to the person too.”
“Oh I am attracted to Kevin…you of all people should know that. I’ve had him on my walls for years.”
“Yes…but he’s just a celebrity crush. You have things in common with Brandon – he’s an artist…you’re an artist. He’s already falling for you – hard, and give it a few weeks and you’ll have fallen too. It’s the perfect match.” Peyton rolled her eyes at how excited Brooke is.
“I’ll think about it. In the mean time, why don’t you go pass those hot chocolates out before they turn into nothing but chocolate milk?” Brooke grinned mischievously.
“I’ll have you two set up by the end of the day – you just watch me Peyton,” she informed and she handed her, her hot chocolate. “Watch Laila for me will ya?” She added, and then hurried off to pass out hot chocolate. Peyton shook her head and she leaned over and gathered the two-year-old standing next to her up in her arms and she kissed her cheek and looked her in the eyes.
“That Brookie of yours is crazy.”
“Crazy,” Laila repeated, imitating her tone and everything.
“That’s right.” Just then AJ walked up beside her wrapping an arm around her.
“Which makes you the perfect sisters – you both are alike,” he teased.
“Aha, very funny” Peyton replied and AJ smirked and kissed her cheek before guiding her over to the rest of the group.
“Come on hon – where’s that peppy Peyton that I like so much?”
“She’s on vacation for the day,” Peyton pouted.
“Well I think it’s time for her to come back now. Pouty Peyton isn’t very fun.”
“Daddy we likes this one!” Dakota suddenly piped up from a few feet away. AJ looked over to where he heard his niece’s voice come from and saw that she and Elenore were standing side by side with their arms wrapped around each other’s shoulders and looking up at a nice big Christmas Tree. Nick looked over there too from his spot next to Ashley and he grinned a little.
“How about you Sarah?” He asked the little red head who was standing inches away from the two friends gazing up at the tree also. Sarah looked over at Nick, and Nick stared back at her awaiting her answer, hoping she would yell back that she likes it too, but no such luck. The only answer he got was Sarah grinning, and sticking two thumbs up in the air to signal that she agrees with her friends. Nick chuckled.
“Josh?” He asked, looking down at the little boy standing next to his father
“It’s the best one we’ve seen so far – nice and full,” Josh answered, repeating the words Brian would say. Brian grinned proudly and Jerald laughed at him.
“It’s a winner then,” Kevin spoke up. “We’ll pick that one for Ashley’s house – and the other one that Ellie and Jerald picked out for my house, and the other one that we all agreed on for the Orphanage – if Brooke likes it, that is.”
“And this one for mine and Josh’s house – what do you think Josh?” Brian added, and he looked down at Josh.
“Perfect,” Josh grinned. Brian smirked and gently squeezed his son’s shoulder.
“You’re now an official Christmas Tree buyer. I’ve taught you everything I know kid.” Jerald laughed once again.
“You’re such a dork, cuz.” Brian stuck his tongue out at him, and then he gathered up the tree that would go in his house.
“Come on son – lets go buy our tree,” he told him and he walked off with the anxious six year old following his lead. Nick shook his head amused and then he went on over to retrieve the tree that his girls – and Elenore, were standing by waiting patiently and Kevin and Jerald took care of the other trees. When everybody had their trees and were over by the area that you pay for it and get the bottom of it cut, and all that jazz, Elenore noticed a Santa Claus hat and she looked up at Jerald who was holding her.
“Jerry – can I gets a Santa Claus hat. Please?” Jerald grinned and looked over at Kevin and he smiled some and nodded. He reached over and grabbed up a hat and he placed it on her head, only for it to drop down over her eyes. He laughed.
“Maybe not that one though – its just a tad bit too big for you squirt.” She giggled and he took it off of her and put it back before examining the hats some more. When he found a small one that would for sure fit a five year old’s head, he grabbed it up and stuck it on her head again and smiled when he found that it was the perfect fit.
“Very nice. Now I have Santa’s little helper here in my arms – how did I get so lucky?” She giggled again, and tipped her nose up in the air importantly and he chuckled.
“What’s would you likes for Christmas Uncle Jerry?” she asked in a professional voice. He grinned and put his nose to hers.
“I think the only thing I want for Christmas…your Kevin could be the only one to give it to me," he replied and he looked over at his brother with a hintful look. Kevin who was next in line to pay for his tree pretended to busy himself with it so he wouldn’t have to look at his brother’s pleading gaze any longer – in fear that he might give his secret away on accident. Brian smirked and he patted Kevin on the back before carrying his tree off to his truck.
“Daddy, may Sarah and I gets a Santa hat too? Please?”
“Yes you may – and Josh too, you go ahead and pick one out. I’ll buy you one.”
“Sweet!” Josh replied, and he, Dakota, and Sarah began picking out Santa hats too, trying them all on to see which would fit best.
Author's Chapter Notes:
Here's the next chapter.
Enjoy =)
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