Chapter Two-Hundred-Twenty-Seven
Nick and Ashley lay in bed together watching Dakota feed Bella while quietly talking amongst themselves until Bella finished her bottle. When she did, Nick looked down at Ashley and he kissed her forehead softly.
“Shall we go downstairs and join the others?”
“Sure,” Ashley nodded and he got up. “But Bella is asleep – and I’ve been holding her all day.”
“We’ll put her in the new stroller we bought her,” Nick suggested, and he went to the Toys R Us bag and got out the new stroller. He unfolded it and got it ready and he looked at Ashley. Ashley rolled out of bed and gently gathered the sleeping infant into her arms and she brought her over to the stroller and lay her in it delicately before placing her pink blanket over her. She grabbed a couple of toys and put them in there as well and a pacifier and she went and gathered Dakota up in her arms playfully. Dakota giggled and she cradled her and kissed her cheek as she followed Nick out of the room while he pushed the stroller. When they got downstairs they went into the playroom they found everybody in there like Nick had said they were. Brooke, AJ, Howie, Kori, and Wiley all sat at a table while Peyton and Jaime were getting to know their kids and Scott sat in the book area with Spencer in his lap and Laila lounging at his side against his legs and he was reading them both a book. Ashley set Dakota and down and she ran on over to join them and Ashley went over to Kori who she noticed was trying to be secretive about watching her ex with their son and was doing a pretty good job, but Ashley knows her all too well. She slid her arms around her shoulders and gave her a knowing look. Kori raised her eyebrow, trying to pass it off as being clueless.
“Yes?”
“I think he’s doing a pretty good job if you want my opinion.”
“Who?” Kori asked innocently. Ashley rolled her eyes.
“You know very well who I am talking about.”
“Of course you would think he’s doing a good job. You’re on his side – you’re being biased.”
“No I’m not. I’m being an observant aunt. Look at your son over there with his father. He looks very content. Look at Scott reading to him like he’s been apart of Spencer’s life since forever. He’s a natural. You can’t tell me that’s not picture perfect right there.”
“Would you be saying that if Wiley were the one sitting over there reading to him?” Kori challenged. “He after all, was apart of Spencer’s life since the second he was born without any hesitation at all.”
“I think Wi would make a pretty good step dad some day,” Ashley nodded. “Yes, he is very great with Spencer. But you can’t deny that Scott has something going with him either.”
“Watch me.”
Ashley shrugged. “Try to all you want, but it’s very crystal clear on who the biological father is – the whole orphanage can tell and pretty soon Spencer is going to figure it out too – whether you tell him yourself or not. He is a bright kid.” Kori didn’t reply; she only glanced over at her son, who remained in Scott’s lap as he was leaning back against the wall. He has the back of his head rested against Scott’s chest and was completely mesmerized by his voice. She and Ashley both noticed Scott place a kiss on Spencer’s forehead and Spencer snuggle into him even more. Ashley smiled and looked at Kori who made no reaction at all, but she knows it effects her emotionally to see the two of them together. It has to.
“And…I’m curious Kor. What are you planning to do when he does find out and all he ever wants to do is be near his father? What kind of strain is that going to put on you when you have to pack up and go back to Jersey?” Ashley asked curiously, and she couldn’t help but look at her sister smugly before patting her on the shoulder and going on over to the rest of the group. She couldn’t help but glance back though to see if she got a reaction out of her, and to her amusement, she saw Kori seemed to be pondering her question very hard. She smirked and went over and placed herself comfortably in Nick’s lap and he chuckled and slid his arms around her waist and hugged her close.
“What’d you say to her now?”
“Oh…nothing much…I just gave her something to think about, that’s all.”
“Like?” Nick asked warily.
“I asked her what she was planning on doing when Spencer does find out Scott is his father and all he ever wants to do is be near him. I asked her what kind of strain that would put on her when she has to pack up and move to Jersey.”
“I think that’s a very good question for her to think about,” AJ replied, as Wiley got up and went over and slid his arms around Kori from behind and he watched as Wiley rested his chin on Kori’s shoulder and spoke quietly to her. He watched as Kori leaned back into him and looked completely at loss. “Especially since I’m pretty sure Scott will want to spend all he can with him too. I mean, it’s obvious he’s become very attached all ready,” AJ added, as he indicated toward the father and son in the book area. He too had been watching them for quite sometime, seeing as how his Laila is over there and has grown somewhat attached to the new addition to their little group. But not too attached, because he’s noticed Laila eyeing him in return incase he should decide to get up and go somewhere without her – which she would not allow of course.
“It’s completely impossible not to get attached to that kid. Believe me I’ve tried it in the beginning. I wanted nothing to do with him…because in my mind, he was the reason Kori ran away…but the moment I agreed to baby-sit him, that was it for me. I was in love with the kid and was calling him my nephew to everybody I know.”
“I remember,” Nick replied while grinning a little and he planted a kiss on her forehead. “You threw a fit when Kori asked you to baby-sit but the moment we were down in the lobby with him you introduced him as your nephew to Brooke and Riley. I was proud of you.”
“I was being selfish. I can’t believe I even thought of taking it out on him – it’s not his fault.”
“You were going through such a rough time, don’t beat yourself up over it.” Brooke reassured gently. “We all love Spencer and everything, but we know what you were going through. We don’t blame you in the least bit.”
“Of course not,” Nick agreed and he cupped her chin in his hand, tilted her head back and he brushed his lips lightly over hers. “The important thing is, you had a change of heart.”
“Yeah,” Ashley replied softly, and she wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head against his shoulder. He rubbed his hand over her back.
“How is little Bella?” AJ asked curiously after a few moments of silence, and he leaned over his sister and peered into the stroller to see her sleeping peacefully.
“Kota fed her, her bottle and she fell asleep” Ashley explained. “I put her in the stroller because I’ve been holding her all day – I don’t want her to become too spoiled.” Howie chuckled.
“I’m sorry honey, but I have to be honest with you. That’s completely inevitable between you and Nick put together.” Ashley and Nick both stuck their tongue out at him in unison and AJ rolled his eyes some, as he is highly amused at the couple.
“Anyway, the reason I asked is because mom wants to see her. I thought maybe you and I could go and visit her at her house. She just got her tree and wants help decorating it. Kori can come too if she would like – and Wiley, Spencer, and Scott.” Ashley looked over at her sister, who was sitting in a chair facing Wiley; the two of them have their foreheads put together and are talking quietly to one another.
“I don’t think I’m even going to bother asking. I know she’s grateful that Momma Denise adopted me, but I don’t think she feels like she is part of the family quite yet. Plus, the two of you together…not a good thing.”
“I think that’s all the more reason you should ask her,” AJ insisted quietly. “So she doesn’t feel left out. Give her a choice at least. If she says no, it’s okay.”
“Kay…” Ashley replied, and she looked up at Nick.
“Are you coming?”
“No, I think I’m going to stay here. I haven’t heard from Aaron and Angel in awhile, I think I’m going to call them and see if they want to do something.” Ashley nodded.
“That’s a good idea.” Nick looked at AJ.
“I trust you’ll be brining Marcus with you?” AJ nodded.
“Of course.”
“Okay, then I’ll stay here.” Nick replied and Ashley hugged him close to her after placing her hand to his cheek and pulling his face down to hers so she could kiss him. When she pulled away she gazed into his eyes.
“Miss me while I’m gone?”
“Always baby,” Nick promised, failing to notice that she needed to be reassured now more then ever but AJ saw it. He can tell that the two of them always fighting these days is beginning to get to her and it’s frustrating him. The two of them used to be completely in sync with each other, but now it seems like they’re slowly drifting apart. All because Nick is insecure. Ashley got up and she went over to Kori and Wiley. They looked up at her as they approached.
“Aje and I are taking Bella over to Momma Denise’s house. She wants to see her and she wants help with decorating the tree. Want to come?”
“No thanks…I’m going to stay here incase Spencer needs me.”
“Kay,” Ashley replied, and she turned and looked at AJ who was right behind her with the stroller.
“Ready?” he asked, and Ashley nodded and followed him out of the playroom. Once they were in the hall and the door was shut, Ashley pulled the note Brandon had given her out of her pocket and looked at it.
We’ll start tomorrow. Is that okay?
“What’s that?” AJ asked curiously.
“A note from Brandon.” AJ raised his eyebrow.
“Honey…I know you two have art and writing in common…and it makes you two click really well…but do I need to worry about how well you’re getting a long?” Ashley rolled her eyes.
“Brandon and I are just friends Alex…he’s just easy to talk to…”
“I know that. But it used to be easy for you to talk to Nick too, but now all you two seem to do is fight – and everything just seems to be off with the two of you. You aren’t in sync like you used to be. Believe me, I’ve noticed.”
“I’m sure everybody has,” Ashley muttered softly.
“I’m just worried is all. Nothing would be the same if there wasn’t Nick and Ashley anymore.”
“That’s not going to happen. I love Nick very much.”
“Are you sure? Maybe you’re just being a seventeen-year-old girl. Maybe you’re interested in Brandon because he is new and exciting. Maybe Nick was just your first love after all…” AJ suggested. He knows what he’s saying isn’t true, but he needs to hear it from her. Ashley stopped abruptly, causing him to do the same and he looked at her to see her staring at him incredulously.
“How can you say that? I love Nick with all of my heart and could never even think about leaving him. He makes me feel complete. He is my soulmate and I intend on spending the rest of my life with him. There is no life for me without him! If I lost him…If he walked away from me at anytime it would just kill me Alex, you have no idea!” she snapped, as tears welled up in her eyes. “He is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I can’t lose him! And the fact that he doesn’t trust me hurts me very much because I have always been very true with him – I have always loved him with my whole heart. He has all of me and is never going to lose me. Unless he doesn’t start trusting me, that is!” AJ stared into her eyes as he listened to her defend herself, and as he did he saw that she truly meant it.
“Then why are you spending so much time with Brandon?”
“I told you already…we’re just friends! He’s easy to talk to. He’s interested in art and writing and so am I! He’s offered to help me a little bit with my art and writing. I’m allowed to have friends of the opposite sex without it becoming more, aren’t I? Why can’t I have other friends without everybody accusing me of leaving Nick?”
“I’m not accusing you of leaving Nick honey, I believe you. I just needed you to confirm it as all,” AJ replied gently as he placed his hands to her shoulders and pulled her near. “I believe you.”
“Then why can’t Nick believe me?” Ashley asked while sniffling and she leaned into her brother, trying her very hardest not to cry.
“I don’t know honey. He has issues,” AJ replied softly as he rubbed his hand over her back.
“Well I can only reassure him so many times.” AJ kissed her forehead softly and he stood there holding her close to him as he rubbed his hand over her back. “And for your information…” She replied after a few moments. “The art project Brandon is helping me is a surprise for Nick. Everything I’m doing is for him.”
“Why don’t you just tell him then so he would understand?”
“Why should I have to? Why can’t he just believe me?”
“Because he’s Nick.”
“Well, I don’t care. I shouldn’t have to explain anything to him,” Ashley insisted, and she pulled away from AJ and grabbed onto the stroller and she began pushing it out of the orphanage. AJ sighed and then followed, feeling very scared there is going to be lots of drama in the next upcoming week.
Author's Chapter Notes:
Here's the next chapter.
Enjoy =)
Enjoy =)
