Chapter Two-Hundred-Twenty-Nine
Later on that day when it was time to put the kids to bed, Nick walked into his room to find that Sarah was already dressed in her pajamas like he asked and ready for bed. But Dakota however, sat on the floor playing with her toys and acting as if she hadn’t noticed him come in.
“Dakota Ann, I believe daddy asked you to put your pajamas on,” he spoke calmly but with some authority in his voice.
“Yes you did,” Dakota replied simply, still not looking up at him.
“Then why haven’t you done so?”
“I don’ts feel like it.”
“Well I don’t care if you feel like it or not, it’s bedtime.”
“I’m nots tired.”
“Then you will lay in bed and pretend to be.”
“No.”
“Dakota Ann…now.”
“NO.”
“Don’t make me come over there and help you put your pajamas on, because if I have to you’ll earn yourself a time out.”
“I DON’TS CARE!” she shrieked and threw her ninja turtle action figure across the room causing it to hit the wall and fall to the floor.
“Alright, that’s it” he told her and he went over and started to grab her but she threw herself to the floor and began sobbing and kicking and flailing her arms about making it very impossible for Nick to come near her without getting hit.
“Dakota Ann Carter, knock it off right now!”
“NO!” she shrieked. “I WAN’TS ASHEE! I WANT’S MY ASHEE RIGHTS NOW!” Nick was about to respond when suddenly Ashley walked into the room. She approached Dakota with ease, knowing exactly where to go so she wouldn’t get hit and she squatted down and gently touched Dakota’s shoulder. That was all it took for Dakota to know that it’s her. She stopped her tantrum almost abruptly and eyed Ashley a moment, before getting to her feet and throwing her arms around her before burying her face into her shoulder and she began crying all over again. But this time Nick noticed it was her wounded cry – like someone had just shot her dog or something, causing his heart to break knowing he made his little girl hurt like this. He made his girlfriend hurt. How could he be so horrible? Ashley hugged her close and kissed her forehead softly before getting up with her and going to the dresser and opening up her drawer. Dakota wrapped her legs around her waist and clung tightly as if afraid someone might try and tear her from Ashley’s arms. When Ashley had Dakota’s beauty and the beast pajamas in her hand, she carried her out of the room with her taking her into her own room and by now Dakota’s cries were turning into sniffles. Ashley brought her over to her bed, sat down with her in her lap and she dressed her into her pajamas. When she finished, she gently lay Dakota back against her legs so her head was rested in her hands and she leaned down and placed soft kisses on her forehead.
“There, there…you’re okay,” she soothed gently causing Dakota to slide her arms up and around Ashley’s neck and finally stop sniffling. “Everything’s going to be okay, I promise.”
“Don’ts leave me…” Dakota pleaded weakly.
“I’m not going anywhere sweetheart, I promise you.”
“Buts you an’ daddy…”
“…Are going through a rough time right now…like all grownups who are in love do every once in awhile. Everything is going to work out in the end, you’ll see.”
“You still love my daddy?”
“Very much. And I’m not going to stop loving him – ever.”
“Then how come you moved out of our room? An’ won’ts talk to him when he tries to say sorry?”
“Sometimes…sorry just doesn’t cut it. When you hurt someone really bad or one too many times like your daddy has done to me…it gets a little more complicated then that. You’ll understand when you’re older.”
“But you will forgives him soon?” Dakota asked softly.
“I don’t know sweetheart,” Ashley answered honestly. “But right now all you need to worry about is getting some sleep. So be a good girl and climb into bed here,” she told her gently and she pulled the covers down for her. Dakota crawled over and lay down and Ashley covered her up before lying down next to her so she is lying on her side facing her and she delicately played with her hair making her relax and she quietly hummed the tune to ‘Your Guardian Angel’. Dakota closed her eyes and snuggled up with her and it wasn’t long until she was asleep. Unknown to Ashley or Dakota, Nick who had finished putting Sarah to sleep really fast because she is always the cooperative one these days, was standing outside the door with Dakota’s teddy bear and was eavesdropping. When Ashley had stopped humming their song, he assumed Dakota was asleep so he walked in the room. Ashley looked up at him as he walked in and he showed her the teddy bear.
“I just came to give her, her teddy bear. She might wake up in the middle of the night wanting it,” he announced softly and he brought it over to Dakota and placed it under her arm being careful not to wake her in the process. When he did he looked at Ashley who was now sitting up but hugging her legs to her chest, her notepad and pen now in hand.
“Thanks for taking her for the night…she’s pretty angry with me right now. It probably would have taken me all night to get her to cooperate.” Ashley held her notepad out for him to see that she had already written no problem on it. She knew he’d thank her. Nick sighed.
“So we’re really back to this, huh?” Ashley shrugged. “I heard you talking to Kota earlier…what are you going to do, just talk to her and write to everyone else?”
Sarah as well. As you can see, the situation is hurting them enough as it is. Nick shook his head and he went over and sat next to her and grabbed her notepad and pen from her.
“Don’t do this honey…please. Don’t stop talking to everyone just because I’m an asshole.” She looked away from him as a single tear rolled down her cheek.
“If you have to stop talking to anyone, let it be me. I’m the one who hurt you, not them. You’ve come way too far for you to just back track now. You’ve been doing so well and we’ve all been very proud of you. Don’t let what I did to you ruin your accomplishments. I’m not worth your pain.”
“You just don’t get it do you?” she asked, finally speaking to him for the first time all day. She looked at him with watery eyes. “You’re the reason I’ve done so well Nick…I probably would’ve died a long time ago from starving myself because I couldn’t bear to live. I couldn’t bear to feel all of the pain that I endured. I just wanted it all to end. Then you…like a guardian angel came walking into my life when I needed you the most and changed everything. Without you in my life I fall back into those dark times where all I do is hurt. It’s not worth living anymore if you aren’t here loving me.”
“I do love you…with all of my heart and I’m right here baby,” Nick insisted as he scooted a little closer. “I’m right here and I’m not going anywhere.”
“I heard all of that from you before Nick, and then you broke up with me. Can you see why I’m having a hard time forgiving you right now?”
“I’ll make it up to you, I swear I will.”
“Right now, I just want you to go away.” Nick reached out and gently took her hand into his; lacing their fingers together and he looked down at her promise ring. She looked at it too.
“I know you haven’t given up on me. You wouldn’t be wearing this ring if you have.”
“I don’t know why I’m still wearing it…it’s nothing but a ring full of empty words now.”
“They’re not empty words.”
“Yes they’re. You promised me you would always be here for me and that you would never hurt me. You’ve broke both promises.”
“That isn’t true, I’m right here and I always will be. I haven’t left you and I don’t intend on doing so ever,” he told her looking into her eyes full of doubt with seriousness and love in his own and he brought her hand up to his mouth and kissed it softly. “Not empty words baby…never. I haven’t left you…and I still love you with all my heart. I’m just a human being who makes mistakes and I’m sorry I swear to you I am. I just wish I could prove it to you and some how make your pain go away.” Ashley continued to gaze up at him with watery eyes. He brushed away her tears with his finger and placed his hand to her cheek gently caressing it as he gazed into her eyes right back. After a few moments he leaned down to brush his lips over hers, but she turned her head slightly, causing him to kiss her cheek instead.
“Go away Nick,” she pleaded, her voice faltering slightly.
“Baby I…”
“Please.” He sighed and nodded before leaning forward and kissing her forehead softly.
“I will be next door if you need me,” he told her softly. “No matter what it is. I love you sweetheart,” he promised and he got up and left the room. But not before he heard her whisper “I love you too Nicky…” Ashley sat in her bed hugging her legs close to her chest as she watched Dakota sleep soundly. Her room was dimmed with the lamp so that she would have a little light, but it wouldn’t be too bright for Dakota. She sat there in deep thought for a long while until she suddenly heard a baby crying. Her Bella. She sat there gazing at the door waiting for Kori or Wiley to calm her down. When it wasn’t happening she got out of bed and walked across the hall to her sister’s room and she stood in the already opened door to see Kori holding Bella. She has a bottle in her one hand, and she is rocking her and gently bouncing on the balls of her feet and even humming but no matter what she did the baby wouldn’t calm down.
“What’s wrong with my baby Bells?” Ashley spoke up, causing Kori to whirl around with a start, to see her sister staring at her with a frown.
“Extremely fussy,” Kori answered. “I’ve tried everything and nothing I do seems to be working.”
“Let me try,” Ashley volunteered and she entered the room all the way.
“Honey you’re supposed to be relaxing. That’s why we took her in the first place.”
“I’m fine,” Ashley insisted and she gently took Bella into her arms gently cradling her. Bella’s cries almost instantly turned to whimpers.
“Pacifier?” Kori handed it to her and Ashley popped it into Bella’s mouth and gently held it there and a second later she calmed down. Ashley smiled down at her as she gazed up at her with watery brown eyes. Kori shook her head smiling.
“Well it’s not turning back now, sis. That baby thinks you’re her mommy.” Ashley smirked and bent down and planted a kiss on Bella’s forehead. “I’m more then happy to fill the position.” Kori laughed a little.
“I know you’re attached to that baby, but don’t do anything rash. At least get through school before you even consider adopting. You’re seventeen. Trust me…you don’t want to be a mom right now.”
“Oh I know…I know. I wasn’t thinking about that. I don’t think Brooke would even let me at seventeen.” Kori rolled her eyes.
“You have so thought about it, I know you. This is Nick and Dakota all over again.” Ashley cringed at the mention of Nick.
“Oh…I’m sorry sweetie I didn’t think.”
“It’s okay…really.” She replied, and she smiled some to show her that she truly meant it.
“Well…I’m not sure if I believe that…but at least you are talking again. I was afraid you were really going to relapse into notepad communication for good…I wasn’t here for that, but I heard it was pretty bad.”
“I just got done talking to Nick about an hour ago.”
“Really? How’d that go? He convinced you to start talking again?”
“Well…more like took the only notepad that I have at the moment away from me and sat and rambled at me until I finally caved.” Kori couldn’t help but laugh a little, despite how pissed off she is at the man.
“Well that’s one way of doing it, I guess.” Ashley nodded quietly, as she looked down at Bella, concentrating on how precious she is in order to keep from becoming sad again – it worked – a little.
“And to answer your first question…” she began softly. “It went okay. I haven’t fully forgiven him though.” Kori gently rubbed her hand over Ashley’s shoulder in a slow circular motion.
“Everything’s going to turn out fine honey, I know it. You two are meant to be. I had my doubts, but the way you reacted when he broke up with you…well I know better now.” Ashley nodded.
“I hope you are right.” Kori pulled her into a hug and Ashley hugged her back the best she could without squishing Bella who was just happy as can be now that she has what she truly wanted. “But anyway…I’m gonna go lay with AJ for awhile in his bed. I want to ask him something. Will you do me a favor and check on Kota every once in awhile? She’s in my room sleeping.”
“Yeah sure.”
“Thanks,” Ashley replied gratefully and she turned and walked out of the room with Bella. She took her to her own room, went to the closet, and she grabbed the flowery baby sling that Nick had bought for her at the store and she put it on, before putting Bella inside it. When she had her situated, she carried her back out into the hall and down to AJ and Howie’s room. She found Howie sitting on the floor watching TV quietly, Ryan lying in their bed asleep, and AJ was over in his and Laila’s bed and he was just lying there watching her sleep. They dimmed the lamp so the room wasn’t too bright for the sleeping children. AJ and Howie looked at her as they noticed her appear in the doorway and AJ wore a concerned look on his face.
“Everything okay honey?”
“No…but I’m hanging in there,” She answered softly. AJ frowned slightly, and he patted the space next to him, as he was lying sideways. Ashley noticed the gesture and went over and sat next to him, and she lay back beside him with Bella rested comfortably on her chest. He lay his arm out for her to use as a pillow, and she snuggled into him and rested her head against his shoulder.
“I’m happy to see that you are talking at least,” he pointed out gently.
“Nick stole the only notepad that I have at the moment and rambled at me until I finally caved. He said that he didn’t want me to relapse into notebook communication again just because he’s an asshole. He says he’s not worth hurting over like this.” AJ rolled his eyes.
“Well at least he got something right.” Ashley looked up at him none too pleased with his comments.
“Sorry…you know I don’t mean it, I’m just extremely disappointed in him at the moment.”
“I know…” The two of them lay there in silence for a few moments, and then Ashley spoke up. “Anyway…I came in here to ask you a huge favor.”
“Okay…what’s up?”
“Will you take me shopping tomorrow?”
“Of course,” AJ replied while beaming. “You know I love to shop.”
“Cool, thanks.”
“What are we shopping for?”
“Well…I kind of want to go shopping for Nick…for Christmas.” AJ looked incredulous.
“After what he’s done to you?”
“Well…yeah…”
“What are you getting him?”
“I just want to get him one thing right now…that I plan on giving to him early. But I’m going to need you to help me pay for it…I swear I’ll pay you back once I save up enough money. Brooke gave me a paid internship.”
“What am I helping you buy?”
“A promise ring…” AJ looked down at her with a raised eyebrow.
“He really needs it. I want him to know that he is the only man in my life, and always will be. I know you’re mad at him Alex, but it’s important to me. Please?” AJ looked at her for a few moments and then sighed.
“All right fine. But you owe me.” Ashley smiled up at him and she kissed his cheeks.
“Thank-you.”
“You’re lucky I love you way too much to say no.” Ashley giggled slightly and he grinned, happy to finally hear that sound again, as he hasn’t heard it all day. She snuggled into him some more and shifted Bella so that she was lying in between the two of them and she lay there delicately playing with her little fingers. She decided she would wait to tell AJ what else she really wants to get when they’re already at the mall. Maybe if she catches him off guard, it will be easier to talk him into it. She’ll have to wait and see.
Author's Chapter Notes:
Here's the next chapter.
Enjoy =)
Enjoy =)
