Chapter Two-Hundred-Forty-Two
The next day bright and early around five in the morning all of the adults woke up, had showers, and did last minute packing and then by six o’ clock they were ready to go. They gathered up their kids and loaded them into two vans – either Jackie or Ann’s. The two moms are planning on dropping everybody off at the airport. They thought it would be best if the whole crew didn’t tag a long, so Brian and Kevin have made security arrangements with Detective Stabler. He is going to have someone keep an eye on them since the boys couldn’t leave their own security with them. The only two people from their families that are actually going are Jerald and Harry. They’re tagging a long to help out with the kids as much as they can. Tim wanted to come but insisted that he must stay as he is running behind on the ‘secret Ellie project’. Meanwhile, in Jackie’s van, they were five minutes into driving and all was quiet as both kids and adults were too tired to make much noise. All was quiet, until suddenly Dakota let out a loud screech.
“NOO! That’s MY blanket!” Sarah began to cry. Nick, Ashley, Brian, and Harry turned to see just exactly what was going on, and discovered Dakota and Sarah having a tug-a-war with sure enough – Dakota’s blanket. Nick sighed.
“Baby I put that blanket between you two so that you could share it. It’s big enough for the both of you; can you share with Sarah? Please?”
“NO Daddy, it’s MINE! Auntie BJ mades it for me!” Nick groaned, as he knows she is right. It’s her special blanket and doesn’t like to share it with anybody. Not even if it were Ellie.
“Okay…okay…” Nick replied in a soothing voice trying to calm Sarah’s crying and he grabbed another blanket, got up and reached over his seat to the back and he covered Sarah with it. “There, there…here’s a blanket for your very own” he told her gently and she immediately stopped crying, though her eyes were bloodshot and wet with tears. He can tell she didn’t get enough sleep last night at all – and from the looks of things, neither did Dakota. He then moved over a little so he was in front of Dakota and he leaned forward and gently took her face into his hands before resting his forehead against hers.
“I know it’s early, and that you are tired baby…and daddy made a mistake in thinking you would share your special blanket, but can you please be a little more cooperative? Its going to be a long day, we have enough to deal with without a bunch of tantrums on the side,” he spoke very quietly so only she would hear his lecture.
“I’m sorry daddy,” Dakota whispered while sniffling, and he kissed her forehead and dried her tears before turning and sitting back down again and he looked at Ashley with dread in his eyes and just by looking at him she knows what he is thinking. It’s going to be a long day. She wrapped her arm around him and gently rubbed her hand over his shoulder. When they finally arrived at the airport thirty minutes later they all got out of the van with their luggage and they gave it to the people who take most of it and put it on the plane for them, including their puppies which were put in kennels. It took a few moments to talk Elenore and Dakota into giving up theirs, but eventually they gave in after being reassured they’d be fine, and they were soon rushing to their gate, security close by incase they were spotted. When they arrived at it, they got there just on time to get on their plane. Elenore sat with Josh, Spencer was stuck with Ryan, and Laila was sleeping in AJ’s arms, so she stayed with him leaving Dakota no choice but to sit with Sarah. The two of them each dove for the window seat, the both of them yelling, pushing, and shoving, when they each got there at the same time. Nick rolled his eyes and was about to go settle the problem, when Ashley beat him to it knowing her boyfriend was going to end up snapping soon if the fighting doesn’t stop.
“What is the problem here?”
“I want to sit here!” Dakota insisted, and Sarah gave Ashley a defiant look, her hands on her hips to tell her in her own silent way that she was going to be the one to sit there, not Dakota.
“Sweetheart Sarah is already half way in the seat. Why don’t you take the isle seat and then half way through the ride you can switch?”
“You promise?”
“I promise.” Dakota sighed heavily, but otherwise surrendered and she moved over so she was sitting in her own seat.
“Put your seatbelt on,” Ashley instructed and Dakota and Sarah did as told, Sarah smiling triumphantly over winning the window seat. Ashley went across the isle to where Nick had Bella in his blue sling and was in the process of putting her in her carseat, which he had sat on the isle seat. They managed to get three seats on their side, which was perfect. Bella began fussing just as soon as Nick put her down and Ashley placed a pacifier in her mouth and gently held it there, and she soon stopped. When Bella was situated, Ashley sat in the window seat and Nick sat in the middle next to Bella so that he could tend to her if she needed it, seeing as how Ashley couldn’t.
“So…from the way Kota is acting, I take it I’m gonna get a no out of her?” Nick asked softly, as he wrapped an arm around Ashley and leaned over so he could talk to her quietly, their foreheads touching.
“Actually, I think it will be the exact opposite,” Ashley replied while shrugging.
“I know you have a lot of faith in people baby…but face it, this is bad.”
“I think it’s normal. I think they’re behaving just like sisters. Kori and I used to fight over the window seat all the time.”
“Well, what a nice time for them to choose to fight like sisters…” Nick replied sarcastically.
“Better now then never,” Ashley laughed. “They’re just tired Nicky…be patient. Maybe they’ll take a nap.” Nick grumbled, but otherwise took his girlfriend’s advice. She placed her good hand to his cheek and leaned up and brushed her lips lightly over his before smiling up at him innocently. “You could use one yourself.”
“No I think not. There is no way I am going to be able to sleep on this plane,” Nick insisted, and she for the first time noticed just how tense he was. “I hate flying…”
“Aww…” Ashley replied sympathetically. Meanwhile in the seat behind them Elenore and Josh sat side by side already buckled in and talking quietly.
“I’m scareds Joshy…” she announced suddenly out of the blue.
“Why?” Josh asked confused, and he looked around thinking that maybe she spotted someone scary.
“What ifs the plane crashes?”
“The plane is not going to crash Ellie,” Josh reassured in a matter of fact tone.
“How do you knows?”
“Because I’m Leonardo,” Josh answered simply, as if that fixed everything. And with Ellie, it usually did. It is so easy to please her. “And you know Leonardo wouldn’t let anything happen to his Raphie,” he added, as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and allowed her to snuggle into him some. Elenore giggled some.
“That’s true…buts he also wouldn’t let Raph snuggle withs him either.” Josh chuckled.
“I don’t think Raph would want to in the first place.”
“True…buts Ellie playin’ the part of Raph would…”
“And Josh playing the part as Leo wouldn’t mind it so much either…so long as Ellie didn’t go telling people about it.” Elenore smirked and stuck her tongue out at him, and he lightly poked her in the side making her shriek and giggle.
“That tickles! Meanie!” Josh laughed.
“Brat,” He retaliated playfully, and he pulled her closer to him protectively.
“Loser” She whispered.
“Freak”
“Butthead.”
“Gakface.” Elenore giggled and kicked his foot, causing him to do the same right back. Jerald who was sitting in the seat behind them heard their entire conversation and was listening amusedly for awhile, and then he got up and leaned over the seat at them, causing them to look up at him innocently.
“Settle down you two. You’re getting just a little bit too loud.”
“Sorry Jerry,” Elenore apologized.
“It’s okay. I’m glad to see you two are enjoying yourselves.”
“Yeah…until we takes off,” Elenore replied softly, shuddering a little bit. “When are we gonna takes off? Can’ts we leave now an’ gets it over with?” Jerald chuckled slightly.
“Take a look outside Ellie.” Elenore raised her eyebrow at him confused for a moment, and then she leaned over Josh to look out the window and she gasped as she discovered big puffy clouds all around them.
“See? There is nothing to be worried about at all sweetheart. We’ve been flying all this time and you didn’t even know it.”
“That’s because Joshy is a good distraction.”
“That he is,” Jerald replied amusedly. “Therefore, a good person for you to sit next to. So long as you behave yourselves.”
“Can we take our seatbelts off now since we’re up in the air?” Josh asked hopefully.
“Yes you may.” Josh and Elenore each took their seatbelts off then and Kevin who was across the isle got out crayons, paper, and coloring books.
“Here Ellie, Here Josh…want something to do?”
“Sure!” Elenore grinned, and she accepted the stuff that Kevin was offering to her and she and Josh began to color and draw quietly. Soon enough, everyone but Josh and Elenore was sound asleep on the plane. They were no teens in first class, so there'd be no chances of anyone bothering them while they slept.
"Joshy, I'm bored," Elenore complained quietly. "There's nothin' to do on a plane buts sit here." Josh thought a moment, then looked at her.
"How about hide 'n' seek? Since we're allowed to move now an' all."
"Okay!" Elenore smiled at him eagerly. "Who hides first?"
"Um...I will, since it was my idea!" Josh decided. Elenore scowled a little, but closed her eyes nonetheless.
"One....two....three.....four......" Josh quickly hopped down out of his seat and ran to the back of first class, careful to not be seen by the stewardess that was there. He hid behind the last row of seats, and squashed himself into the wall. Elenore finally reached 65 and decided that was enough of that, and opened her eyes. "Ready or nots, here I comes!" She called out quietly, as not to wake anyone else up. She headed straight for the back of first class, as she'd peeked through her fingers. She found Josh and tapped him on the shoulder. "You're it."
"You cheated!" Josh insisted.
"I did nots!" Elenore denied, though she had.
"How else would you be able to find me so fast?" Josh argued.
"Simple, I know you," Elenore replied, with a sweet smile on her face. Josh rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever," he said, crawling out of his hiding spot and walking her back to their seats. "Okay, you're turn to hide." He closed his eyes and took his turn counting. Elenore ran back to where he'd been, but suddenly noticed the curtain that was there separating them from the business class - though, she didn't know why it was there. She peeked out behind it, her eyes going wide and seeing so many people sitting back there. She smirked to herself as she entered business class.
"Joshy's never gonna finds me backs here!" She then ran about halfway down the aisle, before she saw a stewardess coming her way. She quickly dived into one of the filled rows, landing on people's feet. She giggled quietly, as she lay there, despite the protests of the passengers seated there. Josh had started looking for Elenore early, as she had for him, He heard noise coming from behind the curtain at the back and peeked out, just as Elenore had done minutes before. His eyes widened some at seeing all the people.
"Wow. I bet Ellie would like to see this..." He trailed off to think a moment. "I bet Ellie's already back here! It'd be just like her to go too far to hide." He frowned some, as he entered business class now himself and began to look in every aisle, as he searched for his almost cousin. After a while, he was growing bored of his search and the dirty looks people kept giving him when he'd dive onto their feet to hide from an oncoming stewardess. "Ellie?!?! Where are you!?!?!" He finally called out. "C'mon!" Elenore thought she heard Josh from where she still lie, surprised nobody there had tattled on her yet. Though, the one girl sitting there was currently using her for a foot rest, after she had told the fifteen-year-old she was playing hide 'n' seek with her 'Joshy'. It was to keep her better concealed, so the girl had said. Eventually she saw that Josh was close, though he gave up moments before finding her. "Olly olly ox an' free!"
"Boo!" Elenore shouted, as she jumped out at him. Josh yelped and turned to cast her a glare.
"You hid too far, Ellie. That's not fair."
"You never saids I couldn't goes behind the curtains," Elenore protested. "An' 'sides, there's much more room to hides back here!"
"Too much room," Josh grumbled.
"Hey, look!" Elenore exclaimed then. "There's a door at the back! C'mon! Let's see where it goes!"
"Ellie, they're gonna be lookin' for us soon," Josh reminded her.
"Joshy, haves you forgottens how to haves fun?" Elenore demanded. "C'mon! Maybe there's treasure backs there!"
"Oooh! I like treasure!" Josh grinned.
"Exactly!" Elenore exclaimed. "Let's go!" The two children ran for the back of the business class section then, for the closed door that was at the back. The two of them struggled with the door, but finally managed to get it opened and they slipped in without being noticed - making sure to leave the door open a crack for their escape once done exploring. "Wow. What's all this stuffs?" Elenore asked, looking around at piles and piles of boxes and suitcases.
"Luggage, I think," Josh replied, as they walked further into the room, holding hands as it was a tad dark in there.
"I don't likes the dark, Joshy," Elenore said softly, giving a small whimper when they suddenly heard a noise coming from the back of the room. "An' I don't likes scary noises in the dark even more." Josh listened closely for a minute, wanting to know just what the noise was.
"Let's go investigate!"
"What ifs it's scary?" Elenore whined.
"It sounds like an' animal, Ellie. Maybe it's stuck an' needs our help to get out," Josh insisted.
"Kay," Elenore whispered. "Buts you goes first."
"Duh," Josh replied, rolling his eyes some. He squeezed her hand a little tighter and led the way into the very back of the room. They were surprised to find four cages, each one containing one of their puppies.
"Lil' Rok!" Elenore exclaimed, letting go of Josh's hand and running for the cage that housed her poor puppy. "What'd they do to you's?!?!?"
"Chance!" Josh exclaimed as well, thrilled to have found his puppy. "I wondered where you were!" Josh looked over at Elenore as he heard a cage rattle. "Ellie, what're you doing?"
"Letting Lil' Rok out," Elenore replied simply, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world - and in a way, it was what with the way she was yanking on the lock and all. "He's scared an' lonely in there. He needs me an' wants out, so I can snuggles him so he'll feels better." Josh went over and helped her with the latch, Lil' Rok barreling out of the cage soon as the cage door was opened. "Lil' Rok!" Elenore cried, catching the furry little pup as he jumped into her awaiting arms. "My poor baby!" She kissed his little head over and over and over again, as Lil' Rok licked her face excitedly in return as his tail wagged a mile a minute. Josh shook his head, then turned to free Chance.
"Chance, c'mere boy," he called once the cage door was opened. Chance came running out for Josh, tackling him to the floor and licking his face like crazy as Josh lie there laughing hysterically. "Chance! Chance! Stop! Ahahaha! That tickles! Chance!" Elenore glanced over at him and laughed when she saw the playful golden lab had literally tackled him.
"Let's free Lily an' Abbie too!" She suggested. "I bets they're scared too, an' I bets Kota's missin' Lily. 'Specially since Sarah won the window seat."
"Yeah," Josh agreed, nodding his head. "I'll free Lily. You get Abbie." Soon enough, all four puppies were free and playing with their two rescuers quite happily. None of them aware that back in first class, panic was about to set in as a Backstreet Boy awoke from his slumber. A.J. stretched in his seat, scratching his belly some as he awoke. He chuckled softly at spotting Laila sound asleep in her carseat next to him. She'd fallen asleep almost immediately and had been conked out ever since. He glanced around first class then, to see what everyone else was up too - chuckling when he noticed they were all still fast asleep.
"Hmm....Wonder if those two chatterboxes fell asleep," he wondered aloud softly, referring to Josh and Elenore who he'd fallen asleep listening to. He leaned over his seat to look at their seats, which were right in front of his, frowning when he noticed neither of them were where they should be. He stood then, and looked around in silence, not wanting to alert anybody just yet. He even checked the first class bathroom, which was empty and smelled of fart. After searching the entire first class by himself, he decided to wake the others and see if they'd any idea as to where the two had disappeared too.
"Um, guys?" He began, clearing his throat loudly. "Guys? GUYS!" The other Backstreet Boys, Ashley, Kori, Riley, Wiley, and security all jerked awake then and Sarah and Dakota stirred slightly, as did Ryan and Laila. Even some other people who were in first class turned to look.
"We have a problem," A.J. started carefully.
"What sort of problem?" Nick asked. "We're not going to crash are we!?!?!"
"Nick, get a grip," A.J. snapped slightly. "If that were happening, I would not be standing, nor this calm." Brian gave a slight shudder, at just the mere thought of crashing scared him shitless.
"So, what's the problem Bone?"
"We're, ah, kind of, um, missing a couple of kids," A.J. informed them.
"WHAT!?!?!?!" They all exclaimed, waking Harry and Jerry from their slumber now as well.
"I'll give you one guess," A.J. replied.
"Leonardo and Raphael," Jerry supplied, as he peered across the aisle to where his future niece and his young cousin had been sitting. He was in the same row as A.J. and Laila, as he'd not wanted to sit too far from Ellie. Kevin and Brian both jumped up to look, as they'd let the two sit alone, as for some reason they'd only two seats booked for that row.
"Where are they!?!?!" Kevin and Brian both demanded at once.
"How should I know?" A.J. asked. "I just woke up myself, and noticed they were gone."
"We'll handle this," Marcus piped up. "Don't you guys worry about a thing. Just stay put, and we'll search for them."
"But - !" Brian, Kevin, Jerry, and Harry all tried to protest.
"I said to stay put fellas," Marcus repeated, eyeing all of them warily. "Now, sit tight." They all sighed helplessly as they sat back down in their seats - they knew not to cross Marcus when have gave looks like the one he'd just given. It was always best not to piss the security guard off - he was known to shove people by their faces. They watched as Marcus got up and talked to the stewardess, pointing towards Drew, Laney, Raul, and Q. to indicate they'd be helping him search for the two children. The stewardess nodded, then radioed the stewardesses in business class, to let them know not to be alarmed when a few big men come stalking through the curtain, as they're security and are searching for two currently missing children. After a brief discussion with his security team, Marcus decided that he, Drew, and Q. could go looking for the two - Laney and Raul staying with Ashley and the Boys just in case - better to be safe than sorry. The three security guards headed into the business class section behind the curtain and began calling for the two missing children they cared deeply for. Back in the very back part of the plane, Elenore and Josh were growing hungry and a bit sleepy.
"Let's take the puppies out to everybody," Elenore said. "I bets they'll be happy to sees them."
"Okay," Josh agreed. "I'm hungry anyway."
"Me too," Elenore agreed. "An' I bets Lil' Rok is too. Maybe they gots some Captain Crunch he can eats."
Josh grabbed Lily up then, as Elenore scooped up Lil' Rok and Abbie - Chance was to remain walking next to them, as he usually always stayed glued to Josh's side. They headed back towards the door they'd come in, and snuck back out into the business class area. They were so busy trying to be sneaky; they didn't notice the three security guards currently back there searching for them.
"Josh!? Elenore!?" Three voices rang out then, as the three security guards searched for their little charges.
"Oye," Josh groaned. "We took too long. Now they're gonna know we left 'em." Elenore shrugged, not sure what to say, though shouting after her puppy as he squirmed down out of her arms and ran straight for Q. "Lil' Rok! Lil' Rok, you gets backs here!"
“Chance!" Josh exclaimed, as his puppy suddenly took off after Elenore's - Lily and Abbie following not too far behind. The two children didn't even stop to think - they just quickly took off after their puppies. Marcus, Q., and Drew all heard the commotion, and looked only to see four excited puppies come running their way. Q. and Drew immediately took off after the puppies, wanting to catch them before they urinated somewhere they weren't supposed too. Marcus moved quickly, and scooped the two children running after the puppies up swiftly.
"Well, nice to see you two again," he commented.
"Hey! Jacksass!" Elenore protested, slipping up on her language as Marcus had startled them. All the passengers froze, trying to figure out just what had been said. Marcus groaned none too happy at the moment.
"She said jackass, people," he told them. "Nothing to worry about, I assure you." He then turned and carried the two children back to first class, more than ready to unleash them upon the two Backstreet Boys who were currently worried sick about them.
"What the..." Harry trailed off, as they all saw Q. and Drew enter first class with the four puppies they'd brought and had put in kennels to go on the plane. "What's going on?" Harry asked.
"I'm sure Marcus will explain when he gets back here," Drew replied. "He's not very happy right now, so be warned." Marcus entered first class then, a child under each of his arms.
"Look who we found chasing the puppies around business class and causing a ruckus," he stated, still not letting go of the two struggling under his arms. "And can you guess which one yelled out jackass and almost caused a frigin' riot back there?" Both Brian and Kevin narrowed their eyes, Josh quickly shaking his head no, and Elenore scowled angrily up at Marcus as best she could, considering her current position. Marcus set the two down, then went and sat in the back row of seats in order to guard the curtain and prevent further escapes. Drew and Q. took their seats, each holding onto a puppy - though, they gave Lily to Nick and Abbie to Ashley.
"Um...Ellie?" Josh said softly, as he watched Brian and Kevin approach them, both looking mighty angry.
"Whats?" Elenore snapped slightly, turning her angry gaze from Marcus to Josh.
"We're toast," Josh told her. Elenore turned to look where he was looking, and her eyes went big as saucers upon seeing just how angry the two cousins looked. She immediately reached over and grabbed hold of Josh's hand, while taking a couple steps backward.
“Just WHAT were you two thinking? Kevin demanded. "You KNOW better than to wander off!" There was complete silence.
"Well?" Brian stated. "You were asked a question, now answer."
"We...um...we were...playin' hide 'n' seek," Josh admitted finally.
"And just HOW did you end up out of this section?" Brian wanted to know. Kevin just gave Elenore a look, having a feeling he already knew the answer.
"I was lookin' for Ellie," Josh admitted, unable to lie to Brian at all - especially when then when he was angry with him.
"You two should NOT have even been out of your seats without permission!" Kevin snapped.
"We-we were bored, Kevy," Elenore admitted softly, shrinking slightly as she stood there.
"Well, bored or NOT you do NOT wander off like that!" Kevin retorted. "NOR should you have let the puppies out! Do you have ANY idea as to just HOW much trouble you two have caused? We're lucky they don't kick us off the plane!"
"He's right," Brian agreed, eyeing them both warily - though Josh more so than Elenore.
"We're sorry," Josh apologized for the both of them, as he felt Ellie's grip on his hand tighten.
"Sorry's NOT good enough!" Kevin growled. "You two are NOT sitting with each other the rest of this flight OR on the way back!"
"No you are not," Brian agreed once more.
"Buts Kevy!" Elenore cried. "I wants to sits with Joshy!"
"Well, you've LOST that privilege, young lady!" Kevin snapped. "And furthermore, you do NOT call ANYONE a jackass! EVER! Especially NOT on a plane!" Elenore ducked behind Josh then, starting to become a little scared. Her Kevy had never acted like this before - not since that one time when he was trying to get her into bed, as they had to leave early the next morning for Kentucky.
"Come Joshua," Brian ordered. "You're sitting with me."
"But Brian!" Josh attempted to argue, only to receive a firm glare in return.
"Now, Joshua," Brian stated firmly. Josh tried to move, but Elenore quickly yanked him back. "NO! JOSHY!" She wrapped her arms about him tightly. Kevin and Brian both moved forward to pry the two apart. Sarah, Dakota, and Ryan all watched in silence, while A.J. rocked Laila as the shouting was scaring her.
"NOOO!" Elenore shrieked, clinging even tighter to her Joshy, as tears filled her eyes and started to stream down her small face.
"LET GO OF HIM!" Kevin roared a few minutes later, when they'd been unable to pry Elenore off of Josh. "NOW!" Elenore started to cry even more, especially when she saw Kevin's one hand move. He wasn't actually going to strike her or anything, but seeing as how his yelling had frightened her, she figured this was it. She immediately let go of Josh and grabbed hold of her bottom, in order to try and protect it.
"NOOOOOOOOOOO!" Kevin grabbed her up then and headed for a seat that was far away from where Brian and Josh were going to be sitting. Elenore went into full-blown temper tantrum mode then, not knowing what else to do. She kicked and screamed for him to let her go Kevin the whole while shouting at her to knock it off.
"ELENORE EDNA REENA IRENE ELAINA ELLERBEE!" He yelled finally, his green eyes blazing. "SHUT-UP!"
"I WANTS JERRY!" Elenore wailed, still trying to break free of his firm grasp.
"NO!" Kevin exclaimed loudly. "You are NOT sitting with him! You are being PUNISHED right now!"
"Kev," A.J. started, only to be shot a death glare from his older bandmate.
"THEN I WANTS LIL' ROK!" Elenore screeched.
"NO ELENORE!" Kevin screamed at her. "YOU'RE BEING PUNISHED, SO 'NO' FUN THINGS!"
"BUTS LIL' ROK'S SCARED!" Elenore sobbed, still struggling with all her might - her feet and fists in full swing. Kevin held her out away from him.
"YOU STOP THIS TANTRUM, RIGHT NOW YOUNG LADY! RIGHT NOW!"
"Kevin!" Howie shouted, trying to get the older man's attention.
"I WANTS MY JOSHY!" Elenore shrieked. "JOSHYYYYYYYYY!"
"YOU'RE DISTURBING EVERYONE ON THIS PLANE!" Kevin growled loudly. "STOP IT!" Elenore was starting to realize she couldn't escape Kevin's grip, and screamed again.
"LEO!" Josh stood abruptly and moved quickly, avoiding Brian's hands that attempted to grab him and keep him from Kevin. He hurried over to where Kevin stood screaming at Elenore as he held her, and kicked the man hard as he could in the shins.
"YOU LET HER GO, YOU JERK! YOU'RE SCARING HER!" Kevin turned to yell at Josh then, only Nick quickly shoved Josh out of the way, in case Kevin were to take a swing as it was obvious he'd long since lost his temper. Elenore took the moment of distraction to do the only thing she could think of to do to escape - she bit her Kevin - and hard.
"SONOFABITCH!" Kevin roared, as Elenore squirmed down and ran for Jerry in tears, her sobs racking her small frame. Nick grabbed Kevin then and shoved him down into his seat.
"SHUT-UP!" Kevin looked up a bit startled, as Nick didn't usually yell at him - not like that.
"You're scaring the shit out of her, Kevin!" Nick told him, giving the older man an icy look. "She made a mistake, yes. She should not have sworn, yes. But YOU, her KEVY, should NOT be yelling at her! Especially NOT right in her face! She's FIVE years old, Kevin! Remember?! FIVE!"
"I was worried sick, Nick! I've EVERY right to yell!" Kevin argued.
"To a point, yes," Nick replied calmly. "But NOT when she's looking at you with her eyes wide as saucers, Kevin! And was her grabbing her bottom not hint enough for you, that you were SCARING her?!"
"She did not - " Kevin tried to protest.
"SHE DID KEVIN! DAMMIT!" Nick yelled, but not too loud - they already had enough scared kiddies as it was.
"She - "
"She thought YOU of all people was actually going to HIT her!" Nick snapped angrily. "Kevin, NO matter what, you can NOT do that to her, man! When you get like that, she CAN'T tell the difference between you and her father! Even if the man DID give her up finally, it does NOT mean she doesn't still fear him and fear that you will turn out to be just like him! Don't you DARE go proving her worst fears to be true! The scarier you are, the more she's going to pull AWAY from you! You dumbass!" Kevin glared at Nick, though his look softened and his heart just about broke as he suddenly heard Elenore's heart-wrenching sobs. He glanced over to where Jerry had her, as he tried to calm her down - he'd even let her have her pug back, but even the small puppy seemed to bring no comfort to the terrified little one.
"I did...damn..." Kevin muttered, his own eyes filling with tears now, as he realized he turned into the monster Elenore feared - only he hadn't dared strike her. He looked away from Nick then feeling completely ashamed of himself. He'd only been terrified beyond belief – he never meant to scare his little princess. What with losing her once to Sean, and the fear he kept inside all this time of losing her again…he just snapped. Snapped…he didn’t mean it. Scooting over to the window seat then, he stared out at it, a blank look upon his face as tears rolled down his cheeks. Nick stared at him for a few moments, still in shock at the older man’s behavior. He has never in his life seen Kevin that angry before, and he’s made him pretty angry in the past too. Too many times to count. But never like that. Shaking his head, Nick walked back to Ashley who was trying to sooth Bella who was frightened from all of the shouting. Nick took her out of her carseat and held her too her, quietly rocking her in his arms making soft ‘shushing’ sounds. All the while Kevin sat in his seat staring out his window and listening to Elenore’s cries, his heart completely shattering. He left her alone the rest of the plane ride letting his brother take care of her knowing she didn’t want anything to do with him at the moment. When he feels that she has calmed down, then he will go try and make things better. He has to. If he loses his Ellie’s trust for good there will be no point in him breathing. The rest of the plane ride was quiet – minus Elenore’s cries, though they were less panic-sounding now as Jerald had finally managed to get her to calm down some. When they arrived in New York, and the plane landed and they were all standing in the airport – bags in hand and dogs back in their kennels, Howie spoke up.
“Why don’t we go to Mc Donald’s to get some lunch? And the kids can play? They need it.”
“Good idea,” Riley agreed.
“What about the puppies?” Ashley asked softly, as she leaned into Kevin some, casting Kevin intimidated looks. She had always felt very safe with him…until she witnessed a side of him she never saw before. Nick kissed her forehead softly as Laney answered.
“We’ll take them and your stuff back to the hotel…and get your keys and stuff – Drew and I. Marcus, Raul, and Q can go with you all of you.”
“Kay,” Ashley replied while handing Abbie over and she gently rubbed her hand over Bella’s tiny head as she was settled in the baby sling that Nick wore, as he also held her baby carrier in his other hand. Laney and Drew got all of their stuff and placed them all on carts and they pushed them toward the exit of the airport. Everybody followed them, but they all got into the Backstreet Tour bus that was waiting for them and headed for Mc Donald’s, while Laney and Drew took a cab.
Author's Chapter Notes:
Here's the next chapter.
It was co-written with Lenni.
Enjoy =)
It was co-written with Lenni.
Enjoy =)
