Chapter Two-Hundred-Forty-Five
When Peyton had finished up her tables she went skipping on over to Brooke who was helping Jaime finish up theirs.
“Brookie I love you so much and you’re the best sister in the whole wide world!” she announced while throwing her arms about Brooke and hugging her. Brooke made an ‘oomph’ sound as she was squished but otherwise didn’t complain as she is being the little sister that she knows and loves – perky Peyton.
“Yes Peyton, go on and have fun. Jaim will keep an eye on Morgan for you,” she insisted, knowing she was going to ask. Peyton squealed in excitement, kissed Brooke on the cheek and she hurried out of the cafeteria and out of the Orphanage. Brooke laughed and shook her head and she looked at Jaime who just rolled his eyes.
“What is so great about this Brandon guy? I mean jeez…”
“Well I can name one great thing…Peyton hasn’t been her happy perky self for quite awhile now and now look at her? He brought her back to life again. Even you have to admit that.”
“But a lunch date? You don’t ask a girl on a lunch date unless it’s business,” Jaime criticized. Brooke rolled her eyes.
“Sure if you want to be old fashioned. Lunch is just fine and knowing Brandon he will make it count. Besides…what gives you the right to preach? I haven’t seen you with any girls lately.”
“All I know is he better not hurt my baby sister or I will hurt him,” he insisted and Brooke rolled her eyes, but otherwise didn’t complain. Better Peyton then her. Maybe she should see about hooking Jaime up with someone just so she can get him off both of their backs. And then maybe they could be over protective of him and give him a taste of his own medicine. See how he likes it. Meanwhile, Peyton who had run all the way back to Brooke’s apartment fished her set of keys out of her purse and unlocked the door with the copy that Brooke had given her and she went inside, shut the door, and rushed upstairs frantically to get ready. She should have told Brandon three hours – or four. What was she thinking? What on earth is she going to wear? She hasn’t been on a date since high school. Suddenly panicking, Peyton grabbed her cell phone from her pocket, turned it on, and began to call Brooke for her opinion.
~*~*~*~*~
By the time everybody had caught up to Nick and were on the bus they found him knelt down between Dakota and Sarah and he was just staring at them both with frustration on his face. Dakota’s arms were crossed over her chest and she was looking at everything but her father while Sarah just stood there quietly.
“Here Sarah, I found this in the ball pit. You must’ve dropped it,” Josh announced while handing over her notepad. Sarah smiled at him appreciatively and hugged her notepad close to her chest – her voice! It’s not lost after all! She seriously didn’t know what she was going to do without her notepad. It is practically her life and without it she is lost. She then scribbled ‘thanks’ on her paper and held it out for him to see.
“Your welcome,” he replied and Nick wrapped his arms around both girls before standing up with them and carrying them back to the bunks with him. Once back there he took them to his usual bunk, opened the curtain, and set both girls inside.
“You two can sit in here without your friends until you decide to confess,” he told them firmly. He gave them both a look telling them that he means business and then he closed the curtain on them and continued on through to the sitting room. He opened the door, closed it behind him and went over and sat on the couch still fuming. After a long while the door opened. He looked at it to see Ashley enter and his face softened somewhat. It’s almost impossible for him to be angry when looking at her.
“May I come in? Or are you wanting to be alone?” She asked softly. Nick shook his head.
“Come her sweetheart,” he told her gently and she went over to him. He lay sideways on the couch with his head cradled in the palm of his hand and he patted the place next to him. She went over and sat down and he shifted her so she lay next to him on her back. She reached up with her one hand and caressed his cheek with her forefinger and thumb.
“I suppose you heard what happened…” he guessed, and Ashley nodded.
“Do you really think Sarah did it?”
“I know Sarah did it. And Dakota is covering up for her – very well I might add. I know they’re guilty I just can’t prove it.”
“That seems to happen a lot with Dakota…” Ashley mused.
“Yes it does, she commits the most perfect crimes ever and always knows how to cover up for herself – or others and it drives me crazy. I mean…should I be worried about this? It was fine when she was pulling innocent pranks, but not when people are actually getting hurt.”
“It wouldn’t hurt to talk to her about the seriousness of the situation…but I don’t know if you will ever get the truth out of her. I think there is a sisterly pact going on right before our eyes here. Secrets between sisters are a very sacred thing. You should probably know that your attempt at punishing them isn’t working – they’re sitting in that bunk giggling away and having a good old time.” Nick rolled his eyes some.
“I probably should have separated them…” he muttered while shaking his head. “But on the other hand, I do enjoy the fact that they’re getting a long.”
“Me too,” Ashley smiled. “I have a feeling tonight’s the night Nick. That you’re going ot be given permission to adopt her.”
“I hope so…” He smiled down at her some as he lightly brushed a strand of her hair out of her face.
“Where is Baby Bells?”
“I left her with Alex. I kind of had no choice – the whole injured arm thing is really beginning to suck – not that it didn’t before, but I’m just really starting to feel it…you know what I mean?”
“I’m sorry baby,” Nick replied sympathetically, suddenly aching inside. He is always going to feel guilty about the shooting because he knows it wouldn’t have happened if he hadn’t upset her. If he was there to protect her. No matter what she tells him, that’s always going to be how he feels. He gazed down at her for a few moments, and then carefully began to help her take her arm out of her sling knowing that she prefers it that way without her even having to tell him.
~*~*~*~*~
Meanwhile out in the other room, Josh, Elenore, and Spencer were all sitting in front of the TV playing playstation and Ryan was lying on the floor with his head rested on a pillow and Laila snuggled against his chest sleeping peacefully. He was lying there just gazing down at her in a total trance, completely unaware of what is going on around him. After a long while though, Howie became a little concerned.
“Ryan?” he asked gently, causing him to look up at him.
“Hmm?” he asked, struggling to come out of his daze.
“What’s on your mind? You seemed to be somewhere else for awhile there…you okay?” Ryan nodded in response, stared at Howie for a few seconds, then shook his head looking as though he is going to cry. But he knows that he isn’t because Ryan wouldn’t cry in front of everybody. Not if he can help it.
“What’s wrong?” Howie asked worriedly and he went over and sat next to Ryan hugging his legs to his chest and looking down at him with concern, making sure Ryan can see just how much he cares.
“It’s not important…” Ryan insisted.
“Of course it is. If something is bothering you I might be able to help.”
“You can’t help me with this,” Ryan shook his head.
“How can you know that if you wont even tell me? I could do my best…”
“Can you bring my dad back?” Ryan asked softly. Howie fell silent then not knowing exactly what to say to that. It kills him when Ryan gets in these moods because it makes him feel so helpless.
“If I could…I would without a second thought buddy, you know that.” Ryan didn’t reply, he only looked back down at Laila as a single tear rolled down his cheek and Howie shifted himself so he was lying next to him and he wrapped an arm around him and pulled him close for a hug. It was all he could do to let him know he is there. Ryan curled up beside him and closed his eyes feeling safe. Howie makes him feel safe.
“When can I call mom?” he asked softly.
“When we get to the hotel.”
“Why’s it taking so long to get there?”
“Because my manager is…a silly man and decided to reserve us a hotel that is thirty minutes away from the airport.” AJ, who sat over on the couch holding Bella snorted at Howie’s choice of words.
“That’s a very kind way to put it.”
“Well, Alex, unlike you I watch my language around the kids.” AJ rolled his eyes and repeated Howie’s words in such a mocking way that it came out as gibberish and not actual words and he looked down at Bella as he did, causing her to smile up at him. AJ flinched slightly, as he wasn’t expecting such a reaction from an infant who is only three in a half weeks old.
“She smiled at me! Guys, she totally smiled at me!” Kevin rolled his eyes some.
“Nonsense J, infants don’t smile until they’re at least three-four months old.”
“Well this one did! I’m serious you guys I totally witnessed a smile.”
“Maybe it was just gas,” Riley insisted.
“It was not,” he scowled, and he looked down at Bella. “Well, we know you smiled. I guess that’s all that matters huh?” he spoke to her in baby talk. “Yes, you’re a genius baby all right…little baby einsteinette is what you’re I’m sure of it.” Brian chuckled.
“Well J, when she starts talking about science you let us know immediately okay? That will have to go in the genius book of world records right away.” AJ rolled his eyes and kept his gaze on Bella.
“You don’t pay any attention to those meanie heads. I know you are super smart.”
“You too?” Ashley asked suddenly, while walking into the room with Nick at her side causing everybody to look at her. AJ narrowed his eyes immediately.
“Why aren’t you wearing your sling?” He demanded.
“Nicky took it off for me,” Ashley shrugged. “Doctor J said I could so long as I take it easy,” she added, and she went over and sat next to him. She then gazed down at Bella as AJ sat there holding her with her head supported in his one hand, and his other rested underneath her diaper-padded bottom.
“Now, why is it that you also believe my Baby Bells is a genius?” she asked curiously.
“I totally got her to smile just a couple of moments ago – but nobody believes me. They all say babies don’t smile until they’re at least three to four months old, but this baby did and it was not gas.”
“Oh I know that,” Ashley replied simply. “I got her to smile for me once too. Momma Denise witnessed it and everything.” AJ smirked and looked down at Bella again and he bent down and kissed the top of her head.
“Man I love this baby. Can I keep her?” Ashley giggled.
“You’ll have to fight me for her first.” Nick chuckled.
“Well, that’s a definite losing battle, J. Don’t even try it.”
“That’s okay, I think I’ll be all right in the end,” AJ replied and Nick noticed the hidden message to that meaning immediately, as did Brian. AJ brought Bella up so she was resting against his chest and he sat back on the couch and placed soft kisses on her forehead every few seconds knowing he has nothing to worry about. He is holding his second beautiful niece and he is already in love with her.
“So Nick…where is Dakota and Sarah?” Brian asked, quickly changing the subject as he knows if Ashley starts getting curious they are all doomed. Nick sighed defeatedly.
“Having a pillow fight in the bunk room. They’re having so much fun that they’ve torn practically every bed apart in there. It looks like a tornado went through it leaving nothing but pillows and blankets behind.” Brian laughed.
“Still no confession?”
“No,” Nick answered grudgingly.
“Do you want to hear my theory?” Howie spoke up, and Nick looked over at him.
“Sure,” he shrugged.
“This Hilary girl…Marcus mentioned that she was slightly stuck up and was no way at all interested in playing with Dakota. That Dakota says she was being mean and bossy to her,” Howie began. Nick nodded.
“Yeah?”
“He also said that she was last seen with her brother at the top of the slide complaining to him about Dakota and Sarah."
“Mhm.”
“And Dakota claimed that they weren’t with her…and the brother didn’t see them either. Well, I’m thinking that maybe they were hiding and heard the whole thing. Sarah got mad about the mean things this girl was saying about Dakota and came out of hiding…smacked her, and said those mean things. It’s the perfect crime you see…because she waited until the brother was down the slide and back at the table and there were no other witnesses to see what happened.”
“That could be possible,” Q spoke up then, agreeing with Howie. “Sarah does get very protective of the people she cares about. If you remember, she got in a fight with Ryan because he had upset Ellie.”
“But something still doesn’t add up. Sarah doesn’t talk…so how could she have said those things to her?” Nick questioned.
“Correction: She doesn’t talk to us,” Kevin replied. “What if she’s talking to Kota? They’re getting a long pretty well now…and she also spoke when Kota was getting hurt. I’m beginning to see a routine here.”
“If she’s only talking to Kota now, it had to have just happened today – after the Mc Donald’s incident because I know for a fact that she hasn’t been in the past,” Ashley insisted, joining in on the conversation. Nick sat there thinking for a few moments in silence just mulling things over in his head and then he looked at everybody and placed his finger to his lips telling them all to be quiet. Everybody looked at him curiously but otherwise did as they were told. Nick got up and walked over to the door to the bunkroom, feeling thankful that he is wearing only socks and not shoes. When he got there, he placed his hand to the knob, slowly turned it and opened the door just a tiny crack so that he could peek in with just one eye. He then saw Dakota and Sarah lying side by side on the floor under Brian’s bunk. They’re on their stomachs with their backs to him but he can see that Sarah is writing things down and Dakota is talking to her – and doing the best she could to read what she is saying. Nick shut the door again very quietly and Dakota and Sarah waited a few moments until they heard the conversation (that they could hear very clearly from where they’re at) in the other room start back up again and they could hear Nick’s voice from far away again.
“That was close.”
“Yes it was.”
“Why won’ts you talk to anyone else?” Dakota asked quietly.
“I’m not ready to yet…I’m scared,” Sarah answered softly and she shrugged her shoulders before rolling over on the floor so that she was lying on her back instead. Dakota copied her.
“But you’re ready to talks to me?”
“I have to talk to someone…it might as well be you. Especially since you’re the one who keeps getting me to in the first place.” Dakota smiled bashfully, her cheeks turning bright red.
“Don’t tell anyone though, okay?” Sarah begged, and she looked at Dakota with slight fear in her eyes.
“Your secret is safe with me Sarah…I promise,” Dakota reassured and she took her hand into hers, laced their fingers together, and squeezed her hand gently before resting her head against hers as the two of them lie there together in silence.
~*~*~*~*~
Meanwhile back in Florida, by the time Peyton had finished getting ready to go, the doorbell rang and she gathered up her purse and headed downstairs. She had decided on wearing a black and white checkered dress with two belts around her waist – a thin silver jeweled belt, and a black thick one underneath it that has an eagle design on it. The dress has three pink polka dot buttons just below the top seam going in a sideways straight line and she has on a blue denim vest to complete the outfit. For shoes she chose to wear her wrestling boots that give her a sporty kind of look and she left her hair curly of course. She’s noticed that Brandon seems to be very fascinated with her curls. For makeup she put on black eyeliner, a light shade of pink lipstick, and she put a couple of beaded bracelets on to complete her look. Feeling very confident and pleased with her decision – and Brooke’s honest opinion, she grabbed up her black drawstring purse and rushed downstairs to the living room and to the door. She opened it up and smiled at the sight of Brandon, who she sees has actually visited a shower and hairbrush for the first time in two days too.
“Hey you,” she greeted and he took a moment to take in her appearance and had to literally remind himself to breathe. He honestly didn’t think she could get anymore beautiful. Managing to compose himself after a few seconds, his eyes fell upon her captivating green ones.
“You look so beautiful,” he insisted with so much sincerity that she felt herself turning to mush again just as she always does around him and she blushed slightly.
“Why thank-you Mister Johnson. You don’t look so bad yourself – you certainly know how to clean up nicely.” He chuckled softly and held his hand out to her.
“Ready?” he asked and she nodded.
“Yup,” she told him and she took his hand and stepped outside of the apartment. She locked it up and then allowed him to lead her to his car.
“Do you have your camera with you?” he asked curiously, as he opened the door to the passengers side for her and she got in.
“Always…I don’t go anywhere without it. Why?”
“Just checking,” Brandon replied mysteriously and when she was settled in the front seat he shut her door and hurried around to his side of the car before getting in and driving off toward the secret place he is taking her.
Author's Chapter Notes:
Here's the next chapter.
Enjoy =)
Enjoy =)
