- Text Size +
Author's Chapter Notes:
Here's the next chapter.
Enjoy =)
Chapter Two-hundred-Fifty



Two hours later, when Alicia Keys had come and taken over the stage for her sound check, the boys took Ashley and the kids back to the hotel. By the time they arrived there all of the kids – minus Elenore and Josh were asleep. Which is just as well, because they woke up early and could use a nap before the big evening that’s ahead of them.


“Buts Kevy, I’m nots tired!” Elenore protested stomping her foot a little and Kevin gave her a stern look, causing her to cower into Jerald’s leg.


“You may not feel tired, but you are. Your mind plays tricks on you sometimes,” Jerald explained, rubbing his hand over her back smoothly. “I bet if you went and put a movie in and laid down you would go right to sleep. Your eyes are droopy and everything.”


“I don’ts want to,” Elenore complained resting her head on Jerald’s knee as he was sitting on the couch. Kevin leaned back against the wall, allowing his brother to take care of Elenore, as he is too exhausted and grumpy to deal with her no-sleep tantrum at the moment. Lou has just about used up all of his patience and he needs time to get it back. Which means Elenore needs to if not nap then at least lay in bed and watch a movie.


“Come on pumpkin,” Jerald replied gently, and he gathered her up in his arms while getting to his feet and he allowed her to snuggle into him as she subconsciously popped her thumb in her mouth and he carried her into hers and Josh’s room after taking Josh’s hand. He senses that Kevin is silently giving him permission to take over. He is very much experienced with his brother’s moods. Kevin watched his brother gratefully as he took his baby into her room and he went over and sat on the couch, rested the back of his head against it, and sighed heavily.


“Rough day?” Harry questioned.


“Mhm.”


“What happened?”


“Lou Pearlman.”


“Ah,” Harry replied, understanding immediately.


“I’m just so glad you and Jerry tagged along. I would feel like shit if I started taking my frustration out on Ellie.”


“I take it that’s why Brian isn’t here then?”


“He and Riley went for a walk. Riley is attempting to cheer him up.”


“I’m sure she’ll manage. Riley can make my brother smile without even trying.”


“Don’t I know it,” Kevin replied, his tone lighter now as he knows just how much Riley makes his cousin happy.


“Why don’t you go take a nap Kev? Jer and I will take care of the kids.”


“Are you sure? I can hear Ellie putting up a fight in there. It’s pretty bad when she is fighting with Jerry.”


“All the more reason for you to escape. Go relax and by the time five thirty comes around you’ll be ready to be Ellie’s loving Kevy again.”


“Well okay…if you’re okay with it,” Kevin replied skeptically.


Go” Harry urged, and Kevin nodded before getting up and disappearing in his room, contemplating on getting in the huge hot tub in his bathroom. Harry got up and went into the kid’s room then.


“How about the Chipmunks Adventure, Elle? You love that movie,” Jerald encouraged.


“Will you snuggle with me?” she asked softly, sensing she is not going to win this fight.


“Absolutely,” Jerald reassured.


“How about I go make us all some popcorn. That would be fun wouldn’t it?” Harry suggested.


“Can I have a coke?” Elenore asked hopefully.


“How about apple juice?” Elenore scowled.


“Who drinks apple juice withs popcorn?”


“Little girls who are supposed to be settling down.” Elenore crossed her arms over her chest.


“It’s either apple juice or nothing at all, Ellie, take your pick?”


“Chocolate milk.” Harry shook his head and looked at Josh.


“Josh? Apple juice?”


“Yes please,” Josh answered, as he is much too thirsty to put up a fight.


“Okay, I’ll go get you some. Ellie, if you change your mind and decide you want apple juice you let me know” he told her and he walked out of the room. Elenore scowled and settled back against Jerald’s chest and they waited on Harry to come back with their popcorn and drinks. When he returned, he had two juice boxes in his hand and a big bowl of popcorn.


“This apple juice is for you Ellie when you change your mind,” he told her, placing the extra juice box onto the nightstand. He put the movie in then, and settled himself in Josh’s bed next to him so that he and Jerald sat with the two kids between them.


~*~*~*~*~


Meanwhile in Nick and Ashley’s room, when Nick finished putting two sleeping girls in their beds and a sleeping Bella in her crib, he turned to see Ashley lying across their bed staring up at the ceiling, her arm out of her sling. He went over and lay next to her before gently pulling her so she lay on top of him with her arm rested comfortably against his chest. She looked up at him just as he rested his forehead against hers and lightly caressed her cheek with his forefinger and thumb.


“Are you okay?” he asked gently, and she nodded quietly. “Are you lying to me?” Ashley shrugged her shoulders and looked away from him.


“Baby…you can’t let Lou get to you.”


“I don’t like the way he looks at me. Like I am some disease that needs getting rid of…it scares me.”


“Just try to stay out of his way…and we’ll do our best to keep him out of yours. You’ll be fine I promise.”


“How long is he going to be around?” she asked softly.


“Probably for the remaining of the trip. He won’t be with us on the tour bus though.” Ashley rested her head against his chest and avoided eye contact with him. It was all she could do to keep him from interpreting anymore hidden feelings, or secrets. Neither Nick or AJ had seen the looks he was giving her earlier. He doesn’t like her, and she has a feeling he’s going to let it be known.


“AJ and I aren’t going to let him bully you, I promise,” he whispered softly in her ear and he lay there watching her. He lay there watching her for a long while until she fell asleep and then he lay her down and covered her up before walking out of the room to talk to Laney and Drew, when suddenly AJ walked into the room.


“Hey J…what’s up?”


“How is she doing?”


“She’s asleep.”


“I mean her fear about Lou-wise.”


“I think it’s definitely going to be Doctor Adams all over again.”


“It had better not go that far…we all know how much of a perv that man is…”


“Why do we tolerate him?” Nick asked softly.


“Because we don’t have anyone else to turn to right now.”


“Well I know one thing is for sure…he’s not going anywhere near her.”


“We can’t watch her 24/7, Nick.”


“I know,” Nick replied, looking at Laney and Drew then.


“You guys know we’ve got her covered. We’ve got her so covered that we’ve done everything but put her in a bulletproof vest – though the thought has come to mind. Marcus is strongly considering it.”


“She doesn’t have her pepper spray, does she?” AJ asked, disappointed. Nick shook her head.


“There was no way we were going to get that onto the plane.”


“So, I’m sure she’s feeling pretty vulnerable. Have you all noticed how much she relies on that thing?” Nick nodded.


“She sleeps with it under our pillow.”


“It’s not that I don’t trust you guys and the rest of security, but I’m strongly considering on calling my mom and asking her to fly out here to be with her.”


“Why her?” Nick asked curiously.


“Because, Lou is scared of her.” Nick raised his eyebrow.


“Of all the Backstreet Moms he could be scared of, he picks sweetheart Denise?”


“He pissed her off once and she totally went off on him.”


“Do it then. Call her. We’ll just have to make sure she has a room in either of our penthouses when she gets here.”


“She probably wont be here until we’re in NYC.”


“Well, as long as she comes, that’s all that matters. We’ll just have to keep Ashley in our sight until then.”


“I’ll go call her,” AJ replied while pulling his cell phone from his pocket. He flipped it open and walked out of the room. Laney got on his phone and began calling security guards to order. Nick went back in the room he shares with his girlfriend and he went back over and curled up beside her wrapping her in his arms and he planted a kiss on her forehead as she snuggled into his chest comfortably.


~*~*~*~*~*~



Meanwhile in Florida, Brandon and Peyton had finished eating their lunch long ago and was now just sitting there enjoying the view, Peyton taking pictures with her camera. As they sat there quietly, each of them lost in their own thoughts Peyton suddenly noticed from a distance a huge splash in the water. Her eyes widened.


“WHOA! What was that?”


“What was what?” Brandon asked curiously. Peyton got to her feet then and she rushed to the telescope, and turned it in the direction that she had been looking and just as she did, dolphins in groups of twos and threes, were jumping out of the water. Brandon looked in the direction that he saw her move the telescope in and his face broke out in a grin as he could just make out the splashes.


“Dolphins. Yeah, I see them out there every once in awhile. That’s their favorite spot. I always thought about taking a boat out there.” Peyton tore her gaze and looked at him, suddenly excited.


“We should! Brandon we should go take a boat out there. I’ve never been around dolphins before. I think it would be amazing to get a close up picture.” Brandon grinned, not even bothering to point out the fact that she is thinking like an artist again.


“Then we’ll do it. But not right now…I think the best time would be early in the morning just as the sun is rising. There are tons more out there at that time.”


“Okay,” she replied excitedly and Brandon chuckled, before getting up and taking his place next to her and he peeked into the telescope since she was no longer looking. The two of them took turns looking. “All right, I am officially jealous of you,” She informed and he laughed.


“Do you actually have a boat too, or do you have to rent one?”


“No, we have one – we have a dock with a boat tied to it. It has an underground room that we could sleep in and everything.”


“Sleep in? We’re gonna sleep out there?”


“If you want to. I just think it would be easier – that way we’ll already be there, and we’ll just wake up at the crack of dawn and go up and see if they’re there.” Peyton stood there gazing at him for a few moments, and then she leaned forward and looked through the telescope again and watched in amazement as the dolphins played way out in the ocean. She stood there watching, and Brandon stood behind her watching her for a few moments in silence, until suddenly a big gush of wind went by, making Peyton shiver and lean back against him some. Brandon slid his arms around her automatically and looked down at her concerned.


“Are you cold?”


“Mhm,” she answered, as she could feel the hair on her arms beginning to stand up and Goosebumps forming. Brandon took off his black leather jacket then, and he placed it around her shoulders as she slid her arms around his waist and leaned into him. She briefly wondered how he could be so warm, but also didn’t really care, as it felt very good to be in his arms. She looked up at him, no longer interested in the beautiful ocean before them. How could she be, when she has the most gorgeous and wanted man in Ramsey Orphanage standing there holding her? Her green eyes locked with his as he placed his forefinger and thumb to her cheek and he lightly caressed it, memorizing every feature in her face. Peyton silently gazed up at him, wishing and hoping he would kiss her…wondering what his lips would taste like against hers. Almost as if he were reading her mind, Brandon tilted her chin up and brushed his lips lightly over hers. Taken by surprise, but very pleased by this Peyton slid her arms up and around his neck and kissed him back, exploring. After a few moments, he lay back on the blanket pulling her with him so she was lying beside him on her back. He shifted so he lay on his side, before cupping her cheek in his hand and recapturing her lips for his own as if they had never parted.



~*~*~*~*~*~



Meanwhile in New York, Ashley stirred slightly in Nick’s arms as he lay across their bed just staring down at her. He watched her expectantly, knowing from experience that she is going to wake up any minute now. He’s watched her quite a bit in the past, after all. It is his favorite past time. After a few seconds, she opened her eyes only for them to lock with his gorgeous blue ones and she smiled slightly causing him to smile back.


“You know, any normal girl would be pretty freaked out if she awoke to find a pair of eyes staring down at her, but it just makes me happy,” she informed. Nick chuckled a little and tightened his arms around her waist as she snuggled into him some and he kissed her forehead softly.


“Did you sleep well?”


“Mm…mhm,” she answered softly as she had buried her face in his chest and taken in the smell of his cologne.


“Good…I’m glad,” he replied, hoping that her nap has refreshed her enough that she’ll be able to tolerate Lou later.


“Guess what,” he began, and she looked up at him curiously.


“What?”


“Denise is going to be meeting us in NYC tomorrow morning.” Ashley raised her eyebrow, all of the sudden fully awake at this announcement.


“Really?”


“Mhm. She’ll be there just before us, so she is checking all of us in.”


“How come?”


“Because she’s missed you terribly and decided she can’t wait until you get back. I think you getting shot in the arm has really worried her.” Ashley narrowed her eyes, sensing that he isn’t telling her everything, but she didn’t press him on it. It’s always enjoyable to have Denise around.


“So tell me something mister…” she began, and she scooted closer and rested her forehead against his. He cocked an eyebrow as he looked at her. “When are you adopting Sarah now that you have permission. Hmm?”


“Well, I was thinking about doing it tonight during the show in front of the whole world, but then I figured that would take the spotlight away from Brian and his surprise.” Ashley suddenly looked intrigued.


“What surprise?”


“I’m on strict orders not to say.”


“Is it for Riley?”


“Nope.”


“Josh?”


“Yes and no…” Ashley stared at Nick in wonder for a few moments, and then shook her head.


“Jeez…that man is full of surprises.”


“Mhm. But his surprises almost always puts a smile on each and every face in the room. You have to admit that. He just gives and gives…it’s pretty amazing.”


“Mhm. That’s why he was the first person I knew I could trust after you. My theory was, he is just too sweet to hurt anyone.” Nick smirked and was about to lean forward to kiss her when suddenly something pounced on them. Ashley shrieked and sat up slightly to look and saw that it was just Abbie and she giggled.


“You crazy pup…” she laughed, and she reached out and pulled Abbie closer with her one arm and she kissed her head softly before allowing her to settle herself ontop of her chest and Nick lay there quietly petting her.


~*~*~*~*~*~



Meanwhile in Kevin and Brian’s hotel room, Kevin poked his head out of the door to his bedroom.


“Hey Jer?” Jerald looked back at the sound of his brother’s voice as he was sitting on the floor playing Go Fish with the kids and he could see part of a towel telling him that Kevin is wrapped in a towel.


“What’s up bro?”


“Do me a favor and get Ellie in her swimsuit and then bring her in here, okay?” Jerald raised his eyebrow.


“What for, Kev? It looks to me like you’re too clean to go swimming.” Kevin rolled his eyes some.


“I’m gonna put my swimsuit on, doofis. I want to give Ellie a bath…I’ve already had mine, but I thought it would be fun to sit in with her during hers.” Jerald chuckled and he looked at his future niece then to see her gazing at Kevin with excitement in her eyes. It’s been a couple of days since Kevin has really played with her. He’s been too busy getting ready for Backstreet stuff and he doesn’t know much she’s missed him. Especially since he’s been pretty unhappy with her ever since the plane incident.


“Okie dokie…come on Ellie,” he told her and he stood up before taking her hand and helping her to her feet and he led her into her bedroom. Kevin shut his door and Harry looked at Brian who was sitting in the lazy boy chair with the footrest up and Riley snuggled up with him asleep.


Someone is in a better mood,” he commented, when he noticed Kevin had shut his door again.


“I’m sure he is,” Brian chuckled. “Those hot tubs can do wonders…” he added, looking down at Riley and Harry groaned.


“Dude…there are just some things you don’t share with your brother, okay?” Brian rolled his eyes.


“It’s not like you haven’t shared too much information with me before. Hell I’ve even seen things that I didn’t want to see – at twelve years old!” Harry chuckled at the memory.


“Hey, it’s not my fault you didn’t know how to knock.”


“It was my room too!”


“Yeah…well…you weren’t supposed to be home.”


“You’re lucky I didn’t tell mom. She would have kicked your ass to the moon and back again, if she knew what you did in our room.”


“You didn’t tell mom, because you were supposed to be at school and would have gotten yourself in trouble too,” Harry reminded, and Brian scowled. He then looked at Jerald suddenly who walked out of the kid’s room with Elenore who was dressed in her swimsuit rested on his hip.


“I can’t believe you two are having this discussion with your son and nephew sitting right there,” he told them amusedly.


“He’s not listening,” Brian shrugged, as he indicated toward the headphones on Josh’s ears. They can hear Ashley’s Guns N’ Roses CD blaring out of the speakers. “Joshua, turn those down right now boy before you hurt your ears,” he added loud enough for him to hear now. Josh looked at him and then did as told, turning it down slightly, but everyone could still make out the piercing guitar sounds to November Rain. The song that they just happen to know is Ashley's favorite and has now been adopted as one of Josh’s favorites as well. She’s been educating him on the fine works of Slash since the beginning of the trip and he’s been taking in every moment of it. Jerald chuckled and shook his head, and then he carried Elenore to Kevin’s room. He knocked on the door and waited until he heard Kevin’s voice say ‘come in’, before pushing it open and carrying Elenore into the bedroom. He brought her in the bathroom to see Kevin just finishing up on creating the warm water with lots of bubbles. He dumped a bunch of bath toys into it and he turned and took Elenore from Jerald and he kissed her cheek before sitting her in the tub and getting in with her as he is dressed in his swim trunks. Jerald smirked and hurried off to get his video camera.