Chapter Two-Hundred-Fifty-Four
When Howie and Marcus were just ten minutes away from the hotel, Howie opened his cell phone, pressed the number one button before pressing call and placing it to his ear as he walked into the back room to get away from the kids.
“CALLING MY MOM AGAIN?” Ryan called after him, and Howie chuckled and rolled his eyes.
“No, just AJ.”
“Just AJ? Pffft…well it’s nice to hear from you too, D” AJ’s voice suddenly spoke on the other end. Howie rolled his eyes some and went into the back room shutting the door behind him.
“Are you decent? Because we’re about ten minutes away.”
“Yeah, I’m decent. I finished talking to Brookie about an hour ago and had a shower and everything.” Howie rolled his eyes.
“I can’t believe you had digital sex in our hotel room.”
“Would you prefer me to have real sex?” AJ asked amusedly.
“No, you know Brooke isn’t ready for that. I cant believe she was even okay with digital sex.”
“She wasn’t at first, but once we got started she was amazing at it.”
“Okay…I did not need to hear that,” Howie laughed, smacking his hand to his forehead and closing his eyes.
“So, how is Laila?” AJ asked, and Howie can just hear the smile in his voice. He has a feeling he is going to be in a chipper mood from here on out now.
“She is ecstatic. Ryan won her a gigantic teddy bear…and I mean this teddy bear is HUGE. It’s like almost as big as Ryan himself.”
“Wow,” AJ breathed, and Howie nodded dumbly, even though AJ can’t see him.
“She is in love with it though. It was love at first sight for Laila and that teddy bear.”
“Ah, but can you blame her? Love is such a beautiful thing,” AJ insisted. Howie rolled his eyes playfully.
“All right lover boy, I’m gonna hang up now. We’ll be there shortly.”
“Okay cool, bye.”
“Bye,” Howie replied and he hung up the phone and went back into the front room to check on the kids. When they arrived back at the hotel, Ryan once again held Laila’s hand leaving his stuff on the bus in a very safe place deciding it would be easier to keep track of his sister if his hands were free. Marcus and Howie once again carried the bear and they went inside the hotel, earning curious and amused glances from other people around them – fans included. Howie knows it would make things a whole lot easier if they had left the bear on the bus seeing as how they’re just going to have to put him back there later on after the Jingle Ball when they pack everything up and leave for NYC. But he also knew that Laila would throw the biggest fit of the century if she could not have her teddy bear up in her room. When they made it up to their Penthouse, AJ opened the door for them, as Howie had made Ryan call him and tell him to do so.
“Holy cow that’s a huge teddy bear,” he had commented as Howie and Marcus carried it through the door and he had swung Laila up into his arms and attacked her with relentless kisses and tickling as he dropped to the floor with her sending her giggling up the storm. After playing with her for a few moments, he got up from sitting on the floor. She went and tackled her teddy bear again, and he looked at Howie.
“Pizza?” he asked, and Howie handed a small Personal Pan sized pizza box over to him. “Pizza!!” AJ exclaimed happily. “Yes! I am starved!” and he went over to the table and settled himself there and he began to eat. Howie shook his head amused and he looked at Laila.
“Come on miss Laila, why don’t we let the teddy bear have a short nap while we get you dressed for the Jingle Ball?” he asked, noticing that he is taking on the ‘responsible one’ role again after AJ just finished riling her up. But someone has to do it.
“Teddy nots sleepy,” Laila insisted stubbornly.
“Oh but I think he is,” Howie replied, going over and swiping her up in his arms, playfully cradling her and she giggled. “Little Miss Laila wore him out.” Laila wrapped her arms around Howie and snuggled into him, popping her thumb in her mouth and he looked at AJ who was on his second pizza by now.
“Hey starved, have we decided on what Laila was going to wear?”
“I put it out on the bed while you were gone,” AJ answered, managing to swallow first. Howie nodded.
“Thanks Nick,” he teased and he began carrying Laila toward the room he shares with Ryan only to have a pillow hit him in the back.
“You wound me Howard!” Howie disappeared in the bedroom. Just as he did, the front door opened and Ashley poked her head in. AJ looked at her curiously.
“Marcus said you weren’t busy anymore – I thought Id come see you.” AJ grinned.
“Come here sweetheart,” he replied, pulling out a chair for her and she went on over and sat next to him.
“Where is Bells at?”
“I left Nick in charge of her.” AJ made a horrified look.
“Oh good god what’d you do that for? Did you leave emergency numbers by the telephone for him?”
“Stop,” Ashley replied sternly but she couldn’t help but giggle and she smacked him in the arm. AJ chuckled.
“I need to teach you to hit better. You hit like a girl.”
“No shit sherlock, I am a girl,” she laughed.
“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean you have to hit like one. You’re never going to wound anyone that way.”
“Who says I wanted to wound anyone?”
“You should just be prepared. It’s important to know how to defend yourself. I’ll teach you to hit and one day you’ll thank me. You give me some time to find a Sean-shaped punching bag for you and then I’ll give you lessons.”
“I’m not going anywhere near a Sean-shaped anything, thank-you very much. I don’t care if it’s fake.”
“You will, and you will learn how to destroy that punching bag so that if and when that time comes where you have to, you’ll be able to kick his ass all on your own.”
“Well good luck getting me to do that, you’ll have to drag me kicking and screaming.”
“I’m sure with Nick’s help we’ll be able to persuade you.” Ashley put her feet up on the chair then, rested her chin on her knee and she looked away from him stubbornly. He knows when she gets in that position, that’s her way of saying back off.
“Honey I know you’re scared. Believe me I get it. And we’re working our butts off on keep you safe and we’re not going to give up, but you have to have some part in it too.” She continued to ignore him, so he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head before resting his chin on it lightly. “I believe that if we’re to truly beat Sean…you need to get over your fear of him. And the only way to do that is fight back…and I want to help you do it. But that’s going to take some major effort on your part too.”
“I don’t want to,” she insisted softly, and she felt her eyes beginning to water up.
“He’s not going to go away if you don’t. Weren’t you the one who was saying how you were ready to be independent and take care of yourself?”
“Yes but…”
“…Then getting over your fear of Sean would be the first step. The reason he has such a strong hold over you, the reason why you’re so vulnerable to him is because you’re terrified of him and he knows it. He uses that to his advantage,” he explained, gently tilting her chin up so she’s looking him in the eyes and he wiped away her tears. “Don’t let him know that. Get over his fear of him and make him see that he can’t have you anymore. That you aren’t taking anymore of his shit.”
“I don’t know if I can do that…”
“I do,” AJ insisted, lightly caressing her cheek. “Nick does, we all do. You’re a very strong girl and you’re very capable of fending for yourself, you just lack the confidence. But if you let me teach you how to defend yourself you will gain that confidence.”
“Can’t it be with just a regular old punching bag? Why does it have to take the form of Sean?”
“Because that’s who you’re scared of the most. That’s who we’re trying to prepare you to stand up to.” Ashley quietly leaned into AJ, resting her head against his shoulder as his arm was still wrapped protectively around her.
“Why can’t I just use my pepper spray?” She asked softly, still trying to find a way out of this even though she knows it’s useless.
“Because you can’t always have your pepper spray with you, can you?” He asked, looking down at her with a raised eyebrow. “You’ve gone and got yourself involved with Backstreet Boys – we travel. They aren’t going to let you bring that on the plane with you. So you need alternative defenses.” Ashley sat there pouting then, knowing she’s lost the battle and Howie who had come out of the room with Laila rested on his hip and had heard the whole conversation spoke up.
“I’m sure Ellie would have fun teaching you ninjitsu if you asked. She’s quite good at it,” he informed, trying to lighten the conversation a little bit. AJ chuckled.
“A little Ninjistu wouldn’t hurt anybody,” he agreed.
“Ashee!” Laila exclaimed cheerfully, when she suddenly noticed her sitting there. Ashley looked over at her and saw that Howie had dressed her in a little denim blue jumper dress with a white long sleeved shirt underneath it. The sleeves have red and white candy cane-ish stripes and she is wearing white tights and little black shoes that are very similar to Elenore’s.
“HI baby…don’t you look adorable,” Ashley replied, managing to smile for the baby that she adores aside from Bella and Laila reached her hands out for her, suddenly wanting her. Howie chuckled and carried Laila over to her and she sat her down in her lap, being cautious of her injured arm.
“I’ll be back – I’m gonna go check on Ryan,” he informed, as he had left him alone to take his shower and he went and disappeared in the bedroom again. Thirty minutes later by the time Ryan had come out of the bathroom ready to go it was time to get going to the arena. After struggling with Laila to agree that the teddy bear should stay behind and continue his nap, they all met everybody down in the lobby. As soon as they were all together, and were on the bus, Ashley sat down on the couch next to Bella’s baby carrier and she sat there gently rocking her while Laila who has attached herself to Ashley all of the sudden, sat in her lap. Nick, who had been eyeing his girlfriend warily ever since she got downstairs with AJ, knows something is bothering her. She may be smiling, but he knows something is different. After a few moments, when he decided it was Sean related, he grabbed AJ lightly by the arm and dragged him to the back room demanding to be told what happened. AJ told him the whole conversation that he and Ashley had, had in detail and immediately got kudos from Nick for coming up with the idea. They then spent the whole ride plotting on how to get such a punching bag and just exactly how they were going to handle Ashley’s fear when it came down to the time when they would have to get her to go near it. Because they both know when that time comes, it’s going to be hell. Half way through the conversation, Kori ended up going back there and demanding to know what is bothering her sister, so AJ and Nick had to explain the whole thing to her too. When they arrived at the arena and were getting off, Nick rejoined Ashley’s side and he took Bella for her before taking her hand and he glanced back at Dakota and Sarah who were close behind them with Marcus trailing them dutifully. As soon as they all stepped off the bus, which was parked in the back of the building, they were met by screaming fans, who were all blocked off by a gate and arena security.
“Ahhh…it’s good to be back,” Brian commented, taking in the sound of their loyal fans.
“Yeah, Bella doesn’t agree with you so much” Nick replied, looking in on an upset Bella and he handed her carseat to Laney who immediately walked off with her toward the door to the building.
“Daddy are we gonna goes and say hi to the fans?” Dakota asked eagerly. Nick chuckled and rolled his eyes some.
“Yes, Kota we’re going to go say to them – for a couple of minutes, and that’s it” He told her, and he lifted her up and placed her on his shoulders and she squealed delightedly. He looked at Ashley then. “Want to come?” Ashley shook her head.
“No baby, I’m gonna go on inside – go make those girls’ dreams come true,” she insisted. Nick smiled at her some, and reached up and caressed her cheek with the back of his hand, loving how supportive she is of his career. He’s never had that before. He also loves that he doesn’t have to constantly show her off, though he honestly doesn’t mind in the least bit as he loves bragging that she is his, but just the fact that she doesn’t need it. He leaned forward and brushed his lips lightly over hers for a short but sweet kiss.
“I love you,” he told her softly.
“I love you more,” she insisted and he shook his head.
“Not possible my dear,” he replied, and he scooped Sarah up and placed her up on his other shoulder and he walked off with them and Q at his side while Marcus stayed at Ashley’s. As soon as the five boys – and Security, Dakota, Sarah, and Elenore approached the anxious fans, the screams became louder if at all possible, and the “oh my gods” and “I love you’s” began. Ashley stood next to Marcus watching Nick amusedly for a few moments as he put on his charm for his fans. She loves watching him do his work. She watched as Kevin held Elenore so she rested on his right hip while he signed autographs to the fans, and she spoke to them as well, earning herself a few ‘awes’ and ‘she’s so cute’ from them. After a few moments, Ashley turned and went inside and Marcus followed dutifully. As soon as she got in there, she found that Harry was sitting on the couch holding Bella as Laney had to go back out and accompany the boys.
“Oh Harry I didn’t mean for you to get stuck with the baby,” Ashley told him and she went over and sat next to him.
“No it’s fine, really. She is adorable.”
“That she is…she is just too adorable to resist,” Ashley agreed, and she bent down and kissed Bella’s forehead softly. Just then, she noticed someone enter the room from the stage, and she looked up to see Lou standing there. He gave her a dark glare, and she sat back next to Harry, brought her feet up on the couch, hugging her legs to her chest and Harry wrapped an arm around her, as he glanced at the asshole that’s done nothing but give his little brother grief.
“Not outside holding Nick’s arm like a little trophy? That’s surprising,” he commented, seeing Nick and AJ gone as the perfect opportunity for him to bully the latest threat to the ‘perfect boy band’ image he has created for the boys.
“I don’t need to be Nick’s trophy,” Ashley insisted bravely, hearing AJ telling her she needs to learn to stick up for herself inside her head. “Nor do I need him to show me off like one. I feel very secure about our relationship – I know he loves me, and I love him, and I respect his career and know when to give him his space. He loves his fans, and I respect that. I know that no matter how much of a charmer he is to all of those girls out there, at the end of the day it’s me he comes home to. So no, I’m not out there by his side. I’m perfectly content in here.”
“Oh no dear, Nick does not love you.” Lou insisted. “You’re just a seventeen year old girl and he is an experienced adult and all you’re doing is depriving him of what he needs. Sooner or later he is going to get frustrated and find someone who can give that to him and leave you. That’s just the way he is. I’m surprised it’s even lasted this long. He is a Backstreet Boy honey – he can have whoever he wants and he doesn’t stick with the same girl for too long. I know him.” Ashley stared at Lou quietly for a few seconds, as she waited for the sting in his words to go away. He had unknowingly hit a nerve, as she had been deep down inside a small part of her secretly worrying about if whether or not she is depriving him or not and how long he is going to stick around. If he would really be able to wait until her birthday for her to give him what he wants. She also is worried about what’s going to happen after she gives into him. Are Lou’s words true? No, of course not. He gave her a promise ring. She can’t let him get to her. He is just trying to get inside her head and that is the last thing she is going to let him do.
“Obviously you don’t know him enough.” Lou opened his mouth to reply, when Marcus jumped in and intervened.
“Back off Lou, now. You’ve done your damage, now just go” Marcus insisted, as he could just see the battle going on in Ashley’s head, and he knows she is going to do nothing but worry all night now. Lou threw a dark look at Marcus, and then he turned and left the room again. Marcus rolled his eyes irritably, and then he looked at Ashley and the look on his face softened as he went over and sat next to her. He rubbed his hand over her back.
“Nothing he said is true. He is just trying to upset you. Don’t let him do it. Nick has waited all this time…a man wouldn’t be able to do that unless they really, truly, loved a girl…and honey he loves you very much.”
“Are you sure?” Ashley asked softly, and he gently took her hand into his and held it up so she could see her promise ring.
“He’s not going anywhere sweetie,” he reassured, and Ashley clung onto his words with all the hope she has in her. She had been very good about being confident about hers and Nick’s relationship. It was only a small part of her that had her doubts. But that small part of her…had been nagging at her for a very long time. She had always been able to ignore it…but Lou’s words just poured salt on her wounds, and it’s going to take a little reassuring for her to bounce back. But she will. She has to because she doesn’t like being unable to trust Nick.
Author's Chapter Notes:
Here's the next chapter.
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