Chapter Two-Hundred-Sixty-Four
“Ashee? What are we shopping for?” Dakota finally asked when they were halfway to the mall and they were just sitting in the limo quietly. Marcus chuckled.
“I was waiting on her to ask that with you and Nick talking about her like she wasn’t even there and all.” Ashley smirked and rested her forehead against Dakota’s as she sat in her lap staring expectantly up at her.
“For me to know, and you to find out” she told her mysteriously, and Dakota scowled.
“Aw come Ashee, don’ts be like that,” She pouted and Ashley giggled.
“Oh, I’m gonna be like that all right.”
“Please Ashee?” Dakota begged, sticking her lower lip out in a pout.
“No way Jose,” Ashley replied. “That pout is not going to work on me little miss. I invented that pout. Why do you think I do it so well, huh?” She teased.
“Do I gets to be a princess?” Dakota questioned, hoping she can guess it out of her. Ashley smiled at her some, but otherwise said nothing and Dakota scowled, heaved a sigh, and sat there staring out the window. When they arrived at the mall, the limo driver dropped them off at the door, before driving off and Ashley set Dakota down, took her hand into hers holding onto it tightly.
“Don’t let go of my hand, Kota.”
“I won’ts,” Dakota promised. Marcus walked behind Ashley while Kori wrapped an arm around her and they all headed into the mall. They walked through the mall looking for the right store, and when they found it Denise led them inside. Dakota looked around, her eyes wide in astonishment. She has never seen so many beautiful dresses in her entire four years of life. She watched as Denise met one of the ladies who run the store halfway and listened to the conversation in hopes of getting a clue as to what they’re doing there. She can tell by looking around that these clothes are costumes – used for Broadway, and it makes her very curious.
“Can I help you?” she heard the lady ask politely, and she noticed her eyes linger on Ashley with suppressed excitement and couldn’t help but roll her eyes some. She tightened her hold on Ashley’s hand and rested her head against her leg knowing it probably would be worse if her daddy was there. Not that she minds, but sometimes the attention can be a little annoying when she is out with Ashley or her daddy and just wants them for herself.
“We’re looking for a gown that looks very much like Belle’s gown in Beauty & The Beast. You know the yellow one? We have a little princess here, who is going to be needing it soon.” Dakota looked up at Ashley raising her eyebrow and Ashley looked down at her smiling, knowing what Denise said would definitely cause interest in the little girl that she adores. The sales lady looked at Dakota then with a mixture of amusement and curiosity as to what the Backstreet Boys could be doing to dress a four-year-old up in such an exquisite and expensive gown.
“For this little girl right here?” she asked, indicating toward Dakota, careful not to use her name and give herself away anymore then she probably already did.
“Mhm,” Denise smiled.
“Well I’ve gotta say, I’ve never had a four-year-old customer before, so this should be fun. I don’t know if we have any dresses in her size, though. Right this way ma’am.”
“I understand, but this event is very special. If you don’t have any, is it possible we could have one made to fit her?” The sales lady looked curious as to what this special occasion is, but knowing she has to remain professional she held her tongue on the question that was just dying to come out.
“Absolutely,” she replied and she led the way to the Beauty & The Beast costumes. When they got there, there were a few kids’ gowns, but just as the lady said none that were small enough to fit a four-year-old.
“Yeah, see, these are all for older kids but with some fixing up I’m sure we could figure something out,” She told them while looking through the gowns. Ashley gathered Dakota up in her arms and went over to look at them as well.
“Which one do you like best angel?” Ashley questioned, looking down at Dakota and Dakota smiled at her some as Ashley has never called her ‘angel’ before and she looked at the costumes, considering her question.
“This one looks most like the movie,” Dakota announced, pulling the dress out slightly to show Ashley. The Sales lady pulled it off the rack and held it out so they could see the full length. It’s the yellow gown just like Belle’s, and has the ruffled satin shoulder straps that come down to the side of her shoulders, and the bottom part of the gown is big and puffy just exactly like the real deal. It has satin ribbon dangling all around it in a fanciful manner.
“It doesn’t just look most like the movie, that looks like the real deal,” Kori replied in amazement. Dakota beamed, her eyes wild with excitement. She doesn’t quite know what this is all about, but at this point she doesn’t really care. Just so long as she gets to try that beautiful dress on.
“Do you want to try that on Kota?” Ashley asked, and Dakota looked up at her nodding her head excitedly, her ponytail shaking as she does. Ashley laughed a little.
“Okay,” she replied and she looked at the sales lady who smiled some and motioned toward the dressing rooms with the curtains.
“Go right on ahead. And as soon as she gets it on, we’ll figure out what needs to be changed and all that jazz.”
“Do you want help Ash, or can you handle it?” Denise questioned.
“I’ve got it,” Ashley replied smiling, and she carried Dakota into the dressing room after taking hold of the dress. When they were in there, she closed the curtain and set Dakota down in the big room before hanging the dress up on the hanger and Dakota began undressing herself, anxious to get that dress on her. Never before has she ever been excited about wearing girly clothes. And this is the girliest of them all. She’s surprised her daddy isn’t there with a video camera filming the entire thing.
“Ashee, why are we lookin’ at Belle dresses?” Dakota asked again, having a feeling that she isn’t going to get an answer, just like the first time she asked, but she couldn’t help it. She is anxious. But Ashley surprised her.
“We’re going to be doing a play soon. A Beauty & The Beast play,” she began and she paused for dramatic effect and just as she knew it Dakota gaped.
“Seriously?”
“Seriously. And Ellie, Chris, and I have all voted you to be Belle. How do you feel about that?”
“Of course I wanna be Belle!” she exclaimed excitedly, and she threw her arms about Ashley for a hug. Ashley giggled.
“I thought so.” After a few moments when she pulled away, she looked at her curiously.
“Who is going to be the Beast?”
“Josh,” Ashley answered simply, and Dakota fell very silent as she was overcome with the familiar feeling that she recently learned were butterflies.
~*~*~*~*~
Meanwhile back at the hotel, Kevin had gone off shopping and Elenore and Jerald were back in the other room with the rest of the boys again. Elenore and AJ had just finished baking cookies and were just waiting on them to be finished baking. AJ had gone into Kevin’s room and started raiding his closet and stuff, and Elenore had gone over and tackled Josh from behind as he was sitting on the floor playing video games with Chris. Josh yelped.
“DANGIT Ellie, look what you made me do!” He whined, as his Mario’s car went flying into the hot lava. Chris on the other hand snickered and his Yoshi guy went flying past the place where Mario had been just a little ahead. Elenore giggled.
“Sorry,” she apologized, and Josh scowled and as he waited for Mario to recover, he reached up grabbed Elenore and pulled her forward, causing her to fall face first over his shoulder.
“Whoaa!” she exclaimed, and erupted with giggles as she landed sideways in his lap. Josh shook his head, trying his hardest not to be amused and he glanced at the TV and noticed his Mario just finished recovering and he began concentrating on the game again.
“If you’re going to be there, stay still Ellie, I mean it!” He ordered, his eyes never leaving the television. She smirked and continued to lie there across his legs, as they’re stretched out in front of him and she watched him try his hardest to fix the damage his future cousin had done.
“And why’d it have to be me, anyway? Why couldn’t you mess Chris up or something?”
“Cause I know you wont hit me for it.”
“Only because I am playing a game. If I wasn’t, consider yourself tackled.” Elenore watched as Chris flew past the finish line and Josh exclaimed in annoyance.
“THANKS a lot Ellie!” he exclaimed exasperatedly and Chris just grinned.
“Yeah, thanks a lot Ellie,” he added with amusement and Josh groaned.
“You’re mighty grumpy Joshy-washy,” Elenore stated the obvious and he narrowed his eyes at her.
“Gee, I wonder why that is.” She just giggled.
“You’re going to make the perfect Beast,” she insisted, reaching up and poking him lightly in each cheek as she did and Josh swatted her hands away.
“I already told you I’m not being the Beast.”
“Yes you are,” Chris insisted.
“No I’m not,” Josh blushed.
“Okay, don’t.” Elenore replied simply and Chris gave her a look and Josh raised his eyebrow. Elenore never gives up that easy when she wants something.
“Elenore—“ Chris began.
“No, no Chris it’s okay,” Elenore replied. “I’m sure we can find someone else to be Kota’s beast,” she replied. Josh nodded.
“Yup, I’m sure you can” he agreed.
“Yeah, you’re so right. I mean, there’s gotta be someone else in the Orphanage who would be ten times better ats kissing her then you’re right?” She asked. Chris suddenly caught on to what she is doing and suddenly fell silent, grinning triumphantly. Josh narrowed his eyes, and Elenore noticed him suddenly become stiff.
“Yeah, and someone else I’m sure will have no problem dancing with her, and holding her hand…” Chris added. “Infact, I think I might take on that part. I can be pretty beastly when I want to if I do say so myself. And Kota, man…she’s too pretty to pass up.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” Josh insisted.
“Why not? If no one else is going to claim the part…why wouldn’t I want the leading role? And the girl?” That was all Josh could take. Chris knows better…knows better then to take Dakota away from him. Josh has liked her for far too long and Chris has been there to witness the whole thing. He knows she is his. Gently pushing Elenore off of his legs, Josh leaped up from the floor and tackled Chris onto his back and he pinned him down.
“Dakota is MINE, Chris you hear me? MINE! An’ there is NO way I am letting YOU have MY part in the play! The Beast is MY part and nobody else is going to take it away from me! Nobody else can be her Beast better then me! YOU HEAR ME?” Chris erupted into a fit of laughter then. Josh pulled back slightly confused and he raised his eyebrow. He could feel every eye in the room on the two of them now.
“What is so funny?!” he demanded, not liking that he is being laughed at. He was being very serious.
“That is all you had to say, Josh” Chris told him amused. “Don’t worry. I don’t want Kota – I just wanted you to admit that you wouldn’t pass up this moment.” Josh scowled suddenly, as he pulled away from his best friend and he looked at him in disbelief. Disbelief that he would make him go through the jealousy he just experienced. He wanted to punch his lights out that’s how jealous he was. And he never felt that way before.
“I hate you,” he informed, avoiding the amused looks they were receiving from the adults.
“You do now,” Chris replied, shrugging his shoulders. “But let’s see how you feel at the end of the play.”
“Does this mean I get to help you sing Josh?” Brian spoke up, and everybody could hear the hopeful tone in his voice. Josh sighed heavily.
“Yeah…” he replied, still looking away from everyone, feeling embarrassed for his outburst. The most embarrassing thing is he knows he’d do it again in a heartbeat if he felt threatened enough to. Brian’s entire face lit up then. He looked at Chris then.
“Will I be teaching anymore of my sons to sing?” Chris shrugged.
“I thought about trying out for Cogsworth…” he answered, playing with the Nintendo cord in his hand idly. Nick chuckled.
“Which would be perfect if Ellie tries out for Lumiere. Those two characters bicker through out the whole movie.”
“Lumiere is a boys part,” Chris pointed out.
“So what’s?” Elenore challenged, looking at Chris with narrowed eyes.
“Girls can’t play boys parts.”
“Why not?” Howie spoke up, causing all three kids to look at him. “It’s been done before. Girls used to play guys parts all the time in theatre back in the day.” Chris shrugged.
“It’s just weird.” Elenore scowled.
“I’ll try out for Lumiere and makes it you’ll see.”
“Ellie, lower your voice please” AJ spoke up gently, as he walked out of Kevin’s room finally, dressed in Kevin’s clothes. Elenore looked at him in surprise for a moment, and then suddenly remembered she is supposed to be taking orders from him now.
“AJ-Kevy, can we goes to the park?” she asked after a few moments.
“Not today honey, we have sound check to go to in a couple of hours.”
“In a couple of hours, but nots now” Elenore pointed out.
“No…you’re right. But we still have to stay here.” The other three Backstreet Boys sat there staring at AJ in astonishment. They don’t remember ever hearing the word ‘no’ come out of AJ’s mouth before.
“Why?” Elenore challenged.
“Because if we go to the park you’ll get all dirty. And then we’ll have to come back here and give you a bath and we don’t have time for all of that. Plus, we have cookies in the oven, remember?”
“Buts AJ-Kevy, I wants to go!” Elenore whined.
“Well, I’m sorry, but it’s just not going to happen today.” He looked at her then, giving her a stern look and she sat there scowling at him. When she didn’t argue anymore further, he nodded.
“Okay,” he whispered, feeling relieved, and he walked into the kitchen to check on the cookies. Jerald let out a breath that he didn’t know he was holding. At least she is going to start him off easy. That’s a good thing. The last thing they need is an entire day full of tantrums.
~*~*~*~*~
Meanwhile at the mall in the dress store, when Ashley got the dress on Dakota, she opened the curtain, grabbed hold of the bottom of the dress so she would walk on it, and Dakota slowly walked out of the dressing room beaming.
“It’s actually not that huge on her. I think if we just take a little off the bottom, it’ll be good. In the movie, Belle’s dress came down past her feet, but not enough that she was walking on it, you know what I mean?” Ashley explained to the sales lady of the store.
“Yeah, I get what you’re saying,” She replied. “Here, bring her over here.” Dakota then began to walk to the lady and Ashley followed behind her holding the dress up with her one good hand and she came to a stop in front of her. She bent down then with her little bottle of pins and needles and she began deciding what they were going to do. All the while Dakota beaming and feeling like a real princess.
“So, what do you need this dress for?” the lady asked conversationally, managing to make herself sound as if she were simply just a curious sales lady and not a nosey fan. Ashley knows better though, and hid her amusement. She was very aware from the very beginning, but was able to keep her cool and concentrate on Dakota.
“We’re putting on a Beauty & The Beast play in the Orphanage,” Ashley explained. “Sometime after Christmas. We’re planning on Kota being Belle, but she has to try out for the part so all of the other kids don’t get jealous.”
“Won’t they still be suspicious if you guys choose Kota?” Kori spoke up.
“Yeah, I thought about that. Which is why I think someone else in the Orphanage – another caregiver who isn’t attached to our kids, should run the try outs and pick them. So it will be more convincing.”
“Or,” Dakota spoke up suddenly, causing everybody to look at her. “You could have Ellie and Chris tell them all that the whole point in doing this play is to try and get me and Josh together. An’ since everybody seems to think Joshy an’ I are cute…they all will agree withs you.” Denise, Kori, Ashley, Marcus, and the sales lady all laughed at this.
“Nothing gets by you Kota, does it?” Marcus asked amused.
“I know Chris an’ Ellie well. Soon as Ashee tolds me, I put it all together. Plus…the only reason why I likes Beauty An’ The Beast so much is because that’s mine and Joshy’s story.”
“Yes it is,” Ashley agreed, and she ruffled Dakota’s hair, smiling at her some. They spent ten more minutes in the store deciding on what to do, and then the lady said that she would keep the dress and it would be ready by tomorrow afternoon. Dakota got dressed into her clothes again, and then they went looking around the mall, had lunch, and just hung out for awhile as they still had sometime before they had to meet the boys at the arena.
Author's Chapter Notes:
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