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Chapter Two-Hundred-Ninety-Two



After Santa had gotten through nearly every child waiting to see him, he motioned Peppy over to him before he went to grab the next child’s hand to escort him through the path of candy canes and up to sit on Santa’s lap.


“What’s up Santa?” he asked curiously.


“Go ask Ash if she wants Bella to get her picture taken with Santa. It is her first Christmas after all,” Harold whispered.


“Okay, but do you want the next child before I go and do that? I don’t want Dominic to feel left out.” Harold nodded and Jaime put on his cheerful elf face before skipping on down to little Dominic who is next in line, naturally making every child in the room who was watching him laugh. When he reached the little boy he took his hand and escorted him up to Santa just as he does with every child. When Dominic was settled on his lap Peppy bounded off toward Ashley who he spotted across the room talking with Brandon while holding Bella and feeding her, her bottle. When he approached her she looked at him with a mixture of curiosity and amusement, as did Brandon.


“What’s up Peppy?” she asked, the amusement evident on her face. She never had Jaime down as the ‘peppy’ type. She had him down as the tough rocker guy who would kick his sister’s boyfriend’s ass the moment they cross the line but tonight she was clearly proven wrong. He’s not as tough as he makes himself out to be. He may have the long black hair, the tattoos all along his arm, and a tough side, but sign him up as an entertainer for children and he does the job very well.


“Santa wants to know if you plan on bringing Bella up for a picture. It is her first Christmas after all.” Ashley looked down at Bella in her arms, completely taken aback. She didn’t even think to take her up to see Santa.


“Oh man, I didn’t even think about it. I’m pretty new at this caregiver stuff.”


“Well you still have time,” Jaime encouraged.


“Okay I’ll do it. It’s just a good thing I dressed her up cute today,” she replied, again looking down at the baby in her arms, whom she had dressed in an adorable Christmas dress specifically for this party. She is wearing a red Gingham cotton/poly blend newborn baby dress that has bishop smocking decorated with red rosettes. It has raglan sleeves, and a matching red bonnet. She looks like a real live baby doll lying in Ashley’s arms.


“All right, well Santa has one more child after Dominic and then it can be your turn okay?”


“Okay, I’ll be right over” Ashley promised. Jaime beamed and ran off to continue playing elf. Ashley shook her head smiling and looked at Brandon who was looking after him still very much amused.


“From now on…everytime he tries to intimidate me, I am just going to remind him of this day,” he informed. Ashley laughed and leaned up and gave him an innocent peck on the cheek before walking off to wait in line for Bella to have her picture taken with Santa Claus. As she waited she suddenly felt arms slide around her and lips dance lightly against neck and shoulders and she smiled some while leaning back into Nick’s arms knowing right off that it is him. No one else’s lips ever feel that great on her skin. She rested the back of her head against his shoulder and looked up into his eyes and whether he meant for her to see it or not, she saw a little territorial gaze in them. She said nothing however; she only gazed up at him as if he were suddenly the only man in the room. She placed one hand to his cheek before pulling his lips down on top of hers and kissing him in that mind boggling, breath taking, torturing way that always makes him forget for just one moment where he is at. When she pulled back Nick opened his eyes and stared at her with his lips still puckered and left completely breathless. She smiled at him with that look she gets when he knows she thinks he is the sexiest man in the room before turning around and walking up the stage as she noticed the last kid walking off of it and running off to see his friends. It is finally Bella’s turn. After a few short moments he snapped out of it, closed his mouth and ran his fingers through his hair.


“Holy shit…” he muttered so quietly that it would be impossible for any child to pick it up and he turned to see AJ near by staring at him in amusement, as he had been ever since he saw Ashley kiss Brandon’s cheek.


“Find the answer you were looking for?” He asked. Unable to answer AJ’s question at the moment, Nick only turned and walked off muttering only two more months under his breath. AJ laughed hysterically as he noticed him going off toward the bathroom. He has never seen Nick get so turned on before just from a single kiss. Shaking his head in complete amusement he walked off too deciding he would go find his rather busy girlfriend. When Ashley had made it up to Santa she smiled at him.


“Hi Santa,” she greeted, while handing Bella over to him.


“Ho, Ho, Ho! What an adorable baby this is. I’ve never seen such a baby that looked like a real live baby doll before” he informed. “And what does this precious little doll want for Christmas, hmm?” he asked, looking at Ashley for the answer – obviously.


“Bella really likes fluffy friends to cuddle with. The fluffier the better,” Ashley began. “And she really likes stories too, so storybooks would be nice – fairytales are her favorite. She really reacts to those the best. And toys…she could use some new toys. Last but certainly not least, Bella would really like a family - Preferably a very loving brunette mommy and a blonde daddy. Those are her standards not mine I swear.” It took everything in Harold not to laugh with his real laugh and give his cover away. After a couple of deep breaths and some major stifling he looked at Ashley with much fondness and love in his eyes for the girl he’s begun to think of as family.


“Santa will see what he can do about all of those things.”


“Thank-you Santa,” Ashley replied.


“Would Bella like a picture with Santa?”


“Yes please.”


“And how about the potential loving brunette mommy, hmm? Would she like to be in the picture too?”


“Oh no, just Bella is fine” Ashley smiled.


“Aw come on, I insist.” When Ashley saw that ‘Santa’ was going to keep begging until she finally gave in, she sighed and nodded.


“But first just Bella. Deal Santa?”


“Deal,” he replied, and he shifted the baby in his arms so that Peyton would get a good picture of her and Peppy the elf got his sister's attention telling her they’re ready now. Peyton got everything situated and then spoke.


“Okay…one…two…three…smile!” She said, and on cue Santa grinned for the camera and Peyton snapped a couple of pictures. When she finished Santa looked at Ashley. Ashley sighed and flashed him a playful annoyed look before moving close to him and wrapping an arm around his shoulders and Peyton took a couple of more pictures. When she finished Ashley pulled from Santa and grinned at him. He handed Bella over.


“Thanks Santa, Merry Christmas!” she told him cheerfully before carrying Bella off the stage.


“Merry Christmas to you too!” he replied, and when she was off the stage and walking away Santa looked at Peppy before getting up. He linked arms with his elf and together the two of them walked off the stage headed for the door.


“Ho, Ho, Ho, have a Merry Christmas – and be good all of you!” he told the children.


“BYEEE SANTA!” the kids replied and he waved to them before disappearing out into the lobby. Soon as he was gone, all of the kids who were still decorating the tree, or goofing off while listening to Christmas music and eating cookies looked at all of the caregivers for instruction.


“Okay now that Santa is gone, how about we watch a Christmas movie?” Brooke asked, as she was standing with her back turned to AJ as he has his arms wrapped around her waist and her chin on his shoulder.


“YEEEEAH!” they cheered excitedly, as they for the first time noticed Brian wheeling in the TV and setting it up.


“Okay, go on over and find a place on the floor. Brian rented The Santa Clause for you all.” The children did just that and went on over and found places to sit. “I will be putting the cookies away for the night, but if you are extra good Brian’s mom will bring you all some Hot Chocolate and Popcorn. After that though I am cutting all of you off from the sugar. So enjoy it while you have it.” When Brian had the movie going AJ and Howie brought out pillows, bean bags, and blankets as they all want the kids to start winding down for the evening. When they were all settled Brooke turned out the lights so they could enjoy the movie better. Elenore however, stood up from her beanbag that she was currently sharing with Josh and she went over to Kevin who was sitting near by in a chair and she crawled into his lap and immediately went into cuddle mode. She slid her arms around Kevin’s neck and rested her head against his shoulder as she watched the movie and he wrapped his arms around her in return, kissed her forehead softly, and sat there with her through half the movie. Even when she got her hot chocolate and popcorn. But after awhile she suddenly crawled out of his lap and went to Jerald upon seeing him enter the room and he knelt down so she could talk to him.


“Will you come lay withs me on mine an’ Joshy’s beanbag Jerry?” she whispered quietly as to not disturb the movie watchers.


“Mhm,” Jerald replied, unable to tell her no in a million years and he stood up after allowing her to take his hand and start dragging him toward her beanbag. Upon reaching Kevin, she suddenly took his hand and pulled him up also and she began leading both of the men who are most important to her back to her beanbag. When she got there she looked at them both expectantly. Kevin and Jerald both exchanged looks of disgust, but for the child they each settled themselves on the beanbag after Kevin had gently taken an amused Josh into his arms and Jerald pulled Elenore into his so the two of them were both cuddling with the children. Elenore smiled contentedly and settled herself into both men. Brian who had been watching them laughed quietly and looked at everybody else.


“She’s definitely a sneaky one, isn’t she?” he whispered.


“Mhm she is. It’s scary sometimes,” Marcus whispered back.


“And other times it can just be downright funny,” AJ replied.


“Where is Nick at?” Riley questioned curiously, as she noticed Ashley sitting Indian style near Dakota and Sarah’s beanbag with Bella lying in her lap sleeping contently with a blanket over her. AJ shrugged.


“Last time I saw him he was headed for the bathroom to jack off because Ashley turned him on with just a single kiss,” AJ whispered quietly so only his group would hear him and not any sensitive ears. Riley spit out her soda, and Brian and Howie laughed.


“I really didn’t need to know that,” she insisted.


“Hey, you asked” AJ shrugged.


“With just a kiss?” Brian asked incredulous, and AJ nodded.


“Damn…she must be one great kisser then…” Just then, Nick walked into the room and they all looked that way as they heard the cafeteria doors open and they saw him with an Oreo Mcflurry in his hands. Howie raised his eyebrow.


“I take it he decided to drive to Mc Donalds?”


“Looks that way,” was all Brian said as he watched Nick go over and sit down next to Ashley. She looked at him curiously and whispered quietly to him.


“Where’ve you been?”


“I felt like going for a drive,” he whispered back. “I needed some air.”


“Are you okay?” she asked, as she rubbed her hand over his shoulder gently and looked at him concerned.


“Mhm. I just had a headache from all of the screaming kids,” Nick lied surprisingly easily.


“Oh,” she replied quietly, understanding completely. “I missed you,” she informed.


“I missed you too baby,” he told her, while leaning forward and brushing his lips lightly over hers, and she kissed him back but he pulled back after a couple of moments before she could give him another one of her amazing – yet agonizing kisses. She moved in front of him then and leaned back against his chest, resting the back of her head against his shoulder and he slid his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder as he gazed down at the sleeping infant in her lap. Soon enough he was sharing his Mcflurry with her as they enjoyed the movie.


~*~*~*~*~*~


Meanwhile, Angel sat a little ways from the grownups with her brother and Stacy. Neither of the three of them were paying attention to the movie at all, but for two completely different reasons. Stacy and Aaron were too wrapped up in each other, almost to the point of making out again and Angel was sitting in a chair next to them hugging her legs to her chest and she was gazing at Conner. Conner was pretending to be deeply into the movie a little ways in front of her but anyone who knows better, knows he isn’t. Especially Angel. Rosalie had fallen asleep on a pillow next to him and wasn’t about to wake up anytime soon and he was gently playing with her hair as he stares at the TV in deep concentration. Why is he still trying to resist me she wondered to herself. It’s clearly obvious that he likes her, and she likes him back, so what is he waiting for? She knows about his secret, so there shouldn’t be anything holding him back anymore. Should there? She looked over at her brother then, and was pleased to see that the couple next to her has finally given into their desire to make out. She waited a couple of moments to be sure that they were deeply into it, and then she quietly slid out of her chair and crawled over to Conner, unaware that there was a certain security guard and Backstreet Boy watching her.


“Hey,” she whispered quietly.


“Hey,” Conner replied, never taking his eyes off of the television.


“Wanna go for a walk?”


“I can’t leave Rosie.”


“She will never know you are gone,” Angel insisted. “She’s asleep for the night Con…and besides, she has plenty of people to keep an eye on her. Please?”


“You know this is forbidden Ange…” Conner replied, finally looking into her brown eyes and regretting it the moment he did.


“Okay for one…I already told you that Aaron isn’t the boss of me. Two…he is too deeply absorbed in Stacy to even realize I am gone. We have about an hour before they pull up for air. So how about it Conner?” Conner continued to stare at her completely torn.


“You know you want to,” Angel insisted, leaning forward and pressing her forehead lightly against his so she could look him in the eyes.


“I don’t want to hurt you Angel,” he whispered quietly. “I care about you…I do…more then you know. Which is why I have to stay away from you.”


“That doesn’t make any sense what-so-ever…”


“As long as I am involved with Sean, I can’t get involved with you. I’m too dangerous.”


“Well if you haven’t noticed, I like dangerous.”


“Go away Angel,” Conner pleaded, lightly pushing her away and scooting and inch away from her.


No.”


Yes.


“If you can look me in the eyes and honestly tell me that you want nothing to do with me, and want me to go away…then I will. But I don’t believe that you do. Not for a second Conner O’Ryan.” Conner felt a pull at his heartstrings at these words. She is not really going to make him do this is she? Why does she have to make this so much harder on him then it already is? He wants to be with her. With his entire heart and soul but he can’t. Not just because Aaron forbids it, but because anyone who gets close to him will be in grave danger. And he doesn’t want that for her. The thought of Sean using her makes him feel like someone is grabbing at his heart and won’t let go. And he’s never felt so deeply about someone before – not unless you count Rosalie. He can’t really call what he feels for Angel love…he has no idea what it is. But it’s definitely something and he will make sure with every fiber of his being that Sean doesn’t lay a hand on her. And if that means hurting her in order to do that, then so be it. It’s better then hurting her in a much worse way and he has to make her understand. Conner moved closer to her again, gently placed his finger to her chin and pulled her near so their foreheads were again touching and he looked her in the eyes seriously.


“I don’t want anything to do with you Angel. I want you to go away and never so much as look at me ever again. Do you hear me? I hate you! I cant stand you! So do yourself a favor and get out of my face! Now.” He told her with as much meaning as he could possibly muster and Angel stared at him as tears rolled down her cheeks for a couple of moments, before pulling away from him, getting up, and running out of the cafeteria with tears cascading down her cheeks. Her heart shattering like a broken mirror with each word he told her. Conner stared back at her as his own heart broke and tears fell from his own eyes. That was the hardest thing he ever had to do. Not even the tasks that Sean has made him do tops that. Turning his body around so he was sitting forward in his spot again, he hugged his legs to his chest, buried his face in his lap, and he sat there silently crying. Silently hating his parents for doing this to him. As far as he’s concerned, if they had never gotten involved with Sean, if they had never left him in his care, this would never have happened. He would be with a really great girl right now and his life would be normal just like any other teen. It’s not fair. It’s just not fair.