Chapter Three-Hundred-Twenty
The next morning bright and early Brian, Kevin, and Jerald woke up and got both Josh and Elenore awake. Just as Brian promised that they would they left Elenore in bed with Josh all night. The two of them slept peacefully in his brand new BatMobile bed; Chris slept in his own room, and Jerald and Kevin in their own two-bed guestroom. Ann and Tim had gone back to Kentucky the night before so as soon as the children were bathed and dressed Brian and Kevin actually had to make breakfast themselves. After breakfast was taken care of they made sure Riley was up and ready for when Chris wakes up and then the three men piled Josh and Elenore into the car and set of for their first therapist appointment.
“Brian what is this place?” Josh wanted to know as they pulled into the parking lot of a small building.
“Remember when I told you that you and Ellie would be meeting a new friend of ours?”
“Yeah I remember.”
“Well this is where he works.”
“What does he do?” Elenore asked curiously.
“He’s a really nice man who likes to meet and talk to people for a living. I know for a fact that you two will like him a lot,” Kevin answered, choosing his words carefully.
“Oh,” Elenore replied as Brian parked his car and the three men got out. Jerald unbuckled Elenore’s carseat and took her out while Brian got Josh and she slid her arms around his neck and rested her head against his shoulder while he followed Kevin into the building. When they walked in Elenore looked around the place and found herself in a small cozy front room. There is a receptionist desk right when you walk in and to the left of it there are closed doors to a different room. To the right of the receptionist desk there is another door that leads into a hallway that wraps around to the back where there is one other room. To the right of the door to the hallway is a little sitting room with four chairs, a small play area, a little table with magazines, and books on it, and there is a window with a radio sitting on the sill playing soft music. There are a couple of candles lit making the place smell like sugar cookies – a smell that would make any child feel welcome. Kevin led the way to the sitting room and the two of them sat down (Jerald with Elenore in his lap) just as Brian walked in holding Josh’s hand. He brought him to the waiting room and joined them. They only waited five minutes until suddenly a man who looks about 27 or 28 walked out wearing a black Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles shirt. He has an in between short and medium length black all over the place spiky hair giving people the impression that he could be a rockstar if he wanted to. Elenore was quick to notice his t-shirt and upon doing so she gaped in surprise.
“I have a t-shirt just like that!” she exclaimed. Kevin looked over at him and he chuckled.
“That’s right sweetheart you do.” Elenore gave the strange man in front of her a sidelong glance.
“Are you the new friend Kevy says we’re gonna meets?”
“I sure am…you must be Ellie” he told her while squatting down in front of her and Elenore nodded. “Hi Ellie it’s very nice to meet you – I’m Anthony” he greeted her and he held his hand out to shake hers. Elenore beamed and reached out and shook his hand in return.
“Nice to meet you too,” She told him politely. “Specially since you are a TMNT fan!” Anthony chuckled.
“Well if the shirt makes you excited wait until you see my office,” he told her while winking and Elenore’s eyes widened. Anthony turned his attention on Josh then.
“And you must be Josh,” he acknowledged and Josh nodded.
“Yeah I’m Josh,” he replied in that you may have Ellie won over already, but you are a stranger, I don’t know you, so I don’t trust you kind of way. This kind of greeting however, didn’t surprise Anthony in the least bit. He was warned that Josh has a hard time trusting people at first – especially men and he was told why. He knows all about his biological father and what he did.
“Its good to meet you Josh,” he told him while smiling warmly at him. The corner of Josh’s mouth started to break out into a smile but he caught himself before it did and he nestled into Brian as he continued to stand next to him.
“So how about we go back to my office and check out all of the toys I have?” he suggested while looking at Kevin, Jerald, and Brian.
“Sounds good” Brian replied cheerily, hoping that Josh would see how much Brian trusts this man and hopefully it would help him ease up a little bit. He stood up and gently took his hand and Jerald stood with Elenore but she reached for Kevin. Kevin gladly accepted her and Anthony led them all back through the hallway to his office.
“You must be Uncle Jerald. I haven’t had the chance to meet you yet, but I’ve heard a lot about you and how important you are to Ellie,” He spoke to Jerald as he was right behind him.
“Yup, that’s me” Jerald replied with a grin. “I just moved out here from Kentucky to be closer to her – and my brother of course.”
“Oh don’t be such a liar” Kevin laughed. “You are here for Ellie and Ellie alone, you could careless about me or you would have moved out here a long time ago.” Jerald rolled his eyes.
“Oh don’t be such a drama queen, you know I care about you.”
“Yes I know, but you care about Ellie more.” Brian rolled his eyes.
“Oh jeez, both of you shush you are as bad as Ellie and Josh.” Anthony laughed amusedly.
“Don’t worry I have a brother, I know what it’s like” he informed as they entered his office. As soon as they did Elenore gasped as she took a look around the place. One side of the room is decked out in TMNT merchandise galore, while the other half is Batman. There is a playstation with every game you could possibly think of, punching bags, inflatable swords, and boxing gloves for children. There are board games, toy robots, transformers, and it’s pretty much a child’s paradise. Josh eyed the Batman side of the room in astonishment, as he’s never in his life seen so much Batman stuff before.
“Kevy we haves to come here an’ play everyday okay?” Kevin chuckled.
“Not every day baby but how does twice a week sound?”
“Sounds great!” Elenore insisted. “Can we goes an’ play Anthony?” she asked, turning and looking at her new best friend in the whole world – aside from Dakota and her uncle Jerry of course.
“You sure can. I was just going to suggest that you and Josh go explore while I talk to Brian, Kevin, and Jerald for a couple of minutes.” Elenore squealed in excitement and she made a mad dash toward the TMNT stuff. Josh however, was already on the Batman side of the room, checking everything out, touching everything with great care. Anthony shook his head smiling and he looked at an amused Kevin, Brian, and Jerald.
“You earned points just by wearing the shirt, but I think Ellie feels like she just walked into Disney World right about now” Jerald informed.
“I was told she was a huge TMNT fan, I had a feeling the shirt would help” Anthony replied with a smirk. “Josh though…I see he is going to take sometime, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. I’ve dealt with kids like him before.”
“Like I told you before he has a bit of a trust issue and he is extremely protective of Ellie but he will come around” Brian promised.
“What is on the agenda for today?” Kevin wanted to know.
“Nothing too serious yet” Anthony replied. “I thought we’d start off with them just getting comfortable with the place and with me so that when we do talk they won’t be so afraid. It might be best if the three of you stayed close by for reassurance for the first couple of appointments and when they start to feel comfortable then you can try waiting out in the waiting room.”
“I think with Ellie it might take a little more then two appointments” Kevin replied. “She might want me to sit in here with her when you start talking about things.”
“And Kevin will want to as well” Brian replied. “He’s really worried about her it was hard enough for Detective Stabler and I to talk him into this.”
“I’ll be fine once I see she’s okay” Kevin insisted.
“Well for however long it takes. But I’ve dealt with kids who’ve never been apart from their parents before. Usually once they start getting into all of these toys and know they’re safe they tend to forget their parents are even here and the next thing they know it they’re sitting out in the lobby and the child doesn’t even notice until it’s time for them to go.”
“Ellie is pretty possessive of Kev though. He’s lucky she lets him leave her with Nick – our bandmate. The moment she stepped foot inside the orphanage and laid eyes on Kevin that was it – he was hers.”
“Well that’s what I’m here for” Anthony replied. “She needs to learn to let go – just a little bit. She’s getting to be a big girl and she’s not always going to be able to have Kevin at her side. School for instance…once she starts going to school are you really planning on sitting in a desk right next to her?”
“No…”
“Well, then, you need to teach her how to let go just a tiny bit. Not enough to where she doesn’t need you anymore, I know how important a father’s relationship with his daughter is - Especially when she is at this age. Just enough to the point where you can leave her with a close friend long enough to have some alone time when you need a break. Or when she has to go to school, or some other thing. It would just make things a whole lot easier, trust me.”
“He has a very big point Kev” Jerald spoke up. “What about all those times when you try to leave her backstage while you go to perform and she freaks out? Wouldn’t it be great if you didn’t have to deal with that everytime?”
“Yes it would” Kevin agreed.
“And I’m here to help out Bro you know that but I can’t live off of your pay check. I need to get a part time job at least so you are gonna have to leave her with one of the boys – are you willing to deal with that tantrum when that time comes?”
“No I want to eliminate the tantrums. I want her to start acting like a big girl.”
“Then let me help,” Anthony told him sincerely. “You can sit in on as many sessions as it takes but in order for her to develop independence you are going to have to work with me a little bit. You’re going to have to try and pull away just a little bit.”
“You can do it Kev,” Brian reassured gently and he wrapped his arms around his shoulders. “This is why we brought her here in the first place. To help Ellie. I know you want that more then anything so just trust Anthony okay? He’s good at what he does,” he added and he indicated to Anthony’s certificates and such that are framed and hanging on the wall. Kevin nodded.
“I’ll try my very hardest.”
“You don’t have to do it today though. How about right now we just go concentrate on having fun?” Anthony suggested while indicating toward the kids who were in the inflatable boxing ring with the inflatable swords and they’re having a sword fight.
“Kay,” Kevin replied and he, Brian, Jerald, and Anthony all went and joined the kids.
“I’m not hurting him when I hits him Kevy, it’s soft” Elenore insisted thinking Kevin was going to lecture her for fighting with Josh. “See?” she asked and to prove her point she whacked Josh upside the head with her inflatable sword. Kevin, Brian, Jerald, and Anthony all laughed at this as Josh just gave Elenore a look but otherwise didn’t do anything. He is used to the five year old’s abuse and at this point just takes it.
“It’s fine baby. As long as you are in this room with the soft inflatable toys you may do it but outside this room it is not allowed.”
“And be careful you don’t hit him in the face either because you could hurt his eyes,” Anthony added.
“Really? I’m allowed?” Elenore asked, double-checking that she heard right.
“Yes you are allowed. We’ll be doing a lot of sword fights and using the punching bags a lot. It’s good for you when it’s done in the right way. So long as you aren’t hurting people.”
“Yeah I think this will have a very good outcome on them” Brian smiled, very much glad that Detective Stabler recommended this man and that Kevin finally agreed. “Josh and Elenore like to take their anger and feelings out on hitting people and it often gets them in trouble. If they’re taught to do it without hurting each other life would be good.” Suddenly Elenore and Josh went right back to fighting with each other and the four men stood and watched. After a few moments Elenore feeling cocky ran toward Josh like she were going to hit him with her sword but suddenly she leapt into the air, did a flip over Josh’s head, only to land right on her bottom behind him on the soft cushion of the boxing ring. Josh erupted with laughter.
“Some Ninja you are – I don’t think Raphael ever landed on his butt amidst a flip Elenore.” Elenore scowled.
“Maybe not but if you don’t watch it Leonardo will,” she threatened.
“Have you ever thought about putting her in karate?” Anthony questioned while looking at Kevin. “Gymnastics, or maybe even ninjitsu?”
“It’s crossed my mind once or twice.”
“I think she’d have a lot of fun in those. It teaches children great discipline too.”
“I’ll have to look into those” Kevin replied. They played for an entire hour and then when they finished and were on their way out, Anthony spoke up.
“Hey Josh”
“Hmm?” Josh asked, turning and looking at the man he was ever so slowly learning to like but he still held onto Brian’s hand and stayed close to him.
“The next time you come to see me why don’t you dress up in a Batman costume? Or wear a cape? Would that be fun? And I’ll bring my comic books for you to look at.” This time Josh didn’t hesitate to smile.
“Really? I can do that?”
“Yeah of course. I couldn’t help but notice you checking out my Batman stuff. You like him right?”
“I love him. I have my own BatMobile bed at home that I got for Christmas.”
“Very neat. Yeah you should definitely dress up as Batman – Ellie as Robin, and maybe if you are lucky I’ll come as the Riddler and we’ll play Batman.”
“Ellie can come as Catwoman – or Bat Girl,” Elenore insisted, talking in first person. Anthony chuckled.
“I stand corrected – Catwoman or Bat Girl then” he replied and Elenore beamed.
“But Catwoman is bad – you cant be Catwoman Ellie” Josh protested.
“Fucks you Joshy, My Catwoman wants to be good!”
“Ellie!”
“Well she does!” Kevin heaved a sigh of frustration and Anthony raised his eyebrow, having a feeling this is a regular problem.
“Looks like we’ll be working on eliminating the swearing while we’re here then huh?” Kevin gave Anthony a good luck on that kind of look before taking Elenore’s hand.
“See you next time Anthony,” He smiled.
“After new years right?” Anthony double-checked.
“Right because Brian and I have a Backstreet Boys thing in New York for New Years.”
“Okay, see you then” Anthony replied and Brian, Kevin, and Jerald led the kids back out to the car.
“I like him a lot,” Kevin decided out loud as they were loading the kids into the car. “He’s like a big kid himself but seems really professional. I think this will be a good thing for Ellie and Josh. They’ll have fun but get something out of it as well.”
“I suppose you have to have some kid in you if you want to work with kids for a living. You have to be able to understand them – go where they go” Jerald suggested.
“Kevy” Elenore suddenly spoke up from the backseat.
“Yes princess?”
“Elliot says he’s gonna takes me to work with him today.”
“I know honey I didn’t forget,” Kevin smiled. “We’re going to go back to the Orphanage right now though because Jennifer is also going to be starting auditions for the play today too.” Elenore beamed excitedly as she’d been waiting ever so patiently for auditions. She wants to try out for Lumiere.
~*~*~*~*~
“Hey Steve where is Scott at? I went into his room to see him and he wasn’t there” Ashley asked as she walked into Annabelle’s room where she found everybody’s favorite doctor at. He is sitting at her bedside and they were amidst a conversation when she walked in.
“We moved him into another room – the one he was in was an operating room, we thought he would be more comfortable in a regular room.”
“What number?”
“Right next door to Anna,” Doctor Johnson admitted sheepishly. “To the right.” Ashley laughed and she went over and hugged Doctor Johnson and planted a kiss on his cheek before looking at Annabelle.
“Hi Anna, how are you feeling?”
“I’m doing better,” Annabelle smiled. “I really don’t know why they’re still keeping me here,” She added while looking at Doctor Johnson. Doctor Johnson chuckled.
“You need to be here until at least after New Years hon. Just incase – you came out of a pretty serious coma.”
“I know, I know” Annabelle replied. “You’re lucky I’m enjoying it here.”
“Well you should, we’re nice people after all” Doctor Johnson insisted.
“So I’ve noticed.”
“Steve we’re doing auditions for the Beauty and the Beast play…why don’t you come check it out?” Ashley asked suddenly, giving him a look that he didn’t miss.
“I’ll think about it. Anna maybe you would like to come check it out too? Maybe I can put you in a wheel chair – I think you’d enjoy getting out of the room or awhile.”
“Really? You’d let me do that?”
“Mhm” Doctor Johnson smiled.
“That would be great. I would love to meet the kids. Maybe I’ll ask mom to bring Julie by.”
“Sounds great,” he replied.
“Well I’m gonna go check on Scott. It was nice seeing you Anna – I’m glad you are okay,” Ashley spoke up looking at Annabelle sweetly.
“Thanks it was nice seeing you again too” Anna replied. Ashley flashed her a smile and she turned and headed out of the room.
“I’ll be right back Anna,” Doctor Johnson told her and he got up and followed Ashley, closing Anna’s door behind him.
“What’s wrong with you?”
“No, the real question is, what’s wrong with you?” Ashley shot back.
“Is it a crime for me to hang out with my patient and see she gets better?”
“You’re with her every single day you hardly ever leave her side. You are not just her doctor anymore and you’re flirting with her.”
“So what if I am?” Doctor Johnson admitted.
“Did you forget you are seeing Jennifer?”
“It’s pretty much over between us,” Doctor Johnson shrugged. “I sent her flowers the other day and she sent them back and said no thanks. I blew it with her.”
“You are sure it’s over?”
“She made it pretty clear.”
“Yeah well sometimes women say things they don’t always mean. I see the way she looks at you Steve; she is still hung up on you. Do you really think it’s fair to her that you’re up here flirting with Anna?” Doctor Johnson shrugged.
“Answer me this Steve…do you like Jennifer?”
“I thought I did…but if it were meant to be, it would’ve happened.”
“You didn’t really give her a chance. You were too occupied with Anna but now those things are better don’t you think you owe it to Jennifer to give it another try? You made her feel like she had a chance and now you’re just dragging her along like a fish on a hook. It’s not fair.”
“It’s not like I didn’t try Ash, I sent her flowers and everything and she sent them back and made it very clear she wants nothing to do with me.”
“She’s just hurt. You are going to have to try harder to make it up to her Steve, that’s just the way it is with women.”
“That’s all our entire relationship has been about. Me making it up to her…I screwed up. Why would she take me back? I can’t keep hurting her Ash. She doesn’t deserve me. You don’t know how sorry I am…but I am just starting to believe it wasn’t meant to be” Doctor Johnson insisted and Ashley looked into his eyes and she really could see just how sorry he is.
Author's Chapter Notes:
Here's the next chapter.
Enjoy =)
Enjoy =)
