Chapter Three-Hundred-Fifty-One
As the cake was placed on the coffee table everybody gathered around it leaving room for Nick to sit in front of the cake. When they finished singing the Happy Birthday song to him and he had blown out his candles and pictures were taken of him doing it, Kori cut the cake and handed it out. While the kids were all sitting in a chair at the table where they were forced to eat their cake at Brooke handed out all of their drinks – virgin strawberry daiquiris in fancy glasses with little umbrellas sticking out of them.
“Be very careful kids, those are breakable glasses hence why I waited until you were at the table to have them” Brooke explained after handing over the last one. “You’re to leave your drink at the table the whole time you understand?” She added, looking at Elenore in particular making sure she understood especially.
“Okay,” they all agreed before digging right into their cake and Brooke turned to Riley.
“Hey Prego, would you like a kiddie drink?” she teased.
“Yeah why not?” Riley shrugged. “It’s the closest I will get to drinking alcohol in the next few months.” Brooke laughed.
“Okay I will get right on that,” She told her before going back to playing bartender and Brian smirked and slid his arms around Riley from behind and placed his hand to her stomach which has grown quite a bit in the past eight weeks.
“As soon as our little guy is here and you’re well rested and such we will have another drinking party and you can have all the margaritas that you want,” he promised.
“I’ll take you up on that offer but we’re having a little girl mister, get that through your head.” Brian scoffed.
“Nuh uh” he and Chris replied in unison.
“Yes huh,” Riley insisted. “We already have three boys in the family, Riley needs a little girl thank-you very much.”
“And Nicky needs a little boy,” Nick replied while walking into the kitchen and throwing a plate away and Ashley who still sat in the living room laughed, nearly choking on cake. Nick turned and looked over at her arching his eyebrow.
“You’ll be waiting for that for quite awhile babe.”
“Not if I happen to get you pregnant on the first try,” Nick told her with a smirk.
“Very unlikely because I am going straight on the pill and you are using condoms otherwise it just aint happening.”
“Oh and I will be on her about those pills too Nickolas, and will even buy them for her if I have to so don’t try anything funny either” Denise spoke up, pointing at him with narrowed eyes.
“You could always adopt a little boy,” Brooke suggested cheerily. “There are always little boys at Ramsey who need a loving home.”
“Well as much as I love adopting children, as much as I love Dakota and Sarah and don’t regret one single minute of being their daddy…” Nick replied while going over and hugging and kissing each girl who smiled some and hugged him back. “And Bella too of course since she will be mine as well some day, I want my next child to be my own flesh and blood and for Ashley to give birth to him.”
“Well I promise to give you that some day baby, but its just not going to happen for a very long time – until Bella is at least…Dakota’s age because she’s a handful enough as is.”
“Whatever happened to all of that live like you’re dying talk, hmm?” Nick wanted to know, and he arched his eyebrow at her teasingly. AJ walked up beside Nick, clearing his throat causing Nick to jump about three feet and move away and everybody laughed. Ashley thought about that question very carefully for a couple of moments in silence before answering. What if she does die at Sean’s hands without ever giving Nick the little boy he’s always wanted? Ashley shook her head not letting herself think about that. She’ll certainly think about it later when she is alone since Nick was so kind to put it in her head, but not now. She’ll be strong now with her protective brother and sister and her adopted mom in the room.
“That’s why we’re going skydiving on the morning of my birthday.”
“WHAT?!” Brian asked, spitting out his soda and he looked at Nick with narrowed eyes.
“You weren’t supposed to say anything yet Ash” Nick scolded gently before looking at Brian and fearing for his life.
“You are not taking her skydiving Frack, you hear me?”
“I promised her.”
“I don’t care. Do you know how dangerous that is?”
“I am already in enough danger to last me a lifetime, skydiving isn’t going to be that big of a deal,” Ashley insisted.
“I’ve already tried talking her out of it Frick, its not going to happen she’s pretty hell-bent on doing it. I figured we’d go through the training and even have a professional jump with us.”
“You are not doing it” was all Brian could say. “Denise tell your daughter she can’t do it! AJ protect your sister!”
“Hey if they go through the training and do it with a professional, and if this is something she has her heart set on doing who am I to stand in her way?” AJ asked. “I might even go with them.” Brian glared at him.
“Denise? Kori?”
“If they do it on the morning of her birthday there’s not much I can do about it. She’ll be eighteen – an adult. I could tell her no but it wouldn’t be much good.”
“And I could careless if she jumps out of an airplane,” Kori added, still slightly angry with her sister. She would tell her to forget her parachute but then people wouldn’t be so happy with her about that so she decided to keep that part to herself. Plus, she knows she won’t be happy with herself either if she said it when she finally gets over her anger. Ashley wrapped her arms around Nick’s neck and nestled into him and he kissed her forehead softly.
“I love you baby,” he told her quietly in attempt to calm her.
“I love you too,” Ashley whispered back. Everybody stood there in silence for a few moments, and then Howie spoke up.
“Nicky you should open your presents.” Nick smirked.
“Presents? You shouldn’t have.”
“Ah shut it Carter and go sit down,” Brian told him grinning a little despite his frustration about what he is going to take Ashley to do.
“Where should I sit?” Nick questioned, suddenly feeling like a little boy.
“How about over there on the big birthday boy throne?” AJ teased, pointing over to the lazy boy chair in the living room and talking to him like he is one and pinching his cheeks and all. The boys laughed and Nick pulled back from AJ.
“Pinch my cheeks again McLean and I’ll kick your ass,” he told him before turning around and walking over to the lazy boy chair and sitting down. While he was at it he put the leg rest up and Dakota beamed.
“Daddy you shoulds open mine an’ Sarah’s first! Please?” she asked eagerly. Nick chuckled.
“But of course. Where is it princess?” Dakota slid off of her chair then pushing her daiquiris back so it won’t get knocked over.
“I hid it myself an’ everything!” She announced before hurrying out of the room to retrieve it. Elenore looked to Jerald then the one who took her to buy Nick a present.
“Jerry where’s ours?”
“Out in the car – I’ll go get it sweetie.”
“An’ I’ll come too!” Elenore insisted, wanting very much to present her present to Nick by herself like a big girl. She slid off of her chair with her drink and started to follow when Brooke reached out and gently placed her hands to her shoulder.
“Wait a minute lady. What were Brookie’s rules, hmm?” Elenore looked down at the glass in her hand as if she had no clue as to how it got there. She carefully set it down on the table.
“Sorry Brookie I forgots.”
“That’s quite okay. Good thing I’m here to remind you right?”
“Right.” Brooke squeezed her shoulder gently and pulled back and while Jerald started for the car Elenore hurried after him so she was just at his heals. Soon enough Jerald and Elenore were back with the present they bought together as well as Kevin’s, Dakota was back with a bag full of presents that Ashley had taken her and the other two to get with Marcus, and everybody was gathered around Nick with the presents they got. Ashley placed Bella so she was lying on her baby pillow on the floor in the middle of it all doing tummy time so she could be apart of it too before going over and sitting on the arm rest of Nick’s chair where she could hand him presents. When everybody was situated, Sarah handed over the present that she and Dakota picked out together.
“This is from Kota, Bells an’ me daddy” she announced as he took hold of it.
“Oh boy I can’t wait to see what my three special girls got me,” Nick told her with an excited grin and both girls beamed as they stood there and waited as he tore the wrapping paper open. When he got it open he found a big container of legos.
“Ohhh cool legos!” he exclaimed, his eyes widening in excitement. “This will be fun to open up and play with when Bella isn’t around to grab. We’ll have to open them first thing tomorrow girls won’t we?”
“Yeah!” Dakota agreed readily.
“Keep going daddy there’s more in there” Sarah urged in so much excitement that she is almost dancing around as much as Dakota. Nick chuckled before pulling the wrapping paper open more until he saw something else wrapped up inside the big box. He pulled it out and pulled the wrapping paper open revealing a picture frame with a picture of Dakota, Sarah, and Bella in it. The picture was clearly taken from a professional photo place and all three girls are wearing pretty dresses – even Dakota amazingly enough.
“Awww…I bet this was miss Sarah’s idea huh?”
“How’d you guess?” Sarah asked, her smile as big as a Cheshire cat and Brian laughed.
“Maybe it’s the smile on your face that gave it away,” he told her.
“I love them both very much. I will find somewhere special to put this picture as soon as I can” he told them before motioning them both near and giving them each a hug and a kiss. “Thank-you very much.”
“You’re welcome,” Dakota answered instantly, still very much excited over Nick’s excitement about the legos.
“Can I see the picture Nick? Ash wouldn’t let anyone see it until you did. I’m impressed that she got Dakota to wear a dress – that’s pretty amazing all by itself” Riley questioned.
“Yes it is,” Ashley agreed as Nick handed it over. “After a lot of begging she told me she’d wear it but only cause its for daddy.”
“Awww…they’re so adorable…Bella’s smile is so natural.”
“She loved the man who took the photo,” Marcus spoke up. “It was the cutest thing watching her interact with him. She laughed for the first time that day and Ashley was practically in tears of joy. It was a great Kodak moment.”
“That’s so sweet,” Riley insisted, unknowingly going into mother-mode. Those pregnancy hormones are really kicking in. While the picture got passed around for everybody to look at, Ashley handed him the next gift – from Brian, Josh, Chris, and Riley. Nick tore the wrapping paper open while wearing that big grin that reminds Ashley so much of a little boy. She watched amusedly, for a moment forgetting that they’re throwing a party for a 21-year-old. When he got the wrapping paper off, he found himself looking at a white box.
“Awww gee you shouldn’t have Bri – I always wanted a JC Penny’s box” he teased.
“I’m glad you like it Frack, I picked it out all by myself especially for you,” Brian played a long. Nick smirked and opened the box up revealing a Batman comic books.
“Batman Comic Books! SWEET! Just what I’ve really always wanted” He exclaimed, looking directly at Josh who grinned.
“Brian says you didn’t have those ones.”
“And he was right! I love these! I’m going to have to set aside some time to look through these tonight.”
“Sweet,” Josh replied and Nick lifted the comic books up and continued digging through the box. As he did this he found a sketchpad with colored pencils and learned shortly after finding them that Chris picked them out and after making a huge deal over that he discovered a watch that Brian and Riley had chipped in and got for him together. After he thanked them all, Ashley handed over the next and he went through each and every one of his presents, each time making a huge deal over them especially when from a child just to see their entire face light up. Jerald and Elenore got him Ninja Turtle action figures – memorabilia edition and a basketball and Aaron and Angel together got him a Game Cube and games to go with it. BJ and Leslie on the other hand put a scrapbook together of him with his brother and sisters as a family. Brandon completely surprised both Nick and Ashley by making one of his special museum edition paintings of the couple messing around out on the playground at the Orphanage – a scene that actually took place. The best thing about it though is that it’s all natural and not posed. He told them that he wanted to capture a moment of the Orphanage’s cutest couple together.
“How did you manage to make this without me seeing it?” Ashley wanted to know as she and Nick held the big picture frame together and she admired the masterpiece of her and Nick pretending to waltz across the playground. “I’ve been in your art studio every single day that you’ve been here in Florida.”
“I actually painted most of it right there in front of you,” Brandon answered amusedly. “You were too busy being in love to notice. When it wasn’t done in front of you I worked on it at school.”
“Wow…” Ashley replied, completely blown away that he even got away with it. She is usually right there anxious to see what beautiful creation he’s working on next. But then, she was pretty absorbed in Nick that day to really pay much attention to anything else. She doesn’t even remember seeing him sitting there with an easel board and paint. After admiring the painting for a few moments more Nick handed it over to her and she gently set it down so it was standing up against the chair. After doing that she wrapped her arms around Nick’s shoulders and kissed the top of his head as she continued to sit there on the armrest. While she did that Doctor Johnson handed over his gift.
“That’s from Anna and I both,” he told him as he watched him open it. They ended up getting him a video camera, Doctor Johnson pointing out that he always hears him complaining about never having a video camera when he needs it. AJ, Brooke, Peyton, and Jaime all pitched in and bought him a comfy green gaming chair to sit in when he plays his new game cube – it has a cup holder and everything. Kevin got him a remote control car which excited both Nick and Dakota and Howie, Ryan, and Laila bought him a new Bucs Pennant and a new hat. Wiley, Kori, and Spencer all got him a football while Scott got him a Bucs license plate and a small window sticker. Denise got him a new Bucs Jersey, and Ashley got him a 4 pack of little Bucs Shot Glasses deciding they would be perfect since it’s his 21st birthday and all.
“Well Nick I think you have enough buccaneer stuff to last you a lifetime,” Aaron announced when he was done opening up all of his presents.
“I think you are right,” Nick agreed with that same boyish smirk that amuses Ashley so much. She gently grabbed hold of his chin and tilted his head back before leaning down and brushing her lips lightly over his. Nick slid his arms around her waist and kissed her back before allowing her to pull back and she rested her forehead against his comfortably as he looked over at Bella who suddenly squealed happily.
“Well, someone is certainly having a good time,” he announced amusedly.
“That’s because while you got enough buccaneer stuff to last you a lifetime, Bella got enough wrapping paper to last her a lifetime,” Ashley announced while giggling slightly as she watched Bella’s little hands cling to a piece of wrapping paper and shake it around.
“Brookie,” Dakota spoke up after a few moments as they all sat there watching Bella have a blast.
“Yeah babe?”
“Can I have more of that yummy drink please?”
“Daiquiris? Sure” Brooke told her with a smile and she got up and headed for the kitchen.
“You better nots have more,” Spencer insisted.
“Why nots?”
“Cause, it’ll make you drunk if you haves too much.” Scott chuckled.
“It’s not alcoholic buddy, it’s okay. Brooke made yours real special.”
“Are you sure? Cause I feel a little dizzy,” Spencer insisted, dramatically placing his hand to his forehead.
“Me too!” Elenore added, slipping right into his game readily. Spencer got up and started to walk around, purposely making himself wobbly.
“Oh man am I drunk!” He announced, purposely tripping over the leg of the coffee table and catching his fall.
“Oh man…me too!” Elenore replied while getting up and doing the same thing and Dakota, Josh, and Chris followed suit. Laila got up and attempted to copy them as well, not understanding what they’re doing but in her two year old mind it looks cool so why not? All of the grownups around them watched in amusement and laughed.
“Well, I guess if you are all too drunk I guess you probably shouldn’t have anymore Daiquiris tonight, eh?” Brooke spoke up after a few moments when she finished making more. Dakota paused in the middle of her act.
“Drunk? Did I says I was drunk? I’m not drunk! I’m just buzzed!” She insisted, running on over to Brooke. Nick, Brian, AJ, and Ashley roared with laughter, Ashley actually holding onto Nick just so she doesn’t fall off of the chair.
“Me too!” Spencer added, following her lead and Elenore copied him instantly, Josh, Chris, and Laila right behind them.
“Kota where in the world did you pick up on the word buzzed?” Nick wanted to know when he could finally speak.
“From listening to you daddy, duh” Dakota answered as Brooke handed over her drink.
“Yeah daddy, duh,” Brooke laughed.
“Lets play darts and poker,” AJ suggested when he managed to regain his composure.
“Yeah!” Aaron agreed readily and he was up and following AJ outside a long with mostly everybody. Nick got up and gently pulled his girlfriend to his feet before grabbing his shot glasses.
“Come on baby let’s go put these super cool new shot glasses to use” He told her while taking her hand. Ashley looked at Bella and when she saw that Kori was playing with her she allowed Nick to drag her off.
“Nickolas Gene Carter, she isn’t 21 yet!” Brooke scolded as she watched him grab the apple pucker.
“Aw, come on Brookie its just apple pucker. Its not like I’m gonna get her super drunk or anything.” Brooke narrowed her eyes at him.
“Don’t Aw Brookie me, you have to take that up with her mom I’m not responsible for her anymore.” Nick turned and looked at Denise who was sitting on the floor next to Kori.
“Its all right Brooke, as long as she is in the safety of this house under grownup supervision I’ll allow it. Besides, its not like she hasn’t been sneaking sips from Nick’s glass all night.” Ashley gaped at her in surprise and Denise laughed.
“I raised Alex honey, nothing gets by me. Nothing.” Nick smirked and turned his attention back on the apple pucker and Ashley did as well. Just then Marcus entered the room.
“Hey Angel?”
“Hmm?”
“Conner and Rosalie are here. He really wants to see you…can I let him in?” Angel turned and looked at Nick then who looked at her in return and he saw the hurt in her eyes.
“Go talk to him sis…you can’t stay mad at him forever.”
“I most certainly can…” Angel insisted bitterly.
“Holding grudges isn’t a good thing Ange…just look at the way Sean turned out from all of the grudges he holds. It’s especially not worth it when you love him and being away from him is killing you. Go talk to him. People make mistakes sweetie…” Ashley spoke up.
“Yeah, well, he made the mistake twice what does that tell you?”
“That he’s a teenage boy and it takes losing someone he cares about to finally learn from the mistake,” Nick replied. “And that he loves the only family he has left and will do anything to protect her…and that he doesn’t know Detective Stabler as well as we do therefore he doesn’t have as much faith in him as we do. He just needs time to see how lucky he really is and we just have to be patient with him no matter how frustrating it can be.” Angel crossed her arms over her chest stubbornly.
“Go talk to him sweetie…you’ll feel better once you patch things up” Ashley urged gently. “Life is too short to hold grudges against the one you love. Something might happen and you might never get to take it back. Especially when those people are connected with Sean.” Angel looked at Ashley in silence for a few moments, and deciding that she is right about that, she wiped away her tears and turned and followed Marcus toward the front room. She can’t waste another minute without Conner because you never know when Sean might get pissed off at him for some reason or find out that he is double-crossing him and take him away from her forever. She wouldn’t be able to live with herself if he didn’t know that she loves him.
Author's Chapter Notes:
Here's the next chapter.
Enjoy =)
Enjoy =)
