Chapter Three-Hundred-Sixty-Nine
“AHHH!” Kevin exclaimed in surprise, and then couldn’t help but grin some at the sound that he doesn’t hear very much anymore – his little princess giggling.
“Hey daddy! Why the long face? This is supposeds to be a party!” She asked, before jumping up onto his back once more and latching herself on and she planted a big long kiss on his cheek. Kevin chuckled and gently reached back, grabbed onto her and he playfully – but carefully pulled her over his shoulder and into his lap.
“It’s a party now that you are here,” he told her sweetly before leaning forward and placing soft kisses all over her face. Not in the playful way that Brian had earlier, but the affectionate kisses that she’s been lacking of lately and Elenore slid her arms around him and took them in gratefully. “You make everything better,” he informed her. “My perfect little princess…daddy loves you.”
“I loves you too daddy,” Elenore told him softly as many different emotions attacked her at once and she worked real hard to fight against the most dominant one – the one that’s making her want to start bawling right there at his sincere and genuine words. Where had they come from all of the sudden? Just last night he’d said he didn’t want her anymore, and now suddenly she is his perfect little princess again? Deep down inside of her a small part of her wants to be angry with him for his words – she wants to pull away from him and shout at him for acting like a yo-yo. He can’t just say one thing and then bounce back and say something completely different. But then at the same time she’s wanted to hear those words from him for so long that it just feels so good and she wants him to tell her more. She craves for his love and his affectionate hugs and kisses so much that it over powers her anger. Its hardly there – she can feel it, but it’s faint. She curled up into a little ball in his lap feeling safe and small there as he sat indianstyle in front of the great big ocean. He leaned forward, enveloped her in his arms protectively with one arm rested underneath her head as it rests against his leg and he rested his forehead against hers as she gazes silently out at the ocean.
“Daddy?” She asked after a long moment of silence.
“Hmm?”
“How come the ocean is so big?” she asked, and Kevin chuckled slightly.
“So it can fit all of the ocean animals in it, of course.”
“Oh,” She replied, and then was silent for a couple of moments more before speaking up again. “Can we go on a cruise some day? Me and you?” Kevin thought about that question for a moment.
“Maybe…but, I bet you would enjoy snorkeling a lot better…or scuba diving.” Elenore turned her head slightly and gaped up at him in surprise, her little eyes going round.
“Buts daddy I don’t know how to swim.”
“Well…it looks like I’m going to have to teach you huh?” He asked softly. “And even if you don’t know how to swim its okay. I’ll be right there to hold onto you.” Elenore bit her lip nervously at his words. “You know I would never let anything happen to you don’t you?” Elenore thought about that question. What about Summer? He let Summer into their lives…the evil witch who seems so keen on hurting her. How can she trust that he wont let her drown in a great big ocean? When Kevin saw the hesitation in her eyes he frowned some. “Don’t you baby?” After a long while she replied, but it was not the answer to his question.
“Daddy?” She asked softly and he gently rubbed his finger over her cheek as he saw the troubled look in her eyes.
“What Ellie? Whats the matter?”
“Do you love me?”
“Of course I do.”
“Am I your number one girl?”
“Yes of course you are. I told you that.”
“An’ you’ll do anything for me? Anything I asked?” Kevin thought about that question, and the best way to word it.
“I would do anything for you if it were in your best interest, yes.” Elenore gazed up at him in silence for a couple of moments, and when she replied, the tears that she had been holding back with lots of effort came spilling down her cheeks.
“I don’t like Summer daddy.”
“Ellie…”
“No daddy, listen to me…please,” Elenore pleaded and the way she looked into his eyes with that desperate need for him to hear her out made his heart melt and he went quiet. When she saw that he wasn’t going to argue any further, she went on. “You promised me that if you started dating again you would makes sure she loved me as much as you because we were a package deal, daddy, remember?”
“Of course I remember.”
“Then why did you break your promise?”
“I didn’t break my promise I—“
“-YES you did daddy an’ you knows it! You promised me you wouldn’t date anybody unless they understood that we were a package deal buts all Summer cares about is herself.”
“That’s not very fair of you to say when you have been refusing to even give her a chance from the very beginning, honey. If you would give her a chance you would learn that she isn’t as bad as you make her out to be.”
“She may not be as bad to you, but if you saw her through my eyes you would see her for the monster that she is!”
“A monster Ellie?” Kevin asked, slightly annoyed. “Don’t you think you are overreacting just a little bit? Come on now. Just because she came into our life and you don’t like it, and just because you have an issue with sharing me it hardly makes her a monster.” Jerald who a long with everybody else was standing just a few feet away listening, narrowed his eyes at Kevin’s words and started for them when Brian gently grabbed him by the arm. He looked at his cousin incredulous and Brian shook his head.
“Let her get what she has on her mind said. It’s about time that she does” He told him quietly.
“What if she says too much?”
“She won’t. Her top priority is to protect you if you haven’t noticed. As long as she feels Kevin will hurt you she wont say a word.”
“He’s going to hurt my niece.”
“He can’t hurt her anymore then she already has been.”
“But—“
“—This is something he needs to hear Jer. The more guilt we can put him on in the next three days the better.” Jerald scowled, crossed his arms over his chest, and turned his attention back on Kevin and Elenore ready to intervene the moment he feels the situation has begun to be too much for his niece.
“You just don’ts understand!” Elenore insisted, becoming highly emotional all of the sudden.
“Maybe because a certain little one isn’t making it very easy to understand,” Kevin told her calmly.
“If its not easy for you to see Daddy, then you really are as blind as they says.”
“Not blind, Elenore. Just incapable of reading minds like you want me to.”
“I don’ts want you to read my mind, I just want you to be my daddy for once an’ actually SEE that I am NOTS okay!” Elenore informed him in a raised voice and tears slid down her cheek.
“Well then why don’t you tell me what’s bothering you, instead of leaving me in the dark, Elenore? I want to know what’s bothering you, I really do but you are making it VERY difficult for me.”
“I’ve TRIED to tells you an’ all you do is yells at me an’ gets me into trouble!”
“There is a difference between telling me what’s wrong like the big girl that you’re supposed to be, and throwing tantrums Elenore. You know I don’t tolerate it.” Elenore screamed at the top of her lungs out of frustration and she turned and stormed off in the direction of the ocean.
“Don’t you go into that ocean Elenore, do you want me to have to go in there after you and save you?” Elenore paused where she was at upon realizing where she was headed and she whirled around and glared at him.
“Not like you would or anything.”
“What is that supposed to mean? Of course I would. I don’t like this attitude very much young lady and if you don’t knock it off I’m going to walk away and ignore you until you can be calm like a big girl.”
“Oh no you wouldn’ts. All you would do is gets up and walk away – probably go find Summer and ignore me because that’s what you do bestest!”
“That is not a very fair accusation Elenore, especially since you know it’s not true.”
“No, you wants to know what’s not fair daddy?” Elenore asked softly and she turned her head and looked out at the ocean as she let her tears fall. “You were my daddy fer not even a week an’ all of the sudden this lady comes into our life and steals you out from under me,” She began softly. “An’ all of the sudden I was expected to share you withs her. You promised me we were a package deal, but obviously we are nots. Because as soon as you started dating her more, I was pushed aside to whoever wanted to take me an’ I hardly ever sees you anymore!”
“Ellie, I –“
“NO. You knows its true daddy so don’t even try an’ tells me its not!” When Kevin didn’t respond, she went on. “You don’ts play with me anymore, you don’ts sing to me anymore, you don’ts give me baths anymore, and you hardly ever give me hugs anymore. You an’ Uncle Jerry are always fighting an’ I HATE IT!” she shouted and not being able to take it anymore, she broke down into sobs. “An’ ever since she came into our lives all I ever seem to do is gets into trouble! NOTHING I do is right; you are ALWAYS yellin’ at me for something! Even when I had nothing to do withs it!”
“Don’t you think I’ve been let down enough in my life daddy? Why did you have to go an’ bring someone else in our life who was just going to make things worse? It’s NOT fair! You told me an’ everybody else that you’re just trying to find me a mommy but if Summer is the only option there is then I DON’TS WANT ONE! An’ I won’t call her my mommy no matter HOW much you want me to! WHY can’t I have a mommy like Dakota an’ Sarah? WHY Do I always have to have a mommy who doesn’t love me? Why can’t I ever be loved like every other kid in this world? Don’t you think I deserves that?!”
“I want a mommy who will take me shopping an’ buy me new clothes. I want a mommy who wants to do my hair all the time an’ paint my nails! Someone who wants to talk to me, an’ gives me hugs, an’ be my best friend! Someone who wants to hold me when I’m hurt or sad! Someone who tells me I’m special an’ makes me feel loved an’ safe! Do you EVER see Summer do anything like that?” She went on when Kevin still sat there staring at her speechless. “All she cares about is herself, all she wants to do is find MORE ways to tear YOU and ME apart! An’ I DON’T’S want to lose you!” she turned and looked away from him again and sobbed harder. Suddenly not feeling so safe in his presence any longer, she turned to walk away when Kevin reached out and gently grabbed her by the waist. He turned her around to face him and pulled her into his arms protectively. He hugged her close to him and she buried her face in his shoulder where she continued to fall apart and he rubbed his hand over her back in a slow circular motion.
“Please don’ts leave me daddy…if you love me at all you will break up withs her…she makes me miserable an’ I miss the way it used to be when it was just you an’ me” she pleaded through sobs.
“Shhh…baby I’m not going anywhere I promise,” he whispered quietly in her ear. Kevin kissed her forehead softly and he lay back in the sand with her lying against his chest and her thumb popped into her mouth. He lay there gently rubbing his hand over her back as he stared up at the sky – which is mostly blue except for the unexpected clouds that are rolling in to the right. He briefly hoped they don’t roll in too quickly (that it waits until later this evening when they aren’t trying to have a picnic) before slipping into thoughts of Ellie’s rant. He has never felt so torn in his life. What is he supposed to do now? He loves Summer and the last thing he wants to do is break up with her…but he loves Ellie too and its just not an option for her to be unhappy. Maybe this little break from Summer really is necessary…at least it will give him some time to sort all of this out. Long after giving Elenore and Kevin a chance to calm down, Brian walked over to them.
“Kev?”
“Hmm?”
“Its time for lunch. Are you gonna join us or should we all come over here? Cause you know we will.” Kevin didn’t respond, he only got up with Elenore still nestled against his chest and he followed Brian back to the group where they were all seated around the unlit campfire, leaning against rocks and such. His eyes fell on Riley who Brian sat next to and he watched her as she leaned against him with Bella in her arms.
“Getting a lot of practice these past couple of days Ri?” Riley looked down at Bella in her arms and smiled some, clearly under the spell that Bella can easily cast on anyone if you aren’t careful.
“Yes I am, I’m glad I get the opportunity to baby-sit for Ash…I’m having lots of fun. I can’t wait for my baby, I’m excited.” Brian chuckled.
“Of course you are having fun. I say Ash got extremely lucky with Bella, she hardly ever cries unless she’s not getting enough attention, she’s hungry, or she just needs a diaper change. Other then that, she’s a happy baby all around.” Kori laughed.
“Yeah, but she’s still a spoiled baby. Ash would carry her around all day long if she wanted to and the moment anyone stops paying attention to her, she knows all she has to do is make one little noise and Ashley, Nick, or whoever is in the room to hear her will come running.”
“Just don’t call her a spoiled baby in front of Ash,” AJ replied amusedly as he finished cutting Laila’s peanut butter sandwich in half and handing her one. “She’ll get mad at you and insist that it’s impossible to spoil a baby and you’ll never hear the end of it. Trust me, I learned the hard way.”
“Well, duh, I’m not that stupid” Kori replied, rolling her eyes in such a way that a typical little sister would. AJ opened his mouth to reply when Jackie suddenly beat him to it, knowing that the two siblings could go on for hours once they get started.
“Ashley is right anyway,” She replied casually causing both of them to look at her incredulously. “You can ask any doctor you come across and they’ll tell you that it’s impossible to spoil a baby. You can never give them too much love or attention. I was the exact same way as Ashley with both of my children – probably worse with Brian actually and both of them turned out just fine.” Brian looked at his mom with a raised eyebrow causing her to pause and analyze what she had just said. “Okay, so maybe Harry can be a little nutty sometimes…but I can honestly say he’s not a spoiled brat.”
“When do you gets to find out if your baby is a boy or a girl Riley?” Dakota spoke up suddenly as she lay in the sand with her head in Elenore’s lap as Elenore sat next to Kevin like a big girl and silently ate her sandwich and chips. Dakota had her legs bent and her food lying on her stomach in front of her and she looks rather comfortable.
“At the end of April,” Riley answered happily and Brian who was already finished with his sandwich wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead softly.
“Not that we need to find out anyway. We know my little boy is in there,” he insisted playfully and he gently rubbed his hand over her stomach. Riley scoffed as Chris grinned in agreement. Dakota giggled and Josh scowled before gently linking his arm with Brian’s and resting his head against his shoulder. He would kindly remind him that his little boy is sitting right here next to him, but he knows he will just get in trouble no matter how kind he is about it. Sensing Josh’s mood without him having to say anything, Brian kissed Riley once more before pulling away from her and gathering Josh into his lap.
“So…Joshua,” He began and Josh glanced up at him arching his eyebrow curiously. “Are you ever going to change out of this Batman costume?”
“Nope,” Josh answered stubbornly and crossed his arms over his chest before sticking his nose up into the air as if he were someone very important. Brian noticed a smirk beginning to form on the corner of his mouth as Dakota giggled, but he managed to stay serious. Chris rolled his eyes.
“He is just doing it to get attention.” Brian watched as the corner of Josh’s mouth twitched as if he were getting ready to respond but he seemed to think better of it and remained sitting there in what he must think is his ‘Tough Batman pose’
“There is nothing wrong with dressing up like your favorite superhero Chris,” Brian insisted coming to Josh’s rescue as usual. “If you wanted to wear a superman costume for weeks at a time…well I would gladly stand back and let it happen, so long as you two are still getting your baths.”
“You better stand back and let it happen, since you wore your Batman costume for a whole month without taking it off” Ann insisted amusedly.
“Did Brian really slide down the stairs in a laundry basket in his Batman costume Gramma?” Josh asked, needing to know. Brian could see the thrill in his son’s eyes upon hearing that Brian too was obsessed with his Batman costume.
“Oh yes,” Jackie answered, laughing at the memory. “He had me scared half to death when I saw him come flying down those stairs. He sat in his room the rest of the day until his father came home.”
“An’ what did Granpa do?”
“Worse then I did you Joshua, but I cant say you won’t be lucky if I catch you doing it again,” Brian informed. Josh scoffed, gave Brian his tough Batman Pose, and then he hopped up and looked at Dakota.
“Come on Batgirl lets fly,” he told her before taking off down the beach in the opposite direction of the light breeze making his cape fly up after him. Dakota giggled and got up and hurried after him. Jackie laughed and shook her head at an amused Brian.
“It still amazes me at just how much you two are alike. He was definitely meant to be your son.”
“Hey Kor, aren’t you planning on taking Ashley to Jersey for a couple of days or something? I heard from Detective Stabler that you asked him if you could,” Riley spoke up after a few moments of silence.
“Yeah, if I ever see my sister again that is” Kori laughed. “I was planning on telling her about it today and leaving tonight but some how I get the feeling its going to be a day or two before that happens.”
“Or possibly by the end of this week,” Brian laughed.
“Nuh uh. I’m banging on their door first thing tomorrow morning if they don’t show themselves first” AJ informed protectively.
“You’ll do no such thing,” Howie replied casually as he sat there quietly gazing at Lindsey who was sitting next to AJ cradling Laila. He was watching her gently twirl her fingers through Laila’s little curls and imagining himself twirling his fingers through Lindsey’s similar – but much longer curls. AJ turned and looked at his best friend with a raised eyebrow and Howie stared at him back evenly.
“Watch me.”
“I’ll keep you under house arrest if I have to, Alex. Your mother told me to watch you.”
“Ah shush and go back to your day dreaming D,” AJ insisted nonchalantly. Howie scoffed but everybody noticed as his cheeks turned bright red.
“I was not day dreaming.”
“Whatever you say D,” AJ laughed.
~*~*~*~*~
“What the hell is that?” Sean asked in surprise as he walked into the living room and spotted Trevor with all of his doctor supplies out, a tablecloth covering the coffee table, and a golden retriever lying on it whimpering.
“It’s a dog dumbass, what does it look like?” Trevor asked sarcastically. Sean rolled his eyes.
“I know it’s a dog smartass, but what is it doing here in the middle of my living room?”
“Suffering that’s what,” Trevor answered, his eyes full of sadness and he turned his attention back to the whimpering dog. “I found this poor guy walking – no, limping is more like it through the woods.”
“So why did you bring him back here?”
“Why do you think, Sean? I’m a doctor its in my nature. I don’t just turn my back on people – or animals in this case who are suffering.”
“But you don’t even know who he belongs to. What if someone is looking for him? I would expect you of all people to remember we’re trying to keep a low profile. What if he’s hurt because some animal with rabies bit him?”
“He wasn’t bitten, don’t worry about it” Trevor rolled his eyes. “He is rabies free, and I can honestly say no one is looking for him. If you would stop thinking of nothing but yourself and your stupid plans for one minute you would see just how hurt he really is.” Sean, suddenly feeling wounded by Trevor’s words – even though he believes he shouldn’t, quietly walked further into the room so he could get a good look at the dog. Trevor had already bandaged his right leg and was now in the process of stitching up a wound to his shoulder.
“What happened to him?” Sean asked softly.
“He’s been beaten, shot, and from the looks of things, thrown out of a car and left to die. How he managed to limp his way so far into these woods…well I don’t know. It’s a miracle he is even still alive.”
“Will he stay that way? Alive I mean…” Sean questioned while sitting on the floor on the other side of the coffee table and he stared down at the dog. Even though he seems to be genuinely concerned for the dog, Trevor didn’t miss how Sean was acting slightly wary and keeping his distance.
“I brought him back and healed him just on time,” was all Trevor said not bothering to question why Sean is acting so intimated by the dog – a badly injured dog of all things. He already knows why. Unknown to the rest of the world, Sean has a slight fear of them and has had it since he was a little boy. A Pitbull – the sweetest dog Trevor has ever known chased him up a tree once and it took an hour before he could coax him back down again. Ever since then Sean has had a fear of them – one he can’t be talked out of. The sad thing was, the Pitbull was just playing…there was no sign of violence in him at all. Trevor shook his head at the memory and then cast a brief look at his lover on the other side of the table.
“You don’t have to worry about this one babe, I promise.” When he saw Sean give him a disbelieving look he went on. “He’s going to be just as terrified of you as you are of him. He’s been badly abused.”
“You aren’t planning on keeping him are you Trev?”
“Well yeah…its going to take him at least a month to recover from all of this…and he does need a home. I can’t just throw him back out there again.”
“Can’t we just…take him to the nearest animal shelter and leave him outside the door with a note or something?”
“No, we can’t” Trevor answered firmly, slightly annoyed with Sean for even suggesting it but trying to stay understanding because of his fear. “Diego is mine. I’m keeping him.”
“Diego? You already named him?”
“Yup,” Trevor answered simply. Sean quietly watched as Trevor finished stitching Diego up. When he did he put his supplies away and then carefully embraced the dog, resting his cheek lightly against his soft fur. Trevor looked back at Sean, his lower lip suddenly stuck out in a pout. He suddenly reminded Sean just then of a little boy looking at his father for approval. Suddenly feeling the need to give Trevor something that he so badly wants since he puts up with all of his shit when he doesn’t have to, Sean sighed softly.
“How are we going to get dog food? And do you even have painkillers for him? You aren’t exactly a veterinarian or anything.”
“I have some aspirin I can give him for now. As soon as I do I need you to stay here with him while I go out and get him something better – as well as some dog food.”
“And just exactly how are you going to do that?” Sean questioned, not worried about being left alone with Diego just yet.
“Oh please,” Trevor rolled his eyes. “You’ve trained me well, Sean, no worries. I’ve been walking into stores and coming out without paying for things for years.” Sean’s face fell when the risk of Trevor getting caught fear didn’t work. Trevor planted a soft kiss on Diego’s head and he got up and walked over to Sean and pulled him up from the floor and into his arms before gently cupping his face in his hands.
“You’ll be fine. Not only is Diego injured and unable to move at the moment, but he is also extremely sweet and I have no doubt that even you can learn to love him.”
“Where are you going to put him?” Sean asked ignoring Trevor’s comment. “You can’t exactly leave him lying on this table…”
“Where do you suggest I put him Sean?” Trevor asked, deciding he would let him make the offer that he is waiting for instead of telling him. Sean was quiet for a couple of moments as he stared at the dog and then sighed.
“Our bed is probably the best place for him right now.” Trevor grinned, his entire face lighting up all because of Sean’s gesture – that he made all on his own.
“Aww thank you Sean that is very sweet of you.”
“Yeah, yeah…don’t mention it. Really don’t mention it.” He grumbled to himself, annoyed that he allowed himself to be soft for even just a moment. Trevor planted a kiss on his nose.
“I love you baby,” he told him before pulling away from him and going on over to Diego. He gently gathered the injured dog into his arms and began to carry him up the stairs. Sean shook his head and headed into the office just so he wouldn’t have to feel the happy – almost proud vibes that he was oddly enough feeling from standing in the living room. He shut the door behind him and proceeded to look over his plan of attack one more time in hopes that it would harden him up again. He needs to feel like the bad guy that he is.
Author's Chapter Notes:
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