Chapter Three-Hundred-Ninety-Six
As soon as Scott was handed Kori’s ice cream cone he turned around to see that AJ had given all of the kids theirs and was standing there eating his own as they waited.
“Ready?” he asked AJ and AJ nodded as he took hold of Laila’s hand and Scott took Spencer’s and gently told Dakota to hold onto his pantleg and Sarah to take Dakota’s hand while they cross the street. When they arrived back at the Diner, while AJ got the kids settled at the table again, Scott walked on over to Kori and Isabel who looked at him curiously upon seeing him approach and Scott handed the ice cream cone out to Kori. Kori looked at him in surprise for a moment before taking it.
“I thought you could use some ice cream too even though you didn’t want to come. Chocolate Chip Cookie dough still your favorite?” Kori nodded quietly. It was all she could do at the moment as the simple act of kindness had momentarily taken her breath away. He remembered her favorite ice cream after all of these years? She knows she hasn’t eaten ice cream in front of him since he re-entered her life, so it had to have been from five years of memory.
“Good,” Scott grinned. “I was worried I didn’t get it right,” He told her and then turned and walked off to join Spencer. Isabel lightly nudged Kori in the arm causing her to look at her and she gave her a look. Kori scowled at her and then turned her attention back on Scott’s back as he was walking away.
“Thanks Scott…that was very sweet of you,” She told him in a whisper. A whisper was all she could muster at the moment. Scott smiled at her lovingly in response and then sat down at the table and Kori looked at Isabel who was smiling too.
“You aren’t helping,” She whispered quietly to her so that no one else would hear.
“What?” Isabel whispered back just as quietly and she gave her best friend an innocent look. “It’s only the polite thing to do, isn’t it? Say thank-you when someone does something nice?”
“Everytime I’m nice to him though it just makes things harder on me.”
“Honey why are you fighting it?”
“You know perfectly well why I am fighting it. I would have thought you of all people would be against him the moment you found out considering who your friend is.”
“I love Wiley very much,” Isabel insisted. “He’s a sweetheart, and the last thing he deserves is to be hurt. But you are my best friend and I have a duty to be supportive of you and honey I can tell you love him just by the way you look at him.”
“Yes but I also love Wiley too,” Kori insisted stubbornly. “I made a commitment to him.”
“I realize that honey, and not to sound like everybody else here…but you can’t have them both” Isabel insisted while gently reaching out and tucking a strand of Kori’s hair behind her ear.
“So what do you suggest I do?”
“I can’t tell you that,” Isabel insisted. “That’s up to you.”
“Well, you are definitely the first person who hasn’t given me their two cents.”
“I just want you to be happy is all…with whoever you choose.”
“It shouldn’t even be a dilemma. I have Wiley and breaking his heart is just not an option.”
“I understand that…and I don’t want him to get hurt just as much as anybody else, but if you go on with this relationship with him when half of your heart belongs to someone else…its not going to be very healthy either of you.” Kori opened her mouth to argue and Isabel cut her off. “And it won’t be fair to him either. If you love Wiley and know you can’t live without him…fine. But make sure you give him your whole heart because he doesn’t deserve anything less.”
“You are right, he doesn’t” Kori whispered.
“And neither does that man over there,” Isabel added while nodding discretely toward Scott. “I don’t know him very well, but he seems like a very sweet man and he seems to love you too.”
“Don’t forget as sweet as that man is, he also broke my heart five years ago” Kori told her while looking down at the floor in attempt to hide her emotions.
“People make mistakes sweetheart,” Isabel insisted. “And from what you’ve told me, and from the look in his eyes everytime he looks at you…I think he’s suffered greatly for it.”
“So you really think he deserves a second chance then?”
“That’s not up to me.”
“But if it was. If the situation was reversed…would you give him a second chance?”
“Honestly…I don’t know because I really don’t know him like you do.” Kori sighed.
“Like I said…you aren’t being helpful.” Isabel couldn’t help but laugh a little.
“I’m sorry honey but like I said, this decision can only be your own. I’m here for support if you need me, but I can’t pick for you.” Kori looked up at her and Isabel gave her a comforting smile. “I especially need to stay out of the decision making because I don’t want to be biased. I know and love Wiley…it wouldn’t be fair.”
“At least someone has the decency not to let herself be biased,” Kori replied and she looked her sister’s way slightly begrudgingly.
“Hey, be nice to your sister” Isabel scolded playfully.
“I’m only stating the truth. She’s been all for Scott from the very beginning I know it. She downright refuses to even give Wiley a chance.”
“Little sisters will be sisters,” Isabel replied. “You are lucky you even have her. Hold onto her okay?”
“That I will,” Kori promised and she reached out and gently squeezed Isabel’s hand. She knows she is thinking about her little sister that died of Leukemia when she was ten. “Believe me I am working very hard to get her to see I’m not going anywhere.”
“Good,” Isabel smiled. “Maybe you and I can take her shopping tomorrow, do you think she’d like that?”
“We might have a hard time prying her away from Nick, but yeah I think she’d enjoy that a lot.” Kori answered as she sat there watching her sister have a whispered conversation with Nick. After a few moments she looked across the way where she assumed Wiley would be sitting only to find both him and Chris gone. Feeling confused on why he would just up and leave without telling her, she looked over at AJ.
“AJ? Where did Wi go did you see him leave?”
“He told me to tell you if you asked that he was running to Chris’s house with him real quick but he would be back,” AJ reported and Kori frowned slightly.
“Why wouldn’t he come and tell me he was leaving himself? I would’ve liked a goodbye kiss or something…” AJ shrugged his shoulders.
“I don’t know honey, I’m just the messenger. Maybe he just didn’t want to disturb you…he knows you haven’t seen Isabel in so long and was anxious to catch up.”
“Yeah…maybe,” Kori sighed as she has a feeling there is more to it then that. She’s been avoiding him all day for one – even sweetheart Wiley would put up a fuss about that and she also knows that he saw Scott’s little act of kindness with the ice cream earlier. He is no doubt upset over it. AJ frowned as well as he noticed the stress in Kori’s eyes. After finally being told about everything that goes on in her mind and has been bothering her since the day she found out her parents were dead, he suddenly feels compelled to protect her from any further pain. Oh yes, that interrogation will be happening, as soon as he gets a few moments alone with Wiley. Scott who sat in the booth across from AJ noticed that ‘tough protective brother’ look AJ had tried to pull on him earlier and he couldn’t help but smirk a little as he hugged Spencer close to him and continued to quietly go his turn in Junior Monopoly.
~*~*~*~*~
Meanwhile, in Florida, Ryan sat quietly on the ground in front of his father’s grave hugging his legs close to his chest and tears staining his cheeks.
"I really miss you, Dad," Ryan spoke softly to his father's grave. "More than anyone will ever know." He choked back a sob. "I'm glad I still got Mom and Laila, but they're not you," he continued. "I still really need you. I know there's a plan for everyone, but sometimes I wish your plan hadn't exceeded its contract."
"And though, he can never replace you, thank-you for sending Howie to look out for us," he sniffled. "I'm glad you chose him to take care of us - he's doing a good job, even if he can grate on my nerves sometimes. A.J.'s real good with Laila too, which I'm sure you're happy about. You know how clingy she can get - and believe me, she clings to A.J. like glue!"
"I'm very grateful for them both, though I'll never like the circumstances that made them enter our life," Ryan sighed. "And thank-you for helping Mom get better - I know it wasn't all her and Howie's doing - I know you had some part in it. You had to have."
"And Daddy, I'm not trying to replace you, but if anyone has to be our new Dad, can you please make sure that it's Howie?" Ryan pleaded softly. "No one else, but you, can do better by us than Howie can! Howie just - he just knows how to make things better, when they seem to be spiraling out of control. He's like, our rock or something. Without him, I think Mom would probably fall apart again. And I'm scared if she does fall apart again; she may never come back. I can't lose her too! I just can't!"
"If I lose Mom too, then I'm going to fall apart! And if I fall apart, then who is gonna take care of Laila?!?!?" Ryan panicked slightly, though quietly. "Yes, she has A.J., but she needs me too! And even though she's being a real pain in the butt lately, I need her too!" He paused a moment, to try and think of what else he wanted to say to his father, before calling Howie over to the grave. "I hope you like the flowers I brought you," Ryan spoke quietly. "Well, Howie got them for me to bring - he's smart like that, you know. I'm sorry I keep talking about Howie, but he's important to me, and I want you to know I appreciate it. You and Mom taught me to appreciate special things, and Howie's as special as they come."
"Oh! And Ashley! Gosh, Dad, I wish you could meet her! She's awful sweet, and kind, and caring, and she knows just what to say too!" Ryan gushed suddenly. "I've been writing about her lots - A.J. says my poems are pretty good. I guess I'll take his word for it, since he's written some pretty nice songs and all himself," Ryan continued. "Only problem is, she's taken. Carter got to her first, and she's hooked on him, like a worm on a hook. It's sickening sometimes, but that's probably because I want her to look at me like that! I don't care if she's nine years older than I am! She always says age doesn't matter, though in my case, I think it would quite a bit."
"But, that's not gonna stop me from crushing on her, 'cause she deserves to be crushed on," Ryan smiled softly. "And Dad, if you can, can you please make sure Ellie's Dad don't kill her? We'd all be pretty lost without her."
"And, maybe, could you sneak in a date for her and I?" He spoke sheepishly. "I just - I want to know what it's like. To have her all to myself for a little while. I know I got lots of time for girls and all, but, like I said, Ashley is pretty special."
"Well, I guess I'd best call Howie over, and introduce him," Ryan sighed. "Don't want him thinking I'm a basket case or nothing here. We all know I don't make a very nice basket." He smirked slightly. "Yeah, lame joke, I know. But I bet you smiled at it anyway." He gave a small, brief, laugh before waving at Howie. "Hey, you can come over now! Dad wants to meet you!" Howie smiled and made his way over to his young charge, who still sat in front of his father's grave. When he approached he looked down at Ryan and gently squeezed his shoulder.
“Are you okay?” he asked gently and Ryan gave him a weak smile and nodded. “Howie this is dad – Dad, this is Howie” he introduced as if the two men were actually standing face to face and were going to shake hands any moment now. Howie grinned a little in response and before Howie could say anything, Ryan spoke again.
“Do you want a moment alone with him too?” he guessed and Howie nodded.
“If you don’t mind…I know we’re here for you to get the closure that you need but I would like a couple of moments…”
“Its fine,” Ryan insisted while smiling some. “I can come back anytime…right?”
“Every day if it will help,” Howie promised gently. Ryan got to his feet then and wrapped his arms around Howie for a hug. Howie returned his hug while ruffling his fingers through his hair playfully and when he pulled away the young boy turned and headed back toward the entrance to the graveyard. Howie watched him go and made sure he was right where he could see him the whole time and then he turned his attention back on Rick’s grave. He knelt down in front of it and gazed at it in silence for a couple of moments. When he thought of what he wanted to say, he began.
“Hi Rick…” he spoke quietly so he wouldn’t be over heard. “I know you and I didn’t know each other at all…but I’ve been spending a great deal of time with your family, so I thought it was high time we go acquainted right? It’s a shame that it has to be under these circumstances though…I can tell you were a great man and very loved…it makes me feel a little jealous that I couldn’t know you too. But…this will have to do…” Howie paused for a moment, before going on.
“I want you to know that I could never replace you…I wouldn’t even know where to start even if I wanted to. I love Ryan and Laila with all of my heart…they’ve become two very important people in my life, but I promise you they will always remember who their father is. Laila, Laila…I know she’s so young right now, but I assure you she will hear stories. All the time.” Howie grew quiet again thinking about the most important thing he wanted to talk about and he smoothed his fingers through his hair nervously. He shouldn’t be nervous, he knows. Its not like the man is going to burst through this grave and strangle him to death before pulling him in with him. But…well…he wants to sound respectful and not like he is taking over his family.
“And…well…what I really wanted to talk to you about, was Lindsey,” he began softly. “She misses you so much…I can see it in her everytime I look at her. She really loves you. As you know, it’s…been tough on her. I’ve been trying my very hardest to help her through it. I didn’t know you or anything, but from the way both her and Ryan have talked about you, I could imagine that you want nothing more then to see her happy.” Howie sighed softly. “I know you made her very happy…but I believe, I can make her happy too…”
“I’m not going to lie…because I know you wouldn’t buy it anyway, you are probably watching our every move from upstairs. But…somewhere a long the way of taking care of her, I fell for her. I don’t even know when it happened, but it did. Thing is, I’ve been fighting it, because I didn’t want to be disrespectful to her while she was grieving, and I didn’t want to be disrespectful to you either. But as long as I am taking care of her, as long as she is in my life, there is no way I can go on fighting it for long. So I’m asking you for permission…I know you can’t answer me, but I thought it would be a nice gesture anyway. Would it be all right, if I pursued my feelings for Lindsey?” he pleaded softy. “I swear to you I will take very good care of her. Not better then you ever could, but well enough in my own little way. The point is, she will always be loved and appreciated…I will never let her down. I promise you that you wont be disappointed. Just please, if there is any sign you can give me to let me know that you wont be angry at me and decide haunt me for taking over your family…let me have it. Cause like I said before, taking over your family is not my intention.” Howie gazed at Rick’s grave stone in silence for a long while, and then gave him a weak smile and gently lay the flowers in front of it. “Thanks for listening,” he whispered, and then got to his feet and headed on over to Ryan to see if he wanted anymore time with his father before they head on over to the library to pick his mother up.
~*~*~*~*~
“So,” Kevin began as he sat down beside his brother on the bench as they smiled and waved at Ellie every few seconds while she was up in the Dumbo ride. Jerald looked at Kevin in silence, the surprise that he is finally being acknowledged very evident on his face. “Are you going to tell me why the whole family would stoop to such a low level and keep something so important from me, or am I expected to forgive and forget so easily? Because I can tell you right now that it’s not going to happen. I am through with secrets.”
“We wanted to tell you but –“
“—But what?” Kevin snapped sharply. “All of you didn’t seem to have a problem with letting me know what a horrible father I was being, but you couldn’t even tell me why? I’ve never felt more betrayed in my life! And by my own family even.”
“You have to look at the situation in our point of view, Kevin” Jerald insisted. “We didn’t want to hurt you, believe me if we saw a way to avoid it we would have. Summer changed you…a lot. I know you didn’t notice it, but everybody else did. You weren’t the same guy anymore.”
“I realize that now, but didn’t you think that maybe letting me know that my little girl was being abused might wake me up and realize something is wrong?”
“…We were…worried you would blame me,” Jerald whispered, and he looked away from Kevin shamefully.
“Blame you for what?”
“You have to remember that you weren’t the same Kevin anymore. You weren’t my brother any more, you were grumpy, mean, and distant all the time. Even the littlest things would set you off. Summer had such a huge effect on you…we didn’t know you anymore.”
“Blame you for what, Jerald?” Kevin demanded.
“We thought that if we told you that Summer was abusing her…you would be so blinded by lust that you would automatically defend her and turn around and accuse me for it.” Kevin stared at him in such a deep silence for the longest moment that Jerald has ever experienced in his life. He could just feel the tension and hurt radiating off of his youngest brother at his last spoken words. The only time he ever broke his gaze was to smile the best smile he could muster for Ellie and wave every time she obliviously called out to them in excitement.
“I can’t believe you would think that low of me,” he finally replied and the hurt dripped off every word.
“I didn’t want to,” Jerald insisted as tears sprung to his eyes. “Kev if you had just seen how much you changed through our eyes…you weren’t my younger brother anymore…we weren’t getting along anymore, and Summer was influencing you all the time like a drug.”
“Influenced by Summer or not, I know better than to ever think you’d hurt Ellie! You are my brother! My favorite one at that! I thought you knew that.”
“How could I know that?” Jerald snapped somewhat. “The moment that bitch came into our lives, she’s completely torn us apart! I never got to spend time with you anymore, and I missed you! And I tried to tell you that all the time, I tried to reach out to you all the time, and you just didn’t listen to me! If anyone suffered from this whole experience as much as Ellie had, it would be me. If I didn’t have Ellie to protect I would have moved home a long time ago! I was hurt and you were a stranger to me. So can you see how I could possibly fear such a thing?” When Kevin didn’t reply, Jerald went on. “I wanted to tell you what was going on so bad you have to believe me. I just didn’t know how. If I had known a better way to tell you without having to put Ellie in harms way to get proof, I would have. It was torture to mom and me to leave that house earlier today knowing we wouldn’t be there to keep watch on her anymore.”
“How long?” Kevin demanded to know, and when Jerald gave him a puzzled look he continued. “How long did everybody know about it before me?”
“Since the morning of Ashley’s birthday. Ashley found out first when I was already on the phone with mom begging her to fly out here to fix this.” Kevin closed his eyes briefly, as the memory of that day came to him as clear as day and suddenly everything that happened that day made sense.
“The day I was the most hardest on her,” Kevin whispered tearfully. “I was so frustrated with the fact that she wouldn’t let me near her, so frustrated that she detested Summer so much, so frustrated with her non-stop tantrums…I was at my wits end.” Kevin rubbed at his watery eyes. “Now it all makes perfect sense…her distance…her tantrums…she was trying to tell me all a long and I was blind and didn’t see it.” Jerald reached out and gently rubbed his hand over Kevin’s shoulder.
“Everybody has that experience in their life you know…I cant tell you how many times a woman has blinded me little brother…it happens.”
“At least you don’t have to worry about them using you for your fame though, right?” Kevin asked bitterly.
“No, that I don’t have to worry about,” Jerald replied and he looked Kevin in the eyes. “But I can’t even begin to tell you how many women have wanted me simply because I was the older brother of Kevin Richardson from the Backstreet Boys.” Kevin scowled not finding the amusement in Jerald’s confession just now as all he wants to do is pout and be angry. “I know you cared about Summer a lot Kevin…I know. And I’m sorry that she didn’t turn out to be the one for you and that she hurt you. I know you will find her some day though, because you deserve to be happy…and when you do, she’s going to not only love you, but Ellie as well and the whole family, and we are all going to stand by your side as you marry that woman. I promise.”
“I don’t know if I can even let another woman into mine and Ellie’s life again after what happened,” Kevin insisted as he saw the ride had stopped and he got up to go and collect his daughter causing Jerald to follow.
“You will some day,” Jerald promised. “Ms. Right could be closer than you think. Maybe even right down the street for all you know.” Kevin didn’t respond, he only gathered Ellie up into his arms and kissed her cheek affectionately.
“Where to now princess?”
“Daddy, have you been crying?” Ellie asked worriedly instead of answering his question and she cupped his face in her hands and gazed into his teary eyes with a frown.
“Don’t worry about it baby,” Kevin insisted gently and he rubbed his nose lightly over hers. “Daddy will be fine. He just really needs to take the only girl in his life on an exciting ride. So which will it be?” Ellie looked around the place and her eyes suddenly fixed on The Tower Of Terror and she grinned.
“Tower of Terror!” she insisted and Kevin arched his eyebrow.
“Baby I think that might be a little too thrilling for you.”
“Aww…but daddy, please?” she pleaded eagerly.
“No, not this time. We’ll wait until you are a little older, okay? Why don’t you pick a different ride?” Kevin asked and Ellie sighed heavily. She looked around again for something else, and then back at Kevin.
“Tea Cups,” She pouted.
“Aww, don’t pout” Kevin insisted and he gave her a peck on her pouty lips. “We’ll go Donald Duck searching afterwards, how about that?”
“Kay,” Ellie replied and Kevin sat her down so her feet were on the ground before grabbing her leash and wrapping it firmly around his wrist and the trio began to make their way to the tea cups.
~*~*~*~*~
“What did I miss, what did I miss?” Brian asked curiously, when he rejoined his excited girlfriend at their seats. They ditched work and everybody and were having a great time just as Brian had promised. He took her to the park for a picnic where they ate lunch, spent the whole time catching up on their relationship, and of course made love and now they’re at a hockey game. Their phones of course were both ringing non-stop until finally they both just put it on silent, as they agreed that no one would interfere with them. But half way through the game, Brian had to run off to use the restroom and while he was gone, he couldn’t help but check his phone. As soon as he did he felt guilty after seeing all of the missed calls and messages, so he called his mother and let her know that they’re alive and well and were just playing hooky – and boy did he get an ear full. Listening to his mother yell at him made him feel like he was a teenager all over again. All he could do was smile through out the whole thing.
“The Panthers just scored and now we’re ahead 8 to 11” Riley answered as she watched the game with fascination and Brian couldn’t help but grin in admiration as he watched her. He knew that taking her to a hockey game would make her day seeing as how she loves it so much. He slid his arms around her waist and pulled her near and he kissed her forehead softly.
“Be sure to take in all of the fun while you can,” He told her and she looked up at him curiously.
“Why?”
“Because I just got an ear full from mom and I’m pretty sure she’s just getting started. The real explosion will be saved for when we get home.”
“I thought we agreed no phone calls,” Riley reminded him and Brian lowered his head down and rubbed his nose lightly over hers.
“I know, but I saw that Momma had called me twelve times…and knew she had to be worried, I couldn’t help it.”
“Oh Brian,” Riley laughed and she gently smoothed her fingers through his blonde hair and caressed his cheek. “You are such a Momma’s boy.”
“I know, I know” Brian sighed and she smiled up at him sweetly. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” Brian told her and he tilted her chin up and gave her a small kiss on the lips. “And I’m happy to see that you are having fun.”
“I am,” Riley reassured and she nestled her head against his chest comfortably as the two of them stood there watching the game. “No matter how much trouble we’re in when we get back, it will be worth it” she added softly.
“Mhm,” Brian agreed. You have no idea just how worth it, he thought inwardly to himself.
“Brian will you get me a pretzel and cheese please? And some soda?”
“But baby we just had a hot dog for dinner when we got here,” Brian reminded and Riley looked up at him sheepishly.
“Yeah…but I’m hungry again?”
“Okay, okay” Brian chuckled.
“And while you are up there will you see if they have any fresh churros? I want them to be warm Brian. I’m really craving something warm and sweet.” Brian smirked and leaned down and kissed her stomach softly.
“Yes ma’am. If there aren’t any, I will ask them to make some more – just for you,” he told her after he stood up straight and gave her one more kiss on the lips. He turned around and headed up the steps again to do what was requested of him. Riley beamed happily, and she sat down and continued to enjoy the game. When Brian returned with a tray of food and a drink he handed it to her and sat down next to her.
“They let me have a tray and everything.”
“How did you manage that?”
“Simple. As soon as I told them that my pregnant fiancée was craving a warm freshly made churro I instantly got special treatment.” Riley took a bite into her churro then.
“Mmm…well me and baby thank-you much.” Brian leaned over and kissed her cheek softly. “Anytime sweetheart. If you want anything else, just ask.” Riley took his hand into hers and laced their fingers together.
“Just you please.” Brian squeezed her hand gently in response. The two of them sat there in silence together, eventually going back to paying attention to the game. After ten minutes of enjoying it and cheering on their team, Riley who had been paying attention to all of the fun things that were being displayed on the scoreboard widened her eyes and she squeezed Brian’s hand a little tighter causing him to only grin. He’d seen what she sees and was hoping she’d notice.
“Brian! Oh my god!” she exclaimed as she stared at it in surprise.
Riley will you marry me on Friday March 2nd, 2001?
The scoreboard read and it showed a cartoon version of a bride and groom, before switching to camera mode and suddenly Brian and Riley were on screen for the whole world to see. Riley’s eyes filled with tears as she looked at Brian who sat there grinning at her and waiting on her answer. Riley nodded. It was all she could do at the moment without bursting into happy sobs – courtesy of her hormones and she flung an arm around Brian as she still held onto her tray. Brian slid both of his arms around her in return and kissed her cheek softly and the next thing they heard were a chorus of awe’s from the audience around them.
“The real day will be Saturday, March 3rd…let the fans think its Friday,” He whispered softly in her ear.
“Kay,” Riley whispered back happily and he tilted her chin up and brushed his lips lightly over hers causing another chorus of awe’s and the screen suddenly turned back into the scoreboard again giving them their privacy back. When they pulled away a few moments later, Riley realized something.
“But Brian, that’s only three weeks from now!”
“Well, then, I guess we ought to get planning already, huh?” Brian smirked. Riley smacked her forehead.
“But, we, I…weddings take a lot of time and planning – Dress shopping, Invitation sending, flowers, songs, everything…we…” Brian pulled her into another kiss in attempt to shut her up. Riley tensed up at the abruptness of it, but eventually relaxed and kissed him back.
“Will do it all together,” he finished her sentence for her when they pulled apart. “With everybody’s help, not to mention my mom, Brooke’s, and probably Ashley too. We will have it all planned out and ready just on time. I promise.”
“And my mom too.”
“And definitely your mom too,” Brian agreed.
“I love you Brian,” Riley announced tearfully before pulling him into another hug as she no longer held her tray and she buried her face in his shoulder. Brian smiled and rubbed his hand over her back as he kissed the top of her head.
“I love you too,” he insisted. “Lets watch the rest of this game and then go home and spring this on my mom before she even has the chance to be angry with us. What do you say?” Riley laughed a little.
“You’ll give the poor woman a heart attack.”
“Nah, she can take it. She’ll be so excited that her youngest son is finally getting married that she’ll forget all about being mad at us.”
~*~*~*~*~*~
“I should probably go check on Julie,” Annabelle announced as she, Brandon, and Peyton sat around the living room just enjoying each other’s company.
“Can I do it?” Doctor Johnson asked gently as he sat on the floor with her lacing and unlacing their fingers as they held hands. Annabelle smiled at him some as she gazed at him in wonder.
“I love how close you and Julie have become…it’s a dream come true. Its really nice not having to worry about her scaring off my boyfriends for a change.”
“Sweet little Julie used to sabotage your dates?” Peyton asked in disbelief.
“All the time. They weren’t her father so they didn’t belong…then Steve came a long and she just adores him. I don’t blame her or anything, but I still can’t help but wonder why.” Doctor Johnson smirked and kissed her cheek affectionately before getting to his feet and heading on up the stairs where Kayline’s bedroom was located. When he reached the door, he peered inside to see the six-year-old lying on the floor with toys and dolls spread out around her and she was asleep. He went further into the room and over to her and he gathered her into is arms careful not to wake her up and he brought her over to Kayline’s bed before pulling the blankets down and lying Julie in it. He covered her up and knelt down beside the bed as he watched her sleep in silence. Why did Julie take to him so fast and not try to scare him off like the others? He pondered to himself. Could that be Kayline’s doing too? It has to be. It can’t just be because he was her mom’s doctor though he’s sure that’s a huge reason behind it. Maybe that’s why she chose to act through her…so that she could help Julie see that he’s not such a bad guy. Could that be part of her master plan? Did she know he would fall in love with Annabelle? Well, if that’s the case, then what is she still doing here? Mission accomplished, isn’t it? He’s in love with Annabelle, they’re together, and yet she’s still around. He’s not complaining, by all means he hopes she doesn’t leave him anytime soon. He’s not ready for that. Now that he knows she’s near he wants her to stay, he doesn’t want her presence to go away. But he still can’t help but puzzle over what she is up to. She was always a sneaky child when she was alive; she always had Steve thinking. He’s glad to know things haven’t changed even after she’s gone.
“What are you up to Kayline?” He asked again but in a quiet whisper as to not wake Julie. He continued to sit there watching the sleeping beauty in front of him for a couple of seconds longer, and then he leaned down and kissed the top of her head softly before getting up and heading for the door.
“I love you Stevie, be happy” he heard a whisper as soon as he reached the doorway. Doctor Johnson turned to look at Julie in the bed with a raised eyebrow.
“Julie?” he asked thinking he might have woken her, but when he looked at her closely and listened carefully, he could hear her snoring softly. Doctor Johnson stood there paralyzed in his spot as he watched her in confusion. It was Julie’s voice of course…he knows it. But…she’s sleeping. Kayline...Kayline spoke to him through Julie. The article did say ask and you shall receive…he gazed at Julie with excitement for a long moment, and then he shook his head and turned and headed for the stairs again.
“God Steve, you belong in the loony bin…” he muttered to himself. When he got downstairs Annabelle, Brandon, and Peyton all looked at him curiously upon him entering.
“What’s Julie up to?” Annabelle asked curiously.
“She fell sleep on the floor while playing. I put her in bed and tucked her in,” Doctor Johnson answered quietly, before rejoining his girlfriend on the floor.
Author's Chapter Notes:
Here's the next chapter. Enjoy :-)
