Chapter Three-Hundred-Ninety-Nine
“Honey we’ve been here for twenty minutes and all you’ve done is shop for Bella,” Kori pointed out amusedly as she watched her sister get drawn over to the baby clothes again.
“What can I say? I love shopping for my daughter,” Ashley shrugged. “She’s my life now. Everything is about her.” Suddenly she came across another adorable outfit then, and she gasped, grabbed it up and looked at it with that must-have expression on her face. It’s a little white two-piece dress with a matching jacket. It has pink boa accents on both the dress hem and collar and there is a matching pink headband with a bow on it and everything.
“You and your frilly dresses,” Kori laughed. “You better be careful she doesn’t end up resenting you later for it and refuse to wear dresses.” Ashley stuck her tongue out at her playfully.
“When she is old enough to say no, she is more then welcome to do so but for now mommy gets to have all the fun that she wants.” Kori shook her head smiling.
“Besides,” Ashley replied. “If I can manage to get Kota to wear cute little dresses sometimes, I’m pretty sure I won’t have a problem doing the same with Bella too.”
“Kota only wears dresses for you because she knows how much it makes you happy” Kori laughed as she went on over and began looking at clothes in Ashley’s size.
“And when she wants to be like Sarah,” Ashley pointed out. Just then, Isabel who had been helping Kori look for clothes for her sister suddenly laughed amusedly causing the two girls to look at her curiously.
“This shirt would look cute for either one of you,” she announced and then held up a shirt that was black and read “This Mom Rocks!” in shimmering multi-colored letters.
“Well, its Ashley’s size sooo its meant for her” Kori insisted and then smirked. “And besides, she’s the one who rocks out to Guns N Roses during her spare time.”
“Oh let it go already” Ashley replied and Kori laughed.
“Never.”
“I’m going to kill Marcus the next time I see him,” Ashley insisted while shaking her head.
“Well, you’ll have your chance tonight. He doesn’t like being so far away from you, so he’s driving up here.”
“So what do you think Ash? Yes? No?” Isabel questioned not bothering to ask what the conversation is about. Kori had already filled her in on the whole Guns N Roses thing and she thought it was adorable that she would go through such lengths to entertain her baby.
“How much is it?” Ashley wanted to know.
“Doesn’t matter because I’m buying it for you” Kori insisted. “Any outfit that you get in this store, I’m buying for you.”
“Oh no you’re not,” Ashley insisted. “I didn’t get a job at Ramsey to make money for nothing, you know. I’ve been living off of people for too long.”
“You aren’t living off of me. This is your sister trying to be nice” Kori insisted. “So pick out whatever you want. In this store, I’m buying.”
“Id let her do it if I were you,” Isabel insisted, as she has taken it upon herself to make sure that Ashley and Kori get plenty of sisterly bonding time. “Its not every day that a sister would offer to spend money on their little sister.”
“Exactly. And everybody else gets to spoil you all the time…it’s my turn” Kori added.
“Alright, alright” Ashley replied and Isabel grinned and tossed the t-shirt over to her. Ashley caught it before going on over and joining them and Kori beamed happily and began picking out outfit after outfit for her to try on.
“But you two are going to try on and get things too, I wont have this be all about me” Ashley demanded.
“I don’t need much right now,” Kori insisted and Ashley shook her head before beginning to look for clothes for Kori refusing to let her get away with only getting a couple of things for herself.
~*~*~*~*~
“Daddy, can I have that pretty necklace?” Sarah pleaded as the four men and children were walking a long the sidewalk doing window-shopping but purposely staying out of the mini-mall. Back home in Florida, they could’ve gone to the mall and probably not run into the girls at all if they really didn’t want to, but in this little town of Jersey where the mall is so small that would be impossible. Nick paused and looked back at his daughter then to see her standing at the window of a jewelry store and she has her hands and nose pressed to it. He watched as Dakota moved next to her and copied her and he chuckled softly before pulling his camera out of it’s case, turning it on, putting it at the ready and snapping a picture of them. When he never answered her question, Sarah looked back at him causing Dakota to do the same thing.
“Daddy?” Sarah asked, skillfully ignoring the little mocking bird beside her.
“I’m sorry sweetie, that was just to adorable not to take a picture of,” Nick insisted before moving behind his girls to peer in the window too. He followed their gaze to display a dummy wearing pearl earrings and necklace set. Nick raised his eyebrow at how expensive they look. They’re real jewelry, and not just something you would find in Claire’s. “You just had to pick the most expensive kind huh?”
“They’re pretty daddy” Sarah insisted.
“Oh I know they are, but you are six years old, you don’t need jewelry this expensive.”
“Says the man who bought Kota the most expensive charm bracelet there is, in Paris of all places” AJ reminded, coming up beside him and sliding his arm around his shoulders. He knew if he didn’t point it out, Sarah surely would and then there’d be problems. Nick sighed, knowing AJ is right and he pulled away from him and took hold of Sarah’s hand.
“Come on sweetheart, let’s go” He told her gently and Sarah beamed as Nick led her into the jewelry store and Dakota followed. Wiley on the other hand, whirled around and headed on into another store across the street and AJ arched his eyebrow curiously and stood outside of the jewelry store watching him from a distance. While Detective Stabler and AJ were left alone with Spencer, Bella, and Laila, Detective Stabler decided to use this time to speak to AJ.
“Anyway, Aje, I wanted to talk to you about Ashley.” Knowing exactly what he wants to talk about, AJ shook his head.
“I’m sorry man, but Nick has made it perfectly clear that he doesn’t want to go through with it.”
“Well, in all honesty, Nick has no say. You are her brother.”
“I don’t have much say anymore either, remember? Ashley is eighteen now. Mom and I are no longer in control of her decisions.”
“But it’s what’s best for her. Don’t you see how important this is?”
“I do Elle, but Nick has a point too. What is this going to do to her emotionally?”
“It’s going to improve her confidence greatly – whether she knows it right away or not.”
“Nick says no. Please don’t put me in the middle of this. He and I are doing so great right now – we have a team going on here and I don’t want to ruin it.”
“He won’t have to be apart of it.” AJ held his hands up in the air making it perfectly clear that it’s out of his hands.
“If you are asking for me to approve, it’s not going to happen. I’m staying out of it.” Detective Stabler opened his mouth to argue some more when suddenly Bella began to fuss. AJ looked down at his niece who he has cradled in the baby sling and is supporting her with one arm while balancing Laila on his hip.
“Baby ake’s up” Laila announced helpfully and AJ chuckled softly.
“Thank you sweetheart,” He told her sweetly and he kissed the side of her head affectionately making the two-year-old beam happily. “Here why don’t you go see Elliot for me while I take care of her all right?” he added and then handed her over to Detective Stabler who took her readily. AJ then used both of his free hands to carefully shift the sling he was wearing so that Bella was sitting upward in his arms and he hugged her close to him and began to gently rock her in attempt to calm her down. When she wouldn’t, he dug her pacifier out of the diaper bag that he was wearing also and tried that but Bella only spit it out and began to wail louder as it dropped to the floor.
“Oh boy, you are not a happy camper are you?” he told her gently as he leaned down and picked up the pacifier. “I know who you want…I’m sorry baby but I just can’t give you that right now.” He looked down at her for a moment as she threw her tantrum, and then started for the jewelry store only for Nick to come out again with both girls at his side. Bella’s watery eyes fixed on him then, as she would notice him a mile away and it became clear that if she can’t have her mommy then there is only one other person who will do. The man who took the role as her daddy the moment Bella was given to them no questions asked and in her 3 month old mind, that is who he is.
“She is in her ‘I only want my mommy or daddy-figure’ mood right now,” AJ explained as Nick gently took her from him.
“She usually is first thing when she wakes up” Nick explained as he brought Bella close to him and she rested her head against his shoulder. He hugged her close to him in that protective natural way that only a father would and she slid her little thumb into her mouth and instantly calmed down with only a few stray tears. Detective Stabler shook his head amused.
“Well, you definitely have the touch. You realize now that she has it in her mind that you are her father there is no turning back, right? Three months is usually the time where they begin to sort out who is who in their life.”
“That’s perfectly fine with me” Nick insisted while planting a kiss on Bella’s forehead. “I’m marrying Ashley some day anyway and then the moment I do I’m adopting Bells, so she can go right ahead and think of me as her daddy. I’m the only one she’s ever going to have.”
“That is a very big promise” AJ pointed out seriously. “I’m not doubting you and your relationship or anything because I know how deeply in love the two of you are but you have to admit that you and Ashley are so young Nick…Ashley especially and don’t forget that you are her first real love. She’s at the point where she’s considered an adult…but she’s not one quite yet, you know? She’s in between teenager and adulthood right now and it’s a very crucial time for her...she’s going to be doing a lot of growing up.”
“Yes, I know that but that’s not going to change her love for me,” Nick insisted firmly and he hugged Bella closer to him possessively as if she were Ashley that he is holding.
“Nick I’m just…” Nick held his hand out then so that AJ could see the promise ring that Ashley had given to him.
“See this? Remember this? She made a promise to me AJ and I made one to her too – she’s still wearing the ring I gave to her too. We’re one hundred percent committed to each other. She told me she has her heart set on marrying me and I believe her. I know her. I know that there is nothing else that she wants more in this world. Remember what our brief breakup did to her? Did she look like someone who was ever going to grow up and move on? She tattooed the date that we started seeing each other on her body for crying out loud – if that alone doesn’t state her commitment to me loud and clear then I don’t know what will.”
“I’m just asking you as your best friend and her concerned brother to please be careful. She still has a lot of things that she needs to figure out in life Nick. And if you are going to make such promises to your children…” AJ then indicated toward Dakota who was listening intently with her arms folded across her chest and a highly indignant look on her face and Nick looked down at her briefly. After that he eyed Bella who was very much content where she’s at and she doesn’t plan on leaving her comfortable perch anytime soon. He placed his blanket over her and rested his chin lightly on top of her head. “Then I hope for their sake that you are able to keep them.”
“I understand what you are saying, I really do” Nick insisted. “Believe me I remember perfectly well what being eighteen was like. But she knows that while she is in the process of figuring life out, no matter how many struggles we face, I’m always going to be right here when she does. Cause I know that when she does figure out her life, I’m going to be apart of it. If there is one thing she taught me in our relationship it is to learn how to trust again and I trust her completely. There isn’t anyone in this world that knows her the way I do. You can’t even begin to understand the love that we share…you see it every day, sure. But you don’t understand how strong it is...and until you are on the receiving end, you never will.”
“What I do know is that I’m not the only one who doesn’t understand and is concerned. You two have this deep connection that no one has ever seen before and we wonder and worry about it all the time. But you learn something new every day…so, who knows, maybe I will fully understand someday. I just love the both of you very much and I love all three of my nieces too and I’m just concerned about these promises you are making them so early in your relationship.”
“That connection that we share…if you opened your eyes and looked past your concern for us you would see that it only gets stronger every day. The more we learn about each other the closer we get…and everytime we’re apart from each other and upset with each other, it weakens us. And you know what? I hope that some day you do get to see how strong our love for each other is. No, you know what? I’m counting on it,” Nick explained while looking AJ directly in the eye to show him just how serious he is. When he saw that he’d made his point and AJ wasn’t going to argue any further, Nick looked down at Sarah and Dakota.
“Come on ladies, lets go to that candy store I’ve been promising you. Spencer would you like to join us?” he asked and then made his way in that direction while snuggling with Bella and giving her plenty of affection that could only come from a real father. Dakota, Spencer, and Sarah followed at his side, both girls feeling just as indignant as he is. Dakota is actually glowing with pride because no one believes in her daddy and Ashley the way she does.
~*~*~*~*~*~
“Where do you plan on having the wedding at honey?” Are you still going to have it in Kentucky?” Jackie asked Riley as she, Brooke, and Riley sat on the living room floor talking and discussing wedding plans. The moment they walked in the door last night, Jackie had looked at them with so much anger in her eyes and opened her mouth to lecture them when Brian blurted out the good news. Jackie had stood paralyzed in her spot for a long moment, and then she started crying happy tears and went right into proud mother-mode as he had hoped.
“Yes, definitely in Kentucky. Brian has had his heart set on getting married in his hometown church. There is no way I could ever deny him that dream.”
“Okay then is it all right if Harold and I go ahead and arrange that for you? He’d be able to talk to the preacher for us since he’s just right there.”
“Yes that’s perfect.”
“And then what do you think about us hosting the reception in our house? As you know we have the right backyard for it and everything.” Riley smiled at her future mother in law and reached out and gently squeezed her hand.
“Id love that. But as long as my mom gets to help too.”
“Of course. You know she’s as welcome in our family as you are and I’m sure she’s thrilled to tears about all of this. As a mother myself I could never deny her the right to help out at her daughter’s wedding.”
“When is she getting here Ri?” Brooke spoke up.
“Tomorrow morning and I thought we could go dress shopping as soon as Ashley and Kori get home from Jersey, and Brian could take the guys tux shopping.”
“Okay and as soon as your mom gets here we will take care of as much as we can until then.”
“Yes,” Riley agreed. “As anxious as I am to marry Brian, he didn’t give us much time” she added and both Jackie and Brooke saw the stress in her eyes and heard it in her voice.
“He gave us a perfect amount of time,” Brooke reassured gently. “We will have everything planned and ready come March 3rd I promise honey. I don’t want you stressing out about anything.”
“Yeah you need to stay calm,” Jackie added. “The s tress is not good on my Grandbaby and you have me, Brooke, your mom, Brian, and everybody who are all ready and willing to help.”
“Yes we are your wedding planners. All you need to do is tell us what you want, need, and desire and we will make it all happen for you. Whether its baby or wedding related,” Brooke insisted.
“I think once we have everybody back from their mini-vacations we should assign jobs to people,” Jackie suggested to Brooke alone, now talking to her like Riley isn’t there and listening.
“Yes I understand what you’re saying,” Brooke agreed readily and she marked that down in the notes she was already making. “We’ll need to have a team that is willing to cater to Riley’s every want and need pregnancy-wise so we can make sure there isn’t too much stress that could harm the baby and another team to concentrate solely on the wedding plans.”
“Put me on Team Riley,” Brian spoke up as he walked into the house and heard what was last said. Riley looked back at him lovingly and Brian went on over and sat behind her before gently making her lay back against him between his legs. He placed his hands on her stomach comfortably and leaned down and kissed the side of her neck affectionately. “I already own the top position when t comes to catering to my fiancée’s every want and need.”
“Yes she will need you now more then ever Brian, it’s very important that she stays relaxed. But I’m just saying when you aren’t around for whatever reason, there will be a backup team with around the clock supervision,” Brooke explained. Riley rolled her eyes.
‘That really won’t be necessary, I will be fine.”
“Hush lady, we’re taking care of you whether you like it or not,” Brooke insisted while narrowing her eyes and pointing at her with her pen playfully. Riley huffed.
“I will not be treated like a pregnant lady who is incapable of doing things. I will not sit on a couch eating bon bon’s all day while people do everything for me. There is no way.”
“Fine sweetheart, but you’re still going to put up with everybody going through great lengths to make sure you have a stress-free life in the next three weeks” Brian insisted and he tilted her chin up and grazed his lips lightly over hers.
“I know I will never get you to stay home for the next three weeks and out of the Orphanage, so I’m ordering you to take it easy. No heavy lifting, no lecturing children, and definitely no taking over for me. I may still have you interview wannabe parents because that’s not so bad, but that’s it,” Brooke added, and Riley scowled but otherwise didn’t argue. She knows it’s no use.
“What plans did you ladies come up with while I was gone?” Brian wanted to know as he brushed her blonde curls off of her shoulder and leaned further down to kiss the side of her neck and shoulders and Riley closed her eyes comfortably and relaxed. Just the reaction he’d been looking for.
“Not much really, just that your father is going to talk to the preacher for us in Kentucky and we’re having your wedding reception in our house. We will wait until tomorrow when Ri’s mother arrives to make anymore major plans.
“Is Chloe going to be our flower girl?” Brian asked with a small grin as he rested his chin on Riley’s shoulder and enveloped her in his arms.
“Actually,” Riley replied. “I’ve been thinking a lot about that ever since you proposed to me. I’m sort of in the middle of a delimma here. Chloe is my niece…so it’s only natural that she should get to be flower girl by default right? But then there’s Kota who I’ve helped raise like she were my own for four years – she may as well be my niece too…so could I really deny her that?”
“Why not make them both flower girls?” Brian suggested.
“Really? Two of them?”
“Yeah, why not?’ Brooke asked. “Chloe is your niece…she could represent you and Kota was made Brian’s niece the moment she came into our lives no questions asked. So she can represent him. It would be cute.”
“All right, it’s settled then. Chloe and Kota are our flower girls.” Brian beamed happily then, as it brings him nothing but great joy to have Dakota in his wedding. That’s what he really wanted all a long, but he knew it was Riley’s decision as well so he had to remember Chloe.
Author's Chapter Notes:
Here's the next chapter
Enjoy =)
Enjoy =)
