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Chapter Four-Hundred-Fourteen



“Where have you been? Have you really been bitching at Detective Stabler all this time?” AJ questioned when Nick finally walked into his motel room and found the tattooed man sitting on the one bed watching television quietly while Ashley and the girls still lay cuddling together on the other one but they’ve all joined Bella for a slumber party.


“No…the bitch session lasted ten minutes and then I went for a walk to blow off some steam,” Nick answered while running his fingers through his blonde hair. “How long have they been sleeping?” he asked curiously while joining AJ on the bed sitting next to him and hugging his legs to his chest.


“An hour. You know he didn’t mean any harm Nick…he was just trying to prepare her.”


“I don’t care, he went behind my back after I told him not to do it and now Ashley is pissed off at me when things have been so good between us lately. I would beat him to a pulp if he didn’t have the power to arrest my ass.”


“If it makes you feel any better, she’s pissed off at me too.”


“I just know she feels betrayed right now…she trusted us to never do shit like this. She trusted us.”


“It’s not like they hurt her or anything…infact it improved her. We now know if she’s put in a difficult situation she can do lots of damage…thanks to us.”


“Yeah…lets just hope that if she gets put in this difficult situation, I’m there to cheer her on or she may not find the confidence…”


“She will, we’ll work on that. She still has one more test,” AJ insisted and Nick arched his eyebrow while looking at his bandmate warily. “We still have to get her to let go of her fear of Sean. Which means our next move is to bring out the long awaited punching bag.”


“Where are you going to get such a punching bag?”


“Detective Stabler had one made.”


“You can do that?”


“He can, apparently. I don’t know how he did it…but he did. I’ve even seen it – it looks exactly like Sean…”


“I can just see Ashley’s reaction to the whole idea now…”


“Yeah well, we’re going to have to make her do it. Its too important not to…if she gets over her fear of Sean she won’t have anything else to be afraid of and all of the power will be in her hands. I will feel like all of my goals for her are accomplished once she rids herself of her ultimate fear. She was my New Year’s resolution Nick…to help my baby sister improve herself and become stronger…I’m not letting this resolution go unaccomplished. It’s too important. I will be damned before I let Sean take her away from us.”


“Yeah…you and me both,” Nick replied softly, and he looked over at the girl he loves with his whole heart.


“What did you two do before the attack?” AJ wanted to know suddenly. “Why did she seem so clingy to Bella earlier?” and with that question being asked, Nick began to tell him the play by play of their entire discussion earlier. By the time he finished telling him they heard Bella begin to fuss over on the other bed and looked her way just on time to see Ashley sit up slightly as Dakota still lay asleep on top of her. She gently lay her down next to her so she was snuggling with Sarah instead and then she turned her attention on Bella who was now wide-awake. She gathered the baby into her arms and smiled at her sleepily.


“Hi Baby…” she greeted and she hugged her close to her affectionately causing Bella to coo happily, making it very clear that she is happy her mommy is back. Ashley kissed her forehead softly. She sat with her in silence for a long while, just holding her close to her and savoring each moment with her and then after awhile she glanced over at Nick and her brother and they stared back at her cautiously, fully expecting her to still be angry.


“Why don’t you give Bella her surprise now honey?” he asked gently.


“I thought I would wait for Dakota and Sarah to wake up so that I could give their surprises to them all together,” Ashley insisted softly and she adverted her eyes from him. He looked at her in silence for a long moment, and then got up and went to the bed she was sitting on. He crawled onto it and crossed the bed so he was sitting indian style in front of her as she now sits with her legs bent in the up right position with Bella lying against them – her stance that she often gets in when she feels insecure. He gently tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and gazed into her eyes with so much love in his own.


“How long are you going to stay mad at me this time?”


“I’m not really mad at you Nicky…” Ashley insisted softly. “I am just upset with the whole thing in general.”


“They didn’t hurt you baby…Detective Stabler – as much as a jackass that he is, I know for a fact that he loves you and wouldn’t let anybody hurt you. He just wanted to make sure you learned everything we’ve been trying to teach you in your defense lessons.”


“I know, I understand that…but can you understand why I might feel threatened and shaken up about the whole thing? I had no idea it was a test Nicky…I thought it was the real thing. I thought Sean was going to take me away from you to torture me again and this time…probably actually kill me and I didn’t even get a chance to do everything that I wanted and needed to do. Can you imagine what kind of horror was running through my head at the moment?”


“I can actually,” Nick answered softly. “I’m the only person in this whole world who can get inside your head remember?” he asked as he brought his finger to her cheek and lightly caressed it. “I felt your fear, I heard your fear, and all I wanted to do was help you. I didn’t know it was a test at first either and I felt so powerless, you have to know and understand that.”


“I just wish I would have gotten some kind of warning…”


“Sean won’t give you a warning during the real thing honey and you know that. The moment he resurfaces, the attack you experienced this afternoon is going to seem like nothing compared to whatever he plans on doing…”


“I know that, I understand that, but you could have at least dropped me a hint…gave me a sign…or something to let me know that I was going to be tested. You didn’t have to tell me how…or when…just that it was going to happen.”


“I didn’t even know it was going to happen,” Nick reminded gently. “Like I said, I told Detective Stabler not to do it and he went behind my back…and if it makes you feel any better I called him up and gave him a ten minute bitch session for it.” Ashley slid her arms around his neck quietly and gently brought him closer so their foreheads were touching. He shifted himself so that she was sitting between his opened legs as she still sat in her vulnerable stance. He hugged her and Bella close to him protectively and rubbed his hand over her back in a slow circular motion.


“Did I really kick some ass Nicky?” she asked quietly after a long moment and he noticed the corner of her mouth start to smile but she was being stubborn and not letting herself do it. He chuckled softly and cradled her face in his hands as their foreheads still touched and he gazed into her eyes.


“You did baby, you don’t know how proud of you I am right now. If only you could see how awesome you did.”


“Yeah?”


“Mhm. If you could just hold onto that confidence now and work on your fear of Sean he wont have any power over you anymore.” Just then Bella cooed happily and Nick and Ashley looked down at her, Nick smirking.


“Aint that right pretty baby?” he asked while making faces at her only making the baby coo and squeal even more causing Ashley to giggle in amusement.



~*~*~*~*~



Meanwhile in Florida, Kevin, Kristin, and Ellie arrived at the gigantic park known as Freestone, which has a lake, big areas of grass and such that would be perfect for picnics and two different play structures - one located on two different sides of the whole park. You have to cross a bridge over the lake in order to get from one to the other. There is a sidewalk around the lake so people can take walks around it, and some kids even like to feed the ducks. When they got out of the car, Kevin with Ellie rested on his hip they heard two other children squeal. Kevin tensed up slightly, thinking they were fans until he heard whom they were actually squealing for.


“AUNTIE KRISTIN!!!”


“Hi munchkins,” Kristin smiled as Nathan and Jesse came running over to her, the both of them tackling her with hugs and Kevin stood there watching the scene in front of them with slight amusement.


“Dad says its your turn to watch us because he has to go to work and aunt Tina is at Denny’s,” Nathan informed in a matter of fact tone as a man suddenly joined them – a man Kevin assumes must be Kristin’s brother.


“I know, he told me” Kristin smiled, and she looked up at her brother who approached and then Kevin. “Kevin, Ellie this is my brother Brad, Brad these are my new friends Kevin and Ellie” she introduced and the two men smiled politely at one another and exchanged hellos and nice to meet you’s and everything that comes with meeting new people. Ellie waved shyly, and then Brad looked at Kristin.


“Listen Kris, I really need to get going or I’m going to be late. Are you sure this is okay? I can take them with me if it’s not but my boss probably wouldn’t like it much.” Kristin looked up at Kevin then.


“ “Do you mind Kev? I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about it ahead of time, I just thought it would be fun to surprise Ellie.”


“An’ Ellie really likes the surprise lots!” Elenore informed while looking up at Kevin with excitement in her eyes and the three adults laughed.


“Yeah its totally fine – the more the merrier” Kevin insisted after kissing the top of Ellie’s head. “I know Ellie has been feeling mighty lonely, so this is exactly what she needs right now.” Kristin looked up at her brother then who gave Kevin a grateful look before giving his son and niece brief – yet meaningful good-byes and then he was gone in a flash. Kristin shook her head in amusement and looked up at Kevin.


“I apologize for him being in such a rush. His boss isn’t exactly the friendliest lady around so he doesn’t like to make her mad.”


“Its okay I understand all about cranky bosses – too well infact,” Kevin insisted and Kristin suddenly noticed the troubled look in his eyes. “Well, anyway,” He added while forcing a smile. “It’s a good thing we got enough Panda Express for our two new arrivals – why don’t we go find a good spot in the grass where we can set our blanket out at?”


“We hafta stays on this side of the park daddy” Ellie insisted after tearing her gaze from her two new play dates and focusing them on the play structure as they bulged with excitement. The one she is looking at is huge as opposed to the other one located a good long walk from where they’re standing.


“I couldn’t agree more,” Kevin replied while smiling down at his little girl and he suddenly felt very lucky to have someone as sweet and fragile as she. He’ll never understand how someone so precious could come from such a violent and tortured man – but he couldn’t be anymore grateful to Sean for giving her to him. He set Ellie down then, and she looked at the kids feeling slightly shy as she was only just introduced to them last night. She doesn’t exactly know what to say or do, as she’s never played with anyone outside of her comfortable little circle of friends from the Orphanage before. They all stood there staring at each other for a moment, and Kevin and Kristin watched them waiting to see what happens.


“I’ll race you to the swings!” Jesse challenged Ellie and her cousin at long last and both their faces broke out into huge smiles.


“Last one there is a rotten egg!” Nathan insisted and then took off running before either of the girls could respond.


“HEY! You cheater that’s not fair!” Jesse insisted before sprinting after her cousin and Ellie wasn’t too far behind her, deciding this boy reminds her a lot of Josh – or perhaps Chris. Either one of them would’ve pulled a stunt like this. She rolled her eyes in playful irritation at the thought. Kristin laughed a little and Kevin just grinned.


“Ellie please for the love of all things cute and cuddly – stay where Kristin and I can see you” he called after his daughter.


“Kay daddy!” she called after him, barely hearing him but responding to appease him. He and Kristin began to get things out of the car then - the bag of Panda Express and the blanket they are planning on sitting on. They carried them over to the tree and began to set up their picnic and make plates for the kids while they got a little bit of playing in and a chance to get to know each other.



~*~*~*~*~



“Seanie” Trevor called through the house as he walked around looking for his lover who he hasn’t seen since earlier when they had breakfast together outside. As soon as they were done eating, they had gone their separate ways to do their own thing – Sean in one part of the house, and Trevor went into the dark room to work on his project.


“Trevor” Sean called out from the office and Trevor rolled his eyes before approaching the doorway and peering in. He should’ve known he wouldn’t be anywhere but there, sitting at his computer lost in his own world of darkness and madness.


“Yes?” he asked, looking up from his computer screen to look at his lover, the angry look that he was wearing on his face for whatever reason softening, as it always does at the sight of his beloved Trevor – only at the sight of his beloved Trevor.


“What are you up to in here?”


“Stuff,” Sean shrugged. “Why?”


“I was thinking of taking Diego for a walk and was hoping you’d come.”


“No.”


“Sean please?”


“No Trevor. I want to stay here.”


“I don’t like leaving you alone.”


“Kind of sucks when you don’t have Max here to baby sit me huh?”


“Please Sean?” Trevor pleaded.


“I don’t want to. I won’t do anything stupid okay? I won’t even leave the house.” He watched as Trevor arched his eyebrow at him.


“I swear. Trust me for once…will you? I’m not going to do anything. I’m happily content right here.” Trevor stared at him for a long moment in silence, and then entered the room, crossed it to get to him and he cupped Sean’s face in his hands as he gazed up at him and leaned forward and kissed his forehead softly.


“Fine…I’ll trust you. But if you so much as step one foot out of this house I never will again, you hear me?”


“Mhm,” Sean replied and Trevor tilted his head back, planted a kiss on his lips and then walked out of the office. Sean listened to him talk to Diego as he put him on a leash, and he listened as he talked to the dog conversationally on his way out of the house, and then shook his head and dove right back into staring at his computer screen, contemplating. Planning. He won’t do anything today, no. But he officially knows when he’s going to strike. He can feel it coming near he just has to wait until the precise moment.



~*~*~*~*~



“Mommy Ashee,” Dakota complained shortly after she and Sarah had woken up and the two girls were sitting up watching TV.


“Dakota Ann?” Ashley asked with a small smile.


“Sarah an’ I are bored” She pouted as she watched Ashley finish up on changing Bella’s diaper.


“Bored huh?” She asked while gently lifting Bella up from the bed not even bothering to put pants on her, deciding to just let her be in her diaper and t-shirt. She held her close to her and planted a loving kiss on her forehead.


“Uh-huh. I really don’t see how Spencer lives in this town” Sarah complained. “There’s nothing to do.” He wasn’t very happy here she knows that for sure. She can tell. She may not have known her nephew for very long, but she’s gotten to know him pretty good in the short time that she has and she knows for a fact that he wouldn’t be heartbroken in the least if they moved to Florida permanently. All of his friends are there – Kori even said so herself that he’s a lot happier. But she’s accepted that Kori has to come to the conclusion that Florida is better all on her own.


“Well, maybe I can entertain the three of you some how,” Ashley insisted, and Dakota and Sarah watched her curiously as she crossed the room to the dresser and picked up a bag – Dakota instantly recognizing it as a jewelry store bag and her eyes widened is excitement. Nick and AJ chuckled at the look on her face.


“My little Pirate,” Nick muttered with a shake of his head. Ashley smirked and went on over and sat in front of the two girls with Bella seated comfortably in her lap, so she sat with her back against Ashley’s stomach and lounged in between her legs.


“Ashee what’s did you get, what’s did you get?” Dakota asked excitedly, barely being able to contain herself at the possibility of receiving more jewelry and AJ laughed once more.


“Well, lets see here” Ashley told her mysteriously and she opened up the bags, reached in and pulled out the right boxes – the lady had put Dakota and Sarah’s necklaces in a blue velvet box while Bella’s was in a black one. She handed one to each of the girls after opening them up and determining which is which and then closing them again. Dakota squealed in her excitement, Sarah wore a huge smile on her face like she had just stepped foot inside Disneyland, and they each opened their boxes together.


“Oh Ashee this is pretty!” Sarah gushed upon seeing her necklace with the silver ‘s’ pendant.


“I love it Mommy Ashee, Thank-you so much” Dakota added as she marveled over her ‘D’ Pendant necklace like a hungry pirate for a moment, before getting up on her knees and instantly hugging Ashley. Ashley laughed and hugged her and Sarah in return as Sarah had gotten up and copied her.


“You are both very welcome. I’m really glad you like them.” Dakota pulled back and looked at Nick then, who was watching her with a small grin on his face as he enjoyed seeing the happiness in his girls.


“Daddy will you puts it on me?” She asked automatically, as she always does.


“Mhm I will. Miss Sarah, would you like to wear yours too?”


“Yes please!” Sarah insisted happily, and Nick got up and moved over to their bed joining them and he began to help them put their necklaces on them. As he did, Dakota eyed the bag knowing there is more.


“What’d you get Bella Mommy Ashee?” She asked eagerly.


“Yes Mommy Ashee, lets see what Bella got” Nick added, and Ashley giggled at how he managed to sound as if he didn’t already know what it was and she opened the bag up and reached inside for the other box. She pulled it out and shifted Bella so that she was still holding her in her lap with her back to her, and she slid her arms around her so she held the box in front of her and she would be able to see it. She instantly earned her interest of course.


“Okay Bells, Mommy bought you something very special,” Ashley told her, beginning to talk to her the way she always does when she buys her new things. Dakota and Sarah leaned closer to see as Ashley pulled the box open, and Dakota gasped at the sight of the little engraved locket and the expression on her face clearly said how beautiful she thinks it is. Ashley pulled it out of the box and Sarah eyed it curiously.


“Whats it say?” She asked, moving closer so she could see but Ashley answered anyway though she looked down at Bella as she did.


“It says Too Bella with love, Mommy…” Ashley answered and she kissed Bella’s cheek softly as Bella’s little hand reached out and touched the necklace in fascination in her eyes.


“That’s gonna look so pretty on her!” Dakota insisted.


“Yeah I bet it will – let’s see,” Ashley agreed and she opened the little clasp to the necklace, before putting it on her. She lifted her up and turned her around so she stood on Ashley’s legs and Ashley made a playful face instantly earning big smiles from Bella.


“Aww look at you baby, your so pretty!” Ashley enthused making Bella respond with her happy cooing sounds and Ashley cuddled her close to her in such a way that Nick immediately recognized as a father – the you are way too important to me and I’m never letting you go kind of hold.


“Can a picture be puts in that?” Dakota asked curiously, as she noticed the locket could be opened and she did so as Ashley still cuddled with her baby, and baby cuddled back soaking it up for all its worth.


“Mhm,” Ashley nodded. “I’m going to have someone take a picture of Bella and me later and stick it in for her. That way Bella will always have her mommy close to her. No matter what.” Dakota got on her knees again and wrapped her arms around Ashley wanting to cuddle with her too and she rested her head against her shoulder.


“An’ Sarah an’ I will always haves you close to our hearts too,” She insisted and Ashley kissed her forehead softly before resting her own against it affectionately as she felt Sarah take Ashley’s hand into hers. “Even if we already knows daddy is gonna keeps you safe.”


“Daddy is going to keep her safe and so is her big brother” Nick promised seriously and he noticed AJ nod in agreement, as he too sat with them holding Laila in his lap.
“But Ashley is going to help. Aren’t you baby?” he asked, making eye contact with her and Ashley nodded. Yes she will. She’ll do anything to keep from leaving these girls and the man she loves. She just doesn’t know how she is ever going to accomplish getting over her fear of Sean before he resurfaces. She knows its getting closer. Her instincts practically scream it. AJ who read the doubt on her face reached out and touched her hand in reassurance.


“Your big brother will make sure you do” he told her, and she and Nick both looked at him in surprise causing him to arch his eyebrow.


“What? Just cause I can’t get inside your head the way Nick does, it doesn’t mean I don’t know my sister enough to read her emotions when they’re clear on her face” He insisted, and he leaned over and kissed her cheek before squeezing her hand in reassurance.