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While Ashley lay there falling apart completely in Angel’s embrace AJ and Marcus appeared in the doorway after having taken care of everything. Tears clouded AJ’s eyes and he felt his heart breaking at the sight of his sweet baby sister going through this. He was about to go and help Angel comfort her when Marcus suddenly grabbed his arm quick. AJ looked at him curiously.

“What?”


“Look,” Marcus urged quietly. “Look at Nick.” AJ did as Marcus said looking thoroughly confused until he finally noticed for the first time that Angel was not the only one holding Ashley. Though his eyes are closed his youngest band mate has his arms wrapped around her too. AJ thought about this for a moment, analyzing things and trying to make sense of it.


“Ashley put his arms that way…” he insisted after a moment not wanting to get his hopes up by believing otherwise. It just seems too good to be true…especially since he wants it so much. “She does that sometimes when she really needs to be held…”


“I don’t know Aje…it just seems different this time…” Marcus said quietly. The two of them stood there quietly watching in the doorway and when Angel managed to calm Ashley down somewhat to the point where she was just sniffling she pulled back slightly and sat there watching her snuggle with Nick. It took a full moment to comprehend that he is holding her back and she gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.


“What?” Ashley sniffled and she started to get up to look and see what was going on when Nick’s arms tightened around her waist like they usually do when the two of them are laying together and she’s about to get up against his wishes. She looked up at him in surprise to see that his eyes were still closed. Her heart began to pound rapidly, as she tried very hard to remind herself not to get her hopes up. The doctor at Banner Health explained to her that coma patients often make involuntary movements in their sleep but it doesn’t always necessarily mean anything. This could very easily be one of those times. She’s been praying and hoping with all of her heart that he would wake up or at least give her some kind of sign that he is still with her, her mind is probably playing tricks on her.


But then this seems like too big of a coincidence, her heart argued with her mind stubbornly. This is something Nick always did to her he has to be doing it voluntarily. Ashley gently cradled his face in her hands.


“Baby wake up…please wake up,” she pleaded as a single tear rolled down her face. “Come back to me…I know you can do it. I believe in you…” She waited a good long moment for a response as she placed small kisses on various parts of his face, even going as far as kissing him on the lips realizing that some small part of her, deep down in her heart, she was still hoping for a fairytale miracle. When she didn’t get anything out of him she felt the urge to cry some more as her heart shattered all over again. She knew it was too good to be true. She twisted around so that she could get up and go see her brother then very much needing him at the moment. She got as far as the side of the bed when suddenly she felt the all too familiar arms wind around her waist and he was reeling her back. He brought her so that she was lying on her back on top of him with the back of her head rested against his shoulder and he tilted her chin up before claiming her lips for his own in such a powerful kiss that it instantly took her breath away. Giving into that urge that she had just moments before to cry, Ashley broke down into sobs all over again but this time they were tears of relief and happiness and he pulled back slightly and rested his forehead against hers as he held her close to him protectively.


“Nicky you’re awake…”


“Of course I am awake baby, didn’t you know that I could never leave you?”


“I didn’t want to believe it, but three weeks going on four was starting to scare me…”


“I could tell…and I didn’t like it very much that you were scared.”


“You could?” Ashley sniffled. “But…” Nick gently took her hand and placed it to his heart.


“I could feel it in here...in that very special place in my heart where you belong. Just like I know you could feel me sometimes.”


“How long have you been aware and trying to come back?” Ashley asked softly after a long moment, needing to know that all of the feelings she was having were real.


“Well I was always aware of you…” Nick began while gently caressing her cheek with his finger. “I could tell when you were hurt, sad, confused, angry…and I could hear the disagreement you and AJ had earlier. I wanted so badly to be able to call him a jackass but couldn’t do it…it was frustrating.” They heard AJ snigger in the doorway and Ashley smiled slightly as tears fell down her cheek and he caught them with his finger.


“Well, this jackass missed you very much you know,” AJ insisted while walking over to Nick’s bed with tears clouding up his eyes. Nick looked up at him to see that he was trying very hard to keep his cool right now and AJ leaned forward and hugged him. “Leave it to you to give us all such a scare Nicky,” he teased light heartedly. Nick hugged him back and AJ gave him a kiss on the forehead in a very brotherly way. When he pulled back he sat down in the chair beside the bed as Ashley spoke up again.


“What else could you hear?” She prompted gently.


“The argument you had with my mom earlier and then AJ and Angel talking to me. I heard the conversation you had with the boys earlier and you crying and then trying to move away from me…I wasn’t having that...Basically I’ve wanted to wake up all day and just didn’t know how. But then you were hurting and I wanted to be the one to comfort you…so I concentrated on that and here I am. The next thing I was aware of, was me kissing you.”


“Speaking of your mother,” AJ began as he watched Ashley cup Nick’s chin in her hand and place tender kisses on his cheek. “If you don’t bitch her out I will. Just so you know.”


“I don’t know what she did, but I know that it was bad enough to make my baby cry so yes I will take care of it as soon as she shows up or whenever I’m able to go find her.”


“And that won’t be for at least a few days,” Doctor Smith insisted while walking into the room with Marcus at his side.


“He’s not a vegetable Doctor Smith,” Ashley informed while snuggling into Nick some more.


“I can see that honey…I’m very glad that I was wrong in this case. Welcome back Nick…how are you feeling?”


“Kind of sore…but better now that I can finally voice my opinions and call AJ a jackass myself instead of hoping Ashley would for me.” Doctor Smith chuckled and while he went through normal procedures of checking on Nick, Angel gently moved so that she was snuggled up with her brother too.


“Mom would have to have some nerve showing up here again…”


“What did she do…or should I be afraid to ask?”


“I will explain it to you later…let’s just let Ashley enjoy having you back okay?” AJ suggested.


“Kay,” Nick replied while hugging Ashley and his sister. “Where are my girls?”


“Brian has them over in the Orphanage wing. It’s nearly dinner time he’s probably getting them ready for that.”


“Let’s go have dinner,” Nick insisted.


“Slow down buddy…you just woke up from a coma.”


“So put me in a wheel chair and wheel me down there,” Nick replied while looking at Doctor Smith pleadingly and Doctor Smith chuckled amusedly.


“You’re pretty lucky to even be communicating with us this well at all, Nick. It usually takes a while for a coma patient to make this kind of recovery. I think I’m beginning to realize that yours and Ashley’s love is a force to be reckoned with...nevertheless, I think you should take it easy.”


“But I want to see everybody…especially my daughters I’m sure they miss me so much.”


“They do baby, but Alex will go get them okay? Everybody will bring dinner to you” Ashley insisted gently. “I agree with the doctor you should be on bed rest for a few days.”


“Can I at least have bed rest in my own bed then?” Nick pouted somewhat.


“I think that can be arranged,” Doctor Smith answered after thinking about it for a moment. “If you will agree to stay here until later tonight after we’ve thoroughly made sure that you are okay.”


“Okay,” Nick nodded. “I can do that.”


“I don’t know if I would be able to do ‘house visits’ because of my schedule, but I might be able to talk Brooke into letting Doctor J do it…since we know you’re awake and recovering and all.”


“Doctor J hasn’t been his main doctor all this time though,” AJ pointed out.


“No, but he of course still knows everything that’s going on with Nick, he followed me around and watched me do it all in nervous anticipation nonetheless.”


“Alex, will you go get the girls for me?” Ashley spoke up softly. “They’ve missed their daddy long enough.”


“Mhm, we will all bring dinner to you, so stay put” AJ answered and he walked out of the room. Angel deciding that she would help went after him and Doctor Smith deciding that he would give Nick and Ashley a little bit of time alone spoke up again.


“Ashley let me know when you are all done with dinner and then I’m going to need some time with him for awhile to ensure that he is in perfect health to be handed over to you in your apartment later okay?”


“Kay,” Ashley nodded and Doctor Smith walked out of the room with Marcus, shutting the door behind them. She looked up at Nick then as he was already looking down at her and he placed his hand to her cheek gently caressing it.


“I love you,” he reminded her while resting his forehead against hers and gazing into her eyes lovingly.


“I love you too Nicky…so much.”


“What’s going on with Sean?” he asked softly while hugging her close to him protectively as she still lay on her back on top of him with her head rested against his shoulder comfortably.


“He’s in prison where he belongs. They were holding his trial until they knew for sure what was going on with you.”


“How is Ellie taking this?”


“She is completely heartbroken right now…but I think she’s dealing with it okay…”


“I take it everybody got out of here all right? Where is Kevin?”


“He was just released from Banner Health today…Jerald most likely went and picked him up a little bit ago and took him home. He’s okay, everyone is okay.”


“Where was Angel found?” Nick wanted to know, making a mental note in his head to spend some special time with Angel and the rest of his siblings.


“Buried alive in Sean’s father’s grave…” Ashley answered softly and Nick’s face twisted up in pain causing Ashley to frown. It breaks her heart to ever see him that way.


“She’s okay baby…she was found, rushed to the hospital, and taken care of immediately. She and Aaron have been with me at your bedside 24/7 unless I could manage to talk them into going home and getting some sleep which wasn’t very often.”


“And how often did you sleep huh?”


“Whenever I could find the time right here which was hardly ever…” Nick gently tilted her chin up so she was looking up at him.


“You’re getting some sleep tonight, do you hear me? I will make sure of it.”


“I’ve missed you,” was all Ashley said as tears threatened to fall and Nick gently brushed them away with his finger.


“I’m right here sweetheart…I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to hold you all night long and you are going to sleep for me okay? And I will be right here when you open your eyes in the morning.”


“Kay,” Ashley sniffled and Nick lightly rubbed his nose over hers giving her an Eskimo’s kiss. “Don’t cry baby, I don’t like it when you cry.”


“I’m just so happy you are awake,” Ashley insisted while rolling over onto her stomach and burying her face in his neck as he holds her. Nick kissed the top of her head softly and hugged her close to him after pulling his blanket up on the both of them and just as she was getting comfortable the door opened and Brian walked in holding Riley’s hand and the two of them had the kids with them – Josh, Chris, Dakota, Sarah, and Bella.


“Daddy!” Dakota exclaimed and she let go of Brian and Josh’s hands and went running for the bed. She crawled into it ignoring everybody’s warning to be careful and she immediately fell into Nick’s outstretched arms and hugged him as Ashley had moved over for them.


“Hi baby…” Nick replied while hugging her tightly and kissing her forehead affectionately and he felt her tears fall onto the skin of his neck.


“Ashee said you were fightin’ real hard to come backs to us,” she mumbled into his neck.


“Well she was right. Daddy loves and misses his girls very much,” Nick answered while looking over at Sarah who was just quietly standing beside the bed looking apprehensive.


“Sarah honey, come here…where is daddy’s hug huh?”


“I don’t wanna break you an’ make you go away again…” Sarah insisted nervously.


“You aren’t going to break me you silly goose…get over here,” Nick told her while giving her a goofy look instantly making her giggle some though she still looked cautious and unsure. “Your hugs are only going to make me so much better and stronger, I promise.” Sarah considered that for a moment and after thinking about it, she crawled up onto the bed and went over and carefully hugged him. Nick gently pulled her into him so that she was lying on top of him beside Dakota and he hugged his girls close to him never being more happier to see them then he is right now. The last thing he remembered before he passed out three weeks ago is that he may very well never see them again. While hugging them he looked at Brian who was currently holding Bella and Brian who noticed him eyeing her longingly went on over and sat beside him on the bed with her.

Bella caught sight of Dakota and Sarah hugging Nick and realized that she suddenly wants him too. She reached her little hands out to him then as if reaching for a toy.


“Dadadada,” she screeched. Ashley smiled amusedly and Nick chuckled.


“You heard the woman Brian, she wants her dada,” he insisted. Bella cooed happy upon hearing Nick’s voice. It’s been three whole weeks since she’s gotten a response out of him and Ashley was beginning to wonder what she must think. Especially since she’s so used to having him wrapped around her little finger. Dakota reached out and gently grabbed Bella from Brian’s arms and brought her close so that she too was cuddling with her, Sarah, Ashley, and Nick and Brian laughed.


“This is good. It’s like how many women can we fit in Nick’s arms.”


“The man is a pimp like I keep telling you, Bri” AJ insisted while walking into the room as Nick leaned down and kissed the top of Bella’s head instantly making her coo happily some more.


“What’s a pimp?” Dakota asked curiously, instantly causing everybody to laugh.


“Yes Uncle AJ, what is a pimp?” Ashley added giving AJ an exasperated look and AJ smirked.


“Ask your daddy.” Dakota looked up at Nick then and Nick shook his head.


“No, I think your uncle should tackle this one, since he brought it up and all.” Dakota looked back at AJ then and AJ thought about this long and hard for a moment.


“A pimp is another word for chocolate,” he made up after a moment and Dakota raised her eyebrow.


“Chocolate?”


“Yup, chocolate. See, it has the tendency to attract women…just like your daddy does. Therefore, he is a pimp.”


“Joshy attracts women lots too,” Dakota announced after a moment. “Does that makes him a pimp too?”


“Kota, for the last time I don’ts like Meghan!” Josh snapped somewhat.


“But she sure does likes you doesn’t she? I saw her making googily eyes at’s you! An’ you liked it!” Dakota accused, mimicking the lovesick eyes she’d seen Sarah’s ex-best friend making at her Joshy batting her eyes and all.


“She is just trying to upset you, Kota” Sarah spoke up. “The question is are you going to let her?” Dakota crossed her arms over her chest stubbornly and made pouty lips. Josh sighed and leaned against the side of the bed so that he and Dakota were face to face.


“I don’t like her Kota, I promise.”


“But you think she’s pretty, admit it.”


“I think you are beautiful.” Dakota felt her insides melt.


“That is besides the point,” she insisted refusing to give in and forgive him just yet.


“He keeps a picture of you inside his top drawer,” Chris suddenly spoke up and Josh kicked him. “OW!”


“You do?” Dakota gushed somewhat, for a moment forgetting that she is mad.


“And he takes it out when he thinks nobody is looking and stares at it.”


“Do you Joshy?” Dakota asked Josh as he now sat there leaning against the bed looking very red in the face as the adults sat nearby listening amusedly.


“It’s the picture of you in Brian’s garden,” he admitted after a moment deciding that he doesn’t have any other choice now. “I found it in one of Brian’s box of pictures an’ he said that since he had more than one I could have it.”


“Why in your drawer?” Dakota asked after a moment.


“Because it was supposed to be a secret that I had it” Josh answered while glaring at Chris who was grinning from ear to ear and looking very much like he doesn’t see why Josh is so annoyed. Dakota was silent for a long moment as she thought about this and after taking a moment to gush at it she became serious again.


“But Meghan likes you,” She reminded.


“Well that’s tough cookies for Meghan aint it?” Josh asked while leaning forward so their foreheads were touching. “Cause I’ve had my Belle picked out since the day I stepped foot inside this place and I’m looking right at her.” Dakota smiled at him some causing him to grin back and she slid her arms around him and hugged him while burying her face in his shoulder. Josh hugged her back. Nick quietly exchanged looks of amusement with Brian and he looked down at Ashley who was completely gushing at the little miniature romance going on before their eyes. He slid his arms around her and kissed her forehead affectionately and as he did everybody else minus Kevin came in the room with dinner for everyone. They took a moment to give Nick hugs and tell him how thankful they are that he is back and such and then they all gathered around him and had dinner with him. Somewhere in the middle of it, Detective Tutuola showed up having had heard that Nick is awake and they discussed when the best time to have Sean and Trevor’s hearing would be, all of them deciding on as soon as the doctor says Nick is well enough to attend it.