Chapter Fifty Two
Meanwhile, over in the Hospital side of the Orphanage, Elenore was giving both Kevin and Dr. Johnson a hard time. Though she had allowed for Brian to care for her puppy, she was still extremely worried about him and scared. She was also refusing to tell them what had really happened, and was sticking to her story of how she'd run into the door.
"Elenore, if you ran into the door, then why is there a handprint on your face? Hmm?" Kevin questioned, eying the little girl warily.
"I's dunno," Elenore shrugged slightly. Dr. Johnson shook his head, as he neared her and gently tilted her head back to get a better look at her face. He'd already stopped her nosebleed, and was now checking her over to ensure she was indeed all right. Elenore squirmed some. "I's fine. Really."
"If you were fine, you wouldn't have been screaming bloody murder for me to come and get you," Kevin snapped somewhat. "Why can't you just tell me what's wrong?" Elenore narrowed her eyes at him.
"I's told you.....the door hitteds me." Kevin heaved a frustrated sigh, groaning as he did so.
"Elenore....."
"Kevy..." Elenore replied, in almost the same tone, actually being a little daring with it. She jerked her head away from Dr. Johnson. "I's fine. I's want Rok now." She went to hop down, but Dr. Johnson stopped her.
"Elenore, I'm not done."
"Yes you are!" Elenore declared, struggling with him. "I's want Rok, an' I'm gonna go sees him now!"
"No, he's not," Kevin stated firmly. "Ellie, behave."
"I'S WANTS ROK!!!!!!!!!!" Elenore screamed, struggling with Dr. Johnson even more. "LEMME GOES SEE ROK!!!!!!!"
"Brian has him right now. I assure you, he's very safe," Dr. Johnson told her gently, in hopes of calming her down. "You should know, Brian would never let anything happen to a puppy." Elenore continued to freak out. Though she trusted Brian, she was still extremely worried and wanted her puppy. She'd only just gotten him that morning, and already he was in danger. Dr. Johnson stepped back, as she kicked and screamed and punched at him angrily with her little fists and legs.
"LEMME GOES SEE MY PUPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"If you don't calm down, I can always take Rok back," Kevin piped up, though he knew he'd never be able to do so. "I mean it, Elenore."
"NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Elenore shrieked, squirming about so much, she ended up lying down on the examining table. Her fists and legs punched and kicked the air, as she screamed shrilly at the top of her lungs. She mostly screamed for her puppy, but she also just screamed too - because she was angry, frustrated, and scared all at once and she'd no other way to let it out.
"ELENORE EDNA REENA IRENE ELAINA ELLERBEE! ENOUGH!" Kevin roared finally, twenty minutes later. "You need to CALM down and calm down NOW!" Elenore jumped about three feet, figuratively speaking, as she shot up abruptly, eyes wide as saucers. She grew incredibly silent, minus her hiccups and tiny whimpers - Kevin had yelled at her. Her Kevy had actually yelled at her! This was it - she'd made him mad enough to hurt her now - she just knew it! Kevin pinched the bridge of his nose for a moment, before speaking. "I'm going to step out for a moment," he told Dr. Johnson. Dr. Johnson nodded, understanding completely. Though Kevin loved Elenore unconditionally, he was not used to tantrums that lasted for more than five to ten minutes. "I'll be right outside in the hallway," Kevin added, to ensure Elenore would know he wasn't far - though, he was angry with her. With that said, Kevin left the room, so that he could collect his thoughts and control his temper. He didn't want to yell at Ellie, he'd just had enough of her screaming. And the fact he knew she was lying to them didn't help matters any either. The moment Kevin had left the room, Elenore began to cry all over again. He was going to leave her now - she just knew it! Kevin was going to leave her behind and never come back! No matter what he had promised! Dr. Johnson sighed and finished checking Elenore over. Once he was done examining the crying child, he gave her a gentle hug.
"Shh...." Elenore whimpered and sniffled, as she accepted the hug briefly, before allowing him to lift her down. Once her feet hit the floor, she went running for the door in a panic.
"Kevy? Kevy?! KEVY!?!?!?!?" Kevin looked down as the five-year-old came flying out of the examining room, tears still streaming down her face, as she looked and called for him in a panic.
"I'm right here, Ellie," he replied finally, just as her eyes landed upon him. Elenore immediately tackled his legs and hung on tight as she began to sob once more. She hadn't meant to be naughty, she hadn't! Kevin scooped her up as Dr. Johnson came out and gave him a nod, signaling that Elenore would be all right.
"Shh..." Kevin soothed, rubbing her back as he held her close. "Shh.....We'll go see Rok now, okay?" Elenore nodded midst her sobs, a death grip now upon him. Dr. Johnson went about his way, attending to tasks he had neglected for a bit, having had needed a break from them. Kevin carried Elenore back to the playroom and was met with concerned looks from everyone - especially Dakota.
"Is Ellie okay, Uncle Kevy?" Dakota asked worriedly, as she eyed her best friend.
"Ellie will be fine," Kevin assured her, though he wasn't one hundred percent sure on that. Physically she was fine - but emotionally, he had no idea. He set Elenore down on the floor and when he did she looked over at Brian worriedly.
"Wants Rok," she told him. Brian pulled him gently out of his pocket and she went over to him and took her puppy into her arms, holding him close to her carefully.
"He remained in my pocket the whole time. I kept him very safe just like I promised."
"Thank you, Brian." She told him softly and she kissed the top of Rok's head before going over to the reading center where there are bean bags. She sat down in a bean bag and cuddled her puppy close to her protectively, though she eyed Kevin from across the room still making sure he's not going to leave her. Dakota and Spencer followed her over there, Dakota now holding Lily again as she had left Abbie asleep by Ashley's feet.
"Is she really going to be okay, Kev?" Howie asked quietly when the kids were out of ear shot.
"Physically yes…but emotionally, I'm not so sure. She threw a huge temper tantrum the entire time Doctor J examined her and I ended up getting so frustrated I had to step out in the hall for a little bit. She completely lied to us too. She keeps sticking to her story about the door hitting her."
"Hmm…" Howie replied.
"Well we're all suspicious about Tom," Brian replied, and he began to fill his cousin in on their theories.
"If he DID do it, I'll kill him." Kevin announced angrily. "I'll fucking kill him."
"Shhh…Kev…there are children around." Howie reminded.
"Sorry…I'm just not in a good mood."
"We don't blame you, dude." AJ replied gently. Kevin looked over at Q as he watched him move into a closer spot to keep an eye on Elenore and he sat down in his chair relaxing some. He could really get used to having bodyguards around all the time.
"Do you think she'll tell Kota the truth if she asked?" Nick asked suddenly, as he sat there and watched as Elenore had moved over just enough for Dakota to lay next to her and cuddle with her, the two puppies lying comfortably on top of them. He noticed as Dakota had wrapped her arms around her protectively, and as their foreheads touched, just like real best friends do.
"I wouldn't count on it…she knows Kota will do anything to protect her, even if it means blabbing a secret."
"They're so cute together…especially how they're always right there for each other in times of need. It makes me just want to carry a camera around with me at all times," Brian replied, watching the two friends.
"Yeah…they're lucky to have each other," Nick agreed. "Ellie came here at just the right time and couldn't have made Kota any happier and Kota is slowly showing Ellie that there is love out there for her." Everybody was silent for a few minutes, just sitting there watching the kids, than Ashley broke it.
"Nicky…I need to go upstairs for a little bit," She announced, and Nick looked at her curiously.
"Please?"
"Okay," Nick replied, and he looked at everybody else.
"Someone wanna keep an eye on Kota for me?"
"I'll do it," Marcus replied.
"Kay, thanks." Nick got up and took Ashley's hand helping her up from her chair. She scooped Abbie up and he led her out of the playroom, Laney following close behind. When they got out of the playroom, they were headed toward the elevator when they ran into Tom on their way there.
"Hey Tom," Nick greeted casually.
"Hi," Tom replied, as he stood there holding a little girl's hand that Nick recognizes as Sarah, one of his little wives and she was standing there quietly next to Tom.
"What's up?"
"Not much, just taking Sarah here up to her room. She wanted to show me a cool toy that she got from Alana." Tom answered, Alana is another caregiver at the Orphanage, one that a lot of the children are very fond of.
"I see…" Nick replied, eyeing the little girl who was usually all smiles when in his presence, but now she is all quiet and distant.
"Id like to see this toy of yours Sarah, can you show me too?"
"Okay," Sarah replied, and suddenly a small smile formed on her face making him smile too and he winked at her making her smile even bigger as her heart fluttered. Nick turned and looked at Tom.
"Do you mind if I join you to see this toy?" He asked, eyeing the man closely, daring him to tell him no. He knows he can't or he will sound very suspicious.
"Yeah, sure, why not?" Tom replied, shrugging his shoulders. Nick grinned.
"Sweet!" He replied, and he looked down at Sarah.
"Wanna piggy back ride on my shoulders sweetheart?" Sarah nodded eagerly and he lifted her up onto his shoulders and allowed him to take her hands into his so she doesn't fall. She feels very safe up on Nick's shoulders. Like no one in the world can touch her. Not even mean ole' Tom. He, Tom, Laney, and Ashley walked into the elevator and Nick hit the second floor just as the doors closed. Ashley wrapped her arms around his waist and stood very close to him and Laney stood there keeping an eye on things, ready to pounce if this Tom guy should try anything stupid. He sees him eyeing the poor defenseless little girl who is more then happy to have Nick's company. There is no doubt at all that he was the one who hurt Elenore now. When the elevator reached the second floor everybody walked out and Nick brought Ashley down to their room.
"Honey why don't you go in the room and do what you were gonna do and Laney will stay here with you? I will be right next door with little Sarah here."
"Kay," Ashley replied, not liking it one bit that he is going to leave her alone with Laney, but she knows its for a very good reason. She knows he can't leave Sarah alone with that creep, she knows better then anybody else. Besides, she knows she's going to have to get used to having Laney and the other bodyguards around, and she knows she's going to have to learn to feel safe with them too. Nick kissed her cheek and watched her as she walked in the room and he glanced at Laney, giving him a look. Laney understood the look right away as a 'guard her with your life' sort of look and he gave Nick a reassuring one right back. Nick then walked next door with Sarah, disappearing in her room and Tom followed. Laney walked into Nick's room and saw that Ashley is in the bathroom so he went and sat in Nick's lazy boy chair and watched the closed door, making sure she doesn't get out without him knowing it and making sure no one bad gets in either.
~*~*~*~*~*~
When Nick, Sarah, and Tom got into Sarah's room Nick put her down.
"So where is this neat toy you wanted me to see honey?" Nick asked and Sarah went over to the side of her bed and crouched down and Nick followed, a big grin upon his face. When he got over there he saw a huge train set that is put together. She turned it on making the little train go around the tracks and she grinned up at him excitedly.
"Wow honey that is very neat! I didn't know you liked trains."
"Loves them!" the six year old replied enthusiastically and he kneeled down beside her and began to play with the other trains, creating a little game for them to play as he knows he has to stay in there as long as possible. Tom sat on the bed and just watched and though he was busy playing with the little girl Nick took time to study him too. He may not be showing it but he can still tell that he is very annoyed. He will be sure to voice this to Brooke and Riley in private later. He knows its not enough to bust him, that they will need actual proof like last time with Trevor, but he will find the proof he is very certain of that. There will be no pedophiles in his home. Not on his watch. This is supposed to be a safe environment for children to be but it is starting to turn into anything but. As a father and employee he knows it has to be stopped. He played trains with Sarah for thirty minutes, than when Tom realized he isn't going to get any time alone with his victim he got up.
"Well I'm going to get back to work," He announced. "Your toy is very neat Sarah, I'm glad you showed it to me," He told her. Sarah looked up at Tom, noticing him there again - she had completely forgotten since she was having so much fun with Nick.
"Your welcome," she told him, and he walked out of the room, though he stopped right outside the door and just as he predicted he heard Nick start to ask questions.
"Do you hang out with Tom very often, Sarah?" He asked gently, and Sarah looked down at her trains, nervously.
"Sometimes…" She answered softly. "He comes out on the playground sometimes to play trolls with me and my friends…he likes playing trolls."
"Does he play anything else with you?" Nick asked, feeling sick to his stomach. How many times has Tom been out on that playground without him even noticing it? It is time he starts paying a lot more attention to all of the kids. Dakota is fine now that she has Elenore and as long as she's being watched by a trustworthy adult…and Ashley will go everywhere he does so there is no reason at all that he can't start paying more attention to other kids.
"He pushes us on the swings sometimes, and plays hop scotch with us, and house. He's really fun."
"I see…" Nick replied. "Well how about we go down to get your friends from the playground and we will bring them into the playroom where you can play in there? Kota and Ellie are in there. Maybe you can play with them."
"Okay," Sarah replied. Nick stood up and took Sarah's hand and Tom ran off quick so he doesn't get caught spying. Nick led the little girl out of her bedroom and brought her next door to his own and just as he walked in he saw Laney sitting in the lazy boy chair and Ashley on the corner of their bed and the two of them were talking to one another, but both looked up at Nick as he walked in.
"Everything okay?" Nick asked curiously.
"Yeah everything's fine Nicky. Laney was just telling me about all of the funny things that happen when you guys are on tour."
"Oh?" Nick asked, going over and sitting next to Ashley on the bed and he pulled Sarah up into his lap.
"Mm hmm. I was just telling her about the time when you guys were being mobbed by very crazy fans and Marcus was the only one standing there at the time. There were too many to fend off by himself so he picked up three of you at a time while the other two took off running for dear life and the rest of us heard screaming and came running out to see what was going on and there you all were running down the street - it was a funny sight."
"Heh…yeah. That was the time Aje broke his leg. Marcus nearly killed you guys afterwards for leaving him all alone with us." Laney snickered.
"Well we honestly didn't think they'd find you but apparently we were wrong."
"Where'd Tom go?" Ashley asked curiously, after a few minutes of silence.
"He had to get back to work," Nick answered, and he felt Sarah snuggle into him at the mention of Tom's name. "But anyway, I told little Sarah here that we would go and get her friends from the playground and bring them into the playroom with us. So we should go and do that now," he added, and he got up and took Ashley's hand helping her up too and Laney got up from the chair and followed him out of the room. As they were walking down the hall Ashley heard Kori's voice in her room. She stopped and peeked in to see Wiley in there and she rolled her eyes and looked up at Nick with an annoyed look. She still isn't too fond of Wiley. Nick squeezed her hand gently.
"Just let it be," he whispered very quietly so that she and Laney would be the only ones that heard. Ashley didn't reply, she only hid behind the wall, pulling Nick with him and Laney followed and she began to listen in on the conversation.
"What are you doing with your guitar out, Kor?" Wiley asked curiously.
"I want you to hear a couple of songs that I wrote. I want your opinion on them okay?"
"Mm hmm," Wiley answered eagerly. He always loves to listen to Kori sing and play guitar. He tells her all the time that she could be famous, she sounds that great, but she doesn't believe him.
"The first one is called sorry" she announced, and she situated her guitar and began to play it and sing the song.
Will you listen to my story
It'll just be a minute
How can I explain
Whatever happened here never meant to hurt you
How can I cause you so much pain
When I say I'm sorry
Will you believe me
Listen to my story
Say you won't leave me
When I say I'm sorry
Can you forgive me
When I say I will always be there
Will you believe, will you believe in me
All the words that I come up with
They're like gasoline on flames
There's no excuse, no explanation
Believe me if I could undo what I did wrong
I'd give away all that I own
When I say I'm sorry
Will you believe me
Listen to my story
Say you won't leave me
When I say I'm sorry
Can you forgive me
When I say I will always be there
Will you believe
If I told you I've been cleanin' my soul
And If I promise you I'll regain control
Will you open your door
And let me in take me for who I am
And not for who I've been, who I've been
When I say I'm sorry
Will you believe me
Listen to my story
Say you won't leave me
When I say I'm sorry
Can you forgive me
When I say I will always be there
Will you believe me
When I say I'm sorry
When I say I'm sorry
When I say I'm sorry
When I say I'm sorry
When I say I'm sorry
Can you forgive me
When I say I will always be there
Will you believe
By the time Kori finished singing the song, Wiley could tell that she was doing everything she could not to cry and was surprisingly succeeding at it. Kori is not usually one to cry. Not ever but that's all she ever seems to be doing lately now that she is back in Florida with her sister and has discovered her parents are dead and that it's all her fault, and to top it all off her sister who used to think the world of her hates her. She looked up from her guitar and at him.
"Well…what do you think?" she asked, her voice cracking though she willed herself not to cry. She will not cry.
"It was beautiful Kor…very powerful. I could really feel your emotions when listening to you sing it." Wiley answered gently. "Are you okay?" He asked softly, as he noticed a tear threatening to fall and he reached over and took her hand into his, delicately squeezing it.
"I'm fine…" she answered, pulling her hand away. "Wanna hear the next song now?" Wiley nodded.
"If you can handle singing it, love…but don't do it if it's too painful."
"I need to…I need for someone to hear them." Kori insisted. "The next one is called Used To." She told him and then began to play the guitar and sing that song next.
You used to talk to me like I was the only one around
You used to lean on me...the only other choice was falling down
You used to walk with me like we had nowhere we needed to go
Nice and slow, to no place in particular
We used to have this figured out
We used to breathe without a doubt
When nights were clear you were the first star I'd see
We used to have this under control
We never thought...we Used to know
At least there's you and at least there's me
Can we get this back, can we get this back...
To how it used to be
I used to reach for you when I got lost along the way
I used to listen, you always had just the right thing to say
I used to follow you, never really cared where we would go
Fast or slow to anywhere at all
We used to have this figured out
We used to breathe without a doubt
When nights were clear you were the first star I'd see
We used to have this under control
We never thought...we Used to know
At least there's you and at least there's me
Can we get this back, can we get this back...
To how it used to be
I look around me and I want you to be there
Cause I miss the things that we shared
Look around you-it's empty and you're sad
Cause you miss the love that we had
You used to talk to me like I was the only one around...
We used to have this figured out
We used to breathe without a doubt
When nights were clear you were the first star I'd see
We used to have this under control
We never thought...we Used to know
At least there's you and at least there's me
Can we get this back, can we get this back...
To how it used to be
Author's Chapter Notes:
Here's the next chapter
It was co-written with Lenni
Enjoy =)
It was co-written with Lenni
Enjoy =)
Chapter End Notes:
Both songs are originally song by Daughtry.
