Chapter Fifty Seven
Once Nick and Brooke got up to the hospital wing, he ran into Doctor Johnson who was waiting there dutifully for something to do - the night was a slow night and not many patients were coming in and the ones that were there, were all taken care of. When he saw Nick coming with Dakota and Sarah in his arms, both little girls still upset beyond belief, he raised his eyebrow.
"Hey Nick…what's going on now?" he asked worriedly.
"Tom molested my two favorite girls in the whole world and they really need to be looked over." Nick answered, a tear rolling down his own cheek. One look at Nick and Doctor Johnson can just tell that he went ballistic. Its also easy to see that he is trying his very hardest to keep himself together.
"Okay…" Doctor Johnson replied gently, and he took Sarah from his arms and practically pried Dakota from Nick's protective grasp. "I'm going to have to have a female doctor come in and help me…is that okay? Cause, yeah, if they were molested they're really going to need to be checked." Nick nodded quietly.
"Do whatever it takes…just please tell me that Kota will be okay."
"I'm sure she'll be fine Nick. You can come into the examination room with me if you'd like."
"Kay," Nick replied, and he felt Brooke wrap supportive arms around him. Doctor Johnson went to the front desk and talked quietly to the receptionist, then she paged someone and a couple of minutes later a woman walked out of the hall to the rooms and met up with Doctor Johnson.
"What do we have here, Doctor J?" She asked gently, and she looked at the two frightened children in his arms with a caring look.
"Kota and Sarah have both been molested by ex-caregiver, Tom. Can you help me examine them Doctor Smuck?"
"Of course," Doctor Smuck answered, and Doctor Johnson looked at Nick.
"Nick will be coming in there with us. He needs to be in there with his daughter." He explained, not bothering to say Brooke will be joining them too since she is the boss of the place, so it's a given. Doctor Johnson and Doctor Smuck lead the way into an examining room and Doctor Johnson set Dakota on the table first, lying her down.
"Daddy," Dakota whimpered, immediately reaching for him.
"I'm right here sweetie, I'm not going anywhere I promise." Nick reassured, wiping the tears from his eyes and he went over and stood next to Doctor Johnson and he took Dakota's hand into his gently squeezing it. "Everything is going to be okay," he told her, knowing that he has to be strong for his little girl. Doctor Johnson handed Sarah over to Brooke and Brooke brought her over to a chair and sat down with her.
"Alright Dakota, I'm going to have to pull your pants down and take a look down there to make sure everything is okay, alright sweetie?" Doctor Smuck explained to her so she doesn't act alarmed when she starts the examination.
"No…" Dakota whimpered. "I don'ts want you to."
"Honey it has to be done so that we can make sure everything is okay," Nick spoke up. "I'm right here sweetie, I'm not going to let anything bad happen to you." Doctor Smuck put on a pair gloves then, and she got out the stuff she would need for the examination, than she went and pulled Dakota's pants and underwear down and she began. The minute Doctor Smuck touched Dakota's private areas Dakota cried out in shrill pain, and she reached for Nick once again.
"Daddy! Daddy please, I don'ts like this." Nick tears up, hearing his baby's cries, but he knows this has to be done. He squeezes her hands tight. "Shh.....You'll be okay, Honey. Daddy's right here.....I know it hurts, but she has to check." Doctor Smuck gives Dakota a moment, then tries again, only to be kicked at.
"NO!" Dakota screamed, kicking with all her might. Nick could feel his heart breaking - so much for keeping her innocent for as long as possible. If only he could turn back time.....
"Sweetie, you have to lie still or it's going to hurt even more," Dr. Smuck informed her gently. "I don't want to have to have your Daddy hold you still.....Please. I know it hurts, but the faster you let me check, the faster it'll be over with." Dakota finally laid still and let the Doctor check, though she sobbed throughout the whole thing. Once Doctor Smuck was done, she put Dakota's bottoms back on her and nodded to Nick, letting him know he could pick her back up. Nick scooped his baby girl back up immediately and held her close as he rocked her.
"Shh.....You're okay, Baby....Daddy's here." Dr. Smuck had Sarah come over then and lie on the table.
"Nicky....." Sarah whined softly. "Holds my hands, please....." Nick gave the other little girl a warm smile.
"Of course, Honey." He took hold of her hand, and looked into her eyes and began to sing - for both of his girls. "If I could right the wrongs that made you cry....." Sarah squirmed some as she sobbed, but she held still so it'd be over faster. Doctor Smuck finished quickly and allowed Sarah back up. Nick immediately scooped Sarah up into his arms as well and hugged both girls tightly, still singing and doing his best not to breakdown. God, he needed to breakdown, but he had to be strong. He had to be! Once the girls were a bit calmer, Doctor Johnson looked them over and ensured that they were otherwise all right. Soon as the Doctors had said the girls would be fine for now and the results would be in day after tomorrow, Nick scooped them both back up once more and headed back to his room with Brooke next to him. When they got there they found Ashley and Kori still lying awake and Laney sitting in the lazy boy chair. He looked over at Ashley curiously.
"Honey why aren't you asleep?" He asked gently.
"I couldn't," Ashley replied, and she got up and went over to him. She looked at Dakota and Sarah worriedly.
"Are they going to be okay Nicky?"
"We don't know yet… the results will be in day after tomorrow." Nick answered softly and he handed both girls over to Ashley.
"Do me a favor and try and get them in bed for me? I need to step out for a little bit."
"Kay…" Ashley replied and she carried the two girls over to the bed. Kori got up with Spencer and carried him back to her room and Laney stayed put to keep an eye on Ashley and the girls. Nick walked out of the room, and into Sarah's and he leaned up against the wall, slid down on the floor and for the first time all night he began to really cry. He buried his face in his lap, hugging his legs tightly to his chest, and he sobbed. Suddenly Brooke walked in as did Kevin who had left Q with Elenore and they sat on either side of him and wrapped him in their arms, both of them hugging him close.
"It's not fair…they didn't deserve this. They're just little kids… why did they have to go through with this? I vowed to keep Kota innocent for as long as possible…well so much for that, huh?" Kevin didn't reply, he only wrapped his arms around Nick and gently placed his hand at the back of his head making him rest his head against his shoulder and he kissed the top of his head in a big brotherly way. "I just wish I could turn back time…and make it so I made sure she made it to you and Ellie, Kev…I…"
"But you can't turn back time buddy…so the best thing you can do for Kota right now is look toward the future. Be strong for her and let her know that her daddy loves her and is here for her. She's still a little girl Nick, she's still a kid and no matter what, Tom can't take that away from her. We won't let that happen. I promise…"
"You should've seen how scared she was earlier when Doctor Smuck was examining her Kev…you should've heard her desperate cries…they were so heart shattering…" Nick replied softly. "It made me feel so helpless…" Kevin didn't reply, he only hugged Nick even tighter letting him cry and get all of his anger and pain out. After a long while when he had calmed down some Brooke spoke up.
"We need someone to replace Tom, Nick…we need someone to be Sarah's caregiver."
"I'll do it…" Nick replied softly. "She's right next door to me…and she trusts me, so I will take care of her."
"Okay," Brooke replied gently.
"Who is going to take over Tom's group of kids at Disney World tomorrow?" Kevin asked suddenly.
"Maybe Denise will do it…" Nick suggested. "Aje did say he would talk her into it."
"Tom's group consists of Sarah and pretty much Nick's entire fan club…" Brooke replied softly. Nick rolled his eyes.
"But of course," he replied bitterly. "I'm going to bed," he added, and he hugged Brooke and kissed her cheek, then he hugged Kevin one last time before getting up and going next door to his bedroom. He noticed that Ashley had managed to get Sarah to fall asleep, but Dakota is fighting it with all her might.
"Thanks Laney for watching over them…I can take over now."
"No problem buddy," Laney replied gently, and he walked out of the room shutting the door behind him. Nick went over and sat in bed next to Ashley Indian style and he took Dakota from her and into his own arms.
"Sweetie daddy needs you to get your rest…we're waking up in a few hours."
"I don'ts wanna daddy…" Dakota whimpered.
"I know sweetie but you really need to try," Nick replied gently and he cradled her in his arms and leaned down and placed delicate kisses on her forehead. He then began to sing softly to her. "Id go anywhere for you…" by the time he had finished singing, Dakota was finally asleep. He looked at Ashley who was sitting there cradling Sarah still and he scooted back some with Dakota. He held the blankets up allowing Ashley to crawl underneath them too and the two of them lay back against their pillows, placing both kids between them. Nick reached over and wrapped his arm around all three of his girls and he kissed Ashley's forehead softly.
"You need to go to sleep too…its way past your bedtime."
"Since when do I have a bedtime?" Ashley asked, narrowing her eyes at him and he couldn't help but chuckle a little bit.
"I just mean that you normally fall asleep way earlier then this…"
"I couldn't sleep…I was worried about Kota…."
"I know honey…" Nick replied gently and he placed his hand to her cheek and gently caressed it. "But you don't have to worry anymore…I know what's going on with her now and I promise to take very good care of her."
"I know you will…" Ashley replied softly. "Cause you know how to make everything right." Nick didn't reply, he only leaned down and brushed his lips softly against hers, before pulling back a little bit and raking his fingers through her hair. He lay there watching her until she had finally fallen asleep, than he hugged all of his girls close to him, got comfortable, and he finally went to sleep too.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Five hours later, 7:00 to be exact, Nick's alarm clock went off. Nick groaned and reached over and hit the off button and he looked down at Dakota, Sarah, and Ashley and he found all three girls looking up at him sleepily.
"Daddy its too early," Dakota immediately whined.
"I know honey, but we're going to Disney World today - remember?"
"We sleeps an' then goes to Disney World later," Dakota insisted grumpily.
"I don't think so baby. Now come on, up you two go. We don't have much time today so you girls are going to bathe together." Dakota glared at him.
"No bath! Sleep!"
"Yes bath young lady, now." Nick replied, leaning down and placing his nose to hers and giving her an Eskimo's kiss knowing it usually makes her giggle. No such luck. She only narrowed her eyes and moved her head away.
"NO!"
"Kota, please don't do this." Nick replied, sighing in frustration. He knows this is quite normal for his baby girl. The only time she ever throws a tantrum is if something is terribly wrong with her - and right now, something is terribly wrong with her. She is an emotional wreck.
"I will NOTS take a bath daddy, I will NOTS! I just WANTS TO SLEEP!"
"You will take a bath Dakota Ann, right now."
"Oh no I will nots!" Dakota challenged. Nick groaned and he got up out of bed. He reached to scoop Dakota up, but she only darted for the other side of the bed.
"NO!"
"Dakota Ann Carter, if you do not cooperate with me I will leave you here today with Laney while everyone else is at Disney World meeting Mickey Mouse! Do you want that?"
"NO!!!!!" Dakota shouted, suddenly breaking down into sobs. "I WANTS TO MEET MICKEY, DADDY, PLEASE!!!"
"Then I suggest you get over here right now and let me put you in the bathtub!"
"NO!!!! NO BATHS!"
"Then no Mickey Mouse for you!" Nick replied, becoming very frustrated. He is not used to Dakota throwing temper tantrums and he is overly tired right now himself. He is also trying to get over the fact that his baby had been molested. So Dakota's unusual temper tantrums are not something he wants added to the list of problems. He then scooped up Sarah who sat there watching tiredly and he carried her off to the bathroom ignoring Dakota's begs and pleads. Dakota threw herself flat on her stomach on the bed and she began to wail as she kicked her little legs, arms flailing about and she immediately went into full on temper tantrum mode. Ashley went and sat on the bed, staying clear of Dakota's arms and she grabbed onto Dakota and pulled her into her lap cradling her. This didn't phase Dakota one bit. She continued to punch and kick and scream and cry.
"Kota sweetie…come on calm down," Ashley begged. She grabbed onto the little girl's flying fists and she shifted her so she is straddling her and she made her look her in the eyes. "If you don't calm down sweetie you're going to miss out on all of the fun and I know you don't want that." She told her calmly, looking into her eyes very seriously.
"I just WANTS to sleep Ashee!" Dakota shouted. Suddenly Elenore walked in then as she had heard her best friend's screams from next door and Q followed close behind her. Elenore looked at Dakota curiously.
"Kota what's the matter?"
"I WANTS to sleep!"
"Why do you wants to sleep? Its time to gets up and gets ready for Disney World"
"But I'm tired" Dakota whined, and Ashley let her go. She threw herself to the bed and continued sobbing. Elenore looked very worried. This isn't like her best friend. Last time she checked she was the one that threw the tantrums, not the other way around. She crawled up onto the bed then and she lay next to Dakota and pulled her into a tight hug.
"Kota what's the matters?" Elenore asked again, and she looked at her friend very concerned.
"Tom hurteds me, an' the doctor hurteds me, an' I'm tired, an' daddy won'ts let me see Mickey Mouse!"
"If you calm down and go take your bath sweetie he will let you see Mickey Mouse," Ashley spoke up again, and Elenore and Dakota looked at her.
"But I don'ts want a bath, I wants to sleep!"
"Maybe after you take your bath your daddy will let you sleep until its time to go. Then you can also sleep on the bus too - it's an hour away to Disney World. But you have to take your bath first, Kota."
"Really?" Dakota asked softly. "I sleeps after bath?"
"Mm hmm, really. Infact I will make sure your daddy lets you. But you have to help me out and go get in the bathtub and cooperate for him too."
"Do its Kota, please? I can'ts go to Disney World withouts you," Elenore begged. "You haves to be there to show me all the coolest rides! An' you have to be there to meet Mickey withs me too!"
"Kay," Dakota replied softly and she crawled over to Ashley and wrapped her arms around her, burying her face in her shoulder. Ashley got up with her and carried her into the bathroom and Elenore got up and followed, making sure Nick will still let her go to Disney World. She'll throw a big ol' temper tantrum if he doesn't and Kevy will not like that and yell at him. At least that's the plan she has worked out in her head. Nick looked at them as they walked in and he raised his eyebrow.
"Dakota has changed her mind," Ashley announced and Nick looked at Dakota who Ashley has rested on her left hip and she has her head rested against Ashley's shoulder, tears cascading down her already damp cheeks.
"Is that true Dakota?" Dakota nodded and Nick moved closer and held his arms out to her. She reached for him and he pulled her into a gentle hug. He hugged her close for a long time and he kissed her forehead softly, before undressing her and setting her in the tub next to Sarah. Satisfied, Elenore walked out of the room and she headed back to hers. She found Q standing out in the hall making sure she doesn't wander off by herself too far.
Author's Chapter Notes:
Here's the next chapter
Enjoy =)
Enjoy =)
