Chapter Four

Julia watched the young Nick and Sadie cuddling in the hospital chairs. Nick was still upset over the thing with his parents and Aaron was in with BJ again. She sighed to herself, the two were so in love…

She walked down the narrow hallway, not really looking where she was going. Knocking into someone, she mumbled a soft, "Sorry," and tried to move around them.

AJ walked down the hallway towards BJ's room, Aurora in his arms. He turned a corner and bumped into someone. AJ smiled when he realized it was Julia who walked into them.

"Mama!" Rory cried out, reaching for her mother.

Julia's head snapped up, "Rory?" Her face broke into and grin, "Aurora!" She picked the small girl up, hugging her fiercely. "Alex…" she sighed, staring at her husband.

AJ reached up and ran his hand through her hair, waiting to pull her in for a hug and a kiss until Rory was out of the way. He didn't want to smother the poor child.

Julia resituated her daughter in her arms, clinging to AJ with her free hand, "Why are you here?"

"If you want me to leave…" he asked turning.

"No, no!" she cried, holding onto his arm, "I just mean… How?"

"Nick called," AJ said and stepped closer to her, kissing her forehead.

"Nick?" she scrunched her brow, "He called you? Why?"

"He called me and told me he wanted me to come down and… be with you, and see him, and see Beej," AJ explained.

Julia smiled, "Good boy, Nicky…" She leaned in, kissing him softly until Aurora got restlessly bored, "Damn toddlers…"

AJ chuckled against her lips before pulling away, "Where is everyone?"

"Well… BJ is asleep, Aaron is with her, Nick is upset and ‘pondering’ his options as he says, and Sadie is ‘helping’ him with that… In other words, comforting him… But don't tell him that because he's SO strong… Why would he need that?" she spoke sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

AJ sighed, "Where are his parents?"

"Your guess is as good as mine, his, Aaron's or BJ's…" she shook her head, "It's killing him."

"Jesus, they just… took off?" AJ asked.

"Yep… apparently, they didn't want Nick to know… so bad, that they didn't even bother to pick up Aaron."

Alex just shook his head and kissed his daughter’s forehead. She was squirming around. "Put her down. Let's go see Nick," AJ said softly.

"Good idea…" she sat Rory down and took her small hand, "Come on, Baby…"

AJ took her hand free hand and let her lead the way to the waiting room. He sighed as they rounded the corner and saw Nick sitting with his head in his hands, Sadie rubbing his back.

"Rory, Baby, go say hi to Uncle Nicky," he whispered in her ear.

Aurora looked at her father excitedly and then to where he was pointing. "NICKY!" she squealed, racing in Nick's direction.

Nick looked up in surprise, spotting the little girl. "Rory?" he stood and picked the child up as she ran toward him, "Hey, Sweetheart!" He hugged her, swaying his body back and forth. "Kiss?" he asked, pulling away.

Rory nodded and puckered her lips. Nick kissed them lightly and wrapped her in his arms again.

"Hey Cradle-robber," AJ called with a smirk, "keep your lips off my baby."

Nick smiled lightly and greeted with, "I went from women of twenty-three to eighteen… I gotta move down to something…"

"She's off limits, Boy!" AJ responded, walking towards him.

Nick set the toddler down and sighed, "Good to see you, Man…"

"Same to you, even though you look like you've been sleeping in a chair for the past eight hours," AJ smiled and did one of those hand-shake-hugs.

Nick smirked, "I have been…" He sat back down by Sadie, taking her hand.

"Hey Sadie, how you doing?" AJ asked with a gentle smile.

"I'm okay," Sadie replied warmly.

"That's good," AJ responded. "I'm going to take my wife and go for a walk. Nick, can you keep an eye on Rory, please?"

Nick nodded, hoisting the small girl onto his lap. He smiled at the girl's parents, "Go ahead… We'll be fine. I need a lil entertainment right now…"

AJ smiled his thanks and walked back over to Julia. Taking her hand in his, they walked away.

Julia looked curiously at her husband. "What do you think you're doing? We should be back there…" she pointed.

"I wanted to get you alone for a while, is that okay?" AJ asked as he walked down the corridor, like he was looking for something.

She giggled, "Uh… of course, Alex… but what are you searching so hard for?"

"Ah ha!" he shouted as he found it. He looked around quickly and the coast was clear so he stepped inside and pulled Julia with him. He shut the door and propped a stepladder against the knob so no one could get in. He turned on the light, and they found themselves in a janitor's closet. He pulled her close, and kissed her.

Julia moaned surprised. She pulled away, "Baby, what're we doing?”

"What do you think we're doing?" he asked pulling her close again. He moved his hips against her, making her aware of her effect on her.

"Oh..." she realized, "Alex... are you sure you wanna do this here? The hotel is only fifteen minutes away... tops... I don't think Nick would mind if we went back so I could 'rest' for a while..."

"I can't wait that long," he responded moving his hands up her shirt stopping at her breasts that he massaged gently.

Julia groaned, "Okay... Fine by me..." She reached for his pants, stopping to tease the bulge starting to grow.

AJ moved his hips against her hand, as he lifted the shirt over her head and dropped his head to kiss, and gently suck on the top of her breasts, which were exposed.

Gently, he moved back up to her lips. Taking her bottom lip in his mouth, he sucked. His hands went down to the top of her pants where he unbuttoned them and reached his hand inside, rubbing her.

"Oh Alex..." she sighed, "That feels so good... I missed you so much..." She let his pants drop down his legs then moving to his shirt. Pulling it off his body, her fingers traced his body art before tugging at his boxers.

"You have no idea," he said as he pulled her pants and panties away from her body, "I was going crazy." He stepped out of the boxers and pants that lay at his ankles. He lifted her legs at the knees and backed her up against a wall, kissing her, his hands supporting her behind.

Julia gasped as she felt his body against the full length of her own, "Damn Alex..." She reached down to harden his stiff member. She wanted to make sure he was up to full size, "Mmm... Alex, you're so amazing..."

AJ moaned as her hand worked on him, "Damn baby…" He groaned, moving her hands away as he slowly slid inside her. "Oh God, Jule, you're perfect," he moaned.

"FUCK!" she screamed perhaps a little bit too loud. It just felt she good. She pushed her hips up to meet his thrusts, not wanting to take anything slow.

He chuckled. "Baby, shh…" he ordered covering her mouth with his as he sped up his thrusts. He continued to kiss her muffling both her moans, and his own.

Julia lifted one leg off the floor, wrapping it around his waist. She used it to dig into his ass, causing him to go deeper into her body, "Baby..."

He moaned, "I'm close baby..." he whispered into her ear.

"Me too..." she whined, kissing his neck, "Bring me there?"

"Of course," he moaned as he began to thrust more forcefully into her, he reached a hand down between the two sweaty bodies and fingered her clit. "Cum with me sweetheart…" he begged as he panted.

"Oh God... Alex, right there..." she took a few deep, gasping breaths before her walls convulsed around AJ's member, "OH SHIT!"

The feeling of her orgasm, and trembling body brought him to his own climax. He grunted loudly as he shot his load deep inside of his wife.

Julia held his body close as they both came down from the high, "Damn... that was so good, Alex…"

"As always," he smiled kissing her neck lightly.

She laughed, "We should… maybe get back out there?"

AJ nodded chuckling, "Yeah." He moaned as he slipped from her body. He hated that feeling. "I love you," He said as he pulled on his boxers and handed her panties and pants.

She leaned in and kissed him softly, "I love you too…" Pulling on her clothes, she waited for AJ to finish before opening the door.

AJ took her hand and they walked away from the closet like nothing happened. He smiled at her and winked. Julia was blushing as they walked back into the lobby.

Nick looked up as the two walked into the room. He grinned something awful and starting laughing hysterically, "No way!"

AJ looked at him like he was crazy. "What?" he asked, realizing what Nick knew and trying to act dumb.

Julia's eyes bugged and looked at Sadie for help. Although, Sadie looked clueless as to what was going on. Still… she should learn to control her boyfriend.

Sadie finally caught on and slapped Nick's arm. "Shut up! You're the one Aaron and Julia heard last night!" she reminded him.

It was AJ's turn to laugh.

Nick smiled, knowing Sadie was going to regret that statement, "So… you're admitting it now? Because… I think they all knew about the hot, wild sex we had last night, Sadie Baby… But now, you've cleared all doubts in their mind…"

Sadie blushed, "I'm over it. Yeah, we had wild, passionate sex, but it was YOUR exgirlfriend and YOUR little brother that heard." It was a good thing Rory had fallen asleep.

Nick cocked an eyebrow and leaned over to whisper something in Sadie's ear. Julia watched poor Sadie's face go bright red as her eyes went wide. Sadie turned and slapped his arm.

AJ just kept chuckling at the two. He sat down and pulled Julia into his lap with him.

Nick frowned, "That's not fair, AJ… You have your girl on your lap, but I can't get to Sadie cuz I have a sleeping baby in my arms. Your baby!" He held her out slightly, "Take her back!"

AJ chuckled. "I would, but like you said, Jule is on my lap… Sorry man…" he declined, wrapping his arms around Julia's waist.

Nick pouted and looked at Sadie, "They hate me…"

She crossed her arms and looked the other way.

Nick's eyes grew concerned, "Sadie?"

"I don’t believe you said that," she responded.

"Said what?" he asked quietly, not wanting AJ and Julia to hear.

"Nothing, never mind," she smiled and took Rory gently into her arms, looking down at the sleeping child.

He leaned closer and nuzzled her neck, "Are you okay? I'm sorry if I upset you…"

"I'm fine…" she whispered.

"Promise?" he placed a hand on her arm.

"I promise," she said and leaned over, kissing him lightly.

Aaron stepped out of the room. "Oh, you're here…" he said to AJ and turned and walked back inside.

Julia looked up in surprise and silently asked Nick to explain. He shrugged, "I'll talk to him…"

AJ grumbled something into her back, but no one could tell what it was.

Sadie just watched everything unfold before her, sighing.

Nick got up suddenly, "Well… BJ wanted some magazines… I promised her I'd go to the gift shop and pick up… Seventeen or… People or something for her… Anyone interested in coming with?"

"I'll go," AJ offered, poking Julia's sides so she would stand. "Want anything, Sweetie?" he asked her, kissing the top of her head.

"No," she smiled, "Thanks though…"

"Let's go…" Nick waved bye to Sadie.

AJ walked with Nick and softly asked, "So… how are you doing for real?"

Nick's eyes darkened, "As if you can't tell, AJ… You know my fronts better than that. They always work on the girls, but you guys… Damn, even Aaron saw through my shit this time. Take a wild guess, Alex…"

"That bad, huh?" AJ asked.

Nick gave him a meaningful look and walked into the gift shop, "I'm gonna get the magazines… You wanna get me and Sadie a couple Dr. Peppers?" He shook his head and smirked, "Sorry… You can grab something for yourself and Julia too… Oh… and Aaron… BJ can't have it yet…"

AJ went and grabbed the pop walking back over to Nick, "Anything else you want me to grab?"

"Nope that's good," he responded with a nod. Then stopped, "Hey wait… Grab that rose right there…"

AJ grabbed the rose and they proceeded to the check out. He placed the rose and the pop on the counter and waited for Nick.

Paying for his items, he watched AJ place them in a bag and hand it to him. He stuck the rose standing up on the side, "Thanks… Let's go…" Nick walked slowly toward the door.

AJ followed, "So…" he started cautiously, "you gonna tell me what's up or not?"

Nick turned on him, "Sure, Alex… What would YOU like to know?"

"Whatever YOU want to tell me," AJ said, keeping his cool.

Nick eyed him, "How much do you know?"

"I know that BJ was in an accident, she was on drugs, and you're parents left," AJ responded.

Nick's head snapped up as Alex mentioned his parents. He sighed, "Yeah… they're gone… Probably home by now…"

AJ shook his head, staying silent, letting Nick vent or keep it in, if that’s what he wanted to do.

Nick suddenly looked nervous, "AJ...?"

"Hm…?" AJ responded.

"How do you be a father?" he whispered.

AJ was a little taken aback by the question. Of all people for him to ask, Nick asks him, "Uh, well, Nicky, I um… I did exactly the opposite my dad did. And it's working so far. It's not something I can explain, all I know is, when I look at Aurora… all I want to do is protect her, and make sure she knows I'm always there, and that I'll always love her. I think that's the main thing, unconditional love," he paused, "Why do you ask?"

Nick sighed and closed his eyes, "I think I'm about to raise my siblings, Alex…"

AJ nodded. "What?" he asked, his head whipping up as what Nick said sunk in.

"Well, I can't just leave them here, AJ…" he turned around, "What did you say was the most important thing? Love? Well… my parents don't do very well in that area. I'm the next best thing…"

"No, Nick. You're the best thing, then," AJ corrected, "You're taking on a big role here, though. You know that right?"

Nick snapped, "YOU ACT LIKE I HAVE A FUCKING CHOICE!"

"No, I'm not. I'm just saying, if you need help, you know me and Jule, and the rest of the guys will help. I'm sure Sadie will too," AJ reassured him. It wasn't the time to get upset at Nick for screaming at him.

Nick took a few deep breaths, "How the hell am I supposed to pull this off, AJ? I can't… Me and Sadie aren't even married yet… and we both work… and… Damn it…"

"Nick, we're not leaving on tour for like, two months. You have time to get the situated in your huge ass house before we leave. And you have security to keep an eye on them, and you can call… Fly back to check up on them, you know that," AJ reminded him.

"Is it selfish of me to say that I wish there was a way I didn't have to take them?" he asked softly, ashamed to even think it. They were his brother and sisters… He had a responsibility.

"No, not at all. Yes, they are your sisters and brother, but they are not your children. Hell, two of them are adults. It's not selfish at all," AJ said softly placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Then why do I feel like I'd kill them if I didn't take them…? Yeah, two of them are adults, but one of them fucking OD-ed on Heroine and the other wouldn't leave my parents for the world… She has a right to. They can't keep her anymore…"

"Nicky, you have to give them the choice to come with you… or not. You can't just take them," AJ said simply.

"Watch me," Nick warned lowly.

"Nicky… they'll fight you…" AJ also warned.

"I don't give a shit, AJ… If MY siblings aren't happy, healthy, and being treated right," he counted on his fingers, "then they're outta there… I don't care what I have to do. It all comes down to money and contrary to what my mother likes to think, I DO have more than them…"

AJ knew there was no talking to Nick about this, so there was one thing left to do, support him. "Whatever you decide to do, Nick, I'm behind you 150%," AJ promised.

Nick glared at him, "You mean that?"

"Of course," AJ said. "After everything we've been through, would I lie to you?”

"No, I don't suppose you would… Okay… thank you then, I guess. Now all I have to do if figure out what to do…" he sighed.

"What do you want to do?" AJ asked softly.

"I don't know… What do I really want?" he raised an eyebrow, "I want another way out of this…"

"Buy the kids their own house," AJ suggested with a joking tone to his voice.

Nick laughed, "That's actually not a bad idea, except… that means that BJ would be the oldest and she's in no way ready to be alone. Les has never been out in the world, she wouldn't know what to do. And Aaron and Angel? Well… besides Aaron impregnating every girl in the county, Angel would be…" he shook his head, "Angel would be home sick."

AJ thought for a minute, "Hire a babysitter for the house." He chuckled at the stupidity in his own statement.

Nick smiled at him, "You're too much AJ… You actually considering this seriously?"

"It could work!" he defended his half-assed idea.

Nick rolled his eyes, "Yeah… you make the arrangements, then explain to the kids why their brother won't take them in, and THEN talk to me about it…"

AJ thought, you could see the wheels turning. Then he shrugged.

"Let's get back…" Nick suggested, nodding to the hallway, "I bet they're wondering what's taking us so long…"

"We had a manly talk!" AJ excused them with.

“Uh huh…” Nick laughed, patting Alex on the back.

***

Julia sat and smiled at Sadie holding Rory. It looked natural for her to have a baby in her arms. "You and Nick okay now?" Julia asked carefully.

Sadie gave her a small smile, "I think so… He's still upset of course… Probably will be for a long time, but at least he's acting semi-natural around me…"

"That's good," Julia answered, "When you two do get married, do you want kids?"

She grinned back, "Yeah… I think so. Nick would be a good daddy. Just seeing him interact with Aurora… I think that's part of the reason he's trying to rush ‘us.’ I think he wants a family."

Julia nodded, "He does… Just go at your pace, ya know…? He'll come around eventually."

"I don't want him to have to," Sadie whispered and then shook her head, "So… What about you and Alex? You glad they're here?"

"Of course, I was going crazy without them. I never realized how big of a part of my life they were until I went twenty-four hours without them. I didn't know what to do with myself," Julia responded with a smile.

"That's sweet… You guys are perfect together. Simply perfect… Just like your daughter. She's beautiful, Julia," Sadie complimented, brushing the hair out of Aurora's face.

"She looks like her father," Julia smiled.

"Yes, she does," she laughed, "But she has her mother's personality."

"Well, thank you," Julia smiled.

Rory opened her eyes and smiled. "Mama?" she asked in her small voice.

Sadie handed the small child over to her mother as Aaron walked out of BJ's room, "Hey AC… What's up?"

Aaron looked away. He's just witnessed one of BJ's fits of delusions. She wouldn't calm down until they gave her a tranquilizer. He was upset to say the least, "When do we go back to the hotel?"

"Um, that's a question for your brother," Julia answered softly as she cradled Aurora.

"Did I ask you?" Aaron spat, "Sadie?"

Sadie's jaw dropped, "Don't talk to her like that…"

He rolled his eyes, "When the HELL are we leaving?"

Julia sighed. "That's a question for your brother," Julia repeated with a firmer tone.

"Once again…" Aaron growled, "Sadie?"

"Goddamn it, Aaron, why are you being so fucking stubborn?" Julia shot at him.

Sadie looked back and forth between the two, "Aaron… You know that if you want to go to the hotel that Nick would probably take you…"

"Probably? It's not even a question… Nick gives that boy whatever he fucking wants," Julia sighed.

Aaron turned on her. "What the fuck is that supposed to mean?!" he screamed.

"Just what I said. What part was confusing?" Julia asked.

"Fuck you, Julia! Fuck you! I hate you and you can go to hell because you don't mean a DAMN thing to me!" he snickered as he got more upset, "Fuck you…"

"Do you think that bothers me? You already told me you don't care. I'm sorry that you don't like me. I don't know what I did to deserve that, but whatever. I'm over it, you should move on too," Julia said as Rory started crying, "Shh… it's okay baby…" She rocked the upset child.

That comment cut deep. Aaron searched his mind for the one thing that could hurt Julia the most. He stared at the baby, "That's AJ's, huh? How do we know that?"

"Excuse me?!" she yelled, "What the fuck does that mean?!"

Aaron smirked, another trait he'd gotten from his brother, "Nothing… except… well… Once a cheater, always a cheater… right? That kid could be Kevin's for all we know…" He turned to go, "Oh… and watch your language… There's a kid in the room…"

Julia stood and walked to Aaron. She raised her hand and before she realized what was happening, her open palm met his cheek. "I don’t know who you think you are, but you have no right to speak to me that way. Whether you like me or not," Julia said as she grabbed her baby bag and started walking away.

Aaron stood there grasping his cheek, "I hate you… and now I really don't give a shit…" He walked into the bathroom.

Sadie sat there, her nails digging into the chair. She wasn't exactly sure what had just happened, but she knew that Aaron was mostly in the wrong. Even if he was upset…

Julia stopped when she turned the corner and leaned against the wall. She fell to a sitting position on the floor. Rory's wailing could be heard down the hall. She tried her hardest to calm her down and eventually did, but Julia was still crying.

***

AJ and Nick were close to the waiting room outside BJ's room. AJ heard, Julia calming down Rory and smiled. They rounded the corner and saw Julia slouched against the wall, sobbing. Thinking the worst, AJ rushed over.

"Oh my God, Jule… What's wrong…? What happened…? Is it BJ?" Alex asked, looking up to Nick.

Julia shook her head. "No, BJ's fine, she's sedated again…" Julia sniffled.

AJ just looked at her.

"Aaron's an asshole," was all Julia said.

Nick's eyes widened, "What'd he do?"

Julia glared at Nick and told him what happened, "Then he said once a cheater always a cheater, that Aurora could be Kevin's…" Julia said as tears filled her eyes. "Then… then… I hit him." Her eyes dropped her eyes to the now sleeping child in her arms.

Nick's jaw dropped, not knowing to think… what to say… He looked at AJ. He wasn't cut out for this parent thing.

AJ was pissed, beyond pissed. "That boy… needs an ass kicking," AJ muttered as he wrapped his arms around Julia, "Nick, he needs to know that he can't go around thinking he can talk to people like that!”

Nick shook his head, "Don't do that, AJ… I don't want to…" he stopped, "Just don't."

"I'll do it then," he stood, "He's been Mommy and Daddy’s perfect little prince of pop for too long!"

Nick watched AJ walk away, not sure of what to do. So he sat down by Julia, feeling like more of a failure than ever. He knew AJ wouldn't actually hurt Aaron. Or would he? No…

"I think Sadie had a heart attack," Julia said, "Why don't you go check on her. I'll be fine here.”

***

AJ walked past Sadie and into the bathroom Aaron had gone into. "Where are you, you little piss pot?"

Aaron froze as he heard AJ come in. AJ scared him something major. He sat quietly in his stall, pulling his feet up.

"I swear to God, Aaron," AJ called, pounding on each stall door, "I know you're in here, and I'm not leaving until you come out. We have to have a talk.”

Finally, Aaron decided that if this was the way he was to die, Nick could get a great settlement and stepped out of his shelter.

At the sight of the puny sixteen year old that had insulted his wife and child, AJ was enraged and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt. He thrust him up against the wall, nearly knocking the wind out of him. "I don't know who the hell you think you are that you can walk around saying shit like that to people you don’t know… about shit you couldn't understand. What makes you think you can treat people like that? Huh?" AJ asked through clenched teeth.

Aaron was scared shitless, "I… I dunno…"

"You are not some perfect little kid from some perfect family. You are the last person to pass judgment on someone else. Now I think you owe me and my family an apology," AJ demanded.

He nodded, "I… I'm sorry. Let go, please…"

He let go of his collar and gave him a little shove on the way out of the bathroom.

Aaron sat there for a moment before becoming overwhelmed and crawled into the stall again. He was afraid. There was no one to protect him anymore... Not even Nick had come.

AJ walked back over by Julia and Aurora, he knelt down by her and kissed her forehead. "You okay?" he asked her and she nodded. "You wanna go to the hotel?"

She nodded again.

"I'm gonna go say goodbye to Nick," AJ said and Julia stood and followed. She stood there, setting Aurora down on the floor. She felt about two inches tall while AJ talked to Nick.

Nick had watched AJ walk out of the bathroom, noticing that Aaron wasn't with him. When he came over to them, he didn't hesitate to speak his mind, "What'd you do?"

"I lectured him," AJ said, it was the truth, so he left out a few details.

"Where is he?" Nick voice was cold and steady, but not accusing.

AJ shrugged, "Probably in the bathroom still."

"Why didn't he come out with you?"

"How do I know?" AJ asked simply.

Nick's chest suddenly started to tighten as he got a bad feeling, "What the hell did you do, AJ?"

"He's fine, maybe a little shaken up. He'll survive," AJ said shocked.

Nick felt Sadie's hand on his arm and smacked it off before continuing with AJ, "If you hurt him, AJ… If you did anything…"

"Oh please, Nick, that boy needs a little fear in his life. Or he'll grow up to be a pussy," AJ said.

Nick stared at him, "What do you call being abandoned, Alex? Peachy?!"

"I fucking survived, didn't I?" AJ said, turning and grabbing Julia's hand and walking with her out of the hospital.

Nick ran up and snatched AJ's wrist.

"Get the fuck off me!" AJ responded.

Nick stepped back. "You want to take your kid, AJ?" he asked pointing to the sniffling Aurora, "Or you gonna leave her? I’d take her, but I have to go take care of mine…" And he started toward the bathroom.

"My fault," Julia said loud enough for everyone to hear as she picked Aurora up and walked out of the hospital.

Sadie felt tears in her eyes. It was all fine until this happened. There was just too much tension. She turned to AJ, "I'm so sorry, Alex…"

He shook his head, "Don't worry about it. I'll see you at the hotel later, I'm sure." AJ smiled lightly, turning and walking away.

She nodded and sat down in a chair, biting her nails.

***

Nick quietly made his way into the bathroom. He never should have let AJ near him. "Aaron?" he called softly, "Buddy, where are you?"

Aaron walked out of the stall and looked to Nick, waiting for another lecture.

Nick looked at him sadly, "Oh, AC… Are you okay?"

"Fine," he said quickly.

"Aaron," Nick smiled half-heartedly, "Don't lie…"

"I'll be fine, my ego's a little bruised, but… I'm a Carter. I'm sure it'll heal,” Aaron said with the same smile.

He nodded, "I'm sorry, Aaron… I shouldn't have let him come in here… I should have at least come with, but I wasn't thinking…"

"I deserved it. I was a prick," Aaron admitted.

"Yes," Nick agreed, "There's no doubt that you were… But… still… are you hurt?"

"No, he didn't hurt me just… scared me. But AJ has always scared me," Aaron told him.

Nick tilted his head, "AJ scares you? Why?"

"Well, look at him!" Aaron responded quickly.

Nick gave him a strange look, "You're not one to judge by a person's appearance, AC."

"He's always intimidated me, Nick. Okay? He just… has," Aaron said with a shrug.

Nick stared at him a few seconds before his face broke into a grin, "Okay, Bud… You're a good kid, ya know that?"

"I try, sometimes," Aaron responded.

"Nah, you are. You're an awesome kid… but like every ‘child’ you get into trouble. Not to mention open your mouth before thinking. You really hurt Jules."

Aaron shrugged again. "And she hurt you. What goes around comes around," he mumbled.

"Hurt me?" Nick asked, "When did she hurt me, Aaron?"

Aaron just looked at Nick like he was stupid, "Never mind." He went to leave the bathroom.

"Aaron," Nick called, finally starting to catch on, "What do you mean, Boy?"

He turned around, "What do you think I mean?"

"I don't know, Bro… That's why I'm asking you."

"Reality check, Nick. She cheated on you and married your best friend!"

Nick's eyes got big. "Reality check, Aaron," he said slowly, "I cheated on her and fell in love with the eighteen year old neighbor."

"How do you know what was going on between AJ and her before you met Sadie! I remember them spending a lot of time together…" Aaron shot back.

"They were… and are best friends, Aaron. That's what best friends do."

Aaron shrugged, "That's what you believe, I'll believe what I believe…"

Nick shrugged, "Okay… just don't take it out on Julia. All right? Take it out on… me… or… your pillow or something…"

"Nick, I never liked her, okay? And she deserved it. She's always been all high and mighty like she's in some fucking pedestal… It needed to be knocked down."

Nick smiled. Most people thought that about Julia, "I know, Kid… It's not your fault you feel that way. You just have to know her to understand her."

"I don't want to know her. I wish she didn't even come here," Aaron said as he started out the door.

Nick let him go, knowing he was losing the battle. They'd have to talk about it later. He walked into the lobby, standing in front of his brother and girlfriend, "Ready to go back to the hotel? Sadie, you promised me sleep, remember?"

Sadie nodded looking up nervously at the two, "Yeah, yeah, I remember."

Nick became concerned and threw Aaron his keys, "Aaron? Go bring the car around?"

Aaron looked at Nick crookedly before walking away with the keys.

Nick ignored the look and turned to Sadie, kneeling down, "What's wrong, Baby?"

She shook her head, "I'm just in shock, I guess.”

"In shock? From what?"

"Everything… Being here, your sister, your parents left, the fight between Aaron and Julia… Julia slapped Aaron… I'm just… in shock…" She rubbed her face with her hands.

Nick sighed and pulled her to her feet, closing her in his arms, "I'm sorry, Honey… This doesn't really concern you…"

She pushed herself out of his arms and looked up at him. Hurt was displayed all over her face. She walked towards the exit.

Nick stared after her, "Sadie? Sadie, Baby, what is it? SADIE! STOP!"

She stopped and stood in her spot, turning slowly to look at him. "Why?! It doesn't concern me!" she shot before walking again.

His mouth gapped and he mumbled a few profanities, "Damn it… Sadie, I didn't mean it that way!"

She just shook her head. "I can never do anything right," she mumbled, holding her hand out to him, "Let's go to the hotel."

Nick took it quickly and held it to his lips. After kissing it a few times, he brought it to his cheek, "I'm sorry."

She just nodded, "I know, lets go."

He sighed and walked out with her. Aaron pulled the car up and Nick motioned for him to climb in back as he sat in the drivers seat. "Thanks A…" he said emotionless.

They drove to the hotel, Nick wondering what the sleeping arrangements were going to be. Aaron couldn't have his own room. AJ and Julia would never take the boy in. He and Sadie wanted to be alone. Nick wasn't sure what to do.

"Nick, where am I sleeping?" Aaron asked softly, knowing that was what his brother was thinking about.

He jumped, surprised to hear the small voice. He glanced at him in the rearview mirror, "Where do you want to sleep?"

"By myself," he announced, "I'm sixteen. I can handle it."

Nick gave him the stern older, brother look.

"What?" he asked, shrugging and Sadie chuckled.

"What's so funny, Sadie?" Nick murmured, only half joking.

"He's sixteen, Nick," she reminded him, "Let him have his own room."

"See, see! SHE knows I can handle it!" Aaron said, hoping Nick would give in.

Nick shook his head, "No… Mom and Dad would have a…" He stopped and swallowed, not saying anything more as his hands tightened around the steering wheel.

"My point exactly," Sadie whispered, gently placing her hand on his thigh, "Besides, if he doesn’t get his own room, he'll have to stay with us and I don’t think you’d like that idea much." She inched her hand higher on his leg.

Nick's eyes fluttered slightly. He looked back at Aaron, "We'll get an adjoining room. Deal?"

"Then I have to hear you two… AGAIN!" Aaron moaned, causing Sadie to laugh again.

Nick smirked, "Plug your ears…"

Sadie laughed louder and moved her hand to his arm and up to his hand on the wheel where she took it off and held it.

Nick couldn't help but chuckle at the disgusted look on Aaron's face, "Sorry Bro… but if you had a girlfriend like mine… you wouldn't give a shit what other people heard either."

"Yeah, you're right," Aaron said suggestively, causing Sadie to blush.

Nick rolled his eyes, "In your dreams, Aaron."

Aaron chuckled and turned his gaze out the window.

Sadie squeezed Nick's hand softly.