Hey you guys, how's it going? Who's ready for the fourth chapter of A Brother's Love? I know I am! I'm so stoked at the moment for this chapter! I hadn't written anything since chapter 3 on Friday, and I LOVE this chapter. Yeah..
Longest chapter yet! WHOOHOO!
Anyway THANK YOU all for all your responses whether it's a review (every single one had made me smile or even laugh!) alert, favorite or follow! I'm so happy to have a lot of hits on this story also and commotions For me it's defiantly a lot and THANKS.
Also this chapter is slightly dedicated to mandamichelle because she gave me a suggestion and I already had this in mind. So I hope you like what I did with James! And also there will be more chapters to go along that suggestion idea.
Disclaimer: If I owned BTR well…haha…ha..h..you don't want to know how it'd go.
Enjoy!
Chapter 4: Save the Day
June 9, 2000
Brooke Diamond let out a tired sigh when she plopped herself onto the couch. She could feel her body aching and her limps protesting weakly when she shifted. To say Brooke was tired, was an understatement. She was exhausted. Completely and utterly drained of energy.
With Logan learning to walk now, and talking slightly the boy had more energy than before. He stayed up later, protested more and cried more at night. Between the nine-month-old and her other four-year-old son and everything else, she was just so, so tired. She hadn't had a full relaxing day to herself in months, and she couldn't even remember the last time she had slept a full night.
With a sigh she shut her eyes enjoying the momentary peace and quiet the mansion held. She had also recently returned to work part time, and that was no help to reduce her stress. In fact some days it made it worse and Kevin would take the boys out for ice cream on a day she was stressed out, to spare the poor boys of her wrath.
Logan was on his back in the center of the floor, on top of a mound of blankets and his life size stuffed Whinnie the Pooh Bear toy fast asleep. Small snores escaped his pink lips as he slept leaving Brooke to smile. Logan was finally down, maybe now she could get some sleep.
It was a shame though, for her peace only seemed to last about ten seconds before it was ruined by her other son. She heard his footsteps pounding down the stairs before he even reached the room.
"Mommy! Mommy!" Brooke opened her eyes tiredly to see her eldest son running into the living room, narrowly avoiding the sleeping Logan. His new light-up converses were still untied, the laces dragging on the hardwood floor. His jacket was on his right arm and just flapping behind his left arm. A bright smile filled his rosy face as he came up to his mother.
"Mommy, are you ready to go? Huh? Wait, first you gotta wake Logie! He's ready to go right?" James panted stuffing his left arm in the jacket sleeve. The little boy turned towards baby Logan who was now waking up also.
The baby let out a silent yawn, mouth wide open, eyes scrunched up. His hands clenched in fists stretching high above his head while his little legs kicked out. James giggled at Logan when the baby kicked his legs a few more times staring up at James and his mother. Soon the baby also let out a high pitched giggle sensing James' happy mood.
"Mama! Jay!" He giggled still kicking his little feet out.
"Looks like Logie's ready. Are you mommy?" James asked eagerly; his eyes were large and shinning brightly up at his mommy. Brooke blinked in confusion for a moment.
"Ready for what sweetie?"
James then gasped dramatically, hand over his heart. "You mean you forgot our play date mommy?" He whispered. Brooke raised one eyebrow staring her son down. "You promised we could go to the park today. You, me and Logie. You promised last week!" James cried and his mommy mentally slapped herself.
James was indeed correct. He wasn't making this up. In exchange for a day of no shouting, yelling, crashing, or breaking things, James was supposed to get a day at the park with her. She had promised him last Monday that they would be going today.
But she was just so very tired.
"Oh James," She sighed remaining on the couch. She was in a conflict right now, between relaxing and her promise. She glanced back at James and Logan heart almost breaking.
James looked absolutely crushed at the moment. His face was crumpled into pure disappointment at the idea his mommy had forgotten. Lower lip trembling, eyes glistening with unshed tears: The ideal look of defeat.
Little Logan was getting ready to go. He understood they were going somewhere else besides this room. The brunette baby was pushing himself off the ground on his hands, to stand on his two feet. Already he was ready to go. Logan didn't need to get ready like everyone else.
"Oh sweetie," Brooke tried reaching for James' arm. "I'm so sorry. Mommy's just so tired lately. I just want to relax sweetie. I'm so sorry. We can go another d –"
"But you promised!" James cried yanking his arm back harshly away from his mommy. Logan wobbled on his two feet and latched onto James' jacket. Despite his sadness, James managed to hold Logan upright as the baby fooled with the zipper of his big brothers jacket. Logan gibbered to himself moving the zipper up and down in concentration. James turned back to his mother, eyes still filled with unshed tears.
"You promised." He whispered even quieter than before, head down. Brooke bit her lip, throat raw at the sight before her. She honestly didn't want to break her promise about taking them to the park.
"Well James, mommy can't take you because I'm supposed to take you boys to the park." Kevin stepped into the room; grin bright as the stars, cheeks rosy with laughter. Brooke watched her son cheer and hug her in thanks before looking at her husband.
It was moments like this that reminded her why she fell in love with Kevin in the first place.
"Ready to go boys?" Daddy Diamond asked as he strapped Logan into the wagon. James nodded with a bright, pearly white smile. Logan was more focused on the sunhat on his head. His two hands were clutching the rims of the hat in curiosity. "Logan, no! Leave the hat on okay?" Kevin fixed Logan's hat and stood up.
"Don't worry daddy. We're ready. Even Logan." James assured his daddy setting the bag of supplies in his lap as he sat on the other end of the wagon. The two boys were seated inside a wooden and red metal wagon while their daddy pulled them by the handle. Once the wagon started moving Logan squealed in excitement clapping his hands.
James couldn't stop smiling at his little brother. "Are you happy Logie? Isn't this so cool?" The baby didn't respond but simply giggled loudly, clutching his hat again. Logan managed to grab the rim of his sunhat and yank the whole thing off. From there, he proceeded to stuff a small section into his mouth, then attempt to eat the hat.
"No Logie! You're not supposed to eat that bud!" Kevin sighed wrestling the hat out of Logan's hands and place it on his head. Logan burbled flailing his arms harshly. He looked up to the sun hat, reaching with tiny fingers again.
"How much longer daddy?" James asked impatiently when the wagon began moving again.
"Not far son." His daddy answered. The playground park was about a five minute walk from their house, which was nice considering James wanted to go everyday. The playground was huge, with swings and slides; seesaws and carousals; monkey bars and poles and so much more. It was one of James' havens.
Logan decided to break the silence by beginning his rants of baby gibberish. His right hand clasped the blue sunhat on his head, while he talked, yanking the sunhat back off his fluffy hair. Giggling in pride, he bit onto the hat again covering it in his drool.
James watched the baby in mock horror. "Logie no! That's s'posed to protect you from the sun! Leave it on!" He leaned over and snatched the sunhat. Logan blinked looking up at James.
"Jay, Jay." He murmured tilting his head. When James reached over to place the hat back on Logan's fluffy hair, the baby used the opportunity to latch his hands onto James' green sunhat. James cried out from the sudden pull, pushing Logan's hat on. He dashed his head away protectively grabbing his head.
"Nu-uh mister. No way! That's my hat!" James exclaimed. Loan forgot about James' hat and grabbed for his own.
"Daddy, are we there yet?" Whined James ignoring Logan pulling off his blue hat. Kevin chuckled but pulled the wagon slightly faster. James couldn't help but gasp and squeal in delight.
They had arrived at the playground!
"Daddy, I want out. Want out daddy!" James squirmed, trying to unbuckle the safety strap. Logan watched James curiously with his hat (once again) in his mouth.
"What do you say Jamie-boy?" His daddy looked down at him expectantly. James sighed impatiently.
"Please, can I get out? Please?" James asked softly. Kevin nodded with a small smile, unbuckling the safety strap on James. The brunette jumped vigorously climbing out the wagon. His young face lit up excitedly as he gazed around the playground. Immediately, James went straight for the monkey bars.
The boy climbed up reaching for the smallest set of monkey bars and leapt. Until he was simply hanging by the bars. A pink tongue darted out his lips as he reached for the next bar.
Silently grinning, Kevin pulled the wagon to the side of the monkey bars – after placing Logan's hat on his head again – and followed James carefully.
"There you go James, you're doing great bud!"
After grabbing the fifth bar, James reached for the sixth only to slip. James felt his arm miss the bar and fall, jerking the entire right side of his body down.
Panic flooded through James as he dangled helplessly. He couldn't reach the next bar.
"Whoa! Hold on buddy." Kevin grabbed his sons flailing right arm. He went to place James hand on the bar, only to have James shake his head.
"Nu-uh. I'm done of the monkey bars daddy." Hr scowled. Kevin lowered the boy to the ground, woodchips crunching under his converses. At that time, Logan screeched reaching for James.
James smiled. "Don't worry buddy. I'm okay!" He patted Logan's hat-head when the chocolate-eyed baby calmed down. Logan laughed, reaching for James again.
"Daddy, we got to let Logie out! See, we got to show him the playground. He can explore now!" James exclaimed suddenly. He snatched his daddy's hand and dragged his daddy to the wagon.
Logan had in fact been to the park on multiple occasions in the past. Quite a few times actually. But he really hadn't been old enough to play or do anything besides go on the baby swings.
Except now, now he was old enough.
"Alrighty Logie, time to go on the little slide now." James said softly. Logan gurgled, hands clutching the railing bars, stomping his little feet. Logan looked up, eyes big and shinning causing James to grin.
He gently pushed Logan's sunhat (that was now tied to his head with the strap, so he couldn't take it off anymore) upward, so Logan could see properly.
The baby had on a pair of black overalls, a bright red fire truck t-shirt and no socks or shoes on. Allowing his little toes to pound onto the cool surface softly. Logan fisted a portion of his shirt continuing the stare at James.
"Let's go on the small slide. I'll go with you; that way nothing can happen while daddy's on the phone." James encouraged taking both of Logan's hands. The baby gasped softly but followed his brother.
A man from Kevin's work had a few questions about the law firm they both worked at. So Kevin was on the side for a moment talking into his cell phone. He wasn't far from the playground at all, but his back was turned.
"That's it Logie, follow me." James grinned leading the wobbly baby to the tiny slide. In all honesty the slide was absolutely small; probably only three-and-a-half feet long and barely two feet (at the top of the slide) tall. It was perfect for someone like Logan. And James didn't care that it was small, he only cared that he would be going down the slide together with Logan.
Once they reached the slide Logan plopped down onto his bottom naturally and babbled on, while James set him properly on the slide. Then, the trouble began.
"Hey kid! What do you think you're doing?" A loud and rather obnoxious voice rang in the air behind James and Logan. Deep, pounding of heavy foots followed until James could feel someone breathing down his neck.
He spun around to come fast to fast with the well, biggest kid he had ever seen. Now the kid was wide, if you know what I mean. Not tall…
This kid looked much older than James, why he looked older than Kendall and Kendall was five! If James had to guess he'd probably say the kid was seven or so. Compared to his four-year-old self and nine-month-old brother. Speaking of whom, Logan slapped his palms down on the slide happily in his own little world.
"Um…I'm taking my baby brother down the um…slide." James squeaked out cowering slightly. The boy didn't back down but simply raised an eyebrow. He looked over James' trembling should to see Logan, and growled.
"Stupid squirts like him ain't allowed on my slide." The large boy spat. James frowned commanding himself to stop trembling. Which he did.
"Hey stupid is a mean word! You shouldn't say it man." James rolled his eyes disgusted and folded his arms over his chest. The boy barked out a laugh and stepped closer. "Besides who said this was your slide? Maybe I want it!"
The boy chuckled. "You're pretty tough, ain't cha kid? You ain't so bad." James felt a small smile at the praise he received. Lot's of people liked James. "But he isn't. He's lame." James followed his eyes to see the boy glaring at the bubbly Logan.
"You mean Logie? What?!" James gaped. Who couldn't love little Logan?
"Yup, he's just a dumb, little brat!" The boy hissed, stomping his voice down in a vicious bang when he said "brat". The power behind his stomp was enough to shake the small slide, which caused Logan to lose balance and fall onto his back. With a shrill scream Logan was sent down the little slide and into the ground softly. James stared in horror when Logan laid on the ground crying on the top of his lungs. LOGIE!
"HEY! Why'd you do that to my baby brother?!" James seethed, clenching his fists tightly. The boy however laughed.
"He's a wimp. He's just holding you back, he always will. Say kid, you're not bad looking. You have nice hair. You could become pretty popular easily. And then everyone will love you." The large boy sneered. James nodded at each compliment and praise and paused in thought. Popular? Was it good to become popular? Well it must be if that means everyone loves you.
"And," The boys grinned darkly. "All you have to do, is let me deal with him. And just walk away." James snapped his head towards Logan still crying on the ground and his heart made a decision swelling in strength.
In less than a second just as the boy took a step forward towards the slide James slammed his sneaker down on top of the other boy. The boy yelped hoping on his good foot, and out of fury James stomped down even harder on his good foot. With a girly yelp the boy fell onto his butt.
But James wasn't done yet.
"You're gonna wish you never messed with my little brother! I'm gonna go al Kar-a-te on you now! Hiii-ya!" James screeched flipping a flat hand into the boys gut and elbowing him in the ribs. The boy cried out pathetically and cowered into a ball. Finally James grabbed the hood of the boys jacket and yanked with all his might.
He then proceeded to tie the hood over the boys face and around a pole in front of them. With a snarl, James dusted himself off.
"Never ever touch my Logie or else!" James threatened and ran down the slide. He ran into his father who was kneeling down scooping Logan into his arms, already hushing the baby down to calm him. James got a caught of his daddy's eyes. Where he saw boiling fury and fear.
"Daddy I swear I didn't do anything! I swear! It – it was this kid and – " James pleaded fearfully he was in trouble.
"I know James I saw it all." Kevin whispered gently over Logan's sobs. He knelt next to the troubled older brother. "And while I don't encourage fighting, I'm so, so proud of you James. You stood up for your brother and hurt someone who hurt Logan. I'm very proud of you son." James beamed, tears in his eyes when his daddy ruffled his hair.
But no matter how much Kevin tried, Logan wouldn't stop crying or screaming. Nothing was working.
James stared at his upset baby brother, watching Logan's face turn red from crying and worry etched in him. That is until he saw the problem. On little Logan's right knee, there was a hole in the overalls where a large cut was bleeding slightly.
"Daddy lookie, his knee!" James cried. Kevin shifted the nine-month-old in his arms and found the ripped knee. He felt tears brim into his own eyes as he ran towards the wagon. James followed turning around to see an older woman helping the mean boy out from where James had tied in. Absolute fury – for a four-year-old – burned inside him.
"Daddy look, that stupid jerk's mommy is helping him! I hafta say something and tell her that that jerk hurt Logie! No, you should daddy! You're an adult and you have a lot more cool words you could say that I'm not s'posed to say!" James said suddenly looking up at his daddy. Kevin's face brightened to a cherry red for a moment.
"Please? For Logie?" James begged clasping his hands together looking at the still sobbing baby. "I'll give Logie a band-aid! Don't worry, he'll be okay with me!" James promised. Slowly Kevin set the crying brunette in the wagon and grinned shakily at James. "I know he will be, James. You're a great big brother saving Logan from that bully like that. I couldn't be more proud of you." James hugged his daddy, throat tight and nodded.
Not wanting his daddy to see him cry, he went straight to the band-aids lying in the cart. Carefully picking a large one out, James opened the package. Right before he put it on Logan's bad knee he looked at his brother's red face.
"I'm sorry Logie." He choked out, guilt rising in his stomach. He gently put the fire truck band-aid onto Logan's knee, patting on the fire truck. "I'm sorry. Now your overalls are ruined, and you got hurt and you must hate me now! I'm sorry you got hurt!" By now his own tears were falling on his cheeks, a hiccup escaping his lips every other breath. "But I promise I will always be there to protect you in the end. Just like I promised when I saw you for the first time, nine months ago. I promise I'll always protect you." James sniffled.
Slowly Logan's crying died down until he wasn't sobbing anymore. The last of his tears ran down his wet cheeks as he stared at James. Who, was the one crying by now. Logan looked at the fire truck band-aid on his knee, poking it curiously. He then looked at his shirt and back to James.
James looked at Logan through teary eyes to see Logan had stopped crying. He wiped at his face quickly, stopping his own tears, still hiccupping every now and again.
Logan pointed to his shirt first, then to the band-aid on his knee and looked at James. James chuckled hoarsely wiping Logan's face clean.
"Yup, they're both fire trucks. Cool, huh?" Once his face was dry and clean Logan pointed at the band-aid again before clapping happily. A loud and happy giggled followed. James couldn't help but grin at his brother. Carefully he climbed into the wagon sitting right next to Logan.
Logan giggled once more and grabbed an open band-aid, before slapping it onto James' cheek. He giggled hysterically, pointing to James' cheek and then his own knee.
"Now we match. Don't we, Logie?" James laughed whole heartedly. Logan giggled before leaning into James and snuggling into James' chest happily. James smiled wrapping his arms around little Logie.
"I've got you Logan. I've always got you."
And )sob( the chapter is over. I feel so bad doing that to Logan, but I had to in order to make James a hero! I made him save and defend Logan. Now did y'all like that?
How was this chapter? Let me know! Leave reviews please and tell me what you like so far, suggestions, criticism, anything. Except flames. I will throw flames in water.
I hope you guys liked it, sorry for the lack of Kendall and Carlos. I figured since James and Logan were brothers there would be more moments of just them two. Also James' heroic and crying breakdown were things I think would have more of an impact if it were just the two of them.
Don't worry though, Kendall and Carlos will be in the next chapter
I hope you all enjoyed this and I really have nothing else to say, except who saw the whoohoo pic for Hershey park, with Logan in James' arms? Haha aww I just love how funny those two are.
Leave a review. Thanks and peace out!