Chapter 9
Nick's POV
"What is going on?" I ask.
"We're moving." Demi says.
"What! Oh god no! This can't be happening to me! I need you guys around. I can't do this, not without Miles." I state as I put my hand thought my hair in frustration.
"Nick, relax! We're not going far. We're moving next door." Demi says.
"Nick we're not leaving until Miles comes back, there is no need to panic. We're only moving the stuff we don't need right now or we don't want to keep in your basement." Joe says.
"Why are you moving from your old house?" I ask.
"We'll that house is too small and we want to be closer to you so our kids can play and grow up together and I want to be next to Miley incase you guys have to go away again." Demi says.
"That's awesome. Thanks for being so supportive. If I remember right Joe you weren't as supportive when I got Miley pregnant the first time." I remind him as we both drop the stuff in the hallway.
"Yeah well I was just unsure how to react and it took me a while to warm up to the idea of having a baby in the house." Joe says.
"Dad is no longer able to see my kids. He tried to hit me. He's becoming like Miley's parents." I state.
"OMG! Why would Kevin Sr. do that! I hate to sound mean, but your Dad is an a-hole." Demi says.
"Oh I know. He hates Nick and Miley." Joe says.
"I've always wondered why." Demi says.
"Well Dad had a huge plan with how he wanted us to live. Kevin followed Dad's plan. I sorta followed it because I waited a while before I had kids and Nick didn't follow Dad's plan at all. He blames Miley for messing up Dad's plans." Joe says.
"Yeah and today Mom told me, but I didn't tell you that Frankie was unplanned." I tell them.
"Don't worry, we won't tell him." Demi promises.
"Nicholas, how about you help me carry these boxes next door? Or do you not have the muscles for it?" Joe suggests.
"Oh it's on bro." I state as I grab some boxes.
We both drop the boxes into an empty room.
"Nick. I want to ask you something?" Joe says.
"What's up bro?" I ask.
"Do you feel guilty of going over to Afghanistan?" He asks.
"Yeah, I feel so bad for leaving Miley here with Destiny and I can't even begin how guilty I feel for forcing Kevin to take care of her and Demi. Believe me I've spent a lot of time thinking about it while I was over there and I feel so useless! I can't even take care of my own kids by myself." I state.
"You're doing amazing with Destiny. I mean you had some times when things got hard but you know what, you can get through this rough patch without Miley and we'll always be there to help. I mean what kind of Brother would I be if I didn't help you? And I wouldn't be here right now if you didn't help me out. You took a bullet for me and I still haven't been able to repay you for that." Joe says with encouragement.
"Joe, you payed me back loads of times. You helped me and you accepted Miley." I state.
"Come on Brother. Let's keep loading up the house." Joe says as we grab more boxes.
After an hour of lifting boxes, Joe and I go back to my house. We go into the kitchen to see lunch is made for us.
"Thanks Demi." I say.
"No problem." She says as she serves us both some fries and chicken nuggets.
"Oh man. I missed fries. Rice and Naan just didn't cut it." Joe says.
"Oh remember the candy we tried to eat." I ask him.
"Yeah, that one didn't work too well. Remember that food vendor who tried to steal my sandals." Joe says with a slight giggle.
Jema starts to cry. Joe gets up.
"What's wrong sweetie? Do you miss Daddy?" He says as he grabs a bottle from the fridge.
"Niles is hungry too." He tells me.
I get Niles out of the crib and I start to feed him.
"Joey, do you remember what we were talking about when you were home for the month?" Demi asks.
Joe's POV
"Ummm I'm sorry, but I don't quite remember...sorry." I tell her.
"Remember, about us getting married." She says.
"Oh right. Did you think it over?" I ask her.
"Yes and I think now is a bit soon since Miley is in the hospital." I say.
"I was kinda thinking that. Could we do it when Miley gets out? Like a week after." Demi asks.
"Whenever." I say as I give her a kiss.
"God, why was I given such a sweet and caring fiancée." She says.
"Nick, I got to ask you a question. Do you think I should wear my Dress uniform or a tux?" I ask.
"It's not my wedding. Ask Demi which one she wants but if I had my choice I would go with your dress uniform. Do I get my choice of dress uniform or a tux?" Nick says.
"Depends on Demi. Now let's go see Miley and then we can pick up Destiny. Let's leave Demi alone for a bit and give her a break." I tell him.
"Ok. I'll pack up the truck with the double stroller, you go tell Demi what were doing." Nick says.
"Dem, were going to see Miley. You relax. We're taking the kids. We'll be back after Destiny gets off school. Love you." I tell her as I give her a kiss and I leave.
At the hospital
Nick's POV
"Hey Miley." I say as I let her hold Niles.
"Hello Nick and Joe. Joe, where is your fiancée?" She asks.
"Well she is at home." Joe says.
"Where is my little girl?" She asks.
"She's at school." I tell her.
"How do you know that?" Miley asks.
"She's my daughter and I dropped her off this morning." I tell her trying to stay calm.
"Why can't I see her?" She asks.
"Miley, she's only 8 and she wouldn't understand that you can't remember her." I tell her.
"No! I want to see her!" She says getting angry.
I get Niles out of her arms. Miley starts to move around and yells. Niles and Jema start to cry. rushes in.
"All of you leave." He commands.
We rush off and to the car. Joe offers to drive. I look at my watch.
"Let's go get Destiny." I state.
"Ok." He says as he drives.
I go inside and I see Destiny waiting in the lobby.
"Daddy!" She says as she runs up to me.
"Daddy, Uncle Frankie gave me a note to give you." She says as she gives me a slip of paper.
"Ok." I tell her as we go to the truck and I get her in her booster seat.
I sit in the front seat and I open the note from Frankie.
Nick,
I need to talk to you.
I want to tell you and Joe and Kevin in person.
If I can come over, text me the word good.
If I can't, don't text me. I'll get the bus over.
Frankie
"Joe, Frankie is coming over. He wants to talk to us.." I tell him in Afghan knowing Destiny wouldn't understand.
"Ok. When? 15:00 (3:00)" Joe says in English.
"Yeah. He's getting the bus." I say in Afghan.
"Is it a secret?" He asks in Afghan.
"Dunno." I reply in English.
I grab my phone from my pocket and I text Frankie good. Then I text Kevin to see if he could come home at 3:00.
"Ok. I just finished my last house showing." I read.
We get home.
"Destiny, do you have any homework?" I ask.
"Yes Daddy." She says as she sits at the table to do her homework.
Kevin comes in the door and drops his briefcase.
Suddenly I hear a knock on the door. I open it and I see Frankie in tears. I usher him into the living room and my brothers come in.
"What's wrong?" I ask.
