Look Me in the Eyes, and Promise Me Friendship

A week and a half later, the guys were back on tour, and now it was just Mrs. Jonas, Frankie, and Aubrey that were at home. Joe felt a lot more comfortable to leave Aubrey at home now since her father wasn't around anymore. He didn't have to worry about her, and he knew that she would be safe when she got home.

“Okay, well be safe out there. Have fun tonight, don't get too wild,” Aubrey gave Nick a pep talk on the phone about the show that they were having tonight. “I love youuu,” she sang, joking around.

He laughed, but said it back, “Love you too.”

They hung up, and went back to doing their own things.

“Bree Bree! Come outside and play with me!” Frankie begged, running into her new room. The Jonas' cleaned out an office for her. They bought her a bed and a couple of dressers. Because of the fire, she had nothing, including clothes. Adrianne let her borrow some clothes for right now, until Aubrey could get some of her own. Frankie jumped up onto her bed, and started to bounce on it excited. “Come. And. Play,” he said between bounces.

“Okay, go on and go out back. Ill be back there in a second,” she told him, wanting to do something first. He nodded, jumping off the bed, and then ran out the door.

She grabbed her cell phone, and started to text someone.

Have fun tonight. Luv ya boy! – Aubrey

They hadn't told one another that they “LOVED” each other yet. They had just said it to one another, but it was in a joking way. There was the occasional, “Luv ya,” or “you know I love you,” but never “I Love You.”

Ill try. It would be easier if you were here. Lub you! – Joe

Joe liked that word. Lub.

Aubrey hopped off of her bed satisfied, and walked out of her room. She headed to the back yard to play with Frankie. It was yet again, another Saturday. She had all weekend to think about things, and just do basically whatever she wanted. Mrs. Jonas was in the kitchen when she went by. She just went up to her and hugged her. It felt like she actually had a mother. Mrs. Jonas hugged her back.

“Frankie is waiting for you. Why don't you show him your secret hideaway?” she brought up the club house. Aubrey had forgotten about that. Her eyes grew wide, and she thought it was a brilliant idea.

“Your amazing,” she replied, and pulled from the hug. She went outside to see little Frankie on the ground, playing in the dirt. “Come on Frankie, I have something to show you,” she grabbed his little hand, pulling him up. He was excited. She pulled him over and around, through trees, and around corners. He saw the club house, and his jaw dropped.

“Ooh! Fun!” he screeched, and ran to it. He explored for a little while, and then pulled Aubrey into the clubhouse with him. “This is so cool!” he exclaimed. “Thank you!”

“This was mine and Joey's,” she told him. He had this 'cooooool' look on his face. He loved it.

“Let's play house. Your the mommy, and i'm the baby. I was just born,” he said and laughed. Aubrey grabbed him and held him like a baby.

“Awe, your so cute,” Frankie started to whine like a baby. “Shh... is okay.” This was great. As long as it kept Frankie occupied, Aubrey didn't mind playing with him. Frankie started to suck his thumb like a baby would, and Aubrey rejected it. “No baby. Don't do that. Icky,” she pulled it out of his mouth.

Frankie jumped up out of Aubrey's arms. “I growed up,” he laughed. Aubrey acted surprised and laughed too. He sat in Aubrey's lap, and told her something that totally blew her away. “I heard my mommy talking to daddy and daddy said that we can start going on tour with Joey, Nick and Kevin again.”

“On tour?” Aubrey asked. She wanted to make sure that this was for sure before she got excited about it.

“Yeah, daddy said that they are getting a family bus,” he scrunched his nose trying to remember what all his father had said, “that we can all fit now.”

“That sounds fun,” Aubrey commented on the information. She tried to hide her excitement. “Come on, let's go back inside,” she grabbed his hand, and pulled him out of the clubhouse with her.

It was starting to get dark outside, and Mrs. Jonas had just set the last dish on the table for dinner. Lasagna, Aubrey's favorite.

“Yum,” Aubrey smiled, and licked her lips. She looked at Frankie and he was doing the same thing. She couldn't help but laugh. She filled her plate, and Frankie's, but didn't start to eat just yet. She said the blessing. “Lord, thank you for another opportunity. You are the reason why i'm here. I am thankful for the Jonas'. Without them I don't know what I would have ever done. Thank you for this delicious meal that will give us strength, and the will to live for the next day,” Mrs. Jonas smiled and nodded her head at Aubrey.

It was quiet. No one was talking. Only the clinking of the forks on the plates cold be heard. It was kind of nice. It was an easier quiet to live with, then it had been before. The quiet scared Aubrey before. She broke the silence with a question.

“Denise, Frankie said something earlier, and I was just curious,” she started. Frankie's eyes got wide. He knew that she would blow his cover. He nudged her trying to tell her to not say anything. She didn't get the warning.

“What's that sweetheart?” Mrs. Jonas asked, wondering what was on her mind.

“Well he mentioned something about touring with the guys,” Frankie put his tiny hand over his forehead. He couldn't believe that she kept going. He was in trouble. Mrs. Jonas glared at him.

“Frankie...” she started, “Who told you that? You were eavesdropping on daddy's and my conversation weren't you?” he looked down. He was so upset, and startled, that he started to cry. Aubrey looked at Mrs. Jonas with her bottom lip out. Mrs. Jonas couldn't help but laugh. “Sweetie, its okay. I'm just playing with you. It's not a secret, I was going to tell you guys tonight.”

Frankie still continued to cry, and Aubrey grabbed him and just held him in her lap. She played with the curls on the back of his head. She kissed him on the cheek, and instead of wiping away the cooties with the back of his hand, he just blushed. Mrs. Jonas smiled. She knew Frankie had a crush on Aubrey.

===================<|><|><|><|><|><|><|><|><|>========

“Frankie, come here,” Aubrey said to 3 year old little boy. Frankie loved to laugh. Kevin had him and started to tickle him all over. His laugh was the cutest. Aubrey and Kevin were sitting on the ground, about 5 feet from each other. Nick was beside Aubrey, and Joe was on the couch. Kevin whispered something in Frankie's ear, and this mischievous grin spread across the little boys face. He ran over towards Aubrey, and jumped in her lap.

“Bree-Bree,” he screeched and played with her long brown hair. He quickly reached up and kissed her on the cheek, and then giggled putting his hands over his mouth.

“You stealing my girl little bro? Huh?” Nick joked with Frankie, pulling him from Aubrey. It was just a joke. He was just trying to scare Frankie a little bit. He tickled his little brother, and Joe hopped down helping him. Soon enough, Aubrey and Kevin were in on it too.

“Frankie has himself a little crush,” Joe confirmed and winked at Aubrey. She just grinned, and then laughed to herself.