Forever Strong (Book 7 in Nemi Forever Series)

Chapter 14

Demi

Flying when you're pregnant is very uncomfortable & especially when you have small children. We got through it though & got to our house in L.A. safely. My sister & mom were there to help out with the kids as well as Nick's mom. I had the tv show to work on. They wanted me to do some scenes for the producers, but the actual show wouldn't start until summer. Nick was busy with promotions for the new album.

We did manage a trip to Disney & to do some other fun stuff while we were in L.A. I visited friends & family, which was good. It seemed like it had been forever since I had seen some of them. I watched a few interviews that the guys did to promote their album & it brought back so many memories of the days when they first started. I saw how much fun they had & how Nick would laugh at Joe, when he cracked a joke. It was as if they were young men in their 20's & not guys pushing 40 who were all dads now.

I think we were all exhausted when we got back home. The kids were back in school the next day, so we headed to bed early. I could sleep for a week. Thank God, I wasn't working at the moment.

Nick was down in the studio with his brothers one day the week after we got back. Reid was with my sister & I was writing, when the twins came home. Jerry went straight to the kitchen for his snack & Mercy came to pout at the table.

"What's wrong, sweetie?" I asked her, putting my iPad down.

"Karleigh hasn't been to school all week." Mercy said in a sad voice.

"Aww. Is she sick?'

"I dunno." Mercy shrugged her shoulders.

"Let's you & I walk to her house & find out, then." I said & watched Mercy's face light up. I ran down to tell Nick & then Mercy & I headed to Karleigh's house. Ellie answered the door & was visibly drained.

She managed a smile when she saw Mercy. "Demi. Mercy. How are you?"

"Good. How are you?" I asked.

"Oh, I'm hanging in there." Ellie responded.

"We were hoping to see Karleigh since she hasn't been at school. Mercy misses her & she's worried."

Ellie's chin trembled a little. "I'm sorry, Mercy. Karleigh is with her mom, now."

I swallowed, my heart aching as I glanced at Mercy, who looked so sad. "For how long?"

"I think for good. She won't return my calls." Ellie said, tears filling her eyes.

I looked at Mercy. "Baby, will you sit on this step & not move for a few minutes?" I asked & Mercy nodded. I stepped inside to speak to Ellie. "What happened?"

"She picked her up to take her while she was on break & I haven't heard from her since." Ellie's tears came quicker now. "I'm so scared."

I hugged her in a warm embrace. "It'll be okay. She'll bring her back soon I bet." I gave her a smile. "Please call me & keep me updated. Or if you need anything at all."

Ellie nodded. "Thank you, Demi. Please bring Mercy by any time."

Mercy & I went home & I had to answer the questions she asked that I really didn't have answers to. I was scared for Karleigh myself. I wanted her to be safe & I didn't think she was safe with her mother, sadly.

A few days later, I was sitting with Nick & the kids after dinner, watching tv. I was lying on one side of Nick, while Mercy was on his other side. Jerry was curled up on a big chair with Reid asleep on him. It was so cute I got up to take a picture with my phone. Nick just laughed, then I turned to take a picture of him & Mercy. She smiled, proudly & Nick barely moved his lips. There was a knock on the front door & I looked at Nick, who shrugged his shoulders as if he had no idea who it was. I went to answer the door & my heart about sank when I saw a few police officers on my porch. Oh my God, something awful happened. I was panicked now.

"Excuse me, ma'am. Is this the residence of Nicholas Jerry Jonas?" An officer asked.

I was confused as I stared at them. I nodded, slowly. "He's my husband. Why?"

The men came inside, pushing passed me. "Is he home right now?"

"Yes." I slowly walked to the family room & Nick looked shocked when he saw them as well. Mercy & Jerry looked scared.

"Are you Nicholas Jonas?" An officer asked Nick.

"Yes, what can I do for you, officer?" Nick asked, standing up & putting Mercy on the floor. She grabbed a hold of Nick's leg, leaning her head on his waist, tears starting to fill her eyes.

"You need to come downtown with us, sir. We have some questions for you." One officer said, going around the couch to stand close to Nick.

Nick looked at me when I gasped. I went to go to him & an officer grabbed me. "She's pregnant, if you can't tell. Be careful with her." Nick said in a firm voice to the officer that grabbed me.

I was sobbing, Mercy was sobbing. Jerry sat on the chair with Reid, still asleep. He had covered Reid's head with a blanket to keep the noise from waking his little brother. God, I loved that kid. "What is this about?" I asked in tears.

An officer pulled Mercy away from Nick & she started to wail & reach for Nick. "Do you have to do this like this? I will come willingly. I haven't done anything wrong. You're upsetting my kids for no reason." Nick said as an officer grabbed his arm & shoved him.

I saw a few officers exchange a look that I didn't understand. I was so confused & angry right now as I watched Nick's horrified expression. "Nick?" I cried out as they pulled him to the door.

"Can I say goodbye to my wife please?" Nick asked the man who held his arm. The man reluctantly let go of him & he walked to me, throwing his arms around me. I could feel him shaking, close to tears. He was scared & had no idea what was going on. "It'll be okay, baby. Don't get too upset. It's not good for the baby. I'm sure this will be cleared up quickly & I'll be home by morning." He kissed my forehead as I sobbed.

"I'm calling our lawyer." I said.

"That probably won't be necessary, Love." Nick tried to smile, but it was weak.

"You may just want to let him know something is going on." An officer said.

Nick & I exchanged a worried look & he rubbed a tear off my cheek. "Yea. Call him." He kissed me, quickly, then Mercy came running & threw her arms around Nick, holding on for dear life. Nick almost lost it at that moment. I could see it in his face that he was fighting tears. Nick bent down to hug Mercy. Jerry came over to stand beside me & I put my arm around his shoulder. He was trying to be brave. "Mercy? Daddy just has to go with these policemen to answer their questions. I'll be home before ya know it, okay? You be a good girl."

"I don't want you to go, Daddy. I'm scared." Mercy sobbed & Nick hugged her again.

"I know, but you gotta be brave for mommy & Reid." Nick kissed her cheek, then turned to Jerry as Mercy grabbed onto me. "You gotta look after you mom & sister & Reid, now, okay? Just til I get back." Nick said, his voice shaking. I don't think I have ever heard Nick so scared in my life.

Jerry nodded, trying not to cry. He hugged Nick, then Nick stood up & managed to smile at me. "I love you." He said in almost a whisper.

The officer put his hand on Nick's back, leading him out of the room. "Nick! I love you! Stay strong, baby." I shouted. I told the kids to stay on the couch. I ran to the door a few minutes later, watching them put Nick in the back of a cruiser. I wanted to scream & hit something. What the hell was going on? What did he do? The look on his face, before they slammed the door & the light in the cruiser went out, broke my heart. I saw how scared he was & how worried he was. I watched until the cars disappeared then I cried for a few minutes before I pulled myself together & got the kids in bed. Then I had some phone calls to make. I needed my husband home now.