A month went by quickly, but Ashley had not woken up yet. Jordan stood by the bedside with his four kids looking at her. He had not missed a chance to see her beautiful face every day, praying that she would wake up.“Daddy, when is Mommy going to wake up?” Brandon asked worriedly as he went near his mom. “Soon baby, soon,” Jordan muttered more to himself but loud enough that the kids and probably Ashley heard. “We miss you so much mommy, daddy has been taking care of us, and we have a new brother,” Brenda said, standing next to Brandon. “Yes Mommy, Shane's so cool, he's our brother, I wanted another sister, but it's also cool to have another brother,” Bryson chirped while dragging Shane's hand to the bedside. Jordan watched as the kids told their mother of their experiences and feelings. His eyes welling up with unshed tears as he looked at Ashley in concern. He had watched her lie there for thirty days and counting, each day breaking his heart. If only she could hear her child
Ashley watched the man playing with the children outside her house from a distance. It had been a week since she left the hospital, but still couldn't get the anger she felt at him. A big part of her wanted to run to him and kiss him breathless, making her blush for even thinking that. But the thought that he abandoned her to be with another woman, stopped her. Ashley couldn’t get the horrid feeling that a big chunk of her life memories were missing from her mind. She could only wonder if she ever forgave him, given that the children already knew him. “What are you thinking about, sweetheart?” Lindsey’s voice came from behind her, lighting up her heart. “Was he always this good with the kids?” Ashley asked, making Lindsey follow her line of sight. Lindsey smiled as she heard the four children chanting ‘daddy, daddy' all over the house happily. “I guess so…” Lindsey mumbled as she touched her invisible baby bump unconsciously. “You're going to make a great mom, Lin, and Luke wi
Ashley moaned softly as she turned by the naked man beside her on the bed. How peacefully he was sleeping made Ashley wonder how they got to that point. How she went from hating him to sleeping next to him every night. The birds chirped joyfully, announcing the dawn of a new day. Everyone around her had been so supportive, telling her anything she didn't remember. But deep inside, Ashley still felt she was missing something. “Hello sunshine,” Jordan's voice hit her ears, making her smile as she locked eyes with him. “Heey, you,” Ashley greeted back, smiling sweetly. Having to look at him each morning filled her heart with so much joy. “Today's the day, are you sure you can do it?” Jordan asked, brushing his fingers through her hair. Ashley smiled, leaning her face on his hand, “yes, I can do it, I can't miss his last therapy session.” Jordan kissed her lips softly, “good, now kiss me properly, love.” Jordan teased, making Ashley giggle in joy. The sound of a soft knock pulled
Jordan breathed in sharply as he tried to calm himself as he yet again got another negative call. It's been two days since Lindsey came back with the news. Outside the hospital corridors Jordan paced running his hand through his hair. He didn't think he was ready to make any other step forward. Seeing his little boy helpless on the hospital bed rendered his muscles weak. He pushed the door gently open, breathing out slowly as he saw his son sleeping peacefully. The doctors kept him under medication due to the seizure. Jordan couldn't hold back the lone tear that fell as he held his son's hand. He didn't know what to start with as Ashley was still missing. As Jordan sat by the bed, the door to the room gently revealed Luke, his best friend. “Hey man,” he greeted entering the room as he stood behind Jordan. “He's still the same, I don't understand why he's still unconscious,” Jordan said, his eyes fixed on his son. “He's going to be okay, Jordan, don't worry yourself too much,”
Distant faint chatter hit her ears as she heard her name being mentioned. Her body moved like waves as she closed her eyes tightly waiting for the effect from the impact which never came. The room was filled with horror as they watched Ashley passing out in shock. Jordan rushed to catch her in time before she could fall to the ground. “Ashley? Ash? Can you hear me?” Jordan asked, holding her cheeks in worry. “Let's get her to the hospital,” Jordan added, looking at the frozen Lindsey before them. Lindsey’s sight focused on Luke who ran his hand through his hair in frustration. “I'm sorry man, I didn't mean it to come out that way,” Luke apologized, pacing in the doorway. Jordan hoisted Ashley in his arms quickly heading towards the parking lot. None of them appeared to be in a state to help him as they were all shocked. As hours passed, the doctor came out his face neutral, not letting out any emotion. “Mr. Millers, I have good and bad news, which would you like to hear first?
Ashley fluttered her eyes, slowly opening them as she fought hard to adjust to the light in the room. The last she could remember was passing out with a striking pain in her belly. The door cracked open, revealing a man in a white coat. “Mrs. Millers? You're awake, I'm Dr. Stevens,” the man said, examining her eyes. “Doctor, what's happened to me?” Ashley mumbled, her voice coming out enstrangled. “Well, you were overwhelmed by stress and passed out,” Dr. Stevens explained cautiously. “I… I am going to be okay?” Ashley asked, her voice filled with worry. “Yes, yes, of course, but you need to be more careful now that you…” “Yes I know my unpredictable change in mood,” Ashley said dismissively as she closed her eyes lightly. “No, I was going to say… Congratulations, you're pregnant,” the doctor explained, smiling at her. Ashley's eyes shot open at the news, her heart beating fast in shock. She tried to open her mouth to say something, but it went all dry. How could
“I'm sorry pumpkin, it's my fault, I should have found you sooner,” Mr. Hamilton said as he sat on the couch next to Ashley. Ashley sniffed as she wiped another streak of tears from her eyes. “Why didn't you? It was so hard!” Ashley said as she recalled her past life. Mr. Hamilton lowered his head, shaking it as if he were contemplating on what to say next. “You know, if Mr. Millers hadn't found me, I would still be out there with no meaning,” Ashley muttered as she let her mind wander into the past. “You know, your mother and I, we didn't work out too well and by the time I knew about you, it was years back, I don't mean to excuse myself but…” Mr. Hamilton said soothing Ashley back hoping she would understand. “My mother? She's still out there?” Ashley asked, her voice breaking as if she were ready to burst out in tears again. “Yeah she is, although I haven't heard or seen her in years, she's still out there,” Mr. Hamilton explained, his voice low as if he were talking to himse
“So,how is it going with your dad?" Lindsey asked, sitting beside Ashley. "It's good, he's sweet except for the fact that he has been absent all my life,” Ashley responded, her smile falling slightly. “I hope things work out completely well," Lindsey said, not knowing what else to comment. On one hand, it was her best friend but on the other it was her father in law. Making a decision on who to take sides with was totally not an option. “Are you sure you don't want me to forgive him quickly so I can be your sister in law?”Ashley teased pulling Lindsey out from her dilemma. "Geez, you're already my best friend,so either way I don't lose anything, I still have you," Lindsey said, patting Ashley's shoulder playfully. Ashley felt tears sting her eyes from the statement making her force out a smile to mask it. “What's wrong Hun," Lindsey asked,nothing passing her detective eyes. Ashley summed up the courage to look at her before saying the words she thought she could never bring he
Luke felt frustrated as Jordan couldn't pick his phone trying it on more time not realizing it was calling from a dustbin container. “Come on, man pick up,” Luke muttered, fidgeting with his fingers. After realizing there was response at all. He quickly dialed another number, “hello, Ashley I have to tell you something.” Ashley shrugged her shoulders putting the phone on speaker for Lindsey to hear. “What is it Luke, we're listening,” Ashley said as they both listened attentively. “Look, I've been trying to call Jordan, but he's not picking up, and…” Luke said in panic, but Ashley couldn't hide back her words as she interrupted him. “Funny because he called me just ten minutes ago,” Ashley said, her voice full of scorn and mockery. “Ashley you're not listening, Jordan is in danger, the woman who was selling him the villa is an imposter,” Luke said as he paused as if letting the information sink in. “Villa? What Villa?” Ashley asked, feeling confused as to why Jordan would be
The sirens died down, the atmosphere clearing off the danger. Ashley released a breath she didn't even know she held as she heard the shooter had escaped, but the police were in pursuit. Luke walked towards her, his body looking tense from the sudden attack. The guests out in the parking lot were lucky to have not been shot. Inside the hotel, Lindsey and the other guests held their hearts in their hands, silently praying for safety. “We have to talk,” Luke said, helping Ashley up from behind a car where she had taken cover. Ashley nodded with her panicked and aching heart at a loss. As the environment was announced safe, the guests finally let out sighs of relief. Lindsey ran out in panic to check on her husband and her best friend. Hamilton followed, his horrified face telling it all. As they all embraced and confirmed each other's safety, Hamilton shrugged his shoulders. “Are the children okay?” Ashley asked, looking at her dad in fear. “Yeah, actually I just got a message t
Lindsey walked up to Ashley, who was standing waiting for her with a smile on her face. “Shady business, huh? That was your cover-up, really?” Lindsey mocked as she went to her, her question making them both laugh. “I know, you know I'm not good at hiding things,” Ashley said, hugging her tightly. “Congratulations sweetheart, it seems we have a wedding to plan,” Ashley said excitedly, but the worry in her voice was unmistakable. “Thanks sweetie,” Lindsey asked, but she couldn't miss the slight smile on Ashley's face as if something were disturbing her. “What is it, Ash?” Lindsey asked, holding her arms. “It's nothing, I just miss Jordan, it's been two weeks, and he still hasn't mentioned anything about coming back from the trip,” Ashley pointed out, her eyes portraying her worry. “I'm sure he'll come back, I heard Luke say something about him getting tied down by something important,” Lindsey let out, making Ashley feel her heart slightly hurt. ‘Why would he tell Luke and not
The two friends paved outside the bathroom door feeling anxious. The sound of the timer went off making them stand at attention as if they were policemen on duty. “That's it, go in and check Lin,” Ashley said, nagging her hand forward. “No, I think you should check Ashley,” Lindsey refused blatantly, looking at her friend in worry. “Okay, how about we go in together?” Ashley suggested making them walk into the bathroom slowly. Ashley let her eyes fall on the two kits laying on the sink. Seeing two lines on it, she gasped loudly. Lindsey, on the other hand, looked away from the sink feeling scared and tense. “Lin look!” Ashley exclaimed excitedly but found her looking the other way. Shrugging her shoulders she soothed Lin's back, “sweetheart, you have to turn and see, what's the matter?” Ashley asked, holding her in concern. “Well I don't know if I'm ready to be disappointed Ash, I really want this to be it,” Lindsey said, her eyes swelling up in tears. “Only one way to find ou
Ashley rushed down the stairs quickly as she planned for the big day ahead. After tossing and turning for the better part of the night she came up with something. Lindsey at first thought it was crazy and rushed, but Ashley wanted to at least make something memorable before they left. Her eyes caught Jordan, who was surprisingly quiet except for the kiss he placed on her lips before he left the room. “Hey, love,” she greeted, noticing he was donned in a going out outfit. “Heey, you're awake early after the long night?” Jordan pointed out as he kissed her on the lips passionately. “Yeah, so are you. Heading out?” Ashley asked, looking at him from head to toe. Jordan laughed nervously, brushing it off bluntly, “No, your dad wants me to accompany him to town to run some errands.” “Ooh that's good,” Ashley replied, not wishing to talk too much. Jordan looked at her, his face gloomy as if something were disturbing him. He felt like he always felt on this very day every year: Alone.
At the dinner table, Ashley and Jordan kept stealing glances at each other. The sexual tension between them, undeniable. “Mommy, you promised we would have a movie night before we left,” Brandon said, looking at his mom with pouty lips. “Yeah mom, you promised,” Shane chipped in clasping his hands together. Ashley bit her lips, considering the big plans they had for tonight. “Sweetheart I don't think tonight's a good time for that, how about we do it after we get back to the city?” Ashley suggested hoping the kids would accept. “No, you promised, and you always tell us it's bad to break promises,” Brenda protested, making Lindsey nudge Ashley's arm playfully. Looking over to Jordan, Ashley was stunned to see him pretending to mind his own business as he chewed on his steak. Receiving no reinforcement on the table, Ashley chuckled, “okay, you can have the movie night, a promise is a promise.” She pointed out, biting her lip as she swore to make Jordan suffer for leaving her in t
One week down the line, Ashley couldn't help but smile as she saw Lin walking towards her. “I can't believe we are actually leaving in two days,” Ashley said, as she admired the environment. “You know the countryside isn't as bad as I thought,” Ashley added, making Lindsey smile as looked out in the fields too. Both of them being near to death shook them pretty well. “Yeah we should probably hold off on coming here next time,” Lindsey contradicted her statement making Ashley laugh. “I thought your dream future was here? What happened?” Ashley teased knowing how Lindsey was for the idea to visit the place. “Stop it, maybe in a few more years I would consider coming back here,” Lindsey said looking out into the plain fields. “Lin?” Ashley called looking at her in a serious and concerned face. “Yes, Ash?” Lindsey replied, looking at her with her eyebrows furrowed. “I never say this enough, but you are not just my best friend, you are my sister and I love you so much,” Ashley said,
Ashley held in her breath as she crawled back on the dusty concrete under the parked truck. She held her mouth in shock as she saw Andrew look under one of the two trucks. Just two trucks to hers, Ashley crawled back slowly and carefully praying she wouldn't get caught. As she heard his sinister laughter die down, she froze on the spot. “Bring me that torch! She's somewhere here,” Andrew announced, standing up to get the light. Ashley quickly took the opportunity to slowly slip into the nearby bush and hit the scattered forest. Under the dim moonlight it was easy to make out shadows and that made her fear for her life. “Boss, she's not here,” one of the men said, looking at his Boss in fear. “This way, she just went this way into the forest!” Another man announced, making all the men rush towards the forest. Ashley ran until her lungs burned out, making her stop to breathe, feeling like she would pass out. Jordan and Hamilton listened carefully to the sounds through the phone.
“Love? Is that really you?” Jordan asked, his face litting up in both disbelief and joy. Jordan put the phone on a loudspeaker for Hamilton to listen in. “Sweetie is that you?” Hamilton asked his watering up in excitement. “Yes, I ran away from Andrew, I'm currently at a police station…” Ashley explained everything over the phone. “Forget about tomorrow I'll be there in a few hours,” Jordan interjected. He couldn't let her stay at that place. “Yes honey, we are on our way, stay safe,” Hamilton confirmed as they both set out towards the car. Luke overheard the commotion and decided to check what was going on. Only to find his dad and Jordan on their way towards the main door. “Dad? Jordan? Where are you heading to?” he asked, looking from the first floor. “Ooh, son you won't believe this, Ashley has just called, she's safe,” Hamilton said, his tone full of pride and happiness. “What? Are you sure it's her? Jordan?” Luke asked, looking between the two in confirmation. “We are