A/N: Ok I'm only starting this story for times when I'm stuck on "Mine." You might get one chapter here and one there. But eh. This is a intro. So the story is gonna take place in the 'past'… you'll see what I mean. I am finishing Mine first but I really wanted to get this out there. The first chapter isn't the best but if you give it a chance you may like it :D I hope lol.
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Chapter 1 "Intro"
May 25, 2043
I stepped onto the cold smooth wood of my lanai and casually sauntered over to the railing. The morning sun was gentle, allowing me to gaze longingly at the shimmering blue ocean. I closed my eyes and breathed in heavily the salty ocean scent. A cooling mountain breeze drifted in though my deck, and engulfed me with the smell of freshly bloomed flowers.
This was my favorite place in the entire house. Possibly the entire word.I could sit here for hours lost in my thoughts. My own little world were everything goes as planned. I wish I could live in that world. Don't we all?
Today was the one day a week I get to myself. My big empty house on the beach was completely vacant, excluding the two cats and elderly dog prowling around.
I had my set up all ready. My french press coffee was sitting on the small table next to my favorite mug. My stack of reading material lay sorted on the chair opposite from me. I had a variety of medical books, New York Times articles, and a guilty pleasure, Teen Romance Novels.
Its rather humiliating being a 50- or is it 52? Mmm 51. Its humiliating being a 51 year old lady reading teenage romance novels. But what can I say? We all have our weaknesses. Its funny how I never liked them when I was a teen. It took till I was about 30 before I realized the fun in children books. I love literature thats appropriate for my age as well. But theres just something fresh and cheesy about the teens ones. Something I like about them.
I sat down into my soft white chair. And tucked my legs under me. I cradled my special hand crafted cup, bringing it up to my nose. It was a simple lop sided cup made of clay. The main glaze was white, but the person who made it for me had taken the time to paint on a beautiful picture. It was an ocean much like the one I'm looking at.
I took a sip of coffee and set down the efficient piece of art. My hands were a bit stiff as were my knees. For that I blame arthritis. It seems like everything is falling with old age.
Not something I enjoy.
Today was my day to drink caffeine from morning to night, eat way to many sweets, and read all the books I can. I spend the entire day on this lanai staring at the wonderful view. Crystal clear water out front, white sand beach, beautiful green grass, tall luxurious plants, and perfectly sculpted lava rocks. It was all paradise.
But there was one thing that could make this better. To that I breathed out a sigh of sorrow.
Today was the day I think about her. It was the one time a week I allow myself to cry about it, dream about it, and wonder what if. Sometimes I feel like she's here with me. I think I can smell that flowery perfume. Listen to that wonderful voice. And if I'm lucky catch a glimpse of that gorgeous face engraved in my memory for time indefinite.
I must sound like such a downer. Really if you get to know me I'm not. I'm actually a very pleasant person to be around. I have the best friends world, work at my own business that I started, and have three beautiful children.
Two daughters and a son. My eldest daughter is married and expecting, while my son is engaged to a beautiful girl that I very much approve of. The youngest, my daughter still lives me. She has her own friends and life but its nice to have a child I can still baby around.
I was just about to refill my cup when I heard foot steps behind me. I lazily raised my head to see a young blonde.
"Gaby." I called to my daughter as she shyly waved from in the house.
"Hi mom." She replied with her eyes down on the wood. It was so unlike her to be shy. It was also very unlike her to come in today. She like everyone else knows that today is my day.
Not once in around 6 years has she popped in on my special day. And not once in the 23 years I've known my daughter have I ever seen her this guilty looking. Even when I caught her making out with her boyfriend at 13 on the beach.
I was curious and rather worried to be honest.
"Come out." I called to her. Her eyes widened and she looked at me with an agape mouth. I was thoroughly confused.
"Wha-w-what. I- You- um... uh." She snapped herself out of what ever stuttering seizure she had and tredded over to me.
"Is something wrong sweetie?" I asked cautiously. That motherly side of me was kicking in and I couldn't help but look her over for any signs of trouble.
She seemed to cringe at something I said and I didn't know what to think of that.
She bit her lip while formulating a response. This was odd she never thinks before she speaks, ever. "Nothing is wrong with me but... I have to tell you something." She said softly. So softly that I had to lean in to hear her.
"Then tell me." I said holding her hands in mine. She lowered herself to the chair with my books and sat on the edge facing me. Her hands left mine and flew to her stomach. I gasped.
"Are you pregnant?" I managed to say calmly.
Sorta calmly.
"What?" Gabby shouted bolting upright. "No, no!" Then she chuckled to herself. "Thats not it at all."
I looked on puzzled. Maybe I'm slow, but I think I missed something.
"Then whats wrong sweetie?" I asked worried. Gabby was my youngest and my baby. I could tell something was troubling her but I couldn't tell what was wrong. It was kinda driving me mad. Especially since I've never seen her like this.
"Nothing is wrong!" She exclaimed with emphasis on 'wrong'. "I just..." She sighed heavily and her arms dropped to her side. "You know what, I'm sorry mom. I shouldn't have come today. I know its your alone day. This was a mistake. I-"
"Gabrielle." I said sternly to get her attention. "Just tell me honey. Tell me whats on your mind."
I watched as my beautiful 23 year old daughter sat down again. She had tears in her eyes and I couldn't help think the worst.
"Please don't be mad at me." Sniffle. "Please treat me like you always have." She wiped her eyes. "And please, please love me." She muttered breaking my heart.
I had to hide my fear and panic for her, but I just couldn't hear what was going to come out of her mouth. She was... wasn't she. Oh gosh please tell me I'm wrong. I begged.
"I promise." I said stroking her cheek and hair.
She took a deep breath as did I. There was an extremely pregnant pause. I just sat patiently on the edge of freak out. The atmosphere had done a back flip and and a half. The air was just exploding with tension.
Gabby wiped a tear from her cheek. "I'm gay mom." She whispered looking me in the eye.
I unleashed the breath my lungs had unknowingly trapped and let out a tear or two.
"Mommy I'm sorry." she said sobbing at my feet.
I shook my head in attempt to tell her that wasn't what was wrong. I don't care that my daughters gay. I just care that she's healthy. I thought she was gonna tell me that she was... ill.
I pulled her up from the ground and hugged her close to me.
"I'm not mad baby." I breathed out. "I thought you were going to tell me you were dying." I wiped the tears away as Gabby stood up to sit in the chair again.
"Dying?" She asked astound.
"Yeah. Jesus Christ honey you almost gave me a heart attack." I said slumping into the chair taking a looong sip of caffeine.
Our eyes were puffy but we weren't as emotional anymore.
"Mom you spend to much time at work." Gabby commented shaking her head. I work with special needs children, though that has nothing to do with this.
The young blonde paused her actions and started fiddling with her fingers. "So your not at all upset?"
"No." I answered plain and simple, no need for question. Plus I'd be a hypocrite if I were.
I watched my daughter as she took in the information. The young girl had stressed so heavily on this she seemed to be almost shocked thats all it took to come out. She seemed to be thinking hard. I could practically see the gears turning.
"Mom?" Gabby questioned after a moment of silence. "Can I ask you something else?"
"Sure." I said watching her carefully.
"Who's um... who's Ashley Davies?" I froze.
"Is there something wrong?" She asked noticing my statue like composure. I was just shocked to hear that name come out of her mouth. How did she know about Ashley.
My Ashley.
"Where did you hear that name?" I asked.
"I was playing with the cats and one of the toys fell down to the basement. I hate going down there but you weren't home and I had to find Rover cause he went down." She made a disgusted face as she told the story. Gabby hates the basement. Ever since she was little she avoided that place like it held the Boogie Man.
"When I got there I saw the toy and the cat. Rover jumped on a box and knocked a few things over and a picture of this teenage girl that I didn't recognize flew out. I was curious so I took it with me." She smiled shyly. That girl was always to curious. Thats why she and the cats got along so well.
"It was a small wallet sized photo, black and white. The girl was smiling at something not in view and there was this blonde kissing her cheek." She described the photo to me and I knew instantly where that was taken and what was happening. I was the blonde.
"In the back it said-"
"I love you (Signed) Ashley Davies." I finished for her.
"Yeah!" Gabby's eyes lit up. "I was just wondering who Ashley was and if she was related to Aunty Kyla, and who that pretty blonde was."
I laughed much to my daughters confusion. "That blonde was me when I was 17."
Her eyes widened. "Really?" My kids haven't seen many pictures of me as a child. I didn't have many and all the others are hidden. Or were hidden.
"Wow Mom. You actually look hot in that picture." Gabby exclaimed. I didn't think I looked that different, but oh well.
"Thanks." I said taking it as a compliment. If that was even possible.
"Who is she?" She asked suspiciously.
"A good friend." I replied vaguely.
"Ok well what kind of friend?" She questioned wiggling her eyebrows at me.
I laughed for a second. "A friend I really miss." The words came out sad on their own count.
"Oh." The young blonde frowned. "Can you tell me about her?"
I groaned. "Mmm maybe some other time."
"Please mom. I'm curious." She admitted looking at me with big puppy dog eyes.
I never told any one this story in over 31 years, when the actual event took place. Sure people know but its become a silent agreement for us that do know about Ashley to not mention her.
"Your always curious." I said stating the opposite.
"Mom!" She whined hitting my arm gently.
"Hmm." I sighed. Gabby does remind me of Ashley. Her middle name is actually Ashley.
Today is my day to think about her. But today is also a very special day to me. And I think that telling her may be a smart thing. At least for me. I never told my parents, friends or anyone at all what Ashley meant.
All they know, if they know, is that she was a friend that I cared a lot about.
"Ok." I breathed out. I stood up and walked to my room as my daughter followed me. I didn't explain anything as I reached under the bed and took out a scrap book filled with dvds and photos and all kinds of memories.
"Take this to the porch." I said handing her the box and a prehistoric portable dvd player. Now everyone has that blue ray and whatever that new thing is called. I followed her out to the porch and we settled down on the chairs after I moved my books.
"Alright were to start." I said looking at the closed scrap book.
"The beginning!" Gabby chirped. It reminded me of how I used to tell her bedtime stories.
"Ok the beginning." I mocked. She scoffed at me but stayed quiet.
I opened the book to the first page. It was titled Spashley in fancy bubble letters. That was the pet name Ashley came up with. She was always really creative but we'll get to that soon.
"Is that her?" Gabby asked tracing Ashley's smiling face. Her curly brown hair was messy as she'd just woken up. But she had the biggest smile on her face as I kissed her neck. All you could see of me was my blonde hair cascading down her shoulder.
"Whoa mom did you two just wake up from-"
"Do you wanna talk or hear a story?" I questioned cutting her off. She put her hands up in defense and zipped her mouth closed handing me the key. I shook my head, that was the real Gabby for you.
She pointed at the picture and sent me a questioning look.
I smiled happy to see that face even if it was frozen in time. A piece of paper was better than nothing.
"Yeah. Thats her...
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Short? Yeah sorry. Second chapter may or may not come soon. I have it written I just gotta go back and edit and delete and for those of you who write you know what I mean. Its time consuming and I don't have time. I hope you liked it. I may post another story just to get that one out there as well. The other one has at least 3 chapters written. All rough drafts but they're there.
Ok so Please Review. And Thanks :