A/N Thanks everyone for showing interest in the sequel. I'll be back tomorrow :)

Chapter 2

"Spence, wake up."

I hear that voice, that voice I love, but I ignore it.

"Spence, I know you're not sleeping."

I screw my eyes shut even tighter than they were a second ago. I'm way too comfortable and so completely worn out by last night that I don't want to get up.

Singing and dancing can really take a lot out of a person.

Oh and sex.

I can't forget about the totally orgasmic, post-Grammy, celebrate-our-love sex that Ashley and I had.

I'd go on about how awesome it was but I'm too sleepy. You'll have to use your imagination.

Sorry.

Maybe next time.

Then my wonderful girl decides to use another tactic to get me to open my eyes.

She kisses the side of my face.

Repeatedly.

Soft, gentle kisses that make me melt inside.

As much as I want to boast that Ashley can't resist me, the truth is, I can't resist her.

Ever.

I'm so hopelessly under her spell but I can't think of any place else I'd rather be.

I allow my need for sleep to be forgotten so I can get my need for Ashley satisfied. I know, I know, it's such a sacrifice.

"Hey there, sleepy head," Ashley says when I give in and look up at her.

And that earns me a kiss on the lips.

She gives me the best rewards!

"Why are you waking me up so early?" I whine pathetically. Then I notice that she's not under the covers and she's dressed. "And why the hell are you wearing clothes?"

Talk about rude!

Ashley chuckles as she sits up, "Because it's nearly noon and we need to buy groceries for tonight."

Damn!

I forgot about tonight.

Ashley and I are hosting a barbeque for the gang.

It's sort of a welcome home/congratulations barbeque.

Not for me and Ashley but I'll get to that later.

I stick out my bottom lip and try to look as cute as possible. "But I don't want to go grocery shopping."

Ashley shakes her head but she's smiling at my adorableness. "I figured as much so I'm going to go without you."

Aw!

She's awesome!

And now I'm confused.

"So, why did you wake me up?" I ask.

"Because you can't stay in bed all day," she meanly explains. "At least not when I'm not there to enjoy you naked."

How can I fault her for logic like that?

"And I thought you could get started on making a few of the appetizers while I'm gone." Ashley suggests and I guess I have to be a good hostess. "I'll make it up to you later."

I know that tone.

I love that tone.

I can't say no to that tone.

"Fine," I fake huff. "But I'm going to hold you to that promise."

Ashley leans in and kisses me again.

Sigh.

She really knows how to shut me up.

"I love you," she says before getting off the bed.

I'll give her a free pass this time by not jeering her departure.

"I love you more," I call out as she walks away. "Drive safe."

Ashley turns around to grace me with one of her lovely nose crinkle smiles. "Always do."

She's not lying.

Well, that's mostly accurate.

Miracle of miracles, Ashley did actually learn to drive.

Aiden taught her.

I'm sorry, there's only so much damage to the Spencermobile that I can handle. Besides, I think if I continued to be the one who was responsible for giving Ashley driving lessons our relationship would have had some serious issues.

The girl doesn't know how to take orders from me.

At least she's not like that in the bedroom.

Oh.

Yeah.

I happily turned the job over to Aiden and he was, from what I heard, a very good teacher.

I'm not even offended by that statement.

Then Ashley went out and bought a sweet ass Porsche in an attempt to make me jealous.

Please!

Nothing beats my ride!

Nothing.

I do actually contemplate falling back asleep once Ashley's out the door but I decide to get some breakfast instead.

Or lunch as it may be.

After I take a nice, hot, long shower to wake myself up properly.

No, I didn't take my time for that reason.

I broke up with Mr. Showerhead when I got together with Ashley.

He was devastated.

I'm sitting on the couch, eating cereal, in my pajamas, when the phone rings.

What?

I could have gotten dressed properly after my shower but my PJs were a much better choice. And a lot more comfortable than anything else in my wardrobe.

I think about ignoring it because I'm really into this episode of Maury Povich I'm watching.

Hey, don't judge.

It's uhm, educational.

I mute the TV and answer the phone with a mouth full of Lucky Charms. "Hello." I hope the person on the other end of the line could make that out.

"Didn't your mom ever teach you not to talk with your mouth full?" Is the response I get.

Jessie!

Oh how I've missed her!

I'm so excited to hear her voice that I nearly drop the bowl in my lap on the ground but I manage to catch it just in time. "Hey! Welcome home!"

"Thanks," she replies through a yawn. "I'd like to say it's good to be back, but that would be a gigantic lie."

"Whatever," I stretch out on the couch and get even comfortable than I already am. "You've been away for two weeks, having fun and what not, so you'll get no sympathy from me."

"Oh Spence, it's good to see you haven't changed. Once a bitch, always a bitch." Jessie teases. "I heard about Ashley's win last night. Is she around for me to say congrats?"

"Nope, she's out grocery shopping," I tell her. "But don't try and change the subject on me young lady. How was the honeymoon?"

It's official.

My best friend is a married woman.

Too bad I can't say the same thing about myself.

I know!

I can't believe it either.

Especially when I was the first one to get engaged.

Again, I'll defer that subject until such a time that I feel able to discuss it without breaking down and crying.

Ok, ok, that's not even close to the truth but it sounded good.

Right?

Jessie lets out a very naughty laugh. "Please, like I'm going to give you any details."

Ew!

Gross!

I don't want those kinds of details!

"You're an ass," I think our bantering is what I've missed most. "I meant an overall assessment of how the honeymoon was."

I can't wait to go on my honeymoon.

I've waited so long already!

Only a few more months Spence, only a few more months.

"It was fanfuckingtastic!" Jessie gloats. "And that pun was totally intended."

"I bet it was," I say while trying not to roll my eyes. "Did you even leave your hotel room?"

"Barely," Jessie sighs, but something tells me that's a happy sigh. "I think I might need a vacation from my honeymoon."

I hope Ashley gets back soon.

She seems to be taking a long time at the grocery store.

Maybe she was mobbed by fans or something because that does happen from time to time.

Mostly though, people are very friendly and they just want an autograph.

There have been a few occasions when some overaggressive fans are looking for a more of Ashley than she's ever going to give them.

Yes lady-who-tried-to-tear-Ashley's-shirt-off, I'm talking to you!

I'll call her when I'm done talking to Jessie.

"Yeah right, like my dad will let you get away with any more time off," I inform my friend. "You know what he's like about his staff having a strong work ethic."

Jessie laughs at my comment and it takes her a few minutes to calm herself down. "He kept you around for years, didn't he?"

Whoa.

That was a low blow.

And maybe a little true.

But still!

"And you call me a bitch," I snort. "I don't think it's wise for you to tease me when I'm hosting everyone for your welcome back party."

Ha!

Nothing like a little guilt to get back at Jessie.

"Many apologies, Spencer. You are so amazing for generously hosting a bash in me and my wife's honor. How can I ever repay you?"

"Ok, cranky pants, you made your point," I reply while I walk back to the kitchen to dump my bowl in the sink. "I don't know if you've spoken to Glen yet, but he couldn't make it tonight."

Thank god!

I love him, but lately he's really been getting on my nerves. I'm trying to be a supportive sister, I really am; it's not easy though when he can be such an ass.

"What are you talking about?" Jessie asks, cutting into my thoughts. "He just sent me a message saying he'll see me later at your house."

Uh oh.

She better be kidding.

Seriously.

"Tell me you're joking," I plead.

I'm really not in the mood for what might happen if she's being truthful.

Shit!

"I'm not," Jessie says and she sounds confused.

"Fuck!" I exclaim and for once I'm not being over dramatic. "He called me two days ago and said he had other plans. And of course you know what that means."

I hear my friend sigh.

I think I do too.

And this time it's not a happy one by either one of us.

"That you invited Aiden," Jessie replies.

"Bingo."

I bet you Glen did this on purpose. Ever since he broke up with Aiden, and in turn broke his heart, he's been so unlike himself. I've tried talking to him about it but he won't open up to me.

Or Jessie.

I'll never forget the night Aiden showed up on Ashley's and my doorstep.

He was crying and looked so sad.

I still have trouble believing that they're not together anymore.

I really thought they were meant to be. Actually, I still think that but my brother has inherited the stubborn Carlin gene and he's got a bad case of pride going on.

The first time they started having major issues was when Aiden proposed to Glen. You'd think my brother would have been happy. He wasn't. Apparently Glen doesn't like the idea of marriage, which seems odd for him. His reasoning is that you shouldn't need a piece of paper to prove you're committed to someone.

I see his point to an extent.

But breaking up with a guy you're madly in love with seems extreme.

Right?

Well, they didn't break up right away, I should be clear about that. It just caused a rift between them that got bigger with time.

Personally, I think Glen has some commitment issues he's not facing. I can't say that though because he didn't ask for my opinion.

Ok, ok, I told him off when I saw him after what he had done because he's an idiot.

I got a door slammed in my face for being a good sister.

It's a shame how nobody practices good manners these days.

Needless to say their break up wasn't pretty and while my brother is family, I can't help but feel really bad for Aiden.

Ashley had some choice words about Glen's behavior. I honestly thought she was going to beat him up at one point.

Not that I blame her but Glen's my brother and I still feel the need to stick up for him. Even when he's a world class jerk.

We argued about what happened for awhile until we both came to our senses. There was no way we were going to let their issues become ours.

The problem is, Glen and Aiden aren't even close or ready to being able to be in the same room with each other. Aiden's heart is still broken and Glen is acting like he doesn't care.

Men!

He so cares and I've even spoken to Aiden about not giving up. But he won't listen to my wise words of advice and he won't bend on his stance that he wants to marry Glen. Apparently he does need that piece of paper.

My parents tried reasoning with my brother but they had just about as much luck as I did.

Back to the present though, we have a gigantic fire to put out.

I can't call Glen and tell him not to come.

I can't call Aiden and uninvited him either.

What the hell am I supposed to do?

And where the hell is Ashley?

She's been gone almost two hours.

How fucking long does it take to buy a few groceries?

It's not my fault if I sound bitchy. Blame my brother for changing his mind at the last minute. And he hasn't even called me to tell me he's coming.

I do believe I'm growling right now.

Oops!

I just realized I didn't make any appetizers while Ashley has been busy shopping.

I'm going to be in such trouble!

But that's ok, trouble is my middle name.

It's not actually my middle name, that was a joke.

I never said it was a good one.

What am I even going on about?

I hang up with Jessie after she promises to come over early to help set up for tonight.

What?

Just because she'll be a guest of honor doesn't mean she can't help.

Not to mention Melissa is off running some errands so she's bored.

So I have the appetizer issue solved but I'm no closer to figuring out what to do about the Glen/Aiden fiasco.

"Lucy, I'm home!" Ashley yells as she walks through the front door.

Now is not the time for any kind of weird role playing.

Who is Lucy anyway?

I run over to Ashley and I'm fairly certain I look panicked.

"What's wrong?" she asks when she sees how frantic I am.

"Houston, we have a problem," I reply somberly.

A big one.

And I'm not really sure what we're going to do about it.