It was a about half an hour after dinner when Ashley went out saying she had to get something to the store but hours had passed and she isn't back yet. Mr. & Mrs. Benson were at the funeral home preparing for their daughter and her boyfriend's funeral. They had to wait for 24 hours before the body could be embalmed, so they were going to be out late. Shay cradles the crying child on her arms while trying to get hold of Ashley.
"Ashley where are you?" Shay grunted in frustration. Just a few minutes later she saw flashing lights and heard a car pulling up front. She was walking halfway down the stairs when Ashley came in through the door barely able to walk straight. She shuts the door close behind her and bumps through some things as she wobbles to the stairs. Before the drunk blonde could head up Shay stopped her.
"Where the hell were you? Why aren't you picking up your phone?" she takes a sniff to confirm her suspicions "You're drunk!" The brunette was starting to get furious but Ashley was too drunk to care.
"I just went out for a little air on a 45-minute trip to Hollywood." She says proudly to Shay.
"And you drove drunk? Are you crazy? You of all people should know more about drunk driving. You could have caused an accident or worse you could've been in an accident. Do you think your parents could bear losing another child? You're their only child now Ashley. You're all they have left. You're all he has left. Did you think about him? You're supposed to be responsible for him. For once Ashley stop thinking about yourself." Shay couldn't help it any longer. She knows how miserable Ashley feels but it's not an excuse.
"Are you calling me selfish? Do you know what I feel right now? I just lost my sister and without warning I'm left with her child, a child that won't get see his parents. What am I supposed to do? I'm a mess. I can't do this. I'm freaking terrified! I had a talk with my boyfriend and he told me he couldn't deal with a kid and right then and there we're over. And you still tell me to stop thinking about myself? The fuck am I thinking about myself." Ashley was in so much tears. She sits at the end of the stairs and Shay sits down beside her trying to comfort her with the best she could with Josh still in her arms.
"Oh Ashley. I know you feel sad right now like extremely sad but you're not the only one. You're mom and dad, me; Shay was also like a sister to me. We all lost her but we have to stay strong for her child. He needs us most as what you've said he'll never get to see his parents again. If Ryan won't stand by you I will. I was serious when I told you last night that I'll help you raise him and I'm telling you again Ashley I'm here for you." Shay rubs her best friend's back as Ashley leans on her.
A decent funeral service was made and a lot of the Benson's family and friends attended including the PLL cast and crew. They all sympathized with the loss of Ashley. They made sure that she feels that she has a support system around her. When everything was all said and done the reality of the situation became more real for Ashley. She stayed for a week more at her parent's house before going back to her house at West Hollywood. She and Shay had planned for the latter to move in with her.
"I got my things set up at the guest room just as planned but I hope you don't mind that I did something unplanned" Shay trails off as they get inside the house. Ashley, Josh and her just arrived from Anaheim. She went back there to fetch Ashley and Josh. This was going to be their first day handling the baby on their own.
"What did you do?" The blonde didn't really had much to worry about since she knew her best friend wasn't that prankster as her.
"I could show you better than I could tell you" Shay guided her to the 3rd room of the house. Ashley was surprised to see the whole room converted to a nursery. Baby blue painting and animal drawings and sky with clouds on the ceiling, baby stuffs and things they would need for Josh.
"Wow Shay this is…adorable" She was smiling but her eyes were almost tearing up.
"It was everyone's idea. The guys did the paintings and carpentry works while the girls and I did the decorations. They also childproofed the house so don't wonder if there's some changes around." She observed the nursery and placed Josh on the crib. Her face was plastered with gratefulness.
"Thank you so much for all of these." The duo pulled themselves for a tight hug.
A month later…
"Hey young man how are you?" Ashley greeted Josh immediately when she and Shay arrived from their last day of filming.
"Did you miss us? Because we missed you a lot" Shay sat down at the mat where Josh was playing. Ashley's mom stayed with them to babysit Josh while they were at work. It was a big relief for the girls to have her around on their first month with the baby.
"Did you girls eat already? I could reheat some food for you" Mrs. Benson asked the two girls playing with her grandson.
"We're good mom. Thanks" Ashley says and continues playing with Shay and Josh. The two have gone closer with the youngster. They showered him with love and care and gave him most attention they could give.
"Are you sure you girls could now do it on your own now?" Mrs. Benson clarified to the two who decided to let Mrs. Benson go back to Anaheim.
"Yes mom. We have a month long vacation before we start filming and we'll figure something out before we start working again." Ashley said with confidence.
"Mr. Benson needs you too. We'll call you if we need anything" Shay reassures her.
The two girls take turns in waking up at night when Josh cries on the middle of it. They both have baby monitors on their room. They're both domesticated in taking care of Josh. Ashley's best with playtime and nap while Shay does his baby bath and feeding. They had their masteries but changing his diapers was a different thing.
"Shannon I think I smell something funny" Ashley shouts from the couch.
"Check his diapers maybe he needs to change" Shay answers back from the kitchen. She was doing the dishes while Ashley was in-charge to watch over the baby.
"You change it. Please!" Ashley shouts again and Shay walks in to the living room where Ashley and Josh were.
"Why do I have to do it twice in a day? No you do it!" Shay protests putting her hand on her waist.
The two girls exchanged reasons whether who changes the diapers but they both ended up doing it together.
"You're supposed to be at home at Canada Shannon not here taking care of a 1 year old child with me. We worked hard last season and you deserve a break, a vacation. You don't have to get stuck in here." Ashley opened the topic once Josh was soundlessly sleeping already. The girls stay for a while inside his room when he sleeps.
"Do you think I would enjoy a vacation knowing my best friend is sleep deprived taking care of a baby? I'm okay Ashley. I'm fine with this actually." She placed her arm around her best friend. Ashley's breath hitched for half a second when her friend did that which was unusual for her.
"Thank you Shay for being here, for being my rock and my strength." She held the hanging hand of her best friend's arm on her shoulder.
"Anytime." The two girls watch the rise and fall of the sleeping child in front of them.