She is trying to stay in the dream world. But his insistence, finds it through her state of bliss. She can't believe this man. Wanting her has seen to become an obsession, "Hmm., Tom, don't. I want to sleep more." She asks. He stops and hold her. She sinks further into his embrace. She opens her eyes minutes later. Sleep has now become elusive.
She leans her arms against his chest, with propping her head up with her hands. She looks down at him, contemplating things. "I think I should cut my hair." She says "NO! Your hair is fine. I love it and the length it is." He says. His exclamation startled her a little. "Now I see that's the secret as to why you have really stayed with (both times)."She says jokingly.
He smiles at her, knowing she isn't being serious. "But, no seriously, I think I am going to have to have some length taken off." She says. He interrupts her, not wanting to hear the subject anymore. And also brings up the topic, they should have discussed days ago. However, its better this way, because he has to leave to handle it soon.
"We haven't discussed my parents coming to visit. They will be here this afternoon. They and I are going to be staying at my place (of course). Did you want to wait to meet them? Or do you want to get it over with?" He asks. She is looking away from him. But hasn't left her position. "The sooner it is done, the better. Besides, they have every reason to not to like me. I just have to tell them, that I have no plan to go anywhere this time. But, first, before I go to work." She says smiling as she kisses him. Which he quickly reciprocates and deeply, pulling her into him. Never moving from out from under her.
She is getting dressed. And putting her last shoe on. She is just about to put her hair up. When he comes and hugs her from behind. "Hmm." She says as she turns sideways to face him. As he kisses the side of her neck. "Have a good day at work." He says before releasing her. He watches as she leaves. He still has to get ready. His day doesn't officially start until later. He picks up his parents, situates them, then works the evening/night shift today.
Tom leaves her at her door. He greets Hal and Green before he leaves to pick up his parents. She kisses him, before he is totally gone. "I will have a meal ready for you, if you decide to come over before you go to your place. You can bring them over for dinner. I will see you sometime tomorrow. Have a nice night." She says since she wont see him on this particular one.
"What can I do for you, Ms. James? He asks sitting down. She remains standing. "You should fire me." She says. He looks at her confused. He remains quiet as she continues. "You hired to me, because I am almost as good as Olivia when it comes to fixing problems. Also, because of you trying to play matchmaker. I have always closed my cases on an exceptional note. However, since I started working for you. This hasn't been the case. I have failed to finish some of the objectives you have given me. So, you should fire me." She says this.
Even though, it hurts her. For now that she knows him; being away from him and losing his friendship would hurt more than she thought possible. He gets up and walks around his desk to get coser to her. He puts his arm on her shoulder, pulling her into him. A smile graces his face.
"You might be right. However, I will do no such thing. You know as well as I do that some people can't be bought. Or intimidated. And unfortunately; those are some of the ones I have sent and wanted you to deal with. It may have been more about you and Tom interacting with each other. I saw through you when I wound up reading your file. You aren't the ice queen you would like everyone to think you are.
That and your dossier was quite impressive. I could do nothing but hire you. I needed someone like that .I told you I couldn't/wouldn't involve Olivia into my mess anymore than I already have. And have only done so, because you have suggested that we wait. And it would make it more plausible of being attracted to each other, with her actually working here.
And had been doing and staying away from each other, at least until recently. We've revaluated everything after I (almost) died again. And decided not to waste any more time. We will keep it discreet/professional, so no one suspects this time. Until the time appropriate that you deem has arrived. You may go now, Ashley." He turns his back on her. Before she walks out. "Oh, and don't question yourself again. I have never doubted you. It may sound bias because I have come to consider you a good friend. And yet it is also the truth. You are my fixer after all. And hopefully, my Chief of Staff when the time comes. You are doing an excellent job. Don't give up" He tells her facing her once more.
She awakens to the sound of a doorbell. She finds this odd, because she really has no friends. Tom has a key. And no one has ever come over. Thinking about this now makes her realize how much her (social) life really sucks. And not realizing that she isn't looking her best. She looks in the peephole. Then opens the door. Greeting the person with bed head. She sees that Tom, and his parents standing there. She sees this through barely open eyes.
She opens the door more. Letting them in. His mother goes first. Followed by her husband, then Tom himself. "What can I get you?" She asks. She moves toward the kitchen. In order to get something started for breakfast. She has grabbed the frying pan. "My parents, Ashley. Ashley, my parents." He says. His mother looks at him, with unhappiness.
"You became serious with someone sharing the name of the one who hurt you so badly?" She questions. He knows she is going to be furious at his statement. ''I didn't, it's the same one." He says. His ear is grabbed the next moment. She pulls it down. And is eye level with him. "I KNOW I RAISED YOU BETTER THAN THAT." She yells at him. Ashley attempts to go to his defense. His father gets in her way.
"STOP." She says raising her voice. Unable to say anything else. His mother turns to face her. The slap forces her to turn her head. A red mark making itself visible. His mother has gotten in her face. "I DON'T KNOW WHO YOU THINK YOU ARE, DO YOU KNOW WHAT LEAVING HIM DID TO HIM, THE FIRST TIME. AND YOU EXPECT ME TO LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN." She yells.
Tom moves to buffer the situation. His father halts his movements, by grabbing his arm. Looking at him sternly. "Break up with her.:" He says calmly; but also agrees with his wife, when it comes to their only child. Tom looks to Ashley, hoping she will defend herself. But, for once she is oddly quiet. A blank expression on her face, as she looks down.
"I won't and can't even if I wanted to. You two raised me better than that." He says. "So; not only did you let her back into your life, you got her pregnant. You're right we didn't raise you up better than that. Responsible yes, but not enough that you let this happen in the first place." His father says. "Their right, you shouldn't be with me. I told you this before. It has been evident, that I haven't totally changed. And your son does deserves better.
What I do know though; is that I am not willing to make the same mistake as before. And yet, there is some truth to what you have said. You are only trying to protect your son. Who I had hurt very badly a decade ago. I have changed just enough to realize what a idiot I was,; letting someone like him walk away in the first place.
So, does he deserve better than me and what I can give him, yes. But, am I willing to give him up without a fight (this time), no. How would you like your eggs?" She asks as she makes her way into the kitchen. Tom follows her into the kitchen. He takes her in his arms, forcing her to put the pan down. He kisses her temple. She puts her head into his shoulder.
She puts her plate down. After she has served everyone else. "So, how far along are you, and when are you due? His mothers asks, now calm. "Five months. And am due in October." She replies. "When do you plan to get married? That child shouldn't be born out of wedlock. Its not how we raised Tom." They both say. "Excuse me." She says, quickly leaving the table. Tom gets up to follow her, knowing why she is upset. He turns to look at them. "I am disappointed in you two. I'm not marrying her, because of that." He says before going to her room.
He finds her sitting on her bed. Her back to him. He can tell she is crying. He goes and sits next to her. She lays her head on his shoulder. As he wraps his arm around her. "I'm sorry about that." He says. "Why, its true. And these damn hormones aren't helping. But, I guess this is what I deserve for the first (last) time. I reduced you to a shell of how you use to be. I was a real bitch." She says. He tightens his hold on her.
Taking a hold of her chin, bringing it closer to him. "You are right about that. But, I think love entitles forgiveness. No one is perfect. And you have greatly improved from last time. And even now. You are becoming more accepting. You show me how you feel now. I don't have to doubt your love for me anymore. And that is why I asked you to marry me. Because I hadn't gotten a chance before. And refuse for another chance (moment) to slip away from me. I would like to marry you; before the baby is born, yes. But I wont rush you like last time." He says.
"I know you haven't asked about the details, because you don't want to push me. But, I have been meaning to wait. I want to lose the fat first. And don't want to do it while pregnant. I want to look my best going down the aisle. Not having to struggle to get into the dress I want. I had initially wanted to wait longer than that. Rebuild our relationship to where it is solid, before committing to each other like that." She says.
He sees it in her eyes. "You don't believe me." He starts kissing her passionately. Taking off her clothes. She struggles, and manages to pull away. "Tom, no. We can't do this. Your parents are in the other room. I don't need another reason for them to possibly hate me." She says. He takes his shirt off. She shrinks further away from him. "I don't care. I love you. And can't lie that I would, like if our child has my name.
But, what matters more is that they know they will be loved. That you don't break out of our engagement. And marry me (eventually). To others (you, them and the world) I may be a fool for taking you back. But; also shows how much of a romantic, that I am. I loved you then. Never got over you. And still am hopelessly in love and devoted to you now. In here, here, and my soul; you have always been my wife, owned me." He says, holding her hand as he put it against his head, then brought it up to his heart.
She stared at him in amazement and wonder. He had told her more than once. And yet, the magnitude of his emotions surprises her. He lowers his head to where he is able to kiss her. And his hands find their way to territory he has mapped out numerous times before. Areas that will never be uncomfortable for her.
They leave the room some time later. For he had made sure to have taken his time. They find that his parents are in the living room watching tv. His mother stands up. Followed by his father. "We apologize. You are still here and defending him, is clearly an improvement. Since, you had vanished on him the last time. We just wanted to make sure he wouldn't' get hurt again. Its not much (right now). But we cleaned up for you. Come sit." She tells them.
Tom takes her hand leading her to the couch. They sit side by side. "What are you watching?" She questions. "Not sure yet, its been a little confusing." His father answers. "We do want to know when you are going to make an honest man out of our son, though?" His mom inquires. Ashley can't help but laugh. Tom stares at her glad, that they are getting along now. "I actually want to wait." She tells them.
"Why? By some chance you found each other again. And you aren't going to run this time. Life is short. Clearly, you two were meant for another, otherwise you wouldn't have met again. For stuff like that only happens in fairy tales. " His mother adds by asking/telling them. Ashley turns to them, intertwining her fingers with Tom's.
"True, you have a good point. However, unlike last time. I want to wait, because we (miraculously) found each other. And have grown up some in our time apart. I think that we should wait this time; to rediscover and enjoy each other. Before taking the plunge and making the ultimate commitment. Especially, now that we have a baby on the way." She informs them. Their parents nod. For as much as what they think makes sense, its their lives' and have to give credit to Ashley this time for her insight.
