"Hey you…"
"Hey you…"
"Close your mouth Ash."
Ashley glares at Madison before turning her attention back to Spencer, "What are… I mean… umm… no yeah, what are you doing here?"
Kyla snorts, "Smooth Ash… so smooth."
This earns Kyla a glare as Spencer chuckles lightly, "I was talking to Madison last night and she invited me over to see your store. It is really nice; I'm going to have to start shopping here."
"Oh." She replies weakly as she takes Spencer in, marveling at how great she still looks in a simple sundress. She is definitely more toned than she remembers.
Realizing Ashley isn't going to say much and just stare, Kyla clears her throat. "Yeah, I was just telling Spencer how you and Madi are pretty much like Brooke and Peyton on One Tree Hill."
Ashley quirks an eyebrow, "Really, and who would I be?"
Spencer smirks, "I'd say Peyton, but Madison disagrees…"
"Only because Ashley is always Brooking her…"
"Madi!" Ashley warns, her eyes bulging out slightly.
"You know it's true," she rolls her eyes; "you haven't been with anyone in like six months."
Kyla and Spencer snicker lightly as Ashley stands there looking mortified. "It hasn't been that long and you know it." Madison shakes her head as she says this, not liking that the usually confident Ashley is making an ass of herself right now.
Spencer's laughter quickly dies down at this comment. She clears her throat and looks at Ashley, "Ash I was wondering if I might take you to a late lunch or something to catch up since last week was kind of cut short."
"Oh umm yeah, sure… wait no I can't," she glances over at Kyla, "I'm supposed to train Kyla and then I have to pick Charlie up from dance and watch her until Clay gets off work."
Madison immediately jumps in when she sees the look of disappoint cross over Spencer's features before she quickly covers it with a smile, "I'll train Kyla."
Ashley raises her eyebrows at Madison, surprised, "You will?"
Kyla nods, "Yes she will, and once she's done I can pick up Charlie. I haven't really gotten to spend much time with her since I got here…" she smiles and rubs her stomach, "besides, she'll be good practice."
"But you don't even know where the dance studio is."
Madison rolls her eyes, "We'll take care of it, just go."
"Umm right, ok, yeah… let me just call Chelsea real quick and umm…"
Smirking at the babbling mess in front of her, Spencer reaches out and lets her hand rest on Ashley's arm, "I'm glad to see you've become such a smooth talker."
Kyla and Madison just snicker at this, loving how calm and confident Spencer still is about everything. Spencer lets her hand lazily roam down Ashley's arm until she is interlacing their fingers, giving Ashley's hand a small squeeze, "Come on, I think they're more than capable of taking care of it."
Her focus now on their joined hands, Ashley nods, "Yeah sure…" And before she knows it she is being lead out of the store, lost in Spencer's touch.
As soon as the door shuts, Kyla and Madison burst into laughter. "I have never seen her like this in my life."
Kyla nods, "Yeah but, maybe that's a good thing... the usually cocky Ashley Davies is a fumbling mess for once."
Madison snorts, "Maybe… that is if she doesn't have a heart attack by the end of lunch. Did you see her eyes bulge out when Spencer touched her arm? I thought she was going to pass out right then and there." They both burst into a fit of laughter once again as they both replay what just happened.
--
They walk hand in hand down the sidewalk, Ashley unaware of where they are heading and Spencer has a small smile on here face as if she knows something Ashley doesn't.
"So…" Never one for silence when she's uncomfortable, Ashley glances at Spencer, "How's Jackie?"
Her smile falters for a second, but it is quickly put back in place as she drops Ashley's hand and walks over to a yellow Cayman Porsche. She presses a button to unlock it and walks over to the driver's side, "Today she is good." Opening the door, she gets in and starts the engine, waiting for Ashley to get in, who is currently staring at the car, a bit stunned that Spencer would drive something like this… it's not anything like the Beamer she used to drive.
Shaking herself out of her stupor, she slowly gets into the car, "New car?"
Spencer nods, "Birthday present from Glen last year."
"Ah yes, how is the superstar?" After randomly being traded to San Antonio the summer Ashley had graduated, Glen was in his prime and only seemed to be getting better and better, leading the Spurs to the championship and earning MVP two years in a row. Despite how famous he became he always made time to see his sister and the girlfriend he was always hearing so much about. Basically, he and Ashley hit it off right away when Glen discovered she knew much about the sport of basketball thanks to Aiden.
This question earns a smile as Spencer pulls out into traffic, "He's good. I just talked to him last night actually, he said to tell you hello. He's at a loss without basketball, but he's had a steady girlfriend for a while now and is back in school for his masters. He's taking some time off right now, coaching a 4th grade girl's basketball team back at our old elementary school, it's hilarious he's been ejected from two games already."
Ashley laughs lightly at this, and looks out the window, not sure where they're going. "Umm Spence, where are we off to?"
She just smiles, "My place."
"Oh." Spencer's smile turns into a smirk as she watches Ashley visibly pale and nervously bite her bottom lip.
"I hope you don't mind, I just figured it's the only place we won't be interrupted."
"Mind?" Her voice is an octave higher than usual, not her normal husky voice, "Why would I mind?" She shakes her head and clears her throat, "I mean no… its good."
Spencer snorts quietly as she zooms down the road, enjoying how nervous she's making Ashley… maybe enjoying it a little too much.
--
As Kyla enters the dance studio, she can't help but smile as she sees the little girls hopping around in their tights and leotards. She takes a seat with some of the other girls' parents and waits, focusing her attention on Charlie who is in a blue leotard, rather than the typical black or pink, dancing to her own routine.
As soon as Charlie notices Kyla, she's waving madly, ignoring the instructor who is trying to wrap up the class. When the class ends, Charlie runs straight to Kyla, "Kyla! I didn't know you were coming!"
Kyla smiles as she receives a hug from the small child. "Well once I heard you needed someone to hang out with tonight I couldn't resist. I must say, you have some great moves."
Beaming at this, Charlie nods, "Oh I know, Miss K gets upset with me sometimes though, 'because I don't follow directions. But you know what I told her?" Her hands are on her hips now, waiting for Kyla to respond, who just shakes her head amused. "I told her that Aunt Ashley and I practice dance moves allll day," she holds her hands out and shrugs, "and I just don't have time for these boring ones she's teaching."
Kyla bursts out into laughter at this and shakes her head, "You definitely spend too much time with Ashley. Now get your pants and shoes on, are you hungry?"
Sitting on the ground now, she pauses and cocks her head to the side, as if she's thinking hard. "Umm… yes, I think I am." She continues to pull her shoe on, "Mommy always makes me mac n' cheese when we get home. But Ashley takes me to McDonalds as long as I don't tell mommy."
Chuckling at this, Kyla holds her hand out for Charlie to take, "McDonalds it is. I could go for some French fries."
Charlie nods her head excitedly, "Me too! The other day Uncle Aiden took me to McDonalds and I got a happy meal! Guess what toy I got?!" Kyla tries to not let her smile falter at the mention of Aiden. "A penguin! How cool is that! Uncle Aiden took me to see them too! I named one Jonathan. He was my favoritest! He walked like this," she drops Kyla's hand and starts to waddle with her hands down by her sides, like Jonathan the penguin. "Uncle Aiden said we're going to adopt one at the zoo and help to take care of it! Cool, huh?"
"You like Uncle Aiden, huh?"
She nods her head repeatedly, "Oh yes, he's very nice to me and mommy and daddy." Charlie reaches for Kyla's hand, and they continue walking in silence; Kyla lost in thought about Aiden, isn't aware that the small girl is watching her intently with a small smile on her face.
--
They pull up in front of a beach house and Spencer turns off the engine. "You live here?"
Spencer nods as they get out of the car, "What can I say; the beach kind of grew on me."
When they walk into the house they immediately hear the television. Glancing over, Ashley spots Jackie asleep on the couch, looking very pale and fragile. Following Ashley's stare, Spencer smiles weakly when her gaze lands on Jay, "She had chemo yesterday, it takes a few days for her to be up and moving again."
"Shouldn't someone be staying here with her?"
Although Spencer's eyes look guilty, she shakes her head, "She's a big girl Ash. She's made it clear that she can't handle us hovering around her 24/7 so Ally and I try to give her some time in the house alone. Besides, she'll mostly just sleep today."
"I thought you said it was a good day."
Spencer nods her head and plasters a smile on her face, "It is. She isn't feeling nauseous today, and its one more chemo treatment she's done with." She sets her keys on a small table in the foyer and nods her head in the direction of the kitchen, "Come on. Let's get something to eat and head out back."
They quietly make sandwiches together and grab some drinks before heading out back to the deck that leads to the beach. Spreading out a blanket, they both plop down close to each other, staring out at the water.
"I cannot believe this is your backyard."
Spencer shrugs as she swallows a bite of her sandwich, "Well the beach holds a lot of great memories for me, and Ally is a huge surf bum, and the sounds relax Jay so finding some place not on the beach wasn't an option."
Ashley nods and they continue to eat their food in silence, their shoulders bumping into one another every so often.
When she's finished with her sandwich, Spencer crumples up her napkin and looks at Ashley who is lost in thought. "Care to share what's going on in that head of yours?"
Ashley smiles at the once familiar question, "I was thinking that it's kind of weird, you know? You and me, here on a beach again, five years later… it's kind of hard to believe."
"Is it a good or bad weird?"
She turns and looks at Spencer, smiling her infamous nose crinkling smile, "Definitely a good weird."
Spencer reaches down and interlaces her fingers with Ashley's. At this movement, Ashley looks down and stares at their hands for a moment before letting out a small sigh. "Spence…" She glances over at Ashley, an eyebrow quirked, "there are some things we should probably talk about."
Spencer nods, but doesn't let go of Ashley's hand, "You're right and we will. But just not today please?" She locks eyes with Ashley for a moment before sighing and refocusing her attention on the water, "I know we have a lot to talk about, but can we please enjoy a day of being together before it all becomes a tangled emotional mess…?"
Ashley nods, and glances at the older blonde, "Okay, sure Spence."
At this being said, Spencer smiles and rests her head on Ashley's shoulder, letting out a puff of air, "I've missed you Ash. Everything that's always going on in my head just seems to stop when I'm with you… today is peaceful for once."
Smiling, Ashley lets her head rest lightly on top Spencer's as her thumb gently strokes Spencer's hand, "I've missed this too."
--
The two girls stop mid dance step as they hear knocking on the door. Immediately Charlie's smile grows ten times bigger, "Daddy's here! Daddy's here!"
Kyla laughs as she turns down the music and walks to the front door to open it. Her once large smiles, is now a frown as she stares at the person behind the door. "Aiden?! What are you doing here?"
He is scowling now as he looks down at his ex, "I've come to pick up Charlie." As he spots the young girl, he smiles genuinely as she just watches the two of them, "Clay had to work late, so I told Chelsea I'd come get her… she didn't mention that you were watching her."
Kyla rolls her eyes at this, "Of course she didn't." She opens the door farther, "Come on in, let me just grab all of her stuff."
Aiden looks hesitant, but is soon being dragged into the apartment by Charlie who has already begun to tell him all the fun things she and Kyla have been doing.
As Charlie talks Aiden's ear off, Kyla can't help watch the two interact, with Aiden truly listening and showing interest in what the young girl is saying. When Charlie notices Kyla in the doorway, she stops talking and smiles. "Ready to go kiddo?"
Aiden turns his head in the direction of Kyla's voice and stands to take the small bag from her. Charlie is at the door putting her shoes on. "How are you doing?"
Kyla shakes her head, "No, no, no. Just because I let you in here doesn't mean I want to exchange small talk." He's about to open his mouth in response, but Kyla turns away and walks over to Charlie giving her a hug. "I'll see you soon girly."
Taking Aiden's hand, the two exit the apartment, only pausing for a moment when Aiden turns around to face Kyla. "It was good seeing you again Kyla."
With that they turn down the hallway toward the elevators. Letting out a breath of air she didn't realize she was holding, Kyla shuts the apartment door immediately feeling the tears start to form.
