A/N: Whoa, I completely dropped off the surface of the Earth, didn't I? Well 'fret not, I'm here, I'm here. Sorry I haven't been updating but school just started and things are starting to get crazy. I promise I'll try to update as much as I can! Thank you for all your reviews, please continue to read & review!

Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing!

Chapter 10: I Won't Let You Walk That Far Alone

Ashley cleared her throat and looked out the window. Winding it down, she waved goodbye to the Hardys, Beth, Shannon and Shane. Ashley had made up a lie about where she was going, insisting she was off to a singing somewhere in Texas – but she was heading to New York City. A place she used to call home.

It pained her to have to lie to them that way, but she couldn't let them know what was really going on. How was she supposed to break the news to them? Oh hey guys, I'm off to New York to see my baby. Oh and Phil's the baby-daddy!

No, she couldn't do that.

She had fended off Shannon, telling him she could drive herself there on her own. In reality, she was meeting Phil at the airport, where they'd head off to The City together. She watched the others wave her goodbye and blowing her air-kisses from her rear-view mirror. She noticed that Shannon was rather upset.

She didn't blame him, no. She never gave him a reason why she walked off with Phil the other day and since that day; he's been harping on it – insisting she doesn't love him anymore. He missed her, she understood. She took in a deep breath and started the car, driving it out of Shannon's driveway and onto the road.

"Ash, Ash! Guess what! Julie and I are back together!"

Her face fell. They were back together. She sucked it up, giving him a smile and a hug. "I'm so happy for you!" she whispered into his ear. Deep down inside, her heart was ripped apart. Walking out of the locker room, she headed straight for her car and drove herself to a club. Getting drunk seemed like the best way out to drown in her misery, didn't it? A blurry figure caught her in his arms. "You're drunk," he said. She shrugged, banging on the table, insisting her gets her another drink. She could hardly hear her he her told her she was drunk.

But in a drunken state of mind, she forced herself against him. And surprisingly, he never pushed her away.

As she drove, she wondered why she never stopped herself. Sure, she was drunk and betrayed her best friend. But what about the times when she was sober? She had a choice to hold back; but no. Phil and she decided to start a secret relationship behind her best friend's back. It didn't matter. After Shannon and Julie got back together, Phil was the next best thing.

It was strange, driving to the airport knowing that her next destination would be New York City. And of all people, she was going to head back there with Phil; the father of her baby. What was even stranger was that she was going to home to see her baby. She had a baby. Ashley Massaro had a baby. And now her baby was going to meet his father. It was strange and awkward, to say the least.

She heard a honk, followed by a wave. She smiled when she saw the tattooed arm waving at her.

This is it, Ashley. Things are about to look up.

She got out of the car and watched as he got out of his. Taking her luggage from the trunk of her car, he said, "I'm excited to meet out baby, Ash." She smiled, taking him by the collar.

"I'm sure he's excited to see you too. He'll be happy to know that his daddy is a responsible man."

"Responsible? I was looking for handsome, baby."

She laughed, tilting her head back. "I'm sure you are," she smirked. "I'd be crazy to have my baby's daddy be someone heinous looking!"

He laughed, holding her in her arms and pushing her back; making her lean towards it. "I'm sure you're not crazy enough to hook up with Santino Marella. But then again, you are pretty crazy." He played with her hair, twirling her dirty blonde locks with his fingers.

She mocked a shocked face and slapped him playfully on the arm. "And why would you say that, handsome?"

"Well, gorgeous," he began. "Have you seen yourself and all the crazy things you were doing that night?" He smirked as he whispered the details into her ears.

"Phil!" she shrieked after she heard all he was whispering. "Let's just get to New York."

"Afraid I'd tell our baby how his mummy-"

"Phil!" She picked up his luggage and harshly shoved them into his hands. "Let's get going!"

He laughed, wholeheartedly as she turned red. "Are you embarrassed by your wild nights, gorgeous?"

"Shut up, Phil." She stuck out a tongue to him as they walked side by side, brushing their arms against each other. "I'm not ashamed."

"Oh, so do you think you're game for another round tonight then?"

"What?" she laughed. "One baby and suddenly all they want is another!" she shook her head.

"Baby, I didn't say we needed to have another baby. But we can always try. We have all night, baby. I'm game for all the rounds you want to go through."

He watched as she turned even redder than she previously was.

"Oh shut up."

He laughed and then paused as they sat down, waiting for their plane to call for boarding.

"On a serious note though, I would never let you walk alone. You will always have me. I'm sorry, baby, for making you suffer like that."

She gave him a soft smile and gently touched his arm.

Ashley Massaro, your life is looking up. Or at least, for now.