Ashley started to toy nervously with her necklace with her free hand; with every closer step they got towards her house. "Maybe we should wait for another day to tell my family…" she started.
"Ashley…the longer you hold it in, the harder it is going for you to tell the truth later," Andros said comfortingly. Ashley sighed, and nodded in agreement, still not liking the idea of telling her family. When they reached her house, Ashley let out a groan. "Ashley what's wrong?"
"My brother is home from college….why now?" Ashley asked biting her lip.
"Your brother is in college?" Andros asked. Ashley just nodded her head, and Andros squeezed her shoulder.
"This is not good…if I bring you home…he is going to go all big brother must protect sister overdrive," Ashley blubbered, feeling tears coming into her eyes again. "Andros…my brother is going to kill you if you come with me,"
"Ashley…"
"Maybe I should tell my family alone…I don't want you to get hurt," she sighed.
"I don't want you to go by yourself…you are clearly scared…let me help," Andros pleaded. Ashley sniffled, and felt Andros's hands wiping the tears away.
"You know it is usually me that is pleading that you relax or something…" she said with a slight chuckle. Andros wrapped his arm again around her, and they slowly walked to her front door. Ashley grabbed her keys and reluctantly opened up the door. "Mom…Dad…I'm home," she called out. Mrs. Hammond came out of the kitchen and smiled when she saw Ashley had brought a guest.
"Who's this Ashley?" she asked with curiosity
"Um…my boyfriend, Andros," Ashley said, stepping aside to introduce him to her mom. "Andros this is my mom," Andros shook her hand warmly.
"It is finally god to see Ashley bring someone home," Mrs. Hammond said a smile on her face. "Alexander…your sister is home," she said over her shoulder. Ashley once again started to nervously play with her necklace, and Andros gave her hand a comforting squeeze. Alexander came in and gave Ashley a grin when he saw her.
"Hey little sister," he said pulling her into a hug.
"Hi Alex," she said with a smile, squeezing back, but making sure her stomach didn't hit him. Alex pulled away, and looked at Andros, the grin on his face faltering a little bit.
"So who's this?" he asked.
"That is my boyfriend Andros," Ashley sighed, already expecting Alex to blow up at Andros. Before he could make any remarks about treating Ashley right, she stepped in, "Andros this is my brother Alex," Alex stiffly shook hands with Andros, and Ashley nearly let out a groan. As soon as they stopped shaking hands, Ashley dragged Alex to the kitchen.
"Excuse us," she said to Andros and her mother. "Ok…Alex honestly…I really like this guy, will you please not give him the third degree?" Ashley asked, exasperated.
"Ashley…"
"No…every time I had a boy brought home, you always scared them off," Ashley said putting her foot down.
"Fine…but if he in anyway violated you, I am going to kick his ass," Alex sighed. Ashley barely resisted sighing nervously. Andros could defend himself…Ashley just didn't want to see anyone she loved sent to the hospital.
"That is all I am asking," Ashley sighed. "Thank you," she said gratefully. They walked back into the living room and saw Mrs. Hammond introducing Andros to Mr. Hammond.
"Ok…" Ashley said nervously, starting towards Andros, and kept a wary eye on Alex, who was clearly itching on hitting Andros. "You guys…I need to tell you something," Ashley said.
"Ashley sweetie, are you ok?" Mr. Hammond asked.
"Yeah…you guys probably need to sit down," Ashley said, motioning towards the other couch. Alex couldn't keep quiet any longer.
"What did he do to you?" he asked wringing his wrists.
"Well I will tell you if you just sit down," Ashley snapped, and Alex reluctantly complied. Andros gave Ashley's hand a squeeze, and she continued. They looked at her expectantly, and she sighed. "Look…I don't want to beat around the bush with this…so I am going to be blunt…" and she stopped talking.
"Do you want me to say it?" he whispered into her ear, and instantly she shook her head.
"I'm pregnant," Ashley whispered, but everyone heard it.
"What?" Mr. Hammond asked in shock. Alex instantly on his feet, and tackled Andros off the couch.
"You violated my sister!" he shouted trying to land a punch on Andros's face. "How dare you?" finally managing to land a punch on his face.
"Alexander get off him this instant!" Mrs. Hammond shouted, but he ignored his mom. Andros managed to launch Alex off of him.
"I didn't violate her…" Andros started, trying to remain calm, but Alex was instantly on his feet, trying to knock Andros back again.
"Like hell you didn't!"
"Alex stop," Ashley, said, but he chose to ignore his sister's plea. Andros dodged another punch, and just as he was about to retaliate with one of his own, Ashley stepped in front of Andros, and grabbed Alex's hand, and flipped him onto his back. He looked at Ashley in shock. "He didn't force me to do anything…and you are making it seem like he raped me or something," she snapped at him.
"How could you two be so stupid?" Mrs. Hammond snapped at her daughter. "Your brother has a right to be thinking he violated you," Mr. Hammond put a calming hand on his wife's shoulder. Ashley took a calming breath, not wanting to explode at her parents, or her brother anymore.
"It was a mistake Mom everyone makes them," Ashley sighed.
"You are being really flippant about this Ash…" Mr. Hammond said after her last comment. "You…keep at least five feet distance from her," he said to Andros. Andros started to comply, but Ashley grabbed his arm again.
"Now you are being ridiculous," Ashley said, as Alex got up.
"We are being ridiculous?" Mrs. Hammond said to her daughter. "You were supposed to stay in school…go to college…" Ashley rolled her eyes. She had heard this speech so many times, and it was really annoying her.
"Well I guess it's too late for me to fulfill your dream Mom," Ashley snapped. "I still have no idea what I want to do with my life…and you constantly pushing me isn't helping,"
"Don't talk to your mother like that," Mr. Hammond instantly said. Tears of anger started to fill Ashley's eyes.
"You know if Alex knocked someone up you wouldn't be getting all pissed off at him now would you?" Ashley growled. Alex turned away from his sister stung she had said that.
"Ashley he is a grown man now…" Mr. Hammond said, reeling that their daughter would imply something like that.
"Your point?" Ashley snapped. Andros looked at the exchange between the family members, and put a comforting hand on Ashley's shoulder.
"Look…I know you guys are clearly shocked about Ashley's pregnancy…" Andros started.
"I think shocked is an understatement," Mr. Hammond sighed. Andros ignored her father, and continued.
"Look…I am not going to abandon your daughter…she isn't going to be going through this pregnancy on her own, and I am not going to be one of those deadbeats that decides they had enough, and leave. I will do whatever I need to do to support Ashley in this…" he said taking her hand in his and gave it a squeeze.
"Well…ok," Mr. Hammond sighed.
"Wait you are just going to let them off the hook after what they did?" Mrs. Hammond snapped.
"She is growing up…and it looks like she knows she is sorry, but we need to give her some credit. She didn't abort the baby, and she actually told us the truth,"
"Thanks Dad," Ashley sighed, running a hand through her hair.
"Don't think you are off the hook yet missy…what about school?"
"I'll finish high school Mom…but it will take a little longer. Now can you please stop the Ashley bashing, I am pregnant, and you wouldn't believe how hard it is not to burst in tears right now," Mrs. Hammond sighed, but relented. Alex stayed silent throughout the whole exchange, and he looked at Ashley, apparently still stung by her words.
"I am sorry sweetie, but I do know that the emotional roller coaster ride, I mean I did have you and Alex…" Ashley nodded.
"I can't believe you two are believing their bullshit," Alex said suddenly to his parents.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Andros asked. Alex turned to him, a fire in his eyes.
"I don't know how you got Ashley to believe your lies, when you clearly used her as a booty call,"
"I did not use Ashley as a booty call!" Andros said, anger finally hitting his voice. Ashley sighed at her brother angrily. "I love and respect your sister, nothing is changing that," he snapped.
"Wow…is that the pick up line you chose to get into my sister's pants?" Alex taunted. Ashley had enough of this, and let go of Andros's hand and walked to her brother, and balled her fist up, and shot a hard right hook at his face.
"That is enough!" Ashley shouted at her brother. "What is wrong with you? I told you already that I willingly did what I did!" Ashley didn't even seem to notice the blood trickling out of his nose.
"Ashley, you didn't have to break his nose!" Mr. Hammond yelled.
"Sweetie…her emotions are out of whack…" Mrs. Hammond sighed. "Its hormones," Mr. Hammond got a damp towel and gave it to Alex for his nose. Alex was still in shock that Ashley had hit him like that. "Come on…we should get you to the hospital," she said to her son, and wrapped an arm around Alex and led him towards the car.
Mr. Hammond sighed at his daughter. "Aren't you coming?" he asked when Ashley didn't even make a move to get ready. Andros saw the reluctance in Ashley wanting to go, and wrapped an arm around her.
"Um…yeah…give me a minute," Ashley said reluctantly. She looked at Andros…and she sighed as her dad left the room. She pulled Andros into a hug. "I'm sorry," she whispered, tears stinging at her eyes again. "I didn't know that my brother would continue to try and hit you…"
"Ashley…it is ok," he said rubbing her back in calming circles. "I am ok…and your brother will be ok…" Andros said comfortingly.
"He didn't have to be an asshole about it," Ashley murmured.
"He just wants to protect you…" Andros whispered softly. "Just like any other brother would,"
"Word of advice…don't overreact at the wrong time about Karone dating," Ashley whispered, and Andros nodded. "I really don't want to be here tonight…" Ashley whispered more to herself than Andros.
"Ashley…you don't want to stay here tonight?" he asked her.
"No…I don't want to be here…it is too weird," She sighed. She didn't mention that she didn't want to sleep by herself, in her room.
"Well…ok…" he said reluctantly, "Don't you want to go see your brother at the hospital?" Andros asked her.
"No not really, I am mad at him right now," Ashley sighed.
"Ok…let's go back to the Mega Ship," Andros said, and they headed outside, to find Ashley's parents and Alex waiting for them in the car.
"Go ahead and take Alex to the hospital…I am just going to Andros's tonight," Ashley told her father.
"Ashley," Mr. Hammond started.
"No…I'm going…I need to calm down before I can talk to him, and I am not kicking him out of the house," she said implying Alex. "I'll see you guys tomorrow," Ashley sighed, and dragged Andros away from the house. As soon as they were a safe distance away, Andros teleported them back to the Mega Ship. "Thank you for being there…" Ashley whispered, pulling him in for a hug. Andros returned the hug.
"Anytime…" Andros said kissing her lips. "You doing ok?" he asked her.
"I'll be ok…" Ashley sighed, putting an hand on her stomach. Andros intertwined his hand with hers and put it on her stomach. "I would be doing a lot worse if you didn't know," Ashley admitted. Andros gave her a grin, and wrapped his arms around her, bringing her close.
Cassie saw them holding each other and walked up to them. "Hey guys…" she said.
"Hey Cassie," Ashley said, turning to face her friend. "I told my parents today…" Ashley sighed.
"Oh…. you doing ok?" Cassie asked cringing.
"Um…" Ashley laughed nervously. "Yeah…I kinda broke Alex's nose, when he tried to beat up Andros,"
"You broke his nose?" Cassie asked. "It actually got that bad?"
"Yeah, but it could have been worse…" Andros said, squeezing her shoulder.
"Well I think we'd better get back down to Earth…we got school…" Cassie sighed, hating that the weekend was over already.
"I am staying up here with Andros tonight…I don't want to stay at my house tonight," Ashley explained.
"Well ok…but you got to tell me more about you breaking your brother's nose," Cassie snickered, walking towards the teleportation room.
"See ya," Ashley waved at Cassie, and turned to Andros. "Andros…" she started.
"Yeah?" he asked, giving her a smile.
"You got ice cream here right?" she asked sweetly. Andros let out a laugh, and nodded. Before he could lead them to the Mess Hall Karone and Zhane came walking by.
"Do my ears deceive me, or do I actually here Andros laughing?" Zhane asked sarcastically. Karone playfully smacked him, as she saw Andros glare at Zhane. Zhane faked a wounded looked and Andros rolled his eyes at his friend.
"You never do have a serious moment do you Zhane?" Andros sighed.
"Nope," he said with a smirk on his face, wrapping his arm around Karone's waist. Andros didn't say anything about Zhane doing physical things like that…not wanting to piss off Karone like Alex pissed off Ashley. Ashley saw Andros stiffen up, and wrapped her hand around his, giving him a comforting squeeze, and Andros squeezed back appreciatively.
"So what are you guys doing?" Ashley asked Karone and Zhane.
"Just going to watch a movie…" Karone answered. "I thought you woulda went home by now…" Ashley stayed silent, and Karone looked perplexed. "Did I say something wrong?" she thought to Andros.
"She told her family today…and it got a little bad," Andros explained telepathically. Ashley somehow heard the exchange between the two, and sighed.
"You know I am hearing every word you two are 'thinking'," Ashley thought annoyed. Andros and Karone gave Ashley a surprised look.
"When did you gain telepathy?" Andros asked in a surprised voice.
"Um…I dunno," Ashley said. "Maybe our baby is teaching me it?" Ashley suggested.
"I guess it could be possible," Andros mused.
"Cool," Zhane said. "So…do you guys want to join us for watching a movie?" he offered. Ashley shook her head and yawned.
"Nah…I think I am going to bed, but thanks for the offer," she said to Zhane. "Night,"
"Night Ashley," Karone said giving her a hug, then walked with Zhane towards the holo-deck. Andros took Ashley's arm, and started to lead her to the room, but she stopped.
"You think I can sleep in your room with you?" she asked sleepily. Andros nodded and they walked to his room, and just as she was about to get into the sheets, her cell phone started to blare.
"What's that?" Andros asked in confusion, but Ashley rolled her eyes as she yanked her cell phone out of her purse and saw that Alex was calling, and replaced her cell phone her bag. She waited until it was done ringing, and put it on vibrate.
"That would be a cell phone. Alex tried calling, but I still don't want to talk to him," Ashley sighed. Her phone vibrated again, and saw a text message…from Alex. Ashley…please, can't we talk about this? Ashley rolled her eyes, and turned her phone.
"Ok no more interruptions…" Ashley sighed happily. Ashley pulled on one of Andros's shirts on and Andros grinned.
"You look good," he said motioning towards the shirt.
"Thank you," Ashley said suppressing a yawn. He kissed her cheek softly, and pulled back the sheets on his bed, and Ashley crawled in. Andros kissed her growing stomach and she giggled.
"Night night baby," he whispered to her stomach. He pulled away and took off his shirt, and shoes and slipped next to her on the bed. Andros kissed her on the lips softly. "Night Ashley…I love you," he whispered, bringing her close.
"I love you," she whispered, laying her head on his chest, and slowly started to fall asleep listening to his heartbeat, knowing she was safe with him holding her in his arms.