December 9th- Part Two:

Ashley did as she was told, sitting down on the edge of the hospital bed. She felt her leg shaking with nerves. She tried to stop it, put her hands on top of it, but that didn't work, so she gave into the nerves and moved closer to Chris instead. She tried to read the expression on the doctor's face. He didn't look particularly grim. That's a good sign, right? She gave Chris a small look from the corner of her eye, seeking comfort from him. She noticed him glancing back, fear in his eyes, but something else as well. Confusion? Dread? She moved her eyes back to the doctor, who was looking at his clipboard.

"You're lucky, Miss McCarter. It seems your baby is just fine. You're doctor at home will want to keep a close eye on you, because you're at more of a risk for a premature delivery, but from what I can see, you're baby is perfectly fine. You have a minor concussion, so I recommend you don't drive for a week or so, but I doubt you'll be driving anyway." The doctor finished up with Chris and Ashley, explaining to the the specifics they should look out for throughout the remainder of Ashley's pregnancy, as well as giving them his card before seeing them out. Ashley didn't need to stay hospitalized, luckily.

Chris escorted Ashley to his car, hand protectively around her shoulder. He walked at her pace, considering she was dizzy and shaking from the shock of everything, followed by the dehydration the crying caused. "Want to stop and get a drink?" he asked. She shook her head.

"Can we go to the tow company and get some things out of my car?"

Chris looked over Ashley. She really needed to have something in her system, even if it was just a small drink. "Okay," he said, "if you promise me we can go get a drink or pick up dinner."

She gave in. "Yeah." The car ride was without words for a while. Spotify played their favorite indie playlist while they they sat in the car. It was sudden, though unsurprising when Ashley broke into tears. "Chris, I'm sorry!"

He would admit to himself he was annoyed with her for leaving him without any warning, but she needed his support, not his criticism right now. "Hey, it's alright. Anyone can get into an accident."

She shook her head. "No, I'm sorry for leaving this morning. I- I realized how close our wedding was, and I was up all night, and I realized I didn't have a dress, or bridesmaids dresses or anything, so I wanted to get myself a dress. I picked out a few, and a few bridesmaids dresses, and I was going to ask the girls to come back to San Antonio with me over the weekend and make a final choice, but... I mean..." She took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Chris."

He sighed. "Why didn't you answer your phone?" He called her, and he knew the others much have been calling her as well.

"I- I didn't want to talk to anyone. I wanted to think about everything alone. Who knows when the next time I'll get to be alone is."

Chris felt something shoot through his heart. Alone. "Alone? Ash..." he paused, thinking his words over carefully. "Do you still want to get married?"

She nodded frantically. "Oh, my gosh, Chris. I didn't mean it like that. I meant with the baby, I didn't know when I'd get to have a me day. I didn't mean I wanted to be away form you." Chris's somber expression didn't change. "Chris, I love you, alright?"

He didn't respond. He just absorbed the song. Stranger Still, the Daniel T remix, by Vetiver was playing on the playlist. A bass line that seemed too... peppy for the situation played. Still he didn't skip it. He just let his thoughts wander. He knew he'd forgive Ashley, but this opened a whole bunch of insecurities he had. He noticed the shift Ashley had when he didn't respond. She let herself get absorbed into her seat. What sounded like lasers started shooting in the background of the song reminding Chris of a retro video game.

Josh had a retro gaming system that was from the late 80's early 90's. They played all sorts of cool games on it. Chris hadn't thought about them playing in years. Every time the two of them would get in a fight when they were younger Josh would call Chris up and invite him to play old video games. They would get over whatever they were pissed about and just lose themselves in the game. He knew what he needed to do.

"Ashley," he said after several minutes of uncomfortable silence. "I love you too."

They got to the tow company and Ashley opened the back of her car, revealing an orange roll up pad that was good for laying outside on, or enjoying picnics with, as well as a teal toolbox. She moved them into the back of Chris's car. He was ready to drive off when Ashley went to open the back seat door of her car, pulling out a shopping bag. She passed him the bag with a small smile on her face. "I saw this and thought you might enjoy it." He opened it and pulled out a gray t-shirt. On the shirt a bear was depicted with the word Papa written inside it. Chris couldn't help but smile. "So, am I forgiven?"

Chris rolled his eyes. "Ash, you know I had already forgiven you."

They drove out of the tow lot, Ashley giving a longing look at her car -it would be about a month before it was completely fixed- as they drove off, stopping at a fast food place as they started the two hour drive home, Chris getting a burger, large fry and drink, Ashley getting an order of chicken and medium fry and drink, though she was full before she finished her meal. They had to stop once so Ashley could throw up, neither of them knowing what the cause was, the baby or the concussion, but they eventually made it home safe and sound. They fell asleep in one another's arms and were quite content after the day they had. Chris thought about the Papa Bear shirt he was going to wear the next day.