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As Randy and Ashley continued waiting for someone to say something, everyone was still silent, probably still in shock. Just when Randy was about to say something, his mother stood up from her chair and hugged both Randy and Ashley.
"Congratulations!" she squealed as she hugged each of them tightly. "I'm very excited for the both of you. When is our grandchild coming?"
"I'm due April 5," Ashley replied as she watched Bob, Nathan and Becky also get up from the chairs.
"Congratulations, and welcome to the family," Bob exclaimed as he hugged his new daughter-in-law.
"I finally get a sister!" Becky squealed as she hugged both her brother and Ashley.
"I'm really happy for you guys. Your good for my brother," Nathan said.
When Ashley broke the hug from Nate, she glanced over at her family and while her sisters had smiles on their faces, her parents were not smiling.
"Ashley, may we speak to you for a moment please?" Mark said as he opened the patio door.
She exchanged looks with Randy, and ultimately nodded, following her dad and step-mom inside the house.
"Oh man, her parents are mad," Randy muttered.
"Well I see it this way son," Bob began. "It's not like you guys are 18 and barely able to make it. You are 28 and she is 25. You both have good, stable jobs and more than financially ready to have this baby."
"Plus, I know it's only been a few months, but I can tell you both really love each other. And it's good to see you happy again," Elaine exclaimed as she hugged her son.
Randy returned his mom's smile. "Thanks, mom. Thanks dad," he said as he hugged his parents in return.
Meanwhile, back in the house and in the media room, Ashley was sitting on one of the comfy chairs as her parents paced back and forth in front of her.
"Ashley, I can't believe this!" her father exclaimed. "I thought you were smarter than this."
"Daddy, your acting like I'm 18 or something. I am 25 years old and I know what I'm doing."
"Yes, but Ashley, you and Randy have only been together for like 3 months, and already your married and have a baby on the way? I personally think you should get this annuled."
"I don't think so," Ashley exclaimed.
"Tell me this, what is his middle name? What's a favorite movie of Randy's? And how do you know he won't get a wondering eye when he's on the road working?" Mark asked.
Ashley took a deep breath. "Randy's middle name is Keith, one of his favorite movies is Bruce Almighty and how do I know he won't cheat? Because I know. When he was home for those two months, we spent nearly everyday together and not once did I feel he was checking someone else out. I also went with him when he returned to work this past Monday, and I was with him every chance I got. Why is so hard to face facts that I am married and have a baby on the way?"
"It's only been three months, Ashley," Mark said firmly.
"Yes I know that daddy, but I feel like Randy and I really know each other."
"He probably only proposed to you after you told him about the baby, didn't he?" Mark muttered.
"I can't believe you just said that!" Ashley exclaimed. "And for your information, no he proposed to me first, and then I told him about the baby. He told me that he was so happy because two good things happened to him that night and wanted to do something to celebrate. That is when we decided to elope."
Mark and Susan exchanged looks. "You know what Mark, I think we should get the girls and get going home."
Ashley watched her father nod his head in agreement and watched as her parents walked out of the room. She immediately buried her head in her hands and began to cry. Within moments, she heard the door open again and someone lightly touch her wrists as they knelt in front of her.
"Baby, are you ok?"
She shook her head as she stood up and Randy immediately pulled her into his arms. "They thought I needed to get this annulled," Ashley sobbed. "They don't trust my judgement."
"I'm sorry your having to go through this," he whispered as he kissed the side of her head. He then pulled away and wiped away some of the tears as Ashley tried to calm herself down. "I want to ask you a real important question. Do you believe that our marriage could work?"
Ashley looked her husband with a raised eyebrow. "Yes of course I do. I don't have any doubts in my mind what so ever."
"Good, because so do I. For me, that's all I need to know. As long as we are on the same page, that is enough for me and frankly, I don't care what anyone else thinks. If your family wants to act like this, then let them. They will be the ones who regret it in the long run."
Ashley nodded in agreement. "What did your family say after I went inside?"
"They know it's not been very long, but they can see how much we love each other. My mom even said she's never seen me this happy in a long time. They were also shocked to see your family get your sisters and leave like they did, without saying anything to anyone."
"That doesn't surprise me," she replied, shaking her head in disgust.
"Listen...my parents are getting ready to leave soon, and they want to say good-bye."
Ashley nodded. "Let me go wash my face so I don't look like a total blubbering idiot, and I will be right down."
When Randy walked down the stairs, he noticed his parents, Becky and Nate all hanging around the kitchen table. "How's she holding up?" Bob asked.
Randy shrugged. "She's pretty much devastated that her parents are thinking she's making a huge mistake, but I think she'll be ok."
Before anyone could say anything, they all saw Ashley walk down the stairs. "I'm sorry for that little scene my parents just made," she said quietly as Randy wrapped an arm around her.
"Oh that wasn't your fault! I'm sure everything will work out in the end," Elaine exclaimed. "Now sometime soon you, me and Becky will have to plan on a shopping trip. I can't wait to start buying things for my new grandbaby."
"And you know I will definitely be spoiling my niece!" Becky said as she hugged Ashley.
"Wait a minute, what if the baby is a boy?" Randy smirked.
"Well, there are 3 boys in the family, you, dad and Nate. There is just me and mom," Becky explained. "So until I know differently this baby is a girl!"
Everyone soon left, and as soon as they heard the door close, Randy wrapped both arms around Ashley and took in the silence. "I'm glad everyone is gone," Ashley muttered against Randy's shirt.
"Me too," he agreed as they heard a knock on the door. Randy and Ashley exchanged looks.
When Ashley answered the door, she was kind of surprised to see the person in front of her. "April hi," she said to her younger sister. "Come on in."
"I will let you ladies talk, and I will just go clean up the mess on the patio," Randy offered as he walked away.
"April I was hoping you would be here tonight," Ashley began as soon as they were alone. "What happened?"
"I was with Matt...and we got engaged!" she exclaimed as she showed her sister the rock on her finger.
"April that is great! Congratulations!" Ashley squealed as she hugged her sister. "That is really great! What did dad and Susan say?"
"Thank you, and when I went over there, the first words out of their mouths were bashing you and Randy. They were just going on and on, and in the mood they were in I just didn't tell them."
Ashley snorted. "Figures they would say something like that."
"But what I want to say is...congratulations times 2," April smiled. "I know you guys haven't been together for too long, but I think it is romantic you got married after a short period of time. I also can't wait to be an auntie!"
Ashley giggled as she hugged her sister again. She then heard the patio door close, and ran into the kitchen and literally pulled on Randy's arm. "I don't think you guys have been formally introduced. April, this is my husband Randy. Randy, this is my sister April. She and Matt also got engaged tonight."
"It's great to meet you Randy," April said as she offered Randy a hug.
"It's nice to meet you as well, and congratulations. That is great news." Randy said.
April smiled as she turned toward her sister again. "Your going to be my Maid of Honor right?"
"No," she replied as April's face fell. "I will be your Matron of Honor."
"Ok deal! Randy, thanks for making my sister happy! You guys look nice together."
"Well thank you, and your welcome. Making Ashley happy doesn't take alot of work...hopefully," he playfully said.
"No it doesn't take alot of work, all you have to do is smile and look at me," Ashley winked.