A/N: Wow guys, I'm so sorry this chapter is up so late. Literally all I have time for anymore is studying and crying.

"Ashley, you could have at least worn a longer dress," my mom says when I walk downstairs. She has been frantically setting up for the Christmas party.

"Long dresses aren't really my thing," I tell her. She waves me off as Kyla walks downstairs.

"Are things always this frantic?" she asks in a whisper as my mom rushes off to make sure the caterers have everything set.

"Always," I tell Kyla matter-of-factly.

"Will she notice if we sneak away?" she asks quietly.

"Once things get hectic she won't even notice. She'd be happy to have me gone," I say. Kyla is looking down, "Why where are you going to go?"

"Just out," she tells me.

"That seems skeptical," I tell her.

"Yeah? Where are you going?" she asks me.

"Spencer's dad said it was okay if I stopped by," I tell her, "But if things get real bad here, I'll probably just hit up Ego or something." She nods as the doorbell rings.

My mom rushes downstairs and checks a few things. She nods to the maid who goes over and opens the door.

"Hello," my mom says as she greats the guests excitedly.

…...

The house is now packed with people. Normally I could sit through it knowing that I would see my dad tomorrow. That thought suddenly overwhelms me. I look around the room for Kyla. She is standing in the corner talking to some guy in a suit who looks like he is in his thirties. I head over there, grabbing a drink on the way.

"Will you excuse us?" I ask the man before pulling Kyla away, "I think I'm going to head out. I can't really handle this."

"Is anything wrong?" she asks with a worried look.

"No, I'm okay," I lie to her, "I'll see you later." I down the drink and rush out the door. It's a cool night in LA; I pull my arms around myself and get in my car.

I end up at Ego. There is barely anyone here except a few loners sitting at the bar. I join them.

"What are you doing here," Marissa, the bartender, asks me.

"The party wasn't my thing," I tell her.

"It never is," she says pouring me a drink, "What about your girl? What is she doing tonight?"

"She's with her family," I tell her. I take a sip of the drink.

"It's kind of lonely here, don't you think?" she asks. I nod. "Go back home to your family." I finish my drink.

"I think I might," I tell her.

…

I drive over to Spencer's carefully. I sit outside her house. I don't know whether or not I actually want to go in. Eventually, I work up the courage to walk up to the door.

My head hurts a little a bit, but I knock on the door. It takes a moment and then Mr. Carlin opens up the door.

"Umm, hi, Mr. Carlin," I say standing awkwardly in the door, "I...well.. you said it was okay if I came over." He smiles and nods. He opens the door wider.

"Of course, Ashley," he says and motions for me to walk inside. I step into the house, and the scent of gingerbread fills my senses. Paula, Spencer, Glen, and Clay are all sitting in the living room leaning over a board game. There is wrapping paper sprawled throughout the room from, what I assume, this mornings events. "Looks like Ashley will be joining us."

Both Spencer and Paula lift their heads to look at me. Spencer smiles, and Paula seems indifferent. At least Paula didn't yell at me to leave or anything. Spencer stands up and walks over to me quickly. She pulls me into a hug and whispers in my ear, "Are you okay?"

I give a weak nod and reply, "Yeah, I'm okay. The party was getting kind of overwhelming…" I trail off. Spencer nods in understanding. I glance over at Paula who now has Arthur at her side. They are whispering to each other.

"I don't want to interrupt your family time," I tell her about to leave thinking that coming here was a mistake.

"No, no, it's okay," she says in a rush. She grabs my hand and pulls me into the living room.

"Why don't you join us," Paula says gesturing towards the game on the table.

"It's okay, I'll just watch," I say. She shakes her head no at me.

"Really, Ashley, it's okay," Paula tells me. She smiles at me. I glance at Spencer who looks just as confused as me. Maybe it's Christmas spirit.

"Okay," I reply.

When we finish the game, Paula start cleaning up the living room, Glen and Clay go off to their rooms, Arthur and Spencer head into the kitchen to get out cookies and milk for us, and I decide to stay and help Paula.

"Thanks," I tell her while shoving some wrapping paper into the garbage can, "For letting me crash your Christmas."

"It really is fine. I understand things must be hard for you at this time," she says. She sits down on the couch. She pats the couch cushion next to her, "Come sit." This was unexpected, but I do as she says. "I know it must have seemed I didn't like you at first, but I can see now how happier Spencer has been. I think part of that has been because of you, so I thank you. You've been a good friend to her." This was a shock. I guess I never have gotten to see this side of Paula Carlin before. I bet this is how she was when she first got married and started having kids. I bet she wanted to be one of those moms that were best friends with their kids. All she ever wanted was to be a good mom.

"Thank you, Mrs. Carlin," I say.

"Now come on, we can leave this mess for the morning. Let's go have some cookies," she says.

"Okay," I reply. We walk into the kitchen and see Spencer and Arthur standing at the counter shoving cookies in their mouths. I walk over and stand by Spencer.

"Come on Arthur, let's let the girls be," she says pulling him towards the stairs. She smiles at me before walking up.

"That was weird," Spencer comments.

"I think your mom and I have reached an understanding," I tell her grabbing a cookie.

"What do you mean?" she asks looking a little bit worried.

"She thanked me for making you happier," I tell her. Spencer smiles.

"I told you she would come around," Spencer says, "So, do you want to go upstairs?" She asks raising an eyebrow at me.

"Sure," I say quietly.

When we get into the room she closes the door behind us and flops on her bed. "Are you really okay?" she asks.

"Yeah, it was a rough day, but I'm better now," I tell her.

"Okay," she replies. She outstretches her arms, "Come over here." I do. She sits on the edge of the bed, and I lean down to kiss her. She scoots back on the bed and pulls me on top of her. "That's better," she whispers.

"Not yet," I say. I pull her shirt over her head, "Now, that's better." I bite down on her collarbone, making sure she'll be able to hide in the morning. Spencer moans softly.

"Ash…" she says. I look up at her, "I hope you had a good Christmas."

"I did with you," I tell her. I kiss her again.

I wasn't planning on doing this with Paula's character, but then I watched the webisode where Ashley gives Paula the key to their apartment, and I realized I just want Paula and Ashley to get along. I just want everyone to have happy endings! Anyway, I'm ending this fic soon, so if there is anything you want to see happen tell me! As always, thanks for reading, and I hope you have a good day today!