A/N: *This chapter has been slightly revised* Thanks for reading, you guys amaze me everyday and inspire me to keep going. FormSpring it and check my profile, everything about me and my stories is there.

Chapter 14.

Getting Back Up, After Falling Down

The sun was pouring through Ricky's window, the birds were chirping, sirens were racing past the Butcher Shop and morning traffic flooded the town. Suddenly, John's cries filled the room and Amy and Ricky both groaned in unison.

"I'll get him." Ricky offered. Amy smiled and cuddled closer in Ricky's pillow.

Amy and Ricky had both shared a bed that night, and nothing happened. Besides making out of course, but Amy made sure Ricky had gotten the idea that nothing was going to happen. She wasn't ready for that part in their relationship yet. She wasn't sure exactly when she was going to be ready, but she knew she would know.

Ricky picked John up out of the crib and cradled him against his chest. He smiled at the infant in total awe about John's calmness once he was in the arms of his father. Ricky gently kissed his forehead, unaware of Amy who had one eye open; staring at Ricky and John. She felt her heart flutter at the sight of them together; Ricky was truly amazing with John and that was a fact.

Ricky walked over to his bed and crawled back into bed, still holding John. He laid against the headboard, still starring into the eyes of his baby boy. "I love you John."

"I love him too." Amy whispered. Ricky's eyes darted to Amy, only to find her gazing at him.

"Amy, I really do love him and nothing could change that."

"I love him too, I'm his mom and nothing can change that."

"I'm his father and I have never felt this way before. I never thought I would be holding my son in my arms at any point in my life. Let alone with you beside me-in my bed- Amy Jurgeuns."

Amy smiled and bit her lip when Ricky batted his eyelashes. A part of her wished he was saying the same things about how he loves her and such to her, but she didn't want to rush it either. She wasn't going to force him to say something he obviously wasn't ready so say.

"If someone told me three years ago that I- Amy Jurgeuns- would be laying in Ricky Underwood's bed, gazing upon my son and his father, I would think they were crazy. But now, I wouldn't trade it for anything. I know, I'm sappy and it isn't you to listen to it or let alone say it, but it's the truth."

"Amy, you know I don't so sappy, I never have."

"I know, I just wish I could know what you feel… what you're thinking. You are a total mystery Ricky Underwood."

"You know it." He smirked. Amy smiled and rolled over.

"Ugh, it feels so good to not get up to go to school." Amy stretched out.

Ricky laughed. "You've never skipped school?"

"Of course I have, just not for awhile." Amy explained.

"I'm hungry, want some breakfast?" Ricky asked.

"Well yeah, I'm starving." Amy chucked.

"Amy Juerguns, how can you go from all sappy and pouring your heart out to me to enjoying sleeping in, with a huge smile plastered across your face? I think you are the true mystery here."

"Oh please!" Amy scoffed, "you are the mystery, Ricky."

"I am, aren't I?"

"Yeah. You are beautiful yet totally confusing and deep and dark. You are a beautiful person, Ricky. You've just been through a lot."

"That's the understatement of the year." Ricky smirked. "Wait, you said I'm beautiful?"

"Yeah."

"You are the one to talk, Amy." Ricky ran his finger tips across her cheek bone. Amy felt shivers run down her arms and she felt the same desire she felt last night.

It was weird that Ricky has this effect on her.

"I'll go make some breakfast." Amy ran out of his grasp. Ricky sighed.

They ate breakfast in silence, all you heard was John eating or when he would whine , and they forks hitting the plates.

They also put away the dishes in silence.

"What do you want to do today?" Amy asked as she walked out of the bathroom dressed in a pair of white shorts, a yellow t-shirt and flats. Ricky's eyes trailed along her body, letting his man instincts take over.

"Ricky?" Amy snapped.

"Oh sorry, what?" He shook his head, trying to get out of the daze he was in.

"I asked what you want to do today." Amy repeated while grabbed John in her arms, bringing him to Ricky's bedroom to change him into his clothes for the day.

"I have no clue, what do you want to do?" Ricky leaned against the wall, watching Amy change John into a pair of jeans and a blue hoodie.

"I was thinking that maybe we could take John for a walk in the park."

"Sounds good." Ricky smiled.

Ashley walked through the halls, ignoring Madison and Lauren calling her name across the hall.

"Ashley!" They continued to scream at the top of their lungs, " Ashley!"

Ashley rolled her eyes and turned around, only to be greeted by the faces of Madison and Lauren.

"Can I help you?" Ashley growled.

"Where's Amy today? Or Ricky?" They both questioned.

"Why would you guys care?" Ashley snapped.

"Because she is our friend." Madison chimed in.

"Well, she stayed at Ricky's house and John is sick so they both stayed home." Ashley explained and stocked off.

She walked at a fast pace through the halls, rushing towards her next class even though she still has quite some till it began. She bit her lip and decided she would go talk to Griffin in hopes of seeing why Grant hasn't called her yet. She continued through the

halls, ignored she annoyed mumbles of people muttering something about 'where's the fire?' She turned the corner only to bump into Grace and Ben, holding hands and making out heatedly.

"Sorry." Ashley apologized and ran off, feeling even more hurt then she already was. She has no reason to be jealous that Ben was kissing Grace; she didn't even like Ben that way.

She noticed Griffin standing at the end of the hallway, looking through his bag. Ashley took a deep breath and ran in his direction.

"Whoa! What's wrong with you!" Griffin asked as she fell into his arms.

"Why hasn't he called me?"

"I don't know Ashley, all I know is he is very busy with moving and packing and stuff, I'm sure he will call you soon. He is equally upset about him leaving, give him some time. Alright?"

Ashley nodded her head.

How could she be so stupid? Give herself to him and now he's gone.

Why does nothing ever work out for Ashley?

She hoped good times were ahead.

"She sure ran away from us fast, huh?" Grace laughed after Ashley bumped into her and Ben making out in the hallway.

"It must have been awkward for her." Ben laughed. "I'd feel awkward too if I bumped

into two people making out in the hallways.

Grace raised an eyebrow. "Is it because she likes you?" She openly asked.

"Are you kidding me Grace! I used to date her sister…,"

"Yeah, who you loved. Do you still love Amy, Ben?"

"N-n-no." Ben stuttered. Obviously, it wasn't too convincing because Grace's face fell.

"You still love her, don't you?"

"Grace, you always will love your first love. I just don't , want to be with her that way anymore."

At that moment, as Ben tried to convince Grace he didn't want to be with Amy any longer, he wasn't too sure if he was trying to convince her, or himself.

"This is nice."

"Yeah."

Ricky and Amy walked through the park, fingers intertwined while Ricky used his free hand to push John's stroller across the pavement walkway. For them to watch John's face light up as they passed birds or other children playing; put a smile on their faces and they knew that everything was all worth it.

Everything.

All the fights, the silent treatments, the glares, the hatred, the nights where they couldn't fall asleep because all they could think about was each other, and the people who did or did not matter.

It was all worth it.

They saw a bench near by and they both silently decided to sit down for awhile, and let John out of the stroller. They walked over to the wooden bench and Ricky flopped down, acting as if he walked for miles and mockingly wiping his forehead, Amy just rolled her eyes. She took a seat beside Ricky and pulled the stroller close to her legs and un-clasped John out of the stroller and held him close.

"He looks like you." Amy told Ricky.

"Yeah, but he kind of looks like you too."

"We aren't going to argue about this, are we?" Amy asked.

Ricky just laughed.

"Ricky?"

" Yeah?"

"You wanna' go somewhere, some time, some time soon?"

Ricky raised an eyebrow. "Somewhere? Sometime soon?"

"Yeah, get away."

They sat in silence for awhile till Ricky spoke.

"Amy?"

"Yeah?"

"Why is it that everyday I catch myself falling for you more and more?"

Amy blushed and looked down at her feet, then her eyes darted to her son's. "I catch myself too, Ricky; but I'm not afraid to fall."

Ashley sat at the lunch table, twisting the pen in between her fingers, and sighing heavily.

Confused was a word to describe how she felt.

Why was Grant not calling her? Why did she even give herself to him? Why would he agree to it; knowing he was leaving? Why did she suddenly want Ben's comfort?

All this floated through her mind.

Yup, the life of Ashley was never easy. It was one thing after another but she knew she

needed answers and to figure things out.

Her for sanity.

Ricky and Amy walked back into Ricky's house later that evening after coming home after eating out for supper. John was tired and had already fallen asleep; he had a long day.

"I'll go put him to bed." Amy whispered and lifted her sleeping son out of the stroller.

Ricky exhaled and looked around his apartment. He walked into the kitchen and flicked on the light, scanning the kitchen for anything to drink. He jogged over to the fridge and grabbed out a soda for himself and Amy, then sat on the couch.

"He's out." Amy told Ricky while going to sit down beside him. Ricky noticed she also changed into a pair of cotton shorts-that were very short… not that he was complaining- and a black tank top.

"Here." Ricky said while handing her the soda.

"Thanks." Amy smiled warmly.

They both sat on the couch, lightly sipping their sodas in silence. Ricky's eyes slowly glanced over to Amy to find her starring at him too. Ricky flashed a grin and put his soda on the table. Amy reached behind her and put hers on the window-sill. Ricky smirked and leaned forward, lightly brushing his lips against Amy's. Amy quivered and pushed herself forward, refusing to be teased, and was met with Ricky's eager lips. They moved in sync and loving every minute of it.

Their worlds were set on fire, everything was standing still, nothing mattered but the two

of them.

Not Adrian.

Not Ben.

Not Ashley.

Not school.

Not work.

No drama.

Nothing.

Just them, the two of them in the room.

Amy moved forward, wrapping her arms around Ricky's neck and pulling him closer against him. Ricky didn't deny this even though a voice at the back of his head was telling him to, he kept going. He gave in to every desire he was holding back.

He let go.

He grabbed Amy and pulled him onto his lap and pushed him up against himself, feeling every inch.

He didn't feel anything that wasn't Amy.

Amy knew she should stop, but she didn't want to. She was old enough to know better, but she was too young to care.

She glided her tongue against Ricky's bottom lip, smirking against Ricky's lips when he slightly moaned at the pure sensation of it. Ricky's hands let go of Amy and went down to the hem of his own shirt. He fumbled with it then Amy moved back, letting him pull it over his head. Amy smirked seductively, and ran her hands down Ricky's torso. His eyes rolled at the back of his head, he was in true bliss. He didn't feel like this with Adrian, it wasn't real.

He didn't feel special.

When he was with Adrian, it was a high. Pure adrenaline, and way to let out his anger.

With Amy, it was real. Happiness, and made out of pure… he couldn't say it.

He couldn't think it.

He didn't want to get hurt again, yet, at this moment he felt more then safe.

As did Amy, she felt as if she was going to be safe for the rest of her life and be in his arms for eternity. Ricky pulled back and looked deep into Amy's eyes and let his hands fall to the hem of her shirt. She nodded, not caring what she was doing, and he proceeded.

He lifted her shirt above her head and almost drooled when he saw the sight before him.

"You sure you want to do this, Amy?" Ricky asked.

Ashley was laying on her bed, listening to music, letting it drown out all of her thoughts. Amy was stay at Ricky's house again, making Ashley feel more alone then ever.

Suddenly, she got the idea that maybe Ben would be free, she liked his comfort and his company. She reached over and grabbed her cell phone on the side table and dialled his number.

"Hello?" Ben answered after the phone rang three times.

"Hey, Ben. Do you want to come over?"

"Uhh, Ashley. It's nice of you to invite me but I don't know what your sister would think or Grace for that matter."

"Amy isn't here. Grace won't know. I just need someone to talk to you." Ashley spoke softly.

"Alright Ashley. I'll be right over."

…

A few minutes later…

"Thanks for coming over, Ben." Ashley smiled as Ben walked through the door.

"You said you needed a friend, what are friends for?"

"Exactly." Ashley laughed. "Do you want anything to drink?"

"Water?"

"Coming right up!"

Ashley walked to the kitchen and grabbed Ben a bottle of water and an ice tea for herself, then sat down beside Ben on the couch where he made himself at home.

"Thanks."

"No problem."

Ashley adjusted her shirt and Ben looked around awkwardly. "So what is it that you wanted to talk about, Ashley?"

"Grant's gone, I feel lonely." Ashley got right to the point.

"There is obviously something more to it then just that."

Ashley sighed and closed her eyes before speaking. "I lost my virginity to him before he left."

Ben's mouthed dropped. "Really? And you want to tell ME this?"

"Yeah. Plus, you are the only person around, really."

"Wow."

"I know." Ashley took a deep breath. "It hurts, and I'm confused and it sucks and I have no idea why I like your company so much."

Ben looked shocked. "Thanks Ashley… I guess."

They both gazed into each others eyes, waiting for the other to reply but Ashley got the wrong signal. She leaned forward, ready to feel Ben's lips against hers.

"What are you doing, Ashley!" Ben yelled while getting off the couch.

"I, uhh, sorry." Ashley trembled, fighting the tears that were threatening to spill over.

"Don't be sorry, I just wasn't expecting it and I have a girlfriend." Ben explained, feeling pity for the girl he just majorly rejected.

She was hurting enough.

"Ashley, you are a great person, you deserve so much better then me or Grant. You deserve to be happy and by trying to kiss me, it won't make you happy. By standing around, sobbing to yourself about Grant; it's not making you happy. You have to learn to move on, be happy, be the normal Ashley we all know and miss! Where is that witty, sarcastic, intelligent, beautiful and amazing girl we all know? I'll let you know, she hasn't been around lately and I hope that you will realize that you can't be stuck on this one guy for being stupid, you have to keep living and show the world that you are Ashley! The same girl who promised herself to not date in high school and get caught up in all the drama it has to offer. I miss her and so does your sister and your parents. We all do. Be happy, for me? If not for me… for you?"

Ashley let every word sink it, and for once, finally, someone told her the truth.

She was going to listen to Ben. She was going to move on, be happy and live life to the fullest.

"Thanks, Ben. You are a truly great guy." Ashley smiled and walked over to Ben. She wrapped her arms around his waist, biting her lip and smiling against his chest.

She was going to be herself again.

"You know Ben, I really do miss you."

"I miss you too." Ben laughed. "I miss your sister too."

"She misses you too."

Those words, somehow gave Ben hope that he and Amy still had a chance.

One day.

"Are you sure you want to do this, Amy?" Ricky asked.

Amy thought about it. Was she really ready or was this a heat of the moment?

Now, she knew the answer.

She wouldn't have to think about it if she were ready or not, she would know.

"I-I-I." Amy stuttered.

"It's OK, Amy. I'm not pressuring you." Ricky whispered. Amy exhaled and smiled.

"I'm sorry for getting you excited for a minute, it's just… if I were ready I wouldn't stutter or I wouldn't have to think about it." Amy felt her cheeks go warm.

"I'm fine Amy. Don't apologize." Ricky lifted his hand and touched Amy's flushed cheek.

"You're cute when you get all worked up. All into loving me and such." Ricky laughed and Amy playfully hit his arm.

Suddenly, John's cries filled the room and Amy got off Ricky's lap and walked to Ricky's bedroom.

The night continued on and Ricky and Amy just relaxed and enjoyed every minute of being together with their son.

Ashley woke up the next morning, cheerful and ready to conquer the day being herself again. She really took into consideration what Ben had to say, and now, she was listening to it and following it carefully.

She was making breakfast when the phone abruptly rang, startling her when she was buttering her toast.

"Hello?"

"Ashley!" Griffin yelled. " I need to talk to you!"

"About?" Ashley asked.

"It's about Grant."

Ashley's eyebrows furrowed. "What about Grant?"

"I know why he left, and it isn't why he told you."

Cliffy.

Leave some love my lovelies! Ox.