A/N: Hi, have a chapter, I apologise, have my chapter.

R&R!

-Anna x

Dinner was awkward to say the least. Rai and Kimiko were not speaking, Taylor and Clay were all loved up and Ana was staring daggers at Kimiko. Even worse, Ivan and Marie were sitting there gloomy as ever, gawking at Ashley.

"So, I believe my beautiful and dear friend Ashley has an announcement." Sera, at the head of the table, stood up and announced.

"Thank you, Sera." Ashley stood up and Jack took her hand. "Mother, Father, as you can clearly see, there is a baby on the way. After everything we've been through as a family, I'd like to give you the chance to stand up and be in our baby's life. If you do not do the right thing, as always, I am okay with that. Our baby will grow up loved, with or without you."

Marie stood up. She was tall and slim, almost model-esque. She walked round to Ashley, who put her arms out to hug her mother. The invitation was declined with a sharp brisk slap around the face.

"You cheap whore, you slut! You have shamed this family over and over again. You are a terrible daughter, let alone a mother. How dare you come back here? We told you that if you walked out of that door, you would not be welcomed back. We never want to see you again." Marie straightened out her top. "I apologise for the loathsome trouble Ashley has bestowed on you, Sera. She will not do it again."

"Mummy, please don't do this." Ashley wailed. Tears spilled over her cheeks and she was hyperventilating.

"Of course, Marie, I understand." Sera said, calmly. "You are, as I always suspected, an abusive mother and awful human being. I have never understood why Ivan followed you after everything you did to him and his beautiful daughter."

"I have no idea what you are insinuating, Seraphina, but whatever it is, I do not like this ambush. I don't know what Ashley has told you to brainwash you but I have been nothing but a diligent mother." Marie played the wounded soldier well. "Are you just going to sit there, Ivan? Are you not even going to defend your wife?"

Ivan sat there like a rabbit in headlights.

"Ivan, I would decide carefully over this. Marie over your daughter and grandchild?" Sera tried.

Ivan stood up finally with a nod of regard at Sera. He daren't look at Ashley, his sobbing daughter, as he ushered the smug Marie out.

"Daddy, please don't do this to me." Ashley held his hand and begged as he walked past. "Daddy, please. I want my baby to have his grandfather." Her face was red and splattered in blotches as she begged and sobbed for the parents she always wished for, the father she knew loved her and the woman she called a mother that never stood up and protected her.

Ivan pulled his hand away and bent down to pull Ashley up off of her knees. He took her face in his hands and looked her in the eye, wiping the streams of tears off of her face. He was going to stay. "I'm sorry, poppet." He kissed the top of her forehead and left the quivering Ashley in the dining room, ready to collapse.

Once she heard the slam of the door, no one moved until her knees buckles beneath her and she fell to the ground, just caught by Jack who held the sobbing girl tightly. Zach ran to her and comforted her. Sera stood and dismissed the table. Ava stayed in her seat, unfazed by the entire scene. The gang left without a word. Zach took over Jack's place as he stormed out of the house and slammed the door with a thud.

"How can you look at yourself in the mirror?" Jack shouted.

"The boy speaks then does he?" Marie turned around. "Easily, my dear boy. Didn't you know? Ashley has a past and I have stuck by her through it all. She cut connections with me and suddenly the slut comes running home, presumably for money, having got herself knocked out. Look at yourself, you whimpering fool! She is using you and taking you for a ride. So what is it you have that she would benefit from?" She looked Jack up and down. "Money? Wealth? Power? Hah! You are nothing to her, boy. Get out whilst you still can." Marie turned and strode away.

Ivan stood there. "Tell poppet that I will come for her tomorrow. Her mother is… She's not one I can argue with but I will see my grandchild. Just tell her, please. I love her so much and I will love her son or daughter unconditionally." He wiped a clear trickle from his eye and left.

A/N: So, I am sorry this is a horrible chapter for me to write but just a bit of Ashley background. It will make sense, I promise.

R&R!

-Anna x