Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter twenty-nine of "Not Here." I'm glad it took just four days to get out. This chapter has a small bit of Andros/Ashley. Stay tuned for chapter thirty.
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Chapter 29: Telling the Parents
Anna was pouring coffee into a mug in the Hammond residence's kitchen in the early evening. She filled it to nearly full before putting the kettle back in the coffeemaker. She took a long sip, nodding in approval. She looked toward the window to see a northern mockingbird sitting on the windowsill. The mockingbird flapped its wings to air them out. It ran its beak through its back feathers.
She turned back to her mug and sipped more of her coffee. She and Ashton had been very surprised when Ashley told her that she and Andros wanted their families together at their house at seven-thirty because they needed to tell them and TJ's parents something very important after getting home. They agreed to it when her husband talked with Ricky on the phone. They also learned about Andros, Carlos, Cassie, and Leo's stint in detention and Cassie's protecting Kendrix from Tara's bullying from Ashley. She wondered what the get-together was about. She wasn't about to probe her daughter for questions because she didn't want to anger her.
Anna shifted her attention toward the window to see the mockingbird still sitting on the windowsill. The mockingbird chirped a beautiful melody. It finished within thirty seconds and turned around. It spread its wings and took off into the sky. She laid her coffee on the counter before looking at it. Just then, Ashton came up behind her. He laid his hands on her shoulders. She looked up at him.
"Can't get enough of coming up behind me, can you?" she asked, a small smile forming on her face.
"Nope. I will continue doing it. There ain't nothing you can do about it," he answered, moving his eyebrows up and down.
"Don't say ain't," Anna scolded playfully. "You know it's not a word."
Ashton narrowed his eyes at her. "You just said it."
"Only because you made me," Anna said, winking at him.
"Yeah, right," Ashton said sarcastically. He felt her elbow him in the stomach. He grabbed it and let out loud whimpers. She turned around to give a mock sympathetic look.
"Aw. Did I hurt the baby?" Anna taunted.
"Yes, you did! In fact, I think I'm going to get sick because of the pain!" Ashton cried, appearing as if he were about to vomit.
"I'll kiss it better," Anna said and kissed her fingertips. She patted his stomach after he took his hand away. "All better?"
"Yes," Ashton commented with pride.
Anna slapped him in the shoulder lightly. "Good."
He ruffled her hair, laughing when she swatted his hand aside. He pointed his finger in her face and moved it in all directions. She followed him with her eyes and pretended to become dizzy. He put his hand at his side. They became very serious.
"I am itching for Ricky, Diane, TJ, Andros, and Karone to be here. I want to know what Andros and Ashley have to tell us," Anna mumbled, sighing impatiently.
"So do I, but getting impatient won't make them come faster," Ashton pointed out gently.
She showed some nervousness. "I know, but I want to get this over with. I don't like the secrecy." She emitted an irritated hiss.
"Neither do I. I want to get this over with as much as you do. I have no doubt Ricky, Diane, TJ, and Karone are the same way. At least Andros and Ashley thought it was best for us to be together to hear their secret," Ashton replied.
"Everyone knows it's hard for two people to tell their loved ones about something separately because they don't know who to tell first," Anna muttered honestly.
"No denying that," Ashton agreed, rubbing his nose. "On top of that, it's times like this I wish there was a remote that could fast-forward to the moment Andros and Ashley tell us their secret." He clasped his hands together.
"Me too," Anna commented and ran her tongue over her teeth. "It'd help us get it over with more quickly."
He nodded in agreement. "Yep."
Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Ashton unclasped his hands. He and Anna made their way to the front door. He looked through the peephole to see Ricky, Diane, TJ, Andros, and Karone. He unlocked it and opened it.
"Hey, it's good to see you all," Ashton greeted.
"It's good to see you two," Ricky responded. He, Diane, TJ, Andros, and Karone walked in after Ashton and Anna stepped aside.
"Ashley, the Johnsons are here!" Anna shouted.
"I'm coming, Mom!" Ashley called from upstairs. "I'll be downstairs in a sec!"
Ashton closed the door, locking it. Ricky and Diane went to the couch to sit down. TJ got the armchair before Karone could. He smirked as she narrowed her eyes at him. Andros stopped in front of the coffee table. Ashton and Anna walked to Diane's side. Ricky let out an impatient sigh.
"When is Ashley going to get down here? I want to get this over with," Ricky complained.
"We do have to go bed later. We have to go to work in the morning," Diane added.
"So do we, but all of us heard Andros and Ashley. We need to hear what they have to say together," Anna said seriously.
"After all, this was what we agreed to," Ashton said.
"Mr. Hammond's right," Andros agreed, slipping his hands inside his pockets. "You can't back out on this."
"Yes, but—" Diane started.
"Please, Mom. Don't start with the buts," TJ pleaded, sighing heavily.
"Let's just get through this," Karone said, pressing her lips together. "Is that okay?"
"All right," Diane whispered, scoffing to herself. "If only a remote could fast-forward us to the moment Andros and Ashley tell everyone their little secret."
Ashton and Anna struggled to keep themselves from snickering. They couldn't believe that Diane had said the same thing they said a minute ago. They wondered if she read their minds. Just then, Ashley came down the stairs. She joined Andros's side. The adults gave them serious looks.
"So, what is this secret you need to tell us?" Ashton asked, crossing his arms.
"We're dying to know," Ricky added, furrowing his brow.
"We don't know how to say this, but I'm—" Ashley started, wincing at being unable to continue.
"What? What were you trying to say, Ashley?" Diane wondered worryingly.
"Ashley's pregnant. She's carrying my baby," Andros responded swiftly.
Ashton, Anna, Ricky, and Diane felt their jaws drop and their eyes widen to the size of saucers. They opened and closed their mouths, unable to form any words. Andros and Ashley felt their bodies tense up. TJ and Karone didn't react in the least bit, though they had a feeling the adults' reaction would turn out this way. Suddenly, a thought hit Anna.
"You two have been—" Anna started.
"Yes, we have been sexually active since the weekend at the cabin, Mom," Ashley interrupted nervously.
"We've relied on Ashley's birth control as the only form of protection," Andros added, his voice quieting to a whisper on the last word.
"I can't believe you two!" Ashton shouted in much anger.
"After those sex ed classes, we thought you two would've been more careful!" Ricky scolded as he glared at Andros.
Andros showed much guilt and shame, as did Ashley. "We know, and we're sorry, Mr. Johnson! We couldn't keep our desires at bay any longer." He choked back a sob. "We just didn't think—"
"Of course, you didn't, Andros," Diane interrupted sharply. "Now, it's produced a baby."
"It will be very difficult for you two to raise a baby while you're attending college," Anna pointed out seriously.
"You don't think we know that, Mom?" Ashley snapped, tears shining in her eyes. "Andros and I may not have planned for this, but we want to keep this baby." She felt sobs rising in her throat as the tears flowed down her cheeks. "We are determined to raise it."
Ashton emitted a heavy sigh. "But you two are—"
"We can see that, Mr. Hammond, but just because we're young doesn't mean we can't be good parents. We will try our hardest to be that to our baby," Andros interrupted calmly.
"Yes, but you will likely make a lot of mistakes along the way," Ashton responded bluntly.
"You should know something else," Ashley said seriously. "TJ, Karone, and Cassie already know about the baby."
Ashton, Anna, Ricky, and Diane gasped in shock. They, Andros, and Ashley looked toward TJ and Karone, whom both formed nervous expressions on their faces.
"Why didn't you two say anything about this?" Ricky asked in seriousness.
"We felt it was best that you hear it from Andros and Ashley themselves, Dad. It wouldn't have been right to tell you before they could. You and Mom would've been angrier than you are now if we did," TJ explained.
"That baby is my nephew or niece. It's a part of me just as much as it is a part of my brother. TJ and I believe Andros and Ashley would make good parents, despite they are young. They've always been good around children," Karone said hopefully.
"Not to mention they protected children many times in battle while they were Power Rangers," TJ added.
"Speaking of Power Rangers, why do I get this feeling you two will be judged more harshly than other teen parents are?" Anna asked as she, Ashton, Ricky, Diane, Andros, and Ashley looked toward each other.
"We understand your concern, Mom, but we don't care how they react," Ashley said defiantly and firmly.
"I will never abandon your daughter and the baby, Mrs. Hammond," Andros declared and took her hand into his. "I'm in this all the way."
Ashton, Anna, Ricky, and Diane turned toward each other. Though they were still concerned about Andros and Ashley's ability to parent their baby, they understood their determination to do it. After all, they considered them and the other former Rangers to be wise and mature beyond their years. They shifted their attention back to Andros and Ashley.
"We are proud of you two for owning up to your mistake," Ashton said warmly.
"We're sorry over how we reacted. We shouldn't have—" Diane started, her lower lip quivering as she and Ricky stood up.
Ashley held up her hand. "It's okay, Mrs. Johnson. We understand."
"We'll support you two, no matter what happens. We'll help you as much as possible," Anna declared.
"Since Ashley is still covered under my and Anna's excellent health care plan, neither of you should have to worry about prenatal care," Ashton added.
Andros smiled lightly as he let go of Ashley's hand. "Thank you. We really appreciate everything."
Ashton and Anna went over to Ashley, who hugged both of them. Ricky and Diane approached Andros, who gave them a big hug. Clearing throats sounded, which caused both sets of parents and the teens to release their holds on each other. All six of them looked toward TJ and Karone standing before them.
"I hope you guys aren't forgetting us," TJ said.
"We are all family, aren't we?" Karone asked, a giggle escaping her lips.
Ricky smiled widely. "Of course, Karone."
"We'll never forget either of you," Diane declared with great pride.
"Great," Karone squeaked in much happiness.
"Just don't expect me to change any dirty diapers," TJ commented, gesturing toward Andros and Ashley.
"Oh, you will, TJ. In fact, I'll wave a smelly one in your face and see if you can handle it," Andros threatened in a playful manner.
TJ made a mean face. "Bring it on. I dare you. After that, I can wave one in your face and see if you can handle it."
"Okay. That's enough, guys," Ashton shouted, waving his hands in the air. "The next order of business is to find an obstetrician who has experience in dealing with teen pregnancy."
"Oh, that's not necessary, Dad," Ashley said, reaching into her pocket and pulling out the paper, which was folded, Nancy had given her. "Cassie took me to the city's free clinic, where Nancy Jenkins confirmed my pregnancy. Nancy gave me Kai Chen's phone number." She unfolded it and handed it to her father. "He's an obstetrician with experience in teen pregnancy."
Ashton looked over the paper before turning to Ashley. "Thanks for bringing this to my attention." He showed it to Anna, who took it.
"I'll work on getting an appointment for an ultrasound scheduled. We need to know how far along Ashley is," Anna said, eyeing her daughter.
"Mrs. Hammond, I hope to go with Ashley to her appointment. Do you think you can get it scheduled for the late afternoon?" Andros asked hopefully. "Ashley doesn't want to risk getting stressed because of a big morning crowd."
Anna looked toward the young man. "I'll see what I can do. I can't make any guarantees."
"Thank you," Andros answered with a small smile.
Without warning, Ashley started feeling queasy. She covered her mouth with her hand and rushed for the stairs. The others watched her run up them very quickly. They looked at each other.
"We'll be dealing with that over the next several weeks," Ashton mumbled truthfully.
Anna chuckled lightly. "No kidding. When I was pregnant with her, I snacked on crackers as soon as I woke up. They helped ease my morning sickness tremendously." She folded the paper and slipped it into her pocket.
"Before I forget, Ashley and I plan to sign up for the school teen parent program tomorrow. That is if she is well enough to go to school," Andros said, sighing quietly.
"That's good, Andros," Ricky said, clearing his throat.
"I want to let you know that I am going to try to find a part-time job after the holiday shopping season ends," Andros whispered seriously. "I want to start saving up some money for the baby as soon as possible."
"Good for you, Andros," Anna answered proudly.
TJ frowned. "If you get a job, Andros, you won't be able to spend as much time with the gang as you used to."
"I know, but I need to do this. That baby is counting on me to provide it with things it needs. Among them are clothes, toys, bibs, baby food, etc.," Andros explained. "I hope to attend as many of Ashley's appointments with Kai as I can."
"Great," Karone said sweetly. She and the others heard footsteps and saw Ashley coming down the stairs. "You okay?"
"Yeah. That bout of vomiting wasn't as bad as this morning," Ashley muttered in relief. She came to her parents as they and the others looked toward each other.
"How about we all head into the kitchen and talk for a little bit?" Ashton suggested, rubbing his hands together. "There is some hot coffee for those who want it."
Andros, Ashley, Anna, Ricky, Diane, TJ, and Karone voiced their agreement. They and Ashton walked into the kitchen.
