"Welcome back you guys," family and friends greeted warmly as the three solemn couples walked through the front door of the New York mansion.

Glen took in everyone's somber expressions. "Well, these weren't the faces I was expecting to see after a two week vacation in Hawaii."

An awkward silence filled the room. All eyes shifted over to Ashley. Regularly, the rocker was the one nobody could shut up after returning home from a vacation. Strangely, instead of boasting about the trip Ashley was being quiet.

"No," Ryan put on a smile for the groups' sake. "It was … It was fun. We had a blast." The rocker secretly shot him a grateful look.

Those words seemed to break the tension somewhat. However, Carol could see right through their fake smiles easily. One thing she noticed right away was her two granddaughters' mood. Neither of them was making eye contact with the other and they were being unusually quiet.

"That's good," Paula nodded giving her daughter a hug. "Did you have a good time sweetie?" She asked the younger blonde as she gathered the rocker into an equally warm embrace.

"Yes, we did mom," Spencer smiled genuinely.

"What'd you get me?" Glen asked rubbing his hands together greedily.

Spencer rolled her eyes, "Nice to see you too bro," she deadpanned

"Me too," Samantha screamed running over next to her brother. "I want my gift first!"

"Excuse me sucka, I asked first," Glen teased pushing his sister behind him. "I'm sorry kiddo that's seniority. If you don't know what that word means go look it up."

"But I'm cuter so, I should get mine first," Sammy retaliated sticking her tongue out at which her older brother maturely recuperated.

Ashley laughed at their antics. "She's got a point there."

"Yeah, sure she does," Glen grumbled playfully socking the rocker's arm.

Spencer reached into her suitcase. "For you Glen, a hat, and for you Sammy, a t-shirt," she said handing them their not so awesome gifts.

"Well, what do you say guys," Ashley teased biting back her laugh as she stared at the siblings crestfallen features.

"Thanks," Samantha and Glen muttered unenthusiastically.

Spencer, oblivious to their disappointment, replied, "You're welcome guys. I hope I got you the right sizes. I think the small should fit you Sammy."

"Yeah it should," the eleven year old whispered.

"Hey Spencer, you gonna come over here and say hi," Chelsea called from the other side of the room with Clay. The blonde waved and headed over to her friends.

After making sure her fiancée was preoccupied with talking, Ashley quickly shoved a package into Glen hands.

He frowned confused, "Um, Ash, what's this?"

"Your real gift," She replied in a hushed tone. "It's a Ms. Hawaii calendar. Enjoy. Just don't tell Madison or Spencer I got that for you."

"Awesome," he whispered giving her a quick hug. "I knew I could count on you."

"What about me," Samantha pouted.

"I've got you covered Sammy," Ashley laughed handing the young girl a package. "It's a gift box from Hawaiian Candy. Don't take in all that sugar at once though okay?"

"Thank you Ashley," Samantha said neglecting the last sentence. The young blonde wasn't making any promises. Tummy aches be damned.

"You're welcome kiddo," the brunette smiled.

The rocker scanned the room for her fiancée when her eyes landed on her Grandmother's she involuntarily gulped. She knew that look. It was the look that indicated she was in some sort of trouble. Carol quietly walked over to her.

"Hey grandma," Ashley whispered nervously. "What's going on?"

"I need to speak to you and Kyla in the kitchen right now," was all the older Davies said before walking off into the kitchen.

Kyla looked at Ashley in question. The rocker shrugged.

"Sheesh Ash," Eric whispered jokingly. "You've only been home for like fifteen minutes and you're already in trouble?"

"Shut up ass," the rocker hissed as she and her sister followed Carol into the oddly quiet kitchen where two maids were busy cleaning.

"Ladies, could you give us some privacy," Carol dismissed the workers.

Kyla sadly watched them leave as she bit her lip apprehensively. There go the two witnesses they needed if something bad was to go down.

The older Davies turned to her two silent granddaughters. "Now, I don't know what's going on between you two-"

Ashley spoke up. "Nothing is going on-"

"But, you're going to solve whatever problem you've got going on." The older Davies continued waving the brunette off. "You're not leaving this kitchen until you do. If I have to, I'll have Danny and Aiden block the door."

The two sisters nodded. Their grandma wasn't one for bluffing.

"Good, now start talking," Carol ordered before leaving the kitchen.

An uncomfortable silence filled the room. Ashley let out a sigh and took a seat on one of the stools by the breakfast counter. She kept her eyes trained on her hands. Kyla followed suit and quietly took a seat next to her sister.

"Ashley," she whispered. The rocker turned to look at her. "Back on the plane … I didn't mean what I said. It's just, I was tired, I was only thinking about me … I didn't even consider what was going on or what kind of danger you were in … I'm sorry."

Ashley nodded and looked back down at her hands.

Kyla eyed her older sister nervously. She couldn't read the rocker. Did the silence mean she wasn't forgiven? The younger brunette sighed frustrated. "Ashley, I said I was sorry. What? Are you just gonna ignore me now?"

"I just don't get you sometimes Kyla," the rocker whispered looking back at her sister. "I don't get how you can just… forget so easily what just happened to us a few months back. How could you not be paranoid or … or have issues with trust? After all that has happened to us … I'm scared okay? I'm scared and I feel like I need to keep it together for the family you know to show that I'm really not breaking down, but I am..." Ashley sniffled wiping at her eyes.

Kyla stared at her sister stunned. She'd never seen the rocker crumble like this before. The younger brunette brought her sobbing sister into her arms. Kyla cooed and soothingly rubbed her back, "Ashley, its okay to break down sometimes."

The rocker pulled back gently, "No its not. I have to be strong."

"Who are you trying to impress Ash," Kyla admonished with a light frown. "You don't have carry all of this baggage. You don't need to feel you have to take on all of this. We're a family we're here to help each other not burden one another."

"I just don't like feeling this helpless, I don't like not having a handle on anything," Ashley said wiping angrily at the stubborn tears that refused to stop falling.

"You're not God Ash," Kyla chuckled quietly. "You can't control everything. The best thing to do is not let the past hold you back. You have to move on from it. If you don't you'll never be get better."

Ashley shook her head. "What if I can't forget everything that-"

"I didn't say to forget it," Kyla corrected. "All I'm saying is to move on from it. It's okay to be weary of someone you've just met, I get that. But, you can't not trust the person and blow them off without getting to know them."

"I assume you're talking about Clyde right," Ashley sighed.

"Well," Kyla bit her lip. "Yeah I am."

"Look," the rocker said sternly. "I get bad vibes from the guy. So far, nothing about him has made me feel okay about him. Maybe someday down the road my feelings about him will change … but as of right now that is not the case."

"Fair enough," Kyla nodded.

"Good, now, give me a hug," Ashley demanded.

"Wow, you do have control issues," the young brunette joked.

"Come here," the rocker laughed pulling her sister into a hug. "I love you little sister."

"I love you too," Kyla whispered.

"Now, this is what I like to see," Carol said walking into the kitchen. "Everything is back to normal I assume."

"Yeah, if that's what you want to call this crazy family," Ashley joked giving her grandmother a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks grandma," she said.

"Next time you to get in an argument I shouldn't have to do this," Carol warned looking between the two sisters. "You two are adults now; you should be able to talk to each other without me having to tell you to do so."

"We know grandma," Kyla agreed giving Carol a hug.

"Alright, let's get back to the welcome home party now shall we," the older Davies said ushering her granddaughters out into the living room.

The rocker spotted her fiancée talking with Eric. She snuck up behind the blonde and wrapped her arms around her. "Hello," she whispered settling her chin on Spencer's shoulder.

"Hey," Spencer turned her head. "Where did you disappear off to?"

"I had a little talk with Kyla."

"I see," Spencer nodded. "Grandma forced you two talk didn't she?"

"Yep," the rocker laughed.

"You Davies are too stubborn to do anything on your own," Spencer joked. "But, everything is fine between you two now right?"

"Yeah we're good," Ashley mumbled as she buried her face into the blonde's neck. She smiled when she heard her fiancée giggle lightly. "You're so ticklish Spence."

"Ugh," Eric groaned dramatically. "This is one thing I didn't miss while you two were gone. All this lovey dovey business makes me feel-"

"Lonely," Danny piped in tossing his arm around the driver's shoulders. "Don't worry buddy, you've got us. One day, you'll find a girl desperate enough to date you."

"Real funny Carrot Top," Eric deadpanned knocking the body guard's arm off. "So Ash, are you pumped up for the tour, only six more days to go."

At the mentioning of the tour Ashley felt Spencer tense in her arms. The rocker cleared her throat awkwardly and replied, "Um, we'll talk about the tour later."

"Why, touring is like one of your favorite things to do," Eric continued oblivious to the blonde's discomfort. "This one is gonna be huge!"

"Excuse me," Spencer whispered walking quickly out of the room.

Ashley socked Eric in the arm.

"Dude what the fuck," Eric hissed clutching at his arm.

"When I say I want to talk about something later that means I want to talk about it later," Ashley growled before chasing after Spencer.

Danny observed the driver's arm. "Yeah," he chuckled shaking his head. "That's gonna be one hell of a bruise my friend."

"Angel," Ashley whispered as she approached her fiancée in the foyer. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah I'm fine I… I'm sorry for walking out like that," Spencer apologized slightly embarrassed. "I know we've talked about the tour … but hearing how close you are to leaving just hits home for me pretty hard," she chuckled humorlessly looking down.

The rocker gently brought her face back up, "I don't have to go-"

"You know you have to Ashley," Spencer countered with a half grin. "You know you have to and as much as I would love to come with you … I have school."

"There's always winter break," the rocker added. "I'll fly you out to wherever we are and we'll get to spend Christmas together."

"This tour is going to suck," Spencer pouted on the verge of tears.

"Please don't cry baby," Ashley whispered gathering her fiancée in a hug. "I feel terrible when you cry." Suddenly something sparked in the rocker. "Hey I've got an idea!"

"What," Spencer sniffled.

"Why don't you start school next semester?" Ashley held the blonde at arm's length. "You could start school in the spring. That way we'd get to spend a whole five months together."

Spencer smiled. "I guess that could work," then suddenly she frowned. "But, I would have to drop the classes I'm enrolled in now and the cost-"

"Baby are you forgetting who you're talking to," Ashley giggled. "The cost is nothing. I'll take care of that."

"Then I guess that settles it then," Spencer cheered tossing her arms around the rocker's neck.

"What are we celebrating," Brian asked eyeing the couple.

"Spencer's joining us for part of the tour," Ashley informed with a huge smile.

"I thought we had a strict no girlfriends rule while touring," the personal aide said confused.

"Hey, I'm a new woman now," the rocker countered. "That was the old 'sleep with anything wearing heels' Ashley. I'm different. So, that rule is officially broken."

"Cool, I'm gonna go tell the guys," Brian said running out of the room.

"Dude you run like a girl," Tom called after Brian as he walked into the foyer. "Ashley, there's someone on the phone for you." He informed handing her the phone.

"Who is it," Ashley whispered grabbing the phone.

"Just answer it," he replied walking out of the room.

The rocker frowned as she brought the phone up to her ear. "Um, hello, this is Ashley speaking," she answered, confusion laced in her voice.

"What's up Rock Star," the familiar southern voice on the other line replied.

Ashley face broke out into a smile. "Memphis is that you," she shouted.

"No it's Santa Clause," came the sarcastic reply. "Now, hurry up and open this front door before I break it down. I'm freezing my damn ass off out here!"

Ashley quickly hung up the phone and ran to the front door.

"Surprise," Christie shouted holding her arms out.

"Oh my God," the rocker yelled gathering the red head in a big hug. "I haven't seen you in like forever." She sighed pulling back.

"How you doing there Spencer," Christie smiled giving the blonde a warm hug.

"I'm doing great Christie, nice to see you," Spencer replied.

"Hey everybody," Ashley yelled gaining everyone's attention. "This is Christie Jackson; we were dorm buddies when I was in rehab."

Everyone simultaneously gave a big 'hello'. Christie smiled graciously and waved, "How ya'll doing, thanks for having me here."

"So, gorgeous," Eric said puffing out his chest. "Are you single?"

"I have a girlfriend," Christie informed with a grin.

"Right," the driver nodded. "Sorry," he said before shuffling away.

"What's that box you've got down there," Rick asked pointing to the small pink box sitting just outside the front door.

"Oh," Christie said picking up the box she had set down. "I hope you don't mind but I took it upon myself to make ya'll some of my famous apple pie."

"Awesome," Glen yelled. "I like you already Christie."

Paula swatted her son's arm. "Mind your manners Glen," she laughed. "Thank you Christie, that's very sweet of you." She said with a smile.

"No problem," Christie turned to Ashley. "Which way is the kitchen? I want to start cutting this bad boy up."

"This might not be enough for everyone," The rocker said.

"I'm no dummy Davies," Christie giggled. "I made two more just in case, they're in the car."

"Ashley will show you to the kitchen, while I'll go get the other two pies," Spencer replied.

The redhead shook her head. "Oh, honey I can go get them, you don't need to-"

"It's fine," the blonde replied tossing on her jacket. "You're our guest, I insist."

"I'll help you with that," Kyla added following Spencer outside.

"Come on Jackson, the kitchen's this way," Ashley said tugging the redhead into the direction of the kitchen.

"Damn, you have a huge house here Rock Star," Christie whistled as she set down the pie. "You could probably get lost trying to find the bathroom."

"Yeah, that's what everyone says," Ashley muttered getting out a fork. Without a second thought she dug right into the middle of the pie and took a bite.

"What do you think you're doing," the redhead chastised ripping the fork from the rocker's mouth. "You couldn't wait for me to cut you a slice? Now the cutting is gonna be all uneven."

"You said you had two more pies," Ashley said over a mouth full. She let out a moan of delight as she swallowed down the last bits. "Oh my god, that was freaking delicious!"

"Thank you very much," the redhead replied as Spencer and Kyla came in carrying the other two pies with them.

The rocker quickly yanked the fork from Christie and picked up another piece. "Baby, you gotta try this," Ashley said gleefully as she held the bite out to Spencer.

"Mmm," the blonde hummed. "That's good. Who taught you how to cook like this?"

"My cousin Clyde taught me this recipe actually," Christie answered with a sneaky smile.

The three women paused at the mention of the name Clyde. Kyla cleared her throat, "Clyde," she said in question.

"Yep," the redhead nodded. "Well, he's not my blood cousin just my cousin kind of. Interesting story that boy has."

"How so," Ashley asked finding her voice.

"You see, my mother's sister Mary Ann married Clyde's daddy John when Clyde was about two. Uncle John was always working so Clyde was left at home a lot with his momma. Well, my aunt Mary Ann has a slight drinking problem so as you can imagine she's not the most 'stable' parent or wife. Clyde used to come over to our house all the time and cook. It was the strangest thing; he used cooking as an outlet I guess."

"What's Clyde's last name," Spencer asked quietly.

"Stevens. Clyde Stevens," Christie replied slicing the pies. "When Clyde was about twelve or so his parents split. Mary Ann took off with Clyde, they moved from Memphis to Ohio. Isn't that where you're from Spencer?"

Spencer nodded. Christie continued. "Anyways, after an ugly two year divorce, John gained custody of Clyde and shipped him off to Hawaii, that's where John lives."

"Oh my God," Kyla gasped.

"Yeah I know, he's had a tough life," Christie said oblivious to why Kyla was really shocked. "I haven't seen him in a while. I just talk to him on the phone and email you know. I've invited him up here several times but he's so damn dedicated to his Daddy and that stupid surf shop. Luckily though, just last week he agreed to come up here and celebrate my month of sobriety since rehab. You guys should meet him some time."

"We have," Ashley muttered.