45.1 - The Dawn Is Breaking

Alex's PoV

It was white - very white and bright as the sun started to shine over the cold looking horizon. I blinked a few times and yawned, stretching my feet as far as I could since I was sitting in the passenger side of my burnt orange Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. Tracey gripped the wheel as she took a right and I licked my lips, sitting up as we passed large billboards stating we were close to Kenora.

Right after my show the night before, I didn't even stick around to throw an after-tour party. Tracey and I packed up and caught the earliest flight to Winnipeg, where we had left my jeep in the parking lot. Luckily we touched down just before the snow storm hit.

"Are you sure your parents won't be mad at us for not seeing them?" Tracey asked, turning up the heat a little.

"We saw them two weeks ago," I smiled sleepily, and looked at the window, my mind immediately going towards Lucas, "besides, I miss my niece."

Tracey nodded and gripped the steering wheel firmly yet again, her eyes straight ahead on the road.

It seemed like the shortest ride of my life and a part of me wasn't ready to see the long driveway we were about to turn down. What and who was behind those solid walls scared the hell out of me.

I felt sick.

"Alex," Tracey stopped the car halfway down the long rough snow covered driveway, "we can turn around right now and go for a coffee or something. Who knows, maybe Spencer's still sleeping."

Spencer still sleeping? Tracey knew Spencer never slept in unless she had sex the previous night.

I rolled my eyes.

"We're already here," I sighed and she moved the jeep forward slowly, glancing at me every so often, "babe, I'm sure."

"Okay." Tracey tucked her long strand of hair behind her ear and nodded, pulling up to what usually was an empty driveway. There was an unfamiliar looking mustang, an SUV and a Camero parked beneath a pile of snow. "Wow, party central."

"Yea," I frowned in curiousity and realized the only vehicle I recognized was Ryn's midnight blue SUV.

"Are you su-" Tracey was silenced when I kissed her briefly.

"Stop asking me." I whispered and she cut off the engine, putting on her black hat and opening the door. Our breaths could be seen in the air because it was cold.

I missed being out here.

Tracey grabbed my hand and we slowly made our way towards the front of the house, making fresh footprints in the snow.

I heard movement inside and licked my lips, my knuckles making it to the door and then it was ripped open. I stood face to face with a tall brunette guy with green eyes and the biggest dimples. I frowned.

Spencer. I cured her silently.

"Hey," I said awkwardly and he looked slightly surprised.

"Hi." He whispered with head nod and slipped outside, pulling out a cigarette from his coat pocket.

"Who are you?" I frowned even deeper.

"Oh wow," he laughed softly and held out his hand, "I'm Tristan, forgive my rudeness."

"Tristan, there you ar-" Ryn's voice came from behind me and I turned around to face the redhead. "Alex?!" Her eyes were wide and she grabbed a coat and boots, rushing outside to give me a hug. "Wow, it's been awhile."

I smiled and hugged her back. "Yea…"

"Nice to see you too Tracey," she smiled at my fiancée and then her arm looped through the tall man's, "I see you've met my boyfriend, Tristan."

"Oh." Wow, I was embarrassed by my assumption and rudeness. "I'm Alex and this is my fiancée Tracey, forgive my rudeness." I laughed nervously and he grinned.

"Can I have your autograph?" Tristan asked excitedly. "My nieces will call me the coolest uncle on the planet."

"Yea?" I laughed and agreed. "I'll be happy to help."

"Cool." He smiled and held up his cigarette. "I hate smoking around people so I'm going to quickly take a walk." Tristan leaned forward and kissed Ryn on the cheek before trudging through the untouched snow down towards the docks.

Ryn turned to face me and grabbed my hands. "So, how was your tour?"

--

Spencer's PoV

Ashley hadn't really moved from her position all night. She was spooning me and her grip was tighter than hell.

Not that I was complaining.

Hell no.

I could feel her warm skin against my own from where our jerseys rode up and it was driving me insane.

Okay, so I was worse than a teenage boy or uh, worse than my own teenage self – but Ashley Davies was sleeping in my bed with nothing but a jersey on.

She stretched a little and her grip loosened, giving me a chance to slip away and turn over to face her. Her eyes were closed but her eyelids were fluttering slightly. I smiled and leaned forward, my lips pressing against her cheek softly and it drew a soft sigh from her lips. Ashley stretched a little more and opened her sleepy eyes, they immediately fell on mine. "Morning," she whispered and I smiled, brushing a strand of hair away from her eyes.

"Morning." I felt my heart flutter as she crinkled her nose into another wider smile.

"What time is it?" Her husky voice whispered and she sat up, running her hand through her curls.

"Guess." I smirked, sitting up with her, adjusting my jersey and leaned in, stealing a quick kiss from her.

"Five in the morning?" Ashley quirked an eyebrow.

"Uh, close," I pointed to the clock and it read seven-thirty, "you can go shower if you'd like. I'll put on a pot of coffee."

"Hey Spence," she bit her lip gently and looked at me, "I was wondering if you'd mind that I take Dylan to see the house today?"

"Ash," I laughed softly and shook my head, "you do know that she's your daughter right? You really don't need to ask me permission to take her anywhere. It could be three in the morning and you're still free to come and get her." I laughed again, lightening the mood. Ashley was blushing, looking down at the black duvet on my bed. "Hey," I lifted her chin up by my fingers and tilted my head, "she may call me mom but she's the heart to your soul."

"Spence," she chuckled and stared at me, her brown eyes twinkling, "you're such a charmer."

I wiggled my eyebrows, "so I've been told."

"By who?" She asked, her cute frown coming back.

"Uh," I shrugged, "a lot of people? Come on, even you fell for my Carlin charm. Your parents even …" I stopped when she blinked, her head dropping back down and her eyes closing tightly, "shit Ash, I'm sorry."

Stupid Carlin. Charming my ass. I clenched my fists together, chastising myself for bringing up such a topic.

It was one we never even touched on really.

"It's okay." A whisper came from her lips.

"No," I sighed and shifted, moving closer and pulling her tighter into my arms, her face pressed into my neck, "I'm so sorry."

That was when I felt her shoulders shake and a heart wrenching sob escape her. She was crying.

Hard.

All I could do was rub her back, kiss her hair, and hold her tight. I didn't have any words to bring that smile back on her face. I knew at that moment that Ashley never had the time to really mourn her parents' death. I stroked her face lightly with my hand, wiping her tears away delicately with my thumbs. "I'm here, baby."

I guess those words meant a lot to her because she tightened her grip on my jersey and pulled herself closer, tears rolling down my skin.

Time passed and finally her breathing evened out. She pulled back and wiped her face, apologizing for getting me wet. I smiled softly, not even thinking about a crude comment. "You can borrow my shoulder anytime," I whispered and cupped her face, "and whenever you're ready to talk about it, know that I'm here."

"Thank you," Ashley smiled and sniffled, laughing embarrassedly.

"Still want that shower?" I asked and moved to get up off the bed. I was held in place by her though as she kissed me with this intensity that went straight from my lips, coursing through my veins and straight to my heart. I've missed those kisses and Ashley was the only one who gave them to me. "Uh, did you want me join you in that shower?"

Ashley's husky laugh woke up other parts of my body but I quickly disregarded it when she shook her head. "As much as I'd love that, I have a feeling the girls will be up soon."

I nodded.

Lucas and Dylan would be sleeping in.

Trust me.

I didn't tell her that though because I knew I'd never want to put clothes back once we were in the shower.

"Go," I mumbled against her soft lips, "I'm going to put that coffee on."

Ashley grinned and got up off the bed. She didn't ask to dig through my closet or dresser; she just did it. She grabbed a pair of my ripped jeans and a small fitting sweater, blew me a kiss and headed for the bathroom.

I smiled and squealed once she shut the door.

I believed it was safe to say that Ashley Davies was mine.

Always was.

Always will be.

--

Next time in Points Underneath:

"Alex, you know as far as your career is concerned, I'm proud of you. You went out and followed your dreams and I'm happy you are succeeding. Don't you ever think different," her voice was more of a whisper, "but that doesn't make me want to forgive you."

I wanted to tug at my hair because the situation was frustrating. "I'm not asking for your forgiveness," I finally said, staring at my sister, "I'm just asking you to acknowledge the fact that I get it."

"Do you?" She raised a eyebrow.