Chapter 65: Synchronies and Living Fears
A week later, Ashley was on the uncomfortable, crinkling paper of the examination table. Her legs were in the stirrups and a sheet covered the lower half of her body as her doctor walked in. "Good morning," she greeted gently.
"Good morning, doctor," Ashley signed.
The doctor smiled at the young woman. "So, how far alone do you think you are?" she asked as she prepared for the ultrasound.
"My last cycle was…maybe just over a month ago," Ashley signed.
"A month ago, okay," the doctor murmured as she wrote down the estimation Ashley had in her head, "Any bleeding, cramping?"
Ashley shook her head slowly. "Is anyone else going to be here? The father?" the doctor asked.
"He's on a business trip, he won't be back for a couple more days," Ashley signed.
There was a soft knock on the door. "Sorry to interrupt, but there's someone here for her," a nurse informed her. Ashley nodded to the nurse and she smiled brightly when Mrs. Hammond entered the room.
"Oh my baby, I'm sorry I was late the traffic was horrendous getting here," Mrs. Hammond said beaming as she kissed her granddaughter's forehead.
Ashley held her grandmother's hand with a smile and the doctor nodded in approval. "Shall we get started?" she asked. Ashley nodded her head slowly in agreement and the doctor brought out the wand for the ultrasound.
The doctor looked at the screen and Ashley bit her lower lip when she saw the blip. "Well you just popped right up there didn't you?" the doctor quipped to the screen. Ashley smiled a little. "Actually a little bigger than I expected," she added.
"How far along do you think she is?" Mrs. Hammond asked.
"Well, its size is about an inch long, so we're looking at nine weeks," the doctor replied.
All of the medical garble faded into the background as Ashley stared at the screen. She could see the heartbeat fluttering. Then she saw it move a little and she couldn't stop the tears from welling up. "Oh honey," Mrs. Hammond said to Ashley, kissing her temple. The doctor handed Ashley some tissues.
"This happens all the time, first time is emotional," the doctor commented, "As long as these happy tears right?"
Ashley nodded and a smile shone brightly on her face. The doctor finished the ultrasound and started to jot more things down in her notes. "Looks like we are looking at late July early August," the doctor explained. Ashley's heart stopped and Mrs. Hammond stared.
"How early in August?" Mrs. Hammond asked.
"Oh probably around the first week if she carries to the full forty weeks, but babies are unpredictable," the doctor replied, not looking up from her chart.
Ashley's hand went to her middle and then she looked at her grandmother. The doctor printed off the pictures and handed them to Ashley. "To show daddy when he comes home from his business trip," she informed the young woman. Ashley gave her a nod and looked at the pictures in her hand.
When she left the doctor's office, Mrs. Hammond was all giddy over the pictures. "Oh could you imagine if your baby was born on your dad's birthday?" Mrs. Hammond asked brightly.
"Grandma, don't get your hopes up on that," Ashley insisted gently.
"Oh I know, sweetheart, I know," she answered, "This is just so exciting."
She took Ashley by the hand and the young woman laughed as the older lady dragged her away to get some lunch.
They were sitting in their favorite diner where Mrs. Hammond insisted on having one of the cream sodas that "tickled her nose". "So, how did Andros react when you told him the news?" Mrs. Hammond asked, "I remember when I told your grandpa I was having your dad he was beside himself."
"Well, after I was done being an emotional mess he was quite happy," Ashley replied.
"But not excited?" Mrs. Hammond asked curiously.
Ashley shrugged her shoulders. "Andros is happy about the pregnancy, he's anxious about the birth," she replied honestly.
"Has he told you that?" Mrs. Hammond asked.
"No," Ashley replied.
"Then how do you know he's so anxious?"
"Because I know him and I know the last time he ever witnessed any kind of childbirth it was with his youngest sister and his mother didn't survive the childbirth."
"I didn't know Andros has two sisters."
"Only one living, Grandma."
Mrs. Hammond realized what Ashley was saying and her expression turned sad. "How old was he?" she asked.
"Let's just say he lost his mom not long after I had lost dad," Ashley replied.
Mrs. Hammond frowned. "Oh…the poor dear," she said softly. Ashley heard the bell on the diner's door ding and she glanced over as Alec entered the establishment.
"Dad!" she called out to her father-in-law to-be as she waved her hand for him to see them.
Alec spotted them and walked over with a smile. "You made it," she said happily.
"Of course I did," he replied, kissing her cheeks.
Ashley smiled brightly and turned to her grandmother. "Dad, you remember my grandmother, Eleanor Hammond?" she asked. Mrs. Hammond stood up with wide eyes.
"Now you are a face I do remember," she commented.
Mrs. Hammond seemed to put her hand to her heart and a shaky smile appeared on her face. "You would come to my home with Samuel just about every day after he was done with school," she commented. Alec gave the older woman a gentle smile.
"It's an honor to see you again, Mrs. Hammond," he answered.
"And still so polite!" Mrs. Hammond said excitedly, making Ashley laugh a little.
Then it dawned on the older woman and she let out a excited yelp, clapping her hands together. "What are the chances that your son and my granddaughter would be together! Oh, Ashley, why didn't you tell me Andros's father was your dad's friend?!" Mrs. Hammond exclaimed, playfully nudging her granddaughter.
"I guess I just didn't think about it," Ashley replied honestly.
"Oh please, sit, sit!" she insisted, "You and Samuel would just disappear for hours either in my basement or wherever you two would go when you were not in my house. The amount of mischief you two would get into."
"I don't believe we got into that much mischief," Alec answered.
"I seem to recall I heard quite the explosion in my basement one time," Mrs. Hammond commented.
Ashley almost choked on her water. "In all fairness, I did warn Samuel about putting those two particles together," Alec replied.
"Dad blew up your basement?" Ashley asked.
"Oh just a little section, he and that Scott boy…uh…Steven! Yes, the three of them spent the summer fixing it," Mrs. Hammond replied.
"I remember," Alec commented, "That was when I met Sandra…so in a way I should be thankful that Samuel didn't listen to my warning."
Ashley saw the realization dawn on her grandmother's face once more. "Oh...Sandy…beautiful Sandy. She…" Mrs. Hammond found herself unable to ask the question. Alec just nodded his head slowly.
"We shared fifteen incredible years and three beautiful children," Alec answered.
"And now our families are going to be joined forever," Mrs. Hammond commented.
Alec reached over and rested his hand on Ashley's. "Absolutely," he answered, "I couldn't have asked for my son to find a better woman to spend his life with."
"She is a gem," Mrs. Hammond commented.
"Do you have to talk like I'm not here?" Ashley asked, raising her brow.
"We see you, baby," Mrs. Hammond replied.
Alec smirked. "So, what did the doctor say today?" he asked.
"I am apparently further along than I thought," she replied, showing him the ultrasounds.
Alec examined the pictures and frowned. "Where's the baby?" he asked. Ashley laughed a little and pointed at the blip. "Terran technology still baffles me," he commented.
"Is it not like this on your colony?" Mrs. Hammond asked.
"No, it's more…detailed, refined. No grainy pictures," Alec replied.
Alec smirked. "I remember the first time Sandra saw Andros during her first scan. He was so real in front of her she tried to touch him in the middle of the holographic program," he added.
"I bet Sandy was a wonderful mother. She adored children," Mrs. Hammond commented.
"She adored her children," Alec replied, "She was very hands on."
"Andros said so," Ashley said softly.
Alec nodded. "They were close," he answered. Ashley nodded and Mrs. Hammond sighed happily.
Two days later, Ashley was in the apartment going over some baby things when she heard the door open. She looked up and Andros walked in wearing his flight suit still, exhausted. Standing up, she rushed over to him and embraced him. Andros hugged her back and sighed in contentment. He breathed in her scent, burying his face into her neck. "Good to be home," he murmured.
"You didn't change," she commented.
"Didn't care enough, this city has seen me in it before," he replied.
She smiled and he hugged her a little tighter. "I missed you," he murmured.
"I missed you," she answered.
She pulled back and when she got a better look at his face she frowned. She reached up and her hand touched the bruise on his left cheek. "It's nothing," he replied, "I was following a spy to Onyx, seems there were some creatures that remember me from my last visit." Then he scoffed a little. "And Karone's." Ashley pulled his shirt up and saw the bruises on his ribcage. He saw the panicked expression on her face. "I'll be fine. You have seen me at my worst." He rested his forehead against hers. Ashley let his shirt fall back down and her arms moved around his waist.
"Did you find anything?" she asked.
"Just the usual information, Ashley, nothing different," he replied.
"So he hasn't found it?"
Andros shook his head slowly. "Well we should be grateful for that shouldn't we?" she asked.
"For now," he replied, "It's only the matter of time."
Ashley let out a breath and he entwined his fingers with hers. Then he noticed all of the books on the table. "Doing some research?" he asked.
"Grandma," she replied.
"Ah. What collection did she bring you this time?" he asked.
"Baby name books. What to Expect when You're Expecting. That kind of thing," she replied.
Andros raised his brow as he picked up said titled book. "Terrans really wrote books on childbearing?" he asked.
"Don't Karovans?" she asked.
"Well…we have come to the conclusion that all humans are different. Bodies are different. You can't really detail everything in just a book," he replied.
"That's why there are MANY," she pointed out, gesturing to their coffee table.
He let out a soft chuckle. "I guess I shouldn't be that surprised about it," he commented. Ashley picked up the ultrasound pictures.
"Speaking of babies," she added.
Andros held the pictures in his hands. It was amusing to her to watch as he tilted the pictures sideways then upside down. "Where's the baby?" he asked. Ashley giggled as she pointed to the blip. "THAT is it?"
"Yeah, can't you see it?" she asked.
"Barely," he replied, "Are you sure there wasn't a glitch in the technology?"
Ashley was laughing. "Your dad had the same look on his face," she replied.
"I'm surprised my dad didn't go cross-eyed trying to find it," he commented, making her laugh harder.
She wrapped her arms around his neck. "I love you," she commented. Then she kissed him. He kissed her back with a smile as they held onto each other.
Later that night, while Ashley was asleep, Andros sat in the living room going through the many, many books Mrs. Hammond gave Ashley. With a deep breath, he stood up from the couch and paced the living room as he dragged his fingers through his hair. He heard a familiar BLIP go off. He walked over to the counter to where his communicator sat. "Andros," he heard his father say.
"I'm here," Andros answered.
"Why are you awake, son?" Alec asked.
Andros closed his eyes. "Am I that open?" he asked.
"You might as well have left your door open," Alec replied.
Andros tapped his fingers on the countertop. "You know where to find me, son," Alec added. Glancing at the bedroom, Andros grabbed his jacket off the chair and left.
Reaching the park, he found his father exactly where he knew he would be. He was on a picnic table staring out at the moonlit lake. Making his way over to him, Andros took a seat next to his father. "Welcome home," Alec greeted him.
"Thanks," Andros replied.
"Does Ashley know you're here?" Alec asked.
"She's asleep."
Alec nodded his head slowly. "Good, she needs it," he commented.
"Yes, she will," Andros agreed.
They were silent for a while. "Are you going to tell me what's worrying you, son? Or am I going to have to search your mind like I used to when you were a boy?" Alec asked. Andros let out a breath.
"I didn't think it would be that difficult to figure out," Andros replied honestly.
"No, no it isn't, but it's better for you to speak your feelings out loud. You have kept your emotions bottled for too long," Alec pointed out, "I'm pretty sure it is because of me you feel you have to hide."
Andros closed his eyes. "The circumstances with Ashley are completely different, son," Alec told him.
"Are they?" Andros asked, looking at him, "I haven't exactly hung up my morpher permanently."
"But she knows the risks you are taking because she took them herself," Alec replied.
"Mom lost Karone, and Ashley could lose me. The outcome feels the same to me," Andros admitted.
Alec nudged Andros, forcing him to look back up. "Andros, you need to give Ashley the credit where it is due. She has survived through a lot worst in her life if you think about it," he pointed out. Andros clenched his jaw and let out a breath. "Unless it's not your death you're afraid of."
"Death has never scared me," Andros replied.
Andros closed his eyes tight. "I CAN'T lose her, Dad. I WON'T survive if I ever do," he admitted, "I can't bear the thought that something can go wrong. Just like with mom. Mom was healthy that whole time and everything went so…WRONG!" The tears suddenly burned his eyes. "There was just so much blood…"
Alec's heart ached at his son's words. He reached out and wrapped his arm around the younger man's shoulders. "Damn me for letting you go in there that day," he murmured. Andros stood up.
"No, I'm glad I got to see mom one more time," Andros replied.
"No, that's not how your last memory of her should've been," Alec told him firmly.
"Then what would you rather it had been?" Andros asked.
"Do you not remember her that morning before? How she made your favorite breakfast that morning and she was humming for the first time since Karone's disappearance?"
Andros was silent. "Do you remember anything else that was good about her?" Alec asked.
"I remember a lot about her," Andros replied.
"I don't want you holding onto that last memory of her, to hold that as though Ashley will share that same fate. She will NOT share that same fate. Ashley has a lot more going for her than your mother did. Your mother's circumstances were completely different. She is not Ashley and Ashley is not her and it is not fair to compare their situations as though they are the same," Alec explained.
They were silent. The only sound that could be heard were the frogs croaking and the crickets chirping. "What do you want from me?" Andros finally asked. Alec walked over and gripped Andros's shoulders tightly.
"What I want is for my son to enjoy a life that he has yet to enjoy. You are twenty-years-old and you have yet to experience the good in life," Alec explained.
Andros was silent again. "Stay home for a while, Andros. Stay and experience this, you will regret it if you don't. These are the moments you need to enjoy. The LITTLE things, son. It's the little things in life that you remember. You know I remember when your mother was pregnant with you how thrilled she was when she felt you move for the first time? I couldn't feel you yet but she could and it is the look on her face I will ALWAYS remember," he explained. Andros tried to look away but Alec gripped him tighter. "You NEED to actually look at Ashley. You don't see what we see, and you need to. This will change your relationship forever, it will never be the same, but it's for the better. You both are forever tied no matter what, you are a family."
His words rang in his head and the emotions that crept up inside Andros was almost unbearable. "It's not fair," he finally said. Knowing what Andros meant, Alec hugged him tightly.
"No it's not," Alec agreed as Andros gripped his father, "But I'm here, son. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere."
Andros hugged his father tighter if it were possible.
When he arrived home, Andros made his way to the bedroom. He changed into his pajama pants and got into the bed. Ashley slowly woke up and she glanced over her shoulder sleepily. "Where did you go?" she asked tiredly.
"I had to talk to my dad," he replied.
"Everything okay?"
Andros contemplated over her question for a second. "Yeah, I think so," he replied. As he laid down on their bed, Ashley rolled over and her head pillowed on his chest. Andros wrapped his arms around her.
"I love you," she murmured.
Andros pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "I love you more," he replied.
