Chapter 2: Ash

I was delighted to be home. I hadn't realized how much I have missed being here until we pulled into the driveway. Lexa was blown away at the size of the house from the outside. I couldn't wait to show her around the inside. I first showed her to her room and told her she could have the entire floor to herself. She was amazed and a little upset that I hadn't told her about this place.

I guess I never think about it too much, but out of all the places we have lived, this is definitely my favorite, and I'm glad mom decided to stay here. It was fun showing Lexa around, and I can't wait to take a swim in the pool and walk on the beach. After dinner, Lexa said goodnight and went downstairs.

I I decided to use my mom's sauna and try to relax so that maybe I could sleep by myself. It didn't work, and before long, I found myself wondering downstairs to see if Lexa was still up. When I got down there, I found her asleep on the couch in front of the television. I guess she couldn't sleep either. I stood there for a few minutes, just watching her sleep. I can't believe how much things have changed over the course of a week. I thought when we got here, we would be able to start our life together, not be torn apart.

I decide that I should put Lexa in bed, so I move to the couch and pick her up. She opens her eyes and smiles at me as I carry her to the bed. I gently lay her in the bed and then crawl in with her. She asks me what I am doing, and I shrug my shoulders and tell her that I can't sleep without her, and she agrees to let me stay here for the night. It isn't long before she is back asleep, but I still can't sleep for some reason. I just keep trying to figure out how I'm going to fix this mess, but I can't for the life of me come up with a quick solution. I finally realize that it will take some time to work out the mess that I call my life.

I wake up the next morning to a pair of beautiful steel-blue eyes. I smile and say, "Good morning, sunshine!"

Lexa replies, "Good morning, beautiful. Not that I ever mind waking up next to you, but what exactly are you doing in my bed?"

"Well, I couldn't sleep, so I came to talk to you and found you sleeping on the couch, so I brought you to bed."

"That doesn't really explain why you are in my bed, Ash."

"I couldn't help myself. You were so cute, and I just had to be close to you in order to sleep. You told me it was okay last night as long as I don't make a habit out of it. Don't you remember?"

"Obviously not. Whatever, what is the plan for today? I need to text Octavia and let her know when we can get together."

"I figured we should go ahead and go pick up the jeep and dirt bikes today. That way, you have transportation. Then, after that, I thought I could maybe show you around a bit. If that's okay with you, but if you would rather meet up with Octavia, I understand."

"No, it's fine. I will text her and let her know that we have errands to run today, and I will meet up with her either tonight or tomorrow."

"Great, let's go upstairs and get some breakfast and then head out."

When we get upstairs, mom has the table set for us with pancakes, scrambled eggs, and bacon. Mom asks what we have planned for today, and I tell her we will pick up the jeep from the base and bring it back here before showing Lexa around. She volunteers to ride with us and bring back the jeep and trailer so that I can have more time to show Lexa around.

It's around nine when we head out the door when my phone buzzes. It is a text from Callie, 'Hey can I bring Asher by your house today to meet you?'

Me: 'No, I don't think that is a good idea. Lexa and I are on the way to pick up the jeep, and then I am going to show her around.'

Callie: 'Ashley, you promised to meet him as long as I talked to him about our relationship, and I did. I think he understands, but he is dying to meet you.'

Me: 'Fine, I will come to your house tonight around eight.'

Mom looks at me and asks why I am making that face. I don't know what she is talking about, but I tell her about the texts. I look at Lexa, and she just looks away. I don't know what to say, so I just get into the truck so we can get going. It only takes about an hour to get to the base. When we do, mom gets in the jeep and heads back to the house, and we head into town.

We spent the day sightseeing before grabbing a quick dinner and heading back to the house. We got home around seven, giving me an hour to prepare myself for meeting Asher and spending a few hours alone with him and Callie. Lexa says she was going to call Octavia and go hang out with her for a while.