Fresh Start

*****

"So..."Ashley started, trying to break the silence.

"So..."Drew replied, trying to sort his thoughts in his head.

"Look I .." They both started at the same time. They shared a laugh at the irony of the situation, with Ashley telling Drew to go first.

"No, you, I still dont know what to say."

"Well that makes two of us. Actually, I do know what to say. I wanna know, what dont you like?"

"Huh?" Drew asked, now more confused than he had been to start with.

"What did I do so wrong, or what was so bad that made you feel the need to cheat on me?" Ashley asked him, trying to swallow back the huge lump that had formed in her throat.

Realisation dawned on Drew as he realised why he had been recieving this attitude from Ashley. She really thought he had been cheating on her. He had thought she got the idea that he had met up with an old girlfriend. "God, how stupid could I be??" He thought to himself.

He couldnt help but laugh, which totally set Ashley off.

"What the hell is your problem Drew? Huh??? I thought you wanted to work this out, but if your just gonna laugh im not gonna even bother!! Geez, Allanah and Adam went to so much trouble to do this 'cos they think were a good couple, but maybe they were wrong. How could I be so dumb as to think you actually wanted to work this out. See ya later Drew, have a nice life." Ashley yelled at him, walking off the verandah onto the snow covered path.

"Its now or never buddy!" Drew thought as he jumped in front of Ash.

"Wait, Ash, let me explain, please!"He didnt wait for an answer. "I was laughing at the situation because its all just one big understanding. Juliette, the girl who left the message is my cousin. Shes like a little sister to me, and last week I met up with her cos she lives in the area we were in. I went out and had dinner with her and her husband Mike, and the only reason I didn't tell you was because I didnt really think about it. It was so far off my mind, and I hadn;t really thought about it since I got home. And when she said we should do that again, she wants you to come along because she wants to meet the woman im so in love with. Please believe me, its the truth."

He took Ashleys hand in his own, and it was then she noticed he was wearing the ring she got him for Christmas.

"But Drew, its not just that, you deserve someone who can be with you all the time, I feel so selfish always spending so much time with you when you get home because I miss you so much, you deserve someone more glamorous Drew!" Ashley pleaded with Drew, avoiding his eyes the whole time.

She knew if she looked into those piercing blue eyes of his, she wouldn't have the strength to turn around and leave.

"What are you on about? I deserve the woman I love, and thats you Ash! Cant you see how much I love you?"

"I do but.."

"No buts, we were meant to be together Ash, and I won't leave you alone till I know that we are together. I know I'm not home a lot, but we can work through that, after all, I think that is what has made us so strong. And when I am home, I love nothing more than to comehome to you."

"Then why are we fighting if were so strong?" Ashley asked him, this time looking straight into his eyes.

"I think we started off in the wrong way. I fell in love with you the first moment I saw you, but we started a relationship where neither one of us knew what we were getting into. We weren't ready to take that huge step into a relationship that would be missing one half most of the time. We weren't prepared, and now we're paying for it, fighting over petty little things. As happy as I am that we were/are together, I wish we had of started normally, you know meeting properly at first."

Drew stopped when he noticed Ashley smiling.

"I know what you mean. I almost wish we were complete strangers, so we can have a fresh start."she said, not losing stride when she stuck out her hand to Drew.

"Hi, i'm Ashley Collis, nice to meet you."

"Andrew Martin, and the pleasure is all mine."

The two made their way back into the house, Ashley slipping her ring on her finger. It would be a slow journey to complete understanding and happiness in her relationship with Drew, but one that both of them were more than willing to take.

***THE END***