Atlanta had always been her second home but that was because her father lived there she had yet to tell anyone about her and John and she knew he wouldn't admit his mistake so nobody knew. She walked down the street in a t-shirt and cargo shorts getting some last minute Christmas shopping done. She had bought something for her dad and Lilian, Randy, Trish, Amy, Matt and Jeff. She still needed a few more gifts for Laney and Shannon and some other people. She looked at her watch she it read 3:00 she needed to be at her dad's by 5:30 so she still had time. She went into this store and found this beautiful candle she decided that her Nana would love it and she would give it to her for Christmas. She planned to see a few members of Scott's family the day after Christmas. She was wearing headphones and listening to Rob Zombie the loudness of the music filled her mind causing her to be numb. It was better than listening to Rap where all she would think about was John. She was getting tired so she finished the last of her purchases and went back to where she was staying.
"Hey how was shopping?" Shannon asked as Ashley walked back into the hotel room they were staying in.
"The usual" Ashley replied flopping down on the couch.
"A few people called on your cellphone while you were gone" Shannon told her
"Anyone important?" Ashley asked uninterested
"Your dad, Randy,and Marc" Shannon said
"What did Marc want?" she asked
"I don't know he left a message" she said
Ash grabbed her phone and dialed her voice mail.
Message 1
Hey Ash it's dad just calling to make sure you are still going to be here tonight. Haven't seen you in a while. Well just call me when you get this. Love you bye.
Message 2
Hey Brat Trish wanted me to call and see if you wanted to meet up before the party. She said to call her.
Message 3
Lea it's Marc just wanted to call and make sure you are aiight but you aren't picking up your phone which means that you aren't there or you don't feel like talkin so give me a call when you want to talk.
She thought about it for a few moments and then called Marc.
"Trademarc here" he said
"It's me" she said
"Lea how are you?" he asked
She didn't answer right away she was thinking about all the nicknames she had Randy and Trish called her Brat, Marc called her Lea, Amy called her 'lil sis', Matt and Jeff Shorty and John called her Shelly or Angel. She mentally slapped herself she was thinking about him again.
"I'm ok" she finally said
"That's cool I guess" he replied
Neither of them really knew what to say they were trying to not mention John but that just left uncomfortable dialog and even worse minutes of silence.
"So how is he?" she finally asked
"I have no idea I haven't seen him since that day at Bass Camp I told him I wanted nothing to do with him but from what I heard he's hurting pretty bad" Marc told her
"Thanks Marc" she said
"For what?" he asked
"For telling me the truth and for not trying to feel bad for me I know John and I put you in an awkward position but thank you anyways" she said
"I'd rather know you were ok then be cool with John" he replied
"Well life goes on" she said again mentally slapping herself... Life goes on Tupac rapper.
"It will get easier" Marc said
"Yeah I guess so well I have to go and get ready for the party my dad is having tonight" she said
"Ok try to have fun tonight, Merry Christmas" he said
"You too Marc" she said.
She hung up the phone and laid there on her bed she wanted to call Marc back up and have him check on John to make sure he was alright. Marc said he was hurting too if he hurt half as much as she did then she really didn't want him to be alone. She called her dad and then Randy there wasn't much she had to say to them so the conversations didn't last very long.
There was a knock on the door Ashley lifted her head up off the bed to see who it was.
"Come in" she said
Laney walked in with Talon she sat down with him on her lap. Ashley smiled weakly at her in an attempt to make Laney think she was ok. She didn't want to talk what happened between her and John was there business and nobody else's.
"You know you can talk to us right?" Laney asked
"Yeah I just don't want to right now it hurts too much" she replied
"I know how you feel" Laney said not really looking at her. She looked as if she was remembering something.
"I was about 16 and living over seas well over there your parents expect you to marry young it's kinda like having arranged marriages anyways I was very lucky I escaped the marriage parade but I fell in love with this guy he was about your age when we met and let me tell you he was gorgeous we were married. I was way to young and ignorant to know that he was only using me for my parents money and when he got what he wanted he left and never came back" Laney showed no hint of emotion as she said all this. "I may have been just a kid but a part of me died inside when he left"
"How come you never mentioned this before?" Ashley asked
"It's not exactly breakfast conversation now is it" Laney quipped
Ashley cracked a smile for the first time in 3 days she felt a little happy. Maybe this is what she needed to spend time with Shannon and Laney and tell them how she felt.
"Men suck" Ashley said
"Yes they do but if it weren't for them the human race would die out" Laney said
"Very deep Lanes... very deep" Ashley said "I should probably get ready to go"
"Yeah that would be a good idea" Laney retorted
"Well maybe if you got out of here I could" Ashley said "leave the baby"
Laney smiled and rested Talon up against some pillows on the bed.
"Hey Talon what should mommy wear to Grandpa's party?" she asked him
He just drooled and made gurgling noises. He was smiling and clapping his chubby little hands together. His bright blue eyes were shining they were a nice contrast to his caramel skin and dark brown hair.
"You are so much help" Ashley looked at him before grabbing a black tank top and a pair of hip huggers. She put them on before adding a red fishnet top over the tank. She left her hair down because she didn't feel like doing anything to it. She added some mousse to it to complete her look. She walked out of the room and the girls looked at her she put Talon on the floor before asking what.
"You are wearing that you look like you are going to a club" Shannon said
"What do I care we are going to my father's house no need to make an impression" Ashley said hands on her hips.
"Ok whatever we should be going" Laney said
They drove the 20 minutes to Ashley's father's house in silence. They were waiting at the door Ashley was drumming her fingers on the railing. The door opened and there stood Chris Benoit.
"Hey daddy" Ashley said giving him a hug. Chris let the three girl in and shook hands with Laney and Shannon. Ashley walked into the living room where everyone was and cleared her throat.
"Hey guys I would just like to say John and I are not together anymore so don't ask" she yelled and then walked out of the room. Laney and Shannon were a little confused but figured Ashley knew all these people so it was ok. There was a loud gasp as Ashley made her announcement.
"Wow I didn't know Ashley and John were that popular" Shannon said
"Are you kidding we had bets on how long it would take for them to get together" Chris said
"That is so wrong" Shannon said
Chris shrugged and then asked what happened. Laney told him everything but soon regretted it when she was the look on his face.
"I will kick his ass for breaking my daughter's heart" he said
"No you won't" Ashley said coming up from behind him
Chris looked like he was going to say something but Ashley cut him off.
"It's not worth it so just please leave him alone" she pleaded with him
"Fine but only because you asked me too I do not want him to get away with this nut I love you so I'm good" he said
Ashley socialized and Laney and Shannon stayed close to her they were not used to being around so many of their favorite wrestlers at one time.
"Having fun?" Ashley asked with a laugh
"It's like being a kid in a candy store" Shannon said
"Yeah that is the way I first felt but you get used to it after a while so relax enjoy yourself and go talk to people" Ashley said
"Hey Brat can we talk for a minute?" Randy asked
Ashley sighed but nodded and followed him out to the back porch.
"So what is on your mind big man?" Ashley asked
"John called me right after you left he told me everything so I just wanted to know how you were holding up" he said
"Well it hurts but right now it's just a dull ache but later when I'm alone it's going to hurt really bad" she said
"Me and Trish are here for you" he said giving her a hug
"I know but I don't want to bother you" she said lying her head on his shoulder
"You aren't a bother Brat we love you" he said
"I know you guys are my family I'm just a little messed up right now" she said
"Well we are always here" he said
"It only hurts when I'm breathing" she said
"Well then that must really suck" he said with a small smile
"You have no idea" she said
They went back into the party and everyone wanted to know why their favorite couple were no longer together. Ashley told some people mainly those close enough to her to care. All and all Ashley had fun Randy and Trish announced that they were having a baby which Ashley was thrilled about. She couldn't wait to be an aunt.