AH/AY: Thanks, I was thinking about putting it off for a while but I just didn't know how long.

Phantom Rogue: I love the idea. In fact, I think I'll use it!

Jessica01: Ashley wouldn't drop out, she's not like other people. She would stick it out and graduate with her friends with Andros' support.

DizneeDol: Love teh idea. Thanks a lot.

SpookyandLumpy: She will be pregnant in this chapter, but some time has passed.

Disclaimer: As much as I would like for it to be, Power Rangers is not my creation.

Ch. 23 Happiness Comes in Small Packages

Two months later Ashley sat in her room crying quietly into her pillow. Although she had thought she would be ready for what had happened, when she found out it nearly killed her. She had gotten back from the doctor hours ago and knew that it was only a matter of time before someone came looking for her. Ashley hoped that it wouldn't be Andros. The last couple of months had been extremely hard on him. Aidan had called them about a month and a half ago to tell his that his mother had died. She had overdosed on some pills that she was taking for her depression. Despite everything she had done to Andros, after Duncan was gone she had tried to build back the relationship they had once had. Andros had even went to Eltar a few times to spend time with his family. The news had nearly crushed him. He locked himself in his room for weeks until Ashley, Karone, and Zhane had finally convinced him to let them in.

They spent hours in there with him, just holding him as he cried. He still wasn't completely over his loss and now this. Ashley knew that their friends had a valid point when they told them that there was a high chance of her getting pregnant but both said that they wouldn't mind. In fact, Andros had said he hoped that she would. She would have never expected him to want a child so badly but he told her that he needed to prove to himself that he was not like his father and now that he was going to have his chance she wasn't sure how to tell him. A soft knock on the door broke her from her thoughts.

"Ashley, can I come in?" a quite voice questioned from the other side of the door. She could still hear the pain in his voice and would have given anything to be able to take it away.

"Come on in, Andros," she replied, trying to scrub the remains of tears off her face. He walked through the door and came to a complete stop. "What's wrong, Andros?"

"DECA told me that you went to the doctor today," he began, "but you didn't tell me anything about it. I was just wondering if there was anything wrong." She began to cry again at the sound of concern in his voice. She wanted to tell him that everything was fine and that she was pregnant but what if he hadn't meant he wanted children right now? Maybe he wanted to wait a few years, until after they were married. He rushed over to the bed and pulled Ashley into his arms. He was scared because she was crying but knew that he needed to calm her down before letting his fears surface. It took a good ten minutes before Ashley was anywhere near calm enough to talk and even then Andros wasn't sure she was going to.

"Andros," she began, her voice wavering, "I don't know how to tell you this."

"Nothing's wrong is it?" he interrupted worriedly.

"No," she answered, "at least I hope it's not." She held up her hand before he could interrupt again. "Just listen, please." Andros nodded and she continued, "I went to the doctor today for my yearly physical and she found something unusual. At first I was scared because she wouldn't come straight out and tell me what it was but eventually she did." At his questioning look she finally revealed her secret, "I'm pregnant." Ashley could have sworn Andros was going to tear out of the room as fast as possible and never come back but she would've been wrong. After his shock wore off he had a goofy smile plastered on his face.

He slowly placed his hand on her still flat stomach and questioned, "We're having a baby?"

"Not baby," Ashley answered and he raised his eyebrow. "Babies. They can't tell how many yet but they definitely know there's more than one." Andros' smile grew as he leaned down and kissed her.

"When are we going to tell the others?" he questioned, knowing that they had been against this part of their relationship, but hoping that they would still be happy for them. Before she could answer another question popped into his mind. "What about your parents?" He felt her stiffen in his arms and could pretty much guess the answer.

"I have to tell them but they're not going to be happy," she whispered quietly.

"I'm going with you," he stated firmly, determined to support her the way she had supported him so many times in the past.

"Andros, they're going to be angry," she replied again. "They didn't like it when I told them that I had a boyfriend and they aren't going to like this."

"It doesn't matter," he whispered in her ear. "We are going to get through this together." They sat in silence for a few minutes before he added, "Plus, Carlos told me how they treat you and there's no way you're going to face them alone while you're pregnant." Andros could see her fighting not to cry but she soon lost the battle and began sobbing once again. "It's going to be okay, I promise." Ten minutes passed but it seemed like hours to him. He heard Ashley's breathing even out and was glad to know that she was finally asleep. He slowly stood and placed her one the bed, pulling the covers over her still body, and placing a soft kiss on her forehead. As soon as he was in the hallway he ordered, "DECA, when she starts waking up tell me and tell the others to meet me in the Work bay."

"Right away, Andros," DECA replied.

Andros was surprised to see that everyone had beaten him to the Work bay. He was hoping for a few minutes to gather his thoughts but it didn't look like he was going to receive any preparation time.

"Guys," he began as he sat down between his best friend and sister, "I have some great news. Ashley's pregnant."

"Congratulations!" Zhane and Karone both exclaimed as Karone wrapped her arms around him and then Zhane did the same.

"Where's Ashley?" Carlos asked, suddenly afraid that she had went to tell her parents alone. Although he didn't agree to their choice of not waiting he was still happy for them and didn't want anything to happen to cause either of them more hurt.

"She's asleep," Andros answered, looking down at his hands. "She's terrified of how her parents will react and I don't know if we should even tell them."

"Why is she scared of her parents?" Zhane asked. Carlos looked at him in surprise. He had made Andros promise not to tell anyone but he figured that he had told Zhane.

"Should we tell them?" Andros questioned and Carlos nodded. "I don't know many of the details but they've beaten her and locked her in her room, much like what my parents did to me." He was fighting back the tears that were now forming in his eyes as he talked about Ashley and was losing miserably.

"Don't worry, Andros," T.J. assured him. "We won't let anything happen to Ashley or your children."

A/N: Please review!