Chapter 15: Ashley's Mother

Ashley's mother stood there with a smile. "My little girl," she whispered. Ashley backed away in shock.

"Ashley's who's at the door?" Andros asked.

Ashley's mother looked at Andros in disbelief. "Andros…I would like you to meet my mother, April Hammond. Mom, this is my fiancé, Andros Karovan," Ashley informed. April came in and Ashley had her sit down.

"When did all this happen?" April asked.

Ashley let out a sigh and sat across from her mother. Andros cleared his throat. "Umm…I'll leave you two be," he informed. Ashley watched him go into his study and Astro followed him. Ashley looked back at her mother.

"Were you two about to have sex?" April asked.

"Mother!" Ashley gasped.

"Well?"

Ashley sat back. "What's it to you? I mean, I'm eighteen and I'll be graduating in about three months. I'm getting married two days after my graduation. I think I'm fully capable of deciding whether or not if I want to sleep with him," Ashley replied.

"Didn't I teach you anything?" April asked.

"You abandoned me when I was seven mother. You left me with that monster. He nearly killed me on several occasions. He tried to rape me and my best friend. He nearly killed Andros."

April felt tears press against her eyes. "I never wanted to leave you sweetie. But he pushed me to that point and when I went to take you, he threatened to hunt us both down and kill us if I didn't leave you. I didn't have a choice, so I left you behind," April explained. Ashley placed her face in her hands and cried. "Oh sweet heart," April whispered. Ashley looked at her angry and hurt.

"Why didn't you fight for me, mom? Why didn't you go to court and fight for me?" Ashley asked.

"I did, Ashley, I did. But they believed your father over me."

"How could they? Did my father give them an explanation why I couldn't walk two days after he beat the shit out of me after you left?"

"Yes, he said that I did it and gave them false proof."

Ashley sat back and placed a hand on her stomach. April's eyes widened. "Oh my God! You're pregnant!" She gasped. Ashley looked over at her.

"Yeah, I'm pregnant, what's it to you?" Ashley asked.

"Is it the boy's?" April asked hopefully.

"Yes, that's the reason why dad nearly killed him. Because dad ordered me never to see him again. I snuck out one night to meet him. We got together and he gave me the best night ever. But that best night gave me my little miracle."

Ashley rubbed her stomach and tears pricked the back of her eyes. "When dad found out, he tried to beat the baby out of me," she informed. April's eyes widened in horror.

"Sweet heart, you're still in high school though," she pointed out.

"I have three months of high school left, mother. Andros and I are getting married after I graduate. Then I'm leaving Angel Grove with him."

Andros was leaning against the doorframe of his and Ashley's room listening to her. "But mom, you've got to understand. I've been in love with Andros since the moment I met him," she informed. April let out a sigh.

"Sweet heart, you understand that your father and I were also young when we got married. I was seventeen when I had you. Your father used to be a kind, gentle man, but after you were born that's when it changed," she explained.

Ashley looked at her mother. "Are you saying that Andros will turn out like dad? Is that what you're saying?" Ashley demanded.

"Sweet heart, I'm just saying that things could change drastically after the baby's born. Many things change after a baby," April replied.

Ashley placed her hands on her stomach. "Things will change after my baby's born, mother, but they won't change Andros into a monster. I know Andros. I know that he would die first before letting anything happen to my baby or me," Ashley explained. Ashley kept her hands on her stomach. "I need this baby, mom. I need him or her. I need Andros in my life. I need security mom. Andros and my unborn baby give me the security I need," she added. Tears started to fall down her face. Andros came out of the bedroom.

"Mrs. Hammond…" April cut him off.

"It's Leonardo now. I remarried a year after everything," she informed.

Andros walked over and wrapped his arms around Ashley's waist and placed his hands over hers on her stomach. "Mrs. Leonardo, I've seen the things that Mr. Hammond had done to Ashley. I have the scars on my stomach from the knife he's used to try to kill me. All I ever wanted was for Ashley to be happy. I promise to make Ashley the happiest woman in the universe to protect her and the baby. I love Ashley and I love this baby. I'd never let anything happen to her or our baby," he explained. April stood up.

"That was a lovely speech Mr. Karovan, but…I still believe you two are too young to get married. I still don't like the fact that my baby girl is having a baby," she answered.

"Well, I'm a legal adult now mother. I'm marrying Andros and I'm keeping the baby. If it's a girl her name will be Alena if it's a boy we'll name him Ajax," Ashley informed.

April just stared at Ashley. "You're very serious about this baby are you?" She asked.

"Yes," Ashley replied.

April nodded with a small smile. "I may not like the idea, but if Andros really does make you happy. I'm happy," she informed. Ashley walked out of Andros's embrace and she hugged her mother. Andros smiled as he watched the scene in front of him. Ashley let April go.

"Tomorrow, I'm going to bring your stepfather, Greg, and your little brother, David," she informed.

Ashley's eyes widened. "I have a brother?" She asked. April nodded with a smile. Ashley smiled and looked over at Andros.

"Well, I'll leave you two alone, I'll see you tomorrow," April informed.

April left with a smile on her face. "Well, that was interesting," Andros commented. Ashley smiled and walked over to Andros.

"Yeah, but I'm the happiest woman in the world now," she answered.

"Yeah?" He asked.

"Yeah," she replied.

Ashley stepped back and dropped her robe. "Well…where were we?" She asked. Andros grinned and walked over to her.

"We were right here," he replied.

Andros leaned forward and kissed her. Ashley let out a giggle into the kiss as Andros picked her up and carried her to their room. Soon, their moans and sighs from their lovemaking filled the air.