Chapter 19: Alena, Daughter of Andros

A few months went by and while Andros was away, Ashley's stomach grew. Astro followed his mistress around as if he was protecting her while Andros was away. Well, that was all going to change one day.

Ashley was getting things set up in the nursery when her intercom went off. She waddled over and picked it up. Andros's face appeared on the screen. "Hey Dros," she greeted.

"Hey, Ash, how are you feeling?" He asked.

"Well let's see, my feet hurt, my back's sore, I don't sleep, I have pee every fifteen minutes, other than that I'm fine," she replied.

Andros laughed slightly. "How's the search?" She asked.

"Long, boring," he replied.

Ashley sighed and sat down in the rocking chair when Astro came up and pawed at her leg. "Ugh!" She groaned.

"What's wrong?" Andros asked.

"Astro's got to go out. If I get up and let him out then I have to go and then it's a whole cycle," she replied.

Andros sighed as Ashley got up to take care of Astro. "Any new news on the generals?" She asked.

"Nothing really. Except for what I told you four months ago," he replied.

"They're still trying to find Serpenterra?"

"Yeah…and it's a long boring trip and I'm under a cloaking device most of the time."

"Just be careful."

Ashley let Astro out and she jumped. "Ash? Something wrong?" He asked.

"No…the baby kicked," she replied.

Ashley smiled as she let Astro back in and sat down for once not needing to go to the bathroom. "So what did the doctor say the last time you saw her?" He asked.

"She said that our baby's healthy and he or she is due any day now," she replied.

"Well, Zhane's there to help out when you go into labor right?"

"Yes, of course, it's until you get there."

"Yeah, but it also depends where I'm at the moment your water breaks."

Ashley let out a sigh. "I miss you," she murmured.

"I know…I miss you too," he answered.

Ashley bit her lip as she traced his face on the screen. "When the Generals are defeated we'll be back together again, I promise," he assured her.

"But what if something happens while you're gone?" She asked.

"Like what?" He asked.

Ashley let out a sigh. "What if they find you and destroy you? I wouldn't be able to handle that," she whispered. Andros let out a sigh.

"I'll be okay, but you know if that happens that you and I will always be together," he replied.

Ashley felt the tears falling down her face at his words. "I love you, Ashley," he told her. Ashley let out a small sob.

"I love you too," she answered.

She then let out a small gasp. "Ashley?" He asked. Ashley lifted her head up.

"M--My water just broke," she replied.

Andros's eyes widened in shock. "Call Zhane, I'm on my way," he informed. Ashley nodded and turned off the intercom before calling for Zhane.

(Hospital)

Ashley was crying out in pain when another contraction hit. "Where's Andros? He should be here," she whimpered. Karone sat by Ashley and held her hand.

"He said he was on his way, he'll be here," Karone answered.

Ashley felt the tears falling down her face. "Why won't things go our way?" She asked.

"What do you mean?" Karone asked.

Ashley rolled on her side like the doctor instructed and she looked at Karone. "We weren't supposed to be separated like this. He's not supposed to be rushing from a mission like he's doing now. I don't want to lose him before our baby's a year old," she replied with a sob. Karone sighed and stroked Ashley's hair.

"He'll be okay, Andros is strong. He'll be able to defeat the generals and as soon as he does he'll be home permanently," Karone assured her.

Just then, Andros came in. "Ashley…" he whispered. Ashley smiled and let Karone's hand go. Andros walked over and hugged her. "What did the doctor say?" He asked.

"The doctor told us that she's coming along nicely and the baby's in the right position," Karone replied.

"Good," Andros murmured.

Karone looked at them. "I'll be right out here if you need me," she informed.

"Thank you Karone, tell Zhane thanks too," Andros told her.

Karone nodded and kissed her brother's cheek before leaving. Ashley let out a whimper and held onto Andro's hand. Andros kissed her temple and let out a sigh. "I told you I was going to be here," he whispered.

"I was worried that you weren't going to make it," she murmured.

"There was no way I was going to miss the birth of our baby."

Andros sat on the edge of her bed and Ashley placed her head in his lap. Andros stroked her hair and let her relax against him. "Everything's going to be okay," he whispered. Ashley nodded and she let out a sigh.

Time went by and once in awhile Ashley would dig her nails into Andros's arm. Andros just took the pain knowing that the outcome would be so much better. After being in labor for almost twelve hours, the doctor came back and checked her. "She's ready," she informed. Andros looked at Ashley and kissed her forehead. They got everything set and Andros stayed by Ashley's side and held her hand.

"You do know that I really hate you right now," Ashley hissed.

Andros patted her hand. "Yeah, yeah, you've told me about nine times tonight," he answered.

"Shut up, you got me into this mess," she snapped.

"Wasn't hearing any complaints at the time," Andros commented.

"I said shut up."

Andros, the doctor, and the nurses in there were trying hard not to laugh. "On the count of three Ashley. One…two…three push," the doctor instructed. Ashley closed her eyes tight and pushed as hard as she could. "Good, keep pushing," the doctor told her. Ashley fell back and gasped from the pain. "Good, good, I can see the baby's head," the doctor informed. Andros kissed the top of Ashley's head. "Ready? Come on just one more," she added. Ashley nodded and then once she gave her final push, she fell back against Andros's arm gasping for air.

"What is it?" Andros asked.

The doctor smiled at him. "It's a girl," she replied. Ashley got to hold her for a minute before they took her to the back to get cleaned up and everything. One of the nurses came back with the baby in her arms.

"Here she is, congratulations," she informed.

Ashley let out a small sob as she held her daughter to chest. Andros wrapped his arm around her and kissed her temple. "You did it, she's here," he murmured. Ashley placed her head on his shoulder and let out a sob. He closed his eyes as he held his family to him. Knowing that this will be the last time he'll actually see his family face to face until the generals were defeated. Ashley pulled back.

"Here, you hold her. Go say hi to daddy, Alena," she whispered.

Andros took Alena into his arms and stood up from the bed. Ashley smiled as Andros walked around the room with their daughter in his arms. "I've got something for Alena. Something daddy's been working on since mommy told me we were having you," he whispered. He used his free arm as he pulled out a locket that was almost identical to his and Karone's. Andros held it above Alena's head. "This is for you, little one. Mommy will be sure to put pictures inside," he added.

"You made that?" Ashley asked.

Andros looked at her and nodded. "Yeah, I did. Took me all this time to get it done the way I wanted it," he replied. Andros handed it to Ashley and she saw the tears in his eyes.

"You have to go?" She asked.

"Yeah…I have to get back to my search," he replied.

Andros bit his tongue as he looked down at his daughter. He kissed her forehead and pressed his forehead against his daughter's tiny forehead. "I love you, Alena. You be good for mommy you hear?" He murmured. Andros gave Ashley a kiss before handing Alena to her. As soon as the infant left Andros's arms, she started wailing. "I'll see you soon," he told Ashley. Then he left the room quickly before he changed his mind and decided not to go back on his mission. Ashley looked down at Alena and held her close.

"It's okay, sweetie, it's okay. Daddy will be home soon," she whispered.

Andros got back onto the Megaship and took off without a second thought, but feeling very empty.