Disclaimer: Marieke: -steals a needle and anti-conception drugs- Here, Maura, Maura. This won't hurt… much…
Summary: The return of Andros's parents changes all future plans of Andros and Ashley. It's doubtful they'll ever see each other again. But there's a secret Ashley's carrying around just dying to come out.
Phantom Rogue: I can't help it twins are fun! These two won't take over the universe… they'll just… take over everything else. Ashley has all right not to be happy right now. Well, not for long, but still, Andros married someone else for no particular reason, so why wouldn't he take their kids away from her too? And what's wrong with Zhane being pregnant? He would look cute with a pregnant belly!
Arwennicole: Yeah, twins, all on her own. Sure Josh is around, but still. Um… should I start putting walls up around Maura? Not because I want to, but because the Plot Monkeys need her… Andros really should have told her that, but… he can't. He'll find Ashley… later… accidentally.
Lady Kimiko: Yeah, that's why I called it 'Baby Boom'. Well, the drink isn't really a baby-drink, lovers drink… babies come from it, but not always and in Andros's case, never, he can resist the intoxicating ingredients, but still. I love my imaginary bat.
Tal: He left her with a twin and went to marry someone else! Or so she thinks anyway. Josh is the sweetest guy you could ever run into. Keep on chasing! You can get her in the end. You'll love this chap to, I promise.
Slytherin-Angel 44: Babies are cut! They can cry their lungs out and still be cute! Andros and Ashley won't be together for another 15 chapters at least.
Jenny: Yay! Long review! I did bother to read it all! You just love those two, don't you? Well, who can't? Poor you, where did your friend move to? My almighty beta-reader, everyone should worship you! Fall to your knees and adore this greatness! We are unworthy!
SweetSas: Technically, Ashley did. Keep hating Maura! It will only get worse.
Mita427: Well, he won't find out he has two kids on the way… he'll find out he has two kids.
Star Fata: Well then, you'll only hate her more when you read that.
Jessica01: He'll be a perfect uncle.
Zeopurple: She wants to have all eyes of the colony on her as she is envied for carrying the most wanted man of the colony's child. When you find out what she names them… you'll laugh. For now… pressure is off of Andros.
DizneeDol: Well, you'll have to wait a little for that, but it will come eventually. But You'll have to wait even longer before Maura is out of the picture.
The-power-of-love: Always, or I would have written all those chapters for nothing.
Mz. Daydream: Here's more, keep your cool. Put your brains on ice. Well, I'm right here still. Just off to bed sometimes.
BellaCordelia: Updates shouldn't be too long in between, seeing as I just finished chapter 21. That much chapters and the end still isn't in sight.
Secrets Untold
Chapter 8: Only Hope
Earth
"Ash?" Josh called as he kicked the door close behind him. "Ash, are you around? I need to talk to you."
"Are you kicking me out?" Ashley asked suspiciously as she appeared from the kitchen.
Josh watched her with a sigh as he dropped his bag and hung his coat. Her belly was gigantic by now. She was due in about a month and if he didn't do this now, it might turn out to be too late.
"No, I'm not throwing you out, but sit down. This isn't that much less serious."
"What's going on?" Ashley demanded as she carefully lowered herself onto the couch, leaning back in relief.
"Um…" Josh sought for words as he sat down next to her. "Today we discussed KO-35 in class…"
"I don't want to hear this." Ashley said firmly at the mention of her ex-fiancé's home planet, trying to get up.
Josh placed a gentle hand on her arm and pushed her back down gently.
"Hear me out for a moment, okay? It might actually help to hear this." Josh sighed, rubbing his temple. "We were discussing some of the Karovan traditions… Did you know Karovans still betroth their children?"
When Ashley shook her head he sighed again.
"Well, Andros probably wasn't too proud of it. They betroth their children at 15 and marry them the day the youngest of the couple turns 16. Either Andros didn't know he was betrothed already, wasn't betrothed yet when the planet got evacuated or he thought if he got engaged to you, his parents would cancel his betrothing or something. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is… Was there any clue that Andros wasn't so eager to get married?"
"Not really, he looked really happy." Ashley replied, fighting tears at the memory.
"But from what you've told me about him, he's very good at playing charades when he's trying not to show his true emotions." Josh urged. "Come on, think… did he really seem sincere?"
"Well… he only kissed her for a second or so." Ashley admitted. "And I was really far away, but… the light seemed to be missing from his eyes…" Her voice trailed off, as she thought wistfully of those eyes that she still loved so much.
"Ash… I don't think Andros really wanted to marry that other girl. And anyway, don't you think it's a bit sudden? To marry a girl within a week of meeting her? Your stories always pointed out that he really loved you." Josh told her gently.
A small, hopeful smile shone through her tears and this time when she got to her feet, he didn't try to stop her. He kept his eyes on her as she walked over to the window of the apartment, staring down at the buzzing street and park below. He knew she was watching the children play on the playground in the park. One of her hands came to rest on her eight-month pregnant belly.
"We love you, Andros." Her words drifted to meet his ears, barely audible.
The brightening of her face told him one of the babies, if not both, had kicked again, seemingly in reply to her words. Never for a moment he had doubted Ashley would ever let go of Andros, but to finally hear her admit she still loved him dearly and obviously was going to make sure her children would know about their daddy warmed his heart.
"I told you you'd love her, Luisa." He whispered, looking over at a picture of a pretty Hispanic girl.
"Josh." He snapped out of his thoughts at the sound of Ashley's voice. "I'm going for a walk. When do you want me to be back for dinner?"
"I'll start dinner whenever you get back." Josh promised. "Stay out as long as you like."
"Thanks." Ashley called back just before the door closed behind her.
When she stepped out of the apartment building and into the bright warm sun, she immediately turned in the direction of the sea. She knew where it was, but never before had she been able to make herself go there. In the past she had spend many evenings walking along the shoreline with Andros, their bare feet just in the water, watching the sun go down. With the pain of Andros betrayal still fresh in her mind, she hadn't been able to bring herself there. But now, with this new ray of hope Josh had given her, she dared to face it, to face anything, just as long as Andros's heart was still hers.
He had promised her body, mind, heart and soul when they had made love for the first time. Body he had lost to the other girl, mind was probably not completely lost, but suppressed to keep from either of them getting hurt because of this, yet heart and soul, that was something no one could ever take away from her. She knew that now and so would her babies, their babies… children made from love, not force or need, and that made her smile in a truly happy way.
The sun wouldn't sink into the sea here at night, she realised as she pulled off her sandals and wiggled her toes in the sand. She was going to miss that, but she might try to buy one of the houses sitting at the beach one day. It would be great for the kids and she would be able to see the sun come up out of the sea if she woke up early enough. And hey – she wouldn't even have to leave the house. She probably wouldn't be making enough money to afford one of the expensive beach houses, but it was a nice dream.
KO-35
"Hey Cassie." Karone smiled when the comm. screen on the other side sprang to life.
"Karone! How are you guys doing over there?" The Asian grinned back.
"Well, we're doing great. Andros actually has been genuinely happy the past week."
"Andros… genuinely happy while married to another? Was Ashley that forgettable." Cassie demanded outraged and Karone shook her head with a laugh.
"No, he's still miserable as hell being married to Maura, there's nothing she could do to make him smile. No, the reason Andros is so happy is the same reason I'm calling."
"Spill your guts, Asty." Cassie grinned.
"I'm two months pregnant." Karone announced with a smile threatening to split her face. "Both boys are ecstatic. Zhane because he's becoming a daddy and Andros because he'll have a kid for everyone to coo over that isn't his. I'll have to watch him once this baby is born or he'll spoil it rotten."
"Wow, congratulations. You better let us know when the baby-shower is. We'll be sure to have a shuttle ready and our schedules clear – at least until the baby is born." Cassie ranted happily.
"Great." Karone laughed. "I'll be sure to have as close to my due date as I dare."
"I'll tell my crowd if you tell yours I send my love to them." Cassie grinned. "Oh, damn. I'm going to be late if I don't run. I'll talk to you again later?"
"Of course." Karone giggled. "Hurry up."
Cassie nodded and turned the comm. off on her end. Karone did the same and sat back with a smile. Andros would probably love to see the others again. At least it would be a great excuse to escape Maura for a while. With that thought in her mind, she got up and walked up the stairs to her bed with a faintly amused smile on her face to take a nap. Zhane had insisted on it.
A/N: Hope you liked it. This chapter is dedicated to Arwennicole for posting review 100! Review.