Disclaimer: Marieke: Oh no! This can't be happening!
Maura: VICTORY!
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: -cries- Oh well, I guess I'll just have to take extra care this time. So… what was I telling you? Oh yeah, yes Andros is also a good mattress for Ashleys. And he's a good cook at breakfast, I don't know about the rest, though lunch shouldn't be so hard.
Lady Kimiko: I've been writing PR fics on fanfiction for over 2 years now. So yeah, I put some effort in building myself a fanbase. But your story is great too! There's an ocean between us and my computer just destroyed this file when I was finished with the RR, so… you'd better go to my friend and beta-reader Jenny for the rest of the story, she has them too… and else your beta-reader Rosa knows what's happening?
DarkHonda: You can hate your Elia as long as you coo over the cuteness of mine.
Arwennicole: Yeah, someday they'll be together. Um… don't kill me for this chapter. I just know you won't update for ages to get back at me for this one, but I just couldn't find a way around it.
Jfkpommy09: Um… well… Andros will… and then… and Ashley will suggest…. And then she finds out… and I'm not making sense now, am I?
Slytherin-Angel44: I was actually hoping Voldy would read this, see how horrible Maura is and join just fore that reason. I had a whole rant about my family written, but my computer destroyed my file. Anyway, you WON'T like all the following chapters. Starting with this one.
Jenny: You're rambling again and I actually had a reply written by my computer bailed an me, and yeah… Ask Rosa. I'm too annoyed to write it again, or at least attempt to. –runs away- Um oh… are you okay? Should I start looking for a new beta?
Jessica01: I worked hard for it.
Megarider: Thank you for posting review 200. I just hope the next dedication will have a sweet chapter too… Glad you loved the chapter, it's yours.
Zeopurple: Yeah, but unfortunately Andros will never be able to. So, he'll just have to impregnate Ashley again and do it with his kid too.
Tay: Actually, only Zhane did, Karone just suggested it. Zhane and Karone are fun to write in general, especially when you add Andros to the mix. And TJ, Carlos and Cassie actually don't play that big a part in this story.
Mz. Daydream: Well, I explained the separate bed thingy over… aim? I think it was. Glad you liked the fluffiness of the last chapter… don't kill me for this one?
C.C.C.: Yeah, me too, especially the drool-mark. Well, Andros will love and adore the children I've got planned for Zhane and Karone. And Andros does actually sleep at his house most of the time, it's about once or twice a week he runs. He's got a lock on his door and he's not afraid to use it. Thanks… I do try.
Dragoneyes5000: Don't love it too much, you might break it.
Enigmaforum: I wish I could kill Maura… stupid Plot Monkeys won't let me.
PhoenixGuardianEmaku: I can't keep Maura out of the story. I wish I could, but I need her.
Kamali Shen: Yeah, thanks. –goes to look for her crown- Where did I put that thing?
Mita427: Agreed.
JDPhoenix: Totally.
The-power-of-love: Always.
DizneeDol: Glad you loved it.
Secrets Untold
Chapter 15: A Dark Day
Ashley woke at the happy chatter coming from the baby-monitor, indicating both of the twins were awake and babbling their baby-language together. Happily she pushed herself out of bed to care for them.
A large smile was plastered on her face when she pushed open the door to her children's room.
"Happy birthday munchkins." She greeted sweetly, walking over to the crib.
Chris and Chyler looked at her with wide eyes filled with an innocent glow and she smiled even more brightly. It had been quite a shock for her when she came to wake them one day and Chris was standing in his crib, clinging to the side to stay upright, but still standing, followed the next day by Chyler doing the same. By now it was a normal sight that greeted her every morning.
Ashley lifted Chris out of his crib when he reached out to be picked up. Pride swelled up in her once again to see her baby boy being able to stand without support. He had been doing this for two months already, but she couldn't help feeling a motherly pride every time.
"How's my birthday boy?" Ashley cooed, resting him on her hip. "You know, you look so much like your daddy."
"Dada!" Chris exclaimed, clapping his hand.
His hazel eyes shone up at her brightly. Ashley smiled weakly. Chris looked exactly like Andros, or at least, he would once he grew up a little. Chyler looked a little more like her with her big wonder-filled brown eyes, but with distinct features of Andros in her face.
"Dada!" Chyler echoed, clapping her hands too. "Mama!"
"Yeah." Ashley cooed. "But we have to get you two ready for your birthday party. Tracy is coming over with Nicky and Terrance and Josh's mom and some friends from your day-care and my school."
She kept talking as she dressed both the twins. Once finished, she put Chyler on the floor, but kept hold of the little girl's hands. Chyler happily took small steps towards her brother and the living room and Ashley followed her patiently. Once they reached the doorway, Ashley let go and Chyler immediately dropped to the floor, crawling the rest of the way towards their play-corner.
"Get dressed." Josh's voice told her, highly amused. "I'll watch them for a few secs."
Ashley nodded and ducked back into her own room, closing the door behind her. She glanced at a picture of her and Andros, his arms gently rested around her waist from behind and both wearing a brilliant smile on their faces.
"I wish you could be here, Andros." She whispered, unconsciously wiping her eyes dry. "They already love you so much. I wish you would just see them one time. Take care my love; maybe we'll be together again one day. Just stay strong."
KO-35
"She's grown big." Kin Won smiled as he watched Elia sit on Andros's lap sucking a bottle.
Karone smiled and watched her 6 month old daughter sit on her brother's lap. Her hands were wrapped firmly around the bottle, but Andros refused to let go of the bottom of it, helping her hold it while she drank, a proud little smile on his face. Maura was shooting jealous looks at her little niece. The kid got more attention out of him then she ever had.
The doorbell rang and Zhane got up to open it. Moments later he returned with his parents and in-laws hot on his heels.
"There's my baby girl." Lynette cooed in a baby voice.
Elia just short of raised her eyebrow, simply because she didn't know how yet, but Andros rolled his eyes.
"How do you expect her to start talking normally if you still speak baby-talk to her?" Andros inquired, receiving a glare from his mother.
"So why were we called here other than to watch how much our granddaughter has grown already?" Avidan asked while Lynette, Calla and Kaden were cooing over Elia, who ignored them in favour of her bottle, favouring them with half-hearted toothless grins every now and then.
"Well…" Karone smiled, almost mysteriously. "Elia might be a big sister a little sooner than we thought."
Andros's head shot up at the words and the room feel silent, the three adults cooing over their granddaughter turning around in surprise.
"You're pregnant again?" Calla asked.
Karone nodded shyly and Zhane quickly walked over to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.
"Congratulations." Avidan offered while Calla squealed and Kaden expressed him hopes for a boy this time.
Lynette just turned to face her son with a slightly stern expression.
"That's the second child for your sister." She told him pointedly and the room fell silent again. "Don't you think it's time you started getting yourself an heir?"
Andros desperately tried to come up with a way out, but his mind came up blank for any new excuses and he hung his head ever so slightly.
"I want to hear about a grandchild from you before Elia is a year old." Lynette continued and Andros started to feel sick to his stomach with the prospect of returning to Maura's bed.
The look in Maura's eyes told him he'd have to start their tries tonight and briefly he considered if suicide was an option.
"Shall we just forget about that for a moment and celebrate the grandchild that is on the way?" Avidan suggested.
No more word was spoken to Andros about having children for the rest of the day, but the looks he received from Maura and his mother were enough.
That night
Andros closed his eyes, fighting the tears back as his body shuddered. He quickly rolled off Maura and out of her bed. He felt Maura watching him as he grabbed his clothes and left the room. After quickly ducking into his own bedroom, he locked the door and let his clothes fall to the ground.
Defeated he slid down to the ground with his back against the door. Silent sobs were wracking through his body as the tears now fell freely from his eyes.
He hugged his legs as he drew them up, not even bothering to get back into some clothes. He didn't know how long he sat there, crying his heart out. All he was aware of was that he had betrayed Ashley again.
"I'm so sorry." He whispered, barely audible. "I don't want her child. I want yours. If we ever see each other again… please Ash, forgive me then."
Reluctantly he got back to his feet and got himself some clean boxers from his closet and putting them on before dragging himself over to his bed and letting himself crash onto it. He didn't move again and slowly drifted off into a restless sleep filled by ranger fights. Ashley would morph into the yellow ranger, fighting with him back to back, but when the she demorphed again Maura appeared from under the helmet.
"Ashley." He muttered softly in his sleep. "I love you."
A/N: NO:cries: I made him do that ON HIS CHILDREN'S BIRTHDAY:sniffles: Please kill me? Review!