Disclaimer: Maura: Brats.
Marieke: Shut up.
Maura: And you call MY son a spoiled brat?
Chris and Chyler: -kick Maura until she's unconscious-
Marieke: I told you to shut up, but would you listen? NOOOOO..
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.
Arwennicole: Andros learned to love Danne dearly. She'll be the reason he'll still be alive when they finally run into Ashley. Glad you liked that drawing.
Mz. Daydream: Yay! Yeah, you got Andros's family completely figured out. That part about Karone doesn't sound so cheesy and it's definitely true... she would have to be with four kids.
Lady Kimiko: Yeah, well Andros turned out right again. Remember that baby shower? He told them to open up the presents already before those other three joined the family.
Phantom Rogue: Yeah… leave your computer alone… okay? It didn't do anything wrong.
Johnny: Sounds great! Andros won't find out about the twin for a while. They'll already be 16 when he finally finds out. And if Andros leaves faster than a speeding bullet… I never knew they were that slow. You'll see what I mean.
Tal: Yeah, sure you two can be friends. Danne is a dear.
Star Fata: Yay! Well, you can take all the time you need on that story. I'll be waiting patiently for it.
Megarider: Yeah, Andros is going to love his little girl dearly.
SweetSas: Always, I'll update every day while I can. Don't talk to me about painting. –growns- it's a good thing I get paid for it.
Slytherin-Angel44: I'm getting there, promise. –turns into Elisabeth Potter- You know Voldie-Poo, you always pick the wrong moment to kill her. You should wait until she's alone with Andros. He'd probably hold her for you to get a perfect aim. I could hold your wandhand to keep it still if you want. OH! Snivellus! Must… torture… –turns back into AH/AY- Um… did I mention she takes after James?
Enigmaforum: The moment she this appears out of this story. Then you can kill her over and over again until I need her again in the sequel.
Jenny: Wow, great review. I haven't seen you babble like that in ages. You should feed your Hippos more… they look starved.
Mita427: Yes, because you see… you review EVERY SINGLE one of them. And look at the amount of reviews this short story already has. I mean it just beat my best story ever written (NATE) and that one had 25 chapters. This one only had 19.
Zeopurple: Yes… No… Danne is the sweetest.
Jessica01: Later.
PhoenixGuardianEmaku: Yeah, Danne is the one to keep him sane in this marriage.
C.C.C.: Why do you think she was held back? The only reason Cevil is allowed to go on is because he's 'Andros's heir'. –takes bow- Quotes Phantom Rogue: I've been here for more than two years, it's about time.
Tay: Yeah, he'll take care of his little girl. If Maura won't… and she won't… someone has to and he loves the girl.
JDPhoenix: Getting Andros out of the marriage will take some time. But I will and I have! Technically. YAY! You hate Maura now!
The-power-of-love: Soon enough for you?
Dragoneyes5000: Maura? No, not in this story he won't. He's too happily being spoiled.
Darklover: Everyone dislikes those two. Don't feel bad. Enjoy the story.
Secrets Untold
Chapter 20: Bitter Sweet Life
Ashley looked out onto the beach from the covered porch. She just had to cross her back garden, open the small gate and her bare feet would be wiggling in the sand.
She loved her house. It was only half a year ago that her grandmother on her mother's side of the family had passed away. She was loaded and loved her grandchildren, so naturally they were put in the will. Also, Jeff had hit a record deal with his band and started making more than good money. He had granted his share of the inheritance to his beloved sister, seeing as she was in med school.
Both parts put together had been more than enough to buy her this beach house and a bunch of other little luxuries they had made do without before (such as a bigger car).
Between her internship and the twins, she hadn't been able to go back to California for the funeral, but her parents had assured her that was okay. She had been very relieved, no one had had to find out about her children and she hadn't really liked her grandmother anyway. She had always been trying to bribe her to marry into wealth (like she had) and grow up to be old, wrinkled and spoiled.
"Ashley. Yo, Earth to Ashley. These two are getting impatient." Josh waved from down at the beach. "Are you coming with those birthday cakes yet – or was I wrong about you finally mastering some culinary skills?"
"Yeah, I got them here." Ashley called back, snapping out of her daze and stepping off the porch.
In each hand she balanced a cake, one with red frosting and one with yellow, both blazing with nine candles, which, in turn, formed a 9 in the centre of the cake. She was suddenly very thankful for her short stint as a waitress as she manoeuvred through the party crowd and set the two cakes onto a picnic table with a flourish.
"Yay!" Chris and Chyler exclaimed happily, running over, both still slightly damp from swimming in the sea earlier.
"Make a wish." Ashley told them lovingly and the two closed their eyes before blowing the candles out simultaneously.
"Presents!" Chris cried happily when all nine candles on his cake had gone out.
"Chris." Ashley told him sternly, but smiled all the same. "First the cake gets cut."
Chris smiled innocently and suddenly a bread knife rose into the air and neatly cut both cakes in pieces. Ashley decided not to comment on it this time as she grabbed the knife out of the air and placed it back on the table.
"Presents!" Chyler smiled.
"You two are unbelievable." Ashley sighed as the first present was handed over by Josh.
"You'll have to share it, but somehow I don't think it will be too much of a problem." Josh smiled, wrapping an arm around the shoulder of his eight-month pregnant wife as he watched the two examine the present.
"There are holes in it." Chris complained.
"Just open it, you'll understand." Atalya smiled, placing a hand on her stomach with a loving grin.
Together the two tore the wrappings off and Chris lifted the lid of the box that was revealed. Chyler looked inside and squealed in delight, picking up a small light grey ball of fur out of it.
"Kitty!" She exclaimed happily, hugging the ball of fur to her cheek.
"Gee, thanks Josh, just what I needed – another hungry mouth to feed." Ashley laughed.
"Don't mention it." Josh laughed. "Kitty's a 'her' by the way."
"Well, give 'her' to me, Chyler. I'll put her inside so she can't run away." Ashley sighed, holding out her hands for the kitten.
"Her name is Misty." Chyler told her mother pointedly, but handed over the kitten without a protest.
When Ashley returned a groan escaped her lips as her eyes fell on the two bright coloured surfboards that were stuck into the sand, obviously two more presents for her twins.
"Do I want to know?"
"Probably not." Tracy laughed, shaking her head.
"You live at the beach, Ash. It's only natural they learn how to surf." Terrance teased.
"Now I don't have to ask who gave them either." Ashley sighed. "Is this another one of those things like half a year ago? You live at the beach, they should have fish? They're still named Cat and Food you know. I'm surprised they didn't call Misty Fish instead."
"Next kitty." Chyler replied determinedly and Ashley sighed heavily.
"Now I'm giving them ideas."
"Don't worry, mom." Chris grinned sweetly. "We'll just ask for a puppy instead."
"We'll just see about that." Ashley told him, pressing one finger to his nose for a moment as she stared deep into his eyes. "Now eat that cake and go play. We're not having a birthday party on the beach and not taking advantage of it."
"Um… Ash? Do those cakes have different tastes to them, since they're different colours?" Tracy asked, simultaneously yanking Nicky away from the red cake.
"Red is raspberries and yellow is lemon, favourite tastes of the birthday boy and girl." Ashley replied, dumping pieces of cake on cardboard plates and given a corner of their own cake to both her children.
She took a piece of lemon cake herself and settled on looking over the presents Chris and Chyler had gotten. A few books that would come in handy when the twins were cooped up inside, probably given by Tracy and Nicky; there was also a soccer ball, a stereo and a baseball bat with ball and glove. A smile spread onto Ashley's face when she remembered the reactions of her two angels when they had found out they were going to swim with dolphins the next day as a birthday present from her. They couldn't stop bragging about it.
"Hey Ash, I got some good news." Josh smiled, sitting down next to her.
"Oh really, what?" Ashley grinned at her friend.
"One of the earthen ambassadors agreed to take me as an intern." Josh smiled proudly. "I get to go around to conferences with him and all and he's granting me all the time I need with Atalya and the baby."
"Sounds like you've got a great deal." Ashley replied with a smile.
"Yeah, before long I'll likely be an ambassador myself. Anyway, this one is close to retirement and deals mostly with the Karovan system, Aquitar, Eltar and Elisia. So, if there's anything you ever want for Chris and Chyler from their paternal planet, just holler at me."
"Thanks." Ashley smiled at him. "But the only thing I really wanted for them I already had."
"That telekinesis ball." Josh replied knowingly.
"I don't think Andros even remembers lending it to me to practise." Ashley giggled fondly. "I'm glad for that, it's yet another way to keep their father part of their lives without actually being here. It feels like he taught them how to control their many mind powers."
Josh just nodded and stared out at sea with his friend in silence for a while. Sometime later Chris and Chyler ran their way both holding a necklace in their hand.
"Watch them for us, mom?" Chris asked. "We wanna go swim."
"Sure." Ashley replied, accepting the necklaces into her care.
"Why did they have those lockets again?" Josh asked as he watched Ashley sadly stare at the pictures in Chyler's locket.
"Andros and Karone had them too, it's how they found each other after so many years." Ashley shrugged. "I don't know, maybe it's just to be on the safe side and to remind them they're never alone. These two could never live without each other. It's silly, but it keeps them close in a way."
"It's beautiful." Josh admitted. "And yet another little thing to involve Andros in their raising without him having to be here."
Ashley laughed and shook her head. If only Andros knew he was silently raising their children without even having to be around. With a smile and the entertainment of that thought, Ashley watched her two children run into the water, closely followed by Nicky and some of their friends. They loved their life and somehow she had been able to give them all they needed to be happy. Only Andros could make it more perfect.
"Counting down the days till you're mine again." Ashley muttered softly, before shaking off the thoughts of Andros and enjoying her children's birthday party.
After all, they always came first.
A/N: Hope you liked it. Review.