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.
Juzblue: Well, read and you'll see.
Megarider: Well… almost as soon as, but it's the same thing.
Jonhny: Everyone can guess the results… can't they? Okay, so then it's finally black on white that you have the right train of thoughts. No… I can't tell you about Danne, you'll just have to wait and see. Andros is going to be SO gleeful when he's gotten rid of her.
Subzeroimpact: Yes, Maura is pretty much very stupid. It's not even blood type, it's chromosomal paternity.
Slytherin-Angel44: Well, you still have to wait. Yes, Voldie-Poo, you failed as in: SHE'S STILL ALIVE!
Mz. Daydream: So you still got stuck on a cliffy, ha. Andros just loves being in the background, watching Ash.
Psycho Tangerine: Yeah, it would have been fun, but they needed that little bit of time together in privacy.
Tal: Yeah, finally he'll get rid of her.
Star Fata: That's always fun, yelling at others.
SweetSas: Well, not really dead. Keep guessing, I'm not spilling anything about Ashley's pregnancy.
Jessica01: I'm basically in medical school… I know that.
PhoenixGuardianEmaku: I love cliffies. Oh, you lucky, maybe I should help you win more bets. But I'm not killing Maura.
JDPhoenix: Yeah, Andros knows and is happy about it. Elia is the name you were looking for.
Zeopurple: Yeah, isn't it great, soon Andros will be free to be Ashley's again. Yeah, well, he just had to know before Ash got a pregnant belly.
Dragoneyes5000: Read and you'll find what you're looking for.
Tay: hehe, always.
BlackHalliwell: They definitely are the best!
Phantom Rogue: Andros IS and STAYS always cute! Oh… wedding is good. Divorce in this case too.
Jenny: Kill fanfiction! 802, you're getting closer. Congrats on Just Cry, I have it printed and probably read it as soon as I finish Flyte… YOU COULD HAVE EMAILED OR TOLD ME IT WAS OUT YOU KNOW! Anyway, glad you love the chapter… and you are right… I'll see if that works and I'll try to remember it.
Lady Kimiko: I'll read soon, promise, but right know I've got the book I've been searching for for over a month and I really want to finish that first (I hate paperbags so that made it even harder to find).
Piper xox Leo: Yeah… I think it'll be the same guy… I'm not sure though.
Arwennicole: Glad you love the chapter I have made you wait for so long. No need to wait longer.
The-power-of-love: Always.
Secrets Untold
Chapter 39: Telling The Twin
'Dearest Chala,
I know this is short notice and I know I have no right to spring this on you, but I need your help. Zhane and Karone need your help. You see, my niece Elia is fifteen and Zhane and Karone have absolutely no intention of betrothing her – thank god. Unfortunately, my mom decided to take matters in her own hands and betroth Elia herself. We need Elia to run away and hide out for a while, showing my mom just what she is trying to do.
I wanted to ask if she could stay with you for a while. She'd have to arrive in the middle of the night under the cover of dark for this to work though. I do not wish to impose on you, and you have every right to say no; I understand if you do, but I just had to try. I promised her I would.
My eternal love,
Andros'
Ashley smiled at the letter and looked at her ring. How could she ever refuse him anything? Ever?
The back door slammed shut and two dripping wet teens came running in, wrapped in towels, one vibrant red, the other pale yellow.
"Mom? We didn't expect you home until dinnertime." Chris exclaimed in surprise as he began towelling himself off.
"I took the afternoon off." Ashley smiled. "We're having an early dinner, I need to be back at the hospital this evening."
"What's that?" Chyler asked, pointing at the letter in Ashley's hands.
"Go take a shower and dress and I'll show you." Ashley promised and the twins dashed up the stairs, Chyler putting dibs on the bathroom.
Ten minutes later, both sat on either side of her, fully dressed and smaller towels wrapped around their necks for their dripping hair, both staring at her expectantly. Ashley held out the letter and the two were reading it while leaning on her shoulders.
"So… what are you going to do?" Chyler inquired as she leaned back.
"Would you two like to have your cousin staying over?" Ashley inquired and the two nodded. "Then why should I say no? She'll probably arrive tonight, seeing as how they'll be leaving for KO-35 again tomorrow."
Chyler sighed sadly.
"We'll never get to spend time with him, will we?" She muttered.
"Actually." Ashley smiled. "Maura was brought in to see me today. She's pregnant and we rather believe your father's claims that the child is not his than Maura's claims that it is. But we did a paternity test anyway. There's a big change it'll come out negative and then your father can divorce Maura."
"Wow, but what happens then?" Chris demanded. "He lives on KO-35 with his children and we live here."
"Mom?" Chyler interrupted, looking at the letter again. "Chala, it means loved one, right? Loved one, my love or lover."
"Yes, it does." Ashley answered and showed her left hand. "And as for what's going to happen if your father divorces Maura. He asked me again to marry him and he made it clear he isn't going to ask us to move to KO-35 either."
"You mean…" Chris started in disbelieve. "He'll actually move in here and we'll be a real family?"
"Yes." Ashley smiled and quickly found herself strangled in two hugs. "And there's another thing."
"What?" Chyler asked, her face beaming.
"I wanted your father to be here for this, but since he's leaving for KO-35 tomorrow and it might be a while before he can get back here, I'll just have to tell you now and… well, I'm already cutting it pretty close."
"Telling us what?" Chris wanted to know, eagerly anticipating his mother's next words.
"Three months ago when I had that talk with your dad, I kinda lied about where we talked. He did come to my office, but we didn't talk there. My shift was over by then and so I invited him over here. I wanted to be in a bit more of a secure surrounding to hear his story. We ended up not just talking." Ashley admitted, her voice growing softer with ever word. "Now I'm 3 months pregnant."
Chris and Chyler looked stunned for a moment – seeing as how they weren't really used to hearing about what their MOM did with their DAD - before they trapped her in a giant hug again. Ashley held them close as a single tear slipped down her cheek. She hadn't known how the twins would take the news, but she certainly hadn't dared to hope for this.
"Does dad know?" Chris inquired.
"I told him this afternoon. He was the first I told, you two are the second." Ashley told them reassuringly.
"Well, this house is large enough for dad and a baby." Chyler smiled.
"Or two." Chris added.
"Or three." Chyler grinned.
"Or-"
"I'm not 19 anymore you know." Ashley laughed. "And you should probably count on your sister moving here too."
"Just as long as he leaves Cevil with Maura, I'm cool." Chris replied.
Ashley laughed again and hugged her son. Things might actually start working out for them finally.
"Chyler, could you go fix up the guestroom?" Ashley asked her daughter. "Put some clean sheets on the bed and see if there needs to be cleaned up a little."
"Sure." Chyler grinned, shooting up from the couch and running upstairs.
"What can I do?" Chris wanted to know. "You should rest you know."
"Chris, I do specialize in pregnancies you know – I think I should know when I need to rest. I'll be just fine, but you can help me with dinner later… right now… Well, I do believe a pig would feel right at home in your room." She teased, pointing him up the stairs.
Chris turned bright red and bolted off after Chyler. Ashley laughed and leaned back against the couch, her eyes closed. The by now familiar weight on her hand made her smile.
"Just a little longer." She whispered softly. "Only a little longer."
A/N: Hope you liked it. Review. This chapter is dedicated to BlackHalliwell for posting review 800.