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.
Slytherin-Angel44: Here's the next chapter. I feel sorry for Voldie-Poo.
Phantom Rogue: Um… 35. He didn't WANT her to get pregnant… she just did. So it's fun to hate Lynette, but dangerous for your laptop… so good that she's nice now.
Zeopurple: It's a combination of factors that made her change her mind so quickly. Maura isn't the first to get caught cheating, Lynette just never expected it to happen to any of her children. Yes, she is sincere about it.
C.C.C.: Thanks, hope you can keep up now.
JDPhoenix: Yeah, and they will soon enough. Everything is working out just fine. Did you get my PM?
Piper xox Leo: Thanks, you take your time, there's really no hurry, I was just asking.
DizneeDol: Yeah, finally free! It's definitely good Lynette started using her brain.
Psycho Tangerine: Yeah… it sure did.
Dragoneyes5000: It's about time things got out. Kill Maura in whatever way you like.
Mz. Daydream: Yeah, finally! It's about time! Yes, I'm still doing it, but I don't know when it will be out. Writing that part is going slower then this one. It's really okay, hope your ankle is healed before homecoming. I'll let you in on a little secret to make it feel better: I've started your birthday fic… Hope to catch you soon, but until then, enjoy.
The-power-of-love: Look, it's and airplane, no a duck, no it's superman… NO! It's the new chapter!
BlackHalliwell: Thanks.
Johnny: That's okay, I've been cursing fanfiction all day long too. Glad you don't want to kill Lynette anymore. Maura surely wasn't happy hearing her darling Cevil is not the heir. Chris and Chyler will drop their ghosting soon, but at the perfect moment.
Darklover: Yeah, or just get hit by a hammer and be knocked into perm. vegi state.
Lady Kimiko: Thanks, I couldn't help myself. Um… I'd like to keep my bat clean of Maura germs… thank you very much.
Lavonne Adams: Actually, she was. She didn't really expect him, or rather Ashley, to jump into bed that easily while he was still married.
Juzblue: Lynette has just seen the light, finally, that's all.
Star Fata: That's okay. Yay! You like Lynette! Good, she's going to be so much better now.
BellaCordelia: Yeah, definitely, the change of having Ashley in his life does wonders to his attitude. She has a very good heart and I'm glad you liked how she figured it out. I thought it would lessen the blow if she thought of it instead of Andros telling.
Secrets Untold
Chapter 42: Living Apart
"Elia turned up at the Karovan embassy in Miami." Zhane reported in mild shock when he came home from work two weeks later. "She wants to come back home, but won't say where's she's been these past few weeks. She somehow saw, or at least knows, of our families dropping the betrothing tradition."
"When will she be back home?" Arima asked, jumping into Zhane's arms.
Zhane caught the girl, stumbling as he accepted her weight.
"You are getting too heavy for this." He informed the girl. "Elia should be back in two days." He added loudly, a grin on his face.
"Finally." Cero smiled. "Annoying as she is, I missed her."
"Where was she, Andros? I think we have a right to know." Karone demanded suddenly, turning to her brother.
They had offered Andros a place to stay after his divorce before he moved in with Ashley on Earth. He had taken residence in Zhane's room, though it was more his room than Zhane's anyway, and Arima was sharing her room with Danne. Andros looked at her and shrugged defensively.
"Ashley's." He replied calmly and watched with amusement as both Zhane and Karone's eyes widened and their mouths dropped open.
"So brilliantly simple." Karone murmured. "Can't believe we didn't think of that."
"Don't worry." Andros assured them teasingly. "I'll be out of here soon enough. Just don't forget, you two are still supposed to be maid of honour and best man."
"Has Ashley called her family yet?" Zhane inquired as he put Arima back on her feet before he collapsed.
"Yeah, they were a bit shocked to find out they had had two grandkids in Miami for sixteen years, but once Ashley explained everything they understood." Andros smiled. "They're coming to the wedding and bringing Jeff and his family."
"Cassie was ecstatic when she heard. TJ and Carlos said they'd be sure to come." Karone grinned. "They're all happy you two finally get to be together."
"And Josh is using his influence to arrange enough hotel room for you all." Andros nodded. "Ashley had Chris and Chyler clean up on of the guestrooms for Danne to move into. The two can't seem to wait to have a younger sister."
"You can't wait to get over there either." Karone laughed, hugging her brother.
Just then baby Aila started screaming her lungs out and Andros quickly pulled away.
"I'll go get her." He promised. "Somehow I have the feeling I'll be the one getting up in the middle of the night."
Zhane and Karone laughed freely and waved him away.
Earth
Ashley rushed into the ER, having been paged as one of her patients was brought in. She stopped short when she noticed Tracy mournfully pull the curtains around a bed.
"Who paged me?" Ashley asked, dreading the answer.
Tracy looked up and walked over.
"I did." The other sighed. "She didn't make it. I'm sorry."
"You did all you could." Ashley muttered, staring at the curtain. "These things happened. Why was she brought in?"
"Home delivery." Tracy replied, making a face. "By the time the midwife decided to call the hospital to send an ambulance she had already lost too much blood. All we could do was watch her die. The baby is up in the IC, he's not doing so well either."
"Terri?" Ashley guessed and Tracy nodded sadly. "Damn. That was their first baby. I'll go talk to Marc."
"Talking about babies." A hushed and slightly cruel voice spoke behind the two.
"Hey James." Ashley greeted frostily. "What about babies?"
"Rumour has it you'll be going on maternity leave. I thought the only man in your life was Chris." James sneered softly.
"My private life is none of your business, James." Ashley snapped, just as quietly.
"I've been asking you out since forever and then some wimp comes along and you freely invite him into your bed?"
"For your information, not that I owe you any, that 'wimp' as you call him, could kick your ass in his sleep and if I hear one more insulting, insinuating or perverting comment out of your mouth, or if you ever try to make a move on me again, I'll get a restraining order." Ashley hissed, turning on her heels. "I'm going to talk to Marc, Tracy."
"Wait up, I'm going with you." Tracy called, quickly falling into step beside her friend. "So… you're really pregnant?"
"Yeah." Ashley sighed, her anger washing away as she placed a hand on her stomach.
Tracy looked at her friend from the corner of her eyes and saw a small smile now playing on her lips.
"You're happy." Tracy noticed. "What are you keeping from me?"
"Three and a half months ago I talked to Andros." Ashley started slowly, unable to keep a smile from spreading across her face. "He explained everything to me and I just couldn't take the hurt in his eyes when he told me he thought Chris and Chyler were another's. So, naturally, I told him the truth about them. Two weeks ago I diagnosed his wife pregnant and the baby isn't his. He asked me to marry him again. He's on KO-35 right now settling his affairs and getting his stuff together. Soon he and his daughter will be moving in with me… and -we're getting married."
"It's his baby, isn't it?" Tracy grinned and Ashley nodded.
"Second trimester." Ashley giggled. "We ended up doing a little more then just talking."
Tracy laughed and hugged her friend.
"You deserve it." Tracy told her firmly. "You will invite me to the wedding and baby-shower, right?"
"Naturally." Ashley laughed. "We're getting our lives back together, all three of them."
Tracy laughed again and sighed, sadly.
"We should tell Marc now."
Ashley sobered and nodded, her face turning grim as she watched the man standing in the hall, staring through the window at the babies in the IC. This was always the hardest part of her job.
A/N: Hope you liked it! Review.