Chapter 4: Her Child

Ashley was sitting outside of the house she was living in during the past nine months with Carlos. Carlos came outside with a smile on his face. "Hey, Ash," he greeted. Ashley looked up with a small smile.

"Hey, Carlos," she answered.

"You okay?" He asked.

Ashley gave him a quizzical look. "Carlos, we've been living together during the past nine months and now you're asking me if I'm okay?" She asked. He chuckled and sat next to her on the swing. Ashley placed a hand on her swollen stomach with a sigh.

"Nervous?" He asked.

"Yeah," she replied.

She jumped when she felt a kick. "Carlos, the baby's kicking," she told him. She took Carlos's hand and placed it on her stomach. The former Black Ranger grinned when he felt the kick under his hand.

"There's a soccer player in there," he commented.

Ashley laughed and shook her head. "Are you sure you want to leave Angel Grove after the baby's born?" He asked.

"Yeah, I have to," she replied.

"Why?"

"Because, I don't want Andros to find us and if he finds us so will his parents. They'll take my baby away and I don't want them to take my baby away from me."

Carlos wrapped his arm around Ashley's shoulders and kissed her forehead. "They won't get him or her," he assured her.

"I hope not, because this baby all I have left of Andros," she answered.

Ashley then let out a small gasp. "Oh, God!" She gasped.

"What? What is it?" He asked.

"My water just broke," she replied.

"You're kidding right?"

"I wish I was."

Carlos went inside to get the things that they had ready just for when the time came. They quickly got Ashley to the hospital.

(Angel Grove Memorial Hospital)

Ashley was sitting in her hospital bed flicking ice chips at the wall. "Enjoying yourself?" Carlos asked.

"Not really," she replied.

He chuckled as he watched his best friend flick another ice chip at the wall. "It's unfair you know. Andros should be here, this his child too. He got me into this," she murmured with tears in her eyes. He sighed and kissed her forehead. "I wish he was here, Carlos. I really wish he was here," she added.

"I know," he answered.

Ashley sighed when the doctor came in. "Okay, Miss Hammond, I need you to turn back on your side," she informed. Ashley turned on her side and closed her eyes when the doctor checked her. "She's dilating fast. Are you the father?" The doctor asked Carlos.

"No," Carlos and Ashley replied in unison.

The doctor laughed lightly. "No, I'm her best friend here to support her," Carlos put in.

"Do you know when the father's coming?" The doctor asked.

Ashley bit her lip with tears threatening to fall down her face. "Um, the father's not able to make it. They're not together anymore," Carlos replied.

"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that," the doctor stated.

The doctor looked at Ashley. "Well, I'll be back in awhile to check on her again," the doctor informed. Ashley let out a sigh as she stayed on her side deep in thought. Carlos sat next to her and stroked her hair.

"Have you thought of names for the baby?" He asked.

Ashley came out of her trance and a smile came across her face. "I've thought of a couple," she replied.

"Yeah?" He asked.

Ashley nodded and placed a hand on her stomach. "Hayden and Jamie," she replied.

"Good names," he told her.

Ashley smiled and kissed Carlos's cheek. She gasped in pain when a hard contraction hit her hard. Carlos stroked her hair and did his best to comfort her.

(4:30 am)

Ashley was sitting up in her bed with her son in her arms with tears falling down her face. "Oh my gosh, look at you," she whispered. She looked over at Carlos with a smile on her face.

"Your son's beautiful, Ashley," the doctor commented before leaving.

Ashley smiled as she looked down at Hayden. She bit her lip as her son opened his eyes, showing that they were the beautiful brown eyes that reminded her so much of Andros. She stroked the infant's face with a sigh. "Where will you be heading?" Carlos asked. Ashley looked up from Hayden and looked at Carlos.

"I might go to Reefside, I hear it's a nice place," she commented.

Carlos nodded his head slowly. "Sure you want to live that far?" He asked.

"To protect my son yes," she replied.

Hayden let out a whimper when he wasn't getting his attention from his mother. Ashley looked back at her son and held his tiny hand. "He looks like his father," she commented. Carlos walked over and sat next to Ashley.

"He's a strong boy, Ashley," he complimented.

"Thanks Carlos, I mean not just for the compliment, but for putting up with me during the past nine months," she commented.

Carlos kissed the side of Ashley's head. "You're my friend, Ash, your like my sister and I love you," he told her. She smiled as she placed her head on his shoulder.

"I love you too, Carlos," she answered.

She slowly started to fall asleep and when Carlos tried to take Hayden from her arms, the baby started to whimper so Carlos just let the baby sleep in his mother's arms. He stood back and smiled at the image before him to see Ashley asleep with her son in her arms. However, all the former Black Ranger really wanted was to see his best friend happy, not miserable. Carlos turned and left the room.

(Three Days Later)

Ashley was able to get out of the hospital with Hayden. The nurse came in with Hayden in her arms. "Here he is," the nurse announced quietly. Ashley smiled as she took Hayden in her arms. Hayden curled up against his mother's chest and Ashley kissed the top of her son's head. "Is someone coming to get you?" The nurse asked.

"Um, no, I'm just going to be leaving Angel Grove immediately," Ashley replied.

Ashley let out a sigh as she walked around the room with her son in her arms. The tears pressing against her eyes. "Are you running from the father?" The nurse asked. Ashley shook her head.

"No, from his parents, because if they find out that I had his baby they'll come after us. So the best thing for my son and me is to hide," Ashley replied.

The nurse nodded and the wheelchair was brought in. Ashley sat down with her baby in her arms and she was wheeled out of the hospital.

Ashley went to the bus stop and when the bus came, she got on and Ashley never looked back at Angel Grove ever again.