Chapter 216: Miami

Saturday, January 21st, Morning

The light forced its way through her closed eyelids. After a minute, she rolled over and pulled a pillow over her head. That was when there was a spark of awareness in her mind. These weren't the sheets on her bed. Also, the shirt she's wearing wasn't what she usually wore to bed.

Ashlyn threw off the pillow and the covers. Sitting up in the bed, she looked around the bedroom. Ashlyn is in the bedroom of James' apartment in Miami. She would never refer to it to their apartment, for whatever reason. Ashlyn knew the space well, as she worked with the interior designer on it, and picked out the furniture and color schemes.

Slowly, Ashlyn slid out of bed and walked over to the window and looked out upon the water. They've rented this apartment for years; still, she had a tough time calling it theirs, with the original plan of raising their then small family here, in Miami. Want to hear god laugh, tell them your plans, Ashlyn reflected. Ashlyn didn't like Miami and the lifestyle; eventually, they agreed for Ashlyn to return to Tree Hill, with just Brett, their only child at the time.

Ashlyn leaned over and sniffed the collar of the shirt she wore. It's James cologne; he must have dressed her his shirt last night. This scent brought a small smile to her face—one last glance into the Miami South Channel. There's a cruise ship in the Port of Miami letting out passengers. Another vacation over, Ashlyn reflected.

With a nod, Ashlyn turned away from the window and left the master bedroom. She walked past the girl's bedroom when they stayed here as a family, usually in the summer, and finally came to the open concept main room.

In the kitchenette area stood her husband of fifteen years. James Lucas Scott, for some reason, people like to refer to him by all three names, Ashlyn reflected, stood over the stove, topless making eggs. Ashlyn leaned against the wall by the fridge and studied James cooking. Thirty-three-years-old and hardly looked a day over twenty-seven. She knew better; the miles on his body were starting to take a toll on him.

James looked up from the pan and turned his head. Once James saw her, his eyes lit up, and a smile broke on his face.

"Morning Ash," James said.

"Morning James," Ashlyn said, her husband always preferred the full formal version of his first name.

"How'd you sleep?" James asked.

"Based on the lack of memory of you changing me into this, like a rock," Ashlyn said.

"When you got here last night, you were exhausted, and Bruno practically had to carry you into the apartment," James said. Bruno was the driver James typically used to pick her up and drive him around Miami.

"I think I owe Bruno a big tip," Ashlyn said.

"Don't worry about it, I took care of him," James said.

"Well, I must have been a hot mess last night," Ashlyn said.

James smirked that Scott's family smirk. Ashlyn had seen it on all the blood Scotts, even Angela, and once swore, she saw it on Maeghan. "But you're my hot mess," James said, with a flirty tone.

"Great! You think I'm a hot mess," Ashlyn said.

James laughed, not engaging in their flirtatious sparing anymore, "Have a seat, breakfast is nearly finished, and since you're the hardest working mom, guidance counselor, and coach, I know, we'll pamper you," James said.

"Did you just use the Royal We?" Ashlyn asked.

"My Granddad was named Royal," James said.

"Right!" Ashlyn said.

"Whatever, get your boney ass up on a stool," James said.

"Don't whatever me," Ashlyn said, laughed, and walked over to the chef island/breakfast bar.

"Unfortunately, I only have food on my dietary program here," James said.

"So, that means?" Ashlyn asked.

"Egg white veggie omelet and turkey bacon," James said.

"Is there coffee?" Ashlyn asked.

"Yes, there's coffee," James said.

"Good, there would have been a problem if you didn't have coffee," Ashlyn said.

James shrugged and gave her an I know look. He reached over and poured her a cup of coffee. Slowly, James put the cup of coffee in front of Ashlyn. She took the mug in her hands and sipped the contents. The next thing Ashlyn knew was a plate and flatware ended up in front of her. She smiled and took in the food her husband prepared for her.

Ashlyn started to eat her breakfast. The meal wasn't her usual fare, but she didn't make it, so it was delicious.

"So, what do you want to do? Shopping? Yoga? A massage?" James asked, "I can arrange for any of it."

Ashlyn looked up from her plate to James, "Is that all you have planned?" she asked.

"Well, I do have a game tonight, so that cuts into our time alone," James said.

"Yeah, have to get to the arena for shit, right?" Ashlyn asked.

"You should know that," James said.

"You know, I do," Ashlyn said.

"So, what do you want to do?" James asked.

Ashlyn smiled, wickedly, "I want to finish my coffee, breakfast, take my husband to bed, shower, and then maybe a massage," Ashlyn said.

James smirked again, then chuckled a bit and shook his head, "I think I can accommodate that plan," he said.

"It better be, I'm more than an eight hundred mile booty call," Ashlyn said.

"You never were," James said.

"Sure," Ashlyn said and took a bite out of her omelet.

"You never believe me," James said.

Ashlyn laughed and shook her head, "You're too easy," she said.

James sighed, "I guess, I am," he said.

Ashlyn leaned over, turned him to face her, and kissed him. Once they separated, she looked deep into his eyes. "Hey, you're mine, and I love you, even though you're here most of the year," she said.

"I'm only here to provide for you and the kids," James said.

"How much money do we need?" Ashlyn asked.

"I want to make sure everyone could go through college without loans," James said.

"I know," Ashlyn said, smiled, and lightly kissed him again.

"What's that for?" James asked.

"Well, it's to encourage you to finish up breakfast, quickly," Ashlyn said.

"Why?" James asked.

Ashlyn gave him the annoyed wife look. Finally, she leaned forward and started to kiss him. Slowly, Ashlyn turned up the heat, where it turned out into a make-out session. Hands were starting to roam freely. Finally, Ashlyn came up for breath, in-between their kisses.

"James, you big stud, take me to bed, or lose me forever," Ashlyn said.

"Show me the way home," James said, in-between kisses.

Ashlyn pushed him away. "First, finish breakfast," she said.

"Denied," James said.

Ashlyn chuckled, "No, postponed," she said.

James shrugged, "I guess we have to be careful," he said.

"Why?" Ashlyn asked.

"Because we were entering the Danger Zone," James said.

Ashlyn shook her head, "Eat," she said.

Some would say they might have broken a record eating. The dirty dishes remained on the island, as they got up and fell into each other's arms. Like two teenagers, they giggled, kissed, and bounced off the walls as they headed towards the master bedroom. Once they reached the master bedroom door, they paused long enough to close the door behind them.