Chapter 295: Ashlyn's Brood

Monday, January 30th, Evening

Ivy shook her head in seeming frustration and rested her head on the table. Ashlyn could empathize with where Ivy found herself. As she watched Ivy, Ashlyn twirled her beer pint in a small circle on the table.

"Why are people so difficult?" Ivy asked.

"If love were easy, they would have to call it something different," Izzy said. Amen to that sister, Ashlyn reflected upon. Love is never easy; Ashlyn nodded.

Ivy picked up her head, shook it slightly, and looked at Ashlyn. There's a desperate look in her eyes, Ashlyn saw. It wasn't right whatever they were doing; they were overwhelming this woman with their petty and insignificant drama, Ashlyn reflected.

"I've not asked about your kids; I'm being rude," Ivy said, looking at Ashlyn.

"Are you sure you want to hear about my kids?" Ashlyn asked, not sure that it would help Ivy.

"It would seem fair since I asked about Trin and Izzy's," Ivy said, in a calm but shaky tone.

Ashlyn shrugged, "Well, there's not much to say," she said.

"Please, just tell the story," Ivy said; the tone in her voice told Ashlyn she's looking for a distraction.

Ashlyn nodded. "Okay," she said and looked at her beer glass.

"You don't want to tell it?" Ivy asked.

Ashlyn shook her head, "No, I'm going to tell my story. I just have to put it into context for myself," she said.

"Okay? Why?" Ivy asked.

"It's my life; I live it every day; so, what's normal for me may not be normal to you. Also, I'm a high school guidance counselor; I want to be as helpful as possible," Ashlyn said.

Ivy nodded, "Take your time," she said.

Ashlyn nodded and picked up her glass, taking a drink. "I have four kids, seventeen, eight, and twins that are six. The oldest two are girls, and the boys are identical twins," Ashlyn said.

"That seems like a lot," Ivy said.

"It can be, the largest change was when I was pregnant with Maeghan was with Brett. She, that's Brett, had been an only child with me for nine years. It took some adjustment for me, thinking Brett would need time for adjustment, but I also forgot by that time she already had sisters with PJ and Key. Chase was also pregnant with her third daughter, BB. So, I shouldn't have worried about Brett. That's what parents do, worry. There are times when Brett will do nothing but hang out with Maeghan," Ashlyn said.

"What are they like? You're kids, I mean," Ivy said.

Ashlyn shrugged, "I made the most mistakes with Brett and still do, but that's the price for being the oldest. I didn't want Brett to play basketball, but she's stubborn as hell. Eventually, she conned her Papa Nate to teaching her basketball when I was in Atlanta. By the time I came back, she was completely in love with the game. Of course, I was mad, but it was too late," Ashlyn said and took a sip of her beer, "I can't complain, though, other than her being stubborn as hell; she's been a good kid."

"She's Huck's daughter, right?" Ivy asked.

Ashlyn nodded, "Also, she's my redhead. In a house full of blondes, she stands out. But that's Brett; she does nothing but stand out," she said.

"You have another daughter?" Ivy asked.

"Yes, Maeghan, my eight-year-old, she's not anything like Brett. Yet, they are close; Brett is who Maeghan looks up to. They don't do any basketball things together since Maeghan hates basketball. They do girlie things together, sisterly things, I remember doing with my sister. I've worried about Brett going off the rails, but now I'm starting to worry about Maeghan," Ashlyn said and laughed.

"Why would you not worry about Brett anymore?" Ivy asked.

"You never stop worrying about your kids. I worry less about Brett because she's almost an adult, and she's focused on basketball," Ashlyn said.

"You have twin sons; how is it raising twins, never mind boys?" Ivy asked.

"Like trying to herd cats and being identical, I sometimes have to think before saying a name. It, like anything with kids, can be a challenge. They're both six, so they've only started to grow into their personalities. Of course, with Landon and Logan, I'm worried about which one is the evil twin," Ashlyn said.

"Why do you worry about one being an evil twin?" Ivy asked.

"Their great-grandfather was an evil man. There is some thought that Brian's being a bad egg is because of his grandfather," Ashlyn said.

"So, you're worried one of your sons would go that way?" Ivy asked.

"I'm worried any of my children would fall off the rails," Ashlyn said.

"Do you think that will happen?" Ivy asked.

"I don't know, since it's not happened yet," Ashlyn said, "I'm trying to keep them on the right path."

"That seems like an uphill battle," Ivy said.

"It's a battle, worth fighting," Ashlyn said.

"How do you handle that?" Ivy asked.

"You love them, respect them, teach them the morals and values you want them to have. Yet, this is the most important part, pray that something sticks in their brain," Ashlyn said.

"Why do you pray that something sinks in?" Ivy asked.

"That's simple; because as soon as you're out of sight, they'll do whatever they damn well like," Ashlyn said and laughed.

Ivy nodded and chuckled a bit. "Is that how you handle your children?" Ivy asked.

"I try, but like everyone at this table, I'm a flawed human. That means we set goals, and many times we try but fail to make those goals," Ashlyn said.

"From my understanding, Brett just got off being grounded," Trin said.

Ashlyn nodded, "That's true, Trin. Under your sister's watch, Brett got the idea of sneaking into a club underage. She got caught, and Chase grounded her. I agreed because she should be held accountable for her actions. Even though it was just normal teenager stuff, also, for another thing, Chase should talk," Ashlyn said.

"Well, that stuff happens even with the best of kids; I was grounded in high school, as was Keith," Izzy said.

"Why were you grounded, Izzy?" Ivy asked.

Izzy shrugged, "I started a brawl with a cheerleader during a basketball game," she said.

"The other team's cheerleaders?" Ivy asked.

"No, our own squad," Izzy said.

"And we were on the squad," Trin said.

"I've got to hear that story," Ivy said.

"What story is that?" Rerun asked, coming up to the table.

"Something about a cheerleader brawl during a game," Ivy said.

Izzy looked at Rerun. "The fight Jessalyn and got into during the boys' varsity game," she said.

"Yeah, that game; I wonder if it will get mentioned tomorrow night?" Rerun asked.

"It shouldn't; it was during the bay's game after all," Izzy said.

"So, true," Rerun said, "So, what are the ladies talking about?"

"Exchanging Scott family stories," Trin said, "For Ivy's sake."

"Scott family stories?" Rerun asked, "Practically everyone in this town has a Scott family story. Hell, I even have a few Scott family stories."

"Really? I'd like to hear a few," Ivy said.

Izzy grabbed Rerun's wrist, "Rerun, you don't have to tell your story," she said.

"It's my story to tell," Rerun said.

"It's not just your story," Izzy said.

"We're telling our stories without the other people's permission," Trin said.

"But my story makes me look like the bad guy," Rerun said.

Izzy nodded, "That's true," she said.

"I have to hear this," Ivy said.

"It's not a pretty story," Rerun said and nodded.


Author's Notes:

I don't like to do these things, but today I felt it's right. This update takes place on the 14th Anniversary of the first chapters of All Roads Lead Back Home being published. Some how it's fitting that most of the characters in this chapter first appeared in that story. Stay safe and happy.
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