It had been a week since the incident at Archia Burger between Ashley and her mother; the month of February was upon them. Hayden was turning twenty-two soon, then Ashley right behind him in April. Everyone was doing good, and had made an effort to come over that day after the ordeal. The friends worked together to cheer Ashley up, but she admitted that it didn't matter anymore because her mother ruined their chances of being a happy mother and daughter when Asvora sold her to Virgil. Ashley informed that she could have dealt with everything else her mother did after her father died; but selling her was too far. The others understood, but still aimed to help as much as they could, and a few days later, Ashley spoke about the incident in therapy to see if that would help any. Sadly, it didn't do much. Ashley found the most comfort in Hayden. The man was a Godsend, and did everything he could to help her out; including give her a few days off work to get her head in order. Ashley loved him, and she knew that. Hayden went above and beyond the call of duty for best friend and boyfriend. All that aside, Ashley needed to ask Hayden for a huge favor, but wasn't sure if she had the right to since he'd already done so much for her.
Ashley had recalled another bit of information from the day she was taken by Virgil and Ricky; that Ashley locked a few things away in her old room and wanted them back. Of course, this involved her having to go there, and she really didn't want to have to deal with her mother. Hayden was good at coming up with plans to execute things, and that's why Ashley thought it might be a good idea to ask Hayden if he had any thoughts. At the moment, Ashley was home and relaxing in her room. Hayden would be arriving back soon from work.
"He's your boyfriend, and there isn't anything he wouldn't do for you. Just ask him, Ash," she told herself. Ashley heard a car pull into the driveway, and she glanced out the window to see Hayden pull in, then park. Ashley took a few deep breaths as she left her bedroom, and went downstairs to greet him. Ashley put on a broad smile as Hayden walked through the door still in his Archia Burger uniform; black, non-slip shoes accompanied by black pants, then a red and gray shirt. "Hi, babe,"
"Hello, Milady," Hayden replied as he kissed her lips lightly, then smiled.
"How was work?" Ashley wondered.
"Eh, a little slow today, but otherwise good," Hayden informed. "I'll make dinner once I get out of the shower," he added.
"Oh! Don't worry about that. I took care of dinner myself tonight; it's still in the oven for another fifteen minutes," Ashley responded.
"You cooked by yourself?" Hayden arched a brow. Ashley nodded. "Well, I bet it's gonna taste excellent then since I don't smell smoke, and the fire department isn't here to put out any flames," he teased jokingly. Hayden had been teaching her how to cook since the Thanksgiving fiasco with the pies, so he was surprised to hear she'd prepared a meal by herself tonight. Ashley laughed a little, the playfully hit his arm.
"Go shower. I put a towel out for you on the sink already," Ashley told him.
"Thank you," Hayden said before kissing her forehead, then headed upstairs for the bathroom. Ashley decided to finish up the rest of their dinner. Ashley quickly grabbed a small pot, and filled it with two cups of water. Ashley placed it on the stove, and turned the gas on to start the flames up. Ashley added a little salt to the water, then set the cover on so it could come to a boil. Afterward, Ashley grabbed a bag of broccoli from the freezer, then put it in a bowl with some water, butter, salt, and pepper. Ashley set it in the microwave to cook for eight minutes. Ashley took a breath, then began to set the table for two; her and Hayden, obviously. Ashley checked the pot on the stove to see that it was boiling; she turned the burner off, then added the potatoes flakes. Ashley stirred them around until they became mashed potatoes.
The microwave beeped as Ashley took the bow out, drained the water, then added a bit more butter before stirring it together. Ashley checked her main dish in the oven to see it was done, so she pulled it out and began to cut it into slices. Ashley set it on a serving platter, then made a quick batch of gravy. Ashley stepped back to admire the work, and just in time because Hayden was done in the shower, and making his way downstairs to join her in the kitchen. Hayden stepped through the doorway, and was surprised to see the spread on the table.
"I-I made meatloaf with bacon bits in it, then mashed potatoes, and broccoli for sides," Ashley said gently.
"Wow. It looks great, Ash. Where did you find the meatloaf recipe?" Hayden wondered.
"I, uh, I found it in a cookbook on the shelf in the living room. I think it was your mom's," Ashley informed nervously.
"Grandmother's actually. Mom couldn't cook," Hayden chuckled. "Can't wait to taste it," he added.
"Well, I hope I didn't ruin it then," Ashley smiled. The two sat down and began to serve themselves, then took a breath. Ashley watched nervously as Hayden took a bite, and then his eyes lit up in delight of the dish.
"Holy Thor; this is incredible!" Hayden exclaimed.
"I-Is it…really?" Ashley asked quickly, unsure if he meant what he said. Though, she shouldn't question it because Hayden had never been a liar.
"Yeah! Wow, it's fantastic, Ashley. It tastes exactly like when Gram made it! Perfect flavoring, the potatoes are fantastic, and the broccoli is cooked to perfection! Seriously, great job, Ash!" Hayden said happily as Ashley blushed.
"Oh, thank you, babe. All I did was follow your grandmother's recipe though," Ashley looked off to the side.
"But you were able to follow it, and cook it without burning down the house! And I didn't have to guide you at all. You've come so far, Milady, and I am very proud of you," Hayden put his hand over hers, both of them smiling. Hayden leaned in and kissed her softly.
"I couldn't have done it without you, Hayden. I have all do because of you; friends, love, happiness, a home…Freedom. That was all because of you," Ashley admitted gently afterward.
"We helped each other. If I hadn't become your friend; I wouldn't have found someone to fight for this much," Hayden reminded. "Now, I think we should enjoy the meal you've prepared because its way too good to let go to waste," Ashley nodded as the two of them began to eat. As they finished their food, Hayden decided to clean up since Ashley had cooked. However, Ashley out away the leftovers, and then helped Hayden with the dishes. Afterward, the two parked themselves on the couch with Ashley leaning against him. "Did you have a fun day off work?"
"Eh. It was quiet. I cleaned a bit," Ashley replied.
"Always an interesting way to pass the time," Hayden chuckled.
"How was your day?" Ashley inquired.
"Long. Register crashed during the lunch rush, there was a slight power outage for forty-five minutes, and there were two call-outs," Hayden sighed.
"I'm sorry, baby," Ashley frowned as she leaned on his shoulder while he pressed a kiss to her forehead.
"You ready to come back yet? I could use my star cashier," Hayden wondered.
"Well, I want to return to work because it keeps me busy. However, there's…something I want to do before I come back, and I don't know how to go about it," Ashley began.
"Tell me what it is you want to do, and maybe I can help?" Hayden said.
"The day my mother sold me to Virgil; I hid a box of essential things that mean a lot to me in my room that she could never hope to find. I want to go there to get my stuff; the ones I had to leave behind. And I know she isn't going to just let me in to get them," Ashley explained.
"Hm. I think I know a way we could go without there being a problem," Hayden rubbed his chin a bit while thinking. Hayden got his phone out and dialed a number, then put it on speakerphone.
"Hello?" came a male voice.
"Harry, it's Hayden," Hayden replied.
"Hayden my boy! Oh, it's been so long! How are you?" the male, Harry, asked.
"I'm hanging in there, my friend. Listen, I need a favor; think you can help me out?" Hayden questioned.
"I think I can manage. What do you need?" Harry inquired.
"My girlfriend is Ashley Hofferson, and she was forced to leave behind some important items at her father's house the day she was sold to Virgil Grimborn. The mother still lives there with her new husband, and won't let us go there to grab Ashley's things. Would you send an escort with us to collect the stuff?" Hayden explained.
"I can't tonight, but I could tomorrow. What time did you want to go?" Harry said.
"How's 10 am sound?" Hayden responded.
"Perfect. You'll have a police escort meet you at the Hofferson residence at 10 am. I can't do the whole house, just her belongings in her room, okay?" Harry reminded.
"That's all we need. Thanks, Harry. Say hi to the wife and kids for me," Hayden smiled.
"Will do. Have a good night, Hayden!" Harry remarked gently.
"Night, Harry," Hayden then ended the call. "Taken care of, and before you ask; that was Harry Andersen, and he's the current Chief of Police. A terrific friend of my dad's, and like a second father to me. Harry promised to look out for me after my parents died, and said if I needed anything that I could call," he explained.
"You're the best," Ashley hugged him tightly, then they shared a kiss and went back to watching TV.
(The Next Morning)
Thankfully, Hayden had today off, and so did Ashley since she wasn't back to work yet. At 9:45 am, Hayden and Ashley got in Hayden's car, and drove to the Hofferson house. Ashley was hesitant at first, but with Hayden holding her hand, she smiled and felt more confident. At 9:55 am, a cop car pulled up and parked, then exited.
"Hayden Haddock?" the woman asked.
"Harry send you as the escort?" Hayden inquired.
"Officer Briana Grayson reporting for duty. I'll go first to explain the situation," Briana smiled, then walked to the door, knocking twice. After a moment, it opened revealing a male.
"Can I help you?" the male inquired.
"That's Craig Holt; her new husband," Hayden whispered to Ashley, who only nodded in response. Briana was explaining the matter to Craig, and then the man sighed.
"Well, Asvora is out right now and won't be back for a good few hours. Ashley is welcome to come in and gather her things, I don't mind," Craig informed.
"Thank you for your cooperation, sir," Briana informed. Craig nodded as he stepped aside to let them in. Once inside, Ashley went straight to her room and found a duffle bag to put her things in.
"How in the name of Odin is he so nice and deals with my mother?" Ashley wondered.
"No idea. The story I heard was that he found her when she was at the cemetery visiting your dad, breaking down. I guess Craig lost his wife, and young son in childbirth. The two just fell in love, and he's been trying to help her counter her addictions," Hayden shrugged.
"Huh. Well, Mom did look better than what I remember from five years ago," Ashley mentioned. After packing the apparent things, she moved to the closet and found the secret spot she'd hidden her box. Ashley opened it to check and make sure everything was there, then she sighed in relief and held it close. "Okay, I'm ready. Can you carry that bag for me?" Ashley inquired. Hayden nodded as he picked up the duffle, then the two closed the room door and went to the main entrance.
"All set?" Briana questioned.
"Yes," Hayden nodded.
"Ashley," Craig stood as Ashley looked at him. "I know your mother hurt you with what she did, and I know the reason she did what she did was no excuse, but please, try to forgive her? Your mother knows what she did was wrong, and she knows she cant take it back, but she does love you. After your father died, she fell apart, and lost sight of what was important; clouded by grief over everything. I know what that's like. I tried to kill myself after losing my wife and son, I turned to alcohol, drugs, and all that too. I ended up homeless for a while. And at my lowest point, I remembered that my wife wanted me to live on with her memory, and our son's. When I met your mother, I told her to remember what it was like when she was happy, and all she wanted was to have you back in her life, but knows you don't want to see her anymore,"
"I don't know if I can forgive her, Craig. She sold me in her depression to people who did things to me I will never forget. However, if what you speak is the truth, then I will consider it," Ashley sighed.
"Thank you, and we won't interfere in your life unless you decide to come to us," Craig smiled.
Ashley nodded, and then left with Hayden to return to his house. The officer exited as well. Ashley held the box and sighed. Now, she had this to worry about too. Oh, well; she promised to consider the idea, and she would, just not right now. Arriving back to Hayden's; he helped her unpack everything, then when they were done, Ashley kissed him sincerely with a smile.
"You have no idea what it means to me to have all this back, Hayden. Thank you," Ashley said.
"Anything for you, Milady," Hayden replied as they kissed again, both feeling happy and content.
