Ch 4
The cold water is still running in the sink as Ashley is washing her face this morning. She turns it off still holding the rag up to her face and quietly listening to the sound of her own breathing. Ashley has to go to court later today, while they try the dump truck driver involved in Jessica's accident. She didn't know what to expect, but it was important for Ashley to be there supporting Jessica's parents, while hoping for a resolution to all of this. There was no telling if any of this would make Ashley feel better, and admittedly she hated the thought of hoping for someone to go to jail. At the same time, so much has been taken from her and her family, and a part of Ashley wanted someone else to know what this feels like. She finished up in the bathroom, making wer way to the kitchen for a cup of coffee, hoping at least something would get her through this day. The sooner this was over with, the better.
All the while at Beca and Aubrey's, Beca is cuddled up on the couch with Sophia who is watching some of her favorite cartoons. Aubrey comes in the door after grocery shopping, lugging two big bags into the kitchen. Beca sees her wife struggling a bit and gets up offering to help.
"Oh no, it's okay. I've got it." Aubrey tells her.
"Babe, It's okay. I can help."
"No you don't. You need to be taking it easy." Aubrey insisted.
Beca is about a month and a half along with her pregnancy, and is already starting to show a little. Aubrey has been her main support system through this time, always taking care of her, making Beca breakfast, and doing all the cleaning. Aubrey was going to support Beca the same way Beca supported her when pregnant with Sophia. Aubrey loving laid her hands on Beca's pregnant belly, cradling their child within.
"How's our little one in there?" Aubrey asked.
"Getting bigger. Sophia is so excited to be a big sister; it's all she's been talking about."
"Yeah, I think she'll be good at it." Aubrey laughed.
They were all excited to expand their family. Aubrey and Beca have made a good team both with each other and as parents. When they had Sophia, neither of them were sure they knew what they were doing or if they were doing it right. Luckily there has been plenty of support around them, and being told what is important is to love their little girl and the rest would come to them with practice. Now with another little one on the way, the two ladies felt like old pros.
At the courthouse, the dump truck driver, 32 yr old Harrison Davis is out in the hallway waiting to go before the judge and accept whatever fate may come to him. He paced back and forth smoothing out the lapels of this suit jacket and nervously wringing his hands. He knew there was no way to undo what he's done and no way to make it better. He didn't expect to be shown a lot of mercy, and wasn't sure he deserved any. Yet Harrison figured the best he could do was face the consequences and serve whatever time is given to him. Soon Harrison's lawyer came out and motioned to him.
"They're ready for us."
With that the two walked in and the case was ready to commence.
Beca and Aubrey gathered Sophia in the car, and are going to see Ashley to check up on her. They've called her a few times to see how she's doing, and for the most part Ashley assured them that even though she's sad, she is doing okay. Even knowing her friends were there to talk to, Ashley would always say she is fine and not to worry. Still Beca and Aubrey wanted to go see Ashley for themselves and offer her their company. The ladies came up to the house with Sophia in tow knocking on the door only to be met with a very worried Madelyn and no Ashley in sight.
"Oh girls, I'm so glad you're here. Have you heard from Ashley?" Madelyn asked frantically.
"No, we were just coming to see her." Aubrey told her."Is everything okay?"
"She was supposed to be back from court an hour ago. I've tried calling her and she's not picking up her phone."
"What happened with the court case?" Beca asked.
"Evelyn told me that the dump truck driver had been over run 18 hours, and since he wasn't drinking and had no prior arrests, that the judge gave him eight months in jail." Madelyn explained and the girls were shocked.
"Are you kidding me?" Beca exclaimed. "He kills someone but only gets eight months?"
"Yeah and he was fired from his company, like that's supposed to make it better."
"Unbelievable." Beca said shaking her head.
"Now I can't get a hold of Ashley, and I have no idea where she is." Madelyn said starting to cry.
"Maybe we can locate her with 'Find my iphone'." Aubrey said going over to Ashley's laptop.
Aubrey entered the ID needed and started her search. It took a few minutes but soon they had her location, and Beca went with Madelyn to find Ashley while Aubrey stayed behind with the kids. Beca and Madelyn were equally worried about Ashley, and what may be going on with her. As they entered the residential neighborhood, Beca had a feeling she knew where they might find her. Her suspicions were confirmed when they reached the house on the map, and found a cop parked on the street where Ashley is smashing up the car in the driveway. Ashley managed to look up where Harrison Davis lived, and decided to take out her anger on his car with a tire iron. Amongst the commotion, the neighbors called the police, but not before Ashley cracked up the windshield and smashed out both headlights. Beca and Madelyn both hopped out of the car with Beca hoping to try and diffuse the situation.
"Officer please! She's going through a rough time; she's just lost her wife. Please let me talk to her." Beca pleaded and the officer nodded.
"Ashley, I heard what happened! Come on, you don't have to do this; he's not worth it!"
"Eight months, do you believe it! He took my wife away from me and the bastard only gets eight months!" Ashley cried.
"I know Ashley... it really sucks, but you don't want to get yourself in trouble. Come on, we can talk about this." Beca said trying to persuade her.
"So what, he goes to jail and gets fired?! I'll never see Jessica again; he deserves this!"
"He does, Hon. He absolutely does."Beca said stepping closer to her. "But Sweetie, think of Charlie. He needs you at home with him." Beca said and Ashley nodded while crying.
"Come on, Sweetie. Let me take you home."
Ashley dropped the tire iron crying into her hands.
"I miss her so much." Ashley sobbed.
"I know Hon, I'm so sorry." Beca said hugging her tight.
Everyone is glad to have kept this situation from escalating further while still feeling terrible for Ashley. Of course no sentence would bring Jessica back, but it felt like the dump truck driver got off a little too easy. They were just happy to have found Ashley and she is okay.
"She's not under arrest; is she?" Madelyn asked the officer.
"No." the officer sighed. "...but she will be responsible for the damage to the homeowner's car."
"That's fine." Beca said and Ashley nodded.
Having witnessed all of this, the officer didn't have the heart to arrest Ashley, figuring she's been through enough already. Ashley came up to her mom who wrapped her in a hug. Madelyn kissed Ashley, letting her know how sorry she was and that she loved her. With everything calmed down, everyone got in the car and took Ashley home. After Beca and Aubrey returned home, they heated up chicken nuggets for Sophia and settled her in the kitchen. Beca came up to Aubrey, wrapping both arms around her.
"Promise you'll never leave me." Beca whispered into Aubrey's neck.
"What? Baby, I'm not going anywhere."
"Promise me, please." Beca pleaded.
"I promise, Sweetie. I'll always be with you."
All of this has given everyone a lot of time to think about appreciating the ones you love in your life, holding onto them and never letting go. Aubrey and Beca have been the best thing to come into each other's lives along with Sophia, who has joined them forever and made them a family. They would make sure never to miss a pat on the back, a hug, a kiss or an 'I love you'.
This court case has gotten everybody down, but in a way there was relief that it was over; at least Evelyn felt that way. She is making tea in the kitchen while Ed wanted to focus on some yard work and start tearing apart the deck out back that has been destroyed by termites. He made steady work of pulling out each board. Some of them came out more easily than others, with much of the wood having rotted and suffered significant termite damage. Halfway through, Ed stopped and could see some termites still crawling around. It's amazing how such small creatures could destroy so much. They eat away at all that's surrounding you, and sometimes you don't realize it until it's too late. Ed thought about all this while starting at these creatures eating away at his home, making him angry enough to start chopping and hacking away with the crowbar. He's held so much in that he's had to release it somewhere. It was enough to get Evelyn's attention in the house who came out back to see what was happening.
"Ed! Ed what are you doing; what is going on?!"
Ed just kept chopping until finally throwing the crowbar across the yard.
"Why are they here, Evelyn? Why are these damn termites still here, and my baby girl is gone?!" Ed cried before collapsing on the steps in tears.
Evelyn came hugging Ed around the neck, crying right along with him. It wasn't right, and this wasn't the natural order of things. Parents aren't supposed to bury their children, not ever. It pained Evelyn to see her husband, always the strong, loving, and caring provider to their family, broken down crying like in a way she was relieved to see him let this go, and finally let himself feel something. Losing Jessica will always hurt, and they'll always think of her. Thinking of the good times and how sweet and wonderful she was is what is keeping her parents going. She will always live through Charlie, and they wanted to hold him close while letting him know how special his mother was.
One month has passed since the Jessica's accident and so much has happened. Ashley has gone through many crazy emotions, between the shock of the event, to utter pain and depression, and wanting to forget the whole thing happened. The sentencing of the dump truck driver still weighed heavy on Ashley's mind. Even though the accident did cost him his job, It wasn't fair that he would only lose a few months at home, while Ashley will never see her wife again. It has been alot for Ashley to think about, and it's beginning to overwhelm her. Charlie has been put to bed, and Madelyn comes out to the backyard swing to find Ashley sitting alone.
"You doing okay, honey?" Madelyn asked.
" It's crazy to think a month has gone by already. Lately I feel like time has stopped in this house." Ashley said laying on her mother's shoulders.
"I know; It's been a hard time for you." Madelyn said trying to comfort her daughter. "I know the court case didn't go how you thought it would, but at least he was punished."
"Sure." Ashley nodded while still feeling defeated. "He's out of work now and he'll spend the next eight months in jail, but hey at least he gets to see his wife again."
Madelyn rubbed Ashley's back seeing how hopeless her daughter is feeling. She has been doing everything in her power to be everything Ashley needs her to be right now. Yet she is still worried whether it is all enough.
"I'm so glad I have Charlie." Ashley said starting to cry. "He's been what's really keeping me going these days. If I didn't have my baby I...I don't know."
Ashley buried her head in her hands while she cried. Madelyn brought her in close rocking back and forth. She understood exactly why Ashley is feeling this way, and she didn't blame her. It just pained her to see Ashley in such despair.
"Honey, have you considered maybe seeing a grief counselor? I think it might help."
"I don't know, Mom. I wouldn't know how to talk about this with a stranger. Besides I have you and my friends here for me." Ashley explained.
"Yeah Honey, but it could help to talk to someone who could give you advice. They also have support groups with other people who know what this is like."
"I'll think about it." Ashley sighed.
Madelyn is relieved that Ashley is at least open to the idea. She would do anything to find a way to give her daughter hope that there might be a future where she could be happy again. Even though Jessica is gone, she would never be forgotten. Ashley could still keep her close to her heart while attempting to move forward. As Ashley's crying subsided, her mother wiped her tears while she took a moment to collect herself.
"She may be gone, but she'll always be right here." Madelyn said placing a hand on Ashley's chest.
"Yeah." Ashley agreed slowly starting to smile.
"Come on, let's go back inside, put this horrible day behind us, and pop in a movie." Madelyn said as Ashley nodded, and the two went back in the house.
A/N: Had some help from nweeks3 with the last part of this chapter. Thank you for your help. Hope you all are enjoying this so far and are looking forward to more.