Friendsss :) Okay..I have to ask...am I boring you guys? The reviews are wonderful, they really are. But I saw that some of my regular reviewers have stopped reviewing...is it getting boring? Be honest! I know it's a little slow in some spots, but it gets good! :) Let me know, please! But thank you to all who review every time. You guys are my favorites :)

Shoutouts

youatemyshoes: thank you, dear :)

cmechant: That author also wrote a version of this story. Our versions are different, however. I didn't take from his/her story, and she/he didn't take from mine. Thanks, enjoy :)

I love you all so much! Happy Holidays to you all! I'll see if I can get another chapter up after Christmas.

Happy reading!

***

"Are you ever going to tell me how old you are?"

Ashley smirked. "I seem to recall that I've already revealed that to you. I'm seventeen." I glanced at her perfect face speculatively, waiting. I finally tilted my head, trying my best to look alluring.

Oh yes, I was breaking out all artillery.

Ashley's resolve broke, and she stared at our intertwined hands on the gear shift. "Raife found me in 1918, dying of the Spanish Influenza, in a Chicago hospital."

Ashley's eyes darted to mine, and she squeezed my hand a little when she heard my sharp intake of breath.

It hurt me to think that Ashley had almost died.

"How did he…how did he save you?" I asked, my voice quavering against my feeble attempts at control.

"Spencer…you have to realize it's very, very difficult for us to inflict that sort of…pain on another. Yes, it hurts. It burns more than you can possibly imagine. But Raife would never expose a human being to that type of torture unless it was absolutely necessary. He's always been the most humane, the most compassionate of our family."

Ashley set her lips tightly, and turned her light eyes to the dark road ahead. I could tell she wasn't up to discussing the subject anymore.

I was wrong.

"Then came Christine. She was at death's door, and Raife acted from loneliness."

"So you must be dying to become…" I couldn't even speak the word aloud.

Spencer Carlin. Surely, you're the world's greatest coward.

"No, that's just Raife. He would never do that to someone who had another choice." Ashley's voice was overflowing with respect for her father.

Well, father figure.

"What about Glen and Madison?"

Ashley rolled her eyes, and a smile scooted around the corners of her lips.

Playful irritation.

"Madison came next. What I didn't realize was that Raife was hoping that Madison would become to me what Christine was to him."

A surge of jealousy ripped through me. I didn't like Madison now.

If that was even possible considering she didn't like me whatsoever.

"But then, she discovered Glen while she was hunting. A bear was about to finish him off, and Madison carried him, bleeding, back to Raife, who was one hundred miles away. I now understand how difficult it was for her to resist, especially when Glen was so vulnerable." Ashley grinned pointedly at me, and lifted our clasped hands to my cheek, stroking it with the back of her hand.

If she was going to do that every time she talked about her family, I never wanted to stop hearing about them.

"She made it, though," I stated, looking away from her dazzling golden eyes.

"Yes," she murmured, staring out at the road ahead of us. "They're married, you know. Sometimes they live separately from us as a couple, and I suppose we'll have to attend their wedding in a few years again." Ashley's laugh was musical and throaty, and I couldn't help the giggle that escaped my lips.

Everything she did was communicable.

"Where do Kyla and Jake come in?"

Ashley's angelic features turned pensive, and she drummed her free fingers on the steering wheel. "Jake belonged to an extremely…different type of family, but became depressed and left. Kyla found him a little while later. Like me, she has a gift that exceeds the norm for us."

"I thought you said you were the only one who could read minds?" I was completely fascinated.

I wonder what sort of power I would have if I was part of Ashley's family.

"Kyla has the ability to see things. Things that might happen, people that are coming. The course of events that can alter someone's life. But of course, like the future, her visions are very subjective. Decisions change. People change."

"What does she see?"

"Well, for example, she saw Jake. She knew that he was looking for her before he even knew it. She's most sensitive to non-human decisions."

I gulped, debating whether or not to ask my next question. "How many of you are there?"

My voice was barely above a whisper; I knew I was treading on thin ice now. Ashley's full lips pressed into a thin line, and her amber eyes flickered to my face.

"Not many. We have a high tolerance level for humans, so naturally, we can blend in and live with them. However, most are nomads, generally living in and around the North."

I was so absorbed in our conversation, and Ashley's calm, patient explanations of the way she lived, that I didn't notice we were in front of my house. There was no moon, and the porch lights were out.

A curtain of black surrounded us, yet I could still make out Ashley's flawless face in the darkness.

"Why the North?"

"Spencer, I could cause car accidents if I walked down the street in the sunlight," Ashley teased, her nose crinkling as she smiled.

If it were anyone but this beautiful girl, I would call that comment arrogant.

"It's nice to go outside during the day. It's so easy to live here because it's sunless; therefore, no car pile-ups," she continued, smirking. "You wouldn't believe how tedious it is to live in the dark for eighty-some-odd years."

It's hard to believe that I had gone seventeen years without this gorgeous girl. And she'd been around for ages.

No pun intended.

"Did Kyla come from another family too? Like Jake?"

Ashley's expression darkened considerably. "Actually, that remains a mystery to me and my family. Kyla doesn't remember her human life at all, nor the person who created her."

At that precise my moment, a vicious, audible growl ripped through my stomach.

Ugh. Me and my human needs.

Ashley was smiling sympathetically, and I nearly forgot my hunger.

"I'm sorry, Spencer. I always forget humans have to eat; I haven't spent too much time around anyone who does."

"I want to stay with you, though." My cheeks flamed red; my voice had betrayed me.

I am hopelessly addicted to Ashley Davies.

"Well, if it's alright," Ashley was suddenly on my side of the truck, holding the passenger door open for me, "I'd like to come in."

My heart rate increased ten-fold as I tried to picture this goddess in my meager house.

I smiled, stepped out, and cautiously reached for her hand, lacing our fingers together. She released a jagged gasp, and I let go, worried.

"No!" Ashley's voice rose, but she composed herself, breathing deeply and taking a hold of my hand. "No. It's okay."

My cheeks burned on as I squeezed her hand, delivering a shy smile and leading her to the doorstep. I blushed yet again as Ashley opened the door and let me enter first.

I was never going to get used to her…gentlewomanliness.

That's not a word. But at the present moment, I didn't care.

I watched as Ashley immediately crossed to Arthur's usual chair, gracefully sitting. She looked completely comfortable with her surroundings, and her dazzling beauty lifted the very atmosphere of the kitchen.

I couldn't take my eyes off of her.

"Spencer, I believe your dinner is burning," Ashley's musical voice rang through my head, and I jumped around, extricating the lasagna from the microwave before it could blacken. I ate, and Ashley watched vigilantly, as though I would suddenly grow another head.

Yes. I think that might be plausible considering how intently she's staring at me.

The unwelcome sound of a key turning in the door, and the knob jiggling diverted Ashley's attention.

"Arthur shouldn't know I'm here," she stated, butterscotch eyes on the door, and stood fluidly. I ignored my dinner, and reached for her white sleeve.

"Don't go, Ashley," I whispered, pleadingly.

Futile.

Ashley looked down at me, her eyes softening a little, and pressed her lips to my forehead. The kiss was feather-light, yet it still sent pleasant spasms down my spine.

"Another time, Spencer…"

And she was gone.

I groaned, and pushed my plate aside, replacing it with my forehead.

"Spence?" My father's voice suddenly irritated me, sounding so rough and flawed.

So…not Ashley.

"Can you get me some of that? I'm exhausted," Arthur requested, looking hungrily at my sauce covered plate as he flopped into the chair Ashley had occupied mere moments before.

My heart ached. I missed her already.

"Thanks," Arthur began digging in before I even set the plate down in front of him.

My father: ravenous carnivore.

I lifted my untouched glass of milk and chugged. As I got to the bottom of the stairs, Arthur pointed his fork in my direction.

"Going somewhere?" he asked, his voice muffled through a mouthful of lasagna.

"Yeah, I'm pretty tired. I think I should just go to bed early."

"Long day?" He was clearly trying to keep me in the kitchen.

"You could say that." A smile flitted across my face at the memory.

"No plans tonight?" Why, oh why, was this the night that Arthur decided to take an active interest in my social life?

"Nope. I'm just hoping for a good night's sleep," I fidgeted, inching toward the bottom step.

"None of the boys in town your type, huh Spence? I would've thought that Clay Gordon…he seems like a friendly kid."

I froze, anger immediately flaring through my veins when my father mentioned Clay's name.

"He's just a friend, Dad. I'm not really looking at any boys right now." I emphasized boys, because obviously I wasn't dating a boy.

Hopefully, I'd never have to date anyone ever again.

"Sounds like a smart idea, Spence. Just wait until college, you'll be glad you did," he was waving his fork at me again, lasagna sauce coating the prongs. I fought back the urge to bust out in sheer laughter.

My father was comedic without even trying sometimes.

"Night, honey," he called as I rushed up the stairs.

"See you in the morning, Dad."

See you at two a.m. when you check up on me to make sure I didn't sneak out.

I trudged tiredly into my bathroom, flicking lights on as I walked. After brushing my teeth, washing my face, and changing my street clothes into sleep attire, I stifled a yawn and headed back into my room.

I jumped a foot off the ground, and nearly fell backwards into the door.

"Ashley!" I hissed in surprise, seeing her angelic form sprawled across my bed, hands behind her head.

"Hello, Spencer," her tawny eyes sparkled, and she shot a crooked smile my way.

As if her grin didn't make me melt enough, I gasped when I saw that her button down had ridden up over her stomach, exposing her picturesque abs.

I'm dreaming. I have to be.

Ashley snickered, and sat up, concealing her abs.

Ugh…

Reaching for my hips with her cold hands, she guided me next to her on the bed. Her eyes scanned my boxers and black wife beater, then back up to my face.

I flushed crimson.

"I'm sorry. Apparently, I look a little overexcited," I murmur, fidgeting apprehensively. I stilled completely when she tucked a strand of my messy hair behind my ear.

"You look great, Spencer," she pressed her marble cheek to mine, and if possible, my temperature rose to new heights. "Very warm, actually."

I tried to form a coherent thought, but that's fruitless when I'm around Ashley.

I felt Ashley's nose gliding down the corner of my jaw, and I sat perfectly still.

"It seems like you've…figured out how to be close to me," I said quietly. Ashley's lips grazed near my ear, and I shivered.

"Mmmmm…" she breathed in response. Ashley's slender, icy fingers traced my collarbone, and my mind was beginning to cloud over.

I really need to work on strengthening my will power.

Then, a thought struck me.

"Ashley?" I whispered, as she pressed her lips to the hollow behind my ear.

"Hmm?"

"How did you get in here?"

"The window," she answered automatically, not halting her actions. I keep my window shut at night…

Umm…what?!

"How many times have you been in here?" I asked alarmingly. Ashley pulled back, her slightly darkened eyes searching mine, her hand lingering on my collarbone.

"Almost every night," Ashley hesitated. "You talk when you sleep."

No. No, no, no. Oh my God.

"Please don't be angry with me, Spencer," she begged, her expression morphing into one of displeasure.

"What did you hear?" I asked in a strained, terrified whisper as I struggled to regain my sense of dignity. Ashley gently placed her hand under my chin, coaxing me to look at her. I turned my head reluctantly, but like always, I couldn't look away.

I can never look away.

"You miss your mother," she whispered. "You worry about her, even though she kicked you out. Sometimes you cry in your sleep…you're upset that she sent you away. But you never mention why."

I shoved my feelings away. They brought back too many painful memories.

I didn't want Ashley to see me like that.

"Anything else?" I demanded, hoping she didn't hear what I dreamt about on a nightly basis. This time, Ashley was the one to look away from me.

"You say my name a lot," she said in a low voice, tinted with both amusement and defeat.

"No…" I breathed, angry with myself as I hung my head, and ran a shaky hand through my blonde tresses. I flinched as I felt Ashley's strong, cold arms loop around my waist, and pull me gently into her chest.

Relaxation engulfed me. Absolutely and effortlessly.

"No need to be embarrassed, Spencer," she murmured assuredly into my hair. "You know, if I could dream at all, I would never want to wake up because I would always dream of you. And that's something I'll never be ashamed of."

My stomach began to flip flop, and I wrapped my arms around Ashley's tiny waist, leaning deeper into her, and allowing my eyes to close.

"You know, you've fairly surprised me," Ashley said quietly, her voice teasing. "I used to think nobody wanted me in a romantic way. Then I met you…and it all changed."

I looked up at her, and smiled. "You're good at this, Ashley. You're good at being close to someone."

"Easy for you to say," Ashley smiled back, lightly tapping her finger on the tip of my nose, making me giggle incessantly.

Everything she did sent my heart into frenzied palpitations.

"This afternoon, I was still…susceptible…" Ashley breathed, burying her face in my neck. I shivered with delight as her cool breath tickled my warm skin. "But I made up my mind that I was strong enough…there's no way I could ever…"

She trailed off, and I marveled at how human this angelically immortal being sounded.

"So that means you'll never…" I too left my sentence hanging. We both knew what the other was getting at, but neither wanted to speak the words aloud.

That would make the danger all too real. And right now, I was happy to remain blissfully ignorant.

"No possibility anymore. Mind over matter," Ashley tapped her temple, and I could see her pearly whites gleaming in the darkness. "I'm moderately sure that I couldn't even stand to be away from you now. I've gotten so used to your scent that it might just drive me insane if we were separated for any long length of time."

YES.

I was beyond overjoyed, to say the least. "Don't leave, then." Ashley's immaculate features transformed into a gentle, crooked smile. She leaned close to me ear, breathing leisurely against the shell of it.

"Then bring on the chains. Spencer Carlin, I'm your prisoner."

Mmmm. My prisoner…

God. Sometimes I wish I could rid myself of my teenage thoughts.

"Is it supposed to be like this? Optimistic and…glorified?"

Confused? Yes. "What are you talking about?"

"First love. It makes a world of difference when you've only seen it in pictures. Now…when it's being experienced…well it's unlike anything I've ever been involved in," Ashley smiled down at me, and my blush was so bright that I'm sure she could see it, even in the dark. "I'm enjoying it."

Oh my God. First love?

Could she possibly be as in love with me as I was in love with her?!

Don't get ahead of yourself, Spencer.

"I like this too, Ashley," I whispered, looking deeply into her shining topaz orbs. Ashley frowned a little, averting her gaze, with an expression that made her look like she was debating with herself.

"Do you remember the day Clay asked you to the dance?"

"Yes. That's the day you started talking to me," I mirrored her frown, wondering where she was going with this.

"That was the first day that I discovered jealousy. I was unreasonably aggravated that he had asked you, and also anxious because I wanted to know your response. I knew it wasn't my place to care…but I simply couldn't help myself. Was it for Chelsea's sake, or was there someone else? When you finally said no…I couldn't deny the stroke of sheer…ease."

I tightened my grip around Ashley's waist, and pressed my burning face against her white button down. I could feel her the frigid temperature her skin radiated, and it instantly calmed my blush.

I wish I didn't get so embarrassed.

"And then," she continued eloquently, seeming to search for exactly the right words. "you said my name as you slept. So clearly…then you rolled over, and smiled in your sleep. I wrestled for hours as I watched you slumber…trying to make heads or tails of my fresh, unnervingly unknown feelings. Decisions between what I wanted so badly, and what was moral, ethical, and what would keep you safe."

Ashley was silent for a moment, and I'm sure she was listening to the erratic beating of my heart.

"Then, I decided I honestly couldn't ignore you any longer."

I looked up at Ashley's wonderful face as she stared back down at me. I clenched my fist behind my back, willing myself not to reach up, and caress her flawless cheeks.

"I just don't understand how…how I could ever compete with someone like…Madison, who was supposed to be with you. Madison, the epitome of beauty."

Ashley squeezed me to her, and her musical laugh floated sweetly throughout the room.

"Madison is stunning, yes. No arguments there. But the only interest I've ever harbored for her is sisterly. She couldn't possibly hold even a fraction of the attraction you present for me. I never realized, in my give or take ninety years of walking the world alone, why I was so unhappy. It was because you weren't born yet."

Swoon.

"Ninety years?!" I looked up at her with a candid expression of shock. "I don't see why I should have it so easy…I've only had to spend seventeen years without you."

I flushed a deep shade of scarlet as I uttered the last nine words. Ashley's silky voice rang pleasantly in my ears as she chuckled.

"You're right. This isn't hard enough for you. Risking your life every second you spend with me is definitely not a challenge."

I opened my mouth, witty reply ready, when I felt Ashley's body go rigid.

And I was alone.

"Lie down!" her angelic, ghostly voice sounded from somewhere unseen. I complied, rolling under my quilt, attempting to regulate my breathing as I heard the door creak open. Arthur looked in for a long moment, then stepped out.

Before I could sit up, Ashley's marble arms were around me under the quilt. I turned, and her angelic face looked back at me from beside my own on the pillow.

"Bravo. Oscar-worthy," she teased, and I stuck my tongue out at her.

My heart was thumping so hard in my chest that I felt like I had just run a marathon. To diffuse my nervousness due to Ashley's proximity, I fumbled for a random question to ask.

"Why is it that only you can read minds? And why is it that Kyla is the only one of your family that can see the future?"

Ashley pulled me closer, and smoothed my blonde hair back. "Raife has a theory. He believes we all bring something to the next life with us that is reminiscent of our human one, and on occasion it will manifest itself into an ability. Raife brought his benevolence; Christine brought her aptitude for loving passionately; Glen brought his strength, both mental and physical; Madison brought her diligence…but I suppose pigheadedness is a better adjective."

We shared a secret smile, and I snuggled deeper into her neck. She tucked my head beneath her chin, and began to tenderly run her fingers through my hair. The action was so calming, and I nearly felt myself dozing off.

"Jake is an increasingly compelling case for us. He was quite…persuasive in his past life, and was able to make others think as he did by channeling his charismatic feelings. Now, he has honed the talent of manipulating the feelings of others. For example, he can excite a lethargic crowd, or calm down someone who's worried. Needless to say, it's worked for me at more than one convenience."

I smiled knowingly into her chest. She was talking about me.

"You seem tired," she whispered, continuing to comb my hair with her fingers. I forced my eyelids open.

"Just one more question?"

"Ask away."

"Well…" I played with my hands a little behind her back, wondering if this was the right time to ask.

Oh, forget it. No time like the present, right?

"You said that Glen and Madison would marry…again. Is a vampire's marriage…the same as it is for humans?"

Ashley laughed musically, and began to draw aimless patterns across my bare arm, effectively lulling me into a pre-sleep state of consciousness.

"Yes, I suppose they are one in the same. It's based on desire and love, quite similar to human unions. May I inquire as to your reason for asking?"

I hesitated. I should ask now. She's being so honest, and I don't know if I'll ever see her this open again.

Why not?

"I was sort of…wondering about…you and…and me someday…maybe."

Ashley's hand halted, poised precariously on my skin; the ghost of a touch. I inwardly slapped myself in the forehead. Way to go, Spencer.

"You're so…so fragile, Spencer. I have to be under an almost unbearable extent of self-control when I'm around you. I could reach out to hold your hand, and end up crushing it by accident. I could…I could kill you so easily. I can never afford to be too hasty when I'm around you…especially considering your unbelievably delicate state."

Ashley waited for a response that never came, and lifter her icy palm to my cheek. "Are you frightened?"

I sucked in an inaudible breath, and collected myself a little before answering.

So the words would actually sound convincing.

"No, I'm fine."

Ashley's cold fingertips danced lightly across my face as she deliberated. "I'm curious. I know love and lust don't always exist in harmony. But for you…do they…?" she trailed off suggestively.

"Mhmm. Now that they exist for me at all, they keep the same company."

Ashley's velvety snicker sounded in my ear as she pressed her nose to my forehead and breathed deeply. "Well now its painfully obvious that we have something in common."

Astounded might just be the only adjective in the world that could have described me at the particular moment.

"Do you…" my voice strained a little as I chased the right words around in my frazzled mind. "Since you have human instincts, do you find me…attractive in that way?"

I could feel Ashley's grin against my forehead, and I fought back the pink tint that I was positive my cheeks were adapting.

This was something I needed to know.

"Oh, believe me, Spencer. I do. More than you can imagine."

I hate butterflies!!!

"I think you should sleep now," Ashley proposed, drawing me closer to her, and moving her hands into my hair again. "Would you like me to sing to you?"

"Yes, please," I yawned tiredly, and cuddled deeper into Ashley's neck, getting as close to her as possible. She began to hum a soothing, unfamiliar lullaby, occasionally stopping to press a kiss into my hair. Her voice was beautiful…

This, my friends, was perfection for me. I felt absolutely content.

"Please don't leave me, Ashley," I mumbled, my voice already coated with the beginnings of sleep.

Yet, the imploration in my muddled voice was still apparent.

"I won't," Ashley promised, and continued on.

That night, I fell asleep to the wonderful sounds of Ashley Davies' sweet voice. I descended into a dreamless, satisfied snooze in her cool, protective embrace.

I sank into sleep, nestled in my angel's arms.

***

R&R, PLEASE! :)

SPASHLEY FOREVER.