While Ashley was fighting with Justin to put on his vest, she could hear the arrival of some of the guests below.
"Justin, stay still." Ashley gritted through her teeth while finally succeeding in pulling the vest over his head. She let out a huff of victory and smiled as she watched the small boy run out of the room.
"Now it's your turn." Ashley informed Raife, whom had been watching his mom intently for the past ten minutes tring to get his broth dressed.
It took her a maximum of 5 minutes to get Raife dressed and 20 minutes to get herself ready before they heard the voice of Spencer calling them down stairs. Ashley took a deep breath and tried to calm herself now.
"Let's get this over with, baby." Whispered to her son as she scooped him in her arms and placing his head on her shoulder.
Ashley slowly walked down the stairs and listened to the buzzing noise of tons of people talk at once. She stepped into the dining room and although it didn't actually happen it had felt like the whole room became deathly silent.
"Hey, everyone." Ashley greeted to the tiny sea of faces the had turned to look at her. And to Ashley's surprise they weren't glaring daggers into, well except for Paula who used to do that anyway.
"Hey Ashley!" Arthur's warm voice greeted back first. He walked towards her and embraced her into a hug, baby in arms included. After he pulled apart he place a kiss upon Raife's head.
"Here," He said while talking the baby out of her arms. "Let me take him while you go greet your guests."
"Thanks, Arthur." Ashley said and quickly rushed to Spencer's side.
The rest of the group all got to say 'hello' to Ashley before Spencer suggested they move the party into the kitchen. So all 11 adults and 4 children moved to their seats at the ten thousand dollar dinner table, which Ashley's mother Christine bought when she lived in the house, and started to complain that the children would dirty it
"They're fine Christine." Ashley snapped so only her mother would hear her. Christine glared at her daughter and walked to the other end of the table to sit by Kyla.
Spencer grabbed Ashley's elbow and pulled her closer so she could whisper in her ear, "Be nice, Ash."
"I'm trying." Ashley said sharply. Spencer rolled her eyes and sat down.
"So Ashley..." Paula started which was met by Spencer harshly glaring at her.
"Mom." Spencer warned and Paula Shrugged her off.
"Did you know that Spencer was on a television show?" Paula asked while her icy stare made Ashley shiver.
"Yeah." Ashley answered to everyone's surprise. "My Manager Ethan personally came to me to sign the release forms stating that she could use my guitar for something."
Spencer winced. She hadn't gotten around telling Ashley exact what TV show she had been on. Or what she did with the guitar.
"Do you even know what the show is called?" Paula asked as politely as she could while taking a sip red wine from her glass.
"No." Ashley said curiously. Everyone took notice of the tension and Spencer's friend Leah announced she would go help Kyla bring the rest of the food out from the kitchen.
"The Ex-Wives Club." Paula said and downed the rest of her drink.
"Well that sounds amazing, Spencer." Christine chuckled causing all of Ashley's anger to unfairly shift towards her mother.
"Why are you even here!" She yelled at her. Spencer got up from the table and removed Justin from his.
"Look if everyone wants to argue do not do it with all of the children in the room." And with that she left the room with Justin of her hip. Chelsea followed suite with her daughter Aasha, Nina went with her partner Jenny and their daughter Juliet, then Kyla with Raife. So all that were left was Ashley, Paula, Christine, Arthur, Aiden, and Glen.
"Well it seems you drove half of the party away." Christine stated. It was silent at the table.
"Look Davies," Glen spoke for the first time that evening. "You better not hurt my sister again."
"I have no intention to." Ashley said honestly as she looked him square in the eyes.
"Are we allowed to eat yet?" Aiden interrupted. Everyone, except Arthur, turned to glare and mutter a 'Shut up'.
"I'm going to get a drink." Ashley mumbled and walked out of the dining room and into the kitchen. She opened the fridge and sighed. There wasn't any alcohol in this house besides the bottle of wine that the Carlin's brought and they were to keep an eye on it at the table. So instead she grabbed a can of Pepsi and headed back into the dining room.