A/N: Well...we're getting there...so close. Only 2 more chapters to go. I was hoping to wrap things up before heading to the west coast on Friday, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen. Sorry guys. Thanks so much for the reviews. Means alot to know people have/are enjoying this story. I've had a good time writing it. Take care all, and enjoy...
Disclaimer: Same as every chapter before. Nothing is mine but the storyline.
It had been 90 days since Ashley walked, in a fog, through the doors of Memories, and now…here she was, driving through the suburban neighborhoods of LA with her life back and under control. She could hardly process the thoughts without a smile encompassing her face. Things in her life, for once, felt okay.
Kyla hung up her phone and punched Ashley's shoulder before snickering at herself.
"Ow, Ky…what the hell was that for?"
"You were all zoned out and shit, and you're the one driving. I don't need to be mangled in a wreck because you can't keep your mind off of seeing Spencer."
"Oh shut up. I was NOT thinking about Spencer, for your information."
"Uh-huh…okay," Kyla responded, with a smirk on her face.
"But since you brought her up, did you get the address?"
"Yeah, Martha will take us there."
Ashley glanced sideways at her sister with a look of confusion.
"Who the hell is Martha?"
"The lady inside the Garmin™. I figured she should have a name…so Martha it is."
Ashley almost had to pull the car over, she was laughing so hard. She continued to laugh, wipe the tears from her face, and manage to follow "Martha's" directions, as Kyla sat with her arms crossed and pouting in the passenger's seat.
"Oh stop pouting you big baby," Ashley laughed.
Kyla scoffed, and turned to look out the window, partially hiding the grin trying to make its way to her face.
Ashley's giggling subsided and she leaned over to pat her sister's hand and gain her attention.
"So, Kyla? Umm…I really appreciate you staying in such close contact with Spencer over the past few weeks."
"No thanks necessary, Ash. Spencer and I have a lot in common, actually, so we've really developed a great friendship."
Ashley grinned, nodding her head in understanding. "I'm glad to hear that."
"Plus, I figured…if that betch is going to be around more now, I might as well get to know her," Kyla shrugged nonchalantly.
Ashley laughed again, before smacking her sister's arm, receiving a knowing smile in return.
The car slowed to a stop at the curb in front of a beautiful brownstone home.
"4688. This is it, Ash."
Ashley nodded her head, but didn't follow her sister out of the car.
"Are you coming, dummy," Kyla asked, peeking her head inside her sister's door.
"Yeah…I just…needed to breathe for a minute…collect myself some," Ashley said.
Ashley leaned her head on the steering wheel and stared at the house in front of her. Her heart was mere seconds from her, and she, for the first time in a long time, was nervous. She was scared. What if Spencer didn't love her any longer? What if sobriety made her boring? What if, what if, what if??
Kyla opened the car door and grabbed Ashley's arm, literally pulling her out of the Porsche and onto the street.
"Stop second guessing everything girl. There is a woman behind those doors that loves you, and has missed you…for whatever reason. So go get her," Kyla scolded, pushing her sister toward the Carlin's front door.
Ashley steadied herself for her long awaited reunion and let out a long breath before leaning forward to knock on the wooden door.
She took a step back to stand next to her sister, and held her breath as she waited for the door to open.
As it swung open she was met by the kind eyes of Arthur Carlin, smile firmly in place, as he sighed at the sight in front of him.
"My two favorite brunette sisters. Ashley, you look great," Arthur exclaimed, grabbing Ashley and pulling her into a fierce hug.
"Thanks Mr. C. That means a lot to me, as does this little get together."
"Oh don't mention it. It's my pleasure. I'm so glad to have you back, healthy, and filling Spencer's life."
Ashley smiled as Arthur leaned in to give her sister a welcoming hug as well.
"Speaking of Spencer, is she around?" Ashley asked.
"Umm, actually, she hasn't made it just yet. She had some running to do and hasn't turned up, but why don't you girls come on through and we'll go sit out back by the pool until she arrives."
Ashley couldn't help but allow her shoulders to slump forward in disappointment before Kyla pinched her side to straighten her up. She scowled at her sister, wincing in slight pain.
"Thanks Mr. C, that sounds great, especially with it being so nice out today," Kyla responded, pulling her sister into and through the Carlin house.
"Don't read into this and start thinking negatively Ashley," Kyla whispered.
Ashley just smiled and nodded before grabbing her sister's hand and pulling her out the back door.
They all fell into easy conversation, and Ashley found herself so happy and comfortable in Arthur's presence that she didn't even hear the back door slide open and shut…her blonde beauty coming to rest behind her chair.
"So, Ashley," Kyla began, "Do you think Spencer will be happy to see you?"
Spencer smirked at Kyla, shaking her head at the incredulous girl.
"Well, I hope so. I mean, I know I've been out of my mind without her," Ashley admitted.
Spencer leaned over the brunette, wrapping her arms around her neck, "I've been out of my mind too, baby."
Ashley jumped at the contact, spilling her tea, but caring none. She stood from her chair and turned around to face the girl she'd missed every day since they had parted ways.
Spencer smiled, delivering her signature head tilt and reached out to pull Ashley toward her, taking note of the tears that were threatening to spill from the brunette's eyes.
"God, I missed you," Ashley exhaled, once in the safety of Spencer's arms.
Spencer placed a kiss on the side of Ashley's neck and breathed deep, the scent of the girl she loved so much.
Arthur stood, pulling Kyla with him and headed inside to give the girl's a private reunion as well.
"I missed you too, Ash…so much," Spencer choked out, fighting her emotions as well.
Ashley's hands seemed to grip around Spencer tighter and tighter, as she fought to find purchase on the perfect spot of her lover's body.
"Let me look at you," Spencer said, pulling back some to hold Ashley at arm's length. "You look just as beautiful as the day I left you."
Ashley blushed, smacking Spencer's hands away. "Shut up. You sound like you're eighty talking like that."
Spencer smiled at Ashley's embarrassment and pulled her in close once again.
"Can I kiss you now?" the blonde inquired.
Ashley nodded before leaning forward to capture the pillowy lips of the girl she loved so much. She loved the feeling of those soft lips consuming her own, and got lost in the sound of their increased breathing and smacking lips.
The second Ashley felt Spencer's velvet tongue brush across her own she was gone. She dove deeper into her lover's mouth, relishing in the feel of the blonde's tongue sliding against her own. She could feel herself getting dizzy and craving oxygen, but her craving for Spencer was so much greater.
To her dismay, the blonde pulled back from Ashley and rested her forehead against the brunette's.
"As much as I DO NOT want to stop kissing you for like…I don't know…forever," Spencer giggled, "I have to. I won't stop if I don't now."
"I know, I know…it's okay," Ashley agreed, running her fingers through the long locks she missed so much.
Ashley sighed, as she led Spencer over to where they were all sitting moments earlier, and pulled her down onto her lap.
"I was hoping you would have been here to answer the door when I got here today," Ashley stated. "I was really kind of bummed that you weren't."
"I know, I'm so sorry. I had some running to do and I just didn't get it all finished in time to meet you when you got here." Spencer apologized.
"It's okay. No harm, no foul…right?"
Spencer nodded, tilting her head as she looked at her girlfriend.
" You know, I had to give a 90 day speech today before I left."
"Oh yeah? How did it go," Spencer inquired.
"Well, I think it went well, but it was so weird, I kept thinking there was someone standing in the back corner of the hall that left when I was finished speaking."
"Hmm…that is weird," Spencer stated. "Maybe they'll be there again when you go back in 90 days to proclaim your 180th day of sobriety."
Ashley absently nodded, playing with Spencer's fingers before the girl's words actually sunk in.
"Wait a minute, those are the exact words I used at the end…you were there, weren't you?" Ashley breathed out, staring into blue eyes.
Spencer grinned and nodded slightly, "Yeah…I was. I wouldn't have missed it for the world."
Ashley sat dumbfounded before pulling the blonde into a strong hug, placing a lingering kiss to the corner of her mouth.
"Why didn't you wait for me afterwards?"
"I just couldn't, Ash. After everything you and I went through there I thought it more appropriate that you walk out of there with the same person you walked in with…but I at least wanted to see you stand with your head held high before you left."
Ashley placed a few lingering kisses to the blonde's lips again, before pulling away and drawing their hands up to her face and kissing Spencer's fingers.
"Thank you Spencer, for being there for me today."
"I wouldn't be anywhere else baby…ever."
Ashley smirked and leaned into her girlfriend whispering, "Well, can you maybe be there for me upstairs for just a little bit?"
Spencer felt the shiver run the course of her spine as Ashley's breath tickled her ear.
"15 minutes Ash, that's it," Spencer stated, standing and pulling her girlfriend toward the house.
Ashley laughed at the urgency in the blonde's voice.
"That's not a whole lot of time to make love to you the way I want to Spencer."
"You can do that later Ash," Spencer continued in a serious tone, as she led Ashley by her hand. "Right now, I just need you inside of me, thrusting and panting until I cum so hard that I can barely breathe. We'll do things right…later."
Ash had to remind herself to close her mouth as her jaw had been hanging open at Spencer's words.
"Well…okay then," Ashley squeaked out.