Chapter 12: Moving On

The next afternoon, Ashley woke up and found the twins were still asleep. She saw that Andros was already up, but she found a tray of food and two roses, red and yellow, sat in a tiny vase on the tray. She found a note on the tray and she looked at it.

Hey Ash,

Had to finish my job back on KO-35. I'll be back tomorrow, I promise. I love you and enjoy your day.

Andros

Ashley went to eat when Jamie started to cry. She reached over into the cradle and picked Jamie up. "Aw, what's the matter munchkin?" She asked. She kissed Jamie's forehead. The midwife came in with a smile.

"Good afternoon," she greeted.

Ashley smiled and she tried to calm Jamie. "I think she's hungry," she informed. Ashley nodded and she undid some of the buttons on her pajama shirt. Hayden was still out like a light. "Kind of strange for him to be out like this for a newborn," she commented. Ashley smiled.

"He's already like his dad," Ashley answered.

Ashley held onto Jamie's hand and let out a sigh. The midwife looked up and she saw the envelope Denise left on the shelf the night before. "What's this?" She asked. Ashley sat up and the midwife handed her the envelope. Ashley finished feeding Jamie. She had the midwife hold Jamie while she did her shirt back up and she opened the envelope.

Dearest Ashley,

If you're reading this letter, I'm already on a plane going to Miami. I believe we should part ways. I realized I was wrong and I'm sorry. I won't bug you anymore. At the moment while I'm writing this letter, you've been in labor for almost five hours now. I think I should say something before I'm gone.

When I was waiting for Andros's ship to land, I just thought he was just worried about the kid or kids in this matter. But while I'm watching him right now supporting you through the labor, I realized that I am wrong. Andros is a good man and I'm sorry for not realizing that before.

I never realized how much you two love each other until this very moment. I love you, sweetheart, I know I never told you that in a long, long time. I know I let my boyfriends hurt you and I pushed you away. I'm truly sorry, Ashley. I'm glad your father raised you, you've turned into the respectable woman that we both wanted. I love you and I'm so proud of you.

Love Always,

Mom

Ashley felt tears press against her eyes. She let out a shaky sigh and she tilted her head back. She heard Hayden crying this time and she let out a sigh. "Baby number two," the midwife informed. Ashley smiled as she sat back up to feed Hayden.

Later that day, Ashley was walking around the living room with Hayden in her arms. She kissed his forehead and stroked his face. "My sweet baby boy," she murmured. She kissed his nose and smiled. Hayden curled up against her chest and let out his normal baby noises. She rocked him back and forth in her arms while walking around the house. She heard the door open and looked up.

"Hello?" A voice called.

Ashley smiled and she came downstairs. "Hey, Cassie," she greeted. Cassie smiled and she gasped to see her best friend holding her newborn son.

"Oh Ashley! He's adorable!" She gasped.

"His sister's upstairs in her cradle," Ashley informed.

Cassie went upstairs to see Jamie while Ashley sat down in the rocking chair. Hayden reached up and held onto Ashley's finger. Tears pressed against her eyes.

(KO-35)

Andros rubbed his forehead with a sigh as he tried to finish up his report. Kinwon came in. "How's the new project coming?" He asked. Andros glanced at him.

"It's going well," he replied.

Andros typed in a few things into the computer. "The new prison facility is nearly completed," he added.

"I heard about Ashley giving birth to your first born last night, congratulations," Kinwon commented.

Andros smiled. "A boy and a girl, Hayden and Jamie," he answered.

"And you still came back?" Kinwon asked.

"Have a job to finish, sir," Andros replied.

Kinwon placed a hand on his shoulder. "Andros, why don't you go back home? Be with Ashley and the kids?" He suggested. Andros sighed and pushed his hair out of his face.

"I would love to…" he trailed off.

"Then why don't you?" Kinwon asked.

Andros couldn't think of any other reason why he shouldn't go home. "Go home, Andros. I'll put Zhane in charge of the project," he informed. Andros nodded.

"Thank you sir," Andros answered.

Andros turned and left the room and Kinwon smiled.

(Earth: That Evening)

Ashley sighed as her dad came in with a bigger cradle for the twins. "Thanks, dad," she told him.

"Hey, first time grandpa. I think I have the right to spoil my grandchildren," he commented.

Ashley laughed and she pushed her hair behind her ear. "There we go, all set," Greg informed. Ashley kissed his cheek before they put the twins into the new cradle. "Oh and Julie wanted you to have these," he added. He held up two baby blankets.

"Julie? Who's Julie?" She asked.

Greg chuckled. "Dad! You have a girlfriend," she teased. Greg laughed as he covered the twins up with the blankets.

"Yep," he answered.

Ashley smiled and she hugged her dad. Greg hugged her back and he kissed her cheek. She let him go and she looked at the twins. "So, when are you going to go back to designing?" Greg asked. Ashley shrugged.

"I'm not sure, not for awhile yet," she replied.

"Of course, spend some time with the babies," he agreed.

Ashley looked at the twins and nodded her head slowly. "Yeah, be with my babies," she murmured.

That night, Andros used his key to get inside the house. He was careful not to knock anything over and he was quiet as he went up the stairs. He walked down the dark hallway and into his and Ashley's room. A smile came across his face when he saw his wife asleep with the twins' cradle sitting by her side of the bed. He walked over to the cradle and he kissed the twins on their foreheads. He removed his boots, jacket, and shirt. He crawled into the bed and he stroked Ashley's hair. Ashley woke up and she looked over at him. "Andros?" She asked tiredly.

"Yeah," he replied.

Ashley smiled as she hugged him and let out a sigh. "Kinwon let me come home early," he murmured.

"Good," she answered.

Andros kissed her gently before they fell asleep in each other's arms.