Chapter 18: Love will Lead the Way

Ashley leaned back against Andros with pain shooting through her. "Remind me again why I decided to do this again," she muttered. Andros kissed the side of her head.

"You're doing fine," he assured her.

Ashley squeezed Andros's hands as hard as she could, whimpering in pain as a strong contraction hit her. "Remember to breathe," the midwife reminded. Ashley practiced her breathing and she lowered her head slightly. He ran his hands up and down her arms and over her stomach. He was doing all he could to relax her.

"Where are the twins?" She asked.

"They're outside playing," Cassie replied.

Ashley bit her lip and she nodded her head slowly.

(Outside)

Jamie was swinging on the swings and she looked over at her brother. "Why do you think they're making us stay outside?" Jamie asked. Hayden kicked his soccer ball and shrugged.

"I don't know," he replied.

"Mommy looked upset."

"She told daddy the baby's coming. I don't think she was upset."

Jamie swung on the swing slightly. "Then daddy had us go outside," she muttered. She pushed her hair behind her ear.

(Inside)

"Six centimeters," she informed. Ashley let out a sigh and she placed her head on Andros's shoulder.

"Andros, I'm so done with kids after this," she murmured.

Andros wrapped his arms around her and he kissed the side of her head. "I hear you," he agreed. He pressed his forehead against the side of her head.

"I'm so tired," she murmured.

"Get some rest, Ash," her dad told her.

"Yeah, it might be awhile," Cassie agreed.

Ashley placed her head in Andros's lap and she closed her eyes. Andros kissed the side of her head and he stroked her hair. "Thanks for being here you guys," he commented.

"Ashley's like a sister to us, we were going to make sure we wouldn't miss this," TJ answered.

Carlos nodded in agreement. Andros smiled and he kissed the top of Ashley's head. "I love you," he whispered. He kissed the back of her neck. "I love you so much," he added.

(Hours Later)

Jamie and Hayden snuck inside the house, wanting to get something to eat. Hayden went into the kitchen while Jamie stared up the stairs. She glanced at her brother before climbing the stairs. Not seeing anyone by the door, she carefully opened up the door so no one would catch her. Her eyes widened when she saw her mother in so much pain. "You're doing fine, Ashley, we just need you to concentrate now," the midwife informed. Andros helped Ashley sit up and he held her hands.

"I'm right here," he murmured.

Greg looked over and saw his granddaughter by the door. He walked over, picked her up, and closed the door. "You're not supposed to be up here," he commented.

"I wanted to see what was wrong with mommy," Jamie answered.

"Nothing's wrong with mommy. The baby's coming that's all sweetheart."

He took the twins back outside. "I'm confused," Jamie told him. Greg kissed her forehead.

"You'll understand someday, sweetheart," he answered.

Hayden sat on the porch swing next to his grandfather and his sister.

(Twenty Minutes Later)

Cassie came outside with a smile. "Greg, she's fine and so is the baby," she informed.

"Is it a girl?" Jamie asked.

"Sure is," Cassie replied.

"I WANNA SEE!" Hayden shouted.

Jamie and Hayden ran by Cassie and ran upstairs.

Andros gestured for the twins to be quiet and let them come in. Ashley smiled as the twins sat next to her and looked at their baby sister. "She's so pretty," Jamie whispered.

"She looks funny," Hayden answered.

They laughed slightly. "She's only five minutes old, kiddo. She's just a baby," Ashley answered. Jamie held her sister's hand with a smile.

"What's her name?" Jamie asked.

Andros took a turn holding his newborn daughter. "Elisabeth Isabelle Karovan," Ashley replied.

"Elisabeth…" Jamie giggled.

She sat next to Andros and she placed her head on his shoulder while looking at the sleeping baby.

Later that night, Andros was sitting by the door to find Ashley asleep with each twin beside her. He couldn't believe how close he was to losing her to Mark. His heart ached at the thought of losing her forever. Ashley woke up and saw her husband standing near the far wall. "Andros? What's wrong?" She asked. Andros gestured for her to be quiet before he took the twins to their room.

When he came back he sat next to her on the bed. "Andros, what's wrong?" She asked. Andros reached down and he held her hand.

"I was thinking about how close I was to losing you," he replied.

"Andros…"

"Ashley, because I listened to your mom I almost lost you forever."

Ashley pressed her lips against his to stop him from saying anything else. She pulled back and she stroked his face. "Andros, it's in the past. We're here now with three great kids. You don't need to beat yourself up over it anymore. I love you and our kids love you," she assured him. Andros stroked her face with a smile. "I love you," she repeated.

"I love you too," he answered.

He kissed her gently before they laid down in their bed and fell into a deep sleep. The twins went back into the room and they slept besides their parents with smiles on their faces.

(Preview to the Next Story)

She giggled while holding onto Andros's hand. "Why are you so nervous?" She giggled. Andros let out a sigh and he pushed his hair out of his face.

"Because you know how I have a hard time with stuff like this," he answered.

"Like what?"

Andros stopped and he looked at her. "I was hoping to do this later, but…" he started. He got down on one knee and he held her hands. "Alana, will you marry me?" He asked. Alana gasped and she nodded her head slowly with tears falling down her face.

"Yes…" she replied.

When he stood up she threw her arms around his neck. "Yes!" She repeated. Andros hugged her tight and swung her around once with a smile on his face.

Title: Love will Find a Way

Rating: T

Genre: Drama and Romance

This story is due: March 14, 2007