Summary: 'You're the only truth I know, you're the road back home.' After years apart, Andros and Ashley can finally start building their life together with their children. Sequel to Secrets Untold.
Pretty Diva: Actually, it's the Danne Danne was named after.
Johnny: Great, thanks. Just guess where Leigh got her name. Well, I can't help torturing Chyler, I just have to.
Lavonne Adams: Um… now?
Alexandra KHAYMAN: -drools and agrees with you- THANK YOU SO MUCH! Here's more.
DarkHonda: No, Chris is now Leigh's, sorry. Maybe you could share?
Star Fata: Hehe, shopping is always more fun when you get to spend other peoples' money. No, Leigh is about 3 months older then Chris and Chyler. That flashback meeting from SU? It's that night Ash got pregnant with the twin.
BellaCordelia: Thanks. Enjoy this one.
Phantom Rogue: Well, duh!
SweetSas: Not sex addicts! Just making up for 17 years apart, that's not easy with 4 kids in the house.
Zeopurple: Yeah, I couldn't help myself. Guess why Leigh's called Leigh.
DizneeDol: Here's the next chapter. Enjoy.
C.C.C.: She's definitely going to be. Sorry to say this, but yes, it is. Now and trouble's only starting to rise with that.
PhoenixGuardianEmaku: I can cook… it's fun, sometimes.
The-power-of-love: Yeah, email service was down yet again.
Grass King: Nope, don't worry, no more confusing. Promise.
Mz. Daydream: The moment I thought of Leigh she was connected with Danne. Hehe, just give that someone a kiss and he'll stop complaining.
Slytherin-Angel44: Glad you liked it.
Dragoneyes5000: Good, so I'm still able to pull off twists. Here's more.
Living Truth
Chapter 13: Stolen Laughter
Ashley sighed when the cottage came into view through the trees. She slowed her pace until she ended up stopping all together, staring through the trees. Andros let go of her hand and stepped behind her, gathering her up in his arms.
"What are you thinking about?" He muttered in her ear.
"I can't believe we're flying back home tomorrow." Ash sighed. "I wish this never had to end."
"I hate to break it to you, but we do have four kids at home needing us." He laughed softly.
"I know and I know I'll still have you at home, but we'll hardly have any alone time until Noah starts dating, and god knows when that'll be." Ashley replied sadly.
"We'll still have this as our retreat." Andros reminded her, placing a soft kiss against her temple.
"But it won't be the same." Ashley muttered miserably.
"Probably - but I'll still love you. Here, there, KO-35, it doesn't matter, no one will ever be able to change how much I love you. And anyway, we'd drive each other up the walls if we were alone together for too long. That's why we've got the kids to distract us."
"I thought we had them because we love each other and wanted children." Ashley giggled, turning around to face him.
"Added bonus." Andros shrugged.
Ashley shook her head, trying desperately to contain her laughter. Andros grinned at her wickedly and that was her only warning before his fingers started running over her rib-case. Ashley shrieked with laughter and jumped back out of his reach. She whirled around and sprinted in the direction of the cottage, hearing Andros right on her heels.
It seemed a little childish, but she couldn't make herself care right now as Andros chased her around the cottage. Tomorrow they'd have to be the responsible adults again, so for now, they enjoyed the last few carefree moments together.
KO-35
Chris smiled as he softly said goodbye to Leigh, knowing fully well his twin was waiting impatiently for him to finally come along. He gave her one last quick kiss and turned to Chyler, ready to tell her they could go, but found her glaring into the garden next door. His eyes glided on and he barely suppressed the groan wanting to escape his lips.
"You stole my morpher." The boy standing there declared with an accusing tone in his voice.
"I did no such thing, Cevil." Chris replied courtly. "It's always been mine."
"You shouldn't have been born." Cevil shrugged.
"From my point of view, it's exactly the other way around."
"That red morpher is my birthright." He snapped hatefully. "I was its heir until you showed up, you and that half-blooded freak sister of yours. It's a shame though; she could have been pretty, if it wasn't for that Terran blood soiling her veins."
Chyler felt herself flush with anger and she heard a small gasp coming from Leigh.
"Hands off my sister, brat. Or you'll end up wishing you were never born." Chris growled softly.
Cevil took a breath to retort, but at that moment the front door opened and Maura stepped out, holding a young child on her arm. One look around and a sneer appeared on her face when her eyes settled on Chris and Chyler.
"What are you doing here?" She demanded.
"Leaving." Chris replied curtly, turning on his heels and practically dragging Chyler with him.
"Sure," The blonde called after them, her voice thick with a crazed hate. "Run off to that whore of a mother of yours! It's not as if anyone would want two half-breeds soiling our planet."
Chris spun back around so fast that for a moment he only looked like a flash of red to Leigh. It didn't register until a moment later that both Chris and Chyler were far closer to the fence then they had been before. Chyler was holding Chris locked in place, her hands gripping his arms tightly from behind, her voice quietly soothing her brother. Chris looked absolutely livid and Leigh shuddered. His normally handsome features were twisted in rage. Suddenly she realised just why his father was such a respected and yet feared ranger. That look could scare anyone it was turned to.
"Chris, she's not even worth it and even if she was, we owe that boy." Chyler whispered softly and Chris relaxed ever so slightly.
"You're extremely lucky my sister has our mom's heart of gold." Chris hissed. "But I suggest you keep your comments to yourself. Next time you might not be so lucky."
"Later, Leigh." Chyler called with a sigh as Chris stalked off.
His steps were large and he walked quickly, his anger and rage evident in the way he walked. Chyler quickly caught up with him after sending a small wave at her friend. Silently she fell into step with her brother. The people they passed sent them curious looks, but no one asked or commented. They were probably all too familiar with their father's temper to react.
Chyler winced when Chris slammed the kitchen door closed behind them. She sighed in relief when she entered the living room to see that her cousins were all out, so, by now, one-year-old Aila just looked rather curiously in their direction from her playpen. Her uncle and aunt on the other hand, looked less then amused.
Their faces cleared up when Chris stormed past and stomped up the stairs to his room, probably to professionally beat some pillows to a lump of fluff. Without a word Zhane got up and followed him and Karone patted the spot on the couch he had just been sitting on. Silently Chyler flopped down and seconds later found herself in the hug of her aunt.
"What happened?" Karone asked softly as Chris's angry voice drummed through the house.
Whispering, Chyler told the story and Karone tightened her arms around her niece for a moment. Now safely inside, tears started to spill at the stinging words Cevil had said. Karone soothed her, stroking her hair and muttering soft comforting words.
"Play!" A soft childish voice suddenly demanded.
Chyler looked up to see Aila now standing in her playpen, her hands held out to her mother and cousin, looking rather demanding with her pretend pout. Chyler sniffled a little and pulled out Karone's arms. She happily picked up her young cousin and hugged the little girl close.
"Of course I'll play with you." She giggled. "Who could resist that cute pout of yours? Did Cero teach you that? Or maybe it was Kynin?"
Aila's giggles shrieked through the living room as Chyler tickled the girl's side, before retrieving the telekinesis ball from the playpen. She settled on the ground with Aila across from her and with a smile she suspended the ball into the air. There was nothing like playing with a baby to get your mind off things.
A/N: Hope you liked it. Review and read my Scarred fic?