Author's Note: I want to thank everyone so very much for reading my story and leaving comments. It is greatly appreciated. I am going to use the suggestions that were given and make some changes to eliminate confusion in reading this story. Sorry, for the confusion. Let me know if it's better.

As always leave comments. Enjoy!

Chapter 11

It was Sunday evening in New York at the Carlin estate. As Paula was giving instructions to the cook regarding dinner, Glen walks into the kitchen, "mother how are you?"

"Glen darling," "I'm glad you could make it."

"I wouldn't think of missing a Sunday dinner with my parents," Glen said sarcastically. "Where's dad?"

"He's in the living room watching some game on TV." "Great, I think I'll join him."

"Oh Glen, don't forget we must talk after dinner."

"Sure, sure mom!"

Arthur Carlin was sitting in the living room watching TV, something he rarely gets to do. A quiet man, he loved his wife and children dearly, but being President and CEO of one of the largest oil refining company in the United States left him little family time.

Arthur fell in love with Paula and Paula's parents adored Arthur. Paula's father treated Arthur like a son, showed him everything about the oil refining business. When Paula's father retired, Arthur who had already been with the company for a number of years was unanimously elected President by the Board of Directors and took over running the company. Arthur was very successful in making money for the company. He made the company more money than Paula's father had done during his reign as President. Arthur sacrificed his family life for the company and paid dearly for it…as his children matured, Arthur realized he wasn't happy. Giving the company all his time, Arthur missed seeing his children grow up and he neglected working on improving his marriage to Paula. He loved his wife, but he was sick of her manipulations.

Arthur's POV

Another Sunday dinner at the Carlin estate. I miss my daughter. The last time we talked she had just arrived in Reno, for a divorce from that no good "son of a bitch" son-in-law. Nobody liked him, except Paula. If I wasn't so busy with running the company I could have advised Spencer better. But I put business ahead of my daughter's happiness. She came to me for advice and I let her down and it allowed Paula to interfere with the confusion Spencer was having within herself.

I know my daughter's gay, but she has to come to that realization herself. I can only give her my support when she comes to me.

"Hey dad! How are you this fine evening?"

"Glen, I didn't realize you were here yet." Arthur got up and gave his son a hug. "Where's Chelsea, are you two still dating?"

"Yeah, but she decided to go spend the evening with her parents. Something about being around Paula," Glen mumbled under his breath. Not surprising to Arthur, not too many people close to the family can deal with Paula's high and mighty attitude.

"So Glen, have you heard from Spencer?"

Glen's eyes widened with that question, "Umm…no, I haven't."

"That's unlike Spencer to not call anyone," Arthur said.

"You know she went to Reno to relax too, maybe she's too distracted to call."

"Maybe so," Arthur said.

At that moment Paula walks in, glaring at her son. She announced dinner was ready. "Great! I'm starving," Arthur said walking to the dinner room.

Paula pulls Glen back and whispers in his ear, "be careful of what you say to your father regarding Spencer. Do you understand Glen?"

"Yes, mother," pulling his arm away from her.

A few hours later, "that was a great dinner mom."

"Thank you darling, Arthur you were quiet during the whole dinner, didn't you enjoy it?" "It was fine Paula…I guess I was missing our daughter's presence at these Sunday gatherings."

"Arthur you need to stop worrying about Spencer, she's a grown woman and by the looks of it she doesn't want to be bothered with her family." Arthur shuddered at what his wife just spoke.

Clearing his throat, "I'll be in my study if you need me." "Fine dear."

Paula and Glen stayed in the dining room to discuss Spencer's divorce from Dexter and how to get their hands on the inheritance. Dexter only wanted half of Spencer's inheritance, Paula wanted it all. Not that she needed any money, between her and Arthur they had millions in the bank. She just didn't want Spencer to have it.

Paula was so involved with Glen discussing the game plan of Dexter's divorce, it didn't occur to her to pick up the phone when it rang.

Arthur still in his study answered the phone. "I guess Paula's not going to answer the phone tonight," Arthur thought to himself.

"Hello!"

"Hello dad, it's me Spencer."

"Spencer!!" Arthur squealed, "how are you sweetheart?" "I'm so glad you called, I was thinking about you. I miss you honey."

"I'm sorry dad, about not calling. I didn't want to talk to mom if she picked up the phone first. If I asked to speak to you she would just say weren't home."

"Spencer!" Arthur said, "your mother wouldn't do that."

"Yeah right." "Anyway dad my lawyer is going to come and see you regarding my divorce and the inheritance." "Why would he need to talk to me about that sweetheart?"

"Potential problems have come up making my divorce not so simple," said Spencer.

"He can explain it to you better. His name is Ron Townes, he'll be there in a couple of days. I need you to talk to him, dad…please and don't tell mom about your meeting with Mr. Townes."

"Okay Spencer."

At that moment Paula walks into the study. "Is that Spencer, let me talk to her." Paula said, practically snatching the phone from Arthur's hand. "Spencer dear, how are you…why haven't you called your father and I." "It's been ages since we last saw you. When are you coming back home, sweetheart?"

Spencer rolled her eyes. "Hello mother."

"You know I'm not coming home for another five weeks," Spencer said.

"Quite right dear, I forget. Well, I know you're busy, so I'll let you go."

"Bye dear," Paula quickly hung up.

"Paula!!" Arthur yelled, "I was not finished talking to Spencer. We didn't even get a chance to talk. I wanted to know how the divorce was proceeding."

"Well, Arthur she said she had to go. You know when your daughter is ready to go she's ready to go."

"Where's Glen," Arthur asked Paula. "He left…had some client he needed to see."

"On a Sunday!" Arthur said.

"Arthur dear, if you were a lawyer you would understand. Lawyers are twenty-four seven, you never know when your clients are going to need your advice or find themselves in trouble."

Paula left the study thinking to herself, it's too bad I didn't pick up the phone first when it rang. I don't think he had a chance to really talk, since he got so angry with me for cutting his conversation short. I need to call Glen and push him a little faster with this situation and light a fire under my legal clerks to find answers regarding those stipulations in the will.

-------------------

Spencer's POV

I don't need anyone to tell me that it's my mother who's behind this mess with Glen and Dexter. I know it's her pulling the strings. God, she can be so cruel. That phone call said it all. The way she rushed dad off the phone and then talking that bullshit to me while he listened. What is she trying to do to me? Well, I guess I need to look over these papers that Glen sent Mr. Townes.

I wonder where Ashley is. I need to be with her. It scares me to feel this strongly for someone in just a weeks time. I feel like a junkie needing a fix. An Ashley fix.

-----------------

Ashley got to the club late, but in time to discuss what music the band was going to perform tonight. She noticed Madison seemed upset about something.

"Madison can we talk," Ashley asked?

"Oh! You want to talk now…hmm…did you finish that business with your mother," Madison snapped?

"Umm…Yeah," Ashley said not directly looking at Madison. "Look Madison, Spencer and I are a couple now." "Oh!!" Madison said harshly.

"Yes…and I" ….Madison cuts Ashley off.

"Ashley how can you and Spencer be a couple when she's not even divorced yet?" "She still has a husband," Madison… now yelling said.

"I know that Madison," Ashley replied.

"Well, what the hell are you talking about…couple." Madison stopped talking, taking a deep breath, got in Ashley's face staring at her for a long moment.

"You slept with her…didn't you?"

"Yes! Madison why are you so angry", Ashley asked?

"I'm not angry, I just don't want to see you get hurt. Then I have to pick up the pieces of your heart and put it back together." Madison said now calmer.

"Hmm!" Ashley said not believing her. Then it occurred to her…"Oh my God… you're jealous. Damn!

"No Ashley, I am not," Madison said.

"You're lying Madison, I see it in your eyes. Oh God, how did I let this happen," Ashley said?

That's when Madison finally broke down and admitted it.

"Fine…okay…yes damnit I'm jealous. Look, I know we have this I'm not bound to you kind of relationship but since Spencer's been here, you've changed…I don't see my Little Butterfly as much," Madison said as tears started to fall down her face.

"Madison you have Joe," Ashley said.

"Joe!...he has nothing to do with you and me, Ashley!"

"Joe can't give me what you give me Ashley," Madison said. "Sometimes… my body…gets this craving and you're the only one who can satisfy it."

"Oh!" Is all Ashley could say.

"Ashley you're my Little Butterfly," Madison said now crying.

Ashley walked over to Madison hugging her, "as long as I'm with Spencer I cannot be with you intimately. We'll still be best friends and when you need me for emotional support I'll be there for you, but that's all and I hope you'll still be there for me as while Madison."

"I love Spencer. She's all I want," Ashley said.

Ashley walked away from Madison to go tune up her guitar for tonight's performance.

After the band finished playing, Ashley immediately left the club and went home. She needed to be with Spencer.

Spencer's bedroom was dark but she left her bedroom door ajar hoping Ashley would come home tonight.

"Spencer!" Ashley whispered.

"Yes, Ashley…I've been waiting for you."

Ashley went over to the bed and held on to Spencer tightly. " What's wrong Ashley," Spencer asked? "Nothing just hold me."

"Stay with me tonight Ashley," Spencer asked. Ashley could see Spencer's silhouette from the moonlight shining through the window and nodded. She took her clothes off and slide under the covers naked beside Spencer.

Spencer wrapped her arms tightly around Ashley and held her close until they fell asleep.