Life Is A Journey (Chapter 2)
Spencer woke up to the smell of bacon, egg, and waffles. She stretched and got out of bed. When she got down stairs she saw Ashley in the kitchen cooking. She walked over behind Ashley and put her arms around Ashley's waist. Then she leaned in and whispered into her ear.
"Good morning beautiful." Spencer said sweetly.
"Good morning babe and happy birthday!" Ashley replied.
"Thank you. What are you doing?" Spencer said even thought she already knew.
"Oh just making breakfast for the birthday girl. Is that ok?" Ashley said while looking at Spencer.
"Yeah it's more then ok. It's so sweet. Thank you by the way." Spencer said before kissing Ashley on the lips.
"Good and you're welcome." Ashley said "Now let's eat and get ready for the big day."
"Ok" Spencer said sitting at the table. They ate in salience. Then Ashley cleared off the table and told Spencer to go get ready while she cleaned the kitchen. Spencer did as she was told. Once Ashley was done she got ready and was just about to leave and turned to Spencer and said something.
"Spence, make sure your ready by 12:30pm because your driver will be her to pick you up to get you hair and nails done. Don't worry about the money I already paid them." Ashley said with a smile on her face.
"Ok I will see you at 2:00pm then." Spencer said while walking over to give Ashley a good-bye kiss.
"Ok I love you. Remember to act surprised when you get there because everyone thinks you don't know about this party." Ashley said
"I know I will don't worry. Now go I'll see you later." Spencer said while pushing Ashley out the door. Ashley walked to her car and drove off. She immediately pulled out her phone and called Delilah.
"Hello" Delilah said.
"Hey, so what hotel are you staying at?" Ashley asked.
"I'm staying at The Days Inn across from the beach." Delilah said
"Ok I'll be there in 10 min to pick you up and take you to Grays. I need you to help me set up for tonight." Ashley said.
"Ok I'll be ready. I'll see you soon." Delilah said
"Ok bye." Ashley replied.
"Bye." Delilah said before hanging up the phone. Delilah walked over to the bed and woke up Mike and told him to hurry up and get ready because Ashley was on her way to come get them to help set up for Spencer's surprise party. Mike got up hopped in and out of the shower and then got dressed. Delilah was already done by the time Mike got out of the shower. Then they sat there waiting for a few minutes. There was a knock on the door so Mike got up and answered it. He opened the door.
"Do I have the right room; I'm looking for Delilah Williams." Ashley said confused.
"Yeah, you must be Ashley. I'm Mike Williams Delilah's husband. I've heard a lot about you." Mike said extending his hand.
Oh wow I'm sorry I didn't know you were coming. I've heard a lot about you too. It's nice to meet you. So are you two ready to go?" Ashley said shaking his hand.
"Yes." Mike said turning around "Delilah, Ash is here let's go."
"Ok coming." Delilah said walking towards Mike and Ashley. "Sorry I forgot to tell you he was coming with me. I was so excited I forgot to tell you. I hope it's not a big deal."
No its ok I think that Spencer will be just as happy to see him as she will be to see you." Ashley said as they made there way to her car. They got in and got to know each other on their way to Grays. Once they got there they all got out and made their way inside to set up. Meanwhile Spencer was almost dressed for the big night. It was 12:20pm and she had ten minutes left. Spencer got done getting ready and she walked out the door to see the limo just pulling up. The driver got out and walked up to her.
"You must be Miss Carlin." He said
"Yes that's me." Spencer said.
Right this way." He said walking to the limo and opening the door. He motioned for her to get in. Spencer did. Then he walks back to the drivers door and got in and they left. She was getting nervous about how her mom was going to react about the news. Then the limo came to a stop and the door opened. Spencer got out and walked into the beauty shop. She walked up to the receptionist and said. "Hi I'm Spencer Carlin and I have an appointment."
"Ok well right this way." She said getting up and walking to the back.
Spencer followed her quietly. The lady took her to the back where there were tons of chairs and people getting their hair done. Spencer sat down and the young man did her hair. Then once that was done she was taken back to a small room for her nails. After she was all done she walk out of the shop and outside. The driver was waiting next to the limo he opened the door and Spencer got in. Then they left. He stopped at Grays and opened the door and motioned for her to get out. She did and then started to act like she didn't know anything about this.
"What's going on? Ashley told me to be ready at 12:30pm to get my hair and nails done but didn't mention anything about coming here." Spencer said with a confused look on her face.
"Just go in you will find out soon enough." He said walking back to the limo. He got in and a drove off. Spencer walked into Grays and saw Ashley waiting. She walked up and gave her a hug. They walk to the back where the private room was. Ashley looked at Spencer with a look that said 'are you ready for this'. Spencer nodded at Ashley showing she was ready. Then Ashley opened the door.
"Surprise!" Everyone yelled in unison.
"OMG what is this. What's going on? I got picked up to get my hair done and then dropped of here." Spencer said looking surprised.
"Well Ashley thought that for you 21st birthday she would throw you a surprise party so we all had to make sure you had no idea." Paula said convinced the Spencer didn't know.
"Oh well I'm glad that it worked out." Spencer said facing Ashley "Thank you so much. This is the best birthday I have ever had."
"No problem. There is just one more thing." Ashley said grabbing Spencer's hand and walking her to a table. Spencer sat down and the band started playing music.. Ashley's phone rang. Ashley answered it.
"Hello" Ashley yelled.
"Hey let me talk to Spencer." Someone said.
"Ok here she is." Ashley said handing the phone to Spencer.
"Hello?" Spencer said confused.
"Hey Spence, sorry I couldn't make it. I wish I could have been there to see your face. Mike says hi. Well I guess I'll let you go so you can get back to your party. It sounds like fun." Delilah said.
"Oh it's ok thanks for calling Tell Mike I said hi too. I'll call you tomorrow and tell you everything." Spencer said still confused.
"Ok talk to you then. Love you Hun." Delilah said before hanging up.
She handed the phone back to Ashley. The band then started playing stripper music and Spencer immediately looked at the cake in front of her. Once the band finished Delilah and Mike jumped out of the cake. Spencer jumped up immediately when she realized who it was. She ran over to them and gave them both big hugs. Spencer pulled back.
"What I thought you couldn't come?" Spencer said confused once again.
"I know but I thought it would be a better surprise. Ok no I didn't Ashley did. She planned this whole thing." Delilah said.
"OMG Ash you're the best!" Spencer said running to Ashley and giving her a hug.
"I know I thought you would like that." Ashley said smiling knowing that her plan had worked. After that they all dance, drank and were enjoying the party. Ashley pulled Spencer away and asked if she was ready for the announcement. Spencer said yes. So they went and grabbed cups. They got everyone attention. They were all looking at them.
"Ok so just to tell you all I knew about most of this. I knew about the party but not about Delilah and Mike coming. Me and Ashley did this because we had some new to share with you all." Spencer said "So this was the best way to get you all in the same room to tell you the news."
"Yeah but I had to make it seem like it was really a surprise party so that you all would come." Ashley said.
"Ok well tell us the news." Glen yelled being impatient like always.
"We are engaged?" Spencer and Ashley both said.
"OMG I'm so happy for you two." Delilah said. "When is the wedding?"
"Well we decided to not have the wedding until next summer so that we can get everyone here. We want all of you there." Spencer said nervous because her mom hadn't said a word.
"Hun, how long have you been engaged." Paula said.
"Two weeks. Why?" Spencer said.
"Oh we are so happy for you two." Arthur said looking sternly at Paula.
"Yes we truly are." Paula said with genuine smile on her face. Spencer and Ashley turned looking at each other with confusion. Everyone else said their congratulations. A few hour later everyone left. Spencer, Ashley, Delilah, and mike were walking to Ashley's car when Ashley said something.
"Hey Mike, you and Delilah can stay at the house. There is enough room." Ashley said looking at them.
"Sure we just have to stop by the hotel and get our stuff and checkout." Mike said.
"Ok no problem." Ashley said while they are pilled into her car. Then they took off to the hotel. A few minutes later they pulled up in front of the hotel. Mike got out and went up to their room and got their stuff and walked to the front desk and checked out. They drove home. Spencer showed Delilah and Mike the room they were staying in. Mike and Delilah decided since it had been a long day they were going to hit the sack. Spencer walked back downstairs to find Ashley sitting on the couch watching TV. She went and sat next to Ashley and they just sat there in silence cuddling. About an hour later Ashley looked down to find Spencer asleep in her arms. Ashley smiled at that. Man I love her so much. I'm so glade that she agreed to marry me. I am even more glade her mom is ok with it. Wow is Paula really ok with this or is she just acting like it because of the look she got from Arthur? Ashley thought. Then Ashley decided it was time for bed. She picked up Spencer hoping not to wake up the blonde. She made her way up to their room. She laid Spencer down on the bed and Spencer woke up.
"Ash, why didn't you wake me I would have gotten up and walked her you didn't have to carry me." Spencer said in a groggy voice.
"You looked so cute sleeping and I didn't want to wake you up. It's ok your not heavy." Ashley said smiling.
"Oh ok well I'm going back to sleep but you need to come over her and give me a good night kiss." Spencer said laying back down. Ashley walked over to the bed and laid down next to Spencer and gave her a good night kiss. Then Spencer fell asleep again. Ashley lay there for a little while before falling asleep herself. The next morning Ashley woke up first. She lay there looking at her soon to be wife and smiled. Then she started wondering what her mom was going to say. She knew her mom would accept it but she wanted her to be truly happy for her. Ashley decided to call her mom so she grabbed her cell phone and walked down stairs so she wouldn't wake up Spencer. Ashley dialed her moms number and held her breathe because she was nervous. After two rings Debbie picked up.
"Hey sweetie how are you doing?" Debbie said in her motherly voice.
"Hi mom, I am fine I just wanted to tell you that I have news for you and you need to meet me and Spencer for dinner tonight at Red Robin." Ashley said
"Oh ok honey I'll be there. What time?" She said.
"How about 8 o'clock?" Ashley asked.
"Ok see you then. Bye." Debbie said before hanging up.
Ashley walked back upstairs into her and Spencer's bedroom to find Spencer laying there awake but not ready to get out of bed yet. Spencer looked at Ashley when she walked through the door. Ashley went and sat on the bed next to Spencer. She leaned down and kissed Spencer sweetly for a minute then pulled away.
"Good morning sweetheart." Ashley said after she kissed Spencer.
"Good morning to you too honey." Spencer said smiling. I can totally get used to waking up like this every morning! Spencer thought to herself, but was brought out of her daze by Ashley talking again.
"Spencer we are meeting my mom at red robin tonight for dinner. I thought the sooner we tell her about the engagement the better." Ashley said worried Spencer would be mad that she didn't talk to her about it first.
"Ok. I think your right. What time do we need to be there?" Spencer said with a smile.
"8 o'clock." Ashley said happy about Spencer's reaction.
"Ok." Spencer said before getting up and putting on a pair of her work out shorts and a tank top. "I'm going to go on a jog. You want to come with me?"
"No I've got something I need to do. I'm going to take a shower and then I will be leaving for about an hour or so. I'll be back in time for us to get ready to go. Go enjoy your run and be safe and I'll see you later." Ashley said while walking to the bathroom.
"Ok I'll see you later babe. I love you." Spencer said while walking out of the bedroom and out of the house. She walked about a block before putting in her headphones and turning on her ipod so she could concentrate on her run. I think tonight will be good. I just hope I'm right it would kill Ashley if her mom didn't support her decision. OMG what if she doesn't? I need to stop thinking like this everything is going to be fine. Spencer shook her head to get rid of the thought.
Meanwhile, Ashley was getting into her car. She drove to the cemetery and walked to her father's grave stone and sits down. She started thinking. I don't know how mom is going to react. She always said that she loves me for me. Why am I so worried about this? She should be fine with this. What if she isn't though? I've got to think positive otherwise I'm going to back out. Spencer wouldn't be worried about her reaction. Why do I get the feeling I'm over analyzing this? I am that's why. Mom would want to know sooner rather then later. Ashley shook her head and started talking to her dad's grave hoping her dad was listening to her. "Hey dad I finally proposed to Spencer. She said yes. Surprisingly her mom is handling it well. We are telling mom tonight. I'm so scared she is going to freak out. I know she has been so supportive of me and Spencer but I'm still worried. I wish you were here to help me through this. I miss you so much. I'm just glade you got to meet Spence before you died. I hate that I can't call you and hear your voice but I know you are watching over me and keeping me safe. Anyways, I better get home before Spence starts to worry. I love you." Ashley said before getting up and walking back to her car. She got in her car and started it and drove home. She pulled up to the house hoping Spencer was home from her run and safe. She got out of the car and walked in the house.
"Hey babe, are you home?" Ashley shouted while walking into the house.
"Yeah, I'm in the room picking out something to wear tonight." Spencer said relived Ashley was home. Ashley walked up the stair into their bedroom and stopped in her tracks. She saw Spencer in the most gorgeous baby blue dress ever and her heart started racing again. She walked up to Spencer and put her hand around her waist. Ashley leaned in and kissed her then pulled away.
"OMG you look totally stunning in that dress. Not that you don't anyways but you know what I mean." Ashley said nervously like it was the first time she had told Spencer how she felt.
"Aw Ash, I love when you defend yourself even if you don't need too. It's just so cute. Thank you. Now let's get you ready for tonight." Spencer said before giving Ashley a light kiss. They walked over to the closet and Ashley picked out an equally gorgeous black dress. She put it on and then they both walked into the bathroom and did their make-up and hair. After that they brushed their teeth. Then they looked at the clock and realized it was time to go. Spencer and Ashley walked out of the house hand in hand. Ashley walked Spencer to the passenger side of the car and opened the door for her. She waited for Spencer to get in and shut the door and walked over to the driver's side and slid in and turned the key in the ignition. She put the car in gear and they left. Ashley grabbed Spencer's hand as she was driving. Spencer just smiled. They were both nervous but didn't want to let the other one know that so they were both quiet the whole ride to the restaurant. They walked in and got seated. They made sure to tell the hostess that they were still waiting on another parson. They told her that they were waiting for Debbie Davies. Spencer and Ashley sat there talking for about ten minutes before Debbie walked up and joined them.
"Hi mom I'm glade you agreed to meet us." Ashley said as her mom sat down across from them.
"Yeah me too, I miss you two you are so cute together. So what's the news?" Debbie said getting straight to the point.
"Mom, lets just get caught up a little bit before we tell you the news." Ashley said "How have you been doing?"
"I have been fine. I'm just taking it one day at a time right now. I'm tired of sleeping with every guy I meet and just want to find the one I'm supposed to be with for the reast of my life." Debbie said proud of her choice.
"I'm glade mom." Ashley said caught of guard with her mom's confession.
"Debbie I just wanted you to know that I am so glade that I found Ashley when I did and I know you will find that person it is just going to take time. " Spencer said proudly.
"I know I am just finally realizing that me sleeping around isn't going to make me find him any sooner." Debbie said stunned at what Spencer just said. Ashley just smiled widely at what Spencer said knowing this is one of the many things she loved about Spencer.
"Ok mom I want you to just listen to me until I'm done and then you can say whatever you want." Ashley said.
"Ok…" Debbie said skeptically.
"No mom nothing is wrong. Actually our news is good news. Anyways, well two weeks ago was our three year anniversary as you know. I took Spencer out to a nice romantic restaurant. After we ate our dinner I proposed to her. I don't know where it came from but it felt right. I caught her off guard and she said she needed to think about it. Of course in my head that meant she didn't want to be with me forever. I started freaking out and I called Kyla and she helped me calm down and I woke up to Spencer calling my phone. I answered it and she told me to meet her at our spot at the beach. After I got there she explained that she wasn't expecting me to propose and that I caught her off guard and she needed time to think to make sure she made the right decision. Anyways, She said yes and we are engaged now but we aren't having the wedding until next summer so that everyone we want to be there can make it." Ashley said. Then she held her breathe.
"Ashley you and Spencer are way too young for this. You think this is the best decision but let me tell you from personal experience you are too young. You two have never dated other people you don't know that you are supposed to be together forever. I can't believe how stupid you two are being." Debbie said furiously. Spencer and Ashley started crying because they thought that she would be happy for them. They thought that if anyone would react like this it would have been Paula not Debbie.
"MOM, HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT? YOU KNOW HOW MUCH WE MEAN TO EACH OTHER. YOU HAVE ALWAYS SUPPORTED US. WHAT HAS CHANGED? WE ARE GETTING MARRIED WEATHER YOU THINK IT IS RIGHT OR NOT." Ashley yelled forgetting they were in a public restaurant.
"Ashley lower your voice. Nothing has changed. I support that you two want to be together but I don't support you two getting married yet. You need to explore your options." Debbie said. Then she walked out of the restaurant. Spencer and Ashley walked out to the car a few minute later. They were both still sunned at what just happened. They got in the car. Ashley started it and Spencer decided she wanted to listen to the radio to see if there was anything good playing. Once she turned on the radio they heard 'Love Me Or Hate Me' by Lady Sovereign. It totally explained how they were feeling right then towards Ashley's mom. Once they reached the house they saw that they had a message on the answering machine. Spencer walked over to it and pushed play.
"Ashley, this is Paula. I'm sorry to inform you this but your mom was in a terrible car accident. I will explain everything when you get here." Once the message was done Spencer looked at Ashley worried. They both ran right back out the door. They got back into the car this time Spencer turned off the radio and they rode in complete silence to the hospital where Spencer's mom worked and where Ashley's mom was. They walked into the hospital and found Paula. Ashley walked up to her scared at what she might hear. Paula hugged the girl and told her what happened and how her mom was.
"Ashley I'm so sorry. She was brought in about a half hour ago. They said that they found her unconscious. We have ran some test. She had major head trauma and we had to bring her into emergency surgery. She is still in there so I don't know anything more at this time." Paula said while still hugging the Ashley. Ashley pulled away from Paula and she fell straight to the ground. She was cry previously. Spencer walked over to her and put her arms around Ashley.
"Ashley, she is going to be ok. She is in good hands trust me. I'm here for you." Spencer said not really sure if Debbie was going to make it but she knew Ashley needed her to be the strong one right now.
"How can you say that? You don't know that for sure, no one does. If we hadn't told her the mews she wouldn't have been speeding and she would be fine. This is all my fault. Why couldn't I have waited a little longer?" Ashley said sobbing still. Spencer just held Ashley tightly not saying anything not wanting to upset her anymore. They waited about two hours and then finally Paula walked up.
"Ashley I'm sorry to tell you your mom is in a coma and we can't tell if she will ever wake up." Paula said truly sad.
"OMG, I can't believe this is happening to me. Why me? Why now? This is so fucked up." Ashley said really upset but not crying anymore because she was too tired to cry anymore. "Can I go and see her?"
"If you really think you are ready for that then you can." Paula said.
"Ok thanks will you show me where her room is?" Ashley asked while looking at the floor.
"Of course follow me." Paula said while walking back from where she had come from. Spencer got up and started walking behind then. Ashley turned around.
"Spencer I need to see her by myself. I will be fine. Just go home and I'll call a cab home. I need to do this on my own." Ashley said.
"No I am going to at least wait for you here. I will let you visit her alone but I'm not going to leave this hospital with out you. There is no way I can do that." Spencer said confused about what was happening.
"Spencer, just go home I'll be fine. I need you to do this for me. Please Spence just do it." Ashley said.
"Fine but I want you to know I will be here for you no matter what. I love you." Spencer said defeated.
"I know you are. I love you too. I will be home later tonight I promise I will be fine." Ashley said before kissing Spencer on the forehead and walking into her mom's room.