Hi everyone! Thank you so much for the reviews for last chapter. They made me happy. Some of you thought I was moving too fast with Rachel saying ´I love you´ to Ross and moving in with him, and some thought it was great. All I can say is that it happened, and here is the next chapter. I asked for suggestions, because I had an idea, but I wasn't sure if it was the right one. All I can say is that I got a few suggestions, and one from my very good friend, AK-tutti, whom I admire very much for her stories, and that's why I'll be using her suggestion in this chapter. Some of it, anyhow. So, thank you for that idea, honey.
Disclaimer; I don't own Friends, and I don't own the song ´Oh Mother´, Christina Aguilera does that. That song is very beautiful, you should try and listen to it sometimes. And as AK-tutti described it; ´It fits them perfectly´ (y'know, Ashley and Rachel?) ;p I have picked the parts of the song out, wich are most useable in this story. Enjoy :p
Picking Up the Pieces
Chapter 21.
--
She was so young with such innocent eyes
She always dreamt of a fairytale life
And all the things that your money can't buy
She thought that he was a wonderful guy
Then suddenly, things seemed to change
It was the moment she took on his name
He took his anger out on her face
She kept all of her pain locked away
--
"Here you go." Monica said, handing Ashley a cup, "Camomile tea. I thought you could use it."
"Thank you." Ashley smiled, taking the cup, "Did you put honey in it?"
"Of course." Monica smiled, "We want you to get better don't we?"
"Yeah…" Ashley trailed off, "I'm glad I could stay here with you."
"You're no trouble." Monica said, "I just thought your mom and Ross could use some time alone today. So I decided to watch you."
"Yeah, with everything that's going on now, I think they deserve some time to think."
"You know…" Monica begun, stroking Ashley's fringe out of her eyes, "Everyone are so busy taking care of Rachel and making everything good for her, 'cause God knows she deserves happiness, but…" she paused, "No-one has asked you how you feel?"
"How I feel?" Ashley asked, "I feel great."
"Really?"
"Yeah…" Ashley looked thoughtful, "I mean, we're finally where we wanna be. I know I am. I do know it's only been 3 days since mom got out of the hospital, and you took her ´home´," she giggled, "But I believe that home is with Ross. It's gonna be great when we move in for real. With all our stuff. And then Ben will be my stepbrother and mom will be happy, and I will trade schools. And I will visit doctor Gyllenhall every Tuesday. And you will be my aunt."
"That does sound great." Monica smiled, "Did your mom talk about when you guys would move in?"
"She mentioned something about this Friday when we ate breakfast this morning." Ashley told her, "But I think she'll talk to you later when she is picking me up."
"Okay." Monica said, "That will do."
--
Next Friday.
"So," Phoebe smiled, "Is this it then?"
"Yeah…" Rachel trailed off, "God, that's all our stuff."
"It's a good thing that I already had a lot." Ross said.
"Hmm-mm." Rachel said, looking around in the little room.
"Are you sure about this?" Monica asked, looking around in what was once Ben's room.
"Yeah," Rachel said, "Ashley and I will do fine in here for awhile. I just need to take things slow."
"I understand." Ross said, "After all that happened with Barry, I can see you will have difficulties trusting men completely. And I respect that."
"Hey!" Rachel interrupted him, "It has nothing to do with you. I trust you, Ross."
She looked him straight in the eye.
She didn't blink.
He nodded, "Okay."
"And also…" she trailed off again, "Sorry about the things I said that day after we went to the movies. I do not compare you to Barry."
"It's good to hear." Ross said, "And just so you know, Rach. I will never hurt you or Ashley. I hope you believe that. I promise."
"I think I do." Rachel said, "But Barry said it all the time, and he didn't keep his promises. But I think I know you will."
"I will." Ross said, "And we'll take things as slow as you want. You come to me when you're ready, okay?"
"Thank you, Ross." Rachel smiled, and hugged him.
"Wow," Phoebe muttered, "Aren't they the cutest?"
"I think they are." Monica smiled. She looked at Ross and Rachel, who was still hugging, "But I better get back to Ashley. Two hours with Chandler and Joey is too much for that little girl. You coming Phoebs?"
"Right behind you, boss." Phoebe muttered, and then they were out the door.
Back was Ross and Rachel, standing there in the little room together.
"I believe I owe you something." Rachel said.
"What?" Ross asked.
"A thank you. Thank you for saving my life."
--
Oh mother, we're stronger
From all of the tears you have shed
Oh mother, don't look back
Cause he'll never hurt us again
--
The next week.
"How did your appointment with doctor Gyllenhall go?" Ross asked Ashley.
"It was good." Ashley said, "Doctor Gyllenhall is very nice."
Ross laughed, "I bet he is. But what do you guys talk about? I mean… Not that it consoles me, but…"
"Don't worry about it." Ashley smiled, "We talk about dad and mom. And then he gives me suggestions to how I can get all my grief and pain out, to quote him."
"What does he suggest?" Ross asked.
"He said that when I grow up, I should write a book." Ashley said, "But that was like old news, 'cause I already knew I was gonna do that. When I told him that, he just said ´Then maybe you should start writing already now´."
"Oh," Ross said, "But you do not want to do that?"
"Oh I want to." Ashley said, "That's why my only birthday wish is a laptop."
Ross looked thoughtful, "'Cause then you can write?"
"Yeah…" Ashley said, trailing out of the kitchen and into the living room, "'Cause then I can write."
Ross looked after her, with a good feeling in his stomach.
He would get Ashley that computer.
--
Rachel looked at the paper which lay in front of her at the table.
"Dear mom…" she sighed.
If she just was able to explain everything to her mom.
They broke all contact when she decided to leave Barry a few months ago. When she and Ashley moved in with Monica and Chandler.
Her mother and father had never believed her in her accusions against Barry. They called her crazy, and said that he was a good husband.
Now Barry was dead, and the truth was out.
She had to write her mom a letter and explain everything.
"Dear mom…" she began.
--
So mother, I thank you
For all that you've done and still do
You got me, I got you,
Together we always pull through.
Oh mother, oh mother, oh mother
--
"Can I have burger?" Ashley asked her mom, looking at her with big blue eyes.
"Of course, Ash." Rachel said, "That's why we came."
"Yai!" Ashley squealed, "We never ate at McDonald's before!"
"Two burgers and two cokes." Rachel told the woman behind the desk.
"Coming right away." she smiled at them.
"Mom?" Ashley said, while waiting for the food, "How do you cover up your scars every morning? The stitches aren't even out yet?"
"You see this, Ashley?" Rachel asked, touching her cheek, where, if you looked close enough, you could just see a hint of black from the stitches, "You can hide them, but it'll be even easier when they remove them, and I only have the scars, you know?"
"Did it hurt a lot?" Ashley asked, "You know, when the glass hit you?"
"Yeah," Rachel said, paying the woman, and taking their food, "I'm just glad it didn't hit my eyes. Where do you want to sit?"
"Huh?"
"A place to eat Ash." Rachel giggled.
"Oh!" Ashley smiled, "Over there!"
She found a table and they sat down.
Rachel looked around. The place was full, and there were people all around them.
"If they'd hit your eyes, you wouldn't have been able to see, would you?" Ashley asked.
"No." Rachel shook her head, took a bite of her burger – chicken/salsa – and chewed it, "They would have had to remove it."
"Oh," Ashley said, "I'm glad he didn't throw them in your eye then."
"Yeah, believe me, I am too." Rachel smiled.
"I have a question though," Ashley said, "Why did you throw the remote control at the gun when I was gonna hit dad?"
"Ashley!" Rachel said, "What kind of a question is that? I mean, of course I did it because I didn't want my only child to become a murderer in the age of 9!"
"10!"
"Not yet!" Rachel said, "Still some time, honey."
Ashley smiled, and threw a napkin at her mother.
What a good life they already had.
--
All of your life you have spent
Burying hurt and regret
But mama, he'll never touch us again
--
"Sorry," a guy interrupted them, "My name is Lucas Smith. I couldn't help but overhear your conversation before."
"What?" Rachel didn't understand.
"May I sit?" he asked, but he didn't wait for an answer, "Thank you." He sat down, "Before you were talking about something with your husband. I couldn't help but overhear, as I said. Do you want to tell people about your story?"
Rachel opened her mouth, but couldn't answer. This guy was talking so much, she didn't know how to reply.
"Don't worry it ain't on TV." Lucas said, judging her quietness wrong, "I have speaker-time every Thursday for people who want to listen. Our members get a flyer out every Wednesday, but if you want more people to listen, you have to leave some in window shops. I get different people to speak about issues every time, and if you want to speak, you should give me a call."
Before Rachel could reply again, he continued.
"Here's my card. Call me later and we'll make an appointment. Couldn't miss your story, darling."
He gave her his card and kissed her on the cheek, and then he was out the door.
Back was Ashley and Rachel.
Looking stunned at each other.
--
For every time he tried to bring you down
Just remember who's still around
It's over, and we're stronger
And we'll never have to go back again
--
"Uhm…" Rachel trailed off, "What the hell just happened?"
"I don't know!" Ashley laughed, "He just… Started talking."
Rachel looked at the card in her hand, "Do you think I should do this?" she asked.
"I don't know," Ashley honestly answered, "Maybe it would do you good. Maybe you'll meet other wives with abusing husbands?"
"Hmm…" Rachel looked thoughtful, "I don't know…"
--
I love you mom
Well then. Leave me a review. I don't know about this chapter, but you tell me what you think. If it's really bad, I'll rewrite it and then repost it. Anyhow; thanks, Stessa.