Chapter 7: Pain

Ashley sighed as she walked around Kimberly's house with a hand on her stomach. She smiled when she felt the baby kick. "Soon," she whispered. She sat down in the rocking chair and rubbed her stomach. She found herself humming again and she felt the baby kick some more. "You're feisty today," she commented. Ashley smiled and tilted her head back. "Andros…" she whispered.

She still thought about him, he haunted her in her dreams. She could still feel him and it scared her. Andros was the only man that made her feel the way she did when they were together. The night they first made love, she had lost her virginity to him and she never regretted it. Sure she was told to wait till marriage, but she was also told to save it for someone she cared for the most. Andros was just that person. He was so gentle with her that it surprised her. Every night before going to sleep, she would stay up and think about that night. It was the perfect night, he was the perfect guy. Ashley loved him past her heart, mind, and body. She loved him deep down in her soul. A kind of love that only few people get to experience ever. She was only lucky to be able to experience that wonderful feeling. That beautiful love that she wished she could have back.

Ashley felt a lump rise in her throat as she thought about the day she left KO-35, that was what she regretted, leaving him. She longed to just go to NASADA and to go back to KO-35 to be with him. She longed for his touch, his kiss, and his love. She wanted him to be there the day she gave birth to their baby. She wanted him to be there for their baby to grow up and make a difference in the universe. Ashley just wanted Andros there with her. She was madly in love with him, she wouldn't deny that even if she tried. She could never deny her feelings for the Karovan, who captured her heart the day they met. She was carrying his baby and it broke her heart that he wouldn't answer her messages.

Ashley slowly got up from the rocking chair to get something to drink. She walked into the kitchen and pulled out a bottled water from the fridge. She took a drink and she looked out the window. Ashley turned to leave the kitchen when she froze. The water fell from her hand and hit the floor, water spilling all over the floor. "Oh God…" she whispered. She held onto the counter and winced in pain. "That was a contraction," she hissed. She bit her lip and looked over to see the phone sitting beside her. She grabbed it and dialed Kimberly's number.

"Hello?" Kimberly answered.

"Kim…you need to get back here," Ashley informed.

"Is everything okay?"

"My water broke and I'm having contractions."

"Just stay calm sweetie I'm on my way there."

"Okay."

They hung up and Ashley held her stomach. A tear fell down her face as she tried to at least walk, but it hurt too much. She tried practicing her breathing and she did at least make it to the living room. "Okay, I can do this. I've been through worse," she commented to herself. She cried out when another contraction hit. "Okay, I was wrong," she muttered.

Five minutes later, Kimberly was home. "Ashley?" She called.

"I'm in here," Ashley answered.

Kimberly came in and saw her cousin trying to stand up from the couch. "How far are the contractions?" She asked. Ashley winced before she could answer her.

"About every two-three minutes," Ashley replied.

"We're getting you to the hospital."

Ashley nodded and Kimberly helped her out of the house.

(Miami Memorial)

Ashley let out a sigh as she laid back in the hospital bed with a hand on her stomach. "Doctor says you're doing great," Kimberly commented. Ashley stared at the ceiling.

"Did you try?" Ashley asked.

"What?"

"Andros? Did you try contacting Andros?"

Kimberly sighed and she nodded her head slowly. "I tried, sweetie," she replied. Ashley knew that look all to well and she let out a small sob. Kimberly sat next to her on the bed. Ashley tried not to cry, she wiped the tears that fell down her face away.

"I--It's not going to want me," Ashley informed.

"What kind of talk is that?" Kimberly asked.

"It's the truth. My baby's not going to want me because I can't get it's daddy here to be with me."

Kimberly shook her head and she pushed some hair out of Ashley's face. "Ashley, this baby's going to love you. You want this baby don't you?" She asked.

"Yes," Ashley replied.

"The baby's going to want you. You'll see the baby grow up and become something great."

Ashley felt a lump rise in her throat and she let out a sob. "I wanted him here…I wanted him here with me and the baby," she sobbed. Kimberly pulled her into a gentle hug.

"I know," she whispered.

Ashley let out another sob.

(Hours Later)

Kimberly bit her bottom lip when Ashley delivered the baby. The room was filled with loud wails and Kimberly looked at Ashley. "It's a boy," she announced. Ashley let out a small sob and the doctor handed the baby to Ashley. "He's beautiful," Kimberly commented. Ashley looked at her son with tears falling down her face.

"Hey sweetie. I'm your mommy," she whispered.

The baby's wails turned to whimpering. Ashley held his tiny hand and let out another sob. "I have a son," she whispered. She kissed his forehead and the tears kept falling down her face. She quietly sang "La Mer" to the baby and watched as he calmed down and grabbed her hand.

"What's his name?" Kimberly asked.

Ashley looked at him and let out a sigh. "Hayden…Hayden Andros Hammond," she replied. Kimberly nodded.

"It's perfect," she agreed.

Ashley stroked his cheek with a smile. "Hello, Ashley," a voice greeted. Kimberly and Ashley looked up to see Ashley's parents standing there.

"Get out," Kimberly ordered.

"We came to see our daughter," Caroline informed.

"Well, your daughter doesn't want to see you."

Greg glared at Kimberly and he saw the baby in Ashley's arms. "Give Kimberly the baby, Ashley, you're coming home," he informed. Ashley held Hayden close to her chest.

"No," she answered.

"Excuse me?" Greg asked.

"I said no," she replied.

"Ashley, it's already ruined your life," Caroline insisted.

Ashley glared at them. "This isn't an it. This is my son and his name is Hayden Andros Hammond," Ashley answered.

"Great she's already named the bastard," Greg muttered.

"He's my son, dad, did you think I was going to have him go nameless?" She asked.

Kimberly stood in front of Greg. "Get out, Greg, Caroline," she ordered. Greg glared at his niece.

"I'm not going to have my daughter turn out to be a whore like you are," he snapped.

Kimberly reeled her fist back and she punched him. "Don't you dare insult me like that ever again," she hissed. Ashley looked down at Hayden and then she looked at her parents.

"What about school Ashley?" Caroline asked.

"I graduated a few months ago," Ashley replied.

"You can't afford to go to college and to raise that brat," Greg informed.

"She can raise Hayden. She'll be staying with me while she goes to the fashion design school here in Miami. I can help her raise the baby with the money I have from my Pan-Global winnings," Kimberly explained.

Greg shook his head. "This is ridiculous, come on, Ashley," he ordered. Ashley shook her head.

"I'm not leaving without my son," she answered.

"You don't have a son," Greg snapped.

"I think she does. I mean, I think she was giving birth to a son for thirteen hours," Kimberly commented.

"You stay out of this, Kimberly Ann."

"You get out, Greg."

Caroline sighed and grabbed his arm. "Come on Greg," she told him. Greg glared at Kimberly before leaving. Ashley let out a shaky sigh.

"Kimberly," she called quietly.

Kimberly looked over at Ashley. "Don't let them take my baby," she said worriedly. Kimberly walked over and sat next to her.

"While I'm here, Ash, nothing will happen to you or Hayden," Kimberly assured her.

"Thank you."

Kimberly nodded and Ashley looked back at her now sleeping son.