RIVALS Chapter 13, a secret life of the american teenager fanfic

After contacting Ashley's husband Matt in Bolonia with Ben's help Amy makes preparations to leave, but first she decides to contact her parents and tell them the news about Ashley being married for a year and a half as well as pregnant with triplets. This is section is the talk between George, Anne, Kathleen, and Grace.

George: This just pisses me off. How could Ashley, my Ashley and baby girl get married without having me there to give her away.

Kathleen: Well, George can you blame her? We didn't even let her know that we were getting married, and she wasn't there for our wedding, Amy's wedding, or Grace's.

George: But, that's different I'm her father Ash and I used to be close, closer than any father and daughter could be. Now she is in Bolonia and pretending like none of us even exist.

Anne: George I agree with Kathleen on this. We really can't blame her, for the past eight years none of us have never really had any contact with her, accept a few letters and phone calls. We don't even take time to skype with her.

George: That's not entirely true, we tried to let her in. We visited her five years ago, and she acted like we were Mongols invading her country. I told her that when she stopped acting like that, then we would go from there.

Amy: Dad you have to understand, Ash was going through a lot of stuff and none of us really tried to understand or help her.

George: What stuff, we used to ask Ashley all the time if something was bothering her, and every time she would say nothing was wrong. How could we help her with her problems, if she never told us what her problems were?

Anne: That's because we were the problems George. Remember when she made that project of an eco-system for school. She modeled that eco-system after our family, and she said that in order for it too survive someone had to be sacrificed to ensure the survival of the others. Ashley chose herself to be sacrificed so we could all survive.

George: Anne don't be ridiculous, you're acting like we sent her out into the wilderness to die. We didn't lack food or money, we could have all co-existed, or co-habitated, or whatever.

Amy: Honestly Dad, we couldn't. I mean we all try to pretend that we were a big happy family and we're not. Ash wasn't like us, she never bought into any of the bull shit that we believed in. She saw everything that was going on, and she never said anything because she didn't want to hurt us. We were all so pre-occupied, or in my case selfish to really see she was suffering as well. Our whole family just fell apart, and unlike Robbie she wasn't too young not too understand what was going on. Worst of all she was too smart not to understand, and too mature for her age so she understood everything that was happening. Worst of all she was too powerless to do anything about it, and when she tried we were all too blind to see what she was doing.

Anne: Amy what are you talking about?

Amy: Her dancing, mom. Her dancing.

Anne: But, Ashley chose to give up dancing on her own.

George: Not exactly...Anne. She used to take lesson's from her teacher every now and again, in exchange for Ashley during chores.

Anne: So, if Ashley still wanted to dance why did she give it up (a realization hit her) ...Oh God.

Amy: What is it Mom? (concerned at her mother)

Anne: The band camp.

George: (realizing what Anne was thinking) Anne you don't think?...

Anne: I don't see why not George, Ashley knew everything that was going on, she just never let us know she knew.

Amy: I don't get it what are you guys talking about, and what does Band Camp have to do with anything.

Anne: The year you went to band camp Amy, Ashley's teacher asked us to send Ashley to a special school in New York for Dance during that summer. She was really impressed with Ashley's ability, and told us that she thought Ashley was truly gifted.

Amy: Really, how come I never heard any of this.

George: Because we didn't want you to know the rest of the story. Ashley's teacher thought she was so good she recommended the dance school, because at the end of the summer, the top five dancer's would be given a scholarship to Julliard.

Amy: What? You mean that Ashley had that opportunity and you guys didn't let her take it.

Anne: No Amy, we couldn't afford both. It was either send you to Band Camp, or Ashley to Dance school. We had made our decision to send Ashley, because she was so good at dancing.

Amy: So why did you send me to camp instead.

Anne: Because a few weeks before we were going to let you both know, Ashely decided to quit dancing all together.

George: And I guess we were too wrapped up in our own problems too realize that Ashely was found out that we couldn't afford both.

Grace: But, how would Ashley know that?

Amy: Because that's Ashley, she has a sixth sense of knowing things that people don't want anyone else to know. It's how she knew I was pregnant. If I know Ashley, that is why she seemed to feel guilty about me being pregnant and wanted me to keep John. She felt guilty because she thought that if she would have kept dancing then I wouldn't have met Ricky, and gotten pregnant.

Grace: So Ashley was that nice? I always thought that she was kind of mean, at least that's what you used to tell me Amy.

Amy: That was because I didn't want to admit I was the mean one. Ashley was the strong one, the brave one, the smart one, the kind one, and even the nice one. I was just too jealous of her to admit that.

Anne: Amy that's not true.

Amy: Yes it is mom. I need to stop trying to pretend that I was the innocent kid all the time, that didn't know what she was doing. You guys want to know the truth. The real truth about why I slept with Ricky back in band camp all those years ago.

George: Ames this isn't the time.

Amy: Yes it is Dad. I slept with Ricky and lost my virginity because I thought it would make him like me and be my boyfriend. I didn't know anything about him, I didn't love him, or even care about him. But, I thought that if I had sex with him, then I could go to high school with the hottest guy at Grant High, and it would make me popular. It would make everyone notice me, and pay attention to me. Instead I got pregnant, and instead of learning from that, I used it to still get people to pay attention to me. Worst of all I hurt a lot of people because of it.

Anne: Amy you didn't mean to do that. You were just a teenager who didn't know any better.

Amy: Does that make it alright mom. Did it make it okay for me to lie to Ben, and date him so he would take care of me while I was pregnant. I liked him, but I knew I wasn't in love with him. I knew that he cared about me really cared about me, and I was so selfish I didn't think about how I was going to ruin his life. Now look at everything.

Anne: Amy what happened to Ben isn't your fault.

Amy: Yes it is, or at least I started it. Leo did everything he could to help me, and Ricky. He did it so I would stay away from Ben.

Anne: Amy that isn't true, Leo was just a good man who wanted to help. I'm sure that he didn't do all that just to break you and Ben up.

George: Actually Anne I kinda think he did. Leo told me he believed that Amy introduced all that into Ben's life a long time ago. I refused to believe it, but when he got sick he confided in me that he did help Ricky to test Amy.

Amy: Dad what are you saying.

George: Before Leo got really sick, and after Ricky's promotion he told me the real reason behind why he helped Ricky the way he did?

FLASHBACK: June 19, 2019

Leo: That was a good game George I needed this break.

George: Tough days at the office, I thought my son in law was supposed to lessen the work load.

Leo: It's not the company that is troubling me.

George: Problems at home.

Leo: No, it's problems in the family.

George: Ben. What is it this time? I thought after all this time he was done getting into trouble.

Leo: (getting upset) My son didn't get into trouble alone George, or have you forgotten that?

George: Leo calm down I meant no dis-respect.

Leo: I'm sorry. It's just Ben and I aren't talking anymore. If we ever talked at all

George: Really, how come? I know its been difficult with you two, and he doesn't come home that often, but I thought he was just busy with his magazine.

Leo: That's what I thought. Now I know Ben doesn't intend to come home. He doesn't even consider that he has a home anymore.

George: It's that bad?

Leo: Its' not bad, it's horrible. I thought that I knew Ben, George. But I don't. I thought everything I did was helping him, but it was hurting him all the while. Now its too late for me to do anything about it.

George: Leo, come on you did the best you could.

Leo: If I did that George my son wouldn't hate me so much.

George: Leo, you're his father after everything everyone he's been through he loves you. He's a forgiving guy. Why would he hate you.

Leo: Because I lied to him, and screwed up his life.

George: Leo out of everything you have done I'm sure that's not true.

Leo: Yes it is George. If I had just stayed out of his life in high school he would be okay, but like a helicopter I crashed in and wrecked everything. All because I couldn't tell him what I thought because I was afraid of losing him, and I lost him anyway.

George: Leo, what are you talking about?

Leo: Do you ever wonder why I helped Ricky out so much George? Why I did the things I did for him? The job, the apartment.

George: Because he needed it, I guess.

Leo: I did it to test Amy George. I wanted to see if I gave Ricky the ability to provide for her and John would she want to be with him over Ben.

George: Leo, you're not trying to call my daughter a gold digger are you.

Leo: No, George nothing like that. But, Amy proved to me that she was never truly invested in Ben as she claimed, if she was she wouldn't be married to Ricky.

George: Hey we argued about this once, don't bring it up. Ben was at fault for their break up just as much as Amy when he got Adrian pregnant.

Leo: I know that George, but what I can never figure is why were they together in the first place. Did Amy want to be with Ben for love, or necessity?

George: (not able to deny that question looks away) I'm gonna head home I have to get to work tonight at the resturaunte.

PRESENT STORY ARCH

Amy: So even after all these years, Leo didn't really like me. (breathes really heavily) I can't say I blame him. I did date Ben for necessity. He was a great guy, and I knew he would take care of me and John. But, I never thought about what I was putting him through. I never thought about what I put anyone through. Ben, Ashley, You guys (referring to her parents), my friends, Ricky, or even Adrian. All I thought about was I couldn't do it alone. When I should have thought about what I was asking everyone else to go through for me.

Grace: Amy don't be so hard on yourself we all volunteered to help remember that.

Amy: I know that Grace, but I never once really thanked any of you for all you did. Ben and Ashley most importantly. Even after Ben lost his daughter I was never really there for him or Adrian. I wasn't there for Ashley at all accept to get angry at her because I was jealus of her.

Anne: Amy that's not true.

Amy: Mom, yes it is. I was jealous of her for not having to have a baby to take care of. For being able to go on dates, and go out with friends, and have fun. I was angry at her for not doing that stuff. I was angry at her for staying in her room all the time like some outcast. When I should have realized that was my little sister crying out to me to help her. It wasn't Ashley's job to look after me, it was my job to look after her. I was her big sister, and I just treated her so badly (coming to tears from her guilt).

Anne: Amy (consoling Amy because she realized that everything Amy said was true. Ashley was asking for help, but she was too proud to say it, and they were too naive to see it.)

George: Well maybe we should go with you. I mean I would like to be there to see my grand kids born. I'm just upset some other jerk gave my Ash away at her wedding.

Amy: Don't worry Dad, it wasn't some jerk it was Ben.

Anne/George/Kathleen/Grace: BEN!

Grace: Okay, that is something I wasn't expecting.

George: You're telling me he walked my baby down the aisle? How in the hell did Ben Boykewich get the right to give my Ash away at her wedding over me?

Amy: Don't be angry with him Dad. According to Ben he and Ashley were both kind of in the same boat so they decided to enjoy the ride together. I guess Ashley turned to Ben because she knew he was the one person she could trust, who knew exactly what she was going through. Ben said that they were kindred.

George: They weren't anything else besides friends were they? I would hate to think Ben got from Ashley what he didn't get from you.

Amy: I don't think so, but Ben did say he spent a lot of lonely holidays with Ash, before she met Matt, and Ben has admitted to being a playboy for a while.

Anne: No!... Ben and Ashley that would never happen.

Grace: Well, she was interested in Ricky. And almost every girl that is interested in Ricky usually develops an interest in Ben as well. Amy, Adrian, and myself included. And

Kathleen: And Ben really has grown into his Italian looks.

Amy: Well I can vouch for that. (remembering how sexy Ben looked in his work out clothes.) (he was not that muscular, but what he had was in the right places...even the tattoos.) Also Dad, Ben rejected me, not the other way around.

George: Don't say that

Grace: I have to admit I tried, myself. Adrian was the only one who actually succeeded and she definitely enjoyed it a lot even though it was his first time, and she did get pregnant from the broken condom.

George: What are you saying Grace

Anne: Well I have to admit even though I'm gay. I always did find him attractive in that innocent school boy older woman kind of way.

Kathleen: I wouldn't mind seeing why they called him the Sausage Prince, myself.

Amy: Whose to say Ashley didn't succeed where your other daughters have failed, Dad. According to Ben they were awfully close, and unlike Griffin Ben is straight.

George: I'll Kill HIM!

Amy: No Dad, you wont. We are just teasing, and besides Even if something did happen between Ben and Ashley it's their business not ours. But I'm going to go see Ashley with just me and the boys. Ashley leaving was all of our mess. But, I'm the one who should, and will clean it up. I'm the big sister, and I'm 27 years old. It's about time I started acting like it.

Anne: Okay Amy. (patting her daughter on the back and feeling proud of her) I and your family wish you luck. And even if things with Ashley don't turn out the way you want. We will be here to help... BOTH OF YOU.

Amy: That's great Mom.

Grace: I hope things work out well, it will be good for me to have some kids close to my own kids ages, (patted her stomach which was now 5 months into term). And it will be really nice to have a little sister.

Amy: Trust me Grace, it really is the best, when you actually appreciate it..(thinking of her former relationship with Ashley)

PLEASE HAVE THE SOLO "I'M COMING HOME by SKYLAR GREY PLAYING (SOLO NOT FULL SONG)

And the blood will dry
Underneath my nails
And the wind will rise up
To fill my sails

So you can doubt
And you can hate
But I know
No matter what it takes

I'm coming home
I'm coming home
Tell the world that I'm coming home
Let the rain
Wash away
All the pain of yesterday
I know my kingdom awaits
And they've forgiven my mistakes
I'm coming home
I'm coming home
Tell the world I'm coming

Still far away
From where I belong
But it's always darkest
Before the dawn

So you can doubt
And you can hate
But I know
No matter what it takes