Usual disclaimer, I don't own the characters just using them to bring my ideas to life.

Thanks for the wonderful reviews for Chapter One, they were greatly appreciated! I hope this instalment is just as well received!

Chapter Two

Ashley's POV

I was awake so freaking early this morning, I just couldn't sleep. I can't remember a moment in my life where I have ever felt so excited or so happy. In a few hours I'm supposed to go pick up my Baby and bring her back to my, no our, loft so we can start the next phase of our relationship together. You know what, screwed that I am bursting to see her so who says I have to wait?

I jumped out of bed and was ready in record time, I downed a coffee and grabbed an apple as I ran out the door. I swear I stayed below the speed limit on the way to the Carlin's, really I did. Any cameras or cops that say otherwise are simply full of crap.

I got to the Carlin's in less than ten minutes, ok so the drive usually takes fifteen but I had a really good run! My timing was awesome because just as I pulled up Mr. C came out to get his paper. He gave me a huge smile and pulled me into a big bear hug, "Morning Ash, aren't you a little early? I thought you weren't stealing our youngest until 12?"

"Um yeah I ah, I couldn't wait," I gave him a cheeky grin and he chuckled before ushering me into the house. As I went to sneak up the stairs he stopped me with a hand on the shoulder, "Ash, take care of her for me won't you?"

I smiled warmly, this guy has to be the most awesome Dad ever, "You know I will."

He nodded and squeezed my shoulder affectionately, "Breakfast will be on the go in about an hour, so we'll see you at the table." As he headed off to the living room I moved as quickly and quietly up the stairs as I could. I had snuck up and down this staircase so many times that I knew each and every place they squeaked. I stealthily reached Spencer's bedroom and slipped inside. I felt a huge smile form on my face as I watched my girl sleeping. Eyes closed, long blonde hair lying over her shoulder, curled up on her side and her face serene and peaceful. God every time I see her I fall more and more in love.

I slid my hoodie off and walked to what had become my side of her bed. I kicked my flip-flops off and slid under the covers beside her. I wrapped my arm around her waist and snuggled up to her back. Gotta love some early morning spooning with my outrageously gorgeous girl. I couldn't keep the smile off my face as I felt her snuggle deeper into my arms, her back pressing harder into my front. I ran my fingers gently through her silky hair as I placed tender kisses on her bared shoulder and the back of her neck.

She stretched and groaned throatily as she began to wake up. I buried my face in her hair and kissed around her ear before whispering, "Good morning Baby."

She turned slightly in my arms so that she could look into my eyes. I have to say I so love an early morning Spencer, she is just too cute and cuddly. She gazed up at me with sleepy blue eyes and grinned, "What are you doing here?"

"I couldn't wait so I came over early," she tilted her head and looked at me in amazement, "ok so really early." Spencer laughed and snuggled against my chest. I cradled her in my arms as she rested her cheek on my chest. I slowly traced a pattern along her arm as she drew circles on my stomach with the tip of her finger. It just felt so right, lying there with her in my arms. I gently kissed the top of her head and breathed in the scent of coconuts and raspberries that was all her.

"How did you sleep?"

"I kinda passed out I think, after all that lifting and sorting at your, I mean our place," I beamed down at her, God our place – I have never heard two hotter words. "But I know I would have slept better if I was with you," she whispered sweetly, kissing me on the cheek. I leaned in and caught her lips in a tender kiss, hopefully conveying to her exactly how much I agreed with her.

"I know Baby, me too. But hey from tonight I get to hold you in my arms every night for the rest of my life," I murmured. Before Spencer I never saw myself committing to anyone. I was definitely a love em and leave em sort of girl. Spencer changed that, changed me. She made me want to be better, to be deserving of her.

"Hmmm I like the sound of that," she said with a grin and her signature head tilt, "So how about I get up and we get a move on?" I nodded excitedly and watched as she bounded out of bed, looking so very sexy in her purple boxer shorts and lemon yellow tank top. I watched as she disappeared into her bathroom and took a look around her room. Everything was packed in boxes, except the bed stuff (which she was leaving behind) and a suitcase of clothes that sat open. Out of the corner of my eye I saw one remaining item, not yet packed. I pulled myself to the side of the bed and dangled my legs over the side as I gently picked up the intricately carved silver frame from her bedside table.

I can't help but smile as I take in the scene in the photo. That day will be forever burned in my mind as they day when everything became possible, it was the day I realised I was in love with my best friend. We skipped school, ok so I convinced Spencer to skip school, and hung out at the beach all day. It was fun and carefree but like always with us there was an undertow of flirting. We had been mucking around out in the water (yeah I dragged her in, Spencer was all keen to just sunbake but how boring is that?) and finally emerged to throw ourselves on our towels and soak up some sun.

Spencer looked kind of tense, like she had way too much on her mind, but I knew better than to ask her what was wrong. Spencer will always answer questions like that with an 'I'm fine' or 'nothing's wrong'. Best thing with her has always been to give her time and eventually she tells you what the deal is.

In hindsight her revelation really wasn't so surprising but at the time it threw me. We were lying on our backs when Spencer told me she thought she liked girls. I was floored. I mean I had wondered, and secretly hoped, but never really prepared myself for the fact she might actually really be gay. It was in the second that I realised that I was in love with her.

The photo was taken about ten minutes after her confession, we were lying close together on our stomachs, resting up on our elbows. Spencer looked so free, like a huge weight had been lifted. A sweet lady with a toddler offered to take our photo after our unsuccessful attempt at a happy-snap. Spencer insisted that we document this momentous occasion. In the photo we're laughing as we faced the camera and the sun is shining off us. It was the start of something huge for both of us.

I smiled fondly as I placed the photo back on her bedside table. I knew for a fact that we had packed that photo the day before yesterday, I had been the one to wrap it in bubble wrap and put it in a box. Spencer had protested that she couldn't sleep in the room, even for one night, without that photo beside her. I teased her about it and she let me pack it. I guess once I'd gone she'd pulled it out again. God I love that girl.

Twenty minutes later my girl emerged from the bathroom dressed in skinny, dark blue jeans and a purple tank top over a white one. She was wearing her white Chuck Taylor's and had her hair clipped half back behind her head. My God she is stunning. She catches me staring at her and lowers her eyes, blushing furiously. I hopped up from the bed and quickly walk to her side, gently tilting her head so I can look into those deep blue eyes of hers. I leaned in and planted a chaste kiss on her lips before smirking at her. "What?" she asked tilting her head and grinning at me.

"So you did a little unpacking did you?" I laughed as her expression became confused. I reached over and plucked the photo frame from her bedside table. She smiled sheepishly and gently took it from my hands. "I couldn't be without it. This photo represents so much to me. It was the first time I ever voiced the thoughts that had been swirling inside me and it was also when I acknowledged to myself that I was falling for you. We went through so much after this day, you know, to finally get together and I like a little reminder of the day it all really began." I leaned in and kissed her with as much love and passion as I could (and that was a hell of a lot). I wrapped my arms around her and deepened the kiss as she leaned into me.

Finally, breathless, I pulled away and held her hand in mine, "Your Dad's making breakfast so we'd better head down before that pig of a brother of your's eats it all." Spencer laughed and let me lead her by the hand down to breakfast with the Carlins.

I can't believe how comfortable I feel with this family, no you know what they are my family. I did not predict that we would ever be here. I mean it wasn't that long ago that Mrs. C was dragging me out of the house by my hair while I was half naked and now here I am laughing and joking with the Carlin matriarch. It's funny how things work out huh? After breakfast Spencer and her Dad start loading her boxes and suitcases into the Carlin family car. As I went to help them Mrs. C put an arm around my shoulder and smiled down at me.

"Ash, I know we got off to a rocky start. I treated you so poorly and for that I am truly sorry. I was ignorant, narrow-minded and stupid. I nearly lost my daughter because of it. Instead I leant a valuable lesson about love and what it means to be a family and I inherited another daughter," she paused to give me a kiss on the forehead, "Ashley I want you to know that I consider you as much a part of this family as my own kids. You are a remarkable young woman and I am so grateful to you for making Spencer so happy."

I cut her off by throwing my arms around her in a tight hug, "Thanks Mrs. C, you're the best girlfriend's/surrogate Mom I've ever had!" She laughed and squeezed me tighter.

We went out and helped Spencer and Mr. C finish packing the car before we all loaded in (well Spencer and me in my car and the older Carlins in theirs) and headed to the loft.

It took quite a few trips but soon we had all of Spencer's boxes and suitcases piled up in the living room of the loft. I asked the Carlin's to stay for lunch but they opted to give us some time alone. They left with promises to come over for dinner in a few days (of course Mr. C would be doing the cooking) and with us promising to call if we needed anything. We were both hugged and kissed within an inch of our lives before Mr. C led a rather teary Mrs. C out of the loft.

I turned around after closing the door to see Spencer standing in the middle of the living room with a small, but extremely sexy, smile on her face. I just stood there, I couldn't believe that this was really happening.

"Ash, this is real. I am totally living here with you now so stop standing there and staring at me like this is a dream you're about to wake up from. Get your ass over here and kiss me," Spencer held out her hand for me to take. I needed no further encouragement. I flew across the loft and pulled her to me before crushing my lips down on hers. I love the way she always knows what I'm thinking. She just gets me like no one else ever has.

I felt her tongue against my bottom lip and willingly parted my lips to grant her entrance. I moaned into her mouth as our tongues connected. No matter how many times I kiss Spencer Carlin I just can't get enough. We kissed until oxygen became and issue. Spencer pulled back, breathing heavily, and rested her forehead against mine. Her eyes were closed and she had the most amazing smile on her lips. I leaned in and gave her a quick peck before snuggling my face into the crook of her neck.

After a bit more snuggling and a lot more kissing we started to unpack Spencer's things. I have to say seeing her clothes hanging next to mine in the closest was one of the best things ever! Actually everything about that day was awesome. We stopped briefly for lunch and I'm sure I dazzled my girl with my stellar grilled-cheese sandwiches, before getting back to the unpacking. It took the rest of the day but finally Spencer was moved in.

While Spencer had a shower I went out and got Chinese and set up a romantic little scene in the living room. Kyla had kindly offered to stay at Aiden's (not 100% sure what's going on there) to give me and Spencer a chance to settle in. So knowing we wouldn't be interrupted I may have gone a little overboard. I put candles everywhere and turned off all the lights so the room was bathed in the gentle glow of candle light. I scattered red and white rose petals around the room and placed a large glass bowl on the coffee table which had candles in glass jars and roses floating in it. I arranges the takeout boxes on the coffee table and had a bottle of good (and by good I mean expensive) champagne chilling in ice. I put on a CD my girl had burnt for me, it had all our favourite love songs on it including Dirty Mind which I wrote for her. Once the music was playing softly I surveyed the room to make sure everything was perfect. Satisfied, I perched on the back of the sofa and waited for her to emerge.

Spencer walked out of the bathroom wearing a pair of blue and white check boxer shorts and a white tank top, her damp hair wrapped up in a knot on the top of her head. I couldn't remember her ever looking more beautiful. Spencer froze and looked around the room, the surprise on her face giving way to a blinding smile that made her eyes glow a remarkable sky blue.

"You did all this?" She asked tilting her head and looking at me with wonder.

"Yeah, I thought we should celebrate our first night in our loft together," I murmured, stepping away from the sofa and pulling her into my arms. She willingly melted into my embrace. I loved that I could do that to her.

I led her to the sofa and we shared a delicious, if not slightly lukewarm, dinner. We flirted outrageously and fed each other through out dinner, while sipping champagne and toasting to our future together. We laughed and joked, held hands and long, lingering looks in the candle light. It was incredible. After we ate I pulled her to her feet and moved into her arms as we swayed to the music playing softly in the background. I felt her sign with contentment and rest her head on my shoulder. I held her closer and closed my eyes as we moved together. This is what heaven must be like, I thought to myself lost in the feeling of the girl in my arms. I was pulled from my thoughts by the sensation of light kisses being traced along my neck and towards my lips.

Her lips found mine and I smiled as she moaned against me. Our hands began roaming, teasing each other as much as we could, while we hungrily kissed. Spencer dragged her lips from mine and began trailing kisses down my throat. I gasped as her tongue lapped at my pulse point and pushed her back towards the sofa. The back of her knees hit the edge and she let herself fall back onto the cushions, pulling me with her. I settled myself above her, straddling her hips as I kissed her neck, running kisses down across her collar bone. I can feel her body arching up into mine and it took all self control I had not to make love to her right there on the sofa, but for our first official night living together the sofa just wasn't going to cut it.

I pulled back and stepped off the couch. Spencer groaned in protest making me chuckle as she pouted up at me. I held out my hand and helped her from the couch to lead her to our room.

She followed me, her eyes never leaving mine. Her chest rising and falling rapidly as her breathing became more and more erratic with anticipation. Her expression became serious as we reached our bed. She reached out and pulled me to her, "I love you Ashley Davies."

"I love you to Spencer Carlin," I pushed her back onto the bed and proceeded to show her how much I loved her…several times.

Well there's chapter 2 done and dusted, hope you liked it.

Chapter 3 will be coming soon.

Any and all reviews, feedback and ideas are appreciated.