Thanks for the reviews as always. I have a perma-grin when I read them and I am an expert "happy dancer" now ;)
CheddarCheeseLover21- Glad that the grades are good. Spashley sex "the brain enhancer" lol. Hope the withdraw wasn't too bad.
Sgarc12- My tail feather was defintely shaking. Lol. I can't wait to see sexy Spencer too ;)
awe- No tears in this one. I promise :)
Toni- Hope your butt's not too sore from sitting there reading my story all day lol. I definetly know the feeling I have probably did that once or twice. Yep, I am 100% sure now that it will be chapter 35. Chapter 34 should be a loooong one. Hopefully chapter 35 too ;) There will be a road block for them in chapter 34 but they will eventually drive around it. No worries. :)
GreenPen85- Yes, Madison is a great friend. You are also right about Ashley and Miranda. The wait is over. The surprise is here.
Lesbefriends- Yep, only 3 more chapters. It will defintely be chapter 35. :) I can't comment on that last part , just know that I will do what is best for the story :)
RandomMind- Thanks. It means a lot. Here's your update :)
hollymarie4- Carmen will be a mystery for a little while longer. I try to make them adorable without getting too cheesy. Hope that's working out. :)
tbplrbear1- Thanks, "powerful and beautiful" are part of what I was aiming for. Chapter 35...I promise some Spashley goodness.
Rachel2020- I defintely did not fall over. Pfft. Thanks to the amazing reviews I've got that dance perfected ;) "Where do you get these people from" Uh I have a very colorful imagination. Lol. You wouldn't believe the stuff going on up there. Or maybe you would. lol. Did you just flick off Casey and Carmen? lol too funny.
noodles307- Sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry :( Ashley doesn't want to forgive Carmen but she wants Casey to be happy so she is in her own way telling her that she's giving her a chance. Here's the surpise ..were you right? This is a little shorter chapter because Chapter 34 is going to be reeeally long and hopefully chapter 35 as well ;)
- Of course Spashley will always be the main focus. But you need to sprinkle in some other characters as well to add character and balance to the story. Without Casey and Alyssa, Ashley's character would not be explained very well. They add depth to her if that makes any sense. Okay so I always have to ask about the U.K. slang. Bang Tidy? and Reet rubbish? Lol please explain.
momo0424- Exactly, Ashley has never really been in a relationship like this. She is still learning. Madison is a great friend, she was willing to overstep boundaries to make sure Spence was going to treat her friend good. The surprise is here. And I think it's pretty epic. Hope you do too. :)
KairiM- Thanks. YOu think Casey is going to out which relationship? Her and Carmen's or Spencer and Ashley's? We will see though...Casey and Carmen are both mysterious. Good or bad? Hmmm. Hope this update was soon enough :)
whocares- Love the name. Thanks. Here's what happens next...
imaferrari- Ashley may not forgive Carmen but she cares about Casey. She wants to give Carmen a chance because she wants Casey to be happy. Yes, so happy that Alyssa is out of the hospital and is there a better place to be than off the ocean. I don't think so.
I own nothing but my imagination. Casey, Alyssa and Miranda are mine too :) and a few other less important characters not worth mentioning.
It was a beautiful day. A slight breeze of course but not a cold one. Everything was ready. Everyone that needed to be here was here. We were just waiting for one thing. Alyssa took an unexpected nap. She was getting weaker and naps were becoming a two or three sometimes four a day thing.
"Are you ready Ash?" Miranda plopped down next to me on the patio lounger.
"Yeah. I'm a little nervous though." I started playing with the rings on my fingers.
"Why? You've done this a thousand times Ash."
"This time is different. It's special. I have to be perfect today."
"Ashley you don't have to be perfect. Alyssa is going to be so happy; do you think she cares whether or not you're 'perfect'? No." She reassured me and put her arm around me.
"I guess you're right." I gave her a friendly bump.
"Duh."
I shook my head. "I'm still nervous."
"Just have fun Ash."
Around 2pm Alyssa had finally woken up. After getting a small bite to eat she was wheeled out to the patio.
The look on her face took away all of my nerves. She was so surprised. Her eyes were wide and she held her hand over her mouth.
"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh. Seriously?" She couldn't contain her excitement and I'm sure if she could jump up and down she would have.
We were set up on the higher part of the very large patio, a good 30 feet away. Rick the drummer, Chris the bassist, Rob on the keyboard and me with my acoustic. We planned for a 10 song set. All of Alyssa's favorites. I may or may not have snuck a look at her playlist "My Fave's" on her I-pod last week during a visit. Most of the songs the band and I already knew. A few we had to practice.
"Alyssa I know you wanted to come to one of my shows and it really sucks that you couldn't. Sooo, I figured we would bring the show to you." She was grinning ear to ear and clapping her hands.
I nodded to the guys and they nodded back signaling they were ready and we started the show. Paramore's Misery Business was first followed by the slower We Are Broken. Then we played Never Say Never by The Fray and Good To You by Mariana Trench. We did a lighter version of Metallica's Nothing Else Matters and Nickleback's If Everyone Cared.
We took a quick break so Alyssa could use the bathroom if she needed to or get something to drink. When we continued we finished off with The Man Who Can't Be Moved by The Script, Run by Snow Patrol and finally Chasing Pavements by Adele. There was one last song and it was very special to Alyssa.
"Okay so this is the last song and from what I have been told your mother used to sing a shorter version to you as a small child every night before you went to bed." She shook her head while smiling and looked up at her mom who was standing next to her chair and holding her hand.
Hey, where did we go
Days when the rains came?
Down in the hollow
Playin' a new game
Laughin' and a-runnin', hey hey
Skippin' and a-jumpin'
In the misty mornin' fog
With our, our hearts a-thumpin'
And you,
My brown eyed girl
You, my brown eyed girl
Her mom was now kneeled behind the chair with her arms around Alyssa as she clapped along with the beat.
And whatever happened
To Tuesday and so slow
Going down the old mine
With a transistor radio
Standin' in the sunlight laughin'
Hidin' behind a rainbow's wall
Slippin' and a-slidin'
All along the waterfall
With you,
My brown eyed girl
You, my brown eyed girl
The whole band sang the next part.
Do you remember when
We used to sing?
Sha la la, la la, la la, la la, l-la te da
Just like that
Sha la la, la la, la la, la la, l-la te da
La te da
I waved her mom up to the stage and she sang the next part.
So hard to find my way
Now that I'm all on my own
I saw you just the other day
My, how you have grown
My brown eyed girl
You,
My brown eyed girl
She gave me back the microphone and went back to Alyssa wrapping her up in a warm hug.
Do you remember when
We used to sing?
Sha la la, la la, la la, la la, l-la te da
(Lyin' in the green grass!)
Sha la la, la la, la la, la la, l-la te da
(Bit by bit by bit by bit by bit by bit)
Sha la la, la la, la la, la la, l-la te da
(Sha la la la la, la la la la, la te da, la te da, la te da, da da da)
Sha la la, la la, la la, la la, l-la te da
After the applause had ended I walked over to Alyssa. She held her arms out and I kneeled down in front of her so she could wrap her arms around me.
"That was so awesome Ashley. You were amazing. How did you know those were my favorite songs? How long have you been planning this? Oh my gosh I am so happy." She finally took a breath.
I laughed. "Slow down. I saw the playlist on your I-pod and I've been planning this since it was confirmed you were coming here. And I'm glad you're happy. I'm happy that I could do this for you. I was just as excited as you."
"Thank you Ashley. For this, for everything. I wish there was some way I could repay you." She looked down.
"Hey." I tilted her head back up by her chin.
"Smile." I said.
She smiled and it was another one of those ear to ear smiled that reached her eyes and made them almost sparkle.
"That right there is payment enough."
She hugged me again and somehow I kept the tears in check.
"I just want to see you happy." I said quietly as she held on tight to me. I noticed her arms were cold and she was shivering a bit.
"I am happy. Really I am."
"Good. Now let's go get you warm."
I helped her into the house and then over to the couch in the room. She was tired of "being in the damn bed". I was able to lift her out of the chair and onto the couch with no problem. She was so light.
I sat down on the couch with her and she took my hand.
"You know I'm not much of a fan of God right now but I thank Him every day for sending you to me. It's made all of this a little easier."
I didn't know what to say to that.
"It's okay Ash. You don't have to say anything." She gave me a little smile and patted my leg.
"Spencer believed in me. She thought that I was exactly what you needed. I'm glad she was right. I needed you to ya know."
I grabbed her hand that was still on my leg and held it in both of mine.
"You talk about Spencer a lot."
"I do?" Of course I did.
She laughed. "Yes. You do."
"Well she's a very interesting person. There's a lot to talk about." I tried my best to down play it.
"You like her don't you?" Like? That's quite the understatement.
"I do. I like her very much." Veeeeeery much.
"Too bad she's your teacher huh."
I couldn't hide my smirk.
"No way. Shut up. Really?"
"Yes. But it's very much on the down low for obvious reasons. We're very happy. She makes me very happy. I graduate in less than a month and then we can make it official."
"Wow. That's crazy. She sounds like an amazing woman from what I hear from you and Miranda and you are the most awesome person I have ever met so I shouldn't be so surprised. I'm sure you make her happy too."
"I try my best."
"So you more than 'like her very much'?"
"Yes I more than 'like her very much'…I love her. I love her with everything I have and everything I am." My lips spread into a cheesy smile as I continued.
"A lot of people would flip out if they found out. She could get into a lot of trouble. Just shows you can't help who you fall in love with."
"I may not be an expert at love. I've only ever had one boyfriend when I was like 14. Don't know if you can even call it a boyfriend at that age. But I think if you find love you're lucky. Who cares how old they are, what gender they are, what race they are. Just make sure you tell her you love her every second you get. Don't take advantage of what you have..ever."
"You may not be an expert in love but that was a pretty good speech."
"Ehh. I watch a lot of T.V. and read a lot of books. Nothing else to do." She laughed.
"Thanks Alyssa. Spencer and I will probably catch some flack for our relationship but it's worth it."
She yawned through her smile. I knew she was getting tired again. One of her nurses came in and helped her to her bed. She needed to check her vitals so I left the room.
I walked back outside and to the edge of the patio. Leaning on the rail I saw something that left me slack-jawed. Miranda was sitting in the sand with someone. Her hand was on his arm. She was flirting. She was flirting with Chris my bassist. She was flirting with Chris my bassist and he was flirting back.
Go Miranda.
Wait. I know Chris is great at playing bass. I know he is a freshman at the community college in L.A. and works at a skateboard shop part-time. I know that he doesn't talk very much and he smiles too much for my liking. That's about all I know about Chris. And now I suddenly don't like the fact that they are sitting so close. I'll have to call my dad's P.I. and find some more info on this kid.
"He's a good kid. Don't worry so much." Huh? I turn around to see Rick the drummer.
"Who said I'm worried? Miranda's a smart girl." Exactly Ash so stop worrying.
"Chris is like a little brother to me. He really is a good kid. I'm surprised he's talking to your friend. He's a little shy." He leaned on the railing next to me.
"It's the quiet one's you have to worry about." I don't care what Rick said. I was calling that P.I. in the morning.
We stood there and chatted for another 20 minutes or so when Miranda and Chris started walking about the pathway. They exchanged phones so I am guessing they were exchanging phone numbers.
"So I'll see ya Thursday right?" Rick asked interrupting me from the glare I was shooting Chris.
"Yeah. See ya Thursday. Thanks again for doing this today." I gave him a quick hug and he walked off. I waved at Chris and he waved back flashing a timid smile. I chuckled to myself.
"Hey are we going to get going soon?" Miranda asked approaching me.
"Never mind that. What was that?" I asked pointing at a departing Chris.
"That was nothing. We were just talking." She laughed when I looked at her suspiciously.
"That's funny considering that kid never talks."
"He talks. He just doesn't talk to you because you intimidate him. He's really sweet, and smart and cute." She blushed. So cute.
"Me intimidating? Pfft."
She laughed again and pulled me in for a hug.
"You don't have to worry Ash. We were just talking and I plan to "talk" to him a lot more before anything else happens." She kissed me on the cheek.
We said our goodbyes to Alyssa who was still awake but very sleepy. We told her we would be back on Wednesday. She hugged and thanked us both again and we were on our way.
The ride home went fast. I may or may not have been going 15 over the speed limit all of the way. I couldn't wait to see my girlfriend. I had missed her so much. When we pulled up I nearly forgot to put the car in park before I threw the door open and jogged to the porch. I could hear Miranda laughing but I didn't care.
She was lying on the couch sleeping. But she wasn't alone….Spike was curled up in her arms, his chin on her neck. The scene was so precious I couldn't look away. I don't know how Spike got here. I gave Spencer a key to my house a week ago just in case. She must have went and got him.
I grabbed the blanket that was draped over the couch and laid it over stirred slightly but didn't wake up. Spike looked up at me briefly and then laid his chin back down on Spencer. Brat. He couldn't care less that I was there. I don't blame him though. I was a little jealous of him at the moment.
I was just staring down at her when her eyes suddenly opened. She jumped a bit and Spike glared up at me. Yes, my dog glared at me.
"Hey beautiful." I sat down on the edge of the couch and moved a piece of hair out of her eyes.
"Hey back. When did you get home?" She lifted her hand to caress my cheek.
"Just now." I grabbed her hand and kissed it.
"I missed you." I said before leaning down for a kiss. While my lips were pressed to hers I felt Spike's little tongue lick my cheek and I chuckled.
"When did you get Spike?" I picked him up, held him to my chest and kissed the top of his head.
"I went to pick up some carryout and found myself over in your neighborhood on the way home. I was lonely so I decided to pick him up. I miss having a dog around the house. You would have liked Bear he was the best."
"What happened to him? I remember Miranda telling me that you treated him like your baby."
"We had to put him down. It was right around the time you started volunteering. He was pretty old." I could hear the sadness in her voice but she didn't break.
"Sorry Spence. I didn't know."
"I kept it to myself. Didn't want to believe he was really gone."
"What kind of dog was he?"
"A Chihuahua."
"You named your Chihuahua 'Bear'?" I laughed.
"Hey don't be fooled by the size. Bear was a beast. A cuddly beast."
"And don't talk bad about my name choices, you named your teacup terrier after a vampire."
I nodded. "Touché."
"Hmmm. I think he likes you more than me. I'm not surprised. I haven't been the best mommy." I pouted and started scratching under his chin.
"That's probably my fault. I've been hogging all of your time." She sat up and put her arms around me.
"No complaints here." I sat Spike down on the floor and turned my head to kiss her.
"I've missed you too Baby. Turn around so I can so you how much." She had me at Baby.
I turned around and pushed her back down onto the couch. She instantly pulled me down on top of her. My right knee was between her legs and I could already tell the effect it was having on her. I barely moved it and she moaned into my mouth. When we finally did have sex it wasn't going to take much to send her over the edge. Me either in fact. Her hands found my behind and pulled me further into her. My tongue traced her lips before slipping in between them. It had only been two days but that felt like forever. I had missed kissing her and I was taking my time rediscovering every inch of her mouth.
I faintly heard the jingle of his collar before I felt him land on my back. I guess Spike wanted to play too. He was now standing on my back while I was on top of Spencer. I chuckled into her mouth.
"Why are you laughing?" She asked confused.
"Spike is standing on my back."
She laughed. "I guess it's his turn to interrupt us. I wonder if Miranda put him up to this."
She reached around me with one hand and pulled him off of me. I nestled into her side half lying on the couch and put my head on her chest. Spike was on the other side of her. We were both in heaven.
"I don't like sharing you." I pouted.
"Looks like you don't have a choice."
We both looked over at Spike who had already rested his chin on Spencer neck again.
"I don't blame him. You're so warm and comfortable and you smell so damn good. Spikey here is never gonna wanna leave."
"He doesn't have to. He can stay here as long as he wants. This can be his home too. Our home."
"Good because like me I'm sure he never wants to go back to that big empty house. This place feels more like home than that place ever did. I think it's you. Wherever you are I want to be. Wherever you are is home."
She kissed my head.
"I love you Ashley."
"I love you too."
The day had been one of the best in a while. Well since the day Spencer and I spent together. It was a great day, perfect almost. It was a happy day. No tears. As I lied there in the arms of the woman I loved everything felt right. Like no-one or nothing could change that. It felt almost too right. And that kinda scared me. It was like that eerie sense of calmness before a storm rips through town. I shook my head trying to shake away the bad feelings.
"You okay Ash?"
"Yeah Baby I'm fine."
I just needed to stop worrying and enjoy actually being happy. I just didn't know how. My mind went back to the storm and if and/or when it happened I hoped that Spencer and I would be left standing when it passed over.
I know I said I perfected my 'happy dance' but don't let that deter you from reviewing. Reviews are greatly appreciated and overwhelmingly inspiring. :)
Song:
Brown Eyed Girl- Van Morrison