After dropping Spence off, I made my way to meet Kayla for breakfast. She and Aiden had been out of town for the past few days, they got in late last night so I told her we could catch up over breakfast.
"Ash, over here" I spotted Kyla in the corner of restaurant. Making my way over she got up to hug to me. "How was your flight?" why people ask this, I'll never know…if their flight was that bad, clearly it would probably be on the news. I ask it anyways, its one of those uncontrollable things.
"It was fine, aside from the kids with uncontrollable legs behind me". Kyla, always the dramatic one. "So, I hear you have Madison's album all done" Kyla says with a big grin "When can I hear the final product"?
"I'll burn off a copy when I head in to work today."
The waitress had made her way to the table. Kyla and I placed our orders and began sipping our hot coffee. Well now is as good of time as ever. "So, the label head came into town yesterday to chat with me". Kyla tilted her head to the side "What for?"
"Well it turn out your sister has some talent and they want to invest." I say with a strait face…lets see how long it takes for her to catch on.
"Meaning what exactly, do they want to make you one of their full time producers?"
"It's more in the overall talent area, they offered me a record deal" I let it fly off my tongue as if deals are offered to everyone. Kyla almost did a spit take with her coffee "WHAT?!"
"They…offered…me…a…record…deal". I deadpanned in her direction. I knew this was probably just frustrating her, but hey it's me.
"Ashley! OH MY GOD! Are you serious?" Kyla squealed.
"Kyla keep it down" I said in a hushed yelled.
"I'm sorry, but holy crap Ashley, this is your dream! What did you tell them?" She asked me excitedly.
"Well, I'm going to tell them yes when I get to work today".
"I am so exci….wait; you're going to tell them yes? Why didn't you tell them yes right away?" Kyla asked confused.
"No, I didn't tell them yes right away. I had to talk to Spencer about it." I shot back like she was crazy for thinking that I would make such a big decision without Spence.
"God Ash, why don't you just ask her to marry you already? You already have the ole ball and chain attached". Kyla whipped at me. It gets me a little annoyed when people tell me what to do with Spence…I know I should ask her…..I'm thinking of her people!!!!
"Oh yeah Kyla, well tell you what. I'll ask Spencer to marry me when you tell everyone that you and Aiden are married". Oh shit, I didn't really say that did I? Crap Crap Crap, I did I can tell because Kyla is now spitting out her drink.
"What? We're not…I mean…how did…uhh….what?" Kyla's face just went two shades paler. "How did you know?" she asked like she was out of breath.
"I'm sorry Kyla, I didn't mean to say anything…it just came out". I pleaded.
"How did you find out Ashley?" she meant business.
I might as well just come clean. "I'm sorry Kyla. Look I was looking for a scarf I had let you borrow in your room and I was rummaging through your drawers and I came across the marriage certificate." I'm a total ass.
"Oh" Kyla just sighed.
"Why didn't you tell any of us?" I asked…and I really meant it. It was a little hurtful to know that your little sister got married to one of your best friends and you didn't know anything about it.
"It was so spur of the moment, Ash. We were so clouded in what we thought was our destiny. It was right after Aiden got in the motorcycle accident, right after graduation. We just had this moment and we decided we were going to get married so why not now. So we did…then we realized that it wasn't the way we wanted to get married. We wanted you and Spence and everyone to be there." Kyla was almost going a mile a minute explaining it and I just let her continue. "Then we got to thinking that we were really young and maybe if we waited a little longer Aiden would have a stable job and what he calls "a purpose", so we decided to not say anything. We would stay married but wait till we were older to have a ceremony in front of everyone". I waited for her to continue, but there was just silence until Kyla just said… "so"?
Oh my turn "Wow Kyla" I didn't expect for Kyla to unload that whole hot mess into my lap. I was kind of speechless, "Kyla, I don't know what to say. I mean it's been two years and you're still kickin', so that's good". A little humor to help this tense situation.
Kyla just snorted, "Thanks Ash, you're so comforting".
"Look, all I know is that you two look like idiots in love and I wont say anything. Not even to Spence."
The waitress delivered our breakfast and we started to eat. Kyla popped up about half way through. "Ash, just out of curiosity…how long have you known"?
Kyla, prepare to be impressed, "I found it two weeks after you and Aiden got back from Vegas". That almost sent Kyla into another spit take.
"You've known that long and you haven't said anything…I'm impressed".
"Thanks, see I can keep a secret". I was very proud of myself.
Kyla, started picking at her fruit "Well anyway, that's that. Back to you becoming a famous rock star…I am so proud of you Ash".
"Thanks Kyla, it means a lot to me that you guys support me. I know Spence is going to have some trouble when I hit the road, but we'll get through it". We have to get through it.
"Ok, I'm being serious this time Ash. Why haven't you just asked her to marry you?"
Why do I have to explain myself to anyone? Obviously I'm head over heels for Spence, so I must have a good reason. "Look, can you keep a secret?" Kyla shook her head as if I just asked a seven year old that question. I reached into my purse and pulled out the little velvet box and pushed it across the table until it in front of Kyla. Her eyes grew the size of quarters. She looked at me to ask if she could open it and I shook my head yes.
"Wow Ash, it's beautiful" she said as she admired the ring.
"I do plan on asking Spencer to marry me. Just once she's done with school. You know how important it is to her. I don't want her to have any distractions; I want her to focus on her school work."
"As sweet as that sounds Ashley, don't you think you getting a record deal and letting Spencer know that you're about to jet set across the globe with thousands of fans throwing themselves at you is distracting?" I hate when Kyla makes sense.
"I would never cheat on Spencer" I almost yelled.
"That's not what I'm saying. Just because you propose to her now doesn't mean you have to get married right away. You can have a long engagement." I kind of just sat there waiting for more. "Everyone knows how committed you are to Spencer, but god Ash…make it official with a damn ring! I mean really, Ash how long have you had this ring"?
I just stared at her not wanting to tell her how long I've kept that with me.
"Ash….." Kyla gave me a prodding look.
"Ok, Ok…about a year and a half"
"What" Kyla interrupted.
"We were walking through the art district one day and we were window shopping. She kept going back and looking at this ring, so I went back the next day and bought it. I figured that's the ring she wanted. It's not like I wanted to propose that day, but I knew I wanted to propose eventually".
"So what's the difference between it on her hand or in your purse?" Ok Kyla, where did all this wisdom come from?
"I don't know Kyla…I don't want her to feel pressured".
"Whatever Ash, you know she would say yes in a second. Just don't let her feel like you don't want to take that next step". Ok, are you trying to scare me?
"Thanks Kyla". I give her an evil glare.
"I'm not saying she's going to leave you. I'm just saying Ash, a ring doesn't mean you walk down the aisle the next day…think about it".
How the hell did we get so off topic? "Look Kyla, lets just table this discussion for another time. I'm going to make a record. I want to celebrate".
"You're right I'm sorry" she said handing the ring back to me. "It really is a beautiful ring Ashley."
"Thanks"
We finished our meal and I headed to the office to meet with Jim and Paul to get this ball rolling. Ladies and Gentlemen, Ashley Davies is going to make an album.
Spence said she was going to make me dinner tonight to celebrate. I can't wait till five o'clock so I can get home to her. I can't wait to come home to her as my wife one day. Man, all this talking with Kyla is getting me all crazy. Maybe Kyla is right, maybe I should just ask her to marry me now. That would make the happiest person on earth right now; I don't think my life could get any better.
Man, I love that girl.