Chapter 9: A Thanksgiving Ultimatum

November 21 ... 8:30 PM

"Auntie how come daddy is so nervous about going to see my grandparents?" Dean asked Ashley while they waited patiently for the next available hairdresser to cut Dean's hair.

"He just really wants his parents to love you kiddo" she smiled and patted his hand.

"Why wouldn't they love me?" he asked.

"Dean the minute Bob and Elaine see you they are going to fall so in love with you like the rest of us did" Ashley assured the young boy before he began to worry.

"But what if they don't like me?" he asked.

"Then it's their loss because you are one of the most amazing little boys I have ever met" Ashley replied honestly.

She was still amazed at how far Dean had come in 4 months time. He was a very polite and intelligent individual. He wasn't the only one that changed though, Ashley was more than happy in saying that she had been wrong because it seemed that having Dean around was the kick in the ass Randy needed to start acting responsible.

"I love you Auntie" Dean said leaning into her.

"I love you too Kiddo and I always will" she kissed the top of his head.

"So have you met my daddy's new girlfriend Courtney?"

"Yes I have and I really like her" Ashley said.

"Yes she's so much better than Uncle John's girlfriend" Dean said.

"Well yeah most people are better than Kelly"

"Dean" the hairdresser called his name.

"Looks like you are up" Ashley said taking his hand and walking with him to get his very first real haircut.

Dean ran his hand through his now very short buzz cut and couldn't help but grin. His hair had been a little past his ears before he had gotten it cut.

"My head feels lighter" he said.

Ashley laughed a little and shook her head and thought that only her nephew would say something like that.

"So little boy lets get you a nice outfit for tomorrow" she said "you want to make a good first impression so that means you are going to need a nice long bath tonight and some nice new formal clothes"

Ashley picked out a dark blue button up dress shirt and a pair of black dress pants for the young boy to wear. She also bought him a belt and a pair of dress shoes.

"Dean do you want to wear a tie?" she asked him.

"No" he said.

"Ok" she said although she thought the tie would have looked nicer she wasn't about to fight with him about it.

"Do I really need to take a long bath?" he asked as they left the mall.

"Oh yeah, you little boy seem to just attract dirt so you'll need to be scrubbed from head to toe" she said.

"I hate baths" he said crossing his arms.

"Most children do but you want to make a good impression on your grandparents right"

"I guess ... it was so much easier when I didn't have grandparents cause then I didn't have to worry about making a good impression" he complained.

"You are 4 ,what do you really have to worry about" she said "just be yourself and you'll be fine"

November 22, 10 AM

"I can't believe I'm finally going to get the chance to meet your family baby" Kelly said excitedly.

"Yep" John said watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade.

It was always his and Ashley's tradition to watch the parade together but as of late he hadn't really seen much of Ashley. He knew that they had a lot to talk about since that night but neither one seemed able to deal with the awkwardness that went along with it. One thing he knew was that he didn't regret what happened, he regretted the timing of course but he knew now more than ever that he was in love with Ashley and he would do everything in his power to get her back.

"So have you talked to Ashley is she still going to your dad's house with us?" Kelly asked.

"I have no idea what she is doing I haven't talked to her since Sunday night" he admitted.

"What's up with you two I have hardly seen her around since you guys went to your dad's and that was like 4 months ago"

"We have just been really busy that's all" John lied "things will go back to normal soon enough"

"I'm not complaining though I mean the less time I have to spend with Ashley the better"

"What the hell is the matter with you she hasn't even said one word to you in a very long time and you still have to start shit... will you give it a rest" John exploded at her.

"What the hell is the matter with you?" Kelly asked a little taken back at John's sudden outburst.

"Nothing" he said moodily returning his attention back to the television.

"Whatever I'll be back in a little while try and calm down will you"

John grunted in response and once again returned his attention to the screen. After about 5 minutes he got bored and decided to go track down his best friend and baby son. He knew their hotel room was one floor below them. He took the stairs two at a time and nearly sprinted down the hall. If he was going to do this he wanted to do it right now. He knocked and waited patiently for her to answer.

"Hi Uncle John" Dean grinned broadly as he answered the door.

"Dean why are you answering the door by yourself?" John asked him.

"Daddy looked through the peep hole first and then said I could answer the door" Dean explained.

"Oh ok" John stepped into the hotel room.

Young Randal was pacing the room shirtless. Ashley clad in a pair of jeans and a olive green tank top stood ironing Randy's light blue dress shirt.

"Randy will you calm down what is the worst thing that could happen?" Ashley asked.

"Dean earmuffs" Randy ordered.

Dean placed his hands over his ears and went and had a seat on the couch.

"I'm very worried that they won't like Dean and think I am waisting my time even bothering to take care of him ... I love that little boy and would put my life on the line to protect him" Randy said.

Ashley stopped ironing and went over and gave Randy a hug. She placed her hand on his cheek and just stood there for a moment.

"I'm not going to lie to you it is very possible that your parents will think you are making a mistake and if they do then screw them because you still have family who love both you and Dean"

"How is it you can always make me and John feel so much better by just talking to us?" Randy asked.

"Because I know what to say to you guys to make you feel better" she smiled at him.

"Ashley is right man you have nothing to worry about" John said.

Ashley looked startled for a moment, she had not realized that John had graced them with his presence. She smiled shyly at him and continued ironing.

"Where's Phin?" he asked.

At that precise moment 4 month old Phinnigan's voice could be heard coming over the baby monitor.

"Perfect timing" he grinned to himself before going to go get his son.

"Randy can I talk to you in the other room for a minute?" Ashley asked.

"Yeah sure" he said.

"Daddy can I remove the ear muff now?" Dean asked impatiently.

"Whoops sorry buddy yeah you can remove them now ... I'll be right back I have to talk to auntie for a second ok"

Ashley grabbed Randy's hand and started pulling him into the bedroom. They passed John and Phinnigan on the way by.

"Where are you two going?" John asked them.

"Randy needs to help me close my suitcase ... you know me too many clothes" she lied.

Once they were in the bedroom Ashley closed the door behind them and locked it. She turned around to face Randy and he could see she was near hyperventilating.

"What's up and why did you lie to John?" he asked concerned.

"I have something to tell you and it's not really that easy to say" she told him.

"Well take a deep breath and just say it"

"John and I slept together when we went to visit his parents 4 months ago" she blurted out.

"Wow that one was unexpected" he said feeling the need to sit down.

He put his head down as he let the shock wear off. He couldn't really think of anything to say at the present moment. His two best friends slept together and neither of them thought to tell him. Then it hit him ... John was still with Kelly.

"OH MY GOD ASH YOU ARE OTHER WOMAN!" Randy exclaimed loudly.

"Shhh I don't think the entire floor heard you" she whispered furiously.

"I just can't believe it ... well I mean I can kinda believe it I knew that eventually John was going to cheat on that gold digging whore but I never once thought it would be with you"

"We were drunk" she said.

Randy grinned a little to himself "Hey Ashley did John make you moan"

"I hate you so much" she said.

"He did didn't he"

"Why don't you have sex with him and find out" Ashley retorted.

"Because I'm not gay" Randy said.

"You sure about that there partner"

"In case you have forgotten I have a girlfriend ... remember Courtney"

"She's a cover you know you like to take it in the bucket"

"Fuck you ... oh wait that's John's job"

"Seriously you can not tell anyone that you know because you are the only person besides me and John who knows about our little sexcapade"

"You have my word that I will not tell a soul" Randy promised.

"But now I'm all confused because that night was amazing ... John was well all I can really say is he was truly electrifying and I truly forgot until then what a fantastic lover he is"

"Dude ... TMI ... TMI" Randy started rocking back and forth.

"Oh grow the fuck up"

Randy stood up and walked over to Ashley. She didn't look him in the eyes so he lifted her chin so she was looking into his eyes.

"Everything will be ok" he said giving her a hug.

John chose that precise moment to walk into the room to see his best friend hugging his other shirtless best friend. For some strange reason that he could not understand at all he felt a pang of jealousy running through his veins. He clenched and unclenched his fists which were conveniently in his pockets.

"Rans you mind if I talk to Ash for a minute?" he asked.

"Yeah sure" he said "I'll be in the other room with the boys"

As he was leaving he shut the door behind them figuring they would need some privacy to talk. John just looked at Ashley for a minute trying to figure out what to say to her.

"So what do you need to talk to me about?" she asked.

"I think you know what" he said "we need to clear the air here and try to find out where we stand"

"Do we really have to do this right now?" she asked "on Thanksgiving no less"

"Yes we have to do this now ... too much time has passed by and there still is this awkwardness between us"

"John please ..." she started.

"Ashley I love you, I've been in love with you since the first moment I saw you all those years ago and I loved you even after you broke up with me and it seems that I love you even more now because you let me share a son with you"

"John you shouldn't be saying this" she advised him.

"I'm not afraid anymore Ashley I don't care who knows that I am so head over heels in love with you, in fact I feel like going to the top of this building and yelling it to the world"

"You need to stop please John just stop" she said starting to get upset.

"What are you so afraid of?" he asked.

"I'm afraid of loosing you" she finally admitted "I'm so petrified of being with you and having something horrible happen and we break up and then we hate each other ... I wouldn't be able to deal with that"

"That would never happen Ash I promise you that"

"Can you really know that John I mean you already cheated on Kelly ... can you really guarantee that we could really last forever"

"You and I both know that I don't love Kelly and that the only reason I'm with her is because I have this empty void in my heart that seems to only go away when I'm holding you in my arms"

"I can't loose you or Randy because it would kill me ... you two are like my pillars of strength if I ever lost either of you I don't know what I would do ... I depend so much on you both"

"You will never loose me or Randy because we won't let it happen" he said "we need you in our lives too"

"I do love you John I always have and probably always will I am just so tired of lying to myself"

"Then it's settled I'm going to tell Kelly about everything after Thanksgiving dinner"

"Are you really sure about this?" she asked.

He pulled her into his arms "I've never been more sure about anything"

He brought his head down and captured her lips with his own. It got steamy pretty kick and they both fell back on the bed. They were just content with laying in bed and everyone and a while making out.

"I feel like a teen again having a secret relationship ... and just for the record I hate that I am the other woman as Randy so bluntly put it"

"You told Randy?" John asked.

"Yeah that is what we were talking about before you walked in here" she answered.

"As far as I'm concerned you are not the other woman Kelly is because no matter what you always had my heart"

"Sometimes you are so sappy but I love it"

There was a knock on the door. A very depressed looking Randy walked into the room.

"Rans what's up?" Ashley asked.

"There's been a freak blizzard in St. Louis my parents just called and told me that the airports are closed ... me and Dean aren't going home for Thanksgiving"

"Rans I know you were looking forward to seeing your folks but you are more than welcome to tag along with us" she said untangling herself from John's arms and going to hug Randy.

"Would you guys mind?" he asked.

"The more the merrier" John said smiling.

"Dean will have a ball playing with Atiana"

"Yeah you are right but it still sucks that I can't see my folks and siblings"

"So ask Vince for some time off"Ashley suggested.

"I think I might do that"

"You should man" John said

"So to bring up another subject I see you two worked out the awkwardness" Randy smirked at his two best friends.

"We sure did" John wrapped an arm around Ashley's waist and kissed the top of her head.

"I'm happy for you two" Randy gave them his blessing "it's about time"

"Well I need to get the baby dressed and bathed so I'll let you men talk amongst yourselves" Ashley said excusing herself from the room.

John watched her leave and couldn't get the smile off of his face. He couldn't believe that she was all his again. He was on top of the world and nothing could go wrong now.

"So out of curiosity how do you think Kelly is going to take this?" Randy asked.

Shit, John had forgotten about Kelly until that very moment. He wanted to punch Randy in the face for ruining his blissful moment. He bit down on his lip and tried to imagine what he was going to say to the woman who had been his girlfriend for almost a year.

"I imagine she's not going to be very happy about it" John said.

"Well duh man I mean her and Ash hate each other so it's going to be a pretty big blow to Kelly's ego to loose you to her but part of her must expect it because it's pretty obvious to everyone around you and Ash that you were in love with her"

"Was it really that obvious?" John asked.

"Umm yeah just a lot"

John had a seat on the bed and put his head in his hands. He needed to think really long and hard what he was going to say to Kelly. Whatever he did say he really didn't want to cause Kelly any pain, he just simply didn't love her and she really couldn't hold that against him. Randy left John to his thoughts. Ashley returned 20 minutes later with a towel clad Phinnigan. It was amazing to John how big Phinnigan had gotten in such a short time. He now weighed 16 pounds and almost tripled in size. He was only 4 months old but needed to be in 9 month old clothes. He could sit himself up for short periods of time now and last week he had managed to crawl around a little on Ashley's bed. To say the little baby was growing up way too fast would be an understatement. Ashley began to get him dressed but he was squirming around and being very uncooperative.

"Ok, Phinney do you want daddy to get you dressed?" Ashley asked.

He gurgled and laughed a little in response. Then he put his fist into his mouth and began to chew on it.

"That's a good enough answer for me John get him dressed" Ashley said.

John stood up and walked over to the baby. He smiled as the baby kicked his legs in excitement.

"You giving your mom a hard time little guy?" he asked before beginning to blow raspberries on the baby's stomach. Phinnigan began to laugh and both parents couldn't help but smile because the baby had a very cute laugh.

"He really loves you John you know that right I mean his whole face lights up when you walk into the room" Ashley told him "it's like he knows your voice and perks up the moment he hears it"

"Well I'm his dad right why wouldn't he love his dad" John said as he finished putting Phinnigan's pants on. Then he picked the infant up and Ashley helped him get his onsie over Phinnigan's rather large head.

"Do all babies have big heads or is it just him?" John asked.

"He does not have a big head" Ashley protested.

Phinnigan began to cry a little. Ashley picked him up and began rubbing his back and she walked around the room with him.

"Nice going John you made him upset because you said he had a big head"

"I'm sure he didn't understand that I insulted him" John scoffed.

"Oh he knows ... he knows" Ashley said "shh it's ok honey you don't have a big head and daddy is sorry for saying you do"

Phinnigan stopped crying and rested his head on his mother's shoulder. She ran her fingers through his thick light brown hair. He stuck his thumb into his mouth and closed his eyes.

"Mama's boy" John said.

"Well what would you expect he spends more time with me then he does you" Ashley said handing Phinnigan to John so she could brush his hair. He lazily opened up one eyes as he was being handed over but closed it again when he knew he was still in the safety of someone's arms. Phinnigan was one of those babies who loved to be held and unless he was sleeping he expected you to hold him all the time. John had a seat with the baby on the bed and managed to get his white dress shirt and vest on. They were all dressing up formally for thanksgiving dinner.

"Ok I'll be back in a little while I'm going to go take a shower and get dressed" John said handing the baby back to Ashley. He gave both her and the baby a kiss before leaving the room. Ashley sighed as she brought Phinnigan in the other room and placed him in his swing.

"I'm going to head into the shower" she told Randy.

"Ok" Randy said from his spot on the floor where he and Dean were playing with the little boy's trucks.

"Daddy are there gonna be any kids my age at Uncle John's daddy's house?" Dean asked.

"Yep, John has a niece that is the same age as you" Randy informed his son.

"Yay! Someone to play with" Dean exclaimed excitedly.

"I thought you'd like that" Randy grinned at him "I'm sorry we couldn't go and meet your grandparents"

"It's ok daddy I like this idea better cause then I don't have to be nervous about them liking me"

"What makes you say that?" Randy asked.

"I heard you and Courtney talking about it the other day" Dean admitted.

"You have nothing to worry about because no matter what I love you and that's all that matters" Randy told his son.

"I love you too daddy" Dean jumped into his father's arms and they began to play wrestle.

Ashley left the bathroom and looked at herself in the mirror. She was wearing a red halter sundress she had pulled her long chestnut locks into a ponytail and to finish off her look she wore the locket her mother had given her for her 12th birthday that she only wore on special occasions.

John and Kelly showed up about 45 minutes later and they all piled into Ashley's Escalade. Randy drove and Kelly sat in the passenger seat. Ashley and the two kids were in the middle and John somehow got stranded in the very back all by himself. During their 90 minute journey Kelly couldn't help but steal glances at both Ashley and John. They were laughing and whispering in each other's ears and Kelly couldn't help but feel panic's icy clutches nipping at her heart, she needed to think of something that would finally make John put her instead of Ashley first. Then it hit her and a broad smile spread across her face. She knew what she had to do ... it was cruel to even think about but she needed to do it to finally have John all to herself.

"I love you" John whispered in Ashley's ear.

"I love you too" she whispered back.

"Daddy are we there yet?" Dean whined.

"10 more minutes buddy" Randy said.

"Ok daddy"

Kelly really didn't want to admit it out loud but she had actually grown attached to both Dean and Phinnigan. She thought they were two very cute and well behaved children. She looked at Phinnigan and felt a little remorse at what she was going to do, with any luck Ashley would take the baby and leave town and although she would miss the baby she would get over it and she was sure John would to after time.

"Ok folks we are here" Randy announced pulling into the driveway.

Everyone piled out of the car. John grabbed Phinnigan and walked next to Kelly into the house. Randy wrapped his arm around Ashley's shoulders and they walked into the house like that.

"ASHLEY" a very rambunctious 4 year old girl jumped into Ashley's arms.

"Now that is what I call a greeting you people should learn from Atiana" Ashley laughed.

"I missed you" Atiana told her favorite person in the whole world.

"I missed you too baby" she said putting Atiana back down on the floor.

"Come see my Barbies" Atiana said grabbing Ashley's hand "I brought them so we could play like we always do when I see you"

"Tia, I want you to meet Randy's son Dean" Ashley introduced the two children "maybe he'll play Barbies with us too"

"I don't wanna play with dolls" Dean scoffed "Barbies are stupid"

"No they aren't" Atiana stuck her tongue out at Dean.

"Well maybe you two could do something you both like to do" Steve, Atiana's father suggested.

"Do you like to color?" Atiana asked.

"Yeah" Dean replied.

"Well then lets go" she pulled him into the other room.

"Does anyone else hear wedding bells in the future?" Ashley asked.

"Leave my baby alone" Steve said.

"How are you Steve?" Ashley asked giving him a hug "where's Jessica?"

"I'm doing fine thanks for asking and Jess had to work but she sends everyone her love" he replied.

"Must suck to have to work on holidays" Randy said.

"More money" John said.

"More taxes" Ashley retorted to John's comment.

"Where are the others?" John asked.

"Dad went to the store and Sean, Matt and Dan are watching a movie in the other room"

"Steve, this is my girlfriend Kelly" John said.

"It's nice to finally meet you" Steve shook Kelly's hand.

"You too Steve, John has told me so much about all of you"

"Only the bad stuff bro you know me" John cracked a smile.

"Well I should probably check on the turkey" Steve said.

"Do you know what you are doing?" Ashley asked Steve.

"Yeah you just take the thingy and spray the the stuff on the turkey" was Steve's explanation.

"Yeah I'm going to go and help him out so he doesn't set himself or the house on fire" Ashley said.

Ashley followed Steve into the kitchen. She opened up the stove and had a look at the turkey.

"So Kelly doesn't seem so bad" Steve said.

"Give her time"

"So my nephew, who's idea was that?" Steve asked with a small smirk.

"It's a really long and complicated story but it was a mutual decision after I nagged him for about 20 minutes"

"That boy is whipped" Steve laughed.

"Yeah, just don't let him know it" she looked around the room to make sure no one was around "I have some very interesting news ... there could very well be a reconciliation in the near future"

"Really Sil that's awesome"

"Sil?"

"Sister in law ... I mean you and John are practically married and I assume the reconciliation you are referring to is you and him"

"Well ok Bil" she said with a laugh.

There was a loud rumble coming from the second floor of the home and all of a sudden Ashley and Steve could see Sean tumbling down the stairs. He stood up and brushed himself off.

"That was interesting" he said to them.

Ashley gave Steve a very confused look and he just shrugged and continued to stare at his youngest brother.

"Umm ... are you ok?" Ashley was almost afraid to ask.

"Yeah, Matt's sneakers were right by the stairs and I didn't see them hence the Kamikaze dive" he explained "I've had worse near death incidents"

"You know I should know better than to be surprised by now" Ashley said.

"You and me both" Steve replied.

"Yo assholes get down here and meet John's girlfriend" Sean yelled up the stairs to his brothers.

That was probably the most interesting thing that happened that day ... well that is before dinner of course. After dinner was served the adults retired to the living room to relax while the kids played in the other room.

"Hey Johnny do you think we could go somewhere and talk for a few minutes?" Kelly asked.

"Yeah sure" John said reluctantly getting up from the chair he was sitting in.

"Ugh, Phin needs a diaper change and I really don't feel like moving" Ashley complained. She and Randy were sprawled out on the couch.

"Fabo, you feel like changing your grandson?" she asked John's dad.

"No" he replied.

"Do any of Phin's uncles want to bond with him?" Ashley asked hoping she really wouldn't have to get up.

They thought about it for a moment before all three men said no at the same time.

"I'll remember this moment"

"Just go change the kid" Sean said.

Meanwhile with Kelly and John ...

"So what did you need to talk to me about?" John asked.

"I have some really good news" she said.

"Ok let's hear it then" John said wanting to hurry this along so they could have the talk he wanted to.

"Well ... Johnny you are going to be a daddy again" Kelly lied.

"I'm sorry what" John asked shocked at what he was hearing.

"I said we're having a baby"

"Wow this can't be happening right now" John said beginning to pace the room.

"Why aren't you happy about this?" Kelly asked.

"Well it's kinda unexpected for one thing I mean it's not like we planned this"

"Oh I get it you'll go out and adopt a baby with Ashley but when you find out you are having one with me you freak out that's pretty fucked up John" Kelly said starting to get mad.

"That's not even the issue" John stated.

"Then what is it John ... huh, I mean you are having another child, a biological child I might add most people would I don't know be happy about this"

"I just need some time"

"No what you need to do is make a choice John ... it's either going to be me or her I am tired of playing second best you her" Kelly told him "you don't owe her anything anymore she has her son you have done your part now you have a chance to have a family with me without her ... you need to decide what you want to do and it needs to be right now"

"You can't really expect me to sit here and choose between you and my best friend who I have known for years"

"I can and I am ... John think for one second about our child"

The words "our child" made John shiver. He didn't want to have to be dealing with his right now. This was the lat thing he expected and certainly the last thing he wanted.

"Make a choice now John, me or her"

"This is really unfair"

"Just choose damn it"

"Fine ... I choose you alright are you happy now" John yelled.

The door opened and John and Kelly could see Ashley standing there. She didn't bother to hide the tears that were falling freely down her tanned face.

"I just came up here to get Phin's diaper bag please don't let me interrupt you"

She looked at the two of them one last time before turning around and walking back down the stairs. She wiped her eyes before entering the living room. But it was no good they were going to be able to know that she was crying.

"I've gotta go" she announced suddenly grabbing Phinnigan and without another word she was out the door.

"Ashley wait please" John called after her, he too went out the front door without another word.

"This can't be good" Randy said.

"Ash ... please don't leave" Ashley was just about to jump into the driver's seat of her Escalade. John grabbed her arm to prevent her from entering the car.

" You know John I gave you at least a year before you broke my heart but what's it been like 5 hours ... man that's a new record, someone should call up Ripley's or something"

"Ash please hear me out"

"No John for once in Kelly's life she was right you don't owe me or Phinnigan anything"

"Please baby don't be like that I love you and you need to know that"

"If you really loved me you would have chosen me and not Kelly"

"It's complicated" he said.

"This is exactly what I was afraid of happening and now it has so I'm going to leave here with what is left of my pride" she said ripping her arm out of his grasp and jumping into the truck.

"Have a good life John" she said shutting her door and driving off.