21 - Tomorrow, Tomorrow

Spencer's PoV

"So I was thinking," Ryn's voice echoed through the phone, "you shouldn't come to work today."

Excuse me?

"What?" I frowned, munching on a bowl of Frosted Flakes. "I've got clients today too, you know!"

"Spence," she sighed loudly and I heard her munching on cereal as well, "you know that it's not a good idea given your history with this woman."

She was right.

But I didn't care.

"I need to work," I mumbled, "I can't just sit around the house all day. Tracey already cleaned it spotless before her and whatsherface took off last night."

"Real mature," I could hear Ryn's eyes roll, "whatsherface? She's your sister and she has a name!"

I swallowed the last spoonful and threw my bowl into the sink. "Girls?!" I covered the phone and yelled upstairs. "If you don't come down here right now I'm eating the last of the Flakes dude!"

I smirked when footsteps came echoing loudly down the stairs and they both jumped on the stools, looking at me with wide eyes and opened mouths. I snickered and poured them each a small glass of orange juice and a bowl of cereal.

"Are you going to comment on the mature thing?" Ryn asked.

"No." I muttered.

"Okay," she huffed, "well back on the work subject."

I looked at the girls and smiled, dismissing myself from them, making my way to the back study room. "Ryn, I have a huge meeting and I really don't want to miss it."

"Spence, you can reschedule."

"Look, I won't leave my office unless I absolutely have to but this meeting cannot be rescheduled." I insisted. "It's already been cancelled twice from the other party."

"Stay in your office and don't you dare come near mine." Ryn scolded me and I smiled.

She was just protecting me.

She knew I couldn't get much more involved than I already was, without bringing personal feelings into it all.

I knew that as well.

"See you later, Ryn." I said softly.

"Later, way later!" Ryn's voice could be heard before I hung up on her.

I made my way back in the kitchen and found Dylan packing up her school bag. She looked up at me and smiled. "Can I join hockey?"

Lucas grinned and smiled at me while packing her own bag with her homework. "I think she's ready!"

I didn't want to get her hopes up high just in case.

I wasn't sure what was going to happen when Ashley took Dylan back into her own care.

"How about you come to practice with Lucas tomorrow night, we'll get you geared up and see how things go." I smiled and Dylan squealed, giving Luc a high five. "Now get your boots and coats on, it's school time."

--

Ashley's PoV

I noticed her name on the wall with the list of offices.

Spencer D. Carlin – Office A2.

She always said if she couldn't play hockey for the rest of her life, she'd get into this type of environment. Spencer was good with people and children. I could only imagine just how good she treated Dylan and how perfect she raised her own daughter.

I always believed in her.

"Miss Davies?" I heard a smooth voice behind me and I spun around to find myself standing in front of a beautiful redhead. "Hi, I'm Kathryn Michaels, how are you this morning?"

I smiled and nodded, clearly and visibly nervous.

My future wasn't in my hands at this point.

I knew Kathryn was my executioner at this point. She'd be the one to give the verdict if she saw me fit to see my daughter. Her word meant the world to me and I hoped that I deemed myself worthy enough of her approval.

"Kinda nervous," I admitted and wiped my hand on my nice black slacks before shaking her hand. "You can call me Ashley."

"Ashley," Kathryn dipped her head politely and eyed up Carter and Chelsea, signalling them to follow us, "so I've read over your file and I've got to say, I've seen a lot worse," she shut the door behind us and moved behind her desk.

I tried not to show any signs of emotions.

I really did just want to cry.

"It's really good to see you bounce back the way you have." Kathryn kept her head down while she eyed up something in a folder. "It says you checked yourself back into rehab a day after you were released to ensure that you were ready to face the world again."

I nodded, swallowing hard.

"Ashley has shown remarkable progress since last year," Carter spoke up and smiled at me, "she has been through every program willingly and I would bet a life's worth of salary that she hasn't even touched alcohol since being out."

Kathryn's green eyes sparkled and she folded her hands neatly in front of her on the desk. "I'm very happy to hear that," she addressed me and then looked through the file more before closing it and glancing between Chelsea and I. "Dylan is a very bright young lady."

I widened my eyes and bit my lip. "You know her?"

Kathryn only smiled and laughed softly. "I don't have any reason to deny you visitation rights with your daughter. I'm not the court of law but I can guarantee you that with the help you've gotten and the drive you've shown, you have nothing to worry about. I still have some questions to ask you but in the mean time," she looked over at Carter, "Mr. Carter, will you give her the good news?"

I looked at Carter, nearly sitting at the edge of my seat, hands clamping down on the armrests.

"Well," he shifted himself towards me and leaned forward, "I've been over your case with pretty much all who needed to be involved at the courthouse and after careful review and investigation, they really don't see you as a threat or harmful in any way. They are under the awareness that you made a mistake and took full responsibility for your actions. They deem you worthy of seeing Dylan again as soon as possible. It's really good to see the system recognize that you sought the help you needed in order to get your daughter back."

Did he just say what I thought he said?

As soon as possible?

I was so close I could taste it.

I think I wanted to faint a little.

"We all want you to see that little girl back in your arms," Chelsea spoke for the first time since being in the room, "but I think Miss Michaels would have to agree with me that before you reunite with Dylan, we should set up a meeting with Miss Carlin."

Did she just what I thought she said?

Meet with Miss Carl-

I mean, Spencer?

"And seeing as she works in this building," Kathryn smiled, "it wouldn't be hard to pencil you in."

I could only nod.

There goes my dry mouth again.

Carter offered me a sip of his water and I gladly accepted. He thought it was just nerves.

But it was so much more.

I watched as Kathryn picked up the phone and dialled an extension number. "Spencer, it's Kathryn, are you busy?" She smiled at me and held up one finger to say she needed a minute. "Well the meeting with Miss Davies went well. We need to set up a meeting between the both of you as soon as possible." I watched as her face went slack, like a look of sorrow fell upon her features. "I know Spence," she whispered, "I know."

A flash of realization flashed through me and I gasped quietly. Spencer had to know who I was. She had to know that Dylan was my daughter.

What was she feeling?

Did she know all along?

Did Alex not tell her either?

"Tomorrow before lunch sounds perfect." Kathryn said her goodbyes on the phone and hung up, facing me again. "So Spencer is able to meet with you tomorrow around eleven."

Chelsea was the first to stand up and shake the woman's hand.

I think I did too.

Tomorrow, I'd be face to face with Spencer for the first time in twelve years.

Tomorrow, I'd be faced with my most painful regret and mistake.

Tomorrow, I'd learn to live again.

-\-/-

Ahh, can you taste Spashley on the tip of your tongue? The reunion I mean! Heh. Thank you!