Sorry I made you all wait for these last couple updates. Hopefully I'll be back on track with the daily updates! Thank you all for reading and reviewing! Makes my day/night complete.

23 - Welcome To Dylan's New World

Ashley's PoV

I never really had a chance to glance around Spencer's office the moment I walked in. She looked breathtaking and pretty much stole my attention in her buttoned up shirt and black slacks. She looked so healthy and strong.

Unlike me.

I was still a little smaller than usual – food wasn't my best friend in those dark days. I was still putting fat back on my body so I could build muscle.

But Spencer looked very good.

Her eyes were the same colour as they always were but with a hint of greyish tones that she never had before.

Chelsea introduced us, knowing full well that I knew who Spencer was, but kept it professional.

I couldn't help but take a hold of the hand that was held in front of me.

I swallowed but fought my urge to look away.

"It's nice to see you." Spencer whispered and I couldn't help but look surprised.

She wasn't mad?

She wasn't screaming at me?

"You too." I said in the same volume she used.

"Well," Chelsea took the lead and pushed a chair out for me. I took the seat and finally, finally looked down at the frames that scattered across her 'homely' office.

I felt myself choke up at the most recent picture of Dylan. The front of her hair was pulled back with the exception of a few loose curls that framed her face. She was smiling widely for the camera and I've never seen her so happy. It was her recent school picture. I glanced at the frame beside it with another school picture. Only it was the blonde girl from Tim Hortons the other night. Grey eyes and long wavy blonde hair with her skin as dark as Dylan's. She was beautiful.

Like her mother.

"So you're welcome to ask any questions," Kathryn came into the room, "Spencer would be happy to answer all that she can regarding Dylan's stay with her."

I bit my lip and glanced down at my worn down fingernails. I've gotten into the habit of biting them when I was nervous. Chelsea nudged me after I was so quiet for so long. I was lost in thought with everything that had happened since graduation day. I looked up and Spencer's eyes studied me with carefulness. "Is she happy?" I asked.

Spencer's let out a soft smile. "She is," she leaned forward and played with the pen that was in her hand, "she told me to tell you that she loves you and she misses you."

I shared a look with Chelsea and she squeezed my hand.

I had so many questions floating around in my head. The problem was that I couldn't think of one single one to ask.

I was overwhelmed.

I was so happy that I was one step closer to getting Dylan and I was so happy that I wasn't throwing up with excitement.

I wanted to ask Spencer how she was. If she was happy. But something stopped me. I told myself that it wasn't time.

I'd make time.

But not now.

The meeting was kind of a blur. I hate to say it but I don't remember what exactly was said. I watched her lips moves as she spoke.

Grown-up Spencer was hotter than high school Spencer.

The reason I found her hotter is because she seemed comfortable in her own skin. She always had but seeing as how her hockey career was ripped from her, she held it together pretty good. Look at the life she made for herself.

I heard her voice again and glanced towards her eyes. They were focused on Chelsea. "So Ashley can see Dylan as long as she's supervised?"

Great, she thinks I was going to runaway with my daughter.

"For now we see that it's best until the final case is taken to the court. After Ashley has her hearing, it'll be a different story." Chelsea patted my hand and I smiled sadly.

It wasn't over yet but I think I was right where I wanted to be.

"Oh well," Spencer cleared her throat and looked straight at me, "it's just that Dylan's having her first practice with a hockey team tonight and I really think it's something her mother should be included in."

Oh my fucking wow.

Dylan in hockey? Spencer wanting me to be there?

I glanced over at Chelsea quickly, hoping that I was giving my best pleading look without being too obvious.

"I have the phone conference tonight," she sighed and gave me an apologetic look.

I couldn't even hide the disappointment from my face, looking back down towards the floor. My heart continued to beat hard against my chest, so hard it was beginning to hurt.

I wanted to cry.

Or be sick again. That happened a lot when I was overexcited or overwhelmed. I was told it was a side effect of some sort.

"Well I'm free for a bit," I heard Kathryn speak up and smile at Spencer, "I wouldn't mind escorting Miss Davies to the rink."

"Thank you." Spencer and I both said at the same time. Our gazes locked again and she gave me a smile, nodding. "You'll be proud. She's been practicing like crazy for the past three months. I wasn't sure if you wanted-"

"I wanted." I didn't let her finish the sentence. "I want everything for her." I said in another whisper.

Spencer swallowed and nodded her head once again, with a warmer smile.

"Okay so," Chelsea closed her notebook and stood up, "it was very nice of you to meet with us on very short notice Miss Carlin, thank you."

"It wasn't a problem." Her eyes glanced briefly towards Chelsea's then back at me. "I'll see you tonight."

Whoa there heart, keep inside the body. It felt as if it wanted to jump into Spencer's hand and melt all over again.

She was being so nice and calm and making me feel more comfortable than I thought possible.

Of course I thought about the scenarios of how we'd meet after our break up in high school. But being in her office trying to be the one getting my daughter back, wasn't one of them.

Spencer rounded her desk corner and gingerly grabbed the frame on her desk of Dylan. She handed it to me and I barely trusted my shaky hands to take it from her without dropping it. "I have more." She whispered.

I glanced down at the frame that was now in my deathly grip. "You don't have too…"

"I said I have more," Spencer said and stepped back a bit, keeping her distance. "For you."

I guess it was gravity doing its natural thing.

Bringing us together.

Or was it fate?

Either way, my heart was home.

And the moment I got to see Dylan…

…I'd be complete.

--

Dylan's PoV

School was fun like always. I loved to learn new things but mainly I loved recess.

I got to be outside and play with Lucas and her other friends.

They were nice too me. They were nice because Lukey would threaten to beat them up otherwise.

I loved her.

She was my sister. I've never had a sister but I think that's what a sister would do; except for Spencer and Alex. They are sisters but seem to fight a lot lately. I hated seeing Spencer sad.

For once though, I couldn't wait until school was out. I wanted to go home, do my homework and then play hockey with a real team.

A real team!

Lucas' team.

With Spencer as our Coach.

I loved Spencer too. She's been really nice to me. She likes to watch movies with us just like Lukey promised me when we first met. She also holds me when I cry and never says that I'm bad for doing so.

One house I was at, I'd get smacked across the mouth for whimpering. I didn't understand how grownups could be so mean. I was never allowed to attend school and stayed at the house, cleaning everyone else's mess.

It wasn't until Spencer took me in, did I begin to feel like I was at home again.

With my mommy.

I loved my mommy. I missed her so much. She would play games with me every time she'd finish writing one of her pretty songs. She'd dance around my bedroom with me before bed time and tuck me in with one kiss to each eyelid and then on each cheek. She would sing me back to sleep if I woke up with a nightmare.

I didn't understand why I wasn't allowed to see her anymore. After we crashed into a tree, I never saw her again.

"Dyl!" Lucas smiled at me when we finally reached the outside stairs of the school. "Did you want to beg mom to let us go for ice cream after practice?"

I nodded enthusiastically. I loved going to Rapture. Ephiny and Chase were nice and Jaiden always made me feel special. It was no wonder Lucas had a crush on her – but she'd deny it if you teased her.

"Cool." She grinned goofily and took my hand, making our way towards the fence, waiting for Spencer to pick us up.

A horn honked and we swung our heads to the left to see Spencer waving at us from down the street. "Last one to the car has to help with dishes!" I sang as I took off ahead of her.

"No fair, you're small!" Lucas cried, "the wind carries you!"

I chuckled as I tagged the vehicle first.

"Hey ladies," Spencer smiled and opened the door for us, taking our bags as we climbed in the back seat, "how was school?"

"Long."

"Boring."

Spencer smiled and threw our bags in the front seat on Carmen's lap. I always thought that was her girlfriend but Lucas said they were just really close. She said Spencer never really dated.

I think that meant she never had a girlfriend.

Or something.

I was nine.

I just wanted to play hockey.

Like Lucas.

"Did you see her?" I asked, leaning forward a bit. Carmen glanced back at me and I kept my eyes on blue eyes in the review mirror.

"I did," Spencer smiled softly.

"Does she like you?" I asked excitedly.

Lucas scoffed.

"I'm sure she does." Carmen smiled back at me.

"When can I see her?" I asked a little more excitedly, my hands clasping tightly in my lap.

"We're going to set up a time tomorrow," Spencer smiled.

I couldn't wait. I sat back in my seat and rubbed my hands together. I looked over at Lucas, who was staring out her window. "Isn't this great Luc? I can see my mom soon!"

Lucas shrugged. I patted her knee and she turned her head to smile at me. "It's great, Dyl." She finally whispered.

I swallowed when tears started to fall freely from her eyes. She squeezed my hand and then glanced back out her window.

The rest of the ride home was silent.

--