26 - Slowly But Surely

Lucas' PoV

I don't like her. She can't come here and take away Dylan. I won't let her and my mom won't let her either. I don't understand a whole lot about what goes on with my mom's work – but I know she can't just take Dylan away.

Dylan is my best friend. I've never had a best friend before because Jason doesn't count – he kissed me and that was gross. Boys suck. Just like Aunt Carmen says. But Dylan finds Jason cute. So I guess I can agree with her.

Hockey practice was so much fun. I taught Dyl a few moves that my mom taught me. My mom used to be famous you know. She was even on Team Canada when she was younger and has the gold medal to prove that she played in the Olympics. She is awesome. I love her.

Ashley showed up here. Not here as in my house but here as in town. I saw her. I remember seeing her face in every picture of my mom's. She's gorgeous and I'll give her that. A gorgeous lady should not go unknown. Aunt Carmen and mom taught me that one. But she turned out to be my worst enemy. My Dylan stealer. I don't like her.

"Lucas Evelyn Carlin!" I heard my name be called and grinned, "I won't be waiting for you two ladies forever. Hurry up and get your cute little butts ready for school or I'm telling your mother that you have a huge crush on Carmen!"

Ew, Carmen. Love her but ew.

Jaiden is hot. I want to be Mrs. Jaiden Wynters someday.

Until later!

Luc.

I finished scribbling in my journal and tucked it neatly back in my sock drawer.

"Coming!" I yelled back and grabbed my sweater, running down the hallway. I stopped and I noticed Dylan standing on the stool in front of the mirror in the bathroom. "Whatchya doin?" I asked, approaching her slowly.

"I can't get this barrette in my hair," Dylan huffed and turned to face me, her lips pouting.

"Well I just throw my hair back in a ponytail but let me try," I smiled softly and grabbed the brush from her hands. I stood behind her and moved the brush through her hair before grabbing the soft blue barrette from her fingers. My teeth gripped my tongue between them as I frowned in concentration, trying to place the barrette perfectly in her hair. "How's that?" I smiled and she squealed, throwing her arms around me.

"Thank you Lukey!" She giggled and took another look at herself through the mirror.

"Seriously," Jaiden's head popped in the doorway with a raised eyebrow, "what is taking you two so long?"

"Look Jaid!" Dylan pointed to her hair. "Luc helped me with my hair!"

I tensed a bit.

"Aww," Jaiden came in the bathroom and knelt down, poking me in the sides a little, "Lucas is a softly deep down."

"Shut up." I frowned and walked passed her, grabbing my sweater from the floor and made my way downstairs.

I didn't want her to see the blush in my cheeks.

On our way to school, Dylan brought up her again. "So do you think she'll look different from the last time I saw her?" Her eyes widened as she looked at Jaiden.

Jaiden smiled softly, keeping her eyes on the road. "I'm sure she will."

From pictures I had seen – Ashley hadn't really changed much. I felt bad for holding back what I knew about Dylan's mom.

I think it was secrets like that, that tore Auntie Alex and mom apart.

I didn't want it to tear Dylan and I apart either.

But I didn't understand when I should keep my mouth shut or when to leave it open.

I wanted to say "your mom is absolutely beautiful, just like you." But I couldn't.

The words caught in my throat.

I wouldn't let her take my Dylan away.

Not now.

Not ever.

--

Spencer's PoV

"I just don't understand why, Dad!" I hissed but remained calm. It'd been a while since I talked to him but seeing as Ashley was now in town and her first meeting with Dylan was that night, I had to call and try and piece myself together with questions I had in my own head that needed to be answered.

"Spence, it wasn't about keeping this from you on purpose," he offered sincerely, "I didn't think you'd be this upset."

"Dad!" I sighed heavily. "My ex is right down the hall and you know why? Because she's working on getting her daughter back. Her daughter is Dylan. Dylan is the girl you so desperately wanted me to take care of… the daughter of Ashley Davies. Ashley, Dad. ASHLEY!"

I was freaking out. More than I thought I would.

"I mean, did you think that'd I'd say no if you mentioned it was really her? Did you think I'd be that heartless?"

"You know I don't think that of you, Spencer." My dad sounded tired. "I just thought it'd help the process go more smoothly. I see now that it was a mistake on my part and I apologize."

I raised an eyebrow. I loved my dad. I did. He was still my hero but God this was tearing me apart. "Apologize? Dad, please. I'm already dealing with a grovelling sister."

"Alex?" His voice sounded surprised. "Honey, what's going on?"

Parents.

"Please don't play dumb, it doesn't suit you." I sighed and rubbed my temple. "She knew this whole time about Dylan while she was here. And come to think of it, it's a little funny that she showed up the same time I had Dylan placed in my home." Wow, why did I not see that before?

"She was listening to me," he was defending her? "I told her not to tell you about Dylan, okay? If you're going to be mad at anyone, be mad at me."

"Well then Pops, you're in luck because I'm quite pissed at the moment. At you. At Alex. At mom-"

"Whoa Spence," I heard his voice drop a few notches, "you're mother knows nothing about this, don't be upset with her."

Great. Just fucking great. "So Alex gets her conniving little lies and skills from you," I laughed out loud, slapping my hand against the surface, "just great Dad. More secrets in this family that were not necessary." I took a deep breath. "Did you know Ashley had Dylan since day one?"

A heard a pause and then he cleared his throat. "No. I wasn't aware of Dylan until after she was taken away. Alex and Ashley had a life of their own, Spence."

I didn't like the way that sounded but I knew being jealous over something that probably never happened, would be completely pointless.

Ashley wasn't mine.

"Why?" I muttered. "Why did this all have to be a secret?"

I didn't get it.

So Ashley had a baby. She had a baby that obviously made her happy and I was happy for her. She made a little family of two and someone felt the need to keep it from everyone.

I didn't get it.

"Spencer…"

"I gotta go Dad." I hung up quickly and balled my fists up. I had to be professional.

I had to be strong.

A knock at my office door ripped me from my thoughts and I silently thanked whoever the intruder was. "Open."

"Hey gorgeous," Ryn popped her head in and gave me a soft smile, "Ashley's wanting to see you, is that okay?"

I swallowed and closed my eyes briefly. Mentally composing myself and emotionally trying to get myself in check. "Send her in."

Ryn nodded and stepped aside to allow Ashley by. "I'm going to be in my office with Chelsea." She smiled and closed the door behind her.

Ashley took a moment to scan my office once again, much like she did the first time yesterday morning. I didn't want to interrupt her so I sat back down in my chair and placed my hands neatly on top of my desk.

"You look like you've done well for yourself," she finally spoke, walking over to the framed certificates and diplomas on my wall, "that's really nice to see, Carlin."

My heartstrings pulled a little. Carlin was so bittersweet when it came to her. I missed it yet I hated it all at the same time.

Nothing too heavy.

"Spencer." I corrected her softly and she spun around to look at me. "My name's Spencer."

Ashley's eyes fell to the floor briefly and then looked back up at me. "You look good, Spencer."

I smiled a little and I noticed one twitched on her lips as well.

"Thank you." I pointed to a seat and she took it, crossing her leg over the other.

Always a lady.

"What can I do for you?" I asked her as normal as I could. It killed me that this was how we had to reunite after all these years.

"I just wanted to ask you another question," Ashley smiled again, almost shyly.

The Ashley Davies I knew was cocky and so self-confident. The Ashley Davies in front of me was the exact opposite.

It was a little endearing.

But I hated that she squirmed like I was scrutinizing her in some way.

"Feel free to ask me anything." I leaned forward and bit my lip.

"Would you mind that when I see Dylan again for the first time," she stopped and took a deep breath, "it'd be at your house?"

I sat back slowly and felt a little light headed. It would put so much joy in heart to fulfill Dylan's biggest wish but it'd break at the very same moment when Lucas' heart shatters because of it.

"It's just that Dylan would be around a strong environment and I think it'd be less nerve racking for the both of us if we had it here." Ashley stood and began to pace a little. "But I get it if you think that it's too weird, I mean, I can't just go and invite myself over to your place like that, what the hell was I thinki-" She stopped talked when she noticed I was standing right in front of her.

"First," I placed my hands on her shoulders and pressed her to sit down, "I just replaced this carpet and I really don't want it worn down already." I backed up to give us distance because those two seconds of close proximity sent my heart racing. I leaned against my desk and folded my arms over my chest. "Second," I smiled a little, trying to ease her nerves, "you're welcome over to see your daughter whenever you want, Ashley. I mean, whenever you can."

Ashley and I stared at each other for a few seconds in silence. I could hear the wheels turning in her head probably just as much as she could hear mine. I finally pushed myself off my desk and tapped the surface with my fingertips. "Just let me give you my address."

Ashley took the piece of paper from my fingers and whispered a 'thank you'.

"I pick the girls up after school around three-thirty," I cleared my throat and chewed my bottom lip, "we're usually home by four or so. I mentioned to Chelsea that five would be a good time, that way Dylan can still get her homework done and get her nightly bath time in-"

"You really are good to her, aren't you?" Ashley stood up and tilted her head a little.

"She's a little girl that needs love and protection," I offered quietly, all of a sudden feeling naked at the way she was looking at me. "She's very loveable," I dared to look into Ashley brown eyes that were glued to my own, "kinda like her mother."

"Spence," she breathed and it hurt when she said my name like that. It hurt because I've missed it so much and it hurt because now was not the time.

Nothing too heavy.

"Ashley," I scolded lightly, "not now." I turned around to walk behind my desk. "I have roast or chicken, which would you prefer?"

"Prefer?"

"For dinner." I pushed. "I think I can feed two extra mouths," I shrugged, "besides, Dylan will be more than ecstatic if you agree."

For the first time in twelve years, Ashley smiled at me. I mean, really smiled at me. Nose crinkle and all. For a brief moment I saw happiness shoot through her eyes.

"I'll take that as a yes," I replied and it wasn't until Ashley blushed a little that I realized I was in full-blown smile mode as well.

Funny how you get so caught up in one emotion that the true one you're feeling the most, slips from its hiding spot and reveals itself.

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