Third and last update of the day/evening!
58 - All That I'm Living For
Spencer's PoV
The tree was perfectly set up in the center of the large picture window. I couldn't wait until Ashley arrived with the girls after picking them up from Lucas' art program. I had the day off and was told to stay home and do absolutely nothing.
So I went out and got myself the best tree I could find. I would've loved to have Ashley and the girls come with me but I was way too excited.
Besides, the surprise on their faces will be worth it all anyway.
The stars were already showing themselves and it was just after five that afternoon.
Christmas was in the air.
Christmas and surprises.
I had a huge surprise for Ashley and I could hardly contain myself in keeping it in.
I think I may have to give her one of her many Christmas gifts early.
The stove timer went off and I rushed in the kitchen to pull out my own homemade short bread cookies. I loved making the house smell good during winter but especially at Christmas.
It made me miss home and my parents.
And I guess my siblings.
I frowned and bit my lip, pressing the blinking button on the answering machine that had been on there for almost a week.
"Hey Spencer, it's me. I just wanted to see how you and all your ladies were doing. I know I'm probably the last person you want to hear from but I wanted you to know that I miss my big sister. I don't want to say too much over this machine but yea, I love you Spence. Give Ashley and the girls a kiss for me. Talk to you soon."
I had to admit I missed her. She may have gone about everything the wrong way, but she still had good attentions. I mean, it all validated fine for her and regardless, she in a way brought Ashley back to me.
I was still very confused as to what to feel but I did miss my little sister. I talked to Glen a couple of weeks before and heard she was doing well with her music but quite the depressed woman.
I tried not to feel bad about it but as an older sister and as someone who actually grew up after high school – I knew I could end it all by just forgetting about everything and enjoy life as a huge family.
I still had to sleep on that though.
I heard the front door open and I literally squealed, running into the living room. All three of my girls' eyes were wide and jaws slacked. "So?" I bounced a couple of times and picked up Dylan.
"Spence," Ashley was the first to speak as she dropped her briefcase and kicked off her shoes, "this is a gorgeous tree – where'd you get one so pretty this late in the year?"
What? Late? I rolled my eyes.
Ashley had her tree up already for over two weeks. She bought hers.
I chopped my own down.
"I took a ride out Olsen Road in Pellat." I smiled proudly and put Dylan down.
"You chopped this yourself?" She asked in disbelief. "You killed a tree!"
I scoffed. "Well you bought a killed tree!" I challenged back. "Way to kill my surprise buzz, you tree killer buzz kill." I pouted.
Ashley laughed softly. "Aww," she pulled me into the warmth of her coat and placed a lingering kiss on my cheek, "I really do love the tree baby," she whispered.
Lucas and Dylan were both aware of our relationship. It was easier to just be up front with them rather than try and sneak around. Though that would've had its advantages.
"You so owe me for ruining my surprise." I warned lightly and grinned when she let out a nose crinkle smile.
"God," Lucas rolled her eyes and stepped between us, "just kiss her already." She grabbed Dylan's arm and ran into the kitchen after screaming 'cookies!'
"You better listen to her." Ashley wiggled her eyebrows and cupped my face, brushing her lips over mine lightly at first before deepening it. "I've missed you." She panted slightly as she pulled back, her brown eyes a darker shade.
"You have no idea." I whispered against her lips, my hands wrapping around her waist to pull her closer to me.
The girls would be preoccupied with the cookies for another five minutes.
I kissed Ashley even deeper than the first time and when a moan escaped her lips, we knew we had to pull back before things went too far.
"It smells incredible in here." She stepped back and pulled on her collar, airing herself from the heat we easily created.
"I baked." I murmured and bit my lip, eyeing her neck. She had a delicious neck.
"Mm," Ashley winked at me and hung up her coat before dashing off towards the kitchen.
I grabbed the milk jug from the fridge and poured us each a glass. Moments like that were precious; quiet moments between the four us and meals were the best because the comfortable silence was relaxing after a stressful day.
"Can we go outside and play?" Dylan asked after wiping her face off with a napkin.
"I have homework." Lucas pouted and rinsed out her empty glass.
"Go." I smiled and shrugged. "Tomorrow is your last day before Christmas break begins, I doubt they'll be checking too hard for homework."
I could feel Ashley's eyes burning on me. "Did you just tell them to forget their homework?" She whispered and leaned back as a happy Lucas and Dylan hugged me before dressing back up in their winter clothes.
"It gets me hugs." I reasoned and rolled my eyes. "Hey now, don't you dare start giving me that motherly tone," I smirked, "I didn't put a calendar of half naked women in my daughter's bedroom."
"Ou! There were cars too and they weren't half naked Spence, they were in bikini's." Ashley scowled. "I'll just rip the pictures out and give them to Luc on her 18th birthday."
"Good, not a year sooner." I kissed her nose and grabbed her hand, suddenly feeling the need to give her that early Christmas present yet nervous all at the same time. "I have something for you."
She followed me with a soft smile as we made our way down the large hall and into my den area. I leaned against the large oak desk and brought her close to me, my hands on her hips. "Are you okay?" She whispered.
Just slightly nervous.
"Yeah," I breathed and kissed her slowly before pulling back and reaching into a drawer behind me. I pulled out a small envelope and held it against my chest, taking a deep breath. "I want to spend this Christmas with you and the girls. I want to start fresh and just have no more doubts about where we stand. I want to share everything with you, Ashley."
I bet she thought I was about to propose.
"Baby..." Her voice came out husky and she never once lost eye contact.
"I was going to wait until Christmas Eve but now that I think about it, I should give it to you now." I opened her hand and placed the green envelope onto her palm.
"Yes." Ashley smiled and I could tell her eyes were beginning to tear up.
I laughed and shook my head, "you didn't even open it!"
"I don't care. Whatever it is, yes." She whispered and stepped back, sniffling as she peeled back the tape I placed over to close it.
I hated licking the back of envelopes.
I bit my lip when her fingers picked up the rectangular shaped brochure inside. Her eyes furrowed a bit and the brochure opened with two plane tickets falling to her feet. "Spence?" She looked at me as she bent down to pick up with tickets and surveyed them.
I swallowed. "I uh, I thought maybe you and Dylan would like to join Luc and I in Midtown for New Years." I blushed.
I felt her arms wrap tight around my neck and then she was crying, soft sobs escaping her body.
"Ash? What's wrong?" I tried to pry her away from me but she held on tighter. "Baby, talk to me. The tickets are refundable if you-"
I hated seeing her cry.
"I stopped celebrating everything after I lost Dylan," she whispered finally after a few minutes, "this year has been so intense and overwhelming and I just feel like I don't deserve to be this happy."
I pulled back and cupped her cheeks delicately. "You deserve all the happiness Davies," I mumbled against her wet teary skin, "you really do."
"God." She let out a loud sigh and clung to me. "These tickets mean the world, Spencer."
I frowned in curiosity. Two tickets back to Midtown to spend New Years at my parents. It wasn't the most romantic thing but looking at Ashley right now and hearing the appreciative tone in her voice, made me wonder why it meant the world to her.
"This really goes to show that you," she swallowed, "that you forgive me. For everything."
I sighed with a soft smile, running a hand through her thick curls, "I told you there was nothing to forgive. I get it."
She looked down at the tickets and smiled a little. "I thought everyone was coming here?"
I laughed. "They were. Aiden got called away for this week and so I told Kyla not to worry about it. I also told my parents that they didn't need to fly down here either. Why not take a break from life here, and go visit the family there?" I shrugged and grinned. "By the way," I stood up and cupped her slender hips, "Aiden and Kyla will be thrilled to see you again, and to meet Dylan finally. Plus, it'd be nice for you to catch up with your family."
A look of sadness crossed her face and she let out the breath she was holding. "It's been a very long time."
"So?" I bit my lip in anticipation, already knowing the answer, but still.
"I love you." Ashley nodded and brought her hand to the back of my neck, kissing me like there was no tomorrow.
Yea.
I was taking that as a 'yes.'
Midtown, here we come!
--
Next time in Points Underneath:
"Have fun?" Spencer asked with a smile.
Lucas stripped out of her winter clothes, throwing her skates in the closet and bounced on my lap. "Dylan's in trouble but it was soooo worth it."
My eyes glanced towards my daughter and she swallowed, her eyes almost brimming with tears. "Baby Dyl, what's wrong?" I opened my arms and allowed her to crawl in next to us, Spencer wiping a fallen tear from her cheek.
"I'm grounded." She whispered, sniffling.
