62.2 - Underneath The Carlin Household

Spencer's PoV

"I can't believe you were asked for your autograph Spencer!" Dylan grinned at me as I held onto her hand tight, walking through the packed Toronto airport. It was the day after Christmas and everywhere was crazy.

"I've still got it." I winked and she giggled. We stopped by the washrooms where Lucas and Ashley made a pit stop.

"Mommy!" Dylan bounced and tugged on Ashley's jacket. "Spencer just got asked for her autograph!"

Ashley's eyes flickered to mine and a smile appeared on her face. "Really? You mean I'm dating a famous person?"

"Heck yeah," I nodded firmly and Lucas rolled her eyes, "so treat me well."

"Huh," Ashley laughed, "I think it should be the other way around."

"Auntie Alex!" Lucas screamed excitedly, causing everyone's heads to turn toward my sister in a blonde wig with sunglasses on.

"Hey there squirt!" Alex dropped her knees to envelope her niece into a hug. "You're getting so big."

"It's only been a month," Lucas laughed and beckoned us over with the motion of her hand, "you remember Spencer right? Your sister?"

"Luc." I frowned and she just shrugged, her arm still wrapped tightly around Alex's neck.

"Hey," Alex stood up looking at us while gripping onto Lucas' hand, "it's really nice to see you again."

I let out a smile and a sigh, throwing my arms around her. I felt both her hands come around me and squeeze me a little tighter. I guess tears were normal to fall given our situation. We clutched onto each other as people rushed passed to claim their luggage or loved ones.

"I'm sorry." Alex's voice cracked and I sighed, pulling back. I cupped her face and wiped the tears off her cheeks. "Spence, I'm so sorry."

"I know." I whispered and stepped back a bit. I looked over at Ashley to find her with tears clouding her own gaze. "Oh baby," I smiled softly and pulled her towards us and before I knew it, Ashley and Alex were clutching at each other tightly, crying just as hard as we were.

"No more fighting," Lucas whispered, "it hurts too much."

"Yeah." Dylan nodded with a sombre expression. "I missed Auntie Alex." Her cheeks turned rosy as she blushed at her name for my sister.

"I missed you too." Alex wiped her eyes and swung Dylan around, hugging her close.

"Okay," I threw my hands up in the air and grabbed Dylan's hand in one and Ashley's in the other, "let's get out of here so we can surprise Nana and Grandpa."

--

Welcome to Midtown – Population 10,837

Ashley and I shared a look at the same old ratty sign hung high on its poles. We had just finished renting a car in the city and made the hour drive back to my hometown in a slower speed because of the icy roads. I looked in the review mirror to find Alex behind us, her young passengers keeping her entertained.

"She looks good." Ashley said in a happy tone, watching the snowy scenery pass us by. "Alex looks like she's gained some healthy weight. She was getting way too skinny there like every other celebrity in the business."

"I agree." I smiled and turned the heater up a bit more. "I may not really forgive her fully Ash. When I was pregnant with Lucas, she just left me, you know? I can understand why she was upset but to just leave and don't get me wrong, I'm happy she looked out for you, but I'm her sister."

"Believe me, I know." Ashley glanced at me. "That doesn't exactly make me happy with her either." She sighed and grabbed my hand, "but maybe we can try and look over that? You two obviously miss each other. You've been through too much just to throw it all away. She did help me get to you."

I cast a sideways glance at her with my head tilting slightly, "Ash, I can forgive and forget. You know that. It doesn't mean I'm still not slightly pissed off at her. She was really selfish and," I released some air loudly, "can we just see how this week goes?"

Ashley nodded and smiled lightly. "Sorry, I don't mean to be pushy."

"You're not. You've got a big heart and this adult version of you hates confrontations," I giggled when she slapped me lightly on the arm, "and you still take my breath away."

"You told her on the phone that everything was okay," she squeezed my hand, "don't go giving her mixed signals. Promise me you two will talk rationally."

I shifted in my seat and turned down a familiar street. "For you, anything."

"Wow," Ashley grinned and clutched my hand tighter in hers, "this place has not changed at all."

"It's Midtown," I laughed, "what did you expect?"

We drove down Aiden's parents street and nudged Ashley lightly, "they still live there."

Ashley couldn't keep her eyes off the house she once had called home.

"Did you want to stop?" I slowed down slightly.

"No." Ashley looked scared and shook her head repeatedly. "I'm just... one thing at a time, please?" She whispered.

I pressed on the gas to speed up and nodded. "Whenever you're ready." I nodded and the rest of the ride to my own childhood home was quiet.

Pulling into the familiar driveway, I was shocked to find that nobody from inside checked out the window.

"Mom!" Lucas ran towards me and slipped on the ice patch in front of me. She laughed and got up, brushing herself off. "I can't believe we're here!"

"Someone's excited." Ashley grinned.

My family was about to get a nice surprise.

I grabbed my daughter's hand and tugged her towards the front door. The wreath Alex and I had made when we were younger hung on the door in its vintage glory. I looked behind to find Alex and Ashley talking while Dylan tied her boot up, staying out of sight from whoever was going to open the door.

"Nana doesn't know we're here?" Lucas asked, adjusting her beanie cap on her head. "Does she know you and Ashley are back together?"

Oh.

Well, I've mentioned it a couple of times but it'll be real to my parents the moment they see it for themselves.

"She knows." I smiled and Lucas pressed the doorbell.

"Glen!" We heard Paula scream from somewhere in the house. "Glen can you please get that?"

Silence.

I heard something slam down and figured Glen wasn't listening to Paula. A few choice words were muttered right before the door opened.

I stood right in front of the older woman with a cheesy grin. "Surprise!"

"My girls!" She screamed delightfully and pulled me in for a tight hug. "Oh my," she breathed and moved to hug her granddaughter. "Hey you."

"Nana!" Lucas giggled and held onto Paula's hand tightly. "Uncle Glen is here?"

"Somewhere." Paula rolled her eyes and waved us in the house with a big grin. "Oh wow, I'm so surprised. Your father and I were just talking about what to have for dinner and now we know to set up two extra plates."

Lucas snickered and took off her coat.

"Mom," I smiled and bit my lip, "you might want to make it five more plates."

"Five?" She looked genuinely confused.

"Well us being here is only half the surprise," I reopened the door and waved Ashley and Dylan over.

They both looked so scared and nervous.

"I'd like you to meet Dylan," I grabbed the small brunette's hand and my mom dropped to her knees instantly. Her eyes were scanning over every single feature and tears filled up in her eyes. "Dylan, this is my mom."

"Hi Mrs. Carlin," Dylan whispered, her cheeks burning red under the scrutiny of Paula.

"Please, call me Nana." She whispered and moved to up the small tanned face, "you look so much like your mother."

"She gets that a lot." Ashley spoke, finally appearing from behind the door. She waved a shy hand and smiled, "hi Mrs. C."

Paula stood up, eyes wide in shock and I ran behind her in case she fainted again. Instead she threw herself forward and pulled Ashley into a hug.

Ashley held my gaze with a look of surprise before falling into the embrace, closing her eyes. Aside from myself and Dylan, my parents were a big part of Ashley's past, one she missed immensely.

"You look so grown up." Paula pulled back and had a big smile on her face.

"And you look wonderful as always Mrs. C." Ashley smiled nervously, her voice quivering slightly.

"Please call me Paula, Ashley." She scolded lightly. "We've been through this already."

"Nana, where's Grandpa?" Lucas frowned and grabbed Dylan's hand. "I want him to meet my sister."

I noticed how my Mom's eyes lit up and the blush that crawled over Dylan's face. "Yea, where is Dad?" I tilted my head and moved to grab Ashley's hand gently. "I want him to meet my girlfriend."

"Oh!" Paula was in hysterics as she grabbed the both of us and jumped up and down. "This is the best Christmas present ever!"

"I've got your luggage Spence." Alex came in the door finally and had herself overloaded with suitcases.

Mom looked between us two sisters and smiled. "You know, I'd call up Ripley's about this miracle, but they wouldn't believe me." She grabbed Lucas' hand. "Come on girls, Grandpa is in the kitchen."

"Thanks." I smiled at my sister and she shrugged like it was no big deal. "Alex," I grabbed her hand and wiped some snow off her jacket collar, "maybe we all can go out for coffee tonight and catch up. All claws will remain retracted and teeth will not be shown."

"I think that sounds like a really good idea." Ashley whispered with a smile.

"Yeah." Alex grinned and bobbed her head up and down. "Totally in."

"Cool." I nodded and grabbed my stuff.

"Are you sure it's cool that we crash here?" Ashley smirked and tugged on my belt buckle, pulling me close to her, "we could always grab a hotel suite with two bedrooms and the girls will be sleeping…"

I groaned quietly at the smouldering look she was giving me.

"Gross." Alex coughed. "Ashley and Spencer up in a tree – f-u-c-k-i-n-"

"Bad word!" Lucas called from the kitchen.

"Pay up sis." I grinned and she shook her head, leaving Ashley and I alone.

"So where were we?" She whispered in a slow heated kiss, pressing against the staircase railing.

"Jesus." I whispered as her lips moved down my neck, nipping my pulse point. "Ash stop."

"Why?" She groaned.

"Because you're making me wet." I husked in her ear and she pulled back, eyes sparkling. "Put some ice on it until tonight," I smiled softly, cupping her cheek, "it's about time we make some noise underneath the Carlin household again."

I wiggled my eyebrows and she grinned devilishly.

So in love.

--

Next time in Points Underneath:

"So you composed and wrote for Alex's first two albums?" Glen smiled at me and took a sip of his beer, "that's cool. I think I was the only one who didn't end up with the musical gene."

"You should see Lucas rock out on the piano." I smirked and he just shook his head laughing. "And yes, Alex and I were a team in the early stages of her career."

"I know she thought the world of you." Glen grinned softly and shrugged. "Both of them did."

"Well the feeling was mutual."