Hey guys, thanks for staying with me! I glad you are all enjoying this! As for reviews, I got a few saying that they want both Spencer and Ashley to go to the same college. I was planning on writing a squeal, but that would require them to split. So I'm in between, let me know what you think. I love to please my readers. :)

Chapter 19

"Ashley come help me blow out my candles," Sid said pulling on my shirt.

"I'm coming bud," I said grabbing Spencer's hand before leaving the room.

I can't believe how time flies. It was already midway through December, and Sid was turning seven. Things between Spencer and me have been great. Her parents have been amazing, even after that awkward interrogation session. My mom has been the happiest I have seen her, in a while. I guess once she found out that I've moved on, it was a weight off her shoulders. Spencer and I also celebrated our anniversary last week. We didn't do anything extravagant, because Spencer just wanted something casual. I took out to dinner in the city, and let her chose what we did after that. We eventually ended up back at my house watching movies and eating junk food we bought at the store. It was the most interesting date that I had ever had. But Spencer, well Spencer, is the love of my life, and I'd go to the universe and back to be with her.

"Ash," Spencer said, "are you going to help him blow out the candles?" I glanced over at the small boy giving me a cheesy smile. I nodded and knelt in front of the cake, next to my brother.

"Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you…" the people around us sang. Sid's smile was plastered on his face; I'm surprised it didn't crack. When the people around us had stopped singing, Sid looked at the cake for a while, before blowing out the candles. There was a round of applause. My mother took the cake into the kitchen and started to cut it into slices.

"Happy Birthday bud," I said sweeping him into my arms.

"Thanks Ash," he said. He definitely was too big for me to pick him up with ease.

"So what did you wish for?" I asked. For the past six years he has never told me what he has wished for because it was bad luck.

"I wished for you and Spencer to get married."

"You wished whaaat?" Spencer said coming up next to me. I was just as shocked as her.

"For you and Spencer to get married," he said before running off the get a piece of cake.

"He wished for us to get married…"

"Yeah," Spencer said looping her arms around my waist, "I like the ring it has to it."

"So if I were to ask you in the near future to marry me…"

"I would say yes," she said giving me a peck on the lips.

"Okay make sure you complete the textbook work, have a nice break," my music teacher said dismissing the class.

"Oh, Ashley, can I see you for a moment," she said calling me over to her desk.

"What's up teach?" I said setting my bag on the ground.

"I wanted to talk to you about that piece you composed a while," she said rifling through some papers.

"What about it," I asked looking at the sheet music she was holding.

"This is a very good song Ashley, and I know that it's only a start, but I would love if you would finish it," she said. It was the first song that I actually wrote that was about Spencer, and let someone see. I hadn't finished it, but I knew that if wouldn't hesitate if asked.

"Okay, I'll finish it over the break," I said taking the sheet music.

"If you don't mind me asking, who is that song about?"

"A girl with pretty blue eyes," I said before leaving the room.

I walked out into the hallway and headed to my locker. My eyes scanned over the notes that I had written, trying to think of new ways to add and edit. I wasn't looking where I was going, because I completely body slammed the person rounding the corner.

"Ow," I heard from the person, who was on the ground.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going. Are you o…Carmen?" I stopped then I saw the girls face. Carmen was lying on the ground; her things sprawled across the floor.

"Ashley," she said getting up and starting to gather her things.

"Are you okay?" I asked trying to be a Samaritan.

"I'm fine, don't worry about it," she said straighten out her shirt, "I was actually looking for you."

"I really don't want to fight Carmen," I said holding my hands up in defense.

"Relax Ashley, I'm a different person, since the last time you saw me," she said calmly.

It was true; she seemed like a completely different person. She didn't seem to have any angry in her, even after I accidentally knocked her off her feet.

"Are you doing anything now?" she asked putting the rest of the things in her back.

"Um, no I was just about to head out to my car."

"I was wondering if we could maybe talk," she said shifting her bag on her shoulder, "over Starbucks or something."

"Okay," I said, "do you want to ride with me?" She nodded and we headed out to my car. I figured that I would let Carmen talk, since we haven't ever talked, and she seems like a new person. The ride over the Starbucks was only a few minutes; the car ride was dead silent. I guess Carmen was saving her huge speech until we had our drinks. Once we got there we quickly order our drinks and found a seat near the windows.

"So haw have you been Ashley," she asked taking a sip of her coffee.

"I've been good. I heard that you moved to a different school."

"Yeah, my parents we angry about what happened last year, and they just wanted me to play, so they picked me up and moved," she said.

"So what are you doing back at King?" I asked.

"Well, this fall parents got divorced, so the point of moving was practically useless. After we moved, I realized all the damaged that I'd caused to certain people, and it just stated eating at me. My mother forced me to play lacrosse this fall, and but I couldn't deal with it. I couldn't deal with the person I had become. And then my parents got divorced and my mother moved to New York because she was done with me, so my father is moving back to King to finish the rest of my senior year."

"I'm sorry to hear about your parents," I said grabbing her hand, "but you're a strong person."

"That one of the reason I came looking for you," she said, "I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry for everything that I've caused you. Everything that I did was to make my mother happy, but now that she's gone, I'm free. I don't have to keep her happy. And I'm beginning to slowly shape myself into a new person. I hope that you will forgive me for everything and maybe we could be friends?" she asked searching for an answer in my eyes.

"I forgive you," I said giving her a warm smile. I heard her let out a sigh of relief before getting up and hugging me.

"Friends?" she asked.

"Friends."

"So are playing lacrosse this spring?" she asked. I nodded, but now I got a little nervous that Carmen might go back to her old habits.

"Are you?"

"No, I'm going to go back to playing softball, since its something that I actually enjoy, and if I played lacrosse, I fear that I might go back to my old habits, and I don't want that to happen. If Spencer hadn't slapped me to my senses, I think that I would have lost the battle with myself." My lips curled into a smile when I heard Spencer's name. Carmen must have noticed.

"So you and Spencer," she said.

"Whaaa?" I asked shaking my head out my thoughts.

"You and Spencer…" she dragged out.

"What about us?"

"You're dating right?" she asked.

"Yeah," I breathed out, "I'm sorry."

"What are you sorry for?"

"For taking Spencer away from you," I said looking Carmen in the eyes.

"Don't be, I loved her, yes, but she didn't love me back. It was sort of friend-love relationship. I guess that was one of the reasons that I was hateful towards you, because Spencer was spending more and more time with you, and less with me. But she seemed truly happy when she was with you."

"Oh…"

"Ashley, don't worry, what Spencer and I had is over. All we are is friends, nothing more. I've got a girlfriend now."

"Who?" I was the first that my lips could formulate.

"You know her, Emily," she said. I felt my jaw hit the table. She was dating Carmen. Emily was dating Carmen. I mind momentarily stopped.

"Who long" I asked still a little shocked. That must have been the person that Emily was talking about when we went on our first date.

"Since the summer," she said.

"Well now I have to give you the speech," I said setting my coffee aside, "If you hurt Emily in any way I will kick your ass."

"I have no intentions of hurting her," she said, "she's the first person that has made me feel normal, made me fee like myself."

"Good, then we have an understanding."

"Yes, we do," she said with a smile.

We sat there for another hour just talking. I got to learn a lot about Carmen, and just like Spencer had said, if you really sit down and get to know Carmen, she is an amazing, loving, kind, person. I drove her back to the school, so that she could get her car. It had been a good day; Carmen turned out to be a good person, I get to finish my song about Spencer, and it's Christmas break.

When I got home, my mother was in a hurry organize the house. One other thing that finally happen, my father decided to move his record label into the city, so he was going to come home and live with us again, but we were still keeping the house in California as a "summer-house."

I went up to my room and threw my bag on my floor, before hopping onto my bed. It felt great to finally just kick back and relax…I must have dozed off because the next thing I remember is seeing my dad's face right in front of mine.

"Dad?" I asked groggy.

"Hey sweetie," he said taking a seat on my bed.

"Dad," I shouted in happiness, coming to my senses, "Oh my god, you're here."

I heard him chuckle. Don't blame me for my stupidity now; I just woke up from a much-needed nap.

"When did you get here?" I asked.

"About an hour ago," he said.

"What, why did you wake me?"

"Your mom thought it was good for you to get a little sleep. Anyways I heard the exciting news."

"What news?"

"Your commitment to UNC," he said.

"Thanks."

"And your relationship status."

"Oh, yeah."

"Relax, I love Spencer, there's nothing to worry about," he said placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Thanks dad," I said wrapping my arms around him, "I missed you."

"I miss you too, but now I'll be here, where I'm needed."

Spencer's POV

I sat my bed skimming through my news feed, when a little icon appeared at the top of my screen. It was a calendar notification that I must have set ages ago. Glen comes home! I stared it for a while before my eyes became glassy. This was the day that Glen was supposed to come home from his tour, but he came home several months ago. I close my laptop screen and lay in bed, before deciding what to do next.

"Hey dad, I'm going to go to the hospital," I said grabbing my jacket.

"Okay, just be home by nine," he said from the kitchen.

The cold wind hit my face as I walked outside. I ran out to my car and jumped in. I glance over at Ashley's house and noticed that familiar Jeep from California. Was Raife here? I push my temptations to over and knock on her door. Starting the engine I drove in the direction of the hospital.

"Good evening Spencer," said one of the nurses.

"Evening Haley," I said giving the nurse a smile, "any change?" She shook her head sadly before leaving the room.

"Hey Glen," I said sitting next to the bed, "how are you doing?"

Ashley's POV

I was sitting around the dining table enjoying a nice dinner with the family, the whole family. My dad and Sid were laughing hysterically over some show or something. My mother was watching our family, enjoying the family being back together. And I, well I was just happy to be here, to have my brother, my mother, and my dad all sitting around the table. I felt a buzz in my pocket. I didn't recognize the number. I excused myself from the table for a moment to answer.

"Hello?" I asked through the phone.

"Spencer, hello. It's Arthur. I'm sorry to bother you, but I was wondering if you could do us a small favor."

"Sure, Mr.C, what can I do?"

"Well Spencer left for the hospital a few hours ago, and she's suppose to be home by nine, and well it's past nine. My wife and I have had a little too much to drink for dinner, and neither of us are up for driving. Would you be okay with maybe stopping by the hospital and see if she's there?"

"Not a problem," I said grabbing my jacket from the rack.

"Mom, I'm going out for a bit, be back soon."

"Okay, we'll be gone when you get home, so just lock the door when you come back. Drive safe."

"I will."

I jumped into the car and shook the snow from my hair before starting the engine. I drove down the road, hoping that I wouldn't see Spencer's car. But, I was able to stay calm, because the way that Arthur said that Spencer was at the hospital was calm and not worried. I pulled up in a visitor's spot and made my way into the hospital. I wondered around the hospital and sent Spencer a few texts.

"Can I help you?" I heard a nurse ask, "You look a little lost."

"Yeah, just a bit, I'm actually looking for someone," I said approaching the front desk.

"Name?"

"Um, actually, I'm not looking for a patient. My girlfriend came her, and her father wanted to check on her," I said looking at the nurse.

"Well, what's the name of the person you're looking for?"

"Spencer. Spencer Carlin."

"Oh, Carlin, yes. Room 452. Just take the elevator to the fourth floor and the room is on your left," she said directing me to the elevator.

"Thank you," I said to the nurse before heading to the elevator.

I reached the fourth floor and began walking down the hallway, glancing into rooms. I reached the end of the hallway; the nurse must have been mistaken, because I didn't see Spencer in any of these rooms. I made another round the hallway and stopped when I saw 'Carlin' written on the door. The door was closed. I peered through the window and noticed a man with blond hair lying in the hospital bed. There was another figure on the couch, but they had a blanket covering them. I took my chances, I mean how many Carlins are there?

I quietly opened the door and walked in. The sleeping figure stirred and little but remained asleep.

"Spencer?" I asked walking towards the sleeping figure. I heard a muffled 'what' from the figure and instantly realized that it was Spencer.

"Spence," I said a little louder shaking her awake.

"What?" she asked groggy while taking the blanket off, "Ashley, what are you doing here?"

"Your dad said you missed your curfew and asked me to check on you," I said glancing at my watch. It was 10:30pm.

"Oh shit," Spencer said jumping off the couch and grabbing her things.

"Relax Spencer," I said pushing her down on the couch.

"I'm sorry Ash," she said fiddling with her fingers.

"Sorry for what?"

"For pulling you away from your family to check on me. I guess I just fell asleep," she said looking at the man in the bed.

"It's okay, really, I'd do anything for you," I said grabbing her hands. She gave me a small smile before getting up.

"Wait," I said and she stopped, "who is he?" I motioned to the bed. She eyes glossed over and her face saddened.

"It's my brother," she said.

"Glen?" I asked. She nodded. I immediately felt like an idiot for asking her. I could see how sensitive it was of a topic for her. I immediately regretted it.

"I'm sorry," was the only thing that could come out of my mouth.

"You know today was the day that he was supposed to come back from his tour," she said walking up to Glen, "but instead he came back six months early, like this."

I noticed that Glen had significant scarring on his head from surgeries and on the left side of his face. But, he looked just like Spencer, except in guy form.

"I'm sorry Spence," I said wrapping my arms around her, "I know what you must be going through."

"Thanks Ashley. I'm fine, really," she said wiping her eyes quickly, "we should get going." I nodded and followed Spencer towards the elevator.

We remained silent, until we reached Spencer's car, which was on the opposite side of the parking lot as mine.

"Drive safe okay," I said leaning into the car and giving her kiss on the lips. She gave me a smile, before backing up. I watched as she drove out of the hospital parking lot. I quickly ran to my car and started to make my way home. For some reason, I ended up in front of Spencer.

I pulled into my driveway and watched Spencer do the same. I watched her get out, but instead of going into her house, she started walking towards me. I opened the door and quickly ran out to her.

"What wrong?" I asked as she came closer. She flung her arms around me, and I could hear her softly crying.

"Hey, everything gonna be okay," I said rubbing circles on back.

"I love you," I heard her cry into my shoulder.

"I love you too," I said. She pulled back and stared me in the eyes. I felt her lips graze against mine.

Thanks for reading and please let me know what you think!