Hello everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful time spending time with family and friends over Christmas. I want to thank all of you for continuing to follow this story; it means a lot to me. I also want to thank those for contributing their ideas. Right now I am working on a chapter between Sid and Spencer and one with Ashley and Glen, just to show build in relationship. Please if you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them. Anyways, I hope that you enjoy this chapter. The New Year's chapter will be posted on time. Read and Review.

Chapter 22

Spencer's POV

"I guess we all have our rough times, so hear we go" I heard Ashley's voice come through my laptop.

Memories are all I have
Memories of you
Memories of happy days
When our love grew

I see your face
Before me now
I see your eyes of blue
Now you're gone
I don't know where
What am I to do

I feel your skin
Through my hands
So warm and so sweet
I kiss your lips
In my mind
Make my dream complete

But here I am
In my cell
Looking at four walls
I've nothing left
Just a thought
That once I had it all

The music came to an end. Her voice was angelic, but it made me a little sad that none of these songs were about me. I pressed the pause button on the screen and closed the laptop. Lately, every morning when I wake up, I listen to the CD that Raife had given to me of Ashley singing. I think that I have pressed repeat about thousand times.

I rolled out of bed, and as usually looked out my window. Ashley's lights were on, so I'm assuming that she is already up. I quickly changed into more presentable clothing before heading downstairs. My grandparents were in the kitchen, along with my parents. They had already started eating, which I don't blame them, because I wake up really late. I quickly joined in. My Gran gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"Morning dear, sleep well?"

"Excellent," I said taking a bit out of my pancakes.

My grandparents were leaving today, it made me a little sad, but I mean there is such a thing as too much grandparents, which is probably about a couple days. And of course, I had to go with them to airport. I was planning on hanging with Ashley yesterday, but she had to take her grandparents to the airport, and now I have to take my grandparents to the airport. That makes it four days that we haven't seen each other. I've realized how much of my life revolves around Ashley.

I returned up to my room and hopped into the shower. I changed into jeans and shirt, before heading back downstairs. My grandparents were standing near the door with all their bags. I grabbed their bags and headed out to the car. Ashley was sitting on her porch wrapped in a blanket writing something. I just shook my head; only Ashley would actually be outside writing something in the dead of winter.

My grandparents came out a short while later along with my parents, and of course I get stuck in the middle of them. They mainly talked to my parents about the rest of the year plans and what not; I wasn't paying much attention. I felt my phone vibrate in the back of my pocket. When I managed to get it out of my pocket, I noticed that Ashley had changed her background to a picture of her looking literally insane. I heard myself giggle, and then all eyes were on me…

"Is that Ashley?" my Gran asked me.

"No…" I lied. She saw right through my lie.

"Can I talk to her?" she asked, holding out her hand. I sighed in defeat and handed the phone over.

Ashley's POV

"Hello?" I heard an unfamiliar voice through the phone. I glanced at my phone to make sure that I had called the right number.

"Um hi," I muttered into the phone, "um is Spencer there?"

"She's not at the moment, but this is her Gran speaking," the lady said.

"Oh hi, I didn't know that it was you. How are you?" I said trying to make a 'good' impression.

"I'm quite well thanking for asking," she said happily, "anyways do you have time to talk?"

"Uh…yeah, of course."

"I just wanted to ask you a few questions," she said.

"Okay…" I said taking a deep breathe.

"Do you love my Spencer?"

"I do, very very much," I said a smile appearing on my face.

"And you do understand the consequences…?"

"Consequences of breaking up with your granddaughter?" I asked, already knowing that that was what she was talking about.

"Mmh," she let out.

"I do."

"Good then we have ourselves an understanding. It was a pleasure talking to you, but I'm sure you would rather talk to Spencer than me," she said. I was about to respond when I heard the phone being handed off to someone else.

"Hey," I heard Spencer's lovely voice through the receiver.

"Hey."

"I'm sorry about that, I couldn't really say no, seeing as she is sitting right next to me," she said.

"It's alright; I don't mind. I like talking to people who want to know about our relationship, ya know," I joked. Spencer let out a little giggle that made me smile.

"I saw you outside this morning."

"Yeah, I froze my ass off, but it was worth it. I wrote a great song."

"A song? Maybe I can hear it some time?"

"Maybe? Do you have any plans for New Year's?"

"Nope, my parents are going to a party, but I don't really like the people, so they're letting me stay at home."

"Well if you decide to get off the couch, maybe you would want to come into the city with me and make a day of it?"

"I'd like that a lot," she said. I heard her excuse herself for a minute. I heard her ask her mother something, and then her mother said something, but I couldn't figure out what they were talking about. Her mother didn't seem to mind, because there conversation didn't sound angry or annoyed or anything.

"And if you're not doing anything later, would you like to come over for dinner" I asked.

"Yes!" she replied happily.

Spencer's POV

We filed out of the car and into the airport parking lot. My dad handed me a bag as we headed towards the terminal entrance. We waited for them to check in and everything, and drop their bags off. My Gran came up to my and handed me a bag that she had been holding onto the whole way to the airport.

"Your mother told me that you too celebrated your anniversary a few weeks ago, so I thought that I might be a good grandmother and get you two a little something," she said pulling me into a tight hug.

"You didn't have to Gran, but I really appreciate. Thanks for…everything."

"Just be safe okay?" I sure we meant in that way too.

"I will," I said giving her another hug, "I'll see you in the summer."

We waved goodbye to them as the walked through the security gate. I was tempted to open the bag, but I decided to wait until we were both together.

Ashley's POV

I threw myself on the bed bored out of my mind; Spencer was coming over in about a hour. Both Sid and my parents were out of the house, so I had the house to myself. Sid was over at Noah's house, my mom got called in to do some work thing with a client, and my dad was in New York setting up some record thing. I looked around my room for something to do. I glanced at my guitar, no, I already wrote my song for class and I guess for Spencer as well. I got up and went to the stack of presents that I had left on my table. I rifled through them, until I stopped. I picked up the present that Spencer had given me, the cards.

I lay back on my bed and started to read the cards:

"52 Reasons Why I Love You." The front card read, in Spencer's beautiful handwriting. I turned the first card over, King of Spades.

"You're smile is irresistible."

"You eyes are calming and beautiful."

"Your heart is bigger than your ego."

"Your personality."

"You lips."

"The way you laugh."

"The way you listen."

"You're always there."

I continued to flip through the rest of the card, each one making want Spencer more and more. I got to the last one, the Ace of Heart, and turned it over.

"Because you stole my heart." Underneath she had drawn a little heart. I stole Spencer's heart, and she stole mine. I moved the card in between my hands for a minute thinking. I glanced down once more, before getting an idea. Well I guess many people have had this idea before, but whatever…it's a good idea. I quickly grabbed my keys and headed out to my car. I was at the paper store in the next ten minutes. I quickly rushed in and bought about a hundred letters and stationary. I stopped off at the grocery store and grabbed some food for tonight. I mean why not I'm already out.

I pulled into the driveway, dropped the groceries in the kitchen and brought the rest of the paper supplies upstairs. I laid everything out on my desk and started to write my first letter. I grabbed an envelope and wrote, "When you miss me." I started writing my letter and finished it just in time. The doorbell rang and I quickly shoved the letter in the envelope and hurried downstairs.

"Hey," I said opening the door to find my beauty standing in front of me with snow-frosted hair.

"Hi," she said coming inside.

We went into the living room and took a seat on the couch.

"So what have you been up to day?" I asked getting glasses of water.

"Nothing much, we took my grandparents to the airport, and then I spent some time with Glen," she said taking a sip of her water.

"How is he?"

"He's doing really well. He's responding to their tests, which is a good thing."

"That's amazing," I said as I pulled her into my arms.

"Yeah…anyways what about you?"

"Well you saw me outside, I did some errands for a project I'm working on, and then I laid in bed and read the cards you made," I said planting a gentle kiss on her hand.

"I hope you liked them."

"I loved them," I said kissing her softly on the lips. I felt her smile into the kiss before we pulled away.

"Oh that reminds me," she said pulling out a huge bag that she had brought in with her, "my Gran gave this to us for our anniversary." I looked at the blue present bag; wow Granny Carlin is thoughtful. Spencer placed the bag in between the both of us.

"I thought that we could open it together," she said. I nodded and we both started to untie the ribbons that were holding the bag shut. When the bag was open, we started to take things out of the bag. Good lord, Spencer's Gran gave us a ton. I pulled out about five bags of candy. After pulling out the enormous amounts of food, we ended up with a box each.

"You first," I said glancing at Spencer, while eating some of the chocolate that Gran had given us. Inside Spencer's gift was a scarf and picture frame of the two of us on the beach in California. After she finished opening hers, I started to unwrap mine. I got something similar, except I got a handmade blanket and a picture of us after the All-Star game.

"Remind me to thank you Gran the next time that I see her," I said wrapping the blanket around the two of us.

We sat there for a while, just talking. The one thing that I love, just talking to Spencer. I love the sound of her voice, the way she moves her hands around when she talks, and the funny expressions that she makes. She told me a story about her grandmother embarrassing her in front of her whole 4th grade class.

"So what do you want to do?" she asked wrapping her arm around my waist.

"Whatever you want," I said giving her a kiss on the forehead.

"Movie?" she suggested.

"Why not? You can pick." She unhooked herself from my side and skipped over the cabinet, where the movies were kept. I watched as her hands ran across the DVDs. I'm not going to lie, but I did catch myself staring at Spencer's beautiful backside. Luckily she didn't catch me or else I would have been in 'trouble'. She came back a few minutes later and put the DVD into the player. I waited for the main screen to come up. When I did, I glance over and gave her an 'you're kidding me' look.

"Spencer, really?" I whined looking at the TV screen

"Really…" she said trying to act serious.

"You're doing this on purpose."

"I would never," she said acting surprised at my accusation. I pulled her down towards me. She started to giggle under my grasp as I tickled her; a short while we were both squirming and laughing. I pinch her side and she would burst out laughing.

"A-A-Ashley, hahahaha, Ashley…" Spencer laughed out. She straddled me, but was unable to stop my hands from tickling me. I felt her lips press against mine, and I instant wrapped my arms around Spencer's waist, pulling her closer to me.

"What was that for?" I asked pecking her on the lips.

"Because I love you," she said, "and to stop you from tickling me to death."

Spencer lay in my arms as we watched It's a Wonderful Life. I wasn't paying much attention to the movie, seeing as it's a family tradition of ours to watch is every year. I was more focused on the beauty that was sleeping in my arms. I let my fingers rake through her blonde locks. I gently moved her head off my shoulders and got up to turn off the TV. I went upstairs and grabbed some letters and paper to work on my 'project'.

I gathered wood from the garage and started a fire, before returning to my spot next to Spencer. I watched the flames rise and fall, but its warmth was always there. It was like our relationship, it has its ups and downs, but there is always a sense of warmth, love between us. Staring down at the piece of paper, I began to write, "When you need someone to love you."

Spencer,

When you need someone to love you, you know that I will be the first one in line. No matter where we are, where we might be, or who we might have become, you know that I will always be thinking about you, because you're the girl that stole my heart.

My pen guided my thoughts onto the paper. I let my pen guide me for two of three more letters, before I had to add more firewood. I put the rest of my things back in my room before returning. I sat on the floor, leaning against the couch, as Spencer's arm draped across my shoulder. My eyes became fixed on the bright colors of the flame. I twisted the ring on my finger, before taking it off and twirling in between my fingers.

"What are you thinking about Ash," I heard Madison say. I glanced over at the fire and noticed a faint resemblance of Madison in the fire.

"Nothing Mads," I said softly.

"Oh come on Ashley, I've know when you're lying," I heard her scoff, and the flames rose higher.

"I'm thinking about my life, happy?"

"Then why do you look so down?"

"Because I'm thinking about us," I said taking a long look at Spencer's sleeping form, "I love her Madison."

"I know you do, and you care about her very much."

"Madison, I feel like there is this force driving us together, but there's always a force that might drive up apart. What if that happens?"

"Ashley Davies, you're a fighter. You fight for the things that you want. I've never seen you give up with a fight, especially for the ones you love. Every relationship will drive you together and apart, but you thing that keeps you together, is to fight against that force that is driving you apart."

"I'm afraid that when we leave each other in a year that's going to the force that drives us apart. I'm running out of time," I said wiping at the tear that was forming.

"You may not realize it yet, but you have more time than you think, use the time that you have wisely. After that second passes…it's gone forever."

"Ash…" I heard a familiar voice breath out. I turned over to Spencer who had started to stir, but kept her eyes shut.

"I'm right here," I said grabbing her hand and holding onto it.

"Hey…" she said softly, "Is everything okay?" I guess see must have seen the tears. I don't know why I was crying over something this absurd, but I was. I wiped the tear away quickly.

"Yeah, everything is perfect," I said kissing her lightly.

Spencer moved off the coach and sat down next to me, before wrapping the blanket around us. I curled up next to Spencer, as I stared into the fire once again. This time it only crackled and burned. Madison was gone. We lay there for a while enjoying the warmth of the fire and each other's company.

"Ashley?" I heard her whisper while resting her head on my shoulder.

"Spencer?"

"Will you sing me a song?" I looked into her eyes, and some how they were pleading for me to play. I know that I usually don't play for others, since Madison. Maybe this was what Madison was telling me about, fight the force that might drive you apart. I nodded and a smile appeared on Spencer's lips. She quickly got up and grabbed the guitar that was sitting near the fireplace. I handed it to me before taking her spot next to me. I let the guitar rest on my lap. When I finished tuning the guitar, I began to sing the first song that I learn how to play on the guitar.

What day is it? And in what month?

This clock never seemed so alive

I can't keep up and I can't back down

I've been losing so much time

'Cause it's you and me and all of the people with nothing to do, nothing to lose

And it's you and me and all of the people

And I don't know why I can't keep my eyes off of you

All of the things that I want to say just aren't coming out right

I'm tripping on words

You got my head spinning

I don't know where to go from here

'Cause it's you and me and all of the people with nothing to do, nothing to prove

And it's you and me and all of the people

And I don't know why I can't keep my eyes off of you

Something about you now

I can't quite figure out

Everything she does is beautiful

Everything she does is right

'Cause it's you and me and all of the people with nothing to do, nothing to lose

And it's you and me and all of the people

And I don't' know why I can't keep my eyes off of you

And me and all of the people with nothing to do and nothing to prove

And it's you and me and all of the people

And I don't know I can't keep my eyes off of you

What day is it?

And in what month?

This clock never seemed so alive.

"I love you Ash," she said wrapping her arm around my waist.

"I love you too," I said placing a gentle kiss on her head, "I love you too."

Songs:

Memories

You and Me -Lifehouse