AN: In case you haven't realized, this story arc is really Ash centric. I centered on Meena and Alphonso for the first story arc, Johnny and Ryan, now it's Ash's turn.

Part 64

Clay took Ash home with him that night. He knew she was in no condition to be alone right now. Sitara already had a hot meal ready and the twins were asleep on the hideabed. One look from her husband told her what she needed to know. She dished up a small piece of the chicken and broccoli casserole.

"How are you doing, sweetheart?" She asked the crested porcupine.

"I get married and lose my husband ten minutes later. How should I be doing!?" She didn't mean to snap. She sighed. "I'm sorry…."

Sitara touched her shoulder. "I'm just sorry you're going through this, honey." She put the plate in front of her. "Try and eat. It'll help."

Ash picked at the plate. "I guess… tomorrow, I need to talk to Mr. Russell. Or maybe… no, I should call her myself. It doesn't matter what happened, she was a part of his life and the biological mother of his kids. She doesn't deserve to hear about this from a lawyer. Then… I'll need to go talk to his landlord. I'd say I need to talk to his boss but I think Alphonso knows." She tried to inject a little levity.

Clay nodded. "I'll be with you every step of the way." He promised.

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At home, Rosita served supper to her family. "Ash sent a group text. She's with Clay." She sighed. "I'm going over there tomorrow."

Norman nodded. "Just be careful. She's in a fragile place right now." He squeezed her hand. He loved that about her. How much she loved their kids and how mothering just came naturally to her.

Rosita sat and ate. "It doesn't seem fair. He obviously worked hard to become a better person. I didn't think it was possible but he did. Now… this…"

"I know…. We'll just need to be there for her. Like we have been for Eddie and the others. She's strong. She'll get through this," he kissed her cheek.

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Meena and Alphonso hung out with Tyler in his apartment. He and Tyler had really liked the porcupine after getting to know him.

Alphonso did his best to comfort his best friend. Meena made them a pot of tea. She felt terrible for Ash. "I'm going to take Ash a cake tomorrow." She poured a cup. "Here, Tyler, drink this."

"Hey, what if… for Lance, we donated ten percent of our daily profits to cancer research?" Alphonso suggested.

Tyler looked up at the elephant. "That… that would be a good idea… And I think the onion cake should have a permanent spot on the winter menu."

Alphonso nodded. "Sounds good to me."

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The next morning, Ash found Becky's number. She was sure she would want to fight her for custody but she still needed to let her know.

"Yeah, who is it?" Becky asked with an irritated tone.

Ash groaned. "It's Ash, Lance's… girl… wife… Look, I'm only calling as a courtesy…"

"A courtesy? About what? Don't think you can scare me. I'll see you both at the courthouse on Thursday," she promised.

"Becky, Lance won't be there. He passed away last night," Ash explained. The silence was almost audible. "Becky?"

"What? That's not possible…." She said, "Is this some ploy to get me to give up the custody thing? Because they are my kids too."

Her breath hitched. "No, Becky. He died last night." She waited.

"Oh my gosh… What about… are they okay?" She asked.

Ash nodded. "They're in shock but they're with me and yes, I will see you Thursday because I love them and I promised him…"

"Whoa, wait… why will I see you Thursday?" Becky asked incredulously.

Ash scratched her head. "Because I want custody of these kids and that's what he wanted too."

"Well, gee, why would I want custody now? It's not like I can go after you for child support." Ash felt her mouth fall open. "You keep 'em. They're no use to me now."

"Wait… you mean… the custody battle… You just wanted money? What the fuck! Yeah, I'll keep 'em and I better never hear from you again!" She hung up the phone. She looked over at Clay. "She just wanted them so she could extort money out of Lance."

He shook his head. "Pitiful. You still need to go Thursday. When she doesn't show, they'll award custody to you."

She nodded. "I guess I don't have the option of hiding away in a house by a lake for fifteen years." She forced herself to laugh.

He patted her on the back. "No, you don't. I wouldn't let you take it if you did. But there are two kids playing outside who need you." He pointed to where they were playing Catch with Mr. Gupta.

The doorbell rang and Sitara let Rosita, Meena, Alphonso and Tyler inside. The orangutan gave Ash a quick hug and went out back to help Mr. Gupta entertain the kids.

Meena and Rosita both encircled Ash in a hug of their own. "How are you holding up?" Rosita asked.

"About as well as can be expected…" she watched out the window.

Alphonso sat down. "I know it's hard now, Ash, but God has a plan. It's hard to see it now but…" he stopped when Meena smiled at him. "I just mean…"

Ash sighed. "I know Alphonso. Thank you. Really, I'll be okay."

Rosita nodded. "We're here for you, is our point. If there's anything you need, you just let us know."

The porcupine nodded. "Thank you, Rosita. Becky won't be a problem at least… Dumb bitch only wanted a meal ticket." She rolled her eyes.

Rosita shook her head. "It's her loss."

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Later, they accompanied Ash to Lance's apartment. She met with the landlord, a stately warthog. "Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry to hear that. He was a good tenant. Always paid on time and his kids are well-behaved."

Ash nodded. "They're with me now. We're just going to clean out the apartment and get his things."

The warthog nodded. "If you just want to get anything that you want to keep, I'll handle the clean up. He was so young too. Do you need a key?"

Ash held up her copy. "I got one. I'll leave the keys on the counter when we're done." She promised.

He didn't have a lot. Some books, clothes, the kids had their toys and their clothes. However, she couldn't find the one thing she really wanted.

"It's a guitar. A vintage Les Paul electric guitar, blue trim," she explained.

Alphonso called from the bedroom. "I found A guitar. I think you should see it." He came out with a gorgeous red case, her name embroidered on the long piece. "Did you leave a guitar here at some point?"

She shook her head and took the case. "No… I didn't…" She opened it and gasped. Garnets lined the curved mother-of-pearl pick guard. The main body was a glistening ruby red. "Oh, my gosh." She located the tag telling her where it came from. Without a word, she grabbed the handle and hurried out. Her friends followed her to the music shop on the tag. She addressed the first salesperson to acknowledge her. "Yes, I need to know if you remember selling this guitar?"

The middle-aged ram looked at the guitar and the case curiously. "Why yes. I sold this last week to a nice young lad. He said he was going to give it to her on Valentine's Day when he proposed." He smiled. "Ah, you are the lucky girl then. It's beautiful, no?"

When she was unable to answer through the shock and pain, Rosita stepped up. "I'm sorry. I'm afraid the man who bought this guitar… he passed away last night."

The ram gasped. "Oh my deepest condolences. How dreadful."

Ash took a few deep breaths. "How did he pay for this?"

He gestured to a rack. "He brought in a gorgeous 1969 Les Paul electric guitar that more than covered the cost."

Rosita held her as she started to cry. Gently, she led Ash out of the store.

"Alphie, you go with them," Tyler said. "I'll be right out." He turned back around. "How much do you want for it?" He pulled out his wallet.

Five minutes later, the orangutan came back out with the guitar case in hand. "This guitar belongs with you." He told Ash.

Ash tried her best to smile. "Thank you, Tyler." She took the case. The ruby guitar was special as his last gift to her but the Les Paul was his guitar. He loved that guitar.

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Johnny and Ryan sat around the television, watching a movie. "No! Don't go in there!" Johnny shouted before hiding his eyes.

Ryan hugged him. "I had no idea you were afraid of scary movies." He said contritely. "We can put on something else."

Johnny shook his head. "I'm not afraid!" He protested before a character appeared on screen with a blade through her neck. "Ahhh!" He buried his head in his husband's chest. "Why did you pick this movie?"

Ryan petted his hair. "Because I thought it was about a happy, singing, dancing snowman, not one that's been demonically-possessed." He picked up the remote. He switched to another channel. A young cocker spaniel stood on the bow of a large liner with a gray mutt. "Here we go, a wealthy young woman falls in love with a man from the wrong side of the tracks in Singles Cruise." He put his arm around Johnny's shoulders. "You know, Valentine's Day is Monday and Eddie was great to give us all the night off. What should we do?"

Johnny thought about it. "What if we went to that wine tasting we saw online? Wine, cheese and chocolate says romance to me." He suggested.

Ryan kissed him. "I'll tell you what says "romance" to me." He leaned into his husband seductively, their tongues intertwining.

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Ash helped bundle the twins up in their coats. "Did you guys have fun today?"

Lil Lance nodded. "Pappy and Grandpa played with us."

"Now, Ash, you are welcome to stay with us as long as you like," Sitara assured her.

She shook her head. "No, thank you. We need to start getting used to it eventually. Might as well start now and not put it off. It'll only make it harder." She sighed. "Thanks for letting us stay last night and for watching them for the last few days."

Tyler was waiting outside in his used 2016 Toyota Camry. "Who wants to stop for Croc's on the way? My treat." He offered.

The twins looked at Ash who nodded. "Thanks, Tyler. And for the ride too."

"It's my pleasure," he said as they loaded into the car. They went through the drive thru and took the food back to her apartment. "Look, I know everyone is saying this but… I want you to know that I'm here for you too." He went up with her. "If you need anything, just let me know."

She nodded. "Thank you, Tyler." They went inside and she got them settled with their food. It was just them now and reality was settling in. This was home. She wouldn't be taking them back to their dad. This was it.

After dinner, she got them into their PJs, watched them brush their teeth, then tucked them into their new beds. She found a children's book.

"Will Daddy ever come back?" Lil Lance asked quietly.

Ash stroked his quills. "I'm sorry, Lancey. I know this is hard. I know this isn't what either of you wanted but I promise, I'll do my best. I just don't know how good that will be."

Raquelle climbed into her lap. "We can help you." She hugged her. Lil Lance joined her and soon Ash's arms were full of little porcupines.

AN: So Ash is now a mom despite her hesitancy in the early chapters, Becky is a dumb bitch and the twins now have a grandpa, a pappy and a grandmother.