When they get back to Alex's penthouse, Ashly hovers awkwardly by the entrance as Alex disposes of his keys on the mantle. After he removes his jacket and hangs it on the coat rack, he turns back to Ashly and smiles bashfully at her. They just stand there dumbly staring at each other, both trying to figure out 'what now'. Then Alex finally clears his throat and breaks the silence. "So, umm, would you like to take a bath? Or shower?" he questions nervously. "While a bath sounds divine, I fear I may fall asleep in it." Ashly tells him, chuckling lightly, "So I think I will settle for a shower for now." "Okay." Alex nods, then leads her into his master bathroom, because it has the best shower, and leaves her to it after providing her with a nice fluffy towel, a bathrobe, and pajamas. Once Alex steps out and closes the door behind him, Ashly takes another moment to look around the luxurious bathroom, which fits very well with the rest of the apartment. It's perfect; it's everything Ash
Flashback:- Ashly woke up with a jolt as her hand quickly flew to her stomach, a loud, painful groan escaping her mouth and echoing loudly through the silent, dark room. 'Alex...' her inner omega pleads desperately before she could prevent the thought. Another painful groan escaped when her stomach cramped even harder as she fought to sit up, which was also when she registered the wet sheets and pajamas. "Shit." She muttered out loud, still struggling to sit up. "Ashly?" Maya whispered into the darkness, "Ashly, what's going on?" Ashly tried to respond, desperate to plead for help, but all that came out was another loud groan as her stomach cramped yet again. She'd been through enough birthing classes in the shelter to know what was happening. She'd been preparing for it. And yet, she still wasn't ready. Far from it. 'Alex!' Her inner omega pleaded again, louder, 'Please, Alex, please.' "Oh, you're in labor." Maya was suddenly right beside her as she spoke, somehow managing to r
"Mum!" Ray finally calls out after her; he probably sounds overly dramatic, but he can't bring himself to care. When Ashly turns to him with a questioning frown, he feels like he's 8 again as he pleads in a small voice, "Please don't leave me." "What?" Ashly utters in confusion, "Ray, I'm not..." "I know that you probably don't even want me back after what I did, but please don't leave me." Ray quickly rambles, forcing the words out despite the huge lump in his throat. "I'm the one that should be sorry; I was so shit to you, and I won't blame you if you don't love me anymore, but..." "Ray." Ashly reprimands as she stomps back to her son, determined to set him straight: "You are my son, and I love every single ounce of you, and there's nothing you can say or do to make me love you any less." Ray whimpers softly as a few tears streak down his cheeks, and his mom is quick to cup his cheeks and wipe them away with his thumbs. "Mum," Ray whispers as he closes his eyes, "please don't lea
Flashback:- When Ray was finally sound asleep and Ashly was done staring at him in his adorable slumber, the omega quietly retreated from their shared bedroom in the small city apartment. Heading out into the tiny living room, Ashly grabbed the wooden box, which was still sitting on the coffee table, and added to it the newspaper articles she had cut out just an hour ago. For a long moment, she just stared at the open box and at the picture in the article, which was still visible. Ashly had made the decision earlier that day to make this the final one she added to the box, and the last one she even dared to look at. No more newspapers; no more following the alpha who broke her heart years ago. It was time to look and move forward. At first, when she just started collecting those articles, she would actually read them. Like the one about Alex following in his famous parents footsteps and going to take care of business and pack. Or the one where she read about Alex completing assignm
The next day, Ashly was confused about whether she should reach out to Alex or not. Now that things have slightly calmed, she not only feels bad for the man but also wants to see him again. She means he is the father of her child and her first love, and he still has an impact on her. As last as it may be, Ashly can't deny it. Especially knowing that Alex is sad and lonely, and now that Ashly knows the whole story, she does feel bad. Of course she's a long way away from being okay with Alex and forgiving him, but she can't help it; she just hurts when people she cares about are hurt. And Ashly hates more than anything being bitter and holding on to grudges against someone. At the end, Alex is the one who contacts her. The alpha texts her, asking about Ray's things and whether he can drop them off later, but Ashly has a suspicious inkling that it's more than just that. Her heart skips a beat of its own accord as soon as she sees the Alex name flashing on the screen, and even more so
After cross-checking their schedules, Ashly and Alex finally settle on setting their date for three days after their conversation on the balcony. Three very long days that seem to go on longer than the usual pace go by. Or at least so it seemed to Ashly, who for the past three days has been all over the place. She hated what a mess she became at the prospect of finally going on a date with Alex. but she also secretly kind of loved it. Sure, she was terrified and worried about all that could go wrong, and her brain wouldn’t stop supplying images of all of it, but she was also excited. After so many years of imagining she had lost the love of her life and that she’d never love again, Ashly finally had a chance to open her heart again. For the past 14 years, since she added the last newspaper clipping in the box, Ashly hasn't shown the slightest interest in love or anything resembling a romantic relationship. Nor did she have time for one. Between two jobs—her night school and raising
When they finally arrive at the lawyer's office, Ashly's nerves intensify and she goes completely insane. She's glad when Ray seems to notice that she isn't at her best, and she doesn't argue when she's asked to wait in the waiting room. And Ashly herself also doesn't argue when Alex insists on coming with her to the meeting with the lawyer. To be honest, besides the fact that the alpha is actually studying law and can probably be very useful, his presence has also been quite calming for Ashly, and she's glad to not have to go through it alone. "Hello, Mrs. Ashly," the lawyer greets them when they walk into his office. Thank you for coming at such short notice; I know it must have been quite an inconvenience." "It's okay; I understand that it must not be under your control." Ashly says, trying to control the urge to not yell at him and just get on with it. Taking a deep breath, which fails to calm her, Ashly forces herself to calmly ask instead, "So what is it you wanted to talk to
"I will take it." Ashly declares, gracefully spinning to face the Alpha once more, who appears to be quite surprised by her entire declaration. "Are you sure?" he asks with a frown. "I mean, it's a great place, but it's far smaller than the other establishments we saw." Ashly smiles broadly, feeling giddy and excited like a child in a candy shop. "I'm sure." She says, then looks around again at the small space. It is certainly much smaller than the rest of the properties they saw all around the city, but there was something so unique and different about it. She also didn't need long to know; she knew as soon as she walked in and saw the multi-colored brick flooring, high ceiling, and purple walls. This is it. It's been a whole month since her father's funds were cleared and transferred into her account. Of course, the first thing she did was add a good portion of it to Ray's college fund, which Alex insisted on adding to as well. It took her another three weeks until she finally