“Spence…I…” Ashley looked down at her hands not wanting to look at Spencer.

“It’s ok Ashley…” She said as she took Ashley’s hand in her own.

“No, it’s not ok Spence. I really wish I could tell you that I was a saint my whole life but that’s a lie. I was just so upset with how my life was turning out…I thought not getting attached to anyone would keep me from experiencing any more pain. It really got bad after my dad died….” Ashley let a tear fall from her eye.

“Look…” Spencer turned Ashley’s face to hers. “You aren’t the same person you were back in High School…you are a mature, sweet, intelligent, and sexy woman that I have grown to love more than I could ever imagine. Don’t ever think that my hearing about your past will ever push me away. Maybe one of these days you will let me in on everything that’s buried deep down inside you. For now, all I want is for you to be yourself and to not worry about me finding out things about you.” She gave Ashley a kiss before walking them downstairs.

****

“So she had Madison in this chokehold…I mean the girl was turning blue!” Kyla laughed as she was telling Spencer about the many fights Ashley and a certain Latina had in High School.

“Why were you guys so angry with each other?” Spencer asked Ashley.

“Oh it was nothing…just some stupid High School issues…” Ashley said trying to keep the conversation away from a certain dark-haired boy she really did not want to bring up.

“Anyways, so there they were…Ashley with Madison in a chokehold and all the other kids forming a circle around them…and then Madison did this like weird spin move and grabbed Ashley by the hair. It was crazy…they were ready to really tear each other to pieces when Aiden showed up and broke them apart for like the billionth time. I swear that boy was always splitting the two up…both in the physical and emotional sense. Thank god he’s out of the picture now…I mean when he told me that he and Ash had dated I was so in shock…then when I found out about the baby I totally freaked.”

“Baby?”

“Yeah…Ash didn’t tell you?” Kyla looked at Ashley with a puzzled look. Ashley lowered her head into her hands and Kyla gasped, “Oh god…Ash…I thought she knew….way to go Kyla…of course she didn’t know…I mean they’ve only been dating for like a week…stupid.” The brunette muttered running her hand through her hair and heading out of the dining room.

“It’s ok Ky” Ashley said to the empty space the other brunette had just previously been occupying. She turned to Spencer. “Spence, I was going to tell you…I just wasn’t sure how…I guess now is as good a time as any huh?” Ashley said taking a deep breath.

“Look, we don’t have to talk about this right now…how bout we finish up here and then we can go back to your place to talk…or not talk. You really don’t have to tell me if you aren’t ready, ok?” Spencer said touching Ashley’s arm. Ashley nodded and held onto the blonde’s hand

“I’m ready…” Ashley said squeezing Spencer’s hand. “But you’re right it can wait till we get back to my place. Then I will tell you everything…well almost everything…some things we can leave for another time.” Ashley brought Spencer’s hand to her lips. “I mean I don’t want to give away ALL my deep dark secrets. Where’s the fun in that?” Ashley winked at Spencer pulling them to their feet. “Come on…I’m sure we can totally guilt Ky into baking us some brownies.” Spencer shook her head as the made their way into the living room where Kyla and her young boys were.