“Spence?”

“Hi Daddy!”  She joyously greeted as she pulled her upper body out of the friege compartment holding an egg.

“An egg sweetheart?”  His brows furrowed.

 “Oh, it’s not me Daddy.  Ashley’s cheek was hurting.  I was going to boil it for Ashley to roll on her cheek.”

“What?”  Arthur’s eyes widened.  The whole time the girl said nothing about it.  What kind of a low life would hit a woman?  SERIOUSLY, what kind of a man would hit a woman? 

“She’s going to get a bruise.”  Spencer said sadly, mostly to herself.

“I’m sorry I even allowed him to enter our house in the first place Spence.”  Arthur apologized.

“It’s okay Dad, really.  Besides I really don’t think you’re the one that should be apologizing to us…”  Spencer had her opinion but she couldn’t disrespect her father or her mother.  So she left it at that.  Kissing her father on the cheek she walked back towards her room to find Ashley sprawled across the mattress on her back.  Her legs hanging off the edge, her arms thrown over her head.  Her eyes closed.

Spencer sneaked up on the brunette.  Pushing the hot egg against Ashley’s skin.

“OH SHIT!!!”  The brunette’s eyes shot wide open in shock.  Jumping a little as the egg burnt her skin.  When she saw the culprit her eyes slanted into a playful glare.  “oh screw you Carlin.” 

The blonde girl chuckled.  Wrapping the egg in tissue paper and placing it tenderly on the brunette’s cheek.

“Hey Ash?”

“yeah?”  the brunette whispered back in a comforting tone that could put the blonde to sleep.

“Are you really ready to start a family?” the blonde asked worriedly.

“I’m ready if you’re ready.  If you’re ready, then we’re ready.” 

“I’m ready.”  Spencer whispered back softly.

Ashley smiled down at the blonde who was currently lying next to her, her head on her chest.  Ashley’s nose crinkled as she repeated the sentence in her head.  As if she could play it in slow motion up there, “Then we’re ready.”  She’s ready. 

—————————————————–

Lunch was simply, like Arthur had tried to make it.  Turkey sandwiches, the turkey left over from the dinner a few nights ago.  The only sounds at the table was crunching of bread, the childish squeals of Zak and Christina both having fun dismissing the awkwardness at the table.