Recollection

I awoke the next morning, alone in bed, feeling a mix of emotions. Everything from worried and confused to absolutely wondrous.

Ash attempted to discuss where things took the turn for the worst between us. Each time he tried to bring the topic up, I'd use my body and his instant attraction against him and get him to forget all about it for the time being. I knew inside that everything else would have to be set aside and it would be necessary to have that conversation.

Laying there, thoughts racing through my mind, I heard Hunter’s squeal waiver from the living room as well as the smell of fresh coffee brewing. With one hand, I anchored myself up in bed and slid over to the side.

Pushing upward with my one hand, I managed to get up onto my feet. Sharp, stabbing pain shot through my ankle and I fell back onto the bed.

I tried a couple more times and finally got myself upright and onto my one foot. I managed to hobble out into the archway between the hall and living room.

“Damn it Autumn, you should have called for one of us!” Ashley patronized as he walked over to offer an arm in support.

“I’ve got to do it myself. I’m not some child.”

“Stop being so dramatic and let us help you!” Ashley lifted me up into his arms like I weighed only five pounds and carried me over to the couch.

“I could have done it myself you know.”

“Zip it.” Ashley hushed my next complaint with a deep kiss.

I saw Andy grin out of the corner of my eye.

“What the hell are you smiling about?”

“Nothing.” And he disappeared into the kitchen.

“There’s Mama’s precious.” I called to Hunter who was staring at me from his blanket on the floor.

I got a huge squeal out of him and my heart leaped. Declan may have tried to make life so horrible for me and my little boy, but Hunter made every day worth living.

I knew inside there weren’t words enough to tell Ashley just how much I appreciated the fact he gave me such an amazing gift.

“Ash, can I say something?”

“Yeah..sure!"

He picked Hunter up off the blanket and moved to join me on the couch. I knew Andy was just in the next room so I kept my voice low.

“I haven’t thanked you yet” I ran my fingers softly aside my son's face

“There’s no need to thank me.”

“Hunter’s made life worth living for me!" I stared intently at him.

"Declan made it miserable but I kept trudging on because of him. Without Punk, I don’t know where I’d be.” Tears threatened to spill over my lashes. "I had lost you because of my own stupidity!"

“Autumn, you’re back where you belong!" He leaned forward and placed a soft kiss upon my lips.

"That part of your life is over now! I know you’re still reeling from it. It’s going to take you some time to heal, but just know we’re all here for you.” He smiled while his thumb made swirling patterns across the back of my hand.

We were silent for a few moments, just watching Hunter admire us and the world around him, before I spoke again.

"I'm sorry!"

"For what?" he asked quizzically.

"Everything!"

"No need for that A, honestly. It was extremely difficult for me at first to comprehend the flood of emotions after you left again, but in a way I understood. You didn't want the ill reputation that your father had. You didn't want to repeat the same mistakes he made, but your judgment was clouded and it led to your fear!"

"Ash.."

"Let me finish." he pleaded, standing up and putting distance between us.

"All the others made you believe you were just like the man who fathered you. But I saw straight through the bullshit lies! Yeah we had our up and downs, but not once did it ever become evident that you were like your father. If anything, you were the exact opposite!"

Notes