Recollection

Ash deposited the bags on the living room floor near the front door while I gazed around in awe.

The living room was spacious. A small leather sectional filled up just a tiny part. An entertainment center in a nearby corner while magazine covers, awards and various lighting fixtures decorated the airy room. You could see a fairly large kitchen through an archway to the right while a staircase to the second story and hallway flanked the left.

"You hungry?" Ash asked sweetly.

"A little bit." I answered.

Arm around my waist, Ash held onto Hunter's seat with his other and we managed our way into the kitchen in the distance.

"What would you like? I got a little bit of everything..chicken, fish.."

"Ash, don't go all out." I gazed at our sleeping son in his seat on the center island. "There's no need for it."

"You need to eat something, A."

"A sandwich will be fine." I countered.

He must have known I was still struggling inside with the conversation we had earlier.

"I'm trying my best here! I know it isn't easy."

"How can it be easy?" I whispered.

The tears started its trail down my face.

"Autumn.."

He started around the island in my direction.

"No!" I slammed holding my hands up in defense.

Ashley ignored my raised hands and enveloped me into his arms as the sobs overtook my body.

"That girl was right you know! I'm nowhere near being as beautiful as the women you're normally with." I stopped to catch my breath through the sobbing.

"I fucked your life up by having Hunter. You have so much ahead of you and I'm hindering you from reaching your dreams!"

" Autumn! You didn't fuck up my life.."

"How can you believe that.. you're Ashley Purdy for fuck's sake! The partying, the drinking, the girls.."

"All the things that aren't suitable, Aut. The responsibility of being a father is a damn good reason to change!"

He got silent for a moment. All I could hear is my heart beating rapidly and the hiccups caused by the sobs.

Ash scooted down to have his weight on the balls of his feet, moving the strands of hair away from my face, he asked me to look at him.

"You're beyond beautiful to me, that's what matters. I don't give a damn about the girls out there with their wild opinions on who I should be with. Having you back in my life is another damn good reason to change." his voice wavered as goose bumps spread widely across my skin's surface.

Notes