Recollection

Ash groaned as he got up and first changed Punk before handing him over to me to watch while he prepared a bottle. I laid there cuddling my best with my squirming son, one hand over him so he didn't squirm his way right off the bed.

I admit he was starting to attempt to sit up and his vision was improving. He was beginning to follow people and objects with his eyes and right now he was trying his hardest to sit up and find his Daddy.

Once Ash came back and laid down with the both of us, he asked me an odd question.

"How'd Hunter get his nickname?"

I laughed.

I told him when I was pregnant, I listened to a variety of music so he'd know the great pleasure of what music had to offer. He'd kick up a storm when I'd listen to a lot of punk bands and he sure let me know he was still alive in there. Other than that, he barely moved at all. So it was way before he was born that I called him my little Punk Rocker, Punk for short.

"I played Black Veil Brides too but it didn't have the same effect as listening to interviews that you did! I made sure Hunter knew what his Daddy sounded like!" Ashley seemed pleased.

"Ash, I am sorry I didn't tell you. I wanted to so much but I was afraid of what you would say or do."

"What did you expect?"

"It wasn't yours or something."

"I stand up and take responsibility for my actions, Aut. I hate the fact you lived in hell because you weren't truthful with me. None of that would have happened if you just let me know. Even if you wanted to stay with Declan, I still would have been there to help you. You didn't have to do it alone."

"You have your dreams Ashley. It can't be easy to juggle everything."

"I have my place in the band, I manage other bands, have my clothing line and I toy in the whiskey business too. I'm used to juggling many different things. It's in my blood. This is nothing I don't want to handle. I'm ecstatic that I'm a father. I couldn't ask for anything more."

He leaned over and lightly kissed my lips.

"Well maybe another little one.." and I playfully smacked his shoulder.

"Maybe someday."

"Maybe someday? You can't tell me you wouldn't like a little girl to call your own?"

I had to be truthful with him.

"I never really thought about it. I had such a hard time getting pregnant before Hunter, I didn't want to jinx myself with asking for more. I figured one was enough."

"I understand."

I actually wondered if he truly did. It wasn't like it was him, he was perfectly fine. It was me that had all the trouble! By this time, Hunter had finished eating and Ash got him cleaned up and dressed.

Andy and CC stopped in and offered to watch him while Ashley and I showered and dressed for the rest of the day. While we were in showering, they took it upon themselves to order room service for all.

I thought it was amazing to exit the bathroom and be greeted with a variety of different breakfast foods. I opted for an egg, a couple slices of bacon and a pancake. Ash and I took turns feeding each other, gaining laughs from all around the room.

Just as were finishing up, Jake and Jinxx stopped by and Jake brought up the fact he was going to visit his fiancée Ella a little later. I quietly asked if she'd be returning with him to the hotel. He said she probably would be and that it'd be great to finally introduce her to me.

We all got ready and headed out for a little sightseeing.

We arrived back at the hotel about seven hours later. We had the chance to view many of London's landmarks and museums while out. Oddly enough, Punk had a good day despite being up for most of it.

By the time we arrived back, I agreed with my little boy. Exhaustion hit us once we were riding up in the elevator to our floor. I leaned on Jinxx most of the way up and even down the hall to the room I shared.

He stayed behind to help Ash with me and Hunter. Jinxx got my shoe and boot off and I groaned in pleasure after being restricted to them a majority of the day. Ash quickly changed and re-dressed Hunter and laid the tired boy in his seat.

He got out a tank top and my underwear and then a pair of underwear for him and placed them in the bathroom. He began running water into the deep tub.

I was barely awake when Jinxx left and Ash carried me into the bathroom. He undressed me easily and picked me up long enough to place me in the tub.

The warmth of the water eased away all the bodily pain I was feeling. Ash left the room to retrieve our sleeping son so he could keep an eye upon him. When he returned, he undressed and joined me in the massive tub.

Everything seemed perfect on the surface.

We laid in the bathtub for quite awhile, quiet with each other. We washed up about as good as you can in a bath. Ash took me out once I could barely keep my head floating above the water line. He dried and helped dress me for bed. In one hand, he grabbed a hold of Hunter's seat and with the other, he helped me hop into the bedroom.

It felt fabulous to climb between the cool sheets. Ashley joined me after he placed Hunter in the other bed once again. He wrapped one arm around me, the other went to rest upon the pillow above my head. I reached and clasped our hands together and that was all I could remember until the next morning.

Notes