Recollection

“Ash!” Everyone but Andy greeted the remaining member of their group.

Andy looked over in my direction then calmly squeezed my leg in assurance. I knew he had my back but for how long? I knew the secret was killing him inside, having to hide it from one of his best friends!

"What’s the fucking problem now ?” Genuine anger spat from Ashley’s lips. “You decide to make an appearance all of a sudden?”

My voice and thoughts were swept right away once I met his gaze, which happened to be upon the sleeping bundle on the floor next to me. Confusion swept across his face and once he registered the ugly mess my face was in, I thought I saw a flutter of emotion spread wildly.

“He did this to you?”

I had a feeling Ashley already knew the answer so I remained silent. I turned my head in the opposite direction and closed my eyes hoping to escape the scrutiny I was currently under from my former flame.

I must have dozed off escaping Ashley’s inspection for wailing awoke me a little while later,
Hunter was awake and hungry!

Jabbing pain shot through my abdomen as I sat up real quick.

“Whoa!” I grimaced as Ashley’s voice filled my eardrums. I was hoping he had left, but no such luck.

I quickly glanced around besides Hunter in his seat wailing, him and I were alone in the room.

The others had left while I was asleep.

“How much of this shit do you add?” I could hear Andy’s voice from the kitchen.

"What are you making? A bottle?"

"Nah this cereal shit. He had a bottle earlier while you were asleep."

“How long have I been out?" I asked. "Could you help me up?”

“A few hours and no, you’re laying there! Tell me what the hell to do!” Andy came to the doorway.

I groaned in defeat.

"Take a couple of teaspoons of his cereal and add his formula to it a little at a time."

He bounced off and I listened while cupboards and drawers were opened and closed. Then the scraping of a spoon as he mixed together Punk's dinner.

“Can I feed him?” Ashley looked in my direction as Andy's shadow started to appear over me.

I gave him the okay and he gently lifted Hunter out of his car seat and placed him in the highchair Andy carried in with him.

I watched intently as he secured Punk in and sat perched on the edge of the couch; bowl and spoon in hand.

“What’s his name?” I barely heard the question.

“Hunter.” I said, bottom lip trembling.

“Hunter, eh?” Ashley smirked before looking back at the task at hand.

Ash and I had briefly discussed in the earlier days of our relationship if we were too damn drunk to remember any protection and by chance I conceived, we came to the agreement that he'd let me use Ashley in our son's name as long as Hunter was included.

And if we had a daughter - Avery London was the name we chose.

I suffered from Poly-cystic Ovarian Syndrome. Team that with the high amounts of alcohol that always used to stream through my system, I highly doubted I would ever get pregnant. But something aligned and I conceived Hunter.

“How old is he?” Ashley asked giving Punk another bite.

I was terrified to answer. So Andy did and we saw a shiver run through Ashley’s body.

Notes