The Silver Lining

Prologue *Andy's POV*: This was it...the last straw. Juliet was about to throw me out all because she found an envelope with some ultrasound pictures in it. Of course, she thought I was cheating on her. I wasn't. I hired a surrogate who chose to remain anonymous just for the sake of not wanting to give Juliet the wrong idea about what was going on but, this plan backfired. I was now regretting having these pictures sent to my home address but I couldn't for long because as soon as I looked up, the envelope was hurled across the room at me. "HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME, ANDY?!!" Juliet screamed as she emerged from our room in a rage "What are you talking about?" I asked "I didn't cheat on you!" "The pictures tell a different story! You got someone pregnant!" Juliet ranted "Do you know her? Was she one of the whores from the tour bus?" "What?! NO!!" I shouted, a bit taken aback by the comment made I suddenly remembered what Ashley went through two years ago. *Flashback-2 years ago* We had just finished a show in Tampa and I was exhausted but, still awake enough to make it to the bus. Once I got on the bus, Jinxx had fallen asleep in a chair and Jake and CC were laughing at a commercial on TV. I looked around the bus and asked "Where's Ashley?" Jake and CC looked at each other then at me and shrugged. "Come on, guys. I know he's in here because I saw him follow you guys." I said Soon, we heard faint giggles that sounded like a woman. "Excuse me." I sighed as I went back to the bunks The noise grew louder as I walked back to Ashley's bunk. That's when I found him with that woman. "There you are, Ashley!" I said "Dude! Can you give us some privacy?" Ashley asked, annoyed "I'm just getting warmed up!" "I'm afraid you already are, Ashes." The woman said with seduction in her voice "WHAT?!" Ashley asked with embarrassment then, turned to me "Get out of here, Andy! And don't tell anyone what you saw!" I slowly back away from Ashley's bunk now with the image of my best friend embarrassed about releasing into this woman earlier than he wanted. After the woman was dropped off at our next stop, I looked over at Ashley with concern. He was horrified of what had happened. "What if she gets pregnant?!" He asked, starting to freak out "Ashley, you don't know that yet." I said "It could happen!" Ashley replied And it did. Nine months later, we were at an award show when Ashley got a call from a nearby hospital. While she was in labor, the woman died of a heart problem. After Ashley heard this, his face drained of its color. "Oh my God." He mumbled "Ash?" CC asked "I have to go to the hospital." Ashley said Later, we were all waiting in the hospital as Ashley talked to various doctors and nurses about what happened and how his baby was doing. I was just about to nod off to sleep along with the others when I felt Ashley gently shake me. "Hey! Hey Andy! Wake up. Come meet my little girl." Ashley whispered with a smile on his face I stood up and followed Ashley and watched as he continued to beam with pride. I couldn't believe it. The same guy who nine months ago was freaking out about the unknown was smiling like a kid on Christmas morning! But I knew there was more than what Ash wanted us to see because he was so happy about the present moment. I think he was trying to hold back his feelings about the death of this baby's mother as a way of protecting her from being heartbroken. I could see that behind the happy new father that was my best friend was a guy who was afraid of admitting his own heartbreak. But I think that night was a new start for him. I looked over at the nursery window as Ashley's grin grew wider when he saw his baby who had already met Jake, Jinxx and CC just by looking at them playing with the little girl bundled in a pink blanket and wearing a pink cap with Hello Kitty on the front. "Come on. I want Lily to meet her godfather!" Ashley said, holding the door open "Wait!...What?" I asked, surprised "Who did you think I was going to ask?" Ashley replied giving me that 'of course I picked you Captain Obvious.' look I smiled just as wide as Ashley was smiling and said "Okay then." *end flashback* By this time, Juliet had gone through my side of the closet and discovered the still unopened car seat, the baby clothes (most of which were hand me downs from Lily) and cradle. She grabbed the Batman onesie Sandra sent me when I told her what was going on two months before (according to the photos, my surrogate wasn't due to have my daughter for another four months) and then went over to the dresser and took my lighter which hardly used anymore since preparing for this baby and getting over the scandal with the band has made it difficult to even think about smoking. Strange...that usually would make someone light up but not me. I was fearing for what would come next as Juliet moved closer to the balcony with the onesie and lighter at arms' length. "Juliet! NO!!" I said "Get out then!" She shouted as she threw the article of clothing at me "What?" I asked as I looked at her in shock "Get out if this baby means more to you than me!" Juliet said then stormed out leaving me to collect my thoughts and things Soon, I heard the doorbell ring. I peeked out of the door to see if Juliet was around. She wasn't. Then, I went to the door and answered it as a smile of relief appeared on my face. It was Ashley standing on the other side looking concerned. "Dude, you look horrible! What happened?" He asked "Jules found out about the baby, Ash. She's kicking me out." I replied "She overreacted. Didn't she?" Ashley said, immediately knowing what was going on "Yeah. But this time I'm afraid I can't get her to change her mind." I said Ashley sighed. "What?" I asked "I would let you stay with me and Lily but, we don't have the space." Ashley said "Why didn't you get the house you wanted?" I asked "One word: Squatters." Ashley said "That sucks man." I said Ashley nodded and laughed slightly then asked "Need some help? We've got time before going to the studio." "Yeah." I said "I'll just call CC and ask if I can room with him for a while." Later at the studio, I was talking to Jake about the incident that happened earlier when I heard Lily's voice calling me. "Andy! Where are you?" she asked I sat back in my chair waiting for the two year old look a like of my best friend to run into the room where Jake and I were sitting. "There you are!" she happily said, pointing at me "Hey Lily!" I greeted as I held out my arms and accepted the hug she soon gave me Then, she looked up at me and said "Daddy said you were feeling sad so I thought a hug would make you feel better." "I'm feeling better already. Thank you." I said to Lily

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