The Silver Lining

Part one: *Ashley’s POV* Later that evening, I looked over at Andy as I put Lily in her car seat, careful not to wake her. I could hear Andy getting frustrated at the conversation. But soon, he glanced at me quickly then decided to end the call. “Andy? Are you alright?” I asked “No!” he firmly said “Do you want you talk about it?” I asked Andy sighed and ran a hand through his hair then, looked at me sadly. “She broke up with me Ash.” he finally said “She has been treating you like garbage lately. And I’m not saying that because she found out about the baby, she’s done this to you before.” I said “Yeah. But some things are better left unmentioned…especially in front of Lily.” Andy said as he got into the passenger seat of my car “But you can’t brood about it either.” I said as I slid into the drivers’ seat “I’m manly. Manly men are supposed to brood.” Andy said “That’s what I thought after Lily’s mom died. Let me give you a reality check. You are about to take a very similar journey I began two years ago. You have a bunch of sh*t to deal with (breakup with Juliet included) waiting for this scandal to blow over has been a hard time for all of us and I take the blame for lighting the match that started this controversy. You’re just going through some similar things I went through before Lily was born.” I said “So I’m not manly?” Andy asked confused “You don’t have to worry about this yet but, once you’re talked into playing with dolls and watching cartoons, it’s safe to say your manhood is safe regardless.” I said “That sounds like weird advice.” Andy said “Hey. I have a daughter…I’m a single dad. You’re going to have a daughter. Welcome to the club.” I said Andy just shrugged and said “Thanks for the invitation…I guess?” "You’re welcome." I said as I soon heard Lily yawn Andy and I looked in the backseat to see my little girl rubbing her eyes and clinging to her sock monkey. "Are we home yet, Daddy?" she asked "Not yet, Lily. We still need to help Andy with the rest of his stuff." I replied "Do we have to?!" Lily asked while wiggling in her seat Andy and I laughed at Lily’s response. "Yeah. Andy’s staying with CC." I told her "Andy, why do you have to leave?" Lily asked "Miss me already?" Andy asked, sticking his bottom lip out Lily nodded as she wore the same expression. I was enjoying this moment between my daughter and one of her favorite uncles too much. Because as I became caught up in watching these two bond with each other, I heard someone tap loudly on my window. I turned to see Jake and CC standing there ready to give me a hard time for being in my car and not coming in with the others. It was getting late. It would be Lily’s bedtime soon. I only thought of helping Andy with his things, saying a quick ‘hello’ then, taking Lily home to get her ready for bed. But by the way the guys were staring at me, I could tell they wanted me to stay a little longer. "A little longer." I thought "what could that hurt?" *Andy’s POV* As the night went on, I could see Ash growing anxious to get home to get Lily (who by this time was already cuddled up asleep in Jake’s lap. she was no longer holding on to her sock monkey as that had fallen on the floor where CC was now exiled to since all the other chairs had been taken.) ready for her bed time. Little did I know, the guys decided a month ago to throw me some kind of party in celebration for my new little girl who I still have yet to meet. They did the same for Ashley two years ago a few days after Lily was born. And since I was the only godparent in attendance at that party, I had to plan it. I can still hear Ashley threatening to strangle me with my own belt if even one trace of Batman appeared anywhere in the party plans. At my party however there was none of that. There was no time. We had an album to finish by Halloween (Early November at the latest) And we have a tour coming up next year (which means, while we’re on tour, I will most likely have to drop everything to go see the birth of my daughter. Then, I’ll have to finish the rest of the tour while taking care of her. This is the part that just makes me nervous because I really don’t know how Ashley managed to balance being in the band and being a single parent.) As I opened the last gift, I read the tag. "From Ashley and Lily." I read "Thanks…Guys." They were already gone. Lily’s sock monkey was still laying on the floor by CC. I looked down at the blanket in my arms and a smile appeared on my face…that sly bastard… He remembered. After the party was over and everyone had gone home, CC had called it a night. I was about to do the same when I decided to take one last look at my email. I smiled as I opened the email that contained more recent ultrasound pictures of my daughter. When I saw one of them, I shed a tear. Then, I saw a video in the email. I clicked on it and really began to tear up as I watched it. I was really getting excited now. I know I have to wait another four months for her to arrive but, I couldn’t wait that long. Oh well, this will have to do until I finally hold the real thing in my arms. Soon, the lights were turned on and I looked over from my laptop at CC who was standing at the fridge and holding a leftover sandwich from the party. "CC, it’s 2 am! What are you doing up?" I asked "Same to you." CC replied then looked over my shoulder at the ultrasound video I was watching "That’s cute! He must drive your surrogate crazy moving around like that." I was a little annoyed that CC was still referring to my daughter as ‘he’ still assuming she was a boy. But my smile would soon return when my little girl would prove that she was in fact, all female. CC stood with wide eyes as he managed to utter in shock “It’s a…It’s a…” "I believe the word you’re looking for is ‘girl’." I replied "Another little girl? It’s Lily all over again." CC fretted "What’s so bad about that?" I asked as I closed down my laptop "Have you watched Lily when she was a baby?" CC asked "Yes. Many times." I replied "Then you know how difficult it is to get her to stop crying." CC said "Lily’s a different child from who mine will be." I stated "Exactly! And that’s why-" CC was about to say but I interrupted him "And that’s why when the time comes I need a babysitter for some reason. Oh say, filming with Joe on his project. You’ll be the first one to count on!" I said "Why me?! Why not Jinxx or Jake or even Ash?!" CC asked "Because they’re not my roommate." I said as I collected my things and headed for the shower "But I’m involved in that project too!" CC yelled from across the house "That’s not fair, Andy!"

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