Andy stared, his blue eyes glazed over in fear. He was too scared to turn around. What if the person had a gun and was going to shoot him? Ashley was right, he shouldn't have left. Slowly, Andy lowered his head and closed his eyes, whimpering pathetically. This was it.
"I'd be mad at you, but it seems like you've learned your lesson on your own." The voice murmured quietly. Andy's eyes opened, head turning. Was it really...? "Hey, baby." The voice spoke again. He sounded out of breath, like he had been running, but the voice was laced with concern as well.

It was.
Andy shifted quickly and stood, throwing his arms around Ashley. "I'm sorry!" He wailed loudly, burying his face in the crook of his neck. "I was so scared- I was so stupid!"
Ashley said nothing, closing his eyes and silently putting his arms around him. Well, as best as he could, because Andy's large baby bump made it difficult to have a close embrace. Andy continued to cry brokenly into Ashley's shoulder, spewing out apologies and 'I was so scared' over and over. Ashley moved and scooped him up in his arms, carrying him bridal style.
"Where are we going?" Andy hiccuped.
"I'm taking you home, sweetheart. Get you cleaned up." Ashley murmured and kissed his temple, taking him home.
Andy was set down once inside, his first movement being to wipe his tears. "I'm sorry- I'm such a mess. I must look terrible." He sniffled.

Ashley smiled weakly, moving his hand and using the pad of his thumb to wipe away a trail left by a recent tear. "No you don't." He murmured. "You never look terrible."
"Ash, look at me." Andy sighed. "I'm dirty, I'm huge, and I'm an emotional wreck."
"So? That just means you're pregnant." Ashley shrugged. "Minus the dirty part, that's your fault. Doesn't mean you look terrible, though." He chuckled.
Andy shook his head and gently pushed Ashley's hand away. Ashley frowned.

"Baby, I'm sorry. Are you still mad at me?"

"No. Not mad." Andy mumbled, folding his arms over his chest.
Ashley continued to frown, watching him. "Then what?"
"Disappointed." He whispered and turned away from him.
"In me? Andy, I kno-"
"I'm disappointed in myself, Ashley. I could have been killed if you didn't find me. I was selfish, and it put our pups on the line. I wasn't thinking, and I keep making mistakes over and over and- I'm disappointing everyone but I can't help it. I'm so impulsive and stubborn..." Andy hung his head. His hair, greasy and tangled, fell over his face as he began to whimper again, quiet.
Ashley slid his arms around him from behind, hands resting on the top of his stomach. "Andrew, listen to me." He said, voice low in his ear. "I don't care how stubborn you are, or how impulsive, or how moody you are, and I do not care what anyone else is going to think of you. I may not have liked you much in the beginning, but, god damn it, you just pulled me in." He breathed. "I'm so incredibly in love with you, and I will never be able to put how much I adore you into words. And y'know what? You're right. You're so fucking stubborn and impulsive, kind of stupid sometimes, but that's all part of your charm, sweetheart. I love challenges and you, my love, are my favorite challenge. There is never a dull moment when I'm with you and I love it. I love you."
Andy swallowed thickly, looking at him out of the corner of his eye. "Even if I act like I did when I ran away?" He whispered.
A quiet chuckle sounded from Ashley as he nodded. "Even then."

"I love you too..." Andy smiled weakly, craning his neck to peck his lips. "Can I go take a bath now, please?"
Ashley smiled fondly. "I'll help you," he murmured. "You can get something to eat while I go get it ready."
Andy nodded and they went their separate ways, Ashley going up the stairs to start a bath and Andy to the kitchen for food. He poured himself a bowl of Captain Crunch and sat at the counter to eat it. When he had finished the bowl, he went to see if the bath was ready. Andy opened the door and gasped, looking around.
Ashley had gotten the bath ready, complete with scented bubble bath, a few rose petals and candles carefully placed around the bathroom to give it a dim, romantic lighting. Ashley smiled a bit, helping him undress and get in the tub. "I haven't treated you to a nice evening in a long time... Thought it was about time." He murmured as he undressed as well to join him. Ashley sat in the corner of the tub, pulling Andy up to rest against in his lap. "How's that? Are you comfortable?" He asked.
Andy hummed as a lazy response, soaking in the warm water and laying his head back against Ashley. "You're too good to me." He breathed eventually, eyes sliding closed. "Way too good."
"My baby doll deserves the very best, and much more." Ashley responded softly, massaging the shampoo into Andy's hair slowly. They sat in silence, with exception of the water making noise every time one of them moved, echoing in the fancy bathroom. Andy had dozed off, head resting on Ashley's chest still. Ashley rubbed his hands over Andy's protruding bump for the remainder of the peaceful bath, nose nuzzled into Andy's freshly cleaned hair. When the time came to get out, he gently nudged Andy's shoulder. "C'mon. Let's get you dried off and to bed."
Andy grumbled something and sat up to let Ashley up. Ashley got out of the tub and dried off, tying the towel around his waist. Andy stood slowly, water dripping off of him as he stepped over the edge. Ashley smiled.
"Look at you."
"What?" Andy frowned, cheeks tinting a slight pink.
"You're absolutely glowing..."
Andy smiled again, his tired eyes lighting up despite his exhaustion. He spread his arms out for Ashley to dry him off and slip a silk robe onto him. He was picked up into Ashley's arms after Ashley drained the bath, carried down the hall and to the master bedroom. Andy felt so at home in Ashley's arms... It was incredible to think that they had both come so far, even after all the dumb stunts he had pulled.
Ever so gently, Ashley laid Andy on the bed, pulling the bed sheets up to him. Andy grabbed the blankets and snuggled into them as Ashley pulled on some boxer briefs and climbed in behind him.

"I am the luckiest man alive." Ashley breathed contently, face buried into Andy's hair. When there was no response, he closed his eyes and smiled bigger. "Good night, Andy."

Notes