The Cost Of Winning

FIANNA'S POV :

"Ash , why didn't you tell me about this before ?", I inquire . "I mean , I get that you like to keep things to yourself , but since we've been living with you for the last few weeks , that might've been handy information to have ! Tell me the truth , would you have told me at all if Dina hadn't shown up this morning ?"

"Yes , hon , I would have . I just didn't want to stress you out while you were still trying to recover . And to be totally honest , I was kind of hoping the whole mess would just go away ."

We've just gotten back home from LA , Bren is crashed out on the couch , and Ash and I are in the kitchen having a discussion about a visit he got from their lawyer before we left the hotel this morning . She showed up with paperwork for a restraining order that he had filed against someone who has apparently been stalking him for some time , which he's never mentioned to me .

"How long has this been going on , anyway ?", I ask .

He sighs and looks down at the floor , then mumbles , "Off and on for a couple of years or so , but it's gotten worse over the last few months . Like I said , I was hoping she'd go away if I just ignored her , but when you guys moved in , I decided that I couldn't take that chance . So I had Dina start generating the paperwork . I'm sorry I didn't talk to you about it , love , but I just didn't want to upset you ."

"Okay , I suppose I can understand that , but I want you to explain it to me now ."

We go to the computer , and he pulls up all of the messages and things that he's saved , and shows me pictures and copies of things she's actually sent through the mail , and with some of the things she's written to him , and the other guys , it's obvious that this woman is utterly delusional .

"This is why I've cut back so much on my social media activity , and why I made all the accounts private , so she can't get back in with a fake account ." , he says . "For the most part , I just post stuff for the band , or the clothing line , not personal things . But like I told you , I knew that people would eventually figure out that we're back together , and find out about Bren , so I wanted to have some control over how and when it happened ."

"Okay , but from now on , don't hide these things from me , all right ? You wouldn't like it if I kept something like that from you , and you know it ."

He admits that I'm right , and gets ready to shut down the computer , but before he can , he gets several notifications . It turns out that they're from Jake and CC , sending him shots of messages that this woman , and a couple of others , have sent to them , and when we read them , I see his face completely freeze . I can hear his teeth grinding as he glares at the screen , and realize that he is well and truly pissed off . He replies to the guys , and asks them to pass the messages on to Dina , then he goes onto his Facebook account and starts typing like mad .

I look over his shoulder , and realize that he's actually calling this woman out , letting everyone know who she is and what she's been doing , even adding pictures of some of the letters and items she's sent him . After he finishes that , he starts another , addressing the people that have been making hateful remarks about me and Bren , telling them that he's fed up with them , and if that's their idea of being a fan , he'd rather they go elsewhere . He goes on to say that it seems like they have a problem with him , or any of the guys , being happy with someone , and that he will completely block anyone he sees posting any hate on his accounts about me , Bren , or the rest of the girls , and will suggest to the guys that they do the same .

As he finishes the message , we hear Bren's voice coming from the couch . "Is yous making pitchers of the pwetties ? Me wants to sees they ."

"No , sweetie , Daddy's just writing something on the computer ." , I tell her . "There aren't any pictures ."

"So lets do some ." , Ash interjects . "I've got most of the site ready , so why not get something on there and get things fired up ? You've got plenty of stuff to get started , I'd say that this is as good of a time as any to get started ."

He exits out of Facebook , and pulls up the website he's been putting together for me , which just needs the pictures put up to be ready . We've got most of them stored , but he says that he wants to get some pictures of some of the stuff actually being worn , not just on display stands . So I call Miki , and he calls up his receptionist , Karla , and we ask them to come over and help me model some of the stuff . He also calls Jeff , and invites him to bring Ivy over , so Bren will be occupied while we're doing it .

I go get my bag , and start sorting things out , trying to decide who should wear what for the pictures . Ash grabs a couple of pieces and insists that I put them on , and starts taking pictures while we wait for the others . The first picture he takes is one of me wearing a triple strand necklace in shades of peach and cream , with a bead - embroidered oval in the center , which shows an iridescent cream - colored stone inscribed with a quote by Eleanor Roosevelt : "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent ."

The doorbell rings , and I go let Miki and Ryan in , and she sits down in the recliner , looking like she's about ready to pop . Then , a couple of minutes later , Jeff and Ivy show up , along with Karla and her five - year - old , Cody . He's a pretty good kid , he plays nicely with the girls , and Bren is a little in awe of him , since he knows how to tie his own shoes and write his name . I put on a movie for them , and Ash promises them pizza if they behave , so they're happy to curl up on the couch with "Monsters , Inc ." and some Kool - Aid for awhile .

I show Miki and Karla the pieces I picked for them to wear , and they start trying them on . Karla puts on a pair of earrings , and goes to look in the mirror . "All of this stuff is so cool , Fianna ! I may have to spend some time on your site when you get it going ."

"Well , I was thinking that I'd give you each a piece , since you're nice enough to help out , so just let me know which one you want , and we'll set it aside ." , I tell them .

She chooses a watch with a freeform beaded band in red and copper , and Miki claims a pair of black and silver Art - Deco style earrings , with some of the ribbon Ash gave me for Christmas worked around a pewter rectangle and some rainbow - finish crystals . We then start putting things on , letting Ash take the pictures , most individually , but a couple of them showing all three of us .

When we finish up , Ash orders the pizza , then starts uploading the pictures . Ryan and Jeff are watching him , and when he pulls up one of the group shots , Jeff comments , "Now that one stands out . Three ladies , all totally different , but all beautiful in their own ways ."

I look to see which picture he's talking about , and see that it's one where we have our heads together , and each of us have an arm extended to show the embroidered cuffs that we're wearing . I hadn't really thought much about it until now , but there is quite a contrast . Miki has sort of wavy light - brown hair , just touching her shoulders , ice - blue eyes , and sort of angular features , I have curly blonde hair to the middle of my back , darker blue eyes , and my face is sort of a heart shape , and Karla is a tiny little Latina girl , with short dark hair , an oval - shaped face , and huge dark - brown eyes .

Ash and Ryan both nod , agreeing with him , and Miki snorts . "You might've thought differently if my hair still matched my eyes , like it did in college ."

The pizza shows up , so we feed the kids , and chat for a bit while we eat , and then everybody heads home . Ash finishes loading the pictures , while Bren sits in his lap watching . Finally , he calls me over and says , "Everything's good to go , babe . Are you ready for opening day ?"

I hesitate briefly before I answer , "I'm not sure about that , but if I wait for that , it might never happen . So I guess I'm as ready as I'm gonna get ." He motions for me to push the key , and I pause for a second before I finally do .

"All right , you're up and running , now we just have to let people check it out ." , he says , and stands up , with Bren in his arms , to kiss me .

"You makes nice pwetties , Mommy . Evvybody wills wikes they ." , Bren proclaims . "Me wants to has some of they , but mines ears is too wittle ."

She goes to play with her crayons , and Ash and I sit on the couch for a bit and watch some TV , then after about an hour , he reaches over and pulls my phone out of my pocket . I watch as he taps the screen , then he sits straight up and lets out a whistle . "Babe , you need to look at this ." , he says .

I reach over to take my phone , inquiring , "Why ? What's wrong ?"

"Not a thing . See for yourself ."

I check the phone , where he's pulled up my site , and nearly fall off the couch when I see that in just a little over an hour , I've already had over two dozen orders . I run everything through my head , and my mouth drops open . "Ash , that's nearly twelve hundred dollars worth of stuff ! In an hour !"

He flashes his megawatt smile , and says , "Yeah , it is . I knew you could do it , and now you know it , too . And now you can be sure of what we talked about the other day ."

"How do you mean ?"

"Fianna , love , you're doing what makes you happy , and it looks like you're gonna be a resounding success , if this is any indication . So , the way I see it , you've gotten your wish . You're making your dad proud , by doing what he wanted you to do . And for what it's worth , I'm proud of you , too ."

"That's worth more than any amount of money I'll ever make ." , I reply , and kiss him until we're both gasping for breath . And when I'm able to speak again , I whisper , "And when Smidge goes to bed , I'm thinking that we should celebrate ."

He raises an eyebrow , and asks , "Do you have anything particular in mind ?"

I smile sweetly at him , and watch his jaw drop when I say , "Yes , actually , I do . Remember your thirtieth birthday ? I was kind of thinking that maybe you could return the favor ."

There's a moment of silence , and then the devilish grin reappears . "I think I like how your mind works ."


A / N : Stay tuned , lovely readers ! Major drama on the way next chapter , with a "special appearance" . Hmmm , wonder who it could be ...?

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