Hear Me Now
The Riddle Stays Veiled In Sweet Pandemonium
...ten years later; Ashley’s POV
“What has you this excited?” CC asks as I’m rushing through my apartment making sure things are clean and put away. I’m making sure there is no porn laying around or even a bottle of alcohol. “The only time I’ve seen you this happy is when…”
“Gypsy is coming into town.” I tell him, chuckling. “She’s staying the night with her daughter while they wait for their apartment to be finished.”
“The professional rolling stone is getting an apartment?” CC questions. “She’s never stayed in the same place for more than 6 months. Did she sign a six month lease or something?”
“A full year.” I reply, as I place some of the toys I bought my goddaughter out. “And besides, she’s lived in Finland for the last 4 years.”
“Yea because she wanted her daughter to be with her father.” CC states. “Which is something that shocked all of us.”
“I’m sure getting pregnant shocked Gypsy more than any of us.” I tell him. “I’ve never seen her so scared before; and this girl isn’t afraid of anything.”
“It’s gonna be so weird to actually see her for more than six months, and the little munchkin too.” CC chuckles. “But it’s gonna be nice to see you happy.”
“I’m always happy, just not when Gypsy is here.” I scoff.
“You glow when she’s around. It’s like she has this power over you. You become putty in her hands whenever she visits.”
“I do not.” I defend myself. “Even if i do, she’s my best friend. We’ve been friends for the past decade.”
“When are you going to admit that you, the playboy, wants to settle down and get married. And why don’t you admit you can only see yourself doing that with Gypsy?”
“I don’t know what you’re smoking CC but that’s the furthest from the truth. Gypsy and I are nothing more than friends; that’s it. She’s never seen me as more than that. And I’ve never seen her more than that. Hell I’ve never even slept with her.”
“Why do I feel like everything you just said is bullshit.” CC lets out a humorless chuckle. “When are you going to stop lying to yourself Purdy?”
**
Gypsy’s POV
I pick up my whining four year old as we exit the plane after a grueling 16 plus hour flight from Helsinki to LAX. Cherokee slept most of the flight sure, but she spent the time she was awake whining no matter what I did to try and shut her up. After this flight, I’m pretty sure any future kids are a no go.
Cherokee and I get to the gate with our carry-on and we instantly see Ashley standing there with a sign that simple says “Professional Rolling Stone.” I can’t help but to laugh and as we get closer, Cherokee squirms in my arms until I let her down so she can run straight to Ashley.
“Uncle Ash!” She squeals as she runs right into his arms and he instantly picks her up and smothers her in kisses. Despite his playboy persona, he really loves that little girl and he’s really good with her.
“Hey Stud.” I say before kissing him on the cheek. “Thanks for picking us up, I know 3am flight pickups suck.”
“Anything for you two,” he smiles. “Now let’s get this little one into bed, it’s way past her bedtime.” He tickles Cherokee earning a very overdramatic giggle to escape from her.
“It way past mine too.” I laugh as we head to baggage claim before heading towards his car.
**
“So are we going to talk about it?” Ashley asks as I sit down on the couch next to him after putting Cherokee to sleep in one of the guest rooms. “Why are you moving back to L.A? I thought you loved Kalle and living in Finland?”
“I did.” I stall by taking a sip of my wine. “Kalle is amazing, he loves his daughter so much and it’s just amazing to see; especially since I didn’t have that bond with my own father…”
“But?” Ashley eggs me on to continue.
“When I met him, he was a bartender at The Riff,” I start. “I thought maybe with us starting a family, he would change careers you know. Maybe finish his degree in photography or something like that. He’s still just a bartender. After having Cherokee, something inside me switched. I never would have cared about him just being a bartender before but now…”
“Now you have a little one to take care of.” Ashley finishes for me. “I get it, a bartender isn’t stable enough. But moving back to the states isn’t going to be stable for you when it comes to clients.”
“Everyone can appreciate a good tattoo artist,” I start. “Besides I’ve done guest artists a ton of times whenever I did come back to L.A. I’ve already talked to a couple of those studios, for now I’m moonlighting a bit but that’s only until I get my own studio up and running.”
“You’re really staying in L.A this time.” He smirks. “This is gonna be weird. It’s a rare occurance to see you stay in a place more than six months, aside from Helsinki.”
“I think it’s time for this professional rolling stone to retire. It’s time for me to grow up, I’ve got a mini me to take care of now…”
