Chapter 30

I woke up the next morning alone and highly confused until I remembered that Ashton was taking Ender to school today.

Forcing myself from the warm confinement of my sheets I went to the bathroom and was met with a disheveled appearance in the mirror.

I combed through my hair and braided it, then brushed my teeth before going back to my room and changing into a pair of soft, black stretch pants, and a loose cream sweater because the house was pretty chilly.

Downstairs I made myself a steaming cup of coffee and snatched a banana from the counter. Remnants of Ashton's coffee was still on the counter and so was a note written in blue highlighter on a sheet of notebook paper saying Ash would be back soon.

I ate the banana and threw away the peel, then went upstairs and got in bed. All of the crying last night must have taken all of my energy because I was exhausted.

Last night was difficult emotionally, but I felt like Ash and I were closer because of it.

I took a few sips of my coffee then snuggled back into the covers.

Minutes later I heard the sound of the door opening and closing then the drop of keys on the counter. Footsteps were heard coming up the stairs and then Ashton walked into the bedroom, chuckling at my appearance.

"Morning." I said in a mousy voice as I peaked over the top of the blanket.

"Morning, sleepy head." He grinned and walked over to the side of the bed.

"Leave me alone it's freezing in here." I giggled and rolled over onto my side so I could face him.

"Carter it's warm in here what are you talking about?" He questioned me, still smiling.

"No it's freezing." I argued and he narrowed his eyes suspiciously and crouched down next to me. He placed his hand on my forehead and his eyes widened.

"Car, you're burning up." He frowned and I furrowed my eyebrows together.

"What? I can't be, I'm not sick I don't even feel bad." I complained.

"Hold on, I'll go get you something to bring your fever down." He stood up and jogged downstairs.

I groaned dramatically and a few minutes later he was back with a glass of water and some pills.

I took them and then sighed.

"Thanks." I frowned and then took another sip of coffee before moving to get out of bed.

"Um where do you think you're going?" Ashton snipped from behind me.

"I have things to do today." I tromped down the steps.

"Not now you don't." Ash was following me, catching up quickly and dragging me back by my arm. "You are going to stay in bed."

"Ash." I whined. "I don't wanna spend your last day here lying in bed."

"Well I don't want to spend my last day here taking you to the hospital because you passed out so, back to bed you go."

"Ugh." I sighed and he shooed me up the stairs.

"Now lay down and tell me what you need done today and I'll do it." He instructed and I flopped down on the bed in defeat.

"I'm not going to make you do my chores. Just come lay down with me?" I poked out my bottom lip and gave him my best puppy-dog eyes.

"How could I say no to that look?" He smirked and climbed over me to get to the side he slept on.

He pressed his back to the wall and opened his arms so I could cuddle myself into them.

"So how was Ender this morning?" I asked into his chest.

"He was good. We left early and got donuts on the way there so he was happy." He laughed.

"That's so sweet thank you." I smiled.

"Hey no problem." He hugged me.

We spent the majority of the morning just laying in my bed and talking about random things.

At lunch Ash went downstairs to make me a bowl of tomato soup and a sandwich for himself.

We ate in bed and as much as I loved spending time with Ashton I was getting bored. I thrived on physical activities to keep my mind and self occupied and staying in bed was not cool.

Ash took our dishes downstairs and came back up with a few board games from the hall closet.

I decided on monopoly and we were setting it up when his phone rang.

"It's Luke, I better take this." He said when he looked at it and answered, taking his call downstairs.

Five minutes later he was still on the phone and I was getting restless.

I needed to check the shops computer for emails and decided that now would be a good time.

Carefully I slid into the hall, careful not to make too much noise. Ash was pacing around downstairs, sounding a bit annoyed at something.

I paused at the top of the stairs and listened for a moment but all I heard was Ashton say "I know, I know" about ten times.

I waited until he walked into the laundry room to sneak down the stairs and basically run out the front door.

I had made it to the shop's back door before an arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me backwards.

"Oh no you don't." Ashton's voice flooded my ears. "Sorry Luke, I'll have to call you back."

He slid his phone into his pocket and wrapped his other arm around me, spinning me around so he could pick me up.

"Put me down!" I protested.

"Nope." He popped the "p" at the end of his sentence. He carried me into the house, me pouting the entire time, and plopped me down onto the sofa.

"You're mean." I pouted as he went to go get me a blanket.

"Oh yes, I'm the worlds' meanest boyfriend, taking care of my girl who's sick, what a horrible person." He teased.

"Ugh, shut up." I laughed and he grinned, tucking the blanket around us and turning on the TV.

We watched a little bit of television until it was time to get Ender from school. Of course he refused my offer to go with him and instead had me compile a grocery list and what errands needed to be done so that he and Ender could go do them.

"Okay, I'll be back soon. If you need anything call me and just please, try to rest." Ashton said as he grabbed his wallet and keys.

"Fine, fine." I waved him off.

"Alright, see you in a bit." He came over to where I was curled up and leaned down to kiss my forehead then was out the door.

I watched a little bit more of the cooking show I had on then when I knew for sure he would be gone I flung back the blankets and made my way to the shop.

To my luck, the email was empty and gave me nothing to do.

I decided to finish laundry instead and started a load of whites.

Knowing I couldn't do too much without Ashton noticing I had been up, I settled on making some tea and washing the dishes that were in the sink.

I went back to the television and watched cooking shows for about an hour and a half before Ender and Ashton finally came home, lugging in sacks of groceries.

"Hey you're back." I smiled and looked over the back of the couch.

"Yup! How are you feeling?" Ashton asked as he set down his bags and then walked over to me.

"Good." I answered and he leaned down to press another kiss to my forehead.

"How was school, End?" I called to the kid who was getting himself a glass of water.

"Good! Coach Robin had us practice during recess for tryouts tomorrow and he said he was impressed with me!" He answered back enthusiastically.

"That's great, End!" I grinned.

"Yeah, but what about you, how was your day?" He flopped down next to me on the sofa, curling up next me.

"It was good." I smiled down on him and leaned my head against his.

"I'm glad you're feeling better."

"Aww, thank you baby, me too." I didn't know what had gotten into him but he was being extra sweet today and it made me so incredibly happy.

Ashton began to make dinner for us and recruited Ender to help him while I was forced to sit at the counter and watch.

"At least let me cut the onions or something." I whined.

"Nope." Ashton looked up from the cutting board with a cheeky grin. "Just enjoy not having to do anything for today."

I rolled my eyes and poured myself some more tea.

By the time I was done sipping away at my drink, the lovely dinner of chicken picatta was done and ready to serve.

We sat around the kitchen eating and Ender even offered to wash the dishes when we were done, giving me the suspicion that Ashton had put him up to it.

We had some vanilla ice cream in the freezer and Ashton scooped some into bowls for each of us and put on the movie National Treasure for us to watch. Cuddling up to each other, we shared blankets and used each other as pillows, Ender in-between Ashton and I.

My head rested on top of my little brothers while Ashton's balanced on top of mine.

Throughout the whole movie an overwhelming feeling of happiness surged through me. Here we were, snuggled together in each others embraces and spending quality bonding time with each other.

I was going to miss this when Ashton left.

The moment that thought entered my mind I shoved it away and forced myself to enjoy the blissful moment I was in.

Though the moment couldn't last forever and soon the movie was over and Ender went upstairs to get ready for bed.

Ash washed the dishes while I folded the blankets and put the DVD back in its case.

"Thank you for today." I walked behind him as he rinsed out a bowl and wrapped my small arms around his torso.

"For what?" He chuckled softly.

"For being here, and taking care of me, and talking to Ender, that was super sweet of you."

"Of course, baby." He leaned backwards and kissed the corner of my mouth and a giddy shudder passed through my body when he called me baby. "And how did you know?"

"He's my brother for one, I know him like the back of my hand." I giggled. "He would never willingly offer to wash the dishes or God forbid let me hug him in front of people."

"Well it made you happy that's all that matters." He shut off the water and turned around so I could hug him properly.

"Hmmm....don't go tomorrow." I hummed against his chest and he let out a loud sigh.

"Don't remind me."

We stayed in that position for a few more minutes, until I took his hand and we walked up to my room.

Doing nothing all day really made me tired because I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

Morning came and I awoke with Ashton's back pressed against mine. It was a few minutes till my alarm went off and I almost fell back asleep but it's lovely screeching didn't allow me the opportunity.

Ashton groaned and rolled over as I slammed my hand onto it to turn it off and made myself get up.

"Is it morning already?" He whined and I rubbed my eyes.

"Yup." I sighed and stood up, stretching and making my way to Ender's room.

I got him in the shower with no complications and started the coffee maker. Upstairs I went to change into real clothes and was met with Ashton in only his underwear digging through his suitcase.

Trying not to stare or be extremely awkward I went to my dresser and dug through the drawers for a tee shirt and shorts.

When I set my clothes on the dresser I could see him in my mirror, the navy blue briefs he wore mocking me and my "decision" to wait.

Before I did anything stupid I left the room and decided to change later and get hyper on coffee instead.

The morning went by swiftly as everyone rushed to get ready and practically running up the docks so Ash could get us to Ender's school on time.

It took a little longer because Ashton was leaving while Ender was at school so they said their goodbyes and gave hugs.

After we dropped him off, Ash drove us to the coffee shop so we could get something to drink before we had to go home so he could pack.

He was driving slow on the way back to the house and I could tell he was trying to prolong leaving as long as possible.

When we arrived back at the house I sat on my bed and pouted as Ashton drug his bag from the corner and began to fold his clothes into it.

"No." I whined as he zipped up his shaving kit in a nice dark green, leather bag.

"Car," He sighed, "Don't make me sad, babe."

"Then don't leave me." I shrugged and he rolled his eyes, tossing the little bag into his suitcase and going to the bathroom to grab the rest of his things.

I thought about hiding his suitcase when he left but decided against it.

I curled into a ball on the bed and huffed as he continued to pack. With every item he put into his bag that just meant he was one step closer to leaving me for a month and I didn't want to say goodbye to him.

I became increasingly frustrated when he zipped up his suitcase and took it downstairs, tromping down the steps with more force than necessary.

His ferry was to leave in an hour and this was the dreaded moment.

I waited as he double checked for his ticket, wallet and keys, and propped myself against the door so I was blocking it.

Ash turned around and when he saw me and his shoulders dropped a bit.

"Babe, come here." He held out his hands for me to take them, which I did, and he pulled me into his arms for a hug.

I didn't say anything as he hugged me tightly to him. Eventually we let go and I took a step back so I wasn't staring at his chest.

"It's going to go by so quick, I promise." He tried to soothe me and reached to place a hand on my face, stroking my cheek with his thumb.

"A month is so long..." I inhaled.

"What else can I do to make you believe that this is going to work out?" He pleaded.

"...Don't leave..." I whispered and turned my face away.

"Car, don't make this hard." He sighed and I could just imagine him rolling his eyes. He was frustrated too and his hand dropped from my face.

"I'm not." I protested.

"Yes, yes you are." He ran a hand through his sandy brown hair. "I've got to go, I'm going to miss my boat."

He reached behind me to open the door and I stepped forward so it wouldn't hit me in the back.

"I'll call you later." He said and leaned in for a kiss but I stubbornly turned my head away so he only got my ear.

A loud sigh left his lips and the door closed abruptly behind him, leaving me alone in the house.

That was not how I pictured us saying goodbye. Having a little spat before he left wasn't going to settle my nerves and anxiety at all.

Frustrated at how we had left things I began to march upstairs but froze when the door opened behind me and Ash came back in.

"I didn't want to leave things like that." He said as if reading my mind.

"Me either." I replied and let myself be pulled into his embrace like gravity.

"I'm sorry I said that, it's just makes me sad to leave you and I don't want to see you sad because of me." He said into my hair.

"I know, it just sucks cause it feels like you're always leaving." I sighed into his chest.

"I hate leaving you, I hate it so much." He whispered as he hugged me tighter.

My eyes glanced at the clock on the microwave and I shut my eyes tightly.

"You're gonna miss your boat." I told him and he sighed.

His hand reached to my cheek and tilted my head up so he connect our lips in a sweet yet passionate kiss.

Like always, all worries slipped from my mind and his lips moved gently against my own, his tongue swiping across mine as he deepened it and I relaxed into him.

My hands went to his hair and my cheeks blushed as he used his hand that was previously on my waist and moved it to the small of my back to press me against him.

I let myself get lost in his touch and melt into him, wishing this moment could last forever.

When air become thin we broke apart, both of us panting.

"God, I'm going to miss that." He breathed hotly.

"Me too." I said unevenly, trying to regain my composure.

He pecked my lips a few more times then opened the door.

"I'll call you when I get to Sydney." He squeezed my hand and then opened the door a bit wider.

"Okay." I smiled softly and raised my hand to give a slight wave.

We didn't say goodbye but he closed the door behind him and my shoulders dropped.

Yes I was sad but I knew I would talk to him soon so I let my anxiety go.

To distract myself I spent the rest of my afternoon doing the chores delayed from yesterday before going off to pick Ender up from school.

We had brought his bike up with us so he would have something to ride home with but I took us into town instead, sending Ender off with my credit card to order our Chinese takeout while I checked on my paint order at the hardware shop.

When our dinner was ready I rushed us back home so we could eat dinner and I could talk to Ashton, who I'm pretty sure had taken apart of my heart with him back to Sydney.

--
Hey guys!

So I'm thinking of doing the next chapter in Ashton's point of view to find out a little more about his story and to see his side of things.

Hope you enjoy this chapter, comment and vote if you'd like, I love reading your thoughts(:

oh and happy thanksgiving! -M

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