My Last Words (GirlxGirl)

Chapter 21

Another week had gone by all the same as the last three weeks. The only difference was that I had officially gotten full custody. It was hard, but Andy pulled through and I was extremely grateful for that. I never thought I would be so happy to be beat and cheated on by my husband, but it most certainly helped my case.

I did, however, make a deal with Nick allowing him to see the kids when I told him he could. It would save me the money for a babysitter when I needed one.

As Christmas was approaching, I decided to dedicate the day to putting up decorations in the cafe. It was around five o'clock when I realized that Ashley never showed up for her shift.

Everyone had left, leaving me alone to clean up. I had to pick up the kids from their new after school program before six o'clock, so I would have to put in some extra effort to clean up the whole place by myself.

I was about fifteen minutes in when the little bell above the door rang. I picked up my head to see Ashley walk through the door with a bouquet of red flowers.

She smiled, "I heard you got full custody."

"Yeah, I did."

"Congratulations!" She walked closer to me and handed me the bouquet, "They're dahlias, and I made sure they were red, just like period blood."

I laughed at our little inside joke, "Thank you for the beautiful flowers, but now I have to ask why you skipped your shift without telling me in advance."

"I was busy planning your celebration dinner."

I was a bit shocked by her response. I was expecting her to say something about a date with Jasmine, "Celebration dinner?"

"Yeah, it's supposed to be a surprise but knowing you, I figured it would just be easier to tell you."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

She laughed, "It means that you would have questioned me to the point of insanity."

"Yeah, fair enough. So what's this celebration dinner?" I asked.

"I borrowed my mom's car to pick up Abby and Miles from their after school program. Then we went back to your house and made you dinner and a cake."

I suddenly had the biggest grin on my face, "You did all of that for me?"

"Yeah, of course. I know we're not seeing each other anymore, but that doesn't mean I can't be a good friend."

I threw my arms around her, pulling her into my embrace. After a few seconds, she hesitantly wrapped her hands around me and hugged back.

"What was that for?"

"Everything."

She smiled, lightly, then went to grab a rag and wipe down a table.

"Wait, who's with the kids right now?" I asked.

"Maya's watching them."

I exhaled a breath of relief and held my hand to my chest, "Oh thank god, you almost gave me a heart attack."

"I wish I would've. Then I wouldn't have to deal with your whiney ass all the time."

I lightly punched her shoulder, "Bitch."

She laughed, "I've missed you."

"Yeah, me too."

After cleaning up, we went out to my car and I started driving toward my house.

"You have to act surprised. I promised Abby and Miles that I wouldn't tell you about it."

"Okay, I'll act more surprised than when I found out my father was dead."