Those Amber Eyes

Chapter 33 - Forgiveness

POV: Scarlett

We had been sitting here for what felt like hours, waiting to see Ashlyn and Alex. Rose was curled up against me, not really understanding what was happening. Thank God for Florence, Hunter and my Mom, or I don't know what we would have done with the girls.

I looked over at Lizzie, huddled against Florence. She looked so scared when the doctor told us the injuries to Alex and Ash, but she has not waivered. I knew she was just as anxious as the rest of us.

"General Summers?" I heard a nurse say as she walked in.

Robert stands, and motions for us to follow. I went to hand Rose to my Mom, but she clung to me.

"Want to see My Ashy," she whines into my neck.

"Baby, can Mommy see Ashy first?"

"No," she whined as she clings to me.

I motioned to my Mom, as she was sitting with Hunter and Lauren's girls. We followed the nurse down the hall into a quiet room, and I saw her. Her arm in a sling and bandages covering the wound. Her eyes are closed and her breathing slow but steady. She was still sleeping. I walked over and sat beside her bed, taking her hand in mine. Rose crawled onto the bed, snuggling up under Ash's good arm, her little hand clutching a handful of Ash's gown.

"Hey baby, I am here. You came back to me. I was so scared." I said as I softly caressed her face. "Don't you ever leave me again," I whispered as tears started to fall down my face.

We sat with them for a few hours, hoping they would wake soon. I looked over at Lizzie, holding Alex's hand, her head laying softly against it. I could see her tears.

"Scarlett, why don't you and Lizzie try and get a few hours of rest. They have set up some cots in the waiting room for us." Sophia said, rubbing my back.

I nodded to her, as I went to lift Rose away from Ash, her little body limp as she was fast asleep, Lizzie and I made our way back to the waiting room. Florence and Hunter had left to get us some food, so Lizzie and I curled up together, with Rose and fell into a soft sleep.

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POV: Melanie

Scarlett was finally resting. The events of the last few days had taken a toll on her. She and Lizzie curled up together, Rose sleeping soundly between them.

I got up from the little waiting room, and walked down the hall, entering the room where Ashlyn and Alex lay. Alex was still unconscious. Her injuries will take time to heal. I looked at Ashlyn, her eyes closed, her monitors beeping steadily.

I sat down next to her, taking her hand between mine. "Ashlyn Marie, I know you can hear me, and I want to tell you a little story. I remember the day you were born. Your Mom and Dad were still stationed in North Carolina, and Karstan and I were in New York. You weren't due for a few weeks, and I planned to fly down so I could be there, but you had other plans. You see, you Dad got orders, and was due to leave, before you were born, and your Mom got so mad, you know that Irish temper of hers, well, it threw her into labor. Your Dad called in a dead panic, I told him to get her to the hospital, and I would be there as soon as I could. So I loaded Adrian and Vanessa up, and we headed to NC. Your Nonna watched them while I came to the hospital, and when I walked in the room, there was my best friend holding the cutest little thing I have ever seen, with blonde peach fuzz, and you opened your eyes, and I saw the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen. I fell in love with you the minute I held you. We stayed with your Mom and Nonna while your Dad was away, and then we headed home. By the time Scarlett and Hunter were born, your Dad was stationed in Washington DC. Your Mom came to New York with you in tow, all of 3 years old. You crawled up in the bed with me, and made little grabby hands towards Scarlett. So, I laid her in your little arms, and you cuddled her, kissing her little forehead. I think I still have that picture somewhere. It would be another 7 years before you saw her again." I sighed thinking back over a lifetime of memories.

"Ashlyn, I am so sorry for the way I have treated you, for the things I said to you. Your Mom is right, I wasn't blind, I knew Scarlett loved you, but I always thought it was a phase, until the day you deployed. It scared me, Ashlyn. I was scared for you, I was scared for Scarlett, and I was terrified for your Mother. You see, I remember what she went through when your Dad was deployed. The months of not knowing, the constant fear. I didn't want Scarlett to go through that. That's why I kept it from them, why I did what I did. When I saw on the news that you had been injured, I felt so fucking guilty. I wanted to call your Mom so many times that day, wanted to know if you had survived, and then your Mom called me. I cried when I got off the phone, thanking God that you had survived, and that I wouldn't have to tell my daughter the love of her life was gone. I should have told her. If I had been honest with her, with Hunter, Adrian, and Vanessa we wouldn't be here. If I had been honest, she wouldn't have married Ryan, and then that crazy Frenchman, but I did get my sweet little granddaughter from that marriage.

You know, I saw you opening night of Cat. You didn't see me though. I saw you talking to Cobie and her husband, and I saw your face when you saw Hunter and Adrian, and I saw you slip away. I wanted to approach you that night, but something stopped me. I saw you get into your car that night, and I saw the soft smile on your face when you saw her. I don't know why I was so harsh when Scarlett confronted me about you, I don't know why I called you those horrible names, or acted the way I did, because I don't feel that way about you. I know what an amazing woman you are, and I know you would walk through fire for my daughter. I know you may never forgive, and I know my daughter may never speak to me again, but I deserve it. I made my bed, now I must suffer the consequences of my actions, but I am truly sorry Ashlyn."

I was so lost in my own thoughts, as tears streamed down my face, I failed to notice that the hand I was holding was gripping mine. I looked up to see her watching me; tears in her eyes.

"Ashlyn? Let me get your Mom and Scarlett," I said, starting to get up, when she pulled me down.

"Melanie, sit."

"Ashlyn, I am so sorry. Please...."

"Stop. Don't say another word, you don't need to. I do have a few questions. Why did you tell me you would have me arrested for Statutory rape?"

"Because I knew it would scare you enough to stay away from her. I hid the letters to try to put some distance between you. I was so afraid she would give up her career for you. She was so young, and I didn't trust her. It turns out she had a better head on her shoulders than I gave her credit for. I didn't expect you to be so foolish and reenlist. Why did you reenlist?"

"I was hurt, angry. Thought Scarlett didn't want me anymore, I decided to follow my dreams. Getting blown up wasn't part of that dream, but shit happens. It did bring Alex into my life, so something positive came of it."

"It did," I said quietly. We sat in silence, neither really knowing what to say, when I heard her snicker.

"I actually held Scarlett when she was born?" she said, with a little smirk.

I laughed, smiling at her. "You did. I honestly should have known then you two were going to be trouble then."

We shared a smile, and she spoke. "Melanie, I don't hate you, part of me understands even. I can forgive you Melanie, but I can't speak for my Mom, or Scarlett, or my sisters, or even Adrian and Vanessa, but I do forgive you. You did a lot of damage, Mel, caused a lot of hurt, but time heals all wounds."

"Yes, yes it does. Thank you Ashlyn," I said, as I leaned forward kissing her head. "Now, let me go get your family," I said, turning to leave. I saw them all standing in the room. "Oh, my, how long have you been here?" I look over at Alex, and see her eyes open, and a very content Lizzie curled up beside her.

I watched my daughter walk towards me, and she hugged me, before she curled up next to Ashlyn. I walked towards the door, taking Sophia's hands.

"I'll leave you guys, call me if you need anything."

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A/N: Ash has forgiven Melanie... Will Scarlett, Hunter, and the rest of Ash's family?

Word Count: 1586