Bikeriders Serenade

Sharing the news

Later that evening, Austin returned home from the office, the weight of the day settling on his shoulders. He was tired but eager to share the news with Lucy. As he stepped inside, the familiar warmth of their home enveloped him, a comforting contrast to the emotional whirlwind he had just experienced.

“Lucy, I’m home!” he called out, kicking off his shoes and hanging his jacket on the hook by the door.

“In here!” she replied from the kitchen, her voice cheerful and inviting.

Austin made his way to the kitchen, where Lucy was busy preparing dinner. The aroma of sautéed vegetables filled the air, and he couldn’t help but smile at the sight of her, focused and content.

“Hey, how was your day?” she asked, glancing up with a bright smile.

“It was… intense,” he said, leaning against the counter. “But something really exciting happened with Ashley.”

Lucy raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Oh? What is it?”

Austin took a deep breath, feeling the excitement bubble up inside him. “She asked me to be the baby’s godfather.”

“What?” Lucy exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise. “That’s amazing! How did that come about?”

Austin shared the details of their conversation, his voice animated as he recounted how Ashley had expressed her desire for him to be part of her support team during the birth. “She really wants me there to hold her hand,” he added, a smile spreading across his face.

“That’s so special, Austin,” Lucy said, her expression softening. “It shows how much she trusts you.”

“I know,” he replied, feeling a rush of warmth. “It means a lot to me. I want to be there for her, especially with everything going on with Dad.”

Lucy nodded, sensing the underlying tension in the situation. “How did that go?”

Austin sighed, running a hand through his hair. “It was tough. Dad confronted her about the pregnancy, and it didn’t go well. He gave her an ultimatum about her boyfriend, and it broke her heart.”

“Oh no,” Lucy said, her face falling. “That’s so unfair to her.”

“Yeah, it is,” Austin agreed. “But I’m proud of Ashley for standing her ground. She’s really trying to navigate this on her own, and I want to support her however I can.”

Lucy reached out, squeezing his hand. “You’re doing the right thing, Austin. Being there for her during such a big moment in her life is important.”

“Thanks, Lucy. I just hope Dad comes around. I don’t want Ashley to feel like she has to choose between him and her boyfriend.”

“I know it’s complicated,” she said softly. “But you’re doing everything you can to be a good brother. Just keep being there for her.”

Austin smiled, feeling grateful for Lucy’s support. “I will. I want to make sure she knows she’s not alone in this.”

As they continued to talk, Austin felt a sense of hope for the future. He knew there would be challenges ahead, but with Lucy by his side and the bond he was rebuilding with Ashley, he felt ready to face whatever came next.

The Meeting

A few days later, with the plan set in motion, Austin took a deep breath and called his dad. “Hey, Dad, can you come over? I could use your help with something,” he said, trying to keep his tone casual.

“Sure, son. I’ll be there in a bit,” David replied, and Austin felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety.

After hanging up, Austin walked into his office, the designated meeting place for what he hoped would be a turning point. He looked at Ashley, who was sitting nervously on the couch, her hands fidgeting in her lap.