The Touch of Sapphire

Chapter 21

The day went particularly slow for Ashley. She showered and Mai and Tea came by with a change of clothes, making sure that she was now nice and clean. The black trench coat she was wearing was sent to be dry cleaned. A detective came to see her, and Ashley, Annessa and Mokuba gave their account for everything. Ashley would've preferred to have Kaiba there with her, but he had left the hospital after their little argument. Apparently he went back to the office, but that was the least of her concerns anyway.

Thomas and Randy sat in the room with Ashley, playing a game on two sleek, handheld Kaiba Corp devices. The blonde chose to stay to herself, cuddling up with her blanket, and a plushie that Tea brought for her. Tea and Mai had since gone to make some food for her.

Randy decided to pay her no mind, letting the girl relax after such a terrifying day. But Thomas did not like her silence one bit. He placed his gaming device near Annessa's purse, and sat at the foot of the bed. Lovingly placing his hand on her leg, Thomas looked up at Ashley. She avoided any eye contact, any interaction with humans. "Why don't cha join the game with your dad and I? Amber says you're great at Dark Mage...Just to get your mind off things."

Ashley glanced at Thomas, immediately shaking her head no. Randy watched on as his best friend did not give up, laying down in bed with his daughter. The muscular man pulled the frail little woman into his arms, his hands running up and down her back in such a soothing way. Ashley instantly relaxed, attempting to wrap her short arms around his wide chest.

Little did they know that this was something Ashley wanted all along. She just wanted someone to cuddle with and tell her that everything was going to be okay.

"Thank you Uncle Tommy.." She muttered, placing her face against his chest (even though her nose hurt),feeling his lips touch her forehead. "Everything will get better from here, I promise. Keeping a lowkey would be very important now sweetie."

"I guess you're right. But I don't want to be completely useless." "I'm sure that your boyfriend will hold your job for ya!" Thomas laughed, glancing at Randy, who was looking at the back of his daughter's head.

"I don't know, he was saying I should resign and keep away from everything." She wasn't about to tell her father and uncle about some useless fight. (Even though it was the main thing bothering her at the moment.) Randy put his two sense in. "He's right you know. When you get discharged, you're not leaving the apartment without someone. We know you've been ditching the bodyguards and that's not gonna happen again."

"I can't live a normal life anymore, can't I?" "The minute you became involved with your boss was the last time you'll have a normal life Ashley." All she did was nod, staying in her uncle's arms.

"Did Annessa tell you that she's pregnant?" Randy asks, now getting up to sit at the foot of the bed. Ashley was perplexed that he mentioned it like it was nothing to him. But she knew better. "She didn't tell me anything. I found out when Duke said it. I guess she was just scared about how we'd react." Ashley told her father. "I know she's going to be well taken care of, I just don't appreciate the fact that she's so secretive."

"You aren't so understanding, and neither is Seto. She's always afraid of what people think." Ashley said, hiding her face against Thomas' chest. "I wasn't going to murder her or anything. I had you guys when I was younger than her!"

"I just wanna go home, and cuddle with my body pillow." Ashley says, finally sitting upright, but her eyes looking out the window. "Seto said that you're staying at his house tonight. Kim and Sarah went to pick out clothes for you..He said something about a 'big ass blue onesie'?" Randy just looked so confused.

"He bought me this soft onesie and it's pretty much heaven. I just wanted to stay home tonight though."

Thomas' eyes narrowed. "Since when do you not wanna be around your boyfriend?"