Alaska

Chapter Nineteen

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Ashton and Lexi spent a good amount of time sitting on Ashton's bed, their hands pressed to Lexi's stomach, silence around the room as they waited, completely intrigued and astonished at the fanatical feel of the growing baby moving around.  It was a beautiful moment.

At around ten o'clock, there was a faint knock on the door and Violet popped her head inside, her orange eyes agleam in the single lamp light that was hanging from Ashton's dark ceiling.  She raised her eyebrows at the awkward sight of the two of them, laying beside each other, Lexi's head on his chest and both their hands on her torso.

"Erm," she began, awkwardly.  "What are you doing?"

"My baby keeps moving," Lexi whispered, excitedly, and Violet broke into a grin.

"Oh.  It's nice isn't it?" And the two of them nodded.  "Anyway, I'm gonna get a shower.  Be quiet, when you leave, Lex.  Julie's fast asleep in my room and she won't go back to sleep if she wakes up now."

The two of them twinkled their fingers and Violet closed the door with a light snap.

"What a day," Ashton murmured into Lexi's ear, and she nodded in agreement.

"Thank you for telling me, Ash.  I know it took a great deal of courage for you to do so," she said.

"You deserved to know why I'm so screwed up, valley girl," Ashton replied.

Lexi sighed and sat up, propping herself up on her elbows and looking into his eyes, with a great deal of seriousness on her face.

"You're not screwed up.  There's no reason to punish yourself or feel guilty.  Alaska's death isn't your fault and you should stop living with guilt.  Don't hurt other people and build a bad reputation for yourself when you are the gentlest person I know," Lexi said, urgently.

He smiled, kindly, a twinkle in his blue eyes and he pulled her face in for a quick, grateful kiss.

"Thank you," was all he said, and that was the end of the long conversation for the night...

***

The next morning, as Lexi sat at the kitchen counter in Angel's pristine kitchen, sipping at a glass of orange juice, Angel pranced into the room, carrying a bubbling Meagen, who seemed excited.

"Good morning," Angel said, brightly.

"Hullo," Lexi mumbled.  She was tired after arriving home at one in the morning, the previous night, after a long make-out and cuddle session with Ashton.

"I didn't hear you get in last night," Angel said, in a fluster as she settled Meagen in her high chair.

"Yup.  Got home late," Lexi replied, scrambling out of her seat and moving over to the sink, where she placed the empty glass.

"I see.  With Ashton?" Angel gave her a knowing smile and Lexi smirked and nodded.  "I wanna meet this guy.  He seems to make you happy."

Lexi handed her sister a carton of milk from the fridge, to which Angel poured into a bowl of oatmeal for Meagen.

"He does," Lexi said.  "He makes me really happy."

Angel grinned.  "That's good to hear.  Listen, I'm really sorry to pile this on you last minute, but Meagen has a toddler party later on in the afternoon and I'm stuck at work till seven.  You don't possibly think you could pick her up after school and take her to the party?  You won't have to stay long, I promise.  And it gets you used to kids."

Lexi's response was quick and eager.  "Sure, Angel.  I'd love to.  I haven't spent time with Meagen in ages." She reached forward, pinching her niece's cheeks, who giggled bashfully.