Blind Love

Blind Love -Epilogue

Blind Love

"Brandon! Come on, we have to meet the caterers!" Ashley yells through their apartment. It is two years since they resolved their problems, and they couldn't be happier. They graduated together as the 'it' couple that was inseparable. Now, they are living together and preparing for their wedding. Brandon proposed right after high school, and today they are meeting the caterers for the wedding.

"I'm coming. Geez, do you want me to be deaf?" he shouts back as he comes in the room. Ashley smiles to herself. She was always the loud, outgoing one of the couple.

"Come on, grumpy. Let's go try cake!" Ashley squeals while skipping out the door on his arm.

***

"Mmm! We have to get this one Brandon!" Ashley says as she tries the triple chocolate cake. "It's so good!"

"You've said that about every one," Brandon says skeptically.

"It is! I think we should get every chocolate flavor on one cake!" she bounces, having extra energy from all the sugar.

"Ashley, calm down," Brandon whispers to her. "I've never seen you this excited over cake-usually it's ice cream you're crazy about."

"Mmm, let's get some of that too!"

***

"Ashley, are you sure everything's alright?" her friend Mandy asks her that night when she comes over. Mandy is one of the bridesmaids, and they have been friends since she moved to their high school.

"I'm great, Mandy. Why wouldn't I be?" Ashley asks.

"Because you're sitting around eating a tub if ice cream and cake samples? Is that supposed to be normal?" Mandy asks incredulously.

"I-" Ashley is cut off by a knocking at the door. Jumping up to answer it, she finds Rachel on the other side. "Rachel! I'm so glad you came!"

"Of course, Ashley! We haven't hung out in a long time-motherhood is rough," Rachel laughs, thinking of her two year old daughter. She is on a play date tonight while her husband is out with Brandon on a guys night doing who knows what.

"I bet. But she's so cute!" Ashley says.

"Mmm-hmm," Rachel nods, then does a double take. "What are you doing?"

"Eating?" Ashley shrugs sheepishly.

"That is not eating. That is all sugar," Rachel scolds. "Although, I was the same way when I was pregnant. Always craving sweets."

"That's all I've wanted lately. Sweets," Ashley laughs, then cuts off when she looks at Rachel in alarm. She looks back at her worry clear on her face.

"Ashley, you're not..." Rachel trails off.

Ashley sits still and tries to count the days in her head. Suddenly, Mandy jumps up and runs out the door. Rachel and Ashley sit in silence staring at where she ran out, when five minutes later she's back with a plastic bag in hand.

"Here. I didn't know which one, so I grabbed a few," she thrusts the bag at Ashley. Inside are various pregnancy test, all claiming to be most accurate. Ashley is scared as she looks up at Rachel who nods encouragingly and motions her toward the bathroom.

Locking herself in the bathroom, Ashley isn't sure whether to hope for positive or negative, she just wishes everything to work out okay.

***

Stepping out of the bathroom, Ashley looks at her two closest friends sitting staring at her. They are nervous as can be, so she puts them out of their misery.

"Well, looks like things are going to change..." she drags out. "I'm pregnant!"

"Oh my gosh!" Mandy squeals at the same time Rachel jumps up and hugs her. They all jump around and let out their excitement then settle down.

"So, when are you going to tell Brandon?" Rachel asks.

"Um, in nine months?" Ashley jokes. "Nah, probably tonight. I'm scared though, what if he's not happy?"

"Don't think like that Ashley. It might be sooner than expected, but it'll work out."

***

"Ashley! I'm home!" Brandon calls as he walks through the front door that night. Ashley begins freaking out in their bedroom and hops under the covers. What is she going to say?!

"Ashley? Are you in here?" Brandon walks in the room. He sits on the bed and uncovers her, reaching for her hand. "What's the matter?"

"Um, I'm nervous about the wedding..." Ashley covers up. Thankfully he can't see her facial expressions.

"You? Nervous?" Brandon asks skeptically. "Well, we have several months to prepare. You'll be ready."

"Actually...I was thinking we should move the date up. Not wait so long," Ashley throws out.

"Really?" Brandon furrows his eyebrows. "But I thought you were nervous. Why would you want to move the date up?"

"Because..." Ashley breathes deeply. "I'm pregnant. "

Brandon sits in stunned silence for several minutes. Finally he shakes his head and a great smile breaks out on his face. "Really? We're having a baby?"

"Yes," Ashley smiles enthusiastically at his happiness. "I just found out today. Rachel and Mandy were here."

"It explains why you were acting extra crazy..." Brandon mumbles to himself.

"Hey!" Ashley smacks his arm. "I am carrying your baby. Be nice to me!"

"Fine. We'll see what we can do about moving the wedding closer. Wouldn't want to have to buy a new dress," Brandon teases.

"Ugh! I'k going to be so fat!" Ashley cries out. "And everyone will judge us..."

"Hey, don't worry about them," Brandon whispers to her. He touches her flat stomach and smiles. "We'll get through this together. You're my family-all that matters. And I know you will be beautiful on our wedding day."

Ashley smiles happily. "You always know what to say. I love you."

"I love you more."

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