The nurse walked into the hospital room and looked at Andy, smiling politely. "I'm sorry sir. But they need you to wait in the waiting room while the doctor is evaluating him." She says softly, her blue eyes full of empathy.
Andy nodded, leaning to kiss Ashley's temple once more before turning on his heel toward the door. Silently he walked towards the waiting room, his mind wandering slightly. "Will he remember anything? Will he still love me? What if he remembers everything and hates me?"
He sighs, sitting down in the red cushioned chair, running his left hand through his raven locks. He looks around the room for something to ease his wandering mind. The television in the corner plays a music program. Coincidentally, the interviewer was seated across from both himself and Ashley. It looked as if the interview was a few years old. Both of them were dressed in torn black jeans, leather jackets, black shirts and their classic face paintings. He chuckled to himself, watching the interviewer's facial expressions as she asked the duo questions.
A slight churning in his stomach distracts him from his focus on the television. Quickly he made his way to the nearest restroom. Throwing the door to the nearest empty stall open, he knelt down to the cold tile floor and vomited. After a few moments of heaving, he manages to compose himself enough to clean himself up. "What the hell was that?" he says to himself as he looked in the mirror, fixing his hair and drying his face with a towel.
He looks down at his phone, checking the date. He smiled to himself, realizing what could possibly be wrong with him. He texts Juliet, "Hey.... Can you do me a small favor darling?"
"Sure. What is the favor?" She replies.
Andy smiles to himself as he reads her text. "Go to the drug store and pick me up a pregnancy test and a bear for Ashley? He's waking up." He replies.
He makes his way back to the waiting room, the same nurse with short red hair and blue eyes that had been caring for Ashley stood waiting for him. Andy smiles at her, "Are you ready?" he asks. She nods slowly and smiles. "Yes, he is resting right in the other room." She says as she walks down the hall, leading him to a door of the private wing.
Andy takes a breath, opening the door. Stepping inside quietly, he closes the door behind him.
Ashley sits in the hospital bed, slightly inclined. His attention focused on the small television in the corner.
Andy quietly makes his way to his bedside and sits down in the chair nearest the bed. He smiles over at his fiancé. "How are you feeling?" he asks.
Ashley turns his attention from the television towards him, his honey brown orbs catching Andy's crystal blues. His brow furrows as he looks into the others' eyes. "How do you think I feel Andrew?" He snaps.
Andy looks down at the floor, his black locks falling over his blue eyes. He grimaces and sighs softly, "I don't really know how you feel Ashley. " he replies, running his finger over his engagement ring.
"This is your fault." Ashley states flatly. His cold, unforgiving gaze remaining on Andy. "You were more than capable of standing up to your father. I even offered you a solution that you didn't take." He says.
Andy sighs, "My fault? It wasn't my idea to have you leave. You were the one who chose to walk out the door during a snow storm." He says. "Why do you have to be so cruel?" he whispers, a tear falling down his face.
" You didn't do anything to stand up for yourself Andrew, You didn't defend me, or our daughter. You simply stood there frozen while you let your father get into my face and assault me. This entire thing could have been prevented if you would have simply had an ounce of courage." Ashley snaps, staring into Andy's eyes, his gaze burning into him.
Andy looks down at the floor, swallowing the lump that had begun to form in his throat. Tears silently streaming down his face. "I... was terrified...." He whispers.
"Terrified?" Ashley asks, not breaking his gaze.
"Yes, I was terrified of being hurt by him. Terrified of losing you, of losing our daughter..." he whispers, staring at his left hand, the light catching the ring on his finger. He runs a finger over it slowly, looking up at Ashley.
"This is why I asked you to marry me, and to move into my parent's property with me. For your safety." He replies.
"I know, and I am sorry that I cannot be brave enough. That I am afraid of my father. Maybe, it's a sign..." he says, letting go of Ashley's hand.
Ashley shifts his gaze to the window, remaining silent. His lips firmly pressed together, struggling to hold his tongue.
"Maybe... it's a sign that I'm not enough for you." He says softly, removing the ring from his finger, lying it on the table nearest his bedside and leaves the room. He wipes the tears from his eyes, fighting the storm brewing inside his mind as he walks down the hall.
