Brave (Sequel to Beside You)

Chapter Thirty Nine

Raf's POV
R – *Hi Ashton, it's Raf Di Lucca. Could you meet me in the café across the road from the Channel 4 studios when you are ready? It's important. Hope to see you soon*

A – *Um sure. What's this about Raf? Is Aria with you?*

R – *No she's isn't. I'll explain all when you get here.*

A – *Okay... give me 5 minutes.*

Sure enough 5 minutes later Ashton shows up. He looked a little dishevelled. He reminded me a lot of my best friend. He took a seat opposite me.

'Hey, so what's this about Raf?' Ashton asks concerned.

I took a moment before replying.

'Aria has asked me to give you this. She would have done it herself but she is on a plane to Australia right now. She's happy you've moved on, and is trying to stay out of your way. That's why I'm here.' I explained quickly, handing him the envelope.

He stayed quiet while opening it. He pulled out Aria's engagement ring and a picture of Isla. I watched him closely as his eyes began to fill with tears, although he had not read the letter yet.

'Why does she think I've moved on? I've tried but I can't. I love Aria, I thought this whole separation thing would help us get over losing Isla, but it has been agonising. It was never meant to come to this.' Ashton cried.

'There's been a rumour going round about you and a girl. I know it's just a rumour but I guess she feels a little replaced. She's going back to Australia with Theo. He has been transferred back for a while. Aria thinks it's best to go with him, she's struggling again.' I say.

'Is she..' Ashton trailed off.

'No, but she's struggling. I found her with her blades the other day, I took them away with the help of Dougie. She told me it's the closest she's been since the night you left.' I smile slightly, thinking about how strong she was trying to be.

'If I leave now, do you think I'll get to the airport in time to stop her?' Ashton said. 'No Ashton, the plane has already taken off. She's doing this for you.' I reply. He continues to turn and walk out into the street. He looked a little out of it, I just hope he gets back to the studio okay.

Ashton's POV
I walk out of the café and I just kept staring at the envelope in my hand, trying to keep my head down to get back to the studio. Suddenly I collided with someone.

'I'm really sorry, I wasn't....' trailing off as I looked up. I looked and the tall rounded man I had just walked into, then to his camera.

'Shit, it's the paps.' I mumbled under my breath before legging it back to the studio.

'Quick, it's Ashton Irwin.' The bloke shouted. All I could hear was people shouting my name as I got to the studio doors and showed security my pass. The security guard let me in and I went straight to the men's toilets to open the letter.

I locked myself in a stall and locked the door. Opening the envelope and taking out the letter which had something attached to it. I could tell it from Aria, her squiggly hand writing gave it away. I could tell she had been crying when she wrote the letter because there were tearstains on some of the words, making it a little difficult to read.

'Hi Ashton,

I know this is a little weird me sending you a letter, very old fashioned but I feel like I needed too. I'm saying this assuming you got it. I thought it was better that I didn't give it to you myself. I'm babbling now I'm sorry, back to business, as they say.

First off I just wanted to say Thank you. You put up with me and all my baggage for so long. You gave me the happiest years of my life. Although it wasn't how we wanted it to happen and didn't turn out how we expected, you gave me something so precious. I will treasure the memories we shared together forever. I will treasure the fact I got to hold our daughter forever. I know you would've been the best father. You changed me for the better and I will be eternally grateful for that. You, the first man I ever properly loved, with the brightest most gorgeous smile in the room and the cutest laugh, you saw past all my flaws. You're my lionheart.

I apologise for phoning the other day, it was beyond unfair and very selfish of me. At the time I wasn't thinking, which doesn't excuse it. You should not have to put up with me putting you in that position.

We might see each other again someday. I know Raf will have told you what is going on and will have given you the envelope by now. This kills me but this is me letting you go. I love you more then you will ever know and I want so much happiness for you. God knows you deserve it.

Goodbye Ashton xxx'

After I finish reading I just stare at the piece of paper letting all my emotion over take me. I slide down on to the floor and buried my face in my hands. I had been sat sobbing in the cubicle for 5 minutes before I heard the door open. I try to stop crying but I couldn't. The tears wouldn't stop falling.

'Hello, who's there?' the voice asked concerned. Luckily I recognised the voice. It was Calum, but I didn't answer. I just wanted to be left alone.

'Ashton is that you, we've been looking everywhere for you. What's going on? You sound like you are crying.' He continues. I still don't answer, but I can see his shadow the other side.

'Come on Ash, open the door.' He pleads, I do as I'm told and open the door. He looks at me on the floor and gets down to my level.

'Ashton, please tell me what the matter is.' He begs. I push the letter towards him, not even turning to look at him myself.

'I've ruined everything Calum.' I sob.

'Come on, get up for me Ash.' He says, grabbing my arm helping me up.

'I don't know what to do. She's my world.' I cried, as Calum wrapped his arms around me.

'Right Ash, this is the last stop of our tour. Our last show is tomorrow and our last interview is in three days' time. You need to give her time to cool off. But I say when the tour is over, instead of going back to LA we take a trip to see the family. We go back to Oz and we go and talk to Aria. What do you think?' he says, looking at me nervously.

'I don't know if I could go that long.' I confess.

'Of course you can Ash. Plus she needs space.' He encourages. I nod in response.