Fifty-Two Weeks

twenty one

"All good things must come to an end."

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The past few weeks of Ashton being home formed a new routine for Scarlett. She would wake up, eat her breakfast, go to class (if she had any that day), work at the gym, come home to Ashton attempting to cook her dinner, eat, watch movies, and go to bed. Most nights Ashton stayed over but on a few occasions he went to his own house. Today however, marked one week until he had to leave and Scarlett wanted to surprise him.

She woke up extra early and made herself look presentable. Her long auburn hair cascaded down her back in waves and she wore a loose peach sundress. It was summer in Australia and being six months pregnant did not make it any easier. Her baby bump had swelled, making it clear that yes something was in there and yes that something was getting large.

She drove to Ashton's house, humming along quietly to the radio. If the weather wasn't so warm, she would've enjoyed the ride. But as she got out of the car and away from it's air-conditioning, she knew the ride home would be ten times worse.

Ashton's little brother, Harry, opened the door literally seconds after Scarlett knocked.

"Hiya Scar!" He greeted and instantly wrapped his arms around her waist. Ever since Ashton's siblings found out they'd be getting a new niece or nephew, they became quite touchy.

"Hi buddy, is your brother home?" She asked, ruffling his hair.

"Yeah, he's out back with mom." Harry stepped aside to allow Scarlett into the house. "When do I get to meet my nephew?"

"A few more months, it might be a niece you know." She laughed and he scrunched up his face.

"No, girls smell. It's a boy." He nodded and went back to playing his video games.

Scarlett laughed to herself and admired just how much Harry was like a younger Ashton. Growing up she was the only girl allowed in Ashton's "boys only" treehouse. He always claimed that girls had cooties, but Scarlett didn't have any since she wasn't that girly.

The floor plan of his home was much like that of her parents. The front door lead to a tiny living room, from there was a large kitchen with a view of the backyard, and just off to the side there was a back door leading to the porch. Scarlett took her shoes off and made her way outside, stopping when she heard a familiar voice mention her name.

"I love her mom, I really do. But I don't want a baby right now! I'm so young, I have a band that I'm committed to. I won't ever be home for it and it's not fair to make Scarlett raise it alone. Sometimes I wish we never had sex and this never happened. It's not like I can tell her to put it up for adoption either, she really loves it. I guess I love it too but we're so unprepared. I can't be a dad, not yet." A lump formed in Scar's throat as Ashton sighed and leaned against his mother.

"You're just scared, that's all." She comforted her distraught son and rubbed soothing circles on his back.

"But I'm not scared! I love her and I want all of her, I just don't want a baby." He huffed and took a sip from his water bottle.

"You don't want this baby? Fine. Consider it, and me, gone." Scarlett yelled and Ashton's head shot up.

"Scarlett, i-you you're here?" He stuttered and approached her.

"I thought we were in this for the long haul?" She cried and Ashton wrapped his arms around her sobbing body.

"We are!" He soothed and Scarlett shook free from his embrace.

"I heard everything. If you want me, you want this baby. But you don't so I think-I think it's best if I go." She turned on her heel and walked out of the Irwin household. Ashton ran behind her the whole way trying to make her stop but it didn't work. Finally he took drastic measures and climbed into her passengers seat as she got into the drivers side.

"Hear me out." He pleaded but she refused.

"Out of my car, now." She spat.

"Babe, I'm just lost. It's not fair to have a baby when I'm not even around." He sighed and rubbed her arm but she jerked it away.

"I was ready to do this without you." She whispered.

"But you don't have to! I want you." He cried, tears forming at the thought of losing her yet again.

"But you don't want this." She screamed pointing to her massive stomach.

"Maybe I do! I don't know yet! It's not fair to spring that on me the moment I get home from tour." He sighed and tried yet again to hold her hand.

"I'll give you three days to decide what you want. Please get out of my car and don't talk to me until then." She warned and he gave in. Ashton snuck a quick kiss to her cheek before exiting the car and standing on the driveway as the love of his life took off.

---

Back at the apartment, Jess was freaking out. Calum had texted her earlier saying he wanted to ask her something and was going to come over in ten minutes. That was fifteen minutes ago. Jessica's mind races with possibilities of him getting in a car accident, him deciding she wasn't worth it, or anything else along those lines. But a quiet chime broke her thoughts and a silhouette outside the door made her smile.

"You're late." She smirked as she opened the door to reveal Calum. He was so handsome, and clearly dressed up for this occasion.

"I wanted to get you these." He smiled and pulled out a bouquet of daisies from behind his back. Jessica gasped and flung her arms around his neck.

"They're beautiful, thank you." She kissed his pouty lips, "Make yourself at home while I find these a vase."

Calum walked in to the cozy apartment and was met with the familiar scent of vanilla coffee. He smiled to himself knowing Jessica had probably downed two or more vanilla cappuccinos. He flopped down on the couch and rehearsed what he had planned again. Jessica placed the daisies in a vase on the kitchen counter and joined him on the couch.

"So what did you have to ask me?" She asked and tucked her hair behind her ear. Calum loved when she did that, it made her look so vulnerable and cute.

"I should have asked you this a long time ago and I want to kick myself for being such a pussy. You're very beautiful and you make me actually want to get out of bed, something nobody but the boys can do. But I want to share a bed, with you, and I want to be the one waking you up. I'll make you vanilla cappuccinos like you love and maybe some fresh fruit. I'll even-"

"Calum are you asking me out?" She interrupted and laughed at the blush on his face.

"Okay ruin my speech." He grumbled and she giggled more, "Will you be my girlfriend?"

"No." She smiled and kissed his lips before walking away. Calum sat there in complete confusion. They had been flirting and kissing and cuddling for months, how could she say no?

"No?" He repeated and followed her down the hall.

"Not unless you tell me all the reasons why you like me." She teased. He picked her up and she instantly locked her ankles behind his back.

"Do you have a couple years?" He smirked and kissed her cheeks.

"A couple years? If I'm going to spend that much time with you, I might as well be your girlfriend." She smirked and kissed his nose.

"Can't you just be a normal girl and say yes?" He groaned and she placed her hands on both sides of his face.

"Yes."

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please don't kill me