Fifty-Two Weeks

twenty two

"If a day comes where we must say goodbye

Promise me that when you go you'll be fine

And I promise while you're gone I'll love you

'Til the stars burn out and the sky grows dark." - Anonymous

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Three days are constructed of seventy two hours and within those hours are numerous moments. Happy moments, sad moments, angry moments, confused moments, moments to share, and moments alone.

Scarlett had spent many moments in tears. How could the man- no the boy- she loved not love their own child? Was everything he said about being with her for the long haul a lie? Today she'd fine out and she couldn't figure out what was worse; not wanting the baby or him leaving but wanting the baby.

Ashton had spent those same moments in his room, except his were moments of regret. He couldn't lie to his mother about his feelings towards the baby situation. Yes he wanted children, but not yet. Yes he wanted Scarlett, but he felt so lost.

The minutes leading up to their arranged meeting time were spent in a similar fashion. Both were anxious, both were scared, and both just wanted everything to be okay. But it's never that easy.

Ashton was first to make his way into the quiet coffee shop. He found a booth near the back where they could have privacy and sat on the end facing the doorway. He played on his phone, glancing up at the door every time someone walked in, and replying to emails.

Scarlett walked in and checked her watch, cursing that she was ten minutes late. Her eyes scanned the room until she found a familiar mop of curls focused on his phone. She slid into the booth facing opposite Ashton, and cleared her throat to get his attention.

"Hey." He nodded and chewed his lip.

"Hi." She breathed nervously, unsure of what else to say.

"Thanks for meeting me here." He said awkwardly and clicked his phone off.

"Thanks for following the rules I set." She replied just as awkwardly.

"I figured you needed time to think for yourself too."

"I did. But the time was meant for you to figure out what you wanted." She sighed.

"I'm sorry." He began and Scarlett already knew the worst was coming, "I can't be a father yet. One day I'll be ready and that's just not today. I love you so much Scarlett, I'll never stop loving you. But right now you need to be with someone who's ready for this, and that's just not me. You'll always be my best friend and you'll always be my love but I think it's best if we go our separate ways." He finished and choked back the tears burning his eyes. When he looked at Scarlett he noticed her cold expression, but she had tears running down her face as well.

"I can't make you want this and I understand you're not ready but why did you wait so long? Did you think lying would make it easier on me? I would've been just fine on my own." She cried and dabbed a tissue under her eyes.

"I never lied about my feelings for you, Scarlett. You'll always be my baby and I'll always be your man. Just not yet, the timing isn't right." He sighed and wiped a stray tear away.

"That's what I don't understand. How can you love me but not love our baby?" She asked quietly.

"I do love our baby! I'm just not ready for it."

"Well I'm not going to wait around for you forever." She spat, furious that a stupid boy could make her feel this way.

"I don't want you to wait for me, I just-I just-"

"You just what Ashton? You just want to be famous and carefree?" She interrupted.

"I don't know what I want!" He yelled and looked away from the stares he was receiving.

"Call me when you figure it out." Scarlett said and stood up but Ashton grabbed her wrist before she left.

"I won't be here for your birthday, but I still got you something. Go see my mom then, she'll show you." He instructed and Scarlett nodded before she left the small coffee shop.

Ashton had done it, and god was it hard. He knew he hurt her but it's what seemed right. He wasn't going to be there for the baby anyway, so why give her a false hope? It was true he loved her, and the baby, endlessly. This was breaking him just as much as it shattered Scarlett.

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Today was the day the boys were headed off to some other country to play shows and be the rockstars they were. Scarlett had planned on seeing Ashton off and maybe having an emotional goodbye, but due to the circumstances she thought it best to stay home.

Jess had gone to see Calum off, so Scarlett had the house to herself. To her, this meant cleaning- and lots of it. She loved Jessica to pieces but when it came to organization, she was horrible. Everything had a place in their apartment and Jess found it easier to leave things laying about.

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After a much needed tidy, the apartment was spotless, and so was Scarlett's heart. As she scrubbed and dusted, she had thought about her life. It was a pretty good one in her opinion, she was educated, had a job, and now she would be starting her own family. Even if it was a little family, that just made it all the more special.

It comforted her knowing Ashton loved the baby, she still despised his choice. Now she could show her little bundle of joy pictures of her dad and not have to say "he doesn't know you exist" but instead "he loves you very much" even if he wasn't around. Some people need more time to figure out what they need, and she knew that somehow Ashton would come back to her. Even if it took another fifty two weeks.

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it would be so cool if I got this story to fifty two parts bc fifty two weeks but I don't think it'll even make it to forty. I'll try though!! Love you guys, leave any questions in the comments below!!

((can you believe I'm almost at 400 reads?? That's crazy!!))