Waterline

Secretive Revelation

"We are going to Eddie's shop," Allen told Penelope and Mae.
"Alright, don't get lost," Penelope teased Allen.
"How am I going to get lost? I've been at the boardwalk many times," Allem countered.
"Sure, Nelson keep him on a leash," Penelope informed Nelson.
"He won't leave my sight," Nelson smiled as he followed along with the joke.
"Everyone is mean to me," Allen groaned.
"It's fun," Penelope stuck her tongue out. Allen sighed as he left the room. Nelson followed behind him as they left the house.

Allen got in his car with Nelson in the passengers seat. Nelson held the notebook in his lap. There should be enough information on it for Eddie to complete. The colors and size were identified. Allen drew a frontal, back, and profile of the outfit. He wanted the dress to be similar to how he pictured it. There might be some drawbacks but Allen wished it wasn't anything major. Nelson studied the sketch, the way it looks mostly resembles the ocean waves and the depths of the ocean. It had a underwater vibe to it.

"I'm going to check on Ashley," Penelope told Mae. Ashley has been in the bathroom for awhile now. Something could be wrong with her, Penelope was starting to worry. "Okay," Mae said as she sat down in a rolling chair. Penelope got up then walked out of the work room. She looked down the hallway and could already see the door to the bathroom. It was closed with the lights still on, Ashley Must still be in there.

Penelope lightly knocked on the bathroom door. There was no answer. "Ashley, are you okay?" She asked. Still, no answer. The worse thought came to Penelope. She quickly opened the door to the bathroom. To her relief it wasn't locked. Penelope was so worried for her dear friend.

Ashley was leaned against the bathtub. She looked back who opened the door. Penelope could clearly see her face. Ashley's eyes were red and her cheeks were puffy. "Oh, Ashley," Penelope frowned. Ashley looked so miserable, what could've happened to her. Penelope walked towards Ashley and brought a hand to her back. "Are you hurt?" She asked her.

"N...no, something bad happened to me," Ashley told her.
"Let's go settle down in the kitchen. You can talk to Mae and I, we'll help you through anything," Penelope assures her sad friend. Ashley didn't say anything as she nod. Penelope helped Ashley to her feet then led her out of the bathroom.

The three girl sat together at the dining table. Penelope got Ashley a water in hopes it would make her feel better. "Do you want to talk about what's happening?" Penelope asked Ashley. She hopes that wasn't too pushy, Penelope wanted to make Ashley feel comfortable. Ashley shouldn't feel forced when telling what has been hurting her.
"Alright, you have to promise not to tell anyone, especially Toby," Ashley told them.

Mae and Penelope gave each other a quick glance before nodding. "You have our word, we won't say a thing about it," Penelope assures her. Mae nod in agreement. Ashley gave a quick sigh, she couldn't believe she was going to tell them this. "It was about four or five days ago before I found out I was pregnant. I don't know how long it's been going on," Ashley told them. Her eyes were fixed on the cup that rested on her hands.
"Oh my, who's child is it?" Penelope asked.
"Conor Brown," Ashley said, sarcastically. "Toby, obviously. Who else would it be?"
"Oh, right," Penelope said.
Ashley rubbed the side of her head. Part of her was relieved that she finally got it off her system.

"Why can't Toby know?" Mae asked out of curiosity.
"I don't want to stress him out anymore. He's been working so hard at his second job to keep us going. If he knows that there is another person joining us, then he'll start overworking himself," Ashley explained to them.
"I think he should have to know sooner or later but it would be better sooner," Penelope told Ashley.
"I just don't want to make Toby's life worse then it already is," Ashley explains.
"His life isn't worse. Toby is clearly happy. He has everything he could wish for. Toby is doing what he loves with his new and amazing friends. Then gets to be with an amazing and loving woman. Toby loves being with you, you make his life better," Penelope tried to persuade Ashley about how lucky Toby is.

"You're guilting me to tell him. I'll think about it," Ashley stood up. She was finally able to pull herself together. Penelope got up from her chair along with Mae. "Everything will be fine, trust me," Penelope told Ashley. She then gave her a hug. Ashley mostly stood there in shock but slowly hugged back. Penelope smiled before pulling Mae into the hug. Mae stumbles forward before joining the hug.

"Wait, so your sweet and young Mae is being sacrificed!?" Eddie asks them. Berwald was sitting in a seat beside of him and also thought that she shouldn't be sacrificed. "Yeah, she volunteered to save all of us here," Nelson told them.
"I hope Conor isn't too upset about it," Berwald said. He knew that Conor truly loved Mae. She was someone that he can trust and feel safe around. What would Conor do after she is gone?

"Will you help out cause and help us create this dress?" Allen asked Eddie.
"I will but it's going to take some time," Eddie studies the sketch. It was a complex dress to make. He wasn't sure if he could get it done in time. Eddie would have to stay up late working on it but he wasn't sure that would give him enough time.
"I could help you with it," Berwald spoke up. Eddie smiled as he pat Berwald on the shoulder.
"Thanks but this is a lot of work and I'm not sure that will be enough to get it finished," Eddie admits. After seeing all of those layers of ruffles, it will take time to put together.

"Nelson, Penelope, Ashley, and I could also help you out with it," Allen told him. Eddie gave it some thought on how it could work out for them. Maybe they can each work on putting some of the ruffles together. Then Eddie wouldn't have to focus too much on the skirt. That would give him a chance to work on the top and the waistline. Someone could even learn how to create the sleeves. It would shorten the workload for Eddie, then time would be spared.

"That could actually work," Eddie told them. Allen and Nelson looked at each other and smiled. The project was now looking up for them. As long as the boat so working out alright then the project could be a success. They were happy everything is coming together even if it would lead to Mae's demise.