Lost & Found

Chapter 18

Ashton, Liam, and Sierra spent the whole evening with Elise. They missed her presence in the house and wished she'd come back, but with the new baby, there wouldn't be any room.

Even thought it'd been a while, Ashton remembered what Sierra said about New Years. She wanted to try for a baby, but he wasn't sure if she was still on that track. In his mind, trying wasn't going to hurt anyone.

He'd asked Lindsay and Savana for all the unscented candles they had which, shockingly, wasn't very much. They'd always had a nice smelling candle in the house burning in at least two different rooms, so he figured they might have unscented ones just for decoration. He ended up having to buy a few to compensate for what the two girls didn't have.

He set them up in his and Sierra's bedroom, precisely around the bed in a romantic way. He bought roses and petals to make this night really special, regardless of whether they were able to make a baby or not. He just wanted their first attempt to be special.

Once he felt like everything was set up, he walked out into the living room, where Sierra sat with Liam and Lindsay, feeding Elise some dinner. She was smacking food all around her high chair, and squealing with delight.

"Um, Sierra?" He spoke nervously from the hallway, "Can I see you in the room for a bit?" He pointed with an innocent smile.

She looked at him, smiling back, "Yeah." She handed the rest of Elise's food to Liam, who immediately took over. "Is everything okay?"

Ashton took her hands in his, "Do you remember what you texted me just before New Years?"

"Um, maybe? Why?" She looked at him, nervous.

"I was just thinking we could start trying tonight, a-and I wanted to make it special," He opened the door to their room and put his hand on her lower back, nudging her in, "So I did my best."

Sierra was overwhelmed. She put her hand to her mouth, too late to cover her gasp, "Ash, I-"

"Before you say anything, I promise you I can be a good dad. I've been watching over Luke and Michael for a while now and I think I can gauge my ability on that, and I-I want it to be with you and you alone. If that's alright with you and if you think we're ready, then I am too." He looked at her, hoping for a positive response.

Sierra laughed, "I guess those boys are a handful, aren't they? I would hope my kid is better behaved." Her eyes sparkled, and she stepped forward to wrap her arms around Ashton's neck. Tentatively, like it was their first time all over again, her lips brushed his.

His hands came to rest on her waist and his fingers began tracing the skin above her jeans. He smiled into the kiss as he noted the goosebumps that rose along her skin at his feather-like touch.

When his hands had finally worked their way around to the button on the front of her jeans, Sierra pulled away.

"Ash, I'm-" She paused, looking away, "m-maybe not scared, but worried...Babies are so...breakable, I guess. And I'm- well, not exactly gentle all the time."

Ashton brought his hands up and cupped her face, forcing her to look at him, "It's going to be alright, I promise."

"But, they-they're bones aren't even formed yet. All it takes is forgetting to hold its head and-" She stopped, unwilling to finish the sentence.

Ashton wrapped his arms around her, and pulled her into him, "I understand. You want a baby, but you're not sure of your own ability to take care of one."

She buried her face in his chest for an answer, it was all he needed. "Remember, you're not going at this alone, though. You know the, ah, the age gap between me and my brother and sister. I had to help take care of them when they were little. I'll teach you everything I know."

Sierra looked up at him, a half smile playing on her face, "The boys told me what you were like as a teen- you couldn't have been that much help."

He scoffed and pulled away, "I was too!"

She laughed out loud, "Then I'll be counting on you to be the one to take care of the screaming child at 2Am, right?"

Ashton smiled, "Absolutely, I'll get up, and bring the baby right to you, so you can enjoy the the screams as well."

"You wouldn't dare!"

He caught her by the waist as she turned away in a huff, and let his lips kiss her neck, just under her ear, he pulled her into him and whispered, "Why don't we find out?"

Sierra melted into his arms and the two of them lost themselves to that primal passion that only comes from a blissful acceptance of each other, their flaws, and their strengths.

Afterward, Sierra curled in to Ashton's side, her eyes closed and murmured into his skin. Sweet nothings, every word. But each kept his heart full to bursting and his head bent close to catch her every whisper.

The candles had burned low, and moonlight filtered in through the window. It played upon their skin, outlining every little curve.

The scene was broken by quick little feet pounding up the stairs, followed by a few firm knocks at the door. "Sierraaaa," called Elise, "Liam won't let me watch Missi'n Impossible."

"Elise, don't disturb Sierra and Ashton." Liam called up the stairs.

"Why not?" The door handle rattled. Sierra sat up and looked at Ashton in fear.

"You did lock the door, right?"

"Oh shit." Ashton hissed under his breath.