Finding my mum

18- fixing things with Chloe

Somehow I managed to time slipping out of my hiding spot, getting to the door and leaving before Chloe noticed that I'd been there the whole time. I think Ashley saw me but not Chloe. On my way home I'm pretty sure I saw Janette with a friend but I wasn't sure enough to say hi so I carried on going home and thought I'll ask her when I next see her. When I next see her I'll have to tell her about the wedding as well, not sure how she'll take it.

When I got home I started to think about something to eat. I quickly checked my phone and put it back on full volume. I took one look at the table and thought I'll tidy up before Chloe and Ashley get back otherwise Chloe will have a fit.

I'd tidied every mess I could find and was just finishing upstairs when I heard them get back. I was about to run down the stairs to say hi but didn't want to make it too obvious that I wanted to know so I waited until I heard Ashley call out before going downstairs. When I got downstairs Chloe said that they had something to tell me. I had to try and hide my excitement plus the fact that I already knew. She lifted up her left hand to show me the ring. I couldn't contain myself and ran up to both of them for a hug.

Chloe: "someone's happy then"
Me: "congratulations"
Chloe: "thank you, I can't believe it. I had absolutely no idea what Ashley was planning"

Ashley and I looked at each other with a smile on our faces. Chloe took her suitcase upstairs while I helped Ashley find something for dinner. I'd got distracted with my cleaning mission that I'd forgotten about putting some dinner on. When I was fully sure that Chloe wasn't going to hear my question I asked Ashley

Me: "is Chloe alright?"
Ashley: "I honestly don't know. You heard and saw the proposal didn't you?"
Me: "yep. She definitely wasn't herself. What are we going to do?"
Ashley: "see how she is over dinner and whether she says anything. If she does she might tell us but if she doesn't then one of us should talk to her"
Me: "I could try if you want."
Ashley: "yeah. Might be better if it's just the two of you."
Me: "where will you go?"
Ashley: "I need to pop to my friends so I'll go after dinner"
Me: "should I go and see if she's alright now?"
Ashley: "you could do"

On my way up the stairs I could hear Chloe crying which broke my heart. I carried on up the stairs and stopped outside her and Ashley's bedroom and knocked on the door.

Me: "Chloe it's Ava. Can I come in?"
Chloe: "is Ashley with you?"
Me: "no, he's downstairs, I'll go and get him if you want."
Chloe: "no thanks"
Me: "can I come in? I'm worried about you."
I could hear Chloe move away from the door so I could get in. I quickly shut the door behind me before sitting on the floor next to Chloe.

I opened my arms, Chloe moved over, rested her head on my shoulder and started crying again. I sat there stroking her hair allowing her to release all her tears. I told her that I was texting Ashley telling him not to come upstairs.

Once Chloe had calmed down I carried on stroking her hair until she was ready to talk. I didn't want to push her when I knew she'd talk when she was ready.

Me: "sorry"
Chloe looked at me confused.
Chloe: "what for?"
Me: "for upsetting you so much the other day that you felt that you had to leave."
Chloe: "that wasn't your fault. I thought that I ready to go back to the ward when I wasn't"
Me: "I don't get it. But we don't have to talk about it if you don't want to. I'm here if you do or don't want to talk about it"
Chloe: "it means a lot knowing that someone will listen. You've had a lot of changes lately and yet you're still putting others before yourself. Janette's lucky to have you"
Me: "I spoke to Janette about what we talked about the other day and she said she wouldn't stop me seeing you and Ashley. So you can't get rid of me that quickly"
Chloe: "good. It'd fully break my heart if I lost you completely"
Me: "I hate to break it to you but you can't get rid of me no matter where I live."
Chloe: "that's my girl! Do I smell something cooking?"
Me: "yeah, I started helping Ashley before I came to check on you"
Chloe: "lets go, I'm starving"

Chloe and I went down just as Ashley was dishing up. He could see that we were both happier so didn't ask what was up. After we'd all finished, we tidied up and Ashley said he'd wash up so Chloe and I went into the lounge to curl up on the sofa to watch tv. There wasn't anything interesting on so I told Chloe to pick a film and that I'd be back in a minute. When I came back downstairs I chucked the fluffy blanket over us to allow us not to get to cold if we fell asleep. Which we did.