A Broken Soul

Chapter Twenty Seven

It broke my heart to see the hurt on Ashton's face as he came back downstairs. I knew that he couldn't bear the thought that he had harmed her. He loved her to pieces, there was a special bond between them.

"I think I'll let you deal with disciplining her for a while." he said quietly.

"If that's what you want." I said.

"I just don't want to lose my temper with her again." he told me.

I nodded at him.

I awoke with a start in the middle of the night. I shivered and pulled the covers over myself. I turned over, so that I could snuggle up in Ashton's arms. I frowned when I realised that he wasn't beside me.

I quickly climbed out of bed and wandered downstairs looking for him. I frowned as I saw that he was asleep on the sofa.

"What's going on?" I asked as I padded over to him.

"I thought I'd sleep down here tonight." he answered.

"Why?" I asked as I perched on the edge of the sofa.

He sighed.

"Ashton." I pressed him.

"I don't want to hurt you, so I need to stay away from you." he stated.

"Don't be daft, it was a one off." I told him.

"And besides you are going to the doctors tomorrow." I added.

He didn't respond. I sat watching him for a while.

"You should go back to bed." he said eventually.

"What about you?" I asked.

"I'm staying here." he whispered.

"Then so am I." I told him stubbornly.

Morning eventually arrived and I woke up on the sofa. Ashton was nowhere to be seen, I could hear him moving around in the kitchen. I sighed and quickly made my way upstairs to get dressed.

I turned around as Ashton entered the room.

"I'd better head to the doctor, do you want to wait here with Evie?" he asked quietly.

"If that's what you want." I answered.

"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" I added.

"I'll be fine, you stay and look after Evie." he replied quietly.

I could tell from his tone that he was worried about what they might say.

"It'll be fine." I reassured him.

"I know it will, I'll see you later." he grinned at me before turning and leaving.

I spent the day trying to keep busy, I was so worried about what Ashton would say when he came back. It had to be good news, we had been through enough.

"Where's Daddy?" Evie asked as she wandered into the room.

"He's just popped out to see Luke." I lied quickly.

She smiled and began to play with her toys.

I looked up as Ashton walked in. I quickly took his hand and led him out of the room, out of Evie's earshot.

"What did they say?" I asked nervously.

"They did some tests and everything is fine." he smiled.

"Oh thank god." I said as I quickly pulled him into my arms.