*Pt. 24*

Ashley's Dad had been home for one nite when she & Jeff approached her Parents- Tom was there like he promised he would be, Ashley & Jeff had taken the nite off so they could get her Parents together, on her Moms nite off-

So they sat in the livingroom, her Dad & Tom drinking beer- Tom sat next to Ashley, Jeff was on her other side- Her Dad asked,
"Ok, kids, what's on your Minds ?" Tom glanced at Ashley, she held Jeffs hand & said,
"Daddy, We wanna get married." he stared at her, then looked at Jeff,
"How do you plan on taking care of my daughter ?" Jeff cleared his throat, tightening his hold on Ashleys hand,
"I'm driving the towtruck at the garage, I got a raise and my Dad says We can live there for now." Ashley glanced at Tom, he winked at her, she had such butterflies in her stomach, Jeff continued, "I'd like to ask You for Your approval- That you're happy for Us." her Dad stayed quiet, "I love your daughter Sir. I've loved her for years." Ashley smiled, looking at Jeff- now her Dad said,
"You feel the same for him Angel ?" (his nickname for her) she looked at him,
"Yes Daddy, I love Jeff very much."
"I can see that You two have alot of feelings for eachother. But I don't feel I'm getting the full story-" her heart was racing,
"I might be having a baby-" Jeff cut in,
"WE might be. But even if we aren't, we still want to get married." her Mom asked,
"Why didn't you come to me ? We could have gotten you tested." AShley shrugged,
"We wanted to wait and tell You & Daddy together." her Moms eyes teared up,
"Daddy & I were 18 when we married-" she looked at him, "And Tommy was born a year later-" her Dad said,
"My Dad built Us a house- It's a Fathers responsibility to make sure his kids will be taken care of, or be able to support his family and provide." he looked at her Mom, "Your Mother and I need to talk. You two won't have to live with Jeffs Dad." Ashley smiled,
"You aren't mad then ?"
"Ashley Angel, all I want for my baby is that she's happy. If this is what makes you happy, then I'm behind you both." she got up & went over & hugged him,
"Thank You Daddy. I love you>" he smiled,
"I love you Angel-" then she hugged her Mom, who whispered,
"My baby girl is all grown up-" Jeff & her Dad shook hands, her Dad saying,
"Don't ever hurt her-" Jeff shook his head,
"I wouldn't Sir>"

Ashley & Jeff were out by Jeffs car, Tom walked up, saying,
"That went well." Jeff said,
"I was so fuckin' nervous !" Ashley asked,
"Are you gonna go to the Mill ? Everyone's gonna bethere Tom-" he shrugged,
"Yeah, maybe-" she hugged him,
"Thanks for being here Tom-" he smiled,
"I didn't do anything-" Jeff said,
"But it was cool of you to be here-" Tom nodded,
"No problem- Maybe I'll see you guys at the Mill later-" Ashley asked,
"Where ya goin' Tommy ?" he shrugged,
"Just drivin' around-" he got into his truck, Jeff & Ashley got into his car- his GTO had bucket seats, she sat between them, the shifter between her legs-

Jada showed up at the Mill after she got off work- Ashley & Jeff had been there awhile, Chris, Jimmy, Brandy, Jaime Sue, Danny & Jesse were already there-
Jeff & Ashley filled them in on what happened with her Parents-

Ashley was getting sick every nite, but always felt better after she threw up-

Jesse was at the Mill with Katey, Ashley went over to the keg where Jesse was talking to Rowdy, she touched Jesse's arm,
"Can I talk to you for a sec ?" he told Rowdy he'd be right back & walked away with her,
"What's on your mind darlin' ?"
"Do you know where Tom's been spending his time ? He's hardly ever around anymore-" he looked at her,
"I have an idea, but ain't tellin' no-one anything-" she stared at him,
"Jesse, is he seeing 'her' again ?" he shrugged,
"I told you I don't know. I'm not the boys keeper-"
"Are you pissed at me ?"
"No darlin', I'm happy for you, as long as you're doin' what makes you happy- But don't ask me to rat on big brother, ok ?" she nodded,
"You 'will' be at the wedding, won't you ?"
"I'm kinda the best Man, can't miss that, can I ?" she was surprised,
"You are ? Jeff didn't tell me-"
"Yeah, well, we had a talk and everything's cool, I'll be there-" she smiled,
"I'm glad Jesse-"

Tom had met up with MarshaLynn at their motel one town over-
Kenny showed up at the Mill- Jada & Jeff were talking with him when Jesse & Ashley walked up- Katey was quick to take hold of Jesse's arm- Ashley smiled to herself, taking Jeffs hand, smiling at Kenny,
"Hi Kenny, haven't seen you at one of these parties in a LONG time !" he smiled,
"Hey Ashley. I was just looking for MArshaLynn. She said she'd be hangin' out with her friends but didn't say where." Ashley nodded, then he asked the dreaded question, "Where's your brother ?" Jeff squeezed her hand, she said,
"Last I saw he was at home. Said he might show up here tonite-" that was no lie, he nodded, then said,
"Jada, come with me to the keg-" she followed him, giving the others this smile & mouthing, 'God DAMN !'...he got some beer & they walked down by the stream, he said,
"So where do you think your boyfriend is ?" she chuckled,
"He's not my boyfriend, We just go out sometimes. And you know what I think, so why ask ? Do you actually wanna hear it said out loud ?" he shrugged,
"You don't know for sure ?" she shook her head,
"Nope. But it's like before, all the same signs-" she looked at him, "Why do you let her get away with that ? You deserve better- You're a good Guy Kenny-"
"Hell, we've been together since jr. high-"
"And she's been doin' this to you since I can remember."
"If it weren't Ashleys brother, I'd kick Toms ass-"
"MMM- now that'd be a fight to see. He's bigger than you, but you get crazy when you fight. Besides, She's the one who needs an ass kicking !" she looked at him, "Sorry, that's my opinion-" he shrugged,
"Yeah. What am I gonna do ? Hit a fuckin' Woman ? I've come close, but not THAT close !" she smiled,
"Why do you stay with her Kenny ?" he sighed,
"Like I said, we've been together a long time-" Jada shook her head,

"But she treats you like shit." he shrugged again, on impulse, she leaned in, kissing him- they stared at eachother a second, then he put his hand behind her neck, pulling her closer, really kissing her- she was into it, sll their flirting had led up to this moment- her body was up against his, both of them were turned on-

*CONTINUED*

*Pt. 25*

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