*Pt. 26*

As it turned out, Ashley had a cyst on her ovary. She had to spend a nite in the hospital in Atlanta for the surgury- She wouldn't let Jeff take any work off to go with her- Her Mom stayed at a motel that nite, staying at the hospital until she was out of surgury-
Tom helped get her up to her room when they got home the next day- Jeff showed up that nite after work- Ashley was on some heavy pain killers, but she had been crying alot & he could tell when he saw her-
"Ash...baby, do you need something ?" she shook her head no, he went over & kissed her & kneeled by the bed, "What'd they say ?" she swallowed back some more tears,
"The cyst was no big deal, it wasn't cancer or anything, but they had to take my ovary-" he wasn't sure what she was upset about,
"Yeah ? But you're ok, right ?" she nodded,
"Sure, once all this pain goes away. And I'm bleeding like all hell ! They said that could last a month-"
"A month ?! Holy shit !" she was laying on her side with a pillow between her legs, her fist under her head, she looked at him, he pushed her hair back, "I wish you woulda let me be there-"
"You didn't to miss work for that- We just spent so much on all that paint- Thank God Daddy has insurance-" he held her hand,
"I love you Ash-" she blinked some tears, "I love you too-" she swallowed, "What if I can't have kids Jeff ?" he frowned,
"Why wouldn't you ? What'd the Dr. say ?"
"That my left ovary is fine, and there shouldn't be any problem-"
"Then what're you worryin' about ?" she was having a hard time not crying, "Babe-"
"Jeff, I'll understand if you don't want to marry me-"
"What ?!"
"I wouldn't blaim you-" he raised an eyebrow,
"Shut the fuck up ! If we NEVER have kids, You're gonna be My Wife ! I love YOU and that's what's important to me !" she stared at him,
"Are you sure Jeff ?"
"I wouldn't have asked you to marry me if I didn't mean it."
"Yes you would, if I had been pregnant, you would marry me to do the right thing." he nodded,
"That's true. But you already know how much I love you, so stop with this crap already." she smiled, wiping away the tears,
"I sure got lucky-" he smiled, her Mom came in,
"Daddy just called and sends his love."
"Thanks Mom." she smiled & left the room, Jeff said,
"I don't wanna leave you, but you're supposed to get your sleep-"
"Lay next to me-"
"Your Mom..."
"It's ok, just lay next to me & hold me until I fall asleep, please." he moved & went around the bed, laying next to her on his side, spooning with her, she took his hand & rested it on her tummy, locking her fingers in his-

Jada & Jesse came by on they're way out to the Pond, Tom told them what he knew, his Mom told her they could see her for a few minutes, Ashley needed her rest-

"The 3 of them went up to Ashleys room, Jada whispered to Jeff,
"Is she sleeping ?" Ashley turned & looked at them, sayiong,
"Hi guys-" Jesse said,
"How ya feelin' darlin' ?"
"It hurts like hell !" Jeff said,
"I'm gonna have a quick smoke while they're here, Ok ?" she nodded, he kissed her head & got off the bed, Tom went with him, Jada asked,
"What all did they say ?" Ashley filled them in, Jada squeezed her hand,
"I'm glad you're alright, Everything will be fine-" she hugged her & went outside with Jeff & Tom- Jesse looked at her,
"Are you really doin' ok darlin' ?" she nodded,
"Yeah-" he squatted down next to the bed,
"You sure ?" she shrugged,
"I'm scared Jesse-"
"Scared of what darlin' ?"
"That I might not be able to have kids-" he held onto her hand, caressing her fingers,
"Darlin', they said it wouldn't be a problem, and even if you couldn't, Jeff wouldn't feel any different about you...You shoulda seen him last nite..he got so fucked up, We all wanted to be there with you, but he was fuckin' trippin' !" she smiled,
"Thanks Jesse-" he nodded, "I'm glad you guys came by-" he cleared his throat,
"Well, I better get goin' or yer Ma's gonna tan my hide-" he kissed her fingers, "And you stop worryin', you got a good Man, he's with you whatever happens-" she smiled again,
"You're too much Jess-"
He left the room, Jeff came back in a few seconds later- Ashley slowly turned towards him, cuddling up to his back, putting her arm around him, he held it against his chest- he had planned on leaving once she fell asleep, but he fell asleep too-

Her Mom came by the room to see if she needed anything, saw them both asleep & smiled- Tom was getting ready to leave, he said,
"Are you lettin' him stay ?" she smiled, whispering,
"I think they need eachother right now-" she closed the door but didn't latch it, he followed her downstairs,
"I can't believe I heard you right-" she touched his face, smiling,
"I was 18 and in love once upon a time. That's why we have you and Ashley." he stared at her, surprised, but said simply,
"Wow." he was surprised, but if he thought about it, his Mom was 17 when she gave birth to him, married at 16 to their Dad & still in love- he gave his Mom a kiss & left-

Ashley woke some hours later, hurting- She took her medicine, then realized Jeff was still there, asleep, in her room, in her parents house- he was on his back, she pressed up against his side, he moved his arm in his sleep, so she could rest her head on his shoulder-

In a week, she was back at work- She didn't bleed forever, only a week & a half-

Rowdy was working in the junkyard more, Jeff was driving the tow-truck more & more-

The Wedding was pushed back to Sept. 1st so Ashley could be 100%-

Everyone was busy with work and getting ready for the Wdding- Brandy & Jaime Sue had to go back to New Orleans on the 2nd when Danny went home-

*CONTINUED*

*Pt. 27*

*HOME*