Whiskey Lullaby

Chapter 12-Ashton

Chapter 12

Ashton

The car pulls up in front of my house and Izzy raises her head from my shoulder. Nick opens the door, and I step out. Helping Izzy out of the car, I lead her towards the front door and Nick pulls the car away, knowing I will call him if I need him. We walk inside and my housekeeper, Nancy, walks up. “Good afternoon Ashton.” She says. “Hello Nancy.” I say, kissing her cheek. She’s more family than anything. “Nancy, this is my girlfriend, Izzy. Izzy, this is Nancy.” I say and she says, “I’m his housekeeper.” She clarifies. “You know you’re more than that.” I tell her and she smiles softly at him. “I’m preparing lunch. Anything you prefer?” she asks. I look at Izzy and she nods that she trusts me. “What about your Philly Cheese sandwiches?” I ask. “Two coming right up.” She says before walking away. “She seems nice.” Izzy says as I lead her to the patio overlooking the gardens. I help her sit and as I’m taking my seat, I say “She practically raised me. I lost my mother when I was three and dad wasn’t around much. When he got sick, I took over the business. Since dad was gone all the time, Nancy made sure I had everything I needed. She’s more like a mother to me than anything.” I tell her. “It was just me and my mom growing up. Dad left when she found out she was pregnant with me, and she raised me until she died in a car accident when I was twenty-one.” She tells me. “So, it’s just you?” I ask. “Yeah. It was just me until I met Mark and then the minute he found out about Jason he left. Looks like me and mom had a type.” She says with a scoff. “I’m your type. He was just a steppingstone to get to me.” I tell her. She looks at me and I take her hand and pull her over to my lap. Kissing her softly, she whispers “Thank you.”

Nancy makes herself known as she brings our lunch out. Izzy moves back to her seat and Nancy places our plates in front of us. “These look amazing Nancy.” Izzy says. “Thank you sweetheart. Will you be staying tonight?” she asks. I look at Izzy and she looks at me, unsure of her answer. “We’re staying at her place tonight.” I answer and see the relief in Izzy’s eyes. “I’ll prepare something for you two to take for dinner, so you don’t have to cook.” Nancy says. “You don’t have to do that.” Izzy says. “Nonsense sweetheart. It’s no trouble.” Nancy says as she pats Izzy’s shoulder before walking inside. Izzy looks down at her hands and I ask, “What is it baby?” She looks up at me and says, “I don’t know how to do this Ashton.” I look at her confused and ask, “Do what baby?” She looks back down at her hands and says “A relationship. I’ve only ever been in one relationship, and you saw how that turned out. What happens if we’re in this relationship and I get pregnant? I mean, I couldn’t keep Jason safe. I mean, would you even want kids? I know you and Karen didn’t…” she goes on and I stop her by taking her hand.

“Me and Karen didn’t have kids because we married young, and she got sick before we could but she wanted to wait a while longer before we had kids. And it’s not if we’re in this relationship, we are in this relationship. As far as kids, I want a house full, and we will have them when you’re ready. I meant what I said when I told you I wanted to spend my life with you. That means I give you my last name, I would love for you to move in here with me when you’re ready.” I tell her. She goes to say something and I say, “We will set up Jaso’s room the same way you have it at your house if that’s wht you want.” I tell her. I tell her. She looks down at our hands and says, “We’ll get there.” Before smiling softly. “We will. Now eat.” I tell her.

After we eat, I start showing her around. “This is my office; you are welcome in here anytime.” I tell her and she nods. “This is the library. If there are any books you don’t find but want, let me know and we’ll get them.” I tell her and point to an area to the side that’s clear. “I was thinking of setting up a couple of couches over there and a bar for us to spend some evenings there, reading.” I tell her. “That sounds good.” She tells me. “When you’re ready, we can go together to pick everything out.” I tell her. “Ashton…” she starts but I stop her. “This is your house too. Even if you’re not living here yet, this is your home.” I tell her and she nods. We leave the library, and I show her my room. “This is our room. You can redecorate any way you want.” I tell her. “I like it like this. Looks comfortable.” She tells me.

I take her to one more door and when I open it, I say “We can move Jason’s things into this room.” I tell her. She walks into the room, and I wait at the door. She walks around to the windowsill and sees the gardens before turning to me and saying, “Jason would love this room.” I hold out my hand and she walks closer and takes it, allowing me to pull her close. I wrap my arms around her, and she wraps her arms around me. “Are you sure this is what you want?” she asks. “More sure than anything else.” I tell her before tilting her face up to kiss her softly. “There are four other rooms we can fill, and Jason still have his own room.” I tell her and she says “Someday.” And I nod my understanding.