Whiskey Lullaby

Chapter 16-Ashton

Chapter 16

Ashton

Waking up the next morning, I am on my side and Izzy is snuggled against my back, her arm around my middle. I move my hand to hers and lace my fingers with hers. Feeling her place soft kisses to my back, I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. I turn to face her and take her into my arms, and she snuggles into my chest. “I could get used to this.” She whispers. “We have the rest of our lives to wake up like this.” I whisper back. We lay a little longer and we hear a knock on the bedroom door. “Breakfast is almost ready.” Nick says. She looks at me confused and I say, “I texted Nick last night to be here this morning so we can do a little shopping.”

After eating, Nick is at the car waiting for us and hands me an envelope. As we get into the backseat, I hand her the envelope. “What’s this?” she asks. “Open it.” I tell her and she opens the envelope and sees a black credit card. “Ashton, no.” she tells me and tries to hand the envelope back, but I don’t take it from her. “Yes. There’s no credit limit. I want you to get anything you want.” I tell her. “I can’t take this.” She tells me. “You’re going to be my wife so yes you can.” I tell her softly. “You really mean that.” She says rather than asks. “I do. And one day I will say those two words in front of a preacher and spend the rest of my life honoring those words.” I tell her and she leans forward and kisses me softly. “Thank you.” She whispers and I kiss her again.

We get to the furniture store and are looking at chairs. “Are you wanting to get chairs or loveseats?” I ask her. “I’m not sure. I mean, if we got loveseats we could snuggle while we read or stretch out.” She says. “I like the loveseats. What colors are you thinking?” I ask her. “I like the dark color of the walls. Maybe black or deep brown. But not leather. Something soft.” She says and we continue to look around. “Isabelle?” we hear someone say and she freezes. “Anna.” Izzy says defeated. I look at Izzy and she’s starting to withdraw a little.

I put my hand on the small of her back to show I’m here and she looks up at this Anna person. “How are you doing?” she asks Izzy. “I’m fine.” She says. “I was sorry to hear about your son. I don’t care what happened between us in school, you didn’t deserve that. Is there anything you need?” she asks Izzy. “That’s nice of you to say but I’m okay.” Izzy says. “Are you going to introduce us Isabelle?” Anna asks. Izzy sighs and says “Ashton, this is Anna. Anna, Ashton.” She introduces us. “And how do you know Isabelle?” Anna asks. “I’m her boyfriend.” I answer her and Izzy looks up at me and smiles softly. Anna looks at Izzy and says “Well, good for you. I’m glad you’re doing okay but let me know if you need anything. Seriously. And I hope one day you can forgive me.” Anna says. Izzy looks at her for a minute and asks, “Are you still with him?” Anna nods her head yes and says, “Married three years ago and have a ten-month-old daughter.” Izzy smiles softly and asks “Are you happy? He happy?” Anna nods her head yes and Izzy says, “Then there’s nothing to forgive.” Anna looks relieved and they hug.

After they say goodbye, I ask “What was she asking forgiveness for?” Izzy doesn’t look at me but says “We were best friends growing up and she started seeing one of the popular guys in school and we sort of drifted apart. She never did anything to hurt me, but I guess she feels like she let me down or something.” She tells me. “Are you wanting to rekindle that friendship?” I ask her. “I don’t know. Maybe?” she says, unsure. “You know if you wanted to, I’d support it.” I tell her. “I know.” She says before kissing me softly.

We go through and start getting loveseats picked out and she looks at some throw blankets and pillows to go with them that will match the library. After doing a little shopping, we stop at one of the little cafés to get something for lunch. While we’re eating, I ask “I was thinking about what you said last night about helping with the women and children that come to me for help. What if you did quit working at our company?” I ask her. “I still have bills.” She tells me. “I know. But you said you were interested in getting into therapy and wanted to help. There are women out there that can’t go to the police and don’t have the means to reach out. What if we started something like, not necessarily a shelter but a program to help find families that need our help instead of waiting on them to come to us?” I ask. “What would I do about my bills though? Are you going to pay me?” she asks. “I know you said you’re not ready to move in but we’re together every night and that’s not changing any time soon.” I tell her. “You want me to go ahead and move in?” she asks. “I would like that but it’s completely up to you.” I tell her. She looks down at her plate and takes a deep breath. Looking back up at me, with more confidence, she says “We can do that. But maybe we can put Jason’s things in storage instead of setting up his room. I’d like to make that room my office if that’s okay?” she asks. “That’s perfect baby.” I tell her. “I just figure if I’m going to get into therapy that one of the first things I need to do to move forward is to take his things down.” She tells me. “That doesn’t mean you can’t put his pictures up and have his bear nearby.” I tell her. “I know.” She says.

After eating, we head back to our house and are sitting on the patio with our evening coffee. “When are you wanting to start getting moved?” I ask. “I figure we can start moving some things this week and then the rest of my things this weekend but what are we going to do with the furniture?” she asks. “What do you want to do with it?” I ask. “What if we left the furniture there and used it as a safe house or something?” she asks. “That would be a good idea. It would be somewhere that these families can stay while we’re figuring out the next steps.” I tell her. “Then I just need to move my clothes and mine and Jason’s personal stuff.” She tells me. “What do you want to do with Jason’s furniture?” I ask. “Maybe store it in one of the other rooms? You said we would have more kids right?” she asks, looking up at me. “That I did. And we will.” I tell her before kissing her lips softly and we start making plans for getting her moved into our home.