Hunter’s POV:
I sighed heavily, running a finger through my hair.
“We understand your mother and I were different people,” I started, sighing again. “And we are happy for you both, but we’re also disappointed. It’s difficumt raising a child, much less when you’re in college. How are you going to raise your child and balance your education? Are you going to leave it at daycare all the time you’re busy, or quit college?”
Lucas opened his mouth to answer, but I silenced him with a look.
“I’m disappointed in you, Lucas, but I suppose you expected that already. I’m not going to sugarcoat my words like your mother did. I’m not going to tell you that you did a good job, because you didn’t. I hope you make up for it by raising your child right.”
Ashley’s POV:
I let out a shaky sigh at Hunter’s words and leaned into Lucas’s side, needing some comfort from the fear that suddenly swnt ice through my veins. He was right. Of course he was. He’d gone through having children, and we hadn’t. We had no idea how to raise a child, and we had no idea the amount of work it took to do so.
My stomach flipped as I looked at my parents, who seemed to be in the same boat as the McArthurs. They were disappointed. They were all disappointed in us. Because we screwed up. And royally so…
I quietly excused myself and hurried to the bathroom down the hall, gently closing he soo behind myself. Sitting down near the toilet, I pulled my hair back and out of my face before my stomach could release its contents.
This was worse than having them be mad at us. I hated to disappoint people, which my parents knew very well. And yet here I was, pregnant with my fiancé’s child because we screwed up…
Leo’s POV:
Lucas immediately stood up to follow Ashley, but I shook my head, choosing to go instead. Hunter was right, of course. I wasn’t going to deny that. I needed to talk to my daughter.
I knocked on the bathroom door, letting myself in slowly, sighing softly at my daughter near the toilet bowl. I walked up to her, held her hair back and rubbed her back softly.
“Sweetheart, it’s all right,” I whispered, pulling her towards me. “We’re disappointed, that much I can’t argue, but we’re not angry. It’s true that you could have been more careful, but it’s all right. People make mistakes. Things happen.” I gently cupped her cheeks, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “What matters now is that you take care of yourself and the baby you’re carrying. Things are going to be terribly rough, but I want you to remain strong, okay? And remember your mother and I will always support you. Kenzie and Hunter… are a bit shocked, that’s all, but they love you both dearly and that’s why they’re like this.”
(Aw, Leo~! 😭)
Ashley’s POV:
As soon as my dad walked into the bathroom, I broke. He spoke gently, kissed my forehead with the tender care he always used around me, and I just broke.
I clung to him, burying my face in his chest as I sobbed. “We messed up, daddy… Luca and I messed so bad,” I managed to choke out through my tears. “We’re unmarried and expecting and still in college, and now this baby is going to have such a hard life before I messed up. I messed up so bad…”
Leo’s POV:
I hugged her tightly, running my fingers through her hair gently.
“No, this baby is not going to have a hard life, I promise,” I said to her softly, my heart breaking at seeing my baby daughter cry like this. “You know we’re not going to let you do this alone. You’ve got me and your mother, and Hunter and Kenzie, and most importantly, you’ve got Lucas who loves you so much. You’re never going to be alone. Yes, I agree that this should have happened after you got married, but it’s all right. It’s going to be all right, my princess. I’m here for you always. So is your mother.”
(sobs)
Ashley’s POV:
He was right. My dad was always right… I was never alone in this. I had so many people to help me through it.
“Thank you, daddy… I’m glad you’re not mad, and I’m sorry I messed up to badly,” I whispered after I had calmed down a little. “And Lucas and I have another surprise for everyone, too…”
Leo’s POV:
I pressed a kiss to her forehead again, hugging her tightly, letting her know that there would never be a day that I wouldn’t love her.
“I’d never be mad at you,” I said to her. “Never. You’re my baby girl. Oh, really? I can’t wait for that surprise!”
Ashley’s POV:
I chuckled softly. We’d see about that. He’d officially be letting his “baby girl” go after this surprise…
“I think I’m okay, now. Thanks, again, daddy,” I said softly, pulling away a bit. “We should go back out.”
Lucas's POV:
After Ashley and Uncle Leo left the room, I refused to meet my father's eyes. Who was I kidding? Of course, they would have been disappointed. Especially mom.
I picked myself off of the floor, ignoring the way Eden looked me worriedly and turned around towards my room. I was such an idiot.
Ashley's POV:
I was smiling again when my dad and I walked back out. He tended to have that effect on me, much like Lucas… Speaking of my fiancé, he was no where in sight when I looked around. I turned my gaze to Eden, worry clearly expressed on my face.
"Where's Luca?" I asked softly.
Eden’s POV:
I scratched my head, sighing softly.
“He went to his room,” I murmured, pulling myself to my feet. “I’ll go talk to him.”
Ashley's POV:
My smile faltered as I slowly sat down in the space I had been occupying with Lucas. It felt cold and empty without him there… What had happened that made him leave?
"Sure. Thanks," I said softly.
Eden’s POV:
When I turned to walk towards his room, dad’s voice stopped me.
“Eden,” I looked back him, a little upset at his behavior. Lucas already knew he made a mistake. He knew he should have been more careful, but he sprinkled salt over his wounds. “I’ll go.”
I wanted to retort, to say something, but he was my father. I couldn’t disrespect him, so I stopped.
A few minutes later, he returned with my brother who looked better than he did before he left.
Ashley's POV:
I sighed in relief when Lucas walked back into the room, waiting for him to sit back down beside me. Now that our first piece of news was out, I was excited to tell everyone our next piece of information.
"Lucas and I actually have another surprise for you," I began before glancing up at my fiancé.
Lucas’s POV:
I took my fiancée’s hand in my own, looking down at her with a soft smile. I was really glad she was feeling better.
“Something that you might react nicely to,” I added, waiting for Ashley to finally display her ring.
Ashley's POV:
I squeezed his hand before turning to the others. I rested my left hand on my knee, the gem flashing in the light. A collective gasp came from around the room, and my mom slapped a hand over her mouth.
"Oh my gosh… That is gorgeous… Lucas, who knew you had such good taste in rings?" she teased.
Lucas’s POV:
I shot Aunt Willow a glare.
“I have amazing taste, all right, Auntie?” I shot back, knowing she disliked it when I called her auntie.
Ashley's POV:
I covered my mouth to muffle the laughter that escaped when my mom stick her tongue out at Lucas like a little kid. Honesty, she and my dad were the best parents ever, I swear. They were so fun and gentle and caring. I loved them with all of my heart.
"Are there any pictures?" McKenzie asked with a smile as she looked at the ring on my hand. Of the proposal, that is."
Lucas’s POV:
I nodded at my mother, still a bit discouraged from what she had said previously.
“Do you guys want to see them on the phone, or the album version? Because I have both.”
Ashley's POV:
"Why don't we do both? That way more people can look at the same time," my mom suggested excitedly.
Lucas’s POV:
I handed my phone to Ashley, telling her to find the album in my phone while I went to get the paper version.
When I returned, she hadn’t started showing the pictures yet, which I was glad for. I took my seat next to her again.
“Well, here we go…”
(Shall we skip to pre-ball prep?)
(Taking advantage of the fact that I lost WiFi, I see… I suppose I deserved that, though. Lol. I always make you guys start.)
Ashley’s POV:
I pinned one last loose curl up into the bun-like updo I’d done in my hair. I was already wearing the pink dress I’d picked out, the one with the slightly ruffled skirt, high neckline, and open back. All that was left was my jewelry and heels, which I was very excited about.
The shoes matches the color of my dress and had gold accents in the sides. The heels themselves were the real showstoppers with their pink and golden design. Overall, they were probably my favorite part of my whole outfit for today.
Oh, and my mask! That was also pink and gold, an intricate golden design over the front of the cream background. Feathers were on the right side of it, looking like a pink flower, almost, in the way they were placed.
[Dress: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/604819424937162893/
With this type of neckline: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/804525920911505564/
Hair: https://pin.it/ngkurr7yo4wekp
Mask: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/451978512597888221/
Necklace: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/155303887171570742/
Right hand: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/584342120373078816/
Left hand (plus engagement ring): https://www.pinterest.com/pin/551128073147763644/
Heels: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/AXqntMAIhQ62QN8fbNxOol8D64lKHLH6N_yiy_CAMrIBsgc5oEdDgCU/ ]
Sterling’s POV:
I ran a hand through my hair as I looked in the mirror again. I’d already donned my black and purple suit and tie, all that was left to wear was my mask.
The object in question was currently sitting on my desk. It matched the black and purple theme Eden and I had settled on, with the majority of it being black and some accents being purple. The area around my right eye was a pearlish white, and the area above my left eye was the same color. It covered the right half of my face in a Phantom-of-the-Opera-like fashion.
[The suit: https://pin.it/j2x3ypsghenzw5
The mask (but the gold-ish accents are purple): https://pin.it/vy244yj2r3c6ly ]
