Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
Ashley
I stepped out of Darryl’s car in front of our old house, the gravel crunching under my sneakers, my duffel slung over my shoulder from our Vegas trip.
We’d just landed back in Chicago after three days of roaming the strip, laughing, and getting closer than I’d expected, his bracelet jingling on my wrist as a little reminder.
He’d dropped me off here, kissing me quick before heading home, and I waved him off, grinning as his taillights faded down the road.
The house looked the same, chipped blue paint and sagging porch, but warmer now with Mom inside, out of the hospital, and choosing to stay here.
I pushed the door open, the familiar creak greeting me, and called out, “Mom? I’m back! ”
“Ashley!” Her voice came from the living room, soft but bright, and I dropped my bag by the door, kicking off my shoes as I headed in.
She was on the couch, wrapped in a quilt, a mug of tea steaming on the coffee table, her scarf a soft purple today, her smile wide despite the tired lines around her eyes.
“There’s my girl,” she said, patting the cushion next to her. “Come sit. How was Vegas?”
“Amazing,” I said, plopping down beside her, leaning in to hug her tight, breathing in the faint lavender of her lotion. “Missed you, though.”
“Missed you too,” she said, hugging me back, her arms thinner but steady around me. “Tell me everything.”
“Okay,” I said, pulling back, tucking my legs under me, grabbing a throw pillow to hug. “We walked the strip, saw fountains, and ate way too much. Darryl’s fun when he’s not working.”
“Fun, huh?” she said, sipping her tea, setting it down with a grin. “He’s good to you. I can tell.”
“Yeah,” I said, smiling softly, fiddling with the bracelet, the little stars catching the light. “He’s great, Mom. Great.”
“Good,” she said, leaning back, pulling the quilt tighter. “You look happy. Glowing, even.”
“Guess I am,” I said, laughing a bit, resting my head on her shoulder, her warmth settling me. “How are you holding up here?”
“Better than the hospital,” she said, patting my knee. “No beeping, no nurses poking me all night. Just me and this old couch.”
“Love that,” I said, snuggling closer, my arm slipping around her waist. “You need anything? Food? Tea?”
“Nah,” she said, shaking her head. “Had soup earlier. You eat yet?”
“On the plane,” I said, lifting my head to grin at her. “Darryl stole half my pretzels, though.”
“Thief,” she said, laughing softly, her hand resting on mine. “Sounds like him. What else do you two get up to?”
“Lots,” I said, pulling out my phone, flipping to the pics we’d taken. “Look at this, by the lion statue. He didn’t want to, but I made him.”
“Cute,” she said, leaning in, squinting at the screen as I scrolled, showing her the one with me kissing his cheek, his grin reluctant but real. “He’s smitten. Look at that face.”
“Yeah,” I said, giggling, zooming in on another by the fountain, his arms around me from behind. “He’s sweet, Mom. Bought me this bracelet too.”
“Pretty,” she said, touching it, the stars jingling softly under her fingers. “He’s got taste.”
“Totally,” I said, setting the phone down, resting my head back on her shoulder. “We just clicked out there. No work, just us.”
“Good,” she said, her voice softening, rubbing my arm. “You deserve that, honey. Someone good to you.”
“Thanks,” I said, my throat tightening a bit, hugging her closer. “He’s more than good, though. I love him, Mom. Like, love him.”
She turned to me, her eyes bright, a big smile spreading across her face. “Love him, huh?” she said, squeezing my hand. “That’s big.”
“Yeah,” I said, smiling back, my chest warm but tight. “Didn’t plan it, just happened. He’s sweet, funny, and takes care of me. I appreciate him so much.”
“I’m happy,” she said, her voice steady, pulling me into a side hug, her arm wrapping around me tightly. “You deserve that, Ashley. Someone who loves you back, who’s solid. I see it in him.”
“Me too,” I said, leaning into her, my hand resting on her quilt-covered leg. “He’s been amazing with all this. The wedding, you, everything.”
“He’s a keeper,” she said, kissing my forehead quickly, her lips cool against my skin. “I’m glad you’ve got him. Makes me feel good.”
“Yeah?” I said, looking up at her, grinning a bit. “You’re okay with me being all mushy?”
“More than okay,” she said, laughing softly, brushing my hair back. “Your dad’s probably throwing a welcome party up in heaven, waiting for me. He was head over heels for me, you know.”
“Really?” I said, giggling, sitting up a bit. “What kind?”
“Oh, big one,” she said, her eyes twinkling, leaning back with a grin. “Balloons, cake, the works. He’d say, ‘Carol, you’re late, but I’ve got the good stuff ready.’”
“Sounds like him,” I said, laughing, picturing Dad with his goofy grin, setting up a heavenly bash. “He’d do that.”
“Yep,” she said, chuckling, sipping her tea again. “He’d love Darryl, too. Good guy for his girl.”
“Think so?” I said, resting my head back on her shoulder, my hand finding hers again.
“Know so,” she said, squeezing my fingers. “He’d be proud. I am.”
“Thanks, Mom,” I said, my voice softening, hugging her tight, the quilt bunching between us. “Love you.”
“Love you too,” she said, her arm slipping around me, pulling me closer. “Always will.”
We stayed like that, talking more, her telling me about Dad sneaking her flowers when they dated, me laughing about Darryl grumbling over pictures in Vegas.
The room got darker, the sun dipping low outside, and I grabbed a blanket from the armchair, tossing it over us, settling in.
“You tired?” I said, yawning a bit, my head resting on her chest now, her heartbeat steady under my ear.
“A little,” she said, her hand rubbing my back slowly, her voice soft. “You?”
“Yeah,” I said, snuggling in, my arm wrapping around her waist, pulling her close. “Stay here tonight?”
“Please,” she said, kissing the top of my head, her hand resting on my arm. “Cuddle up. Like old times.”
“Love that,” I said, adjusting the blanket, tucking it around us, my legs curling up under me. “Remember when I’d sneak in after nightmares?”
“Every time,” she said, chuckling softly, her fingers brushing my hair. “You’d kick me all night.”
“Still might,” I said, giggling, pressing closer, my cheek against her shoulder, her warmth wrapping around me like a hug. “You’re stuck with me now.”
“Good,” she said, her voice fading a bit, her hand slowing on my back. “Best company.”
We quieted down, the house settling around us, just the hum of the fridge in the kitchen, her breathing evening out beside me. “Night, Mom,” I said, kissing her cheek quickly, my voice soft, cuddling in tighter, my arm over her chest.
“Night, honey,” she said, her arm tightening around me, her head resting against mine. “Sleep well.”
“Yeah,” I said, closing my eyes, her heartbeat steady under my ear, the blanket warm over us, our bodies pressed close on the couch.
I drifted off, her soft snores mixing with mine, the day slipping away, Darryl’s bracelet cool on my wrist, Mom’s words about love and heaven lingering sweet in my head as I fell asleep, safe and close.