- CLEMENTINE -
"I can't believe we're going back," I yawn as I drag my duffle bag behind me. I haven't gotten much sleep.
"I know, it was such a nice time," Aya sighs, "Except for the sand and the walking."
I snort and roll my eyes at her.
"Morning," Ashton snakes his arm around my waist, kissing the top of my head.
"Sleep well?" I cock my eyebrow.
Ashton looks just as shit as I feel. "Definitely the best sleep of my life," he smiles slyly.
We burst into laughter.
"Did you guys fuck again?" Aya deadpans. Ugh. I wish that's why we were up, and it wasn't because he was being a fucking moron and drowning.
"Nope, just went for a late night swim," I mumble.
"Cute!" Aya coos.
"Alrighty everyone, attention, please. It's time for us to say goodbye to this beautiful paradise and go home," Ms. Shanice announces.
"I'd like to say that I have had an amazing time getting to know all of you throughout the week. And some of you, only last minute," Aoife shoots Ashton and I a knowing smile. "So I would like to thank you all for coming, I hope you've learned a lot and had fun!" she smiles.
"Okie dokie everybody, let's get this show on the road!" Mr. Black says joyfully as he leads us towards the buses.
I sigh and take a few more pictures of this place before turning to Ashton and telling him to pose. He makes a ridiculous face and I laugh as I snap a picture of him. We take a couple of selfies before sighing deeply, not wanting to leave this place.
"You ready?"
"Go ahead, I'll be right there," Ashton tells me as Aoife comes towards us. I nod in comprehension and make my way towards the bus.
- ASHTON -
"Thank you again, Ashton."
"No problem," I tell Aoife.
She scratches the top of her head. "Um, by the way... If you want, you can visit my mom, Michelle. She lives in LA, and she's pretty nice once you get to know her. I'll tell her you're not a bad guy... You know, if you need a break or someone to watch the twins for a little freedom, she's great with kids. She loves them a lot," she rambles.
I press my lips into a flat line. She clears her throat, "Just a thought... I'll text you her info?"
I shrug uncomfortably, "I guess." I proceed to give her my number, and she does as promised.
She sighs and looks up at me, "So... Have a safe flight."
"Thanks."
"Bring it in, little bro!"
I shake my head at her, "Yeah, no. Don't ever do that again."
She winces, "You're right. That was too much..."
I smile at her before taking off, "Take care, Aoife."
- CLEMENTINE -
"I can't believe we're leaving this place," I mumble as I press my face on the window of the airplane.
"I know," Ashton mumbles.
"I just wish time would slow down, you know?"
He studies me silently. I shrug, "You excited to go home?"
"I don't know. Part of me misses the twins and wants to see them, but this week has been the first time I've ever had alone time since the twins were born, you know? It was nice..."
I smile sadly. He huffs, "All good things must come to an end, huh?"
"Not all of them," I tell him as I take his hand into mine.
He smirks, just before the plane begins moving and his eyes nearly bulge out of his skull.
"Here we go again," he groans.
Ashton clings to my hand, squeezing it tightly as the plane departs. He rubs his thumb across the back of my hand as we soar through the sky. I give him a quick peck on the lips and put my head on his shoulder, hands still entwined together. Ashton this time, accepts my public display of affection without checking if anyone's watching.
___________________
"MINTY!" mom practically jumps on me as we open the front door.
I laugh as I wrap my arms around her, minding the baby bump. "I've missed you so much, honey!" she tells me as we pull apart.
"I've missed you, too," I tell her with a smile.
"How are you, Ashton?" she turns to him.
He sneezes and shakes his head, "I'm good, thank you."
Mom's eyebrows furrow in concern. Aw, even if she isn't his biggest fan, she still cares about the entire universe like mother fucking Teresa. Maybe she's finally going to accept him.
"Oh dear, are you sick?"
He stammers a laugh, "It's just a little cold, I'm fine."
I grimace and step away from him, "Get away from me."
He snorts, "Wow. So much affection."
I shrug, "I'm not about to get a cold because of you. Those are Satan's work."
He smirks and takes me into his arms, I try fighting him off, "Ew get away from me!" I laugh as he tries to kiss me.
He finally puts me down and smirks. I smile up at him and wrap my arms around his neck. "I'm just kidding. I'll gladly get sick with you babe," I tell him as I plant a kiss on his lips. We pull apart, he looks dazed, a goofy grin is plastered on his face.
I straighten up and blush when I remember mom is STANDING WITH US. Jesus, a week alone and I've already forgotten to respect other people's eye-sight. His eyes pop open when he has the same realization. He clears his throat and we slowly turn towards mom, feeling sheepish.
She's studying us carefully, her eyes are fearful. She shakes her head, "You two are cute."
She turns towards Ashton and sighs, "Don't worry, dear. I'll make you soup before you head to bed. It'll warm you right up."
Ashton's brows knit together, "Oh. You really don't have to—"
"MINTY?"
I break into the biggest smile at the sound of his voice. Dad rushes from the living room in his pajamas and takes me into his arms, twirling me and kissing the top of my head repeatedly, "I MISSED YOU, YOU LITTLE SHIT."
I laugh as he sets me down, "I've missed you, too." He shakes his head at me, "You're never going away ever again."
I snort and shove him off, rolling my eyes at him. Zach and Vanessa walk out of the guest room rubbing their eyes. They gasp when they see Ashton.
"ASHTON!" they run towards him, and he runs towards them. They jump into his arms.
"You're back for good, right?" Zach whispers to him.
Ashton laughs and nods his head. "You mean we don't have to stay with the crazy lady anymore?" Vanessa looks terrified. Oh my God, Emoni. What the hell did you do to these kids?
Ashton's eyebrows knit together, "Okay now I'm scared to meet this woman."
"You guys are going to tell us everything that happened," mom tells us. "But we'll leave that for tomorrow. You kids must be exhausted," she checks the time.
Ashton nods, "Right. We better get going now."
Mom shakes her head. "No dear. You'll stay here tonight. The twins will sleep in the guest bedroom as they have, and you can share with Clementine. On the floor," she narrows her eyes to slits at the last part.
I press my lips into a thin line. They're not stupid enough to think he's going to sleep on the floor, right?
"So how was your week without me?" I ask mom and dad, who are acting weird. They haven't glanced at each other this whole time, plus dad stood from the couch. Why is he sleeping on the couch?
They shrug dismissively. Dad presses his lips together and scratches the top of his head before walking away, "I'm gonna go to bed. Goodnight."
My eyebrows knit together. "Is everything okay?" I ask mom.
She forces a smile, "Yes of course. We're just going through a bit of a bump right now. But we'll be fine."
My stomach clenches. I shake my head, "Okay... Well, I'm pretty tired, mind if I head to bed?"
"Of course, hun. Sleep well."
- ASHTON -
I'm about to follow Clementine to her room when Aurora calls out after me, "You can just wait for me in the kitchen, Ashton. I'll take the twins to bed and come make you some hot soup."
"That's very nice, but I'm fine—"
"Stop arguing," she snaps. "It's just soup, Ashton. Colds are the absolute worst," she waves me off as she leads the twins to a room.
My stomach tangles up in knots, I know she doesn't adore me. I'm not sure why. Maybe she sees through me.
I find myself staring out the window in the kitchen. I look up at the stars, that are barely visible, and remember every detail of every night Clementine and I snuck out to stargaze. It was just us and the universe. We talked about anything, everything. We shared our deepest thoughts, and I was enveloped in her beautiful mind. Her complex, mesmerizing mind. I got to know her thoughts, and she got to know mine. It was a perfect time, too good to be true, really. I wonder how long it'll last before I fuck up or something happens and she finds out the truth, or simply sees me as the truly bad person I am. Like her mom does.
"In deep thought?"
I snap my head back to Aurora folding her arms at the entryway of the kitchen. I clear my throat, "Oh. Um no, just normal thoughts..."
She snorts. "No such thing. When someone is that engrossed in something, it's never just normal thoughts," she says as she pulls out ingredients to make her soup and pours it into a pot.
I'm waiting for the blow.
"So tell me, Ashton. Did you fuck my daughter?"