Unhappily Ever After
By: Ashly justin_jc_brok_lver@yahoo.com

CHAPTER 1:
"Brian, Brian, stop," Nikki said. "We shouldn't be doing this."
"I don't care baby. I want you," Brian said as he pulled her shirt over her head.
"I want you too," she moaned as Brian planted kisses along her stomach. "But both of us are married. This isn't right."
"You know, I'm not happy with Ashley any more. And I know you aren't happy with AJ. We should be together."
Nikki finally gave in to Brain's seduction and betrayed her friend and her husband.

*A FEW HOURS LATER*
"I'm home!" Brian yelled as he walked into his house.
"Daddy!" 5 year old Hailey shouted as she jumped into her father's waiting arms. "I miss you."
"I missed you too honey, but I've only been gone 3 hours," he laughed as he put her down.
"3 hours too long," Ashley smiled as she walked into the room.
Brian pasted on the fake smile he had been wearing for the past 2 years as he saw Ashley. 'I can't believe I'm doing this to her,' he thought.
"Where are Josh and Brianna?" he asked about their children, the only reason he hadn't left a long time ago.
"Oh, Josh went to AJ's to stay with Alex because Nikki went off somewhere again and Brianna is sleeping, like this little rugrat should be," she said scooping Hailey into his arms.
Brian sighed inwardly when he heard Ashley mention Nikki was off somewhere AGAIN. He knew where she was and he was the reason she away went off and left AJ to look after their kids.
"I wanted to see Daddy," Hailey said happily.
"Now, you've seen him," Ashley said. "Time for bed."
"I'm not sleepy," Hailey protested as Ashley carried her up to her bedroom.
Brian sighed as he watched his daughter and the woman he had once adored so much, argue about bedtime. He quickly followed them up the stairs to their bedroom and climbed into bed. A few minutes later Ashley got in next to him. She rolled on top of him and kissed his neck.
"Not tonight," Brian said as he pushed her off him.
Ashley sat up in bed. "Not tonight. That's all you ever say anymore Brian."
"I'm sorry Ashley. I just don't feel like it right now."
"Well, let me know when it's convenient for you!" she said angrily as she grabbed her pillow and stormed out of the room.
"Where are you going?' Brian asked.
"Josh's room!" she yelled from down the hall.

*NICK AND JAMIE*
"Hi honey," Nick said encircling his arms around Jamie's waist. He had just gotten back from taking Nicky down to the park to play.
'I can't do this anymore,' she thought. She pulled away from him. "Nick we need to talk."
Nick got worried when he saw the look on her face. "What's going on?" he asked after Jamie had put Nikcy to bed for the night and led Nick into the living room. "Nick, I'm not happy," she said.

"Why?" Nick was confused as to what she was unhappy about.
"I meant, I'm not happy with you," she said slowly.
"God no," Nick said. "Please tell me you aren't saying what I think you're saying."
"I think we should spend some time apart and reevaluate our relationship."
Nick stood up. "This isn't happening. How can this be happening?"
"Nick," Jamie said softly.
"Don't talk to me!" he shouted as he grabbed his car keys and ran out the door.
"Nick, where are you going?" Jamie hollered after him.
"I don't know!" he yelled as his car squealed out of the driveway.

CHAPTER 2:
Ashley was woken up by a knocking on the door. She opened it and saw Nick dripping wet from the rain and tears running down his face.
"Oh Nicky," Ashley said pulling him inside and out of the rain. "What's wrong?"
"J-Ja-Jamie s-says w-we need some t-ti-ti-time a-a-part," he said crying.
"I'm so sorry honey," Ashley said pulling his shaking body into her arms. He put his arms around her neck and cried like a baby.
After a few minutes she pulled a way. "Come on, we have to get you out of those clothes before you get sick." He nodded but just stood there looking at her. "Let me help," she told him as she pulling his dripping t-shirt over his head. "You get your pants and I'll go get some of Brian's clothes for you." She handed him a towel and ran up to her bedroom.
As she was rummaging around through the dresser Brian woke up. "What are you doing Ash?" he asked half asleep, but sitting up.
"I'm getting some clothes for Nick. He's downstairs soaking wet and crying."
Brian became worried about his friend. "What's wrong with him?"
"Jamie told him they need some time apart and he's not taking it so well."
Brian climbed out of bed and walked down stairs. Ashley followed close behind.
"Here's some clothes Nick." Ashley handed him a pair of boxers and a wife beater. "I would have gotten you some pants, but I don't think Brian's would have fit you."
Nick said nothing. He just stood up, hugged Ashley and went into the bathroom to change.
'If I don't get myself together, that's going to be me in a few weeks,' Brian thought as he stared at the closed bathroom door.
Brian and Ashley patiently waited as 5 minutes went by, then 10, then 20. "I'm going in there," Ashley said out of concern for Nick. She pulled open the door and saw Nick sitting in the bath tub, rocking back and forth. On the floor next to him was a spilled bottle of pills. "Brian!" she yelled as she ran over to Nick.
"Nick! Nick, come on!" she said shaking his shoulders. He continued to stare straight ahead, tears running down his face. His eyes slowly started to close.
Brian ran into the bathroom. "Oh god! What's wrong with him? Wake up Frack! Come on buddy!"
Ashley held up the bottle of pills crying. "I think he took some of these."
Brian took the pill bottle from her and read the label. "Oh crap! These are sleeping pills!"

CHAPTER 3: *****
"Brian, do something! Hurry!" Ashley said.
"We have to get him to the hospital. You go get Briana and Hailey and I'll get him."
Ashley nodded and ran upstairs. She returned quickly carrying a sleeping Brianna an dragging a half sleeping Hailey behind her.
"Where are we going Mommy?" Hailey asked.
"We're going for a ride honey," Ashley told her.
"Okay!" Hailey said happily oblivious to what was going on around her.
Ashley strapped Brianna into the car seat. "Hop in and buckle up honey." Hailey obeyed.
Ashley climbed into the drivers seat and saw Brian coming out of the house, half carrying and half dragging Nick. "Where are we going to put him?" she asked.
"I'll just hold him," Brian said.
"He's too big. You could barely get him out here."
"I'll be fine," Brian snapped as he collapsed into the passengers seat. "Now go!"
They arrived at the hospital 10 minutes later.
"Help us!" Brian said.
"What's wrong sir?" a doctor asked.
"My friend...he took these." He handed the pill bottle to the doctor. Nick was rushed into the hospital and Ashley followed carrying Brianna with Hailey trailing behind her. Ashley and Brian sat in the waiting room silently. They really had nothing to say to each other.
Minutes later, Jamie rushed into the room, crying and carrying Nicky who was still sleeping. "Where is he? Where is my baby?"
Ashley handed Brianna to Brian and hugged her best friend. "Shh, he's going to be okay. I promise."
"This is all my fault," Jamie cried. "I never should have told him I needed time. All I want now is him."
"It's not your fault Jamie. Here let me take Nicky." She took the sleeping boy from her and sat him in a chair.
"Mrs. Carter?" the doctor said.
"That's me. Can I see him? How is he? What's wrong with him?"
"Slow down Mrs. Carter. It seems that your husband took an excessive amount of sleeping pills. He is awake and fine now. We had to pump his stomach. And yes, you may see him. Follow me."
Jamie nodded and picked Nicky back up before following the doctor into Nick's hospital room.
"Oh Nick!" Jamie cried running over to him. She sat Nicky in a chair before hugging Nick. "I'm so glad you are okay. Why did you do that?"
"I didn't want to have to see what life would be like without you or Nicky in it," NIck said as a tear rolled down his cheek.
"You'll never have to worry about that again," Jamie said. "That is, if you still want to be with me."
"Of course. I didn't want to leave you in the first place. Now get me out of this hospital. I'm ready to go home."
A half an hour later NIck was out and everyone went home trying to get as much sleep as they could before they had to get up the next morning.

CHAPTER 4: *THE NEXT MORNING*
"I'm going to get Josh," Brian said pulling a shirt over his head.
"Mm..." Ashley groaned still half asleep. So Brian left for Nikki and AJ's house fully aware that only Nikki would be there because AJ had taken the boys to the beach.
Nikki answered the door and was surprised to see Brian on the other side of it. "What are-" She was cut off by Brian's lips on hers. He closed the door and pushed Nikki up against it. He moved his hands all over her body as she kissed his neck. "Brian you shouldn't be here."
"I couldn't help it," Brian said inbetween kisses. "I had to see you."
"We can't do this anymore." She squealed as Brian picked her up and carried her up to her bedroom.

"Come on boys," AJ said to his son Alex and Brian's son, Josh. He was carrying Tommy. "Hmm...that's funny,' he thought as he walked in his front door. 'I wonder what Brian is doing here.' Alex, JOsh and Tommy went into the family room to watch TV. AJ heard Nikki laughing upstairs. 'What's going on?' He ran up the stairs and threw open his bedroom door.
"What the hell is going on here?" AJ yelled when he saw his wife and one of his best friends in bed together.
"Shit," Brian said, struggling to get his boxers back on.
"Why the hell are you screwing my wife?' AJ pushed Brian up against the wall and looked to Nikki with his eyes full of tears.
"Don't do it, AJ," She warned knowing his temper.
"Do what? This?" He punched Brian in the stomach. Brian grabbed his stomach and groaned in pain. AJ stared right into Brian's eyes. "You disgust me, Brian. You have a beautiful caring wife. What is this going to do to your 'perfect' family?"
"Nikki! AJ!" the heard Ashley yell from downstairs. "Have you seen Brian?" They heard her coming up the stairs. "He was supposed to pick up Josh, but." She stopped at what she saw in the bedroom. Her eyes filled with tears. "Oh, I found him."
"Ashley-" Brian started.
"Shh!" Ashley held her finger to her mouth. "Don't even talk to me. I never want to see you again. I'm leaving." She turned and ran down the stairs.
"Ashley wait!" Brian ran after her. He got there just in time to see her squeal out of the driveway. "Oh god! What have I done?"
AJ and Nikki came down the stairs arguing. AJ stopped when he saw Brian. "I'm going to Nick's and I suggest you don't show up there." And then he left.

*ASHLEY*
'Where am I going to go,' Ashley thought as Hailey was happily singing to Brianna in the back seat. She approached a familiar house and pulled her car into the driveway. She helped Hailey out of the car and got Brianna out of her car seat.
"Why are we here Mommy?" Hailey asked.
"I thought we'd visit Uncle Justin and Ashlyn," Ashley said trying not to cry, for the sake of her children.
Ashley knocked on the front door and Justin opened it. "Hey Justy! Can we please come in?"
"Sure," Justin said immediately sensing something was wrong. He ushered Ashley into the living room. He turned to Hailey. "Aunt Lindsey and Ashie are upstairs. Why don't you and Brianna go visit them?"
"Okay," Hailey said happily dragging Brianna behind her.
"What's wrong Ash?" Justin asked taking her hands.
"Br-Bri-Brian-" she managed to squeak out before the tears came. Justin hugged her as she let all her tears out on his shoulder. She pulled away, her face stained with tears.
"Whenever you're ready," Justin said.
Ashley took a deep breath. "I went to pick up Josh at AJ and Nikki's. No one was downstairs so I went upstairs and....."
"And what, Ashley?"
"I found Brian. Brian AND Nikki. He had sex with her Justin!" Ashley wailed as the tears overtook her again.
"Please don't cry honey. I hate to see you cry."
"What am I going to do Justin?"
"That's entirely up to you. But you can stay here for now if you want."
"Thank you so so much."
"Anything for my little Ashley. By the way where is Josh?"
"Brian has him. Speaking of, I need to go to the house to get some things. Do you mind if the girls stay here?"
"Of course I don't, but are you sure you want to go alone?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine." She gave Justin a quick kiss on the cheek before rushing out to her car.

CHAPTER 5: *AT THE HOUSE*
Ashley frantically ran around the house packing clothes for her and the girls. 'Please don't let him come home,' Ashley thought as she went into their bedroom. She stopped when she saw one of the wine glasses from their weddind. She ran her finger over the enscription. 'Brian and Ashley Always.'
"Bullshit!" Ashley screamed as she hurled the class at the wall and it shattered to pieces.
Brian walked into the bedroom and saw Ashley sitting on the floor crying. 'Fix this! Fix this Brian!' he thought to himself. He walked over to her and picked her body up off the floor. Surprisingly she didn't pull away.
"How could you Brian?" she asked looking up at him, her eyes full of tears.
"I don't know baby. I don't know." Tears sprung to his eyes.
She pulled away from him. "You hurt me bad, Brian. I don't know if I can ever get over that." She started to walk out of the room.
"Please, please don't leave me baby. Please!" he pleaded. "Please forgive me."
"I don't know if I can." She left Brian sobbing on the floor.

*AT NICK'S HOUSE*
*Ding dong*
Nick ran to open the door. He was surprised to see AJ. "Hey Bone. What's up?"
"Do you and Jamie mind if I crash here for a little bit?"
"What's going on?" Jamie asked hearing AJ as she walked into the room.
"Nikki and I are splitting up." AJ said. It didn't really bother him. She was never around and he knew it was only a matter of time.
"Why?" Nick was surprised. AJ and Nikki has always seemed to have a good relationship. AJ had never spoken to anyone about Nikki and how their relationship was deteorating recently.
"She was cheating on me. I caught her in bad with someone." AJ wasn't sure if he should tell them it was Brian. He knew how close Brian and Nick were.
"Do you know who it was?" Jamie asked. AJ nodded. "Who?"
"Brian," he said quietly.
Jamie gasped. "Does Ashley know?" AJ nodded again. Jamie ran out to her car.
"Where are you going honey?" Nick asked.
"To talk to Ashley. She needs someone right now."
Jamie drove right to Justin's house. She knew that would be the first place Ashley would run to if their was a problem.
"Oh, hi Jamie," Justin said when he answered the door.
"Hi. Is Ashley here?"
"Yeah. She just got back from her house. She was really upset and wouldn't talk to me. I'm sure you know what happened." Jamie nodded. "She's out in the tree house."
Justin showed Jamie out to the backyard and she joined Ashley in the tree house. "Hey Ash!"
Ashley looked up. Her eyes were red and he cheeks streaked with mascara. "He-"
"I know," Jamie cut her off. "AJ's at our house."
"I loved him so much," Ashley sobbed. "I gave him more than 5 years of my life and he did this to me."
"Don't regret being with him, Ashley. I know those 5 years were 5 of your best."
"You're right. And that's why it's so hard for me to understand all this. Why did he feel so unhappy in our relationship that he had to turn to someone else to make him happy? How long has he been unhappy? I have all these questions, but no answers."
"Brian is the only one who has the answers. Have you tried talking to him?"
Ashley nodded. "He told me he was sorry. We hugged. We cried. I left."
"Talk to him. I mean, really TALK to him. Sit down and have a one on one conversation."
"It's so hard, Jamie."
"I'm sure it is, but this is the only way to make it all better. I'll take the girls. Nick was going to pick up Josh. Brian left him at AJ's. And you go, now."
CHAPTER 6: BACK WITH BRIAN
The phone rang but Brian made no move to answer it. The answering machine came on: "Brian this is Nikki. I know you're home, so pick up the damn phone."
"Nikki," Brian said picking up.
"Brian, I have something to tell you."
"What? What is it?"
"I think I'm pregnant."
"What? How did this happen?"
"We weren't exactly careful, Brian."
"It's not mine, is it?
"Yeah, it is."
"Are you sure? I mean, it could be AJ's."
"No, I'm positive. I'm 1 month along and I haven't slept with AJ in 3 months."
"This is going to ruin everything. God! How could you get pregnant?"
"What do you mean 'ruin' everything? I thought we could finally be together."
"I dont' want to be with you Nikki. I don't love you. I love Ashley."
"You don't love me?" Nikki asked her heart breaking. "So none of that meant anything to you?'
"No, I'm sorry. Goodbye Nikki." He hung up. 'Oh god! What am I going to do?' he thought.
Ashley walked into her bedroom to find Brian in the same position he had been in when she left. "Brian," she said.
His face brightened at the sound of her voice. "Ashley!"
"I think we need to talk," Ashley said.
Brian nodded. "I think so too."
She sat on the floor next to him. She put her hand on his cheek and turned his face to hers. "Look at me. How long has this been going on?"
"About a month," he said.
"A month! What was so awful about us that you felt you needed someone else?"
"I don't know Ashley."
"Come on Brian! You didn't just sleep with Nikki for no reason."
"I'm so sorry baby. It wasn't meant to be. Me and Nikki. I swear I was drunk the first time. Nikki is a very seductive woman. If she wants something, she's going to get it."
"I've missed you. You were always out somewhere and when you were home, you never wanted to be with me."
"I'm sorry Ashley. "What do I have to do to get you to forgive me?"
"There is nothing you can do. You broke my heart and it's going to take time to heal."
"I'll give you all the time you need. You're all I ever wanted."
"If you start singing "I Want You Back" I"m going to hit you," Ashley warned causing Brian to smile, a real, genuine smile, something that hadn't happened in a while.
"What do you say we go get those rugrats of ours?" Brian suggested as he stood up.
"Sounds like a plan to me." Brian grabbed her hand and pulled her up next to him. He looked into her eyes and place a soft kiss on her lips, neither of them knowing that it could possbily be their last kiss in this lifetime.

CHAPTER 7:
Ashley and Brian were on their way to get Josh, Hailey and Brianna. They were talking and laughing as if nothing had happened.
"Brian! Look out!" Ashley yelled.
Brian looked up and saw a dog in the road. Brian swerved to miss it but drove into the path of an uncoming semi. He tried to swerve back but it was too late and soon they both slipped into darkness.
Brian woke to the sound of an ambulance. He kept his eyes shut, but he could hear people milling around the crushed vehicle. Brian felt hiself wanting to let go. 'No!' he told himsefl. 'You have to stay strong for Ashley.'
"I think she's dead," he heard and EMT say.
'What?' Brian thought. 'She can't be dead. I can't lose her, not just when I got her back.' He opened his eyes and looked over next to him. He saw Ashley's twisted and mangled body motionless on the pavement.
"He's awake," the other EMT said. "Come here sir." He tried to guide Brian over to the ambulance.
"NO!" Brian said as he pulled away and ran over to Ashley. He lifted her head into his lap. "Wake up, baby! Come on. You can't be dead. You aren't dead. Please don't leave me Ashley. I need you. Please. Please wake up! Please!" He stroked her hair as tears ran down his face. His tears fell down onto Ashley's lifeless body. "I love you," he siad as he gave her a kiss. He got up realizing that his one true love was gone and she was never coming back.

*AT THE FUNERAL*
Brian looked around. He decided to keep the funeral private with only Ashley's closest friends. He saw Justin, tears freely running down his face, not bothering to wipe them away. Nick and Jamie, who was holding Nicky, quietly embraced. AJ was sitting next to them not talking to any one. Nikki was sitting with her children and Kevin and Howie were with their families. He looked down at his children sititng next to him. They would have to grow up without a mother.
"When's Mommy coming back?" Hailey asked, unaware of what was happening.
"She's not honey. I'm sorry," Brian said holding back tears for the sake of his children.
Brianna began to cry. "Momma! I want my Momma!"
Jamie saw what was happening and came over to help Brian. "Come here Brianna." She took the crying child and went back to her seat next to Nick.
It was time for the service to begin. Justin walked to the podium. "I have known Ashley for 17 years. I still remember that day 17 years ago when she introduced herself to me on the school bus and asked if she could touch my hair. I was with her through everything. I was always the person she came to when she needed a shoulder to cry on. It ripped my heart out when I had to leave her. And I remember the joy I felt when I was reunited with her 5 years later. I will miss her so much." He went back to his seat and Brian came up.
"Ashley was the most amazing woman I have ever met. She would always cheer us up when times were hard. She took care of us, especially Nick. She was always overly protective of him. I thnk she thought of him as a little brother even though he was older." By now tears were freely flowing down Brian's face. "I will never be complete again because she was a part of me. And that part can never be replaced." He paused to wipe the tears out of his eyes. "Now I would like to sing something." He cleared his throat before he began:
ONE DAY SHY OF EIGHT YEARS OLD
WHEN GRANDMA PASSED AWAY
I WAS A BROKEN-HEARTED LITTLE BOY
BLOWING OUT THAT BIRTHDAY CAKE
HOW I CRIED WHEN THE SKY LET GO
WITH A COLD AND LONESOME RAIN
MAMMA SMILED, SAID DON'T BE SAD CHILD
GRANDMA'S WATCHING YOU TODAY

'CAUSE THERE'S HOLE IN THE FLOOR OF HEAVEN
AND HER TEARS ARE POURING DOWN
THAT'S HOW YOU KNOW SHE'S WATCHING
WISHING SHE COULD BE HERE NOW
AND SOMETIMES IF YOU'RE LONELY
JUST REMEMBER SHE CAN SEE
THERE'S HOLES IN THE FLOOR OF HEAVEN
AND SHE'S WATCHING OVER YOU AND ME

SEASONS COME AND SEASONS GO
NOTHING STAYS THE SAME
I GREW UP, FELL IN LOVE
MET A GIRL WHO TOOK MY NAME
YEAR BY YEAR WE MADE A LIFE
IN THIS SLEEPY LITTLE TOWN
I THOUGHT WE'D GROW OLD TOGETHER
BOY I SURE DO MISS HER NOW

BUT THERE'S HOLE IN THE FLOOR OF HEAVEN
AND HER TEARS ARE POURING DOWN
THAT'S HOW I KNOW SHE'S WATCHING
WISHING SHE COULD BE HERE NOW
AND SOMETIMES WHEN I'M LONELY
I REMEMBER SHE CAN SEE
THERE'S HOLES IN THE FLOOR OF HEAVEN
AND SHE'S WATCHING OVER YOU AND ME

WELL MY LITTLE GIRL IS 23
I WALK HER DOWN THE AISLE
IT'S A SHAME HER MOM CAN'T BE HERE NOW
TO SEE HER LOVELY SMILE
THEY THROW THE RICE, I CATCH HER EYE
AS THE RAIN STARTS COMING DOWN
SHE TAKES MY HAND, SAYS DADDY DON'T BE SAD
CAUSE I KNOW MAMMA'S WATCHING NOW

AND THERE'S HOLE IN THE FLOOR OF HEAVEN
AND HER TEARS ARE POURING DOWN
THAT'S HOW YOU KNOW SHE'S WATCHING
WISHING SHE COULD BE HERE NOW
AND SOMETIMES WHEN YOU'RE LONELY
JUST REMEMBER SHE CAN SEE
THERE'S HOLES IN THE FLOOR OF HEAVEN
AND SHE'S WATCHING OVER YOU AND ME
By the time he was done, everyone was in tears. "Ashley wasn't just my wife or my lover or the mother of my children. She was my best friend."
Brian walked back to his children and they left to try to pick up the pieces of their broken life.

EPILOGUE: 10 years later
Brian was standing infront of Ashley's grave with his 3 children. Josh and Hailey now 15 and Brianna 11. They made it a ritual to come every year on the anniversary of her death.
"Dad, tell me about Mom," Brianna said not remembering a lot about her because she was so young.
"You're mom was the most amazing woman I had ever met. You and just like her....." Brian went on to tell all the funny memories he had of Ashley. He had been telling the same stories for 10 years, but Hailey, Josh and Brianna didn't mind. They listened as if it were the first time they had heard them. It was true, Brianna had grown up to be just like her mother, more so than her other 2 children. They had to same long brown hair and big brown eyes, full of life. She had also taken on the same motherly traits. She was always talking care of someone. Josh and Hailey were more like Brian and even though they were going through the rebellious-I hate my parents- teenage stage, they never missed their monthly visits.
AJ and Nikki has never gotten back together. Nikki had a baby 8 months after Ashley died. It was Brian's son, who she named Jacob. Jacob didn't know Brian was his father and that was they way they planned to keep it for the sake of the children.
Jamie and Nick's relationship has thrived ever since the incident with Nick. They had only had minor fights where they made up right away.
Justin and Lindsey had divorced, Lindsey claiming Justin loved Ashley more than he loved her, which was true. He had never told anyone because he saw how happy Ashley was with Brian and didn't want to ruin it for her.
"Are you kids ready to go home?" Brian asked an hour later.
"Yup daddy! Let's go!" Brianna jumped onto Brian's back.
"Ugh! I'm getting to old for this," he groaned as their little family got on with their lives without Ashley.

The End

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