Never Let Go

Chapter 14- Never Let Go

It had been a month since Ashley had slipped into a coma. His parents had come and gone. They were here the entire first week, but they had jobs in Redding. They came in on the weekends. I was here almost all day. I cut work back to 3-4 hours. The other 4-5 hours I normally would have worked I brought with me to the hospital. It was computer stuff that I could do on my laptop at the hospital. I brought Aurora down here with me everyday. We basically lived at the hospital. I hadn't been home in days.

The other guys came and went. They were working on the album, doing everything but Ashley's vocals. I knew that he was going to be disappointed about that but management needed them to finish the album. The fans had been very supportive. They all knew about Aurora and me now. Fortunately there hadn't been much hate towards us from the fans. Mike had been supportive as well, all the guys had really. Doing whatever they could to help me out.

Stephanie and Andy had moved out of their apartment and into a modernized Victorian style home, not far from the apartment complex. They were in here a lot too. Keeping me company or watching Aurora.

I hadn't talked much to anyone. I basically kept to myself. The doctors, while not wanting to crush it entirely, had told me that they had no clue about when he would wake up if he ever woke up. I had faith though. I really believed that he was going to wake up and everything was going to be just fine.

"Hello Ms. Amanda."

"Hey Jill." I greeted the 30-something nurse I had come to know well. She took Ashley's vitals twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon.

The nurses and doctors in the ICU were all very friendly and warm. I think it had some to do with the strong stench of death in the air. A lot of people died up here, or came close to it. I don't think that I could handle working in the ICU. I'd become a bitter and cynical old woman. Then again that's why I worked I didn't choose to be a doctor. I worked with Interior Design Technologies. We worked in creating new styles, fabrics, and colors. Hey, it interested me.

"How's he doing?"

"Same as always. I'll see you in 12 hours." I smiled, knowing that I would see Jill again the next morning at 8 before I left to drop off Aurora and go to work.

She was getting so big. She was four and a half months old now.

"Hey Manda. How's he doing? How are you doing?" Jake said as he came into the room, a cup of my favorite coffee with him.

"Same as always. He's ok. I'm ok. This is getting to be dull." He laughed as he sat down and then handed me my coffee. I blew off the steam before taking a sip of my still hot drink.

"I wish that there was someway to know whether or not he was gonna wake up. When he was gonna wake up." I nodded in agreement.

"I do too, but we don't. So why dwell on it?" I took Ashley's hand and held it in mine, gently rubbing the back of his hand with my thumb.

"How's the album coming?"

"It's coming. It's just not the same without Ash, ya know?" I nodded and stole a quick glance at Ashley before returning my gaze to Jacob.

"If he doesn't wake up soon are you guys going to finish without him and release it anyways?"

"No, we're not O-town without Ashley and we can't finish the album without him."

"He'll be happy about that much at least."

"You miss him." Jacob stated more so than questioned.

"Very much so. I love him so much, and to just have to watch him lay there helpless as the world and life around him passes him by."

"I know. It could be worse though. We could have lost him all together."

"I thank god everyday that he's still here. I just wish he were really here, you know." Jacob nodded in understanding. I felt myself tear up. I always did when we talked about Ashley.

"I want to spend the rest of my life with him. I'll wait forever if I have to, but I'm going to marry him. I love him so much." I began to cry even more.

Jacob pulled me into a hug and comforted me. A few minutes later I was able to calm myself down.

"I have to go back to the house, but I'll see you again tomorrow." I nodded and watched as he left.

I still had tears streaming down my face, but I wasn't crying as hard now.

"Don't cry honey. You know I hate to see you cry." I heard someone whisper.

"Ashley?" I asked turning to that I was facing him.

"Oh my god. You're awake." I smiled before completely breaking down into tears.

I stood up and hugged him as tight as possible without hurting him. I pulled away slightly and kissed him lightly before burying my face in his neck again.

"I missed you so much."

"I missed you too. How long was I gone?"

"A month."

"Have I missed a lot?"

"The guys have nearly finished the album. All they need is for you to record your vocals. Uhm other than that I can't think of much. Stephanie and Andy moved. It's been a pretty boring month."

"I guess I picked a good time to slip into a coma then." He said with a hint of laughter in his voice.

"I guess." Dr. McLainly walked though the door a moment later.

"Ah, you're awake." He said as he walked over to Ashley.

"Would you mind leaving for a moment Amanda?" I shook my head 'no' and then excused myself.

"Jill?"

"Yeah?"

"Ash just woke up and I was wondering if I could use the phone to call everyone?"

"Go right ahead."

"Thanks." I took the phone and dialed the number to the guys' house first.

"Hello?" a sleepy voiced Erik asked, answering the phone.

"He woke up!" I exclaimed, a giddy smile appearing on my lips.

"What?"

"He woke up! Ash is awake!" I exclaimed again.

"That's great we'll be down as soon as we can." After hanging up with him I called Ashley's parents and told them the good news. Then I called Steph and Andy. I told them that Ashley woke up and asked if they would bring Aurora down.

Dr. McLainly walked out of Ashley's room a few minutes later and told me that I could go back in there.

"Ashley?" I asked as I sat down in the chair next to his bed. I took his hand in mine and looked him in the eyes.

"Yes?"

"Do you love me?"

"Yes."

"Will you do something for me?"

"Anything."

"Will you marry me?" He nodded. We both had tears of joy forming in our eyes. I stood up and hugged him. He basically pulled me up on the bed with him and hugged me as close as possible. A minute or so later he pulled back slightly and kissed me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him close.

A few minutes later Steph, Andy, and the guys interrupted us.

"You guys back together?"

"You could say that." I answered with a sly smile on my face.

"We're back together for good." Ashley added, sneaking a smile at me.

"We're engaged!!" I exclaimed when the guys still looked confused.

"Congrats." Andy said as he placed Aurora in my arms. She smiled up at us and took Ash's finger in her tiny hand.

"That's great you guys." Stephanie said as she sat in the chair that I had previously occupied.

"Who asked who?" Stephanie asked, a knowing grin on her face.

"I asked him." I beamed before placing a light kiss on his lips.

We were finally going to be a family.

**To all of you out there that are 'A Walk To Remember' fans, I basically took that straight from the movie, I know, but it fit perfectly. Soo...**

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