Tough Love

CHAPTER FORTY TWO

ASHTON

I stared at Jenna from across the road and didn't know what to say, she was sitting over at a bus stop with four other girls, and two guys, she held a cigarette up to her mouth and took a drag. She probably hadn't slept either. At least she was wearing something that covered her body up. She was in a large grey hoddie and denim jeans that were ripped. Her shoes dirty and stained.

It was a hard image to swallow, her eyes covered in smeared mascara, and hair in a ponytail. She was different, she wasn't the girl I had raised in my home.

"Order for Ashton?" I was pulled from my trance and went to grab the lunch order for the boys at work. It was my last day before I took some time off.

I worked close enough that if Belle went into labour, then I could rush home but I didn't want her panicking, she was churned up about these calls and then the door knock thing, it had spooked her.

As I went to throw the bus into reverse, I was halted by Jenna standing at the side of the passenger door. I should have just driven off.

I undone the window halfway and raised a brow. "Can I help you?" I asked, my voice held zero emotion.

She bit her lower lip and that's when I noticed the nose piercing. "Um would I be able to get a lift?"

She had to be kidding me. "Where to?" I asked.

"Mums house, the bus is like half hour away and I'm just tired." She pulled out a vape and inhaled.

I laughed, shaking my head. "You know what, I almost said yes Jenna, not because you deserved it but because I'm the good parent here, but I think you can ring your mother and ask her or your dad to come and get you."

I began to wind the window up and she grabbed it. "Please! That's so mean."

"Mean? You have no fucking idea what you've done to me or Isabelle. Stop with your fucking phone calls. I know it's you. Grow the hell up, seriously go home and look in the mirror and fucking grow up. You wanted this; this is the wonderful life you have asked for. Never mind the shit storm you caused along the way for everyone else, if you got what you wanted. So, congratulations, you have the life you begged for." I was angry, I didn't know I had so much anger bottled up until I saw her with the vape and smirking over how mean I was being to her. "You had a home, a great life and two people who loved you. Now you're able to do whatever it is you like." I laughed mockingly. "You're living the life, Jenna."

"How would you know." She muttered.

I stared ahead, gripping the wheel. "You need a shower, wash your face and throw on some clean clothes. You look a mess. You were raised better than this, you're fucking 15, and you're smoking? What the fuck Jenna! Grow the hell up, you'll end up like your mother. Pregnant and alone."

"I.." she began, and I didn't want to listen anymore. "You didn't call me for my birthday."

I laughed. "What? You hung up on us when we called you. We tried reaching out, and you hung up. You wanted nothing to do with me. Made that clear." I reminded. "I would have love for you to be at the wedding, but it was probably best that you weren't there, I don't need Isabelle worked up over some stunt you pull."

Jenna was silent, her eyes were cold as they just stared ahead. "I need a lift."

"No, I'm not here for your beck and call anymore. I'm done." I looked at her. "If you need a lift home, I suggest you call your parents, because if I remember correctly, I'm not your dad and you hated living with us."

Her reflection disappeared as I drove around the corner. I felt like the biggest prick out after tearing shreds off her. I had so much anger that I had to drive off and leave her. But like I said she had a mother to call.

"Look at what we have, there is so much more. I didn't even think we would need half of this, but I guess we do." Belle was on the floor with her presents from the baby shower her mother and mine threw for her, it was a surprise, and she was so excited when she went outside this morning to see her friends and family there.

I smiled, picking up a packet of baby wipes. "I think we're set for a while, that's good."

"I'll have to put a fair bit of this away, there are clothing for when he's a lot bigger too. It was such a nice day, I did not expect a baby shower, especially after our wedding." She was about to have her great day crushed.

"I have to tell you something," I scratched the base of my neck nervously. "I.. I sort of went off on Jenna."

Her eyes widened, and face pulled. "What do you mean sort of? When did you see her?"

"I was grabbing lunch for the guys, and she was over the road, waiting for the bus and smoking," I rolled my eyes, it sounded ridiculous as I said it. "I went next level angry, she asked for a lift, and I pretty much said fuck off."

Belle was up on her knees, her eyes wide as she listened to me telling her the events of what had happened. It was a lot for her to process, but she listened, and when I was finished, she burst out laughing. Not the reaction I had expected.

"What's so funny?" I asked.

"Oh baby, no I don't mean to laugh it's just, oh my god I am so proud of you right now." She moved over closer and propped herself between my thighs. "This is what you needed to do a long time ago. I think you have finally stood up for yourself and let her know you're not going to be pushed around. She's never really seen you so angry before, you've barely told her off and you're right in everything that you said, she left because she was miserable."

She was right. I knew she was.

"It just hurt seeing her so off the rails, I just didn't think this would happen." I admitted and sighed heavily. "Anyway, let's not talk about her anymore. I want to hear about your day."

And I listened to her tell me how they played games at the shower and both of our mothers went overboard with gifts and she was ready to have the baby. I think we were both ready to have him here now.

We took a long walk on the beach that afternoon, grabbed fish and chips and watched the sun set. It was going to be the last few moments we had alone together. It was strange, we never got to go and take the trips away and do anything spontaneously. Jenna was always in tow, or I had work.

Whilst Belle was in the bathroom at the beach, I searched up air bnb's close to the area and found somewhere I knew Belle would love. It had an outdoor bath, and open firepit. The bed overlooked the mountains. Secluded, but still close to the hospital for just in case. Her hospital bags were already in the boot of the car, so we was ready at a moment's notice to go.

"Hey," I whispered and pulled her close as we walked towards the front step of our home. "Go and pack an overnight bag, nothing much just fresh clothes for tomorrow."

Her expression changed. "Um why? I'm not in labour."

I laughed "I know, but I'm taking you away before you do." I kissed her nose and patted her bum, "we're literally leaving in a few minutes so hurry."

Her face said really. "You do know I can't move that fast." She laughed, as I unlocked the door and went to the kitchen to grab snacks.

It was a ten-minute drive, closer than I had expected. I smiled as we arrived and couldn't wait to get that bath filled up and ready. "This looks so good."

Her smile said it all, and that's all I needed to be happy. "Far out it does, I cant believe you've just done this. I feel like I've been spoilt all day."

"You deserve it." I reminded.

She glanced at the bed and wiggled her brows. "I don't know what I want to do first, jump in the bed or get in that bath."

I laughed. "How about you go undress and put on the robe, and I'll fill the bath and light the fire."

"Sounds perfect to me." She beamed, reaching for the robe hanging by the closet.

The buzzing in my pocket hadn't stopped since I was outside lighting the fire, I didn't want to be distracted on our night away, I glanced at the screen and frowned. 4 missed calls from Jenna. The phone rang again, and I did the only thing I could right now. I silenced the call and turned my phone off and went inside and turned Belle's off as well.

No distractions tonight.