REDDING, CA – LIMO – APR. 4th, 2002 – THURSDAY

     “I can’t believe we’re finally in someplace warm.” Kirstin said as soon as they got inside the limo.

     “I know. I was hating all the cold weather too.” Jacob said “I’m still not used to that at all.”

     “Yeah, but thank God we’re in sunny California now.” Trevor spoke up “In a few days, I’m gonna see my family!” Trevor was clearly excited.

     Kirstin smiled. But soon the smile faded. She was in Redding. The city she was always running away from. The city she hated the most. But it was gonna be good to see her family again. She sure could use her mother’s comfort. She hadn’t seen her mother since Christmas and a lot had happened to her ever since. She was sure she wasn’t gonna enjoy going through all the details about her pregnancy to her mother, but at least Mrs. Addams would comfort her.

     “K? Kirstin?” Ashley shook her a little and that woke her up from her thoughts.

     “Yes!” she exclaimed.

     “Are you ok, baby?” Ashley sounded worried.

     “Yeah, I’m just… fine. What is it?” she faked a smile.

     “I was wondering… the guys are staying in a hotel, but I’m going home. I was wondering if you could come to my house first and I’ll drop you off at yours later. Is that alright?”

     “Yeah, sure, ok.” Kirstin answered, absentminded.

     “K, are you really ok?” Ashley whispered so the others wouldn’t hear them.

     “Yeah, I’m ok, Ash.” Kirstin whispered too and pecked him on the lips “I’m fine. Don’t worry.” Ashley didn’t say anything. He was worried. Something was bothering her and she didn’t wanna tell him.

REDDING, CA – THE ANGEL’S HOUSE – APR. 4th, 2002 – THURSDAY

     “Ok, here we go.” Ashley took Kirstin’s hand in his and opened the door to his house.

     “Oh, Ashley.” he was soon welcomed by his mother at the door “I missed you!” Mrs. Angel took a step back to look Ashley better and hugged him again. When she pulled back for the second time, she faced Kirstin “Oh, Kirstin, dear.” she hugged Kirstin tight. She assumed Mrs. Angel knew everything at that time “How have you been, dear?”

     “I’m fine. Thanks, Paula.” Kirstin smiled weakly.

     “I understand you’ve been through a lot, sweetie. I hope you put all that behind you now.”

     “I… I’m trying.” Kirstin was forcing hard to smile but wasn’t succeeding. She then felt Ashley’s grip tighten “Fortunately, I have Ashley by my side now. To help me.” she looked lovingly at him and Ashley leaned in to kiss her lightly on the lips.

     “Oh, I can’t tell you how happy I am that you two are finally together. You know, I couldn’t stand hearing Ashley talk about you all the time while you two were in highschool.”

     “Oh, really? He talked about me all the time, huh?” Kirstin seemed a little happier now. Ashley just smiled and looked down.

     “Oh, yes. It was Kirstin this, Kirstin that, today Kirstin did this, yesterday Kirstin did that. It was Kirstin all day long.” Paula Angel said with a sweet smile.

     “Hm… good to know that. I had no idea.” Kirstin looked at an embarrassing Ashley gazing down.

     “Ok, mom. Well, where’s dad? I think you’ve embarrassed me enough already.”

     “I’ll go get him.” Paula turned and left. Kirstin giggled.

     “What’s this giggling all about?” Ashley led Kirstin to the living room.

     “You.”

     “Me?” Ashley sat on the couch and Kirstin joined him.

     “Yes, you. You talked about me all the time?” Kirstin asked in a sweet tone.

     “It’s just that… well… Yeah...” Ashley admitted.

     “That’s so sweet.” Kirstin pecked him quickly on the lips “And you don’t have to be embarrassed. I know that if you ask my mom, she’ll say the same thing about me. That I talked nonstop about you all the time.”

     “You did?”

     “Of course, Ash.”

     “Aw…” Ashley leaned in and kissed Kirstin passionately.

     Kirstin and Ashley immediately pulled back from their kiss when they heard Mr. Angel’s cough.

     “Oh, hey, dad.” Ashley stood up, followed by Kirstin, and hugged his father.

     “Hello, Ashley. How have you been, son?”

     “Good. Just good. You remember Kirstin, right?” Ashley pulled aside so Kirstin would greet his father.

     “Sure. How could I forget?” Mr. Angel reached out for Kirstin’s hand and she shook his “How are you, girl?”

     “Good. Thank you. What about you, sir?”

     “Just good, also.” Mr. Angel answered and Kirstin nodded.

     “Mom, dad, I’m taking my luggage upstairs and then I’m taking Kirstin home.”

     “Oh, ok, honey. Kirstin, if you need anything, just call, alright, honey?”

     “Ok, thank you, Paula.”

     “And say hi to your mom for me.”

     “I will.” Kirstin smiled and left the room holding hands with Ashley.

REDDING, CA – THE ADDAMS’ HOUSE – APR. 4th, 2002 – THURSDAY

     “Here we are.” Ashley informed as he parked in front of Kirstin’s front yard.

     “Yeah…” Kirstin smiled and climbed off the car “Do you wanna come in?” she asked Ashley while he took her luggage out of the trunk.

     “Do you want me to?”

     “It’s up to you, baby.”

     “I think I’ll just go home. I’ll just get in to say hi to your parents and then I’ll get back home. Is that alright?”

     “Yeah, sure.” Kirstin took Ashley’s hands in hers and trailed to her front door “I understand you’re tired. I am too.” Kirstin smiled and opened the door to her house “I’m home!” she shouted as she closed the door behind her and Ashley.

     “Oh, sweetie.” Kirstin was squeezed by Dawn Addams’ hug.

     “Hey, mom.” she patted her mother’s back and smiled.

     “How are you, honey?” her mother asked when she pulled back but didn’t even give Kirstin enough time to answer, because she was soon hugging her daughter again.

     “I’m… ok, mom.”

     “Really?”

     “Yeah. I’m… better.” Kirstin smiled at her mother.

     “Oh, Ashley, sorry I haven’t greeted you yet. How are you, sweetie?” Dawn asked him.

     “I’m great, Dawn.” Ashley smiled at the nice lady “I just came to drop Kirstin off. I’m gonna go to my house now. I’m pretty tired.”

     “Oh, sure, I understand.” Dawn grinned.

     “Ok, it was nice seeing you again, Dawn.” Ashley hugged Kirstin’s mother again.

     “You too, sweetie.”

     “Bye.” Ashley waved and Kirstin grabbed his hand and led them outside

     “Bye.” Dawn waved from the door.

     “So…” Ashley started as he and Kirstin got to his car “I’ll call you later, alright?” he wrapped his arms around Kirstin’s waist.

     “Yep.” Kirstin wrapped her arms around Ashley’s neck.

     “Ok.” Ashley leaned in and kissed her passionately.

     “Hm…” Kirstin sighed when they pulled back from the kiss “I don’t want you to go.” she pouted.

     “Oh, don’t do that. I don’t wanna go either, but I have to.”

     “No, you don’t have to.” Kirstin hugged him tight. Ashley smiled.

     “Oh, baby girl needs baby boy around?”

     “Yeah…” Kirstin said in a childish tone.

     “Baby boy can’t stay.”

     “Baby boy bad.” they were still hugging.

     “Baby girl silly.” Ashley chuckled “Listen, we’ll talk later. And we’ll see each other tomorrow.”

     “Promise?” Kirstin looked deeply into his eyes.

     “Promise.” Ashley also looked deeply into Kirstin’s eyes.

     “Ok.” Kirstin took a step back. Ashley got inside the car.

     “I’ll call you.” Ashley informed after opening his car window.

     “I’ll be waiting.” Kirstin leaned in and pecked him quickly.

     “Bye.” he waved as he drove off.

     Kirstin stood there for a while. She realized how much Ashley was important for her at that particular moment. She had spent most of her time with him for the past month and it was hard leaving him now, even if it was for less than 24 hours.

     “Bye.” she looked down and headed inside her house.