Ashley always had this soft, willow-tree energy…..gentle, swaying, comforting without even trying.
But there was something else underneath her tone.
Something small and private, meant only for her own thoughts.
Because in her heart, Ashley wasn't bothered at all by tonight's chaos.
If anything…
she was quietly happy about it.
Happy that she got to hold Lacey as she cried.
Happy that Lacey had curled into her arms and trusted her enough to fall asleep there.
Happy that she'd get to wake up beside her in the morning too, walk her to school, keep her close.
"Thank you.." Lance finally whispered.
"For looking after her."
"Of course.." Ashley said softly. "Always."
A pausez then. She continued.
"Get some rest too, Lance. Today must've been hard for you."
He huffed out something that wasn't exactly a laugh.
"You have no idea."
Ashley hummed in understanding, then ended with a quiet, "Goodnight."
The line went dead.
