Can't Tell Me Nothing

Strangely enough, Ashton never asked Natalie about much of her personal life. In all honesty, he tried not to get involved with her family issues. He was not an ideal candidate for advice, considering he had no relatives and hardly a sibling up until Kehlani. The only person he remotely blood to him is Carson. So, Ashton steered clear of Natalie's issues with her sister, yet now seemed like an appropriate time to let her vent to him. "I didn't know it was that deep." However, he partially recalled the news of Val and her nudes. That spread like wildfire across the campus, and he could only imagine the kinds of things that were said by their parents. The Torres' were no one to mess with. Though they've accepted Ashton, despite all his flaws, they were not so lenient with Natalie at times. He was surprised to see her laughing about it all, and he only nodded along as she spoke. "For the record, you've done a helluva lot for yourself. You've made a name for yourself, on your own, even if you did have your parents backing. I don't know. I guess it's all just responsibilities for your own actions. She can resent you for being raised a certain way, but it's not right." Ashton sighed, taking Natalie's hand into his own. In the few years he'd been with her, he saw Val once. To know she would be coming this year only meant things could progress or get worse. "Maybe she won't, who cares, at least you know you've tried." He tried to comfort her, even when he knew this wasn't his business. "You should buy her something nice. Like a watch or necklace or purse or whatever the hell you Torres like to buy. As, like, a gift. For coming."

While she spoke and retrieved utensils, Ashton took it upon himself to start pulling their dinner out from the bag. They weren't usually ones to order take out, but with their overlapping schedules and Ashton's new job, neither had time to really come home and make meals. He smiled to himself at her words, pleased to know that he made some progress in his life-- in her eyes. "It was stupid... But if stupidity got me here then... I guess I'm fine with it." The guy laughed to himself, sitting down beside the girl now that she joined him at the table. As he began to plate their food, he snorted at her words. "Fine, fine... I'll let it go. For now." Ashton teased again, side eyeing Natalie to prepare himself in case she smacked him. "You barely talk to her. It's kinda weird. How do you think it's gonna go? I mean, like, when was the last time you guys saw each other?" Her relationship has always been rocky, and it has caused a strain on her family. Before shoveling food into his mouth, he asked: "I never really asked, but, what ever happened between you and your sister? What's this life long beef all about? It's worse than Biggie and Tupac."

"...You are still dating that guy... but he's not some little freshman pining over the girl of his dreams. It's much more than that now." Ashton retorted, sighing as he glanced up at Natalie. "If you want my babies you're gonna have to keep that in mind more than the other, stupid, shit I did." Which, of course they wanted and would talk about more times than not. Ashton was a mess back then. Constantly sleeping, smoking, surfing. Those were his life in college. Well, he's still a student but he didn't live on a campus anymore. There was no time to slack off with Natalie beside him. When she woke up, he was awake too. When she wanted things done, or errands ran, he happily obliged. They were practically a dynamic domestic duo. "Yeah, no offense, Nat... I fucking love hanging out with you? But I wanna hang out with Carson too. That's my soulmate for real." Ashton teased, grinning at the woman cockily. "Plus, it'll be a full house with my mom and Kehlani there? It'll be crazy in the kitchen. Your Nona won't need me in there. She'll wanna talk to them." As Natalie explained her assumption regarding her mom's visitation, Ashton only shrugged, sitting up when she moved to grab the door. After getting the food, he stood up to walk over to the dining table. "You can't just say your mom is all about sex and then drop it off right there." He laughed. "How are you and Val anyway?"

“Psh noo….. He can’t talk to me or anything and I don’t have to change his diapers. You’re better mommy practice then he is. But he’ll look at me like his mom, that’s pretty special.” Natalie laughed at the picture of a failed coffee mission, “Poor Kehlani. You did that on purpose didn’t you?” Her brows perked up in question, “I doubt Nona is actually going to make them do much, I just think it was mostly her way of inviting them. You know how she can be.” She ran her hand over his head, playing with the small curls that made up his hair, she nodded in agreement and confusion, “Here here. And I’m just as lost as you- but I think it’s my mother’s doing. She’s been whining about missing us all and wanting to be closer, and my dad’s business decided to open a branch out here, so he is taking the opportunity to make my mom happy I guess.” She shrugged, but she was excited about it, nervous but excited. Her parents didn’t know much about how her life operated in San Diego, and she highly doubted she was prepared to feel the close up scrutiny she’s been feeling from across the country the past five years from her father. But a lot of her hoped he would approve of where she was at in life, and how much she had improved with school since her sophomore year. “You probably still wont be able to catch the man dead in flip flops or shorts though.”

“Don’t mock me, I’m getting my mommy on.” She squinted her eyes at him before chuckling. “That’s the great thing- it’s not a matter of knowing how it’s a matter of tasks. At least that’s what Nona always said. They can chop some things and roll out dough or other things. I mean look at you- you’re practically a pro at the pie now.” She stood up once her shoes were off and went over to sit next to Ashton, letting her body fall against his after she grabbed the remote. “Well I hope you get them. Adulting sucks. I hope we get to retire early and spend lots of time with family. I don’t want to turn out like my dad forever.” She scrunched her nose up looking up to Ashton, and then clicked through the channels, “Speaking of, I think they are moving down here- they’ve been talking about it for awhile, but my mom told me when they come over for Thanksgiving my Dad is actually going to bring her to some properties he is considering. I hope they find something, save a lot of time not having to fly to New York whenever I want to see them.”

“So rude, dude.” She shoved his shoulder lightly. “He’s not going to ruin anything. I have him a really big lecture about it on the way home, he knows better.” She proudly stood up for Oreo. “Yes, already. It’s only like five Friday’s away. ‘Tis the season.” She moved towards the couch setting her purse down on the side table and leaning over to start taking off her booties. “Oh I was going to tell you, I talked to Nana- she said your mom and sister have to come prep for Thanksgiving or she’s going to grab you by your ear to do it all yourself. She might be a little upset you didn’t make it to brunch.” She laughed remembering her Nana running on and on about all of them being together this year- she was so excited it got Natalie all ready for the holiday. “So that’s a yes, request it off ASAP, I don’t want you missing out on all the Torres fun. And please tell them too so they know to get the days free if they want to come. They’ll want to come right?”

“I knew you would say that.” She said smugly, before leaning into him, returning his kiss. “Okay Mister America.” She mocked, shaking her head with laugh. “Obama, Oreo, Ashton, Piano, Mime- you can name him whatever you please baby.” She smiled proudly of all her suggestions. “I know he’s perfect. We will get a feel for what he’s like, plus after next week I have a month off of school and I’m only going to be working two days a week because of holiday hours- I’ll have him all settled in. He won’t be alone.” She took the kitten back and rubbed it’s nose against hers, staring in his eyes. “I know he’s an animal- it’s a serious move. And we’ll have to take care of him…. but I really want to. I think we can handle it.”

“Fine, fine, fine… I’ll drag the bag in all by myself…” She sighed, in hopes he’d do it for her, but not minding either way. “Well, you can name him I guess. Because I was having a hard time choosing anyhow. And no- that wasn’t one of the options, but it doesn’t actually sound bad when you completely butcher the name.”  She laughed at his pronunciation of the word. She swooned as he picked up the kitten, falling in love all over again. “You see- I already thought about all those things. And that’s what made him so perfect, see, we are both busy… but cats are so independent. We don’t have to walk him or let him out to pee, that will all be handled. So we get a pet that just blends right into our lives. Plus- he’s black and white.” She noted pointing out the cats fur. “I love him - almost as much as I love you.”

Natalie bit down on her lip, knowing it potentially was a terrible idea, but still not being able to help herself. She gasped, “Well duh. The food is in my car, it’s a really big bag- I was hoping you’d get it out…” Her lips turned up in a smirk, “I tried to tell him no but he wouldn’t let me. Look at him. His eyes burn through to your soul. I know- a dog would have been ideal. They are so much better, but that’s kind of why I had to take him. I’ve never found a cat I wanted to keep. He defies the odds. Don’t hate me please?”