Way Back Home Ch. 04

This new chapter is going to feature little to none erotic stuff, and is going to focus mostly on character building and emotional stuff. Next one will be bigger and crazier though, and I have almost finished writing it. Thank you for the support! TW: Mention of rape and trauma.

Ash stayed in bed all day. Last night was so intense, he couldn't get it out of his head. It was the most intense night of his life. The way Emily had dominated him, alternating between gentle and cruel, keeping him on his toes, giving him the most intense pain and please he had ever felt, making him tremble. It made him shiver even more, when he thought about how he had made her cum gallons of her sweet nectar down his throat.

As he twisted and turned in his bed, he decided to distract his mind. He got up, refreshed and walked downstairs. As he was about to step outside to go on a walk, he heard rustling in the garage. He followed the noise and saw Nora, who had open boxes on the floor.

"Hey Mom! What are you up to?"

Nora looked up and smiled at him, gesturing him to step into the garage, "Baby! Finally, you woke up. Did you have trouble sleeping last night?"

Ash walked in. Before he could say anything, he was engulfed by Nora bear hugging him and peppering him with kisses on his forehead and cheeks.

"Mom, stop!", Ash proclaimed, embarrassed by the babying, eliciting a laugh from Nora. "And, yes I had a little bit of trouble sleeping", he continued.

Nora furrowed her brows in concern, "What happened, baby? Is everything okay?"

"Yes mom, it's nothing bad, I promise. In fact, it is something amazing."

"Really?", Nora raised an eyebrow, "What is it?"

Ash shuffled on his feet nervously, "Um, promise you won't be mad?"

"Ash. You are an adult. And if it's something that makes you happy, why would it make me mad?"

"O-Okay... so... the thing is... um.... me and Emily... we uhh... we are dating now."

A moment of silence passed as Nora's jaw dropped.

After a pause, she said, "You.... and Emily? How? When? I didn't even know you guys had those kinds of feelings for each other. It always felt like you had a more, sibling-like relationship with each other."

"Well... I... To be honest, growing up, I always loved her. Obviously, back then, it was an innocent love, because I didn't even know what romance was, but I just knew that I felt towards her like I felt towards you, Jess and Dad. I loved her, but not like a sister, maybe more like a role model. Someone I looked up to and aspired to be like. Maybe it was because of the time and distance, but those feelings changed over time. When I came back home, we met for the first time since I had left. And I don't know, I just... both of us... years of unspoken feelings came rushing back and we both felt that pure, innocent and platonic love turn into a romantic one. Yesterday, we kind of made it official, I guess, that's why I couldn't sleep. I was just too excited."

Nora listened intently. After a long pause, she broke into a loving smile and gave Ash a hug, "That's amazing honey. I'm glad you guys found each other again. I love Emily like my own, and Cassandra is my best friend in the entire world, so I'm glad. I am happy for you, baby. By the way, have you had the birds and the bees talk?"

"Mom, stop! You just said I was an adult, now you are talking to me like I'm a kid again!"

"Hey, relax, I'm just asking!", she said as she laughed and threw her hands up mockingly.

"And yes, I did have the birds and the bees talk with Dad".

"Hahaha, I'm glad. Speaking of Dad, I'm going through some of his stuff, sorting everything out so that we can keep everything in storage", she gestured towards the open boxes.

Ash knelt towards one of the boxes, which had old pictures and albums. Nora knelt beside him. She picked up a photo of the family on a camping site in the woods, with Cassandra and Emily present. "This was such a fun time. Do you remember how messed up the ride to the camping site was and how everyone was grumpy and tired, but the moment we reached there, we just forgot the tiring journey and had so much fun".

Ash smiled wistfully, "I do... I remember most of it, but I was so happy. It is one of my happiest memories".

Nora smiled cheekily, poked at his side and said, "Oh, was it because Emily was there?"

Ash blushed and playfully swatted her hand away, "No! Stop it, God!"

Nora let out a hearty laugh, then she continued, "So any plans for the weekend?"

"Um, yeah actually. I'm going shopping with Jess tomorrow..."

Nora's eyes widened as she hugged him, throwing him off balance, "Oh my god! Ohh, I'm so so so happy, you guys resolved your differences!"

Ash laughed and said, "Hahaha, I wouldn't say we have resolved our differences just yet, but she agreed to the shopping trip, so I'm hoping she is at least willing to listen to me. Hopefully, I'm able to get through to her."

"That's still good. Something better than nothing. Ah! I'm so happy. First Emily and now this, you are just a machine gun of good news today." Ash laughed with her as they continued to go through the boxes and reminisce about their past.

The next day, Ash woke up bright and early. He was excited to spend the day with Jess. As he did his morning routine, he thought about their fragile relationship. He felt guilty of not being there for her for all those years and not being the big brother she deserved. He felt guilty that, in order to be there for his father, he ended up tearing the family up even more. He yearned for the same kind of sibling love that she had for him before he left.

*Jessica's POV*

Jessica woke up bright and early too. She tried to tell herself that she had only agreed to the shopping day out of obligation and not out of any thought of actual reconciliation, but there was a light step in her movement as she got ready as well. A little bit of excitement maybe? As she got ready, she thought about their past. Her looking up to her brother like he was the best person in the world, even more so than their parents. Her loving him more than anyone. Him being the best brother ever. Him betraying her by deciding to leave with his father and abandoning her. The oath she swore of never loving him again. The resentment she felt every time she saw him over the years. The anger she felt when mom announced that he was coming back to live with them after Dad's death. Just thinking about all of this made her tear up. Deep down, unbeknownst to her, or rather she did know but denied it, she still loved her brother, and all the anger and resentment made her heart hurt. After all, how could she love and hate her own brother at the same time? Despite being so cool, confident and fierce to the outside world, deep down, to some extent, she was still that little kid who cried over her favorite person leaving her.

An hour later, they met in the living room. Immediately, an awkward tension filled the room.

"So-" "So-", they both said and the same time.

Ash laughed and rubbed his neck, "S-sorry".

Jess sighed and said, "Let's just get going."

Ash nodded and followed her to her car. He got in the passenger seat, while she got into the driver's seat. They started driving towards the city in an awkward silence.

After some time, they arrived at the mall. The awkwardness continued, but Ash tried to break the ice, failing every time. Jess just rolled her eyes or made one-word comments.

After walking around a little bit, she paused and said, "I need to get new headphones. Let's stop at the Apple store".

"Oh. Yeah, okay!", Ash said as he followed her to the store.

After debating between different colors, she finally decided to stick to the basics and got a midnight color Airpods Max. After, they headed to another store to buy jeans for Ash.

As the day wore on, Jess started becoming more relaxed around Ash. She started out with reluctantly smiling at her brother's jokes, to chuckling and then laughing heartily.

For a few more hours, they continued shopping, accumulating a lot of shopping bags, the entire time, Jess's mind was going through a roller coaster ride. Early on, she had decided to be mean and rude to him, to show that she was still angry at him, but Ash's innocent comments about her life and achievements and how he was proud of her, his jokes and the sweet way he showed affection to her in the most nonchalant way, the anger and rage inside her slowly dampened. She went back and forth between hating him and feeling like the brother she once knew and loved was back again, and it drove her crazy. On the outside, she maintained her composure like she always did, but inside, the thoughts continued to race.

It was late afternoon now, well past lunchtime, after hours of exhausting shopping. They finally decided to get lunch. They exited the mall and went to a small restaurant nearby.

After they had sat down and ordered their food, another awkward silence fell between them.

This time, it was Jess who spoke first.

"I, uh.... I had fun today, believe it or not. I thought today was going to pure torture hanging out with you of all people, but it wasn't so bad."

Ash chuckled and said, "I had fun too. And I'm glad you feel that way. Honestly, i was super anxious, but I finally got to hang out with my little Nessie today and I'm so happy!"

Instant annoyance flashed over Jess's face as he used a nickname only he was allowed to use before the split happened.

"DON'T CALL ME THAT", she snapped at him, making him recoil. Instantly, guilt spread through her mind as she regretted snapping at him like that.

Back when they were kids, Jess was obsessed with the Loch Ness Monster. It was Ash who had made the connection between her name, which sometimes used to be called Jessie, to Nessie, the infamous nickname given to the creature of the lake. Back then, only Ash was allowed to call her Nessie because it was a sign of his affection and love towards her; anyone else, she would immediately get angry at.

"S-sorry, I didn't mean to upset you... I-I won't call you that again, I promise", Ash stuttered, snapping her out of her thoughts.

Jess sighed, "Sorry for snapping at you like that. I just... I don't think we are there yet..."

Ash nodded, "I totally understand, I'm sorry."

They stayed silent for a while. Soon, their food came, and they started eating.

After a long pause, she muttered under her breath, "Why did you leave me?"

Ash looked up from his food and asked, "Sorry, what? I didn't quite hear you..."

"Nothing. How is your food?", she replied.

"It's good! Tuscan chicken will always be favorite!", he said, smiling ear to ear.

Jess smiled as well and nodded. After another pause, she asked, "So, uhh... how... how was your life in Japan? Did you do any fun stuff over there?"

Ash's eyes lit up at her question. This was the first time she had shown personal interest in his life, and the happiness was clear on his features.

He started recounting his life in Japan, telling her about the culture, the food, the school life, his achievements, etc. Jess immediately noticed how he only recounted the positive parts. However, being as perceptive as she is, Jess suspected that he was not telling him the whole story. She decided to not probe further, lest they broke the fragile, silent truce between them, but listened intently. Her angry side wanted to throw it in his face that he should feel guilty for living such an amazing life after abandoning her, but she swallowed the urge and showed an actual interest, surprising even herself.

"Wow, that's amazing, Ash. I'm... I'm glad you had fun in Japan", Jess said hesitantly.

A pang of sadness flashed across Ash's face, "Jess... I... I need you to know... I am so sorry. For everything. I wish I could take back what I did, but I can't. All I can do is try to move forward, by your side. I... I hope you forgive me."

Tears welled in Jess's eyes, but she quickly blinked them away. "Whatever...", she grunted as she got up, "I'm going to the washroom."

With that, she rushed towards the washroom, locking herself in. At the sink, she started crying. The moment she had heard those words, it was like a dam had broken loose. It had taken everything in her power to not cry right then and there. She wiped her tears and reminded herself that she was to remain distant to him. In her mind, that was his punishment. She fixed her light make up and went back out.

"Let's pay and go back home. I'm tired", Jess said as she sat back down and signaled the waitress. She noticed Ash had a painful look on his face that he was trying to hide, spreading another pang of guilt through her mind.

After the waitress came and they paid the bill, they went back home in silence. However, this time, for some reason, it wasn't as awkward as before.

Soon, they reached home. Getting out of the car, Ash and Jess grabbed all the shopping bags and headed inside, to be greeted by laugh and a hearty conversation between Nora and Emily.

Emily.

Even back then, she was a bit jealous of her. Jess loved Emily like an older sister, but she always had insecurities that she would steal her big brother, whom she loved so much. After he left with their dad, she projected her anger at Emily, lashing out at her and ruining their relationship. She knew it was unfair. She didn't care.

As they entered the living room, Nora jumped up from the couch and hugged Ash and Jess.

"My babies! I'm so glad to see you guys together again, like old times!", she exclaimed as she pulled back. Ash took the shopping bags out of Jess's hands and set it to the side, leaning them against the kitchen island.

"Relax mom, it was just shopping", Jess muttered as she rolled her eyes.

Nora was positively beaming though.

"This is the happiest I have been in the past few years, I am not going to lie, hahaha", she said excitedly, "My babies are together again, and yesterday I find out Emily and Ash are dating! This is the most...."

Jessica tuned out the rest of Nora's excited ramblings as she stood still, her blood running cold at the sudden revelation. Ash and Emily. Dating. Once again, she had stolen him away from her. She noticed the smug smile on Emily's face. The satisfied expression on Ash's face. And she saw red.

"WHAT!", she boomed at the top of her lungs. The whole room fell quiet as Nora, Ash and Emily looked at her with a confused yet concerned face.

Jessica bellowed towards Ash as she said, "So let me get this straight. Not only do you abandon this family, ABANDON ME. You run away to another country. You stay away from us. You put me through HELL, only to come back and act like you were sorry, and you wanted to be my brother again, only to go back to THIS BITCH? YOU BETRAY ME ONCE AGAIN?", she pointed towards Emily. Jess then turned towards Emily, who was looking at her with a neutral face, but an intense look in her eyes.

"AND YOU. YOU HAVE ALWAYS TRIED TO STEAL MY BROTHER FROM ME. WHY CAN'T YOU JUST FUCK OFF AND STAY AWAY FROM OUR FAMILY. I HATE YOU, DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?", she didn't mean that but, in the rage-filled monologue, she blurted out stuff that she knew, in the back of her head, that she would regret.

Jess then turned back to Ash, "And you.... you once again choose someone else over me. I hate you more than anybody. You are the most worthless, piece of shit brother in the entire world. I wish you had never come back. I wish you never existed. I wish my parents had never brought you into my family. You are just a runt that was picked up off the streets and given a home and a family that you betrayed. You-"

Jess was interrupted by a resounding slap that cracked across her cheek.

No one's PoV

Jess stood there, shocked and in silence, for a few moments. Nora had just slapped her in front of everyone. Ash had tears streaming down his face, Emily had stood up and stood silent, shocked at the revelation of Ash being an adopted child, while Nora just stood there, shell shocked.

With tears in her eyes, Jess stormed off to her room. Nora, still furious at her daughter's behavior, started to go after her, but was stopped by Emily.

"Nora, stop. Listen to me. Tensions are high. If you go after her, it will only make things worse. Please let me talk to her. I promise, I will fix this."

Nora was breathing heavily as she contemplated Emily's words, still seeing rage. Then she saw Ash, sitting on the couch, his face in his hands as he silently sobbed. Her heart fell. She quickly knelt beside him and hugged him.

"My baby boy... I am so sorry. This is all my fault... Please baby, don't be sad. I want you to know that I love you more than anything in this world", she sniffed as she continued to hold him. Ash didn't reply but continued sobbing. Emily placed and hand on her shoulder and nodded reassuringly.

Nora got up. After contemplating for a second, she decided to put her trust in Emily and walked out of the house, seemingly going on a walk to clear her head.

Emily sat down besides Ash. She hugged him tightly from the side, "It's okay, Ashy... It's okay. You let those tears out. I will fix this, I promise. I want you to stay here and trust me. Do you trust me, baby?"

Ash looked at her, teary eyed, and nodded silently.

Emily smiled at him reassuringly, gave him an affectionate kiss on his forehead and got up, as she started heading towards Jess's room.

Jessica's POV

Why did I say all those things? Jess was sitting on her bed, curled up in a fetal position, tears streaming down her face.

I am a horrible person. I hate myself. I said the things that I knew would hurt him the most and I did it in an instant. I want to scream. Why. Just why did I say that.

Jess drowned in her guilt as she continued sobbing. She didn't even notice the door open up as Emily entered and sat down beside her curled-up feet. She placed her hand on her shoulders gently.

"Jess..."

Jess continued to sob loudly.

Speaking a little loudly, Emily said again, "JESS..."

Jess sat up, startled, and started screaming, "EMILY! GET OUT GET OUT GET OU-"

She was interrupted by Emily hugging her in a tight embrace. Jess struggled and resisted, but Emily held on. After a while, her struggles died down and resumed sobbing into Emily's warm embrace. For some time, they both sat in peace, one crying harder than before, the other whispering reassuring words in her ears.

After some time, Jess's sobbing died down, and she pulled back from the warm embrace. She looked at Emily, hoping to see resentment and hatred on her face, but all she saw was love and reassurance. A gentle reminder than Emily was never her enemy.

After a small pause, Jess lowered her eyes and said, "I... I am so sorry Emily... I don't... I don't know what came over me.... I'm just.... I'm sorry. Please forgive me..."

Emily lifted her hand to caress Jess's face and wipe some of her tears away, "I know hon. I know you did not mean those things. And I also understand that your jealousy towards me stems from your love towards your brother and not hatred. But I want you to know, I still love you. You are still my family. I will always be by your side, no matter how many times you throw stones at me to turn me away".

Hearing those words, Jess started tearing up again.

"What do I do, Em... I said all those horrible things to him..."

"I know sweetheart, I know... But... the resentment that you have towards him... you need to get over it."

"But I can't! I...."

Jess took a long pause while Emily waited patiently.

After some time, Jess resumed, "When I was 14, and Ash was 15, he and Dad were visiting us from Japan. It was the third time I was seeing him after he had left. By this point, I hated that he had left, but I still hoped he would change his mind and stay back, so I tried to get him to come back. He, on the other hand, was cold and detached. You have no idea how much it angered me, but I remained still, hoping to win him over. One day, I don't remember what exactly was happening, but for some reason, Mom and Dad had pulled out old documents and stuff like that. Ash was there, helping them sort out the documents, while I watched from the couch. Then he came across a document. I was watching the entire time. I still remember the look on his face. I watched how his face went from surprised, to shocked to angry. He had just found his adoption papers. I remember him confronting our parents about this. Screaming in their faces. Asking them why they didn't tell him before. I remember him just leaving. When I looked at the papers.... I don't know Em... I just... Everything that I had gone through by that point... It all just came crashing down... I hated him in that moment. Not for being adopted, but for lashing out in such an ugly manner. I hated him for forgetting the love and happiness that this family had given him despite being adopted. And more than anything, I hated him for abandoning me and Mom. After that visit, my whole outlook changed, and I stopped talking to him and I stopped trying to win him over. When he came back, all the pent-up resentment started bubbling over. The day we spent today, it almost felt like the good old days, but the moment I heard that you and Ash were dating, I don't know.... I once again felt like he was going to abandon me. I don't even know if that makes sense, but I just.... I don't know.... I just saw red.... And I said all those hurtful things.... What do I do Emily?"

They both sat on Jess's bed in silence. Emily held Jess's trembling hands in her warm and strong hands the entire time she aired out her grievances.

Finally, after a long moment of silence, Emily started speaking, "Jess... I am going to tell you something that you, nor Nora, know about... I promised Ash, I would never tell you this, but you deserve to know because his decision to withhold this information does not help anybody".

After a small pause, Emily lets out a big breath and started saying, "Ash didn't abandon you. The day your parents announced their divorce, they asked you two, whom you wanted to stay with. Both of you jumped up and said that you wanted to stay with Nora; this was expected. After all, you would be staying in your own home, as compared to moving to a whole different country. However, there is something you don't know. That very night, when everyone else had gone to sleep, Ash came down to get water from the kitchen. When he creeped down, he heard your father, sitting in the dark, crying, seemingly talking to your grandma on the phone, telling her how he felt. Ash heard him talking about how he was hurt that none of his children would even consider going with him. He wondered what he did wrong. He thought he had failed as a father. Now... Think about it... It was the first time Ash, your father's son... had seen his father cry. The strongest man he knew was crying because he thought his children didn't love him. Ash had spent that entire night thinking about the whole situation, heartbroken from hearing what his father had said. He himself wondered why he and you had instantaneously jumped up and said that you guys didn't want to go with him. After all, he had never been a bad father, right? In fact, he had been an amazing father; strong, affectionate, caring and supportive. Our Ashy had come to the conclusion that he didn't want his father to be lonely and hurt in a foreign country. He decided... As immature as it may seem to you... that since Nora would have you, your father should at least have him, and as such, had announced the next day that he would go with your father. You and your mom had been horrified and heartbroken, I know that... He knows that too... But... But he knew you and Nora would have each other, and more than that, it wasn't the end of the world. After all, you all could always see each other every few months and on holidays. Of course, things are never that easy. Life happened and you all started seeing each other less and less. The reason why he was cold and distant to you whenever he used to come back to visit was because he knew that you could easily win him over and convince him to stay back. In Japan, he himself had a tough time. Yes, he did a lot of travelling and achieved a lot in school, but he had no friends, no family, except of course your dad, but even he would work long hours, and for the most part, Ash would be alone."

Jess is shocked as she hears all this. A thousand things ran through her head as tears start spilling down her cheeks again. Sobbing harder than before, she was once again engulfed in the warm embrace of Emily's strong arms.

"Oh my god.... W-why didn't he say anything? All this time... he was hurting... and everything that I put him through... how do I live with that, Em? How do I live with the guilt? I can't even face him anymore", she rambled as she sobbed into Emily's shoulders.

"Shhh shhh, it's okay. I get it. I understand the guilt. But I want you to set it aside. That guilt will eat you up. Destroy you from the inside. You should let go of it, and the past. You and Ash are finally together again. You have a chance to rebuild your relationship with him. Don't let the guilt and past get in your way. Both of you deserve to be happy. I know it is hard to do but trust me. Okay? Right now, just go to him, hug him, forgive him and ask for forgiveness back."

"I don't know how to do that..." she replied as she continued sobbing.

"Don't think, just go. Come on", Emily slowly got up and gently led Emily downstairs.

Ash's POV

Ash was distraught. He could not believe what had just happened. For the first time since finding out, Jess had brought up the fact that he was adopted, a stinging comment that pierced right through his heart. The hurt he was feeling right now was incomparable to any he had in the past. Ash started tearing up again, as the wait started to get to him. He contemplated going up to her room, but he decided against it, trusting Emily instead.

Just then, Emily and Jess came down, the former leading the latter. Ash quickly got up.

"J-Jess-"

He was interrupted as Jess ran towards him and crushed him in a bear hug, tumbling both of them down on the couch. She started sobbing heavily into his shoulders, Ash started tearing up again. He looked at Emily, who stood behind them, with a reassuring smile on her face. He drew his attention back to Jess, as he patted her back and continued to reassure her.

"Ash... Ashy... I-I'm so sorry, I... I am so sorry. For everything. P-please forgive me... I never meant any of those words."

"Jess, stop, you... you don't have to be sorry for anything. In fact, I should be the one to ask you for forgiveness. What I said in the cafe earlier today, I meant it. I really am sorry for everything."

As they both forgave each other, they just sat there on the couch, embracing as they came down from the crying. Emily had taken a seat on the chair opposite the couch, and was observing them, happy that they had resolved their differences.

After some time, Jess sniffled and spoke up, "Ashy... C-Can you call me Nessie again?"

Ash smiled, "Nessie... I have missed you so much..."

"I've missed you too...", Jess said as she snuggled into him more., before continuing, "I also want you to know... I... I am happy you and Emily are together again. My jealousy towards her.... It was not out of hate, but rather out of possessiveness towards you. I... I know that is unfair, and I promise I won't let that happen again. Emily is like a sister to me, and I am happy she can be part of our family."

"I understand, Jess... Thank you for accepting us...", Ash replied as he hugged her tighter and smiled happily.

As they reminisced about their relationship, Nora had come back home. She entered the living room, glancing at Ash and Jess on the couch, hugging each other. She looked at Emily with a confused expression and said, "What happened?"

Hearing her voice, Jess and Ash untangled themselves from the hug and got up.

"Mom... I-I'm sorry for saying those hurtful things. I didn't mean them. I hope you know that", Jess said as she took a few steps forward towards Nora.

Before Nora could say anything, Emily stood up and said, "Nora... I know this is all too much, but please, listen to her."

"I don't even... What happened?", Nora asked.

"Mom... do you know the reason why he left all those years ago?", Jess asked.

Ash suddenly realized that Jess knew the real reason. He looked at Emily with a horrified face, but she just smiled at him reassuringly. She stepped behind Jess and came to stand by next to Ash. She whispered in his ears, "It's okay. Just trust me." Ash contemplated for a second and just nodded, turning his attention back to Jess and Mom, who were standing in front of each other.

"What do you mean?", Nora asked, still puzzled.

Jess sighed and started telling her what Emily had told her in her room. As she revealed the secrets of Ash's past to her and the reason why he went with Dean to Japan, Nora fell on the couch, shell shocked. She started tearing up as she heard his story.

Ash sat down beside her as she started sobbing. After she had finished telling the story, Jess sat down next to her as well. The two children hugged her from both sides, as she continued to sob.

Before Nora could even say anything, Jess starts speaking again, "I know what's going through your head right now. It's the same thing that went through my head. The guilt and hurt. You have to let it go Mom. We are all back together now, and this is our chance to move ahead. We all deserve to be happy together", echoing Emily's words from earlier.

Emily herself is watching everything unfold, with a warm, satisfied smile on her face.

"Instead of dwelling on the past, we should start rebuilding the family", Jess continued.

After a lot of sobbing and hugging from all three, Nora finally looked up. First, she looked at Ash and said as she caressed his face, "My baby boy. I am so sorry I ever put in that position. I promise I will never do that again. I love you so much, baby."

Then she turned to Jess, caressing her face as well, "I am sorry I hit you. It's not something I can take back, but I promise it won't happen again. And thank you... for everything... bringing us together again. I am proud of you, my baby girl. I love you too. Both of you, more than anything", she placed a kiss on both her children's head.

After some time, Nora started getting up. She turned to Emily and hugged her as well, "Thank you, Emily... You are an angel sent from heaven. Thank you for always being there for us..."

"You don't have to thank me for anything, Nora. I love this family as much as I love mine."

Ash stood up as well.

"Mom, Jess... do you mind if me and Emily take a walk on the beach. I need some air...."

Nora smiled and said, "Of course sweetheart. It's getting late now, I'll set up dinner."

Jess nodded approvingly and got up as well, heading to the kitchen with Nora.

Emily and Ash headed out the patio, down on to the beach.

After walking some time in silence, hand in hand, Emily finally spoke up.

"Ashy... Are you angry at me? For telling Jess about your past?"

They stop and Ash looks at her with warm eyes, "Of course not Em... I... At first, I was shocked, but... it turned out to be a good thing, just like you had said, and I'm glad I trusted you, cause it worked out. I am grateful for your help in fixing my family issues, I truly am. I love you so much... Thank you."

Emily smiled and gently pulled him into an embrace, and soft kiss. They stood there for a few minutes, making out under the dark violet skies.

After some time, she pulled back but still held his hands.

"Ashy baby... Can I ask you something? You being adopted... why didn't you tell me before? I feel so bad... I wish I was there for you back then..."

Ash had a wistful expression on his face as he recalled the events of him finding out that he was adopted.

After some time, he finally started speaking, "This was back when I was 15. Me and dad had come home to visit from Japan. One day, mom and dad were sorting through some old papers, and I was helping them. I accidentally found the adoption papers and my whole world started to crumble. I was so hurt. At the time, I was purposely acting cold and distant to everyone and this just broke me. I confronted Mom and Dad and I said some harsh things. They reassured me that they loved me all the same, but I wasn't having it. I walked out, angry and hurt. To be honest, I went straight to your house. I remember sobbing and banging on your door because all I wanted was to run straight into your arms. But I think you were in New York at the time, if I remember correctly. That day, your mom answered the door. She realized something was wrong and brought me into the house. She asked what happened and I told her".

Emily started tearing up. Ash noticed this and squeezed her hand gently, "It's okay Em... You don't have to feel guilty... Turns out, you inadvertently helped me anyways."

"What do you mean?", Emily asked.

"As I told her about what had happened, Aunt Cassie just listened to me and after I had finished talking, she calmed me down and comforted me. Then....," Ash let out a sigh before continuing, "Then she told me a story of something that happened with you when you were 13. About how you once found out that your other mother, who was a futanari, had actually raped Aunt Cassie and had fled the country."

Emily winced as pain flashed across her face, but Ash just squeezed her hands again reassuringly, stepping closer to her.

"I know, my love... It's okay... Aunt Cassie told me how you wanted to find that woman and kill her, but Aunt Cassie obviously didn't want you to do that. She then told me how one evening me, you and Jess were hanging out on the beach. She said she doesn't know what happened at the beach, but by the time you came back home, you had let go of your anger and instead cried with her while comforting her. Aunt Cassie then told me that you had told her that you had realized family is family, no matter the good, bad or ugly, and that at the end, this all we have. That was how I was able to change my perspective as well. I realized in that moment that I wasn't angry at my parents, but rather just hurt. Aunt Cassie didn't know what happened at the beach, but I do..."

Flashback

Ash, Emily and Jess were on the beach, some further ways down their houses. It was a beautiful, sunny day, and Jess and Ash were playing around, laughing, making sandcastles, blowing bubbles, while Emily watched over them from the picnic blanket. Usually, she would join them, but this time she sat silent, a million things going through her head. The revelation that Donna, her other mother, who everyone had told her had died before she was born, was in fact a criminal who had raped her mother and left her to deal with the pregnancy, leaving the country behind, before anyone could catch her.

Suddenly, Emily was interrupted from her thoughts as she heard a shout and saw a large kid, a bit older than Ash, pushing him around and hitting him, while Jess screamed at him to leave her brother alone.

Before she even knew it, Emily was on her feet running towards them. She jumped on the large kid and started punching him. Already reeling from the rage and pain of discovering her mom's past, she saw red and continued hitting the kid bloody, ignoring the voices and commotion around her.

Suddenly, she heard a loud scream, "EMILY!", as she was pulled back with a jerk, and she saw Ash, trembling and holding her by her arm. The fear that he had on his face, Emily would never forget. Instantly she snapped out of it and let go of the kid.

Back to the present

Emily was softly sobbing as he recounted the day on the beach.

After some time, she stopped sobbing and said, "Ash... After I found out what Mom went through... I felt so angry and lost... Being a futanari myself, I hated myself. I even contemplated going through a sex change surgery to get rid of my identity. That other woman was a monster, and that made me think I was a monster too. That day... on the beach... when I saw the scared look on your face, and the fear that you had towards me... I realized in that instant that I didn't want to be a monster. I remember afterwards, the way you caressed my bloody knuckles and reassured me. In those moments, I decided to instead accept myself for who I am and be with the family I had, the family that I should be grateful for."

Ash smiled softly, "And that is what Aunt Cassie passed on to me, making myself realize the same thing. That instead of dwelling on the past, we should just focus on the present and move forward together."

Emily pulled him into a warm embrace, "Oh Ashy... Looks like we had so much impact on each other, without even knowing it."

Ash smiled as he rest his head against the top of her chest, while she rest her chin on his head. "I am so glad we have each other, Em... I love you so much. I love you."

"Me too baby boy, me too..."

After what seemed like eternity, they pulled their face back but remained in a tight embrace. Emily pulled him into a passionate kiss. For a few minutes, they stood there, in each other's arms, making out passionately.

Pulling back, Ash said jokingly, "That was amazing. Is there a Pringles can in your pants, or are you just happy to kiss me?"

Emily shook her head and chastised him, "Oh my god, you perv... Don't ruin the moment!"

Ash laughed and stood on his tippy toes to kiss her again. They then started heading back to their house, hand in hand.

As they made their way through the patio back into the house, they saw Nora and Jess, sitting on the couch, discussing something.

As they saw Emily and Ash enter, Jess jumped and ran towards them.

"Emily, Ashy! Listen, me and mom have been talking, and we decided, why not go on a picnic on Sunday! The four of us can go to Lake Hollywood Park. Mom said she will bring the grill so that we can have a cookout!"

"I appreciate the invite Jess, but you don't have to invite me. You three should go so that you-"

Emily was interrupted by Jess hugging her, mirroring their previous interaction in her room.

"Em... You are a part of this family now. Actually, you always have been, and we want you there with us. I won't take no for an answer."

Glancing behind Jess, she saw Nora nodding approvingly. Emily started to tear up and whispered, "Okay, okay. I am honored. Thank you."

Jess broke the hug and stepped back, "Great, its decided then!"

Ash lifted his hand and with mock seriousness, said, "Um, what if I don't want to go?"

However, none of the women looked amused and they just stared at him with a straight face.

Ash chuckled nervously, "Okay okay, sorry, jeez! I was just joking; I can't wait to go!"

Nora shook her head and looked back to Emily and said, "Well, dinner is set, why don't you join us tonight."

Emily smiled and said, "I would love to, but I have a business dinner in an hour with the Fritzs', remember? I have to try and close that contract."

"Ah, right. I totally forgot. Well, best of luck! Well... you don't need luck; you are a 1000% capable. Alright kids, why don't we freshen up and meet back here?"

Jess nodded, said her goodbye to Emily and went up to her room.

"I'm going to drop Nora home, mom", Ash said.

Nora smiled and said, "My baby boy... What a gentleman. Don't stay out too long, I don't want the food to get cold."

Ash nodded. Emily said her goodbyes and started heading out their front door with Ash.

When they reached Emily's house, she pulled him into a hug and gave him a light kiss.

Pulling back, Ash bit his lower lip and whispered, "So... you have an hour till your business dinner right.... mommy?"

Emily laughed as she threw her head back, "You naughty boy", she then lowered her voice and huskily whispered, "You just can't resist your mistress, can you?"

Ash nodded hastily.

Emily took his hand and led him into the house. Once inside, she pushed him onto the couch and straddled his lap as she started to passionately make out with him.

The wet, squelching noises of a sloppy kiss started filling the room. Ash could feel Emily's heavy cock growing larger by the second against his own crotch. Emily's hands roamed everywhere on his lithe body.

She stopped sucking his mouth and pulled her head back.

"Guess we are gonna have to make this quick, huh baby boy...", she growled as she lightly slapped his face.

Ash looked up at her submissively and nodded, "Yes mommy..."

Emily got up from his lap. She grabbed his hair and pulled it aggressively into her huge bulge, strained against her jeans.

His mouth started to water, as Ash could feel the heat emanating from her crotch. He could smell the heavenly, musky scent of her sweaty, hard, throbbing cock and heavy balls that had been trapped in her underwear and pants all day, the scent exaggerated by a thick bush of hair above the base of her cock. He started licking the rough fabric of her jeans hungrily, making Emily laugh.

"Oh, you are so hungry for mommy's cock, aren't you baby.... You want this hard cock lodged deep down your throat, you cockslut?"

"Yes mommy, please please please, fuck my throat with the hot dick of yours...."

"Mmmmm, that's what I like to hear."

She unzipped her jeans and pushed her panties aside, allowing her dick to flop out. Instantly, Ash has his nose buried against her throbbing, hot member.

Normally, Emily would have punished him for not asking permission before touching her dick. But they were pressed for time, so she decided to punish him some other time.

Ash on the other hand, continued inhaling the strong musky scent of her hard cock, his own straining uncomfortably against his pants. He licked the tip, tasting the sweet essence of her pre cum. Oh, how much he loved the taste of all her juices.

As he was about to wrap his lips around her cock, Ash's phone suddenly started ringing, making him jump.

Emily started laughing as he looked at his phone to see his mom calling.

"H-hey mom, what's up?", he answered.

"Honey, what did I tell you? Come back quick, we are already at the table waiting for you."

"O-Oh okay, I-I'll be right there...."

By the time the phone conversation ended, Emily had already retrieved her monster and tucked it safely back into her pants.

"Aww baby, sorry about the blue balls", she said as she zipped her pants back up.

Ash had a disappointed expression on his face.

"Don't worry baby, I'll make it up to you. Besides, next time I will be punishing you for touching my precious cock without permission", she growled the last part, making him shiver.

"O-Oh okay. When can we meet next time?", he mewled.

"Tsk tsk, patience little slut. You and I are both busy tomorrow, and on Sunday we have the picnic. Actually... That gives me an idea... I'm going to make the picnic spicy for you...", she said as she smiled sadistically, cooking up ideas in her head.

"W-What do you mean?", Ash asked as he shivered at her animalistic look.

"Oh, don't worry baby, you'll find out soon enough. Now go, before Nora calls you back".

"Okay...", he came closer and hugged her, "Byeee, I love you..."

She lifted his chin and placed a soft kiss on his lips, "I love you too, baby. See you later!"

With that, Ash pulled back and left the house, making his way back home. Today had been a rollercoaster, and a million thoughts ran in his head as he adjusted his pants.

The rest of the evening wore on pretty normally. Ash, Nora and Jess had an ecstatic family dinner, one they hadn't had in 8 years. As Ash looked around the table, he realized that, for the first time in a long while, he was truly, truly, happy.