AU :When two become three {Cole}

[Cole Kessler]

Cole smiled as she recalled the night they first shared a bed. It was her words that sent his mind on a trip back in time. As she spoke, every detail came to life as if had happened yesterday. Every color, move, touch, kiss, and lick were so vivid in his mind that Cole could almost feel it happening all over again. The feeling was something that relaxed Cole's every muscle, his every anxious nerve, his entire body.

Finally Cole drifted off to sleep, not even feeling Ava slip out from his arms and get out of the bed. Cole slept while she did whatever she had gotten up to do. Cole rolled onto his other side, putting his back toward the empty side of the bed. He started to toss and turn restlessly before finally waking up, "Ava?" Cole asked sleepily as he stood from the bed. He went into the hallway and was met with the sounds of a sobbing woman.

He walked slowly down the hallway, listening to the sobbing get louder, "Ava?" Cole asked as he saw her. The tear streaks were evident on her face and he walked to sit beside her, "Hey, baby, is everything okay?" He asked as he sat down, wrapping her in his arms.

[Ava Anderton]

She hadnt even realised that Cole was beside her till she felt his arms around her letting out a faint cry she clung to him tightly not wanting to let go she gasped for air hiding herself in his neck while she reached for the letter knowing that it would clue him in on everything

'' lm going to die just like my mom'' she whispered of course she didnt no that for a fact but her worst fears had gotten hold of her before she sobbed again her body trembled her breath coming out ragged for a few moments till the baby moniter came to life and Layla started to grizzle '' She..she needs a feed'' she mumbled quickly standing up and wiping her face of tears '' im fine '' she uttered '' Can you..grab the bottle of milk for me please ?'' she asked quietly before walking off to Laylas room

Walking into her little daughters room Ava tried to smile for Layla reaching over to pick her up '' Hi my little one '' she whispered closing her eyes and stroking her daughters hair '' l wont be far away never '' she whispered making a promise to her daughter

[Cole Kessler]

Cole was worried now. Her words weren't exactly what he wanted to hear. When she asked him to fetch the baby bottle from the fridge, Cole obliged quickly. He took the bottle to Ava, "I'll wait for you in here, darling." With that, Cole walked back into the living room. He sat back down on the couch and took hold of the letter she had dropped when she'd latched onto him. He read over it and his eyes widened. Her words and fears weren't without merit, for sure. In a way, it even had Cole scared now.

Cole was a hard man to scare. His family meant the world to him. The thought of losing Ava or Layla killed him inside. It was one thing he didn't think he would ever make it through if it came to that. The thought of him being without one or both of them, Cole shuddered. He slowly reclined into the couch as he waited for Ava to finish feeding their daughter.

He couldn't help but read the letter one more time as he laid back. He shook his head, praying subconsciously that his wife would receive good news once they went to the doctor. A single tear strayed free from the ducts in his eyes. Life without his wife was a thought he wouldn't be able to deal with. They needed to get this doctor's visit out of the way. Cole need to know just as much as he knew Ava did.

[Ava Anderton]

Ava sat quietly watching her daughter sleep after her feed the bottle drained dry she couldnt believe that she had just blurted everything out to him must of totally railroaded him she shook her head lightly stroking Laylas cheek gently '' l need you to take care of daddy for me '' she whispered as she stood up tucking Layla into her crib with a smile before slowly walking back into the living room

Taking a deep breath she walked straight to the fridge grabbing a can of soda '' Do you want a drink ? '' she asked with a small smile hoping them could talk about anything other than what she had said seeing the letter close to him she walked over grabbing the letter she started to rip it up throwing it into the bin almost like she thought it would make everything go away '' l just wanted .. one night where everything was perfect '' she uttered looking over at him she then walked over to him and knelt infront of him lightly pressing her forehead against his '' Tell me what you are thinking please ... dont shut me out '' she uttered stroking his cheek while her free hand found his and linked there fingers together.

[Cole Kessler]

Cole saw her go into the kitchen. She didn't stop to say anything to him, only asking if he wanted a drink when she got one, "Yeah, bring me a beer, please?" Cole said as he didn't move from the couch. His mind was rushing through thought after thought. Though his face didn't betray his emotions, Cole was scared to death on the inside.

As she came up and sat with him, Cole took the beer and cracked it open. She took the letter and ripped it up, telling him she had wanted one perfect night. Cole couldn't blame her. Even before tonight, his reunions had often been short-lived as the band would have another tour in a few days. This time was different, Cole was likely to be home for a while as the others were taking care of their own personal lives.

Cole felt another tear fall as she knelt in front of him. "What I'm thinking is that we need to get this doctor's visit out of the way." Cole told her, "I don't want to imagine life without you, Ava. I can't stand the thought of it. I love you. You and no one else."

[Ava Anderton]

Ava looked at him with a small smile she then reached up and kissed away his tear '' Dont cry these for me .. not yet anyway '' she smiled weakly at him while she moved to watch him hearing his confession she kissed him a little deeper '' you are my life Cole .. you and Laylal never thought l could love you like l do '' she whispered her hand squeezing his before she stood up

'' Take me to bed Cole ...please l will phone the doctor in the morning and then we can take it from there '' she whispered biting her lip '' l just want to curl up and fall asleep with you '' she uttered trying not to cry '' l need you now more than ever '' she didnt need him in a sexual way but she was in need of his strong arms around herself and pretend that everything that was happening was just a bad dream

Heading to the bedroom she stripped off her gown and crawled into the slightly crumpled bed it made her smile the bed had been perfect this morning she didnt care she was happy with him she loved the time they where together a soft yawn escaped her lips as she waited for him to join her as she pulled up the thin covers over her bare body.

[Cole Kessler]

Cole could no longer hide his worry. The tears were starting to fall much quicker, now from both eyes. When Ava told him she would call the doctor's office tomorrow, though, it was like a crushing weight had been lifted off of his shoulders. As she left to go to bed, Cole sat up for a few minutes longer, if only to finish his beer.

Tilting the can into the air, Cole chugged the remainder of his drink before finally taking another breath. He crushed the can and launched it into the trash can in the kitchen; giving a faint pump of his fist as the can bounced off the cabinet and into the can. "Proof that I'm still awesome...." He smiled and stood from the couch.

He walked down the hallway, shutting off the lights that were on through the house. Losing his shorts as he entered the room, he crawled into the bed with Ava. Kissing her temple as he pressed against her, he spoke, "Goodnight, Ava. I love you."

[Ava Anderton]

Ava lay in bed her eyes closed she thought that it would stop her own tears from falling she then nuzzled into Coles pillow she hated to be the reason why he cried she took a few deep breaths listening to Cole who was still in the living room she smiled faintly waiting for him to join her bed even tho now she was laying at an odd angle over most of the bed

Feeling him climb into bed she instantly made room for him rsting her head on his strong chest she cuddled tightly into him not wanting let go '' Everything is going to be ok '' she mumbled as if she needed to hear the words but looking out to the dark bedroom she was scared she had so much to live for she couldnt see her life ending so soon or maybe it was just that she refused to see it ending.

'' You no that if l do go lm so going to haunt you ... like when you are trying to get it on with another woman lm going to make your boxers float in the air or something '' she mumbled trying to be funny but as she giggled it seemed somewhat forced '' l love you Cole l never thought that you would end up being my best friend too ..'' she said smiling up at him moving to rest on her elbow she kissed his lips ever so lightly more like a goodbye kiss than anything else once the kiss was over Ava moved to roll on her side curling up in a ball trying to sleep