Thirty-Three

                                    

                                          
"You have to be almost there by now right?" Ashton asks through the phone as Amelia parks her car. 
                          
"Just pulled in." She sighs, "I wish you could have come tonight." 
                          
"I'll be back there in two weeks. You can make it through tonight and next week without me." Ashton laughs. 
                          
"Are you at the airport already?" 
                          
"Ya, just waiting for our flight now." 
                          
"Wait, you're with everyone? And you're on the phone with me instead of hanging out with the people around you?" She laughs. 
                          
"Calum's asleep, Luke and Sierra are having a moment, as are Mike and Crystal, since the girls aren't coming with us and we will be gone over Valentine's Day and everything. Don't worry, I'm not ignoring anyone. Plus, even if I was, I'd rather talk to you." 
                          
"Sap." She chuckles, waving softly at Daisy as she enters the gym. 
                          
"I can hang up and take a nap like Calum is." He scoffs. 
                          
"I need to hang up anyway, the meeting is going to start soon. Have a safe flight, I'll see you when you get back?" The statement comes out more as a question. 
                          
"I'll see you as soon as I can, Mils. Before the meeting in two weeks, maybe even the day I get back to LA. And I plan to talk to you while I'm gone too. Text, call, facetime, I want to make sure you don't forget how important you are to me." 
                          
"I look forward to those texts, calls, and facetimes." She can't help the way her heart flutters. 
                          
"Tell the group I'll be back in a couple weeks, and enjoy the meeting Mils." 
                          
"Save travels, let me know when you get into Sydney." She responds, seeing Poppet headed her way. 
                          
"I'll text you when we land." 
                          
"Bye Ash." 
                          
"Bye Mils." 
                          
She waits to hear him disconnect the call before dropping the phone from her ear. Eyes staying locked with Poppet's as she comes to a stop just in front of Amelia. 
                          
"You look almost lonely without the tall black haired man by your side." Poppet smiles, her eyes twinkling with a touch of mischief. 
                          
"That was him on the phone actually." She laughs, "He'll be back in a couple weeks. He's away on business again." 
                          
"Are the two of you still good though?" 
                          
"Ya." She sighs, "I think we have hit our stride, I'm nervous for the next week and a half without him here though, I have a lot going on and he is ninety percent of my support system and he's on the other side of the world, literally." 
                          
"Why don't we get some ice cream after the meeting? You need more support than one person, and I need someone who wants to do more than just tell me to rest and do puzzles." 
                          
"Your kids make you rest and do puzzles?" Amelia laughs. 
                          
"They are afraid I am going to break a hip or something if I don't slow down." She nods, gesturing for Amelia to take a seat beside her as the meeting is called to order. 
                          
"I'd love to get ice cream with you later, Poppet." She answers quietly, grateful for the older lady beside her with Ashton traveling half a world away. 
                          
"We'll do that then." Poppet pats her hand, both of them turning their full attention to the group.  Listening as Daisy introduces a new member of the group and starts the count of accountability. 
                          
"I'm at eighty-three today, and feeling great about that." Amelia smiles when her turn comes around, "Also, Frankie said to send all of you his support and well wishes, he is away on business this week and next, but will be back here the following week."