chapter 1

"Rosita!" Johnny called out.

The pig turned to the gorilla. "What's going on?" she asked.

Johnny looked around. "Can I ask you... a personal question?"

Rosita nodded. "Um, Okay. What's wrong?"

"Not here." Johnny asked, turning in panic as his girlfriend Ash entered the room.

"Okay... Let's go into the practice room." Rosita began.

Once the two were settled in, Rosita turned to Johnny.

"Ok, Hon. What's wrong."

Johnny took a deep breath. "How did your husband propose to you?" he finally asked.

Rosita was taken aback. "Why do you want to know?" She asked.

"Well..." Johnny began, "I want to propose to Ash, but, I'm not sure how to do it. I can't ask Dad, as he doesn't really like talking about Mom, and you're the only person I know who's married... so how do I do this?"

Rosita rubbed her chin in thought. "Well, first thing is, you really need to think this over." She began.

"Pardon?"

"You need to really look ahead. Is Ash the one you wish to marry? Imagine five or even ten years down the line. When you imagine that, is Ash with you, and do you feel happy?"

Johnny paused and thought. "Yes." He finally said. "We've been dating for five years already... I believe a lifetime is the perfect amount of time together."

Rosita smiled at Johnny. She knew he was ready. When he was with Ash, or even looked at or thought of her, his eyes lit up and he had an almost... dreamy smile. The same look her husband gave her.

"Okay." Rosita finally said. "Now, you need to understand, you and Ash are different from me and Norman, so what I may find romantic, Ash may find slightly cheesy and stupid. Be aware of this."

Johnny nodded.

"When Norman proposed to me, we had just graduated from college. He had taken me on a vacation and when we were in our hotel room, he popped the question, however, the best way to propose to someone is to consider their likes and dislikes. Would Ash want this to be public, or would you rather a private setting where she wouldn't feel pressured."

Johnny thought it over. "Thank you." he finally said.

"You're welcome. Have you got her a ring?"

Johnny nodded and pulled out a small box. Inside was a simple ring. A small red jewel adorned it. It was just the right size so it wouldn't interfere with her guitar playing.

"It's perfect." Rosita smiled.

Johnny snapped the box shut and put it back in his pocket.

"Good luck, big guy." She added, patting his arm.

Johnny nodded and headed back to the main room where Ash was waiting, all the while strumming a new song on her guitar.

"Oh! Johnny!" She began, looking up. "There you are. Ready to head home?"

Johnny nodded and took her hand. As they drove home, Johnny was still slightly scared. Many scenarios flashed in his head. One was Ash refusing then running out. Another was her accepting... then leaving him at the altar. the third one was them actually getting married... and regretting every second of it.

"Maybe I shouldn't." He thought.

"What was that?" Ash asked in surprise.

"Oh, nothing." Johnny replied, trying to fake a grin.

Ash raised an eyebrow.

Johnny exhaled. "Ash?" He finally began. "Do you love me?"

Ash nodded. "We've been together for five years and living together. I don't move in with boyfriends if I don't love them."

Johnny felt bittersweet about that. He knew he was the second guy she moved in with, so he couldn't claim to be the only man she loved. Reaching down, he gently rubbed her paw. "Are you happy though?"

Ash nodded. "Very."

Johnny instantly relaxed. "Good. That's all I needed to know."

Once they pulled into the little bungalow they shared, (the royalties Ash got for Set It All Free paid for the house and everything inside) Johnny said he would make dinner.

Ash nodded and went to their bedroom to work on her newest song.

"I have to do this tonight..." He thought, his hand closing over the ring. Thinking hard, he had a perfect idea. When Ash came down for dinner, to her surprise, it was by candlelight, and Johnny was in one of his best suits.

"What's going on?" She asked, coming down in surprise. "Did I forget an anniversary?"

Johnny laughed and pulled out a chair. "No. Just felt like being romantic."

Ash giggled. "Well, it's working." she replied, sitting down.

After Johnny pushed her in, they settled down to a three course dinner: home made Italian Wedding soup, seared steak and for dessert, Johnny had made lava cake. Once they finished, Johnny cleared the plates.

It was then Ash noticed a piece of paper folded into eighths by her napkin.

Curious, she unfolded it, and found a letter from Johnny:

Dear Ash

I wasn't sure how to say this, but I do know that, ever since I met you, my life has been getting better and better. Everytime we're together, I always feel so happy and whole, and I never want the feeling to end. I know you've been hurt, but I'm glad it never stopped you from loving, and I never want to hurt you. What I'm trying to say is... you complete me.

Love forever

Johnny

Turning, eyes slightly moist, she saw Johnny was by her side again, on one knee. "Will you marry me?" He asked, holding out the ring.

Ash nodded, her eyes filling up with tears. "I will!" She finally said.

Johnny slipped the ring on her finger and pulled her into his arms.

The two remained like that, holding each other tightly, happy tears sliding down their faces. After they let go, they kissed each other.

"I think I'm the happiest man alive." Johnny grinned. Suddenly he jumped up. "I have to tell Dad!"

He kissed his now fiancee again and ran off.

Ash smiled to herself before gulping. She was going to have to tell her parents. Her parents had very different views from her. Punk? Not preferred, becoming a rock star, not wanted, marrying someone outside your species? The worst thing you could do!

However, with her and Johnny getting some fame from that show, chances are the wedding was going to become public knowledge. May as will bite the bullet.

Paws trembling, she picked up the phone and dialed. A small part of her hoped it would go to voicemail, then she could just leave a message, and that would be that.

Unfortunately, her mother picked up on the second ring.

"Johannsen residence."

"M... Mom?" Ash began.

"Ah! Ashmina!" her mother began. "What a surprise. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Ash inhaled. "Um..."

"I saw you on T.V. a few months ago." Mrs. Johannsen added. "Can't say I'm happy with your choice, but go on."

Ash inhaled. "I'm getting married." She finally said.

The line went quiet. "Who's the guy?" Mrs. Johannsen asked. "It better not be Lance. I won't accept it."

"It's not. His name is Johnny."

"Johnny, huh?" A slurping sound was heard and Ash realized her mother was drinking tea. "Not particularly fond of the name... but last names are everything. What will your new last name be?"

"Egerton." Ash replied.

"Johnny Egerton?" Mrs. Johannsen began. "Kind of like... OH MY GOD!"

Ash gulped. Her mother had pieced it together.

"You're going to marry a GORILLA? Are you deluded?"

Ash closed her eyes as her mother's words cut her.

"I'd rather you marry Lance! At least he's the same species."

"Mom! I love Johnny. I'm going to marry him." Ash firmly said.

"Fine." Mrs. Johannsen snarked. "But understand you and that ape are on your own!"

With that, her mother slammed the phone down.

Ash paused and hung the phone up. Curling up into a ball, her body shook with rage and sadness. She wasn't sure how long she was there before she felt a familiar pair of arms wrap around her.

"What's wrong, Love?" Johnny asked.

Wiping her eyes, she told him about the phone call.

"I'm sorry." He sadly said, holding her. "Do you still want to marry me?" Ash looked up at her fiancee.

"Of course." she began. "Just because my mom is super narrow minded doesn't mean I'm going to bail on our own wedding."

Johnny smiled and sat next to her.

"So, how'd your dad take it?" Ash finally asked.

Johnny looked down at her. "He wants to meet you before the wedding."

Ash's eyes widened. "Really? He know's I'm a..."

"Yeah. He know's your a porcupine."

"And he's fine with that?"

"Well... he was shocked initially, but once I told him you made me happy, he was okay with it. He just wants me to be with someone who makes me happy."

Ash blushed a bit.

"Anyway, it's getting late..." Johnny began. "We have to meet with Buster tomorrow."

Ash nodded. "You can, I want to stay up a little bit longer."

Johnny kissed Ash goodnight and headed to bed.

Ash stared out the window at the full moon, then it hit her.

"Who's going to give me away?" She thought.