My note…as with the end of any season, there is always speculation/hopes for the next season. We all have storylines we'd like to see(and some we'd like to end)...there was a question on DB that asked JimAsh fans what storylines they wanted to see for season 7. I took a few of those suggestions and put them together in one story. Now, I know I've touched on some of these subjects in some of my other stories or chapters, but not really in this way.

FATHER KNOWS BEST

CHAPTER 1: HOMECOMING

"Oh my God El, I can't believe it...my dad's coming here for an entire month", Ashley squealed and turned to her best friend as she hung up the phone. "I knew he was trying to get time off so he could be here for my graduation, but I never thought he'd be able to come out for a whole month. Now we'll get to spend my birthday, graduation and father's day together".

Ellie smiled and hugged her friend tightly. "That's so great Ash", she replied as they broke the hug. "How did he manage to get that much time off of work?".

"I guess he's had it coming", Ashley answered with a shrug as they both settled on the couch. "I mean he was supposed to come out for Christmas, but then he got sent to China on a news assignment. Then when I was supposed to go there during spring break, Chris ended up in the hospital with appendicitis, so I had to cancel my trip".

"That's right", Ellie recalled. She turned to Ashley and smiled again. "Oh Ash, I am so happy for you... I remember how I couldn't wait to see my Dad again after his first tour...now he's on his third, and it seems like he'll never be home for good", she trailed off and shrugged.

Ashley frowned; in her excitement, she forgot all about the heartache Ellie and her mom were going through with her dad being gone for so long. "Sorry Ellie", she apologized.

"Don't be", Ellie brushed it off. "My dad's just doing his job, protecting his country...that's his decision and I'm proud of him". Ashley nodded slightly in agreement. "You have every right to be on top of the world right now Ash", Ellie added with a smile.

"I am Ellie", Ashley beamed. "Ooh, I've gotta call Jimmy", she announced joyfully, jumping up from the couch to retrieve the phone.

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"So, how much longer?", Jimmy asked quietly, nudging Ashley's elbow with his.

She smiled at him and studied the clock. "Two days, one hour and thirty-seven minutes", Ashley whispered back after she calculated in her head.

"And how many seconds?", he teased sweetly.

Ashley shot him an incredulous look and shook her head. She giggled slightly then turned her attention back to the lesson they were supposed to be reading.

Jimmy watched her from the corner of his eye and grinned….she was positively glowing with excitement.

Ashley looked back at the clock and snapped her book shut, she really wasn't reading it anyway. She packed her bag and Jimmy did the same. They both looked up at Ms. Kwan and she nodded to them that it was okay to leave. Jimmy always had a five minute leeway with his classes, he was able to leave class five minutes early and enter five minutes after the bell, without being penalized…and he made sure Ashley got to benefit when they had classes together.

"So...", she whispered, as they strolled down the still empty halls. "...on Thursday, after we pick up Dad from the airport, Mom wants us all to go out to dinner, you're invited too".

Jimmy slowed and looked up at her questionably. "Are you sure Ash. I mean, shouldn't it just be, ya know…family?

Ashley stepped in front of him and smiled. She laid her hands on the rims of his chair and leaned forward so that there faces were just inches apart. "You are family Jimmy", she insisted and planted a great big kiss on his lips. "Besides, Dad hasn't seen you in almost five years...and I'm sure he can't wait to talk to the man who holds his little girl's heart", Ashley added, with a casual but slightly teasing tone and stood up straight.

Jimmy blew out a sigh. "Yeah, that sounds great", he replied with mock nervousness, then winked playfully at Ashley and pulled her onto his lap...just as the bell rang.

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For the next two days, one hour and thirty-seven minutes, Ashley Kerwin was about as anxious and excited as a kid waiting for Santa Clause to come. She sat in the waiting area at theToronto International airport, nervously tapping her fingers against Jimmy's arm, which was laying on her leg.

"Ash?", he called questionably, giving her knee a slight squeeze.

"I'm sorry", Ashley apologized and removed her hand. "I don't know what's wrong with me. I mean, it's only my dad...it's not like...".

Jimmy interrupted Ashley's rant by taking hold of her hand and squeezing it. "No Ash...look", he announced with a slight flick of his head.

Ashely looked up and immediately broke out into a smile. "Daddy", she squealed, running over to greet him.

Robert Kerwin smiled and held his daughter tight. "Ashley, honey...I've missed you so much", he sighed, kissing the side of her head. "You look beautiful sweetheart", he declared, holding her at arms length.

Ashley smiled and blushed slightly. Robert then turned to his ex-wife and gave her a hug, followed by a handshake to Jeff and Toby. "Dad, you remember Jimmy right?", Ashley asked as she stepped behind Jimmy and placed her hands on his shoulders.

"Oh yes, Jimmy", Robert greeted with a slightly sympathetic smile after glancing quickly at Jimmy's chair. "It's been a long time", he added and extended his hand.

Jimmy gave a firm shake and chuckled, "Yeah, I was definitely much taller the last time you saw me".

The rest of the group chuckled along with Jimmy's joke, while the smile on Robert's face faded from cheerful to uncomfortable. Jimmy, sensing the awkwardness shrugged almost apologetically and added, "It's nice to see you again too, Mr. Kerwin".

Ashley smiled at the interaction between the two most important men in her life. "You must be starving Dad", she stated as she stepped next to him. "Mom and I planned a special dinner in you honor".

"Kate, you didn't have to go through all that trouble", Robert stated, looking sincerely at his ex-wife.

"Really Robert, it was no trouble", Kate insisted and smiled at Ashley. "The only planning we had to do was make reservations for six at Francesco's", she added with a small laugh.

Robert stepped forward to meet up with Jeff and Toby who had just retrieved his bags, but they waived him off. He gave the two an appreciative nod and fell back into step with Ashley, while Kate and Jimmy followed behind.

Ashley stopped suddenly and watited for her mother and Jimmy to catch up, only then did she move forward. She looked from her father on her right, to her boyfriend and mother on her left as they fell into a comfortable pace and smiled to herself...never in her almost nineteen years, had Ashley Kerwin felt more content.

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So there's the first chapter, kinda short and more like an introduction...the content/plot part will pick up soon. I'm not going to give anything away, but this will be a more angsty/emotional fic...there will be fluffy parts too. I know there's really not much to go on here, since the main plot has not been revealed yet but I would appreciate your input.

I have another chapter story in the works now but I might wait until this one is done, being the time line falls after graduation even though the two stories are in no way related.

Degrassi is not mine.