As Aisha shook her hands with the former yellow and pink Space Rangers, she inquisitively saw a young girl adorned in blue sitting on the sidewalk watching a football game.
"Who's that?" she asked as she looked over Ashley's shoulder.
"She's Shelia Rodriguez," Ashley explained, "Rocky's cousin, niece, or someone related to the DeSantos'," she said shaking her head.
While the conversations went on, Rocky had taken a sip of his drink from his bottle. As he tried looking at who had entered into the neighborhood, he carefully examined the young woman who was around the girls who were chatting.
He nudged Adam and started questioning who the mysterious girl was. Adam looked with him, but weren't sure. As they walked up closer, they squarely looked at the young woman who seemed to look very familiar to them.
"Sweetie, will you do me a favor?" Tanya asked as she saw her husband, "Can you take in Aisha's things?" she asked.
Adam's eyes grew wide. He hadn't seen Aisha since her leave for Africa. They were teenagers then, but now it was different. They both had changed. Both had different lives, and both had grown up.
Rocky stood there with his mouth wide open. He couldn't believe who had returned. To many, the young girl was his best friend in high school. However, best friends meant a couple, or did it?
"Earth to Mr. Park?" she said as she waved her hand over Adam's face, "ADAM!" she exclaimed.
"Oh, sorry babe," Adam said as he returned to a normal state, "Wha?" he questioned.
"Can you help me with Aisha's things, please?" she asked.
"Sure."
Adam nodded and picked up two of Aisha's belongings. Though, Rocky was still in his amazement whirl. His best friend had returned and he hadn't spoken a word…yet.
Shelia had gotten up from her cemented seat and looked at his cousin. Rocky was in awe, still in lovey-dovey world. Supposedly, he was to be helping, not drooling.
"Rocky, give me a hand here," his green cladded friend replied, "ROCKY DESANTOS!" he screamed rather loudly.
"Huh?" Rocky gulped as he just stared at an older version of Aisha.
"A little help here man," Adam said as he nudged his friend's elbow with the suitcases, "C'mon and help," he retorted as he carried several carry-ons.
Aisha, Tanya, Cassie, and Ashley laughed as they saw Rocky and Adam carry the bags in. With the help of T.J. and Andros, several bags had made it into the house. Suddenly, a slight rainstorm started.
"C'mon, we better head inside," Cassie said as she covered her head with her jacket, "It's bout to pour," she said.
The girls ran inside. It was only the matter of time to get situated with the evening which would consist of a lot of catching up with life as well as life in Stone Canyon.
7:30 p.m.
The night had filled up the sky quickly as Aisha got acquainted with many updates and stories. There were take out trays scattered on the floor and an empty wine bottle, but there was a lot of laughter that filled the room that evening.
"Who would've thought bubble gum wasn't digestible?" Andros said as he belly laughed about his first experience with chewing gum, "I didn't know," he shrugged.
The gang laughed at Andros' remark. Sure, he was new earth, but he still had a lot of learning to do when he stayed permanently with Ashley. Ashley sat there fighting her laughter, but still would recall some moments she had with Andros.
"You and your 'I know how to use chopsticks,' " she giggled, "It still empresses me," she said as she smirked at her husband.
Aisha chuckled, "You honestly didn't know how to use them?" she asked.
"Well, he kept using them like two pencils," Ashley commented.
Cassie and Carlos looked at each other, couldn't help but laugh. T.J. snickered and recapped his moments on KO-35. Life was a lot different in space than it did on earth. The three had returned for Ashley and Andros' wedding, but decided to stay permanently on earth to get them situated with life again.
"What about you, Rocky?" Aisha asked as she saw his blue cladded friend fiddle with his dinner as everyone spoke.
"With me?" he asked, "Well, I'm working as a dojo instructor and basically just enjoying life again," he retorted as he popped a piece of sushi in his mouth.
"That's great. Adam, what about you and Tanya?" she inquired.
"Well…" Tanya said as she rubbed her kitten Coupon's forehead, "Adam's been working as a stuntman at Angel Grove's amusement park, but he's now working with me on my radio show for KAG 99.3," she explained.
"Wow, that's incredible. Do you ever think I could be on your radio show?" Aisha questioned her friend.
"Sure, that would be great," Tanya stated with a smile, "I'll have to ask my boss and see what he think. Mr. Strawbridge is a bit weird about changes," she hinted.
The conversations went long into the night. It was a night of catching up. It was also a night of knowing who's dating whom, who's married to whom, or who has kids or per se, working and being a post-Ranger.
Though, no one knew Aisha's biggest secret. She had still to tell them about it, but in due time she would. For now, she wanted to hear everyone's stories, especially of the many stories of friends and love.
As the adult-known Rangers chatted up the evening, the sound of a baby monitor had sounded. This only meant one thing.
"Mommmmmy," said a small voice as she rubbed her eyes as she stood on the stairs, "I don't feel so good," she muttered.
"Mom?" Aisha asked as she looked at her friend.
Another story had yet to unfold for that one.
