A/N: Should be the last chapter to even need scenes from "A Wedding on Walton's Mountain." But they are italicized like always.

Since it didn't seem like Paul wanted to get married, and he obviously didn't want to spend time with me; I had made up my mind to spend more time with somebody who did. Ashley had always been there for me. There were pains of the past, but you had that in every situation and I wasn't about to make that the reason why I didn't want to see him now. After I tried talking to Paul and he didn't want to listen to me, I decided to go out with Ashley that night when he asked me. As I walked down the stairs, Paul walked over to the stairs.

"Erin, please, I'd like to talk to you."

"Oh I'm sorry Mr. Northridge, but I don't have the time." I walked down the stairs into the living room and he walked through the kitchen into the living room.

"Erin, I really think we should talk."

"My date is waiting." I opened the door and stepped out onto the porch. Paul walked out after me.

"Erin." I quickly walked down the steps and strolled over to Ashley's car. He was standing in front of the passenger door.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked.

"Across the sea and far away." He placed his hand on my shoulder and kissed me. "Ready?" I looked back at Paul and Daddy, who was now standing on the porch with him.

"I'm ready." He opened my door and I got into the car. He closed it after me. I stared at Paul as Ashley got into the car and we drove away.

I had never felt so wanted when I wasn't with Ashley. I think the time we spent apart during the war helped us to develop the relationship we had now. I was grateful for whatever happened in our lives that brought us to this point. When we pulled up to the house later in the evening, all the lights were off except for one in the living room. I tried to open my door, but Ashley held it closed.

"Not until you agree to our picnic tomorrow morning."

"Sorry, I'm a working girl."

"Call in sick." Ashley kissed me. I had never felt before what I did with Ashley. It rekindled something that the years had repressed. I pulled away to be able to look into his eyes.

"I have to go now."

"Tomorrow? Bright and early?"

"We'll see. Good night."

"Good night." I opened the door and got out of the car. When I walked up the steps and opened the door, I saw Daddy sitting at the desk by the stairs. I walked over to him, leaned down and kissed him and then sat down next to him. He took my hand in his.

"Daddy, I've decided something." He looked at me.

"What?" I took a deep breath before I said anything else. I didn't think he would be incredibly happy with the decision because I had been engaged to Paul; but sometimes things don't work out the way we want them to or how we planned it out.

"I'm going to marry Ashley, daddy." He looked into my eyes for a long time before he put down his notepad and leaned down.

"Are you sure that's what you want?" I nodded.

"Daddy, Ashley loves me, he always has." Daddy took his glasses off and put them on the table.

"What about Paul?" I shook my head.

"He doesn't care about our wedding or about me. Ashley does. I want to spend the rest of my life with him Daddy. I wanted to several years ago, before he ever left for Europe, but you and Mama said I was too young."

"Don't blame this on me and your Mama." Daddy warned and I shook my head quickly.

"I'm not Daddy, I'm just saying that I love Ashley and I have for a long time. I want to marry him." Daddy nodded.

"I remember the first time that young man made an appearance on the mountain," he responded. "If you want to marry him, it's your choice. Nobody can make it for you honey. You have to decide it for yourself; but this is something you have to tell Ashley and Paul." I nodded.

"I'll tell them first thing in the morning. Ashley will be here early and I'll tell Paul before he goes on a run with Ben."

"Are you sure you don't want to take some more time and think about it honey?" Daddy asked. I stood up and smiled.

"No, I want to be Mrs. Ashley Longworth Jr. as soon as possible. It's something I've wanted for such a long time now." I walked upstairs. I was glad to have made my decision. I've wanted to marry Ashley for nearly five years, and now I will.