Author's Note: Sorry about the delay. Hopefully this makes up for it. I also just started a new blog. Just type my user name from here (killerjen231) dot wordpress dot com. Thanks again, and let me know your thoughts. Please review!
Ashley had told Spencer that her dad was the one that trained her all those years, and that he was supposed to bring her to sign up tomorrow.
On the phone with her, Spencer asks, "Can't you put off signing up for one day? It's not fair I don't get a day with you all to myself." There was a hint of mischief in her voice, and the smirk was unmistakable.
Ashley swallowed loudly. She was debating in her head what to do. Maybe she should just take one more day. For her and Spencer. "Here's the deal Spence, I'll spend tomorrow with you. All day. But, you have to tell your dad for me. I'm going to spend tonight with my parents though. Also, ask him if it's okay for me to spend the night tomorrow, then he can take me in the morning. Alright?"
"Oh my god oh my god! Thank you so much Ash!" Spencer squeals through the line.
Ashley says goodnight then starts down the stairs. She can hear her parents voices, and her parents tears.
"How could she do this? What made her want to do this? Why didn't she tell us?" Her mother is sobbing while her father holds her best he can through his own sobbing being.
"What did we do wrong?" Her mother asks as her father's eyes meet those hazel ones of Christine. Wiping the tears from his wife's face, he simply says, "Nothing". Ashley takes this as her cue.
"Dad's right. You guys didn't do anything wrong. This is and was my decision. And, as of tomorrow, I am a United States Marine. I love you both, but there is nothing you can do to change my mind on this. I'm sorry." Her mother is bawling.
"How could you do this to me! How can you go off to war and get yourself killed?! What is wrong with your life here that you have to leave like this?!"
"Do you know what it's like to feel stunted? To feel like no matter what you do, how good you do it, it doesn't satisfy you?" Both parents shook no. "Then no matter how I explain this to you, you may not ever understand. I'm sorry this hurts you. I'm sorry it will most likely cause you to have nightmares. But I'm most sorry that I told you this way. Maybe if I had told you when I first decided you would be more on board, but probably not. All you guys need to know is that I love you, and you did an awesome job at raising me, and an amazing job at being supportive of my off behavior these last couple years. As much as I'm going to try to convey to you how appreciative I am or how much I love you, you may never quite grasp it. I really love you guys. Please just be supportive, even if you don't agree."
"Yeah okay baby girl. We love you too. Just don't leave us permanently." A group hug ensues that lasts for what seems like hours. The family of 3 move to the couch and watch Ashley's favorite movies together for what they hope isn't the last time.
Spencer's dad arrives at Ashley's parent's home at 0800 sharp. The doorbell rings and Ashley's dad slowly rises from his armchair to answer it. Why he's allowing this he doesn't know, but if he stopped her, she would resent him more than love him. So, he had to let her go.
"Hello Arthur." Stepping aside and turning to allow him entry, Raife sees his daughter standing at the top of the stairs and can already feel the tears rolling down his face.
"Well, I guess this is it."
"Be careful baby girl. You're the only one here who really understands me you know."
"I will. I will be as careful as I can. I love you dad."
"I love you too baby girl."
Ashley's mom walks in from the kitchen and wraps her daughter into a tight hug whispering, "Just make your way back to me, okay."
Nodding, Ashley is released from her mom's death grip and grabs her duffel bag, slinging it over her shoulder and giving her parents one last hug each before turning and walking out the front door.
"So Ashley, Spencer told me about your little plan for today."
"Uh-huh."
"And although I must say it isn't the best way to try and start your career, I can't say I don't understand. It it's what you want, I will allow you and Spencer to spend most of today together. But, only after you and I do some quick testing."
"That's fine MSgt. Thank you for everything. I hope you know how much I truly appreciate everything you have done for me."
"I know, Private." They pull into the Carlin's residence and head inside. Paula Carlin has already prepared breakfast for her own family, and even included an extra plate for the brunette.
"Good morning Ashley, I hope you slept well last night." Paula is putting the last of the finished food on the table.
"I sure did Mrs. Carlin. This all looks so good. Thank you for allowing me to partake in breakfast and spend time with Spencer." Ashley was practically drooling at the mouth.
"Kids! Breakfast!" Paula calls up. "Get ready for a stampede. You better grab a seat. Spencer usually sits there." She finishes pointing to a seat, which Ashley sits next to.
"Is she here yet?!"
"Yes Spencer! She's sitting next to your seat. Not hurry up!"
Spencer's down the stairs in what must be a record time. She almost tripped over herself on the way down, but she made it unscathed none the less. Sitting in her seat, she gives Ashley a smile before taking her hand. Ashley quickly attempts to try and take it back, but then feels Arthur grab her other hand. Spencer smiles softly at the brunette before bowing her head for the prayer. Arthur leads it saying, "Dear Lord, Thank you for blessing this family more and more each day. We are all truly humbled by all the goodness surrounding us. Again, thank you. Also, we thank you for bringing us this food to nourish our bodies. Please continue to watch over all of us, including Ashley, and keep us safe. AMEN."
"I didn't know you were religious." Ashley says between bites of pancake.
"We aren't that religious." That's Spencer of course, trying to save herself from embarrassment. "While we do try to get to Church as often as we can, we aren't going every Sunday. We really only pray before big events, and with important milestones."
"And, one of the biggest milestones in a young person's life is to choose a career path." Arthur chimes in. "Alright, less talking more eating!"
"Sir, yes sir." Ashley smiles and salutes him playfully before they all turn back to their food.
"Ashley, a moment while they do the dishes?" Spencer whines, but Paula waves her finger at the girl.
"What is it sir?"
"I just wanted to have a small chat." Ashley nods for him to continue. "I know my daughter, and I know you. I know the law, but I don't care. You are like my daughter, and I love you too much to report you and ruin your career before it even begins." He puts a hand on her shoulder. "One thing I ask of you is the same thing I'm sure you've heard many times in the last 36 hours or so. Be safe, be wise, and come back to your girl."
"Thanks Mr. C... er I mean Mr. Carlin... or I mean MSgt Carlin..." He chuckles as he takes her into a hug.
"It's no problem. None at all." He releases her from the hug. "Now," he changes his face to one of a serious manner "Get your ass to the backyard now Private!"
"Sir yes sir!"
After going over everything she would need to know for when she arrives in the Carolinas, Arthur releases her until the morning.
"Spencer, oh Spencer. Where are you?"
"In my room. Come on up!"
Knocking before entering, she hears Spencer give her the okay to come in.
So blondie, what's up?"
"Nothing..."
"How do you want to spend your last night with me?"
"I think you already know." The smirk on Spencer's face is making Ashley blush because she does know what her partner in crime is talking about.
"As much as I would love more than anything to spend my last night here doing that with you, I'm not so up to your parent hearing it's or seeing anything."
"Oh, well good thing my dad already gave us permission to spend as much time as we need tonight to, as he put it, "do what we gotta do".
"Then what the hell are we still doing here?"
"I just needed to know where you wanted to go?"
"The beach?"
"You know it. But not for that."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean... We won't have to shower after this time."
"Msgt Carlin! Mrs. Carlin! We're leaving now. See you in morning!" Ashley literally dragged Spencer to the car, not that the blonde was complaining. She even caught her parents wishing them a good time as she looked back from the drivers seat and saw them standing in the doorway, her dad's arm around her mom's waist. She now knew she probably wasn't the only one getting to spend the treasured time with their loved one.