Summary: The return of an old love changes the rules of the game.

Phantom Rogue: Yep, can't help but torture Zhane. I swear I was planning on a girl! But the kid had other plans.

Alexandra Khayman: Actually, my Andros and Ash get twins more than Zhane and Karone.

GinaStar: That's okay.

HopelessRomantic45: Um, it was more than 2 months after chapter 26. And yeah, yay for Andros getting Ash pregnant again.

AstroYellow: Now it's my turn to apologize for my absence. I think I now only have the epilogue to write. So yeah, we're at the end of the story.

Forbidden Love

Chapter 28

Ashley smiled as her arms wrapped around Andros's neck and he pulled her close to him. Their lips met in a long, wonderfully expected kiss and she was soaring. Reluctantly they pulled back and looked at the small group of people beaming back at them. Just family and friends and casual dress.

There was no elaborate dress this time - instead, a simple pale yellow sundress that suited her much better. No suit and tie for Andros, but some nice trousers and a handsome red tunic. No hoards of people she didn't know, but only familiar faces. Her parents seated next to Andros' in the front row, Dyre holding Andros's mother's hand and his little brother Viggo, just barely one, perched on her own mother's hip. On the other side of the aisle stood Jeff with his wife and their son. Zhane and Karone were next to them – Karone threw her a dazzling smile – both holding a chubby hand of one of the two-year-old twins.

Behind them were Cassie and TJ, two months away from being parents themselves. Ashley regretted not going to their wedding, but she had been close to nine months at the time and Andros had cautiously decided to avoid a confrontation with Carlos. Zhane and Karone had gone and presented them with a gift in their stead.

Dylan and Tara were with Tyra, who wasn't showing too obviously yet, but the little girl would be joined by a brother in five months. Justin and his girlfriend were behind her parents, joined by Tommy and a girl she hadn't met before, but had been introduced to as Kim Hart, original pink ranger and recently reconciled girlfriend of Tommy. Behind them and behind TJ and Cassie were the other rangers of what was now jokingly called 'The Forever Red mission'.

Her eyes strayed to the figure at the end of the aisle and she froze in shock. Andros had apparently spotted him too, as his arm around her waist tightened, pulling her closer against his chest.

"What are you doing here?" Andros struggled to suppress his anger. "You weren't invited."

"Ashley, I'm sorry about those others." Carlos begged, walking along the isle. "They meant nothing to me. Not like you do. And I know why you left me know. But it's okay, you don't have to do this, there are other ways."

"What are you prattling about?" Ashley demanded.

"Klinefelter's syndrome." Carlos said, his hands trembling as he tried to explain himself to her. "I know you went back to him because he can give you children and I can't. But-but you don't have to! I'm sorry I got mad about your boy. You can have him, I'll be his father. And if you want more children, we could always adopt. Or find a donor."

"Carlos, I'm married to Andros now." Ashley replied gently.

"But you don't have to be. Now we know why you wouldn't get pregnant from me. We can solve it and be happy again."

"No." Ashley said firmly. "I had nothing to compare our marriage to, but ever since I started living with Andros, I realized that, with you, I was never truly happy. I made the wrong choice when I married you – we both did. I'm happy here. I've never been happier. You should move on, and find that kind of happiness too. Please… move on with your life, Carlos."

"You don't know what you're saying!" Carlos yelled suddenly. "He's brainwashed you into thinking you're happy!"

A sudden fist slammed into Carlos's jaw and sent him sprawling on the floor. Everyone looked surprised as TJ stepped into the aisle and walked over to Carlos. He bent down and grabbed the other's collar in his neck.

"Listen to her for once Carlos." He said calmly and loud enough for everyone to hear as he dragged Carlos away. "Get a life and leave her alone. I consider you my friend and I'm sorry for doing this. But until you get your act together and start accepting that Ashley doesn't want to be with you anymore, I don't want to see your face. You're welcome to call when your senses have returned. Now get out before I call the authorities to escort you off the planet."

"TJ, I…" Andros started when Carlos had left, but TJ held up his hand.

"Even a blind man can see how much you two love each other and that you belong together. I was anxious when Ashley ran away after the divorce was finalized, but the fact that you two didn't marry right away is proof enough for me. It's obvious you two want this to work not just because of Dyre or Viggo, but because you truly want to be together. So nothing should be allowed to ruin your day."

"Thank you." Ashley replied sincerely, tears of happiness shining in her eyes.

Two days later

Ashley smiled as she watched Dyre play with Viggo in the sand, carefully showing his brother how to build a 'sandcastle'. It was more like a big pile of sand, but the boys were so proud of their work that she couldn't help but be proud of her baby boys. A kiss on her neck distracted her and she slightly swatted Andros's shoulder.

"It's our honeymoon and you're paying more attention to the kids." Andros complained melodramatically.

"You were the one who insisted on taking them with us." Ashley laughed, leaning in for a kiss.

"You look beautiful." Andros muttered against her lips. "Did I ever tell you I love the way the sun bleaches your hair and tans your skin?"

"Mmm, no, I don't believe you've told me before. But you look rather stunning too. I thought you couldn't look more handsome, but I must say your tan is proving me wrong."

Andros laughed and kissed her again, only to pull back an instant later.

"Dyre, no going to the water without us." He warned as Dyre moved towards the shoreline.

He got to his feet and quickly picked the boy up when he kept going insistently. Dyre's face screwed up, as if her were about to scream. Anticipating this. Andros quickly tickled the little boy's side.

"Mommy and daddy just don't want to lose you." Andros explained.

"But I want to go." Dyre protested, pouting ever so slightly.

Ashley laughed, coming to stand next to Andros with Viggo in her arms. She placed a soft kiss on Dyre's forehead and smiled.

"You only have to ask and we'd all go." She informed the boy cheerfully. "But you are right, it is getting too warm here, isn't it? We should all go and cool off in the sea."

Following her words, she walked off in the direction of the clear blue water. When she looked over her shoulder Andros had yet to move.

"Come on, there won't be a sea in Rome next week, so we might as well take full advantage of it now." She called back.

Andros grinned and put Dyre down, making sure to catch him by the hand before he could run off. Only when they were near the water did he let go and Ashley put Viggo down just at the edge of the water.

"Don't go too far." She warned Dyre before turning to Andros, keeping one eye on her children. "Think we can handle another?"

"I think we could manage." Andros replied. "Why? How many kids are you planning on having?"

"Two more at the very least." Ashley winked. "So we might as well start now, since we're so used to changing diapers."

Andros laughed and pulled her too him, watching as Viggo splashed the water happily while Dyre was halfway through making a friend. Neither he nor the other boy were bothered by the language barrier in the way only kids could be.

"You and me when the boys are asleep tonight." He whispered softly in Ashley's ear. "Just know I want a little girl this time."

Ashley smiled and nodded.

"It's time we brought some variation into our little family."

Andros held her close as they watched their sons play. Nothing could be more perfect than this. Absolutely nothing.

A/N: Hope you liked it. Yes, I'm finally backish. I've been very busy with school, but soon I will have finished and I can bury myself into my fics again. Thank you all for your patience in waiting for this chapter. Please review.