Chapter 67: The Choices we Make

It was another day at another dress shop. Ashley had her hand resting over her growing stomach, staring at a very fitted wedding gown. She glanced to her right and smiled at Karone. "This one is really pretty," Karone commented.

"It really is," Ashley agreed softly, "But…I wouldn't be able to fit in it."

Karone playfully nudged her and Ashley just smirked. "Are you Ashley?" the consultant asked as she walked up. Ashley looked at the woman and nodded with a smile. "I'm Laura, I'll be your consultant today," the woman informed her as they shook hands. "Congratulations, so who do we have with us today?" Ashley gestured to Karone.

"My sister-in-law-to-be," Ashley replied.

She nodded to Cassie. "My best friend," she added. She pointed over to Kimberly. "My sister." She pointed over to Kat and Trini. "And two more of my friends." Laura greeted each woman. Ashley bit her lower lip as she gestured over to Mrs. Hammond. "And my grandma."

"It's lovely to meet all of you ladies," Laura greeted them smiling.

She turned her attention back to Ashley. "So when is the big day?" she asked.

"May 15th," Ashley replied.

It was an important day, as it was the day she and Andros had started their secret relationship. "Well wonderful, it looks like time is of the essence here," Laura quipped.

"Just a bit," Ashley replied with a laugh.

The consultant led her away and everyone sat on one of the couches to wait for her to come out.

In NASADA, Andros was working on the computer but then an error popped up. "Dammit," he muttered irritably. He cancelled out of the schematics he had just put in, knowing he had to do it all over again.

"Rough day?" a voice asked from the doorway.

Andros looked up and saw Hathai standing there. He was quite shocked and stood up. "Hathai, hey," he greeted her.

"Hey, stranger, been a while," she commented as she walked over and embraced him.

"Yeah, I had no idea you were one of the scientists KO-35 was sending over to help," he commented as he released her.

"Can you be that surprised though?" she asked, raising her brow.

Andros just smirked. "I guess not," he agreed.

"So what's going on?" she asked.

Andros tapped on the computer. "First of all they need a complete overhaul in technology updates," he replied.

"No kidding," Hathai replied as she sat down, "How do you get anything done?"

"I don't that's the problem."

Hathai just smirked. "So, I believe congratulations are in order," she commented, looking up at him, "I'm happy for you, Andros."

"Thank you," he answered.

"For a Terran she really doesn't speak much though, does she?" she asked.

"She has her reasons," Andros replied, "She speaks when she's comfortable."

"So she must be a chatterbox around you."

Andros chuckled lightly. "We just really enjoy each other's company. We talk if we feel like it, mostly when something really needs to be said." Hathai stared at him with a smile. "What?" he asked.

"I don't know you're just so…content," she commented.

He shrugged his shoulders. "I am," he replied honestly. He let out a breath. "So how's your intended?" he asked. Hathai suddenly frowned and sat back.

"He's…not anymore," she replied.

Andros frowned. "I'm sorry," he murmured. Hathai shrugged.

"It is what it is," she replied.

"Well…is it why you're here?" He asked.

Hathai smiled a little. "I just thought I would finally come and see why you love Earth so much," she answered. Andros nodded with a soft smile.

"It's a good planet," he replied.

Back at the dress shop, Ashley sat in a room staring at the line of wedding dresses Laura had brought in. She felt stressed and overwhelmed. There was a soft knock on the door. When she opened the door, she saw Kimberly there. "Ashley…" Kimberly said softly when she saw the unshed tears in her sister's eyes. Ashley embraced her sister. "What's wrong?"

"All of this planning just really gets to me," Ashley replied honestly, "I've never planned big events, I'm not even that big into it."

Kimberly rubbed her back. "I know." Kimberly pulled back. "Just one step at a time okay?" Ashley nodded her head slowly. "Need help?" Ashley let out a breath.

"I can do it," she replied.

Kimberly wiped her eyes. "You have saved the universe but picking a wedding dress is more overwhelming huh?" Ashley laughed a little. "You'll find something, I know it." The former Pink Ranger gave Ashley a kiss on the cheek. "Come out when you're ready." Ashley nodded and watched as Kimberly left the room.

She looked back at the dresses and let out a breath as she ran her hand over one of them. Laura walked in as Ashley examined it. "Do you want to try this one on?" the consultant asked. Ashley gave her a nod.

Everyone waited anxiously in the lobby when Ashley walked out in the dress. It had capped sleeves and an empire waist. The bodice had crystals shaped as small stars sewn into to. There were loops on the sides of the dress indicating a belt could be attached to it. "Ashley!" Mrs. Hammond gasped with her hands to her mouth. Ashley stood up on the pedestal that was in the middle of the floor.

"What do you think ladies?" Laura asked.

"I don't have words," Kimberly commented.

"Stunning," Trini answered.

"Gorgeous," Karone put in.

"This dress was made for you," Kat added.

"Perfect," Mrs. Hammond answered.

Laura had Ashley turn around. "Look at yourself, Ashley," she encouraged gently. Ashley looked in the mirror and she let out a breath. "We could remove the hoops if you don't wish to add a belt," Laura added. Ashley shook her head slowly. She turned back to Kimberly and gestured for her purse.

Kimberly picked up the bag and handed it to her. Ashley searched through her purse and found it with a smile on her face. She removed a belt and handed the purse back to Kimberly. She slipped the belt through the hoops and the entire room fell silent. It was a braided beaded belt with a simple silver clasp. Hanging from the clasp were two silver charms and they were of two letters: SS. "Did you make that?" Karone asked. Ashley nodded and Karone stood up to hug her. Ashley hugged her back with a smile.

"So what are we saying to this dress?" Laura asked.

Ashley wiped her eyes and nodded happily. She looked at the charms she had added, that hung right over where her baby was growing at that very moment. "You won't be buying the dress, Ashley," Mrs. Hammond said suddenly, making Ashley turn around.

"Grandma…" Ashley started to say.

Mrs. Hammond shook her head slowly. "You won't be buying the dress…your dad is," the older woman insisted. Ashley stared quizzically at what she was saying. "Your dad had put money aside for your wedding day the day after you were born. He put money aside every year to make sure you had the wedding of your dreams," she explained with tears in her eyes. Ashley felt like her knees were going to give out. "Your dad very much wanted you to have everything."

Ashley wiped her eyes, but the tears kept falling. "He loved you so much, sweetheart," she added. Mrs. Hammond embraced her and Ashley cried softly. In fact, there wasn't a dry eye in the entire room.

The dressed was purchased, Ashley made it home to Andros in his office. Entering the room, Ashley walked over and kissed his cheek. "Hey," he said as he turned in his chair and Ashley sat in his lap, "How did it go?"

"Successful," she replied.

"How are you feeling?" he asked as his hand rested over her stomach.

Ashley rested her hand over his. "Pretty well," she replied. She smiled as she rested her head against his. "He's bigger every day," she added.

"You say that like you know for sure," he commented.

Ashley shrugged. "I keep thinking it's a boy," she replied. Andros smiled, kissing her neck. She leaned into him with her arms around him. Andros held her close and they sat in each other's arms just like that.