Chapter 16: Returning to KO-35

Sapphira whimpered as Ashley took her back into her arms when it came time to leave. "Ashley, it's time to go," Andros informed.

"I know, I'm coming," she assured.

Mrs. Hammond hugged her daughter with a sigh. "Keep in touch," she stated.

"I will," Ashley sighed.

Mrs. Hammond placed a kiss on Ashley's forehead before Jeff walked over. Andros took Sapphira into his arms and watched as Ashley hugged her brother tight with a sigh. "Take care," he whispered.

"I will," she assured.

He placed a kiss on her forehead and smiled at her. Ashley smiled back before taking Sapphira back into her arms so Jeff could see her before they left. He took Sapphira into his arms with a smile. "You better be spoiled rotten," he cooed at the infant. Sapphira giggled and touched his face with her little hands. Ashley smiled before Jeff placed her back into her arms. Andros walked over and stood next to her.

"It's time to go," he informed.

"I know," she sighed.

She walked onto the ship with her husband and her daughter. Ashley sat at the controls after placing Sapphira into her crib. Andros walked over and placed a hand on her face. "Are you going to be okay?" He asked.

"Yeah, I'll be fine," she replied.

He sat at the other controls. "Prepare for blast off in three...two...one...now," he ordered. Ashley pushed the button and they took off. Ashley sat back and then Sapphira began to cry. She got up and went to take care of the baby.

Sapphira was wailing until Ashley picked her up into her arms. "There you are sweet heart, everything's okay, no one is going to hurt you," she assured. Andros came into the room to see his wife holding his daughter. His first child that he was glad to have. Ashley turned around to see Andros standing there. "Here, you hold her for awhile," she insisted. She walked over and placed Sapphira into his arms. "Be careful with her head," she cautioned. Andros sat down with Sapphira in his arms. "Who's taking care of the bridge?" She asked.

"DECA and Alpha 5 are," he replied.

Sapphira was whimpering a bit, but she calmed down as Andros cradled her in his arms. "Well, while you're taking care of her, I'll be managing the bridge," she informed. Andros nodded and looked down at Sapphira with a smile.

"You're daddy's little angel, Sapphira. You helped bring mommy and me together. You are our gift and we will cherish you until the end of the galaxies," he whispered.

Sapphira cooed and grabbed on the collar of his jacket. Ashley then came back into the room after awhile. "Andros, we're arriving home," she informed. Andros stood up and placed his sleeping daughter into Ashley's arms.

He had the ship gracefully land and then the platform came down. He wrapped an arm around Ashley's waist and smiled as Zhane and Karone hurried over to greet him. "Oh! She's so adorable," Karone cooed. Ashley smiled and then the platform closed when they stepped off it.

"Let's go to our house and we'll let you hold her if you'd like," Andros stated.

When they got to their house, Karone sat down and Ashley smiled as she placed her daughter into her sister-in-law's arms. "She's so tiny," Karone whispered.

"What's her name?" Zhane asked.

"Andros named her Sapphira," Ashley replied.

"It fits her beautifully," Karone murmured.

Ashley smiled and looked at the baby. Ashley yawned and Zhane placed Sapphira into Andros's arms. "I think its time for us to go," he assured. Karone kissed Andros on the cheek before leaving with Zhane. Ashley took Sapphira into her arms and carried her to her new room.

Andros was leaning against the doorframe, watching Ashley place Sapphira into her crib. He smiled as Ashley placed a kiss on the sleeping infant's forehead and turned on her mobile of red stars and yellow moons. Ashley smiled at Andros before walking into their room.

She changed and crawled into bed. Andros changed and crawled into bed and pulled her close to him. Then they fell into a peaceful and well-deserved sleep.

Author's Note: Just Chapter 17 and 18 then this story will be done. However, if you like, I'll write a sequel. Review please.