Chapter 21: Reception

The reception was taking place in the Surf Spot, their most favorite place in the world. Zhane walked over and placed his hands on their shoulders. "Congratulations you guys," he congratulated them. Ashley smiled as she hugged Zhane.

"Thank you," she murmured.

Zhane kissed her cheek before he shook Andros's hand and they shared a brotherly embrace. "Take care of yourself," he commented. Andros nodded before he walked over to Ashley. Ashley smiled as she hugged her husband tight.

"Husband, wow! I never thought I'd ever be able to say that word," she mumbled.

Andros smiled as he listened to her thoughts and kissed the side of her head. This was the happiest day of their lives.

As time went by, it was the dance of the bride and groom. Andros rolled his eyes when he remembered that he was going to try and stick to the Earth customs of marriage. Ashley laughed as she grabbed her husband's hand and practically dragged him onto the dance floor. Ashley's favorite song, "Because You Loved Me" by Celine Dion, started playing and Ashley placed her head on Andros's shoulder. "This is the greatest day ever," she murmured. Andros kissed the top of her head.

"It is," he agreed.

Ashley smiled as she thought about spending the rest of her life with Andros. Towards the end of the song, Andros picked Ashley up by her waist and lifted her off the floor. Ashley placed her hands on his shoulders and smiled. Everyone laughed as Andro spun her around and listened to Ashley laughing. Andros was laughing along with her as he set her on the ground and touched her face. "I love you," he murmured.

"I love you too," she answered.

Andros smiled as he leaned forward and kissed her. Frank walked over and tapped Andros on the shoulder. "May I cut in?" He asked. Andros laughed as he stepped back and went to sit down.

"I guess it's time for the father daughter dance," Cassie commented.

Just then, "Daddy's Girl" by Peter Cetera started playing and Ashley was enjoying herself. "I'm proud of you cupcake," he told her.

"Really? And a couple of months ago you were upset that I was even engaged to him," Ashley commented.

"And for that I'm sorry," he apologized.

Ashley smiled as she looked at her dad. "I'm happy, daddy, I'm really truly happy," she informed. Frank kissed her forehead with a smile.

"I'm happy for you, sweet heart," he murmured.

Asta was watching her daughter with a smile on her face. "Andros, come here," she called. Andros looked over his shoulder and walked over to his mother-in-law. "Andros, I have a proposition for you," she informed.

"Yeah and what would that be?" He asked.

"Alejandro also thought of you as the son he never had. Before the attack on KO-35, he was going to announce to KO-35 that he chose you to be his heir for the planet," she informed.

Andros's eyes widened in disbelief. "Andros, you are to be the next Ambassador of KO-35," she added. Andros sat down and touched the scar over his eye. "What do you say?" Asta asked. Andros let out a sigh.

"I'll have to talk to Ashley about it," Andros replied.

Then he watched as Frank kissed Ashley's cheek and Ashley walked over towards the table. "Hey, Ash," he greeted. Ashley smiled as she sat beside her husband and held his hand.

"What were you talking about while I was away?" She asked.

Andros let out a sigh. "What's wrong?" She asked.

"Ashley, Asta just told me something. Your father was the Ambassador of KO-35, but on the customs on our planet, he needed a boy to be his heir. Since he got you and Aiko, he had to find someone he could put his outmost trust in for when his time came, that boy would take his place," Andros explained.

Ashley held onto his hand with a little confusion. "Ashley, your dad chose me to become the next Ambassador of KO-35," he added. Ashley's eyes widened in disbelief.

"And do you want to be the Ambassador?" She asked.

Andros lifted her hand and kissed the top of it. "No…I don't want to be the Ambassador if it's going to make you unhappy," he replied. Ashley kissed Andros's cheek and stroked his face.

"Andros, you have a duty to your…our people. As long as I'm with you, I'll be the happiest girl alive," she assured him.

Andros pulled her into a gentle kiss and pressed his forehead against hers. "I love you," he murmured.

"I love you too," she answered.

Later that evening, it was time to cut the cake and everyone, besides Asta, were anxious to see who was going to stuff the cake in the other's face. Andros let Ashley take a bit of the piece he held, but when he went to take a bite out of the piece she held, she smashed it in his face. Andros laughed slightly and then he looked at her. "You're going to regret that," he threatened.

"Oh yeah, how's that?" She asked.

Everyone laughed as Andros grabbed Ashley around her waist and pulled her into a kiss. Ashley shrieked and backed away, her face covered in cake as well. "All's fair in love and war," Andros laughed. Ashley gave him a mock glare before she started laughing with him.

When it came for the bouquet and garter toss, Kimberly, Kat, Tanya, and Cassie came out on the dance floor. "Ready?" Zhane asked as he had Ashley turn her back to them. Ashley nodded. Everyone counted to three and Ashley tossed her bouquet. She looked over as Cassie caught it and Ashley laughed slightly. Zhane gave Ashley a wink as he pulled up the chair.

"Come on, Zhane, do we really have to embarrass Andros with this?" Ashley asked.

"Come on, Ashley. It'll be fun," he replied.

Andros rolled his eyes as he got down on one knee in front of Ashley. Ashley placed her foot on Andros's shoulder as he reached under her dress and pulled the garter off. Ashley laughed slightly before kissing him and standing up. Andros tossed the garter and T. J. caught it. Cassie's face turned as red as Andros's Red Ranger Uniform as T. J. slipped the garter on her.

Later on that night, Andros remembered the key Frank gave Andros to the honeymoon suite of the hotel that would be perfect for him and Ashley. Andros held onto Ashley's hand and kissed her forehead as he stood up. "I think it's time for us to go," he murmured. Ashley nodded in agreement before following her husband.

When they arrived at the hotel, Andros carried Ashley over the threshold and placed her on the floor. "Wow! My dad sure has taste," she commented. Andros walked over and wrapped his arms around her waist. He kissed the side of her head while holding her to him. "This has been great," she added. Andros nodded and then let her go as she turned around his arms.

"You made today special, Ash," he told her.

Ashley smiled as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Ready for this next step in our lives?" He asked.

"I'm more than ready," she replied.

Andros kissed her and he slowly undid the strings on the corset of her dress. Then he picked her up and set her on the bed. Next to all the nights Ashley shared with Andros, this was the best night of her life.