Chapter 23: Planning the Future

Andros sighed as he sat in the chair on the bridge when T. J. came in. "Hey, Andros," he greeted. Andros looked up at T. J. with a small smile as his friend sat next to him. "How are things going between you and Ashley?" He asked. Andros looked at the wedding ring on his hand with a smile.

"Everything's going great. Even though during the past couple of years, I had no way of contacting her. Not even when I went to get the Megaship. I had no time of contacting her," Andros explained.

T. J. placed a hand a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "She's going to be thrilled to have you home again," he commented. Andros nodded and sat back as he thought about being reunited with Ashley again.

(Back on Earth)

"Wow! So that was Tommy, he really is the greatest Ranger," Cole commented. They all laughed at him. "What? What did I say?" He asked.

"Well, I wouldn't go that far. After all I was the one that replaced him," T. J. replied.

"Are you kidding me? I was the one doing all the work while he was a the juice bar kissing on Kimberly," Jason put in.

"Well at least his haircut's in regulations right?" Carter asked.

"Ah my Q-Rex could eat his Dragon Zord for lunch," Eric answered.

"He didn't discover new galaxies," Leo pointed out.

"Wait, wait, wait, I changed history. So how come he has a fan club and I don't?" Wes asked.

"Hey, I saved two worlds and a galaxy. What about that?" Andros asked.

"Wait, wait, wait, wait, did I ever tell you guys about the time I got baked into a giant pizza?" T. J. asked.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," they replied.

Carter looked over at Andros as the Red Space Ranger went towards the Megaship. "Hey, Andros, where are you heading?" Carter asked. Andros turned back and looked at the Red Lightspeed Ranger.

"I have my duty as the ambassador of my planet and I have a lovely wife to go home to," Andros replied.

The Red Rangers watched as Andros got onto the Megaship and went back to KO-35. "Now that's a dedicated Ranger," T. J. told Cole as he got into his car.

(KO-35)

Andros landed the Megaship and saw that it was close to midnight on his planet. He nodded to the soldiers that were there to guard the ship as he went back to his house.

Andros quietly entered his house and smiled to see that nothing had changed since he left two years ago. A smile came across his face as he thought about hold Ashley in his arms again. He quietly made his way up to his and Ashley's room and opened the bedroom door. He found his lovely wife fast asleep with her back turned to him. Andros quietly closed the door and kissed the side of her head.

Ashley opened her eyes when she felt someone kissing the side of her head. She looked over her shoulder and she gasped to see Andros standing there. "Andros!" She gasped. Andros smiled as he embraced her.

"I'm home," he murmured.

Ashley hugged him tight with tears falling down her face. "You're home, you're finally home," she whispered.

"I'm here and I don't plan on going anywhere for a long time," he assured her.

Andros removed his boots and didn't even bother changing once Ashley kissed him. Ashley reached up and removed his jacket with his shirt not so far behind. Andros leaned down and kissed her while undoing the buttons on her pajama shirt. Ashley laughed as she pulled back. "We missed this didn't we?" She asked.

"You have no idea," he replied.

Andros leaned down and kissed her again.

The next morning, for the first time in two years, Andros woke up relaxed. He looked over, expecting to see Ashley asleep next to him only to find an empty space beside him. He got out of bed, pulled on his pants, and went out onto the balcony.

Ashley was sitting out on the balcony looking out at the city when she felt Andros wrap his arms around her. "Morning," he murmured.

"Morning," she answered.

Andros sat on the chaise by the railing. Ashley walked over and sat in front of him. Andros wrapped his arms around her and Ashley curled up in front of him as they watched the sun rise. "So beautiful," she murmured. Andros kissed the top of her head with a sigh.

"But you're more beautiful," he answered.

Andros ran his hand up and down her arm as they sat in silence. "Andros, I've been thinking," she started.

"Uh-oh," Andros mumbled.

"Nothing bad, I promise," she assured him.

Andros pulled her up so she was facing him. "I was thinking that maybe it's time that we try for a baby," she informed. Andros was surprised at what she said.

"Kids?" He asked.

"Yeah, why not?" She asked.

"Well…I'm not objecting to it. It would be nice to have a baby," he agreed.

"Then what's the problem?"

"I'm not sure if I'll be a good father after all I've done."

"Andros…don't get started on your past again."

"I'm scared, Ashley. Trying to have a baby and when we do have a baby. It scares me."

Ashley touched his face and traced the scar on his eye again. "Andros, you're going to be a great dad, I know you will," she assured him. Andros sighed as he held onto her hand with their wedding bands touching.

"Okay, let's do it," he answered.

"Yeah?" Ashley asked with a smile.

"Yeah."

Ashley laughed as she kissed him and then she shrieked when he picked her up. "Andros! What are you doing?" She asked.

"We should get started shouldn't we?" He asked.

Ashley laughed as Andros carried her back into the house.