Summary: The return of Andros's parents changes all future plans of Andros and Ashley. It's doubtful they'll ever see each other again. But there's a secret Ashley's carrying around just dying to come out.
Star Fata: That's okay… tomorrow the story will be finished. I hope you enjoy these last two chapters.
C.C.C.: Yeah, Ash is desperately trying to make things comfortable for Danne so she'll settle in. A late happy birthday, hope you had a great day.
Johnny: Yeah, I know, I think I saw it for a moment and when I returned it was gone again. Really frustrating. It definitely felt right. Danne deserves a good mom. That scene… I think it can be done. May 21st… May 21st… hey, that's the same birthday of a friend of mine.
Megarider: Thanks, I just had to point out that the merging of the families isn't as comfortable for everyone. That scene can be fix, no prob.
Zeopurple: Definitely, she had to wait for it, but now she can enjoy it even more.
Phantom Rogue: Yeah… now it's suddenly fast, but then again… I posted the first chapter on my birthday. Seems like so long ago already. So much has happened since then.
Jenny: Yeah, I started the tradition. With a chapter dedicated to Shadiah… I think. Wow, you managed to beta all of the chapters you promised to, I'm proud of you. You'll be happy to know that that story is kinda experiencing a down point and I'm writing oneshots. And again, there is NO WAY you are getting a missing scene, I think I got the perfect idea for a oneshot for you.
Dragoneyes5000: Well, you've got some time to come up with a scene, just pm me and otherwise pick one from the sequel.
Blue sky ranger: Cool, horses are nice. Enjoy.
Tay: Oh, they definitely do.
Mz. Daydream: Yeah, but Danne is adorable in general. Andros will hear it enough in the future, this alone time is needed between those two. I'm sure I'll see you around.
Psycho Tangerine: Yeah, not only that, but she's in a completely new environment too.
DizneeDol: Yeah, but Ashley's a much better mom in general. Yeah, well, I enjoy writing and I think everyone is worth it and besides… the favour is returned on my birthday and nothing makes it more special then that.
Slytherin-Angel44: Ah… so that would make your birthday today? Right? I got an even better idea for a birthday present… you'll see.
Lady Kimiko: Glad you liked it. Enjoy this chapter.
Juzblue: To be honest… I wouldn't know anymore either.
SweetSas: Yeah, only 1 more now. Hey… your birthday is the day after Johnny's… that should keep me busy.
Arwennicole: Glad you liked it. Yeah, sweet and adorable. –takes bow- Enjoy.
Jessica01: -shrugs-
Tal: hehe, well, for you it is.
Mita427: Yay! Hope you enjoyed the past chapters and hope you'll enjoy these last two.
PhoenixGuardianEmaku: Yeah, Danne is so unlike Maura, luckily. School sucks in general, luckily I'm doing the year over and have had everything already.
Piper xox Leo: Yeah, she sure did. Enjoy.
Secrets Untold
Chapter 44: Final Vows
Cassie laughed as she watched her friend fiddle around and Karone cursing her as she tried to do the others hair.
"Sit still, Ash or we'll be here until next week. Somehow I don't think Andros will be very thankful for that. Don't you think you two waited long enough for this?" Karone warned her soon-to-be sister mockingly.
Ashley stopped fussing for a moment, only to start squirming again when Karone turned to get the clips for her hair.
"Ashley!" Karone laughed exasperatedly. "You're more impatient than Arima – when she was four!"
"Four-year-old Arima hasn't waited 17 years to marry the man she loves more than life." Ashley shot back.
Karone smiled and turned Ashley around to face her, staring deep into her eyes.
"Trust me, Andros isn't going anywhere, so just relax. The sooner I get this done, the sooner we can get you into that wedding dress and walking down the aisle to that bumbling brother of mine."
"Bumbling?" Ashley laughed.
"Zhane reports he hasn't been able to say a meaningful word since he kidnapped him this morning." Karone replied, a grin on her face.
"True." Cassie cut in, stepping forward. "I just went to check on them. He's driving Zhane nuts."
Ashley laughed and relaxed a little. Karone took the opportunity to finish pinning up Ashley's hair. Naturally, she got nervous as Cassie and Karone helped her into the elegant white wedding dress. Cassie winked at Karone and pretended to pull on the zipper.
"Um… Ash, it won't close." Cassie said, biting her lip to keep in laughter.
"What?" Ashley shrieked.
"It won't close. I don't think it will fit over your baby." Cassie told her innocently.
"This can't be! I fitted it. What am I going to do?" Ashley ranted.
During Ashley's hysteria, Cassie zipped the dress up and laughed at her friend.
"I was just joking, Ash." She calmed her friend. "See, it fits. Don't worry. Now sit down so I can do your make-up."
Ashley looked in the mirror and let out a long breath, glaring at her friend.
"I'll get you for this." She vowed. "You'll see."
Cassie just laughed again and pushed Ashley down, applying little make-up expertly to enhance natural beauty. She had once eavesdropped on the guys. They had been discussing girls, something she had been surprised Andros participated in. She had been just about to leave when Carlos had complained about the layers of make-up some girls used. Andros had agreed, confessing it was one of the things he loved about Ashley; she always applied just enough make-up to keep it natural. Now, Cassie was glad she had caught those words.
Half an hour later
Andros watched Tal and a little girl he had been introduced to as Jenny, walk down the aisle; or rather, ushered by Danne. Jenny wore a cute pink dress and threw gentle red rose petals on the carpet, beaming happily. Tal's dress was a mild red one and she threw soft yellow pedals, giggling as she tossed the flower petals. Danne was in dressed in pale sky blue, her dress simple and her hair pulled back in a ponytail. At the end Tal was placed on the open chair next to Atalya as Jenny was pulled onto Tommy's lap, silently – literally – being praised by Kim.
Next Cassie appeared, winking at her husband Saryn and their two children, Amari and Aigru. Her simple sweet pink bridesmaid dress hung on her shoulders by two thin spaghetti straps and reached her knees. On her feet she wore light pink sandals with a slight heel. She held a small bouquet of a collection of sweet smelling pink flowers. Her long black hair was pulled up into a bun ringed by small spring beauties. Carefully she walked down the isle with everyone's eyes on her.
When Cassie cleared the isle she stepped aside and shot him an encouraging smile, her eyes then indicating down the isle. Andros's breath caught a little as he saw Chyler. For the first time her hair wasn't just brown. She had let her ghost drop and her striped hair flowed to her shoulders. She wore the same dress and sandals as Cassie, only hers were a pale yellow colour and a red sash circled her waist. A single white lily was pinned in her hair, just above her left ear. The bouquet in her hands was made out of the purest yellow lilies with a small hint of red in their petals.
Karone was next, her soft purple dress just a bit longer than the others, reaching halfway down her calves. The dress had a low-cut back with lace crossing her back from side to side. Her sandals were purple as well, without a heel. Her blonde hair was let down and she held a bouquet of light purple calla lilies. She smiled at Andros as she walked down the aisle and winked at Zhane who stood next to his best friend and brother, both of them dressed in their traditional Karovan formal garb; black pants and a formal tunic in their ranger colour. Karone went to mirror their positions on the other side of the aisle and everyone expectantly looked to the back again.
Andros seemed to stop breathing all together. Ashley had declined both her father's and Josh's offers to walk her down the isle. Now she walked towards him on the arm of their proud son. The young teen had about an inch on his mother already and his smile couldn't be happier. To his pleasant surprise Andros found Chris wearing the same formal attire as him and he too had dropped his ghost. Half long brown and blonde locks fell into his eyes with pride.
His eyes fixed on Ashley though. Her white dress flowed to the ground, pooling around her, hiding her matching sandals from sight. Her hair was pinned up with a few stray locks framing her face. A sparking tiara was placed around the bun. To the tiara a veil was attached falling down to her elbows, the gauzy fabric rustling as she moved. Her necklace, his first gift to her, rested around her neck and the bracelet circled her wrist, both gifts marking their love. In her ears she wore earring set with cirtine, a birthday present from the twin. In her free hand she held a bouquet of red and yellow roses. What really completed her appearance was the noticeable pregnant bump on her stomach and distantly he wondered if it could hurt the baby. Then he reminded himself Ashley wouldn't be wearing the dress if it could in any way harm their child.
When they reached the end of the isle the minister smiled and spoke.
"Who gives this woman to this man?"
"I do, Christopher Lee Hammond." Chris spoke calmly, pride in his voice.
His eyes twinkled as Ashley transferred from his arm to Andros's and he took her bouquet before he joined his two sisters and aunts at the side, giving the flowers to Chyler. They watched happily as the ceremony went on. Familiar and unfamiliar faces, all contentedly watching the couple finally meet their destiny. When it was time for the vows, everything stood still, the silence deafening as everything and everyone waited to hear what the former rangers would say. Both had chosen their own vows and had worked on them in silence, never once revealing a word.
Andros caught Ashley's hands and stared into her eyes.
"Ashley Aila Maria Hammond, my life has never been easy. At a young age I was confronted with a great loss and I just kept on losing all I cared about. My heart had built a wall to protect itself from harm. Then I met you and that wall crumbled instantly. I fought the tidal wave of emotions, but I found myself drowning into your eyes every day. I wanted you to be happy and gave you all I could, promising you my life. Fate had a different path planned for me and took me away from you. The last few years we've been tried, living our lives apart, but our love grew stronger. Today I stand before you, promising my life again. My life, my love, my everything - exactly what you are to me, I promise to you. You are the reason my heart keeps beating and my life is worth living. There's not a day I'd want to spend without you and from this day on, I promise you there will never be a day we spend apart."
"Andros of KO-35, son to Avidan and Lynette, the moment I saw you, you caught my attention – and then went on to steal my heart. Each day spend without you is a day spend not living. You trusted me with your love; to keep, to hold, to protect, to care and to love in return. You promised me forever, pleaded for me to be yours till the end of time. You were taken from me and I wanted my heart to stop caring. When I was presented with hope, I clung to it, my heart soaring hopefully. I waited for what seemed like an eternity, living my life and yet not living at all. The day you returned to me, my heart truly started living again, for a part of me dies without you near. With you at my side all colours seem so much brighter and there's no safer place then in your arms. I promise to be true to you and you only, with your promise of love in return. Never again will I let your path of destiny stray from mine. You came back to me, and I'll make sure you came back to stay. Always be mine, my silent warrior."
They took a deep breath and continued together.
"Body, mind, heart and soul, I promise you today. To have, care, love and hold, forever be together as one. The good and the bad, light and dark, when it's easy, when it's hard; through the laughter and the tears, I promise to stand by your side. I promise you forever. I promise to love you as long as this world turns, the moon shines and the sun burns in this sky. As a ring is round, an ever going circle and the universe never meeting an end, same as my love for you if we ever find ourselves apart. Nothing in this universe could ever make me stop. From this day on, nothing will come between us again. Take me as I am, standing here before you. Your love is all I needed and all I'll ever need. Body, mind, heart and soul forever yours to keep."
Zhane and Karone stepped forward and presented the two rings. Andros and Ashley took them gratefully, both having tears shining in their eyes. Andros caught her left hand and shot her a weak smile as he looked into her eyes.
"With this ring I bind myself to you. With this ring I thee wed." He vowed, gently sliding the ring onto her finger.
Ashley caught his left hand as a single tear spilled from her eye.
"With this ring I bind myself to you. With this ring I thee wed." She whispered, a dazzling smile shining through her tears.
"By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Seventeen years Andros had waited for those words, allowing him to first kiss his one and only bride in marriage. He lowered his lips to hers enjoying the sweet taste of her. His arms slid around her waist and hers around his neck, never wanting this magical kiss to end. Reluctantly Andros pulled back under the applause of the people gathered (and some catcalls he suspected coming from Carlos and TJ). He didn't look away from Ashley's shining eyes filled with happy tears as they stared back into his.
On impulse he placed his hands on her sides and lifted her into the air, spinning her around. Ashley shrieked in surprise and laughed, her hands resting on his shoulders. After he put her down he stole one last kiss, before they started down the red carpet again, running as rice was thrown upon them.
Nothing could make this day happier and nothing could bring it down. They were finally together, had three angels as children and a baby already on the way. All they ever wanted was to be together and they got their wish. Their lives were back on track and they would now fight to keep it that way, together.
A/N: Hope you liked it. Review!
Two dedications today: Psycho Tangerine again for the 900th review and Slytherin-Angel44 for I have concluded… TODAY IS HER BIRTHDAY! Don't forget it in your review!