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: Thanks. Here's the last.
Johnny: Yeah, they finally have gotten married and it was about time. I just couldn't leave the twin out of the wedding ceremony, now could I? And about the walking down the isle… it's about a dad giving up his daughter, but Ash's father already did when she went to Florida. Now symbolically, Chris gave up his status as 'man of the house'. No need to wait longer for this last chapter.
SweetSas: Yeah, thanks, I worked hard on it. I just let my fingers flow though and the words came out.
Psycho Tangerine: Yeah, well, they deserved to have it.
DarkHonda: Be my guest.
Phantom Rogue: Yeah, finally, after 17 years.
Mita427: Thanks, but don't worry, I'll try not to take more than two weeks to put up the sequel.
Tay: Yeah, it's a big bang. Glad you liked the wedding.
Jessica01: Yeah.
Piper xox Leo: Yeah, last chapter… baby-time? Um… well, you see, about that… hehe…
C.C.C.: Most definitely the cutest couple. Andros could do it there… because Ash was standing there with him and with Ash by his side he could do anything. Keep on waiting.
Puasluoma: Thanks.
The-power-of-love: Always, if fanfiction happens to be working.
Joel: I think you should direct that question to my beta-reader… I don't remember putting the red in, but I could be wrong.
Dragoneyes5000: Um… no… not really.
Slytherin-Angel44: Thanks, glad I could post it on your birthday.
Darklover: Finally!
Zeopurple: Definitely worth the wait. They deserve this happy ending… and the happily ever after.
Lady Kimiko: Thanks.
DizneeDol: Couldn't make it even more so if I tried. This soon enough?
Grass King: -takes bow- Thanks. Here it is.
Secrets Untold
Chapter 45: Only The Beginning
Andros gently swayed to the music with Ashley wrapped in his arms. Her head rested on his chest and he closed his eyes, enjoying having her close again as the lyrics of a song by some band called 'Westlife' washed over him. Chyler had picked it out as their first dance together. Neither had heard the song before, but somehow 'Written In The Stars' told everyone exactly how they felt.
Ashley pulled back a little and smiled at him. Her eyes shone with happiness and adoration and he couldn't help but place a gentle kiss on her lips. When he pulled back, Ashley's eyes twinkled and she looked around the room for a moment. He looked to his side when she silently indicated with her head for him to look.
A gentle smile formed on his lips. Chyler was dancing with Nicky, the son of one of Ashley's new friends, as he had been introduced to. But that wasn't what Ashley meant. Next to them, Chris was patiently dancing with Danne, taking all time to explain Earthen slow dancing to her despite the fact that she was only eleven. The boy had obviously leaped into big-brother mode and Danne smiled up at him adoringly. She never truly had a big brother before and Andros could easily read from her face she liked it.
"Her name." Ashley's sudden whispered caught his attention and he blushed as he looked back at her.
"Maura didn't want to name her." He stumbled. "I… - It was the first name that popped into my mind."
"You're still cute when you're blushing." Ashley giggled and he had to laugh.
The song ended and Ashley stepped out of his arms regretfully, smiling when Chyler stepped up to take her place. To her delight she found Nicky took over Danne's dancing crash-course for a moment and Chris popped up to dance with his mom.
"You look great, mom." He informed her matter-of-factly as the next song played. "This happiness suits you, you should keep it."
Ashley laughed and shook her head. Chris grinned in reply. Just before the song ended, Chris quickly excused himself. Ashley watched him suspiciously as he climbed onto the stage and took the microphone from the stand. When the music ended he grinned and raised the microphone to his mouth, turning it on.
"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, bachelors and bachelorettes, welcome. I'm going to get it for embarrassing them like this, but I think it's time for a little tradition here on Earth. You see, we have this really fun way of 'predicting' who's going to marry next. So… how about we see some things fly around here?"
Everyone laughed as Andros and Ashley climbed onto the stage, both blushing furiously. Ashley had retrieved her bouquet and went to stand with her back to the crowd. All single girls were ushered to gather behind her and she threw the flowers blindly. When she turned around, she laughed at the bright red face of Elia, who had caught them.
A chair was lifted onto the stage for Ashley to sit on so Andros could take her garter off. Andros just kneeled down in front of her when Zhane jumped onto the stage and stole Chris's microphone.
"Wait one moment." He grinned and turned to Chris. "You're a bachelor too, kiddo. Get off this stage."
Chris stuck out his tongue, but jumped off the stage anyway and joined the crowd of bachelors. Andros shot Zhane a desperate look and his brother grinned.
"Oh, do go on." Zhane encouraged, receiving a glare.
Ashley reluctantly placed her foot on Andros's knee and pulled her dress up to reveal her leg. She held it tightly as Andros's hands brushed up her leg beneath the skirt. Andros gently pulled the band down and took it off. He placed a gentle kiss on her lips as he got up and turned his back to the crowd, just like she had. The band flew through the air and everyone shrieked with laughter when they noticed who caught it.
Andros turned around when he heard Ashley giggling and laughed wholeheartedly. The crowd had gathered around in a circle and Chris stood in the middle. His arm was stretched out as far as he could and he held the garter between thumb and index finger, staring at it in horror.
"Fate's payback." Andros informed his son, amused, and pulled Ashley to her feet, wrapping her up in his arms lovingly.
The party seemed to fly by after that and all too soon guests started leaving, as it became time to break up the festivities. The happy couple danced one final dance, both sad it had to end and eager to begin their lives together. Even after the last notes of the music faded, they held onto their embrace and Josh walked over with a smile.
"I wondered a long time over what to give you for your wedding present." He began loudly with a pointed cough, effectively breaking their embrace. "I talked with Atalya, but you two seemed to have everything already and giving something for the baby would ruin the point of a baby shower. It wasn't until this morning I figured it out. Your honeymoon."
Ashley opened her mouth to protest, but Josh held up his hand to silence her.
"I'm not finished yet, because I know you would never accept that and you two decided to have this baby first, but still, a wedding night should be special. It holds an expectance no less of a fairytale. Now, I know you love your kids and all, but they kinda interfere with that. So…" Josh grinned and produced a key from his pocket. "I got you two the honeymoon suite in the Silver Moon Hotel for one night. So I suggest you two get the hell out of here. We'll clean up and I'll drop those three darlings off at home. I'm sure they can stay one night alone. Don't you agree?"
"I… I don't know what to say." Ashley whispered as grateful tears gathered in her eyes.
"Thank you." Andros smiled gratefully and accepted the key.
"A limo is waiting to take you there. I had the champagne be replaced by sparkling lemonade. So go off, have some fun and don't do anything I wouldn't do." He winked at Ashley.
Ashley laughed and nodded, hugging her long time friend before leaving the building with Andros. Josh smiled as he watched them go, before he turned to the twins and Danne.
"Okay, kiddos, you aren't gifted with telekinesis for nothing. Show me what you can do with this mess."
Silver Moon Hotel
Andros pushed the door and scooped Ashley up in hits arms, carrying her over the threshold as she giggled madly. He kicked the door shut and set her back down on her feet. He caught her in his arms before she could make a move and kissed her hungrily.
"Now tell me why I was deprived of this for the past week." He muttered against her lips, resting his forehead against hers.
"Because I told Danne to come wake me whenever she felt she needed to?" Ashley grinned. "Last night was the first night we didn't drink a cup of hot chocolate at the most insane hours of the night. It wouldn't have been very comforting if she had caught us."
Andros smiled and let her go, catching her hands and leading her further into the room, both kicking off their shoes in the meantime. Ashley turned around and looked at the room, mesmerized by the beauty of it. She felt Andros's arms slip around her again from behind and he leaned his head on her shoulder.
"Josh has really outdone himself this time." She muttered.
"He's a great friend." Andros agreed, gently forcing her to turn around again so he could stare in her eyes. "Did I tell you, you look beautiful today already?"
"Only like a million times before." Ashley smiled.
"You look beautiful today." Andros replied without skipping a beat. "But there's something I've been wanting to do ever since I saw you walk down the aisle in that dress."
"Oh really? What?" Ashley giggled, knowing fully well what he would say, but playing along.
"Get you out of it." He muttered, his lips cherishing her neck.
Ashley sighed happily and leaned back her head. She wasn't surprised when she felt Andros's hands on the back of her dress, gently pulling down the zipper. She felt the dress loosen and Andros pull back just a little so it floated to the ground. Andros followed her every move as she stepped out of the dress and he gently guided her to the bed.
His mouth found hers again and he kissed her hungrily, pressing as close to her as he could. Ashley fumbled for the hem of his tunic and started pulling it up. Andros broke away with an annoyed groan and she giggled as she pulled the shirt over his head. As she threw it away, she noticed her dress was neatly draped over a chair and Andros smiled at her innocently before attacking her lips again, carefully lowering them onto the bed.
"This won't hurt the baby, right?" He found himself asking as Ashley pushed his pants down his hips.
"No." Ashley smiled up at him. "Don't worry. I'm a doctor I know what I'm doing."
Andros grinned and kissed her lips tenderly. Not another word was spoken as the last of their clothing was removed and they disappeared into their own world of passion. Tonight was theirs and theirs alone. Their life together had just begun.
A/N: That's it… I'm cutting it off here. Stay tuned for the sequel that will surely be coming. Thanks you all for reviewing this story. I'll ask you just one last time to: REVIEW!
Dedicated to:
Arwennicole, for her three price winning stories. Congratulations, you deserve it.
Phantom Rogue, for all help and support during writing this story.
Tal, for her offered help with names when I needed them.
And last but definitely not least:
Jenny, for putting up with my fast writing, I owe you big time.