Chapter 23: New King of KO-35

Andros took a deep breath as he pulled on his best clothes. Ashley walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Nervous?" She asked. Andros let out a small chuckled.

"That's an understatement," he replied.

Ashley kissed his cheek. "You'll be fine," she assured him. Andros let out a sigh and let Ashley pull his hair back in a half ponytail. Ashley smiled as she braided the ponytail part of his hair up.

"Thanks," he told her.

"You're welcome," she answered.

Andros smiled and looked around. "Didn't we have a child around here somewhere?" He asked.

"He's over by Karone," she replied.

"Right, right."

Ashley walked over to her dresser and picked up the necklace he gave her. "Here let me help," he told her. He took the necklace from her hands and Ashley lifted her hair so he could clasp the necklace around her neck. Once the necklace was clasped, he took her hands in his, wrapped his arms around her, and kissed her neck. Ashley closed her eyes and leaned against him. She held onto his hands, letting out a sigh. "You're so beautiful," he murmured. Ashley smiled and had him let her go. She turned to look at him.

"Well, that's an honor coming from a soon-to-be king," she answered.

Andros shook his head and held her hands. "To you, I'm just Andros," he told her. Ashley smiled and placed her hands on his face.

"You'll always be just Andros," she answered.

Just then there was a knock on the door. Hayden peeked in with a smile. "Mommy, daddy, grandpa's calling," he informed. He ran into the room and Andros picked him up while he was running over to them.

"Ready little man?" Ashley asked.

"Ready," Hayden replied.

"Then let's go."

Andros set Hayden on the floor and held his son's hand as they left the room.

Andros took a deep breath as he stood in front of his father when the coronation started. "I, Caspar, son of Bazyli am stepping down from my position as KO-35 and passing it onto my son, Andros. If he wants it," he informed. Andros nodded his head slowly as he bent down on one knee in front of his father. Caspar removed the crown that sat on his head and held it above Andros's head. "Andros, son of Caspar, do you take the responsibility of being King of KO-35. Taking your father's place as the leader of the planet? Protecting it from all evil?" Caspar asked.

"Yes," Andros replied.

Ashley stood there with Hayden on her hip as they watched as Andros was crowned King of KO-35. Andros closed his eyes and let out a heavy sigh when the burden that his father carried for years was passed onto him. That one day, he would pass onto his son. "Everyone on KO-35, I give you King Andros of KO-35," Caspar announced. Andros stood up as everyone clapped and cheered with the new King. Andros walked over to Ashley and smiled when he took Hayden into his arms. Ashley walked over and Andros hugged her with his free arm.

"I told you that you can do it," she told him.

Andros smiled as he hugged his family. "Doesn't matter, all that matters is that you're here with me now," he murmured. Andros set Hayden down on the floor. "And I have a way to make this day even better," he added.

"Oh yeah, how?" She asked.

Andros took a deep breath as he bent down to one knee and held her hands in his. "Ashley, you know I love you. That I would do anything to be with you. During the past five years that you weren't with me, I felt like I was completely empty. You are…the most wonderful person in the universe. You're beautiful inside and out. You are my best friend, the mother of my son, and the love of my life. And I have to ask…" Andros trailed off. Ashley bit her lip with tears falling down her face as Andros pulled out a ring, different than the one he had given her the first time. "Ashley Hammond, would you marry me and become Queen Ashley of KO-35? Make me the happiest man in the universe," he finished. Everyone around them waited attentively as they waited for Ashley's answer. Hayden was smiling while holding Karone's hand. "So, what do you say, Ashley? Will you marry me?" He asked. A small sob escaped her lips.

"Yes…of course I will," she replied.

Andros slipped the ring onto her finger and hugged her tight. This was the best day of his life, he couldn't think of anything else that could make it even better. He had everything he had ever wanted. One was sitting in his sister's arms and the other was holding onto him like there was no tomorrow.