{Hayden's POV}

The sheer relief and joy that washed over Ashley's face when it was announced that Virgil, Ricky, Johnathon, and Kyle were found guilty on all charges, then sentenced to twenty-five years in prison was all I needed to see to know that Ashley was happy again, and going to be alright. I knew that my friends and I helped her to heal, and remember things she had forgotten during her four years at Fantasies. But Ashley knowing her captors and rapists were behind bars for the next twenty-five years made her happy, and feel safer even though she knew I wouldn't let any harm come to her. Fantasies is closed down for good, and last I heard, all the slaves had been set free to family members, and were working on recovering, so they could try to have a semi-normal life. Dragon Eye Hotel and Casino remained in business, and was taken over by a Donovon Bludvist; he seemed like a good man, and I hoped things worked out for him in running the place. In a bonus that got mentioned after the four males were taken away, the judge issued for the money I had paid to get Ashley free be returned to me. So now, I was $150.000.00 richer, again. Not that I cared; Ashley was priceless to me, and there was nothing I wouldn't do for her. Which is why I made the decision to ask her to marry me, but not quite yet. I was waiting for the right moment, and I think I was reserving it for her birthday coming up this Saturday on the 29th. Ashley would be turning twenty-two, and I didn't care that we'd only been together for five months on the 24th. I loved Ashley with my everything, and I knew who I wanted to spend the rest of my life with; her.

Travis and Alicia were engaged now. I guess after they found out that they were having a little girl, Travis proposed right there at the sonogram office. Of course, they were waiting to get married until after their daughter turned a year old. Eli, Roxy, Devon, and Skye were still planning their weddings for 2018. Hailey and Ford found a house, and are currently in the process of going through the offer pricing to get it, but things were looking good, so I assumed that very soon, I'd be helping them move in with the rest of our friends. Seth and Caitlyn were doing great too; they were taking things slowly but last I checked Seth had done something that meant the world to Caitlyn and that was taking her out to a movie, and inviting her son to come along as well. Seth was fond of the boy, but knew not to overstep certain boundaries. Ashley was still working on trying to forgive her mom, but it wasn't so cut and dry to tell Asvora that she was forgiven for what she did to Ashley. I knew Ashley was working on it in therapy sessions once a week still. For me, I was always coping with my parent's deaths. It wasn't easy to know to that I was going to ask Ashley to marry me, and hopefully she'd say yes, then we'd be getting married and my parents wouldn't be there to see it happen in person, only in spirit.

So it had been about two weeks since the court hearing, and one of my birthday gifts to Ashley had been that I handled the lawyer fees for her. A few days after the court proceedings, Ashley rescheduled her permit test. Initially, it was supposed to happen in February, but when the court things began, we decided to wait because she wanted all her focus on that. I understood of course, and supported her decision to push the text back. However, now Ashley had her permit test, and GED test coming up this week. Today was Monday, the 24th. Our five-month anniversary, and I planned to take her out to dinner. Sadly, such wasn't going to be the case as Ashley fell sick, but insisted I take her to the DMV so she could take her permit exam. I knew it was nothing hard; just a computerized test with fifty or so questions about driving and what not. I gave into her, and said we'd go after lunch when the workers would be returning from their breaks. I left work early at 12:30 pm when the next manager came on, the picked up Ashley as we headed to the DMV in the city. Ashley got herself registered for the test, then she went in while I waited outside the room on my cell phone. Half an hour passed before the door opened and I saw Ashley come out.

"Well, how'd ya do, babe?" I asked her.

"I passed!" Ashley squealed with delight as she held up the paper with her score on it. I saw a green 85% on it and smiled as I hugged her.

"I'm proud of you. So what's next?" I wondered.

"I have to see the people over here to turn this in, and they'll issue my permit, and set my road test date," Ashley informed. I nodded and sent her to do what she had to while I waited. Ashley spoke with the man behind the counter for a few moments as he was typing information into the computer. Finally, Ashley sat down in the chair to have her picture taken; I noticed she did her make up a little so she wouldn't look sick. After the photo was taken, Ashley stood up to pay the man, then he handed her a piece of paper before she walked back to me.

"When is the road test?" I inquired.

"Their earliest date for it is on Friday at 9 am, right from this office. I took it," Ashley told me.

"Perfect because I have Friday off this week," I chuckled. "Ready to head home? You look like you could use some rest," I added.

"I could," Ashley yawned. I led her out, and then we got in the car to drive home. Ashley went right to sleep as I checked the calendar to mark her road test date, the noticed that her GED exam was Wednesday at 9:30 am. I guess it was going to be a busy week. I sat on the couch and relaxed since I had the rest of today off.

(Saturday)

Ashley ended up with a twenty-four-hour bug, and was better now. On Wednesday, Ashley got a ride with Hailey to the GED exam location, and then stayed with her through the test as I had to work. I took Saturday off for Ashley's surprise party, but she didn't know that. There were five tests, each an hour long, and according to Ashley, it was exhausting to have to take the tests back to back with only a ten-minute break in between. Also, frustrating because she didn't get the results right away. On Thursday, Ashley worked with me, then Friday came for her road exam. I took her myself because she was using my car due to being used to how it worked. The test wasn't long at all; about fifteen minutes. Ashley passed, and was officially a licensed driver now. Same as before, she received a paper version of her license, and the card would come in the mail within thirty days. I let Ashley drive us home, and she was super excited the entire time, but remained in control of the vehicle. Finally, though, it's Saturday; the day I've been waiting for because it's Ashley's twenty-second birthday!

I sent her out in the car for a few things while in that time, our friends came over to set up for the party. I had the ring, but nobody knew what I was planning to do, not even Gabriel. Ashley thinks today is a party to celebrate her getting her license, but she's wrong. I just hoped my proposal went okay. I know we haven't been together long, but in truth, we've always been together since pre-school. And even when she was gone for four years as a slave, she was in my heart, and I was in hers because she was calling for my help when those bad things happened.

"Think she'll be surprised?" Alicia wondered.

"Without a doubt," I nodded.

{Normal POV}

It was 2 pm now, time for things to start. I heard Ashley pull in the driveway, and we got ready. Ashley knew everyone was coming over, but not that this was a birthday party for her. Ashley strolled into the backyard with a smile.

"Hayden, I'm b-," Ashley began.

"Surprise! Happy birthday, Ashley!" everyone called. Ashley's eyes widened as she saw the banner, and everything all set up.

"Awe, you guys, and girls!" Ashley smiled as they all greeted her and Hayden went last.

"Hayden planned the whole thing," Hailey informed.

"You're the best, babe," Hayden and Ashley shared a kiss. Suddenly, her phone rang as she blinked. Ashley answered it. "Hello?" a pause," This is she," was next. Ashley listened, then smiled a bit. "Thank you," she then hung up with a sigh.

"Who was that?" Hayden asked.

"The GED woman with my results. I guess the machine broke down, and they just finished running the tests through. She thought I might like to know, so she called," Ashley explained.

"And…How did you do?" Ford questioned. Ashley was silent a moment, and they feared the worst. However, Ashley's lips curved into a broad smile.

"I PASSED EVERYTHING! I have my GED!" Ashley announced.

"Oh, that's wonderful!" Alicia exclaimed. Ashley threw her arms around Hayden's shoulders and hugged him tightly.

"I owe this to you! You helped me get my license, and my GED! Thank you, Hayden," Ashley kissed him. Hayden returned it, then smiled.

"You're welcome," Hayden replied.

"Gods, how can I ever repay you for all you've done for me, and I won't take nothing as an answer," Ashley giggled. Hayden knew this was his chance to ask, and he was taking it.

"Say yes to being with me forever," Hayden said as it fell quiet, all eyes on him.

"Well, we're best friends, Hayden, and dating. I think no matter what happens, we'll always be together," Ashley reminded. Hayden sighed as he took her hand in his, then got down on one knee as Ashley's eyes widened.

"No, Ash. What I mean is I want you to say yes to being with me forever as my best friend, my lover…My wife. Ashley, you and I have been together, through everything since we met in Pre-School. You've helped me, I've helped you, and we're always here for one another. There will always be a Hayden and Ashley. Whatever that means, whatever you want it to mean, but for me; I want you for the rest of our lives, as my wife. I know we've only been dating five months, but we're always together. Always have been, always will be. You have me, no matter what, Asty. So will you, Ashley Asta Hofferson, marry me?" Hayden asked as he pulled a blue velvet ring box from out of his pocket, then opened it revealing the engagement ring to her. It was gold with diamonds set in the band, then two heart-shaped stones on top; their birthstones.

Ashley's eyes filled with tears before her lip began to quiver in shock. Ashley dropped to her knees as she cupped his cheeks with a few tears falling down now. "Yes," Ashley said. "I will marry you, Hayden Hiccup Haddock," she smiled. Hayden kissed her deeply as she returned it. The friends, and Gabriel burst into applause and cheering. The kiss broke as Hayden took the ring out of the box, and slid it on her left-hand ring finger. Hayden helped her up, and they kissed again.

"Now can we start the party!?" Seth asked with Caitlyn beside him, and Brandon had come along too since it was Caitlyn's weekend to have him.

"Oh, here's your keys back, babe," Ashley handed them to her fiance.

"Nope, those are yours now. I registered the car to you after you got your permit; I'm driving dad's now. That's your other gift from me, a car of your own," Hayden informed.

"B-But babe!" Ashley tried to protest.

"Too late, already done. You said you liked my car best, so it's fitting that you have it. Some time has passed and I'm ready to be behind the wheel of my father's without it hurting to know they're gone," Hayden smiled.

"And I can't even be mad at you," Ashley sighed, then smiled. "Thank you,"

"Anything for you, Milady," Hayden hugged her tightly. "And yes, Seth, we can party now," he added. The friends rushed to enjoy things while Ashley stayed in Hayden's arms thinking only one thing.

'Best birthday ever,' she smiled.