FATHER KNOWS BEST

CHAPTER 3: CONFLICTING SCHEDULES

If it weren't for the beat of music that came from her ringing cell phone or the familiar scent of her peach shower gel, Robert Kerwin would swear his daughter did not live in the house he was staying at. Ashley was out of the house that Friday morning by the crack of dawn and didn't return until well after the rest of family was asleep.

Robert woke up refreshed, to the smell of freshly brewed coffee. He padded down to the kitchen, careful not to wake the other occupants. To his surprise, Ashley was standing in front of the island, dressed and ready for what looked like a run.

She stopped pouring the coffee into the travel mugs in front of her and turned to smile at her father. "Morning Dad", she greeted cheerfully and bounced on her tip toes to give him a kiss.

"Morining Ash...you're up early", Robert replied with a small chuckle and graciously took hold of the mug his daughter was offering.

"Yeah", she answered nonchalantly and finished preparing her own coffee.

"So, how about you join your dear old dad for breakfast at Tim Hortons?", he invited eagerly.

"I'd love to Dad, but I can't...it's Saturday", Ashley answered in a simple matter-of-fact way.

Robert frowned slightly in confusion. "And that means you can't eat breakfast?", he asked curiously.

Ashley giggled. "No Dad, it means I'm on my way to pick up Jimmy...".

"Oh right, the t-shirt shop", Robert interjected.

"No actually Spinner...ah, Gavin opens on Saturday mornings", she explained, packing some granola bars, apples and bottled water in her shoulder bag. "Jimmy has an extensive physio session at the rehibilitation center today and I'm going with him".

Robert looked at her worriedly. "Is everything alright?".

Ashley smiled. "Yeah Dad, everythings fine", she assured him. "This is just part of Jimmy's shcedule, routine stuff. He has his daily sessions at lunchtime, during the week and his complete workout on Saturday mornings", Ashley explained. "I've been going with him every week, for almost a year now, to help out with his exercises. Lana, his therapist says I'm a natural and I probably know more than most people do after four years of schooling", she added, beaming proudly.

Robert nodded and smiled back. "Then how does lunch sound, after?", he questioned hopefully. "Jimmy's more than welcome".

"I wish we could Dad...", Ashley paused and frowned. "...but Jimmy's going for a fitting after his session".

"For what, his wedding gown?, Toby joked from his place at the kitchen table. Robert turned quickly at the voice coming from behind the cereal box...he hadn't even noticed Toby was in the room.

"Funny, no", Ashley snickered at Toby and swatted at his head, then turned back to packing her bag. "Jimmy needs a new wheelchair and he wants me to help him pick it out".

Toby smirked. "Well that does make sense since it is half yours...". Ashley felt her cheeks begin to redden before Toby even had a chance to finish. "...well, with all the time you spend on Jimmy's lap and all", he teased. The two exchanged quick smiles before Ashley's hand playfully met with Toby's shoulder but wasn't nearly as gentle this time around.

Grinning, Robert gave Ashley a subtle wink, causing the hue on her cheeks to increase just a notch. "Sounds like a pretty big deal", he stated, thankfully changing the subject.

"It is", Ashley nodded. "This is really only his second chair...the first one, the one he came home from rehab in, was more of a transitional chair and he only used it for about seven months before he was strong enough to switch to the one he has now...and that was almost two years ago", she explained.

"It took him that whole summer to get used to his current chair, but he was determined to play basketball and he just couldn't do that in his original chair", Ashley continued, a small grin spreading over her face as she talked about her boyfriend.

"Doesn't he have a special chair for basketball?", Toby asked curiously.

"Yeah, but it's a standard model and he's never really felt comfortable in it. He uses it, but he doesn't like it very much", Ashley responded with a slight shrug. "That's why it's so important for him to meet with both his therapist and the designer so they can create one that's just for him".

"Wow, I didn't that something as simple as a new wheelchair would take so much planning", Robert replied in an interested tone.

"Dad, you have no idea...it's almost like buying a new car", Ashley sighed with mock exasperation. "You have to consider everything; style, comfort level, maneuverability, durability...Jimmy even has snow tires", she added with a hearty laugh. "It's a good thing we're going in prepared, we've spent months perfecting his design...and hopefully they can customize it to Jimmy's specifications".

Robert took a long sip of his coffee and studied Ashley as one word continued to repeat in his head..."we". She said it twice, we're and we've. It was then that he realized that by the way she said "we", Ashley considered herself Jimmy's other half, his partner...something more than just a mere girlfriend.

"Dad?", Ashley called, snapping her father out of his reverie and smiled brightly at him. "Did I lose you there?".

"Oh no Ash, I...", he answered quickly. "I'm sorry darling, did you say something before?".

"Yeah, I said I have to go now but I'll see you later", she repeated, placing a small peck on his cheek.

Right, later", Robert mimed then began to grin outwardly. "I don't have any plans for tonight, so if you're...".

"Daddy, it's prom", she reminded him with a roll of her eyes and an exasperated sigh as she picked up her belongings.

Robert nodded slowly, fanitly recalling the date...between his time on the plane and the two fight delays, he had somehow skipped an entire day. Ashley could see the slightly disappointed look on her fathers face. "But, I'm free tomorrow morning", she offered suggestively. "...so, if you don't have any other plans, we could head out for one of our famous Daddy/Daughter Sunday brunches".

"I'd love that Sweetheart", Robert accepted, looping his arm around Ashley's shoulders. Ashley smiled and shifted her travel mugs to one hand and embraced her father with the other.

Ashely turned and playfully kicked Toby in the shin as she walked past him to the back door. "Later Tobes", she called out over her shoulder and stepped out into the warm spring morning.

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"So, how do I look?", Ashley asked her parents nervously, as she stood in front of the full length mirror in her bedroom.

"Beautiful Ash", Kate sniffled, her voice cracking a bit as she clasped her hands to her chest. Ashley smiled and swayed her hips slightly, causing the champagne colored gown to ruffle at her feet.

"Simply stunning, Sweetheart", Robert added in agreement with his ex-wife, also getting caught up in the moment.

Ashley furrowed her brow in confusion as she stared at her overly emotional parents. "Are you two okay?", she asked jokingly.

They both opened their mouths simultaneously to answer, when Toby's voice could be heard from the base of the stairs, "Cinderella? Your prince charming is here", he called with amused laughter.

Kate and Robert decended first, allowing Ashley to make her grande entrance. Ashley grin grew as wide as her face as she took one final look in the mirror.

Jimmy sat anxiously in the middle of the room as the group engaged in small talk while waiting for Ashley. "So man, when do you get your new set of wheels?", Toby asked curiously.

"About six to eight weeks", Jimmy answered with a grin. "Got some customizations that'll take a little time".

"Awesome", Toby replied sincerely. "So what did you go with...sleek and sporty, or elegant and sophisticated?"

Jimmy laughed then scrunched up his face in resignation. "More like durable and functional...", he paused, but another grin soon crept across his face. "...with a hint of sleek sophistication". Toby smiled and gave Jimmy a high-five. He looked down and ran his hands along the sides of his chair almost affectionately. "Yeah, red rims and purple wheel guards are not exactly law school material".

The rest of the group joined in soft laughter at Jimmy's joke, when suddenly, there was a vision of beauty was coming down the stairs. The usually talkative Jimmy was rendered completely speechless. A gasped "Ash", was all he could muster.

Ashley blushed and hurried down the last few steps to Jimmy's side. "Hey", she whispered, taking in his handsome appearence and placing a soft kiss on his lips.

Not wanting to lose contact, but surely not wanting to put on a show for the parents, Jimmy broke apart and reached under his chair for Ashley's corsage. He looped the flower band onto her wrist and grasped her hand in his.

Jimmy and Ashley were totally lost in the moment and lost in each others eyes.

Robert studied the pair carefully; Jimmy in his tailored tuxedo, crisp champagne colored shirt, shiny patent shoes and rose boutonniere on his lapel. Ashley in her flowing beaded gown, the soft curls of hair cascading to her shoulders, the perfect manicure, the complimenting makeup...and if her dress and his shirt was just a few shade whiter, Robert would have sworn that the two was headed off to their wedding instead of their senior prom.

And with that thought, Robert's heart suddenly sunk...his baby girl was all grown up.

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I know this is moving slow, but there are some issues I will be revisiting later on in the story. I'm trying to keep this story flowing in a positive way, but sometimes the wording or situations seem a little...um, not how they're intended. Yes I know, that's a little vague, but I don't want give away the premise of the story with my explanation. So just hang on, it will all become clear very soon.

Thanks Lilfiftyfour, for your review...you know how much I appreciate it!!!

Degrassi is not mine.