First off, I would like to give a special thanks to everyone who ever left me a review:
AbsoluteGarbage, lalalalee, arh1986, DaPhoenix, cyberauthor, Kate529, unknownfuture04, Raving through life, SuperGirl06, xena120, raisedinashes, Rocmis, taymm15, em-doll, xxMaNdYxx, idrinktogetdrunk, luvspashley13, pril, Little Miss Conceited, booIczu, NotxxWhatxxItxxSeems, Stokley27, sweetdebie, sexyluv07, JosseylnR. , 1treehillcharmed, lilce1992, DaniZGE, nerb88, spashley20, BeMyPenguin3, slickchick84, GraydonGirl, madam-xt, Loves-Love-92, i like what you say, GhostWalker561, Hplova4eva, erasexmyself, sooragameela87, uncsoftbalgirl08, EvilerGenius, DanI Boi The Cripple, Kirky123, crazywhitegurl08, shigurl1988, breadstickphonehome, BorstalBreakout, spashley16, clearwatergurl99, LKOcean, ProfaneMakeInsane, sammythegreatsockrocker, the jehsinator, niecyx3, Athenax5424, dttdemon, Lunarcycle, hotcutii3, Eaglesenior, physcob2002, NoUrPlans, Catastrofairy, doubleclique, xDloverx, chrissieWOW, UtsuroKuri, xxChikitakissesxx, audiodream (if I messed up anyone's name, don't hesitate to let me know.)
It's the FINAL Chapter! I'm very proud of myself for finishing this story, even if it took me a long time to do so.
And now to see how it all boils down. . .\m/
--
--six weeks later--
Spencer knew these couple of hours they were spending at the natural Pool would probably be the last she and Ash would have together alone before she flew back to Cincinnati tomorrow.
Paula and her new husband were back home, and she'd been calling everyday, insisting that Spencer come back ten days earlier than originally planned.
To Spencer's shock, her father had gone along with it, too. Both of them had used excuses about the change of school and registration and getting ready.
Spencer was fed up with all of it. She didn't want to go. It was only the first week of August. Three weeks before school started. Neither of them were giving her a chance, though.
Arthur was booting her out. Here's your ticket, see you later.
And frankly, it hurt. She thought they were having a great summer together. She knew they were.
"Do you think it'll be another three years before I see him again?" she asked Ash as they climbed back up on a smooth rock ledge. The pool was formed by rocky outcroppings fifteen feet high or more. Much of the rock had been smoothed by eons of tidal surges, and the pool was deep and blue and clear.
"No," Ash said, taking her snorkeling equipment and putting it with hers on the rocks. "I don't think either of you would let that happen."
"But it could be," she said sadly. "He wont let me ask any questions about what he's doing next or where he's going. It's like I cant even call him and say 'hey dad, can I come and visit this weekend?"
"Why not?" The brunette reached over and tucked a strand of blonde hair behind Spencer's ear. "I think you should do exactly that. Keep him on his toes."
"Yeah. Sure. I'm sure he'd just love to have me create another disaster for him in Italy, or Jamaica, or the Netherlands, or Australia or wherever he's going." Spencer sighed.
"You didn't create any disasters. Everything worked out exactly the way they planned it. I believe his operation was a great success." Ash leaned over and planted a soft kiss on her cheek.
"How do you know that?" Spencer asked suspiciously.
"Oh you know how it is. It's a guy thing. With the exception of the guy part. Male bonding and all that." Ash winked at her.
"That's not fair. Just because your dating a guys daughter, you get all the privileges of a guy." Spencer shoved her and Ash slid all the way down into the water.
When the brunette didn't surface immediately, Spencer scrambled down the edge.
"Ash!" she yelled.
At that moment, Ash surged up and grabbed the blonde's ankle, dragging her into the water.
"Ouch! Coral Sting! That hurt!" she sputtered as she surfaced. "You are such a brute."
"You started it."
"You didn't have to retaliate," Spencer scolded. "I'm leaving tomorrow. You should let me get away with things for a change."
"You really think so?" Ash asked, gathering Spencer against her.
The blonde nodded, liking the way Ash looked at her, the way her arms were sliding over her body.
"What should I let you gat away with now?" Ash asked hoarsely
Spencer looked around. They were still the only two in the pool.
"I'll just settle for this. She wrapped her arms around the taller girl's neck and kissed her deeply.
Waves crashed over the rock barrier at the ocean side of the pool and sprayed over them.
Warm water washed around them, pushing their bodies even closer until they might have been molded out of one flesh.
This would be the most painful part. Walking away from Ash. Spencer was in love with her. It was that simple. And she believed the other girl when she said she felt the same way.
For so many weeks, they practically have been inseparable. Having her cast off had given her the freedom to explore the island. She and Ash had done all the things the Blonde couldn't do before. Swimming, Sailing, Rock climbing, and Snorkeling. She'd even taken classes in scuba diving, and Ash taught her how to windsurf.
They'd had so much fun.
Now that Lorenzo was gone, Spencer felt so much safer as she and Ahs roamed the island. She'd been even more relieved when she read in the newspaper that the Chin was sentenced to a lengthy prison time.
By now, her summer was over. She hadn't left yet, and she was already missing Ash.
Tears trickled down her lashes, and the brunette kissed them away. She cupped Spencer's face, his hazel eyes looking into hers.
"Don't. Were not going to do this, remember? Two weeks. That's all. I'm coming to Cincinnati to see you n two weeks."
Ash told her that before. "It isn't the next time we see each other that worries me. It's all the times after that," Spencer said.
"We're going to work it out, Spencer."
"Do you know there are two thousand four hundred and seventy nine miles from LA to Cincinnati?"
"You've been checking, huh?" Ash said with amusement.
Spencer nodded. "Map quest. And that's going to shortest route."
Ash laughed, gathering the blonde tight against her chest. She pressed a kiss o Spencer' forehead. "It doesn't take too long for me to get to LAX."
Spencer pouted. "But there's the driving to the airport, and the driving time back. You might get tired of it."
"Ill never get tired of it, Spencer." Her hands rubbed the Blonde's back, caressed her hair.
She lifted Spencer's chin and this time the kiss was hotter.
Spencer responded. She could feel the sexual heat between their bodies rise. Suddenly, Ash broke the kiss.
"We have to get back to the cottage," The brunette said.
"Why?" she asked shyly.
"So I can put that aloe cream on your back." Ash smirked. "You're getting burned again."
"Tanned," Spencer said a little indignantly.
"Right. But we can't let you get too tanned." She lifted Spencer out of the water and onto the rocks. She climbed out after her.
Spencer knew they had to get somewhere safe. This was the way their passion run. Hot, explosive. They both worked at being careful, though.
A good choice, too, she thought as they picked up their towels and shoes. She could see a group of tourists just starting down the path from the parking lot at the top of the cliff.
They were heading for the natural pool.
Ash picked up their snorkeling equipment and held them with her towel in front of herself.
Spencer couldn't help but laugh and wrapped a towel around herself before walking up ahead of Ash on the wing-ding path back towards the car.
They past the tourists on a long set of stairs going up the side of the cliff. They exchanged some pleasantries about the beautiful weather and the breezes and temperature of the water as they went by.
At the car, Spencer peeled off the towel and put it on her seat. She was searching for her sundress when Ash came up behind her. The brunette ran a finger just under the strap of her bikini top.
"You're definitely getting too much sun today. I wont forgive myself if after all of these weeks you end up with sun poisoning."
Spencer turned in Ash's arms and kissed her chin. "I think we finished the tube of aloe yesterday afternoon in the guesthouse," she whispered. "Maybe we should stop on the way home and get some more?"
Ash reached around Spencer and grabbed a drugstore bag from the backseat. The blonde peeked inside. Ash was definitely prepared. . .the only thing Spencer asked for now was that the two of them be given some privacy for at least the rest of the morning.
And maybe some of the afternoon.
--
Spencer only got part of her wish. They were able to get back home and showered together in her bathroom. . .for old times' sake. That was where she had gotten stuck and Ash had seen her naked for the first time. They both wanted another memory to add to that one.
The phone was ringing as she stepped out of the shower.
It was Mackenzie's mother, reminding Spencer that she had to come by and pick up her last paycheck. No sooner that she hung up when Paula called from Cincinnati, asking for the fourth time about Spencer's flight schedule.
While on the phone, Ash walked out of the bedroom clad in a sports bra and boy shirts. Her body was naturally toned and fit. She was putting her hair into a quick messy bun.
Spencer continued to admire Ash while Ash walked to the fridge and almost forgot about her conversation with her mother.
"-and Spence, you have to see and shop at their markets with me sometime in the future. I swear, you've never seen so many people and stands in one setting. I met this one lady who-"
"Yeah, mom. I kinda gotta go. So, talk to you later."
"Oh, right honey. Sure, call me with any more news or schedule flight changes."
After the phone call, Spencer walked into the kitchen to find Ashley sitting at one of the stools drinking iced tea. Spencer smiled as Ash handed her a glass.
"You should take one out to your father. He should be here soon."
"Aren't you going to put on some more clothes." Spencer asked. "You definitely need some more on."
"And you definitely need some more off." Ashley retorted. She then pulled Spencer down on her lap and bear hugged her. "You smell good."
Spencer didn't want to go home now. She didn't want to be staring at suitcases. She was in no mood to pack.
What she wanted was to breathe the flower-scented air and see the beauty of Aruba and fill her senses with it. This had undoubtedly been the best summer of her life, and she didn't know when she'd be back on this island of paradise again.
"I'm just thinking of the greatest summer I just had."
Ashley's phone started ringing. So Spencer got up and kissed Ashley's forehead. She then poured another glass of iced tea and went outside to give Ashley some privacy.
When she was outside, she put the glasses on the table and sat down on one of the chairs in the shade. About five minutes later, she heard Arthur's car pull up to the villa. She got up to greet her father, offering him the iced tea she brought out.
"Have some," she said. "I just brought them out."
He drank one of the glasses right down. "Thanks." he replied.
There was something about him that she couldn't put her finger on. There was an excitement that hovered right beneath the surface. There was something new.
"Let me guess. You finished something important?"
He nodded and smiled.
"And everything worked out as you planned?"
He nodded again.
"That's wonderful, dad," Spencer said happily. "You should celebrate. Do something special."
"We'll do something special, he corrected, looking around the courtyard. "Where's Ash?"
"Running up her cell bill. I think she went to put on some clothes as well."
Arthur's eyebrows went up curiously.
"It's a long story dad," Spencer said, noticing her fathers reactions. "Nothing for someone like you to worry about."
Just then, Ash opened the sliding door, fully clothed, and walked out.
"How did everything work out?" Ash asked, after the initial greeting.
"Perfect," her father answered.
"And the time frame?"
"Just as I told you."
"You two are speaking in code. That male bonding stuff again, isn't it?" Spencer complained. "Well, before you guys break into spitting contests and flatten beer cans on your foreheads, show some good manners."
Ashley made a disgusted face. "Okay, first of all, ew. I don't do saliva chucking. And second of-"
"Don't try to change the subject, Ash."
Arthur and Ash grinned at each other. What was going on?
"Um, well I'm going inside to. . .get a glass of iced tea," Ash said after a moment of silence.
"Ash, there's a full glass in your hand," Spencer said, suspiciously.
"I'm pretty thirsty," Arthur said, making a quick recovery for the brunette's slip-up. Ashley handed him the cup and he drank it. "Why don't you sit down, Spencer."
She noticed a special look Ash sent her before disappearing into the villa. She couldn't decipher it
"Sit down, Spencer," Arthur repeated.
Suddenly, she was nervous. "No, I'm not going to sit down," she announced. "Come on. Out with it. What's going on?"
"Okay, well, I need to sit," Arthur said. He took another sip of the now empty glass of iced tea.
"Dad, start talking. You were going to tell me something, so out with it. But I'm warning you. This had better not be bad news. I'm feeling pretty fragile right now, after being rejected and sent back to Paula ten days early. . ."
"Spencer. . ."
"In fact, I still think it's totally unfair…"
"Spencer, how would you like to come and live with me?"
"I mean, after not seeing me for. . ."she stopped and stared at him in disbelief, his words finally registering. "You want me to come live with you?"
"Yeah, I do."
"Where?"
"Sacramento," he said.
She sat down but missed the chair.
As she went sprawling on the ground, her father immediately jumped out of his seat and was beside her. She must have been standing by the door, because she was there in an instant, too.
"Are you okay?" Ash asked.
Spencer held onto both seats as they lifted her gracefully on the edge of her seat. She nodded an 'okay' to Ash. She then looked up at Arthur.
"I'm taking a real desk job in Sacramento at the end of the summer." He said.
Spencer then turned wide-eyed to Ash. The brunette smiled and took her hand.
Arthur continued." And this won't be a three month or six month assignment. It's permanent, or at least for as long as I decide to continue working for the government. I could actually retire in a year."
Spencer's head swam with all this information. "When are you moving?"
"In two weeks."
"Does Paula know about this?"
He nodded. "I've been talking to her about it for the past couple of weeks."
"Was this her idea? I mean, me moving in with you."
"No." he said firmly. "It's my idea. And she's already said flat out that she's not too happy about it. But she's going to leave the decision to you."
"Is this why you were sending me back to Cincinnati earlier than planed?"
"Yeah," Arthur said. "I knew you'd need a chance to pack and get ready and pul together all your records for the school and do anything else that needs to be done."
"You were planning to come and see me in two weeks." Spencer said, still holding Ash's hand.
Ash kissed Spencer's hand.
"I still am," she said. "I was hoping I could help you move."
"You knew what was going on. And Paula knew. Mac and Aiden?"
They both nodded.
"Probably everyone in Aruba knew. . Except me." She frowned at Arthur. "Why did you wait so long to ask me?"
"Because I had to make sure. I wanted the paperwork in my hands with all the signatures on it. If I'd told you this and then something went wrong, I knew you'd feel betrayed. I didn't want that to happen."
He was right; she would have been hurt. But Spencer didn't think he could have changed her name from Carlin to something else. Nut after this summer.
"This morning, everything finally came in." He leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees. "but you haven't answered me yet. And as you can tell, I'm a little nervous about this. I still don't know if you'd ever want to leave Ohio. I mean, I've barely been a step above a stranger to you for most of your life. But after this summer, I knew I had to make some changes in my life. I have a daughter that I love and want to know better. I don't want to miss this last year that you'll be living at home. I want to-"
"Yes, dad." Spencer finally let go of Ash's hand. She leaned forward and gave him a hug. She smiled at Ash. "I'd love to move to Sacramento with you, but only on one condition."
He pulled back and looked at her. "Anything."
"You have to answer one question."
"Go ahead," he urged.
"What's the deal with the barf bags?"
--The next day at the airport--
"So. . ." Ash started.
"So. . ." Spencer repeated.
"I'm really going to miss you." She leaned over and planted a kiss on Spencer's forehead.
"I will too." Spencer replied. She felt all mushy inside. It felt like she was watching one of those poignant romantic movies. The ones where one of the two ends up boarding a plane to leave. Just like what was happening now.
Spencer reached her hand onto Ash's cheek. She rubbed her thumb down past Ash's jaw line and over her lips. She wanted to remember as much as she could. It was only two weeks to bare. Plus, her new location with her father would only be about an hour away from Ash.
Still, she knew she was weak without the other girl's presence. And the thought of being so far away kept drifting into her mind.
"Two weeks," Ash promised.
"Spencer sighed. "Alright."
Ash bent down and placed a light kiss on the Blonde's lips. She then wrapped her hands around Spencer's waist and hugged her tight.
Spencer kissed Ash's neck and rubbed her head into the older girl's shoulder. They stayed like that for a while. Enjoying the last few minutes they had together before Spencer's departure.
"Last call for the 11:00 departure!" The man over the intercom said.
"Don't get into trouble," Ash warned, watching Spencer walk away, a small smile on her face.
"Of course I will. Since when is it otherwise?" she shot back. Thinking over the summer again, both girls let out a chuckle.
.FIN.
Thank you all. It's been a pleasure.