Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter ten of "Not Here III: Going Around." It has some Andros/Ashley as well. Kai, Brittany, and An-Mei will be introduced in the next few chapters. Stay tuned for chapter eleven.

XXXXX

Chapter 10: Putting the Foot Down

Andros, Ashley, Zhane, and Karone sat on the hallway stairs more than an hour later. They were looking over their diplomas while they had the bottoms on their laps. Their tassels were on the left sides of their caps. The diplomas were in red leather folders. The folders had the emblem of flying dragons on them. Andros tapped his finger on his name on his. He tried to hold back a laugh, but he was unable to do so. He pressed his lips together.

"I never saw myself seeing my name on a high school diploma," Andros said, closing his diploma. He observed the others smacking theirs shut. "It feels so unreal."

"It feels even more unreal because you, Karone, and I started attending the junior year. You and I finished our schooling on KO-35 when we were just fourteen," Zhane pointed out truthfully.

"Those placement tests we took were unusual, but they helped us find out where we really stood with our peers," Karone commented.

"It happened to be where the final team of Power Rangers were," Ashley said, sighing in relief.

"We didn't have every class together, but that doesn't matter. We aced every one of them," Andros said, laughing in much delight.

"For me, it is absolutely incredible I did that. I didn't have a whole lot of schooling. Ecliptor did his best with teaching me things," Karone pointed out of matter-of-factly.

"That guy may have been evil, but he did do a good job of raising you," Andros admitted.

"He did," Karone agreed. "Just because one is evil doesn't mean they can't feel familial love. Darkonda was the complete opposite of Ecliptor. He was cold, cruel, heartless, and vile."

"Cassie said just one look at Darkonda would make anyone who wasn't a Power Ranger freak out like maniacs," Andros murmured, his eyebrows raising.

"That guy was like a cat. Cats are said to have nine lives," Ashley said and made a funny noise.

"It doesn't matter. He's dead. I don't give a fuck," Karone said, bluntness showing in her voice.

"Thank God," Ashley said in relief.

Andros rubbed the back of his neck. He moved his hand to his temple while mumbling inaudible words. He looked down at the floor for a minute. He turned to his best friend, sister, and fiancée.

"I am glad the graduation went off without a hitch after Ashley's grandmother was removed by her grandfather," Andros said, shaking his head in disbelief. "I am still shocked at what she did."

"Me too," Zhane agreed. "I had never seen such a madwoman."

Karone licked her lips. "What are you and Ashley going to do about the wedding and children regarding her?"

"We did some thinking on stage while Justin was giving his speech. We have decided we will not invite her to our wedding or allow her around the children," Andros admitted.

"I think that is fair," Zhane agreed. "She needs to understand you mean business."

Ashley sniffled. "It is likely we will never forgive her for what she did. She really hurt us."

Zhane was about to say something else when footsteps diverted the group's attention. He and the others spotted Ashton, Anna, Raylene, Julian, Tracy, Kinwon, Tykwa, and Gerald coming their way. He, Andros, and Karone rose to their feet. Ashley placed her hands on the stair and pushed herself upward slowly. She touched her back with a slight groan. They came down the stairs. Andros and Ashley went to her parents. They hugged each other.

"Honey, we are so proud of you and Andros," Anna said very warmly.

"You both gave excellent speeches," Ashton added.

"Thanks," Ashley replied as everyone broke apart. "I was considering not giving my speech, but I wanted to get it done."

"We are very happy that you did, darling," Gerald said, coming to his daughter's side. "I don't think I could be prouder to have you as my granddaughter. You truly have shown how selfless you are by choosing to bring up your children with the man you love."

"Thanks, Grandpa," Ashley replied, sniffling in a soft way. "Andros and I are thrilled you are finally on board."

"The same can be said for your other grandfather," Gerald admitted and cleared his throat. "I do wish he could've seen the rest of the graduation."

"The graduation was videotaped. All of our families will be getting a copy of it. So will the families of the other graduates," Zhane commented, smiling lightly.

"Oh, that's good," Gerald said with a relieved sigh. "When will that be?"

"It won't be for a few weeks," Zhane admitted. "However, we believe your brother-in-law will really enjoy it."

"I did enjoy seeing it in person, but I will be glad to enjoy seeing it again on tape," Gerald responded and let out a soft sigh.

Andros slipped his arm around Ashley, who ran her tongue all over the inside of her mouth. He tapped his diploma against his side. He gave her a small hug before kissing her temple.

"So, what are going to do about your fiancée's grandmother, Andros?" Kinwon asked with much curiosity.

Andros sighed. "Ashley and I have decided she is not to come to the wedding or be around the children, Kinwon."

"It may sound harsh, but I think it is very fair. She really blew it with her second chance in my view," Tykwa said, huffing irritatingly. "If there are toxic people that I detest more than any others, it's grandparents. They will manipulate their grandchildren against their parents. Some even kidnap them."

"People are less likely to believe grandparents are toxic. They tend to see sweetness in their faces," Julian said, shuddering badly.

Tracy hissed. "Behind that sweetness can hide a monster."

"Indeed," Kinwon agreed.

"One thing is clear. Andros and I are unlikely to forgive Grandma for what she did," Ashley said, sniffling. "I am sorry to say that."

"Don't be, Ashley," Gerald said in a firm way. "You have every right to say what you feel."

Anna touched her daughter's arm. "If people say you are being disrespectful, screw them. They aren't worth a damn."

Raylene gave a sharp nod. "That's right."

Ashley closed her eyes as tears fell down her cheeks. She wiped them away before choking back a sob. She opened them. She proceeded to talk about attending college in the future.

00000

Ben and Kayla were sitting in their car five minutes later. They could see students and their families coming out of the school. They listened to their lively chatter and laughter. She scanned the crowd for Andros, Ashley, their friends, and her family, but she didn't see any of them. She leaned back in her seat while shaking her head in disbelief.

"They haven't come out yet," she whispered in disappointment.

"Don't expect them to be friendly with you in the least bit," he said firmly.

"Ben, please—" Kayla started.

"Don't even try to talk me out of divorcing you and telling them about our situation. It's not happening," Ben interrupted in a stern voice. "They need to know everything."

"You can't tell Ashley. It will destroy her," Kayla pleaded.

He huffed. "You should've thought about that before you embarrassed her and Andros."

"I was just trying to be helpful," Kayla insisted.

"Being helpful would have been keeping your mouth shut and staying in your seat," Ben commented, eyeing her.

She rolled her eyes. "Just—"

Laughter caught the couple's attention. They spotted Andros, Ashley, Zhane, Karone, Ashton, Anna, Gerald, Julian, Tracy, Kinwon, Tykwa, and Raylene coming their way. Kayla got out of the car, as did Ben. They approached the group as it stopped in its tracks and became quiet.

"How was the—" Kayla started.

"Don't say a word, Grandma," Ashley interrupted in a very sharp voice. "Andros and I are very angry at you over what you did."

"I just want to say—" Kayla said, her lower lip quivering.

"Don't even try to apologize to us, Mrs. Hammond," Andros responded and flared his nostrils. He put his arm around his fiancée's shoulder. "We don't want to hear it."

"How could you do this, Mom? You promised you wouldn't embarrass this lovely couple," Ashton said, anger lining his voice. "You broke it without thinking twice."

"What you did was not helpful at all. You really hurt our family!" Raylene snapped. "You ruined the happiest day of Andros and Ashley's life all because you didn't like they were giving speeches on overcoming teen parenthood before Justin gave his own speech."

"Don't you dare try to blame Ashton and me, Kayla. Andros and Ashley are responsible for the choice they made. They are living with it. They have taken full responsibility for it," Anna added.

"Never have I ever seen such a selfish woman," Tykwa hissed through clenched teeth. "All Kinwon and I wanted was to see Andros, Zhane, and Karone graduate with their peers in peace."

"You had to fuck it all up," Kinwon growled with a shake of his head. He mumbled inaudible words. "You should be ashamed."

"The rest of KO-35's civilians will be furious when we tell them what happened," Tykwa said in much seriousness.

Kayla looked down with a heavy sigh. She emitted a soft sniffle as tears formed in her eyes. Zhane and Karone cleared their throats, causing her to look up. They narrowed their eyes at her.

"You think Andros and Ashley were the only ones who were embarrassed, Mrs. Hammond?" Zhane asked sharply. "They weren't. You embarrassed Karone and me. You did the same to everyone in our circle of friends."

"We are to be aunt and uncle to the twins. We had to watch you make a scene from our seats," Karone said, her voice becoming filled with sobs. "We went to see Andros and Ashley."

"It took us ten minutes to calm Ashley down. She was so upset over what you did that we didn't think she'd give her speech!" Zhane yelled frustratingly.

Tracy gritted her teeth. "She was crying her eyes out."

"I have never seen a young expectant mother like her so upset," Julian commented.

"Being pregnant with twins made her more emotional than most expectant mothers are," Kinwon added.

Tykwa huffed. "Very much so."

Gerald smacked his lips. "Indeed."

Ashley brought her hand up to Andros's. She took it into hers and gave it a gentle squeeze. They took three steps forward. They shot glares at Kayla, who pressed her lips together.

"Grandma, I don't think Andros and I will ever forgive for what you did," Ashley said, her teeth clenching. "You really hurt us, especially me. I won't be due for another eight weeks. I can't handle any more stress that was caused by your sudden appearance. It would have best if you and my grandfathers had just stayed away." She sniffled in a soft manner. "I am sorry to say that to them."

"It's all right, Ashley," Ben assured.

"We don't mind in the least bit. It was actually her idea that we make amends with you. She didn't honor it at all," Gerald added.

"Because of what you did, Mrs. Hammond, you cannot come to our wedding," Andros said firmly. He didn't flinch when Kayla sniffled. "You will not be permitted to see the children either. We don't want you filling their heads with your close-minded beliefs."

"I was just trying to help," Kayla insisted.

"Staying quiet and in your seat would have been the most helpful thing you could have done. If one or both of us got nervous during our speeches, then that would have been a moment to be helpful. You would've encouraged us to keep going," Andros responded.

"You used to do that, Grandma. Your encouragement got me through some tough times," Ashley admitted.

"I can still be encouraging and helpful. Let me come to the wedding and see the children," Kayla begged. "Please. They are my great-grandchildren after all."

"I am sorry, but our decision stands," Ashley declared. "It was time for us to put our foot down."

"I still feel I was trying to be helpful," Kayla responded, a tear falling from her eye.

"That's enough," Andros said, firmness lining his voice. "We've decided."

Kayla wiped the tear from her cheek. She blinked three times, a shuddering breath leaving her mouth. Anna cleared her throat, causing her mother-in-law to look at her.

"You're not allowed to attend the after-graduation party at the Surf Spot. Ben and Dad are allowed to come. Adelle wanted me to deliver that message to you personally," Anna said, inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly.

"You really blew it, Kayla. There is no going back from this," Gerald said seriously. "Raylene and I will be riding with TJ's parents in his mother's van."

"I will join the rest of you once I take Kayla back to the hotel," Ben said, glaring at his wife. "Come on. Get in the car."

Ben and Kayla headed over to their sides of the car. They got in as the group went its separate ways. They put on their seatbelts. He looked at her as she focused her eyes on the floor.

"I don't blame Andros and Ashley for not forgiving you. I won't either," Ben whispered tensely.

"Ben, just drop it," Kayla responded. "I get it. I don't want to hear anymore."

"All right. We are still divorcing. I am still telling the family about our situation. No ifs, ands, or buts," Ben commented and looked in the rearview mirror. "It's over."

Ben started the engine and pulled out of his spot. He left the parking lot and proceeded to go down the street.