Chapter 20
Ash
Three weeks later
~
Luna's birthday
Luna's birthday fell on a Friday, and there was a party that evening at Audrey's house. She served finger foods and pastry items that she had made herself, and it was perfect.
Audrey had been worried about this day, but she had a revelation in the days leading up to it.
"Joseph," she had said to Ash one evening.
"His family royally betrayed him. They left him in a pit to die and then decided to sell him as a slave.
He was in prison and falsely accused. His life was actually in danger because of their evil.
He went through a ton. And yet when he saw them, he forgave them and treated them with kindness.
He didn't say that he had trauma. He didn't say he needed to heal from all that time in the pit, slavery, or prison.
He just forgave and was kind. Can you believe that's the Christian model?
It just throws modern psychology out the window.
We're not the victim of our past. We're not the victim of our circumstances.
We are instructed to get beyond it. We're told to forgive, be kind, and move on.
It's so freeing. I'm going to choose to forgive Kai, forgive myself, and not live in bondage to the memory of that day or the guilt of my actions afterward.
I can just forgive and build something better. "
Ash had just stared at her when she said it. He had smiled and encouraged her that she was thinking correctly, but inside, he marveled at her strength and wisdom. He looked up to her for being brave enough to change her trajectory in life.
That Joseph story revelation had given Audrey peace, but Ash could still sense that she was bracing herself as the day approached. Maybe she was worried about how it would affect Luna, but either way, he knew she was fighting an inward battle—especially on the day of the party.
Everything went off without a hitch, though.
Ash's mom and sister came to the party, and so did Kai's parents.
Everyone got along and had a great time.
Luna was her own birthday entertainment.
She did some gymnastics and eight magic tricks, including a grand finale where she seemed to have read Val's mind.
Everybody, including Val herself, was amazed at that.
Luna had jumped up and down with excitement when that one worked out.
Ash smiled absentmindedly at the memory of it as he approached the door to her room that evening. He gave it two light knocks with his knuckles.
"Come in!" Lu said, smiling at him when he opened the door. She was already tucked into her bed with the covers up to her nose. Ash could see she was smiling only by her squinting eyes.
"You look snug as a bug," he said, heading her way with a smirk and making her giggle and squirm. "Your mom said we don't have time for a book since it's late."
"I know, but she said we can talk for a minute before we pray," Lu said, sitting up and taking her pajama-covered arms out of the covers.
"Yeah, that's what she told me, too," Ash said.
He came to sit next to her on the bed, and she scooted over, making room for him.
She reached out and touched his arm when he sat.
Her little hand just rested there on his forearm, and his chest felt tight.
He was so happy and relieved that she had made it through today and didn't seem to be affected much, if at all.
"It's Saturday tomorrow, so no school," Ash said.
"I know. I'm going to work with my mom."
"So, you still have to wake up early?" he asked.
She nodded.
"I might come by to grab some breakfast," he said. "You could come hang out with me for a little while if you want. I don't know what your mom has planned. She might need you to work with her, but if not, you could hang out with me, if you want."
"I will," she said. She sat there with her precious hand resting on his arm.
Ash started to ask about her birthday. He hated to mention it, but he also didn't want to walk on eggshells, so he just said what was on his mind. "Did you have a good day today? Did you like your party?"
"I loved it!" she said, seemingly unaffected. "Did you see when I did that card trick to your mom, and then your sister didn't know how I knew about that thing in her purse?"
"I did," Ash said, nodding. "Val was blown away. She's going to tell all her friends about that one."
Luna laughed and wiggled a little, but she didn’t move her hand. In fact, she snuggled closer to him. "They were both really impressed with that trick you did on the rug when they first got here."
"A stand-up backbend?"
"Yeah, that was the one."
"Your sister said she used-ta could do that."
"Yeah, Val took gymnastics, I remember that."
"What does Val mean? Like a-e-i-o-u-and sometimes y?"
Ash chuckled. "I never thought of that. No. It's spelled different. My sister's name is short for Valery. We just shorten it and call her Val, like we call you Lu for Luna."
"Does Val have your last name?"
"Adams? Yeah. She's my little sister. Valery Adams. Why?"
"Cause Carly said my mom will have your last name if you marry her."
"I hope she would," Ash said, not knowing how Luna felt about it. He glanced down, and she was staring up at him with wide, serious eyes, and he gave her a little smile. He realized that this sort of talk could easily be a slippery slope, and he paused and prayed that he could say the right thing.
"Does your mom have your same last name?" Luna asked.
"Yeah, she does. Jamie Adams. She took it when she married my dad." He paused, and she stared at him with those big eyes, blinking.
"Do I change my last name like my mom when you marry her?"
Ash's heart.
It was cracking in half.
He had no idea what to say because he could not tell by the way she said it or by her expression how she felt about it.
"You don't have to," he said. "But you could. I think it would be up to you."
"My mom said it would be up to you."
"I thought you said you talked to Carly about it."
"I asked my mom too."
He stared at her. She was serious—so sweet and sincere. He could not believe he was sitting here having this conversation with her. He felt an inward urge to protect her at all costs, and it was because of that that he shrugged and acted casual.
"It's really up to you," he said. "You're the one who would have to get used to a new last name.
" Ash put his hand to his chest. "My choice is obvious.
I would obviously want you to have my last name.
Who wouldn't want a girl as cool as you to have their last name?
To me, I don't even have to think about it.
I thought it was obvious. That's why I think the choice is really up to you. "
"Ohh," she said, nodding. "Oh, well then, yes, then, I do."
"Okay, great. So, when I marry your mom, you'll just be Luna Adams?"
She nodded, and so did Ash. They said a few more things about her birthday party, and then he prayed and sat next to her for a minute before whispering goodnight.
She was half asleep by the time he left the room.
Audrey was standing at the sink with her back to him, and she turned briefly to smile at him. She was being elusive, and she wiped her cheek on her shoulder before turning back around. Ash was about to ask if everything was all right, and she spoke first.
"I’m crying, but nothing's wrong," she said. "These are happy tears. I'm just so thankful and happy."
"Did you hear what we said in there?" he asked, coming to stand next to her.
She turned and made a face of confusion, and he knew she had no idea.
"In the bedroom? What'd you say?"
"Nothing. Are you just feeling thankful in general?"
"Yes. Today was great. Lu's doing so well, and she really enjoyed it. Last year, it sort of hung over us like—never mind. I'm just thankful about today, that's all. But what did you guys say in the bedroom just now?"
"Nothing," he said. "We were just talking, and then I prayed. She might want to hang out with me a little tomorrow while you're at work. I told her I'd come by there and see if she wanted to."
"Aw, you asked her to hang out? Yeah, that would have probably made me cry," she said.
She turned to him, smiling sweetly with glossy eyes. Her face was like home to him—those lips so inviting.
"Your mom and Val were great today."
"They loved it. Val wants you to teach her how to make those chocolate things."
"I'd love to," she said, nodding.
"Audrey, let's get married," he said, pulling her into his arms.
She smiled up at him and shook her head.
"Why are you smiling?"
"At you," she said.
"I'm serious, though."
"The smile isn't because I'm not serious. I'm just smiling at you."
"So, you'll marry me then?"
"I, I hope so, one day."
"When?"
"I don't know. Are you saying you want to ask me in the future, or are you asking me right now?"
"I have no ring and no plan, but I wish I were asking you now. I want you to say 'yes' now."
"Well, then I'll say 'yes' now, and we'll come up with a ring and a plan later."
Ash almost told Audrey that Luna wanted to take his last name. It was on the tip of his tongue to bring it up with her. But he held it inside. She had so many emotions going on already. They both did. He thought he would save that one for another time.
Plus, he was done with talking, anyway.
It was their first moment alone, and he couldn't wait to kiss his lady.
He put his hand on her lower back, drawing her in.
His hand moved slowly, embracing her as he ducked and touched his lips to hers.
She kissed him two, three, four times—her beautiful, soft, pillowy lips touching his gently.
She pulled back and stared up at him—those eyes—looking right into his heart.
"What did I ever do to deserve you, Ashton Adams?"
Those words. He had been thinking the same thing about her, and hearing her say his name… he was done for.
He was in love. And then, she bit her lip and smiled at him, and he lost his train of thought.
He kissed her again, and this time it wasn't so gentle or light.
The two of them loved each other, and they said it with a kiss.
They were naturally protective, attentive, and devoted to each other—all the beautiful things that came with being in love.
They were sweet and passionate, and they did not take for granted that they had found each other.
It was a regrettable moment when Ash had to tell her goodnight. He promised he'd see her in the morning for breakfast and then as many days as possible after that for the rest of his life.