All is Found - Chapter 36: Chapter 36

The past week went by too quick for my liking. I'm leaving for Europe later today and I'm not ready to go. Well I'm pack and ready but not emotionally ready to go yet. Thea is still recovering and I don't want to leave her alone. The cuts along her arm are healing nicely and are all starting to scab over. Her wrist still hurts a little but nothing like it used too. The bruise on her temple is starting to get lighter and less noticeable as well.
My house was starting to feel a bit crowded when Diego and Britt flew in this past week. They were over my house almost every day and we rehearsed my new music in the backyard. Lindsey, Thea, Malia and Pat all got a private show during the week and they had a lot of fun with it.
Yes Malia even came over for one of our last rehearsals. Nikki and her hit if off on their date over the weekend. Thea and I didn't crash the date like I threatened to even though I wanted to go so badly. When Malia dropped Nikki off that night Thea and I were on the couch watching a movie kind of waiting for her to come home. I heard them walk onto the porch and then nothing. Thea pulled up the security camera's on my phone and when the they finally loaded the video we watched Malia and Nikki make out. Needless to say when Nikki finally came inside Thea and I teased her about it for a little bit. When I told Nikki about having a few people over to watch the new set she asked if she could invite Malia and of course I said yes.
Two days ago I had enough of everyone around my house so Thea and I stayed over her house and had another day in bed together. I just wanted to relax with my girl away from everyone and that exactly what we did. Yesterday we went on a date to the New England Aquarium in Boston. It was a fun day out and we enjoyed getting to watch fish swim around all day long. It was a peaceful day that put my mind at ease that Thea is getting better and will be okay when I leave.
After our day at the aquarium we had dinner in Boston before returning to her house for our last night together for almost a month. Sex was a bit of a challenge with Thea's hand wrapped up and her arm sore but we made it work. We got to sleep in today and I planned to have lunch with Thea before leaving to go back to my house to get my stuff together for our flight.
Saying goodbye was never easy when I leave Thea. I always felt like I was leaving half of my heart with her. Pulling out of her driveway was hard as tears poured out of my eyes when I watched her wave from her porch. There was two stops I had to make before I returned home. First was the florist. Second was the cemetery. Today was going to be different though. I stopped in the administrators office to get directions.
When I got to the right section I parked on the side of the road and got out of the car with one of the bouquets of flowers I got. The walk was unfamiliar but when I turned around I could see the section where my siblings lay resting. It took me a few minutes to find the grave but when I did I placed the flowers on her grave and sat down.
It was a hot summer day and the sun was shining brightly in the sky. I'm happy I took a hat with me when I left my house the other day. I turned my face up towards the sky to catch some sun and when I looked down Allison was standing in front of me. I wanted to come and see her before I left for Europe.
"Hi" I said still nervous about what I wanted to talk to her about.
"It's nice to see you Ashlyn." Allison said and sat against her headstone.
"I wanted to come talk to you before I left for tour again. Something that has been on my mind for a while but I wasn't sure if I should be thinking about it this soon." I said and played with blades of grass.
"What is it?" Allison asked.
"I love Thea. More than I ever thought I could. I've had thoughts about proposing to her but I don't know how she feels about getting married again. I wanted your opinion on that." I said.
Allison didn't look surprised at all. She gave me a knowing smile and moved to sit next to me to face her grave.
"You have made her happier than I have seen her in a long, long time Ashlyn. It's not my place to say if she wants to be remarried though. That's all up to her. I think she would be stupid to turn you down though. I see the love she has for you and it's something that belongs in a movie. How an almost tragedy turned out to be the start of one of the most beautiful love stories out there." Allison said and smiled.
"I have been going back and forth about asking her. I still think it's too soon but it's something we've never spoke about. That's why I wanted to pick your brain a little bit about it to see if you could give me any hints. Looks like I'm just going to need to ask her myself." I said.
"Just take one day at a time. This isn't a conversation that should be forced. Just let it come up and you'll get your answer. You've only known each other for 6 months; you don't need to rush into it." Allison offered.
"I know, just getting that phone call last week really did a number on me and I don't want to miss out on marrying Thea." I said what has really been on my mind lately.
"Thea's okay though Ashlyn, she will be fine. Her job is unpredictable but she loves being a police officer. Being with her is always going to carry that unpredictability which is something you should know as you continue on in your relationship. There will be times when she has to run out of the house because she is needed along with missed holidays and birthdays. But I think you also already know that because your job also pulls you away from home for months at a time.
"You won't miss out on marrying Thea. Fate is a fun thing and will work out for you but you can't rush it." Allison said.
I looked over at Allison and sighed. She has a point and I gave her a smile. She sat with me for another few minutes before a gust of wind took her away. I have a lot to think about. Getting up I made the walk to see my siblings. Ashley and Asher were both waiting for me when I got there. I placed the flowers I got them on their graves and stood looking at them.
"What?" I asked wanting to know what the looks they were giving for.
"You want to marry Thea?" Ashley asked.
"Not right at this moment but yes I do." I said.
"And you thought the best idea would be to ask her dead ex-wife for advice?" Asher asked and sat in front of his headstone.
"Yes okay, I thought she might give me a little bit of insight on the topic since she was married to her." I said.
"Did you get a ring yet?" Ashley asked.
"Not yet, I still want to talk to Thea about it first to see if she even wants to get married again." I said.
"How about you take the tour to think about it. While you are away it could give you some clarity about the situation." Asher offered.
I looked back and forth at both of my siblings and sighed. This would be a lot easier if they were still alive. They could ask Thea for me and let me know what she thinks. Looks like I might have to have Nikki spy for me. I didn't stay too much longer at the cemetery before I drove back to my house.
My mind was a bit all over the place as I finished the last of my packing. It was a bit loud in my house as Diego and Britt were also here so we could just take one bus to the airport. We are meeting up with Halsey's camp at the airport and are all traveling together. The label rented us a large plane so we could all travel together and not have to worry about anything going missing.
We ordered Chinese for dinner and ate around the dinner table. After we finished dinner I made my way through the house and started locking everything up. Once I was done I shut off the utilities as Diego started to carry everything outside for the bus. We all helped him and after everything was on the bus I locked my front door and walked next door. Pat was sitting outside on the porch watching us load everything up.
"Looks like you're off again." Pat said as I sat next to him on the porch.
"Yea, it's that time. I'll make sure to send you pictures and videos." I said and leaned on his shoulder.
"Did you get the list of souvenirs I want you to bring back for me?" Pat asked.
"Yes I have the list on my phone. I'm going to have to mail all of it all back to you." I said thinking about the long ass list Pat gave me.
"Make sure you get some stuff for yourself Ash, get some fun stuff to bring home." Pat said.
"Ashlyn lets go!" Alyssa yelled from the steps of the bus.
"Looks like that's my cue. I'll give you a call when I land in Spain." I said and stood from the porch. Pat joined me and gave me a tight hug before I walked over to the bus.
Alyssa forced me inside and I took a seat next to Nikki. Once the doors were shut we took off. I grabbed my headphone from my bag and slipped them over my head to listen to some music for the trip to the airport. I watched out the window as we made our way through Salem. As I looked down at my phone to change the song I felt the van slow down. I looked up confused and pulled my headphones off.
"What's going on?" I asked as the driver pulled over.
"I didn't do anything but we are being pulled over." The driver said and put the van in park before rolling down his window.
I turned around and saw the Salem squad car parked behind us. Two officers are in the car and I can't tell who they are from here.
"You should call your girlfriend." Alyssa said from the passenger seat.
"I have her mini shield in my wallet along with the Chief of Polices' PBA card I think we will be fine." I said and reached down to look in my bag for my wallet.
Once I got it I sat up in my seat so I could be seen from the driver's side window. When I looked up I saw Thea standing next to the window a smile on her face.
"Even though we said goodbye this morning I couldn't let you leave without seeing you again." Thea said.
"You have five minutes." Alyssa said  and rolled her eyes as I scrambled to get out of the van to see my girl.
I was able to get over Nikki as the side door open. To my surprise Malia was standing in uniform right outside the door.
"She made me do this." Malia said as I jumped into Thea's arms. I was careful not to hurt her healing arm and just held her close.
"You should be resting." I said and pulled away from her arms.
"Malia is taking me right home after this don't worry." Thea said and smiled. I gave her a hard kiss and relaxed a bit. After my conversation with Allison I know that good things will come to people who wait. And I'll happily wait forever for Thea.
When I pulled away from my girl I turned back towards the van and saw Nikki holding onto Malia. Those two really hit it off and it made me smile to get to see them together. When they pulled away Nikki searched Malia's eyes for a moment before pressing her lips to her. I smirked and looked at Thea. Thea looked happy and I pressed my hand to her chest. Her eyes found mine again and leaned in and gave her a gentile kiss. When I pulled away I kissed the slowly fading bruise from her head and pulled away from her.
"I'll see you soon." I said.
Thea gave me a smile and nodded. We both watched Nikki pull away from Malia. Both of them had their eyes still closed and foreheads pressed together.
"Something to remember me by." Nikki said and broke away from Malia.
"Alright love birds we really need to go." Alyssa said breaking up the party. I gave Thea one more kiss and grabbed Nikki's hand to pull her towards the van. We got back inside and Malia closed the door for us.
"Was that your first kiss?" I asked Nikki as we drove away from the scene.
"First sober one." Nikki said and blushed.
"Thata girl." I said and brought Nikki in for a side hug.