All is Found - Chapter 61: Chapter 61

Time really flies after kids. It didn't take me much longer to get my Master's degree in education. I spent some time just interning at a few different schools in the area but about two years after I got my degree I got word that Salem High School had an opening for a full time band teacher. Needless to say I showed up the next day to interview for the job. Before I even left the interview the principle told me I had the job.
It was amazing. I think I finally found my true passion in teaching. Getting to go to work every morning and teach the next generation all about music gave me this rush and I love every second about it. The kids I've been teaching feel like my kids and I care so much about them and wanting them to succeed.
Over the years Alyssa and I keep in touch. Even though I released her as my manager she still gives me updates on the happenings in the music world. Every once and a while she will send me a contract from a record labels but I have always turned them down. I don't want to leave Salem. After I got my teaching job it kind of made it more final that I wouldn't be returning to the music scene any time in the near future. I was thinking that maybe I'll make another run at it after Preston and Sammie are in college but for now I'm loving life at home.
Every once and a while I do have other artists come over to work with me though. Just because I'm not putting out albums doesn't mean that I've stopped putting out singles and Eps. I also have other artists come into the house to work with me. Halsey and I are still good friends and she and I usually have get togethers whenever she is on the east coast. She has been around enough that my kids even call her Aunt Ashley.
Alyssa and Eli did get married. Eli proposed that Christmas and the two were married the following year in California. We all flew out for the wedding as I was a bridesmaid. That was the first time I saw Diego and Britt in person since my last show. They were excited to tell my kids all about my embarrassing moments on tour.
The wedding brought me back to Thea and I's wedding and I couldn't help but watch her throughout the ceremony. When we reunited after the ceremony I couldn't help but wrap my arms around my wife and plan a hard kiss to her lips. Both of our kids were grossed out but I didn't care. The reception was a fun one that's for sure. Thea and I still felt young and dumb and in love and danced the night away for the most part. We were lucky that Sammie and Preston both like dancing.
Eli actually asked if I would sing the song for their first dance. I agreed right away and asked what song he wanted me to sing and was shocked when he asked if I would sing I Don't Dance. I was touched that he wanted one of my songs to be their first dance song. Alyssa was actually surprised when I walked up to the dance floor with a guitar strapped around my chest. Eli and Alyssa danced as I sang and I found Thea's eyes towards the end and gave her a smile. We made it to about 11 before both Preston and Sammie were tired out and needed to get to bed.
The happy couple didn't take long before they started a family. A year after the wedding they had a baby girl and just under two years later they had another little girl. They actually moved to Ohio to be closer to Alyssa's family and have been happily living there ever since.
After that summer on tour Nikki came home to Malia. Both women were happy to be together again. While Malia has slowly rising the ranks in the police department Nikki has been touring for big name acts. She doesn't tour as much as she used too but she is still gone a few months of the year.
They actually bought a house together three years ago. Not long after they moved in did Malia pop the question. The pair got married last year in Mount Vernon, New Hampshire on a farm near where they like to go hiking. It was a beautiful ceremony Nikki asked me to be her maid of honor. Malia asked Thea to be her maid of honor as well.
Standing up on the alter with Thea again gave me chills. We celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary last year and I wouldn't trade our life together for anything. As I worked through becoming a teacher Thea rose to captain about three years after she became lieutenant. While she was captain she jumped around to a lot of different departments. I think she was getting a feel for all of them because she wanted to be chief. Rory told her that he wanted to retire after she became captain. When Rory finally decided to officially retire last year Thea knew it was her chance.
There was only a handful of potential replacements for the job and they all had to take the civil service test. The score is important but the final decision on who becomes next chief comes from the board of commissioners. They held interviews for the five people who took the test and had a week to vote on who would be the next chief. Thea waited by the phone impatiently. When she got the call that they board voted for her we all went nuts.
The swearing in was a formal dinner ceremony. I got to stand by her side as she got sworn in with Preston and Sammie standing right behind her. The past year as chief has been a good one. Thea is very involved with the community and the new recruits. Her hours aren't too horrible but she does get those phone calls in the middle of the night that she is needed.
Now our two loving kids. As she grew up Sammie still loves being the center of attention. She has gotten better at knowing when it's appropriate now thought which Thea and I were glad for. Once she started middle school the kid joined almost every club they had to offer. Some days she didn't get home until 8.
But by far her favorite club was drama. The girl loves to act and has been in every production the school has put on. She was the lead last year in the schools production of Romeo and Juliet. Thea and I weren't shocked at how well she did as Juliet. I also couldn't wait to see what she could do in the high schools drama club.
Sammie's grades were solid even with all of the extracurricular activities. I'm just happy the girl didn't want to play sports because I don't think she would have enough time. Her first year in high school hasn't been much different. She did narrow down the amount of clubs she's in so she could focus on the ones she enjoyed the most.
This is her first year in high school and I think it opened her eyes a bit to how many people also enjoy drama club. She got minor rolls in both productions the school put on this year and she was disappointed. Thea and I just told her that as a freshman she needed to pay her dues. Three other grades were above her had to do it as well their first year and there are going to be plenty more chances for her to get a better part. I think that calmed her down a bit.
Now for our son Preston. He has been a joy to raise. Always respectful and mindful of everyone else around him. Still is protective of his little sister much to Thea and I's pleasure even though they have their moments when they don't like each other. Preston is actually really smart. Like it amazes Thea and I. He loves math and science. He has been in all honors classes since the 10th grade and still comes home with straight A's.
Along with his academic smarts he is also musically smart. He mastered the trumpet before he got to high school and switched it up to saxophone. He practically taught himself his freshman year of high school. I got the pleasure of having him in band and he actually picked out some of the pieces we played over the years for concerts.
Preston actually applied and auditioned for Massachusetts state school music association. He was accepted and got to play with other high school musicians from around the state and it made me so proud. Along with piano, trumpet and saxophone I also taught him to play guitar last year when he said he wanted to learn.
Something that didn't surprise me was that Damien and Preston are still best friends. It's to the point now that Damien is our second son because of all the time the two spend together and he even calls Thea and I mom. At the end of elementary school the pair gained a new friend, Jade. The girl just moved to Salem and Preston took her under his wing right away. Jade is also over just as much as Damien.
I have always thought that just maybe Preston and Damien might be more then friends. Every time I bring it up, Preston just says no and changes the subject. With his senior prom coming up I thought that maybe he might ask Damien to go as his date. As of right now the three friends are going together as such, friends. With it being mid-May there is still just a bit of time for him to change his mind.
Today is just another Sunday. Thea was off at work and Sammie slept over a friends' house last night leaving me home alone with Preston. He has been quieter than normal the last couple of days and I've been wondering what's up. With the house empty I thought now might be the best time to ask.
I finished up breakfast and grabbed my phone before walking to the studio. I left the door open because I knew it wouldn't be long before he follows me inside. It took about ten minutes for Preston to walk inside and sit down in the computer chair next to me.
"How did you know you were in love with mom?" He asked and put his head down on the edge of the mixing board. The question made me pause and look at him.
"Even when I wanted to give up on myself she was there supporting me and helping me through it. She was always by my side through everything even in my darkest moments when nobody knew what to say to me. But she did. Why do you ask?" I asked and ran my hand through his shaggy light brown hair.
"I think I might be in love but I'm so confused." Preston said and turned his head to look at me.
"What are you confused about bud?" I asked and moved closer to him.
"I... I think I love them both and I don't know what to do." Preston said his eyes welling with tears.
"You can be in love with two people at the same time Pres." I said not wanting him to cry.
"But what if someone doesn't like the other in that way. I don't want to even bring it up if there is a chance it could change our friendship." Preston said and a tear fell.
I didn't say anything but pulled my son close to me. I had no idea he could possibly be into both of his friends. I truly thought he really only like Damien. But thinking about it now there were longing looks he threw in Jades direction too. After a few minutes Preston's tears calmed down and he pulled away from me.
"What do you think I should do?" He asked.
"I know you guys are already going to prom as friends, maybe you should try asking the both of them as your date. See how they react. The worst they could say is no and you guys go as friends anyway." I said and ran my hand through his hair.
"Where are you Preston? You owe me the answers to the chemistry homework!" I could hear Damien yell from the living room of our house.
"Damien really likes using the key you gave him." I said to Preston.
"I'm still sorry about that." Preston said and wiped his eyes to try and make it look like he hasn't been crying.
"Preston isn't a human computer Damien. I doubt he is going to give you the answers to the homework you should have done already." Jade said as it sounds like they are getting closer.
"Well at least Jade comes to your defense." I said and smiled at Preston as he stood from the chair.
"I knew I liked her for some reason." Preston said and smiled at me before leaving me alone in the studio.
I let the friends chat for a few minutes before I came out of the studio to grab some coffee. When I got to the kitchen the three friends were smiling while Preston tried to help Damien solve some problem.
"Why aren't you guys like normal teenagers who don't get out of bed until noon? I very much love my quiet Sunday mornings." I said to the three teens sitting at my kitchen table as I sipped my fresh cup of coffee.
"Sorry Ashlyn I tried to tell him to be quiet but you know how hard headed Damien is." Jade offered as she took a sip of her Dunkin coffee.
"If you're going to invade my house at least bring me a coffee is all I ask." I said and grabbed the paper sitting on the table.
"Next time mom I promise." Damien said and gave me a smile.
"I like you a lot kid, don't make me take away the key I know you have." I said to Damien.
"I promise I will be quiet the next time I use it." Damien said and crossed his heart.
Jade let out a muffled laugh as I turned to go back into the studio. I left the door cracked so I could still hear the kids. It wasn't long before I got lost in my own head going over song lyrics Halsey sent me. I thought it was good and got her on the phone to go over them with her. Just as we started talking about the song I heard the teens open the back door and go outside to the back yard. Once I heard the door shut I told her about what I just talked about with Preston and she said I gave him the right advice for the situation.
After we were done talking about our personal lives it wasn't long before we started writing another song together. We didn't get far into the song before I heard the back door open again and fast paced footsteps come toward the studio. Preston appeared quickly and he looked like he was about to burst.
"They said yes!" Preston almost shouted.
"Yes to what?" I asked and saved what Halsey and I were working on.
"We are going to the prom together as a date!" Preston said and started jumping back and forth.
I just smiled at my son and pulled him into a hug. It wasn't long before I heard the back door open again and in walked his two best friends. Preston ran off to great them and the three were going upstairs to his room.
"Leave the door open!" I yelled after them.
"MOM!" Prestons' voice cracked when he yelled and I couldn't help but laugh.
Later that night Thea came home with Sammie and they both went upstairs for a while. I'm still in the studio working on some music when Thea comes in fresh from her shower and she plops down on the couch next to me. I open my arms for her and she slides perfectly into place.
"So Pres seamed really happy when I peeked my head into his room. Do you know what that's about?" Thea asked and kissed my neck in greeting.
"He asked both Damien and Jade to the prom as his date today. That's what he has been stressing about all week." I answer and finished off the line I was writing and put my notebook down.
"Both of them?" Thea asked shocked and pushed herself up to be able look at me.
"Yup both of them. He wanted it to be a date with both of them." I confirmed for my wife.
"I always thought he would end up with Damien but Jade does throw him those looks when he isn't paying attention." Thea said and settled into my side again.
"Right? Only time will tell how this plays out." I said and pressed a kiss to Thea's temple.
The rest of the school year was kind of exciting. Being his senior year Preston had a lot of events to go to in the beginning of June. Honor society dinner, band dinner, school awards dinner, state music association dinner along with our school concert and theirs then pre prom meetings that Thea and I both had to go to with him. Preston seamed a bit stressed out with everything.
When he heard about his grandsons distress Pat came over and took Preston suit shopping. Well at this point it was really Preston who took Pat shopping. Pat is getting older and doesn't like to drive anymore. His health is still good but he is getting older and it's been starting to show more over the past few years. When they came home that night Pat stayed over for dinner and instructed Preston to try on his new suit for us. Preston came down in a slim fit black suit that has silver metallic floral design that matches the pants. He looks amazing and I can't want to see them all on prom night.
After a few long weeks prom night was finally here. They decided to all get ready here and I was excited to host their parents for a pre prom party. Pat, Nikki and Malia all came over to see them off. It didn't take long for Preston to get ready and he came downstairs first. He ended up going with a black dress shirt under his suit jacket and it looked a lot better than the white. Pat helped him tie his bowtie while we were waiting for Damien and Jade to come down stairs.
Damien came down next. He is wearing a black suit jacket with a metallic red paisley design along with a black dress shirt underneath with black dress pants. He looked really good Preston blushed when Damien came over to him and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
Looking around at the room I was happy to see that Damien and Jades' parents both supported their kids decision to go to the prom together as a date. The thought did cross my mind that they might not be supportive of the decision but I had hope they would see what Thea and I have seen their whole lives.
A few minutes after Damien came down Jade walked slowly down the stairs. She is wearing a beautiful elegant black floor length gown. The gown is a v neck cut that has thin straps that are holding it up. As she reached the landing Jade moved her hair off her face and slipped her hand into the pockets of the dress. Her look is complete with a thick jewel necklace.
I turned my attention to both boys and they look like they won the lottery. It makes my heart happy that Preston asked them to go to prom as a date. There would no way either boy could keep their eyes off Jade. She walked over to the boys and pinned a red rose boutonniere to both of there lapels. Damien handed Preston the matching red rose corsage and they both slipped it onto Jade's wrist.
Once they were all settled we moved outside into the back yard to take a million pictures of three of them. It wasn't long before the limo arrived out front and it was time for them to go. Sammie got in on the action and pulled Preston away from his dates for a moment so we could get a few family pictures with him before he is off. He hugged Sammie tight and whispered something in her ear. When he pulled away he kissed her forehead before he made is way over to Thea. He gave her a tight hug as well before he let go and walked over to me.
I had a hard time keeping my eyes from watering. Preston wrapped his arms around me and pulled into a tight hug.
"Thank you for everything mom. Words can't describe how grateful I am that you and mom adopted us. So thank you and I love you." Preston said in my ear and I didn't want to let him go after that. But slowly I unwrapped my arms from his board shoulders and looked at him.
"I'm so proud of you my son. Go have fun tonight with your dates. I love you too." I said and gave him a smile.
Preston smiled at me and passed my arms to Thea who pulled me into her side to hold me close. I'm afraid that if she let me go I would run after Preston and not let him go. Sammie came over to us and I pulled her into my arms. We watched as Preston gave us a wave before getting into the limo with his dates.
We all stood outside for a while and watched as the limo drove down the road and disappear as they made a turn. It wasn't long before everyone started to go home and Thea and I curled up on the couch to watch a movie with Sammie for the night. A little while into the movie we got a text from Preston. He sent us a selfie of the three of them wearing crowns with the caption we won prom kings and queen.
Thea couldn't help but smile and Sammie sent him a few rapid texts with a ton of emojis to congratulate him. I pulled my girls closer to me and we finished the rest of the movie. I couldn't help but think that I had it all. Two amazing kids, a beautiful wife, a fulfilling career I love. How quickly it almost came to an end that night on the bridge all those years ago and then again when Thea and I were shot. I'm so happy that against all odds I made it.