New Beginning (Pearlshipping-AshxDawn)

Chapter Seventeen

One night, after Alex and Julia were asleep, Ash was sitting on his bed, looking through the journal that Dawn had given him for Christmas that year. Over the months, Ash had filled it with stories about the time that he, Dawn, and the kids had spent together since they first met. Alex and Julia had even written in it about time spent with their friends and their plans to get their parents together. Tonight, though, Ash was looking at one story in particular, remembering what happened that day.

Dawn walked into the room and sat on the bed next to him.

"What are you doing?" she asked, leaning against his shoulder.

"I'm reading about what happened to us exactly one year ago on this day." Ash responded in a somber tone.

Dawn glanced at the page and a look of realization came over her face, as she remembered what had happened. A year ago, she had been poisoned and had nearly died from it.

"That day started off normally, but as soon as Julia barged into my house and I saw that scared look on her face, I knew that something was wrong. We rushed over there and I saw you lying there, unconscious…" Ash said, but stopped to calm himself.

"Seeing you lying in bed…your weak pulse, pale skin, and you barely breathing…it brought back memories. I thought of Misty and how she had died so suddenly in that accident. I felt like I was looking at her body all over again. When you told me that you felt like you were dying, I..." Ash stopped as his voice cracked.

Dawn wrapped her arms around him and kissed his cheek, trying to comfort him.

"When you passed out, I thought that I had lost you…I couldn't bear the thought of losing you. But I knew that I had to remain strong for the kids' sake until we knew what was going on."

Ash paused for a moment before continuing. "When we finally got to the hospital and were told that you may not make it…I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I remember questioning myself…wondering how I would be able to move on if I lost you, just like how I had lost Misty. You were able to help me learn how to love again after her death, but if I lost you…I didn't think that I would be able to love anyone again or move on from you. I would have closed my heart off forever."

"I had to chase after Julia after she found out the news and I held her as she cried. I couldn't even imagine the pain that she felt that day. She was without her father, and if she lost you as well…what would happen to her? She would be all alone with no family. I didn't want Julia to lose you, you were all that she had left.

"Sometimes, when I think about that day, I feel afraid that this is all a dream...that you didn't really make it. I'm afraid that I'll wake up one day and discover that you're really dead."

Dawn held Ash as tight as she could. She wanted Ash to physically feel her to know that she was really there, that she was alive. She took a moment before she spoke to him. "It was because of you and the kids that I survived, Ash. All of you were my strength, my reason to keep fighting and living. I knew that I had to come back to you all."

"I'm so glad that you came back to us." Ash said softly as he took her hand and kissed it. "I love you with all of my heart."

"I know that you do. I feel it and see it every day in the way that you talk to me, act towards me, hold me, and kiss me. Ever since I met you, I've never felt so special and so cherished by someone. You are the best man that I could ever have as a husband...and I love you more than anything."

They gently pressed their lips together in a heartfelt kiss, which made Ash feel a lot better, especially after hearing Dawn's words. Today had brought up a painful memory for him, but he felt better, knowing that it was in the past and that Dawn was alive and there with him. This was real.