photographs - a.t

epilouge

narrators pov

it's now 6 years later and ashtray and vada has been through it together. yeah they faced hardships, but don't all couples.

vada has graduated from ucla, she's now 23 and living in a studio apartment with her boyfriend and dog (milo) in downtown la. they've decided to have a fresh start out of their old hometown, and start living the world they wanted to.

well, the world vada wanted to. ashtray just loves to see her happy, even though he does miss his old life, he absolutely loves the one he is creating right now.

vada is now doing a book showing, photographs the name is. the book is about two young lovers making way of their life by documenting it through photographs. oh how vada loves taking pictures, and she said it kind of reminded her of her life in a way. she loved the daily reminder of where she's from, and where she's headed.

little does she know about the surprise she'd be greeted with when she arrives home.

ashtrays pov

"man don't play with me right now. i can't take the shit, not on this kind of stressful day." i fix my collar in the mirror. "plus, today is vadas big day, and it can't be ruined." i turn around and throw my hands in the air a smidge.

"yo, you look fine. you're stressin' it too much. take a chill pill." fezco says, leaning back on my couch. such a him thing to say.

my watch vibrates on my wrist. i check it.

1 new message from baby 💍

omw home. need something
while i'm out?

i text her no thank you off my phone, and that i'm waiting to hear about her day when she gets here.

"yo you gotta leave. she's on the way." i grab fez' arm and try to rush him out.

the place that vada was at was like a 10-15 minute drive, and i'm kind of freaking out.

"good luck kid." he rubs the top of my head and leaves.

i take a deep breath and find myself continuing to look in the mirror. then i see milo behind me. i crouch down and pick him up.

he's a blue nosed pitt. still a baby though. vada loves pitbulls. i'm starting to see where's she's coming from.

"you think i look nice?" i ask milo. he just rubs himself on me, so i'm guessing that's a yes. i set him on the couch and make sure everything's in my pockets.

making sure the candles are lit.

making sure the roses are red.

and now it's go time.

vadas pov

i'm absolutely exhausted. i barely got sleep last night, and today was just a weird day.

i park my car, locking it, walk into my building to the second floor and start to unlock the door. immediately when i walk in i'm hit with the fresh scent of flowers and vanilla mixed together. my favorite scents.

i close the door behind me, setting my keys on the rack and sliding my shoes off. before i could start walking ahead of me, ash is standing there.

"why hello to see you too." i walk past him and give him a kiss on the cheek. "and you too little man." i bend down to scratch milos head.

i look around to see candles lit and flowers on the table. roses. one of the most beautiful flowers in my opinion.

i slide my coat off, throwing it on the back of a chair and plop on our bed.

"what's the special occasion?" i ask ash while he just follows me everywhere. he's acting strange. it's giving me deja vu.

"you." he stands in front of me, tucking some hair behind my ear.

"you're so sweet." i say standing up and wrapping my arms around his torso. i immediately inhale his scent. he smells.. really nice. i love it.

he plants a kiss on the top of my head, swaying our bodies together.

"how was your day?" he mumbles in my hair. "stressful." not so stressful now that i'm in his arms.

"i'm sorry to hear about that princess." he kisses my head again. and again. and again. and i might just get drunk off of all the love he is showing me right now.

he pulls away just staring me in the eyes. like he is holding back what he wants to say. "are you okay?" i say, my arms fall off him.

he takes a deep breath and grabs my hand, stroking it with his thumb.

his other hand it removed from my body and is now digging in his pocket.

he takes a few steps back, really struggling to get something out of there.

"i never knew these pockets were so deep." he chuckles. i laugh at him a little, still confused on what's going on.

he pulls out a black velvet little box, and i immediately freeze. then he gets on one knee, and i feel like i'm going to have a panic attack.

"vada," he grabs one of my hands. my chest starts heaving and i can already feel tears brimming my eyes. what is wrong with me.

"i was going to wait to do this, like when we are eating dinner and i slip the ring into your sandwich or something," he grins. "but honestly i can't wait any longer, and i shouldn't keep you waiting."

he lets go of my hand for a brief moment to open the box. and when he does, it's a beautiful white gold ring with a heart shaped diamond in the middle. i silently sob. i am too overwhelmed right now.

"i want to give you my heart, in return, hoping for yours. from the moment i met you, i knew you were the one right away and i couldn't imagine myself with anyone else. you were my missing piece. i am not whole without you. at this point, you are apart of me. you grew onto me, and you never let me go, and i am so grateful for all that you have done for me in the past, and even in the present," now tears are brimming his eyes, but he wipes them away before i could notice. but i did.

"and now i want to spend the rest of my life with you. i know we're still young, and have years worth of experience to achieve, but i don't want to climb my biggest mountains with out you. so vada kenya bennet, will you do the honor and marry my stupid ass?" he's now looking up at me. i can't get a word out of my mouth. i feel if i open it, i'll start crying, and i don't want to do that right now.

so i nod yes, real hard.

"yes?" he says, his eyebrows raising.

"yes." i manage to get out, bringing my sleeve to wipe my nose while he gets up and engulfs me in a hug.

he then slides the ring on my finger and it fit perfectly.

he brings his hands up to my face and wipes the tears from under my eyes.

"i love you with my whole heart v." he whispers, pulling me in for the most romantic kiss of my life.

life could not be any better than this.

"i love you. with every bone in my body ash."

a/n
AND THATS A WRAP!!!!!
this was a very fast ending but honestly..
who can blame me 🤷‍♀️
IVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS BOOK FOR ALMOST A YEAR!!!!!
i would like to thank myself for getting out of my writers block and actually figure out an ending that you guys deserve.
i might update in the future about their further lives.
how cute are they.
i want to cry.
i love you guys so much.
thank you for all the support on this story!! 🫶🫶