Badges and Bikes

Chapter 14

Ashton's pov***

We lay there and watch the shower. I know that he doesn't see the ghostly figure of David, but I can. I hear David talking to me only.

"You have been the best friend, listener, confidante, cook, nurse, girlfriend, dance partner, and wife that anyone can ever ask for Ashton! I have always known that we were fated to be married for as long as I lived. You made my life so rich and beautiful. I will love you for all of eternity just as you will always love me. But now that you have met Thane, you know where your destiny will lead you. This man beside you will love and cherish you as you deserve. He will give you the children that you are meant to have. The children that God has planned for you and Thane. Oh, Ashy! They are so beautiful and kind and intelligent. Just like their mommy and daddy. You must always have faith in yourself and Thane. But you must let me go, Ashy. As long as you hold on to me, you aren't really living your life. You should live your life to the fullest. I told you that I would send you someone. I told you to be happy. It is time for you to do that. I must go now, sweet Ashton. I will be watching over you and your family. Asher and Heaven say hello. I love you for eternity, Ashton! Always remember that!" He started fading into the night sky. Then he streaked across the night sky just as the shooting stars.

"I love you, David. Good-bye!" A tear slips from my eyes as David smiles and disappears from my sight. For a moment I forget where I am at and who I am with. For a moment I feel nothing but peace settling over me. For the first time in five years, I am at peace. "I am at peace." I turn my head and instantly see that Thane is silently watching me. "I am at peace, Thane. I have said my final good-bye to David. I think that I am ready to start a new life."

"That sounds like the perfect way to go from here. I can only hope and pray that I am part of that new life." He wipes my tears from my face.

"You are, honey. I don't want to load you down with too much crazy talk though. But I have been told that you and I are fated to be together. How do you feel about that?"

"That isn't crazy talk, love. I have felt a pull to you since we first met at the pit. Like it was meant for us to meet and fall in love at first sight. There is nothing about you that I don't like or find intriguing."

"I guess that I just had to say good-bye to David to start living again."

"Yes you did. But it had to be when you were ready to do it. Nobody can force that on you."

I lean my head in for a kiss. His lips are firm but not overly so. His kiss is so different than anything that I have ever experienced before. It is sweet but sensual. I am instantly wanting more. But he pulls back and frames my right cheek with his big hand.

"I think that we best stop for now. We have a few things that need to happen before we make the next commitment steps."

 "Like what?" I ask as if I am a child being deprived her favorite toys. Thane chuckles.

"Like getting you into the chief's office first. That is my number one priority. It will get you started in the next step of your great career. Besides that, I want you to know that I am always here for you to talk to. Nothing will ever seem crazy coming from you."

"Even if I tell you that I saw David in the sky tonight and he talked to me about you and I?"

"Is that when you told him good-bye?" I nod my head, waiting on his reaction. "Then I wish that I had been able to tell him thank you. Thank you for guiding me to you. Thank you for protecting and loving you until I could get here." Thane tells me. My heart is full again!

"He also said that we will have beautiful and intelligent children." Thane smiled a gorgeous smile.

"Then I guess that we should get started on that soon. We will name our first son after him in some way. But I need to get you home now. You have classes tomorrow and I have work."