Five years later...

Ashley smiled as she noticed how the silk navy-blue dress hugged her hips like a second skin. Her long blonde hair complimented her light makeup and toned skin.

Washington had done nothing less of being a blessing in her life in the five years she had settled in. She hadn’t felt that uneasy for a long time as she looked forward to whatever Danton had prepared for her. 

She never understood why the man despite being a senior doctor never summed up the courage to ask her out.

The door to her bedroom door banged open, pulling her out of her thoughts. 

“Mommy, Mommy, Bry is… wooow…” Brenda started only to stop as she looked at her mother.

 “Bry, Rand, come see how beautiful mommy looks!” she shrieked, clapping her hands together as small quick footsteps were heard approaching the room. Ashley smiled as she watched her children swarm into the room looking at her in admiration.

 “You look beautiful Mommy,” Brandon complimented, making Ashley smile as she muttered a thank you to him. 

“Mom, I’m going out with you today,” Bryson, the eldest of them, said , pushing his chest forward with a serious face.

 Ashley chuckled as she approached him, “and why is that my warrior?” 

“You need someone to protect you, and I’m the strongest here, don’t worry mom, you’re safe with me,” Bryson said, showing off his barely visible biceps, making Ashley laugh out loudly.

 “No, I think Rand should go, Bryson is a bully!” Brenda suggested putting her arm around her brother Brandon, the youngest of the triplets. 

“Brenda, I’ll deal with you after I…” 

“Bryson! Apologize to your sister, why are you bullying her?” Ashley stepped in as she noticed how big her children had grown. 

Brandon was the quiet one, always observing mostly and talking less. The same couldn’t be said for Bryson and Brenda, who were always on each other’s neck.

 “But mom, she started…” 

“Now, Bryson,” Ashley insisted, looking at her eldest son in a reprimanding way. 

“I’m sorry Bre,” Bryson apologized, his head lowered.

 “And you, Brenda, apologize to your brother,” Ashley said, turning to her daughter.

 “I’m sorry Bry, I shouldn’t have said mean things about you,” Brenda, always the peacemaker after their fights, said. 

The doorbell rang, making the kids bolt downstairs knowing all too well who they were expecting. “Uncle Dan!” They all bickered in unison as they ran towards the door. 

“Hello there, how are my princes?” Danton asked, hugging them each at a time until he reached Brenda who had her hands folded against her chest.

 “Ooh, I must have forgotten to mention my charming princess, has anyone seen my princess?” Danton asked playfully, pretending to search around.

 “I’m standing right here, uncle Dan, can't you see me?” Brenda answered, smiling at him.

 Danton turned, pretending to be surprised, “Ooh there you are, I missed you.” He hugged her, swirling her around in the air, making her laugh out loud. 

“Guess what, I brought everything you asked for, a jet for Pilot Bryson, an ambulance truck for Dr. Brandon and finally a well-dressed model doll for my princess,” Danton said, fishing out the presents from his package. 

The kids cheered, each taking their gifts in joy. 

“You spoil them too much Dan,” Ashley's voice came from the stairs, making Danton look up at her. His breath hitched as he looked at her with his eyes wide in awe.

 “You look…breathtaking Ash,” he complimented, offering her his hand.

 “Oh stop, you flatter me,” Ashley responded shyly, smiling at him.

 “Well, it's true, you always look gorgeous,” Danton said, getting lost in her brown eyes. Since the first he saw her, he knew she was something special and that he would give up anything for her.

 “Stop it Dan, I wonder what you have planned for me today, I hope it's not another shabby movie night,” Ashley said, chuckling , reminding him of when he took her out for the first time.

 Danton laughed, shaking his head, “no it's not, you’ll love what I have planned for you.”  

At the airport, the chilly air emphasized the coming festive season. The small boy standing next to his father stomped his feet lightly on the floor. 

“Dad, this place is very cold,” he commented, rubbing his gloved hands together.

 “Yes, it is, welcome to Washington, let's get in the car okay,” Jordan answered, smiling at his son's comment as he helped Maya in the car.

 “Do you think mommy will be fully okay this time?” The boy asked, looking at his father in worry. 

“Shane, look at me, Mommy will be okay this time, the hospital has the best doctors, okay,” Jordan reassured, looking at his son keenly. 

“Promise, daddy?” Shane asked, looking at him with watery eyes. Having to watch his mom in and out of hospital typically had him worrying at his age.  

“I promise, now get in the car.”

 “Can you take me to the restroom daddy?” Shane asked, holding his legs together.

 “Stop disturbing your father and hold it in!” Maya shrieked at her son, making him jump slightly at her angry tone. 

 “Sure, it's okay son, Maya we’ll be back,” Jordan said looking at the scared kid before him. Maya lost it occasionally, but Jordan didn’t think she was doing the same to their son.

 He mentally noted he needed to talk to her about it. Meanwhile, Ashley furrowed her brows as she noticed the familiar environs of the airport. 

“Ooh smooth now we’re having a date in the airport,” Ashley said looking at Danton in disbelief. 

“And who said anything about a date? Oh, is someone finally giving in to me?” Danton chuckled, narrowing his eyes at her mockingly. 

 He had always respected her and watching all Ashley had gone through, he didn’t want to pressure her. Making her comfortable around him that she was free to tell him anything was a good starting point for him. 

“Dan! Just drive to wherever, it’s not like I want to date my workmate and my best friend’s brother,” Ashley said trying to hide her flushed face. 

“Mmmh really, if it's any better you’re like my younger sister, now shut up we’re here,” Danton said pulling over in the parking lot. 

“Danton, I didn’t plan on using my off day watching people at the airport, I think…” 

“Ash!” her name was called out, making her turn in surprise. Her eyes settled on Lindsey who waved at her continuously with a broad smile plastered across her face.

 And that’s when Ashley flipped running towards her like a child excited to see their mother. They hugged laughing out loud ignoring the attention they were drawing towards them.

 “I didn’t know you were coming,” Ashley said, hugging her again.

 “It was meant to be a surprise, it seems my big bro made that possible,” Lindsey said, hugging her brother. 

“Don’t praise me, I almost told her she’s stubborn as always,” Danton said laughing out loud. In midst of joy, Ashley thought she caught sight of Maya making her smile fade slightly. The thought alone made her stomach churn and turn. 

“Guys wait for me, I need to use the restroom,” Ashley said, excusing herself walking away from them.

 Quick to her business, Ashley made her way out of the restroom only to stumble on a small boy who appeared confused and lost. 

“Hey there champ, are you here alone? Where is your mom?” Ashley inquired, noticing the boy was about her kids’ age.

 “I’m… with my dad,” the boy answered shyly. 

“What’s your name, I’m Ashley,” Ashley said trying to create rapport. 

The boy looked at her as if determining whether she was safe to be around.

 “Shane…” he answered, looking up at her. 

“It's a pleasure to meet you Shane, now may I help you look for your dad?” Ashley asked, receiving a nod from him as he smiled slightly.

 “Okay, you know I have two boys your age and a little girl,” Ashley said smiling at Shane. 

“Are they here? Can I meet them?” Shane asked, his face lighting up at the mention of other kids.

 “No, they are at home,” Ashley replied smiling at him, she had never seen a kid so adorable. 

“Shane? Shane? Where are you?” A male voice called, making Ashley feel like she was dreaming at how familiar it sounded. 

“That’s my dad,” Shane said looking back at the origin of the voice. Ashley froze as Shane ran to his father; she didn’t want to look back. 

“Dad, look I found a nice lady she’s Ashley, Ashley come say hello to my dad,” Shane said calling out to her. Jordan looked at the familiar back of a woman before him, making him tense up. 

There was no way that was possible but when she turned and their eyes locked the world stood still. Both speechless as their eyes grew wide with mixed emotions playing in them.