Edited by luvtaread
The weeks leading up to the wedding were interesting to say the least. They started with the normally sure stomached Mel throwing up the morning of her doctor's appointment, at which the ultrasound confirmed that she was indeed pregnant. Upon hearing the news Ashley pledged to head up the baby shower. Partly in thanks of the bridal shower she had received the weekend Brandon had gone to find Bob. Something she felt more up to doing now that her night classes were done for a while. Now she only had to complete the school year and get the wedding out of the way and everything would be a lot less hectic.
As the wedding got nearer everyone, even Katy, got more and more nervous trying to nail down final details. Near the end of May Brandon got a call from Bob saying that he wanted to come a few days before the rehearsal to get acquainted, so arrangements were made for him. They arranged for him to stay at Mel and Katy's as it had already been determined that for the week of the big day Katy and Mel would be living primarily at the condo anyway.
So on the day he arrived Katy arranged for him to be picked up at the airport and after dropping his bags at the apartment, to be taken to the condo for the surprise. As it turned out that day Ashley was running a little late, this being her last day of school. Brandon, who was off as a part of a near two week vacation covering the wedding and the honeymoon, sat in the condo with Bob waiting for Ashley to arrive home. It was clear that both were nervous at what Ashley's reaction would be, but Brandon was not sure which was more nervous.
When Ashley arrived Brandon got up and greeted her at the door. She gave Brandon a quick kiss and launched into why she was late and had set down her bag before she noticed they were not alone.
"Brandon, who is that?" she said looking at Bob who by now was standing.
Brandon nervously cleared his throat and said, "A surprise for you honey, its your..."
Brandon never finished that sentence because at that moment Ashley's eyes widen in recognition and she said, "Daddy!"
She ran at him and hugged him. Bob was at first surprise then hugged her back looking pleased and Brandon's nerves faded away instantly. When Ashley had finished hugging her dad she stepped back and asked, "How? How did you..."
Bob smiled and he pointed at Brandon and said, "He found me and invited me, that's some man you have there Ashley."
"Yes it is daddy," Ashley said with a smile, "Not only has he saved my life, twice, but he was a big help in my becoming teacher."
"Really?" Then looking at Brandon he said, "I believe he left that little part out."
"That's my Brandon, modest as ever. I guess I'll have to tell you," Then after a beat she said, "But first let's have a seat, it's a long story and I don't know about y'all but it's been a long day."
When they had all sat down Ashley told Bob about the island, the incident with the Carthingtons in Miami, and the help Brandon had given her with her teaching career. When Bob began asking questions about how Ashley had been, Brandon excused himself to let them catch up, noting he still had a few things to finish up before being fully able to take his vacation.
That evening all three went to dinner with Mel and Katy, who seemed to get moderately along with Ashley's dad.
After dinner was finished and they were saying their goodbyes, Bob thanked them all for dinner and Katy asked Ashley, "So Ashley did you ask him yet?"
Ashley did not answer and Bob said, "Its okay honey you don't..."
"But I want to," Ashley said cutting him off, "I've always wanted you to escort me down the aisle dad, I just didn't think you wanted to."
Bob looked surprised and said, "And why wouldn't I? You're my little girl, my only daughter, why wouldn't I want to?"
With tears in her eyes Ashley asked, "So will you, Dad?"
Bob smiled wiped the tears from Ashley's eyes and said, "I'd be honored." There was a mini celebration before they all parted ways.
The following days were a little crazy, but having Ashley's dad around helped keep Brandon and Ashley distracted as they showed him around the city while final plans were arranged. Which thanks to the efforts of Katy, Gina, and Mel barely involved Ashley, she and Brandon were free to enjoy the days leading up to the wedding. In fact it would have been a very smooth wedding if not for the surprise visitor at the rehearsal.
Brandon happened to be outside the church talking with his brother when he saw her arrive. Striding toward the front door was none other than Cassandra Carthington.
"Jack, go inside and whatever you do make sure neither Ashley nor her dad makes it out here, got it?" Brandon said quickly to his brother.
Jack followed Brandon's look and seeing who it was asked, "Is that?"
"Ashley's grandma, yes. So in order to avoid a major fight it would be best if you keep Ashley and her dad away from her."
Brandon then moved to intercept her and as he got closer she said, "Brandon you're a nice boy, and I don't want to hurt you, but I will you if you don't get out of my way. As I told my stubborn husband when I got on the plane to come here, my only granddaughter is getting married tomorrow and no one, not him, you, or anybody is going to stop me from at least seeing her before she does."
"If that is the way you feel than far be it for me to stop you, as far as I'm concerned the more family Ashley has here to support her the better." Brandon quickly replied before asking, "You are here to support our marriage right?"
Cassandra was taken aback by this and nodded before asking, "Then why are you still in my way?"
"Mainly, because you're not the only member of Ashley's family here, so is her dad."
Cassandra paused and said, "Oh..."
"Yeah, so needless to say if you storm into the chapel it's going to cause issues." He said dialing a phone.
While it rang Cassandra said, "Well, I still want to see her but I have no interest in upsetting Robert."
"Maybe you won't have to," Brandon said. Then hearing Gina answer said into the phone, "Gina, its Brandon is Ashley still downstairs talking with the priest?"
"Yes, and why is my husband causing a commotion upstairs?"
"I asked him to buy time, listen can you open the door to the basement stairs on the side of the building?"
