REDDING, CA – THE ADDAMS’ HOUSE – APR.9th, 2002 – TUESDAY

     “What time is it?” Kirstin asked as she and Ashley walked into her house.

     “It’s 5:45. What time does your father get here?”

     “After 6 o’clock.” Kirstin closed the door behind her.

     “Oh, so he’ll be here soon. Good. Then I can do this thing right and ask his permission to marry you.”

     “Oh, you’re not doing it totally right. You already asked me to marry you, Mr. What do we do if my dad says no?” Kirstin led Ashley to the living room and they both sat down.

     “You know he won’t say no. He loves me. Your whole family loves me.”

     “Oh, and there’s your modesty!” Kirstin smiled at him.

     “You’ve been missing that lately, haven’t you?” Ashley poked her side.

     “Stop it.” Kirstin ordered “Now… kiss me.” they kissed passionately until Kirstin’s mother interrupted.

     “Oh, I’m so sorry, I heard voices and I came to…” Dawn Addams apologized.

     “Mom, that’s ok.” Kirstin stood up a little embarrassed. She wasn’t so comfortable kissing in front of her parents. Ashley also stood up and just smiled noticing the embarrassed look on Kirstin’s face.

     “So, how are you, Ashley, dear?” Dawn got closer to the couple and hugged Ashley.

     “I’m fine, Dawn. Really fine.” Ashley couldn’t get the smile off his face. He was just happy. With everything. His life couldn’t be more perfect.

     “So… what are you two up to?” Kirstin’s mother asked.

     “We’re waiting for dad.” Kirstin answered.

     “Oh, yeah? Why?” Dawn frowned.

     “I have something to ask him. Something I need to talk to him about.” Ashley informed.

     “Oh, really?” Dawn sounded interested.

     “Yes. And, as a matter of fact, with you too. But I’d rather wait for Mr. Addams to tell what it is, if that’s ok with you.” Ashley told her.

     “That’s ok. We’ll wait then. Do you want something to drink? Eat?” Dawn asked.

     “No, I’m fine, thanks.” Ashley said.

     “Ok. So, I’ll be in the kitchen if you two need anything, alright?”

     “Ok, thanks, mom.”

     “Sure, honey.” Dawn said and left the room.

     “Come on, let’s go to my room.” Kirstin took Ashley’s wrist and let them to her room.

     It was around 6:30 p.m. when Kirstin and Ashley heard a knock on the door.

     “Come on in.” Kirstin informed. She and Ashley were in bed, watching tv.

     “Honey, your father just got here. If you wanna talk to him…” Dawn informed.

     “Oh, ok. We’ll be right down.” Kirstin answered and Dawn Addams closed the door.

     Kirstin was getting up and heading to the door when Ashley stopped her.

     “Do you think it would be ok if I’d go there by myself?” Ashley asked.

     “Are you sure?” Kirstin frowned. Ashley and her father weren’t used to talking a lot.

     “I am. I think I’d feel better that way.”

     “Sure.” Kirstin smiled “Whatever makes you feel better, baby.” Kirstin pecked his lips and opened the door to him, closing when he got to the stairs.

     It had been a while since Ashley had headed downstairs. Kirstin was pacing around her room when she heard her father call out her name from downstairs. She stormed out off her room and practically ran downstairs.

     “Yes?” she said, a little short of breath when she got to the leaving room.

     “Well…” Kirstin’s father started to talk. There was no expression on his face and neither on Ashley’s or Dawn’s face. Kirstin started to get worried “Ashley talked to us about… you know?”

     “Yes?” Kirstin’s father was really making her nervous.

     “And… I think this is great news.” her father let a big smile out.

     “Really?” Kirstin smiled and breathed relieved.

     “Of course, honey. I’ve always known you and Ashley were bound to happen. I’m really glad you realized that as well. That Tom guy, he was just…”

     “Dad?” Kirstin interrupted her father “No Tom talk, alright?”

     “Right. Sorry”

     “Thank you so much, dad.” Kirstin hugged her father tight “Mom.” Kirstin got closer to her mother and saw the tears on her eyes.

     “Oh, Kirstin.” Dawn hugged her.

     “Mom, that’s alright.”

     “I know, sweety. It’s more than alright. I’ve always seen Ashley as a son, so it’s more than alright. I’m so happy for you two.”

     “Thanks, Dawn.” Ashley hugged her too.

     “Let me see the ring!” Dawn took her daughter’s hand and starred at the big ring “Oh, my God! It’s gorgeous!”

     Kirstin and Ashley looked at each other and smiled. Now that they had Kirstin’s parents blessing, everything seemed to be even more perfect.

     “So… I think they were a little happy.” Ashley said. He and Kirstin were outside the house, standing on the porch.

     “A little? I’d say they’ve never been happier.” Kirstin wrapped her arms around Ashley’s neck.

     “Really? Not even when Tom proposed to you?” Ashley looked serious.

     “Ash, I already asked my father not to talk about Tom, alright? Our engagement was… a mistake.”

     “Why?” Ashley asked.

     “You really wanna get into that?”

     “I just…”

     “It was just a mistake, alright?” Kirstin cut him off “I was marrying him for all the wrong reasons. I was marrying him to forget you for good. I loved him, but more as a friend and definitely not enough to marry him, because you were always in the back of my mind. Now, can we just forget it?”

     “Ok. Sorry I asked.”

     “That’s ok. As long as you never ask that again.”

     “Promise.”

     “Good.” Kirstin smiled and kissed him on the lips.

     “Hm… tasty.” Ashley smirked.

     “Silly.” Kirstin giggled.

     “Listen, I gotta go. I gotta tell my parents about it.”

     “Oh, yeah! Do you think they’d be ok with it?” Kirstin was a bit worried.

     “I think they’ll love it.”

     “I hope so…” Kirstin bit her bottom lip.

     “Don’t worry, baby, everything will be fine.”

     “Ok, if you say so…”

     “We gotta make the plans for tomorrow night.”

     “Oh, God! I can’t believe we still have to go to this boring Charity Event.” Kirstin rolled her eyes.

     “Yes, we do. We already got the tickets and it’s gonna be even greater now! We’re engaged!”

     “Oh, God. I don’t wanna.” Kirstin wined.

     “Stop being such a baby.” Ashley chuckled.

     “Ok, ok. But you owe me big time, because I really don’t wanna go.”

     “Ok, I’ll get even some other time, alright? But you’re going this time!”

     “Alright, alright. Now go, before I change my mind.”

     “You’re not allowed to change your mind.”

     “Oh, yeah? Says who?” Kirstin smiled.

     “Says me! I’m gonna be your husband, I get to order you around now.”

     “Yeah, right, ok. Dream on.” Kirstin rolled her eyes. Ashley chuckled.

     “Love you.” he pecked her lips.

     “Love you too. Now go.” she pushed him lightly off the porch.

     “I’ll call you later to let you know how things went.” Ashley informed.

     “Ok. I’ll be waiting.” Kirstin smiled and watched as Ashley got inside his car and drove off. She then turned around and reentered her house.