Chapter 30: In Which He Is Sentenced

Two months later
"In light of your co-operation with the authorities and your injuries in the process of doing so, the court sentences you to a reduced sentence of six months in Castor penitentiary and three months worth of community service" the judge gave his order with a dismissal using his hammer.
Sora gasped and embraced her grandmother as the sentence was passed. This was good news, his sentence had been half of what was actually expected.
When Sora's grandmother had found out about the whole ordeal, they had heard an earful from her but surprisingly, she was still very supportive of their relationship and had been with them every step of the way.
Sora pulled away from her grandmother and quickly went over Ashton before he was taken away by the police.
She crashed into him, burying herself in his chest, hugging him as tight as she could, she won't get to do that quite as often during the next six months.
He didn't waste a second before wrapping her up in his arms and burying his nose in her hair, taking in the scent of peaches, which he would miss during the next six months.
"Th...th..this is g..good, less time" she said in between hiccups as she pulled away just a little, staying in his arms, she was consoling herself more than him.
"It really is sweet girl, I'll be back home to you sooner than you'd think. Be happy okay? no more tears, you can visit often, I want you to, I am not gonna have it any other way, I can't go too long without seeing my beautiful girl okay?"
"I love you and I'll miss you so much, all the time and I'll visit you a lot too" she said wiping her tears.
"I'll miss you too doll but you'll be keeping yourself busy with wedding plans, won't you? you go full out on it doll, make it as glamorous as you want and you can tell me about it all when you visit, I can't wait to make you mine forever once I am out" He said and she nodded up with a smile before he pulled her into a kiss.
A week earlier
"Sora baby, come down or else we'll be late" Ashton called out adjusting his watch.
He was all dressed up in a midnight blue suit and a maroon tie with leather shoes.
"Yes yes just putting my shoes on" she replied from the upstairs room.
They were going on a date and Ashton had a whole thing planned to propose to get. It all had to be perfect, especially after all that shit they had been through, they both deserved to be happy.
He was pulled out of his thoughts when Sora came down in a matching midnight blue evening gown looking like the classiest most gorgeous woman he had ever laid eyes on.
He had bought the gown for her himself and it might have been one of the best decisions considering how fabulous she looked in that intricate bodice of the dress.
She had a huge toothy smile on her face which made his heart skip a beat.
He was one lucky man, he thought to himself as she made her way down the stairs and looped her arm in his.
"You look absolutely ravishing sweet girl, in fact, I am thinking of canceling our plans and having you as my dinner" he commented making her blush a deep shade of crimson.
"Stoppp" she said punching his arm playfully at his crude words and he chuckled, placing a soft kiss to her cheek as they made their way out of the house and to his truck which he helped her in.
"Are we there yet?" she asked for the tenth time.
"Almost" he replied.
"You've been saying that for the past half an hour" she whined.
"Well, maybe you should be patient and stop asking sweetheart"
"Can you blame me? You're not telling me where it is we are going and it's making me excited and nervous at the same time" she explained making him chuckle.
"Good thing we've reached then" Ashton said as he pulled up at the dry docks near the yachts and cruises.
"OMG! we're gonna ride on a boat!" she excitedly jumped in her seat.
"UH..cruise but yeah"
He got out of the truck, helping her out as well. He then led her to the awaiting cruise he had specially reserved just for them for the special night.
"It's so beautiful out here, thank you for this" she said.
They were standing at the deck of the cruise near the railing after having a lovely dinner as the moonlight hit her face in a way that made her look like a goddess.
Ashton considered it to be the best time to get down on his knee.
And so he did, he got down on one knee even though it was a little painful since his bullet wound was still a little sore, he pulled out the velvet box containing the blue diamond ring set in a cushion cut, the blue diamond being natural and rare, costing him a pretty penny but he didn't care, it seemed like the right one for her.
When she didn't hear anything from him she turned and looked to her right, not believing her eyes at what was happening.
"I have been meaning to do this for a while now, it had always been on my mind since we got together but I didn't want to scare you away but now I am asking Sora Watanabe, will you marry me, sweet girl?"
Sora's eyes were wide as saucers, her mouth agape, unable to form words.
"You have got to say something soon doll or I might have to be rushed to the hospital again from how bad my side is killing me right now" he winced out and she gasped pulling him up immediately by his shoulders, he gratefully accepted the help.
"Yes yes yes, a million times yes" she squealed at the top of her lungs holding her hand out for him to place the beautiful ring.
"It's stunning Ashy" she complimented looking at the ring dreamily and that at her Fiance.
"I'd like my kiss now" Ashton said and she giggled pulling him down to her and capturing his lips.
The evening was splendidly spent.
Back to the present:
Ashton was also promised a job at the FBI headquarters as their IT specialist once he'd get out of prison.
He was so ecstatic about it Sora was surprised by his enthusiasm when he told her about it, that might have been the most he'd ever spoken and she was so happy for him.
"Time to go Hayes" an officer said, approaching the couple making their little bubble burst as they pulled apart.
"Take care of yourself Ashy" she said with a small sad smile.
"I will and I want you to do the same yourself, alright sweetheart?"
She nodded waving a little as the officer cuffed and took him away leaving her with her grandmother who she leaned on for support.