Ashton's PoV:

'Meet us by the bathrooms. 5 minutes.'

I read the text from Ari and then slipped my phone in my pocket before adjusting Gracie who was on my hip.

"Daddy, drink." She hit my chest with her little hands.

"Hey, be sweet." I gave her a look before picking up my water from the table and letting her have a drink. "Little sips, you're not a fish." I chuckled and she giggled at this.

I walked around with her for a few more minutes, talking with Luke, Michael, and Calum who had arrived with my mom, and then took Gracie over to Carter who was talking with my mom and Ari's mom.

"Hey, would you mind holding her for a minute? I'm going to head to the bathroom really quick." I asked Carter.

"Of course." She smiled as she took Gracie from me.

I kissed her cheek and then headed to the direction of the bathrooms which were down a hall and to the left down another hall.

When I turned the corner I saw Ari and Jason waiting for me, the letter in Ari's hand.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Ari asked me and I suddenly felt overwhelmed with guilt.

"After the fight we had last week I don't think it's a good idea if I do this. She gave me one last chance, and if whatever is in there upsets her that much and I read it, then she'll surely leave me. You guys can read it if you want, but I'm not going to do this." I shook my head.

"Ashton, are you sure?" Jason asked. "I mean we went through so much just to piece it together."

"I know, but i've screwed up too many times with Carter and I won't do it again. I love her too much. I just can't betray her trust."

Ari faltered.

"You're right... you shouldn't read it. Jason and I will read it, and if it's something you need to know then we'll tell you."

"Sounds good. Now i'm gonna go back to her."

I left the two of them and went back to the party where Carter was talking with Luke, Gracie on her waist.

"Hey." I walked up and put my lips to her temple.

"Hey. So Luke was just telling me about life on a tour bus." She said.

"Yeah. Well this time we have an updated bus, and we have a kitchenette and a back room and a bigger bathroom." I said.

"You should've got engaged sooner." Luke said and we laughed.

After a few minutes I noticed Ari and Jason walk back from the hall, both of them with wide eyes.

They looked at me but Ari shook her head.

I felt my phone go off in my pocket and then stepped away so I could look at it to read the text from Jason.

'Letter is from the man who is in charge of the life insurance policy. Carter lied. It is in her name.'

I sighed and then angrily shoved my phone back in my pocket.

Why would she lie about this? Why would she let herself and Ender suffer instead of taking out the policy to help them?

Her logic confused and frustrated me.

"What's wrong?"

I looked up to see Carter walking up to me.

"Hmm?"

"You looked upset."

"Oh. Just stuff with the album. It's nothing."

I sighed as she nodded.

For now I had to pretend that I knew nothing of what was happening because if I confronted her about it now she would flip out.

The rest of the rehearsal dinner I forced it out of my mind. It was easy because there was so much going on tonight.

After the rehearsal dinner my mom took Ender and Gracie home while Carter left with the girls for the bachelorette party and I left with the guys for the bachelor party.

"You ready Irwin, soon this will be you." Jason clapped me in the shoulder as we got in the limo and I laughed, thinking about the day when Carter and I would finally get married.

I had to watch myself on the alcohol because if I got drunk Carter would kill me and I'd also probably bring up the letter and I didn't want to fight with her the night before our friends wedding.

So I stuck with one beer and then headed home. Gracie and Ender were asleep on the sofas downstairs, and I walked up the stairs after locking the front door to find Carter already asleep in the bed.

I changed clothes and then kissed her sleeping lips before getting in bed with her.

In the morning she was up and gone before me since she had to be at the wedding venue with Ari. My mom went with her and so I was in charge of getting the kids ready and taking them to the church.

I dressed Gracie and braided her hair and then after Ender was dressed I fixed his hair as well, using some of my hair gel on him before I changed and fixed myself up and got them in the car.

"Daddy, where we go?" Gracie asked me as I drove us to the church.

"We are going to Aunt Ari and Uncle Jason's wedding." I said.

"Where Mommy?"

"She's already there with Aunt Ari and Grandma."

She nodded at this.

When we arrived at the church I held Gracie and Ender followed me as we walked inside.

"Hey!" My mom came up to us as she walked out from a hallway. "Carters is in the bridal suite if you want to go see her."

"Thanks." I smiled and she took the kids inside.

I walked down the hallway and found the door with the paper sign that said 'Bridal suite' and knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" I heard some girl call out.

"Ashton." I said and a few moments later the door opened and Carter stepped out in her bridesmaid dress, her hair curled and the sides braided back.

"Hey." She smiled. "You look handsome."

"Thank you. You look gorgeous as well. How is everything going?"

"Good. We're finishing getting Ari ready."

"Well I just wanted to see you since I missed you this morning."

"Aw, well thank you. I'll see you at the reception."

"Okay." I leaned in to kiss her.

"See you." She kissed me back before slipping inside the room again.

I headed to the sanctuary and found my mom with the kids and sat down, Gracie holding my hand.

Jason came in to stand on the stage with the minister and a few minutes later after everyone was there, Luke, Calum, and Michael on our row, the music started.

We all stood and Gracie came to stand in  front of me so she could see. Since Carter was the maid of honor she came out first and I noticed her smile at someone in the back, and that person so happened to be Harry.

I ignored it and watched as she walked up the isle with the flowers in her hand, Jason's brother holding her arm since he was the best man.

"Mommy." Gracie gasped quietly and Carter smiled at her as she passed us, waving at Gracie.

She then went to stand in her spot and looked in my direction, winking at me.

When Ari walked I smiled. She really looked beautiful and I could see the grin on Jason's face as he watched his wife to be walk to him.

I couldn't help but imagine my wedding with Carter as the ceremony began, and when they said their vows I could see Carter tearing up, sending me a knowing smile.

When the minister pronounced them husband and wife we all stood up and clapped, cheering them on.

Carter left with the bridal party and so the rest of us drove to the reception venue.

When we walked in I found Carter who came up to hug me and the kids.

"Oh my gosh, the nights not over and i'm already exhausted." She laughed as she hugged me. "But i'm getting lots of ideas for our wedding."

"Ooo, care to share later?"

"Sure. Okay, I have to give my toast in a few minutes so wish me luck."

"Good luck, you'll do great." I kissed her and she grinned before making her way to where the bridal party was sitting.

I watched as Harry stepped through the crowd and grabbed her by the arm to stop her. She smiled and then they hugged, Harry kissing her cheek.

They said a few things to each other before Carter continued on her way.

Harry then looked my direction and smiled but I rolled my eyes.

I took the kids to our assigned table along with my mom and the boys.

After we had eaten Jason's brother stood up to give his speech, and once he was done Carter stood up as well.

She looked beautiful and sweet, and I could see her nervousness showing through.

"First I just want to thank Ari and Jason for letting me be the maid of honor. The friendship we share is so important to me and I appreciate and love you both so much. Ari I have known you since the day I was born, and after growing up with you I knew it had to be someone really special to win you over and meet every standard you had, and when you met Jason I could just tell he was the one for you. You two inspired me then, and you inspire me now, and i'm so excited for you both."

Ari smiled at Carter as she spoke.

"When I look at you two I see what love is, and I remember one night a few months ago when I called you to ask you for relationship advice. I wanted to know how you knew you were in love with Jason, and you told me that he felt like home, and that's how you knew. Your words helped me realize that I was in love with my now fiancé, Ashton."

I smiled at this as everyone looked at me.

"So here's to all of the memories you and Jason will make together, I wish you both a lifetime of love and happiness, and i'm so glad I'm here tonight. To Mr. and Mrs. Jordan!"

We applauded after Carters speech and once Ari and Jason had their first dance I stepped up to Carter, kissing her cheek.

"Dance with me?"

"Hmm, yes." She smiled and I led her onto the dance floor.

She put her arms around my neck and I wrapped mine around her waist as I swayed her from side to side.

"So... future Mrs. Irwin... tell me your ideas for our wedding." I said into her ear.

"I want an outdoor wedding."

"I like that." I smiled.

"At night, with like lights in the trees and lanterns and candles."

"I like it even more."

She smiled and then leaned back before kissing me.

"I love you." She looked into my eyes.

"Oh, baby I love you more."

After we had danced for a few songs I found Gracie.

"Come dance with Daddy."

She grinned at this and I took her hand as I led her over to the dance floor.

I had her stand on my feet and I swayed her from side to side too, people taking pictures of us.

Carter danced with Ender, and then I danced with Ari while Carter danced with Jason, and at one point I even turned around to see Carter dancing with Harry.

But I claimed her again and she and I danced the night away, celebrating the marriage of our best friends.

The next morning Carter and I woke up and showered, both of us exhausted.

"I'm so tired." Carter sighed after she got dressed and went to lay back down on the bed. "I danced a lot, and I never dance."

"I know, you had fun." I laid down next to her.

"I did." She sighed. "So I invited the guys and Harry over to go out on the boat today."

"Fun."

I wasn't too annoyed Harry was coming, because I could just use this opportunity to show off that I was with Carter.

She and I went downstairs to make breakfast, Gracie holding onto Carter, while Ender tried not to fall asleep at the table.

The door opened and Luke, Michael, and Calum walked in.

"Hey." They hugged Carter before standing around.

"So what's for breakfast, Car?" Calum asked her.

"Pancakes, bacon, and eggs. Help yourself boys." She smiled and they grabbed a plate to begin filling it.

The door opened again and Harry walked in.

"Morning, Hare." Carter hugged him.

Everyone ate breakfast and then I helped Carter make a picnic lunch for everyone before we had to get the kids in their swimsuits so we could head out to the boat.

We stopped at the shop first so Carter could gather equipment and I carried the oxygen tanks out for her.

Carter helped everyone by picking out their wetsuits and masks, and once everyone was ready she led the way to the boat.

"Wait, Car, take my picture." Harry stopped her and she took his picture as he posed in front of the back of the boat where THE HALLE was painted in gold letters.

I waited for her which I could tell annoyed Harry but I didn't care.

When they were done I walked up with her, setting down Gracie on the deck.

She ran off towards Ender and I noticed Luke, Michael, and Calum setting up their towels and things but I was focused on Carter and walked up behind her as she went to walk up the stairs.

"Need help?" I asked her.

"Sure, if you're up for it." She smiled at me.

"Well, we talked about me working the business with you one day, so better to start learning now right?"

She stared at me with a ridiculously happy look on her face before she stepped forward and kissed me.

"I love you." She spoke so I only I could hear.

"I love you too." I squeezed her waist and then she led me down below deck where I watched her check different dials and valves. I asked her what they all were for and what the numbers meant and she happily explained them to me.

Next we went back up to the main deck where we headed over to where the boat met the dock.

"Okay Ash, here's your first lesson. Untie the rope and lay it on the dock and then get back on. Don't let it fall in the water."

"Got it." I said and got off the boat and stood on the dock. I bent down and tugged at the rope but it didn't move.

"You've gotta pull harder than that, babe." She chuckled and so I did, the rope unraveling so I could unwrap it from the wooden post and lay it on the dock.

I then went to get back on the boat, taking Carters hand as I did.

"Good job." She smiled. "Now you can start the boat."

She handed me the keys and we walked up to the bridge where I put the key in the ignition and started the motor.

"Okay, so driving is a bit tricky. Not the actual driving, but getting it to where you pull the throttle and step on the pedal at the perfect time." She explained.

"Okay. So what do I do?"

"Put your hand on the throttle and then step on the gas. When you step on the gas wait a moment and then push up slowly on the throttle."

I was a bit nervous as I did it but she watched me. I didn't think I did it right but the boat began to move forward and I looked at Carter to make sure I was doing this right.

"You're doing great." She stepped up and kissed my cheek. "Keep going just a little more. Get us past the dock and then your going to steer us to the left."

"How far left?"

"About 40 degrees." She said.

I oddly understood what she meant and did as such, the boat driving away from the dock.

"Perfect." Carter said and I smiled at her praise. "You're a natural."

"Nah, i've just got the best teacher. She's also really pretty, and I think i'm going to marry her." I teased her back and she laughed.

"Think?"

"No. Actually I know."

She had me keep driving a little more until we were out of the marina and in open waters.

At this point she took over to sail us to the reefs.

I went to the main deck to get a soda for she and I and check on the kids who were already in their bathing suits.

"Hey, you need sun screen, come here." I waved them both over and grabbed the sun screen so I could spray them both down. The last thing I needed was to take my kids to the doctor because they got a bad sunburn.

Once they were coated in sun block I took a soda up to Carter.

"Thank you." She opened it and then took a sip. "Oh, honey can you go put sun screen on the kids." She said as she watched them from above.

"Already did."

"Oh." She smiled. "Well then, you can take over for a minute while I change into my swimsuit."

We changed places and she told me to just keep going straight and then went down the stairs.

Sailing was fun. I could see why Carter loved it so much.

I was looking ahead at where I was sailing through my sun glasses when I heard footsteps and looked over to see Harry walking up.

"Oh. Where's Carter?" He asked me.

"She's changing clothes." I replied.

"You know how to sail?"

"Yeah." I half lied and then watched him leave.

A few minutes later I heard laughter and looked over to see a smiling Carter and Harry walking up the stairs to where I was.

I pushed up my sun glasses as Carter came over and then paused the throttle, stepping to the side so she could take over.

"Thanks babe." She patted my arm and I stepped forward to hug her from the side, making eye contact with Harry as I leaned in to kiss her temple.

He looked away in annoyance and I smirked out of victory.

"Remember the last time we were up here and we planned our honeymoon?" I spoke into Carters ear, putting my attention on her now.

"Mhmm." She hummed. "Italy."

"That's right." I squeezed her waist. "I'm looking forward to it."

"Me too." She titled her head back to kiss my jaw.

I held onto her almost obnoxiously which was pissing off a silent Harry and after a few minutes we got to the reef.

We had to stop a distance aways so she could drop anchor and then we walked back down to the main deck where everyone else was.

"Who's ready to go swimming?" I asked the kids and they cheered.

Gracie was in her life jacket and ready to go, and so I slipped off my tee shirt and kicked off my flip flops.

Next to me Carter unbuttoned her shorts and slid those off and then pulled her tee shirt over her head, revealing her black bikini.

Ender ran and jumped in the water and Carter laughed before picking up Gracie and walking over to the side of the boat.

I jumped off and then Carter set Gracie down.

"Jump to Daddy." She said and I held my arms out to Gracie.

"Come on baby girl." I smiled at Gracie and she jumped into my arms.

Gracie grinned as she splashed around and I watched as Carter gracefully slid into the ocean, swimming over to me.

She wrapped her legs around my waist and then put her arms around my neck.

We swam around in the water with the kids and our friends, Harry eventually getting in to water as well.

After awhile we went back up to lay out in the sun, Carter and I laying down next to each other on our towels.

I noticed Harry watching us from where he was in a lounge chair and just to piss him off I wrapped my hand around the top of Carters thigh, causing her to look at me and smile.

"So I have a proposition for you." I said after a few minutes and she turned to look at me.

"What is it?"

"So i've been putting a bit of money aside because of the court settlement, and we have a bit extra, and so i'm going to let you pick three things you want to do to the house and we'll do them."

"Three things?"

"Yes."

"Hmm." She began to think. "Okay, I want a dish washer."

"Done." I smiled. "Two more."

"I don't want to pick something that's too expensive."

"Well tell me what you're thinking and if it's in the budget I have in my head then i'll say yes."

"New floors?"

"What do you want?"

"Wood throughout the downstairs?"

"That sounds doable. You have one more."

"I don't know. What do you want?"

"This is my gift to you. So tell me what you want." I squeezed her thigh.

"How much is left in your budget?" She asked me.

"You've got a couple grand."

Her eyes went wide.

"How much money has Robert Ramone coughed up?" She asked.

"About $20,000 so far."

"Wow." She breathed. "Okay then, um...i'm clueless."

"Okay, we could do a new fridge, new washer and dryer, new cabinets in the kitchen, upgrade one of the bathrooms, update the fixtures, get an alarm system... actually i'm getting the alarm system no matter what, but you have some options."

She was quiet as she thought.

"You know what i've always wanted?"

"What?" I asked her, smiling at her cute thinking face.

"Granite countertops."

"It might stretch the budget a bit, but if it makes you happy then it's worth it."

"Are you serious?" She sat up a bit to look at me.

"Yes." I smiled.

"Thank you." She then moved over to hug me. "This is so amazing."

"Now pick out what you want and i'll get started on it all." I chuckled.

"I'm so excited. I'm going to go get you a drink, what do you want?"

"A coke is fine." I laughed at her smile and she kissed me before getting up and going below deck where the mini fridge was.

When I looked back to my left I saw Harry glaring at me and just smiled before closing my eyes and leaning my head back.

I could make her happier than he ever could.

"Daddy, we go swim?" Gracie came up to me after a few minutes.

"Yeah. Let's go swim." I kissed her cheek and then we went to get in the ocean again.

Looking up I saw Carter watching us, a smile on her face.

Ender joined us in the water after a bit and then we began to play water tag, Gracie up on my shoulders.

"Hey, it's time for lunch." Carter called out to us, and so I got the kids back on the boat where Carter had set up the picnic.

"What would you think about cream granite countertops?" Carter asked me.

"Yeah. We can do that." I smiled at her and she grinned as she popped a grape into her mouth.

"We could do dark wood floors too."

"I'd like that." I placed a hand on her back.

"What are you two talking about?" Michael asked.

"Robert Ramone has started coughing up the settlement fees and so I let Carter choose three things to do to the house." I explained.

"Mhmm. And so I chose wood floors throughout the downstairs, a dishwasher, and granite countertops for the kitchen." Carter smiled.

"I'm surprised you didn't say a new coffee maker, the one you have now is ancient." Luke chuckled.

"I know, but I love it and it's the one my parents used every morning. When that thing croaks i'm going to cry." Carter sadly smiled.

"Can we re do my room too?" Ender asked us.

"What's wrong with your room?" Carter asked him.

"I want to have a red wall and I want a black dresser instead of a white one."

"Well, why don't we figure that out when we get back from tour." I told him.

"I want princess room." Gracie said from where she was sitting next to me and I laughed.

"You want a princess room? Where do we put the princess room?"

"Grandma Megan's room." She smiled and I looked over at Carter who gave Gracie a smile.

"We're going to leave Grandpa and Grandma Chase's room the same, okay baby?"

Gracie frowned.

I knew that was Carters plan for now.

When we wanted to start having kids Carter and I were going to move into her parents room and give Gracie her old bedroom. Then we'd have to add onto the house so we'd have a room for the baby.

"Okay, if you would've picked three things what would you have chosen?" Carter asked me.

"The dishwasher definitely, I would put french doors in and close off the dining room and also put a dining room table in there, then i'd like to paint the living room and put in book shelfs all along the wall where the television is."

"You have that thought out, but I like it." She smiled. "Maybe we can do that when the second payment comes in."

"Sounds like a plan." I winked at her.

"So how much do you get from him?" Calum asked.

"Well we get $150,000 and our lawyer gets the same because that's how much we were having to pay but since we won, Ramone has to pay."

"Banking." Michael said and we laughed.

"What are you going to do with the rest of the money?" Calum asked next.

"I guess do whatever house renovations we need to do and then put some in the kids college funds, use some for the wedding and the honeymoon." I shrugged.

"Have you decided where you're going?" Luke piped up.

"Yeah, we are going to Italy." I smiled as I put my arm around Carters shoulders and she leaned into me.

"Vineyards, walking around the cities, drinking wine, it sounds heavenly." Carter smiled and I giggled at her cuteness before kissing her face.

After lunch the guys decided they wanted to go diving, and so Carter made sure they were suited up correctly and attached their oxygen tanks.

Luke, Calum, Michael, and myself remembered how to get in the water because of last time so we did while Carter instructed Harry. Ender was staying on board with Gracie while we went diving.

Carter and Harry swam towards us and then we began to explore the reef.

The first time Carter and I had gone diving was the first day we met, and I had tried to flirt with her but it hadn't been working like I thought it would, but this time she and I swam alongside each other, looking at all of the fish and marine life surrounding us.

We were looking at an octopus when Harry came and took Carters arm before dragging her away so he could show her something.

I let it slide and instead continued to look around until it was time for us to come up.

We all climbed back on the ship and stripped out of our suits to dry off before Carter began to sail us back to the marina.

Back at the house everyone showered and changed clothes before I ordered pizza for dinner and everyone gathered in the living room to watch movies.

Carter and I took the love seat and she curled up on me with a blanket wrapped around us while the movie played before us.

Harry was laying down in front of Carter and I watched as she reached out to touch his hair.

"Your hair is so long." She said.

"I know."

"Doesn't that bother you?"

"Sometimes." He shrugged. "Why, does it bother you?"

"Well when it's windy and your hair hits me in the face it does."

He laughed at this.

"But I think it would look nice short." She then said before taking her hand off his hair and turning more into me. "You know, i've been think about cutting my hair."

"No." Harry and I said at the same time and she sat up in confusion.

"Why not?"

"I like it long." I said.

"Don't cut it." Harry said.

"Fine." Carter crossed her arms and laid back down.

It was a quiet night in, and after awhile everyone went home so Carter and I could put the kids to bed.

The next day we decided that since it was our last day we would check out the home store to pick out what we wanted.

Carter chose creamy white colored granite countertops, a stainless steel dishwasher, and stained hard wood floors.

We also decided while we were at it we might as well paint the downstairs, and so we chose a robin egg blue for the walls of the living room and dining room and rest of the house besides the kitchen and bedrooms.

Carter had a color scheme all planned out and she looked so happy as we glanced at the cabinets we were planning on getting for the kitchen which were almost black.

My mom would be handling all of the arrangements of the people doing the work to our house while we were away, but even as we went home with pictures of light fixtures in our hands, I couldn't stop smiling because I was now making my dream home with my dream girl.

--

And new chapter!

Thank God!

I'll have the next part up soon!

Much love xx-m