"Father! I'm home!" Dean shouted for the whole town to hear. He ran into his house dragging Bethany along with Ashton trailing behind. His father stood before him with several of his siblings. "Dad, I'd like to tell you something!" Dean's mother come around the corner to hear the announcement too carrying two of Dean's little sisters along with her.

"What is it, sweetie?" his mother asked.

"I am getting married. This is Bethany." Dean smiled. Bethany waved.

"Son, this is great! You can now live in Manaville! I am so proud of you! You certainly have my blessing!" Dean's father exclaimed.

"She is such a lovely girl! You have my blessing as well!" Dean's mother smiled with the same dimples Dean had.

Dean, Ash, and Beth ended up leaving that small town in Commerce within an hour. It was surprisingly easy to get the blessing of Dean's parents. Now all they have to do was get Beth's parents blessings. And unlike Dean's, Beth's parents were hard to persuade, especially her father. Bethany was their only child, so she deserved someone who was perfect.

Dean, Ash, and Beth stood on Bethany's front porch. "You ready?" Ashton asked. Bethany's knuckles were just about to knock.

"As ready as I will ever be!" Bethany said. Dean stood behind her supportingly. "Dean, can you wait out here?" Dean was shocked but obeyed her. Bethany knew that if she bombarded her parents will Dean they would freak out. "I'm sorry!" Bethany apologized. She knocked on the door.

"BETH, MY BABY!!" Bethany's mother yelled squeezing her so tight. Bethany's father came running in and joined the hug. "WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?" she yelled.

"Something happened. I had to leave. Ashton was kidnapped." Bethany explained.

"Is this true, Ash?" Bethany's father asked. Ashton was almost like their son. They protected him just like Beth did.

"Yeah! Bethany saved my life!" Ashton agreed.

"I am very proud of you, Beth!" Bethany's mother added.

"I actually wanted to tell you guys something." Bethany said.

"Yes, sweetheart. What is it?" Bethany's father asked.

"Come on out, Dean!" Dean walked into Beth's small little cottage. Her mom and dad gasped at the sight of Dean. "This is Dean. Mom, you've been telling me to find my prince. I've finally found him. We are going to get married." Dean smiled hopefully. Both of Bethany's parents stared at him trying to see what he was about.

"It is very nice to meet you, Dean. Tell us a little about yourself." Bethany's father commanded with a business-like face. He wasn't taking any crap. This was his only daughter.

"Well, sir, my name is Dean Maxwell Artison. I work as a merchant trader and produce and sell goods for my family's business. But, I will be moving to Manaville to settle down and start my own shop. I met Bethany on my way home from a trading job. She is such a wonderful girl and I am so lucky that I found her. I promise I will protect and care for her, sir. Do we have your blessing?" Dean asked. Bethany's father stared into Dean's eyes seeing nothing but a true, honest young man. Bethany's parents looked at each other almost like they were having a conversation with each other at that exact moment.

"You have our blessing." Bethany's mother said. Dean went to Bethany's father for a handshake but her father hugged Dean.

The family packed up their things and were almost on their way to Manaville. Ashton was helping Bethany pack her things. Soon it was time to say goodbye. For the first time in forever, Ashton and Bethany were completely silent. It wasn't because Ashton was mad, it was because he regretted becoming Bethany's friend in the first place. He knew that some day they had to part some day it was bound to happen, right?

But, the more he thought about it the more lucky he felt. Seriously! How lucky was he to have someone so hard to say so hard goodbye to!

"I feel bad for leaving you here." Bethany finally said. Ashton almost pictured the little wheels turning in her head thinking of a way he could possibly stay.

"Don't feel bad." Ashton comforted her.

"I have to! You don't deserve to be left all alone!" Bethany cried. It was somewhat ironic that she was crying instead of Ashton.

"I am aware that I don't deserve to be left here, I know that. I also know that you, Bethany Angelina Barner, deserve to get off this crazy little island and live your life! You can be living a dream!!" Ashton passionately declared.

"My dream is to see you be happy. I just want to know that you are happy." Bethany protested.

"My dream is for you to stop worrying about me! I'll be fine! I am a big boy, Beth. I can handle myself. I've got a thick skin!" Ashton assured her.

"What if we never see each other again?" Bethany asked. Beth could not come back if she left now.

"Fate will decide. If we are meant to meet again, then we will." Ashton put into perspective.

"Are you ready to go, Bethy?" Bethany's father asked. Bethany nodded trying to fight back the thousands of tears trying to break through her eyelids.

"Goodbye, Ash!" Bethany finally had the courage to say. At that moment they knew it was real. The two little kids that met two years ago would soon be a distant memory to each other.

Bethany stepped into the carriage. Dean put his hand on her shoulder. The horse started to run and run. "Wait, stop!" Bethany yelled abruptly. When the horses didn't stop immediately, Bethany jumped out of the carriage and ran back to Ash. She had to tell Ashton that she loved him. She had to tell him that she had always loved him. More than a friend. It was now or never. "Ash, I need to tell you something." Bethany yelled. Ashton ran to her.

"Beth, you have to get going! What is it?" Ashton asked. Bethany paused for a minute deciding how to say it. How to say that she loved him.

"I need to tell you that..." Bethany couldn't get the words out. "I need to tell you that you are my best friend." Bethany finally admitted.

"And you are mine." Ashton said. Bethany smiled at that quick little sweet moment. She slapped a necklace into Ashton's hand. It was a simple chain necklace with a small plaque that read; rose. Ash squeezing it in his hand and he watched his only friend drift away from him in an ever-so-delicate manner.

That's the end of their story for now. Bethany went to Manaville with powers and a husband; Dean. Dean has a huge adventure ahead of him. That adventure was keeping Bethany's magic a secret. And Ashton was alone on Hunadelle, the misfit island. Hunadelle is full of danger and beauty. He will soon truly understand the danger for its evil will soon take Ash over.I

I hope you've enjoyed Every Third Word! If you liked this book, check out one of my other books! Have a great day!

Xoxoxox - Ava