My note.…this is the last chapter, people...so it'll be a long one. There will be some references to previous storylines, both from this story and the actual show. Hope you all like it!!!!

GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT

CHAPTER 21: TRUE

"Jimmy, come in", Kate greeted cheerfully as she stepped aside to let Jimmy in. "Hey Ms. Kerwin", Jimmy smiled back. "Is Ashley home?", he asked, glancing around the room. Kate nodded. "She's upstairs with Ellie….I'll call her down", she replied. "Ashley, come here please", Kate called from the bottom of the stairs.

Toby walked across the hallway, up stairs. "She cant hear you", he said, nodding to Ashley's bedroom door. Toby knocked loudly, trying to get his sister's attention, over the music she was playing. "What?", she barked, cracking her door open after about ten knocks. Toby chuckled. "Mom wants you", he stated, shaking his head as he walked away.

Ashley bounced down the steps, still humming to the song that was coming from her room. She abruptly stopped about half-way down when she saw her mom standing next to Jimmy at the bottom of the stairs. "Jimmy….you're early", she shrieked, covering her face with her hands. Jimmy tried not to smile at the embarrassed Ashley, dressed in an old terry-cloth robe, with no make-up on…and strange worm-like hair curlers, covering her head.

"Yeah, I know I'm early….but this just came in the mail and I couldn't wait to give it to you", Jimmy explained, holding up a white envelope . "I guess I should've called first", he chuckled. Ashley eyed the envelope then glanced back up the stairs. "At least let me finish getting ready", she pleaded, looking to her mom for help. "Oh Ashley, you look fine", Kate laughed, patting Jimmy on the shoulder before walking into the kitchen.

Ashley reluctantly came the rest of the way, down the stairs and walked over to the couch…avoiding any eye contact with Jimmy. Ashley sat down on the couch, Jimmy pulled up next to her and handed the envelope to her. "Our plane tickets", she smiled at Jimmy, as she read the envelope. "Yeah, my dad sprung for first class", he chuckled lightly.

"There are only two tickets here….aren't your parents coming?", Ashley asked as she pulled the vouchers out. Jimmy shook his head. "They couldn't get the time off", he replied, disappointedly. Ashley gave Jimmy a small, sympathetic smile and patted his knee. "Just the two of us then?", she asked, looking up at his eyes and blushing. Jimmy nodded. "So, I guess I'd better get used to this look, then...eh?", he joked, looking Ashley up and down. She smirked and playfully hit him on the shoulder.

"I hope you don't mind, but I booked the hotel for five days, instead of three.…I thought we could do some sight-seeing while we're there…and our summer classes don't start for….", Jimmy started to say as he handed Ashley the hotel itinerary. "A single room….king sized bed?", she interrupted excitedly. "It's like our own little romantic vacation", Ashley whispered, as she sat on Jimmy's lap.

"Little and vacation, yes.….romantic, I'm not so sure", Jimmy sighed, looking down. "Stop", Ashley scolded. "You know what the doctor said, Jimmy. You have to relax and not stress yourself out so much.…don't think about it and give the pills a chance to work…that's when it usually happens", she stated, caressing his cheek. "Yeah…and possibly signing with a major art gallery to display my work…isn't stressful?", he asked sarcastically.

Ashley scooted closer. "Don't worry…I know a few ways to get you to relax", Ashley giggled as she whispered into his ear. "Yeah?", Jimmy whispered back, unraveling the curlers. Ashley kissed his neck as he ran his hands through her now free hair. Her lips moved to his lips… "Okay, best friend walking by", Ellie announced her presence. Jimmy and Ashley broke apart and laughed.

"Hey El", Jimmy greeted as Ashley stood up from his lap. "Hey Jim", Ellie giggled and gave him a little hug. "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt….", she said awkwardly. "That's okay. I really need to get ready anyway", Ashley replied, heading back upstairs. Ellie gave Jimmy and apologetic smile.

"You comin' with us El?", Jimmy asked, noting the way she was dressed. "Nope. I have my own date.…so I wont have to bum off of you guys anymore", she chuckled. Jimmy raised his brow at her. "Don't worry, I did a background check on this one. He one of Dylan's hockey friends and comes highly recommended", Ellie smiled. Jimmy waited for her to continue.

Ellie rolled her eyes at him. "His name is Mike, he loves hockey and literature. His favorite food is Chinese and he's a law major", she revealed, hoping that was enough to satisfy the 'big brother' complex in Jimmy. He nodded slowly. "Okay, but just be careful….my dad's a lawyer and he can be very persuasive", Jimmy said, grinning at Ellie. "I always wondered where you got that quaility from", Ellie joked, smiling at Jimmy. He hung his head down and chuckled. "I'll be fine Jimmy", she added, grateful she had such caring friends.

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Ashley flipped through the complimentary magazine as she laid on the bed in her hotel room, waiting for Jimmy to come back from his meeting at the gallery. She circled a few restaurants, only the ones that looked nice enough to have a celebratory dinner at, and folded over the corners of the pages that listed interesting place to go, and sights to see.

Ashley sat up and smiled as Jimmy came through the door. "You're back early", she exclaimed, pulling the earpieces from Jimmy's ipod, out of her ears and glancing at the clock. "Pack your stuff. We're going home", he replied hasitly, pulling his suitcase out of the closet. "What? We have four more days here...and what about the interview at the gallery?", she asked, sliding off the bed and walking over to him. "I didn't stay for the interview", he amswered shortly.

"I thought they were interested in...", Ashley stearted to say. "They're not", he snapped at her and looked down. Ashley laid her hands on his shoulders. "Jimmy if they didn't sign you because you're in a chair...that's discrimination, they cant do that", she stated, leaning in to hug him. "No Ash, this is the only reason they want to sign me", he replied angrily, breaking away from her and pushing forward.

Ashley came around to face him, a perplexed look on her face. Jimmy pulled a large envelope from the mesh bag, under his chair and handed it to Ashley. "They want to do a exhibit with pieces from handicapped artisits", he explained, looking up at her with frustration in his eyes. Ashley looked over the papers but was still confused, she pulled out the desk chair and sat facing Jimmy, then grabbed his hands. "This sounds so great Jimmy", she smiled. "No Ash, it's not", he sighed, pulling his hands from her grasp.

"Jimmy I don't get it...what's the problem?", Ashley pleaded. He closed his eyes and shook his head. "I want to be recognized for my work, Ash. Not as that artist in a wheelchair", Jimmy explained. Ashley ran a comforting hand across his cheek. "Then do it", Ashley said excitedly. Jimmy gave her an incredulous look. "You didn't find your talent until after you were shot, right?", she asked, already knowing that answer. Jimmy nodded slightly. "So, do a piece on all the positive ways you've changed since then", she suggested, rubbing his arm.

Jimmy shrugged. "I'm just afraid that if I do this, I'll have that label hanging over me...ya know?", he replied, quietly. Ashley shook her head. "Jimmy, there is so much more to you than meets the eye, show them that", Ashley said lovingly. "Show them what you've been able to overcome...let the world see the true spirit of Jimmy Brooks ", she stated, kissing him tenderly before standing up. "Okay", he agreed, grabbing her hand and bringing it to his lips.

Ashley smiled. "So you'll go back to the gallery and finish the interview?", she asked, slipping her shoes on. "Yeah", Jimmy answered, still a little reluctantly. "You're coming too?", he asked hopefully. "Of course", she chuckled, swinging her purse onto her shoulder. "After all, you did promise me dinner...didn't you?", she added, playfully. Jimmy smiled at her and nodded. "Good, because I'm starving".

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Three months later...

"Great, you guys made it", Jimmy greeted as Ellie, Marco, Dylan, Paige and Spinner walked into the bustling gallery. "Well, how could we not, Hun? You're one of our bestest friends, Jimmy...we're all so happy for you", Paige chirrped excitedly as she gave Jimmy a great big hug. "We wouldn't have missed this for the world", Ellie stated, kissing Jimmy's cheek. "This is in today's issue", she added handing him an advanced copy of the article she wrote about the art opening.

"El, this is amazing...thank you", he exclaimed, as he fiinshed reading. "And it's the first article I've read that doesn't include the word wheelchair", he chuckled, handing Ashley the paper. "Is that was that is?", Ellie joked sarcastically, lightly tapping her foot against his wheel. The group started to chuckled. "What'd I miss?", Toby asked as he and Liberty joined them.

"Wow, did you invite everyone you know, Jim?", Marco asked jokingly, as he looked around room spotting Kate and Jeff talking to the Brooks'. "Ashley's parents? We saw Mr. Armstrong when we came in?..Who else is coming?", Marco asked. "Well, Terri's around here somewhere and Craig and Manny are on the way...they're bringing Emma and Sean", Jimmy glanced over at Ellie, hoping she wouldn't be upset...she wasn't.

"Oh, and Hazel sends her best", Paige added cautiously. "She wanted to be here, but she's vacationing Cancun with her parents". Jimmy nodded and smiled. "Yeah, she sent me a nice little note", he said, pulling the paper from his pocket and passing it around. "That's about it", Jimmy chuckled. "Unless you count my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins".

Mr. Brooks walked over and interrupted the gathering. "If you don't mind, I need to steal Jimmy for a few minutes", he said in that low, soft, but very authoritative voice he had. Jimmy followed his father over to a small, empty corner of the gallery. Roger let out an uneasy breath and began. "Listen Son, I'm sorry I gave you such a hard time about art...I know I pushed you to excell in fulfilling all these dreams I had for you...I was wrong, and I apologize", he stated. "Dad, it's fine, I get it...you just want the best for me", Jimmy replied, craining his neck to look up at his father.

"Yes, but sometimes what we want for our children isn't always the best thing for them", Roger replied, getting down on his knee so he was eye-level with Jimmy. Jimmy ruffled his brow in confusion. Roger put his hand on his sons shoulder. "I'm glad to see you finally happy Jim", he explained. "And not just with your passion about art...everything; your design company with Gavin, you devotion to coaching, your relationship with Ashley". Roger cleared his throat and continued. "I want you to know how truly proud you make me Jimmy", he stated, pulling a stunned Jimmy into a hug. "I love you, Son".

"I love you to Dad", Jimmy replied softly. Ashley and Debbie both wiped away tears as they watched the father and son interaction. Mr. Brooks patted Jimmy on the shoulder, stood up and walked over to his wife. "You okay?", Ashley asked an emotional Jimmy. He nodded slightly and smiled. "Are you ready to do this?", she questioned, rubbing little circles on his back. Jimmy looked up at Ashley in way she'd never seen before. "Absolutely", he grinned and rolled ahead of her.

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"Next we have a piece by an up-and-coming artist", the gallery owner announced as he stood next to the curtain covered wall. "This is 'Full Circle' by Mr. Jimmy Brooks", he said, unveiling a spiral shaped circle of different sized canvasses. The crowd clapped and cheered loudly, all except Ashley, who stood frozen next to Jimmy, starring at the largest picture, hanging in the center of the spiral. "That's me?", she gasped inquizzitively as Jimmy grabbed her limp hand.

"Of course it's you...you're the center of my universe", he chuckled, pulling on her hand so she would follow him. Ashley rolled her eyes at his last comment...a little embarrassed that Jimmy always seemed to put her on this imaginary pedestal. "All these pictures represent something significant in my life, some more than the others", Jimmy explained waiving at the varying sized paintings. There was one of basketball and net, one of the the instruments in the band, one of a gun being fired...but they all ended up pointing to the center...to Ashley.

"Everything that's happened to me, every decision I've made...changed my life, but it also brought me back to you", Jimmy stated caressing Ashley's hand. "You're my reason, my inspiration, my life, Ash. You made me whole again, and I thank you", he added, pulling her down for a kiss. Ashley was so overcome with emotion, she grabbed onto Jimmy's shoulder as she rose. "If that got to you, you might want to sit for the next part", a nervous Jimmy chuckled as he wiped his sweaty palms on his pants, then pulled Ashley onto his lap.

Ashley looked at Jimmy questionably as the gallery owner unveiled a computer screen next to the exhibit. "Dad...Chris...Lyssi?", Ashley gasped as the image of her father, step-father and little sister came onto the screen. "Sorry we couldn't be there for this Sweeie...we love you", Robert Kerwin stated with a big smile while Chris and Alyssa waived. "Congratulations Jimmy", he added, with a slight nod. Jimmy nodded back a thank you.

Ashley was watching her mom, Jeff and the Brooks' stand next to the video screen and the curious group of family and friends, move closer; she never saw Jimmy reach into his jacket pocket. Ashley turned to him and saw the black velvet box, in his hand. Her hands immediately covered her face and happy tears fell down her cheeks. "Ash?", he asked concernedly. Ashley chuckled and removed her hands.

Jimmy smiled and opened the lid of the box, revealing the most brilliant two karat princesses cut diamond ring, Ashley had ever seen. She was about to say something. "Don't, please let me do this before I lose my nerve", he said, picking the ring up between two fingers and taking a deep breath. "Ashley Elizabeth Kerwin...will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?", Jimmy asked, surprisingly calm. "The honor, is all mine", she sniffled, pressing her lips to his, for what seemed like minutes. The couple broke away as the crowd cheered.

"I thought you'd never ask", Ashley joked as Jimmy slipped the ring on her finger. "Well you know what they say...", Jimmy started. Ashley looked from the exhibit, back to Jimmy...then down to her hand and nodded, "Good things come to those who wait".

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My final note...Yeah I know, the ending was pretty corny...but I couldn't help myself, it seemed like the right way to end it. I hope everyone enjoyed it...I sure had fun writing it. I have a few more ideas in my head, for future fics...but they'll have to wait until winter break(possibly later), with the holidays and school, life is just crazy right now. So farewell for now!!!!

Okay...so I'm not sure of Ashley's middle name, so I made it up, if it's wrong, I'm sorry. Also, there are a bunch of great JimAsh videos out there and I took some of the dialogue from the wonderful songs, those videos are set to.

A little rant...I'm a little disappointed at the negativity the last episode got, a lot of people said how boring or lame it was. I thought it was great, it showed the deep friendship between the '06 classmates and especially between Spinner and Jimmy. I'm really glad they got to do a serious episode together...and Spinner totally rocked when he saved Jimmy from that creep. But then again, what's not to love...all my favorite charaters were on(Jim, Ash, Spin, Paige, El, Marco and Dylan)...so I was in heaven. I also loved the chemistry between Melissa and Aubrey...those two are awesome together. I swear, I think Ashley touched, kissed or hugged Jimmy more, just in that episode, then Hazel did the entire time they were dating...and when Ash smacked him on the arm...priceless!

Reviewers...To all of those who reviewed this story, thank you, so very much!!!! Ktgymchick... I'm so glad you liked it, thanks for reading and for all of the great reviews. Raina-Bess...what can I say, you've been with me from the very beginning. Thank you for being a loyal reader and sticking with this story and for the many wonderful reviews. Theyoungandthehopeless...I'm so glad you've enjoyed my story...each and every review is special, so thank you.

Disclaimer...as usual, Degrassi is not mine...and 'True' belongs to Spandau Ballet.