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Ashlyn and Maddox had been apart for 6 months. Despite Gina’s efforts, Quinn stayed firm in her decision to film Romeo and Juliet in New Zealand. So, just hours after opening night of HSM 3 and Ashlyn and Maddox’s heartfelt confession, the two had to say a quick and emotional goodbye, but not before Ashlyn asked Maddox to officially be her girlfriend, to which she tearfully accepted. They promised each other that they would FaceTime everyday for those six months, and when they couldn't FaceTime, they would call, and when they couldn't call, you could find them texting back and forth for god knows how long. But no amount of calls or texts or letters sent could make up for six months without Maddox’s touch. Some days were harder than others, but they were able to get through it together, even though thousands of miles away from each other.
Now, the wait is finally over. Romeo and Juliet had wrapped filming the previous weekend, and the cast and crew would be returning to Salt Lake, which meant that Ashlyn would finally see Maddox again after all this time apart.
Ashlyn, EJ, Ricky, Jet, Kourtney, and Carlos all came to meet Maddox and Gina at the airport. They stand outside of the terminal where Maddox and Gina’s flight would be arriving. Ashlyn's heart beats rapidly with anticipation, her fingers tapping on the sign that she made the night before, which reads ‘GADGET!!!’ in big, green letters, decorated with hearts and stars.
“Does anyone see them?” Ricky asks, who was also impatiently waiting for his girlfriend. He lifts himself up on his tippy toes, trying to peer over the crowds of people.
“No,” Jet sighs. “Maddox texted me, like, 20 minutes ago that they got off the plane. They’re probably still going through customs.”
“Ughhh, curse customs and its unbearably long lines!” Ashlyn groans to no one in particular. “I just want to see my girlfriend, dammit!”
EJ steps forward, placing a hand on his cousin’s shoulder. “And you will, Ash. Just give it a bit more time!”
Ashlyn huffs. “Alright. I mean, I’ve already waited 6 months. What's another half hour?” she chuckles.
After another 15 minutes of waiting (which felt like an eternity in Ash’s eyes), and a lot of nervous pacing, Ashlyn feels a buzz coming from her back pocket. She scrambles for her phone, accidentally dropping her sign in the process. Unlocking it, a text from Maddox illuminates the screen.
Maddy💕: We just got out of customs and we’re heading to baggage claim! We’ll be there soon! I can’t wait to see you, my moon!❤️❤️
Ashlyn can’t help but smile at the text and she feels her heart skip a beat. She's almost here.
“Is that Maddox? I see that smile of yours, Ash!” Carlos is suddenly at her side. “What did she say, I see heartsss !” he adds in a sing-songy tone.
Ashlyn ignores Carlos’s teasing. “She says that she and Gina will be here soon! They just got through customs,” Ashlyn recounts.
“Oh! Fabulous! I’ll go tell the others!” Carlos claps excitedly before turning to the rest of the group.
Ashlyn chuckles and picks up her sign, holding it in one hand with her phone in the other. She hearts Maddox's message and texts her a quick response.
Great!! I can't wait to see you again Maddy💖💖
Ashlyn sends the message, heart thrumming with excitement. Maddox would be right here in front of her. She wouldn't have to hear her voice or see her face coming through a phone screen anymore. She would finally be able to hold her and kiss her again. The very thought of that alone makes Ashlyn blush.
After another long 10 minutes or so before Ashlyn hears Ricky's voice somewhere to her left.
“Guys, they're on their way down! Gina just texted me!”
Ashlyn's heart soars with excitement. She's coming. She's almost here.
She’s almost here!
Ashlyn’s eyes spend the next few minutes darting around the exit lobby, hoping to catch a glimpse of Maddox or Gina. There are lots of people in the lobby, so they might be difficult to spot.
“I see them!” Jet smiles
“Where?” Ashlyn whips her head around the room, trying to see Maddox or Gina. Then, she saw her. Ashlyn isn’t able to take her eyes off Maddox as she and Gina descend down the escalator. Neither of them have seen her or the rest of the group yet. Ashlyn holds her sign up and steps towards the two, hoping that one of them will see the bright green letters.
Maddox! Gina! We’re over here!” Ricky calls. He is now also slightly in front of the group.
Ashlyn follows Ricky’s lead. She stands on her toes to be heard over the crowd. “Maddox!”
Maddox is off the escalator when she hears Ashlyn’s voice. She turns towards them and Ashlyn can’t help but tear up at the way Maddox’s face lights up when she sees her.
“Ash!”
Maddox runs forward and Ashlyn eagerly meets her in the middle, her sign abandoned on the floor behind her. Ashlyn’s arms go around Maddox’s waist and she spins her around, unable to contain her pure happiness. Maddox laughs in her ear and Ashlyn laughs with her. Putting her down, Ashlyn holds Maddox tight, savoring the moment.
“You’re here.” Maddox breathes the words into Ashlyn’s shoulder, tears evident in her voice.
“I’m here.” Ashlyn kisses Maddox on the side of her head, pulling away from their embrace to finally plant a kiss on Maddox’s lips. It was short and sweet, but still so full of longing. Maddox pulls away and rests her forehead against Ashlyn’s
“I missed you so, so much Ash,” Maddox sniffles, smiling.
Ashlyn cups Maddox’s cheek in her hand, wiping away a stray tear. “I missed you too, Maddy. More than anything.”
Maddox falls into Ashlyn's arms again, and they hold each other. For a moment, them being together again was the only thing that mattered.