Ashling

In the first twelve hours, she was paralyzed; she didn’t know what to do. She was in an American immigration detention facility. She had a bunk bed, a toilet, and a sink. She also had zero ideas how to get out of this.

She’d called Aunt Theone and the woman was happily letting her get deported.

Ash had been picked up on a Saturday night, fight night, and it was now Sunday night. The last twenty-four hours had been so confusing. She was terrified. She didn’t know her rights. Those worries were at the top of her mind. The fact that Theone had orchestrated this somehow and had sold the shop out from under her was secondary.

Could they keep her locked up?

By Sunday night she did have that answer. Yes, they could keep her locked up. She did find out a little from the guards. Monday the authorities would look over her case and likely schedule her to be deported. She was told that the people who decided her fate were off on the weekends.

She spent the second night in the lockup alone. She had no way to get to Jessie. No phone. And she wouldn’t until Monday.

Monday came, and she realized she hadn’t slept since Friday night, nor had she showered. They had given her food, but she was too upset to eat it. The morning went slowly. She must not have been first on the list of whoever was in charge.

They brought her lunch on a tray that she couldn’t eat.

“Can you find out when I’ll see the immigration officer? I thought it was going to be in the morning.”

“I’ll bring you when they call for you. No sooner.” Ash continued to wait.

Finally, it had to be around three in the afternoon when the guard returned.

“You’re a very skinny person, you really should eat,” the guard said but also opened her cell.

“Am I free?”

“That’s what we’re going to find out. You’re up.”

They walked from the detention part of the building to an area that looked more like offices. She worried that she didn’t have an attorney or a shower or a clue how to explain that Theone was out to get her and this was a misunderstanding.

She straightened her hair; it had to be a wild mess. She probably was too. Ash struggled to collect her thoughts. She needed to ask for a lawyer, a phone, and then she didn’t know what next.

The guard opened the door to the immigration office. A man sat behind a bench, like a judge. Would she have a trial or something right here? Is that how they did things in America? She didn’t have a lawyer. She couldn’t pay for a lawyer. She swallowed hard.

Whatever it was she’d handle it, dammit. She’d state her case, explain that it was a mistake, and it would work out. It had to.

The guard ushered her to a table.

“Judge, I can explain this is a terrible mistake.”

“It’s a serious mistake and one I sure hope you don’t take lightly, Miss Byrne.”

“I don’t. I’m sick about it.”

The doors opened again, and there was some commotion.

“I’m sorry, Judge, this man says he’s . . .”

She had to blink to be sure she wasn’t hallucinating. It was Jessie and Craddock.

“What the hell is going on here? This is my fiancée,” Jessie said, and she wasn’t sure what to say or do. She wasn’t sure what would make things worse or better.

“Your fiancée?” The judge looked at her with the question.

“Uh, yes,” she said. Jessie walked closer to her and took her hand. She wanted to cry, collapse, or jump into his arms. Jessie was there. Thank God.

“Do you have a marriage license? You realize marrying to escape deportation is the oldest trick in the book and a felony?” The judge said to Jessie and her.

“I realize that. This is my fiancée, and no we don’t have a license, but you can be damn sure I’m getting one today.” Craddock put a hand on Jessie, who looked madder than she’d ever seen him. Ash realized how easy it would be for authorities to throw them all in jail.

“Aren’t you Craddock Flynn?” The judge asked.

“Yes.”

“I love your movies.”

“Thanks.”

“Look, are these two in love, getting married, all that, or is this a plan to get Miss Byrne out of this mess she’s in? Answer very carefully, Mr. Flynn. You can be charged as well if you’re helping them commit fraud against the U.S. government.”

“These two are in love, completely, and disgustingly. The only crime here is that the lovely Miss Byrne has to suffer through his bad jokes for all eternity. I wouldn’t lie to you, sir. This is a done deal.”

“Mr. Flynn, you better be telling the truth.”

Craddock nodded, and Ash felt herself getting very dizzy. Lack of food and sleep and a surplus of adrenaline were taking a toll. The judge looked down and wrote something on a piece of paper.

“I’ve signed an order for your release, Miss Byrne. You may proceed directly to the Wayne County Courthouse and get your marriage license. It will be good for 33 days and valid in all counties of the state.”

“Thanks, sir.” She was still as confused as when she entered the office. Did she just agree to be married? Was this really happening?

“And we will be sending a monitor to be sure this is a valid and honest marriage.”

“Yes, sir,” Jessie answered the judge, but he was looking at Ash. His face was etched with worry. There were lines on his forehead she’d never seen before.

“Alright, you’re free to go.”

Jessie and Craddock supported her on each side. She put one unsteady foot after another on the steps of the building and by the time she got to the last one her legs gave out. Jessie was there and caught her before she hit the ground. He scooped her up into his arms and carried her to the truck.

“Take a breath, honey. We’re not done. We have a marriage license to get.”

“You aren’t really going to do that? You don’t have to do that. I mean.” She didn’t know what else to say.

“I love you. You love me. We’re getting married.”

“That’s not a proposal,” Craddock said, not too quietly, into Jessie’s ear.

Jessie shrugged him off and got down on one knee on the sidewalk as Ash looked down at him from her perch in the truck.

“Ashling Byrne, will you marry me?” Jessie looked at her with those intense eyes. He cared for her more than anyone had in her entire life. And he let her have her life. Plus, here he was, coming to her rescue in her worst hour.

There really was no doubt in her mind about her answer.

“Yes, Jessie, I will. I love you.” He bent down and kissed her hand.

“This is beautiful,” she heard Craddock say, and it made her laugh.

“I only have one question,” she said.

“Go ahead,” Jessie said, and he stood up again.

“Did you win the fight?”

Jessie moved forward and wrapped her in a tight hug.

“Yes, yes, I beat the shit out of him.”

“Real romantic, Jessie.” Flynn left them for his own vehicle. Ash had a million questions, but they would wait until after they took care of business at the courthouse. They had a marriage license to get.