October 1 2001

A few days have passed, and everything is going good for everyone, The time was two p.m as Ashley was speaking to her mother on the phone, She really missed speaking to her parents and wanted to catch up with them.

Elizabeth: *On Call* How is everything going, sweetheart?

Ashley: It's going fine. Thanks, mom. I just miss being at home.

Elizabeth: I understand how you feel, but you don't really have to miss it.

Ashley: May I ask why?

Elizabeth: Because where you're living is home. Make yourself feel like that is your home.

Ashley had a smile on her face as she was listening to her mother.

Elizabeth: You have three homes, Ashley, and always make it feel like home

Ashley: *Smiles* But technically, I have two?

Elizabeth: Well, what if you and Desmond move out and live alone as a married couple? That counts as your third home.

Ashley: You're right about that. . . It just feels tough, though.

She was mentioning Jane and Anastasia's behaviour towards her, Ashley didn't want to tell her mother about it because she didn't want to worry her family.

Elizabeth: Ashley, I also had the same feeling when I got married. I once argued with my parents that I didn't want to leave home and marry someone, It was difficult to adjust, but now I'm living twenty-three years of a happy marriage

Ashley couldn't help but smile as she could her mother's words in her, Maybe someday she will be able to adjust to her new life.

Ashley: I'm always happy to have you and Dad, You two, along with Michael, Benjamin, Emma, Racheal, and Thomas, are my biggest supporters

Elizabeth: *Giggles* We are always there for you, Ashley.

Ashley smiled and continued speaking to her mother until she decided to hang up as Ashley was looking at the telephone while thinking about her mother.

Soon, Fliehr went to the kitchen to eat something, She placed a plate by the counter and was about to grab a piece of bread, Until the plate tilted and fell on the ground as there was a loud sound.

Ashley was in shock and looked at the shattered plate and knew she didn't place the plate properly which caused it to fall, Ashley was gonna pick it up until Anastasia rushed to the kitchen as Ashley looked at her.

Anastasia: What did you do, Ashley?

Ashley: Ana, I'm sorry, but the plate broke, I'm gonna clean it-

Anastasia: Seriously!? How can you be so stupid?

Ashley: Excuse me!?

Anastasia: You don't know how expensive the set was, Do you even know how to be careful?

Ashley: Ana, I'm sorry-

Anastasia: No, you clean it up NOW! You probably don't even the worth of money.

Ashley was shocked by what she was saying to her and felt she was gonna cry. Suddenly, someone entered the kitchen, and it was Alex as Ashley was scared.

Alex: Hey, what's going on?

Anastasia: Ashley broke a plate! She doesn't even know how to handle her own house.

Ashley looked at the ground and was holding her tears, Alex looked at Ashley before he looked at Anastasia in anger.

Alex: Okay, She broke a plate, then what was the point of saying all of that!?

Anastasia was silent while Ashley looked shocked as Alex yelled at her again, which startled Ashley.

Alex: Say that again, I dare you!

Anastasia didn't speak as Alex was glaring at her, She felt a bit startled as well until she walked away, which made Alex angrier, but he managed to stay calm and looked at Ashley.

Alex: Hey, it's not a big deal, Ash. It was just an accident

Ashley was silent as Alex looked at her and slowly walked towards her until he noticed she was starting to cry as Ambrose was shocked.

Alex: Hey, why are you crying?

Ashley: I. . . Can't believe she said that.

Alex: Look, don't listen to her, I don't know what gotten into her today.

Ashley; I'm scared. . . . .

Alex: Why?

Ashley: If she tells Desmond. . . He's gonna be really angry at me.

Alex: No, He won't be angry at you. He's not like that, Ashley.

Ashley was crying as Alex felt bad for her and rubbed her back as Fliehr was trying to hold her tears as Alex spoke to her.

Alex: It's okay, Ashley. It's not your fault, okay? Just forget about what Anastasia said, I'll speak to her later.

Ashley: No no. . . Its okay. . Just forget about it.

Alex: I'll clean this up.

Ashley: Alex, Its fine. I can do it. . .

Alex: It's okay, Just drink some water and rest up and again, Don't worry about Desmond. He won't get angry at you.

He reassured her as Ashley just nodded and walked away, Alex picked up the broken pieces of the plates and threw it away until he saw Monica as they both looked at each other.

Monica: I heard what happened, Is everything okay?

Alex: Anastasia is crazy, I don't get what's her problem.

Monica: I don't get it either, Why did she get so angry at Ashley for breaking a plate which is not even her fault?

Alex: *Sighs* I don't even know.

Monica: Should we speak to Desmond about this?

Alex: Not now, He's coming home early, so we will let him know about it.

Monica nodded as both of them walked away as they were thinking about what had happened.

An hour has passed as Ashley was seen in her room, looking at the ceiling to make sure she didn't cry or slip a tear.

Anastasia's words hurt her, and now Ashley was starting to think it was her fault, But right now she was worried and scared about Desmond. What would his reaction be?

Ashley covered her face as she was trying her best not to cry, She didn't even know what the time was now. She felt like she was sitting here for hours.

Although, Unknown to her, someone opened the door, and it was revealed to be Desmond, who arrived home five minutes ago, Alex and Monica told him about what happened in the kitchen.

Anastasia went out to buy groceries with Jane, Desmond decided to speak to Ashley as He noticed Ashley hasn't noticed he was in the room yet, But Crowe felt hurt in the inside when he saw her like this.

Desmond: Ashley. . .

Ashley immediately looked at Desmond as She quickly wiped her face and got up, Desmond noticed her face was puffy as he felt sad.

Ashley: Desmond, Sorry I didn't see you.

Ashley was silent as Desmond walked towards her and touched her cheek, Ashley looked into his brown eyes as Desmond continued staring at her.

Desmond: Why are you crying?

Ashley felt like something was stuck in her throat, She was silent for a few seconds until she started crying and slowly fell on her knees as Desmond felt sad and sat on the ground while touching her shoulder.

Desmond: Ashley. . . Its not a big deal, okay? Why are you crying over something like that?

Ashley: I wasn't expecting this. . . .

Desmond: Please don't cry. . . It doesn't suit you.

Crowe pulled her close and began caressing her back as Ashley continued crying but also felt comforted by him.

Desmond: I know what she said, and She took it too far, I understand Alex and Monica's anger right now, Even Chris and Danielle heard about this and are angry.

Ashley was silent as she hugged Desmond tightly, Desmond continued hugging her as he kissed the top of her head.

Desmond: I'm going to speak to Anastasia when she gets home, But right now. Don't cry, okay?

Ashley: *Looks at Desmond* You're not angry at me, Right?

Desmond: Of course, I'm not angry at you. I already said it, You didn't do anything wrong.

He wiped her cheek as Ashley continued looking at him as Desmond looked at her.

Desmond: I don't like seeing you like this, Ashley.

She continued staring at him as Desmond touched her cheek and spoke to her.

Desmond: I always want to come home seeing your beautiful smile. Now please smile for me.

She had a smile on her face as Crowe felt happy and smiled at her, They both felt their heart beating faster as Ashley spoke to him.

Ashley: Thank you, Desmond. . .

Desmond: It's okay, You're my wife after all.

Ashley: . . . . I love you.

Desmond looked at her in shock as he felt his heart beating even faster, This was the first time she said that to him since their wedding day, Crowe looked into her eyes and smiled at her as The same words came out of his mouth.

Desmond: I love you too, Ashley.

They both continued staring at each other as they smiled while holding hands.

A/N: Thank you so much for reading and stay strong!!! :)