January 13 2002

It is the day where Ashley and Desmond are going to meet Ashley's friends and family for lunch today, Both of them were already excited to meet the family and friends, Desmond also invited Alex, Monica, Chris and Danielle to visit them at the family's House.

Right now, Ashley and Desmond were getting ready as Fliehr was fixing her hair as she smiled and looked at herself in the mirror.

She smiled to herself as Ashley quickly left the room to find Desmond, Crowe was speaking to Chris on the phone as Ashley entered the living room and looked at Desmond.

Desmond: Yeah, Chris. I'll reach in fifteen minutes, Ashley and i are about to leave-

Desmond was silent as He was stunned by Ashley's look as Ashley had a huge smile on her face, Crowe realised he was still in the call as he quickly said "bye" and hung up the call as he looked at Ashley.

Desmond: I'm speechless. . . .

Ashley: *Smiles* How do I look?

Desmond: Gorgeous. . . I couldn't even speak to Chris after I saw you.

Ashley laughed as Desmond smiled and continued admiring her as She spinned around, which made Desmond chuckle.

Desmond: Ready to go, Ash?

Ashley: Yup, just let me get my bag.

She smiled and quickly went back to the room as Crowe was waiting for her. Eventually, Ashley returned with her bag as both of them left the house and got in the car as Desmond began driving away.

Later on, They arrived at the house as Ashley was gonna open the car door until Desmond stopped her by grabbing her hand as she looked at him.

Desmond: I'll open it myself, sweetheart.

Ashley: Awww, Desmond, you're so sweet.

Desmond chuckled and got out of the car and opened the door for Ashley as She got out of the car and smiled at him.

Desmond pressed on the doorbell as the couple was waiting until someone opened the door and its revealed to be Elizabeth.

Elizabeth had a huge smile on her face as Ashley hugged her mother tightly as Elizabeth hugged her back.

Ashley: Mom! It's so good to see you again.

Elizabeth: I'm so happy to see you, Ashley. I missed you so much.

Desmond had a smile on his face as Elizabeth kissed her daughter's forehead before they broke the hug as Elizabeth and Desmond shared a hug as well.

Elizabeth: My handsome son in law is here.

Desmond chuckled nervously and slightly blushed, which made Elizabeth and Ashley laugh, The couple entered the house as Ashley had a huge smile on her face and looked around the house.

Desmond: Home sweet home, right?

Ashley: *Laughs* That's right!

???: Ashley! You're here!

Michael was smiling as Ashley had a huge smile on her face and ran towards him before hugging her best friend as Elizabeth and Desmond were smiling as McMahon laughed and hugged her back.

Michael: I missed you a lot, Sis. Even though we already met last month, haha.

Ashley: *Smiles* I missed you and everyone else as well. It's good to be back.

Michael: For sure, and where is Romeo at?

Desmond: *Laughs* Are you still gonna call me that?

Michael: It fits you very well, Desmond, Hahaha. It's good to see you as well

Desmond and Michael shared a hug until they saw Robert with a huge smile on his face as Ashley ran to her father and hugged him tightly.

Robert: I'm gonna call every relative now, My daughter is back in my house.

Ashley had a huge smile on her face as Robert kissed the top of her head as Desmond greeted his father in law.

Elizabeth quickly went to the kitchen as Desmond, Ashley and Robert were sitting in the living room while talking to each other until they heard the doorbell ringing as Desmond got up to open the door as he saw who it was.

Alex: Wow, you arrived earlier than us.

Chris: I called you, and you said you were coming in fifteen minutes?

Desmond: *Laughs* I arrive on time, guys.

Alex and Chris laughed and entered the house as Monica and Danielle had a smile on their face and followed them inside.

Danielle: Hopefully, we weren't late.

Monica: That's right. Hopefully, we didn't keep anyone waiting.

Robert: It's fine, actually. You arrived on time.

Ashley: *Smiles* Come sit with us.

They all smiled and sat on the couch as Monica was looking at her baby bump as Robert said something.

Robert: Is Monica and the baby healthy so far?

Alex: *Smiles* Yeah, last week we went for a checkup, and thankfully, it's going good.

Robert: That's amazing to hear, What about Danielle?

Chris: Yesterday, we went to the hospital for a checkup, and both of them are doing good so far.

Danielle: Yeah, I never realised this is what Monica was going through.

Monica: *Laughs* Finally, you realised.

They shared a laugh together as Elizabeth arrived at the living room with a tray of tea cups while Michael was holding a plate of biscuits and placed it on the table.

Elizabeth: Michael, When is the others arriving?

Michael: Benjamin just called me and said he was coming in five minutes.

Desmond: So everyone is late, Except me?

Alex: Tell us the shortcut

They all shared a small laugh as the family began drinking tea while eating biscuits.

Elizabeth: I made some special meals for lunch today's lunch.

Ashley: Aww, mom, you shouldn't have made too much.

Elizabeth: Why not? My daughter is coming home, and I want to make things special for you.

Robert: That's right, and I even bought your favourite cheesecake.

Ashley: Aww thanks dad and thanks mom.

Elizabeth: *Smiles* It's fine. Anyways, How is everything going for you?

Ashley: Everything is going fine honestly.

Desmond: Yeah, Ashley threatened me to order lunch and dinner last week.

Ashley: *Gasps* I didn't do that!

Michael: Wow, I never knew you were that dangerous, Ashley.

Chris: *Laughs* Did that really happen?

Everyone shared a laugh as Ashley lightly smacked Desmond's arm.

Alex: Oooof, Be careful Desmond. She might kick you out of the house if you didn't order food.

Ashley: *Laughs* I would never do that!

Monica: Just make sure you keep that in your mind, Desmond.

Desmond: *Chuckles* I will do that.

Ashley: Hahaha, stop!

Elizabeth and Robert couldn't help but smile at each other, Seeing how happy Ashley and Desmond are whenever they are together. Until they heard the doorbell ringing as Michael got up to open the door as he saw who it was.

Benjamin: We are here now!

Emma: Sorry if it took longer then expected.

Racheal: Oooooh, Everyone is already here?

Thomas: I guess we are late in the party.

Michael: Not exactly, I could say you guys are ten minutes late.

Alex: It's not issue though, Come sit down.

They had a smile on their face as the others decided to sit in the ground since there wasn't enough space on the couch as everyone was talking to each other.

Eventually, Elizabeth was preparing lunch as she needed to make sure everything was set while the others were seen talking to each other and Robert was watching TV.

Danielle: Why do I feel so hot?

Ashley; It's normal, Danielle. Don't worry about it.

Danielle: I know it was literally cold outside, And now it feels hot so suddenly.

Chris; I'll open the fan for you.

Danielle: Thanks honey.

Benjamin: Hey, Chris. Have you seen any of Danielle's cravings?

Chris: *Laughs* Nope, It hasn't started yet.

Alex: Monica has been craving for strange stuff, Hahaha.

Monica: *Laughs* No, Don't say it!

Thomas: Haha, I'm actually curious. What is it?

Alex: She wanted watermelon with chilli sause on top of it.

Monica facepalmed as everyone looked shocked while Alex was laughing.

Emma: Seriously, Monica?

Monica: I don't know, It just seemed pretty good. Hahaha.

Desmond: One time she asked me for glass of warm Pepsi. Monica told me to microwave it.

Michael: Oh no, Is that true?

Monica shrugged as everyone began laughing and continued speaking to each other.

Monica: I was also ready to pour it on the steak, Hahaha.

Ashley: Hahaha I remember you told me that.

Alex: And I remember how you overcooked the steak last month.

Ashley: Alex, Don't remind me!

Racheal: I remember that very well.

Desmond: Oh gosh, I still remember that taste.

They all began laughing as Ashley stared at everyone before looking at Desmond as he winked at her, Fliehr crossed her arms and looked away as they continued talking to each other.

Eventually, They all had lunch together as they shared laughs and were talking to each other while recalling old stories together.

When lunch was over, Elizabeth, Ashley, Racheal, Michael, Benjamin and Thomas were at the kitchen and were helping each other to clean the dishes while Robert, Desmond, Alex, Chris, Danielle and Monica were sitting at the living room.

Robert: How is Andrew and Jane doing, Desmond?

Desmond: They are doing fine actually.

Robert: Have you been visiting them?

Desmond was silent as Robert gave a kind smile to him, Crowe looked at Alex, Chris, Danielle and Monica before Crowe smiled and spoke to Robert.

Desmond: Honestly, Work has been hectic lately. I haven't gotten the time to visit them, Though I do call them in the weekends.

Robert: Oh I see, I understand that very well. I really hope everything is going well with your family.

Desmond smiled at Robert as Robert got up to go to the bathroom while the others were sitting until Desmond asked them a question.

Desmond: How are they doing anyways?

Chris: They are actually doing okay, But Jane and Anastasia still talk about you and Ashley.

Desmond: *Raises an eyebrow* Like what exactly?

Alex: No, Not in that way. I think they just miss you in general, You haven't called or visited in a long time.

Monica: Although they blamed Ashley for causing the rift between you, Jane and Ana.

Desmond: Seriously?

Danielle: That's why we got tired of their drama and went back to our home.

Desmond: What about Dad?

Alex: You know he was disappointed with Jane and Anastasia, But he hasn't really spoke about anything that happened.

Desmond: I know my dad very well, He doesn't get involved in these kind of situations, Even when it comes to his own family.

Monica: Your father is getting old, He would feel tired of hearing drama. Which is why he doesn't get involved.

Desmond: I know that very well, But is he doing okay?

Chris; I heard he's doing fine honestly.

Desmond nodded as he began thinking about something until Alex said something to him.

Alex: Hey, I did what I did, Okay?

Desmond: What do you mean?

Alex: They disrespected Ashley and took it too far, She wasn't even treated like a daughter or sister in law, They just turned her into a maid without a salary. I had to shut them up.

Desmond: I know how you felt, Alex. I felt the same way.

Chris: We didn't hesitated but I'm sorry to say this, I don't feel guilty at all.

Alex: Neither do I, If your mad at us, Just tell us, Desmond.

Desmond: Of course not, You both did the right decision and I respected that, The next day after the argument, Anastasia wanted to speak to them but for the first time in my life, I yelled at her.

They were silent as Crowe sighed to himself and continued speaking to them.

Desmond: I couldn't believe my own sister and mother would do that. . . . But hey, We went pass that.

Monica: That's true, We are sorry, Desmond.

Desmond: There is nothing to feel sorry about, I'm actually really happy living with Ashley. She can brighten up the mood anytime.

Crowe had a smile on his face as the others couldn't help but smile as Desmond continued speaking to them.

Desmond: I'm gonna do whatever I can to make her happy and love her with all my heart.

Unknown to them, Ashley was secretly listening to the conversation as she felt sad when she heard about the problem with Desmond's family, Jane and Ana's words were in Ashley's head again as all the memories were coming back. But Desmond was right about one thing, They went pass that and now they should just move on.

Ashley had a smile on her face when she heard what Desmond said to her at the end, She really hopes that this was a promise that Desmond will keep for a lifetime.

And she knows he will.

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