January 14 2002

It was the next day after Desmond and Ashley had a great time spending the day with Ashley's family, Fliehr was very happy that she got to spend time with her family just like the old times.

However, Desmond's father actually called his son at one point, but Desmond didn't notice the call nor heard his phone ring, He only found out once he arrived at home, For the night, Desmond couldn't stop thinking about why his father called him so suddenly after months, Maybe Andrew just wanted to speak to him.

The sun rises as the time was eight a.m, Desmond was seen sitting in the living room while taking a phone call from work, Crowe hanged up the phone and began watching the news until he decided to check on his wife who was in the kitchen.

Desmond smiled and made his way to the kitchen, He saw Ashley preparing spaghetti as she noticed her husband and had a huge smile on her face. She picked up the plate and smiled at him.

Ashley: Breakfast is ready.

Desmond couldn't help but smile as Ashley giggled until Crowe told her to wait as he quickly walked away, leaving Ashley confused but also curious.

He returned with a camera as Ashley looked surprised before he opened the camera and smiled at her.

Desmond: Do that pose again, I want to take a picture of you.

Ashley: *Laughs* Really?

Desmond smiled and shook his head, He aimed the camera as Ashley posed while holding the plate of the spaghetti, Desmond was looking at her and wanted her to smile for the picture.

Desmond: You look beautiful.

As soon as he said that, Ashley had a huge smile on her as Desmond took the picture, Ashley continued smiling at him as Crowe looked at the picture and looked at her.

Desmond: It looks great, For some reason, I just really wanted to take a picture of you.

Ashley: Can I look at the picture?

He nodded and showed the picture to her through the camera as Ashley had a huge smile on her face before kissing his cheek.

Ashley: I like it, You should be my photographer.

Desmond: I would love to, Besides, you always look like a model.

Ashley: Awww, you flatter me.

Desmond smiled and kissed her cheek. Soon, both of them took their plates and sat at the living room while eating and watching TV together, Eventually after they were done, Ashley was watching a comedy show as she was laughing at some of the funny parts, However she noticed Desmond was looking at his phone as she looked at him, He seemed like he was thinking about something.

Ashley: Is everything okay, Desmond?

Desmond: *Looks at her* Oh yeah, everything is okay.

Ashley: Are you sure? Do you want to call your father?

Desmond was silent for a few seconds before he shook his head.

Desmond: I do, but I don't know if I should.

Ashley: *Places her hand on his shoulder* You should try talking to him, Maybe it could be important.

Desmond sighed and looked at his phone again, but he decided to finally call his father as Ashley closed the TV and watched him, After two rings, the phone was immediately answered.

Andrew: *On Call* Hello, Desmond?

Desmond: *On Call* Hey, dad. . . Sorry if I didn't call you yesterday, I was a bit busy.

Andrew: *On Call* i figured. . . . How are you?

Desmond; I'm doing good, What about you?

Andrew: I'm doing fine. . . I haven't heard from you for a long time.

Desmond: Since I moved out, I'm been mostly busy with work, Life got a lot busier, honestly.

Andrew: I see. . . How is Ashley doing?

Desmond looked at Ashley before he replied to his father.

Desmond: She's doing fine as well.

Ashley decided to get up and let Desmond talk privately, Desmond really missed talking to his father, and hearing his voice again made him feel different.

Desmond: How are Mom and Anastasia?

Andrew: They're also doing okay. . . Desmond, Can I tell you something?

Desmond: Sure, Dad, what is it?

Andrew: *Sighs* I know you're still mad about everything that happened three months ago, To be honest, I was also disappointed of Jane and Ana. . .

Desmond was silent and remembered the incident, which made him sigh to himself as he continued listening to his father.

Andrew: But it felt odd without you in the house, I know somewhere in your life you were supposed to move out, but. . . I didn't expect like this, I didn't want you to move out in bad terms. . .

Desmond: Dad. . . . I'm not angry at anyone.

Andrew: Deep down, I know you're still angry, but please, can I see you again?

It broke Desmond's heart from the way his father convinced him to come and visit them again, Desmond never saw his father feel emotional and seeing this broke his heart, Now Desmond really felt like he wanted to see them again.

Andrew: Please tell Ashley I'm sorry. . . I just want to see both of you again.

Desmond: Dad, you don't need to apologise. . . I'll visit you tonight.

Desmond could hear how relieved his father sounded after hearing that as Andrew spoke to him.

Andrew: Okay, Kiddo. I'll be waiting for you.

Desmond had a smile on his face, hearing his father call him "Kiddo" again, He hung up the phone as Crowe called Ashley as she quickly walked towards the living room.

Ashley: Hey, is everything alright?

Desmond: Yeah, Ashley. It's just that my father hasn't spoken to me since I left, and he really wants us to visit home.

Ashley was silent and listened to him as Desmond took a deep breath and looked at her.

Desmond: I was thinking that we could visit them tonight. . . If you dont-

Ashley: Of course we can, I understand your family wants to see you again.

She had a small smile on her face. However, she remembered that Jane and Anastasia were going to be there, Ashley didn't really want to face them, but in the end, just to make Desmond happy. She had to do this

Desmond: *Smiles* Alright, We will be leaving tonight.

She smiled and nodded before joining him on the couch as Crowe wrapped his arm around her as Ashley was smiling at him.

[At Night]

Ashley was seen fixing her outfit while looking at herself in the mirror and had a smile on her face.

She looked at her face in the mirror to see if her makeup was fine as Ashley grabbed her purse and left the room, though she was feeling a bit nervous about this. She saw Desmond, who was waiting for her as He had a huge smile on his face, seeing how beautifully dressed she was.

Eventually, They both got in the car as Desmond started the car and began driving, Ashley was staring at him and noticed how happy yet a bit upset because of his mother and sister.

Ashley began holding his hand, Desmond was focused on the road but smiled as he began holding her hand, which made Ashley giggle to herself.

Later on, They finally reached the house as both of them were staring at the house before smiling at each other.

Ashley: Haha, wow, the house kind of changed in three months, or is it just me?

Desmond: *Chuckles* It does look a little different, It also gives me nostalgia.

They laughed a little before they held hands and walked towards the front door as Crowe pressed on the doorbell and waited. However, Ashley was feeling more nervous, but Desmond's presence was keeping her calm.

The door opened, and it was revealed to be Jane, Desmond and Ashley stared at her as Jane looked at both of them in shock.

Jane: Desmond?. . . Ashley?

Desmond: Hey Mom. . . Dad wanted us to visit-

Jane hugged Desmond tightly as Ashley was looking at both of them and had a small smile on her face, Despite everything, she knew how much Jane loves Desmond and must have missed him.

Desmond was stunned by the sudden hug, but he hugged his mother as Jane kissed his cheek.

Jane: I missed you so much, Desmond! I'm so glad you visited again.

Desmond: *Smiles* I missed you as well, Mom.

Jane looked at Ashley and felt a bit awkward, Fliehr just smiled a little and walked in the house with Desmond.

Desmond and Ashley entered the living room and saw Andrew, who was sitting until he saw both of them as he immediately got up and hugged Desmond.

Andrew: I missed seeing you, Kiddo. How come you got so old in three months?

Desmond: *Laughs* What do you mean? I'm not old.

Andrew: I feel like I'm younger than you.

Ashley and Desmond couldn't help but laugh, They really missed hearing Andrew's jokes as Fliehr looked at Andrew.

Ashley: You know, Mister Crowe. You always look young no matter how old you get.

Andrew laughed and gave Ashley a hug, She had a huge smile on her face and hugged him back as Jane was watching them with a huge smile on her face.

Andrew: Seriously, I'm so happy that you two finally visited.

Desmond: I'm really happy as well, I missed seeing you Dad.

Andrew: Same here, Desmond.

Jane: *Smiles* Desmond, Ana is here.

Desmond: Wait, really? Even Mark is here?

Jane: Actually, she came over two days ago because Mark had a quick business trip to London.

Desmond nodded and shook his head until they all heard footsteps and saw Anastasia, who had a huge smile on her face when she saw Desmond.

Ashley stared at her and began remembering everything that Ana said to her, Even Jane wasn't that much of a problem to Ashley, but Ana's words hurted Ashley the most.

Anastasia: Big brother!!!

She ran and hugged Desmond tightly, Crowe had a small smile on his face and hugged his sister, Ashley just looked at both of them as Ana said something.

Anastasia: I really missed you, Where have you been? How is everything going?

Desmond: Everything has been going fine, Ana. Life just got busier.

Anastasia smiled before she looked at Ashley as both of them were staring at each other. Definitely, Ana did not seem too happy seeing her again, and so was Ashley.

Ashley gave a stare to her before they both smiled and greeted each other.

Soon, everyone was sitting and talking to each other, Anastasia was in the kitchen, cooking dinner while the others were having a nice chit chat together.

Jane got up to check on Ana while Ashley also got up to see what they were doing, Just when Ashley was about to enter, She heard them talking to each other.

Jane: It feels good seeing Desmong again.

Anastasia: I agree, though I should have expected Ashley to come with him.

Jane: Of course she would come, That's his wife.

Anastasia: More like the person that made Desmond drift away from us.

Jane: I know, she caused Desmond to leave this home in bad terms. Had she never told him, things would have been okay.

Anastasia: I feel like she's manipulating him with her love, Don't you think, Mom?

For the first time, Ashley felt her blood boil as she continued staring at them.

Jane: *Sighs* That could be true, Though I could never forget the warning we got from Alex and Chris, I know she's gonna their name as an advantage.

Anastasia: Agreed, but hey, I'm not scared of them.

Ashley gave a "really" look and continued listening to them.

Jane: Same here, but I don't want more drama in the house, It's gonna cause Desmond hating us even more, I didn't expect Desmond to fall for her so hard.

Anastasia: Like I said, I still blame Ashley for what happened-

Ashley: *Smiles and enters* Hey, what are two cooking at the moment?

Ana and Jane immediately turned around and gave kind smiles, but Ashley knew it was a fake smile.

Jane: Right now, Anastasia is cooking steak for everyone.

Anastasia: That's right, I hope you like it, Ash.

Ashley; Ooooh, Since when did you start cooking, Ana? Three months ago?

Anastasia and Jane looked shocked as Ashley was smiling at them.

Ana felt offended by her words but tried to keep her cool as she just laughed it off.

Anastasia: Uhhh not at all, I always cooked for the family.

Ashley; I know that, Anastasia. And Miss Crowe, I wasn't expecting to see you in the kitchen either.

Jane felt nervous, knowing that Ashley still remembers what happened three months ago, For some reason, Ashley didn't feel nervous like before, She felt stronger and didn't take any of their words to her heart.

Ashley: Do you want me to help both of you?

Anastasia: Oh its fine, We don't need any help.

Ashley: *Smiles* Okay, Is Alex and Chris coming over?

Both of them suddenly felt nervous when they heard Alex and Chris's name, but they laughed and smiled at Ashley.

Jane: I don't think so, honey. They are probably taking care of their wives at the moment.

Ashley: Maybe we should invite all of them-

Anastasia: No no no no, They could be busy, you know?

Ashley: *Laughs* You're probably right about that, Oh and Anastasia, Your using too much oil for the steak.

Anastasia: Ummm, what?

Jane: Oh gosh, that's too much, Ana.

Anastasia felt her blood boiling when Ashley pulled out her mistakes, Ashley just looked at them and walked away, She knew both of them got scared when they heard Chris and Alex's name. Another reason was that Anastasia didn't want to cook for more people.

Soon, Ashley sat with Desmond and Andrew as they continued talking to each other.

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