June 18 2001

A week has passed, and today was going to be an interesting day for Desmond and Ashley. Their parents decided to meet each other at Desmond's house to talk about him and Ashley's marriage.

Everyone was hoping the best since it was a huge risk and hoped that everything would be fine if they agreed on Desmond and Ashley's marriage.

Right now, the time was twelve p.m. as there were two cars driving towards Desmond's house as Ashley's family stopped the car, Ashley was looking at the beautiful house as she came out of the car.

Fliehr continued staring at the car until her parents came out of the car and looked at Ashley as Ashley saw her friends coming out of the other car.

Elizabeth: Honey, I can tell you're nervous right now

Ashley: *Nervously laughs* Yeah, I am. I just hope I can make a good impression.

Robert: Why are you nervous? You're Robert Fliehr's daughter, remember?

Ashley smiled at her father as Elizabeth was smiling at both of them, Robert patted Ashley's head and reassured that everything would be okay.

Ashley turned around and saw Ben, Emma, Michael, Racheal, and Thomas as Fliehr smiled at them as the family began making their way to the house.

Robert pressed on the doorbell as Ashley took a deep breath as everyone was waiting until Desmond's mother, Jane, opened the door.

Jane: Hello everyone, I'm so happy you all came here.

Elizabeth: *Smiles* Jane Crowe?

Jane: That's me, and you are Elizabeth and Robert Fliehr.

Robert: Yes, it's a pleasure meeting you, Miss Crowe.

Jane had a smile on her face and looked at Ashley, who was behind Michael as Crowe smiled at her before greeting the rest of the family.

Everyone entered the house and looked around, It was more beautiful on the inside as Ashley looked at Jane and spoke to her.

Ashley: The house looks very beautiful.

Jane: Really? Thank you so much, By the way, did I mention that you look absolutely stunning?

Ashley blushed and laughed as Jane also laughed and had a smile on her face as Ashley greeted the rest of Desmond's family.

Soon, Desmond's family and Ashley's family were all sitting and talking to each other as Emma said something.

Emma: Where is your son, by the way?

Andrew: I think he's upstairs, Probably nervous seeing a lot of people.

Racheal: *Laughs* He seems shy.

Jane: My son Desmond is really shy, actually, especially when it comes to women.

Danielle: My husband and Monica's husband helped him with his shyness, but he feels the same way sometimes.

Monica: But I love the way he runs away when he sees one of his cousin sisters.

Everyone laughed as Ashley couldn't, but smile at the thought of Desmond being shy around people, The family were talking until they heard footsteps as they saw Chris and Alex walking downstairs.

Chris: Sorry, everyone, this guy was stuck in his room for a while.

Alex: Hahaha, don't mind him, He's very nervous

Desmond: *Chuckles* Come on, stop it.

Ashley was shocked as Desmond had a smile on his face and greeted Ashley's family, Elizabeth and Robert looked at each other and already liked how Desmond was like in person.

Crowe looked at Ashley, who was looking at the ground, but she glanced at him a few times as Desmond was holding his neck.

The family began talking to each other about their lives, although Ashley caught herself staring at Desmond a few times. She already seemed to like him.

Although Desmond was having a hard time sharing eye contact with Ashley. She looked really beautiful and sweet to him.

Elizabeth: *Smiles* Ashley, why don't you go talk to Desmond for a little bit?

Ashley was surprised as she looked at Desmond, who was looking at his mother as Jane smiled at them.

Jane: Yeah, you both can go outside and talk.

Ashley and Desmond were already feeling awkward as they just nodded and continued sitting until Ashley got up from her seat and walked away.

Desmond was still sitting until Alex began pushing his shoulder on Desmond, signalling him to go and talk to Ashley.

Crowe got up and walked away as everyone smiled at each other before they began talking to each other.

Desmond was outside the house as he noticed Ashley was looking around the garden, He began walking towards her as Ashley looked at him.

Both of them were looking at each other until Ashley cleared her throat and spoke to Desmond.

Ashley: I like the garden.

Desmond: Thanks.

Both of them awkwardly smiled at each other, Desmond and Ashley weren't sure how to speak to each other and felt nervous.

Desmond: Umm, how are you?

Ashley: I'm good, What about you?

Desmond: I'm doing alright as well.

Ashley giggled as Desmond smiled at her, The two decided to walk around the garden as Ashley glanced at Desmond a few times and smiled at him as Desmond looked at her.

Desmond: So. . . Are you working anywhere?

Ashley: *Smiles* No, I just completed my studies. I don't think I'm gonna find a job.

Desmond: Oh, I see. That's understandable.

Ashley: How is your work going?

Desmond: It's going fine so far, It can be a little exhausting, though.

Ashley: I understand the hard work you must be doing.

Desmond couldn't help but smile at her and felt appreciated as Ashley gave a huge smile to him.

Desmond: Thank you so much, Ashley.

Ashley: You're welcome, Desmond.

Crowe smiled at her as he picked up a flower pot with a white rose as Ashley was looking at it.

Ashley: Oooh, a white rose. That looks amazing.

Desmond: It's really beautiful, My dad bought it from the market.

Ashley: It's rare to see a white rose, but I really love them.

Desmond: *Chuckles* That's very unique.

Ashley smiled and giggled as Desmond was staring at her and smiled back. They both continued talking to each other and asked simple questions until they decided to sit in the backyard.

It was still very awkward, and at times, they were silent. Eventually, they went back home and had lunch with the whole family as everything was going well so far.

Many hours passed, and it was getting late, The time was nine twenty-five p.m. as Ashley's family was going to leave the house as everyone was sharing hugs before leaving the house.

Eventually, They made it back to their home as everyone changed into casual clothes as Ashley was seen folding her dress while thinking about Desmond.

She had a smile on her face until Ashley heard a knock on the door and saw her mother with a smile on her face.

Elizabeth: So, how was it?

Ashley: It was great, mom. They were really nice people.

Elizabeth: That's for sure. . . Come here, Ashley.

She noticed how emotional Elizabeth sounded as Ashley was confused and walked towards her mother, Elizabeth pulled Ashley for a tight hug as Fliehr was confused but hugged her mother.

Ashley: Mom, is everything okay?

Elizabeth: *Breaks the hug and smiles* Of course, Honey. But things are about to change, and I'm trying to be prepared for this.

Ashley: What do you mean by that?

Elizabeth; It's settled. You're going to marry Desmond Crowe.

Ashley's eyes widened as Elizabeth had a smile on her face, Ashley couldn't believe what she was hearing as she said something to her mother.

Ashley: Are you serious?

Elizabeth: Yes, I'm just feeling emotional knowing that you're going to leave this home.

Ashley looked at her mother and hugged her tightly as Elizabeth smiled and continued hugging her as a smile grew on Ashley's face as she was thinking about Desmond.

Meanwhile, Desmond was at the kitchen drinking water as Crowe fixed his hair and was thinking about Ashley. He smiled at the thought until he heard footsteps and saw his mother with a smile on her face.

Desmond: Oh hey mom.

Jane: Hey Desmond, How was dinner?

Desmond; It was delicious, I really enjoyed it.

Jane: *Smiles* That's great. . . There is something I want to tell you.

Desmond looked confused as Jane took a deep breath and hugged Desmond as Crowe hugged her back.

Desmond: What's the matter, Mom?

Jane: You're getting married to Ashley Fliehr, and I'm really happy about this.

Desmond's eyes widen as Jane breaks the hug and smiles at Desmond as Crowe can't believe what he's hearing.

Desmond: Really?

Jane: Yes, She's a great woman, Desmond. She's perfect for you.

Crowe looked at the ground before he had a smile on his face and hugged his mother again as he was thinking about Ashley.

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