June 26 2022 (Twenty Years Later)

Twenty years has passed, twenty years of pure love, happiness, and many ups and downs in Desmond and Ashley's life, Their relationship has grown stronger over the years, and they fought through every obstacle just for their love.

A lot of things have happened over the years, In 2003, Ashley gave birth to a healthy baby boy. However, the doctor announced that Ashley was unable to conceive now since her body was too weak after she gave birth to their son. Desmond and Ashley were a bit sad when they heard the news, but they were still happy to raise their son.

Monica gave birth to a healthy boy, and in 2005 She gave birth to a healthy girl.

Danielle gave birth to healthy baby twin girls.

In 2004, Emma gave birth to a healthy baby boy, and in 2006, she gave birth to a baby girl, In 2008, She gave birth to another baby girl.

In 2005, Racheal gave birth to baby twin boys.

In 2004, Michael and Candice got married, However She gave birth to baby twin girls in 2008 due to some problems she had with pregnancy, but their daughters were healthy and fine.

In 2006, April gave birth to her baby son, In 2008, She gave birth to another son.

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It showed Desmond's house as Ashley was watching No Time To Die as She was concentrated in the movie while also enjoying the film so far, Her concentration was was interrupted when she heard someone's voice as a smile grew on her face.

This was Adam Crowe, nineteen years old and is Desmond and Ashley's son. He recently finished university, and now he's looking for a job.

Adam: Hey Mom, Oh, cool! You're watching No Time To Die?

Ashley: It's an interesting movie, Adam.

Adam: I didn't know you like watching James Bond movies.

Both of them laughed a little as Adam jumped on the couch, Ashley raised an eyebrow and stared at him as Adam gave an awkward look to her.

Ashley: Your dad isn't gonna buy a new couch.

Adam: Hahaha, sorry about that, Ma.

Ashley lightly smacked his shoulder as Adam was laughing and lay on the sofa as both of them were watching the movie until they heard the front door opening as Ashley had a smile on her face.

Ashley: Your father is home.

Adam: Already? I thought he was coming late.

Adam quickly got up as Desmond entered the living room with a smile on his face as he placed his sunglasses on the table and looked at both of them.

Desmond: Hey, Kiddo and Hey beautiful. * Kisses Ashley's cheek*

Adam rolled his eyes as Ashley giggled and looked at him.

Ashley: Hey honey, How was work today?

Desmond: *Smiles* Nothing much, The restaurant is going well.

In 2010, Desmond, Alex, and Chris opened a restaurant together and named it "Natural Selection." It was actually something Ashley would always say, and Desmond wanted to name it after that. The restaurant has different cuisines from different cultures.

Adam: Awesome, Hey Dad. Can you please take us to your restaurant?

Ashley; Ooooh, He's right. The last time we went to the restaurant was a couple of years ago.

Desmond: *Sits next to Ashley and thinks about it* Well. . . These last few years have been quite busy in the business. . . But maybe tonight, I can.

Ashley gasped and covered her mouth as Adam was shocked until he had a huge smile on his face and felt excited.

Adam: Dang, right! We should go tonight. Also, Mom can take a break from cooking.

They laughed a little as Adam got up from the couch and sat on the ground where Ashley and Desmond were sitting, Desmond laughed and patted his son's head as Ashley was cheering.

Ashley: Let's go! At least I won't need to think about what to cook, It's always a pain to decide.

Desmond: *Laughs* Don't worry, sweetheart. I'm also gonna invite the others for dinner tonight.

Adam: You mean Uncle Alex and Chris?

Desmond: Along with your other uncle Mike, Benji, Tommy, and your aunts.

Ashley: *Smiles* Really? Can I invite Mom as well?

Desmond: Sure, I was planning on inviting her.

Ashley kissed his cheek as Desmond smiled and hugged her, Adam noticed the two as he rolled his eyes again but also had a smile on his face, liking how adorable his parents were.

Although Ashley began thinking about her father, in 2011, Her father passed away from a lung disease, She missed her father so much and wished he was still here.

She began having memories of her father, Desmond noticed that she looked down and he knew why she was feeling like that, He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close as Ashley looked at him and smiled before resting her head on his shoulder.

Adam turned around and looked at both of them as Desmond and Ashley smiled at him and winked, Adam just laughed before he said something.

Adam: Okay, Mom and Dad. You gotta tell me something.

Ashley: Mmmm?

Adam: Don't get the wrong idea, but you both were in an arranged marriage? How did you both manage to fall in love with each other? I always read that arranged marriages don't go too well on some occasions.

Desmond and Ashley looked at each other with a smile on their face as Crowe cleared his throat and said something.

Desmond: It all goes well with understanding, loyalty, and love.

Ashley: And your dad always promised me something.

Adam: *Smiles* And that is?

Desmond: We will always shine the stars together.

Ashley had a huge smile on her face and felt her heart beat faster, Desmond kissed the top of her head as Adam had a huge smile on his face and stared at them.

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It was nighttime, Desmond, Ashley, and Adam arrived at the restaurant as the employees were greeting their owner as Crowe smiled at them. They looked around the restaurant as Adam fixed his suit and said something.

Adam: Wow, Dad. Is it me, or does it seem brighter than before.

Desmond: Exactly, I changed a lot of the lights, but you both are going to love the chandelier in the dining room.

Ashley: *Smiles* Ooooh, that's exciting!

He smiled at Ashley's excitement, Even if both of them were on their forties, Ashley still behaves like she is twenty, Desmond always loved how childish she could be to this day. He also remembers their early years of marriage.

Soon, They arrived at the dining room, where the table was quite big and there were chairs on each side, It was definitely enough for the group to sit and eat, There was also another dining table and chairs opposite to them.

But Ashley and Adam were astonished by the beautiful chandelier, Desmond had a smile on his face as Ashley said something.

Ashley: Oh my goodness, It looks beautiful!

Adam: Agreed! Even the dining table and chairs look amazing.

Desmond: *Smiles* What's the rating?

Ashley/Adam: 10/10!

Both mother and son looked at each other and laughed as Desmond couldn't help but laugh with them.

Ashley: By the way, why is there another table over there?

Desmond: Of course, everyone is going to bring their kids, so I arranged a table for them.

Adam: So that means I'm sitting over there?

Desmond and Ashley smiled at him as Adam just chuckled and looked around the room.

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Benjamin: Thanks for inviting us, Desmond!

Desmond: No problem, you all are family.

Emma: I'm glad you think that way, I'm so happy to see how much the restaurant has grown.

Michael: You definitely did a lot of hard work dedication.

Desmond: *Smiles* Thank you so much, guys. I appreciate it. The support I received from you guys helped me as well.

Candice: No problem at all, Desmond. We will always support you.

Racheal: *Looks at her kids talking to her friend's kids* Dang, I feel kinda old.

Thomas: *Chuckles* I do feel the same as well.

Ashley: Hahaha, I still feel young, though.

Monica: You always look young, Ash.

Alex: Desmond looks older than me, Hahaha.

Desmond: Oh screw you, Hahaha.

Chris: *Laughs* Come on, let's not start a competition on who doesn't look and act like their age

Danielle: This will be a fun competition, haha.

The group were sitting and talking to each other as each of their kids were sitting by the other table while speaking to each other and cracked some jokes together as everyone was watching them.

Michael: I can't believe my girls are growing up.

Racheal: You're not the only one, Mike. We feel the same as well.

Benjamin: Time really flew so quickly.

Alex: I agree, Soon, their journey of life is going to begin.

Emma: Hopefully, things go well.

They all smiled at each other until Adam awkwardly left the dinner room, which confused Desmond and Ashley, but they thought he was going to come back. A few minutes passed, and Adam arrived with a girl next to him as everyone was confused.

Adam: Uhhh, sorry, Dad. I actually didn't tell you this. I invited someone to the party. . .

Desmond: That's fine, But who is this young lady?

The Indian woman gave a polite smile and fixed her dress as everyone was looking at her, Adam began blushing as he began holding his neck.

Adam: This is my. . . Girlfriend, Kriti Sanon.

Ashley looked shocked as Desmond's eyes were widen, Everyone was flabbergasted as Kriti felt a bit awkward as she just smiled and looked at Adam.

Ashley: Wait, you have a girlfriend!?

Michael: Oh wow, it looks like he learned it from me.

Ashley: Michael!! What did you teach him?

Everyone burst into laughter as Adam awkwardly laughed with them as Benjamin bumped his elbow to Michael.

Benjamin: Yeah, Mike, did you teach him how to date secretly?

Candice: Hahaha, oh my god, nobody forgot about that, right?

They laughed again before Desmond and Ashley looked at Adam as they looked at each other.

Desmond: How long have you two been dating?

Kriti: *Smiles* Teen maheene (Three Months)

Desmond: Umm. What?

Kriti: *Facepalms* Sorry, Mister Crowe. I mean, three months.

Alex: *Chuckles* And three months ago, Adam graduated from university.

Adam: *Chuckles* Yeah. . . We started dating two weeks before graduation, actually. But I kinda had a crush on her for a long time.

Kriti: We were good friends though, Haha. We always see each other after college ends.

Ashley looked at Kriti as Adam and Kriti looked at each other, Desmond had a smile on his face before he looked at Ashley.

She just shrugged and smiled, Everyone was staring at Ashley, then looked at Adam and Kriti as Desmond broke the silence.

Desmond: Good thing, I ordered some Indian food.

They all shared a laugh together as Ashley told Adam and Kriti to sit down and relax, Adam and Kriti smiled and held hands before going back to their seat as Desmond was looking at Ashley and had a smile on his face.

Desmond: Well. . . Look at that.

Ashley; I'm really shocked right now.

Danielle: Hey Ash, Just relax. . . You can talk to him when you get home.

Ashley: No, It's not like I'm upset. It is actually surprising. Kriti does seem like a sweet girl.

Desmond: Let's not pressure him, Ashley. We will talk to him smoothly, okay?

Ashley smiled and nodded as Everhone had a smile on his face.

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Desmond: Chicken tikka masala with rice, heart-shaped pizza, burritos, and a chocolate oreo cake.

Chris: Dang, this looks delicious.

Thomas: Agreed, there is so much to eat.

Desmond: Don't worry, We got a few side dishes coming up.

Desmond smiled as Ashley looked at him before Benjamin said something.

Benjamin: Why is the pizza heart-shaped, though?

Emma: I was gonna ask the same thing.

Desmond: *Smiles* It's for my beautiful queen.

Ashley smiled and blushed as everyone awed and smiled at them as Desmond began holding her hand as Fliehr held his hand, Crowe looked at Kriti, who was eating as he yelled.

Desmond: How is the food, Kriti???

Kriti smiled and gave two thumbs up as everyone smiled and laughed, Ashley was looking at Desmond before she smiled and said something.

Ashley: Just imagine if we had a daughter.

Desmond: *Chuckles* That would be cute, Maybe she would look like you.

Ashley blushed as Desmond was smiling at her, The others were eating and were talking as Ashley said something to Desmond, which melted his heart.

Ashley: I always imagined our future like this. . .

Desmond held her hand tightly as he smiled and looked at her.

Ashley: And I'm so happy that my wish became reality.

Desmond: My life is full of dandelions since you came to my life, Ashley.

Ashley blushed as she began eating the food, Desmond was admiring her and felt his heart beating fast, He began having memories of everything that happened over the years and he felt so happy that everything was going well in life.

He began eating as Ashley was staring at him, She always felt proud that she married Desmond, The man who understood her, helped her in her bad days, made her stronger, made her feel valuable like a diamond, and. . . .

Treated her like a queen

A/N: Thank you so much for reading, I really hope you enjoyed the last chapter of this book. Let me know your thoughts on it and the epilogue will be out soon!!! :)