It's gonna be a few long paragraphs but please read it all so you don't miss anything important!
- Enjoy my loves ♥️

"We're only granted one life, so continue to live these days as if it was your last and don't let anything or anybody
get in the way of that."

-

          Pacing back and forth inside a bathroom that she locked herself in. Amelia rubbed her hands and fingers through her hair trying to keep herself from crying, but she felt so foolish and stupid at the moment. The last thing she wanted to do was scare Desmond off and she felt she did just that with the confession she made.

But she didn't admit that on purpose, it accidently slipped out, yeah she did feel as if she was falling in love with him but she also knew it was a little too soon to be dropping bombs like that on him. Especially when they agreed to take things slow between one another.

But she was so caught up in the moment and before she could even think about what she was about to say, the words just spilled out and she couldn't stop herself.

Staring at reflection in the mirror, she wiped her eyes and shook her head at herself. "What where you thinking Amelia? It was way too soon to drop that bomb on him." She mumbled becoming more frustrated with herself.

At the sound of a knock on the door, she jumped slightly but remained silent since she knew it was probably Desmond trying to get to her but she didn't want to face him at the moment or ever due to embarrassment.

Taking a seat on the counter, she held her face in her hands as she sulked and listened to whoever it was behind the door continue to knock.

"I know you're in there Mel, just please come out so we can talk about this. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, but if you give me a chance to explain then you would understand why I reacted the way I did. So please baby open the door so we can talk." He pleaded but got no response from her.

Letting out a sigh, he looked back at his brothers who held sympathetic looks and motioned for them to leave to give them some privacy.

Both giving him pats on the back, they eventually walked off and headed back out to the guests to let their brother handle his business.

Turning around so his back was facing the door, Desmond sat down on the floor and leaned back against the bathroom door. "I'll stay here all night if I have to, I'm not going anywhere until you feel like talking." He told her in hopes that she would say something but of course, she didn't.

After a few minutes of silence and fiddling with his fingers, he knew in order to get her to talk was to confess and finally open up about somethings.

Letting out a deep sigh, he looked up towards the ceiling doing a small prayer before mumbling, "Here goes nothing.."

"I know you're scared Mel, but shit I'm scared to." He started off. "Been scared to love you since the day I met you and its not because I don't trust you, its because good shit in my life never lasts long. I love hard and I've always been the type to fall harder in relationships so to hear those words come out of your mouth stunned me because I wasn't expecting it. I'm in love with you to Mel, hell I'm crazy about you because you really make a nigga happy and that alone scares me because I've been in this situation before."

"I never really thought to tell you this before since I didn't expect to see her again, but Gordy and I used to date back during my first and second year of college. She was the first female I dated after Tiffany and she was everything that Tiffany wasn't, she accepted that I had a child and loved Taylor like no other so it was kinda hard not to love her. But sadly she ain't love me as much as I loved her. I ended up proposing to her because I just knew she was the one for me but in the end she declined and just as fast as she entered my life, she left even faster and I never saw her again."

After she heard that confession, she sat there stunned and could only imagine how he felt to see her again after all these years all in love with his brother. That would be like seeing Jay years later all happy and being the man she knew he could be with like her friend or something.

She would be pissed but overall happy that he got his shit together, because she wouldn't wish what she went through on anybody. Plus she was just grateful that she made it out alive especially when a lot of women can't say the same.

But in all honesty, after getting to know both Gordy and Desmond she really couldn't see them together. They're way too much alike in some ways and half the time dating someone who is the same as you never ends well.

She just hoped this situation wouldn't cause any tension between none of them. Especially between Des and his brother, she knew how much his brother meant to him and she would hate to see a shift happen between them behind this.

"After that situation I was hurt, even cried a little bit but I got over it and just focused on raising Taylor. I messed around with a few females but nothing too serious because I was still scared to allow myself to possibly go through a heartbreak again but surprisingly a few years later I met you and that all changed. It was like I was trying to fight loving you but my heart wouldn't allow me to. You're literally everything a man could ask for in a woman, and despite how long we've been knowing each other even a blind man can feel when real love is present."

Smiling at his words, she wiped the tears that where falling letting him continue before she spoke.

Most men would have just kept that a secret, but she knew most men weren't like Desmond and that was one of the many reasons as to why she loved him so much.

There was a pause in his speech but she heard him lowly talking to himself as if he was trying to get his words together, but she wasn't going to say anything for the simple fact that she knew he was using this time to really open up to her.

Outside the door, Desmond was having a mental battle on telling her about his disorder. His heart rate had sped up and his hands where sweaty. Taking a few deep breaths and giving himself small pep talks, he released that one shakey breath before closing his eyes and letting his heart lead for once and spoke.

"Plus, I'm scared that you won't feel the same way towards me after you get to know the real me." He started off.

Frowning, Amelia looked towards the door wondering what he meant. "The real you?" She questioned.

"Yeah, I should have told you this sooner but the thought of losing you behind it always stopped me and with everything that you have been through with Jay I wasn't sure on how you would react to this. But I know if I really want a future with you then I have to open up about this." Swallowing the lump in his throat, he closed his eyes to stop the tears that where threatening to fall. "At the age of five I was diagnosed with the disorder known as Intermittent Explosive Disorder, its basically like anger issues but way worse at times, but I'm on meds to keep my emotions at bay and I attend anger management classes twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays as well."

"Growing up I've always been ashamed of having this issue since it ruined a lot of things in my life in the past such as relationships and even a few friendships. In the past I didn't really know or fully understood the seriousness of this disorder and the result of that was I wasn't taking my meds regularly and would skip out on my classes, but that really back fired and almost costed me my life." He admitted trying to mentally prepare himself to tell her this story.

Thinking back to that moment in his life it always made him feel horrible inside, so he always tried to just brush what happened under the rug instead of thinking about it.

"I almost beat a nigga to death due to this shit. He tried to fight my brother Dre one night when we was out, just some white boy who felt he was billy bad ass after having a couple of drinks. But Dre he really ain't no fighter, like he will get out there with somebody and will give them the business but it really gotta be something worth fighting over. But see me, I go hard for the ones I love and when that nigga started throwing racial slurs out and shit my mind just went blank and I couldn't control the anger I was feeling. And I just remember beating him and how I couldn't stop. Like it was like the more I hit him, the more amped up I got. I could have killed that man if my brothers weren't there to pull me off and that night still haunts me cause I don't ever want to reach that level of anger to where I don't even care if a nigga live to see the next day, because that's not me."

Amelia sat there shocked for a minute, processing the news she just found out. Hopping down from the counter, she went towards the door and twisted the lock before opening it up catching Desmond in the middle of standing up himself.

When he turned to face her, he gave her a half smile and shrug. "This is who I am, and this is who I will be until the day I die. I want to be with you Mel, but if you feel having someone with mental issues, and baby mama drama isn't someone you want to be with then I'd totally understand."

Standing there for a moment, she reached out and grabbed his hand. "I'm not gonna lie and say this wasn't a lot to process, but I'm happy you did open up. But Des you could have been opened up about this. You know I would never judge you or shame you for something that you have no control over. I mean look at me for example, I'm not perfect and I learned to accept that and you're gonna have to do the same. I want us to be able to come to each other with anything that may be bothering us even if its small."

"I know and I apologize for that, it was wrong to allow you to open up about literally everything in your life but I couldn't do the same. You don't even understand how scared I was to admit this, I just really didn't want to lose you." He expressed.

Stepping closer to him, she dropped his hands and wrapped her arms around his torso as she looked up at him with a smile on her face. "I'm still here and I'm not going anywhere. When I told you I loved you, I meant that. I didn't say it cause it sounded cute, I said it because I love you, Desmond Jones and everything that comes with you. So next time don't ever hestitate to tell me anything okay?"

Nodding his head, he bent his head down and gave her a kiss on the lips then hugged her tightly. "I'ma marry your ass one day."

Blushing, she looked up at him with her hand rested on his cheek. "Why wait? Why not get married now?"

Scrunching up his face, he laughed nervously. "Mel, what is you talking about? You clearly don' had way too much to drink."

Stepping back, she grabbed his hands. "I barely even had a glass and I'm saying why wait and live off the rules society has embedded in our heads. Society feels that you should be with someone for at least two years or more before getting engaged then wait another three years before getting married. But I just feel like if you know that the person is the one for you why not just go for it? Why wait?"

Staring at her for a moment, he bit his lip letting her words maranate in his head. "You serious?"

"Yeah as a heart attack, I mean I know we're young but Desmond literally everything feels right with you and I've never felt this way about someone or felt this strongly about someone. But if you want to wait then I'll wait." She expressed in hopes that he would agree.

After a few seconds of silence, he eventually shrugged with a half smile on his face. "Fuck it, let's do it."

Growing excited, she let him lift her up by her thighs as she wrapped her legs around his torso and her arms around his neck. "You forreal Des?"

"Yeah, let's get elope and get married."

After going home that following night and sleeping on the wild decision the two came up with. Both Amelia and Desmond woke up the next day with their heart and mind still set on getting married so that was the goal for the day.

Packing a small bag full of clothes for the weekend, along with money to pay for their hotel room and food the two had everything they needed for their trip and where set to go.

Desmond and Amelia really had it set in their minds to get married today and although they knew most people would probably call them crazy and try to stop them from doing this, they where still gonna do it.

So they weren't telling anybody about this except Kelsi since they knew she would be the only person who would be supportive about it. The minute they called her and told her what they where doing, she was honestly happy and excited for the two.

Kelis was never the type to rain on someone else's parade with negative energy especially if she saw that whatever the decision the person where making was making them happy. Plus she loved Desmond for Amelia and felt they made the perfect couple so she was all for this ceremony.

Desmond wanted to tell his brothers and parents but he couldn't risk them trying to get in his head to detour him on what he wanted to do. It was his life and he had control over the decisions he made and marrying Amelia was a decision he was sure of.

Sitting parked in front of Kelsi's aunt and uncle house, Amelia and Desmond both watched as she sneakily made her way out of the house in a simple off white dress to match what they had on.

Desmond had threw on one of his suits he wears to church whenever he goes, and Amelia told Kelsi to bring her all white body-con dress she had brought from PrettyLittleThing a while ago.

Getting inside the car she handed Amelia the dress and shoes and smiled at the two, "Y'all really serious about getting married or is this a joke? Cause I ain't tryna let this outfit go to waste." She questioned for reassurance.

"We're serious, but thank you for coming to support sis." Amelia told her really meaning it.

"Girl, you know I'ma always be here to support anything. But alright, let's hurry up and leave before my aunt or uncle show up and start asking too many damn questions." She pressed causing them all to laugh.

Putting the car in drive, Desmond pulled off and just like that they where headed to Las Vegas to get married and neither of them could be happier at the moment.

With her hand in his, Amelia eventually dozed off along with Kelsi since they had a three-hour drive to make so that left Desmond up by himself to think.

As he looked over at Amelia, he watched her sleep and smiled to himself knowing that in just a few hours she was about to become Mrs. Jones.

He was scared shitless, but he wasn't second guessing anything or having any bad gut feelings about this decision either. He loved Amelia and he knew she was the one, he didn't feel it he just knew she was the one for him.

What really made him love and adora Amelia as a person was her non-judgemental spirit. He could really be himself around her and not have to feel ashamed and the fact that she accepted his disorder only made him appreciate her more as a person.

So in reward of her being everything he has ever wanted and needed in a woman he was going to do everything in his power to make her and his baby girl Taylor the happiest women alive.

After two hours or so passed Amelia had finally woke up, but Kelsi was still slumped in the backseat. She was trying to get as much rest as she could since after their wedding they where gonna just tour Vegas and have fun before returning back to L.A later tonight.

Rubbing her thumb over his hand, she let the sound of the music that the radio was playing consume her ears as she looked out the window.

Her heart was beating a mile a minute due to her nerves and feeling of excitement getting the best of her. She could feel her heart pounding the longer they drove since she knew that was only putting them closer to their destination.

All she could think about was how much her life had changed and how things weren't turning out as she expected but she wasn't regretting anything that has happened so far and she was sorta glad she was changing.

She was tired of living in the world's bubble of rules and was happy to be making a decision based off what she wanted and not what others felt was right for her.

She knew if her dad was alive today and saw her doing this he would probably call her crazy but at the end of the day he would have cheered her on to follow her heart. He always told her to lead with her gut and heart and everything in her gut and heart was telling her this was the move to make.

Desmond was everything any woman could have ever imagined in a man and although he had his flaws and wasn't perfect by any means she wouldn't trade him for anything in this world. Nor does she believe his flaws out weigh how good of a man he actually is.

When they finally reached Nevada they where thirty minutes away from a chapel they where gonna go to so Amelia took that time to get dressed and ready to marry the man of her dreams.

Pulled over on the side of the road, Kelsi and Amelia both scuffled around trying to get everything together such as her make-up and hair. While Desmond took that time to check out his car and make sure his fluids and everything else was in order.

In the middle of her getting her make-up done, Kelsi was curious to find out their plan and what they where gonna do from this moment on. "I'm just curious, but what made you guys want to get married?"

Letting out a sigh, she shrugged. "Well, I've never told him this but I've been having these dreams about him almost everynight and its always good happy dreams of us getting married, and I even had a dream of our wedding and my dad was there and he was thanking Desmond for making me happy and loving me. So from that dream on I always just felt like maybe that dream was a sign for me to know Desmond is the one for me and the one I should marry."

"So after he had confessed a few things to me and we talked some things out we had hugged and kissed and he was like I'ma marry your ass one day and I was just like why wait? Why not just do it now and here we are." She shrugged with a huge smile on her face. "I mean call me dumb or crazy or whatever you want but this is what we want so we're going for it."

Kelsi nodded, "I wouldn't call it dumb, crazy? Yes, but if its what you guys want then yeah I'd say go for it. But what is y'all plan after this or have you guys not discussed it just yet?"

"We haven't discussed anything yet like a set plan except for the fact that I will be moving in with him instead of getting my own place and that's just until we can find a home big enough for Taylor and us to live in since he's fighting for full custody." She explained and Kelsi nodded with a half smile on her face.

"Plus you guys got good jobs, Desmond's in his last semester of college so once he graduates and gets a job based on his degree then that's even more money so I feel financially you guys are set and of course everything else will just fall into play. I'm happy for you and you know I'll be here every step of the way." Kelsi expressed to her being totally honest.

"I know and that's why I love you. Thank you for always being here and lifting me up."

Giving each other a brief hug, they both went back to the task at hand.

Getting out the car once she was ready so Desmond could see her, she walked over to the hood where he was checking his oil. Tapping him on the shoulder he turned his head a little and had to do a double take.

Closing the hood of the car, he grabbed his hand towel and wiped his hands before focusing on her. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you, we wasn't sure what to do with my hair so we decided to leave it wild and curly." She blushed.

"It looks good, I like it like this."

Staring at each other for a while, they both ended up laughing. "You're scared as fuck too huh?" Desmond questioned and Amelia nodded followed by a laugh.

"Scared, but ready."

Walking towards him she wrapped her arms around his torso as she stared up at him with nothing but love and desire in her eyes matching his. "Ready to officially be Mrs. Jones?"

She nodded then pecked him on the lips a few times, "Yes, let's go so we can hurry up and get hitched and so I can make love with my husband."

Laughing he kissed on the lips on last time as they pulled away and loaded up in the car. The rest of the way to their destination was filled with silence but the excitement and happiness radiated off of them and the smiles on their faces showcased many different emotions.

The two had made many decisions in the past but this one decision was something they both felt confident in and they couldn't wait to be introduced as Mr. and Mrs. Jones.

-

I'm so excited for you guys to see how this story will play out!
I stayed up all night writing out the plot from the begininng to the end and asked for a second opinion from a friend and
they loved it and I'm sure you guys will too!

Again thanks for all the love & support!
- Denise 🥀