"I don't want to use anything. That's not the reason why I am dating your sister." Kevin finally went on. Gary leaned in and looked at him. "So why exactly are you dating her then?" he asked. Whitney pointed her finger at Gary. "Gary, you need to be quiet. Now!" Gary laughed and shook his head. "No sis, I'm just trying to get to know him better that's all." Michael joined in on the laughter. "So answer the question Kev. Why exactly are you dating Whitney?" he asked. Kevin looked them both in the face. "Because your sister is more than what she brings on the stage or in a movie. Don't get me wrong, that's what makes her amazing. But what I find myself attracted to her the most about are different things. Whit is smart, she's caring, she loves unconditionally, she's down-to-earth, she laughs, she's witty, beautiful, fun, sophisticated, she knows how to carry a conversation, yet at the same time, she actually knows how to listen. She's religious….. I mean I could go on and on about what I love about her, but I'll stop there." He took Whitney's hand and she squeezed it back, slightly blushing by what Kevin just said about her. "I love your sister. I get that her first marriage turned out to be a sham. And I get that not everyone thinks that a White guy and Black woman can successfully be together. But believe me, I would never intentionally hurt her. I'm in love with her, and I wanna give her my all. Just like she gives me."

Silence fell throughout the table. Kevin swore he saw his mother take a napkin and wipe her face off with tears. John finally cleared his throat. "No need to explain yourself Kevin, you seem to be a fine man. You'll have to excuse my boys. We all are really protective of our Nippy, especially with what she has been through." Whitney put her hand up. "Listen. I appreciate you all having my back. But I am a grown woman, and I have been for quite a long time now. I know what I want and what I don't want. And after hitting a few brick walls in my past relationships, I think I finally got it right this time. So please, just let me be happy for once."

"We are happy for you Nippy," Cissy began. "Like your father said, we just get a little too protective of you sometimes. But I know that Kevin is a good guy and I haven't seen you as happy as you have been with him." Dionne elbowed Michael in the shoulder, prompting him to say something. She wanted the tension to be settled once and for all "Hey man. I apologize on how we came at you. Just be good to our sister man." Gary finally nodded in agreement. "That's what I intend on doing," Kevin said as he looked over and smiled at Whitney. For the rest of the evening, the families were able to enjoy each other's company and finally get along well. It was a big relief for both Kevin and Whitney.

One Week Later

"Let's get married." Kevin told Whitney. Whitney, who was in the midst of brushing her teeth, gave him a puzzled look. She continued brushing and gargled before speaking to him again. "Come again?" she asked. "Did you just say that we should get married Kevin Costner?" Kevin nodded, barely able to contain himself of excitement. "Does this answer your question?" He took out a 5 Karat ring with the pale color of Whitney's favorite color, Lavender and got on his knees. He didn't plan on proposing when they had just woken up; but he was too giddy and antsy to wait another minute. "Look, I know what I want in a wife this time around. And you've already told me what you want in a husband this time as well. I think we fit what we are looking for in one another. We love each other's kids. Are families get along and accept us." He told her, looking into her eyes. "I love you so much, and I would be honored if you would be my wife, Whitney Elizabeth." It took Whitney a few seconds to register what was happening. My man on his knee? Check. A beautiful ring in his hand? Check. He's asking for my hand in marriage? Check! She thought to herself. She finally smiled and nodded. "Yeah! Yes, I would LOVE to be your wife Kevin Michael!"

She kneeled down to meet him, and they both grinned as he put the ring on her fourth finger. It fit like a glove and looked regal on her hand. Whitney slightly teared up as she embraced her soon-to-be husband. They kissed as they rocked back and forth in jubilation. They had finally found what they what they had been looking for: unconditional love.

After a few minutes, Whitney pulled away and looked at him. "Baby, let's get married tonight." She found herself saying. "Tonight? Really?" Kevin asked surprisingly as he found himself getting excited. "Yes. I don't need this whole long drawn out process. I've had a big wedding before, and that didn't get me anywhere. I don't want the press in our business for once, so if we do it now, they won't know when or where we are getting married. We both have more projects coming up as well so it would be hard to plan anything in the midst of all of that. Plus, why should we wait when we know that we wanna spend the rest of our lives together? " Kevin thought about things for a few seconds before responding. "Okay," he said with a slight chuckle. "Let's do this. Let's get married tonight!" Whitney jumped up and down for a bit before realizing that she had just committed to getting married that very day. "Oh my Lord, I'm getting married tonight!" she yelled. Kevin laughed as they sat down and planned out what was to be elopement. They did some research and saw that they could obtain their marriage license and do their vows in New Orleans. Kevin did a few calls and knew a friend from college who was ordained to marry in that area. He told Kevin that he would be honored to marry them and would set up a private ceremony for them by the French Quarter. Whitney called up her hairstylist, Tiffanie Dixon to do a touch up on her hair. She already had the perfect dress for the occasion. As they packed, and Whitney got her hair done, they both called their children to get their seal of approval. Anne, Joe, and Lily (who were at their mother's house for the month)told Kevin that were ecstatic to have Whitney become their stepmother. Kevin and Whitney promised them that they would all go to Disney World to celebrate once they came back. As for Krissy, she more than likely didn't fully understand, but Whitney knew that she really was attached to Kevin and that she would be happy to have "Kevy" as her stepfather. Whitney asked Dionne to watch Krissy and she broke the news to her. Dionne immediately expressed how excited she was that they were getting married, and assure Whitney that she was making the right choice in marrying a good, grounded man in Kevin.