Love Begins with Fate

by Owens, Lindsey

  “Morning” cooed the six year old blond haired blue eyed girl.

  “Mom, send you up?” He asked.

  The girl continued to stare at the device in her hands, tapping away at the screen. Parker frowned slightly then grabbed the tablet from her hands then repeated himself. “Did mom send you up?”

  “Parker!” She whined “Give it back!”

  “Shhh” Parker demanded “my girl is still sleeping over there.” He said pointing toward his bed. “Now are you going to answer me or am I going to not let you play this for a while?”

  “Mommy had to go and Trina isn’t here yet. She said you watch me.” Sage responded then held her hand out trying to pull the tablet from Parker’s hand.

  “Thank you. Now, if you can be nice you can use it until we leave.” Parker told her softly. “I’m going to take a shower. If Kelsey wakes up… show her where I’m at, okay?” he said.

  The little girl nodded focusing her attention back on the game she had been playing again.

  Parker stood up and made his way to the bathroom.

  Kelsey had finally found the strength to wake up for the day. She could hear the faint clicking and chiming of what seemed like a game and wondered what it was. She pushed herself up and then made her way toward the noise.

  She came to the edge of the bedroom area and looked down at the couch. A small blond head wiggled around and she became more curious. She walked down to the couch and smiled when she came across the small girl whom she had seen yesterday.

  “Hi.” Kelsey smiled down at the girl. She was cutely concentrating on the thing in her hands. “What was your name, I don’t think I got it last night.”

  “Sage” The girl mumbled not looking up at Kelsey.

  “What is that thing you’re playing?” Kelsey asked.

  That made the girl look up in the midst of a game, accidently running the figure into a train. It ended the game. The little girl stared up at Kelsey with wide eyes. “Play?” the girl questioned.

  “Can I?” Kelsey grinned.

  “Parker won’t get mad at you…” She told Kelsey before patting the couch beside her. As Kelsey sat down the little girl crawled up into her lap. “This is how you play.” She said pressing the restart button.

  The small kid on the screen began to run down the subway tracks running into coins and jumping out of the way of objects. “Okay.” Kelsey told her. “Can I play the next level? I have never used one of these.”

  When the level ended the little girl dropped the tablet into Kelsey’s hands and watched her expectantly.

  Kelsey had enjoyed herself so much and the little girl looked on fascinated. When Parker finally came out of the bathroom with a pair of shorts on with a bare chest, he frowned over at the girls. “Sage, why didn’t you tell her I was in the bathroom?” He asked.

  “She was entertaining me.” Sage cooed.

  Parker smiled. “I can see that…”

  “What is this thing? It’s amazing!” Kelsey told him cheekily as she looked up at Parker and gasped lightly, he looked so good.

  “Well it’s an ipad, I’m glad you enjoy it. Are you ready to go out for the day?” He asked.

  “Where are we going?” Kelsey asked curiously.

  “I told you, we were going to spend the day together.” Parker grinned.

  “Oh!” Kelsey beamed up at him, momentarily forgetting the game. “I forgot… I’m sorry.” She grit her teeth groaning at the game.

  “It’s okay princess.” Parker mused. “Why don’t you go get ready and we’ll go get something to eat.”

  “I thought I was your princess.” Sage pouted.

  “I am a very lucky man.” Parker smiled. “I have two princesses.”

  Kelsey smiled at the two as she stood up and made her way to her bag on Parker’s dresser. She pulled out her clothing. She took her items into the bathroom and freshened up before getting dressed.

  When she had returned Parker had been dressed and Sage had been changed into a cute little pink dress. She smiled and walked over to them. “Hey love, uh…” Parker began with a sigh, “I’ve got some… ah … news.” Parker said glancing quickly to Sage then back at Kelsey.

  “Oh what is it?” she asked anxiously.

  “Just Trina, Sage’s nanny, called in sick. My mom left for an appointment and nobody can watch Sage, it’s up to me.” Parker told her.

  “Well that’s good.” Kelsey beamed at the little girl. “Maybe Sage can show me what the best one of those tablet things to buy would be…” Kelsey smiled.

  Parker smiled and nodded “Thanks.” He mouthed as Sage began jumping up and down.

  “Yeah!” She screamed.

  “Are you hungry?” Kelsey asked Sage, who nodded frantically.

  “So where do you want to go today?” Parker asked.

  “Toy store!” Sage screamed from the back seat.

  “It’s Kelsey’s birthday she gets to decide where we go, sorry princess.” Parker shrugged and looked over at Kelsey smiling at him. She was impressed by his gentle and caring manner toward his sister.

  “How about the mall? I was thinking of getting one of those doohickeys she was playing with in your room. In case I have a long ride or flight, maybe something to do after work and all…” Kelsey replied.

  “Tablet” Parker smirked. “Okay, well then the mall it is.” He shrugged.

  Kelsey turned sideways in her seat and talked with the little girl as they drove. They talked about their favorite colors, favorite activities in school, and favorite animals. “I have horses.” Kelsey told Sage as she adamantly told Kelsey about why she liked them.

  “You do!” Sage gasped staring wide eyed.

  “Yes. One of them just had two babies the other day.” Kelsey told her, “Wanna see a baby picture?” She questioned pulling her cell from her pocket.

  Sage squealed and bounced up and down as she waited for the picture. “Maybe you can come visit with Parker some time…” she hesitated.

  “Really!?” the little girl yelled and Kelsey grinned nodding her head.

  They arrived a short while later at the mall. First the group ate some lunch before heading to multiple stores, including an electronics store. “Can I help you?” A salesman asked.

  Kelsey looked over to Parker and Sage then back up at the man before speaking. “I am interested in one of these,” she paused and looked back at Parker “what do you call ‘em?”

  “Tablets babe…” Parker told her grabbing hold of one of the display devices.

  “Ah, yeah… a tablet” Kelsey told the salesman. “What is the best of these things?” Kelsey asked.

  The salesman smiled devilishly, he liked the people who had no idea what they were looking at… they were easily scammed or pushed into the more expensive items. “Well,” He grinned “this one is the best we got.” He beamed at Kelsey.

  “Oh…” Kelsey replied looking at the strange massive thing. It was a big rectangle object, “and what makes it so great?” She asked.

  “Oh well this is the highest quality in technology. This device works like a computer; it emails, is gaming compatible, reading compatible, and essentially is a hand held computer.” The man told her. “Can I ring one of these up for you?”

  Kelsey looked over at Parker and then Sage. They were both engrossed in the games and things to play on the devices within their hands. “What do you think Parker?” Kelsey asked.

  “Do you want me to pick one out for you love?” He questioned noticing Kelsey’s uncertainty.

  Kelsey nodded nervously as she stepped over to him before whispering “I don’t know anything about these.” She whispered.

  “I know love, that’s alright.” Parker smiled. “I’ll take one of these in the eight inch screen.” Parker told the man. He had pointed at the device which he had been messing with. “What color do you want love?” He asked Kelsey.

  “Uh…” Kelsey breathed with panic in her eyes.

  “In pink.” Parker told the man. “We
also want one of the survivor cases, wall charger, car charger, and solar charger.” He told the man.

  The sales man was now frowning. Parker had chosen a device that was nearly three hundred dollars less than the one he was trying to push Kelsey into. “Sir, this one is a much better…” the man argued.

  “Oh I know what I’m doing.” Parker raised an eyebrow. “I know that this device is a last year’s model, it also has a lower review than this one. If you can’t help us then we can always go somewhere…” Parker began as he turned to walk away with Kelsey and Sage in tow, but the salesman interrupted.

  “I’m sorry sir you said the eight inch model in pink correct?” He asked.

  “Yep” Parker nodded.

  “Okay. Just a moment” The salesman hurried away and Kelsey watched on in amazement.

  “You are making him worried.” Kelsey whispered.

  “Well he’s trying to push you into a product that you won’t want.” Parker shrugged. “It’s not that difficult to just listen to your customer…”

  When the man returned he carried the items which Parker had requested. “Right this way, ma’am.” The salesman said sadly. He felt defeated. He didn’t expect to have the man speak up.

  Kelsey reached into her purse and Parker pressed his hand to Kelsey’s “I got this baby; this is going to be part of my birthday present to you…” Parker grinned.

  “Parker … it’s too expensive for …” Kelsey began to protest.

  “Don’t Parker me.” Parker said firmly with a wider grin now. “You are my fiancé and I am going to pay for things for you when I want too.” Parker told her. “I’m not stopping at this.” He said pulling out a card and swiping it before Kelsey could protest further. Parker turned his attention to the man behind the counter “Thanks.” Parker said accepting the receipt and bag.

  “Uh… your welcome sir” The man said slowly.

  Kelsey, Parker, and Sage continued to a few more stores before they finally made their way to the playarea for Sage to play in. Kelsey and Parker sat down on the bench and watched as Sage played with the other kids. Parker leaned over and kissed Kelsey’s cheek. “I’ll show you how to use this when we get back, okay?” He asked her.

  “Okay.” Kelsey said quietly.

  After a few hours they returned home for the night. Sage ran inside giddy that Kelsey had bought her a new stuffed horse. “Mommy!” Sage screamed as she ran.

  “You know you shouldn’t spoil her, she’s going to expect something anytime she goes out with you to the store…” Parker chuckled.

  “Spoil her?” Kelsey laughed, “don’t talk about spoiling… look what you did.” Kelsey said holding up the electronics bag.

  “Well it’s your birthday. It’s not hers.” Parker shrugged. “Hey, why don’t you get ready to go away and I’ll take you out for dinner and maybe something fun after…” Parker smirked, “Just you and me.”

  Kelsey raised an eyebrow at Parker’s suggestion but did just what he asked. She went up to Parker’s room and brushed her hair, changed into a skirt, and teeth then returned downstairs.

  Parker was in the living room talking with his mother. Sage was explaining all about her new stuffed animal when Parker suddenly yelled. “I’ll do as I wish mother!” he yelled.

  “Why are you going to give up on your entire life for this girl? Is she…” she looked over at Sage then muttered, “pregnant.”

  Parker smirked. “I could get her pregnant and if she was I would be delighted, but no” Parker said. “I have already finished my classes, I can graduate early. All I need to do is fill out the paper.” Parker told her.

  “What about football?” his mother added.

  “I wasn’t planning on playing in college anyway.” Parker shrugged.

  “And college?” Grace snapped.

  “I only have a year left… I can always finish it online. Anyway there are colleges in other states…” Parker admitted. “I am going to move whether you like it or not mother. So, I suggest you come to grips with it.” Parker told his mother.

  Kelsey had stopped outside the living room listening quietly. She didn’t dare walk in and interrupt anything. She backed away and was about to turn around and leave when someone cleared their throat behind her. “Where do you think you’re going?” Carson, Parker’s father asked.

  Kelsey quickly turned around “I uh…” She muttered.

  Carson grinned. “Don’t let them fool you. Parker is head over heels for you, and his mother well, she just doesn’t want to lose her baby boy. Parker had planned for a long time to move away from home any month now, but his mother has been trying to change his mind. He has never even brought a girl home before but I know Parker’s a hundred and ten percent committed to you. I am glad he found a nice girl like you which wasn’t going after him just for his inheritance and trust fund. Many of the girls at his school have tried that…”

  Carson shook his head before continuing, “anyway, Parker will take great care of you and he would be extremely unhappy if you decide to leave right now because you got caught listening in on an argument which was bound to happen anyway. Now… come along.” Carson said pressing his hand to Kelsey’s back.

  “But…” Kelsey protested softly.

  “You’ll be fine.” He whispered back and smiled. “Look who I found.” He called out into the room. “Parker, weren’t you going to take this lovely fiancé of yours out to dinner?”

  “Thanks for bringing her in dad. I was about to get worried.” Parker said looking down into Kelsey’s eyes, “I thought you might have gotten lost.”

  Parker and Kelsey made their way to dinner, which was romantic and delicious. Then Parker brought Kelsey to the secret after dinner thing he was planning on, “A movie?” Kelsey asked with a slight grin. “I haven’t been to one in forever!”

  “I know. I figured as much. Especially since the theater in your country town is a little lacking in the new movies.” Parker smirked. He paid for the tickets to the movie Kelsey chose, then asked if she was interested in anything to snack on, purchasing popcorn and a drink for the two of them to share.

  The movie was more of a back ground noise since Parker had other plans. As soon as the lights went out he pulled Kelsey into his side. He pressed a kiss to her neck and slowly began to message her body as they kissed.

  They were hot and heavy into a make out session as the lights finally flicked on. Parker groaned. “Well, I guess we missed the movie.” He whispered to her. “I’m sorry.”

  Kelsey smiled. “I actively participated.” She flirted as she pressed her hand to his chest and giggled.

  Before Parker could say anything Kelsey took off quickly down the aisle. Parker smirked as he made his way after her. Quickly catching up with Kelsey, Parker pulled her back into his chest. Huskily he said “Why don’t we play when we get back home… here isn’t…” He drawled.

  Kelsey smiled and nodded as she entwined her fingers into Parker’s hand. Together they walked back to the car and drove back to Parker’s house.

  Chapter 44

  Sunday Kelsey had made her call home. She was worried about returning home. She wanted to watch over her ranch but she wanted to spend time with Parker. “Are you sure it’s going to be alright without me?” Kelsey asked anxiously.

  “Sweetie” Annie groaned. “I have been the house manager and cook on this ranch for years. Nick and Mark are doing a great job at managing the barns.”

  “What about the cattle drive?” Kelsey asked. “I need to help drive the cattle.”

  Nick took his turn to speak up this time. “If it’s that big of a deal I will wait until the end of the month to drive the cattle. It’s only three weeks left of school am I correct?” He asked.

  “Well then the walk… a week later.” Kelsey added.

  “Do you want to walk?” Nick asked her.

  “Well, no but…,” Kelsey begun.

  “I will wait until you come back and we will go the next day. If there are any problems I
will let you know right away. I will call you every other day if needed. You should enjoy yourself for the rest of the school year.” Nick told her.

  “Okay…” Kelsey said slowly before adding her goodbyes.

  When Parker and Kelsey had woke up, Parker was smiling down at her. Kelsey had told him the night before that she would be staying until the end of the school year if no problems arose. He was elated, simply ecstatic about having her within his grasp for so long.

  “Morning pretty girl,” He beamed at her.

  “Morning handsome,” Kelsey grinned as she leaned up and kissed his cheek.

  “We need to get ready for school.” He told her as he stood from the bed. Kelsey couldn’t help but stare at his perfect form as he walked across the room.

  Kelsey quickly got up and joined him. Parker and Kelsey had added her things to the closet before they went to bed the night before. They eyed each other as they changed their clothes. Kelsey pulled on a pair of jeans, cowboy boots, and a red tank top while Parker pulled on low slung dark blue jeans and a black top, which showed off every muscle beneath his shirt.

  When Parker and Kelsey went down for breakfast Grace sighed. She got up from her position at the table and approached Kelsey. Parker watched anxiously, protectively placing a hand around her waist pulling her close.

  “Mother” Parker said, watching her.

  “Parker calm down. I just wanted to apologize, Kelsey.” Grace said. “I’m sorry for what you heard. It had nothing to do with you. I promise, I think you’re a wonderful girl and great for my son.”

  “Are you ready to go love?” Parker asked. “It’s time to get going.”

  “Yeah,” Kelsey answered as she turned from Grace and pushed herself up on her tiptoes to press a kiss to Parker’s lips. “I’m ready, are you?”

  “Not if you keep doing that.” He whispered.

  Grace shook her head with a slight smile on her face. “See you two later.” She said as she walked toward the garage.

  Kelsey giggled “Come on lover boy; let’s get going before we change our minds…”

  “We’ll be taking my car.” Parker said as he walked into the kitchen. Kelsey couldn’t recall ever seeing Parker drive to school so she wasn’t fully sure of how he had gotten there.