Love Begins with Fate (25 page)

“Yeah my parents asked me what car I wanted and this is it. I custom designed it with
Chevy and the best car designer in the world. His wife is friends with my mom. It makes a lot of people jealous.” Parker grinned as he turned the key and the car roared to life.

When they arrived at the
restaurant, Parker walked around to Kelsey’s door and opened it for her. He held out his hand and escorted Kelsey toward the building. At the door a man at the entrance opened the door for them with a smile “Mister MacKay, it’s nice to see you again.”

“Thank you, it’s nice to see you too Maurice. We’re here to celebrate my girlfriend’s birthday today.
Expecting a large group.”

“Ah yes, the MacKay/ Lodge group.
Your mother had called and reserved the Avery room.” Maurice nodded “let me escort you there.”

Kelsey stared at the two men. She had never been to such a fancy restaurant. The Avery room was beyond beautiful. Plants surrounded the room and large glass windows went from the floor to the ceiling. The tables held pristine
purple table cloths, candles, and champagne bottles in ice.

“Oh
my gosh Parker this is …” Kelsey hushed as she leaned into Parker’s side and whispered.

“Yes love
my parents’ choice, don’t look so worried.” Parker whispered back.

They sat down and were quickly joined by Ryder and Hannah,
Parker’s family which now also included his grandparents and his little sister who had stayed overnight with them, Kelsey and Ryder’s father, and a few friends from the school. Kelsey began to wonder why Parker’s family had been joining them but didn’t voice her opinion.

When everyone had sat down and drinks had finally arrived
Parker stood tapping a spoon on his cup. “Thank you everyone for coming tonight. There are multiple reasons for your presence here; one that you get to celebrate the wonderful birth of my friend Ryder and his sister, and for you all to be introduced to the love of my life and also this.”

Kelsey had been looking around at the people at the tab
le who were smiling like maniacs at her especially when she heard gasps. She turned around curiously, her eyes falling on Parker.

He was down on one knee beside her holding out a small black velvet box opening it slowly
Parker spoke again “Kelsey, I promise I will always stand up for you. I will always be the man you want and the man you need. I will complete you in every way possible without taking away from the amazing person you are. I will help you through your days and take on the stresses which are too much for you. Though we haven’t known each other for very long, I promise I will never wander. I have just one question for you. Will you marry me?”

With tears in her eyes Kelsey nodded her head whispering yes.
Parker’s worried grin turned into a full blow smile as he stood up and pulled Kelsey into his arms. He pressed his lips to hers and pulled her close as everyone around them cheered. Parker pushed the large diamond ring onto Kelsey’s finger, it was a family heirloom.

The dinner went by with cheer and joy late into the evening. Afterward
, Kelsey and Parker returned to his home for the night.

Chapter 43

Parker awoke to the sound of his little sister; she was in her usual spot waiting for Parker to wake. She was quiet but the sound of her game was making little clicking noises as she picked up coins. Parker looked down at the girl in his arms and smiled, he stretched slight as he turned and looked over toward his living room area.

He leaned forward and kissed Kelsey’s cheek then slowly pulled himself up. He leaned down and pulled on a pair of shorts then made his way to the couch. Sitting down he grinned “Morning Sage.”
Parker said.

“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…”