Love Goes On Read online

  “Sure, we can go sit outback and talk by the pool.”

  We excused ourselves. I led Anna through the back door out to the tiki bar and sat down on a stool at the bar.

  “This is really nice,” Anna said.

  “Thank you.” I responded with a smile.

  “Here is my scenario: I wanted to go out with a group of friends. Most of them were guys, Rick’s friends and a few girls. Well, Rick got angry with me for even thinking about going out with them. In fact, Rick got so mad that he told me to leave.”

  “Awe, Anna.” I hugged her as the tears flowed down her cheeks. “What was the problem with you going out with his guy friends? I personally don’t see any harm in that. But if it were a guy like Trevor whom I dated, I would see why. Didn’t he trust you?”

  “I’m sure he did, but I don’t know why he over-reacted.”

  “So instead of going you came here?”

  “Yes. I’m not using you for an excuse not to have gone, but I figured since you invited me to dinner I could come and talk to you about what happened.”

  “Why don’t you call Rick and work things out? Let him know you didn’t go, but also have him explain himself to you about why he didn’t want you to go out with his friends.”

  Anna grinned at me. “I don’t know how I ever could have been mad at you. I was so stupid!”

  “It’s alright. I’ll leave you here to talk to Rick. Come back inside when you’re ready.”

  “Okay, I will.”

  I slowly walked back into the kitchen. Mom and Heather were cleaning up. I strolled over to Mom and started drying the dishes while she washed them. Heather continued to clean up the table.

  “How is Anna?” Mom questioned me.

  “She’s upset right now,” I responded.

  “Why?”

  “She and Rick got into a disagreement, so she’s calling him now to work things out.”

  “I certainly hope it works,” Heather remarked.

  “Me too,” I responded with a smile.

  After we finished drying the dishes, I said good-bye to everyone except Anna who hadn’t come back inside yet, after everyone left, I went outback to check on Anna. She was still talking on the phone so I just stood back where I could barely hear her talking. When she hung up, I stepped over to her and sat down.

  “How is everything?” I asked.

  “We’re fine now, thanks to you,” Anna responded happily.

  “That’s wonderful!”

  “Can I stay here tonight so Rick and I can have some time apart?”

  “Sure, let’s go inside and make up your bed on the couch.”

  Anna followed me inside, and I prepared her bed on the couch. As soon as she was lying down, the pugs got under the blanket with her.

  We chuckled. “At least, you have some companions,” I stated.

  “I surely do. Thank you again, Sara.”

  “I don’t mind at all. Sleep well.”

  I turned out the lights; then I headed to the bathroom in my bedroom to shower and dress.

  After I dressed, Kaden and I climbed into bed.

  “It’s super that you and Anna rekindled your friendship.” Kaden said happily.

  “Yes, it’s fantastic!”

  Kaden ran his fingers through my hair which made me tingle with desire.

  “I love you, Sara.”

  “I know you do because I love you too.”

  We chuckled as we leaned toward each other and kissed good night.

  15

  An Easter Party

  Today is Easter, and instead of Anna’s family having a cookout at their home I decided to have a pool party at my home. I’ve invited all of my family, Rick, Anna and her family. There are going to be many people at my house today. Anna and Rick are so much better now. Kaden and I love our home; and my mom, dad and Riley are doing well.

  I walked over and started to help my mom prepare the food. Mom and Dad have come over to help Kaden and I set up, but Dad had to stop because Riley started to get fussy. He had to feed her and rock her to sleep. Once she went to sleep, though, Dad went back to helping Kaden. “I hope Kaden is as good of a dad as my dad,” I stated.

  “What makes you doubt him Sara? I’m sure he will be,” Mom replied.

  “Nothing is making me doubt him. I notice how wonderful Dad is about helping you care for Riley without a snicker.”

  “I’m sure Kaden will be a wonderful father! Never doubt him until you experience having children with him. Then you can judge him. But I’m still positive he’ll be wonderful with your children and help you a lot.”

  I smiled at Mom. “Thank you, Mom for the advice.”

  “You’re very welcome, Sara. I’m here for you.”

  “I know, Mom. Do you still think about Grandma?”

  Mom stopped fixing food with a sigh, wiped her hands, and sat down. She gestured for me to sit too. “I miss her like crazy,” Mom replied sadly.

  “I miss her too, Mom. She was like my best friend.”

  “Mine too.” Mom started crying and I did too. I hugged her.

  “Mom, grandma left so you could have Riley. Don’t you remember the saying that when one passes away, another is born?”

  “I believe in that saying. I just wish she didn’t have to go. I wish she could have stayed so Riley could love her as much as you do.” Mom kissed my forehead, then wiped her tears and stood up. We washed our hands and got back to cooking the food.

  When the food was finally thoroughly cooked, we set the food outside on the table. Then Kaden and I got dressed. By the time he finished, the guests started arriving. The very first guests to arrive were Anna, Rick and some of Anna’s family.

  Kaden and I greeted the guests as he showed everyone to the backyard. Once all the guests arrived, Kaden and I went outback to talk and have a good time. Everyone was swimming, chatting, laughing, drinking, dancing even relaxing.

  Kaden and I stepped over to my parents. My mom was in the pool with Riley, and she was having a ball in the water. My dad was sitting on the side with his feet in the water.

  Kaden and I sat on either side of him.

  We hadn’t been talking long when Anna pulled me aside. She seemed awfully excited.

  “What’s going on?” I asked.

  “He didn’t propose!” Anna exclaimed.

  I giggled. “Don’t seem too excited now.”

  “He did give me a commitment ring though.”

  “You know that’s almost like an engagement ring.”

  Anna laughed. “No, it’s not because we’re not going to be making any plans for a wedding.”

  “We’ll see come next year.”

  “Oh, we will see. You want to bet on it? I’ll be the winner in the end.”

  I giggled. “Anna, I can really get you going.”

  “Sara, you joke too much, girl.” She chuckled.

  “I really am glad for the two of you though. Hopefully in a couple years you and Rick will be married.”

  “I don’t know? We’ll see in time. Things might change.”

  “Or you don’t want things to change?”

  Anna shrugged her shoulders as I hugged her.

  Kaden called everyone over to grab a plate of food. After I grabbed my plate of food I went and sat next to my dad who was eating by himself with his feet in the pool.

  “Why are you sitting here all by your lonesome Dad?” I asked.

  “I thought I should get a tan,” Dad joked as he held up his white legs.

  I giggled. “I can’t believe how much has changed in my life in so little time.”

  “I can’t blame Kaden for loving you. I was against you getting engaged at such a young age, but I agreed to let you because I knew you
were happy with him and that’s all that mattered to me and of course I want him to take care of you and support you.” He smiled.

  “I miss living at home with you, Mom and Riley. I wish I had prolonged moving out.”

  “But look at you know. Kaden is there for you, you have your own home and your own life now.”

  “I can’t forget about my mom, dad and sister no matter how much of a good life I’m living or how far away I am. I will drop everything when you guys need me.”

  “You’re such a sweet daughter.” Dad pulled me too him and hugged me.

  “You’re such an amazing father to care about me so much.” We smiled at each other then we finished eating.

  Around ten that night everyone had left; Kaden and I hopped right into bed.

  “What a splendid party we threw!” Kaden exclaimed.

  “I think we should become party planners,” I suggested.

  “I like throwing our own parties, but I’d hate to have to do it all the time.”

  I giggled. “I had a short, but sweet conversation with my dad today.”

  “I saw you sitting with him. You should talk to him more.”

  “I just don’t know how to carry on a conversation with him.”

  “Find out what your Dad is interested in and go from there.”

  “The only thing he’s ever been interested in is his job.”

  “Talk about his job then. Better to talk about that than nothing.”

  “I would fall asleep hearing about his job. Work bores me.”

  He chuckled. “We’ll I hope you don’t fall asleep when we’re in meetings.”

  I giggled. “You might want to buy me fake eye stickers so I can put them over my eyes and everyone will think I’m awake.”

  “Until you don’t respond then your secret will be out.” He kissed me.

  “I love you more than a bowl of chocolate ice cream.”

  “Are you sure about that? If I had a bowl of delicious chocolate ice cream now would you take that or me?”

  I was quiet for a few moments. “I think I’d go with the ice cream.”

  “I knew it!” We giggled as we kissed for what seemed like minutes, but I didn’t want to stop. I loved the attention I received from Kaden.

  The next day Kaden and I cleaned up after the party. Then we played with the pugs for a few hours. After we wore out the pugs and they fell fast asleep, I wandered into the kitchen to fix lunch.

  I baked fish sticks and fries. After lunch Kaden and I took the pugs to the park for a pleasant walk.

  When we arrived I hooked Sadie onto the leash, and Kaden hooked Coco onto the other leash. We attempted walking with the pugs on the outside of us, but they were crying for each other. So Kaden and I switched hands so the pugs could be beside each other.

  “They must really like each other,” I noticed.

  “More like love,” Kaden responded.

  “Well, that’s what I said.”

  “No, you said it like there’s a difference.”

  I chuckled, “Okay, whatever you say. I wonder how Susie is doing.”

  “Haven’t you talked to her?”

  “No, I messaged her weeks ago, and she’s never answered me yet.”

  “Maybe she’s been busy?”

  “Yeah, with her boy toy Josh.”

  “Are you jealous?”

  “No.” I answered bluntly. “It sucks that she’s missing out on so much here. She would have been the life of the party last night.”

  “Things happen for a reason, and her moving happened for a reason.”

  “I hope to see her soon.”

  “I’ll make sure that you see her soon.”

  After walking several laps, we went back to the house. Sadie and Coco were in the living room and started playing. Kaden and I were seated on the couch thinking what to do for the rest of the day.

  “Do you want to invite Anna and Rick, your parents and Riley for a cookout?” Kaden asked me.

  “We just had a party yesterday though,” I reminded him.

  “Well, lets say that this cookout is to celebrate Anna and Rick’s commitment.”

  Kaden left to start the grill, and I called my mom and then Anna. They both agreed to come, so Kaden and I started preparing the food.

  Once we set the last tray of food on the table outside, my parents and Riley arrived, as well as Anna and Rick.

  We grabbed a plate of food. Then we gathered around the bar to eat. Riley was sleeping in her stroller.

  “Thank you, guys, for coming. We wanted to celebrate Anna and Rick’s commitment,” I stated.

  “Oh, it’s a pleasure,” Mom said and everyone nodded their heads positively because they had food in their mouths.

  Anna and Rick had to leave after they ate because they had made other plans for later in the evening. Mom helped me clean up while Dad watched Riley and chatted with Kaden.

  “What do you have planned for next weekend?” Mom inquired.

  “Well, I’m not sure. We usually don’t know until that day comes,” I replied.

  “Do you want to come over next weekend if you’re not busy and bake cupcakes?”

  “That’ll be great! What will Kaden do though?”

  “I thought Dad and Kaden can go play golf. Dad hasn’t played for years.”

  “Okay, I’ll mention that to Kaden tonight.”

  Mom and I finished cleaning up. Then they departed. Kaden and I took the pugs outback to play in the yard.

  “Kaden, Mom wants me to come over next weekend and bake cupcakes. She suggested you and my dad could go play golf.”

  “I haven’t played golf, though, but I can give it a shot.”

  “My dad hasn’t played for years, so he’ll be out of practice.”

  “Well, that’s good to know. I won’t be the only one lacking practice.”

  “I’m sure you both will have a good time even if you don’t make any shots.”

  “We sure will.”

  The next afternoon Kaden and I drove over to my mom’s house. Mom and I were going to bake cupcakes, while Kaden and my dad headed out to play golf. Mom and I mixed the batter while Riley crawled around and played with her toys.

  “When should Riley start walking?” I questioned Mom.

  “Well, maybe in a few more weeks. Riley’s been trying because she’ll take a few steps.

  Then she’ll fall on her bottom, but she’s getting there,” Mom replied.

  “Well, that’s wonderful. I think in the next few days she’ll be walking.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “Well, by what you’re saying, I think she’ll just get up in the next few mornings and take off running.”

  Mom chuckled. “If she actually does that, I’ll take you to the spa.”

  “Okay, it’s a deal.”

  “Yes, it is, but what if you’re wrong, what do I get?”

  “I’ll take you to the spa and get your hair done.”

  “I like the sound of that!”

  We giggled. “Well, if you really want it to happen, you’d better tell Riley to get up and run in the next few days.”

  We laughed. Then Riley came into the kitchen and wanted me to pick her up. I did as she desired and set her on the counter. She began taking in her baby language to me and being silly.

  “She absolutely loves you, Sara,” Mom stated.

  “I know she does, and I still can’t wait to baby sit her this summer.”

  “It won’t be long before you get to watch her.”

  “I know it. I’ve been thinking Kaden and I need to have a romantic day together.”

  “Haven’t you two been going out?”

  “No.”

&n
bsp; “Well plan a day.”

  Riley wanted to get down, so I put her down; and she crawled off and started playing again.

  “I think I might just do that.”

  “It’ll be good for you both to enjoy this time before you two take on your royal duties.”

  “Yeah, I’m going to plan a day definitely, but where?”

  “Let me think while you put the cupcakes in the oven while I change and prepare Riley for a nap.”

  I started to place the cupcakes in the oven, while Mom picked up Riley and walked to her room to change her.

  Mom soon came back and sat down next to me. “How about going ice skating, or bowling, and maybe go to a quiet sit-down dinner at a fancy restaurant?”

  “Wow, Mom that sounds great!”

  “Glad I could help.”

  “Did Riley go to sleep?”

  “Yeah, she did. She doesn’t take long to go to sleep.”

  “Well, that’s great!”

  “Well, I’m waiting to see how Riley does when the time changes, now that she’s older.”

  “I think she’ll still go to sleep easier for you.”

  “I hope so, or I’ll be calling you to take over.”

  We laughed. “No, you won’t, Mom.”

  “Yeah, you’re right.” We both laughed, “Do you want some lunch while we wait for the cupcakes to bake?”

  “Sure.”

  “I’m going to go get pizza from Pizza Hut. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Please keep an eye on the cupcakes and listen for Riley if she awakens.”

  I grinned. “Okay, Mom, I can do that.”

  “Thank you, Sweetheart.” She kissed my forehead and then left. I sat down in the living room and began watching TV, but I couldn’t keep my mind away from Kaden. We haven’t really been going out lately. I hope he’s not thinking of leaving me. I would be devastated if he didn’t want to be with me anymore. But I didn’t think he felt that way because he acted normally around me.

  I really had to ask him tonight if something was wrong or if he needed to tell me something. After a while, Mom came back with the pizza. We ate and then we took out the cupcakes to cool. Riley awoke so Mom went to take care of her. When she returned, Mom fed Riley and then came in the living room. She set Riley down to play while Mom sat next to me.