Hey Lovelies...thanks for reading and reviewing. I am glad you all are liking this story. Hope you all have a happy holiday weekend. Love, Jen
Kelsi could not believe she was doing this...and in "this" she was referring to her date with Ryan Evans that was taking place in about ten minutes. She had even been swayed into wearing a dress. She took a moment to look at the little girl who had swayed her. Sitting on her full bed looking pretty as a peach was Grace.
"Grace honey, I don't think it is actually necessary for me to wear a dress. I think my usual jeans and t-shirt will suffice." Kelsi said, an almost pleading note to her voice.
Grace looked at her Mommy and smiled. Her Mommy looked beautiful in the yellow dress with her long brown curls tumbling over her shoulders and down her back. The yellow dress was Grace's favorite, it was tight on the top and then opened into a nice "poof" at the bottom that fell right above the knee. Grace didn't understand why her Mommy never wore dresses, she looked so pretty in them. She decided it was only right to vocalize this fact to her Mommy.
"Mommy, you look so pretty. Please keep the dress on...please." Grace said looking at her Mommy with the epitome of puppy dog eyes.
Kelsi looked at her daughter's sweet face, how on earth was she supposed to say "no" to that face? Kelsi guessed that was the point, she wasn't supposed to say no. Using her small fingers to hike up the fitted bodice of the dress, Kelsi took a moment to study her reflection in the mirror. The yellow dress was lovely and Kelsi had never worn it yet, it wasn't like she had potential dates beating down her door. The strapless bodice showed off her smooth tanned shoulders and back. She just hoped Ryan didn't get the wrong idea when he saw she was dressed up for their date. Kelsi wasn't sure what idea she wanted him to have or what even classified as a "wrong" idea...God, now she was even rambling in her mind. Kelsi took a deep steadying breath before turning from the mirror to face her daughter.
"Okay Grace you win...I'll wear the dress." Kelsi conceded.
Grace jumped down from her perch on the bed to do a creative happy dance on the floor. Kelsi couldn't help but laugh at her daughter's antics as she watched Grace wiggle her bottom in a hilarious manner.
"So final verdict my dear, glasses or no glasses?" Kelsi asked while pointing to her eye wear.
Grace paused mid-happy dance and pursed her lips, while looking at her Mommy's glasses in a thoughtful manner.
"No glasses tonight Mommy." Grace announced, secretly thinking that it will be easier for her Daddy to kiss her Mommy without glasses getting in the way.
Kelsi nodded at her daughter and smiled as she made her way to the bathroom where she kept her contacts. She didn't have to turn to know Grace was dutifully following her. Kelsi couldn't help but be moved by how involved Grace wanted to be in the whole "getting ready for a date" process. It was safe to say where Kelsi was nervous about the date, Grace was an equal amount of excited. Kelsi just hoped this date was a good idea and not a huge mistake.
Grace saw the worried look come back into her Mommy's eyes...which were now glasses free.
"Mommy, you are not still nervous about the date with Daddy are you?" Grace asked.
Kelsi gifted her daughter with a gentle smile.
"Unlike you Bunny Rabbit I am more often nervous than not." Kelsi continued under her breath, "especially when it pertains to your father."
Kelsi couldn't help thinking about what her daughter had said earlier, about how Ryan was in love with her. A sudden hopeful feeling washed over Kelsi one she quickly shook off. If Ryan were in love with her he never would have left her behind in the first place. Kelsi's mind may have been telling her this, but her heart was desperately hoping what Grace had said was true. Kelsi placed a shaking hand against her jittery stomach as the doorbell echoed throughout the house.
Grace hurriedly danced her way to the front door.
"Daddy's here!" She shouted enthusiastically.
Kelsi closely followed Grace to the front of her small house and held her breath as she watched her daughter open the door.
Grace let out an excited squeal when she was greeted by her Aunt Sharpay and Uncle Zeke. She launched herself at her tall uncle while he carefully settled her against his chest. Sharpay took in Kelsi's expression before addressing her.
"Breath Kelsi! Dear Lord, you are going to faint before this date even starts if you keep holding your breath like that." Sharpay ordered.
Kelsi internally told herself to calm down while she looked at Sharpay and Zeke in confusion.
"What are you both doing here?" Kelsi asked.
Sharpay turned towards her niece and gifted her with a radiant smile, she looked so sweet nestled in Zeke's strong arms.
"We are here to babysit our little princess....free of charge." Sharpay quickly added.
Grace let out an excited "whoop". She was beyond thrilled, tonight was going to be the most fun ever! She quickly braced her slender arms out towards her Aunt Sharpay, using actions to convey what she wanted.
Sharpay didn't need any prodding, she gratefully let Zeke transfer Grace into her arms. Sharpay felt tears fill her eyes as Grace's little bow lips met her blushed cheek with a soft kiss.
"I am so glad you are here Aunt Sharpay." Grace said with feeling. She turned towards her Uncle, bestowing him a cheeky grin. "And you too Uncle Zeke." And that's when Grace's excited rambling began. "We are going to play dolls and sing and dance and color...oh, and play dress up."
A look of panic came across Zeke's features at the mention of dress up...he was having a horrible vision of himself in a pink tutu.
"Maybe the dress up part can take place while I am whipping up a fun dessert." Zeke said, saving himself from pink tutu nightmares.
Grace's face immediately lit up.
"Dessert?" She said, twinkling blue eyes alert and focused on Zeke.
Zeke let out a joyous laugh.
"Oh yeah, I see your taste buds are definitely similar to your Aunt's."
At that comment, all of the adults burst into laughter as Grace bashfully rested her head on her Aunt's shoulder. Kelsi's laughter immediately halted as she saw Ryan appear at the door. And that's when time seemed to stop. He was beautiful...perfect really. He was dressed in tailored dove gray dress slacks and light blue button down shirt that was opened just enough to see hints of his strong chest. A light gray vintage hat completed his flawless ensemble. He looked so polished, Kelsi looked down at her yellow dress feeling mostly adequate. Her feelings of adequacy ceased however when she stole a glance at Ryan...he seemed to be frozen on the spot.
All he could do was stare at her. He had seen Kelsi dressed up before, but never like this. She looked gorgeous. The yellow dressed fit her to a T. Her skin seemed to be glowing...she was a vision. Her narrow feet were placed inside white moderately heeled sandals. Oh God, little red toes were peaking out. Ryan was having trouble breathing and he was pretty sure his color was rising.
Sharpay and Zeke looked at the couple with amused glances. Both were fairly certain that everything was going to change tonight.
Grace looked at her parents in confusion. Why did they keep staring at each other like that...it was kind of weird. Maybe her Daddy was nervous too, just like her Mommy. Grace decided to set her Daddy's mind at ease.
"Don't worry Daddy, you don't need to be nervous." Grace began.
Ryan tore his gaze away from Kelsi to focus on his daughter. He naturally lifted her from his sister's arms enveloping his baby in a loving hug.
"And why shouldn't I be nervous Gracie?" Ryan asked, using the nickname he had adopted for his daughter.
Grace was more than happy to answer her father.
"Because Mommy loves you just like you love her." Grace answered in a very proud manner, like she had just discovered the meaning of life.
Kelsi was convinced she was dreaming. She knew her daughter did not just say that to Ryan. Her huge blue eyes met Ryan's equally surprised ones. He was looking at her with...longing and a what looked like embarrassment. Oh God, she wasn't dreaming, her baby just declared her love for Ryan. Maybe if she wished hard enough the floor would raise up from the ground and swallow her up. Kelsi closed her eyes and started wishing.
"Kelsi?" Ryan asked softly.
Kelsi slowly opened her eyes and looked up at Ryan. As she looked at her ex-boyfriend, father to her little girl she knew there was only one man she would ever love...and he was standing in her doorway. (And it wasn't Zeke.) Kelsi gazed expectantly at Ryan.
"I think it's time to go." Ryan said simply, a gentle understanding apparent in his eyes. He took a moment to kiss Grace, loving the feeling of rightness that entered his body when he felt her tiny arms entwined around his neck.
Grace was transferred from her father's arms and into her mother's. The little girl looked up at her Mommy, putting her small hands on both sides of her mother's face.
"I love you Mommy. Have a great night." Grace said meaningfully.
Kelsi nuzzled her face against her daughter's fragrant berry-scented hair, relishing the feeling of having her daughter wrapped around her.
"I love you too baby, so much. Have fun with Uncle Zeke and Aunt Sharpay." Kelsi said, placing a soft kiss on her daughter's forehead. Kelsi placed Grace's tiny feet on the ground before turning to Sharpay and Zeke.
"Thanks you guys. I really appreciate you both being here." Kelsi stated quietly.
Sharpay smiled an encouraging smile while Zeke wrapped his arms around Kelsi.
"Have a good time tonight Playmaker...and don't think too much." Zeke whispered so that only Kelsi could hear.
Kelsi stifled a giggle before responding. "I'll try."
Ryan watched as Kelsi turned out of Zeke's embrace and captured his waiting hand. As his hand wrapped around Kelsi's it seemed like an electric current went through her body and into his.
"Ready?" He asked with a smile.
Kelsi couldn't help but wonder if that was a loaded question. Yet as she walked with Ryan down the pathway that led away from her sanctuary, she realized she was ready. Her heart had lived in a safe place for so long and still something had always been missing. As she felt the warmth of Ryan's hand wrapped around her own, she realized what had been absent from her life until now...him.
With that thought fresh in her mind she turned towards the love of her life.
"Yes Ryan...I'm ready."
Sharpay, Zeke and Grace stood watching the young couple walk tentatively down the walkway. Sharpay turned to look down at her adorable niece.
"That was a smooth move, confessing that they loved one another." Sharpay said addressing the top of Grace's head.
Grace watched her Daddy help her Mommy step into his big car, a grin plastered on her small face. She looked up at her Aunt Sharpay with an innocent expression.
"I don't know what you mean Aunt Sharpay?"
Zeke started laughing hysterically, before addressing his wife and niece.
"She is your niece on so many different levels honey."
The next chapter is going to be the date...the set up was more detailed than I was expecting. I will be posting the date sometime tomorrow...thanks for reading! :-)