Chapter Four: Angelo & Hay Lin
"Hey! We're at your family's ranch!", Hay Lin said as she looked around the area Angelo teleported them to.
And indeed that was where they were. You see with his family's fortune, the Vanders were able to buy the land needed to build a ranch in Texas. It is run buy Angelo's Uncle Paul and Aunt Helen. There are times when family comes to visit, but it's during the holidays when they get a lot of family and friends coming over. And sometimes when Paul and Helen go on vacation, another family member or two comes and runs things. But right now, Angelo has brought Hay Lin for some fun and something else.
"Not to complain, but why are we here?", Hay Lin asked as they waked towards the main house of the ranch. "With what you told me to pack, I figured that we'd be somewhere else."
"This is the first stop.", Angelo said. "We're going to have a bit of fun today and then head to our true location."
"Ooooooh!", Hay Lin said. "So what are going to do here?"
"Well..."
"Angelo? Hay Lin?", came a familiar female voice.
Both Angelo and Hay Lin looked to see Joe and Kadma Vanders sitting in rocking chairs, on the porch of the main house of the ranch.
"Hey, Grandma! Hey, Grandpa!", Angelo said as he walked up to his grandparents and gave them a hug. "When did you two get here?"
"Yesterday. We're here to run things while Paul and Helen are away.", Joe explained.
"Now tell us why you two are here.", Kadma said to her grandson.
"Well, I decided to bring Hay Lin here before we head to our real location tomorrow.", Angelo explained.
"I see.", Kadma said in an understanding tone. "Well, don't let me keep you two waiting. Go have fun."
"Thanks, Grandma!", Angelo said as he and Hay Lin went into the house.
"Remember when we would do stuff like that on Valentine's Day?", Joe asked his wife as they sat in their rocking chairs.
"What do you think we're doing now?", Kadma questioned with a smile.
"Good point.", Joe said with a smile of his own. "I guess you're never to old for love."
"You never are.", Kadma said as they shared a kiss.
After they put their bags in their rooms, Angelo guided Hay Lin out to a fenced in area where there were horses either walking, running around, or grazing on some grass.
"That's a lot of horses!", Hay Lin said delighted to so many horses.
"Have you ever rode any?", Angelo asked.
"Nope!", Hay Lin said. "Never had the need to learn."
"Well, you're going to learn today!", Angelo said making Hay Lin smile her beaming smile that Angelo loved to see. "But first...", he said as he reached into a bag he had with him. "You'll need this.", he said as he pulled out a tan cowgirl hat for Hay Lin who squealed in delight as she took it and put it on.
"I love it!", Hay Lin said happily as Angelo pulled out a tan cowboy hat and put it on.
"You ready to ride a horse?", Angelo asked.
"Uh-huh!", Hay Lin said with a nod.
"Then let's ride!", Angelo said as they headed for the stables.
Once at the stables, and with help of one of the stable boys, Angelo and Hay Lin found two brown horse to ride. Now for Angelo, it wasn't a problem for him to ride his horse. But Hay Lin was another story. The poor girl was mostly holding onto the horse with her arms around his neck and her eyes closed. Seeing this, Angelo knew that she needed more time to get use to the horse.
"Relax, Hay Lin!", Angelo said with a grin as he rode up to her. "Let go of the horse's neck and calm down."
"O-O-Okay.", Hay Lin said nervously as she released the horse's neck and sat up.
"Now, take a deep breath and grab the reins.", he instructed as he stayed by her side. "I'll be right here with you."
Hay Lin then took a deep breath while grabbing the reins.
"Now, here we go.", Angelo said as he was ready to show her how to ride. "Do what I do and everything will be alright."
"Okay.", Hay Lin said still feeling a bit scared of falling off.
Angelo then calmly had his horse move by making a clicking sound. Seeing this, Hay Lin did the same thing and hoped for the best. Once she did this, the horse began to move slowly. Seeing this, Hay Lin breathed a sigh of relief. For the rest of the morning, Angelo got Hay Lin use to riding the horse. So after taking a break for lunch, they decided to pick up the pace and begin to go faster. And much to Hay Lin's surprise, she was able to ride the horse pretty well. So, for the rest of the day, they rode around the area enjoying their time together. Granted they let their horses have a break here and there. But at the end of the day, they had a great time.
"That was so fun!", Hay Lin said as they walked away from the stables after returning the horses. "I thought that I'd have a much harder time learning to ride a horse."
"And yet you didn't.", Angelo said as they walked towards the house.
"When we were really moving, it felt like the it feels when I'm flying when I go Guardian!", Hay Lin explained. "I felt free."
"It is a great feeling, isn't it.", Angelo asked getting a nod from Hay Lin.
"So, how was it for you when you learned how to ride a horse?", Hay Lin asked.
"I was scared out of my mind!", he said with a grin. "I was seven and at that age, the horse looked HUGE!", he said getting a giggle out of Hay Lin. "But, in time I got used to riding and got good at it.", he explained as they entered the house.
Just then, Hay Lin stomach began to growl.
"Something tells me that you worked up an appetite.", Angelo said with a grin as Hay Lin blushed a bit.
"That's good to hear!", Joe said as he came walking up to the young couple. "Cause it's time to eat!"
So, they along with Kadma and Joe had a hearty dinner followed by Joe and Kadma telling stories from their days of going to other worlds as a Defender and Guardian. Before they knew it, Angelo and Hay Lin fell asleep on the couch with Hay Lin resting her head on Angelo's shoulder. Not wanting to wake them, Kadma placed a blanket on them letting them have their sleep.
"You know, I never thought that Angelo would end up with a Guardian.", Joe replied as he and Kadma went to their room.
"True. But at least they make each other happy.", Kadma said. "And in the end that's what truly matters when it comes to love."
"On that, my love, we both agree.", Joe said before they shared a loving kiss before retiring to their bedroom for the night.
The next morning, Angelo and Hay Lin got cleaned up and were ready to leave for the next stop for Valentine's Day. Angelo was dressed in a pair of black jeans and a red shirt with brown hiking boots while Hay Lin was dressed in a pair of black jeans and a violet blouse with tan hiking boots. After having breakfast with Joe and Kadma, they said their goodbye and see-you-laters and picked up their bags, as well as a thing of roses Angelo picked from the garden there, ready to go.
"So, where are we going now?", Hay Lin asked.
"Somewhere cool.", Angelo said with a smile. "But first, we have to make a quick stop."
"Okay.", Hay Lin said with a smile as Angelo took her hand and teleported away.
"Think he's going to where I think he's going?", Kadma questioned as she and Joe watch the couple teleport away.
"He always does on Valentine's Day.", Joe replied. "He said it's his way of showing his love and respect for them."
"He lost then at such a young age.", Kadma said as a tear ran down her face. "I know he misses them."
"We all do, Kadma.", Joe said with a kind smile. "We all do."
Kadma then smiled back at Joe before they headed inside the house. As for Angelo and Hay Lin, Angelo had teleported them to a cemetary, which not only confused, but creeped Hay Lin out a bit.
"Ummmm... Angelo? Why are we in a cemetary?", Hay Lin questioned as she moved a bit closer to Angelo.
"I come here every Valentine's Day.", Angelo said as he led Hay Lin to a grave.
Hay Lin read to tombstone and saw tha it was the grave of Angelo's parents.
"Your parents.", Hay Lin said realising this was important to Angelo.
"Yeah.", he said as he knelt down to the grave and placed the roses in front of the tombstone. "I know it sounds weird but I come here and talk to them for a bit and tell them about how things are going."
"It doesn't sound weird.", Hay Lin said as she knelt next to Angelo smiling.
"Thanks.", Angelo said before he turned his attention to his parents grave. "Hey, Mom. Hey, Dad. Happy Valentine's Day. Things have been a bit busy with my Defender duties but it's all good. I know that you two are watching over me as best you can. But today I want you meet someone special to me.", he said as he held Hay Lin's hand. "Mom. Dad. This is Hay Lin. She's my girlfriend. And a Guardian. Can you believe it? It's just like Grandpa and Grandma! I wish you were still around so you can meet her, but I know that you're watching over me. Grandma told me that you two always wanted me to meet that special someone who make me happy. Well, I have.", he said as he looked at Hay Lin who smiled at him. "Hay Lin makes me happy. And I hope that what we have last for a long time."
"Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Vanders.", Hay Lin said. "I want to thank you for bringing your son into the world. For he makes me happy too. I just hope that I can be the woman who you wanted for him."
"You don't have to worry about that, Hay Lin.", Angelo said. "You make me happy. And for me, that's all that matters.", he said before they shared a quick kiss. "You ready to go?"
"Yeah.", Hay Lin said with a smile as they stood up.
"Later, Mom and Dad.", Angelo said as they grabbed their bags.
"Happy Valentine's Day.", Angelo and Hay Lin said before Angelo teleported away with Hay Lin.
Mount Heatherfield.
A place where, if the weather is right, people go to for some fun in the snow. From skiing to snowboarding and sledding, people of all ages enjoy the wonder of the mountain's resort. But also there are some cabins. One of which belongs to the Vanders family. Which is where Angelo and Hay Lin are now.
"So we're on Mount Heatherfield?", Hay Lin questioned as she looked out the window of the cabin.
"We sure are.", Angelo replied as he set his bag down. "Uncle John had this cabin built here last Summer. It's two stories with a Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, a Bathroom on both floors, seven Bedrooms, a hot tub, and a fireplace. And we have central air for heating."
"Wow!", Hay Lin said with a smile. "Oh! Can we go skiing?"
"Of course!", Angelo said as he walked up to a closet and opened the door to show some skies, snowboards, and a large plastic disc to slide with. "I got all of this and brought it here the other day. As well as these!", he said a he opened the closet door some more to show ski jackets for them to wear.
"I love it!", Hay Lin said as she ran up to the closet and grabbed the bright yellow jacket along with the violet gloves, scarf, goggles, and wool hood she knew was for her.
As for Angelo he had a white jacket with black gloves, scarf, goggles, and wool hood. But before they went have some fun, they went and unpacked their suitcases in the room they were sharing. Once they were done with that, they put their jackets and other things on and were ready to go out for some fun in the snow. They grabbed their skies, snowboards, and disc and teleported to the resort. Once at the resort, they went to join the other people in having fun. At first, Hay Lin was having fun with her set of skies while Angelo was kicking it on his snowboard. But soon, Angelo was showing Hay Lin how to snowboard, which for some reason she took to pretty well. Soon the both of them were either snowboarding or skiing down the slopes. Every once in a while they'd go down the slopes together on the disc, but they were mostly snowboarding side-by-side together.
Both were having a great time before they had to take a break from the cold. So, they went and had some hot chocolate at the resort while sitting in front of the fireplace together.
"Mmmmmm!", Hay Lin said after sipping some coco. "That hits the spot."
"No kidding.", Angelo said after sipping some of his coco. "Nothing like hot chocolate to hit the spot when it's cold."
"Yeeeeeaaaah.", Hay Lin said with a happy sigh. "You know. I never thought I'd be spending Valentine's Day here. Thanks!"
"I figured that you'd like it.", Angelo said. "And wait until tonight! You're in for a surprise or two!"
"Can't wait.", Hay Lin said with a smile before they shared a kiss.
After they had they hot chocolate and resting for a bit, they went back out to do some skiing before heading back to the cabin. Later that evening, they were back at the cabin to cook their dinner together. They meal of choice, chicken cordon blue with a salad. After they cooked their dinner, Angelo let Hay Lin go get ready while he set the table, before he went get cleaned up and ready himself. Angelo came into the Dining Room dressed in a pair of black pants and shoes with a white dress shirt and Hay Lin came in dressed in a white chinese dress that went down to her ankles, with slits on both sides, with white short heel shoes. On her dress were pink flower patterns.
"I like your dress.", Angelo said making Hay Lin smile. "I take it that you made it yourself."
"Well, my mom helped with the flower pattern.", Hay Lin said with a slight blush as Angelo pulled out her chair for her.
"Well, it looks great.", Angelo said as Hay Lin sat in the chair.
"Thanks.", she said as he pushed her seat in.
Angelo then took his seat and they began to eat their food with some sparkling white grape cider. As they ate, Angelo hoped that Hay Lin would see what he planted for Hay Lin to see.
"So, were you able to finish your painting for the art exhibit?", Angelo asked.
"Yes.", Hay Lin said. "I was able to finish it a day ago. Will you be able to see it the night of the exhibit?"
"Of course.", Angelo said. "I wouldn't miss it."
"Good!", Hay Lin said happily as she continued to eat her meal.
After eating their dinner, Hay Lin noticed something about her plate and the bowl she had her salad in. For some reason the letter an arrow pointing forward was painted in her bowl. It was a bit weird to her but she didn't pay it no mind. Then, she looked at the plate that her dinner was on. All she saw there was a heart with an arrow pointing towards her. At first, she didn't get it, then she remembered the bowl. She grabbed the bowl and held it in front of the plate.
Then she put it all together.
I love you.
She took a deep breath and put her hands over her mouth and looked at Angelo, who was smiling.
"Angelo?", Hay Lin questioned softly.
"Hay Lin, I love you.", Angelo said. "When we first got together, you made me so happy. Everything about you drives me crazy. Your walk, your eyes, your hair, your laugh, and your smile. I love everything about you. I just wanted you to know how I felt about you no matter what happens afterwards."
'He loves me.', she thought to herself.
Suddenly, Hay Lin broke into tears after realising that Angelo loves her the way she loves him. Angelo saw this and thought it was cause he did the wrong thing.
"Don't cry, Hay Lin.", Angelo said as he got up and walked over her. "I didn't mean to make you cry. I just wanted to let you know how I feel about you. I'm sorry."
"It's not that.", Hay Lin replied as she look up at him. "I'm crying cause I'm happy."
"Happy?"
"Yeah!", she said with a smile. "I'm happy because, I love you too!"
"Y-You do?!", Angelo questioned.
"Yes! I do.", Hay Lin said still smiling.
Hay Lin then stood up to sealed their love with a loving kiss. They then looked into each other's eyes and saw the love they had for each other and knew their relationship had grown. After they cleaned the table off, Angelo and Hay Lin ended up in the hot tub together drinking some white grape sparkling cider from champagne glasses. Angelo was wearing a pair of blue swim trunks while Hay Lin was wearing a white swimsuit with her hair let out.
"Dinner was great.", Hay Lin said before she took a sip of her glass.
"Well we did cook it.", Angelo said with a grin.
"That's what made it so great!", Hay Lin said with a smile. "We made it together."
"Good point.", Angelo said in agreement. "You know, we should come up here more often. Just you and me."
"Really? You mean it?", Hay Lin questioned.
"Yeah!", Angelo said. "It'll be our little get away from the stress of fighting the forces of evil."
"Ooooooh!", Hay Lin said delighted with what Angelo suggested. "I love it! A place to kick back and relax to get away from it all!", she said before they shared a loving kiss. "And I love you."
"I love you, too.", Angelo said before they shared another kiss. "So, you ready to get out of here and in front of the fireplace?"
"I thought you'd never ask.", Hay Lin said as they got out of the hot tub. "The hot tub is nice, but I find sitting in front of the fireplace a bit more cozy."
"Same here.", Angelo said as he helped Hay lin put her robe on.
"Thank you, kind sir.", Hay Lin said as Angelo put his robe on.
"You're welcome, me lady.", Angelo said as he grabbed the bottle of sparkling cider and the two glasses. "And now to the fireplace."
"After we change first.", Hay Lin said as Angelo turned the hot tub off and let it drain.
"Of course.", Angelo said as they left the room the hot tub was in and went to get changed.
Minutes later, they were sitting in front of the fireplace. They spot they were sitting in was a small dip that was built in front of the fireplace. It had cushions, blankets and pillows for anyone who wanted to use it. And right now, that was what Angelo and Hay Lin were doing. Angelo was wearing a pair of black sleeping pants with a white robe, while Hay Lin was dressed in a white, thin-strapped, satin nightgown with a white robe. Both were laying together on the blankets enjoying the atmosphere the fireplace was giving. Angelo gently touched Hay Lin's face. The fire in the room left a warm, shadowy red glow on their skin in the dark room.
"I love you, Hay Lin.", Angelo said as they looked each other in the eye.
"And I love you, Angelo Vanders.", she said before they shared a loving kiss.
For the rest of the evening, the young couple stayed in front of the fireplace enjoying each other's company. Soon, they began to get tired, but instead of heading to bed, they just pulled one of the quilts over themselves and slowly but surly fell asleep with Hay Lin resting her head on his chest. Both knowing that they're relationship had grown better than it was.
A/N: And that people was Angelo and Hay Lin's Valentine's Day. Hope it was to your liking. Cause I sure enjoyed writing it, just like the two chapters before this one. Up next is Ricky & Taranee. Hope you enjoy it!
Please review.