It's a Love Story

"Splatter." she said softly again. "Can I ride her?" she asked Mike.

"We should brush her first, give her some water, and put her saddle on. Then you can," he smiled.

She smiled and nodded. "I guess I should go unpack everything first and meet the rest of your family first though."

He smiled. "Whatever you want. You're the guest. Though, I promise my folks might be a bit too excited to meet you," he chuckled.

"Quit making me decide what we do." she smiled, wrapping her arms around his waist. "I could always make Cassie take me inside."

He chuckled. "Alright, let's go inside then," he kissed her. He took her hand and walked inside with both the girls. "Ma, Dad, we're back," he called, slipping off his shoes by the door. Cassie slipped off her shoes and ran to the living room, taking their parents hands and dragging them into the hallway. "See, see? She's real pretty," she smiled.

Mike chuckled. "Lilli, these are my folks, George and Michelle. Ma, Dad, this is Lilli."

"It's so nice to finally meet you," his mom smiled and hugged her. "Look how pretty you are! Such a shame you hav'n't been down b'fore. Now we gotta make up for it," she smiled cheerfully. Her voice had Mike's twang in it, but more profound.

George held out his hand, smiling. "Nice to meet you, Miss Lilli. Welcome to our home. You're welcome to stay as long as you like." His voice and twang rang deeper than his son's, but the twang was much less than Michelle's.

Lilli smiled and blushed slightly when called pretty. She slipped her shoes off, not wanting to be the only one wearing them. "Thank you." she said, staying close to Mike. She was suddenly shy. "You have a beautiful home. I only live in a small apartment in New York. Well, it's not small, it's rather big. But, smaller than this. I have presents." She said, popping up slightly. "I pumped Mike for days for information on you guys so I could get you presents I think you'll like." she blushed and turned to hide her face in Mikes shoulder. "I babble when I get nervous..." she mumbled, her voice muffled slightly as she clung to her boyfriend.

Mike chuckled, holding Lilli's hand. "No reason to be nervous, though you shouldn't have gotten us all something," he shook his head. "But they will love 'em," he chuckled, squeezing her hand gently.

"I'm sure we will," Michelle smiled. "We'd love anything you got us, dear. Oh, dear, there goes the timer. Are you hungry? I made country fried chicken," she grinned and went to the kitchen.

Lilli shrugged and lifted her head, staying as close to Mike as possible. "I'd love food. I'm starving." she smiled. "Haven't eaten since this morning and it was a long flight."

"It's a good thing I made plenty," Michelle smiled, peeking her head through the kitchen. Mike smiled and led her to the kitchen and sat down with her at the kitchen table.

"I don't know what came over me..." she said softly to Mike. "i've never been so randomally nervous."

He smiled and kissed her. "It's okay. No need to be nervous."

"well, not anymore." she smiled. "Didn't you say you had older brothers?" she asked, a little confused now.

"Older cousins," he corrected. "You'll meet them tomorrow, unfortunately. They like to pick on everyone."

She smiled and poked at his stomach. "Good thing I pick back."

"No, no, no. They'll end up hurting you," he told her, shaking his head. "They're not afraid to."

"And that's okay... I have a sister Mike..." she shrugged.

"Hurt you as in physically. They're not afraid to spook your horse and make her rear up to drop you or stomp on you. Don't pick on them back, just ignore them," he told her.

She looked confused again. "Would... would they really make Splatter do that?"

He nodded. "They would. They've made Cloud do that to me. He didn't stomp on me, but he ran away."

"that's horrible... why would they do that?" she asked, slowly, almost shyly moving to sit in his lap.

"I'm not sure why, but for some sick reason, they get a kick out of it," Mike sighed, shaking his head.

She kissed his lips gently. "Well, at least I have you to protect me."

He blushed slightly and nodded, smiling softly. "Yeah. I'm always here for you," he promised.

She nodded and kissed him again. "I know you are. And I'm here for you, also,"