Chapter One:Family(edited)

"Hey Lindsey, be careful please." Karen called out, her voice filled with concern, as she watched her friend climb up the tree.

Lindsey balanced herself on the branch, reaching out to pluck the red apple. "I've got it!" she called triumphantly as she carefully made her way down to the ground.

Karen sighed in relief as she saw her friend safely on the ground. "You always make me worry, you know that?" she chided with a gentle smile, knowing that Lindsey's adventurous spirit always got the better of her.

Lindsey flashed a mischievous grin, "But that’s what friends are for, to keep you on your toes."

Karen rolled her eyes, "Yeah, yeah. Come on, we need to get back home. Your parents have been searching for you."

"Ugh, they worry too much," Lindsey grumbled as they made their way back. "But I guess it's nice to know they care."

"Exactly," Karen nodded, "You're lucky to have parents who care so much."

"I suppose you're right," Lindsey conceded, looking over at the picturesque cottage they called home before letting out a contented sigh.

"Well, you need to show them and at the same time tell them," Karen advised, looking at her best friend with a look of understanding.

"I will," Lindsey replied with determination, nodding in agreement. "Come on, we need to get inside before they come out," she said, holding out her hand towards Karen.

"Too late," Karen said with a smile as she took Lindsey's hand, the both of them looking at the door where a middle-aged woman stood with a handsome yet broad man, his hands wrapped around the woman.

"Mom... Dad!" Lindsey called out with joy as she ran towards her parents, dragging Karen along.

"Lindsey!" they both exclaimed happily, with smiles on their faces as they embraced their daughter.

"Good day, Mr. and Mrs. A****n," greeted Karen as she bowed towards them.

"Oh, Karen, stop with the formalities," Martha said, pulling Karen in for a hug. "Since you don't want to call me 'Mom,' then call me Martha."

"No, ma'am, I don't want to impose," Karen replied humbly.

"You are not imposing," Derek boomed. "And you can also just call me Derek."

"How do you expect her to call you Derek when you have a scary look on your face," Martha muttered to her husband.

"It's not a scary look," Derek retorted, earning a playful glare from his wife.

"Let's go inside. I made casserole, you must be hungry," said Martha, pushing the girls inside and walking in behind them.

The inside of the cottage was even more beautiful compared to the outside. The parlor had a magnificent chandelier that added to the beauty, along with a big flat screen and a lovely fancy couch. There was a zigzag stairway that led upstairs. The parlor had a homely vibe, with pictures of Lindsey from when she was little to now, and a picture of the happy family decorating the walls.

"Come on," ushered Lindsey as she walked to the dining table. Derek was already seated at the head, and different foods were placed on the table, such as casserole, lasagna, and spaghetti and meatballs.

"I thought your mom said she made casserole?" asked Karen quietly as she looked at the table once more.

"She did," Lindsey replied with a shrug. "But you should know her by now."

"I do, but that doesn't mean I won't be surprised every now and then," muttered Karen as she watched Martha dishing out the food into four different plates, customizing them to each person's taste, and setting them on the table. Martha then walked over to her seat, which was beside her husband.

"Let's dig in," Martha said as she grabbed her fork.

"This is delicious, ma'am," said Karen after taking three spoons of Martha's homemade casserole.

"Thanks, dear. I'm glad you are enjoying my food," Martha said as she dug her fork into her plate of spaghetti and meatballs, rolled it, and then put it in her mouth. "Delicious," she moaned as she carefully chewed her food, already digging her fork for more.

"Wow, Mom, this is the best lasagna I have ever tasted," Lindsey said with her spoon pointing towards her plate of lasagna.

"Thanks, darling, even though you say that about all my cooking," replied Martha with a smile.

"That's because it's true," Lindsey drawled, already taking another spoonful of lasagna.

"Eff Efff Efff," coughed Derek as Martha quickly got a glass of water. "Here," she said, giving him the water. "Careful."

"Thanks," replied Derek as he drank the water in one gulp.

"I said careful," yelled Martha, worriedly.

"It's okay, dear, I'm fine. It was just a cough," he replied, placing a calming hand on his wife's hands, which were on the table.

"Done," Lindsey yelled as she stood up, carrying her empty plate to the kitchen sink.

"Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. A****n, for the meal. It was delicious," Karen said as she also made her way to the kitchen with her plate in her hands.

"Wow, they sure do eat fast," Derek said, looking at the kitchen.

"Or maybe we eat slow," Martha said as she smiled at her husband.

"Well, your food is delicious and needs to be savored, not rushed," Derek said as he slowly ate his.

"You're the only one who thinks that way," Martha said with a laugh.

"Then I guess we still have a lot of teaching to do," stated Derek as he pushed aside his empty plate, wiping his mouth with a towel. "Thanks, darling, for the meal," he said as he kissed her softly.

"You're welcome," she replied with a blush on her face as she hurriedly cleared the table.

"You know what," she said, wiping her hands, "I'm glad we decided to come to Texas." She continued walking over to her husband as she sat on his legs with her legs on either side.

"Same here," murmured Derek as he wrapped his hand round her waist, hugging her tightly. "Work in New York, my family matters most," he said with a kiss to her forehead.