Is this destiny?

~ Fairfield ~

Wednesday

Sarah and Aiden had a wake up alarm set for 5 AM. Too early for their standards, and they skipped their usual morning cuddles because they need to get ready for the hike in a nearby state park. An early start will allow them to return in time for lunch. Well, that was the plan.

Aiden got out of the shower and found that Sarah is still in the bed.

"Hey!"

His call startled her awake. "What?"

He chuckled. "You slept off."

"I didn't.", she lied. "I was just resting my eyes."

They both woke up at the sound of the alarm. Aiden went to get ready, knowing that if he lingers in the bed he will sleep off again. Sarah said she is right behind him… but she never left the bed! It was too early, and she was too sleepy, and the bed was warm and cozy.

"You are the one who wanted this hike.", Aiden reminded her while watching her stretch lazily.

Aiden was upset that he woke up early because of her, and she ended up oversleeping. Doesn't she know that he likes to stay in the bed longer as well? Did she close her eyes again?!

Sarah yawned. "And I still want it. It's good to get some exercise."

She started scooting to get out of the bed, with her eyes still closed, and Aiden wondered if she can get any slower.

He got an idea.

Aiden got on top of Sarah and kissed her neck. "If exercise is what you want, we don't need to leave this bed."

Sarah wiggled under him, his breath was tickling. "A hike is more than just an exercise. It includes fresh air and nature also."

"I will open the window.", he said cheekily.

Aiden moved under the cover and with his hands pushed up his t-shirt which she used as a sleepwear and… she was wide awake. They didn't go hiking.

…

Later that morning, the two of them went to the local market.

The market has two areas, the enclosed one where vendors lease space and set up their stalls in a weather-protected area, and the outdoor one which is a large field in the back where anyone can set up a tent, a table or just spread a blanket and open their shop for the day.

It's a daily market which opens at 8 AM and on every Wednesday and Sunday extra vendors come, expanding the offerings. Today is a Wednesday, and you can find there almost anything: produce, clothes, furniture, artwork, antiques, jewelry.

One vendor had a box of puppies available for adoption. Aiden saw the puppies and swiftly navigated Sarah in a different direction. One Kitty is enough! And they have tropical birds and koi fish at the Cliffside villa as well. 

Luckily, Sarah was focused on the merchandise right in front of her and didn't notice the puppies three stalls in front.

Sarah's attention got on one girl, maybe ten years old, who was sitting on a blanket and had in front of her a variety of bracelets made out of neatly braided leather strips. 

"What do you think?", Sarah asked Aiden while looking at the bracelets.

Aiden was still thinking how he barely escaped Sarah adopting puppies and his sight fell on the vendor-girl.

"We are not taking her.", he said flatly.

Sarah burst into a fit of giggles. "I was talking about the bracelets. We can get one for each of our kids…"

Aiden smiled at his blunder. "We are getting them presents?"

"Souvenirs.", Sarah responded. "This is a pleasure-only trip, a vacation. We should get souvenirs."

Aiden liked her 'pleasure-only' description. It's forever since the two of them went on a vacation, without some work related agenda. They got bracelets for everyone.

Sarah was happy that she found a small bracelet for Lia. She is performing her aunt responsibilities well.

After they finalized their choices, the vendor-girl was ecstatic because she almost sold-out her handmade bracelets.

Sarah enjoyed girl's enthusiasm and moved along to see what else is available.

Aiden observed Sarah while she cheerfully moved from one stall to another and happily chatted with vendors about the things they are offering. It was a very peaceful and heartwarming sight, and he hoped to engrave it into his memory. Even better, he hoped that it will last.

"How about these?", Sarah's question pulled Aiden out of his stupor.

He frowned when he realized that she is pointing at some wide-leafed potted plants.

"Where will you keep them?"

He also wanted to know, since when is she into gardening and plants? But that was a secondary question.

"In your place, on the window in the kitchen, or a living room.", she responded. "There are no plants. These will bring in some color and life…"

"These will bring decay as well when they dry off because no one is taking care of them.", Aiden reminded her that they are coming to his apartment few times a year (at most). Who will water the plants? Don't they need some other care as well? Neither of them has any experience with growing plants!

"Don't you have someone to come and clean your place?", Sarah asked while ignoring his displeasure.

"Yeah. Once a month. To clean, not to take care of plants." Aiden saw that Sarah is not willing to give up and he turned to the vendor-woman. "These need watering more often than once a month, right?"

The woman confirmed. "Yes. At least two times a week."

Aiden gave Sarah 'I-told-you-so' look and ushered her toward the next stall. It's a 'no' for plants. And for puppies as well.

Sarah got distracted by trinkets on the next stall. Aiden was happy about that.

Aiden saw that they are moving in the direction of the food trucks and sighed. He will never understand Sarah's fascination with street food. How can that be better than a well-balanced meal in a luxurious restaurant?

He was thinking about which way to take Sarah, before she asks for lunch from one of those food trucks. He needs to avoid puppies and plants.

Aiden was pleasantly surprised when Sarah stopped at one stall. It seems that she was not going for the food trucks!

Aiden observed the stall which got Sarah's attention and saw an older man who was selling artwork and some old-looking chairs and coat hangers. He followed her sight when he noticed that she is staring at one spot. It was a painting, resting on the table in the back of the tent: a meadow filled with wildflowers, surrounded with a forest and snowy-peak mountains in the back. Other than two fluffy white clouds, the sky was deep blue.

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