Answered Prayers (a Hunter Hayes Fanfic)

Prequel One

Kaylee's Point of View

Have you ever had a love so strong that it feels like a dream? One that one never wants to be awoken from. That's the kind of love that I was lucky enough to have.

For years, I believed in fairytales, imagined that they could one day be reality. As a child, my parents would always read me storybooks full of hope for finding a Prince Charming. I would ask my father if I would find my prince one day. His answer was always the same.

I could have anything my heart desired.

When I was sixteen I met Michael Carter. Michael had such passion about his life and so many ambitions for his future. We were alike in that way. It was what drew me to him, what made me fall madly in love. 

It wasn't long before a relationship bloomed for the two of us. We fit like puzzle pieces, it was as if we were destined to be together.

By the time we were eighteen high school years were coming to a close and it was time to seriously think about what our future would hold.

For years I knew I wanted to be a school teacher. It was the only job I had ever dreamed of having.

Michael had a passion for race car driving. It was all he wished to do as a career. I knew how dangerous and even disastrous his dream could be, but I loved him with everything in me and I was going to stand by him, no matter what he decided to do.

His dreams would soon take him to Los Angeles. I remember the night that we talked about that so clearly. I remember all the words we exchanged and the promises we so willingly made.

[Flashback]

"Are you sure you want to come to LA with me?" Michael said softly, his hazel eyes staring down at me. 

I smiled up at him. "Your heart is my home. I want to be where you are. And if Los Angeles is that place, I'm in." 

"But what about your teaching? You have a scholarship lined up for you at that school in New York." His eyes fell from mine, his gaze switching to the green grass.

"Hey, look at me." I whispered, putting my finger under his chin and raising it up to meet my eyes once again, "I can go to school for teaching anywhere. I just know that I need to be wit you. Anywhere you are is where I'll be too."  

He rubbed my cheek. "Do you realize how amazing you are?" He whispered.

I smiled, "you're pretty great too my love. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.  I love you with all of my heart." 

"I love you too. To the moon and back again." 

I kissed him gently.  "Los Angeles here we come!" 

[End of Flashback] 

We did just that, graduating in May and packing our bags before making the big move in August to our tiny apartment 

I began taking classes at a community college just to get the mandatory courses out of the way, also allowing us to get comfortable in the city that we now called home.  

Michael was gone most weekends, training for his races and getting himself prepared for his very first season as a race car driver.  It joyed me to see him in his element, finally being able to do what he loved.  Everything seemed as though it was falling into place.  Our future was looking brighter and brighter with each day that passed us by.  

__

Three years passed.  I was a junior in college and that much closer to getting my teaching degree.  Michael had been doing well in the races and had really made a name for himself in the sport of race car driving.  Although, while I was supporting Michael on doing what he loved, but if I was truly being honest, there were times where I was scared out of my mind.  

Driving a race car was not exactly the safest thing in the world to do and that became quite apparent when Michael would come home with more bumps and bruises than I could count on two hands.  

He had taken a few weeks off recently but was now going back for a race in Daytona, Florida this weekend.  

"Come with me." He said.  

"I can't." I said softly.  

"Why not?" He asked.  

"It terrifies me.  You've come so close to not coming home so many times, risking your life with each loop that you drive on that track and I don't want to see something bad happen to you." 

He sighed.  "What do you want me to say?" 

"I want you to say that it's all going to be okay.  I want you to promise to always come home safely. " I wiped the falling tears that had slowly crept down my cheeks.  

"Why not come with me?" 

"I come nearly every weekend. Besides, are you listening to anything I'm saying?" I asked.  

"Kaylee, racing is what I love.  I'm not going to stop it just because you're a bit scared." He said harshly.  

"Are you kidding me?!" My voice raised now.  

"What?!" He yelled. 

"I'm not asking you to stop.  I'm asking you to be careful!"

For the first time I felt as though Michael cared more about racing more than his relationship me. It was heart wrenching.  

"Are you coming to Daytona or not?" He said softly.  

"No." I said softly. 

Just like that, without a second word or acknowledgement, he grabbed his suitcase and walked out the door.  

I sighed softly and spoke even though he would no longer hear me.  

"Be safe, my love." 

A/N: Hey everyone! Long time no see! I've been thinking about starting a brand new fanfic for quite awhile and it's finally here! There will be one more prequel prior to chapter one but I think you will all enjoy what I have in store for this for story.  Please leave feedback in the comments and let me know what you think.  XoXo ... Kay. 

P.S. A big thank you to happilyevercass for helping me get this off of the ground.  All the love to you girl.  :)