Endless Love

Valerie

We went into a room full of children who were clearly sick. It hurt because it reminded me some have it worse. One little girl, in particular, ran up to Kristian and jumped into his arms making him drop his things. The nurse laughed "Oh Valerie. Be careful." She helped me pick up his things, and the little girl looked at me in his arms "Is this your girl friend you told me about?"

Kristian smiled "Yes she is." The little girl studied me "I like her. She's pretty." Her attention went back to Kristian and they went to sit on the bean bag. The nurse turned to me "You must be Violet? I'm Nurse Odessa." I crossed my arms "Nice to meet you. Um. You knew my name? From.." She nodded "The kids love hearing about you. They've been eager to meet you." I felt my heart start to beat rapidly.

I sat with Kristian and the kids as they huddle around him as he read. One of the other kids came and asked to sit on my lap, I put my arms out to sit him down. Kristian looked at me as he read and smiled. He looked back at the book and continued reading; the little boy rested his head on my shoulder and fell asleep.

We spent a couple of hours with the kids until dinner was served. After saying goodbyes and leaving Kristian looked at me "You love kids and they love you." I shrugged "I took care of a lot of the kids that I was homed with. If I could I'd adopt them all."

He stopped walking "You know Valerie is a foster child. After she was diagnosed her parents gave her up because medical bills became too expensive. She's lived in the hospital for a couple of months now. She's had a lot of families who wanted to adopt but once they knew the responsibility they changed their mind."

I looked down and frowned "No one deserves that. The bright side is she's getting her treatment." He nodded "Eliza had asked if she could adopt her before you moved in. Her parents fought it and the judge denied it." I looked back up "Like they did with me?" He nodded "Eliza doesn't give up. She's one of many parents who truly care." I exhaled "Why did she ask you when you'd come and get her?"

He frowned hiding his face "She overheard me with the nurse. I was saying I'd adopt her if she wasn't adopted once I was 18. She's only 4 Violet." I smiled "You should. She loves you so much." Our conversation was cut off by his phone ringing again. He quickly silenced it and answered "We're meeting you up there. Yes, tomorrow. No, I have a few things to handle here. Yes Karissa, I know. Bye."

He hung up the phone "Are you hungry?" He smiled "What am I even asking? Let's get food." He held his hand out to me, I looked at his hand but shortly after I took it. We walked threw the hospital and went to the food court "See anything you like?" The hospital had a food court similar to the mall, I was surprised by the many choices.

We sat at a table by the window and ate, I looked at him "I thought we were leaving tonight?" He looked up "I originally planned to but I wanted to see Valerie. I also wanted to take you somewhere." I smiled "A date?" He chuckled "Do you want to call it that?" I shrugged and looked around the room "I don't know."

He smirked "Why not? See how it goes." We finished eating and went back to his car. As we walked through the parking garage he stopped and I turned to him. He was smiling, I smirked "What?" He looked me up and down with that stupid smile "Nothing." He walked up quickly and threw me over his shoulder "Kristian!"

He put me down and kissed my cheek "I'm sorry." He grabbed his phone and frowned, I knew who it was so I looked away. He exhaled "I'm going to change my number. Blocking doesn't seem to do anything." I grabbed his hand "You don't need to explain anything to me." He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and we walked to his car "I do. I don't want this to become questioned or you to think I'm entertaining someone else while we are figuring out what.. um.. we are?"

He opened my door, and I turned to him "I know and I trust you. You don't have to question it." I got into the car and he shut the door. He got into the car, I turned my attention to him "Where are we going?" He smirked not looking at me "Wouldn't be a surprise if I told you." I chuckled "You never said it was a surprise."

He held his hand out for mine "You trust me?" I looked at his hand but reached for it "Until you betray that trust." He looked at our hands and looked up "You'll never have to worry about that." He reversed the car and we left the hospital. He glanced at me "Did you bring a swimsuit? We'll be swimming in the lake this weekend."

I shook my head no "Karissa didn't tell me." He smirked "Looks like we need to make a pit stop." He focused back on driving; we pulled into the parking lot of many clothing stores. He stopped in the middle of the parking lot "Which store?" I looked at the shopping mall of expensive stores that Eliza had previously taken me to.

I looked at him "I can't afford these stores. Walmart or goodwill. Maybe a thrift store." He smiled "My treat. You can get whatever you want." I frowned "Kristian." He grabbed my hand "You deserve it. Don't feel bad, just have fun."

I looked back at the stores looking for the least expensive but they all were. I chose "American Eagle" He drove close to the store and we went in. I picked up a few I liked; he looked at them. He didn't control what I grabbed. I wasn't confident with my body but right now I was.

I went into the changing room, I put on a red bikini that made my boobs look huge. I turned, holding the string around my neck so it wouldn't fall. I became irritated and self-conscious. I sat down and sighed, Kristian tapped on the door "Do you need help." I unlocked the door and let him in, his eyes landed on my body "Okay.. wow. Um. I'm a Christian boy." I laughed at his stupid comment; he exhaled and got a handle on himself.

He tied the neck and gave his opinion. Clearly, it wasn't needed considering he already gave it. I felt much more confident after his comment. He came in after I changed into the next one "That's more appropriate for my parents. But that last one. Just me okay?" I giggled at his stupid comment "Get out." I changed into my clothes and met him; I hung up the first one but he grabbed it back. We put them at the register and I looked at him "Really? I just need one."

He swiped his card and smirked "Trust me. You need two." He grabbed the bag and handed it to me, I swear I wanted to smack that smirk from his face but I knew his intentions were good. He took his beliefs seriously and we weren't even together.

I trusted him.