Always

Chapter 5

 Daniel and Kristin were finally on their way back to Daniel's hometown. Daniel was excited to introduce Kristin to his grandparents. Kristin was a little nervous, however.
 Daniel would occasionally look over at her. She looked like she was enjoying the scenery. All the beautiful green hills, trees, and flowers. All the deer and rabbits that could be seen. Daniel smiled to himself as he drove.

 "She's such a special girl..." he thought. He then cleared his throat and spoke, getting the girl's attention. "I think we should stop for lunch and a bathroom break. Is there anything in particular you'd like to eat?" She shrugged, shaking her head. "Well, I think we're near Wendy's and a Pizza Hut." Kristin held up one finger. Daniel looked at her. "The first option? Wendy's?" he asked. Kristin smiled and nodded. "Alright then. Wendy's it is. Do you like the biggie bags?" The girl nodded. "Ok then. Chicken sandwich or burger?" Kristin again held up one finger. "Chicken sandwich?" Kristin nodded. "Ok then. Do you want sauce?" Kristin shook her head no. "Ok. So what do you want to drink? Water or soda?" Kristin frowned a second, looking out the window. She then looked over at Daniel and held up two fingers. "Ok," Daniel nodded.

 The two soon pulled up in front of Wendy's. Daniel got out and helped Kristin out of the car. She smiled shyly, looking down. Daniel just smiled and opened the door to the restaurant for the girl. She nodded and smiled her thanks. 

 "You can use the bathroom while I order." the young man replied. Kristin nodded and went to the bathroom. Daniel went up to the counter and ordered 2 five dollar biggie bags. By the time Kristin had come out of the bathroom, Daniel had gotten the food. "Hey, Kristin! What would you like to drink?" Kristin pointed to the Fanta. Daniel nodded and clicked the Fanta on the machine. "Ice?" he asked. The girl nodded and pointed to the orange Fanta. "Ok." he smiled and nodded, getting some ice before filling her cup with the orange soda.

 It had been a long time since Kristin had gone out to eat. She couldn't remember the last time she'd had a soda. She usually always stayed home back when she lived with Tyler. 

 After filling his cup with a root beer, Daniel led Kristin to a table and set down the tray. "I'll be right back. You can start if you like." Kristin nodded and watched as Daniel left to use the bathroom. She dug in the bags and placed the food on the table. Daniel soon returned and sat down, smiling. "You didn't start? You didn't feel like eating alone?" Kristin looked down as she nodded. "It's alright. When I was a boy, I preferred to eat with the people I was with too." Kristin looked up at him and smiled. 

 The two enjoyed themselves. Kristin hadn't known many young men in her life. Some of her friends, had in fact, been boys when she was young. But, they moved away and they lost touch. So, Daniel, Rory, Don, and Dennis were the first male friends the girl had had in a while. 

 Daniel told her about his grandparents. Hannah and Frank Adams had raised Daniel since he was just a baby. Frank Adams had started the Hibiscus Corporation, the same company Daniel was now CEO of. He had named it for his wife, Hannah, who's favorite flower was the hibiscus, and, her native home was Hawaii. A few years after they they started the company, four years after their marriage, they had their son, Nick. 

 Kristin smiled as she listened to Daniel's stories about growing up with his grandparents. She enjoyed them thoroughly. She barely remembered her grandparents. Her grandfather died when she was 4 years old, and her grandmother, two years later.

 "We'd probably get going. We're half way there." Daniel spoke up, after they'd finished their food. Kristin nodded as the two cleaned up and threw their trash away. They took their drinks and left the restaurant. It wasn't long before the two were on their way again.

 "I told my grandparents about you. They're really excited to meet you." Daniel replied. Kristin gave a shy smile, looking down. "Hey, it'll be fine. They were really enthusiastic about helping you. I can guarantee, my grandma is already planning a shopping trip." Kristin looked at the boy curiously. She hadn't been shopping in a while. "My grandma likes shopping. Especially with friends. And I know she already thinks of you as a friend. Though, if I know gram, she's gonna take you to her favorite Hawaiian store." 

"She and granddad sometimes throw a little luau. It's nothing much. Just a little food, drinks, Hawaiian outfits, and, my gram sometimes dances the hula." It sounded interesting to Kristin. She had never been to a party, much less a luau. And she'd never even seen the hula before in her life. The intrigued, curious look on her face, made Daniel smile and chuckle. "My grandma is gonna have the time of her life, teaching you about Hawaii, the hula, and LOTS of other stuff." To some, that might seem boring. But to a girl like Kristin, who didn't have any experience with this type of stuff, it sounded fun and interesting. Part of her, looked forward to meeting the boy's grandmother and learning about her Hawaiian Heritage. The other part, was just nervous and scared in general to meet Daniel's grandparents. She really hoped they'd like her.