Here For You

Chapter 8

Kristina's POV 

The weather was undeniably good today. There wasn't any sign of rain but this time, I made sure to bring an umbrella with me. Just in case of emergency. It's not so good for Mary. 

Nathan suggested that we just walk to the park since it's a walking distance. As soon as we got there, Mary jumped on the ground. "Come on, Kristina! Come on!" Nathan moved over to us and knelt down in front of Mary. "Don't go anywhere away from us okay? We can't lose you." He looked at her with puppy eyes. I smiled when I heard him said that. I can see he cares for my sister. I hope what I see is true.  

Mary nodded to him and grabbed his hand. She walked to me and took my hand, too. We walked at the park silently. Nathan and I are talking to Mary but not to each other. Nathan looked at me and signaled to swing Mary with our hands. She swayed with us as we walked. The only noise between us was her giggle. I could tell she liked the swings but I told Nathan that was enough. I worried about my sister's arms. She might get hurt. Nathan looked at me and shook his head with a smile on his face.  

"K, can we eat ice creams?" Mary asked me as we passed the ice cream parlor. I said yes so we went inside. Nathan followed us quietly. We went over the counter and ordered two sugar cones. I felt awkward the moment I remembered that Nathan was with us. I was just about to ask him what he's having but he already spoke to the cashier. 

"Make it three." He said and handed ten bucks to the cashier.  

I wanted to apologize for forgetting about him. I thought it was only Mary and me. When we had our ice creams on hand, I spoke. "Thanks, Nathan." He just smiled at me and licked his vanilla ice cream. 

We sat on the bench to eat our ice cream. Mary finished hers before us. I wiped off the mess in her face and let her run on the green. I was alone with Nathan. 

"Thanks for bringing us here, Nathan. I've never seen her this happy." I said. We were two Marys apart.  

"I am more than glad, Kristina." 

"May I ask why?" 

"Why what?" 

"Why are doing this? You seem so nice to my family." 

"I told you I cared. Remember?"  

"Yeah, you said that. I just don't understand why. Things are happening so fast I can't cope up. One day we were just by ourselves. The next day we are hanging out with you." 

It took him a moment before he could answer. "I like your sister. I always have a thing for kids, Kristina. But your sister's just so adorable I can't help myself from not seeing her. And Daphne, your mom, I like her too. My mother's been busy during my growing up years so I could say I'm a mother-deprived kid. Daphne is nice to me. I'd want a mother like her. And I like you the most, Kristina."  

I froze with what he said. Nathan had his arms rested on the back of the bench. He didn't seem to be waiting for an answer. Instead, he looked away and searched for Mary. I stopped staring and stood up. "I'll go get her." I said. 

I found Mary running around with other kids not far from us. I knelt before her and gave her a pat dry on the face to take away the sweat. She didn't hesitate to come with me back to Nathan. When we got back, Nathan was on the phone. I suddenly felt like we were just wasting his time. 

"I think we should go. You're a busy person. We can't waste any more of your time." Part of me was honest about that and part of me did want to avoid him.  

"No, Kristina. That was nothing. Besides, we have somewhere else to go." When Mary heard him, her face lit up like she wasn't tired at all.  

I didn't know where we were going. Nathan just led our way. We walked down a lot of trinkets which sold different stuffs that caught Mary's eye. I got her some but only enough. She's definitely not growing up a spoiled kid with me. But she is spoiled with Nathan. He almost bought all that she pointed. I felt so shy of my sister but glad at the same time. Guys like him are of my type.  

We reached the aquarium and there we watched a dolphin show. All three of us enjoyed it. Nathan and I aren't too old for this, I thought. It was almost three in the afternoon when we got out. Mary was already out of energy. I bent down to lift her up but Nathan stopped me. He said he'll take her instead. Such a gentleman. Nathan and I walked home with Mary asleep in his arms. She was comfortably laying her head on his lean shoulders. I couldn't help but to giggle.  

"Why are you laughing?" Nathan asked me.  

"I just think you're cute. I mean, you're like those celebrity dads I see in OK Magazine." 

'Yeah? I don't think I have seen those dads without the moms." 

"Sure. The paparazzi love them." 

"Then the paparazzi love us, too. Don't you think so?" 

"What?" I didn't get him right away. What was he thinking? Suddenly, he used his free hand to hold mine. We sure did look like those celebrity couples plus child walking down the street. I didn't want to think of it as something, though. 

Mom was already home when we got there. She took Mary from Nathan and brought her to her room. For the second time today, I was alone with Nathan.  

"Thanks for your time, Nathan." I said. 

"No, I'm the one to thank you, Kristina. Thank you, really." Nathan insisted. "Besides, you've thanked me enough for a day." He smiled. "It's really good to unwind from work. It's good to be with people you like. Don't you think so?" 

The word 'like' hit me. "Yeah." I just said. "It's a Monday tomorrow. You should go." 

"Yeah, you're right. I should go. This has really been a great day, Kristina. Thank you and good night." He reached for my hand and kissed it. I could tell I blushed.  

I walked him to the door and then he left. I went to my room and started changing. Mom leaned to my door and started asking. I told her about our day. Mom, too, felt very happy for Mary. I looked at myself in the mirror and saw the flowers again. 

"Mom? Did you put those flowers there?" I asked. 

"Oh. No, Nathan brought them. Mary and I have our flowers, too. He left you a note, haven't you seen it yet?" I curiously walked over to my dresser and saw the note. I smiled after reading it. 

You're beautiful like these flowers. - N 

Mom kissed me good night and left. I stared at the note. What is he saying? What is he up to? I really don't understand. Should we talk about this?