You Promised

Chapter Seventeen - Apologies

Karina POV

I can't believe this is happening. I mean, on the first day of this damn tour something has already gone wrong. It's not that bad or anything, but these kids at this hospital are my friends, they're like my family and to hear that they're upset just upsets me.

Yeah, Robbie is a bit of a weirdo, but he's a kid, he's growing up, he's allowed to have a crush on his favourite charity worker if he wants to, it's only natural. So maybe he is also a little off his rocker and yes, the story about the man with boobs is true, but that still doesn't mean you laugh at the poor kid.

He's a little more sensitive than the rest of the kids here and too be completely honest, I think he may be gay. Not that, that's a bad thing or anything, I mean look at me, I swing both ways but he just shows small things that may possibly lead up to him being homosexual when he's older.

Luke and Josh are pretty close to me, they're like my best buds that will never get the hint; I. Don't. Want. To. Date. Them. But hey, maybe they'll give up soon, I've only rejected them a thousand and a half times. Not to be harsh or anything, but I see them more as my brothers, they're too cute for me to go out with.

Dessie is likem a little sister to me, I love to bits and she says I'm her hero. When she first told me that, I didn't quite know how to react because, really... it's not every day that a little girl tells you, you're their hero. At first I didn't know how to react so I just brushed it off and said thanks, but being the stubborn little princess she is, told me exactly why she thought so.

She said I was brave and strong and can stand up for myself,- she knows about James, as do Luke, Josh and Rob.- and that I'd do anything for the people I love and care about. She said that I was strong to move on from mourning my mother's death, she said that I was a legend for trying to help people with cancer and she said I was her hero because I've devoted my life to support, help and love people like her.

That day I cried so hard that she had felt bad for calling me her hero. Such a cute kid she is. All of the kids here are amazing, so, so amazing, I just can't help but feel the heartbreak everytime I look in their eyes and realise that they're sick. 

They always tell me off for that; pitying them because they have an illness. I just can't help it, here I am, rich, loaded with money and free to do as I wish, while these kids are sitting in here doing nothing except trying their hardest to battle cancer. I feel bad because I can have everything they can't and that's the exact reason why I do this, to help them get better and hopefully give them what they deserve.

I looked up to see Robbie fidgeting with a picture of his parents and I couldn't help but sigh. Both of Robbie's paren't died in a car accident one afternoon when they were on their way to visit him. He constantly blames himself for their death, saying that if he wasn't sick, they wouldn't have died, that if he wasn't sick and in hospital, they wouldn't have driven here to see him, they wouldn't have been smacked head on by a drunk driver speeding on the wrong side of the road.

Poor kid. 

My Dad and I want to adopt him, I've wanted to adopt him since after his parents passed away, but I didn't want him to think that we were  trying to replace the love his parents had for him. I didn't want to pressure him into anything, so I just let him get used to us and now that he has, I'm thinking I should tell him about it.

"Robbie..." I start, taking his hand. He looks up at me and I see sadness flood through his light green orbs, "Are you okay Rob?" I ask softly.

"I guess so, I was just having a really rough day today, what Zayn said didn't really mean anything, I just felt like I needed an excuse to get out of there." he explained and I sighed and pulled him into a hug.

"He thinks he's really upset you Rob."

"Mmm, I'm sorry, I just... the story does get to me and that, but I was more so just upset." he mumbled against my chest and I just held him there, rubbing his back soothingly.

"I have something I want to talk to you about okay?" I ask hesitantly, carefully letting go of him.

He cocked his head to the side and looked at me curiously, "Is it bad?"

I laugh a little. "Not really, but it's a bit much for you to take in. I just wanted to ask, how you would feel... If I uh... If I..." I dragged on and he just continued to stare at me.

I sighed. "I-was-wondering-how-you-would-feel-about-me-and-dad-adopting-you." I blurted in one breath.

"WHAT?!" he shouted and my eyes widened.

Shit! I knew it was too soon, dammit dammit dammit! Karina you idiot.

"Um, it's okay Robbie, it was just a suggestion, you don't have to do it, I was just asking, I just love you very much and you go for your surgery in a few weeks and you'll be allowed out of the hospital by the time I get back from work and I just thought about where you'd go. I know you haven't heard from your grandparents and I just thought that maybe you'd want to come home... to live with me. I'm sorry Robbie, I'm not trying to replace your parents I was just thinking about your future and... and..."

I looked up to see Robbie in tears. Dammit! Now I made him cry.

"Robbie, I'm so sorry, please don't cry."

"Karina, I'd love to."

"It's okay Robbie, I understand, I was just thinking about- wait WHAT?"

He chuckled a little and I stared at him.

"I would love to. Thank you so much Karina."

"You would?" I asked nervously and he chuckled again before opening his arms; I flew into them and hugged him tightly.

"Of course I would, you mean so much to me and you've helped me a lot through this."

"Aaw! ROBBIE I LOVE YOU!" I squeezed him tight and he did the same. We were broken apart by a knock at the door.

I hugged him tightly again before letting go and wiping at the happy tears that stained my cheeks.

"Come in!" I called out gently, while wiping away Robbie's tears as well. Moments later Zayn walked through with an apologetic look on his face. Why is he here?

"Uh, hey guys... I just wanted to apologise to both of you for being an ass." he muttered and droped his gaze to his feet.

Robbie gave his face one last rub and stood up and hugged Zayn; who at first was hesitant but then lit up and hugged him back.

"Don't worry about it; and thanks for doing this, with Karina, it means a lot to us."

"No worries man." They pulled away from each other and Robbie bolted out of the room shouting a good bye, "I'M GONNA GO TELL EVERYONE THE GOOD NEWS!" he shrieked excitedly and I giggled.

Zayn shuffled towards me and took my hands in his, I looked up into his mesmerizing eyes and gave him a small smile, but he looked really upset with himself. "Karina, I'm really sorry." 

"It's okay Zayn. I overreacted, it's just that these kids mean the world to me and when they're upset then so am I. But it's okay now, Rob is okay and happy and I'm okay, so just smile for me okay?" he nodded and then tilted his head to the side.

"So... what's the good news?"

"My Dad and I are adopting Robbie in a few months." I smiled brightly and he mirrored my gesture.

"That's great!" I nodded my head and went to wrap my arms around him, but he surprised me, by tilting my head up by my chin and planting a sweet and tender kiss on my lips. He pulled away and smiled a breathtaking smile, then took my hand and guided me back to join the rest of the group.