We arrive at the diner, we both order the French toast and an order of hash browns with coffee. He tells me about how he ended up in foster care.

"I was a young little shit head. Thought everyone owed me everything. We arrive at the diner, we both order the French toast and an order of hash browns with coffee. He tells me about how he ended up in foster care.

"I was a young little shit head. Thought everyone owed me everything. Seriously I was an entitled little fuck. That was because my mom just picked up and left one day. I guess she decided she couldn't handle being a mother anymore. I was 8. I don't know my dad and the system couldn't locate him, so I went into foster care. I went through 7 families. The first one couldn't handle me. They'd lock me in my room and only let me out to go to school. They'd bring me food when dinner was ready and one day I lost my temper. They opened the door I went after them with a baseball bat."

He looks at me searching to see probably if I think he's a monster. But I just sit and listen and I feel his heartache. I can't hear it in his voice that he didn't mean to be that way, that he just wanted stability and love. He goes on spilling everything.

"My second home was an old man who had a heart attack, so of coarse I had to leave there. I actually liked him a lot. His name was Fred Jensen. He could have made me a better person. But he died 3 days later. My third home, I was doing ok in. They had a biological son my age and he was a great kid and I saw how he was treated and I wanted the same so I copied his behavior. Then my mom came back. She said she made a mistake and that she couldn't live without me anymore, so I went home. 5 days later she met a total asshole who was a drug dealer and she started doing drugs and CYS took me away. They were going to place me with the family I was with before my mom showed up but they were already fostering another boy. So my fourth home was these 2 gay guys and at the time I didn't understand much and was disgusted! I acted out and they called the foster home to come get me. My fifth home was a family that only took kids in to get the paycheck. They didn't care there was no guidance, I was skipping school and then I got picked up by the cops. Back to the foster home I went and their foster license was revoked. My sixth home I ran away from because the husband wanted me to blow him. So the seventh home was Brad's family."

He searched my eyes for surprise. But all he saw was happiness. I was so happy that Brad's family saved him. I can see why he is the man he is today, he reminds me of how Brad is. They have the same mannerisms.

"Now I see why both you and Brad are so respectable toward woman." I say with a smile.

I see gratefulness on his face and in his eyes.

"The Ferguson's saved me from myself, they saved me from destruction. I owe everything to them. Mrs. Ferguson is a beautiful person, an amazing mother and an amazing wife. Mr. Ferguson and an equally awesome person. He taught me so much about myself. He taught me to be a good man. How he treated Mrs. Ferguson was how he taught us to treat all woman. Brad became the brother I never had and he too is an amazing man. He accepted me from day one and it all became my safe haven."

"That's so great to hear Ivan. It's like your happy ending!"

"Well my happy ending hasn't happened yet but I have a feeling it's getting there. Check please!"

"I got the check."

The waitress hands me the check as Ivan rips it from my hand.

"No you don't! I have it."

"Thank you Ivan."

"You're welcome beautiful." He smirks at me.

We leave the diner and head back to the truck and he drives me home. I don't think I'm ready for this to end. We pull up outside my apartment and I invite him in.

"I don't know. Am I going to get the third degree from Courtney, for keeping you out all night?"

"Ha no way, Brad's kind of sort of living with us too."

"Oh great, I'll for sure get it from him." Ivan smiles.

We get out of the truck and head into my apartment. As I reach for the handle to the door he stops me and places the softest kiss on my lips that I've ever felt.

"I didn't cross a line did I?" Ivan asks.

I try to get myself together, trying to hide my excitement as best as I could. I simply say.

"No it was perfect."

He smiles. Oh god I love his smile. Those dimples and those eyes, they make me melt. So I do what I think is best and pull him in for another kiss. This time it was not as soft but it was passionate, the kind of kiss that would have made me jump on him and wrap my legs around him while he carries me to bed. But not today. Courtney and Brad are probably in the living room watching tv, so that would not be the best of ideas. So we end the kiss and gather ourselves while I turn the knob and walk into the apartment. It's absolutely quiet in the apartment.

"Courtney....Brad....." I call out with no answer and Ivan notices a note on the table.

Hey Ella,

Sorry we ran out before you got home. Hope you had a good time with Ivan. Brad and I decided to take a day trip up north, we shouldn't be too late.

Love ya!
Courtney

"Well it looks like they are out for the day. Let's watch a movie. Unless you have to get going. I don't want to hold you up."

"No I'm all yours today."

We settle on the couch and decided on a Halloween movie. It feels so good to have his warmth next to me. He lifts his and swings it over my shoulder pulling me in close to him. He still smells so good. I'm in heaven right now. I glance up at him taking him all in and he leans down and kisses me once more. I feel tingly all over as the kiss intensifies. It turned into a 45 minute make out session. I swear it felt like I was back in high school again. 

"Wow I for sure could get used to this." I say as he runs his fingers through my hair.

"Me too beautiful. Me too."

I'm so glad I didn't skip out on dinner plans. That night turned into one of the most amazing nights ever. We wouldn't be where we are today if that night didn't happen.  My stomach all of a sudden rumbles.

"Let me make you some dinner. I can tell you are hungry."

"I seriously don't know what we even have to make. Courtney was supposed to shop days ago and hasn't yet. We switch weeks."

"I promise you I can make anything out of anything."

"A man who can cook!" I say. "Let's see what you can do."

"Is that a challenge?"

"No, not at all" I smirk.

He's standing in my kitchen whipping up dinner for us. He wasn't lying when he said he can make anything out of anything. It smells delicious in here. Ivan finishes cooking, takes out two plates and fills them with this noodle concoction he came up with.

"Wait is this ramen noodles?"

"Well done Ella." He smiles.

"Hmmm didn't know you could make something so fantastic out of ramen noodles."

"So I take it you approve of this meal?"

"I sure do, it's delicious!"

We continue eating, along with random conversations. His favorite color is orange, he loves country music and he wanted to be a chef. He's a bit old fashioned. He apologized several times for kissing me when we barely know each other. He works as a pipe fitter and sometimes cooks at the local bar called Harry's. We finish eating, clean up and I know what's about to happen next.

"Well beautiful. I must go. I have to be at work at 6am. Give me your phone."

I hand Ivan my cellphone and he dials his number, let's it ring and hands it back to me.

"There you now have my number. Text me when you get up."

I nod and walk him to the door. Before he opens it to leave he turns to me and lays another sweet soft kiss on my lips.

"Goodnight beautiful."

"Goodnight Ivan."

He turns and walks away. I hear his truck start up and he drives off.