Don't pee in your pants.

Don't pee in your pants.

Don't pee in your pants.

I kept chanting this as we were travelling up the elevator. The elevator opened and Christian led me through one of the hallways.

Even before we reached the room, he stopped and looked at me. And then he hugged me.

I immediately melted into the hug.

During the last few weeks, we both had really gotten close. And though we hadn't kissed after our second date, hugging each other came naturally.

"It's okay. Don't be scared. You'll do great. And don't worry, she already likes you." He assured me, pulling away. I took a deep breath and nodded.

He took my hand in his and started walking towards the room.

Slowly, all of my nervousness was changed into sadness. I felt like a weight being put on me.

As I looked at Christian holding my hand and guiding me through the corridor, all I could see was Brandon guiding me through the corridor when my mom was rushed to the hospital.

"It's going to be okay. Don't worry." He had reassured me.

Tears started brimming my eyes as the memory flashed in front of my eyes. My vision blurred as I could hear the sounds of the siren which was blaring non stop that night.

Before I could say anything, Christian opened the door to one of the hospital rooms and entered inside while I waited outside.

"Hey mom! How are you feeling?" Christian asked.

"I am not talking to you until you get that girlfriend of yours to see me." His mom grumbled. I stifled my chuckles.

Now I get why Christian was in a hurry for me to meet his mom.

"Well, come in, Val." Christian called for me. I immediately wiped the tears which were threatening to fall and I stepped inside.

His mom's eyes immediately lit up when she saw me.

"God! You look more beautiful in real life than those pictures he showed me." She said.

I smiled at her but then something clicked in my mind.

"What pictures?" I asked Christian.

"Umm... How about you two talk while I bring you guys some coffee?" He nervously chuckled as he rushed out of the room.

I followed his movements as he left me alone with his mom. Why is he leaving me alone with his mom?

"Don't worry. There were no embarrassing pictures. All were good." His mom said, making me turn my head towards her.

"Thank you." I smiled as I finally looked at the elderly lady laying in front of me.

She was in a white hospital gown. There were many wires connecting her to the numerous machines around her. Although her face looked pale, she had a huge smile on her face and a sparkle in her eyes. Even by looking at her, you could tell she was a very sweet woman.

Just like my mom.

Slowly, the room started spinning around me. I could see my mom laying on the bed, her eyes looking almost lifeless but she had a small smile on her lips. My dad was sitting beside her, holding her fragile hand, tears brimming his eyes as he talked to my mom.

Brandon was standing behind me while Jonah was hugging me, trying to console me. I wasn't understanding what was happening but I knew it was bad.

"Honey, are you okay?" Christian's mom snapped me out of my sad thoughts.

I quickly wiped the stray tear that had fallen on my cheek as I gave her a small smile and nodded.

"No, you are not. Come here." She said as she motioned me to sit on the chair beside her bed.

I made my way towards it and sat down.

"Now, what happened? You can tell me anything you want. Even if you were crying because you found me ugly, I would still listen to it." She smiled, her greyish blue eyes, which totally contrasted Christian's forest green ones, filled with concern.

"My mom died due to Arrhythmia when I was young. Seeing you like this just brought back really bad memories." I sighed as another betraying tear fell on my cheek.

Christian's mom sadly smiled as she wiped the tear with her thumb and then cupped my face with her head.

"Oh honey! It's okay. She is always going to be there with you. I am probably sure she is looking at you 24/7, not letting you leave her sight so that you don't do something stupid. Just like every other mom does." She smiled, making me chuckle.

"I have four brothers. I am probably sure they are taking major of her time." I smiled.

"Oh! Don't worry. Mom's love their girls. I always wanted a girl. But I was blessed with Christian. God knows how I have tolerated him for the last eighteen years. He can be a handful." She chuckled.

"Oh great! I leave you with her for five minutes and you have already started embarrassing me. I knew this was a bad idea!" Christian's voice came from behind me making me turn around.

"Oh! You are back so early? The stories were just starting." I fake-complained.

"Even you are taking my mom's side now!" Christian fake-glared at me as he handed me my coffee.

"Of course I am taking her side. She likes chocolate ice cream. You don't." I chuckled.

"I know right! I never understood how he could not like chocolate ice cream!" Mrs. Martin chuckled. "And the stories were just starting. I still haven't told her how a girl had screamed at you just for talking to her and how you have been slapped for trying to kiss a girl in a party. He hasn't kissed anyone till now just because of that!"

A blush immediately formed on Christian's cheeks and he looked away, suddenly finding the ceiling and the wall interesting.

I was his first kiss? The thought made me smile, a small blush forming on my cheeks.

Our reactions did not go unnoticed by Mrs. Martin as she narrowed her eyes at us.

"Wait- you both-" Before Christian could say anything further, there was a knock on the door and a man, whom I assumed to be the doctor seeing his white coat, entered inside.

"Ah! I see! Christian has finally brought the girl to meet his mom." He chuckled as he looked at him. It seemed like everyone knew who I was but I didn't know anyone. "You have no idea how many times I have heard her complain how she hasn't met you."

"Denny! That was our secret!" Mrs. Martin whined. The doctor 'Denny' just chuckled in response.

"Although I am really happy that you both have finally met, I am going to ask you to leave as I need to do some daily check ups. And Christian, if you don't mind, I would like to talk to you in my office after some time." The doctor informed us.

"Aww! You always have to come at the wrong time!" Mrs. Martin complained to the doctor. "I hope we meet again, Valerina."

"I am sure we will, Mrs. Martin." I smiled.

"It's Miss Martin, dear. But don't call me that. It's Jennifer or Jenny to you." She chuckled.

"It was nice meeting you, Jenny." I chuckled as I and Christian walked out of the room.

"Umm... if you don't mind, can I ask why your mom is in the hospital?" I asked Christian, as we were walking towards the exit.

"She has Cardiomyopathy. It makes it difficult for her heart muscles to pump blood to the body." He sighed.

"How is the treatment going?" I asked. "You don't have to answer if you don't want to." I added.

"You can ask me about my mom Val. And the treatments were working well for some time but her condition is getting worse. I will know more when I talk to the doctor after dropping you home." He sadly smiled.

"Is there any other treatment than medicines?" I asked. I knew I shouldn't ask him for his personal information but I would like to think we were close enough for him to tell me about his mother as he knows everything about mine.

"Surgery. But it needs money and I can't afford it." He looked down as if he was ashamed.

"I can help, if you want. I have my college funds. I won't be needing much of it as I got a half scholarship. And my aunt is a cardiologist. She can help too." I suggested. Even after meeting his mom for just a few minutes, I knew she had made a mark on my mind. And I would do anything to save her.

To my surprise, Christian's head snapped up and he looked at me, emotions swirling in his eyes. They finally landed on anger.

"Look. I don't care about your money. I don't need any of your pity money. I can help myself and my mom. You don't need to care about her. And I also don't want your aunt killing my mom like she killed yours." He snapped.

My mind went blank. It took me a minute to comprehend his words and when I did, I wished I hadn't.

I could literally hear my heart shattering into million pieces after listening to the way he talked about my aunt and how she 'killed' my mom. I never blamed my aunt and I never will. But it really hurts when other people say things like this. I have already heard enough of them when I was eight. I didn't need Christian to remind me of those bad memories.

I just nodded my head as I tried hard to control my tears. My palms balled into fists as my nails dug itself into my skin. I was shaking. Half due to anger and half due to me trying to control my tears.

"Val. I didn't-" I cut Christian off.

"You should probably go back. The doctor might be waiting for you in his office." I stated, not looking up at him or I knew I would probably say something that I would regret later.

"Val! I am really sorry. At least let me drop you home." Christian pleaded.

"It's okay. I have four brothers and my dad who, in your words, aren't killed by my aunt. They can come and pick me up. You should probably go back to your mom." I said as I turned on my heels and walked away, finally letting my tears fall.

I called Nathan after I had walked away, enough that the hospital was not in my sight.

"Hey Val! What's up?" I heard Nathan's voice.

"Nate? Can you please come and pick me up?" I asked, trying hard to control my tears.

"I'll be right there. And that Christian guy is going to be dead by tomorrow." He stated as he ended my call.

Whatever happens, I always know that I can count on my brothers. Them and my dad are all the boys I ever need in my life.

A/N:

Hey guys!!

I just love you guys too much to not update...

I hope you liked the chapter...

Also... I really love Christian's mom...

Did you get confused when you saw the notification?

Did you guys notice the change of Title?

I did some changes to the plot line and I felt like this title fit the book better...

I added chapter names as well!!

Tell me your thought on the new cover and title and the chapter names...

(It's like 1:30 am here and I am still not sleeping)

Also, anyone missing Ryder?

Until Next Time...