It's a Love Story

"You wanna go to the river now?" he asked. "I can do a drawing of you there. Or for you. Either one."

She smiled, a true smile. "Sure," she said happily.

He smiled back and nodded. "You can stay here and look at the other paintings and drawings and what not. I'll get what I need and then come back and we'll go." He said, kissing the top of her hand then leaving, going to the living room where his parents and his sketch pad was.

She blushed, having not been used to being kissed anywhere. "Okay," she said softly and looked back to the painting.

Mike sat, holding Lilli and smiling, as Jonny came back in. "Forget somethin, bud?"

"My sketch pad." he smiled, grabbing it. "I'm going to take Ren to the river, so I might be a little late." he informed.

Lilli nodded, smiling. "Alright. No later than 1 am."

Jon nodded. "Okay." He smiled, kissing his mom's cheek before going back up the stairs.

Mike smiled. "Have fun," he called after their boy and nuzzled his wife, kissing her cheek.

Lilli smiled and turned her head to kiss Mike's lips. "I think he likes her." she said, pulling away to look at her husband.

Jon went back to Ren and knocked on the door softly. "Hey. Ready to go?" he asked.

"So do I," he smiled. "She seems sweet. Perfect for him."

She smiled and nodded, walking towards him. "Yep."

Lilli smiled and nodded. "Who knew they grow up so quickly?"

Jon held his hand out to her. "Good. Did you like the other pieces in here?"

"I did," she smiled, taking his hand. "They're all beautiful. I can tell you get passionate about your artwork."

"My mom too." he smiled, leading her down the stairs. "I guess it sort of calms us down. Bye mom, bye dad. I'll be back later. I have my phone if you need me." he said as they passed his parents.

"Bye Jon. And Bye Ren. It was nice meeting you." Lilli smiled, still tight in Mike's arms.

Ren smiled and waved to his parents. "It was nice meeting you, too," she said, truly meaning it. They were a lot nicer than her own parents.

Jon took Ren back to the car, putting his sketch pad in the back pocket of the passenger seat then opening the passenger door for Ren. "Ready?" he asked.

She nodded and climbed into his car.

He went around to the drivers seat, drove out of his driveway and then started down the street. "So, my mom and I have an art show tomorrow. I'd really like it if you'd be there."

She smiled. "I'd love to. I'm not sure if my parents would let me, though... And I have nothing that nice..."

"Oh... Well, my sister can go shopping with you before if you want. Or you could borrow one of hers." he offered.

"Would your sister let me borrow one of her nice things," she asked, hesitant. She felt dirty and lowly compared to him and his family, especially when she looked at her own family. She'd never be able to afford a book, let alone a dress. And she didn't want to dirty up one of his sister's nice things.

"Yeah. She has a whole bunch of dresses. Both of them do. And my mom has lots." he shrugged. "It'll be okay. Or I could give you some money and you could buy one of your own."

She shook her head. "No, don't buy me one. Please," she said.

"Alright... You don't have to come. It's alright." He said softly, looking at the road.

"i want to," she said honestly. "but I... I don't want you to buy anything for me... And I don't want to mess up your sister's dress..." she tried to explain, feeling almost like she wanted to cry.

"It's okay. You could come in jeans and a tee shirt for all I care." he chuckled. He just wanted her there.

"No one else would care... Would they," she asked. She didn't want to embarrass him.

"Well, you'd probably get a few whispers about what you'd choose to wear. Maybe some really bitchy woman would call you out on it... Uhm... You could meet me there before hand or something. Again, you don't have to go."