Chapter 18

Jon exited the elevator and entered the children medical unit. Surprised he realized that it was a friendly and happy place. The walls weren’t white like in the rest of the hospital, but in a sunny yellow and well know cartoon characters were greeting the kids.

In the distance he could hear kids laughing and playing, something he didn’t really expect in a hospital, but he had to admit it was a quite comfortable atmosphere here.

Unsure he looked around. No one was around. He really expected to at least see one nurse. How should he find Kim here? He couldn’t check all the rooms?

“Who are you?”

Surprised Jon turned around and saw a maybe five year old blond girl in a pink Barbie pyjama looking at him curious. He smiled. Seems someone was around.

“I’m Jon. And who are you?” he asked while kneeling down to be on her level.

“I’m Celeste and this is Edgar.” She pointed at her Teddy. “I fell of a horse!” Jon nearly had to laugh out loud about the pride in her voice.

“A horse? That’s how you hurt your arm, right?” he asked while obligingly shaking Edgar’s hand when Celeste held him up.

“Yeah, and my head. But it’s better now and I can go home tomorrow Kim said.” The girl smiled.

“Really? That’s great….So, you know Kim? Can you tell me where she is?”

“She’s my doctor. Come on, I show you the way.” Celeste took Jon’s hand and pulled him with her down the hall.

Smiling he followed her past empty patient’s rooms, offices and play areas and wondered where everybody was. Celeste stopped in front of an open door.

“There she is.” Celeste whispered and pointed at Kimberly.

“...but you have to be quit when she is with another kid.” She said seriously. Jon nodded understanding and before he would say anything else she was walking into another room. He shook his head, that girl was really one of a kind.

Turning his attention back to Kimberly, he watched her carefully examine a baby and putting it back into the bed.

“See, Samantha. Wasn’t bad at all…” she talked softly with the little girl and was rewarded with a chuckling and two tiny hands reaching for her face.

Kim smiled. “Hello, little girl.” She touched the small hands gently. The baby squealed happily.

“Hello…hello Sam.” Kim said again and tickled the baby softly. Again the baby squealed happily and wriggled with her arms and legs. Kim laughed.

“God, you are such a cutie.” She sighed.

“You never told me, you were opting for the Pink Team.” He said with laughter in his voice.

Jumping a little Kim turned around and smiled when she saw Jon standing at the door watching her.

“Well, be happy. You would lose against this beautiful little lady.” She said laughing and took the little girl out of the bed again. Jon walked closer and was greeted by a happily drooling baby.

“What’s her name?” he asked with shining eyes. He loved babies.

“This dear Jon is beautiful Samantha. Sam that’s Jon, a really cute guy, but don’t tell him.” Kim whispered conspirative after she introduced them formally.

Jon chuckled at her comment. “Well, hello beautiful Samantha.” Softly he touched the baby’s hand and Sam immediately grabbed his finger and tried to suck on it.

Jon laughed. “Sorry, girl. No food for you there.” Kim grinned.

“She’s always hungry.”

“Oh, I know that from a certain other beautiful lady.” Jon murmured softly against Kim’s ear. She took a step towards the baby bed away from him.

“That’s why you came over with food?” she already spied the bag in Jon’s hand. And even though she was saying it in a light voice Jon could see that she wasn’t comfortable with him stepping so close to her. 

“Just a couple sandwiches for lunch.” He said and kept his distance.

They really needed to talk about a few things. Sometimes he wasn’t sure she even wanted to be together with him. He really didn’t like this uncertain factor in his life. He needed to know, but at the same time he was afraid she would reject him…for what ever reason.

“Perfect.” Kim said and put Sam back in her bed.

“She doesn’t look sick.” Jon observed.

“Well, she isn’t and I hope it stays that way.” Kim answered. Jon looked at her confused.

“She was in a car accident with her parents. They are both on ICU, but it looks good for them. Sam wasn’t injured, but the impact was so strong, that we want to make sure she doesn’t have a concussion or other problems.”

Jon looked at the little girl again. It was probably a good thing she was too young to remember the crash. It could have effect her whole life.

“How about we have lunch in my office.” Kim suggested and watched Jon unsure. Why can’t I let him  closer?

“I can’t leave the unit. Most of the stuff is outside with the kids, who can leave the bed.”

“Ah, that’s why no one is around. I already wondered when I only met Celeste.”

“…and Edgar!” Kim pointed laughing. “She didn’t really want to go outside.”

“I see. So show me the way, honey.” Jon stepped aside and let Kim entered the hallway first.

“Alright.” She said and he followed her down the hall.