"I wasn't stalking. I was keeping an eye on her even though she didn't want it, but hey, look how it turned out for me."
That was true. Now they were madly in love, and it was kinda sickening how sweet their relationship was.
"Speaking of how things turned out, how's the adoption process going?"
After everything happened with Valerie and Aaron, they talked about starting a family even though they were older in life. As it turned out, right around the same time, two kids were rescued from a human trafficking ring in Russia. Valerie had been so happy that she instantly agreed.
"Slow going. Wes is doing everything he can on his end, but it's still going to take some time."
"I bet. Are you getting all ready in the meantime?"
Aaron chuckled. "I'm pretty sure we're overprepared at this point and ready for any scenario. I told Valerie she was going a bit overboard, but she's insistent since they had nothing before that they need all the things. She's even started to learn Russian to help with the transition even though the kids are taking English classes during this whole process."
I could see Valerie doing all that. She was a giver by nature and wanted the best for everyone and that included the people who were rescued from trafficking. She had even started to work with Trista at her foundation. How the woman found the time to do all the things she was doing was beyond me.
"It's good though that she's willing to learn their language."
"Oh she's not the only one. Valerie insisted we did it together."
I smiled at my friend. He would do anything for Valerie, so learning a language wasn't out of the realm of possibilities.
"How's that going?"
"Better than I expected actually. I've always wanted to learn another language but never had a reason to."
"Maybe we should all learn it since we will be spending so much time together as a family."
The guys I worked with were more my family than my own brother was. If learning Russian meant it was an easier time for those kids, then it was something I would willingly do.
"That would be amazing." Aaron's eyes lit up. "Valerie would love it, too."
"What would I love?" We both turned on our stools at the new voice.
There just inside the kitchen stood Valerie but no Vanessa in sight.
"Where's Vanessa?"
"She decided to take a nap. Our conversation took a lot out of her, and she needed to rest. Now what is it I would love?"
"If the guys learned Russian along with us." Aaron got up off his stool and headed straight for the love of his life. I was a little jealous that they had that when I couldn't even get the woman I cared about to trust me enough to help her.
A huge smile broke out on her face. "Really?" I could see her eyes pool with tears when I nodded my head yes. "That would be so amazing. Thank you."
"Family has to stick together."
A strange look came over Valerie's face before she quickly blanked her look. It made me wonder what that was all about. "You're absolutely right."
"We better get going. I'm sure Nancy could use help at the shop." Aaron looked directly at Valerie who sighed.
"Yes, I don't want to take advantage of her help or anyone else's."
I walked the two of them to the door. Before I realized what she was doing, Valerie pulled me into a hug and whispered, "Just give her some time. She's going to trust you eventually and let you in on what's going on."
I pulled back and looked Valerie in the eye. "I hope so."
"She will, just have faith." With that parting shot, Aaron and Valerie left.
Closing the door after them, I looked over to the staircase. I sure as hell hoped that Valerie was right because something told me there was a major problem happening, and it would take everything I had to fix it.
