A/N: My apologies for the delay. I am working on finishing some stories that are long over due. Thanks for your patience.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Waltons. Too bad.
It all started with a small gift.
Mary Ellen was at the hospital working. When she got to the nurses' station on Maternity, she saw a single red rose on the counter. "How pretty"
The older nurse looked up. "It should be. It's for you"
Mary Ellen picked it up and sniffed it. "Curt is such a romantic"
"I have to agree"
"He's down at Duke University taking a class on those new drugs and administration. I can't believe he would arrange this. He's supposed to be going to classes nonstop. When he gets home we have to two more weeks to finish wedding stuff before getting married. I can't wait."
"Well, he obviously loves you. Time to work now, Nurse Walton"
"Of course" Mary Ellen took the rose and walked away with a large smile on her face.
Every day for the next ten days there was another gift waiting for her when she arrived at the hospital. One day, she was greeted with a large box of Sanders's chocolate cordial cherries. Mary Ellen picked up the box, amazed at how Curt could have time to purchase these candies while in North Carolina, much less afford them. They were not available at Ike's and only one place in Charlottesville did as far as she knew, but it was readily available in Richmond.
A light bulb went off. An expensive and decadent treat that she knew neither herself nor Curt could afford at the drop of a hat. Until now, the gifts were small. A single rose, a small teddy bear, and a small bouquet of daisies among others. Now she realized that they came from only one person.
Mary Ellen went down to the intern's lounge. When she got there, she saw a young man with blond hair walking out of the lounge. "Steven, have you seen David?"
"No, he's off for the next three days. Steven was quiet for a minute. "Mary Ellen, I need to talk to you"
"About what?" Mary Ellen said before she continued. "Any ideas for what the four of us are going to do when Curt gets back from North Carolina?"
"No, it's not that. Listen, I'm assuming you've heard the rumors about Curt"
Mary Ellen was confused but then realization hit. "Are you talking about the one of him and Nora? Steven, that's plain stupid and you know it. They were friends before we started going together and became engaged"
"Yeah, Mary Ellen, I know, but….."
"But what Steven? It's just gossip. Nora's my friend and she likes you. She wouldn't steal my boyfriend from behind my back just like I wouldn't try to go after you. Curt and I are getting married, so don't listen to that nonsense, okay? I'm not"
Steven smiled wanly. 'Mary Ellen may be able to blow it off, but I can't. I won't be made a fool' Not wanting to upset the young woman, he pushed his thoughts down."Okay, Mary Ellen"
"Good. You and Nora brainstorm and as soon as Curt returns the four of us can go to the show or something. Bye Steven"
Steven watched the young girl walk away. She may choose to deny it, but his source saw his girl and Curt together a few weeks earlier. He will find out the truth.
Meanwhile, Mary Ellen walked down the hall back to the nurses locker room. She grabbed the candy and carried it to one of her favorite patient's rooms.
"Hi Miss Sallie"
"Mary Ellen, what a surprise"
"I was just leaving, but I have a box of chocolates that were left for me, but I don't want them. Would you like them?"
"Why are you giving Sanders candies to me, young lady? They look like a gift from your fiancé"
"They're definitely not from Curt, but someone I used to go with"
"Honey if you don't mind me asking, does this boy know you are engaged?"
She couldn't lie to the older woman as she reminded her of Grandma Esther. "Yes, and I will talk to him as soon as I see him. However, I don't want them to go to waste. Can you help me?"
"Sure, dear" Mary Ellen put them on her lap. "Thank you and I hope things work out with this other boy."
"Me too. See you tomorrow" Mary Ellen said before leaving the room.
The young nurse finished her shift, grabbed her things, and walked out of the hospital to Jim Bob's jalopy. After starting it up, she had an idea on what to do with the other gifts. She didn't want them and to keep them would be inappropriate.
Forty five minutes later, Mary Ellen rushed into Curt's residence just as the phone was ringing. She grabbed it on the last ring. "Dr. Willard's office"
"Hello, I am looking for the most beautiful nurse in Virginia"
"This is her" Mary Ellen said with a chuckle
"How are things at the office, Honey?"
Mary Ellen sat at the desk. "Good. I'm glad I got back here in time. My shift ran a little bit long"
"Anything new from Walton's Mountain?"
"No. How are the classes at Duke?"
Curt covered part of the phone to maintain some privacy. "Very interesting. I have learned about more of those new drugs, like I the one I gave Miss Emily for her pneumonia. This stuff could really help people back home, Mary Ellen. I'm glad I was able to make it. How are the patients? Anything serious I need to know?"
"Yancy called again for his heart after he ate his chili again"
"Any mange?"
"No Curt!" She laughed as she heard him on the other end. "I referred him to Dr. Scott per your request."
"Good" Curt got an impish smile. "So are they any men sniffing around you? Do I need to kick someone in the pants?"
Mary Ellen froze for a second. "No-none. Why would you ask something like that, Curt?"
Curt was perplexed to her reaction. "It was just a joke, Mary Ellen. Relax. What's wrong?"
Mary Ellen took a breath to steady herself. "Nothing….just really miss you, Curt. When will you be home?"
"Saturday" He hesitated for a minute. "I miss you, Mary Ellen. I'm pretty lonely without you here. I feel like a heel because I had to leave most of the wedding stuff to you."
"That's okay. We have almost everything done and planned. You still have to go shopping for a new suit with John Boy and Dad when you get back, but the wedding will be fine. Tell me about Duke. Has it changed much since you graduated?"
"No it didn't change much, but I am finding it hard to sleep on these dormitory beds. I didn't realize how stiff they were when I went here. Someday we're going to come back here so I can show you this place" Curt looked around at the doctors waiting to use the phone. "Okay, honey I have to go. If I can't call you while you are at the office tomorrow I flip a letter in the mail. That is, unless some college co-ed tries to distract me"
"She tries that, Curtis Willard and she won't have any hair left" Mary Ellen stared at the small gifts on the desk. "I love you, Curt"
"I love you Mary Ellen. Good night"
"Good night"
When the connection ended, Mary Ellen thanked Miss Fanny before hanging up. Looking at the items again, she decided what to do. Curt didn't need to know. She didn't want him to worry.
Curt got back to his room and laid back onto the bed and thought about today. Mary Ellen seemed off to him. She wasn't sad, but he wondered if there was something she wasn't telling him. He really hated when people did that, almost as much as gossip.
He had been hearing the rumors about him and Nora all over the hospital. Mary Ellen assured him she knew it was all bunk. Steven seemed all right when he talked to the surgeon before leaving town. He just hoped he didn't take what he heard seriously. Nora deserved someone who wouldn't listen to idle gossip.
He didn't know how the rumor stated, but when he returned home, he was going to find out.