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Saul walked back up to the suite he shared with Farah, bearing a mysterious bulky object covered with a white sheet. This morning he had got up early to go to the animal shelter to pick up the beautiful red parrot with the rainbow tail that he had spotted on their website a few days earlier.
His wife had wanted to adopt a pet for a long time, but the infrastructure didn't allow them to have a dog, a cat, or a horse; and a goldfish wasn't the kind of animal she could interact with. So when he had seen this parrot just rescued, he hadn't hesitated to adopt him.
He was sure that his fairy would never forget this Valentine's Day gift!
When he entered the suite, the table was set for breakfast, consisting of all sorts of heart-shaped goodies, with appropriate decoration. She too had not forgotten this special day, and he was deeply touched.
"Farah love, I have a surprise for you!" he exclaimed as he put down the parrot cage on the dresser, not seeing her in the room.
The fairy came out of the bathroom, happy to know that he had come back, for she had been both surprised and worried not to see him in the suite when she woke up.
She immediately noticed the large cage hidden by the sheet, but did not broach the subject, preferring to snuggle in her husband's arms.
"Happy Valentine's Day, my love," she murmured before placing a soft kiss on his lips.
He pulled her closer, his strong arms wrapping around her entire being, and she lifted her head to capture his gaze.
"Thank you for this breakfast, sweetie, it's sublime, you've really applied yourself, and I'd like to give you your present," he replied, touching the tip of her nose with his index finger, teasingly.
She smiled and he removed the sheet from the cage, revealing the beautiful bird, which was staring at her with a puzzled expression.
At that moment she couldn't help but burst out laughing. She had expected a bunny or a hamster more than a parrot.
"A parrot, seriously?" she laughed kindly.
Saul, for his part, felt a little confused by her laughter, and wasn't sure he had given her the right gift.
"What's the matter, Fa? Don't you like him?" he asked, pained.
She continued to laugh, and gently ran her hand over her husband's cheek, moved.
"Of course I do, I just didn't expect that," she reassured him, with tears in her eyes. "Thank you, honey, I love him."
She walked over to the bird, who was still considering this new face.
"I love him..." he repeated in his shrill voice.
She exchanged a look with her husband, both amused and tenderized.
"Where did you get him?" she inquired, curious.
"At the animal shelter, the poor thing had been abandoned. When I saw him, I knew he was made for you. His name is Jimmy."
She got closer to the cage and sweetly called to the parrot.
"Hi, Jimmy..."
The beautiful red bird answered her call, flying happily around in his large cage. By adopting him, Saul had saved him and ensured him a good life. She was so proud of him, that he had decided to adopt from a shelter rather than a pet shop. Both of them had always been sensitive to the animal cause, and they would never have gone to buy an animal from a breeding farm or pet shop.
"I couldn't have asked for a better Valentine's Day present, I'm proud of you, you saved him, and you make me the happiest of women," she confessed, clasping his hands in hers. "You're an exemplary husband, and I'm sorry I don't have a gift other than breakfast."
Seeing his wife lower her head in embarrassment, he placed his index finger on her chin to force her to lift her head.
"It's okay, sweetie, I'm thrilled, and I wish the best Valentine's Day to the most wonderful woman I've ever known," he retorted, comforting. "I love you, Fa."
She smiled and pressed her forehead to her husband's.
"I love you," she whispered, infinitely glad.
It was certain that this Valentine's Day was the most beautiful of her life, she would never forget the tender gesture of her husband, with whom she felt herself, with whom she felt like a woman, and with whom she was sure to end up, unless death separated them prematurely.