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He flexed his fingers, wincing. The cold, damp air did nothing to appease his arthritic hands. Looking in the mirror he did a quick assessment. Time had imprinted itself on his face, stamping crow’s feet at the corners of his eyes, laugh lines at the edges of his mouth. He smiled softly, seeing memories of a life well spent staring back at him in the mirror. His dark curls and the stubble on his cheeks had faded to gray.
He straightened his tie and then his hair, swiping at a curl that fell onto his forehead. He grasped his cane and made his way slowly to the top of the stairs and then began a cautious and calculated descent. A peek out the front window told him the car was ready and waiting for him. He shrugged into his coat, being sure to adjust his collar just so, then grabbed the bouquet of flowers. He pulled the front door open, locked the knob, shuffled through, and then closed it behind him securely.
In the car, the driver addressed him, and he nodded, smiling politely in answer. Houses began flashing past as the car accelerated, and he lost himself in his thoughts.
***
He’d never feared anything before. Not even when he’d been sent to the continent during the war. The only thing Sidney Parker had ever feared was losing Charlotte. He’d returned from war a different man. And finding his “best girl” at the time in the arms of another man had done nothing to dampen his newly acquired cynicism. Sidney had sworn off love and convinced himself that it wasn’t meant for him.
Until he met her. He’d gotten a job on her father’s farm. He and Charlotte had argued constantly for months, cursing each other’s existence more than once. Her stubbornness nearly drove him mad. It hadn’t occurred to him that his passionate frustration would ever be more than an irritation. At least, not until Stringer came into the picture. An old family friend, she’d said. Sidney had watched them grimly for weeks as Stringer courted her, even trying to ignore the closeness when the young man had comforted Charlotte after her father’s sudden death. Sidney had been surprised by his own jealousy. When Stringer proposed, and Charlotte declined, Sidney felt a spark of hope.
She’d been pensive the next afternoon as she brought him a tall glass of ice-cold lemonade. He’d been working on the tractor since breakfast, desperately trying to get it to crank. Sidney wiped the sweat from his brow, gratefully accepting the refreshment. She turned to go but stopped in her tracks when he’d spoken, “Thank you.” Charlotte had murmured over her shoulder, “You’re welcome” and walked back toward the house without another word.
Early the next morning, he picked a bouquet of wildflowers and arranged them in a jar of water in front of her place at the table. He sat in his normal spot and waited for breakfast. The way Charlotte had blushed when she’d first seen them had sent warmth coursing through his veins, knowing in his heart that he would one day make her his wife. That evening they’d lingered on the front porch after dinner, rocking and talking about farm business. This became their daily routine – fresh flowers at breakfast, a lengthy conversation after dinner.
One chilly afternoon nearly six months later, she’d surprised Sidney while he was out mending a hole in the pasture fence. Charlotte wore her red wool coat over her best dress, hair perfectly set in victory rolls, red lipstick stained her lips, a basket on her arm. His eyes widened at her beauty on full display. He’d smiled softly at her shyness when she’d uncovered the basket, offering him its contents, “Thought you could use a break. Fence mending is awfully tiring.” Sidney wiped his hands and reached into the basket, “It is. Thank you. These look tempting. What’s the occasion?” He lifted the heart shaped biscuit to his mouth and took a bite, keeping his eyes on her. Sidney watched as a blush began at the base of her neck, moving up to bathe her cheeks. Charlotte bit her lip nervously before answering, “It’s Valentine’s Day.” He smiled in acknowledgment. They stood quietly a few moments before she made to leave, “Well, I’d better let you get back to it. It’ll be dark soon.” She turned away and took a step, stopping short when she heard his voice, “Charlotte.”
Charlotte slowly turned, gasping as she saw him kneeling in front of her. He looked up at her, a dark curl falling across his forehead, his dark eyes soft with vulnerability, “Marry me?”
“What?”
“Please. I can’t bear living another moment without you as my wife.”
The moment stretched as Charlotte stood there in shock, mouth gaping. Sidney swallowed hard, his chest squeezing with anxiety. A sheep bleating nearby made her blink, bringing her back to the moment. Her response came in a whisper, “Yes. Yes, absolutely.”
Sidney’s face broke into a brilliant smile. He slipped a gold band with a small diamond onto her finger and gathered her up into his arms, kissing her thoroughly.
They married a week later, in a small ceremony at the parish church. The proceeding years found them filling the farmhouse with seven Parker children. They celebrated several decades of birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays with their children, and then with their grandchildren, and eventually their great grandchildren.
***
“Here we are, Mr. Parker.”
Sidney blinked, returning to the present. He gazed at the building outside of his window, “Thank you, Simon, as always.”
“I’ll be back for you this evening.”
Sidney nodded his understanding and then made his way into the building. The elevator took him to the 2nd floor, where he made his way to room 214. He gently opened the door and peeked around the privacy curtain. Sidney walked to her bedside, placing the flowers into a jar he’d installed several weeks ago. He settled in the chair at her side and reached over, clasping her hand gently. Her eyes opened sleepily, blinking slowly as she became aware of her surroundings. “Sidney.”
“Yes. I’m here, darling.”
She smiled softly at him, “I missed you.”
“I missed you too, Charlotte.”
She glanced over at the flowers, a sparkle gleaming in her eye, “You remembered.”
He smirked at her, “Have I ever forgotten?”
Charlotte smiled sheepishly, “No…not even once.” She took a deep breath, sighing heavily. “When can I come home with you?”
Sidney squeezed her hand, “The doctor said the end of the week as long as you keep up with your therapy.”
“Well then, I’m more determined than ever.” She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, “How are things on the farm?”
He smiled wryly, “The farmhands don’t know what to do with themselves without you there to boss them around.”
She laughed and swatted at his hand playfully. “Oh stop. And what about you, my dear?”
“Anxious to have you home again. But you already knew that.”
Her smile faded and she became pensive, “I’m sorry I’m breaking our tradition this year.”
Sidney’s eyes lit as he produced a small package from the pocket of his coat, “That’s why there are two of us, Mrs. Parker.”
Charlotte’s eyes lit as he handed her a heart-shaped biscuit. “Will you be my valentine, Mrs. Parker?”
She grinned at him, “You know I will. Will you be mine?”
He rose out of his chair and leaned over whispering, “Forever.” Sidney bent down, pressing his lips to his wife’s, sealing the promise with a kiss.