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Michaela Stone had spent Valentine's Day with the love of her life four times.
The first was only a few months after they married. It was sweet... better than sweet. It was some kind of magical. The second, they were season professionals. It was fun. The third, they completely spoiled each other. The fourth, they were focused on keeping their family together. So although they were happy, It wasn't like the previous years.
Thought their relationship came with struggles, each year got better, and they fell even deeper in love.
Spoiling Zeke was easy for Michaela. And although she spoiled him decently throughout the year, Valentine's Day was especially poignant. She loved him with every cell in her body, and he had to know it. She had to spend all of her days living in the moment, and loving him in the biggest ways she knew how.
Because Michaela Stone had spent Valentine's Day's without the love of her life twice as well.
When he had passed, she spent the day alone. She pretended it wasn't happening, holding onto the memory of what came before. She wasn't sure how to celebrate love when her greatest had gone.
But now she was here, Valentine's Day 2014, back with him.
When they met again, it felt for her as if no time had passed. He was the same man, built up and bruised, just as he was 2018.
He had believed her stories about what they lived in the past. There were memories he couldn't place... feelings he couldn't describe. And he wanted to hold onto the hope that somewhere, somehow, he was once a hero. Although some of it confused him, it fascinated him all the same.
Some of it came back to Michaela like deja vu. But it trickled into their lives every so often, and their past life was something she could never forget. Although the memories weren't always happy ones, she held on with no regret.
The hardest part for Michaela was letting go.
Letting go of some things she knew wouldn't happen in the same way.
She knew if she held on, and desperately tried to recreate every moment, things would go awry. So she did her best to create new memories, while still holding onto the old ones.
Although she couldn't completely replicate their first Valentine's Day, she still would try to make this one become her favorite.
She turned over to Zeke, and slid her hand down his arm. He moaned, pulling her into his embrace. His sleepy eyes blinked open, and he took a deep breath. "Morning blue eyes."
Blue eyes
Every time he called her that, her heart skipped a beat.
"Good morning." She said with a kiss.
Her hands melted every time she touched his face. She felt the heat of their bodies intertwine. They were tethered together, and not even death could break them apart.
"Happy Valentine's Day." Zeke said with a smile.
Michaela leaned in, pushing herself over his body. She straddled his legs, pushing herself into his chest. "Happy Valentine's Day." She whispered against his skin.
But after a moment, they were interrupted but a sudden jolting movement at the edge of their bed. They turned to see that their cat, Linus, was perched by their feet.
They'd had the old boy for about six months, and Michaela wasn't particularly fond of him. At least, she claimed not to be. She wasn't much of a cat person, but knew that Zeke loved him. That was the most important thing to her. She moved off of Zeke, and pulled Linus close. "Happy Valentine's Day to you too, you little rat."
Zeke couldn't help but admire her tenderness.
She wasn't on board at first. She always said she was 'anti-cat.' But he had wanted one for years, and when they knew Linus needed a home, he couldn't let him go. Eventually Mick gave in to his pleading, and he had become a part of their family a few days later.
Although Michaela talked a big game, Zeke knew she loved Linus more than she let on.
Linus was an older cat, and not very adventurous. He was very low maintenance, which made loving him come a little easier to Michaela.
She couldn't complain.
He was ok... for a cat.
Zeke sighed, reaching out for Michaela's shoulder. "I think he's just eager for you to get up and see your present."
She raised her brow, confusion flooding her face. "What?"
He pushed himself out of bed, extending his hand to her. He grunted, pulling her out of their bed.
The smile on his face was electric. There was a childlike spark in his eyes. "Come on!"
He had her close her eyes as she came through the hallway, making her way into the living room.
Although Michaela remembered their marriage through the lens of Beverly's, it was nice to be in their own place this time around. To start fresh in a different space. To make new memories, and grow ancient together.
Michael stopped in the center of the room, and Zeke stood still beside her. "Ok, open."
She did as he asked, and her eyes scanned her surroundings. Instantly she spotted a small cardboard box. There was a lid on top, slightly tilted to the side. She looked at him sharply, confusion on her face. "It's a box!" She exclaimed, feigning excitement.
"Yes, but the gift is inside said box. Just open it."
Michaela crept over to the floor, pushing the lid onto the floor. As she looked inside, she was completely shocked by what she saw. Her jaw went wide as she let out a gasp, reaching to pick up her gift. It was a tiny, golden lab puppy.
"Zeke!" She yelled. "Is this a prank?!"
Michaela had wanted a dog for years. Even in the old timeline it was a goal of hers, but one that never came to fruition. Eventually they ended up with Linus, and she was content. But she would always have that desire for a puppy. She just assumed it would be something they could do in the future. Little did she know, the future was now.
"Nope. She's ours."
"You planned this?! How did you do this?!" She asked, holding the puppy up into the air.
Zeke walked over to them, settling himself into the floor. "I picked her up early this morning. An old friend of mine's dog had a litter."
"Zeke." Michaela cooed, holding the puppy close. She was in utter disbelief. He had done some extravagant things over the years... but this was next level. "She's so cute."
"She also needs a name. Any ideas?"
Michaela thought for a moment, reflecting on the magnitude of today. She remembered the times Zeke bought her flowers. Left cheesy notes on the fridge... dirty ones in the bedroom. She suddenly had the perfect idea. 'How about Rosie? To be fair, we did get her on Valentine's Day."
"I love it." He said, pressing a kiss to Michaela's lips. "Happy Valentine's Day."
Michael closed her eyes, thinking of all of their past Valentine's Day's. Every sweet moment, every tender touch and kiss. They had many throughout the years, and would have many more to come. And yet this one however... this one was her favorite.
"Best Valentine's Day ever."