Torren looks so handsome, all dressed up. I submitted, not wanting to disappoint him.
With that in mind, I went and took a quick shower, thinking, "What should I wear? That Valentine's dinner? Mr Mac Carty got me that beautiful dress.
Maybe I should ask Torren to select a dress for me as I did for him that first Valentine we shared.'
Coming out of the bathroom wrapped in her towel, Shawney calls out, "Torren, will you select a matching outfit for me to go with yours?"
"How about you open your gifts first, then I will help you do that. It is almost five."
"Honey, dinner starts at six."
"I know, but I want to get an early start," pulling her beside him on the bed, placing Tray's gift on her lap, "Come on, perk up, your son chose this gift for you."
Observing how she opened it, taking her time not to tear the gift paper. 'I didn't want to rush her, but time was going quickly, and I did invite her family for five-thirty.'
Seeing her smile, his heart felt such joy; it was the first for the day, when she said, "This is lovely, and it's the perfect size."
"Well, you could thank Dad for that; now this is my gift; I could not resist when I saw it."
"What is the occasion?"
"Do I need an occasion to buy my wife a gift?"
"No, you don't." When she opens it, "How is it you always find the perfect dress for me to wear?"
"That's because we were meant for each other." Kissing her lips. "Now get dressed," but as she rests the dress in front of her, she stands before the mirror.
"Shawney, honey, wait a minute." Torren admired her, moving around to her back, taking her hand and guiding it over her stomach.
Stunned by what he was doing, she rested her hand on top of his and said, "Torren, what are you doing?" But he continued, passing his hand over her stomach.
Shawney recalled that first night, when we shared our bodies; he did the exact thing.
Noticing the smile on his face as she finished dressing, wondering what he was thinking. He seemed so lost in his thoughts that he didn't hear a word I said.
Noticing his distraction, Shawney touched his hand to get his attention; he looked up. "Yes, my love."
"Can you zip me up, please? I can't believe this is giving trouble to zip up?"
"Don't worry, it's a stretchy material."
He heard the five o'clock beep on his watch, knowing his guess would be here any moment.
Recalling the beautiful gift set in her travelling bag, he whispered in her ear, "Now, my darling, if my mind serves me right, you have a beautiful gift set to go perfectly with that outfit."
"Torren, please don't interfere with my travelling bag."
"Sweetheart, your friends didn't give you those gifts to just carry them around; they give you for special occasions like tonight."
Considering his words for a moment, Shawney didn't stop him from opening her travelling bag.
Seeing the ruby set he selected, Shawney's heart skipped a beat "Oh dear God, this chain set looks magnificent with this dress. He is so right; who knows what might happen tonight? It could be the beginning of new memories. Thank you, Father. You are right, and did you know he was getting me this dress?"
Seeing her dressed and standing in front of the mirror. Torren approaches her.
Spinning around in excitement, Shawney wraps her hands around his neck. "Thank you, this outfit goes so well with the ruby set you selected."
Observing how beautiful she looks, wanting to kiss her. But then he thought, 'It will smudge her lipstick, and that will delay us. If only she knew how intoxicating she looks. Dipping his head to touch her lip, whispering to her, "I could cancel the dinner if you want."
Hearing her chuckle, Torren asks, "Are you reading my mind, Shawney?"
It was at that very moment she felt an overwhelming flow of joy bubbling on the inside. Responding sweetly, "No, my darling, I can see it in your eyes."
"Okay, then, before I really change my mind and disappoint my two precious children who get all dolls up, full of excitement, and have to return to their room. Let us go, but my love, you have completely captivated my heart."
Giving him an even tighter embrace, she felt his heartbeat escalate a bit. Releasing him, Shawney steps away. "Let us go; we cannot disappoint their little hearts."
As we step out the door, knowing her family will be waiting, Torren turn to lock the door, hearing her say, "What are they doing here? They only look for me when they want something."
"You said something, honey." Turning around, "What did you say? Oh, dear God, am I seeing right? Your family is here to visit?"
Torren immediately noticed the smile disappear from her face, and the glow she had before leaving the room was gone.
Wanting desperately to bring back the smile, he said softly, "Honey, can you recall the Valentine's dinner when you walked down the stairs, and my family was so dumbstruck? Now look at your family?"
"Torren, I am the one who is dumbstruck."
"I know, sweetheart, but look at them closely; they seem happy to see you, and you look amazing."
"Is this your plan?"
"No, my love, but seeing they are here, it seems I have to squash my plan, and we have to entertain them."
Reaching the last step, Sid approaches her. 'Oh boy, yesterday I was so contagious, they were avoiding me, and today he is actually hugging me. What are they up to? Have they remembered it's my birthday?'
"Shawney, you look so beautiful. Tell me what I am missing; you seem to be glowing." Torren smiled, knowing she was glowing because she was pregnant.'
"Thanks, Sid. You all shock me, and Uncle Thomas, I didn't expect to see you. Did we have some unfinished business?"
When Uncle Thomas hugs her, saying, "No, my child, I just wanted to drop this off before you leave the village, but I didn't expect your brothers and sisters to be here?
Maybe they are thinking just like me, knowing you come quietly and leave without telling anyone."