It seemed silly, but she was nervous. It was not her first Valentine's Day with a serious boyfriend, but it was her first with a white boyfriend. She had never dated such a man before, her parents had very firmly taught her that such things were more trouble than they were worth. It had been a whim seven months ago that had made her agree to date the man who had chased after her for two years.
She paced back and forth across her bedroom, unable to sit still. The sky was splayed with orange and vivid pink, coming to a close. He would be here in less than ten minutes once he got off work. She drew in a breath and her pacing sped up. She resisted the urge to shove her hand through her hair since it was done in a careful, elegant loose bun at the nape of her neck.
Her hair passed as black, but it was really just a very dark chocolate brown. Her eyes were a vivid green, pure and simple. She had never thought she was anything special. She was tall, about five foot ten. Lucky for her it was mostly leg. Her skin was a few shades dark of caramel. She had dressed in a slinky dark green dress with thin straps and that left her back bare. It matched her eyes, bringing them out.
"Maridia, calm down." Her gaze darted over to her best friend who was sitting on the edge of her bed, flipping through some random beauty magazine. Maridia had driven herself nuts trying to get ready for tonight. Normally she was not much on dressing up and make-up. Which made Orin's interest in her all the more confusing in her opinion.
"I'll be fine, Brenda." Maridia muttered as she paced. Her high heels were waiting by the door for her to slide on the moment he knocked on the door. She glanced at the clock on her beside table; less than five minutes left.
Why had she agreed to this? Valentine's Day was a couples day, were they really a couple? She had not even introduced him to her parents yet. Or even told them she was dating at all! And worse, Orin was so understanding about it. That made her feel ten times worse.
"Maridia, sit down before you pass out." Brenda laughed, shaking her blond head. "You're going to make yourself a bundle of nerves for no reason."
"No reason?" Maridia opened her mouth to refute what had just been said, only to hear a light knock at the door. She felt the color drain from her face as she snagged her shoes, managing to get the little straps into place, hopping on one foot as she got to the door. She dusted out her skirt and opened it with a smile.
"You're nervous." She hated when he did that. She tipped her head back to look up at Orin. She was thankful the man was six foot five. She enjoyed looking up at a man, especially when she was wearing two inch heels that topped her off at six feet.
"Am not." She denied, even if he was right and he knew it. He smiled and kissed her forehead. Orin was gorgeous, that was how she saw him. Every inch of him was flawless lean muscle under sun kissed skin. His hair was dark gold, not blond, gold. He kept it just long enough that locks of it curled into his beautiful brown eyes. She loved the rugged edge to his jaw, the faint stubble that always seemed to be there.
"Come on." He took her arm gently to guide her out into the hall with him. "See you later, Brenda!" He called back.
"Bye!"
He shut the door softly with a chuckle. He offered his arm to her, which she took. He was wearing well fitted black dress pants, black shoes, and a white button up shirt which was currently untucked and the sleeves rolled up for now. She knew he would adjusted his clothes once they reached wherever it was he was taking her.
Once they made it to his car he drew a blindfold from his back pocket. She raised an eyebrow at him. "Humor me." He murmured, giving a smile that revealed a dimple she melted at every time she saw it. She rolled her eyes and then shut them with a smile of her own.
He helped her into the car the moment he was sure she could see nothing. They drove in silence for a while before she bothered to speak.
"Where are we go?"
"Wouldn't the blindfold be pointless if I simply told you?" He prompted, amused.
"Oh, pift." She stated, crossing her arms. A warm hand settled onto one of her bare knees.
"You're beautiful." He murmured, his tone husky, with a deeper gravelly edge that bespoke of his inner beast peeking out. She blushed and remained silent for the half hour drive that remained. When the car stopped she listened to him get out. Her door soon opened and she gasped when he scooped her up.
"Hold on." He warned her. Her arms wrapped around his neck as he took off. She smelled dew, earth. The forest. Wind brushed her skin as he moved. Now and again leaves touched her lightly, he was careful not to let her get hurt by an extended branch. He carried her as if her weight were nothing.
"Should I have worn hiking boots?" She teased once she was set on her own two feet, heels sinking slightly into the softened, sandy earth. The blindfold was removed and she drew in a quiet breath of awe.
They were in a small clearing that was filled to bursting with vivid red flowers, long stalks of with clusters of blooms. They were in the center of them all, a large red blanket laid out carefully on the ground. Along the tree line she saw pale pink paper lanterns lit, whether by candle or by batteries she did not now. The blanket was scattered with desserts that fit to the Valentine's Day theme; chocolate covered strawberries, cherries, delicate little heart shaped pastries, and a silver holder with ice and Champaign.
"You are too sweet." She turned to offer him a kiss and froze when for a moment she could not see him. Had he run off? Why? Then her gaze dropped on instinct and her heart stopped.
It was perfect.
The ring was delicate, dainty gold with a heart shaped diamond with small emeralds set on either side of it. And it was framed in a black velvet box. Her legs gave out. In an instant the box was on the ground and his hands were on her hips, lowering her to her knees in front of him gently. She sat back on her heels, shivering, shocked.
He picked up the ring and slid it onto her finger even though she had not answered. Not that she was going to say no. She felt tears in her eyes, but they were good tears. She let out a laugh and threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. His arms wrapped tight around her waist, hugging her to him.
After a few moments they were laid out on the blanket, with her cuddled into the warmth of his arms. He had produced a cd player from behind a shield of flowers and started some music softly. She was vaguely aware of voices, Beyonce and Justin Timberlake singing Until the End of Time. The music did not matter though, Orin did.
Maridia looked at the ring on her finger and blinked, looking closer. There was an image carved under the surface of the diamond. That of their initials twined together.
"You didn't have to do this." She murmured, laying her head on his chest and looking down at where her hand laid on his. He looked pale next to her skin. She had to call her parents though. She tipped her head up as he shifted, his mouth slanting over hers. A slightly dazed smile came to her lips.
"Happy Valentine's Day, Mari." He whispered, grazing the end of his nose across hers.
"Happy Valentine's Day, Orin." She smiled. Did Valentine's Day get any more perfect? She let her eyes slide shut, snuggling closer to him. Food was fogotten, music was forgotten, the entire world was forgotten. She had her man, a good man who would always be there for her. She knew that. And she hoped she could be everything he wanted and needed, and somehow she knew she was.
"I love you." She murmured.
A smile curving his lips, he replied. "Of course you do, I'm cute." She laughed and hit him on the chest lightly before hugging him again. "I love you too." He assured as he chuckled. "And I will for a very long time."