The air was cool and crisp when Thomas stepped out onto the front porch that morning. He pulled his large velour robe around him tightly as he knelt down for the paper. Even though he had lived, his whole life in New York City he still was not used the harsh weather it was capable of this time of year. He set the paper down on the counter and quickly headed inside to the guest room to put on his freshly pressed suit and new silk tie. In his usual clamored rush, Thomas gulped his coffee down while skimming the business section. So wrapped up in his drive to succeed and prove himself as an equal the front-page headlines never even caught his eye. The reminders of epic love stories and the trendiest gifts were the furthest thing from his mind this Monday, Valentine's Day. Today was the day he would find out if he had finally made partner, their dream, his dream, his obsession.
Throughout all of the hustle and bustle downstairs, Stacy eight months along was still lying in their plush oversized bed. A thousand thoughts crossed her mind that morning.
"Was she really ready for a baby when Thomas was never home?"
"Why couldn't he see that the money wasn't important to her regardless of her families' social status in the city?"
Mostly though, she thought of romantic dinners or sitting by the fire while listening to the new Marc Broussard album. Stacy knew it was silly to have such grand expectations for this day after ten years of marriage but her heart and soul were yearning for romance. With a heavy sigh, she worked her way out of the bed to face the day that she was sure would be full of disappointments.
As Stacy made her way to the kitchen for some breakfast, her skin that resembled creamy caramel was glowing like only that of a pregnant woman could. She was so petite that she barely looked six months along though she felt like she had been pregnant for a year.
Meanwhile Thomas was making his way from the station to the office two blocks away. It was then that he realized something was off; he had forgotten something important. Everywhere he looked, there were perfectly trimmed red roses and heart shaped balloons.
"Valentine's Day!"
He had shouted out in a moment of frustration as the crowds of people on the sidewalk glared at him and let out timid giggles. As he made his way into the office he shouted out to Amber, his overworked barely out of graduate school intern
"I need you to run out and get something for me!"
There was no time for dinner and such tonight, Stacy should be happy with a box of chocolates and a dozen roses. "Oh, Amber, no phone calls today." As Amber rushed out the door, Thomas sat down to compose him self before the big meeting.
Stacy had just finished eating her slightly burnt French toast when the doorbell rang. It was her mother, dressed head to toe in the latest couture as usual.
"Stacy dear, why haven't you dressed yet?"
"Sorry mother, I'm not moving as quickly these days."
"Well, you know how anxious the ladies at the club are for this baby shower!"
With her mind still stuck on the thoughts that had encompassed her this morning in bed Stacy began to ready herself for what should have been a day filled with joy and love. She didn't know how it possibly could though. Instead being overwhelmed with emotion at the thought of the impeding birth of her sweet little girl she found herself tormented, wondering if after all this time her marriage was ending.
On the other side of town Amber was straitening Thomas' tie as he felt his heart throbbing uncontrollably. It was time; he had worked so hard for this day, in five minutes he would know his fate. Would he be a partner? Did they really like him? Could he finally afford to give Stacy the lifestyle she was accustomed to growing up?
With sweaty palms, he slowly turned the handle to the door, the thick wooden door that leads to his dreams. He felt his legs trembling as the old, grey haired men peered at him from across the room with discerning looks upon their faces. Thomas made his way across the room and took his seat when suddenly there was a knock at the door.
"Excuse me sir, I know you said that you wouldn't be taking any calls today."
"Amber, please just take a message!"
"Sir, you really must get this, it's about your wife, Stacy."
Obviously embarrassed and annoyed Thomas made his way into the hall with the intention of demanding to Amber that she take a message. Before Thomas could even get a word out amber frantically shouted to him
"Your wife, she's in labor!"
"Calm down Amber, I'm sure it's just a false alarm. I mean she's not due for another month."
"Thomas, Listen to me! Her water broke; your mother-in-law is taking her to the hospital now. You need to go!"
In state of shock and confusion Thomas flew the door back open and announced to the room that he was leaving, he wife was in labor. He made his way to the bottom floor of the building anxiously trying to hail a cab, the flowers and chocolates he had Amber pick up still sitting on his desk. He had a sickening feeling in the pit of his stomach, he was about to be a father. Was it really that causing him to shout violently at the driver to hurry though or knowing that he had just walked out on the most important meeting of his life?
Stacy was laying trembling in that cold white operating room. Her marriage no longer consuming her thoughts. She was praying that the little baby that had been a part of her for so long would be okay.
Waiting at the hospital doors when Thomas arrived was Stacy's mother. Her normally perfectly placed hair was a mess and there were tears in her eyes.
"Theytheyher blood pressureshe's in the OR now!"
Unable to be by his wife's side Thomas sat in the waiting room alongside her mother. The room was full of the sounds of people coughing and whimpering children all waiting patiently. Somehow, amidst all the noise the television on the wall caught Thomas' attention, the movie "The Rich Man's Wife" was playing. He sat and remembered this day years ago when he took Stacy out to dinner and then to see this movie, it was one many dates they used to have. They sat up for hours afterwards talking about the movie and vowed they would never let their life resemble it. How did he get to this point, did Stacy even know how much he still loves her? Was he going to have a chance to tell her?
Just then, a nurse appeared with a warm and caring smile upon her face. Before she even spoke, Thomas had jumped to his feet overcome with joy.
"You can come and see them now, mother and baby girl are going to be just fine."
When Thomas walked into the room, he saw Stacy laying there pale and still a little out of it from the medication. He rushed to her side with tears streaming down her face and took her by the hand.
"It's okay Tommy, we're fine!"
"I know, I knowIt's justI'm sorry!"
"I'm sorry for the person I've become and I'm so sorry you had to go through this alone!"
"I just want you to know how much I love you!"
With her eyes now filled with tears Stacy felt a sense of comfort she had once thought was gone. Thomas and Stacy held each other in an impenetrable brace as they looked over at their new daughter.
"What are we going to name her Stacy?"
"I don't know.we never really got the time to talk about it."
Thomas picked the beautiful fair-skinned dark haired little girl up and placed her into Stacy's arms. Stacy gazed into her deep brown eyes and pondered a name for the new little life that made her family complete again.
"Valentine!"
"I think we should name her Valentine."
"I think that's a perfect fit, our little Valentine!"
Thomas dimmed the lights in the room and poured Stacy a glass of water. As Stacy nursed their baby for the first time Thomas found himself lost in the enchantment of their rekindled love for each other and the love for their precious new Valentine. Whether it is tomorrow or ten years from now, he knew he would never allow status and money to consume him again. He had gotten a second chance at love in this life and refused to let it go again. For the first time in a long time, this cold harsh city felt warm to him. He knew he belonged, his family belonged and it was all thanks to a newborn little girl named Valentine.