Laura glanced at the clock. It was thirty minutes past seven. Great, she thought. Everything would definitely be ready before Ben arrived. Her heart hammered with expectant excitement.
It was their one year wedding anniversary tonight, and Laura had made sure everything was perfect. Or at least she had tried.
Even as her thoughts wandered, unease crept in between the strings of words floating in her mind. She stood up from the couch and paced about in the living room. She was forgetting something. The brisket! She rushed into the kitchen, and made for the oven, grabbing oven mitts on the way. When she opened the oven door, she was greeted with a wonderful, rich smell of perfectly cooked, oven-roasted beef brisket. Phew, she exhaled in relief. The brisket looked good. Just how Ben liked it.
https://pixabay.com/photos/roast-beef-beef-cow-grill-flesh-7024702/
Now, it was time for something she liked. She set the utensils on the kitchen tabletop, and began working on an awesome Caesar salad. After thirty minutes of cutting veggies, grating cheese, baking croutons, and making salad dressing, the salad components were done and ready to be combined.
https://www.pexels.com/photo/salad-on-a-plate-2097090/
The garlic croutons looked and smelled ravishing, and the dressing......... She dipped a finger, and tasted it. Good, but could be better. It was the mayonnaise, she was sure. She swapped out raw eggs, and used mayonnaise instead. Raw eggs are bad for the baby, the doctor had told her. She also had to add kale to the vegetables she had chopped. Kale is wonderful for the baby, the doctor said.
Absentmindedly, she rubbed her huge belly with her hands. She was due for delivery in seven weeks. She shivered at the thought, and let out a shaky breath. Seven weeks. She walked over to the fridge, and opened it. The cheesecake was all set, nicely. She smiled. She reached in, and took out a bottle of red wine. She poured herself a glass. Alcohol was bad for the baby too, but she needed to calm down. She drained the glass. She put the wine back into the refrigerator, even though she would have loved another glass.
She trudged back into the living room, and reclined on the couch. A minute later, she was pacing about again. She went into their bedroom. The lights were dim, just as she had wanted them, and the bed was dressed immaculately, with red rose petals strewn randomly on the floor and bed. Lavender burned in a corner, and the pleasant smell filled the room.
Ben would be home any minute now, and they would have a lovely anniversary dinner, and then................... She could almost feel his soft caresses on her face, arms and thighs, and his kisses on her lips, neck, behind her ears, and in other places, too. Her breath caught in her throat. Her heart thrummed louder and louder. She walked and stood in front of the full-length, wall-mounted mirror. She admired, or more accurately, examined herself. Her face was touched up with the slightest hint of makeup. A nice shade of foundation that matched her olive skin, some eyeliner, and a bit of blush over her high cheekbones. Shiny, red lipstick completed the look. Her gaze moved down. Her little black dress didn't cling too tight, yet brought out her curves, which given her current state, were more than she would have liked. Her hips had filled out nicely, which was good. But there was more fat on her previously toned arms, and her thighs were.......... Thicker, to say the least. It would all be worth it soon. Seven weeks.
Her almond-shaped eyes ran over her body once again. She looked good. Ben would love it.
Back in the living room, she glanced at the clock. Ten minutes to nine. He's late, she thought.
She sat down on the sofa. Ten minutes passed. Nine O'clock. The croutons were getting soggy. Twenty minutes passed. Her excitement turned to nervousness, then to worry. She was feeling nauseous now. She reached for her phone, and called her husband. Ben didn't pick up. She tried again. Pick up, she muttered. Nothing. Hands cold, she dropped the phone. She walked to the fridge and took another glass of wine. It was to calm her nerves, she said. She continued pacing up and down.
Sometimes, she thought she heard a knock, but it was her imagination playing tricks on her. She tapped the table, her worry turning to fear. She felt a sick, twisted feeling in the pit of her stomach. A moment later, she heard the familiar sound of Ben's car pulling up in the driveway. She let out a loud, long sigh of relief, and when he knocked on the door, she was there to open it, and she threw her arms around his neck, pressing herself to him as tightly as her bulging belly could allow.
https://pixabay.com/photos/silhouette-pregnancy-pregnant-woman-3576699/
“Where have you been, Ben?", she croaked.
“I was stuck in four hours of traffic, babe. Happy anniversary", he said, planting a kiss on her forehead. He handed her a bottle of champagne. She winced at the sight of alcohol.
“Hey, a glass or two won't hurt, right?", her husband said, with a smile
She chuckled.
“Definitely not", she muttered to herself. “Nah, I'll pass on that one". She kissed him on the lips.
“Babe, did you drink wine? You know you're- " Ben sniffed. “Do I smell brisket?" His mouth widened in a smile.
Laughing, Laura took his hand, and led him into the living room. “Happy anniversary, love."
Hey, fellow creative writers in this space! I wrote this short story in honour of all the newlyweds and soon-to-be-married people 😊............. Love is a beautiful thing, truly ❤️
So, guys, read and be sure to drop your thoughts 😁