The Best Valentine's Day

by Carissa (POV Valentine's story writing contest) Second place

I frowned at the damage caused by the storm the night before. I had only just fixed the fence last week. And the week before that. I was just sick of the hassle of fixing the fence over and over again.

“This better not happen again,” I muttered.

Just then I heard my wife's sweet voice call out to me. “Riley, it's breakfast time! Come in and wash up.”

I groaned at the thought of another disgusting breakfast that I was going to have to force down so that I wouldn't hurt Andi's feelings. She knew that she was a bad chef, however she tried hard to make delicious meals. So far, she just hadn't had any success.

“Coming!” I mustered up my courage and headed into the kitchen to eat... or attempt to eat.

“Hey, Riley,” Andi greeted me as I trudged into the kitchen. “We're eating oatmeal and I flavoured it your favourite. Lavender and trout with a splash of cinnamon,” Andi informed me.

Since when did my favourite food become so disgusting?  Obviously she'd been misinformed. My stomach swirled at the thought of that combination. Why couldn't she just make something normal? 

“Sounds delicious,” I lied.

“I'm glad that you think so. It's always hard to make something new and original,” Andi gave me one of her winning smiles and I immediately felt guilty for thinking of her cooking badly.

“Happy Valentine’s Day,” I told her, changing the subject abruptly. “I almost forgot to give you my present for you. I'll go get it.”’

I darted upstairs and retrieved his present for her. When I came back downstairs Andi was already serving the oatmeal.

“Here,” I handed her the gift that I had wrapped with care. Or as best I could. I crossed my fingers and hoped that she liked it. I didn't want her to think that I was lame and cliché.

Andi tore back the wrapping paper. She gave a gasp of delight. “Oh, Riley, it's beautiful.”  She held up the necklace that I had wrapped precariously.

“I have a present for you too. I made you a cake,” she told me.

Even though it was sure to be disgusting, it was the thought that counts, right? And that's what made this Valentine’s Day the best in my life. I was spending it with my beautiful new wife.