My Sweet Valentine

Just to see you

My next morning started in pain. Mother nature chose the perfect moment to remind me that I am a woman. I reluctantly got out of bed and got dressed. I wore a white shirt and Lotti's black pants because I don't own any black clothes. I ate something quickly and went to work with Lotti. I again prepared coffee and documents for Viper and I sat opposite his desk, trying not to show that I was in pain. I didn't see Ron, which I found strange.

"Valentine, last night...your voice...I promised my wife I'd meet you. She doesn't believe me you're my assistant." Viper said walking into his office. I smiled because I was glad he liked it. I expected him to get angry.

"Oh…don't expect your darling today. At least not until the evening. Everyone has all day training today." he added with a smile, flipping through the documents. I was shocked. So what on earth did I expect? He is the commander, of course he has eyes and ears everywhere. I couldn't think of any explanation so I just smiled. I helped him with the documents he had to sign and took them to where I was told. I knocked on Lotti's office door. She invited me in, and I just opened the door leaning dazedly against the doorpost.

"Tina, what happened?" she asked me worriedly and walked towards me. She helped me in and sat on a chair. She closed the office door and knelt before me.

"You know what we call these…women's days. I'm in terrible pain. Do you happen to have any painkillers?"

"Sure. Wait until I find them in my purse." she said and rummaged through her purse. She gave me water and a capsule. I felt better and could continue working. I picked up the remaining documents when a young man who apparently works at the base stopped me and handed me a piece of paper.

'I won't be able to see you today. I'm overwhelmed with training because graduation is coming up. Can I have your number? I want to hear you tonight. Ron'

It was written on a piece of paper. I smiled and motioned for Ron's postman to wait for me. I ran into Viper's office and sat down at his desk and wrote a note for Ron on a piece of paper.

'Don't worry. Viper already informed me not to expect you until evening. I'd like you to call me.'

I also wrote the phone number below. I signed with Tina and drew a small heart. I folded the piece of paper and gave it to the boy who ran away. The smile did not leave my lips the whole time. Lotti called me that we were done and to go home. It was around 3 pm and on the way home I saw Carole and Bradley walking down the street. I told Lotti to leave me there and that I would walk home because we are 10 minutes away by foot. I got out of the car and waved at Carole.

"I believe I owe someone an ice cream. Carole, do you know who?" I said with my hands on my hips.

"Valentine, I really wouldn't know. Bradley, do you know?" she said and looked at her little boy.

"Me. Me. Me." he repeated as he happily bounced in place. We bought ice cream and sat on a bench in the shade. We laughed at how Bradley enjoyed it all smeared with chocolate ice cream.

"I heard you sang last night. Nick came over delighted because you have an angelic voice." she told me.

"Oh yes. I helped the band because their singer didn't show up and they didn't know how to say he wasn't going to perform."

"So...Slider stole you. I told you someone was going to steal you." she giggled and I was embarrassed. I didn't know what to answer her.

"Yes, but everything seems natural to me. No force. Am I in a hurry?" I asked her and leaned my elbow on the table to support my head.

"If it feels natural and right, let it flow. The same thing happened to me with Nick. Just have faith." she told me and wiped little Bradley. The little one started rubbing his eyes and Carole told me they had to go because it was time for Bradley's nap. She got up and left with the little one and thanked for the ice cream. I sat a little longer, enjoying the sea air. I went to a nearby store and bought a full bag of sweets, salty snacks and tonic juice. My comfort food. I was at home and quickly surprised Lotti with the amount of sweets. She started laughing at me and I threw her favorite chocolate, the one with whole hazelnuts. I sat down on the couch to read a book but soon fell asleep. Lotti woke me up.

"Tina, Tina. You have a call. It's Slider." she said quietly.

I jumped as if I had been pricked by a needle.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Hey, Cinderella. How are you?" Ron said and I could hear him rubbing the back of his neck.

"I'm fine. And you? Tired?"

"I am overcome with fatigue. I wanted to hear your voice. I think it will be hardly feasible to see you anywhere but the base in transit."

"Ron, that's enough for me. Just to see you for a second."

I heard rustling through the phone.

"Are you in bed?" he asked me.

"Not yet. I fell asleep on the couch. Why?" I said confused by his question.

"I have to see you. I'll go crazy if I don't see you. Just to say good night."

"I am waiting you." I said and he hung up. I ran to the room and washed myself and dressed up a bit so I wouldn't look like a bristling cat. I saw his Range Rover parked in front of the house and I got out. I was dressed in a light tracksuit and a tight t-shirt that I would normally sleep in, and I was also wearing slippers.

"Hey you." I said and jumped into his arms.

"Hey. You're cute in that." he said and spun me around to size me up.

"Yeah?

"But something is wrong. Something is missing." He said.
Before I could say anything, Ron took off his white shirt and handed it to me. In front of me was his chiseled tanned torso. I was literally staring because I was reaching just below his shoulder.

"Do you like what you see?" he said and placed his palms on my hips.
I couldn't find words, but I just looked at him, holding the shirt with both hands in front of me.

"I want you to sleep in that shirt. To have a piece of me until this training mess is over. Don't worry, I'm showered and clean." he said and raised his hands as if to defend himself.

"I will. Thank you. You're wonderful." I told him and kissed the corner of his lips.

"Good night, pilot." I told him walking slowly backwards towards the house.

"Good night, Cinderella." He said. He put on his leather jacket, buttoned it up and left. I couldn't resist smelling his shirt. I went to the room and dressed it. 
I lay in bed and imagined Ron. I suddenly opened my eyes to the realization that he had come to see me and left me a T-shirt. I buried my head in the pillow so Lotti wouldn't hear me squealing like a teenage girl. It didn't take me long before fatigue overcame me. It carried me into Ron's arms in my dream.