6-17-2002

Prompt: 25th anniversary
Author: Anon 1

June 17, 2002

Part One

“Good morning,” Joe said, as he bent to kiss Jill.

“What time is it?” she inquired, as something felt off.

“Happy Anniversary,” Joe said, avoiding the question.

“Happy Anniversary,” Jill smiled. “Why aren’t you answering me? What time is it? What are you up to?”

“So many questions,” Joe smirked. “It is 8:16 AM. And I am simply preparing to shower my wife with affection for our 25th wedding anniversary.”

“But,” Jill began, “it’s Monday. You are supposed to be on the train by now. And we are supposed to celebrate next weekend. Plus we celebrated yesterday.”

“Well, first of all, we are still celebrating next weekend. 25 years is a milestone that can be marked in multiple ways. And we marked it yesterday in conjunction with Father’s Day, so that was most certainly insufficient. Plus, there were way too many people there for us to mark the day properly anyway.”

Jill laughed. Sitting up in bed, she began to recognize that Joe had definitely put more thought into this anniversary than she had.

“I’m sorry, Honey.” Jill offered. “I thought we agreed we weren’t going to make this into a big deal.”

“Jilly, you have nothing to apologize for. You know I sometimes have trouble not making things a big deal. And I thought things just lined up right. There are no votes today, so I don’t have to be in DC. And this is really our first big anniversary with no kids in the house, since Ash took that job near Tulane this summer.”

“Still,” Jill started again. But Joe interrupted her with another kiss.

“Jilly, it’s all set. I cancelled your lunch appointment. And I rescheduled your dentist’s appointment. We have the entire day and night to ourselves. I think you’ll enjoy what I have planned.”

“Ok,” Jill smiled at her husband with a sigh. “Ok, it has been a while since you managed to surprise me like this!”

“Yes,” Joe said. “It has been too long. And for that, I am sorry. I hope you know I could never take you for granted.”

Jill laughed. “Oh, Honey, you make it very clear you don’t take me for granted.”

“Good. I’m glad you feel that way,” Joe laughed, sitting down on the bed next to Jill. “That’s very important to me.”

“So, do you care to tell me what the day has in store for us?” Jill asked. “Do we get to spend some time right here?”

“What makes you think we will ever leave this room at all?” Joe asked with a broad grin, reaching for Jill.

“Well,” Jill began, stifling a laugh, “knowing you, there’s more to the day. But there will be plenty of time here. And perhaps some in the bathtub. And maybe some time in the pool, too.”

“Ok, so apparently, I’m very predictable. But there’s more.”

Jill laughed. “It’s not bad to be a little predictable, you know?”

Joe leaned in, kissing Jill, catching her a little off-guard.

“But also nice to be surprised occasionally, no?” Joe asked, as he presented her with a small velvet box, a small creaking sound as he opened it.
The ring, a thin band of diamonds, sparkled brightly.