in time // h.s.

xxxiii. janet

Twenty-four years old...

Matty had asked me to take the Friday before our nine-year anniversary off work, but wouldn't let me know what he'd arranged, insisting that he wanted to surprise me. We'd never done much for our anniversaries in the past. I think that was possibly the only downside to being friends before we became a couple, it made all that lovey stuff seem weird, making us both prefer to do something fairly chilled, like curl up on the sofa with a pizza or something. It's because of that and the fact that he wasn't normally one for big romantic gestures, or planning ahead, that made me so excited to see what he'd organized.

The night before I'd come home to find him waiting for me in the kitchen, wearing one of my aprons over the top of his trackie bottoms and t-shirt (it was what he'd worn for school that day). In his ruffled but delicious attire, he was stirring the contents of a pot on the stove. Just by the smell I could tell he was cooking a pasta sauce (one of the only meals he'd learned to make at university that was actually quite tasty). Not only was he cooking, but the table had been laid and decorated with a dozen red roses in a vase and some glittery heart-shaped sequins were sprinkled on the cream cloth. Two glasses of wine had been poured out in preparation for my arrival. I couldn't help but smile at the effort.

"This is all very lovely," I grinned, putting down my coat and bag before walking over to him in the kitchen and inspecting the sauce he was concocting.

"You haven't seen anything yet," he teased, leaning over and giving me a kiss.

"Really?"

"Yep," he grinned. "You're in for quite a treat."

I let out a girlie giggle as I put my arms around his waist and gave him a kiss. "I love you."

"Good. Now, sit down, have some wine," he ordered, ushering me out of the kitchen and into the dining area. "Dinner won't be long."

Once we'd finished the scrummy meal and our tummies were protruding from the carb-fest overload, there'd been a massive slice of triple chocolate cheesecake for dessert (shop bought), I decided to fish for more information on the next day's activities.

"So, what are you planning for tomorrow, then?" I asked coyly, tilting my head and batting my eyelashes in an effort to win him over. Hoping he wasn't going to keep me in the dark any longer.

"Ah, I can't tell you that, but take this," he said, handing me a red envelope.

"What is it?"

"Open it."

I tore it open to find an anniversary card with a handwritten poem inside:

For nine years you've made me smile by being by my side,

I hope you know how much your love fills me with pride.

For three days we'll go away, it'll just be you and me,

So grab your coat and pack your bags, there's lots of things to see.

"We're going away?" I shrieked excitedly, jumping up from my seat and standing in the middle of the room in surprise, unsure of what to do with all the giddiness twirling around inside me.

"Yep," he laughed.

"Where?"

"I'm not telling you that until tomorrow."

"Matty, please!" I begged, with a desperate laugh. "How will I know what clothes to pack?"

"Oh, hadn't thought of that." His face creased up as he pondered over an answer. "Just bring warm stuff that you feel comfortable in. But also nice bits. Maybe a dress?"