Chapter 108

Fingering the sugar flower she had just finished she set it with the rest to dry. The cake was nearly done. The flowers should be set by the afternoon and she could place them and it would be ready to deliver tomorrow morning.

“Hey Cil” Sid called out, “do we have any more-“ he trailed off when he saw her staring aimlessly at the cake. She hadn’t seemed like herself that morning or any morning for the last few days for that matter. “Are you all right?”

Startled out of her reverie, she turned and looked at her friend. “Yeah, I guess.”

He studied her carefully. Her eyes were so sad and she looked absolutely worn out. “You look like shit Cil.”

She rolled her eyes at him. Leave it to him to say something like that. “Thanks a lot. Love you too.”

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, “hey, if I can’t tell you the truth, who can? Now tell me what’s wrong. You haven’t been yourself lately.”

She sighed. “I haven’t been myself since the summer Sid. I’m just so ready to be done with all this treatment crap. I’ve had it.” She looked up to her friend’s face. “I dumped all over Jon the other night, totally worst Valentine’s night ever.”

His eyebrows raised in speculation. “Just what exactly did you say to him?”

She filled him in on the entire conversation from the other night. “I just lost it Sid. I totally fell apart on him. He really didn’t deserve it.” She studied the cake on table; the cake she had lovingly made for someone else’s celebration. “We didn’t even get to have our Valentine’s Day together.” She thought about the card she had for him and the silly gift she had bought. “I never even gave him his gift.”

“I’m sure he doesn’t even care about any of that.”

She shrugged. “Probably not, but I do.”

“So give it to him tonight.”

“It seems lame to do it after the fact.”

Sid rolled his eyes at his friend. “You weren’t at your best the other night sweetie and he knows that. He won’t care.” He paused for a minute, an idea forming. “Is he home right now?”

Cilla shook her head, “no, he’s in Philly at the Foundation Offices. He’ll be back tonight.”

Sid smiled, “perfect. Why don’t you pick up some sushi from Lure and have a nice little romantic evening in tonight. Give him the card and gift and just spend some quiet time together?”

Smiling for the first time that day she hugged Sid. “That’s a great idea.” She looked up at him. He was always there for her, even if it was just an ear to listen. “Thanks Sid. You’re the best.”

He hugged her tight for a minute longer. He really hoped she got a clean bill of health soon. He hated seeing her so worn out. This was not his vibrant, happy friend. He wanted her back.

Hearing her sniffle he pressed her back from him. “Hey, no crying. You know what happens when you cry. I get started and then we’re both a wreck.” In a near panic, he searched his brain for something that would get her to stop crying. “Besides, we need to talk about my cake. You can’t cry when we’re talking about my wedding cake.”

Smiling, she pulled a tissue from her pocket. “Sorry. Damn hormones. I’ve just been a mess lately.”

Sid dragged a stool over and sat next to her. “So, what are you going to do for Mark and I?”

She glanced up at the clock, “we can’t do this right now Sid, you’re still supposed to be out front.” Just then the bell over the door jangled, signaling new customers. “Go. We’ll talk about this in the morning.”

Picking up her phone she waited til Sid was through the swinging door to make her call.

~

Setting the bag on the counter, Cilla looked around the kitchen. It was where they ate just about every night. She looked through the door to the dining room and nodded. They were going to eat in there tonight. Finding some pretty place mats in the drawer of the china cabinet she set the table, Jon’s place at the head, hers to his right. She got out his good china and the crystal stemware, adding the linen napkins in the fancy rings.

In a better mood now she hummed as she laid out the sushi from Lure on a platter and set the rest of the meal in the oven to keep it warm. Setting the platter in the refrigerator she hustled up stairs to freshen up.

Studying herself in the mirror she added a little make up. Remembering how much he had appreciated her wig at Christmas, she decided to wear it tonight as well. She really wasn’t in the mood for anything more than just curling up with him, but he liked the way it looked on her and tonight was for him. Donning her red silk night shirt and matching robe she headed back down the stairs and met him in the hallway as he was hanging up his coat.

“Hi there.”

He turned, his eyes roamed over her taking in the wig, the little bit of make up that tried to cover the dark circles that never seemed to leave her face and the pretty pajamas. Usually she wore one of his t-shirts and cotton pajama pants. He couldn’t stop the smile and the increase in his pulse. This was a nice surprise. “Hi yourself.”

She stepped off the last step with a smile and slid into his arms. “How was your day dear?”

He smirked and dropped a kiss to her lips. “It was hectic. But at least I don’t have to go back tomorrow.” He did, however, have to go to LA but he wouldn’t remind her of that right now. He didn’t want to spoil her good mood.

Arm in arm they walked to the kitchen, he was surprised not to see the table set. “Are we going out?” Did he forget to make a reservation somewhere? He looked at her again. No, they couldn’t be going anywhere, she was in her pajamas.

Moving around him she pulled the platter of sushi from the fridge. “I thought we’d eat in tonight. I hope you don’t mind.”

He shook his head as he followed her into the dining room. His eyebrows rose at the pretty table she had set, the bottle of wine chilling in the bucket, the candles and flowers he had given her in the middle of it all. “Are we celebrating something?”

Pouring him a glass of wine she handed him the box that was next to her chair. “Yes. I know Valentine’s Day is really just a Hallmark holiday, but I got you something anyway. And, as I was a total basket case the other night I thought we’d just have a quiet night in and you could have your gift.”

He set the box on the table. He could really have cared less about Valentines Day. He didn’t need a special day on the calendar to tell him when to make a romantic gesture for his girl. “You’re right, it is a Hallmark holiday and you didn’t have to get me anything. I’m just glad to see you in better spirits today Sweets.”

She took a sip of her wine. “I know, but I wanted to. It’s just something silly anyway, but it made me think of you.”

He picked up the box again; it was so light he gave it a little shake to make sure there was actually something in it. “Are you sure there’s something in here?”

“Oh yeah. There’s something in there all right.”

With a dubious look he ripped the pretty blue paper, dropping it to the floor and set the box on his plate and lifted the lid. He could see just a peek of something blue beneath the tissue paper. Fishing through he lifted the blue from the box. It was a pair of silk boxer shorts with the superman symbol scattered all over them. He chuckled. “These made you think of me? But I don’t wear…” he trailed off when she smiled at him.

“I know, but I thought maybe you would. For me.”

If it would keep her smiling like that, he’d go out and buy a year’s worth and wear them every day. “Should I go put them on right now?”