One Red Rose: A Valentine's Day Love Story

He loves me, he loves me not, she thought, as Lissay plucked the rose petals, one by one, so delicately from her single precious red rose. Eric sent it and he hadn't called her in over two weeks. She ended on he loves me. Sigh. Finally. An answer. Not like it would come from him. A last petal floated silently towards the ground. He was beautiful. Shy. Long blonde hair, dark eyes and a lithe body that moved like the wind. Always running. Always moving. Still, he had captured her heart long ago. He had to know.

The local coffee shop where they had met, many months ago, was both of their favorite places. A comfortable hang out and she was missing him so much. He hadn't been around for weeks. A messenger delivered her one single and beautiful long stemmed red rose with a card that said "Eric." It was Valentine's day. She was delighted and immediately, she thought of going to their favorite meeting place. Now, lonely and confused, she looked at all of the distant strangers in this place and she never felt so alone. Everyone looked so happy.

Lissay readied herself to leave and bent down to get her purse and be on her way. Just then, a waiter dropped an envelope on her table. It had her name on it. She hastily ripped it open. A hot pink post it note was in it. "I'm waiting for you outside. Eric." She almost knocked down five people getting out of the door and onto the sidewalk.

Her "Where have you been?" died on her lips as she looked at him. Pleading dark eyes, shielded by wet dirty blonde hair, lit up at her words given. Cold and bloody hands grasped hers. "I almost died and only your love helped me survive." He said "My brother is in the mob and they killed him. Now, they want me." Lissay moaned and started crying. Eric said "I only have a few seconds but, I will be back for you one day." Lissay kissed him. Then he was gone.

The next year, on Valentine's day, Lissay's doorbell rang. She opened the door and saw on the floor an envelope with her name on it. When she opened it, her heart skipped a beat. She quickly slammed the door. A hot pink post it note had a phone number on it. It was signed "Eric." She called the number. Eric answered. He said "Open your door." When she did, he was standing there, dressed in a black suit. He knelt down on one knee, held up a ring and said "Marry me!" When she hesitated, he said "All is well now, it is safe." She said "Yes." Oh, much Valentine's day happiness. Eric whisked Lissay away to a church filled with their family and friends. "Just be happy and we will always remember our anniversary!" Eric said. Lissay laughed." Yes, we will." Happy Valentine's day, my friends. Yes, they lived happily ever after.