Karissa had just stepped through the door and could see River playing with the twins in the backyard. As River saw her, she smiled and came into the house, Luc and Maya following her.
"Hi!" River smiled.
"Hello, yourself," Karissa smiled. "How were the twins today?"
"Oh, great! They kept me going, that's for sure!" River laughed as she went to tickle Maya as Maya moved out of the way giggling.
"Would you like to stay for dinner?" Karissa asked, heading over to the kitchen.
"Actually, I'll be babysitting for you tonight," River smiled.
Karissa looked at her quizzically, but could read her mind. Karissa had gotten flowers. She looked around and found a bouquet of dark red roses sitting in a vase on the coffee table.
"These came for you," River smiled as she looked over to the bouquet herself. "There's a card with it."
Karissa knew who they were from and couldn't help a bright smile as she went to the bouquet and pulled out the card.
In beautiful gold ink against white, she read:
Just because I love you. Get dressed up. I have an evening planned.
Love,
Will
Karissa's dark eyes sparkled. "I guess you will be babysitting tonight," she replied.
River laughed.
"Momma going out with Daddy," Luc said.
"Want to come!" Maya said.
River scooped her up into her arms. "Not tonight, Maya. Tonight you get to play with me!" she smiled at the little girl in her arms. "Is that okay?"
Maya thought for a moment, then smiled and nodded. "Play with River!" she cried happily.
"Play with River, too!" Luc added.
River put Maya down and picked Luc up. "Of course!" River smiled. "We'll play all kinds of games and have a real fun time!"
Karissa smiled and went over to them taking Maya and then Luc into her arms easily. "I think you're going to have a good time tonight too," she said as she kissed each one on the cheek.
"We have fun!" Maya said as they both nodded their heads.
Karissa gently put them down and stood back up. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get ready." she smiled. With that, she quickly went to her room to shower and change. She had no idea what Will had planned, but she knew it would be special.
An hour later there was a knock on the door. River paused from feeding the kids and smiled as Karissa, dressed in a sexy black dress, with her hair swept up and some make-up to accent her features went to the door. She already knew who it was. Opening the door, she found William dressed up in a nice suit holding a single red rose for her. But as his brown eyes fell on her, they just about popped out of their sockets. She laughed.
"My god, you look beautiful," he said, his mind going back to the first time he'd seen her wear a black dress. It had been the night that had set her up in his mind as one of the most attractive women he'd ever seen. It was also the night Maya had been conceived.
"You look fantastic too," she smiled as she went to him, kissing him tenderly.
As the kiss ended with the sound of the twins giggling, he handed her the rose. They looked at the twins and smiled.
"Not like you haven't seen us do that before, you two," he said with a laugh.
They just giggled again.
"We'll be back," Karissa smiled, then looked at Will. "But don't wait up," she added.
"Okay, have fun!" River replied.
As Karissa and Will left hand in hand, her eyes sparkled. He had a ride already waiting for them. He helped her in first and then had her close her eyes. It didn't take long before he was pulling her out of the vehicle and leading her, eyes still closed into a restaurant. She could smell the food in the air around them and the murmuring of conversations, though some stopped as they gazed at the man leading a woman with her eyes closed. She could sense many people smiling. Finally, Will stopped and told her to open her eyes. They were in Mirabella's, her favorite Italian restaurant and at a corner booth. All over there were candles lit and a bottle of champagne chilling in a bucket. On the table was another bouquet of roses and some appetizers. Karissa couldn't believe how much he was spoiling her and caressed his face. She then leaned over and kissed him passionately.
There were some claps and whistles from the crowd that were watching as others laughed softly. As the kiss ended, Will's cheeks had a light pink tint, but his smile was bright.
"Have a seat," he said as he held her hand.
Once they were both seated, she couldn't help but gaze into his eyes.
"So what's the special occasion?" she asked brightly.
A large grin crossed his face. "Does a man have to have a reason to spoil the woman he loves?" he replied. "Besides, I thought we could both use some time just for us."
She smiled and reached across the table taking his hand. "This was a fantastic surprise," she said.
"And it's not nearly over," he smiled.
They settled in and ordered dinner, enjoying the champagne and each other. After dinner, they shared some Spumoni. But before she could ask what he had planned next, he paid the bill and took her hand escorting her from the restaurant. They walked for a bit, under the stars and toward the park. There was music playing and lights twinkling. As they approached, they saw a band. Several people were listening and dance. With that, Will swept her into his arms and they danced to the music.
After awhile, he pulled her off the floor. They walked under the moonlight and stars. Suddenly, he stopped her by a fountain, caressed her cheek and kissed her. It was a long, passionate, lingering kiss that Karissa lost herself in. As it ended, she gazed into his eyes through the darkness and smiled.
"I do love you so much, Karissa," he said.
"And I love you too," she replied. "So much..."
He tenderly kissed her again. "I do have one more surprise. Tomorrow we have the day off and I booked us a hotel room tonight. I thought a night without distraction would do us both good and don't worry, River already knows."
Her dark eyes sparkled. "And I can't wait to get you in that room alone," she replied with a smile brighter than the sun.
Will raised an eyebrow as he smiled. "And what do you intend to do with me?"
"Why don't you take me there and find out?" she replied as she kissed him again.
He smiled and caressed her face. "This way," he said, taking her hand again and leading her off.
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