We made it through Christmas and the new year and here we are almost at Valentine's Day again.

I had a long day at work and when I got home Vaylin was in the kitchen cooking and it smelled so good.

"Hey, sweetness!"

"Hey there!" She smiled walking over to kiss me.

"How was your day?"

"Oh you know I was up to my eyeballs in chocolate." She laughed.

"Way better than mine. I had such a difficult client and then she showed up at the office half-dressed trying to throw herself on me."

"Excuse me?" She turned around with the spatula in her hand pointing it at me.

"Don't worry sweetness I had her escorted out before she could even touch me. I told dad I can't work on that account if I have to see that woman again so he passed it off to Beth." I laughed.

"Well, that's funny because Beth won't put up with crap like that."

"Well, Beth has the wrong body part for her I do believe."

"Dinner is ready if you want to go change."

I kiss her cheek. "I will be right back."

I run upstairs and change and come back down and grab the wine bottle and glasses and join Vaylin at the table.

"This looks, delicious sweetness."

"Thanks! I was craving Chicken broccoli alfredo with garlic bread." She smiled.

"Almost time to start making Valentine candy again isn't it?"

"It is and a year since we met." She smiled.

"Are you going to be my Valentine again?"

"Every year for the rest of my life Theo."

I reach across the table and squeezed her hand. "I love the sound of that."

"So I was thinking but I want you to hear me out ok?"

"Alright lay it on me, sweetness."

"Since Valentine and Jenna is what brought us together how about we come up with a candy and name it after her and every time we sell it we can send the proceeds to whichever charity that you want?"

"Her mom has a charity in Jenna's name since she passed it helps kids in hospitals that don't have insurance."

"Great! We can send the proceeds to her. Do you think she would accept them?"

"I could talk to her and ask. I mean I haven't spoken to her in years but I always donate on behalf of Kingston Paper."

"Well, this could be on behalf of us, Theo. I want to do this in her name. Did she have a favorite chocolate?"

"You know she loved the reindeer poop."

"Hmm, I will come up with something in a bag. I just have to think." She smiled.

"What about pink or red velvet bags like the Christmas ones? Maybe put gold-wrapped coins or something in it like a money bag."

"That's a good idea, Theo! The red would be like Christmas but we could do red, pink and white ones. I will get on it tomorrow."

"Thank you for thinking of Jenna like that because most wouldn't."

"I know but I think of her often and I think we would have been friends." She smiled.

I helped her clean up the kitchen and put leftovers away and we went to the couch with a glass of wine and had one more drink before heading up to bed.

Once in bed, my head was spinning on having to talk to Jenna's mom.

"What's going on in your head Theo?"

"Worried how to talk to Jenna's mom. I haven't talked to her in years."

"If you give me her number I will call her I don't mind at all."

"Really sweetness?"

"I swear I don't mind. I will explain who I am and what I'm doing and surely she wouldn't be hostile about it since it involves her daughter."

"Your right it's just Patti always cries when I talk to her and I'm afraid I upset her."

"I will be glad to do it just give me her number in the morning ok?"

"Thanks, sweetness! It might sound better coming from you anyway."

"If she doesn't accept it we will send it anonymously."

"Sounds like a plan. I love you, sweetness."

"I love you too Theo. Goodnight."

The next morning the clock went off and I was tired and my head was banging. I wasn't feeling well either. I turned over and Vaylin was out of bed already in the shower.

When she walked back into the bedroom with her towel on she walked over to my side of the bed. "Is something wrong?"

"Yeah, I'm not feeling well. I don't think I'm going in today."

"What's wrong?" She sit down on the side of the bed and felt my head.

"My head is hurting and my stomach is just not feeling well."

"Do you want me to stay home with you Theo?"

"No you go on to work you have things to plan out with the Jenna thing and I don't want to hold you back."

"I will come home at lunch and bring you food if you want."

"Alright sweetness." I smiled and gently rubbed her face.

I watched her get dressed and she walked around the bed and kissed me before leaving.

Once she left I texted dad to tell him I wasn't coming in and then I went back to sleep.

At lunchtime, Vaylin came home and brought loaded baked potato soup from town with crackers and ate with me.

"Thanks for bringing this. I'm feeling some better."

"I'm glad you are ok I was worried but on the plus side I talked to Patti and she cried but she was excited about what we are doing and she said to tell you to thank you and she congratulated us on our wedding."

"I'm glad it went well, sweetness! That makes me feel better." I smile over at her.

Once we ate she took the bowls downstairs and came back upstairs and changed her clothes.

"Are you not going back to work?"

"Nope, I'm staying home in bed with my husband." She smiled.