Thanks for reviewing guys! Good news and 2 bad news… only one week left until schools out for break! That means lots of free time to write. The bad news is that I will be posting a lot so sucks for you if you hate this story! Also, I have major exams before break… esp. English! Ok enough with that. Thanks to those of you who actually read this entire paragraph! FYI- Kirsten is now home from rehab b/c she isn't going to drink, but Caleb is still alive…. Hmm. Bending the story a bit I know… but go along w/it!
Disclaimer: don't own

Ch. 9

"Ok… ok sounds good. I'll be by at 2:30 then. Thanks a bunch. You too. Bye." Sandy hung up the phone, and turned around to see his wife emerging from the bathroom poking a hoop earring through her earlobe. She wore a slim black business dress, which was not zipped up all the way in the back. Her toned legs were elongated by the black pumps she was wearing. She was beautiful.

"Hey honey." she said in a rushed voice. "Who was that?" she said, nodding in the direction of the phone.

"Oh, no one"

"Can you zip me?" She turned around and lifted her hair up, feeling his breath on the back of her neck.

"Sure." He zipped the dress, and left a trail of kisses on her neck, snaking his arms around her waist. She turned around to face him.

"Happy Anniversary" He whispered, kissing her.

"Happy Anniversary. 21 years. Jeez we're old." She replied, looking up at him with a smile.

"No were not. I still love you as much as they day I married you. Probably more."

"I love you too."

"We better go, we'll be late. And unfortunately for you, you are employed by Caleb Nichol, who will not take being late for work on our anniversary very well…" she hit him playfully in the stomach, giving him a look.

"Well unfortunately for you, I'm not the one who will be getting the talking to."

"That's true." Sandy said with a roguish grin.

"C'mon. I need coffee."

"I need you."

"What you NEED is a better line." She took him by the hand and dragged him to the kitchen, where Seth and Ryan were eating cereal.

"Mornin' fellas" Sandy called.

"Mornin." Seth and Ryan grumbled before turning back to their conversation.

"Watch this." Sandy whispered to Kirsten. He took her in his arms and kissed her playfully. She giggled, and he whispered to her in a deep voice. Seth didn't even have to turn around to know that his parents were making out behind them, and immediately chastised them.

"Guys. C'mon. What did we decide about making out at the breakfast table. I think we came to a general consensus that you guys have to stand on opposite sides of the room. Why do you think that the man and lady of the house sit on opposite ends of the table? It's not this whole head and foot junk- its to keep them off each other!" Ryan and Kirsten giggled into their coffee.

"You know Seth, if you had just said hi and started a conversation, then the two of us wouldn't be left alone over here. You bring it upon yourself." Sandy said. Kirsten looked at the clock on the oven.

"Honey I'm going to be late. I've got to go. Have a good day- call me later ok?" Kirsten said, putting her coffee on the counter.

"Ok. Try and be home by six-ish…huh?" He said suggestively.

"Ok." He kissed her one last time, after hearing Seth's voice scolding them, they went out into the foyer.

"I love you!" She called out to him, before climbing into the driver's side of the Range Rover.

"Love you too." He replied, hand in his pockets, standing in the doorway. She put on her sunglasses, and putting her hand on the seat next to her to look behind her, she pulled out of the driveway. Sandy walked back into the house.

Sandy sat Ryan and Seth down for an important talk at the kitchen table.

"Dad, if its about "the talk" then I think we've covered it already. Although I think that Ryan could use a little talking to… don't you think?" He rested his elbow on the table, putting his fist under his chin, with an inquisitive look shooting back and forth between his father and Ryan. Both looked confused.

"Ummm. No. I just wanted to let you guys in on the plan. I need your help. Today is our 21st Anniversary and I have stuff lined up for most of the evening, so I just need a few things from you guys. I told your mom to be home by 6, so can you guys be home by 4?" Sandy began.

"Sure." They replied.

"Ok I can take care of all the shopping, so when you guys get home, just clean up the house a little bit, be here when the food gets here, and then just follow the instructions to keep it warm. Make sure she doesn't see anything suspicious. Bring the girls if you want- they can help you play waitor. I have dinner all planned out to eat on the patio- so when the two of us go out I just need you guys to play some music and then just decorate the house with roses and candles and such- living room, stairway, the hallway to our bedroom…"

"Ok dad- 21 years! That's over 2 decades of… ok don't you think its time you give it up?" Seth asked uneasily.

"Would you give up a woman that's like Summer is to you times a thousand?" Sandy asked.

"Mom suffers from severe rage blackouts too? I never knew that. I sure hope its not genetic…" Seth rambled. Sandy shot him a look.

"Ok ok I get it. Please just don't compare my girlfriend to… my mother. Ughhh." Ryan gave Seth a look.

"We'd be glad to help you out. Anything else?" Ryan finally spoke.

"Yeah. After dinner…" Sandy turned too look at Seth again, who was muttering to himself, "Get lost. For the rest of the night." Seth groaned and with that, Sandy left.
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"Kiki, good morning, how are you, the sandman, Seth, the hoodlum?" Caleb entered Kirsten's office, and interrupted her work.

"Hi Dad, I'm fine- Sandy's great, Seth and Ryan are just fine. Oh I need to get home by 6 so I'll have to leave a little early…"

"Why what's tonight?"

"Well you probably don't know this- but today's my anniversary… 21st… oh, I'm sorry- you weren't there- I shouldn't expect you to remember it." Kirsten replied, obviously annoyed.

"Kiki… you know I tried everything to try and be there, but I was on the other side of the world! I tried my hardest… sometimes you can't always have what you want…"

"I know Dad- but I guess it doesn't really matter if you were there or not- just Sandy- he's the one I love, and it's about us now, so… yeah I'm at home by 6. To be with my husband."

"Kirsten Nichol, I refuse to be spoken to in such a manner. Apologize!" Caleb demanded- obviously more angry and offended about her tone than what she had said.

"My name is Kirsten Cohen. And I am not sorry. I have work to be done so I can get out of here by a reasonable hour. I would suggest you do the same- it might lead to some issues with you and Julie if you aren't home at a reasonable hour as well…"

"Kirsten!"

"Yes?" She won. They both knew it.

"Never mind."

With that, Caleb left her office, finally accepting his defeat. Kirsten smiled to herself, twisting her wedding rings. Her phone rang, and she answered it picking up the receiver.

"Kirsten Cohen."

"Hey honey, how's you day been going?" Sandy's voice sounded so good to her.

"Great! My dad was being an ass- so I gave it to him! I've never felt better!"

"Really! What did you say?" Sandy asked eagerly. Kirsten started to giggle. Outside, Caleb could tell that Kirsten was on the phone with Sandy. She was smiling from ear to ear, and her eyes lit up, as she played with her wedding rings. She really did love him, like he had loved her mother, something he could never have again with a woman like Julie. Feeling his defeat, he returned to his office.

"Well I told him that I needed to be home by six, and he wanted to know why, and we got into the argument about him not being at our wedding, and I told him that it didn't really matter anyway because it was about you and me because you are the one I love. Then I told him to leave my office and get his own work done so he can get home to Julie! It was amazing!"

"Awww, honey I'm so proud of you. I knew you had it in you- it feels so good after you know that you got to him doesn't it?"

"Yeah…"

"I love you for it- standing up to him and declaring your love for me. It's very sexy." Kirsten giggled.

"I love you too."

"Ok- so be home by six then, and I've made plans for us- you don't have to do a thing. Just bring your self."

"You're so sweet."

"I know."

"And so modest!" They both started to laugh.

"Ok if I'm going to be home on time then I should get this work done. I'll see you at home, honey."

"Ok, love you."

"Love you too."

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They hung up, and worked diligently, looking forward to the evening. By two thirty, Sandy had left the office, and arrived at the florist's. He picked up a few bouquets of roses. He stopped to pick up some sparkling cider. At a Hallmark, he bought some candle votives, and a card. He stopped quickly at a Victoria's Secret, picking up a few obvious items. He purchased a black BCBG dress, that went to the knees, flowing loosely. He had the lady at the shop wrap it up in a big box, and a smile crept across his face, picturing his wife in it. His last stop was at the post office, where he picked up the ring he had bought from Tiffany's in New York while visiting his mother. It was the classic Tiffany Setting engagement ring, so simple and beautiful, for the vow renewal. She deserved it, he thought to himself. Kirsten Cohen was the most perfect person in the entire world- and she was his, hence the "Cohen" part of her name.

After running the errands, he arrived home a few minutes before 4 o'clock. The boys would be home soon. He took a quick shower, putting on a nice suit, and some cologne, and tucked the box with the ring safely inside his jacket. He laid the box with the dress in it on the bed, and signed the card to go with it. On the bed around the box, he placed some coral colored roses, meaning enthusiasm, and desire, and some lavender roses, meaning enchantment. He hid the pink striped bag from Victoria's Secret in their closet behind some of his suits, along with the candles. The sparkling cider went in the refrigerator. At their front door, he placed a bouquet of yellow roses, meaning friendship, and wrote Kirsten a note next to it. He knew she would see it because she left her keys there every night after work. The boys were home from school, accompanied by Summer and Marissa on their arms.

"Hey Dad- you're lookin' mighty spiffy." Seth commented.

"Thanks guys. Ok so the food will be here soon, and when it gets here, pay the caterers, I left money for that on the counter, and then just put it in the oven or whatever to keep it warm. Umm, next is the patio furniture- just wipe it down and set it up next to the pool. If you guys want to set the table put some candles and a few…" He stopped to look at a sheet of paper, " Red and white rose petals, and then in the vase put a white one."

"Ok. C'mon Cohen- lets go move the furniture."

"Ahhh, Summer, that requires some heavy lifting- I think Ryan here is more equipped for that job."

"Fine. Then grab the cleaning supplies and you can wipe it down." Seth frowned, but Sandy let out a chuckle.

The kids proceeded to clean house and prepare the food.

Seth and Summer selected some "romantic mood music" for the old-timers, while Ryan and Marissa decorated the table.

"Cohen your parents are adorable. That's what I hope that you and me can be like when we're their age." Summer said.

"What you mean embarrassing our children by making out all the time and hinting innuendo at the breakfast table?" Summer shot him a look.

"They really love each other. And believe me, when you grow up in a family like mine, your parents have the most precious thing in the world. We would be so lucky to end up like that."

"Yeah I know. I hope we do too. I'd make out with you in front of my kids any day." He took her into his arms, and rested his chin on top of her head.

"I love you Seth." she whispered to him- barely audible.

"I love you too."

Ryan and Marissa were outside setting the table and decorating the plates with rose petals and the area around the table. Candles were scattered about the patio, unlit.

"This is so sweet- you should really have Sandy plan our next big date." Marissa hinted to him.

"I know. I can't believe Seth is so annoyed with his parents. Sandy and Kirsten are such good people. They aren't screwed up or bad. They've given me a chance, they love him so much- and they love each other. What more is there in life? A home, a family, someone to love for the rest of your life."

"I know. I thought I had it all too- before my parents split. I took it for granted too- but hopefully it'll be my turn to be so in love with someone like that. Later on."

"Yeah"
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Kirsten looked over at the clock for the thousandth time. It finally read quarter to six. She closed the file she was reading, and grabbed her purse, heading for the door. She was so excited- even if Sandy screwed up all his plans for the evening- there was always one thing that she could look forward to at the end of the night. He always seemed to get that right- she thought, smiling to herself.

She pulled up in front of the house. It was dark, but there were lights on inside. Sandy's car was here, as was Marissa's. She parked, and went inside. The house was spotless, and she could smell something in the kitchen, but she didn't know where anyone was. Putting her keys down on the front table, she saw a bouquet of yellow roses, and a note in Sandy's handwriting next to it.

Kirsten,

Hope you had a good day at work, go into our bedroom, there's a surprise waiting on the bed for you. Put it on, and get all dolled up for me. I hope you like the roses- the yellow ones mean joy, gladness and friendship, because those are some of the many things you mean to me. Come downstairs around 7- I'll meet you at the bottom of the stairs. I love you, honey.
Sandy

He's so sweet, she thought to herself. She took the yellow roses and climbed the stairs to their bedroom. She still couldn't find anyone. They were all probably in Seth's room. She went into her room, and found more roses, with a big box on her bed. She read the card that sat on top of it.

Kirsten,
I hope you like the dress, I can't wait to see you in it- you look stunning in everything- and in nothing… (wink wink). The coral roses mean enthusiasm and desire, and the lavender mean enchantment. You are the only one I can ever desire- I could never dream of being with anyone else, why would I want to? I love you, honey! Happy Anniversary, I look forward to many more nights with you like this one.
Sandy

Kirsten smiled, and shut the card, and placed it in a special box that her mother gave to her on her wedding day. She had a few photos and some love notes from Sandy she had saved over the years. Inside there was her parents wedding photo, her wedding photo, pictures of Seth as a baby, pictures of the three of them in Berkeley, and a recent picture of Sandy with his arms around her, kissing her cheek. Her smile was so perfect, and she looked so happy. She shut the box, and walked back over to her bed. She opened the box and took out the dress, holding it up in front of the mirror, her breath was taken away. It was beautiful. She showered quickly, applied her makeup and styled her hair, looking absolutely perfect. She put on the dress, and slipped into some heels. The clock read 7 o'clock, on the dot, so she went downstairs.
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By 6, Sandy, Seth, Ryan, Marissa, and Summer were in Seth's room. The house was clean, the table set, food ready to go, and all the gifts were ready. Seth had the music ready to go and it would play outside during dinner. Sandy decided to let them in on the big gift.

"Ok guys- I want to show you something- that I got for Kirsten. He reached into his pocket and showed them the ring. Summer and Marissa gasped in delight. Ryan was amazed at the size of it, and Seth smiled.

"O my god Sandy! It's beautiful! She's going to love it!" Summer exclaimed.

"I'm asking her to have a vow renewal with me- I thought now would be a good time, since she is home from rehab and all."

"Dad, she's going to love it. But we need to get going or she's never going to have it. Its two minutes to seven."

"Oo yeah. Let's go. You kids stay up here and after we're outside go get the food."

"Yes sir." Seth replied- in a military voice, saluting his father.

Sandy rushed downstairs and waited for her. A few minutes later, there she was, standing in the black dress and their eyes met for what must have been the millionth time since they had known each other. She smiled and waltzed down the stairs, to meet him.

"Hey beautiful." he said, holding his hand out. She took his hand, and he kissed her softly.

"You don't look so bad yourself. Sandy the dress is gorgeous, and all the roses, honey that's so sweet"

"Well. I'm thinking your worth it." Sandy said with a chuckle. She kissed him again, and then together, they walked out to the patio, his arm around her waist. There were more roses and candles surrounding the little table.

"O my god, Sandy, this is perfect. You are perfect." she said, as she looked around the patio at everything he had done for her.

"Believe me, this is nothing compared to what I've got planned for later." he chuckled, while helping her into her chair.

"Something tells me you aren't joking." she smiled across the table to where he was now sitting. He poured two glasses of sparkling cider, and held his glass up to propose a toast.

"To Seth, that he may stay far, far away from us tonight." Kirsten laughed at him.

"I'm not kidding. But here's something better. To you and to me, that we can spend many more years like this. I love you, honey- don't you ever forget it"

"I love you too. And I'm never going to forget it." she smiled at him, cocking her head to the side. They clinked glasses.

"I can't believe what I said to my dad today. I feel so much… freer now. Now I know why you don't mind fighting with him all the time"

"I'm proud of you too- but I still hate fighting with him"

"No you don't- you get a kick out of it"

"Yeah, but I'd rather get along with him."

"Really?"

"Yeah because I know fighting with him drives you crazy."

"I guess so."

"I know it makes you unhappy, so I am really going to try."

"Sandy its not your fault- every time its him egging you on."

"Yeah, but you are much more important than winning a silly argument with your father." God, he was perfect, Kirsten thought to herself.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

Seth and Ryan came out with the food, and handed the plates to their parents.

"Ok Dad- we're taking the girls out- we'll see you guys tomorrow."

"Thanks boys, for all your help. Have fun!" Sandy said.

"Be careful!" Kirsten called after them. They ate dinner, and reminisced about Berkeley days, talked about the boys, and life in general. Then, the music came on, their wedding song.

"What's this? I think its our wedding song…" Sandy said sarcastically. Kirsten laughed at him.

"Will you dance with me?" He asked, holding out his hand.

"Always." she answered, placing her hand in his, and standing next to him. He led her a few feet away from the table, holding her left hand in his right, and his left arm around her back, holding her close. Her right hand was on the top of his back, holding him close. They swayed to the romantic music, and Sandy whispered the song into her ear, singing to her.

"Yes you're lovely with your smile so warm, and your cheeks so soft, there is nothing for me but to love you, and the way you look tonight…"

He spun her around, dipping her back, and then pulling her back up, close to his body.

"Lovely, never, never change, keep that breathless charm, won't you please arrange it, 'cus I love you, just the way you look tonight."

The kids watched for a moment from the kitchen window.

"Awww, Cohen, your parents are so cute, we should let them have their night." With that, the kids left the house to Sandy and Kirsten.

He pulled her in again, so that their foreheads touched. She closed her eyes in comfort, smiling. He kissed her softly through her smile, as the song ended. They stopped dancing, and became lost in their kisses. When the music continued, they pulled apart, and danced again.

"We get it on most every night, when that moon gets big and bright its supernatural delight everybody was dancing in the moonlight."

"L is for the way you look at me, O is for the only one I see, V is very, very extraordinary, E is even more than anyone that you adore can love is all that I can give to you, love is more than just a game for two, two in love can make it, take my heart, and please don't break it, love was made for me and you."

"The smile on your face lets me know that you need me, there's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me, the touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall, you say it best when you say nothing at all."

They stayed like this for awhile, just dancing, occasionally kissing, and holding each other close, like they had for twenty-one years. Then he decided this was the moment to propose, again.
"Hey honey, I have to ask you something."

"Ok what is it."

"Well you said yes the first time, so I'm hoping that this will be a similar answer."

He smiled at her, and reached into his pocket, for the ring. Pulling out the box, and getting down on one knee, holding her hand. Kirsten smiled down at him, and he went on.

"Kirsten Cohen, you mean the world to me, with you I am everything, and I have everything, but without you I would be nothing. I love you honey, and I want to show you how much, again." He opened the box revealing the ring. "Kirsten, honey, marry me, again. Let's renew our vows."

"Oh my god, Sandy, put the ring on me honey- let's get married!" she whispered.

He slid the ring onto her finger, and stood up to meet her again. She kissed him, her passion growing and growing, as her tongue begged entrance into his mouth. He swayed her from side to side, before scooping her up into his arms, and taking her inside. He carried her up the stairs that were scattered with red rose petals. He opened the door to their bedroom, which was decorated by more red roses scattered through the room, candles lit everywhere, and a big bouquet of roses on the bed, next to the Victoria's Secret Bag. Kirsten gasped when she saw the room, and pulled him by the tie for another kiss. He put her down on the bed, and sat down next to her.

"What do the red roses mean?" she asked, smiling.

"Passion, and love. Because you are my greatest passion, and my one true love." She kissed him again as she could feel her heart beginning to melt.

"I see you've been working on those lines of yours." They laughed, and he pulled her close, so their foreheads touched.

"Sandy, when did you pull all this together?" she asked.

"This afternoon- well I planned it a long time ago- I picked out the ring in New York- so I guess I've been looking forward to it for a long time, I hope you enjoyed it. The best part comes in just a few minutes." he gave her a suggestive grin, nodding towards the bed. She laughed at him and bit her lip looking at him.

"Thank you so much honey, this was all so sweet, only you would have put so much work into one night- for me. Thank you."

"For you, the world. Ok. Now, go get dressed!" He said, handing her the Victoria's Secret Bag, and pointing to the bathroom. She gave him a teasing little grin, kissed him very passionately, before strutting off to the bathroom, holding the Victoria's Secret Bag. She shut the door, while he ran downstairs quickly to blow out the candles on the patio, and was back in time for her captivating entrance.

She stood in the doorway, her hair whisked back with a few loose strands around her face, as she gave him a little flash of what was underneath her short silky robe. She bit her lip seductively, and walked towards her bed, where he was sitting. She kissed him, becoming increasingly passionate, and lingering. His hands roamed up and down her smooth legs, and then under her robe. Her fingers worked at the buttons of his shirt, eventually pushing it off him. Then she worked at his belt buckle, and then on his pants. Their emotions blended, and they became lost within each other. They made love into the night, and Sandy and Kirsten finally fell asleep with their arms around each other.

Sandy woke up in the middle of the night. Kirsten was still asleep, still in his arms. He swept away a few stray pieces of hair on her neck, and left a light trail of kisses on her jaw and neck, down to her collarbone. She cuddled closer to his body, and he responded by pulling her tighter to him. She buried her head into his chest, still sleeping. Sandy looked over her head to the clock which read 3:30. He didn't want to wake her, they had been asleep for only a few hours. Kirsten awoke a few moments later. She looked up at Sandy who was wide awake.

"Hey stranger." he whispered to her.

"Hey." She smiled up to him, and kissed his lips softly.

"You're pretty amazing. You know that?" He told her again, his voice hardly above a whisper, proclaiming their little secret.

"I've heard that from you before."

"And you'll hear it again."

"Well you're not so bad yourself."

She took a deep breath and shut her eyes again leaning her head against his chest. The palms of his hands pressed against her back, trying to touch as much of her at once as possible. God, she was beautiful. Her perfect body, naked, except for her ring, his ring, the one that let everyone else in the world she was his- like they couldn't tell anyway. Her hair was messy, and beautiful, so free, falling around her face. Her cheeks were glowing, from satisfaction- only the kind that Sandy could give her. There were no other people in the world that were quite as perfect for each other as the Cohens.

"I love you." She whispered.

"I love you too."

"Thank you."

"Hey I enjoyed it too." He added.

"I know." She laughed at him, as his hands ran up and down her bare back.

"Happy Anniversary."

"Happy Anniversary." She whispered to him, looking up into his eyes. He kissed her forehead, and she shut her eyes, resting her head on his chest, returning to her peaceful slumber. He rested his chin on her head, and followed suit, falling asleep.
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Ok I hoped you guys liked this… lol. Pretty fluffy I know but it's the name of my game! The vow renewal is pretty cheesy too. I might even write a chapter or two on that… I just thought that he should get her some jewelry- and the ring that I looked at online from Tiffany's is absolutely beautiful. I could see Kirsten wearing it. Or me! Hahah. -Sarah