A/N: I planned a different update than this one, but thought that as it is Valentine's Day today, I should probably write something for it. Therefore, I've merged this one with the one I was going to write and upload. I hope you like it.
Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day had been an established holiday in Emily's era, but Henry hadn't believed in celebrating it, after all he hadn't married her for love but for economic gain from her father. Jess had been horrified to learn that whilst all of her friends received elaborate cards, she got nothing from her husband and had hurried to tell Matt that he had to plan something extra special for his Valentine's Day with Emily.
Playing Cupid, she had even booked them both the day off work, smoothing things over with Lester. It meant that Jess would spend all day at the ARC, but so would Becker. Maybe she could wear something a little bit special for him, or maybe he would jump the gun and give her a card, if it wasn't too much to hope for.
But Emily wasn't particularly bothered about Valentine's Day. It was a celebration for people who weren't actually together, wasn't it? If anyone should be celebrating it, it should have been the Captain and the young Miss Parker. Whilst she and Matt were by no means married or engaged, they were a happy couple who were still deeply in love.
Matt, however, had no idea of Emily's concerns and had forged ahead with planning a fabulous day, starting with breakfast in bed for the lady. Then he was going to cook a romantic evening meal, complete with rose petals on the table, and propose. He was also preparing deliveries of flowers, chocolates and Valentine's bears. He was sure Jess would find it satisfactory.
So, as Valentine's morning arrived, Emily lay in bed awake, completely unaware of what the day had in store for her. Matthew had risen before her and disappeared, though she wasn't worried or surprised because he would often get up before her and go for a run. What did surprise Emily, however, was when the bedroom door swung slowly open, admitting Matt into their bedroom.
In his hands he carried a tray with two steaming cups of tea, a rack of toast and some butter and jam to spread on top.
"Happy Valentine's Day," he murmured as he crawled onto the bed beside her and placed a sweet kiss on her cheek.
"Matt, you shouldn't have-"
"-Yes, I should. Today's about treating you," he insisted.
As he picked up a piece of toast and took a bite, the doorbell rang and he grinned, thinking, 'Delivery number one on time,' as he went to answer the door.
Emily could hear the quiet discussion at the door, but had no idea who was there. She was pleasantly surprised when Matt opened the door again with a massive bouquet of flowers in his arms. There were roses, tulips, chrysanthemums, an orchid, lilies and twenty other beautiful flowers she didn't know the names of.
"Matt-" she tried.
"Ah, I don't want to hear it," he warned.
Emily sighed and continued demurely sipping her cup of tea. If Matt wanted to spoil her, she would just have to let him. Any protest, she reckoned, would be an insult to his ego.
Matt sat back down on the bed, still holding the flowers, and waited patiently for Emily to finish her breakfast before eagerly springing up and giving her the bouquet.
She smiled and sniffed them appreciatively.
"Don't forget about the card," Matt called as he left the bedroom and went to ring up to check on his next delivery. It should have arrived five minutes ago, and he didn't want anything to spoil the day he'd planned.
Emily looked up at his retreated figure for a moment before looking back down at the bouquet and plucking out the small card nestled in beside a lovely white rose.
Written in swift cursive, were the words, To my dearest Emily, may this Valentine's Day bring you happiness, joy, love and everything you've ever wished for. Matt. X
A soft 'Aww' fell from Emily's lips and once more she brought the flowers to her face to smell their wonderful fragrance. Matt truly was being too kind to her today.
Little did she know it wasn't over yet. As Matt hung up the phone, Emily walked out of the bedroom, wrapping her dressing gown about her and stood on her tiptoes to kiss him. Then the doorbell rang again.
Confused, Emily glanced at Matt and noticed his slight smirk. He definitely looked suspicious.
Still looking at him, Emily took the chain off the door and opened it, finding herself face to face with a massive teddy bear. It was four feet tall and carried a red heart that said 'Be my Valentine' in its arms.
The delivery man shoved the bear into Emily's arms, crossed off the number on his list and left without saying a word.
Emily squashed any qualms she had over why she, a grown woman, would want a teddy bear and focused on the grand size of Matt's gesture. He seemed desperate to show his love for her today.
Matt grinned at the look of disbelief on her face and pulled her, teddy and all, into a hug.
"Is that all the surprises over?"
Matt snorted and refused to answer, inadvertently giving Emily the truth.
Seconds later someone knocked on the door.
Emily shot Matt a mock glare as she put the teddy on the floor and opened the door again, this time finding herself standing with her hands on her hips in front of a teenager carrying a large basket filled with sweet goodies and wrapped in cellophane with a big pink bow tied around it.
He handed it over with a nod and a wink and left just as silently as the delivery man before him.
"Matt, this is too much-" Emily tried.
"I swear you won't have to answer the door another time," he offered, taking the wicker basket from her and setting it down on the kitchen counter beside the door.
Emily sighed and relented, shooting him a shy smile. After spending so long in an unhappy, loveless marriage, Emily found it hard to accept Matt's love.
"Now," Matt began, winding his arms around her again and leaning his chin on her shoulder. Emily reached behind her and ruffled his growing hair, enjoying the slight scratch of his stubble against her smooth cheek. "Why don't you sit on the sofa and put on a film whilst I cook up something delicious? Jess has been asking me for forever to introduce you to Pretty Woman. The DVD's already loaded up, just hit play."
Emily turned in his arms, kissed him briefly, and sauntered away, aware of his eyes following her all the way to the cream leather sofa.
As Emily watched the film, Matt sweated in the kitchen, chopping, dicing, boiling, sautéing, roasting and setting the table. Over the wooden surface he laid a pure white tablecloth, then retrieved the rose petals he'd stowed under the bathroom sink and threw them over the table in what he hoped was an artful manner. Then he set the candelabra in the centre of the table and lit the five candles. He set the two places and dished up the traditional roast dinner.
"Emily," he called.
She turned around, leaning on the sofa and gasped. Everything looked truly beautiful.
"Oh, Matt…"
He grinned and took her hand, leading her around the sofa and to her chair.
"My lady," he murmured, bending to kiss her hand.
Emily laughed lightly as he stood and walked around to his own seat.
Now that the time was drawing near, Matt was beginning to feel nervous. The ring tucked into his shirt pocket was beginning to feel like it weighed a tonne, but he distracted himself by tucking into the dinner and watching Emily the entire time.
He loved the slight blush that arose as she realised he was staring at her, and her inability to keep eye contact with him.
When they finished eating, Matt stood under the pretence of clearing the dishes away and walked around to her end of the table. She smiled up at him, completely unaware of what was about to happen. Then, suddenly, they were on a level as he knelt on one knee and placed the ring on the table in front of her.
Her eyes widened as she took in the slim ring and the single diamond that sat atop it.
"Matt?" she asked, turning to look at him in shock. Her heart had stopped and her voice was barely a whisper.
"Emily," he replied, his eyes alit with humour. "I love you, I always will. I would be honoured if you would agree to be my wife and spend the rest of your life with me. So, will you marry me?"
Her eyes streamed as she held eye contact with him. Her mouth was fixed in a watery smile as she breathed her reply in his ear.
Matt's heart stopped and he picked up the ring, looking only at his love. With painstaking slowness he slid the ring onto her finger and kissed her with as much love and passion as he could muster.
"Happy Valentine's Day, Emily," he whispered, still grinning like a lunatic with one of his hands resting on her neck. She returned the sentiment with a blinding smile, her eyes still looking like liquid, and pressed her lips against his.
A/N: So, happy Valentine's Day everyone! Review and let me know what you think.