Disclaimer: I own nothing Twilight related.
December 3, 2011
Paul's POV
"Go on home." My boss said as he poked his head in the doorway of my office.
"I will." I said looking up briefly from my computer screen. "I am just trying to get these reports done."
"You're too young to work this hard." He said as he stepped into my office. "I'm your boss and you are making me look bad. You shouldn't work more than me."
I chuckled and kept on working.
"I'm serious." He said. "Get out of here. And take off tomorrow too." He turned to walk out the door and said, "I'm sure your wife is missing you."
Guilt grabbed a hold of my heart at the mention of my wife. Rebecca and I have been fighting a lot lately, mostly about my work hours. I work hard and put in a lot of over time to give my family the life they deserve. But lately my working to provide has kept me away.
I sighed and shut down the computer and left the office. I pulled into our driveway at home at the same time Rebecca did.
"What are you doing home so early?" Rebecca asked.
"My boss sent me home for the day." I said as I walked up to Rebecca and kissed her on the cheek. "He actually gave me tomorrow off too." I added.
"That's weird." She mumbled. "My boss gave me tomorrow off too."
We walked into the house together and I was actually happy that I was home before the kids were asleep. It didn't happen very often, hence the problems brewing in my marriage.
The kids came running as we stepped into the house. They were very excited that we were both home. Jason and Sara are my whole life; I want to give them the best that I can. That's why I work so hard.
"What are you guys doing here?" Anna, the babysitter asked looking confused.
"We got off work early." I explained. "So, it looks like you have the rest of the day to yourself."
"But I was told you wouldn't be home until midnight." She said.
"Who told you that?" I asked.
"You did." She said sounding even more confused. "You called earlier, or at least someone pretending to be you, and told me you guys were going out and asked if I could baby-sit until midnight."
Rebecca and I just looked at each other, confused by what Anna said. Before either of us could say anything more the doorbell rang.
Rebecca opened the door to a delivery man holding a large bouquet of flowers. She took the flowers from the guy and asked, "Who are these from?"
I shut the door after the delivery guy explained that the flowers were paid for in cash with no name to go along with them.
"There is a card." I said plucking it out of the vase. I opened it and read it out loud.
Paul, and Rebecca,
Enjoy your night out. Reservations at
La Bella Italia.
Sincerely,
Santa
"Is this for real?" Rebecca asked.
I shrugged and called the restaurant. We did, in fact, have reservations at the restaurant.
Rebecca and I got ready and left for the restaurant. The kids were sad that we were leaving again, but I was glad that Rebecca and I were getting a long over due, and much needed, night out.
Rebecca and I entered the restaurant and walked to the hostess counter.
"Can I help you?" The hostess asked with a smile.
"We have reservations, under the name Santa, I guess." I answered warily.
The hostesses face lit up and said, "Right this way."
The hostess led us to a table in the corner that sat next to the fireplace. The table was set for two with soft candle light illuminating the table.
"Your waiter will be right with you." She smiled and then turned to leave.
"This is amazing." Rebecca said.
"It really is." I agreed grabbing her hand across the table.
"Good evening. My name is John and I will be your server tonight." The man said as he started pouring wine into your glasses.
"Oh, we didn't order anything yet." I said while watching him pour the wine.
"The wine was ordered to the table when the reservations were made." John smiled.
John left us to look over our menus. After our orders were placed we sat in quiet and enjoyed our wine and the beautiful fire in the fireplace. I couldn't stop staring at Rebecca; she looked gorgeous in the glow of the fire.
"I think I am going to stop working so much." I blurted.
"What?" Rebecca asked shocked.
"I am going to start working normal hours. 9-5, five days a week, take more time off for vacations; call in sick when the mood strikes."
Rebecca blushed and looked down with my last comment.
"I don't want you to say something you don't really mean." She said.
"I do mean it." I said taking both her hands in mine. "We are financially set. I don't need to be working all the over time. And it is the main reason for our fighting. I loved the looks on the kids' faces when I came home early. I want to see that everyday. And looking at you now and seeing how beautiful you are has made me realize how much I miss you."
"I've missed you too." She whispered.
As we ate we talked and laughed and planned a family vacation for over the holiday break. We talked about a more romantic vacation for the two of us as we shared a piece of red velvet cake for desert.
John stopped at our table and asked how everything was and if we would be needing anything else.
"No, thank you." Rebecca smiled "And everything was beyond wonderful."
"I am glad to hear that. Enjoy the rest of your night." John said and then placed the bill down on the table and walked away.
I picked up the bill and the furrowed my brows in confusion
"Excuse me." I said to get John's attention.
"Is there a problem?" John asked as he walked back to our table.
"What does this mean?" I asked pointing out the little red bow that was on the bill where the total should have been.
"Oh." John smiled. "Your bill has already been taken care of. You didn't think Santa would send you out for dinner and then make you pay for it did you?" And with that John walked away.
"Let's toast." Rebecca smiled as she held up her wine glass. "To Santa, for giving us a much needed night out together."
"And for possibly saving a marriage." I added.
"Definitely." Rebecca smiled agreeing.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter. This was a more romantic miracle, but still something they needed that they weren't doing for themselves. As a single mother of three, I would love this one. A night out sounds good to me!
See you tomorrow!