SCHROEDER'S POV

I hang up the phone. What did I just agree do. I was running errands with Linus (Lucy always forces him to do all of the chores because she pays rent) everything was just fine until Sally calls me and convinces me to ask Lucy to be her goddamn Valentine. And I said yes! What was I thinking!? Now I'm walking to the flower shop with Linus. "Uggghhhh, why did I agree to this?" I groan. "People do crazy things when they care about people Schroeder." Linus responds. I guess this is proof, I never could've expected to be hyping myself up to ask a former nuisance named Lucy to be my Valentine. I guess things change.

We arrive at some local flower shop. I skim the flowers looking for some specific. "There it is!" I cheer grabbing some lilies from the top shelf. They were pale white and smelled pretty fresh, which is good enough for someone doesn't know much about flowers like me. "She still likes lilies right?" It had been years since Lucy and I were on good terms, she's mentioned lilies before years ago trying to get me to buy her some. "More than anything." Linus grinned "We used to grow them in our backyard. Until she realized we had to water them." I chuckled, Lucy was surely something.

I look over at Linus checking on him. Once Sally called I pretty much just dragged Linus over here, I wanted to make sure he wasn't too miserable. But he wasn't, he was looking around at other bouquets of flowers in a different aisle. I quickly caught on. "Sunflowers." Linus looked at me confused. "What?" I smile back at him "Sally likes sunflowers." Linus' face heats up a little "I'm not asking her." I somehow find that hard to believe. I raise my eyebrow.He lets out a sigh. "Fine, I may be considering it." I give him a smug smile. "If you do it I'll pay for the flowers." I know Linus never turns down a good deal. I had him cornered. He chuckles a bit. "Then I'm getting the expensive ones." I laugh a bit

I wasn't kidding when I said I'd pay for them, and Linus wasn't kidding about those flowers being expensive. Fortunately I've got lots more to spend in the future.

Who knew asking someone to be your Valentine was so much work? I spent hours buying hundreds of rose petals scattering them from the Van Pelt house to some secluded gazebo covered with vines by a flower garden. Then renting the piano on the gazebo also cost a pretty penny. I was lucky that Linus had some free time to help. And who knew steaming tuxedos was so difficult? I wonder how those housewives from the past do it. Steaming, washing, and drying your husband's, your children's, and your own clothes, woman continue to surprise. I wouldn't exactly call myself a feminist but I do have huge respect for the vast majority of woman.

I do a few warmups on the piano, with the bouquet of flowers on my left. My hands were sweating. I didn't think this would be so challenging. I thought I was mainly doing this so Lucy could forgive me. But maybe I really did love her as much as Sally said. I mean she was pretty, and smart. Maybe I do love her. No, I'm just doing this so we will be ok again. But why was I so desperate to get her back? It's almost as if I started chasing her when she stopped chasing me. What's wrong with me? She's getting in my head. Love feels terrible! Yet something about it makes me smile. Love was quite the phenomenon.

"This better be good! Who ever it is!" Oh no, it's Lucy. I take a deep breath, one of those breathers yoga teachers and therapists tell you to do when you are stressed but you only ever do them when they are in the room. I see Lucy aimlessly walking waving her arms around trying not to bump into anything. Linus was covering her eyes by the time he's were at the gazebo. "Linus if this is a prank I will slug you so hard-" As soon as I begin playing Moonlight Sonata she stops talking. Completely shocked. Linus gives me a thumbs up and removes his hand covering her face. Lucy's jaw dropped when she saw me. Linus walks away mouthing good luck until I can no longer see him, which didn't take long since it was 10:00 pm.

"You did this for me?" I smile at her. "I wasn't lying when I said I care about you." She smiled back. I moved to the side giving her room to sit down next to me. She complied, her smile widening. This is the happiest I've seen her in a while. She placed her head on my shoulder. "I knew I chose the right guy." I chuckled. "Well it was either me, Charlie Brown, or your brother so I think you chose wisely." Lucy let out a laugh. She was so great. Especially when she isn't mad at you. Moonlight Sonata came to an end, I grabbed the bouquet next to me. "Will you be my Valentine Lucy Van Pelt?" I look away, I couldn't face her. This was the most courageous thing I've ever done. Especially for someone like Lucy, it was scarier than anything I've ever done. "How could I say no? Of course I'll be your Valentine Schroeder!" She skips the flowers and pulls me into her arms.

This was the happiest I've ever been in a while. It felt amazing. I hug her back. "Can I kiss you?" It's a little far to kiss someone so early but I thought it was worth a shot with everything we've been through. "You have no idea how long I've waited for you to say that." She laughs a little with teary eyes. I pull her into a kiss wiping away her tear with my thumb. It was a short kiss. But it was amazing. "I can't imagine how much courage this must've taken." Lucy jokes. "You have no idea." I chuckle. After everything that just happened now I know.

I love this girl.