A Valentine Goodbye... And Hello
This is my entry into the Valentines Day 2025 contest. Please be sure to vote and comment if the story moves you. Also, be sure to read the other wonderful stories submitted for the contest. Some of them are truly magnificent. Thank you for reading, and Happy Valentine's Day!
February 14
Jackson Turner sat watching his wife Cynthia. Her breathing was slow and steady, as if she was in a deep sleep. Her long hair was arrayed around her head like a blonde halo. Although her eyes were closed, he wished they were open so he could see the beautiful blue, almost aquamarine shade he so loved. Her eyes sparkled when she was happy, and turned dark and foreboding when she was angry.
"Remember the first time we met? It was our first day at college, in the dining hall. We both had just transferred in from different community colleges, and didn't know anyone on campus. You weren't looking where you were walking and ran right into me, tray first. Your food, and mine, ended up either on me or on the floor... and you were mortified. You started to cry you were so embarrassed, and I tried to comfort you. We ended up getting refills, and ate and talked the rest of the afternoon. Eventually we had to leave, so we started to walk around campus, still talking. We ended up at the union where we shared a milkshake. And it was there where I fell in love with you.
"Do you remember our first date? I asked you to join me at a football game, not knowing you really disliked football; in fact, you didn't like any kind of sporting event. But you came anyway, and we ended up talking more than watching the game. I remember it was a warm day, and you wore short shorts and a t-shirt, and I swore you didn't have a bra on. Later you told me it was on purpose, because you wanted me to see 'your assets', as you called them. And I was hooked even more.
"But it was at your sorority's Winter Formal where you finally landed me. It was at one of the big hotels downtown, and you told me to pack for an overnight stay. There was a cocktail hour, then dinner, and then dancing. When I saw you in your dress, you were simply breathtaking. Your hair curled around your bare shoulders, and your long, red dress fit you like a glove. The side slit showed an enticing amount of leg, and you made sure I saw your leg all night.
"You only had one glass of wine with dinner, because you said you wanted to keep your wits about you. And when the dancing started, you made sure we were on the dance floor for every slow number.
"As the evening wore on, you pulled yourself closer and closer to me as we danced. During one song, you whispered in my ear,
'Just so you know, I'm naked under my dress.'
"My dick, which was already hard, twitched against your thigh... and you giggled at my reaction. Not much later you said it was time for us to go, and began to say your goodbyes. You held my hand tightly as we rode the elevator up to the room you had rented, and when we entered, it was lit solely by the lights of downtown, giving the room an ethereal feel.
"Then you turned to me, smiling, and reached up to unzip your dress, which fell to the floor with a whisper. Still smiling, you stepped to me, took off my coat and tie and gave me a kiss that melted my heart. And as you kissed me, your hands were busy with my belt and slacks, and soon I was as naked as you. You kissed me again, and then whispered,
'Tonight's the night, my love. Tonight's the night you make me your woman for all time. I'm yours to do with as you please. My body is yours to love, and I want you to love me all night. But please be gentle the first time, because it's my first time ever. After that, you can be as gentle or as rough as you want — I won't care, because it'll be you making love to me.'
"We made love all night and into the next morning; we made love in bed, in front of the windows for all the world to see, on the sofa, back in bed, and finally, in the shower. By the time we were finished, I knew I was going to marry you.
"And marry we did, several weeks after our graduation. We had no money for a honeymoon, so we spent time together at the park, the zoo, using the paddle boats at the lagoon, and hiking and biking the trails outside of town. Anything to spend time together.
"And through thick and thin, we stayed together. You loved teaching your kindergarteners. I loved my programming job. We fought through the bad times when each of our parents passed away far too early; the bad times continued when you were diagnosed with breast cancer. But you beat it, and we were stronger than ever.
"And then the surprise of our lives — April Rose. After your cancer, we were sure we'd never be blessed with a baby, but once again, you decided to surprise everyone. And what a surprise she was. A beautiful baby, your mini-me with blonde hair and the same blue eyes. And she truly became the love of our lives.
"Your love of Valentine's Day became legend with our friends and family. Your classroom became a sea of red hearts. Our house had every conceivable valentine decoration hung up or set out. And it was a well-known fact that if I ever missed taking you to dinner, or buying you chocolates, or sending flowers to your classroom, that I'd be a dead man."
Taking a breath, Jackson snuck a peek at the clock on the wall. With a catch in his voice, he continued.
"April became such a bright light in our lives. Like you, she was an excellent student. Unlike either of us, she was musically inclined. There wasn't an instrument she couldn't play, and there wasn't a song she couldn't sing. And her music filled our house with joy. A joy that will never feel the same again."
February 15
Pausing for a moment, Jackson felt a hand touch his shoulder. That simple touch brought him back from his reverie into the real world, where he once again heard the soft beeping of machines — the very machines that tracked the vital signs of his wife.
He looked up at the only one he cared about — the one tracking her brain activity. He prayed that the flat green line would move, but it didn't. He prayed that the one showing her BP would go higher. But it only went lower. He prayed for a miracle.
"Mr. Turner, it's time."
Not wanting to leave, Jackson held his wife's hand, only now feeling how cold it felt. Another hand on his shoulder urged him to let her hand go.
"Daddy, it's time. It's time to let the nurses do their job."
Looking up, Jackson saw the image of his wife standing next to him. April held her hand on his shoulder while her tears filled her own eyes.
"Daddy, it's time."
Leaning over, April gave her mother a kiss as she whispered into her ear.
"Bye mom. I love you so much. Thank you for being my mom."
Turning away, April hurried out of the room before she burst into tears. Doing the same, Jackson leaned over and kissed his wife.
"Goodbye, my love. Thank you for a wonderful life."
*****
One year later...
Jackson Turner stood in his office, staring out his window, his scowl matching the weather outside. It was a cold, gloomy day, with a hint of snow in the air. But it was Valentine's Day, and a day of sorrow for Jackson. True, his wife had officially passed away on the 15th; he knew the only thing that kept her alive was his talking to her, reminiscing about their life together. But it worked, so his family would not have the memory of Cynthia dying on a holiday she loved so well.
Suddenly his phone rang, jolting him back to reality. Irritated that his secretary was calling him, he answered in a harsh tone.
"Diane, I told you I didn't want to be interrupted. What is it?"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Turner, but there's a young lady here that insists she needs to see you today. I told her she needed to make an appointment, but she insisted. Shall I send her away?"
"Did she say why she needed to see me?"
"Only that it was something personal."
Irritated when he knew he shouldn't be, Jackson told Diane to send her back.
Shortly, there was a knock on his door, and Jackson turned to see who was here to bother him.
