In the next few weeks, life returned to normal for Dar and I, meaning, everything was wonderful between us again. Our sex life returned with a renewed passion and our intimacy also was back where it had been. That was really the best part; my best friend was back. The person I could confide in on just about everything was back.
A few weeks later we were ready to celebrate our first anniversary. The only problem was I had to be on the road that week. It was a crushing disappointment for us both when my boss told me I was needed in Colorado that week. The only positive aspect was I was going to be leading my own team for the first time, working with two candidates. I had been with my consulting company less than a year, so that was a big promotion, with a nice raise in pay. But not being together for our anniversary was a killer.
The night before I left, we were lying in bed, feeling down. We had had a pretty wild fuck, but it felt like we were working out our frustrations more than enjoying each other. Usually the night before I traveled, we were very tender with each other after sex, but we were more tense than tender.
Our anniversary was Sunday, but I had to leave Saturday. There was a fundraiser Sunday afternoon and I had to be there in the morning to help make sure everything was set up properly. So there we were, Friday night, frustrated. Dar said "This really stinks, Bunny. I feel like I just want to cry or scream. Or both."
"I understand, honey. I'm not happy about this either. I have no choice. All I can say is we'll make it up next weekend. Maybe we should go away for the weekend. Go down to the Jersey Shore right after I get home on Friday. I don't know what else to tell you."
We were very quiet after that. I had to get some sleep, so I kissed Dar goodnight, we told each other how much we loved each other, and we tried to get some sleep, though we were mostly unsuccessful.
We got up at 6 in the morning. I had to, to get showered and ready to leave at 7 for my 9:20 flight. Dar didn't have to get up, but she insisted. She made coffee for me and tea for herself while I dressed, I had a bowl of cereal so I wouldn't be starving before breakfast was served on the flight (back when the airlines actually served real food, sort of) and we sat there miserably until I had to go downstairs for the car that was picking me up. At least Dar was driving now; if she wanted to go to a friend or our parents in Queens or Nassau County, she could drive herself.
At ten to 7, it was time to go. My wife was crying and it was breaking my heart. "Dar, you're making this so hard. I feel terrible leaving you like this" I said, holding her in my arms."
"I can't help it, Mickey. I can't believe I have to be alone tomorrow. You'll be busy with your party and I'll be here by myself."
"You don't have to be. Call Mahtoob, call some friends. Go be with your mom and Jack, my parents. Don't stay here alone. Please. We'll talk later and of course we'll talk tomorrow night. Maybe we can have an obscene phone call."
"Somehow, I think that will only make me feel worse. Mickey, Bunny, you have to go. I love you with all my heart. All of it."
"Same here, honey. I love you too, all my heart. I'll call you when I get settled in my room, around....3 or 4 your time. Depending on my flight. But I'll call as soon as I'm in the room. I promise."
"You'd better. I'll be waiting. Go. have a safe flight, Bunny." She gave me a huge kiss, as loving as we've ever shared. "I love you, Mickey."
"I love you too, my Darling Dar. Talk to you later."
I left with my garment bag and briefcase, and that was that. I wouldn't see Dar for our anniversary, wouldn't see her until the following Friday. Hopefully we'd get away for the weekend. If not the beach, maybe to the mountains. Somewhere. Anywhere.
My team...my team!... met me at the airport, all four of them, and we talked casually before and during the flight. We would meet that night to go over some details before meeting the candidate and her team the next day for the party, but during the day, we kept it strictly casual.
I called Dar from my room and she sounded better, which made me feel better as well. I said I'd call her that night, but she told me not to, that she'd be out with a couple of friends and we would talk Sunday night, after the fundraiser, for our anniversary.
The party went great, we raised a ton of money for our candidate, who was running for mayor of her city and had a good chance. By the time we were done, I was pretty tired, but felt good about the work our team did. We had a lot to do in the coming week with both this candidate and another, running for state senate. In the meantime, I was just looking forward to talking to Dar, then meeting my teammates for dinner, and getting some rest.
I got into my room and I saw a candle lit in the otherwise dark room. Then I heard my wife singing:
"Happy Anniversary to you,
Happy Anniversary to you,
Happy Anniversary dear Bunny,
Happy Anniversary to you."
Dar is not a good singer, but that was the sweetest voice I ever heard in my life. I was actually dumbfounded. "Dar....what...how did you get here? How did you get in the room?"
"Just come here and help me blow out the candle." Before that I had to kiss her and I did. I gave her the most loving kiss we had ever shared, loving and sweet and hungry. I could feel her mostly bare skin when I held her but couldn't see much yet.
We bent and blew out the candle on the single Hostess cupcake. "Happy Anniversary, Bunny!"
"Happy Anniversary, Darling Dar. I'm very confused and completely delighted" I said as I turned on a side lamp. Then I saw Dar was 'dressed' in a strapless black satin bra and panties, with very expensive looking thigh high hose. "Oh my god, you look good enough to eat. All night long."
"I might hold you to it. Let's get you out of that suit first."
"Dar, I still don't understand. How did you get here?"
