Lilly jumped when the phone rang, the jingling loud in her ears. She had been concentrating on a story she'd been reading on her favorite web site and had let the world drift away for a moment. The phone rang again as she waited a second to let her heart beat slow to a normal pace.
"Hello?"
"Hey baby, what are you up to?"
It was David's rumbling voice on the other end and Lilly smiled to herself. He sounded like he was in a good mood and Lilly assumed he must have won the big on that big refit job he'd wanted so badly. His business was in its second year and really starting to take off. His next words confirmed what she already suspected.
"I got it baby! They took my bid for the hotel refit. We'll clear ten thousand on this one easy! We've had such a good year, I almost can't believe it."
"That's great babe," she told him with enthusiasm, "I knew you could do it. I'm so proud of you David."
"I'll be home in about three hours, alright? Then we'll all go out to dinner to celebrate."
"Why don't you let me make you your favorite dinner instead? I'll run to the store and pick up some pork chops and those little red potatoes you love so much," she suggested, an idea for something special she could do for him beginning to form in her mind, "I'll even make you dessert."
"Ok. Only if you want to though, you don't have to go through all that trouble baby."
"It's no trouble David. I'll have it all ready by the time you get home, alright?"
"Sounds good baby, I love you and I'll be home as soon as I can OK?"
"Love you too David. I'll see you in a little while," Lilly held the phone to her ear until she heard the connection go dead. She was so proud of her husband; he had worked so hard to get his business off the ground and now he was fast becoming a well known and respected contractor. When he had first started things had been rough and there had been times she had feared secretly he wouldn't make it but now she knew without a doubt he'd made the right decision.
Lilly felt like she needed to do something to show him how much she loved him and appreciated all he did for their family, something more than just making him his favorite dinner. The idea she had to make this an extra special night for her wonderful husband solidified in her mind. She knew exactly what she should do for him. First though, she needed to run to the store and pick up the items she needed for dinner. Then she would call her friend Debbie to see if she would take the kids for the night. Her mind made up Lilly turned off her computer and grabbed her keys. She'd better get moving if she wanted everything ready when he got home.
Lilly was just finishing the mashed potatoes when she heard David's truck pulling into the driveway. She smiled to herself as he walked into the house whistling the 1812 Overture off key. Lilly stuck a sprig of parsley in the top of the potatoes and placed the bowl onto the dinning room table which was already set. She met David in the living room and laughed as he swung her around and placed a big wet kiss on her cheek.
"You look great baby," he eyed the slinky black dress she'd put on for their evening alone. Lilly smiled her brightest smile for him knowing that he meant what he said. She wasn't beautiful by any means and at thirty she carried a few extra pounds but knowing that he liked the way she looked was enough to make her happy.
"Where are the kids?" He asked as he pulled her close and gave her bottom a squeeze.
"Debbie's got them for the night. I thought I'd surprise you," she laughed as he pinched her playfully.
"Oh, well I guess we've got the house to ourselves for a while then."
"We've got the house for the whole night, and they won't be home until tomorrow afternoon. She volunteered to take them to a matinee."
"Wow. I can't remember the last time we had a night alone," he mused, letting her go to see what she had set on the dinning room table, "It looks wonderful babe. Let me go take a quick shower and we can sit down and eat."
"Ok, but hurry, everything will be cold if you take too long," she warned him with a mock frown then laughed again when he stuck out his bottom lip in a pout, "Go on, get out of here!"
While he went to clean up she got out the bottle of champagne she'd bought on a whim and set it on the table as well. Lilly wanted everything to be perfect; it was the least that David deserved. She hummed to herself as she wiped the kitchen counter distractedly. She imagined watching him shower, soap bubbles trailing down his body as he scrubbed off the dust of the day.
David body wasn't that of a male model or weight lifter though he was fit and strong from handling heavy construction materials every day. He was an average height with shoulders a little wider than most men's and he had sparkling blue eyes that crinkled in the nicest way when he smiled. Lilly thought his most charming feature though was the short strawberry blond hair that was always sticking out in every direction no matter how much he combed it.