Her Heart's Desire

“Wow,” Ivan said appreciatively. “You were most definitely worth the wait.” He held his hand out. “Come here, Mrs. Mangum.”

She walked over slowly so that she could afford him a longer view. She stopped at the edge of the bed. He stood up and took her hand to ceremoniously spin her around to see the back of her gown. He was not disappointed at seeing the now signature plunging back.

“You’re a vision,” he said reverently.

“Today is the most perfect day of my life,” she said tearfully.

He captured a tear between his thumb and forefinger. “There’ll be plenty more, I promise.”

“Yes, but only one wedding night.”

“That will most assuredly be true for you because I’m not letting you go…ever,” Ivan pledged.

She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him.

“Would you like your gift now, Mrs. Mangum?”

Tiffany glanced down at her ring finger. In addition to her diamond engagement ring, there was now a one carat wedding band of cognac and white diamonds. They reminded her of her husband’s eyes. She was blissfully happy. “I’ll never tire of hearing you call me that,” she confessed.

“I’ll never tire of saying it.” His kissed her again before walking around the bed to the nightstand. He opened the drawer and pulled out a small box.

“That was there the whole time?”

“Yep. Hey, I can’t help it if you’re not that inquisitive.”

“Wait,” she said and then went to pull a box of her own out of her purse. “I’ve got a gift for you, too.”

“Open mine first,” he instructed, before handing it to her.

Tiffany scooted to the middle of the bed. Ivan joined her. She sat cross-legged and opened the box. There was a velvet bag inside. She opened it and turned it upside down. A key fell into her palm. She gazed up at Ivan.

“Is this what I think it is?” Tiffany whispered.

“It is. We’re now homeowners of a modest cottage in Oak Park.”

She threw herself into his arms, laughing and crying simultaneously. “Is it the Mangum version of a cottage?” She laughed.

“Of course.” He grinned. “Just under six thousand square feet, and waiting for its mistress to decorate it however she chooses. I’ve got some pictures, too,” he told her excitedly. “We’ll move in when we get back from our honeymoon.”

“Oh, Ivan,” she cried. “I love my wedding gift.”

“I’m glad,” he said, in a relieved voice. “Because it would’ve been a bear to return.”

“Now it’s your turn.” Tiffany handed him her gift-wrapped box. Ivan tore into it with excitement.

“Is it a new Audi sports car?”

“Not this time.”

“Golf clubs?”

She shook her head. “Nope.”

Ivan opened the box and stared at his gift almost a full ten seconds before his startled gaze met his wife’s patient one.

“Is this what I think it is?” he said hoarsely.

He held up the sonogram picture. “Tiffany, you’re pregnant?”