All my focus poured into cutting my wooden cubes, cuboids, and a little rectangle panel exactly. I cut the rectangle panel into six buttons and glued them on the robot’s body. Instead of scratching 123 and ABC onto mine like Sophie and Eunice’s robots, I opted for ILO and VEU. Right above the buttons, on the robot’s chest, I drew in a little heart with a red marker.
We drilled holes into the blocks and threaded cotton string through, connecting all the parts of the robot: one cuboid head, one cuboid body, two cube arms, and two cube legs. I drew in large brown eyes and a cute smile. On the back, I wrote, “To Theo. Love, Mia.”
Back at the office, Amanda had a little box for me to put my wooden robot in. It was just a silly little toy robot, but it was exciting to give something to Theo that was made with physical materials. As a programmer, most of my work was not tangible, nothing I could actually hold. But, my toy robot was special, truly made from my heart, and a tangible token of my feelings.
Using my key, I hurried into Theo’s house. It was already five o’clock. Upstairs, I browsed through my clothes hanging in the new walk in closet Theo had arranged to be installed for me.
Marc Janow had sent over designs for the next season ahead of time. I decided on a tulle cocktail dress that was embellished with gold and copper sequins, beads, and a fun flirty hem with feathers.
When I drove up to Spruce, it was dark inside and looked less busy than it usually was. Handing my keys to the valet, I asked, “Are they still open?”
The valet politely answered, “They are open for you, ma’am.”
Grabbing my clutch and the box with the toy robot inside, I laughed at his comment and headed inside, uncertain as to what he really meant by it. The restaurant was completely empty. The lights were dimmed and candles were arranged throughout the the establishment in a spectacular display.
The hostess greeted me. “Mia Smith?”
Looking around for Theo, I confirmed, “Yes. I’m Mia.”
“Follow me,” she said leading me into the darkened restaurant and bringing me outside to the restaurant’s private patio deck.
Theo stood in front of a candlelit dinner set for two. He rushed to me and took me into his arms. “You look ravishing,” he whispered into my hair and gently kissed my lips.
“This is quite a production. The entire restaurant is shut down just for us?” I giggled.
Theo grinned happily. “It is. Tonight is a special night. I wouldn’t have made it the last few weeks without you. You are an amazing woman, Mia.”
He noticed the little box in my hand. “What’s that?” he asked. “Is that for me?”
“It is! I made it myself,” I said handing it to him all of a sudden feeling bashful.
He opened the box and laughed with delight when he saw the little toy robot. “Mia! You made this?”
Shrugging, I blushed, “It’s nothing really, but you know, I wanted to give you something in celebration for your success!”
He took the robot out and ran his finger over the etched letters saying ILOVEU.
“Mia, I love you, too,” he proclaimed holding me close.
I exhaled in relief and joy. We still hadn’t said the words to each other yet, but somehow a toy robot helped me express what I was too afraid to say.
Theo put the box and the robot down on the table. He took both of my hands in his. “Mia, I love you. I can’t imagine being without you. You are everything I have ever wanted in a wife.”
My heart pounded furiously in my chest. A wife?
Theo got down on his knee and pulled out a small robin’s egg blue box, holding it out to me. “Mia Smith, will you make me the happiest man in the universe?”
Suddenly, a photographer stepped out from the shadows and started snapping photos of us.
I couldn’t believe this was happening. I’d been so worried about Theo’s feelings for me. So afraid that he was seeing someone else. That he was in love with someone else! But here he was proposing to me.
Me!
With shaky hands, I opened the box and gasped. It was the biggest diamond I’d ever seen in my life surrounded by two rubies. The diamond in the middle had to be at least 14 carats. The immense beauty of it was dizzying.
Tears fell from eyes in shocked elation. This was what I’d always wanted. Theo was extraordinary in every way. A powerful CEO. Gorgeous. A body like a beast, but a nerd at heart. He was truly my perfect match.
Best of all? Theo was kind and sweet to me. He cuddled me until I fell asleep. Made me delicious late night snacks. Adored little wooden toy robots I made for him.