Valentines Surprise
Author’s note – Tiny Valentines Day Fic, just because.
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“Any plans for Valentines Day?”
Miranda rolled her eyes as Cheryl appeared at her desk, “Why would I?”
Cheryl shrugged with a blithe smile.
“I take it you have plans,” Miranda stated amused, especially at the smile Cheryl gave her.
“Matt is taking me for dinner at my favourite restaurant,” she told her friend, “The same one he proposed to me at and then we’ll go home for ice cream.”
“Do not tell me anything else,” Miranda told her friend blandly.
Cheryl laughed, “You know if you gave the signal there would be a line of people looking to date you.”
Miranda shook her head, “I’m not ready yet.”
“You don’t always feel ready,” Cheryl replied, “But sometimes you’ve got to take a chance. Whoever broke your heart…”
“No,” Miranda cut the other woman off, “He never broke my heart, I broke my own heart because I had to leave him for his own good.”
Before Cheryl could say anything, a knock came on the door, Cheryl opened it to find a delivery man standing there carrying a large bunch of roses.
“Looks like Matt is stepping up this year,” Miranda noted.
Cheryl shook her head, “Nope. These are for you.”
“What?”
Miranda took the large bunch of bright red roses and found the card, “To Miranda, the most beautiful woman I have ever known, you are forever in my heart.”
“Is it signed?” Cheryl demanded when Miranda stopped.
Shaking her head, Miranda told her, “It just says ‘All my love’.”
“A secret admirer,” Cheryl purred, “How interesting.”
Miranda frowned but didn’t say anything else. She put the flowers in water before leaving the office and heading home for the night. She would investigate who sent them tomorrow and let whoever sent them know that, as much as she appreciated the gesture, it was not appropriate, and the sentiment was not returned.
Stepping outside, Miranda watched Cheryl walk over to her husband and kiss him hello. It made her smile, but also sad because she had that kind of love once and had to leave it.
Shaking herself, she waved goodbye to her friend before she started walking home.
-
Her house was only twenty minutes away from the museum where she had managed to get a job after leaving the Time Masters. It was almost five years since she’d said goodbye to the life she’d known since she was a child and the man who she loved more than she ever thought was possible.
But she had made herself a good life, with a home, job, and friends.
Reaching her house, Miranda frowned confused to see another delivery man at the door. He turned just as she reached it and yet again was a large bunch of roses.
“Oh,” the delivery man stated, “That’s good timing.”
Miranda frowned and opened the door, “You wouldn’t be able to tell me who sent these?”
He shrugged, “Sorry, I just get who they’re going to. If it’s not in the card, then you can call the office tomorrow. Be careful,” he said as he handed her the flowers, “There’s a jewellery box in there too. Which didn’t come from us.”
Miranda frowned but thanked him and headed inside. Putting the flowers down, she took a hold of the small red velvet box nestled amongst the roses.
Opening it, she found a beautiful gold ring with a perfectly solitaire diamond sitting in the centre. Snapping the box shut, Miranda looked for the card. When she found it, Miranda opened the small envelope and read the message.
“All my love,” she read aloud, annoyance filling her, “And whoever you are, you’re going to be on the receiving end of all my training.”
A knock came on the door, and a voice called, “Delivery.”
Frowning Miranda yanked open the door finding someone holding yet another large bunch of red roses, taking them so she could demand how many more of these deliveries she could expect, her voice stalled seeing the man behind them.
“Rip?” she finally breathed.
He gave her a soft smile, “Happy Valentines Day.”
“You sent me the flowers?”
Rip gave a slight nervous shake of his head, “Yes and no. When Gideon realised what day it was, then she set up the flowers, she’s quite the romantic.”
Miranda stepped back, placing the newest bouquet on the table beside the other one and picked up the velvet box.
“What about this?”
Rip bit his lower lip, letting out a soft breath before he opened the box and offered it to her.
“I am hoping you’ll say yes and wear it every day.”
“Are you asking me…” Miranda trailed off before shaking her head, “Rip, the Time Masters will never agree to this.”
“They will never know,” Rip told her, “I promise. Gideon can ensure I can spend time with you without them ever knowing and I know it’s not ideal, but I love you and I miss you.”
Miranda stepped closer to him, “I love you and miss you too but…”
“Trust me,” Rip closed the gap between them, “And marry me, please.”
Taking the box from him, Miranda took the ring and slid it onto her finger, “Yes.”
With a smile, Rip leaned in and kissed her.
When they parted, Miranda smiled, “It looks like I do have plans for Valentines Day.”
