Prototype

Ten years ago, on this very day, Thomas and Samantha Parkhurst were married. Thomas arranged an anniversary dinner at a spectacular restaurant Samantha wanted to go to for ages, but reservations were difficult to acquire. Thomas planned tonight for months; he was ready to surprise her, only telling her to dress in her best.

He was searching his room for his tie. Samantha was dressed in her literal and proverbial little black dress and ready for the last twenty minutes. For those long minutes she paced the first floor, checking her watch and pager every few seconds. She wrapped her scarf around her neck and tapped her fingernails against the doorknob impatiently. She touched up her make-up waiting anxiously for the babysitter, her sister’s daughter, to arrive.

The stairs creaked behind her. She turned to face the stairs where she could see her husband coming down the stairs, still without his tie.

“And you pick on me for being the slowest person on the planet,” Samantha teased him at the foot of the stairs.

“But we’re still waiting on your niece, so at least I’m not completely wasting time,”Thomas answered her kindly.

Samantha groaned, “You’re right. I wish she’d hurry. I hardly ever get to spend time alone with you anymore.”

“And you’ve been working ridiculous hours lately,” Thomas agreed.

She worked for Dr. Cletus Granat in women’s fertility for years. She was a research nurse, and a very good one; Granat hired her almost on the spot five years ago, but recently started paying attention to her at work. He asked her questions about her home life, how many children she “was parenting”, and if she ever planned on “birthing more”. His line of questioning was unnerving, but he was not “inappropriate.”

Melanie finally showed up. Thomas called up the stairs for the kids to come down.

“Hi Melanie, how are you this evening?” Samantha asked her niece as she opened the door.

“Wonderful, thank you,” Melanie told Samantha while standing at the door, “Happy Anniversary, Aunt Samantha.”

“Thank you,” Samantha said with a smile. Melanie stepped in quietly, and moved her short blonde hair back behind her ear, and put her school bag down on the floor next to the door. She then took off her snowy shoes.

She stepped inside, taking off her jacket and shivering slightly while warming up. She started blowing on her hands in an attempt to warm her hands.

The two children, Michelle and Richie, rushed down the stairs, past their father. Richie was chasing his sister, holding his father’s tie, using it as a lasso for his sister. Thomas seized him playfully, and brought the four year old down and began tickling his tummy. Richie laughed his wonderful belly laugh, as Melanie took the tie from him while he was preoccupied.

Thomas let Richie run along and play with his two year old sister. “Thanks,” he told Melanie when she handed him his tie. He stood in front of the mirror and tied quickly.

Samantha looked over at Thomas as he put his coat on. He put his hand on the doorknob, “You still ready?”

Samantha kneeled near her children, “Will you two be good for Melanie?”

“Of course mommy,” Richie told her happily.

“Will you give mommy a kiss?” Samantha asked.

Both kids came to her and kissed her on the cheek then on her lips. She kissed them both as well. She stood up hesitantly, and walked toward her husband. He put his arm around her, trying to give her a reassuring shoulder-squeeze.

Thomas waved to his kids, “Mommy and Daddy love you.” Thomas opened the door and brought Samantha outside. He offered his arm when they realized there was ice on the front steps. The brisk, cold air rushed over both of them and caused them to shiver.

They stepped carefully down the stairs. The Christmas lights danced in the chilling wind; the snow reflected their strong, vibrant lights. On the street was a horse-drawn carriage. The horse was graceful looking, white, and strongly muscled. She was a large Belgian and her white mane was braided with little red bows. She nickered playfully in the harness.

“Happy Anniversary,” he told her with a warm smile and he kissed her on the side of her head.

Thomas took her hand and helped her into the carriage. He climbed in beside her and the driver waited until they were both comfortable before starting the horse walking at a calm pace.

Thomas brushed her hair away from her eyes, and she turned to look at him. He tilted her chin up and kissed her lips tenderly, “I love you Samantha.”

Tears were forming in her eyes, and she brought her lips to his again, “And I love you.”

“I want tonight to be perfect,” Thomas told her, the ride continued slowly for over twenty minutes until they finally arrived in front of an elegant restaurant. Though Samantha hoped for this particular restaurant, she was still taken by surprise. Thomas stepped out of the carriage first, and offered her his hand to help her down. They walked slowly toward the grand doors. He held the door open for her and she stepped inside before him.

* * *

“Do you have reservations?” the host asked.

“Yes, under Mr. and Mrs. Parkhurst,” Thomas answered; while he waited for the attendant and assisted Samantha take her jacket and scarf off.

The host briefly searched through the reservation list until he found them on the list.

“Follow me,” he said as took up two menus and began to walk toward the dining area.

He rested the menus on the table, and pulled out the chair for Samantha as she straightened her dress before sitting. They were seated near the dance floor where a jazz band played. The chairs were polished oak, with sage cushions. The table cloth was white, with coordinating sage napkins laid out delicately. The centerpiece was a lovely candle arrangement glowing softly and elegantly, and it gave off the scent of vanilla.

“Your waiter will be with you shortly,” the host told them and walked off.

Samantha took a moment to absorb her surroundings, “This restaurant is so beautiful.”

Thomas took a moment to just look at his wife. He remembered back to the first time he saw her in high school. He was a geek, and she was a beautiful woman, bound for nursing school. One night, he cautiously approached her after school while she was in the library studying. He spoke with her for a few moments, and the next week at school when he walked up to her, she started to drop the hint that she wanted him to ask her out. They began dating in their senior year of high school..

She completed college in a few short years with her dual enrollment classes, and got plenty of experience in the medical field. They married when they were twenty-five years old.

Where has the time gone? Thomas thought.

Their waiter came before too long, “What may I bring you?”

Thomas looked at the waiter, “We’ll have champagne; we’re celebrating our tenth wedding anniversary.”

“Ah,” the waiter said with a warm smile, “Our finest champagne?”

“Yes, absolutely,” he said.

“Just water for me,” Samantha interjected.

“Maybe we’ll hold off on the champagne then,” Thomas said, puzzled by her.

“I’ll be back shortly,” the waiter said, and disappeared.

“Just water?” he asked once they were alone.

“I just don’t have much of a thirst for champagne tonight,” Samantha said with a smile.

Their waiter returned with their champagne and bottled water a few moments later. “Are you two ready to order or do you need a few more minutes?”

“Ready?” Samantha asked.

“Ready,” Thomas replied.

They placed their order, and were left to enjoy their conversation and each other’s company once again.

“Something’s on your mind,” Thomas said finally. “And don’t tell me it’s work, I know it’s something else.”

“Oh, I’m just thinking about how happy we are,” Samantha started. “We are blessed with our lives, our children, and our jobs.”

“We are…” he agreed.

She took a sip of her water, intentionally drawing this conversation out.

“Our family is getting a little bit bigger,” She smiled.

Thomas’ eyes grew wide, “Sam… are we… having another baby?”

Samantha lifted her drink, and brought it to her lips, “Yes. I’m going tomorrow to make sure everything is alright with its development. I’ve been trying to find the perfect time to tell you.”