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sp; “Mom,” Adrian said, looking over at her with concern. “Why so serious? Is everything okay?”
“Yes, sweetheart. I’m just…overcome with joy tonight. Just seeing you so happy and content—it’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
They all sighed with relief.
“Of course, some grandbabies running around would be nice,” she added.
“Do we really need to start that again?” Adrian said, on cue.
*
Since Wednesday was her birthday, Tiffany decided to work Monday and Tuesday and then take the rest of the week off so that she could spend time with Ivan before he left for Venice.
Tuesday afternoon, Ivan told her that he had a surprise for her big day.
“What?”
“Uh-uh. You’ll have to wait and see, but we’ll need to pack up some things because we’ll be gone the rest of the week.”
That really got Tiffany’s mind buzzing about where the mystery destination could be, but trying to get anything out of Ivan was about as hard as trying to blow a watermelon with a straw. She gave up after the first twenty times of asking, and just packed the things he suggested.
After they got her bags, they drove to Ivan’s house to get his things in order. By the time the truck was loaded up that night, Tiffany was exhausted.
“Ivan, where are we going tomorrow?” she pressed when they were in bed that night.
“I’ll tell you in the morning.”
She tried tickling it out of him, pleading with him and even trying to seduce him. While her efforts put a wide grin on his face, he didn’t give in. Turning her back to him, she gave up and went to sleep. She missed the amused look on Ivan’s face before he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her up against him. A short time later, they were both asleep.
*
“Wake up, birthday girl,” Ivan whispered into her ear the next morning.
Slowly, Tiffany opened her eyes. She blinked a few times until Ivan came into view.
“Good morning,” she said huskily.
“Morning, sweetheart.” He kissed her tenderly. “Happy birthday.”
“Thank you,” she replied, sitting up. “Now where are we going?”
Ivan found her tenacity endearing. He placed a breakfast tray on her lap. He had filled it with her favorites: banana pancakes, turkey sausage and milk. He’d also added fresh flowers from his mother’s garden.
He walked over and grabbed his plate that was sitting on the dresser, and then sat on the bed next to her.
“Okay, I’ll tell you,” he said in between bites of food. “We’re going to Lake Geneva. My family has a small cottage there.”
“Wisconsin?”
He nodded. “We’ll leave as soon as we finish breakfast and get dressed.”
“I’ve never been, but I heard it’s great.”
“You’ll like it,” Ivan said confidently.
She leaned over and kissed him. “How can I not? You’ll be there with me.”
*
