Valentines Day Dinner.

Clarissa carefully polished the silver cutlery and laid them precisely across the plates.

She added the two red hearts and curling red ribbon as the final touch, then smoothed the crease of the tablecloth that covered their old wooden table.

This old table had witnessed many Romantic dinners over the years, but none as special as tonight was going to be.

The red roses stood tall and proud in the glass vase, centre stage, right in the middle of the table.

Clarissa placed the neatly ironed serviettes to the right of the placemats, then she stood back to admire the setting. It was all coming together nicely, however, she felt that something was missing! What could it be? She thought.

She walked into the kitchen to check on the dinner, barely able to contain her excitement.

Valentine's Day was always a special Day for her!

It was five years ago, on Valentine's Day, that she met the love of her life, Daniel. They instantly became inseparable.

Three years ago, on Valentine's Day, Daniel got down on one knee and proposed, presenting her with a stunning Pink Argyle Diamond solitaire ring. Naturally her answer was Yes!

Life was hectic for the pair, as they both had busy, fulfilling careers. Daniel as a Paramedic and Clarissa, running her own very successful Events Management Business.

She recalled the hardest and most complicated event she has had to organise, was her own wedding to Dan, two years ago, on Valentine's Day.

The meal Clarissa was preparing, contained all of Dan's favourite foods. Fresh oysters for entree, roast chicken with asparagus, honey carrots and bombay potatoes. Then for dessert Clarissa had made white Chocolate Mousse with strawberries dipped in dark chocolate.

The glasses were chilling in the fridge alongside the Champagne. Champagne was not their usual beverage they enjoyed, however, being a very special evening, Clarissa had selected a Chateu De Fleur Champagnetto.

Beep, Beep, Beep - startled Clarissa and she realised it was time to begin dressing for the evening, as very soon, Dan would return from the day shift he was currently working.

Clarissa was so grateful that her plans had worked out so well. Just over a week ago, she had made contact with Dans' Department and requested for him to swap to the early shift for the day, as she wanted this night to come together without a hitch, and now, Dan would be home in time for dinner instead of working until late into the evening. She smiled to herself, pleased with her accomplishment and the secrets she had to hold within, until tonight.

Clarissa made her way to the bedroom, but as she passed the table, inspecting it once again, she still harboured the feeling that something was missing!

Applying her make-up with an artistic touch, she then stepped into her beautiful, aqua Blue gown she had bought from Alamour The label. The last time she bought an expensive dress was her wedding gown, but this special night deserved a very special dress.

She added her Diamond earrings that Dan had given her for their wedding day and stood to inspect her appearance in the mirror.

A tingle of excitement ran through her core, as she thought about the wonderful night to follow.

Satisfied that she was all ready to greet her beloved husband, she made her way back to the kitchen.

Clarissa glanced at the clock hanging on the kitchen wall. Not long now, she uttered to herself.

The romantic music playlist could be heard softly in the background, the lights were dimmed to give off a Romantic ambiance above the table.

A quick check that all was well in the kitchen revealed the oysters displayed perfectly on their platter on the shelf below the chilling Champagne in the fridge. She turned the oven temperature down to a Low setting noting the lovely brown shade of the chicken skin.

All she could do now was to wait! Surely the sound of Dans' car would be heard any minute, as the clock showed he was now half an hour later then is usual.

Clarissa sat down at the table, suddenly feeling a moment of fear grip her. The nagging thought of something being missing hung over her. What is it?

Shaking her head, she thought about the wonderful husband Dan was. Often surprising her with little tokens of his affection when she least expected it. Her gaze turned to the little gift box that sat on the table, next to the roses. She played with the ribbon, adjusting it so the bow sat perfectly neatly atop the box. She could hardly contain the excitement within her as she pictured Dan opening that box later tonight. Her imagination allowed her to see the sheer look of delight that would be displayed on his handsome face. She even envisaged the tears rolling down his cheeks as the realisation of what this gift held for the future for the two of them.

Clarissa was so elated with the way her life had unfolded since that fateful Valentines Day when she met Dan. They had saved to buy their dream home, married and spoken of the family they both yearned for. To fill their home with the pitter-patter of tiny feet.

A knock on the door startled Clarissa back to the moment, interrupting her pleasant day dreams.

That's odd, she thought. Dan usually waltzes in with the sound of "Honey, I'm Home!" She surmised that she must have inadvertently locked the door. Poor Dan, how humiliating to have to knock to get in his own door. She got up and made her way to the door.

Clarissa opened the door with a flourish and started to say...."Happy..." but she stopped, stunned to see Police at the door.

"Good evening, Madam, may we come in?" The female Police Officer questioned.

Confused, Clarissa ushered them inside and they introduced themselves.

Constable Sandra Grieves continued to say that there had been a tragic accident this afternoon, where the Paramedics were attending a five car pile up on the Freeway. Unfortunately, a truck failed to stop at the site, and crashed head on into the Paramedics crew who were attending to the injured persons.

"I am so sorry, Mrs McDougall, but your husband, Daniel McDougall was killed instantly. "

Clarissa stared off into the distance. " This cannot be true!" she cried. "Dan will be home soon, you wait and see! We have a special dinner tonight. We always celebrate Valentines' Day. Tonight is the most special one yet!"

Constable Grieves assured Clarissa that sadly the news was true. She expressed her condolences to her and asked if Clarissa had someone they could call to be with her.

Clarissa declined. She wanted to be alone. How could this be true? How would she cope? Why tonight, of all nights? She needed him now. She wanted him to hold her and tell her it wasn't real. That she was in the midst of some horrible nightmare and they would wake up in each others arms again.

She picked up their wedding photo from the buffet and ran her fingers over his face. The tears began to stream, flowing over her cheeks like a waterfall.

Clarissa carried the photo to the kitchen and turned off the oven. She then picked up the little gift box and blindly made her way to the bedroom.

She sat atop the bed and stared at the photo. If only I could see him one more time. If only I could talk to him just once more.

Clarissa held the photo to her heart and opened the little gift box.

The pain in her heart and the nauseousness in her stomach were so fierce that she felt she could no longer breathe.

She kissed her husbands face and with tears streaming down her face, she then held up the little yellow baby bootees for him to see!