Page 51 of Since the Day We Wished

With a sense of excitement, Luke made arrangements for the flowers to be delivered, ensuring that they would arrive at the right moment. For Luke, every detail mattered. In his heart, he knew that this was more than a birthday celebration, it was a chance to show Emma how much she meant to him. And as he worked, his heart overflowed with joy, knowing that he was creating a day that she would hold on to forever.

As the week progressed, Luke found it difficult to contain his excitement and keep his plans a secret from Emma. He worked tirelessly to prepare for their special dinner date, anticipating the moment when she would see the surprise he had in store for her. But first, it would all begin with the delivery of the flowers.

When the morning of Emma’s birthday arrived, Luke anxiously checked his phone for any confirmation that the flowers he had ordered had been delivered. However, there was no update or photo confirmation from the florist yet. Trying not to worry, he continued with his morning routine, taking a shower, and making breakfast.

By the time he dropped off Jeremiah at school and headed back home, his phone still remained silent. Luke started to wonder if he should call the florist to inquire about the delivery. Perhaps there was a mistake or delay.

But as he pulled into the driveway, his phone chimed, interrupting his thoughts. Luke parked his SUV and retrieved his phone from the dashboard. A sense of relief washed over him as he saw a photo of a stunning bouquet on the reception desk at Emma’s school. They looked even more beautiful than the online stock photo. Though Emma was likely in class, she would surely see them during her morning break. Luke exhaled, glad that the flowers had arrived on time. He unbuckled his seatbelt and entered the house, ready to prepare for a conference call.

As the morning sun rose higher in the sky, Luke found himself distracted, checking his phone every few minutes for a message from Emma. He had included a note with the bouquet, so she would know they were from him. But there weren’t any texts from her yet, which sent a twinge of worry into his chest. What if she didn’t like them?

He considered sending a text himself but decided against it. Taking a deep breath, he reminded himself Emma was a busy woman and would reach out when she had a chance.

Luke sat down at his laptop, his mind still preoccupied with thoughts of Emma and the flowers. He tried to focus on his work, answering a few emails and checking his schedule for the rest of the week. But every few minutes, he found himself glancing over at his phone, hoping for a message from her.

Once Luke had finished catching up on work, he settled back into his chair, and collapsed against the soft, pillow-like material. His eyes transfixed on the screen of his phone as he scrolled through pictures they had taken on top of the Bridwell Lighthouse, a place that had become special to both of them. He smiled as he reminisced about the night they had shared their first kiss. It had been magical, and he hoped that this evening, planned with so much care, would be as unforgettable.

Chapter 23

Emma

Emma’s stomach let out a loud growl as the final bell of the day rang, and the students leapt from their seats like a herd of gazelles. The classroom buzzed with the sound of chatter as they packed up their books and slung backpacks over their shoulders.

“Don’t forget to write down the homework assignment!” Emma called out, raising her voice over the noise. “I’ll see y’all on Monday.”

She watched her students heading toward the door, the sound of their footsteps echoed through the emptying classroom. The once vibrant room was now eerily quiet, except for the occasional rustling of paper or the creak of a chair. Emma fell back in her seat letting out a deep breath, the exhaustion of the day washing over her.

Today was Emma’s birthday, but she had deliberately kept it a secret, even from Luke. She didn’t want to make a fuss, and she certainly didn’t want her students to be distracted by it. Instead, she had thrown herself into her work, trying not to think of past birthdays.

With her ex-husband Chad, birthdays were always a letdown, a reminder of how unimportant she was in the relationship. Every year, she had hoped he would surprise her with something special, but each time she was left disappointed. Instead of celebrating her special day, he would make her feel guilty for wanting any kind of attention. Until the divorce, Emma hadn’t realized how much he had neglected her.

It was a stark contrast to the joy she experienced now with Luke, who made her feel cherished every day. The mere thought of him made Emma smile from ear to ear. She felt lucky to have someone to have someone so wonderful in her life.

After she packed her bag, she locked the classroom door behind her and rushed down the hall to the teacher’s lounge.Emma’s hunger pangs were intense as she eagerly anticipated the delicious flavors of the hummus veggie wrap that awaited her in the fridge. Nearly there, it dawned on her she had never replied to the sweet message Luke had sent her last night. Today had been too hectic to do so, but now that she had a moment to herself, she would make sure to respond.

As Emma stepped into the teacher’s lounge, she noticed a commotion at a nearby table. Several teachers were huddled around something, their whispers growing louder as she approached.

Emma leaned forward and tilted her head, a look of curiosity clear on her face. “What’s going on?”

“Oh, Emma, you sly thing! You didn’t tell us you had a secret admirer,” one teacher said, playfully nudging her.

Emma’s cheeks flushed with confusion. She had no idea what they were talking about. As she approached the table, she saw a stunning bouquet of Gerbera daisies arranged in a vase, with a small white envelope with her name on it nestled amongst the blooms.

“Who’s it from, Emma?” one of them asked.

“My husband never buys me flowers,” another teacher complained, her tone slightly resentful.

Her heart racing, Emma picked up the envelope, the weight of it heavy in her hands. As she tore open the envelope and pulled out the card, she read the words written inside with a mix of shock and delight.

Emma,

Nothing would make me happier than to celebrate you on your special day.

Happy Birthday!

I’ll see you tonight.

-Luke

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