Mia Smith

"Mia, sweetheart," Erwin's voice chimed through the house, "are you done? We have to lea—" he stopped in his tracks and stared at you from the bedroom door.

"Wow. You look stunning, sweetheart." Erwin smiled seeing you. You were dressed in a lovely light blue dress which accentuated all your curves, your makeup was simple and flaunted your beautiful features. You beamed at your husband, picking up your lip gloss.

"I'll be done soon. Are the kids ready to leave?"

"Mm-hmm," Erwin nodded, "Levi and Rei will be here in a minute to pick them up." Putting your lip gloss, you took your handbag and wore your heels before leaving with your husband and children. Meeting the couple downstairs, the both of you thanked them for doing you this favour. Levi shrugged as he sat Aria in the baby seat in his car.

"Tch. Don't mention it. Enjoy yourselves." Waving you two goodbye, Levi drove off and Erwin ushered you into his car.

"So, where are we going on this lovely evening?" You chuckled as Erwin helped you buckle up.

"You'll find out soon." Driving out of the apartment's parking lot, Erwin drove into the sunset while the radio played in the background. Soon, Erwin parked his car and you felt yourself break into a smile. Erwin brought you to the restaurant where you two had your very first date years back. Erwin had his hand on the small of your back as you approached the waiter. Once he checked Erwin's name off the reservations list, he ushered you both inside.

The restaurant was just as you remembered: the warm orange lights hanging from the ceiling, the distinct red and white table cloth, the vases of plastic flowers on each table, the smell of freshly baked bread coming from the kitchen, and the country music playing in the background. And just like what you remembered, the restaurant was extremely crowded.

You were ushered to a table and as you took your seat, you looked up and saw a painting of a bowl of fruit. Something struck a chord in your memory.

"Sweetheart? Were we seating here back then?" You asked Erwin as he looked through the menu. The faint smile on his face gave you the answer.

"They haven't changed their menu." Erwin commented as he flipped through the pages, already knowing what to order, "it's been so many years."

"You don't need to change anything if it's good." You smiled and looked at the menu as well. A waitress promptly attended to your table and Erwin ordered a side of mozzarella sticks, meatballs, Greek salad, shrimp scampi over linguine for you, and a chicken piccata over spaghetti for himself. Erwin also ordered a slice of tiramisu to be fired later. As Erwin passed the menu to the waitress, you laughed.

"You ordered the same thing we did that time." You smiled fondly at the memory.

As the food was served, Erwin and you had a perfect evening together. The taste of the dishes were the same; hearty, warm, filling, and delicious. The both of you finished your scrumptious dinner within the hour. While waiting for the dessert to be served, Erwin excused himself to go to the bathroom.

When he returned, Erwin gave you a bouquet of roses and handed a small velvet box over as well. Unravelling the ribbon, you opened the lid and saw a beautiful pendant hanging on a delicate silver chain. Erwin stood up and took his seat beside you, taking the necklace out of the box. Sweeping your hair to one side, Erwin kissed your exposed shoulder and put on the necklace for you.

"I think you may have realised this, sweetheart," Erwin spoke close to your ear as he fastened the necklace's clasp, "that we're back in the same restaurant, we're seated at the same table, and we're eating the same things from back then." Erwin held your shoulder and gently turned you around to face him.

"I just want you to know that no matter how much time has passed, some things will always be the same, just like my never-ending love for you." Erwin tilted your chin up and pressed his lips softly on yours. "Happy Valentine's Day, Mia." Your eyes were brimming with tears as you flung your arms around Erwin's neck and you pulled him close.

"I love you so much, Erwin." Then both of you were locked in a tight embrace and you only let go of Erwin when the waitress came to your table with a plate of tiramisu. She also offered to take a complimentary photo of you and Erwin, and gave you a photo as well. The both of you ate your dessert happily, and you were thinking of ordering a second slice. Erwin jokingly reminded you that he still had to pick up the kids. Erwin took your hand as you left the restaurant, clutching the bouquet of roses close.

"Let's come back again next year with the kids." You smiled as you sat in the car with the bouquet on your lap. Erwin nodded in agreement.

"Same orders?"

"No, honey, I don't think so." You chuckled, fondling with the pendant resting on your sternum. Erwin laughed along and reversed out of the parking lot, driving off holding your hand tightly in his.

"Happy birthday, sweetheart." Erwin chimed when you stepped in through the front door after coming home from work, a bouquet of red roses in his arms. He gave you a loving smile as he passed you the bouquet while your eyes widened with surprise.

"Oh, t-thank you, honey—" you hurriedly locked the door and took the large bouquet of flowers from your husband, "gosh, these are beautiful." You looked at the bouquet and then at your dashing husband. You realised he was dressed a little too much, and for some reason, he was standing really near the doorway, like he was hiding something from your view. You raised your eyebrow.

"Honey? Why are you wearing a suit at home?" Erwin chuckled after hearing you.

"Close your eyes." He simply said and covered your eyes with his hands, slowly guiding you somewhere. You caught a faint scent of your favourite candle, butter and caramelised onions. You wondered what other surprise Erwin planned. "You can open them now, sweetheart."

As Erwin removed his hands, you opened your eyes and felt your heart leap to your throat. The dining table was decorated with a small vase of flowers and your favourite candle was lit and placed in the middle. Erwin prepared burgers, lobster rolls, and fries for dinner as well. You could see the beautiful skyline of the city from your window. The ambience, the food, the setup; everything was perfect. It reminded you of the restaurant you and Erwin loved visiting on your wedding anniversary every year. You felt a rush of appreciation for your husband who painstakingly prepared everything while you were at work. Erwin turned you around and kissed your forehead before bending down to give you a soft kiss on your lips.

"You like it?"

"Mm," you nodded with a smile, "I love it. You just saved us a couple of hundred dollars by not going to that restaurant for the same thing." You chuckled and placed the bouquet on the table, until something struck you. The house was awfully quiet. Too quiet. The house was too tidy as well. Something was missing.

"Erwin, where's Albus?! And Cappy? Where are they?"

"Relax, sweetheart." Erwin hugged you close and gently caressed your cheek, "they're with Levi. He and his wife are dog-sitting for us tonight. And don't worry about Cappuccino, I warned him to behave before Levi took him just now." Erwin guided you towards the chair and pulled it out slightly, letting you take your seat before putting the serviette on your lap.

"I know you miss them already, but I just wanted us to enjoy a quiet night together, hmm?" Erwin uncorked a bottle of wine and poured some into your glass before taking his seat opposite you. You smiled as Erwin took your hand and caressed your knuckles with his fingers.

"Is this why you're in a suit?" You laughed out, using your free hand to take your phone from your trousers pocket and quickly snapping a photo of the beautiful setup. "A candlelight dinner?"

"Of course. I have to dress up for the occasion, don't I? It's my wife's birthday after all."

"And now I feel underdressed." You chuckled, looking down at your trousers. At least I'm wearing a nice blouse... you thought to yourself.

"You're always gorgeous, sweetheart." Erwin smiled as he took his wine glass and cleared his throat.

"To my beautiful wife, my soulmate, my life partner, and my one and only," Erwin looked at you before pressing a kiss to the back of your hand that he was still holding, "happiest birthday to you, my love." You looked at your dashing husband, touched by all his efforts. Raising your wine glass, you smiled in return.

"Thank you, sweetheart. Come now, let's eat. I want to change out of my work clothes soon." You cheerfully replied and dug in.

The burgers and lobster rolls were perfect, and the fries were delicious. Erwin and you had a lovely chat throughout dinner, and for once, you both didn't have to worry about watching over the dogs, or worrying if Cappuccino was going to pounce on Albus halfway through dinner. The sky was littered with stars by the time you both finished your food.

"Are you ready for dessert?" Erwin smiled while he cleared the plates. You had another look of surprise again as Erwin brought another plate in front of you. Erwin made you another of his signature dark chocolate cake, but this time, there were edible flower petals scattered across the chocolate cake, and there were specks of gold flakes as well. Erwin placed a single candle on the cake and lit it up, urging you to make your birthday wish. You closed your eyes and clasped your hands, making a wish. You were about to blow the candle when Erwin stopped you.

"Hang on—" Erwin quickly took out his phone and told you to smile with your cake before taking a photo of you. "And now, you can blow out the candle." You laughed once more before blowing the candle. Erwin pulled out a little party popper out of nowhere and surprised you by pulling it.

"Thank you for everything, honey." You stood up and took Erwin's hand, giving him a tight hug, "this is perfect."

"Only the best for my wife." Erwin gave you another smile and brought his face closer to yours, pressing a soft kiss on your lips. You could feel the corners of your lips turning upwards as well when you returned his kiss, tasting the wine you both had earlier. Erwin broke the kiss after a while and gave you a peck on your forehead.

"Come now, let's eat. I want to change out of these clothes as well." You laughed after hearing your husband, taking his hand as you two went back to the dining table.