The Gift

"Mooooooom...Daaaaaad, Sean won't leave me alone," Daniella came into the room, running to her parents arms. Lance kissed her forehead before yelling to his son.

"Sean Douglas, you leave Daniella alone while she is playing with her dolls, you hear?" he yelled in a firm yet still somehow gentle tone. He smiled at Anne, and patted Daniella on the head, "Go on now, princess. Sean won't be a bother. Mommy and Daddy need some time alone." Anne smoothed her hand over the hair of her little angel, Daniella being a reflection of her father, a darling with the brightest of green eyes.

"K," Daniella smiled, running off, dolls in hand.

The fire blazed on, and the couple remained in each other's arms, "I love you, Anne," Lance whispered. Anne smiled, whispering back, "I love you, too, sweetheart."

"Remember??" He asked. Lance had remembered everything about their relationship...the good and the bad. His memories were for always of a love that not even eternity could out live. Anne was the love of his life.

"How you told me you wanted to marry me," she giggled, eyes beaming as if it were that very moment.

Lance kissed her softly, "I remember, I told you forever," he winked. He was overcome with his love for this woman before him. She gave him love every single day, gave him two beautiful children, gave him a life that he could only have dreamt of before.

"That would be great," Anne smiled and looked to Lance.

"Not too long on that computer...you need to be in bed in two hours, okay?" Lance smiled at his son.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Sean's laughter trailed off as he went into the other room.

"It's getting late, hun, they should have been in bed sooner," Anne kissed Lance gently.

"I know it, but hey, it's a Friday night. Let em go a little while longer," he kissed her and at that very instant, began to sing to her. His voice soothed her instantly. Through it all, Lance's voice always had a calming effect on her. He could sing her to sleep at anytime. They had spent the whole day together as a family, and though it was their 6th wedding anniversary, neither minded it. It was a busy day, though, and Anne's eyelids began to grow heavy.

"Go to sleep, baby," Lance whispered in her ear, "I'll hold you." Anne smiled and closed her eyes.