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The inspiration for this story (besides it being Valentine's Day) is the AW actors themselves who mentioned on more than one occasion that this is how they would have liked to see their characters end up ~

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A Love Story

The arthritis in his fingers made tying his tie more difficult (no clip-on ties for him) but he didn't care because this was one of his favorite days of the year and he felt blessed that he was able to spend the evening with "his girl." He smoothed down his graying hair, grabbed the roses and his overcoat and slowly made his way down the long hallway. His daughter brought the roses with him when she came to visit earlier. She also brought a dozen red roses, and the two of them visited her mother's grave and he kissed the roses, laid them at the foot of the love of his life's tombstone and returned home.

He made his way from his room to the porch. He carefully sat in a chair and placed the roses in the chair next to him. And waited.

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She was not pleased with her hat. After placing it on and off her head at least three times, she gave up and decided she wouldn't wear it. She patted down her hair, declared herself a knockout, threw on her cape and looked at the walker standing patiently in the corner. "I am not using THAT!" she thought defiantly, grabbed her cane, and slowly made her way down the long hallway. This was one of her favorite days of the year and she felt blessed that she was able to spend the evening with "her guy." Her children had come to visit her earlier in the day and they drove her to visit their father's grave. He had been the love of her life. She sat alone at his side for a while, kissed his tombstone and returned home.

She made her way from her room to the porch. White roses with red edges were waiting for her in her chair. He gave them to her every year.

He saw her coming over and stood up slowly and greeted her with a kiss on the cheek and a warm embrace.

"You look fabulous, as always!" he exclaimed as he took her hands and slowly lowered her into the chair.

"You don't look too shabby yourself!" she countered as she leaned on him for support. She was careful to grab the flowers and placed them on her lap. He covered her with a soft blanket and returned to his chair.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Felicia," he whispered as he kissed her hand.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Cass," she said softly as she touched his face.

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The staff at the Bay City Retirement Villa looked forward to this evening every year. Despite the typical February cold temperature, Cass Winthrop always requested that the chairs be set up on the porch and that they have the evening alone. The staff was happy to oblige as they were delighted to have him and Felicia Gallant as residents and there was never a dull moment when the two of them were around. Though both had children and grandchildren who tried to insist that they live with them, Cass and Felicia had decided long ago that this was where they wanted to spend the rest of their lives. Both of them were in declining health but their spirits were strong and they seemed to find the strength in one another that got them through each day.

Most evenings were spent on the porch, like now, side by side in chairs. They were usually surrounded by other residents of the villa who loved to hear their stories of past "capers" but this evening the staff, and other residents, honored Cass's request for the two of them to be alone. The only thing neither staff nor residents could understand was the inclusion of a third chair. Cass insisted it be there every Valentine's Day. It remained empty the entire time but both Cass and Felicia could be seen talking and smiling at it as though someone was sitting in the chair.

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"Beautiful night, don't you think, Felicia?" Cass asked, his hand firmly holding hers across the arms of the chairs.

"Gorgeous, Cass, just gorgeous," Felicia answered as she gripped his hand tighter.

"What do you think, Wally?" Cass asked as both he and Felicia looked over at the third chair.

"I think you two are totally nuts. It's 10 degrees out here and I'm freezing my butt off. But I wouldn't want to be anywhere else." Wally said gruffly with a twinkle in his eye.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Wally," Cass & Felicia said in unison.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Cass. Happy Valentine's Day, Felicia," Wally responded as he puffed on his cigar and blew smoke "heart rings" into the cold night air.

* * * The End * * *

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"It has been a magnificent journey..." ~ Linda Dano, 1999 Daytime Emmys

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