February 13th 2002
Paris France

(Simon hasn't returned to Oakdale yet)

"Bumped? You are bumping me?" Simon barked to the flight clerk.

"We overbooked our return flight to the United States" Said a petite French flight clerk with little accent "It must have been an oversight."

"You don't understand! Tomorrow is Valentine's day, I have to get home to my wife."

The clerk shook her head apologetically "I'm sorry sir, but all flights are booked solid through the 14th. The soonest trip back to Chicago isn't until early morning on the 15th."

Simon let his head fall "This is our first Valentine's day together. I have to be with her. Can't you bump somebody else?"

The clerk remained firm "I'm sorry but there really isn't much I can do. I'll keep you first on the list in case of any cancellations, but I doubt we'll see any this late in the game."

"I don't believe this. I booked this return trip weeks ago."

The clerk raised her shoulders "Again there isn't anything I can do. I apologize on behalf of the airlines."

"Whatever" Simon huffed as he walked over to the waiting area and took a seat. He had no idea how he was going to explain this to Katie. They had been planning a romantic evening the last few times they've spoken. It had been a month since he last saw his wife. He missed her so much it hurt, and now they'll have to spend Valentine's Day apart. Simon sank into his chair, this was going to be hell.

Katie was busy shopping for the perfect Valentine's gift. Katie picked up some silk boxers decorated with tiny red horned devils. She smiled "Perfect." She smiled as she threw it over her arm. She needed some other small things but she was having a hard time coming up with other ideas. A salesclerk walked over "Good afternoon. Do you need any help finding anything?"

"Actually maybe a little help. I'm looking for a cheap Valentine's day gift for my husband."

"What price range are you looking at?" The salesclerk asked running through some items in her head.

"Maybe around 20 bucks?" Katie said wrinkling her forehead "Give or take"

The salesclerk thought for a moment "Are you looking for anything in particular?"

"Not really, just something fun and exciting."

The clerk led Katie through the small gift store decorated with valentine's, cupids, hearts, and cards. "We have an excellent selection of candles, bath oils and music."

Katie brushed through the selection and picked up some bath oil. She scanned across the shop and spotted something that gave her a fantastic idea.

"Come on Katie pick up" Simon said under his breath as he stood at a pay phone. "I don't want to leave this on a machine!" The machine picked up with Katie's chipper voice "You've reached the Frasier's we aren't here, so leave us a message!" Simon hung up slowly. He dreaded telling her and hearing the disappointment in her voice.

Katie skipped through the door at the Lakeview with a few bags in her hand. She managed to slam the door shut with her foot as she juggled the bags, her purse, and the mail she picked up from the front desk. She checked the machine for messages, none. "Simon must be on his way home" Katie thought barely able to contain her excitement at the thought of seeing him again and to this Valentine's day. Katie rummaged through her bag and pulled out a piece of sexy lingerie and held it against her body. She had candles, romantic music, bath oils and of course herself. She laughed "Simon is going to love this!"

"So where are you heading young fellow?" An older gentleman asked Simon as he took the seat next to him.

"Nowhere for awhile" Simon said frowning.

"So why you sitting here if you aint going no where?"

"Long story." Simon said rolling his eyes "I'm waiting to see if I can somehow get on this flight."

"George Thorson" The man stuck out his hand.

Simon took it. "Simon Fraiser"

"Nice to meet you Simon Fraiser. Where you from?"

"Oakdale Illinois"

The man chuckled "Is that so? I'm from Chicago. I have a few old friends over there in Oakdale. Nice town."

Simon shrugged "It's all right. I only stick around for my wife. Her family is there."

"And what about yours?" The man probed.

"My wife is the only family I need."

The man unzipped his winter jacket "You been married long?"

"Depends how you look at it. Technically just over a year. Just re-newed our vows and really started our life together just a few months ago. Best day of my life."

"Don't I know it. See my wife over there?" The man pointed to a plump lady making a phone call at the pay phone "Been married 50 wonderful years. This was our 50 year anniversary honeymoon. Never got to go on a real honeymoon when we first got married. 5 kids, 19 grandkids, and 2 great-grandkids later, here we are. Finally able to take our honeymoon."

Simon smiled thinking what he'd be like after 50 years with Katie. Katie's picture flashed through his mind. "50 years? That's amazing."

The man nodded "You have many years of happiness ahead of you my friend. I was 21 when I got married. Real young. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. But you know what? I knew I loved her and I knew she was the one for me. I can't imagine my life without her around. My knees still get weak when I look at her."

"You mean your love never faded?" Simon questioned suddenly curious in this guy.

"Not a once!" The man proudly announced "Alice is the best thing that happened to me in 50 years! She was a real spitfire, kept me on my toes for years. But I wouldn't have it any other way. She's the light of my life."

Simon smiled at the old man "Katie, that's my wife, is the love of my life. I just hope she and I can be as happy as you and your wife are after 50 years."

"If you remain faithful, tell her you love her everyday and keep your heart open to her, you'll be even happier."

The men sat their in silence for a moment as Simon fiddled with his carry on bag.

"Why aren't you heading home to see your wife?" The man asked Simon.

Simon rolled his eyes "I got bumped off the flight. I'm hoping somebody will cancel. We had a big day planned for our first official Valentine's Day together."

Just then a woman about George's age joined him. "This is my beautiful wife Alice."

A warm smiled spread across her face "Hello there."

"Hi" Simon said "Nice to meet you."

"Flight 39 non stop flight to Chicago Illinois is now boarding" a voice boomed over the loud speaker.

George and Alice stood up. "Well it was nice meeting you."

Simon nodded "Take care."

The couple strolled to the ticket taker as Simon slowly made his way over to the payoff to try and get a hold of Katie to break the news.

"Hello?"

"Hi baby" Simon said with a smile spreading over his face

"HI! Where are you?"

Simon hesitated for a second "I'm so sorry baby, but I got bumped off my flight. It looks like I won't be able to get home now until the day after tomorrow."

Simon could hear Katie sigh "But tomorrow is Valentine's day and we were supposed to spend the whole day together."

Simon shut his eyes "I'm so sorry. I did everything I could."

Katie held back tears "Well hey, I'll see you in a few days, right? We can celebrate then."

"Absolutely" Simon said trying to keep both of their spirits up. "Listen, I'm going to head back to the hotel. I'll can you again later."

"Ok" Katie said trying not to sound too depressed.

"I love you" Simon said

"I love you too" Katie responded and then slowly set the receiver down and letting a few tears escape down her cheeks.

Simon grabbed his bags and started to head out of the airport when a flight clerk gently tapped him on the shoulder. "Sir?"

"Yeah?" Simon said wondering what was up.

"We just had two cancellations. If you don't mind riding in coach..."

Simon's eyes widened "You mean I can take this flight back to the states tonight?"

The clerk shook her head yes.

Simon felt a wash of relief fall over him "You just got two cancellations now?"

"Yes, but you have to hurry. The plane is nearly finished boarding."

Simon rushed toward the ticket taker and wondered who cancelled at the last minute. Just then he saw Alice and George standing the waiting area. Simon made eye contact with him and George winked. Simon mouthed a "Thank You" and handed his ticket to the man as he walked down the corridor to board the plane back home to Oakdale and to Katie.

"Popcorn" Katie said as she held up the bowl "Pretty Woman" Katie said she popped it into the VCR "Blanket" she smiled as she crawled under the covers as she chomped on some popcorn. Just as she got comfortable she heard a knock on the door. Katie groaned as she paused the movie and walked toward the door.

She opened the door. A guy with a bouquet of roses stood in the doorway.

"Are these for me?" Katie said happily

"Katie Fraiser?" The man asked from behind the roses.

"Yes!" Katie said before stopping. That voice. Thick Australian accent. "Simon?"

The man pulled the flowers away from his face "Happy Valentine's Day."

"I thought you were in Paris?" Katie said barely able to contain her excitement.

"I was, but I ended up on the early plane home." Katie flew into Simon's arms "I missed you SO much" Katie said with a smile as big as sun.

"Oh baby I missed you so much. God I love you. You know that?"

Katie held Simon close to her, holding on for dear life. "You've made this the best day I could have asked for. You came home!"

Simon smiled as he pulled away from Katie just slightly "I will always come home to you." He pulled Katie's lips to his in a passionate kiss.