Binding Love.

"Valentine's Day is tomorrow! We can look forward to that," Danielle's boss said. His eyes were smiling after his medical receptionist had farewelled the last client and sprog for the day. Then Dr. Benevolent asked, "What treats are you going to bring for St. Valentine?"

Danielle laughed, "I have surprises in store."

The good doctor, aka the town pediatrician, continued, "Romance might be in the air for you too."

Danielle just grimaced, saying, "I don't think so. Gals my age have to be realistic. Right now, I look like Ugly Betty."

The doctor smiled, "Beauty, like wisdom, come with age, my dear."

Danielle did not argue, she was his employee after all. Looking in the mirror was not a positive plan for her, as her once lustrous hair was showing suspicious greys. Her slim figure was descending, despite her best, rather sporadic, efforts to get to the gym, to increase her steps. Her personal fit bit was gatheing dust. She always wondered who a chubby woman on a treadmill was going to impress. Everyone else was pounding stair masters in teeny tiny lycra shorts. Danielle did not quite say, "Let's face it, my butt looks fat in everything."

She had a nice evening planned for a bit of mental slumming when she got home. She changed her sheets, then had a lovely hot shower and washed her hair. Popping her freshness in a nice pony tail, it was time for a chocolate meditation. This meant to Danielle a brand new romance novel, latest publication by her favourite writer.

Hopping in bed with her cup of cocoa, she eagerly settled in with her book and two chocolate bars, a perfect food combo. Page after page turned, chocolate was smeared on her sheets, not to worry. As she was nodding off to sleep, she decided she would buy herself a box of chocolates from St. Valentine. Her story was to be continued.

Her lucid dreaming thought, fully sated on her sugar high, was that, 'Chocolate is better than men!" Danielle definitely had her reasons. She tried not to navel gaze, but once some years ago, she and Darren had married on that essential day of true hearts and flowers, Valentine's Day. They had been regarded as the magic couple, determined to fulfil their vows of binding love that would last.

Danielle had kept her end up. Darren always wanted a social life, with his mates and circle of like-minded boozy women. Danielle had often mentioned their need to settle into parenting, staying in and nesting, with quiet and peaceful evenings. She had been hopelessly in love. She had privately thought that she hated gazing at drunks being drunks. She would rather be home in bed, either with Darren or a good book.

True romance to Danielle had meant a descent into never pleasing a sober drunk. There was domestic violence, turning her into a battered wife, and no respect. Then Darren publicly left her for her once best gal pal, Stephanie. Yes, a calm night in bed with a good book and good chocolate was better than most men, just because. She was not exactly seeking any other abusive male to live with. She tried not to gaze at Darren's social media, he was still showing off, and seemed to have forgotten his wife and the bitter divorce. Tomorrow was her wedding anniversary, so she wished to put her mind to better use. There is no turning back. Other women who were so perfect were welcome to her ex-husband. Darren who?

Valentine's Day did dawn with a frosty sunshine, full of light of lovers. "Was this wisdom?" Danielle asked herself. She was better off enjoying her single life in the slow lane. She did love her job, good boss, cute junior clients. Their thankful parents were always welcome. She was good at her job, she practically knew each client by name, and capably handled billing and any need for emergency appointments.

The schedule for Valentine's Day was just as busy as ever. Danielle had a habit of providing gifts for the children. This year it was a small pet rock each, nicely decorated with a heart and a smile. They were all patients to be healed, or having booster vaccines, or check ups, Danielle was naturally a giving, kind person, all heart. Dr. Benevolent smiled at his pet rock, and placed it in the empty aquarium, the few remaining fish had passed. Doctor and receptionist were ready for that lovely celebration for young lovers. It was a professional, platonic rapport, nothing else.

The morning sailed by, as usual The junior patients all thanked Danielle for their pet rocks, which brought a smile to everyone's face. The last patient before lunchtime was one of her personal favourite little boys she got to meet and greet, Hugo. His father was his companion. His name was Trevor, always the quiet, slightly aloof member of Darren's social scene. He had married Helene along the way, and stared down some remarks when their mixed race baby was born. Helene had tragically been stricken with a very rapid and insidious cervical cancer. Hugo did not recall his mother.

This late morning, however, Hugo came running in, demanding a hug from Danielle, as he waved a card at her. It was her only Valentine's Day card, shaped as giant pink heart. On it, Hugo printed, "To Danii, best girl. Love from Hugo and his Dad." Danielle gave Hugo a lovely pet rock, and even Trevor smiled, with a look of admiration. It was only a vaccine booster for his little lad, so all was well.

As they were leaving the medical office, Hugo said, "Dad wants to take you to lunch with us, but he is too chicken to ask. Do you like cheeseburgers?"

"Love 'em!" Danielle told him, as she shyly glanced at Trevor. Hugo and his Dad were hard to resist, with two pairs of liquid eyes waiting for affection and maybe heartstrings.

Lunchtime for Danielle suddenly meant more to her than reading the next chapter in her book of heartstings. Trevor was no swashbuckling multi millionaire with a private jet, taking her off to the French Riviera. But he was honest, well meaning, and had a heart and soul of molten gold. He even liked chcolate. Danielle was heading in her direction. One first kiss on Valentine's Day turned into a lifetime of binding love. Even Danielle's favourite novel could not have written such a happy plot. The conclusion was a true arrow fired by Cupid, holding traditional love, as Danielle soon whispered, " I love you."