Chocolates and Emerald Earrings

"Nana, how did you and Papa meet?" Sophia questioned, curiosity spiraling through her little mind. 

"Oh sweetie, are you sure you wanna hear the story? Kids these days hardly listen to us old folks." Nana frowned whilst she knitted.

"Yes, I wanna hear it! TELL ME! TELL ME!" Sophia shook her shoulders lightly.

Nana put her yarn and knitting needles on the little side table that sat beside her recliner, and scooted over just enough for little Sophia to sit down. 

Her living room was full of antiques from the twenties and thirties. She loved collecting little bits-and-bobs. She said it made her home more cozy and welcoming.

Sophia was six years old, and loved her Nana very much. She is always interested in her stories. 

When her Nana motioned for her to sit down, she hopped to the small space immediately. She squirmed around till she was comfortable and fidgeted with her thin, blonde locks; waiting for her Nana to start.

"It all started when I was in highschool. Your Papa and I had the same classes, and we sat near each other in most of them." Her Nana started to smile. "We always looked at each other and did projects together, and I thought he was cute." She shrugged.

Sophia giggled at her Nana. 

"Over some time, prom came up. I didn't have a date and neither did he." Nana put her arm around Sophia. "I almost didn't go, or buy a dress, because I didn't think anyone would take me." Nana laughed. "But then last minute, he asked me to prom."

Sophia gasped. "Awww Nana, that is so sweet!" She looked at her Nana, eyes filled with sweetness and innocence. 

"Yes it is. I was so happy when he asked me. It was nothing special of course, but I felt special and that's all that mattered." Her Nana blushed.

 "Actually, the chocolates he gave me, I still have." Her Nana lifted her finger, soon scooting out of the recliner. She headed over to a pink, antique cabinet. 

She opened the cabinet and inside was filled with papers, holiday cards, teddy bears, jewelry, and the box of chocolate. Nana grabbed the box very gently and blew the dust of it. 

"This box of chocolate is where it all started." Nana gave an affectionate smile whilst she looked at the box.

Sophia scooted out of the recliner so she could get a better look at the heart-shaped box. 

"I only ate one of the chocolates. It was very good I will say," She giggled. "But I told myself to treasure this box. I knew as soon as he asked me to prom, we connected. I knew when we danced that night, we were made for each other." Nana took put the box back in the place and went to close the doors when Sophia interrupted.

"What is all this other stuff, Nana?" She pointed at the gift filled cabinet with one brow raised. 

"Oh, all of this is from your Papa! These are gifts from Valentine's day, my birthday, Christmas, and some from Easter too." Nana grabbed a pair of Emerald earrings from the back.

"This is my favorite gift from him." She held the earrings out to Sophia.

Sophia examined the earrings, careful not to harm them. They were emerald studs, with gold rims. She looked very intrigued by the earrings. She wanted to know the story behind them.

"When did you get these, Nana?" Sophia flipped the earrings around. 

"Your Papa gave those to me when we found out we were pregnant with your mother." Nana took the earrings back and held them up to her chest. "When Papa's mother died, she left these earrings for him. He was her only child and the earrings are a family heirloom. Yes they are earrings and Papa's ears aren't pierced," Nana laughed. "But he hoped he'd have a daughter to pass them down too."

Sophia looked up at her Nana, both of them staring at each other with despair.

"I wore them till the day we gave them to her." Nana smiled at Sophia. "When your mother was sixteen, we gave her the earrings. Then a year later, she had you." Her Nana teared up, looking down at the floor. "When she passed, we took the earrings back and decided we'd give them to you, some day." Nana padded Sophia on the shoulders. "Sadly, your ears aren't pierced yet," Nana raised up and stretched. "But when they are, those earrings will be yours."

Sophia's eyes lit up. She never knew her Nana and Papa had earrings that her mom once wore. She never knew how they met. She didn't know these things till today.

"Can we go get my ears pierced right now!?" Sophia jumped up and down with excitement, like a bunny.

"Are you sure, Sophia? It does hurt a little bit." Nana assured her.

Sophia nodded viciously. She really wanted those earrings.

"Alright then, Sophia. Go get your shoes on!" Her Nana giggled at her, then yelling up the stairs, "Honey! We'll be home in a bit!" 

Sophia and her Nana left, and went to go get Sophia's ears pierced. Her Papa on the other hand, had a little gift for her Nana.

The whole time her and Sophia talked, he was making an anniversary gift. Sophia had actually took part in some of his gift making. He needed Nana to leave the house so he could set up the surprise. Plus, Sophia really genuinely wanted to get her ears pierced and learn more about her grandparents. Win-win.

Their anniversary is a week away, but he wanted to give the gift early. He had found the picture album of Sophia's mother, Anna. Nana thought she'd lost it forever. He pulled out all of Anna's old baby toys and clothes, at least the ones he could find, and he took a big basket from the attic. He put stuffing in the basket and buried the picture album in the basket and put the toys on top. He left a card and a note on top and sat the big basket on Nana's recliner.

He sat down on a little antique stool and waited for them to get home.

"Honey! We're home!" She yelled when she came through the door, not realising where he was sitting. When she saw the basket she almost immediately went to tears.

"Oh honey! What's all this?" She asked whilst picking up the old toys and clothes.

"Just open the card." He said politely, motioning towards her with one arm.

While they done their thing, Sophia went to get the earrings. She knew she couldn't wear them for a little while since she just got her ears pierced, but she was gonna put them in her room till she could!

"Oh my god!" Nana said, inhaling and exhaling heavily when she saw the picture album. "I never thought I'd see these pictures again!" She held the album up to her chest.

"Happy early anniversary, darling. Oh and by the way, that's the same basket that had the prizes we won at the fair when we are nineteen." He came up behind her and hugged her, kissing her cheek.

Everyone had a great time today, a little bit of nostalgia mixed in, but it was a great day.