"I can't believe you forgot our anniversary Christopher!" she said tears forming in her eyes.

I hurt her. Something I promised not to do. And the kicker is, this relationship isn't some fifth grade, two week deal. This was forever. We lived, laughed, and loved together. We shared one bed and one body. Now, that we are old and grey, one of the only things we had left was our love for each other. 07/07/70- the day we exchanged our vows, and said "I do", and I forgot it.

"Mace, I didn't mean too. It's just all the retirement stuff going on, and...I'm sorry." I sighed, and ran my hands over my face stressed.

"I'm going to bed. Don't wake me up." Macey said, her lips quivering. She turned around and walked up the stairs, leaving me stranded in the family room.

"Macey!" I said with one more attempt. I heard the door slam, and I knew I messed up.

The room felt cold, and I felt even colder.

I looked around the room. Pictures of me and Macey were plastered all over the walls.

One of us at the beach, where I was giving her a piggy-back ride along the sand. Another of us sitting on a couch, grinning back at the camera. And of course, the wedding picture. We were only 19 when we got married, and many people doubted the relationship would last long. But here we were, 37 years later, and we were still going strong. Well, we were, until today.

It'll get better. She'll forgive you. You still have time to make it up to her. It's still your guy's anniversary.

Suddenly, I had an idea. I walked to the kitchen, and grabbed the phone book off the counter.

I opened it, and turned to the business section. It took a few minutes before I found what I was looking for.

"Here we go, I said to myself, Diamond Emporium."

I grabbed the cordless phone, and dialed the number, hoping someone would pick up.

"Hello, Diamond Emporium, how may I help you?" said an overzealous woman on the other line.

"Uh yes, I was wondering what time you guys close tonight?" I crossed my fingers, hoping I still had time.

"We are open to 9 p.m. tonight."

I looked up at the clock.

8:30. I had 30 minutes.

"Okay, thank you."

I hung up the phone, grabbed my keys, and bolted out the door to the car.

After nearly hitting two cars, and almost running over someone who jumped out into the street, I arrived at the Emporium.

I walked in, and was amazed at all the jewelry they had on display.

Surely they have something that Mace will love.

"Can I help you find something?"
I turned around, and there was the woman who I talked to on the phone. She was tall,slim,and had flowing blonde hair.

I scratched my head.

"Well, uh, I forgot my 37th anniversary, and I wanna make up for it."

She gave me a sympathetic smile, and walked over to the rings.

"What about this one? It's a beautiful diamond ring, and you can get anything you want enscribed on the band."

I looked closer at the ring. It was Macy's style for sure.

"How much?"
"It's for the low price of $1200."

Low price? That's expensive!

I sighed. "Okay, I'll take it."
I wrote a check, and tucked the ring into my jacket. I was about to walk out, when the lady stopped me.
"Sir, just from the perspective of a woman, it's going to take something bigger than that ring to make up for it."

I smiled, nodded, and walked out of the store.

What am I going to do? I thought as I drove back home. We could go on a cruise...or maybe we could take a vacation to the mountains.

I pulled in my driveway, and sat there in the car for a few minutes thinking. Finally, I got out and went inside, and walked up to our bedroom, where we shared so many wonderful times. I knew what I was going to do.

"Mace, wake up." I said while gently shaking her.

She looked up at me. Her makeup was smeared, and her eyes were puffy.

"What?" she said in an angry tone.

I got down on one knee, and took her hand.

"Macey, first off I want you to know that I love you and I will always will forever. I know I screwed up, and I'm sorry. But it's still our anniversary, and I'm going to make it up to you. Because you deserve it. Your the most beautiful, kind, caring, and passionate woman I ever met, and I'm so lucky to have you. I never meant to hurt you, and I promise I never will again.

Macey Lewis, will you make me the happiest man in the world, and marry me...again?"

Her eyes got real big, and she threw her hand to her chest, still sitting on the bed.

"Christopher..."

"Is that a yes?"

She started to sway from side to side.

"Chris..."

Suddenly, she fell backwards, and was still.

I stood up.

"Macey...Macey...MACE!" I shook her, but she didn't respond.

"Shit! Macey!

I ran downstairs, grabbed the phone, and dialed 911.

"Hel-

"My wife, she passed out or something. I was talking to her, and the next minute she's not responding. She won't move. God, send someone out here." I said panicking.

"Calm down sir, said the man on the other line. What's your address?"

"9021 S.W. Washington...hurry!" I said while running back up the stairs to check on Macey.

"Someone is on their way." said the man.

It seemed like hours had passed when the ambulance arrived, but in reality it was only five minutes. The longest five minutes of my life. I stood there helpless, watching them check her pulse, and wheeling her away to the vehicle.

The rest was a blur. The ambulance whisking her away and the doctors who came back and forth. I sat in the waiting room for three hours. I tried not to think about what was going on. I grabbed myself a Coke out of a nearby vending machine, and sat down to watch the news. I wasn't fooling anyone. I couldn't think about anything but my dear Macy. Many adults and children went in and out of the room, but I didn't notice. Finally, a doctor came to talk to me.

"Christopher?"

I stood up.

"How is she?"
He had a worried look on his face. The wrinkles could show that he'd been through this many times in his life, and it never got easier.

"She had a major heart attack. We're not sure if she's going to make it."

My knees weakend.I fell down to the ground, and burried my face into my knees.

"I screwed up" I said, trying not to cry.

"If you would like to visit her, you better come this way." he said.

I almost had a heart attack myself when I walked into her room.

There were tubes and sorts all over the place. She laid there looking pale and brokenhearted.

I grabbed her hand and kissed her gently on her forehead.

"I love you." I whispered in her ear.

She slowly opened her eyes.

"I love you. And yes, I will marry you again. I never regretted anything with you."

She squeezed my hand one last time. I knew this was the end.

"Happy anniversary." I said, my voice cracking.

The heart monitor went off, and her grip loosened. She closed her eyes for the last time.

The doctors rushed in, and tried to save her, but she was gone.

"Time and date of death?" asked the nurse.

"11:59 p.m. 7/7/07." replied the doctor.

Guess today wasn't so lucky afterall.