Simon nodded as he reached for the screen with his hand in response, but the link went dead as April shut down her side.  Seconds later she also logged off the Messenger too.  He sat back sighed, partially out of relief.  At the very least she hadn't rejected him out right, which was a good sign for him.  That meant that when he was going to meet her face to face tonight, the awkwardness could be mitigated slightly...  Assuming she doesn't bolt out the door at first sight.<br/><br/>Simon smiled wryly at that thought and shut down his computer.  More likely than not, April's husband had returned from whichever bar his was patronizing and she wasn't going to be online for the rest of the night.  More time to prepare his gift for April.  Simon unfolded the little cardboard box and measured off a piece of wrapping paper that would be sufficient to cover the box.  Then he pulled out the package that he had purchased earlier and opened it.  Gleaming in the light as it laid in its container were the shining metal Ben Wa balls.  He took it out and and placed it on his palm, feeling the weights inside shift position as he adjusted his hand.<br/><br/>Simon put them into the box and closed it, and set it aside.  Using a fancy calligraphy pen he had bought on a whim a few years ago, he filled out a small white card in neat but elegant script: "<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: Georgia;">To April, Happy anniversary and best wishes for another year of happiness.</span>"  Simon left off his name and let the ink dry on the card.  After making sure that the other package was going to arrive on time via a quick confirmation online, He decided that he was going to bed a little earlier tonight.<br/><br/>The next morning, the mailman arrived with the other package and Simon signed for it.  Thanking him, Simon retreated back to his apartment to finish packing his gift.  He opened the package from Fredericks' of Hollywood and lifting aside the gauze to view his prize:<br/><br/>(http://demandware.edgesuite.net/aacj_prd/on/demandware.static/Sites-FoH-Site/Sites-Holiday2002/default/v1291272421287/images/4/46510_lrg.jpg)<br/><br/>With tender care, he lifted the babydoll out of the box and placed it on the dining table and then set the matching thong on top.  Simon opened his gift box and put the Balls on the cloth and gently rolled up the babydoll with it at the center into a compact rectangle of blue lace and nylon, taking care not to fold it.  Then he placed it all back into his gift box laying his card on top.  Simon deftly and quickly wrapped up the box and afterward admired his handiwork.  You couldn't possibly get a more neater and prettier package than even if you had a department store do it.<br/><br/>Simon placed the gift into his suit jacket pocket and made sure that it wasn't visible.  After flitting about on the internet, he left the window open and went to get showered and changed for work.  Tonight was going to be a special night for April.