Cinderella's Revenge
by LAK

It had been a frustrating morning. He'd woken up late and had to rush around to leave on time for work. It didn't help having to pry the Mountie out of bed. He'd showered, shaved and dressed in the suit he'd selected the night before, all the while trying to coax the dozing Canadian to a wakeful state.

"Come, Benny, get up! It's not my fault I go to work two hours before you!"

"Hmmrph." was the eloquent reply.

The Italian fumed, then kicked the edge of the bed. "Fraser, you told me to get you up. Now it's time to rise and shine."

The sinfully gorgeous Mountie stretched and rolled over to face his lover. Sleepy blue eyes lit up when the Detective came into focus. "Good morning, Ray."

"For some of us, maybe. I gotta' get going. Lord knows the station would fall apart if there was no one there to breast feed and diaper Chicago's finest."

Fraser wasn't sure if Ray meant the criminals or his coworkers. "You do a wonderful job, Ray."

"Right. Just tell me that when I get home."

The Detective was just about to reach for the door when he heard a little voice from behind. "You forgot your lunch."

Ray slumped his shoulders. Benny was wonderful in so many ways, but cooking was not his forte. Vecchio really didn't want to take time to go to the local deli for his morning meal and realized if he didn't take the prepared food with him, the Mountie would be hurt. He forced a smile and said, "Of course. Thanks, Benny."

He retrieved the flat, plastic container from the refrigerator. It seemed kinda' heavy, but he decided not to question it. Checking his watch on the way out, he knew he'd still be able to eat a majority of it.

"See you tonight." he called and heard the same sweet reply from his lover as the door shut behind him.

The traffic was lousy and he was a little later than he thought. He gritted his teeth thinking it was not going to be easy for the rest of the week. It was sad to know this was his life. This was what the world was all about. Today would be no different from the rest. How could anyone dream in spite of this kind of reality? He decided to just go to his desk and nibble on the food as he plowed through the paperwork that had recently accumulated. He saw a file on his desk and noticed it was a case he and Fraser had been working on. It had a little note attached in Benny's handwriting saying that it needed to be signed and dated before it could be processed.

It was such a casual thing at work, to give his "John Hancock" and date a document. It was an action so routine that when his pen flitted over the line at the bottom of the form, it took a few seconds for the date to sink in.

He literally gasp and found himself falling into his seat. He absently let his eyes drift over to the calendar and he could feel the tears rising. A few sneaked through, but he demanded their halt. Had it really been that long? Could he actually remember back that far? Could he even remember a life without Benny?

He frantically tore open the container that housed his breakfast and was greeted by the largest, most decadent, most unhealthy concoction since he'd lived at home. Fraser had prepared five link sausages, three eggs-over-easy, a ton of hashbrowns and toast. Ray beamed at the meal, but at the same time felt horrible. He grabbed the phone, dialed his own number and when the answering machine clicked on, he said, "You wicked, wicked, wicked devil you."

Fraser smoothly picked up the receiver and said, "Happy anniversary."

Sheepishly, Ray replied, "Well, I know it doesn't do much good, but I did remember a few days ago. I just kinda' forgot as today got close."

Seventeen years ago today, a man walked into a police station in Chicago and stole the heart of the Italian. It saved Ray's life, turned it around and blossomed a relationship that he never thought possible.

"Well, I'm sorry all I could give you for the moment was a terrible meal." Benny cooed. "But I knew you'd enjoy it."

Ray could feel himself blushing and said, "I love the breakfast. But will I see you tonight?"

"Love, there isn't a force in the world that could stop me from being with you."

It tickled the Italian down to his toes that he, of all people, could motivate the Mountie to forgo all other considerations in light of their special day. Despite his aversion to fairy tales, Ray Vecchio still wound up marrying a prince.
End

Copyright to Alliance.
Pairing: Fraser/Vecchio
Rating: G
Summary: Ray realizes what day it is just a little late...but it's okay! Author's Notes: Sometimes life's beauty takes a pessimist by surprise.

"Cinderella's Revenge"
by LadyAna