Pillow Talk: The Anniversary Gift That Held a Surprising Secret

My Father-in-Law Gave Me a Pillow as an Anniversary Gift – I Was Shocked When I Learned His True Intentions

Kate and Josh are taken aback to discover that the sender of the enigmatic package—who happens to be Josh’s father—is their father. Josh discovers a gorgeous pillow inside the present, a ticking box, which makes things even stranger. After a confrontation, Josh finds himself at odds with the reality. Should he pretend that their relationship never happened or extend forgiveness to his father?

Just as Josh and Emily’s daughter Emily were taking a walk in the garden, the doorbell rang, indicating that it was time to start the day.

The delivery man stated, “I have a package for you,” as soon as I opened the door.

After signing, I brought the box into the kitchen. This week marked our third wedding anniversary, and Josh was continually placing orders for me.

One day, when we were relaxing on the couch, he said, “I just want to surprise you, Kate.” “It’s just the little things, you know?”

Naturally, I automatically assumed that the package was from him as I carried it to the kitchen.

until I broke through the thick tape with a pair of scissors. When I opened the present, I discovered a gorgeously embroidered pillow with a note protruding underneath it. It would have been the ideal addition to our living room’s decor.

Josh and Kate, happy anniversary! – Taylor.

I basked in the gesture’s warmth for a little period. However, I subsequently recalled that Josh could never possibly accept this gift.

“Hey, what’s this?” Reentering the kitchen with Emily on his shoulders, Josh spoke. “Did we order something?”

“Well, it’s a gift,” I remarked dully. “From your father.”

Josh took the note from me, skimming the paper with his gaze.

I pondered over his next move. Josh’s connection with his father was extremely complex. Josh’s mother and Taylor had been abandoned when Josh was a child.

When it came down to it, Taylor had opted for the lady he was seeing instead of the one he was seeing.

Josh had never fully recovered from it when he was seven years old. When we went out to supper one evening, he told me everything about it.

“Kate, a father is meant to select you. However, he moved on and abandoned us to begin a new life with his mistress. This isn’t how it operates.

I comprehended his perspective. He had only wanted his father to support him and his mother, of course.

Taylor, however, had other plans.

“He claimed that my mother was too harsh on him and that he needed to be happy. Although he worked, he was constantly involved in unlawful activities on the side. He then gathered his belongings and departed.”

“What do you mean?” Startled that Josh had experienced anything similar at such an early age, I inquired.

“Money, playing with it. Taking up his whisky glass, my spouse added, “Gambling, all that.”

That concluded things. Josh didn’t communicate with him for another year, until before our marriage.

Taylor believed that our wedding would be the ideal chance to attempt and mend their relationship after learning about it from other family members.

Josh, though, declined.

“Kate, I don’t want him to be here on our special day. Nobody is going to gain from it. And if anything, I’ll ruin everything by meeting him.”

“And you don’t think you’d regret it?” While stuffing envelopes with wedding invites, I posed the question.

Josh said, “Not at all,” and took up an envelope. “For all we know, someone will come and crash the ceremony because he owes them money.”

That was the end of it. Subject closed.

Not wanting to press the issue. I understood that he could handle it at a later time if he felt bad about it. Not wanting to go too far, especially because Taylor seemed like a hassle, but I would back him nonetheless.

Taylor made another attempt to win our favour after Emily was born. In order to fulfil his responsibilities as a grandfather, he wanted to attempt to work things out with Josh.

“I wish he were not among us. He is not welcome around our child. Kate, please don’t argue with me on this one. My spouse said, “This man is bad news,” as she carried our child.

That concluded things.

which returns us to the here and now.

Josh’s eyes widened as he took up the pillow and felt it all over, including his ear.

“Sweetheart, we can’t keep this pillow!” he exclaimed.

He hurried over and tossed it out the back door without saying anything else.

“Josh, what’s going on?” I cried out, and I left Emily with slices of fruit in her high chair.

Kate, time is running out! Something is within. He has some plans.”

“Ticking?” I stated. “What do you mean?”

Both of us stepped outside.

With the pillow innocently resting between our garden’s flowers, we stood over it. I hesitated, then extended my hand to hear.

It was true that a faint ticking sound could be heard.

“Oh,” I murmured in shock. Josh had been hearing things that weren’t there, I was sure of it.

Why would Taylor want to cause any kind of harm to us?

“Grab your phone and record the entire event,” Josh instructed, bending to retrieve the pillow. “Just in case something happens or there’s something illegal in there.”

Josh took a deep breath and tore the pillow open, revealing a little, enigmatic box with a timer inside.

“What the hell is that?” Fear crept along my spine as I whispered.

Josh’s mouth dropped to, “Let’s find out.” “Call him.”

With shaking hands, I dialled Taylor’s number.

“Hi, Kate,” he said in a positive tone. Have you received my package? I knew I had to get something, even though I wasn’t sure what to get you.”

Josh remarked, “There’s something inside the pillow.” “A container. It is emitting noise. What’s that?”

I said, “Please be honest.”

Kate, it’s a present. For your anniversary “I found Taylor’s voice to be quiet, almost comforting.

“The sound is probably the timer; it’s supposed to make a sound and open on the day,” he stated. “There’s something in there.”

I was holding the phone when my husband grabbed it.

Is it truly your belief that we require anything from you? Dad, what’s actually inside the box? Is something present that shouldn’t be? Something forbidden?” Josh made a demand.

“Please, Josh,” he said. It’s merely a sign. I have no malicious intent at all.”

“If you truly mean that, then stay out of our lives.”

Taylor said, “Kate, wait.” “Just open the box, okay?”

Josh reached out and ended the conversation as Taylor let out a heavy sigh.

I glanced at my spouse, who appeared perplexed by everything. Though he was traumatised by what his father had done, I knew he was intrigued to see what was inside the little box.

I said to him, “What do you want to do?”

He held up his head and responded, “I don’t know.”

“Let’s open it,” I said. There’s no way that he’s attempting to harm us if he wanted me to open it, my dear. Alright?”

Josh gave a slow nod, suddenly realising what had happened. All his father had wanted to do was reach out and offer us a gift. That perhaps it was all as simple as it appeared.

“But record it, okay?” stated Josh.

I took up my phone once more and started recording.

After my husband forced the box open, a $100,000 cheque was inside.

Josh looked at the bill, trying to make sense of it, emotions racing across his face.

“What is he playing at, Kate?” Startled, Josh enquired. This isn’t clean money in any manner. He has to be attempting to hide something.”

But Taylor called back before we could have any more time to comprehend this.

Hesitantly, I responded.

I said, “We located the cheque.” “Why did you do that?”

“Because I’m dying, Kate,” he mutely acknowledged. “I am aware that Josh despises me, and I have committed my fair share of blunders. However, that cash is for you two. And hold onto it for Emily’s future if Josh doesn’t want it. for academic purposes. It doesn’t need to be known that I was the source.”

I realised we had left Emily alone for too long as I made my way inside the house. It didn’t really matter, though, because our daughter was eating her fruit and sitting peacefully by herself.

Josh trailed closely behind me.

“Daddy,” he said, snatching my phone. We should speak if you truly are concerned about your health. “No more games please.”

Taylor said, “Thank you, Josh,” over the phone. “You tell me when.”

Later that week, we planned to meet Taylor at a park nearby, where we frequently took Emily.

Josh was clearly anxious on the day of the appointment; he fidgeted while we waited on a lonely bench.

Taylor appeared weak and tired when he arrived.

“I really apologise for everything. I was not a good father. I want to use the little time I have left to make apologies.

Josh inhaled deeply.

“Daddy, it’s not easy. I will attempt it though. For Emily’s benefit, so that she may realise someday that her grandfather helped her through her education.”

As Josh and my father-in-law were speaking, I assembled the picnic I had prepared. I reasoned that we all needed to eat even if something awkward happened.

Josh squeezed my hand as we exited the park, and he seemed to feel lighter.

“Perhaps it’s fortunate that pillow arrived after all,” he thought, a hint of a smile peeking through.