My Forever (Over Forty And Loving It)

by Ancelli

  “Don’t they teach us Spanish?” Zara smirked. “You’re so fucking ignorant. Come on Sam,” She turned her back on Miley. “Vamonos,” Zara entwined her fingers with his.

  “And you’re a nig…”

  “Watch your words!” Samuel words were filled with venom. “What is wrong with you? What have I or Zara ever done to you? Come on Z,” they began walking and then Zara started talking to herself.

  “What did she just call me?” Zara stopped dead in her tracks her eyes narrowed and her lips thinned.

  “Let it go,” Samuel squeezed her fingers. “What you just did for me means more than you know,” he said, but she wasn’t listening he could tell in her blank expression.

  “She just called me,” Zara untwined their hands and rushed toward Miley. “What did you just call me?” She inched closer in the girl’s personal space.

  “You heard me, you and him should go back where you came from,” Miley got in Zara’s face.

  “I feel sorry for you. Your parents have done a number on you. Your hatred for others won’t ruin my day, but it’s going to ruin yours, pendeja.” In an unexpected move Zara’s palm connected with Miley’s left cheek, “You should go back from where you came from, heifer.”

  The students in the hallway started chanting. “Fight! Fight!”

  “You bitch!” Miley tried to grab Zara’s hair, but Zara moved out her reach and laced her fingers in the other girl’s strands.

  “I’ll show you a bitch,” Zara pulled her by the hair spinning her around and then slapped her again. Watching females fight was entertaining, but not when it involved his Z.

  Samuel heart swelled because Zara defended him. Zara and Miley were facing off, and taking swings at each other. He took a few strides and pulled her off of Miley.

  “Let me go Sam,” Zara yelled. “You shouldn’t let no one talk to you like that,” she kicked trying to get to Miley. “Bitch, I have my eyes on you!”

  “Zara,” he walked her back to the lockers caging her in with his arms on either side. “Look at me,” Sam whispered. “She’s not worth you getting in more trouble that you’re already in.”

  She cupped his face in her soft hands. “Samuel, no one should make us feel less because of the color of our skin or the language we speak, because we are perfect just the way we are,” Zara caressed his jaw, he lowered his head and was about to kiss her for the first time when the Vice Principal stormed down the passage.

  “Miley and Zara,” he pointed at the door. “In my office now!” he shouted.

  “I’m sorry,” he placed his forehead on hers.

  “You’re not the one that should be apologizing.” The corners of Zara’s lips inched up. “I will be getting an apology before I’m suspended,” She moved his hand. “I’ll see you later.” She waved going in the Principal’s office.

  ~~~

  “Mom did what?” Samantha mouth was agape. “My sweet and innocent mother slapped her.”

  “Miley had it coming,” Sam said turning into the crowed parking lot. “She was a bully and your mother knocked her down a few notches.”

  “Did she ever speak to you again?” Andrea stared at him.

  “The principal made her apologize to me and my friend,” Samuel found a parking spot and guided the car into the space. “Miley would see your mom coming and she would turn the other way.”

  Samantha chuckled, “go mommy,” she proudly stated. “No one messes with her man and gets away with it. Now I see where Andrea and Zoe get their feistiness,” she opened the car door.

  “Close that door,” Samuel turned off the car glancing at his middle daughter through the rearview mirror.

  “Yes sir,” she smiled.

  He opened the car door, “What have I taught you girls?”

  “A gentleman will always open doors for his princess,” Samantha answered.

  “Exactly,” He took two strides and opened the car door, helping Sammie out, and then he walked over to his eldest daughter and opened her door. He took her hand in his and pulled her up. He placed his arms around his girl’s shoulders. “Let’s get this over with.”

  “We’re going to have fun,” Andrea dug in her purse grabbing her cellphone. He saw her text, Zoe where’s mom?

  ~~~

  The music blasted from the speakers making his eardrums ache. Damn, he was getting old if the beat of the music was causing him a headache. Sam remembered a time when clubbing was his weekend activity. He enjoyed the attention from the ladies, however he never overstepped with any. One of his female coworker did cross the line once grabbing his dick on the dance floor, and the thought of being with someone else raised its ugly head, but Samuel would never hurt Zara by being unfaithful.

  After graduating boot camp Samuel was stationed in Washington. Zara stayed with her parents until he settled in. In that time, his co-workers would pressure him to go out and have fun, instead of staying at the barracks in an empty room alone, eventually going out became a habit. He would call his wife back home before going out for the night. She knew he went out, but it didn't become a problem until she joined him in Washington, leaving everyone and everything she knew behind. Sam and his buddies would go out every Friday and Saturday and then he would turn around and attend church with his pregnant wife on Sundays. Now looking back, he was such a prick, going out partying every weekend, leaving his wife at home until early in the morning. He shook his head thinking of how insensitive he was when she was pregnant with Andrea.

  ~~~

  Twenty-four years ago

  Sam stumbled into the house a little tipsy from partying with his buddies. He turned on the light switch on the wall, and was startled to see Zara sitting on the couch. “Z, what are you doing up?”

  She wiped her eyes, and that's when he realized she'd been crying.

  “What's wrong?” He moved closer, getting down on his knees in front of her.

  “You,” Zara glared at him. “Is this what you think marriage is about?”

  “What are you talking about?” He raised his eyebrows confused.

  “You're acting like you're a single man,” She sniffed rubbing her nose. “I'm pregnant Sam,” Zara reminded him like he didn't know. “You rather go out with your stupid friends than stay home with me. What if I go into labor?”

  Sam sat on the ground. “That won't happen Z,” he covered his face with his hands. “Work is stressful and I go out to unwind.”

  “And where does that leave me?” She hugged a pillow to her chest. “I should be the one you turn to when you’re stressed or need someone to talk to.”

  “I do...”

  “No you don't,” she raised her voice. “I get it,” Zara exhaled. “You didn't get to explore the adult single life, and you had a taste of it for a couple of months and now it's hard to accept that you have me.”

  “That's not true,” he uncovered his face watching her now. Sam knew she was partially correct. They were nineteen expecting their first baby and it had him feeling some type of way, but no matter what he was feeling he loved and cherished Zara. She was his best friend, his confidant. “I love you Z.”

  She shook her head. “I hate being in this house alone. You're gone throughout the day because you're working and on the weekends when your off you spend it with co-workers. I feel like you don't want me here.” Zara whispered. “If you don't, just say so. I'll go back home.”

  “What? No,” Sam couldn't think right. He never wanted his wife to feel like he didn't want her. “Z, you're my everything.” He gazed into her brown red-rimmed eyes. “I'm sorry.” he mumbled. “I didn't know you felt this way, now that I know I promise to do better.”

  “Do you want me here?” Fresh tears ran down her cheeks.

  Sam eased his way onto the sofa and wrapped his arms around Zara. “I want you to be wherever I am, that will never change,” he placed his hand on her stomach. “This is what I want,” he kissed her forehead. “I promise to do better.”

  A month later their baby girl made
an entrance into their life, and his whole world changed again. Everything he did from that point on revolved around his wife and baby girl.

  “Push,” the nurse instructed and after five pushes Andrea was born.

  Zara was exhausted as sweat rolled from her forehead down the side of her face. Zara released her thighs and lay back down taking deep breath. Samuel’s grip on her hand became tighter as he gazed at the love of his life. He pressed her fingers to his lips as the doctor placed their newborn daughter on Zara’s chest. “Oh my God, look at what we made,” tears rolled down her cheeks. “We have a daughter Sam.” The baby slowly moved until she found Zara’s nipple and started nursing. “Just like your daddy, thinking about food,” she kissed the top of her head. “She has so much hair,” Zara combed through the baby’s sticky strands.

  Samuel was overwhelmed with joy. He was filled with so much emotions; he was a father. “She’s beautiful,” he whispered. He counted her tiny fingers and toes. “Ten fingers, ten toes,” he grinned. “Hey princesa,” Sam traced the side of his baby’s rosy cheeks.

  The nurse gently took Andrea, and she cried out. “Shhh… you’ll get to eat in a minute,” the nurse said giggling.

  “Dad,” the doctor held up a strange scissor. “It’s time to cut the umbilical cord.”

  Sam kissed Zara’s forehead, and moved down to where the doctor held his daughter. Andrea cried her little lungs out, making him smile. He cut the umbilical cord, making him cringe. The nurse took the baby over to the side and wiped her down. “I’m a father,” he mumbled.

  Zara combed messy hair away from her face. “This has been the best day of my life. A piece of us.”

  “I love you Z.” Samuel loved his wife but after that day his love multiplied. The nurse handed baby A to him, and he gazed into his little girl’s eyes. “Preciosa, you are the best thing that’s happened to us,” he kissed her button nose. “You and your mommy are my world.”

  Chapter Four

  Zara drove as fast as she could without putting anyone’s life in danger. How did she forget the day when she became one with her soulmate. They weren’t perfect in anyway, they’d been through dark days like any other couple, but the good always outweighs the bad times. Her fingers gripped the steering wheel as she thought of the first time Samuel went on a nine-month deployment leaving her with two energetic girls and a newborn.

  ~~~

  “I’m going to miss you Z.” Samuel cupped her face in his strong gentle hands. “I’ll contact you as much as I can. Okay?”

  Her eyes burned from all the crying she’d done in the last week. Zara thought that she was ready for this day, but when it arrived she broke down. “Please come back to me Sam.”

  “I promise I will,” he kissed her forehead. Samuel wasn’t allowed to kiss her like she wanted him to while in uniform, limiting what she wanted to do which was devour his lips. They’d made passionate love the night before. Her body was sore from their sexual marathon last night. Samuel made sure to leave an imprint in her soul. He caressed her jaw. “Time will fly by babe, and before you know it I will be back annoying you like always,” he gave her a feather kiss on her lips.

  “Daddy!” Andrea and Samantha pulled on his pants.

  He bent down and picked them both up. “I need you girls to be good for mommy while I’m gone, okay?”

  “Okay daddy,” Andrea replied first. “I’ll take care of mommy and my sisters.” Zara wiped her eyes with her fingertips.

  Samantha wrapped her arm around his neck and showered him with kisses, “I miss you daddy.” Zara could tell this was killing him, Samuel clenched his jaw swallowing his emotions. His eyes were shiny with unshed tears.

  He cleared his throat. “I love you girls,” he kissed them both on the cheek. “Daddy has to go now,” Sam placed them on the ground. He bent down in front of the stroller and combed his fingers in their newborn’s baby curly hair. “Hey Zoe,” he whispered. “When I get back you might not know me…” he paused and inhaled. “I love you princess.”

  “I’m your princess too,” Samantha pouted.

  Samuel wiped his eyes and chuckled. Their daughter always made him smile through anything. He pulled Andrea and Samantha next to the stroller. “You girls are my world, my three little princesses. I will always love you.”

  Zara twisted around trying to keep her emotions in check, but she couldn’t. Her rock was leaving for nine-months. That was a long time to be without your other half. She prayed he made it home safely, he was going to the middle east. God had seen them through a lot, and he will see them through this and more. She touched her chest, her heart hurt so much. One of the other military wives told her she should get over it, because she knew what she was getting into when she married a man in the Navy. But, when you love someone as deeply as she loved Samuel you are never prepared to say goodbye, no matter what. Zara sobbed harder, and Samuel circled his strong muscular arms around her waist.

  “Don’t cry Z,” he whispered from behind her. “I’m dying inside because I have to leave you and our girls, everything I do is for my family.” Samuel stepped in front of her. “You are my world,” he gazed at her. “Everywhere I go,” he took her hand and pressed it to his heart. “I need you to be with me.”

  “I will always be with you.”

  Samuel must have forgot he was in uniform because his head descended and he devoured her lips. Their tongues mimicked making love like the night before. Zara regrettably leaned back, gazing at him. “I love you.”

  “Te amo mas.” He kissed her one more time, “Girls be good for mommy.” They nodded their little heads. “I love you guys,” Zara didn’t miss the tear running down his right cheek as he walked away to the massive ship. He turned around several times blowing kisses back at her and the girls.

  Andrea and Samantha waved, throwing kisses back at him. They stood in the same spot for a couple of hours until the ship slowly pulled away as a small boat guided them out. Zara wiped her tears. She needed to be strong for her daughters. Being in school would help this deployment fly away. “Bye Daddy!” Zara yelled as the ship disappeared.

  “Bye daddy,” Andrea sadly said with tears running down her beautiful face. “I want my daddy!” she began sobbing making Samantha pout too.

  “Daddy!” Samantha yelled. “Daddy!”

  Zara took a deep breath staring at them. She knew something that would cheer them up. She grabbed the stroller. “What about ice cream?”

  Both their eyes widened, and Andrea wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “Ice cream.”

  Samantha sniffled a bit more staring at the ocean. “Daddy bye,” she waved walking down the pier. They strolled off the pier with a piece of their family missing. Night times was the worst because daddy wasn’t there to tuck them in, but eventually it became easier to cope without her other half. Throughout the years the deployments didn’t get easier, but she learned to survive with the hand that Samuel and Zara were given.

  ~~~

  Zara pulled into the overly crowed parking lot. She parked taking a deep breath as she stepped out her SUV. Zara made her way to the entrance of the club. She felt a little uncomfortable as the younger guys that were outside ogled her. Zara didn’t like being the center of attention; she was more of a recluse when it came to anyone outside her bubble.

  “Damn,” a guy said rushing to open the door for her. “You’re a beautiful woman.”

  “Thank you,” she said side stepping him. Zara strolled into the colorful club, her shirt looked like a neon white as the lights above dimmed on and off. “How much?” She asked the man at the glass window.

  “It’s free for ladies tonight,” he grinned showing off his gold teeth. “Are you here by yourself?”

  “No,” Zara answered dryly. “I’m meeting my husband,” she continued inside, and stopped once she was met with a crowd of dancing people. There were three disco balls hanging from the ceiling with colorful lights dimming on and off making it difficult for her to see as she squinted loo
king for her family. The music was loud making her eardrums ache. She walked in further glancing around and finally found Samuel. Her heart skipped a beat like it always did when she saw her husband. Her lips curved up in a smile, Samuel looked gorgeous dressed in a white and blue checkered dress shirt and blue jeans. He was too busy watching someone or something at the bar, Zara glanced over at what he was staring at and chuckled. Andrea and Samantha were at the colorful bar ordering. Her daughters were beautiful, they went through so much to put this night together for Sam and her, and she ruined it, but she was about to make up for her forgetfulness. Andrea walked back to her dad with two drinks in her hand and Samantha was speaking with a guy in the corner. Zara stared making sure Samantha was okay until she saw her daughter laugh and touch the young man’s jaw.

  Chapter Five

  “Dad!” Andrea yelled over the music. “Stop looking so down, Zoe said mom is on her way,” she handed him a colorful alcoholic drink.

  Sam took the glass and raised an eyebrow. “A fruity drink?”

  “Yep, it tastes delicious,” Andrea raised her glass taking a sip. “Happy anniversary daddy, to many, many, more.”

  He took a long swing of the drink and it went down without a burn. Samuel needed something stronger to ease his mood. “Where’s your sister?” He glanced around the club.

  “Talking to a friend,” she pointed at Samantha speaking to a buff African-American guy. Sam clenched his jaw; he was overprotective of his daughters. The one time he let his guard down Andrea got knocked up by a gringo.

  He didn’t want to spoil his daughters’ night, so he decided to leave. Sam placed his drink on the side table. “I have to work tomorrow,” he glanced at his wrist at the gold watch Zara gave him for Christmas, it was after ten and he had to be up at six in the morning.

  “Dad, you can’t leave yet,” Andrea twisted her lips. “Mom’s on her way. Let me go check and see if she’s outside in the line.” She walked away toward the front of the club.