My Forever (Over Forty And Loving It)

by Ancelli

  “Almost eleven,” he answered with a smirk, but before she could scold him for not waking her up earlier he said. “I called your job and told Dan you weren't feeling well. He said he would cover for you.”

  “You talked to Dan?” There was something in the way her voice dropped.

  “Yes,” he stared at her. “What's the problem?”

  “Nothing,” she sat in the chair next to him. “Thanks for breakfast,” Zara picked up the cup of coffee and took a sip. “Did you call in too?”

  “Yes, I wanted to spend the day with my beautiful wife.” Samuel continued to look at her, he knew his wife and something was off when he mentioned her work husband as they called him. “I picked your car up from the club, and got us coffee and muffins.” He motioned to the table next to his chair. “Now back to Dan, what aren't you telling me?”

  Zara took a bite out of the blueberry muffin, and sat in the seat right across from him. “He tried to kiss me,” she mumbled.

  Samuel's eyebrows met as he clenched his jaw. “He what!” he yelled, banging his fist on the wooden table sending his Styrofoam cup tumbling over. Black liquid flowed across the imitation wood surface. “When?”

  “Sam calm down,” Zara grabbed a napkin and sopped up the coffee.

  “When?” He asked the vein his neck throbbing.

  “Yesterday,” she touched his fisted hand. “Nothing happened. I told him we couldn't work together any more.”

  “He tried to kiss you on our fucking anniversary?” Samuel huffed. As he was waiting for her to come home, that jerk was trying to make a move on his wife. “Is that why you were late?”

  “No,” she narrowed her eyes at him. “I was on my way out the door.”

  “Why did he think he could kiss you?” He cracked his knuckles. “I knew that fucking gringo had a thing for you. He smiled in my face while planning how to seduce you.”

  “I don't know why he thought he could kiss me,” Zara stood watching him. “Whatever was going through his head doesn't concern me. I'm telling you because I respect our relationship.” She spoke calmly.

  Samuel had to shake off his anger toward the man at the moment. It wasn't Zara's fault he pushed up on her. He rose and enveloped his arms around her waist from behind. “I don't want you to back down from your position because of him, don't give him the satisfaction. Continue to work with that jerk and outshine his ass. I trust you Z,” he kissed the side of her neck. Samuel had plans on visiting Dan, they needed to have a man to man conversation about boundaries.

  “What did you just say?” Zara softly asked.

  He himself couldn't believe what he was telling his wife, but she worked hard for the position she held and he wasn't going to let a prick like Dan ruin it. “As long as he stays out of my way, I won't hurt him,” Sam said against her skin.

  Zara turned in his arms. “You are more important than a position.”

  “I know,” he cupped her cheeks. Hearing those words helped boost his ego up after what she revealed. “You've worked hard to be where you are. Dan is just like those young guys at the club, they want what they can't have,” he smirked. “Your ass belongs to me,” he squeezed her butt cheeks. Deep inside he was still pissed, but he wasn't going to ruin whatever surprise his daughters had planned, so he changed the subject. “Our daughters have been blowing up our phones. Zoe said something about meeting them for dinner tonight at that fancy restaurant on Melrose Drive.”

  Zara clutched her arms around his neck gazing in his eyes, “I love our family.”

  “I do too,” he gave her a quick kiss. “All the different personalities are traits from us.”

  “I love you Mr. Samuel Cruz,” she caressed his jaw. “Who would have thought this would be us; three daughters and a granddaughter. People doubted that we would make it pass a year and look at us twenty-five years later.”

  “Stronger than ever,” Sam picked up her clothing off the chair and handed it to her. “We proved those motherfuckers wrong,” he chuckled. “And it feels so good.”

  “Yes, yes it does,” Zara draped the white towel over the chair, and began getting dressed. “What time is check-out?”

  “I extended our time until this afternoon.” Samuel smiled, “So, baby the room is all ours.” He laid on the bed with his hands behind his head. “We can actually sleep in all day.”

  “That sound great,” Zara tried taming her hair but it wasn't working. “But first, I need a comb or brush,” frustration clear in her tone as she stared at herself in the floor length mirror on the outside of the bathroom door. She combed her hair up in what he assumed was a ponytail. “Maybe a rubber band?” Zara glanced around the room, and picked up her clutch searching the purses depths. “Do you see one?”

  Samuel sat up on the edge of the mattress staring at his lovely wife. He was one lucky man to have shared so many years with Zara. Her love, patience, and support couldn’t compare to anyone else. She was a great mother and wife, he walked up behind her. “Let me help,” Sam parted her hair in two with his fingers making her cringe in pain as he stared at her reflection.

  “Ouch.” She clutched his fingers stopping him. “That hurts.”

  “Stop being a cry baby,” he smacked her hand out of his way and he began braiding her unruly hair. She squinted her eyes every time he tugged on her tresses as he braided one side. Zara started braiding the other side. Sam planted tiny kisses on her shoulder after he was done. “That wasn't that bad,” he stared at their reflection in the mirror. The hairstyle wasn’t perfect a few hairs strands stuck out, but it was much better than it was a few minutes ago.

  Zara circled his arms around her shoulder, and leaned her head on his chest.

  This is his happiness, and he would never have it any other way. “Beautiful as always. Can we please take an adult nap now?”

  She chuckled, “Those are magic words,” Zara stepped out of his embrace and laid on the bed. “This will be the first time in ages that we get to sleep in this late together.”

  Samuel laid beside her swinging his leg over hers. “This time try not to steal the covers.”

  “I’ll try,” Zara grabbed the sheets and blanket covering them. “This has been a great anniversary.”

  “Yes it has,” he turned his head to face her. “I don’t think the celebration is over. I have a feeling our daughters have something in store for us.”

  “Another long evening,” Zara giggled wrapping her arms securely around his chest. “My body can't take it.”

  “Your sexy body,” Samuel whispered against her hair, “took every inch last night.”

  “Nasty,” her eyes fluttered. “But I love it.”

  He squeezed her ass. “I know you do.”

  ~~~

  When they entered the house the girls had cleaned up and took down all the decorations. Gone were the streamers and balloons. Brownie their mini schnauzer ran up to greet them. “Hey Brownie,” Zara bent down and picked up their pet. “Where are the girls?”

  “Are you expecting her to answer?” Sam placed the keys on the antique side table. Zara designed the house by herself, every room had at least one piece of antique furniture. He picked up mail he assumed the girls placed on there, and he noticed Zara’s gift was no longer there. “Did you open your gift?”

  “No,” Zara placed the dog back on the floor and their pet ran toward Zoe’s room. “I put my gift for you next to yours. The girls might have placed them in a safe place. Thank you for the coin.”

  “Even though you didn’t get the hint,” He picked up a note, Please don’t be late tonight your daughters. Sam read out loud.

  “I’m going to flat iron my hair and then get ready,” Zara said going up the stairs. “You can take a shower first,” and then she stopped turning around watching him. “My hips and thighs are sore.”

  “That means I did my job,” Sam followed her up and smacked her ass a few times. “One more round before the night is over.” Zara chuckled and he stopped a few steps down from her. “W
hat’s so funny?”

  “You might get a cramp again,” she covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes crinkled at the edges.

  Samuel touched his chest playing around, “you really went there. Let’s not forget the time you almost threw up.”

  She twisted her lips entering the room. “Whatever.”

  Samuel shed his clothing and entered the bathroom. Zara would take forever doing her hair. He had something to take care of.

  ~~~

  “Babe, I’m going to the store really quick.” He grabbed his jacket out the closet and slip it over his white dress shirt as she was about to step into the steamy shower. “We ran out of paper towel,” he said the first thing that came to his mind. She took her sweet time looking for an outfit and she hadn’t even started on her hair.

  “Okay,” she yelled out. “Can you get me some tampons?”

  He hated getting those feminine products but when you live with a bunch of females you really don’t have a choice. “Regular in the purple box, right?”

  “Right.”

  Samuel took the opportunity while Zara was in the shower to slip out of the house before she made another request. It would take her awhile to get ready for another of their daughters adventures. He didn't mean to tell Zara a white lie, well yes he did. He would come clean once he’d spoken to Dan, and now here he was sitting on the hood of his Infinity in his suit swinging a baseball slugger waiting for the motherfucker to exit the building. Parked in Zara’s parking spot, he was beyond proud of his wife, they’d come a long way. They started without shit and now look at them, they had their own home, nice cars and great careers. They persevered throughout the years. Nothing stopped them then and nothing will get in their way now.

  Finally, after twenty-minutes the asshole strolled out the glass building with a grin on his face. He strolled over to the executive parking spaces, and his smile disappeared when he laid eyes on Samuel swinging the bat. “Sam,” Dan cleared his throat. “Are you waiting for Zara?” he didn’t even give him time to answer. “I thought she wasn’t feeling well,” he hesitated staring at the wooden instrument.

  “I’m not waiting for my wife,” he calmly announced glaring at the man that dared make a move on his Zara. “I was actually waiting for you,” Sam pointed the bat at Dan. “We should’ve had this conversation two fucking years ago, but I try really hard to keep out of my wife’s affairs when it comes to work. I’m going to keep this short and simple.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Dan said pressing the fob to his fancy sedan. Sam lunged forward rapidly invading the man’s personal space forcing Dan to scuttled to the side. “Dude I don’t want any issues with you.”

  “You fucking started an issue between us when you made a pass at my wife,” Samuel twisted around watching the fool shaking his head no. “Did you think she wouldn’t tell me?”

  “I… I didn’t,” Dan stuttered.

  “Are you saying she lied?” Samuel ambled toward Dan’s car and tapped the end of his slugger on the hood.

  “There’s no need to get physical,” Dan’s eyes were glued on the bat.

  Samuel chuckled, “You’re talking about this little thing,” he raised the weapon and took a swing angling up to just miss the assholes headlights.

  “Don’t.” Dan raised his arms. “I will keep my distance from your wife,” he blurted. Sweat peppered his skin.

  “I thought we would come to an understanding,” Sam smacked the slugger in his palm. “This is my first and last warning. Next time I will use this bad boy,” he tapped his front bumper. “My wife is off limits; do I make myself clear?” He stared at the man and Dan just stood there watching him. He didn’t say a word. “If it has nothing to do with work don’t speak.” He raised his eyebrow. “Zara’s a sweetheart, but I’m not.” Sam walked away. He opened his car door, and threw his bat in the back seat. “Have a great evening.” He got into his vehicle and waved his hand out the window as he drove off. “Pendejo!”

  ~~~

  Samuel waited outside of his car as Zara made her way out the front door. The woman always took his breath away. She decided to go with an up do style and she wore a simple sleeveless black knee length evening dress. The garment hugged her body like it was tailored for her curves. Zara hips swayed as she sashayed down the pathway to their driveway. “It took you long enough.”

  He opened the car door for his queen, “The lines at the store were longer than I thought.”

  Zara gave him a suspicious look, and entered the car. He gently closed the door, and walked over to his side. “Where’s the bag?” She asked looking in his back seat.

  “What bag?” He backed out the driveway, and then drove away.

  “Didn’t you go to the store?” She watched him with an eyebrow raised. “Why do you have your slugger in the backseat?”

  “I paid your little friend Dan a visit,” Samuel nonchalantly stated. He forgot to actually go to the store, might as well be honest.

  “You did what?” Zara gave him the stare of death.

  Samuel tapped his fingers against the steering wheel to the Salsa music playing in the background. Zara knew him better than anyone. She had to know that he wouldn’t let Dan get away that easily. “Dan and I have an understanding.”

  “Sam, what did you do?” She leaned in closer to him. He glanced her way for a few second and then focused on the road.

  “I wanted to fucking hurt your work husband, but I didn’t,” he said maneuvering through the traffic. “I would not jeopardize your career.”

  “You did the moment you showed up at my work place,” her features stern. “Did anyone see you?”

  Samuel smirked. “You should know me better than that dear. He was the last one out, I made sure to ask the receptionist when she left the building. One of my roles in life is to protect my wife and children and that’s what I did today. I’m not sorry for setting that idiot straight, fuck him. I could tell Z, that his actions affected you more than you let on.”

  Zara stared at him, and then she placed her hand behind his neck. “My protector,” she started massaging the back of his neck. “But, you know I can handle myself.”

  “I know, but you don’t have to handle shit like this by yourself.”

  “Did you make him sweat?” Zara wiggled her eyebrows.

  “A little,” he chuckled. “You should’ve seen him when he saw me sitting on my car swinging the slugger.” The look on his face was memorable. Dan didn’t back down, but he also didn’t antagonize Sam. “He won’t be making another pass at you.”

  Zara inched closer and gave him a feather light kiss on his cheek. “Ready to see what’s in store for us tonight?”

  “I was born ready.” Sam turned into the parking lot of the fancy restaurant.

  ~~~

  The hostess led them through the restaurant. Zara was blown away by the upscale place. Fine crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling and the tables they passed by held white plates with gold trim and gold silverware. The center pieces were a simple but elegant floral design of three staggered oversized blooms with marble like stones at the base of the tall glass vases. She could tell this place was beyond extravagant. How did the girls even get a reservation? Samuel held her hand as they passed by several tables toward a private room.

  “Enjoy your evening,” the hostess said tapping lightly on the glass door, and then she slowly opened it.

  “Surprise! Happy twenty-fifth anniversary,” everyone in the room screamed almost giving Zara a heart attack. The balloons that decorated their home yesterday were tied to each chair in the room. Samuel squeezed her hand and she covered her mouth looking around the room. All the people she cared about were there. Her three beautiful daughters, her grandbaby, her mother, mutual friends, neighbors, Samuel’s parents, Shelby, Corina and a few of her co-workers. Tears formed in her eyes, and one ran down her cheek.

  “Last night was just the icing on the cake,” Andrea walked up with Adrianna in her arms. “Happ
y anniversary mommy and daddy.”

  “Thank you,” Zara wrapped her arms around Andrea, Samantha and Zoe. “I love you girls.”

  “We love you more,” Samantha showered her and then Samuel with kisses. “Daddy I told you mom would make it up to you.”

  “He forgave you.” Zoe hugged Zara, “I saw the video.”

  “What video?” Zara stared at her youngest.

  “Twerk,” Zoe began imitating her, and walked off. “I see you mom.”

  Shelby’s lips curled up into a naughty smile as she made her way to the front. “Did you break the headboard?” Zara shook her head, “let me see,” Shelby touched her jaw. “I don’t think it’s broken.”

  “Nice to see you Shelby,” Samuel laughed. She assumed he got what Shelby was implying.

  “Stop being so nasty,” Zara playfully smacked her best friend’s hand away. “Why didn’t you tell me the girls had this planned?”

  “Why would I ruin my goddaughter’s surprise?” Shelby took a sip of her drink. “They have been saving up and planning for this night for months.”

  “Of course with help from aunt Corina,” Corina walked up. Corina and Zara had been friends since middle school. If it wasn’t for her nasty remarks about Sam, Zara would’ve never approached him. “Happy anniversary Sam and Zara.” she lifted her glass in the air and took a sip. “Twenty-five years and you’re still together while I’ve been through three marriages.”

  Her current husband, Stephen, strolled up. “The third one is the charm,” he kissed her lips. She didn’t miss how Shelby watched them. Shelby’s happiness was around the corner she could feel it.

  “Bendicion,” Samuel walked over to his parents giving them a hug and kiss.

  “Que Dios te bendiga hijo,” his mother cupped his face. “You and Z proved us all wrong,” she smiled. “The spark in your eyes is the same as it was years ago when you said I do.”

  “Proud of you, son” his father gave him another bear hug. “You achieved what I couldn’t.”

  Zara watched her in-laws, no matter what went on between her and Sam they were always supportive of her unlike her family.