by Ancelli
Samuel’s mother took her hand in hers. “Mrs. Cruz thank you for making mi hijo feliz all these years. I know it wasn’t easy, but you made it through the storm.”
Zara embraced her mother-in-law. “Thank you for raising him right,” she kissed her mother-in-laws soft cheek as her mother walked up. Zara wiped Mrs. Cruz’ tears with her fingers. “Mom thanks for coming.”
“I wouldn’t miss this celebration for the world, your dad and brothers couldn’t come but they sent you their love,” her mom touched her cheeks. “If I haven’t said it enough, dear, I’m so proud of you and all of your accomplishments.” Her mom smiled. “You knew that boy was your future and you secured it. I can’t say I’m sorry for looking out for my only daughter, but I can apologize for not being understanding. I loved your dad since we were kids, and I too married young. I just didn’t want you to miss out on all the opportunities the world had to offer you like I did.”
And now after all these years Zara finally understood where her mother was coming from, her own regrets. “Mom,” she swallowed, “I didn’t miss out on anything. Everything I set out to do in life I did, and I did it with the support of a great man.” Zara watched as tears rolled down her mother’s beautiful face. “No more thinking about the past.”
“Hey Ma,” Samuel grabbed her mother in a bear hug and spin her around making her giggle. “You finally left Wisconsin.”
Her mother chuckled. “I wouldn’t miss seeing my favorite son-in-law in person.”
“I’m your only son-in-law,” Samuel winked at Zara. This is one of the reason she adored her husband. He knew they didn’t practically like him, but that didn’t keep him from showering them with love and respect. “Thank you for raising such an extraordinary woman.”
“You’re truly welcome. She did good,” Her mom touched Samuel’s cheek, before walking away. “Show the youngsters how it’s done.”
Adrianna walked up with a gift bag and a white box and handed them one each. Zara recognized the gifts they were the presents they purchased for each other. “Papa, Mama. Happy Anniver…” she twisted her full lips thinking. She didn’t even give them a chance to say thank you as she strolled away to the table her mother was sitting at.
“Open yours first,” Samuel said.
Zara tenderly pulled on the pink bow tied around the fancy box and gently tore open the gift wrap. She gazed at the love of her life, Zara already knew she would love whatever it was, because her husband always put so much thought in anything he bought her. She opened the box and fresh tears ran down her cheeks. It was a gold and silver charm bracelet with memorandum from their years together starting in the high school cafeteria. Zara lifted the charm bracelet and the first charm was their initials, the year they actually met followed by the year they made love for the first time, wedding date, initials and birth stone of each daughter and even one for their granddaughter. The last charm was the number twenty-five enclosed in diamonds. “Sam,” she smiled. “I love it.”
Samuel placed his gift on the table and took the bracelet placing it around her wrist. “A celebration of our love.”
Zara pushed up on her tiptoes and kissed his lips. “Now open yours.”
He retrieved the gift bag taking out the box and unlike her he rapidly tore the gift wrap shredding it to pieces, and opened it. He swallowed staring at the platinum watch with four diamonds. “Whoa…” he showed their family and friends what Zara had gave him.
“Damn!” Corina yelled. “You two really love each other.”
“Turn it over,” she whispered.
Samuel gently took the fancy watch out its enclosure and read the engraving. “I love you more with each passing second, 25 and counting 5/5/91 S&Z.” Zara was limited on what she could have engraved because there wasn’t enough room. Sam inched forward and his lips descended upon her conveying all the love he felt for her, taking her mouth prisoner. “Thank you,” he said against her lips.
“Stop that!” Andrea yelled. “They are children in this room.”
Adrianna giggled. “Papa and Mama kissing.” she pointed at them as Samuel took off the watch he wore, replacing it with his new one.
Samantha chuckled standing out her chair, “To mom and dad!” She lifted a champagne glass in the air, and everyone stood following suit taking a sip of their champagne.
Zara and Sam’s head snapped when they saw Zoe taking a sip of the bubbly drink in her hand too.
“It’s apple cider mommy,” Zoe cleared up. “Gosh.”
Samuel and Zara both snickered staring at each other, she knew he was thinking the same thing.
Happy Anniversary by Tony Toni Tone began playing, and Samuel took her hands in his and they started dancing to the music as their family and friends cheered them on. This is everything she ever dreamed of when she was a child to grow old with the man she loved and watched their seed together grow and nourish. She smiled gazing at her granddaughter twirling next to them. This is what life was about, the moments you cherish. They made the best of what they had, and look at them now. Andrea was about to enroll back in community college, in a year Samantha would graduate college and in a few months their last child would be going off to college hopefully nearby. Everything they had sacrifice throughout the years had paid off big time.
Samuel softly kissed her lips and then gazed into her eyes as they swayed to the music. “My forever love.”
She circled her hands around his neck, like it was only them in the room. “Por siempre mi Amor.” Zara repeated in her broken Spanish.
Epilogue
Adrianna stared at Zara with her eyebrows together in confusion. Samuel and Zoe also watched her as tears ran down her cheeks. She sniffled watching the cartoon on the big screen TV.
“Mama,” Adrianna wiped at Zara’s tears with her small delicate hands. “Why you cry?”
Zara lips curled up, “Why are they treating happy feet so mean?”
Really, Samuel said in his head. How many times have they watched this movie, and every time Zara sobbed like someone stole their pet?
“I mean they should embrace his uniqueness,” she mumbled. “He’s a little different.”
“Mama,” Adrianna smiled. “Happy feet is not real,” she giggled.
Samuel and Zoe chuckled. “Z, really?”
“Whatever!” Zara stood up. “It’s just sad that’s all,” she strolled out the family room, and he heard her go up the stairs. “No moral support!” she yelled.
“Moral support,” Zoe said underneath her breath. “Dad what did you do this time?” she asked with a smirk.
“Me,” he pointed at himself. “I’ve been on my best behavior lately. You on the other hand are leaving in six months.”
“Isn’t that what you and mom have been waiting for?” Zoe leaned back in the sofa. “You’ll have this big house all to yourself.”
“Nope,” Adrianna crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m living with Papa and Mama.”
“I wonder what your mom would think about that?” Zoe playfully pulled one of Adrianna’s ponytails.
Samuel had to admit that he got emotional when Zoe received three acceptance letters to colleges out of state. He assumed she would go to school close by like Andrea and Samantha did. Zara wasn’t taking the news of their baby girl leaving lightly. Every time they even mentioned college she would tear up. “I can’t wait,” Samuel chuckled. “Adrianna you can visit from time to time.”
His granddaughter pouted her lips.
“Sam!” Zara yelled. “Come here!”
“See,” Zoe giggled exposing her dimples. “It’s you.” She teased as he stood.
“Sam!”
“I’m coming,” he took the steps two at a time and entered their room. Zara was sitting on the edge of the bed with her hands over her face in tears. “Zara it’s just a kid movie. What’s going on?” he asked concerned. “Is it Zoe leaving?”
Zara shook her head.
“Let me get you some tissue,” he walked into the bathroom a
nd stopped dead in his tracks when he saw not just one but three pregnancy tests. “No way.” He picked one up seeing two dark pink lines and then grabbed the other two, his heart started racing. Two blue lines were marked on another brand and a yes on what seemed to be a more expensive one. This had to be a fucking prank. “Zara!” Samuel ran out the bathroom with the sticks in his hand. “Is this for real?”
“Yes.” She uncovered her face and twisted to the side to face him. “You got me pregnant.”
Samuel couldn’t hide the laughter building up inside of him and Zara gave him the death stare. “I guess I’ll finally get my son after all.” God was being funny, she was crying because her baby was finally leaving the house, and now she was pregnant. “How far along do you think you are?”
“I haven’t had my period since…” Zara picked up one of their pillows and threw it at him. “Last baby was an anniversary gift and this one is too. Forget about our crazy sex traditions. I’m not having sex with you on our anniversary anymore, do you hear me?” She pointed at Sam making him burst out in laugher.
“My swimmers still work,” he placed the sticks on the dresser and stood in front of her. “There goes our empty nesters dream.”
She smacked his stomach. “It’s not funny. You know how freaking emotional I get when I’m pregnant, this time around I even cry watching stupid Santa Clause commercials. I can’t believe I’m pregnant,” Zara whispered. “I thought my body was preparing for menopause not a baby,” she touched her belly taking a deep breath. “We’re too old to be having a baby.”
“Who says?” Samuel caressed the side of her face. “God works miracles, and who are we to ask why?” He inched in between her legs. “I was in shock when I saw the test, but now I’m happy,” he softly kissed her nose. “Another little one made with love,” Sam placed his hand over hers. “We got this new chapter in our life,” he encouraged her. “I can’t wait to meet our little bundle of joy. Lil Sam,” he entwined their fingers together. “To new beginnings were having a baby!”
“Yes.” Zara’s smile finally reached her beautiful eyes. “To new beginnings with my forever.”
THE END
Ancelli’s Books:
My Best Friend
Stronger Than Ever
If Only We Knew
Forgiveness & Second Chances
Love In Strange Places
Barely Breathing
Love Through Pain
Love’s Sacrifice
Not Always
Perfectly Mixed
Only You
Finally Home
Vacation Love
Craigslist Lover
About the Author
On my spare time, I love scribbling and making my words come to life. I love writing romance stories about couples that go through trials and come out stronger. Love is never easy, but it's worth all the hard work. I would like to hear your opinion whether good or bad, you can leave your comments at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Interracial-Romance/423055121069489
https://www.facebook.com/writer.ancelli
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Twitter: @Author_Ancelli
