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CHAPTER 75
CHAPTER 75 – Zara’s POV
Fifteen years have passed since Lucas and I exchanged our vows, a journey filled with ups and downs, tears and smiles. We have faced countless challenges, nearly losing hope at times, but our determination has kept us fighting.
Has it been an easy road for us? No, there’s no such thing as a perfect relationship. We, like any couple, have experienced moments of doubt and contemplation.
But we have also found reasons to hold on tightly, to weather the storms together. We understand that true happiness and a healthy relationship require effort and commitment.
They say that when you’re truly happy, time flies by unnoticed. And indeed, the time has flown. It feels like just yesterday when my children were young, and now they tower over me, grown into remarkable individuals.
Enrique, our eldest, was already twenty-five years old. He has blossomed into a handsome, intelligent young man, dedicated to his studies and still possessing a gentle sweetness. He would be forever a Mama’s boy, choosing to remain close to home despite his age.
He’s yet to find a partner as he was savoring his bachelor days, and while I’m not in a hurry for grandchildren, I couldn’t deny that time waits for no one. With a business degree under his belt, Enrique was poised to take on the responsibility of managing the Blackwood group of companies.
We have always encouraged him to follow his own path, be it in medicine, law, engineering, or any other field. However, it’s clear that business flows through his veins, and our pride in him knows no bounds.
Ava, our youngest, has blossomed into a young woman, celebrating her nineteenth birthday on November. When she was thirteen, she underwent an eye surgery, a pivotal moment in her life. Now, she aspired to become a model and fashion designer, drawing inspiration from her godmother, Antoinette, and her aunt, Stephanie. I wholeheartedly support my daughter’s dreams and aspirations.
As the cold December wind embraced my skin, I found comfort in wrapping my arms around myself upon exiting the van. We had just returned from the market, having completed our shopping for the upcoming Christmas. Yes, we have a maids, but it has become my tradition to prepare for this special occasion.
Amidst the busyness, I often find myself missing my children. They have embarked on their own journeys, carving their own paths in life. I knew that the day will come when they must spread their wings and venture further away from me. Such was the nature of life. Yet, it didn’t stop the bittersweet sadness from enveloping me.
“Darling,” a voice interrupted my thoughts, unmistakably familiar.
He embraced me once more, and in that moment, it felt as if time had stood still. Our marriage, still as sweet as that very first kiss, had stood the test of time. We both may be showing signs of aging, nearing our 50s, but my husband remained as captivating as ever.
“Love, you seem lost in thought again. Are you tired? I told you to let Karen handle the preparation,” my husband expressed her concern.
“Lucas, I’m still strong. I may have a few wrinkles, a few imperfections, but I’m still strong,” I playfully retorted.
While many have commented on how I seemed to defy the aging process, I did take care of my skin, appreciating the importance of self-care.
As we continued on this remarkable journey together, navigating the twists and turns that life presents, I am grateful for the fifteen years we have shared and excited for the many more to come.
With a smile on my face and Lucas by my side, we head inside to prepare food for the Christmas Eve. My husband turned to me, a slight frown on his face.
“Who sees you as ugly and old? All I see is the young woman I fell in love with, Zara Delafontaine Blackwood.” His words still carried the sweetness that first captivated me.
A smile refused to leave my lips as the Christmas lights in our home twinkled as brightly as the love in our eyes. I gently released myself from his embrace, assuring him that I’ll take care of preparing our meal. He insisted on helping, but I stood my ground, affirming my role as a devoted wife and mother.
As I entered the kitchen, my husband playfully scampered upstairs, his childlike excitement endearing. Though the years have passed, he remained as handsome as the day we met.
Both of us made it a priority to maintain our figures, regularly visiting the gym and embracing a healthy lifestyle. Our commitment to exercise and well-being ensures that time didn’t take its toll on our appearances.
That’s why, despite the calendar advancing, we both possessed the strength and vitality of youth. I dived into the culinary task at hand, skillfully gathering the tools and ingredients for the day’s cooking.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g
This morning, I prepared freshly baked bread rolls, while planning to craft a sumptuous feast of roasted chicken and pasta for our evening meal. The rest of the dishes would be cooked later in the day.
As I fried the bread rolls, a warm embrace enveloped me. Automatically, a smile spread across my face.
“Merry Christmas, Mom! I’ve missed you and Dad so much!” My daughter’s eyes glistened with tears.
“I’ve missed you too, my dear. How was your trip to Italy? Are you with Aunt Stephanie?” I asked, passing the thongs to our dedicated helper, Karen.
“They’re at Grandpa and Grandma’s. We’re all gathering at their place tomorrow.”
I couldn’t help but recall the time when Ava had suitors aplenty. Lucas and Enrique, as protective as they were, created an impenetrable shield around her. How could she find a boyfriend with such vigilant guardians?
“Why am I not part of this hug?” a male voice interjected playfully.
I swiftly turned to see my eldest, Enrique, standing tall, a hint of jealousy in his eyes. I wrapped my arms around my firstborn, who has been away from home for three months due to a work project abroad.
“You didn’t mention that you are coming, my love,” I said, showering his face with kisses. He pretended to be annoyed, but a hint of a smile betrayed his true emotions.
“Mom! I’m a grown up now. Please stop with the kisses,” he complained.
“Oh, my oldest no longer loves me. He’s grown so tall, undergone circumcision, and now he has a girlfriend. It seems he’s forgotten about his dear old mom,” I said, feigning a sad frown.
“Mom! That’s not true at all! You are the greatest woman in my life, and my love for you knows no bounds,” he reassured me, his words bringing a smile to my face.
“Thank you, Ken, but once you have your own wife soon, she should be your number one, and not me. Understand?”
“Yes, Mom.”
As we gathered around the table, ready to feast and celebrate this Christmas, Lucas and I exchanged knowing smiles. How many Christmases, New Years, birthdays, and ordinary days have we shared together?
Perched on the rooftop, our hands clasped tightly, we gazed at the perfect crescent moon. At that moment, he leaned in and kissed me. Tears unexpectedly streamed down my face-a manifestation of overwhelming happiness that couldn’t be contained.
“I love you, Lucas Blackwood. You are the greatest gift life has bestowed upon me.”
“My dear Zara, I will love you eternally. In this life and the next…”
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