Page 23 of Resolution
“Mornin’, kiddos. Be good to your ma. I love you so much,” comes out naturally as if it’s not at all crazy to be talking from thousands of miles away to a beautiful belly. I can’t help myself, I want my kids to know me. “I can’t wait to…” Samantha interrupts me with a loud, uncomfortable groan and suddenly, I’m on instant alert. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Relax. I just moved and now I feel like the weight of the world is pressing on my bladder.” Her face is now a slight shade of pink as embarrassment spreads across her features. Suddenly, the phone is a blur as she bolts out of bed. “I’ll call you right back,” is heard with sudden urgency in the distance and the screen goes black.
Oh, fuck. Is she sick again? Please God, let her be okay. Being halfway around the world has never sucked harder than it does at this instant. I hate not being there for Samantha.
Thankfully, my thoughts don’t get too far out of control before my phone notifies me of a video call coming through. I’m greeted with a guilt-ridden face. Samantha shrugs as “Sorry,” becomes the first thing I hear.
What’s she sorry for? “Are you okay?” My mind nearly spins out of control wondering what could have happened to make her end the call so abruptly.
Her face turns a brighter shade of red. Her shoulders are nearly attached to her ears as she states, “Had to pee.”
Seriously? I got worked up over that? I burst out with laughter. “Christ, Sam. You had me thinking you were sick again or something was seriously wrong.” I laugh some more at my ridiculousness. “Had to pee? Really?”
“Well, yeah… It felt like I wasn’t going to make it. I didn’t want you hearing me pee.” Her face suddenly screws up with a look of disgust. “Or worse, watch me pee.”
“Fuck,” comes out in another spout of laughter, but I somehow manage to get it under control. Somewhat. “Beautiful, I know I’ve never been married, so this is new territory for me, but don’t you think this is something we ought to get used to?”
“Enzo,” comes out almost like a curse.
“Seriously, Sam. Chances are, at some point, I’m going to see or hear you do your business. It’s not a big deal.”
“Maybe for you it isn’t,” she pouts defensively. “Nearly peeing my pants just because I rolled over is embarrassing enough, I think… I’m not even that far along. Wait until I sneeze or cough when I’mreallypregnant… Besides, I didn’t need you to experience it firsthand.”
I can’t win this argument, so I simply admit, “Even if you did, beautiful, I’d love you anyway. You’ve got nothing to be embarrassed about.”
She’s quiet for a moment. Her features have returned to normal and she sighs. “I know.”
To change the subject, I state, “You should receive some packages in the next day or so. I bought the kids some presents to put under the tree from me, and there’s one being sent to your office. I’d advise you not to open that one until you’re home alone.” A conspiratorial grin spreads across my face. There’s no way I’m giving away her surprise. But I’ll give her a warning.
“Enzo. What did you do?” She attempts to use her mom voice with me. But it won’t work today.
“Some things are just better left alone,” I tease. Dropping the subject, I switch to one she’s sure to latch onto, and hopefully forget about her surprise until it arrives. “So, I talked with Melanie today. We hashed out a lot of the details for the wedding. She’ll be contacting you today to verify things.”
“Oh, really?” She glances at her bedside clock and blanches. “Did you wake her at the ass-crack of dawn or something? Geesh, Enzo. Not everyone likes to know there’s two five o’clocks in a day.”
I lightly laugh at her reference to my inability to sleep in. “Actually, she called me knowing I’d have time to talk.”
We spend the next twenty minutes going over the details for the wedding. Before long, she has to get off the phone to make it to her hair appointment on time. As I disconnect the call, I can’t believe how much I love Samantha and our newly forming family. I’m one lucky SOB to get to have her in my life. Sometimes, I shake my head in disbelief that she actually said yes. I just hope she appreciates me after the gift I’m sending her.
9
Samantha
With Christmas being lessthan a week away, I make the most of my time to finish last-minute details, while the kids are in school or at Devin’s. While I was in Germany, I picked up a few things for Enzo and left them at the top of his closet. They’re small and won’t take up much space.
I know he’s about done packing his apartment, but he’ll still be there through Christmas. After that, he’ll either bunk with a buddy in a guest room or stay on base in temporary housing, depending how often he’s actually at Ramstein. He’s been radio silent for a few days, since our last video call. I miss him like crazy, and though he told me to expect this to happen, it doesn’t make the distance any easier. He can’t tell me where he is, so for now, no news is good news. He seemed to think he’d be back on base by Christmas, so hopefully we will at least talk to one another then.
With Christmas vacation for the kids starting tomorrow, I’ve arranged my schedule so I won’t meet with clients until the New Year. I want to relax and spend time with my family. Though various projects need my attention, I’m relieved not to have work commitments for the next two weeks.
Just as I’m about to leave the office for lunch, I get an unexpected phone call from Sara, Enzo’s mother. She greets me warmly, “Hello, dear. Am I catching you at a bad time?”
“Not at all, Sara. How are you?” I ask as I sit back in my chair and stretch my legs out under my desk. For some reason, just the sound of her voice puts me at ease.
“Oh, I can’t complain. I’ve spent the morning with Zoey and she’s napping now.” Sara lets out a low sigh, then laughs. “Boy, keeping up with a two-year-old is a sure way to stay young at heart. But honestly, I’m not sure who’s more ready for a nap, her or me.”
I chuckle right along with her at the thought. “I remember those days. Frankiealways kept me on my toes…” I almost add,just wait until we’re chasing twins.But thankfully I catch myself beforehand.I wonder what she’ll think about being a grandma again.I can’t wait until we’re past our first trimester and we can tell people. I hate keeping secrets.
“So… Enzo mentioned you’re going to be alone on Christmas Day,” Sara states as she jumps to the point of her call. I guess Enzo was right when he said his mother never minces words.
