Reflections Ch. 06

This is the final chapter. Thank you for those who stayed with me on this one. As always a big 'Thank You' to Estragon for his editing and making this a much better read.

*

"Why do you want to go to college?" I asked Vicky. I do have to say it bothered me. I wanted to trust her but because of my past, I was also worried.

"I'm taking a citizenship test to become an American citizen. I have to go twice a week for the next six months. My travel visa will expire in nine months."

"You know if you would just marry me you could stay in this country. You wouldn't need to go to college"

"Buddy, we've talked about this and I think we have a good thing going. I love you and you love me. Your mom told me about your first wife going back to college and the problems that occurred. I promise you I would never do anything to hurt you. You know that. You have to learn to trust me more. You are my life."

What could I say? She wanted to become an American citizen and stay with me. I told her I would take her shopping for a vehicle the next day. Mom smiled at us as we were leaving. I wondered if something was up.

After work the following day we went car shopping. I took her to the expensive sports cars figuring that would be what she wanted. She would sure look sexy in them even though it would make me a bit more insecure. Instead she went to the family type sedans. "I want something more like this," she stated.

"I figured you would want something a little more sporty?" I replied.

"They're nice but I want a vehicle with a back seat for the baby."

"Baby! What baby?" I said rather shocked.

"The one we are having in about six months. I wanted to surprise you. I hope you're happy."

I was shocked! "I'm happy but a bit shocked. I thought you used a diaphragm or something?"

"I did till I moved in with you. Are you really happy?"

"Yes, I am. We should get married you know."

"No, the baby will carry your last name. I don't want anyone thinking I got pregnant to get you to marry me. Isn't that what happened in your last marriage?"

She was right and people would think she tricked me. I wasn't sure about kids but I knew Vicky wanted them. I remembered her mentioning it.

Life was good and Vicky had a special glow about her while being pregnant. She was happy and never complained. She had told Mom before she told me. That's why Mom had smiled at us.

****

I'll need to jump ahead here for a bit. We had a baby boy and named him William. Vicky and I called him Billy from the start. In the next three years we had two more kids. Our daughter we named Sasha. Vicky said she always liked that name. We named our other son Charles and nicknamed him Chad. After Chad was born I had a vasectomy. Vicky and I decided we had enough children.

I asked Vicky from the beginning if she wanted a nanny to help with the kids. She told me she was going to raise her own children and be there for them. She loved being a mother. Mom offered to help if she ever needed anything. Mom would watch them when Vicky had an advertising shoot.

During her first pregnancy she got a job offer. It was to do a shoot for pregnant women's clothing. They couldn't believe they found someone like Vicky to model the clothing in women's magazine ads. It made Vicky happy that she was able to work and at her own pace.

After Billy was born she took a few offers to work with hair product ads and lotions. I believe it made her feel more self-assured. She never asked me for money.

One thing I never mentioned to anyone was that Vicky could easily support herself. She told me she had over eight hundred thousand dollars saved from her modeling days.

Shortly after Billy was born Vicky took her citizen test and passed it with flying colors. There was a party gathering for all the new citizens and we attended it. I felt a bit out of place but I was there for Vicky. I noticed she was one of the more popular people in her class, even though she was pregnant through all of it.

Many men and women came up to greet her and she introduced them to me. They would hug her and tell her how they would miss her. When there was music playing a number of the men asked Vicky to dance. She would look over at me and say, "No, I don't think so but thank you anyway." If any persisted she would hold my arm and smile.

It was enough to let her classmates or friends know she was with me. I just had this thing about strange men holding my wife (that's how I thought of her) too close. I knew I carried jealousy now but it wasn't something I wanted. I wish I wasn't that way.

Vicky had met some of the other women in our apartment building. They were all married and began visiting one another. They convinced Vicky to join the exercise gym. It was only a few doors down the block from where we lived.

At first I was worried because it was déjà vu all over again. It's how it started with Marlene. Shortly after she had the kids she joined the same gym. I wasn't sure of what to say to Vicky. She has done nothing wrong and just had a few new friends in our apartment building. I'm looking back and seeing her go to college and now the gym.

I did tell her I was worried a little about the gym with all its male members hitting on her. She smiled and said that she was going three times a week for two hours and it was women only. I really do believe that she liked that I was a little jealous.

I asked who was going to watch Billy and she said she was taking him with her. They did provide a baby sitting service. I felt a little better after that.

One night after I came home Vicky mentioned we were invited to a dinner party at one of her friend's apartment. I guess she was throwing a small birthday party for her husband. She introduced me to her friends and we had dinner with them and their spouses. Vicky was definitely in a class of her own and did get flirted with all the time.

These couples were all my age so seeing Vicky there must have made them wonder what she was doing with an older man like me. To be honest here, I'm not a bad looking guy but I did look my age. I even got flirted with by a couple of the women at the party.

After the party I asked Vicky if any of the husbands of her friends tried to hit on her. She told me that they flirted but she let them know that she was a one man woman and I was that man and if they ever pushed the envelope that she and I had no secrets and that she would tell me.

One thing I should mention, but most people realize. Vicky told me that women get hit on and flirted with all the time. It's how they handle it that counts. Some men are just predators and others want to see what they can get away with. She also told me that there are a lot of women the same way and that I should watch out too.

Vicky had mentioned to me if I had a problem with her going to the pool with her girlfriends. Needless to say it bothered me but I knew that I had to learn to trust Vicky more.

She said she needed to try on her bathing suit and when she walked in the room I looked at her nearly shocked. "There is no way in hell you are going to wear that suit to a pool. Maybe in a hot tub with only you and me in it.

"Two band-aids and a cork would cover more." Vicky started laughing. She had put on that suit just to rile me up. She did come out later in a one piece but still looked great.

I did worry about her but that's what men do, worry about the women they love. Vicky did spend a little time during the day with her friends. She kept busy with Billy and also going to see my parents. She loved visiting with them.

One day when I got home early Vicky was still at my parents' house with Billy. There was a knock on the door and it was one of her friends Jenny. She came to see Vicky and wanted to know if she wanted to go for a girls' night out with her and some friends.

Jenny asked me a lot of personal questions, to which I mumbled out a few answers. She was out and out flirting with me. I could have taken her in the room and fucked her. She even told me if I was ever bored to give her a call. I tried to be nice and told her I would pass her information about the girls' night out to Vicky. She flirted a little more, which made me uncomfortable and then left.

When Vicky came home I wondered whether I should tell her about Jenny and the flirting. "Vicky, your friend Jenny came to see you. She wanted to know if you wanted to go out with the girls tonight."

I held back telling her about the flirting. Also I didn't want to tell her I wished she wouldn't go out with these women. I was doing my best to trust her.

"No, I don't do 'girls' night out.' All it seems to do is bring trouble to a relationship. If a woman is single and out looking for guys, it's one thing. But, for married women to go to a bar or lounge and want to meet up with other men spells trouble. If I want to drink and dance, I'll go out with you."

She then came up and kissed me. "Vicky, I don't want to have any secrets from you. I think your friend Jenny was trying to put the make on me. I felt I should tell you."

"You didn't do anything did you?" asked Vicky.

"Of course not. Why do you think I'm telling you?"

"Mary, my other friend says that Jenny and Mark are swingers. Usually you just have to tell them you're not interested and they'll leave you alone. In fact I carry mace in my purse for those guys that can't take no for an answer. I will tell Jenny to leave my man alone if she still wants to be friends."

Vicky was so non-chalant when it came to people. She explained to me that she has come across many swingers, lesbians, and perverts in her modeling career that it doesn't bother her. She tells them they can have their lives as long as it doesn't include her. I have to admit she is quite the woman.

It was then she told me she had another surprise for me. She went to the doctor and was pregnant again. It was with Sasha. Again I was surprised but happy. Vicky was a great mother and took the kids with her most every time she went somewhere. Of course that made me happy.

After Chad was born I had the vasectomy. We both decided we had a big enough family. We did many things as a family. Throughout the years we were involved with the kids in everything they were in. I have to say having Vicky there was a lot easier on me then when I helped raise Mike and Lisa without a woman by my side.

While pregnant with Sasha we knew we needed to buy a house. We went house hunting and Vicky asked if we could get one close to where Mom and Dad lived. She liked visiting with them and it gave them a chance to see the kids.

We bought a house just before Sasha was born. It was big but not as big as Mom and Dad's. We had five bedrooms and three baths and enough closet room so I could have my clothes in the master bedroom.

****

I need to go back and explain a couple of things. Needless to say when Vicky first moved here my daughter Lisa wasn't sure of her. When the kids came home from college they had to stay with Mom and Dad since we didn't have the room.

One day Vicky was home from college and learned of Vicky's pregnancy. She came over to see us and was telling us she was surprised we were starting a new family. Vicky looked at her. "You are wrong Lisa. We are not starting a new family. We are all one family. You will always be your father's daughter as Mike will always be his first son.

"We are just continuing our family. Any children we have will be your brother or sister. As for me I hope to be your friend. One you can confide in. I know what it's like to be raised without a mother. I never knew mine. I'll always be here for you if you need to talk or even shop."

Lisa looked differently at Vicky from that day forward. Vicky would stop over every time she was home. One day she asked Vicky if she would go shopping for a dress. There was a formal dance at college. They went shopping and Vicky bought a couple of maternity dresses. Lisa didn't find a dress.

Vicky took Lisa into her closet. "I'm sure we can find something for you in here. I have a friend who is a seamstress. She's one who can make sure it fits you perfectly."

"But, these are your Paris originals! Why would you do this for me?" asked Lisa.

"Because, I love your father and so I love his daughter. Besides, look at me, I won't be wearing outfits like this for a long time and besides I'll have to get them fitted anyway."

Over the next few years whenever Lisa needed a nice outfit, Vicky always took her to Victoria's closet. She even had shoes to match most every outfit. They became the best of friends.

After Lisa graduated she met a wonderful man and was to be married. She introduced him to us and told us about their wedding. She asked Vicky if she would help her with the wedding plans. They did it for the next six months. When it came time for a wedding dress, Vicky took her to Victoria's closet and showed her the dress she had worn in the shows.

Lisa couldn't believe Vicky would part with the dress. "I know we're not that far different in age, but I love you like a daughter." said Vicky to Lisa.

They got the dress altered and needless to say my little girl looked beautiful. My son Michael was married two years later. Here I was with three kids at home and a woman I loved with all my heart but she wouldn't marry me.

****

As time went on life was so good. I had a wonderful woman by my side and she was a fantastic mother to our kids. She was also a great business attribute.

Whenever I had a dinner engagement I had Vicky on my arm. A lot of people were surprised when they found out we were a couple. It was odd when strangers saw us together and they would catch me alone and ask me what service I was using. I wasn't sure if I should be offended or proud. Whenever I told Vicky about it she would put on a little show.

Sometimes it was just a kiss or maybe she'd show a little extra leg. A few times she put her hand in my lap. If we were out with another couple and the man would ask to dance with Vicky I was always a little worried but I didn't need to be. Vicky was always able to handle the situation.

As the years passed our kids grew up but even as teenagers we were there for them. Whatever they were in we attended as family. Even as we aged Vicky was always a beautiful woman. After our first child was born she had her long hair cut. She donated it the to an organization that helped kids with leukemia. They made human hair wigs for them.

After her hair grew back she cut it again about ten years later. I honestly considered her the perfect woman. About the only modeling she was doing now was facial and hand creams. She had these beautiful green eyes that pulled you in when you looked into them.

She donated a lot of her dresses or gave them to family members and friends. She still kept quite a few but since having the children she had to have them altered. Needless to say the kids pretty much changed her body but it was still beautiful and I loved kissing and rubbing oil on every inch of it.

At least once every other year we would take the trip to Paris to do the audit and visit with Ron and Barb. They had kids of their own who would soon be in the family business. While I would audit the books Vicky and Barb would go see some of Vicky's old friends.

Most were married and doing some modeling job. They weren't part of the traveling troupe anymore. Vicky always seemed both happy and sad after our visit to Paris. I asked Vicky if she was disappointed with the decision she made to come live with me.

"No, not in a million years. Don't get me wrong. I love Paris and I enjoyed being a model. I'm both happy and sad to see my old friends but I would never have wanted to give up the family and life we have together. I'm sure everyone knows that by now.

"Buddy, you and I were always meant to be together from the day we met. I really believe that and bet my life on it and won."

I kissed her.

****

My ending thoughts:

There was a knock on the church office door. It was my youngest son Chad. He was the only one still at home; He would be graduating next year. Sasha and Billy were already in college but came home often.

"Everyone was wondering where you were Dad. It's time for us to go in the sanctuary. Everyone is waiting for you."

I got up dabbed my eyes from all the reflections. You see, for my sixty-fifth birthday Vicky asked me to marry her. After nearly twenty-one years she said everyone should know that she has loved me for the wonderful man I am.

Chad, my youngest son was my best man. Our daughter Sasha was one of Vicky's bridesmaid and our son Billy was giving his mother away. My twins from my first marriage were both in the wedding. Lisa, my oldest daughter was one of Vicky's best friends and her matron of honor. Her daughter, my granddaughter Brittney, was the flower girl while my son Mike's youngest son, Jimmy, was the ring bearer. It was truly a family wedding. Mike and his wife, and Lisa and her husband each had three kids.

I walked into the packed sanctuary and couldn't believe all the people who came to our wedding. All eyes were on Chad and me as we walked to the front of the church. It looked like just about everyone I knew was attending our big day, which was a long time coming.

Sitting in the front row were my ninety-two year old father and eighty-nine year old mother. Both still had their wits about them. They had sold their large home to my son Mike years ago but still lived in a smaller home and still had servants helping them out.

The wedding was starting. First coming down the aisle were the bridesmaids with the groomsmen, all family members. I have to say that I had nothing to do with setting up the wedding. All I was told was that I would be wearing a tux. Vicky took care of everything.

First to come down the aisle was my daughter Sasha. Then, there was my son Mike and his wife, Lisa and her husband, followed by two of my grandchildren rolling out a white roll of cloth for the bride to walk on. I watched it all unfold in front of my eyes. I saw the flower girl as she threw down rose pedals, Vicky's favorite. She was followed by the ring bearer.

Then I heard the wedding march and everyone stood up. In the doorway was the most beautiful women I have ever seen. Victoria had on a bridal gown that she had ordered in Paris when we were there last year.

She had planned this for an entire year and I didn't have a clue. All my family and friends knew but all kept Vicky's secret. On my birthday when she asked me to marry her I couldn't believe it. Needless to say, I said "Yes".

Vicky looked like an angel. She had let her hair grow long again and it was draped over her shoulder. I know everyone must have had tears in their eyes as Billy walked his mother down the aisle; I know I did. When she got to the front of the church I stood next to her. We didn't have a rehearsal dinner so I played it by ear.

Everyone sat down. I was standing there facing Vicky. She was smiling and looked so beautiful. I was waiting for what comes next when my oldest granddaughter stood by the piano and sang my favorite song.

I'm not a religious man by nature but I do believe in God. There must be someone who watched over me and matched Vicky and I together. I know it didn't just happen by dumb luck.

I know I had watery eyes as my granddaughter sang 'Precious Memories'. The song is just one of those that get to me and Vicky knew it. I listened as it was sung.

As I travel down life's pathway, Knowing not what the years may hold.

As I ponder hopes grow fonder, Precious memories flood my soul.

Precious Memories how they linger, How they ever flood my soul.

In the stillness of the midnight, Precious sacred scenes unfold.

Precious father loving mother, Fly across the lonely years.