Chasing Forever

Miranda and Ben lay in bed, several inches apart, their fingertips barely touching. A knock on their bedroom door made Miranda wake up. "Answer it," Ben said moaning.

She smiled and put her hand in his. "No. I'm asleep."

"You're not." Miranda pretended to snore and opened one eye. Ben looked at his wife and exhaled: "Come in, daughter."

Their youngest child, Mikayla, walked through the door. "Good morning."

"Good morning, baby," Miranda responded, propping her pillow up.

"It's your wedding anniversary today," the girl said sitting on the bed.

Miranda looked over at her husband. He was a little heavier, a little grayer and getting a little sexier every day. "Oh, yeah," he said and Mikayla laughed.

"Happy Anniversary, baby," she said leaning over to kiss him.

"Happy Anniversary, babe," Ben told her, his hand on her waist. "Wait, what number is this?"

She hit him. "Twenty… something."

"Holy shit," he laughed.

Miranda joined in: "Benjamin Warren!"

"Pretend all you want—twenty… whatever is a huge number." Ben winked at their daughter.

"It is, but we've known each other for something like…"

"forty-ish years," Ben said matter-of-factly.

"Ugh, don't remind me," she responded with a smirk. She squeezed his hand.

"Can I ask you guys something?" Their daughter asked. They nodded already knowing where this was going. "How'd you meet?" She loved when they told the story together, even joining in to tell some parts herself.

"We've told you this story before," Ben said to the eleven-year old.

"I want to hear it again," she said.

"Ask your brother or sister," he said gesturing to the door.

"Please!" She said getting between them.

"Tell the story, husband."

"Only if you help me, wife."

"Okay." Miranda took a deep breath.

"Mama! Daddy! I'm home!" A voice called through the house.

"Destiny!" Mikayla said. "We're in mommy's room."

"It's my room, too," Ben said making them laugh.

Destiny walked into their bedroom and Miranda felt like she was watching her clone maneuver. "Hey, y'all," she said. She hugged her father and kissed her father on the cheek. Destiny ticked her little sister, pulling the girl into her chest.

"Happy Anniversary, parentals." Miranda and Ben thanked her. "We came home for your anniversary."

"Your boyfriend is here, too?" Miranda asked. "What's his name?" She turned to her husband.

"I don't know. 'Average Joe'?" Ben offered.

Miranda pinched him. "Stop."

"No," Destiny jumped in. "His name was Brian. I dumped him. I'm talking about William; he's here."

"Oh," Ben said. "Are you okay?" He shared a quick look with Miranda who looked relieved.

"Yeah, I'm fine. It's cool," Destiny said simply.

"Good," Miranda said winking at her oldest daughter.

"So, my son is here?" Ben asked.

"Yes." Destiny answered, sitting on the bed. She started playing in Mikayla's hair. "He came up before I did."

"Where did he go?" The youngest of them asked. "We didn't see him."

"I'm here. I'm here. The favorite is here." Everyone groaned. Destiny threw a pillow at her twin. "I had to go to the bathroom," William said chuckling. He kicked off his shoes and joined the rest of his family on the bed. In him, Miranda saw the young version of her own father that she'd only seen in pictures.

"So you were lurking around up here and no one noticed?" Ben said. The son nodded. The father shook his head.

"Hug," Mikayla said holding out her hands for her brother. William hugged them all.

"So what are we doing?" They told him. "Oh, yeah, duh, Happy Anniversary, mom. Happy Anniversary, dad."

Miranda was elated. Her entire family was piled in her bed, chattering and filling her heart with pride. "Okay, okay, everybody be quiet!" Mikayla said. "They're about to tell the story."

Ben looked past their kids to Miranda. "Ready?" He asked kissing her hand. They hadn't let go since Mikayla had come into the room.

"Ready," she said. "So I was a flower girl in Raven's wedding and this little boy kept following me."

"And you thought she was so pretty," Mikayla added. "Hunh, daddy?"

Ben smiled at Miranda. "Still do."

"And you thought he was weird. Right, mommy?" Mikayla chuckled.

"And I still do," Miranda said with a nod. The kids laughed, already entranced with the beginning of their story.

"She didn't know it then, but she was in love with me."

"I really wasn't." She turned to her kids. "He was annoying."

"You danced with me!" Ben argued.

"Because you begged me." She pulled her hand away, cheesing. "Practically on your hands and knees."

"Well…" He said wiggling his eyebrows. Destiny and William laughed. "I said I wanted to marry you. I predicted all of this." He gestured around the room, pointing at each of the kids. "So, you all are welcome."

"And I'm telling you now like I did then—go away." The kids doubled over with laughter. The two of them continued the story as the five of them made their way to the kitchen and prepared breakfast. After breakfast, Destiny took Mikayla to school and William went shopping for dinner.

When they were finally alone again, Miranda sat the table and watched Ben wash the dishes. He finished and sat next to her and asked: "More coffee?" She cocked her head to the side. "I don't even know why I asked."

"Want to take it to the living room?" She asked.

"Sure." They took their cups into their spacious living room. Mikayla's books were on the table. And the twins' bags were still at the door. Miranda couldn't hold back a smile. "What's that for?"

"What?"

"That smile," he said putting his mug to his lips. She got comfortable on the sofa, putting her legs on his lap. "So?"

"I was just thinking that… you are the love of my life, Ben." He reached out for her hand and kissed it. Her eyes started to burn and Ben put their cups on the table in front of them. "You are the father of my very intelligent, very well-mannered and beautiful children and my very best friend." Her hand went to her chest. "We…"

"Miranda." His voice was scratchy. "I'm man enough to say that you are going to make me cry."

"I'm going to make myself cry." They laughed, their laughs harmonizing. Miranda sighed and kept going: "Our life so far has been amazing. I don't know what our future has in store for us, but I know it will be amazing. And, honestly, I cannot wait." She smiled. "I just don't know what I would do without you."

"Well, you are inevitably stuck with me. And our three gorgeous children. The life that we have created and that you, specifically, have made so wonderful to be a part of has made me an extremely rich man." He licked his lips. "I am in love with you. Always have been." He kissed her, sliding his tongue into her mouth, tasting her.

"I am in love with you," Miranda said touching his beard. "And have been since… forever."

"I knew it!" Ben laughed.

"Yeah, yeah."

"Happy Anniversary, babe," he kissed her wedding ring.

She repositioned her body. "Right back at you, baby."

Ben pulled Miranda closer and kissed her passionately. His tongue entered her mouth again and she smiled as he touched her neck. Her hands found his head as their bodies were pressed against each other. The heat from his body matched hers. She knew exactly what he wanted. And all she wanted was him. That was the thing with them. They knew each other so well. And not just the big stuff like how she would get mad at him if he didn't say 'good night' to her no matter where they were in the world or how he loved when she held his hand in public, showing off their love; but the little stuff like he knew that she needed a few silent minutes in the morning before starting her day and she knew that he found it necessary to binge-watch his favorite TV shows all night on the weekends. And they satisfied each other in more ways than one. He was the only lover she'd ever had, but he was pretty amazing—she never got tired or bored of how he made her feel. And the years they spent together proved that he enjoyed her as well. She pulled away and he sighed, touching her thighs. "We have the house all to ourselves. Finally."

"It was your idea to have three children," she ribbed.

"You agreed." He held his stomach as he cracked up. She sucked her teeth and she touched the front of his shirt and moved closer to him. Miranda bit her bottom lip.

"Do not do that," he whispered.

"Do what?" She asked brushing her lips against his cheek.

Ben made a noise. "I want you, Miranda."

"I can tell, Benjamin."

His hands continued to caress her thighs, moving upward. "Want to take a shower?"

"I, uh, already took a shower," she said. He looked at her and raised his left eyebrow. "Oooh, you mean an adult shower." He nodded slowly. "A sexy shower. A dirty shower." She wiggled her brows. "Let's go. I'll follow you."

Her husband held out his hand and she grabbed it, holding on tight; just like she'd done on that dance floor when they were seven. Just like when she'd held his hand, leading him out of the church after they'd gotten married. Ben was so right, he'd wanted her from the time he'd laid eyes on her and had worked to get her, had earned her respect and trust and love. And she appreciated every year she got to spend with him. He was her soul mate. Their love and friendship had spanned nearly her whole life and Miranda was grateful that there was someone who was totally in love with her; someone who made her wake up with a genuine smile on her face. That he was hers—forever.

-The End-