Forever

Chapter 7

"So you're really gonna move in?" I ask Zac

"Well, I'm not sure. I'll have to ask my - our dad."

"Why wouldn't he want to move back?"


"I don't know. Maybe because it's been such a long time since we've all been together and we've gotten used to our life the way it is."

"But you want to move in, don't you?"

"Of course I do, you know that."

"Ok good. Well then ask your dad- ugh- our dad. I'll need to get used to this."

"Yeah, me too." He says with a small laugh along with it.

"Well I better get home and ask him."

"Ok, see ya."

"Bye."

He leaves, waves to me and I hear the door close. I take a deep breath and hope that he'll be able to move in.

Please.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Zac's POV

Finally, I get home and I face my dad.

"Dad?" I say in the nicest sounding way possible knowing that this is a lot to ask.

"Yes?"

"Um. Could I tell you what happened today?"

"Sure thing."

"Ok well there's this girl. She's a sophomore and we were put into the same math class."

He cuts me off.

"Zac, you couldn't possibly have been moved down in math, is that what happened?"

"No dad. Just let me finish. Well we were doing homework together today and um,"

God this is harder than I'd imagined. What am I saying? This is great news, why am I so nervous?!

"Well her name is Valentina. So I was at her house and it turns out I know her mom."

"Oh that's nice. Where do you know her from?"

"Well uh.. her mom happens to be my mom too."

Ok I just said that. Breathe Zac, breathe!

"Oh." He says looking down at the floor.

"Isn't that funny?"

"Yeah Zac, that's a strange coincidence." He says as he continues to look down and fidgets with his foot across the hard wood floors.

"What's wrong, dad?"

"Nothing it's just that. Ugh I don't know. It's just weird."

"Yeah but it must mean something, don't you think?"

"Like what?"

"Well maybe the reason we found each other again is because fate is bringing us back together because that's where we're meant to be."

"Zac, your mom and I split up for good reasons."

"Yeah I know but don't you think it's about time to work that out?"

"Why?"

Ugh dad, quit being so stubborn!!

At this point I begin to raise my voice.

"Because you love her dad!!"

He looks up directly at me. It's hard to maintain eye contact but I do it anyway remembering that I've finally found my mother.

"Zac, I don't know."

"Come on dad, you know you miss her. And as much as I love living here with you I really want a family again!"

"We are a family!"

"No we're not. We aren't a full family unless mom and Valentina are with us. All together like we used to be. I've become really close with Valentina and we talked about this. You know she doesn't even remember who you are? She had no idea who either of us were! Do you honestly want her to grow up that way? Especially now that she knows the truth?"

"Of course I don't."

"Alright then what are we arguing about?"

"I don't know. I just don't feel right about this."

"But dad, I do, Valentina does and so does mom. Doesn't that mean anything to you?"

"Well sure it does."

"Then what are we waiting for??!! Listen dad, I don't know about you but I want to move in with them. I want us to remain a family again."

"You're moving in with them?"

"Yes. I am. Now you can join me, and the family or you can stay here alone."

"Don't put me in this position."

"I can't believe you actually have to think about this. You'd rather stay here alone than help out the entire family and bring us back together to be happy? We're only doing this to make things better!"

"I know Zac but I just don't think I'm ready to live with your mother again."

"Well that's ultimately up to you but I'm going to bring part of the family back. It won't be the same without you but if it bothers you that much then fine, just stay here but don't expect me to come back."

"What has gotten into you?"

"I found my mom!! I found my sister!! I already have my dad and now he won't do the slightest favor for me. So you tell me dad, what has gotten into you?"

__________________________________________________________

The next day, Valentina's POV

The door cracks open and I see Zac stick his head in.

"Zac!" I say in enjoyment to know that he is here.

"Are you moving in, Zac?" I ask anxiously.

"Well I am."

"What's that suppose to mean?"

"Well I talked to my dad and he just wouldn't do it so I told him that I'd move in and let him make his decision when he's ready."

"So dad isn't coming back?"

"No"

My heart sinks. I run over to the couch and huddle myself into a small corner and hug my legs as I feel some cold tears drop onto them.

"Then what's the point?! If dad isn't coming back then we aren't a family!"

"I know. But I don't know what to tell you."

He sits down next to me and wraps his arm around my shoulders.

"But at least I'm moving in, right?"

"Yeah. I mean Zac, of course I'm thrilled that you're moving it but it just isn't what I had hoped for without my dad - who I've never actually met."

"You've met him."

"Well yeah I have but I don't remember! So what does it matter?"

"Yeah I get that. But trust me, don't you worry because someday he'll understand and I'm sure we'll be a family again."

"Yeah someday."

"We just need to give him time."

"Yeah I guess so" I say wiping my tears that roll slowly down my cheek.

"I'll talk to him again tonight."

"Okay," I turn around and face toward him again.

"Thanks." I wrap my arms around him, too and hug him as I smile ever so slightly.