Ailemiz İçin

Dad

Sergio was very careful when they came out of the hospital. He was constantly asking his wife if she was okay and never left her side.

- Be careful, my love. Are you okay?

- Yes, Sergio. I've told you this many times. I am okay, we are okay. 

- OK honey. I just want to be sure. Sorry. 

Raquel smiled at his sweetness. 

- Just... I missed Paula so much. Both my mom and she must have been very curious about us.

- Don't worry, darling. I've already spoken to them. They know you're fine. We're almost there. Be careful, do not rush.

As they approached the boat, Raquel stopped for a moment, remembering that moment. She put her hand on her stomach as if trying to protect her baby. She unwittingly grabbed Sergio's hand tighter. When Sergio saw her gaze at the boat, he understood the situation and gently stroked her hand with his finger to calm her down.

- It's over, darling. Please try to forget. I'm with you now. Are you okay?

Raquel nodded to reassure him: Sorry, just for a moment... Never mind, let's go to our house as soon as possible (She tried to smile as sincerely as possible. She really wanted to forget what had happened).

Sergio answered her with a hearty smile and asked permission, heading to a boat a little distance from their boat, and starting to untie its ropes.

- But Sergio! What are you doing? This is not our boat.

- This is our new boat, amor. I didn't want you to get on this boat again. We'll leave it here and forget about this incident. We will only have good memories with our family on this new boat.

She was very affected. She was definetely with the most thoughtful man in the world.

- You are a great husband...

''You are the wonderful one...''He said and then he took her hand, kissed it gently and slowly helped her get on the boat.

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After a not very long journey, they approached their home. Seeing the boat approaching, Paula called out to her grandmother:

- Grandma, grandma! My mom is coming!

- Oh finally.. Wait Paula! Don't run!

But Paula did not listen to her, missing her mother, she ran to the shore. She was jumping and waving at them.

With Sergio's help, Raquel got off the boat and immediately hugged her daughter, sniffing her hair.

- Mom, I miss you so much.

- Me too baby, me too.

As Raquel was about to take her daughter in her arms, Sergio politely stopped her.

- Paula, your mom still needs to rest. Shall we put her in her bed and talk?

Paula said "OK" and immediately took her mother's hand, helping her get to her room. She was surprised how she had grown, and thanked her husband with her eyes. Marivi, who finally came to them, hugged Raquel.

- Welcome my daughter, how are you? We were worried about you.

- I'm fine now mom, don't worry. Ok?

Marivi nodded with a smile and stroked her daughter's hair. Together they slowly made their way towards their home. When they got to the door of their room, Raquel stopped and looked into the room. It was awful to think that she would never see this place again.

- I missed here.

Sergio smiled, he had definitely missed seeing her here, too.
- I didn't enter this room while you were away, I couldn't (he leaned close to her ear and said as if whispering)..

Raquel turned to Sergio and caressed his beard with smile.

Realizing that they forgot about Paula, Sergio said: Yes, it's time to rest.

Sergio and Paula gently placed her on the bed.
- Are you comfortable like this, my dear?

- Yes, it is very comfortable. Thank you. I have wonderful nurses :)

- Mom, you're okay now, right? (Paula sat next to her mom on the bed and asked anxiously)

- Yes, of course yes. I'm fine baby, don't worry. Did I scare you so much?

- Yes, I was a little scared, but Sergio told me you was okay. (she looked at Sergio, then at her mom) He is right, you are very strong, the strongest woman.

Raquel looked at Sergio, who looked embarrassed, and smiled. After a father who constantly humiliated Raquel in front of her own daughter, she was grateful to have offered her a loving family.

- It is you who gives me strength, this family. (She kissed her daughter longingly)

- Mom... I will ask you something.

- Of course, sweetheart.

- Have a baby in your belly? Will I have a sibling?

Sergio and Raquel glanced at each other. They did not have time to think how to say this to Paula.

- Well, who told you this?

- Mom, I'm not a baby! I hear you talking.

She wanted to keep it from her, at least until everything was fine. But realizing that there was no way, Raquel smiled and stroked her daughter's hair.

- How quickly did you grow baby. Yes my love, you will have a sibling, you will be a big sister. Are you happy with that?

- Hmm.. I think, I'm glad mom. I was tired of playing alone here.

Raquel was relieved by her daughter's positive response. Yes, the little girl had wanted a sibling from her mother and Alberto before, but that was impossible when everything was getting messy in that relationship. Now, too much time had passed, and Raquel was afraid that Paula would have trouble adjusting to her new life. Wanting to get her daughter used to the idea even more, she said:

- Yes, after your little brother or sister grow up a little bit, it will be your best friend. You will play a lot of games together. I'm sure you will have a lot of fun.

Paula turned to Sergio:
- And will the baby call you daddy?

Sergio looked at Raquel and Marivi, who had been listening anxiously and quietly to the conversation.

- Y-yes. She/he will say dad.

- So... since it's my sibling, can I call you dad too?

They were all very surprised. Raquel was trying to hold back her tears, and Sergio was too.

- Sure! Of course you can say, Paulita. If you want that, I would be very happy. So...whatever you want. Don't feel obligated, don't feel obligated to do anything. You call me how you feel comfortable and happy. Okay? I already love you so much. It doesn't matter how we call each other, does it?

Paula nodded. "I want it...dad" she said. 

Sergio sat next to the Paula and hugged her. Raquel joined them. Marivi left the room, unable to contain her tears.