Forever Yours

Thirty-Nine

Juan went back on Tour the day after our fight, we didn't talk much on that day other than to say our quick goodbyes, and even then it felt weird, off. We haven't spoken much since he left either and it's been almost five days now. He calls me every night to wish Santos a good night, but our conversations pretty much stick with Santos. Manuela and Marlli called me a few days ago to ask if they could come stay with Santos and I for a few days. I of course said yes, I'd actually really enjoy the company.

I felt maybe, in a weird way, I would feel Juan was in our presence with them.

***

"Mi bebe!!" Marlli exclaims loudly when she sees Santos in his crib.

I picked Marlli and Manuela up from the airport an hour ago and had Elizabeth stay with Santos while I was gone. Elizabeth is gone now and Santos woke up from his nap so all three of us decided to pay him a visit.

"Someone has a stinky diaper." I shake my head, going to grab my smelly baby from his grandma.

She pulls him tighter in her arms, shaking her head. "I'll change his diaper, don't worry. You and Manuela go downstairs and I'll spend some much needed quality time with my nieto."

"You don't have to tell me twice." I joke, laughing lightly.

Manuela loops her arm through mine and begins to lead me back downstairs. "How are you? You didn't seem like yourself on the way here." she asks gently as we reach the end of the stairs.

I smile, knowing that's her nice way of telling me I look shitty. "I haven't been sleeping well." I shrug. We take a seat at the kitchen island and I offer her a drink, she declines and I go on. "That's probably it."

"Cause of Santos?"

I shake my head. "Not really. I've got him down to a pretty good routine. It's...other stuff." I say.

"Like..?" she asks slowly.

I hesitate for a moment. Do I really want to get Juan's family involved in our problems? No. "It's nothing, really."

"You're starting to worry me. What's wrong?" now she sounds uneasy.

I sigh, shaking my head. "Juan and I just aren't in the best place right now." I shrug. "I guess that keeps me up at night sometimes."

"What do you mean? You guys are fighting?" she asks, sounding kind of shocked to hear that.

"Kind of." I answer hesitantly.

She shakes her head. "What the hell? Juan hasn't told me anything about that. I talk to him like everyday."

"It's not a big deal, Manu. Really." Juan probably doesn't want to worry them with our problems, that's why he hasn't said anything to them. Fuck, I regret telling her.

She nods slowly. "What are you guys fighting about anyway?"

The knowing look she gives me tells me she's not gonna let me out of telling her, so I sigh, picking at my nails. "I just don't feel he's spending enough time with Santos when he's home. Whenever he's home he spends all his time asleep. He's tired from all the traveling, I get that. But I don't know, it's really starting to become a problem." for me, at least.