Through Her Eyes - Alexia Putellas

Chapter Twenty-Five

It was the night of the Ballon D'Or.

Alexia's family—including Barcelona—and friends followed the captain to Paris where the award would be given. Everyone was ecstatic to see Alexia nominated for the Ballon D'Or for the second time, believing that she truly deserved it.

Valerie was the most nervous, as she climbed onto the plane and was accompanied by an unfamiliar face.

"Hola Valerie, it's nice to finally meet you!" The young woman greeted happily, ignoring the side glance from Alexia and sat down beside the blonde who smiled nervously.

"Hola, Alba." Valerie ignored the burning stare on the side of her face from the captain who sat on the column next to them, and patted the seat beside her for Alba to sit down, to which she obliged.

"You look more nervous than my sister. What's wrong?" Alba whispered, leaning over the arm rest to lay her hand onto Valerie's arm.

"It's our first time meeting," Valerie reminded with wide eyes, remembering back to the night where Alexia's sister interrupted their first kiss—her cheeks flushed red when the memory resurfaced.

"You're even more beautiful than what Ale described, she never stops talking about you—" The younger sister rambled loudly intentionally, laughing when a burning glare from Alexia was directed towards her, "You haven't met our mother yet."

Dread filled Valerie's stomach at the thought, it wasn't that she didn't want to meet Alexia's mother, but worried that it was too soon—especially after they had just reunited again after their short break.

"Stop pestering my girlfriend, idiot. Come here, Val." Alexia scolded, earning a scoff off of her sister and a sigh of relief from Valerie.

"It was nice meeting you, Alba." The blonde smiled, grabbing the woman's tanned hand and rubbing it with her thumb. Regardless of her teasing, Alba was already accepting of the Brit, as she saw how happy Alexia was with her.

"You can talk to me anytime, Val. I'm better company than my miserable sister." Alba winked, watching as Valerie stood from the seat and hurriedly sat down beside the captain.

Between the two, there was a comforting silence as Valerie's hand slipped into Alexia's and the blonde laid her head on her shoulder—the chatting of her friends and family became background noise as they felt complete with one another.

"Hermosa?" Alexia whispered, turning her head slightly and smiled softly when she noticed the blonde yawn and groggily turn to meet her eyes, "I'm sorry for what my sister said."

"About your mother?" Valerie watched as the captain nodded slowly, "It's bound to happen at some point, right?"

"She will love you, I promise. Anyone I lov—" Alexia cut herself off, clearing her throat nervously and pulling at her sweater collar.

Though she didn't finish her sentence, Valerie's eyes widened at what Alexia was about to say, her heart quickened at the prospect of the captain loving her. Although they had been together for almost a month and a half, they hadn't told each other 'I love you'.

Was it too soon? When was the right time?

For the rest of the plane ride, the pair sat in silence—occasionally showing each other funny videos on their phones, or teasing Alba. But a shadowing feeling still fell over the two, ever since their last conversation.

"Valerie, I—" Alexia started, once people began to stand when the plane landed, but stopped herself when she watched the blonde turn to face her with an understanding smile, "I'm sorry, nevermind."