the love of my life - Pablo Gavi

(happy) birthday

Tess pov:

"Happy birthday!" Sara enters the bedroom cheerfully. "Thanks Sara."

I just can't agree with her. I'm in the hospital, my boyfriend is in a coma and my daughter is fighting for her life.

"It would only have been a happy birthday if I was home with my family." "Oh, Tess," Sara gives me a hug. ''I understand you, but you and Hope are doing better than expected. And Pablo is strong, very strong.'' I look at her and I feel tears welling up

''The doctors want to unplug the equipment tomorrow, because they no longer know what to do. Nothing works.'' I say with a tremor in my voice.

''No you can not be serious! They can't do that! I'm going to talk to the doctors right away.'' She walks away.

I let my head fall back onto the pillow. Why is life so difficult. A tear runs down my cheek. It lands near my lips. I taste the salty taste. More tears follow. I stare at the ceiling.

Why? Why? Why?

I hear the door open softly. I quickly sit up, but a painful stab shoots through my stomach. I wrap a hand around my stomach and want to scream in pain, but I try to stay strong.

I quickly wipe away my tears with my hands. I smile at Xavi. But I know the smile is very much a failure.

He looks at me worriedly. "Are you in pain?" I smile through the tears and pain. "I'm fine." Xavi takes my hand. "Are you in pain?" His sweet reaction makes me cry even more.

''Yes, a lot of pain. The wound from the c-section continues to hurt. It only gets worse.''

''Oh, Tess.'' Xavi gently gives me a hug. "I'm glad you're here Xavi."

Xavi doesn't know it, but he feels like a father. I grew up with an abusive father, and I never got a hug or a kiss from my biological father.

Xavi gives me a hug like a real father.

Then we let each other go.

"You can sit if you want, there is a chair there." I point to the corner of the room. He smiles gratefully, takes the chair and sits next to my bed.

"Congratulations on your 18th birthday Tess." "Thanks Xavi." He gives me a square gift, wrapped in beautiful pink wrapping paper. "No, Xavi, that's really not necessary, I really don't need a gift." "I insist," he says, smiling.

I can tell he's nervous, so I open the gift. When I open the gift, I look at Xavi in surprise. "Textbooks for learning to play the guitar?" "Yes, the rest of the gift will arrive this afternoon." He winks.

"You make me curious, Xavi." "Patience is a virtue," he says, laughing. "Then I'll just wait in suspense," I say, laughing.

The door opens. A nurse comes in. "Would you like to hold Hope for a moment, Tess?" "Yes, always." "That's fine. You can hold her for 15 minutes and then I will wash you, okay?''

''I can really wash myself, I'm an adult now.'' I say proudly. ''Congratulations Tess!

But unfortunately I can't allow you to wash yourself. I have to see if there are any wounds that need to be treated and we definitely don't want the wound from the operation to open.'' I nod disappointingly.

"I'm going again Tess, just tell Hope that her uncle has come by," Xavi says, smiling. I look at the nurse pleadingly. "Can Xavi please meet Hope?"

I see the nurse hesitate, but my puppy eyes make her agree.

"Okay that's good, because today is your birthday." I smile happily. "Sir, you have to put on a special suit and wash your hands very well." "Okay, that's completely fine," he says happily.

I know Xavi would really like to meet Hope. "Oh yes, Xavi." Xavi turns around.

''You're more of a grandfather than an uncle. You feel like my father Xavi.''

I see Xavi getting emotional. "I really appreciate you saying that Tess."

There is hope in Xavi's arms. I watch with a smile. "It suits you." I say teasingly to Xavi. ''She looks so much like you, Tess. And she is so precious, he says with tears in his eyes.

I feel myself getting emotional too. Hope is sleeping. I chat with Xavi about everything.

"Is Pablo doing better?" he asks hopefully. I swallow.

I swallow again. "No." I say softly. I can see he is disappointed. "I'm so sorry Xavi." "You can't do anything about it Tess. I'm just glad that you and Hope are doing well.''

He smiles but I can see that he is disappointed. Which makes sense.

''Sir, unfortunately you have to leave. Visiting hours are over.'' Xavi nods respectfully and the nurse helps to give Hope to me. Xavi looks at Hope for a moment and smiles.

"I love you, little one." He says it very softly, but loud enough that I can hear it.

"Tess, is it okay if some players come this afternoon?" "I would really like that." He smiles and walks away.