the love of my life - Pablo Gavi

back in Barçelona

Tess pov:

We have just landed in Barcelona and I am happy, very happy. 

Believe me, Ibiza was beautiful, but to be back in Barcelona with the football team and my beautiful daughter is just great. 

Pablo walks down the stairs next to me. 

I immediately feel the Spanish heat coming towards me. We pick up our suitcases and then we walk to the parking lot. 

We say goodbye to Frenkie, Mikky, Pedri and Camila and then we walk to Pablo's parents' car.

 They looked after Hope and kept the house clean, so I am very grateful to them. They don't know yet that Pablo and I are engaged, so we're going to tell them now. I smile. 

It feels a bit like we're about to announce that I'm pregnant. But fortunately that is not the case. Of course, I love babies and I can't live without Hope, but the birth and everything surrounding it was quite traumatic. 

But when it happens, it happens. 

We are standing at Pablo's parents' car. They both get out. Pablo's mother is holding Hope. 

She walks over to me and gives me a hug. ''Hi Tess, it's so good to see you again! How was it?'' she asks as she hands Hope to me. Hope makes all kinds of happy noises when she is given to me. 

"It really was a holiday I will never forget, in more ways than one," I say, smiling. "Pablo, what have you done?" Pablo's mother asks him in alarm. Pablo smiles. "There were 2 men who wanted to do nasty things to Tess and I protected her," he says proudly.

I smile because he says it so sweetly. "Please pay attention to Pablito next time," she says while pressing a kiss on Pablo's cheek. "It's okay mom," he says as he gives her a hug. 

"And we still have something to tell you," Pablo says mysteriously. He takes my left hand and holds it in front of his parents. 

"We're engaged!" 

he says happily. His parents look at us in disbelief. Then their looks change. Pablo's father first gives me a hug. ''Congratulations, hija. Pablo really made the right choice. "Thank you" I say while wiping away a tear. 

Pablo's mother also congratulates me and gives me a hug. I wipe away more tears. I never got that much happiness from my parents. 

And now, 2 people who have only known me for a short time, swallow me up into their family and I get to be a part of it. 

A feeling of joy comes over me. I give Hope a kiss and then we get into the car. We chat a bit and then we are at the stadium. 

Pablo has to train today and I have to coach today. Xavi is not there, so I have to be coach tonight. It is quite scary, but I know that the team has confidence in me and that also gives me confidence. 

And today we also want to tell the team that we are engaged. "Thanks for the ride Mr. and Mrs. Gavira." I say politely. ''Please, call us Belen and Martín, that is much more convenient'' Pablo's mother says sweetly. 

"I will try, thanks again." I smile at them. Then we get out of the car. Hope will stay with Belen and Martín for a while and they were kind enough to put our suitcases in our house, which saves a lot of hassle.