Getting Through Life

Chapter 36: Celebrate

Today is the twenty-ninth of March. That meant two things. Leah's birthday and our seven month anniversary.

I had missed the first game with City after England camp. Gareth tried to change my red card into a yellow, but it didn't work. I told him to just let it be, making a fuss about it would only make it worse. So, I spent my time in the stands that day, watching how we lost the game to Bristol City, 1-2. I'm not even going to speculate how that could happen, because I'm already beating myself up for it. How can we lose to the bottom ranked team? 

We were still sitting in second place, so we didn't give that away. But I'm almost sure we don't have a chance of winning the title anymore. Chelsea is going strong and Arsenal may top us if they can score lots of goals to change their goal difference. Secretly, I hope Arsenal wins it. I'm convinced that we bottled it, but if I go there next year, there will be a good mentality for next season. Also, my hate for Chelsea is greater than for any other team. Or maybe Tottenham could top that. Just those London teams that don't wear the color red really...

I talked with Gareth, along with Raúl, to discuss the opportunity. He was pleasantly surprised, but he said he only wished the best for me. He understood that I wanted a change, especially with my history here. And I appreciated him for that. I still have to talk to the team, but I have lots of time for that.

But back to today. I had already spent lots of thoughts on what to buy Leah. I decided I wanted to give her one gift for both dates combined. She did the same for me on my birthday.

She'll be twenty-two. What does a twenty-two year old lady want would you might ask? I decided she'll be happy with a dinner reservation in her favourite restaurant, and then I'll give her a necklace. She's a very emotional person, and I am very much not, so I tried to make an effort for her. I hope she'll notice it.

My phone went off again. It's amazing how many times that thing goes off, because everyone who should know, knows that I don't like to call. But I looked at it anyways, you never know.

Leah. Of course I picked up, I'm whipped, deal with it.

"Hi Le", I answered while I put her on speaker. I had to clean my room, because I'm a terrible organizer. Also because I had to pack everything. I needed my room clean and my bags packed because I was going to give them to Raúl. Why you may wonder? Well, wonder some more!

"Hey you", she responded. We agreed we'd call every day, no matter the time. So it made sense she didn't have anything to say. I didn't either, I just wanted to hear her voice.

"Just to be sure, you haven't plan anything today right?", I asked to reconfirm. I already told her to not plan anything because I wanted to celebrate her birthday and our anniversary together on facetime. Of course that's not true. I wouldn't have made that reservation if I wasn't in London. I'm here with Raúl for the meeting with Jonas Eidevall. I certainly didn't plan it today on purpose...

"I'm all yours tonight", she sighed. Perfect.

"Excellent, because I made a dinner reservation. Be ready by seven, I'll come and pick you up", I instructed her without further information as for why I may be in London. 

"What? You're in Manchester I assume? Don't tell me you came all the way down here just for today", she said. Just?

"Okay, one: no I didn't. I didn't tell you yet because I wanted to surprise you, but I'm here for another reason. I'll tell you that later today. And two: 'just'? My life revolves around you, you know", I sniggered.

"Aww, stop", she got all shy. And I thought I was the one who couldn't do romantic.

We talked some more just to catch up until I had to go. I didn't tell her, because I don't want her to get her hopes up. This could still just be nothing. Raúl told me he'd drive us both together, so I hope he isn't late. For the first time I could be on time, I hoped he wouldn't ruin it for me. This is important after all.