Anyone but you (Fermín López)

Chapter 17

Fermín's mind was an absolute mess while he drove to see Victoria. He was worried and he was scared. But there was no turning back. He needed to know what was going on and he needed to see her. This wasn't a conversation to have via text.

When he got to Victoria's, Fermín knocked on the door and got inside the house despite the protests her mum was trying to make.

"I still haven't spoken to her, Fermín", said her mum.

"Spoken to me about what? Why are you here, Fermín? If dad sees you...".

Fermín walked to where Victoria was standing and held her hands. It felt so good to be back by her side.

"Vicky. Please, tell me. Are you pregnant?"

"What? No! I'm not. My period was late and I've been feeling pretty bad so I did the test but it was negative. How did you find out about that?"

"Oh thank God", said her mum, not answering her question. "But why did you ask me to get that doctor's appointment?"

"Because if I'm not pregnant, then why do I feel like this? And my period is still gone so...maybe I'm sick. I'm a bit scared, mum".

Fermín took Victoria's face in his hands to look at her. She looked so pale and so sad.

"Are you ok?", he asked her softly and she shook her head.

"Don't touch her...", started to say her dad but his wife slapped his arm.

"You scared the poor kid making him think he was going to be a dad before talking to Victoria like I asked you. The least you can do is let them talk. Can't you see how much she's hurting since you separated them? She's even making herself sick".

"I...so she's not pregnant?"

"No. But she's not ok and we both know why".

The no pregnancy news relieved him a bit but then he turned to look back at Victoria and Fermín and saw them hugging. Victoria couldn't stop crying and held onto Fermín for dear life. No father should want to see his daughter cry. Ever. But it hurt even more when she cried because of his actions. What had he done?

"You'll be ok", whispered Fermín while he held Victoria and caressed her hair. "Have you been eating? You look like you lost weight".

"I'm just not very hungry at the moment. But I've been eating a bit more the last few days".

"Vicky, you need the food to feel strong again. Please. Do it for me?"

Victoria smiled at him and nodded. When was the last time she had smiled like that? Her parents couldn't remember but Victoria could. It was the day Alicia managed to take her to see Fermín. Without him in her life, the smile was always gone.

However, Fermín knew he couldn't stay there long. At least he got to find out the truth about the pregnancy. And even if he was ready to be by her side and look after their baby, he was happy it was a false alarm. They'd have time in the future to grow their family but it was still too soon. And Victoria needed to look after herself first. Their main priority now was ensuring she returned to full health. To feeling fine again.

Oscar was staring at them and so was his wife. But the looks they gave them were very different. While he still looked like he hated to see Fermín touching his daughter, Victoria's mum had a soft smile on her face. She just wanted her daughter to be happy and this Fermín boy clearly made her very happy so that made her like him a lot.

"I'll go now", said Fermín, breaking the hug.

"Can't he stay a bit longer?"

"Better if he doesn't, Vicky", said her dad.

"It's ok", told her Fermín. "I just care about you feeling better. Please promise me you'll look after yourself".

"I will. I promise. I'll go to the doctor and do whatever he tells me to do so I feel better".

Fermín noticed Oscar walking towards them and hugged Victoria quickly before he had to leave. Before they separated him from her again.

"I love you", he whispered. "I'm not going to stop fighting for you. We might have to wait a little longer but I'm not giving up. Don't give up either, please".

"I won't. I promise. I love you so much, Fermín".

And before anyone could stop him, he kissed Victoria and left the house.

Victoria kept staring at the door while she touched her lips with her fingers. Being with Fermín took the pain away so easily...it almost felt like the pain had never existed.

She moved to go back to the sofa and her parents could see the smile that was still on her face. All because she got to see the boy she loved. That was how easy it was to make her happy again.

"Things are about to change around here", said Oscar's wife and he looked down at her serious face. "I'm not asking for your opinion. I'm just letting you know".