GAME DAY- ALEXIA PUTELLAS

CHAPTER 15

ALLEXIA'S POV

In the morning, I wake up before Clara, so after checking the time, I decide to sneak out of bed carefully, grab some clothes from the wardrobe, and leave the room as quietly as possible. In the bathroom, I change into my clothes, trying not to make too much noise, and as expected, when I come out, I find my mother already up and ready to go out for the churros with chocolate she promised last night.

- Well, well... you're quite the early bird today- my mother says, putting on her coat.

- Can I come with you?

- Of course, but wrap up warm, it's freezing out there- she warns, making me laugh.

Before putting on my coat, I grab a piece of paper and a pen from one of the living room drawers and write a small note to Clara in case she wakes up before we return.

"Good morning, redhead. I'm out with my mum to get churros with chocolate, we won't be long. Make yourself at home. Love you."

We leave the house and, as we're walking, something occurs to me.

- Hey mum, do you remember when dad used to wake you up on Christmas Day with a bunch of flowers?

- How could I forget? But why are you thinking about that now?

- Do you remember where he used to buy them?- I ask, not yet answering her question.

- If I recall correctly, it was from the florist about two streets away, the tiny one you used to stop and look at when you were little. Remember?

I smile to myself, finalising the plan in my head while my mother watches me closely, probably having guessed what I'm up to. We reach the churrería, and fortunately, we don't have to wait too long. I then persuade my mother to accompany me to the florist to get a bouquet for Clara. On the way back home, I feel very proud of the small gesture. I hope the redhead will be pleased, although I'm a bit nervous as it's the first time I'm giving her a gift. Even if it's a small thing, I want to pamper her a little, especially after yesterday. Clara and Ada deserve all the love in the world.

- Are you so in love with that girl, aren't you?- my mother asks as we reach her street.

- Is it that obvious?- I reply, smiling- She's the best thing that's happened to me in years. Meeting Clara and Ada has made me change my outlook on life.

- I have to say, it doesn't surprise me. I've known them for just a day, and they've already won my heart, especially after seeing how you and Clara look at each other and how you are with Ada.

I give my mother a hug because I can't find the words to express how much her words mean to me. With that, we arrive at the building, and, being careful not to damage the bouquet, I open the door and we go back upstairs. There's no noise, so I assume no one is up yet, even though it's already past ten in the morning.

- Why don't you wake up your girls while I wake up Alba? That way we can all have breakfast together- my mother suggests after we've set the churros and chocolate on the table.

I head to the room with the bouquet in hand, and when I open the door, I see an incredibly sweet scene. Ada is in bed with her mother, both fast asleep in each other's arms. I can't resist and take a photo with my phone, knowing that Clara will love it. Then, I place the phone on the bedside table and set about waking up the girls. I sit on the edge of the bed, next to the redhead, and start planting kisses on her face while also stroking Ada's face, who wakes up before her mother.

- Good morning, little one, how did you sleep?

She tells me she slept well, and I ask her to help me wake Clara, so together we start kissing her face, one on each side, until she wakes up.

- Well, what a lovely morning, isn't it?- Clara says, smiling and still sounding sleepy.

- It can be even better- I say, pulling out the bouquet of flowers from behind me, hoping I haven't crushed them.

- And what's this?- she asks, accepting the flowers.

- Just a little something- I reply sincerely, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

After a few minutes in the room, when the girls are properly awake, we head to the dining room where my mother and sister are already waiting.

- Good morning- says the matriarch of the family.

- Good morning- we all reply as we sit at the table in the same arrangement as last night's dinner.

- How are you all today?- my sister asks, still half asleep.

- Great. Did you know that Alexia brought flowers for Mummy, just like in the movies?

- Really? Like in the movies?- my sister plays along.

- Yes, exactly like that- the little one replies, making us all laugh.

We have breakfast together and then settle in to watch one of the must-see films of the season: Home Alone.

The festivities are nearly over, in fact, today is the 5th of January, and I'm on my way to pick up Clara and Ada to go and see the Three Kings Parade together. While waiting for them at their building, I receive a call from Mapi.

- Hey, Leona- I answer, leaning against the building's façade.

- Hi there. By any chance, you're not going to the parade with Ada and Clara, are you?

- Actually, yes, I'm waiting for them now to head there. Why?

- Because the princess arrived earlier as a surprise and has never seen the parade, so I thought it would be nice to take her along. What could be better than going together, right?- Just as she finishes speaking, I notice the door opening and Ada hugging my legs.

- Hang on a second, Mapi- I say before muting the call to ask Clara and Ada if they'd like my teammates to join us. The redhead says it's no problem, and Ada is thrilled to see Mapi again- Leona, are you at home?- I ask when I resume the conversation.

- Yes, we're here.

- Well, we'll pick you up in ten minutes, so be ready.

- Don't worry, Ingrid will make sure we're not late, you know how she is.

After ending the call, I pick up Ada, which has become our customary greeting, while stealing a kiss from Clara. We quickly head to my teammates' house, where they're waiting for us at the door. Ada's excitement at seeing Mapi and the Norwegian is heartwarming, and of course, the little one ends up holding Mapi's hand.

- I don't know who's more of a child, the two of them or Ingrid- Ingrid confides to Clara and me, making us laugh.

We find a spot to watch the parade, and it's hard to tell who is more amazed, the child or Ingrid. By the end of the show, Ada's bag is practically filled with sweets, and although we all helped, I'd do anything to see her joyful face, her eagerness to go to bed that night so that morning can come sooner and she can open the gifts the three wise men have left under the tree.

In the end, the five of us go out for dinner, just to avoid making a mess in our homes, and then we say our goodbyes around ten o'clock, parting ways.

- Hey Alexia- Ada starts to say- do you think the three wise men will bring me a lot of presents?