Unexpected Love

Chapter 23

Cristiano.

"I still can believe we're engaged," she whispered as we cuddled together in the home theatre.

Junior was spending the day with Marcelo and Enzo, he really wanted to see the new lion cubs.

"You have to admit you were surprised." I laughed, while Leonardo just revealed he was Jay Gatsby with a tremendous amount of Pomp and Circumstance.

I brought her hand up and kissed her ring while she just watched me curiously.

"I can't lie," she said with a small smile,"I was not expecting it, everybody suspected it, even Izzy suspected it and she's still in Valencia."

"How could you not? You are the most magnificent woman in the world and it would be a privilege to be your husband."

"And you go and say things like that. Cristiano you are amazing to me, I hope you know that."

"I love you," I said quietly.

"I love you too," she replied throwing her hand across my chest.

"I have to be at work by four." She sighed.

"We have like 5 more hours together," I laughed,"We both have hectic lives don't we?"

"Yeah, when I was younger I used to always wonder who would ever travel more than a footballer. Now I know. A freaking doctor who works for a health organization, that's who." She joked.

"Do you regret it?"

"No," she smiled.

"Have you ever thought that being a doctor is not something you're happy with?" I questioned.

"Do you mean if I feel like I'm obligated to do it?" She asked.

I nodded.

"I guess it was like that at first," she sighed,"I had my family to think about and their happiness and comfort was my number one priority. But then after a year or so of being a fully trained doctor I realised that going into work everyday, meeting new people, helping the sick, studying viruses, inventing cures, visiting war camps, advocating for human rights made me feel whole. I love what I do, I don't have an explanation why it makes me feel content."

"You're amazing, don't ever forget that," I said, placing a kiss on her forehead.

We watched as Jay, Nick and Daisy pranced around Gatsby's house. I could never understand Jay's obssession with the unattainable, I mean it was clear that Daisy was not in love with him as she fooled herself into believing.

She was entirely materialistic.

"I want to ask you a question," Catalina breathed out of the blue. I immediately got worried by the tone in her voice.

"Sure darling, what is it?" I replied, propping myself up with my elbows.

She looked away hesitantly in an almost aprehensive way before she just sighed .

"What happen to Junior's mother?"

I was taken aback by this but I recovered quickly.

She watched me carefully, her mesmerizingly beautiful hazel eyes fixed on me as if she was trying to read my mind.

To be truthful, I haven't thought about his mother in over 3 years. I almost forgot what our story was.

I had to choose my words carefully.

"Her name was Alania," I started off, pausing the movie.

"She was funny and nice to be around. Always lively and knew just what to say to make any situation less tense or sad."

"Sounds like Junior," she offered with a light laugh.

"Yeah he kind of does take after her in that aspect." I shrugged. I paused for a bit then continued.

"Alania was from New York. A city girl who I met while I was at Manchester. She was a waitress at a restaurant I happened to come across in the heart of Manhattan. We got to know each other, I liked her, those days were the simple days."

Catalina still smiled at me, gently running her slender hands through my hair in a circular motion that was comforting.

"Then we found out she was pregnant. I was thoroughly freaking out. I was going to be a dad and I was going on about it as if I was the last father on the face of the earth. I used to irritate her when I made her stick to a health regime and help her do stuff around her home. She joked one day and told me she was not an invalid and I should stop treating her like one,"

Catalina burst out laughing at this and it was the sweetest sound ever. So melodic and pure.

"I made sure no media would ever bother her. She didn't deserve the scrutiny when she was pregnant that would've been too much stress."

"I could only imagine," she agreed.

"When the time for Junior's birth came, I flew her out to South Africa with me so I could be there for her while the World Cup was going on. I remember the call I got in the middle of the night. She was in labour and it was almost time. I was so excited I think I broke the speed limit that morning."

I smiled at the memory.

"I arrived at the hospital and in no time she was ready to push. Junior came early in the morning, pink as ever, full head of curly hair and bawling his lungs out. I was extremely happy, so was Alania. She held him briefly, smiling broadly before she passed out. I held Junior while the doctors raced to help her. She went into shock they say. The convulsions started and she lost so much blood her skin was paper white."

Catalina's eyes expressed her sorrow and genuine sympathy.

"She died that night from severe haemorraging. Junior became so quiet those days, didn't cry much but a few tears used to fall at times, it was almost like he sensed it. I was completely dazed for a couple of days before I got myself together. Buried her with her sister's permission, she was her only living family."

I let the wave of grief wash over me momentarily before collecting myself.

"The media had a field day when I introduced Junior to the world. They came up with some story that I had fought with Junior's mom and had taken sole custody. I ran with that story, it was easier to explain than what really happened, less of that scrutinizing spotlight on her. It was easier because even in death I wanted her to be comfortable."