Someone Like You | Toni Kroos

Chapter 17 - First-class Husband

Toni's POV

"Awwwww, look at them," a female voice purred, waking me up from my restless slumber. "Such a cute couple."

"Shhhh, Amelie," another female voice warned.

I opened my eyes only to see Gabi's parents and Amelie standing in a line on my side of the hospital bed, gazing at us lovingly.

"Hi," I whispered. My left arm was numb, having supported Gabi's head and neck all night long.

"Morning, Toni," Mr. Meiser beamed. "How is Gabi?"

"Umm..." I squirmed uncomfortably. I was groggy and confused and I couldn't feel my arm. "Can you hold her? I need to move my arm."

He went over to Gabi's side and supported her head while I got myself out from underneath her. Gently, he shifted her towards the centre of her bed. However, as I was trying to make way, I found that she was grasping tightly onto my arm.

"Aww, she doesn't want to let you go!" Amelie said lovingly.

I smiled a little shyly at her, not knowing how to respond to her excited narration of me and Gabi. I wrung my free arm around, desperately trying to solve the numbness. "The doctor said she can leave today," I told them. "She was just tired."

"That's great," Mrs. Meiser said. "I hope everything's fine between you two."

"Of course they are!" Amelie gushed. "Look at her grabbing his arm!"

Her shrill voice woke Gabi, and she opened her eyes, confused. "Why are there so many people?" she grumbled.

All of us immediately went silent as she closed her eyes again and went back to sleep, snoring peacefully – and still trapping my arm in her hands. Gently, I pried her fingers apart and freed myself before signalling for her family to talk outside.

"She should be able to leave in an hour or so," I told them when the door was closed. "I'll wake her up soon."

"How's the Madrid talk?" Mr. Meiser asked.

I smiled wearily. "She's fine with it."

"Congratulations, Toni," he said, although I could tell it was a little half-heartedly.

"Thank you," I said. "We'll be coming back here, I guess. For the break before the season starts."

Just then, the nurse from the previous night appeared down the corridor and approached us. "Is she awake?" she asked.

"No, is she supposed to leave now?"

"She can leave now, would a family member take care of the paperwork at the reception?"

I went back into the room as Gabi's family went to the counter. Gently, I sat down beside Gabi and pushed her hair out of her face.

"Gabi, baby," I called. "Time to wake up."

She grunted and turned over to her other side.

"Gabi, let's go home."

"Home?" she mumbled sleepily. "Where am I?"

"In hospital, baby. Let's go home, okay? You can watch me pack."

"Pack for what?" her eyes shot open and she turned around to stare at me warily.

"Brazil, remember? The World Cup."

"Oh," she whispered, shaking her head to clear the haze. "I thought...you...never mind."

I leaned over and kissed her gently on the top of her head. "I'm never going to leave you, Gabi."

She smiled shyly at that statement. I combed through her hair with my fingers as well as I could before taking out fresh clothes from the bag her family had brought. I helped her to the bathroom and helped her to change her clothes before her family returned.