effervescent | m. hummels & r. lewandowski

[ chapter nine ]

( Ara )

Three words and the frenzy had started in my veins. I couldn't believe I had just said that to him, my husband's teammate and friend. I don't even remember when was the last time I said that to Robert or he said it to me. The words felt so foreign on my tongue that I had to roll it off a couple of times to bring myself to say it again.

The happiness that took over his features made my heart flutter, the sound of the ragged beating of my heart against my ribcage was evidence enough of my love for this man in front of my eyes.

In a heartbeat, he picked me up in his arms and spun me round in circles, both of us laughing like teenagers. "Ah! This is even better than when we won the World cup in 2014!" Mats shouted, still spinning us in circles.

My giggles were endless and only stopped once I felt the cold bed under me, he hovered over my small frame caged me under him with his hands on both sides.

We didn't need to exchange words because the eyes said all the truth held within.

He dipped his head and was in the crook of my neck, breathing soundly. A small shiver ran down my spine when I felt his lips on my collarbone. "I love you so much." He said with a kiss to my lips, slowly moving north of my body.

"I love you so much that it hurts." His eyes glistened in the light of the dawn, sincere and raw with emotion. "It hurts every time I think of him with you."

Mats mumbled as he kissed my lips slowly, taking his sweet time to torture me with that skillful tongue of his and chuckling sadly whenever I allowed him entrance quickly.

"But you're the only one who makes me feel this way," I blushed at his storing gaze, intently fixed on me. I run my fingers along his jawline, bending down a little to kiss the spot where his jaw meets his ear.

"I told you, you make me feel like I am the only girl in the world."

Mats pressed his forehead against mine, a combination of sweat, passion, lust and synchronization. All in all, beautiful.

Neither of us said s word and let the silence consume us.

"As much as I'd love to stay in bed with you all day, I think we should get up." I mumbled with another kiss to his jawline. "Come on, I'll make you breakfast." I passed a wink and I swear, I saw his eyes widen.

As we descended the stairs, Mats encircled his arm around my waist, securing me by his side through all times. I could feel his eyes lurking on me all the time. The pout he made was adorable the moment I pushed him down on the counter seat.

It seemed that my lips couldn't resist a minute or even a second without his, not even a minute had passed by and I felt the sudden urge to connect my mouth with his again.

And so I did.

"Mats? Why are you kissing my mommy?" A voice brought both of us out of her happy bubble. Mats stiffened and so did I. Then, in only a heartbeat, we pulled away quickly from each other and turned around to see Clara in her pink pajamas, holding her favourite teddy bear in her hands.

She rubbed her eyes profoundly and yawned. When neither Mats or I answered, she padded over to where Mats sat and placed herself in his lap. She leaned into his body and closed her eyes, her head resting on his chest.

Even if Mats was horrified at what would happen next, he didn't let it effect his love for Clara. Instead, he patted her back and ran his long fingers through her hair. Kissing her forehead softly, he looked back at me with a chuckle. "Well that happened." He kissed his teeth. "Do you think she'll hate me now?"

It was clear Clara loved her father very much but she loved Mats, too. From whatever I've seen with the time these two spent together, I've seen nothing but love and affection, from both of their sides.

"I doubt she can ever hate you." I concluded tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "She loves you too much to do that to you."

"You're probably right." He spoke, his voice falling a little. When I noticed his frown, I quickly took his face in my hands and made him look at me. "Hey, hey, look. I love you, okay? And so does Clara and-- and that's all that matters."

Silence consumed us.

"What if she tells Robert?" Mats enquired suddenly making my heart stop beating.

Images of Robert beating me and me screaming for my life invaded my mind. My heart was so tired, my brain was so tired, I was so tired of everything Robert did to me. It was like I had become familiar to all of his antics and actions, like I knew what he will do upon hearing a certain something.

And it scared me.

One should only be this much afraid of his Lord, not an ordinary human being.

"I don't know." I mumbled, fumbling with my hands. My eyes searched for Mats, and his, mine.

"If he even touches you again, I swear to God Ara--" I see him close his eyes in utter frustration, maybe because he couldn't be here for me forever to protect me, or just by my side all the time. "I'm going to kill him if he touches a hair on your head." Mats seethed. "And don't you think I don't know what he does to you when he's angry. I know all about it,, even if you don't tell me. No wonder you're so scared all the time, always worrying and let us not forget that mark on your cheek that day at the ice cream parlor." He voiced out his mind and I felt myself shivering.

"I love you, and I'm going to protect you."

Oh Mats.

Yes I'm alive, much to your dismay, sorry for taking so long to update but hey, I got up a chap! Tell me what did you think?