This Isn't My Idea of Love

Chapter Sixteen: The Night Before

Lionel forced a smile as he wrapped an arm around Viola’s waist; tomorrow the two of them were to marry and he couldn't believe that he was marrying a woman that he had only known for several months.

“You look beautiful Viola,” Daniella said as she admired the nude bandeau midi dress in lace paired of off-white heeled sandals with metal trim that Viola was wearing for the rehearsal dinner, she had to admit that the brunette did look nice tonight.

Cesc chuckled as he wrapped an arm around his pregnant girlfriend; he had to admit that he hadn’t expected the wedding to come around so fast, though it had made him think about himself and Daniella, who were expecting.

“So Lionel, you’ll be staying at Gerard’s tonight… are you sure you’ll be able to cope with being away from Viola tonight?” Carles teased making Viola grin at him, she knew that none of them knew that this was all arranged; the brunette was looking forward to having the bed to herself again tonight.

Lionel rolled his eyes as he held Viola close, he was used to all the teasing about his engagement and marriage to the brunette; he hadn’t really let him bother it since they’d all done the same to Andres when he was getting married.

“Don’t worry Viola, I’ll keep him out of trouble,” Gerard said with a grin on his face as he stood next to his friend, his girlfriend Shakira rolled her eyes as she moved towards Viola slightly with a smile on her face.

“And I’ll keep them all out of trouble,” the blonde promised making Gerard pout slightly at his pregnant girlfriend, she kissed his cheek while a couple of the other’s chuckled amused at the Spaniard.

“I bet you two can’t wait until tomorrow, I remember the night before our wedding… I was so nervous,” Anna said making Andres nod his head in agreement; she smiled at the couple in front of her, who shifted nervously at the thought of their wedding.

Viola felt ill at the thought of what was happening tomorrow, no matter how much she practiced the ceremony with Naya or Heather; it never seemed enough and she was frightened that she would forget her words.

“Don’t worry about it, I’m sure that you’ll both be fine,” Cesc said spotting the looks on Lionel and Viola’s face; he knew that this was hard on them and that they wished that this wasn’t happening to them so quickly.

***

Yawning Lionel got up from the couch in Gerard’s games room, it was getting late and he didn't want to stay up much longer; the others were all starting to head to bed and Shakira would come looking for Gerard if he didn't go to bed himself soon.

“I’ll see you all in the morning,” Lionel said as he waved to his team-mates and headed out of the games room and headed to the guest room where he was staying for the night. Stepping into the bedroom and closing the door behind him, Lionel felt

an odd feeling fill his chest as he stared at the empty cold bed; he shook his head as he realised that he was missing Viola as he headed into the en-suite and had a shower.

Dressing in his boxers for bed, Lionel paused as he looked at the side he knew that Viola slept on; he shook his head as he climbed into the bed after he had turned off the lights.

However sleep escaped him as he lay in bed for twenty minutes, he glanced over at the empty side of the bed; he groaned as he glared at the empty space.

“Come on Messi… you can play football all over the world and yet now you have problems sleeping,” Lionel muttered annoyed as he moved about trying to fall asleep without any success; he frowned as he looked at the clock by the bed, he had a feeling that it was going to be a long night.

***

Viola sighed as she stepped into her empty bedroom, the brunette closed the door silently behind her as she brushed some hair from her face and moved to shower and prepare for bed.

Viola took her time as she prepared for bed, she found it odd that Lionel wasn’t with her; earlier she had been looking forward to sleeping alone again but now that it was facing her, it didn't feel right after five months.

Dressing in her blue woven stripe nightshirt, the brunette climbed into bed and collected her book; she licked her lips as she glanced over at Lionel’s side of the bed.

Of course, she was used to having the bed to herself on certain nights when Lionel had a match or was out of town because of football but this was different and it didn't sit right with her.

Viola tried to continue reading her book; however her eyes continuously moved to the empty place where she knew that Lionel should have been.

“Pull yourself together Viola… you’re stuck with him after tonight,” the brunette muttered to herself as she shook her head and tried to focus on her book; she didn't want to admit it but she was missing Lionel.

Nearly twenty minutes later, Viola groaned in annoyance as she re-read the same line again and it still didn't seem to sink in; she pouted as she looked over at her mobile and wondered if she should call Lionel.

The brunette sighed as she closed her book and set it down on her bedside table before she attempted to settle down to sleep; however she couldn't fall asleep no matter how hard she tried.

Finally after what felt like forever, Viola reached over for her mobile and dialled the number that she knew would help her fall asleep; the brunette licked her lips as she waited for him to answer.

“Hola?” said an annoyed voice making Viola sigh in relief, it was clear that she hadn’t woken him up; the brunette lay back on her pillow as she wondered what she should say.

“Hola, I’m sorry if I disturbed you,” Viola said softly as she glanced at the clock, she felt better now that she had heard his voice; she didn't seem to care that it was weird since they had only known each other five months.

“Viola, no it’s okay… I was just about to go to sleep,” Lionel replied making the brunette smile softly as she cuddled one of the pillows on the bed, she didn't seem to notice it was his pillow that she was holding close to her body.

“So is everything okay?” Lionel asked concerned wondering why she had called him; the brunette blushed as she wondered how to tell him that she had missed him.

“It’s nothing really… I just wanted to hear your voice,” Viola said softly making Lionel chuckle as she buried her head into his pillow; she paused as she smelt his aftershave and pushed it back into his side of the bed.

The brunette swallowed as she took a deep breath, she felt like she could now fall asleep without even saying anything to him; she licked her lips as she closed her eyes.

“Leo… is it weird that I miss you?” Viola asked softly, she paused wondering why on earth she had said that; she closed her eyes as she heard Lionel chuckle.

“Not if I miss you as well,” Lionel said making the brunette smile as she listened to him for a moment; it didn't seem weird right now that she was missing him and he was missing her.